Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who followed this story to the end! Believe it or not, the reviews really did guide my writing, chapter by chapter—as I tinkered with this story each evening. And you had an impact on the plot's details as well as supporting characters. Yes, it's true! So, thanks for the encouragement and honesty! Oh, it's so hard to say "goodbye" to you guys… I'll miss ya!

Chapter 32

Final Chapter

Jounouchi was back in Domino City and had found his way to the park once more. As it was Thursday and almost ten in the morning, Jou had the place pretty much to himself. He picked out his favorite grassy spot by the lake and eased himself down. He was still hurting, but he didn't want to show it—even when he was by himself.

He had missed these times. When he thought about it, he really had very little "alone time" on this trip. As much as Jou liked being a part of a group, he sometimes craved for moments to himself when he did what he wanted and he called the shots.

Jounouchi had a cold can of Sencha green tea held loosely in his right hand. He felt the breeze caress his face and push against his body. He loved the wind. Sometimes, he wished that he could just merge with it and fade into nothing. Even with his eyes closed, he could see the brightness of the morning sun on his face. The warmth was a comfort. It felt good.

The sun must have passed behind a cloud because his eyes sensed shade now. A moment later, he felt feet shuffling and a presence moving next to him. Jounouchi opened his eyes in surprise to see Kaiba Seto. He was sitting next to him—blue eyes giving a level stare.

"Kaiba?"

"Hello, Mutt. You disappeared right after we got back."

"Oh, yeah," Jou said but didn't move from where he was. Seto was sitting with a casual lean in his direction.

"And about the doctor appointment?" Seto said, determination creeping in.

"Too bad I missed the appointment," Jou grinned back with mock sincerity.

"It's in two hours."

Jou's face fell a little.

"His office is in that building." Seto pointed to one of the highrises across the street.

Jou's face fell a little more.

"So, you have some time to kill."

Jou gave him a pained look and Seto smiled evilly.

"So, where'd you go after we got back?"

"Missed me?" Jou said, smiling at him.

"I'd say 'worried' might be a closer description," Seto admitted. He watched with satisfaction as Jou's smile wavered, replaced by guilt.

Jounouchi shrugged apologetically, "Well, I decided to go back to the coffee shop to see if the boss would hire me back as a permanent part-time employee. I really liked that summer job."

"Did he?" Seto asked, resting his cheek in his hand.

Wow, this is the first civil conversation we've had in awhile, Jounouchi thought to himself. A smile flickered on Jou's face again. "Yeah, he did. I'm going to start on Monday after school."

"That's good. I'll buy you a new hat." Seto smirked.

"Oh, that's right! I lost the old one in the earthquake." He laughed at himself. "And just when I was really getting attached to that yellow hat, too. Ha!"

"Tell me that it was supposed to be that color... Though, it could have been grease on a white hat…"

Jou shot him a look and decided to change the subject. "So, how about you? You were gone for almost two weeks—no notice." Jounouchi had a wry smile. "Surely, someone must have missed ya." Okay, I'm fishing here, Jou thought to himself, hiding amusement.

"Oh, at Kaiba Corp, the sharks circled. They always do. But there was nothing to feed on. But, it's not like they didn't try. They're vicious, and that's saying a lot coming from me." The wind blew brown hair into his eyes. He pushed the strands aside. "I have to work late tomorrow, though. Mokuba's going to be mad about it."

Up to this point, Kaiba had actually been enjoying himself—which was strange being outside the office. But, he quickly noticed that Jou seemed different. His eyes were troubled and his body had tensed up. He had nodded stiffly.

"Something?" Seto said, looking confused.

"You know, it's going to be different now, isn't it?"

Seto felt his heart beat harder. Maybe, Jou was talking about the two of them. Maybe not…

"I mean," Jounouchi's eyes looked far away for a second, "we don't even have a full year together anymore. We're going to graduate. And I'm going to lose them---Yugi, Anzu, even Honda... One minute, they're with you and the next…" Jou ran his fingers through his blond hair. He watched the sky for a minute. "I have to let them go. I know it. And I'm going to hate it when they leave me behind."

That's not it entirely. There's something else, Seto thought to himself.

"It's okay, though," Jou said tiredly. "I'm used to goodbye. I'll continue, on my own, as always."

Seto was trying to decide what to say next. What wouldn't sound critical? Then, again, "critical" was his nature. "Well, you've had a hard time. I'd like to say that 'it couldn't be helped,' but that's not exactly true," he said.

Seto thought about the red thread that Jou pulled from his coat. He died a little inside when that happened. Jounouchi said that he was "happy for him" and, somehow, that hurt was the worst. I'm being selfish here, Seto thought. Nothing I felt could compare to Jounouchi's injuries. In fact, even now, the eighteen year old still looked unwell. Jou had been trying to hide his head wound under thick, blond hair. Only the bruises on the back of his hands had truly faded. The bite mark was covered with an ace bandage so that no one could see. Seto could only guess about Jou's torso. In the days to come, Seto felt he would have to keep a closer eye on Jou. He'd have to think of some excuse to see him again.

"Yeah, ain't it so?" the blond said with a thin smile. "Still, it's no secret that I can handle pain. And this isn't the worst I've ever been. Back when I was in the gang, there was this one time..." Jou began to reminisce, but stopped short when he saw disapproval etched in Seto's face. He switched topics fast. "But, last night, Mokuba reminded me that I wasn't alone. So it was okay."

"Mokuba?" Seto said with slight amusement. "I guess you guys had a 'man to man' talk on the train. I was surprised to find you both asleep in the bottom bunk when I got back."

"Yeah, well, I prefer sleeping with you," Jou said shyly. "He hogs the bed."

Seto held back a smile. "So much for 'duel 'till dawn'." He paused for a second and asked cautiously, "With Mokuba…Is there something about him I should know?" Is he afraid? Is he too scared to tell me something?

Jou shrugged. "I think you know him better than anyone else." Seto nodded but felt himself wanting the whole story anyway.

Jou could read his face. "If Mokuba had problems, don't you think I'd tell ya?"

Seto nodded again.

"Good. Then, learn to trust me."

"I already do," he said with an impatient sigh. He relaxed next to Jounouchi---allowing his long, thin frame to spread out on the grass. "And he does, too, you know. Mokuba calls you 'Jounouchi-nii' now."

"Really?"

"I'm serious."

You're always serious. Well, you also need to learn to lighten up occasionally, too.

The blond cast a mischievous glance in his direction. Kaiba eyed him back. "Yeah, Kaiba. You know, when I was in that earthquake, you were there. When I was bleeding, you were there. When I woke up in the hospital, you were there."

"So, now I'm your savior?" Seto had an amused edge in his voice.

"Let's face it. You're cursed."

Seto broke into a pleasant laugh. He leaned into the grass with his eyes closed. Awkwardly, Jounouchi eased himself over onto his side and watched him. Seto really had a great smile. He just didn't use it often enough. Maybe, just maybe, he could teach him how.

"Drink?" Jou said, sitting up and offering the can.

To Jounouchi's surprise, Seto pushed himself up on an elbow, took it and peeked into the can through the hole. The pale green liquid sloshed inside. "In general, I prefer coffee…." Slowly, he put it to his lips and took a sip, but he never took his blue eyes off the blond.

Why did that feel like an indirect kiss? Jou blinked in surprise for having such thoughts and was handed his drink back. Jou put the can to his lips and suppressed a smile, doing a bad job of it. Looking away, he drained the can and put it down. He turned his head and looked back. Seto was pleased to notice Jounouchi watching him. He always liked blond hair, somewhere deep down in his soul.

But, no, I'm just concerned about Mutt. Am I giving in? Growing attached…? Love is weak. Love is weak. If this ended badly, something inside of me would break. Keep telling myself that until I feel it…

Jou watched Seto's face in mild amusement. He seemed to be struggling with his thoughts. Then, Jou's eyes widened with surprise. Impulsively, Seto reached out a hand. Gently, he grazed a knuckle against Jounouchi's jaw—feeling its curve. "I can't believe that I hit you there once," he said almost to himself.

"When will you let that go?" Jounouchi, frowning back.

"When I learn to forgive myself, I suppose," Seto said quietly, and traced a silky line down Jou's throat to his collar. Jou closed his eyes and enjoyed the feeling. The same hand touched Jounouchi's face and caressed it, soft hair spilling over his fingers. He took hold of the center of Jou's blue and white shirt—pulling him forward with purpose. Jou tilted his chin up, leaning in. I've wanted this for so long… His eyes danced for a second…but his smile faded…

The sharks… His work… What if Namiko was right? Of all the things she said, what if that one part was totally true? Everything he loves would be gone. His life would be over, Jounouchi thought.

His heart was beating fast for a whole different reason now. The shirt he was wearing felt tight against his shoulders with the pressure of being pulled forward. Before Jounouchi could take it all in, he realized that Seto still had his shirt bunched in his hand, the palm of his hand against his cheek, and their bodies practically touching. Seto was hovering close to his face—blue eyes staring unblinking at him.

"Jou," he said gently, tilting his head and closing the small gap between them. His lips parted with a smooth motion. He leaned in.

"Please don't," Jounouchi pleaded. His eyes were frightened. "Don't."

"Why?" Seto's voice was soft, but his eyes showed concern.

His injuries… Is he still in pain? Am I hurting him somehow?

The blond, tugged his own shirt back, looked down, and shook his head sadly.

"Jou…?" Seto couldn't finish his thought. He's changed his mind. Now that he's back home, he doesn't want me. That's it... Oh, hell!

Suddenly, Seto felt his face redden. It was foolish---and weak--- for him to let his guard down for even that moment! What was he thinking?! He was a total and complete idiot! Seto wanted nothing more than to walk away. No, he wanted to storm off ---to just about anywhere. But the blond had a hand on his shoulder. "Wait."

"Let go of me!" he ordered.

"Listen to me, Kaiba," Jounouchi pleaded. "Listen to me?"

Seto tried to move away. Jou held both of Seto's shoulders now. He took a shallow breath, his ribs hurt like hell, and said in a frightened voice, "We can't! Do you hear me, Kaiba? We just can't."

Seto was hurt and angry, "I heard you the first time." He almost managed to stand up, but Jou pulled him into an embrace. He held him close with arms around his shoulders. Blond hair brushed against his face. Jou's chest was pressed against his, heart beating hard. This time, Seto didn't want it, eyes cutting sideways and glaring dangerously. Jounouchi took another shallow breath before continuing, eyes shut tight.

"We can't because… If you do this, I will destroy you."

Seto glared with an angry, incredulous look. The blue eyed dragon stared back at the challenge. There is no way someone like you can destroy me, he thought furiously.

Jounouchi pulled Seto in tighter, clinging to him. The cuts and bruises alone made it hurt like hell, but he didn't care. "Namiko said it. And don't tell me she was lying because you've said it yourself. Those sharks you work with… And once they find out about…the two of us, I mean… There'll be blood in the water before you know it. Others will come after you, too, and they'll never leave you alone until they're done with you." As much as Jounouchi hated it, he could feel tears in his eyes. "I really need to be with you…more than anything in life…but…" His fingers dug into the material in Seto's shirt. He pressed his face against Seto's shoulder. "Don't ask me to destroy you. I can't."

Seto stopped struggling, taking it all in. Jou held Seto for a moment longer and tried to etch the feeling into his memory. This would be the last time he could hold him. "I'm so sorry…I have to leave you…because I know what that feels like to be alone." Jou's arms slipped away from Seto. "I have to let you go, too, you know." Jou rested his body on the grass again, feeling sick and light-headed. He turned his face away.

"Now that you know… For your sake, say goodbye, Kaiba."

In his heart, Jou was waiting for Seto to walk away. Seto was good at that.

Oh, my G--. That's it. That's what he meant!

Seto sat up. Jou could feel Seto's body shift next to him. It ends here, Jounouchi thought bitterly. It's better this way, though. He'll be safe. And I'll stay away from him.

Seto bent his knees and rested his head on his arms for a moment.

Why is he still here? He wanted to leave a minute ago. Jounouchi turned to look at him. "Kaiba, I have to protect you. I owe you. For your sake, for your future… Please…"

"Is that all it is? You owe me?" His head was still down on his arms.

"If that's so, would it hurt this bad?" He looked away.

It does hurt…

Seto leaned over and put his hand on Jounouchi's face very gently.

"Look at me," he said.

Reluctantly, hazel eyes stared back at him. He was shaking his head "no" and blinking back tears. "Kaiba, sometimes love means sacrifice."

Love…? You really… love me? I thought it was a joke when you said it before.

Seto's eyes hardened slightly. "Don't I have a say in this?" he said quietly and stretched out on the grass again, watching Jou's face. He still had tears.

"Then, you'll be cut to pieces. There'll be nothing left."

"I don't want to fight with you," Seto said back. He moved his hand closer to Jou's and entwined his small finger with the blond's. Jounouchi looked over to his hand and saw what looked like two fists, side by side. But, in reality, their little fingers were locked.

"From now on, anyone watching won't notice," Seto said simply.

"Please, Kaiba, let me save you," Jou said quietly, watching the sky now.

"Would that be saving me? I don't think so, deep down…" He leaned over and whispered, "The truth. Just tell me you don't want me. And I'll leave you."

Jou opened his mouth but couldn't say it. I can't lie about this—not even to save you, I can't. How selfish is that?

When he didn't get an answer, Seto knew that he was right. For once, he'd guessed Jounouchi exactly right.

"Can I tell you something?" Seto said, resting his head against his blond puppy's shoulder.

"Anything."

"I only want you."

Jou's smile was pained. It wasn't the reaction that Seto had hoped for.

"I wish I could be happy. I've wanted you… I've wanted you to say that for so long…but…"

"I'll agree to 'being discrete' about us," Seto continued as though Jou had not said anything, "on one condition."

Jounouchi gave him a doubtful look. "This will never work," Jou said, frustrated and tired. "You're asking the impossible." He wiped his cheek with the back of his hand.

"Seriously, I don't care about other people. I care about you—and Mokuba. So, do you want to hear my condition or not?"

"Fine," Jou sighed, fatigued, and looked back with another small tear streaking down his face. He hated crying in front of Seto, but he just couldn't make himself stop. He was tired of wiping his face, too.

"Never kiss me when you cry." Seto felt stressed and smudged the tear away with his other hand. It felt warm and wet against his thumb.

"Because it's weak," Jounouchi said with a note of self-hatred.

Seto scowled and tugged gently on their linked fingers. "Because it bothers me…deep down."

"Something like that actually bothers you?"

Yes, it's true. Seto gave a short, childish shrug. Jou blinked. For half a second, Seto was the very image of the child in Mokuba's locket. His eyes had lost the hard, pained edges and the face seemed almost innocent. There was something vulnerable about him, too. But the moment passed. "I see now…" Jounouchi turned his head to one side and watched Seto for a moment, just like he did in class sometimes. The look gave Seto hope. "So, I guess, that makes me off limits right now," Jounouchi said, with a tearful grin creeping in.

"Sorry, but that's the rule." A thin smile played around the corners of his mouth because he was getting his way.

Hmmm… You don't seem very sorry. "I can live with it."

"Good. Since we're a couple now," Seto began.

"A 'couple' of what?" Jou joked back and wiped his eye again. "We have a history of fighting, but not much else."

"I suppose you're right. I think we should be… friends… first," Seto said awkwardly. Jounouchi smiled back with his head turned slightly to one side. Blond hair tangled in the green grass. Seto noticed a faint blush to the cheeks that made Jou seem healthier.

"Friends, huh?" The blond smiled again with a full set of white teeth this time. "I love how you say that. Say it again."

"No."

Jou tugged lightly on their locked fingers. "Aw, come on! Just one more time, Kaiba. Say it! F-r-i-e-n-d-s."

Kaiba sighed openly and pretended to be slightly annoyed. "I could dump you now," he grumbled.

"'Friends…' You know you want to," he said with a wink.

"I'll leave you here."

"Is that really what you want? I don't think so," he whispered in Seto's ear. There was a sexy, note of seriousness in it that made Kaiba's body sweat a little. But, then, Jou's face grew impish. It was strange how he could switch gears like that. Seto eyed him suspiciously. Jounouchi had a blade of grass and was quietly threatening to tickle his ear with it. "But, also," Seto continued, biting the blade of grass and spitting it away, "I'm tired of having sex on the first date." And all of those encounters ended too easily. I won't do that with him. I'll wait for him to come to me, Seto thought to himself.

Another green blade of grass was closing in on him. "You're not going to let me finish a thought, are you?" Jou shook his head "no" playfully. Well, I guess… That was honest. He would be honest, too. "Okay, I know what you mean. I was with Mai and a part of me will always love her," he said and felt a small tug on his little finger. Hmmm… a bit jealous, Jounouchi thought happily. "But, I want someone who will stay with me, and not," he stroked Seto's cheek with the blade of grass, "just…for… an… hour." Softly, the blade of grass slid against Seto's lower lip. It tickled.

"Wait. You make love…the act… for a solid hour?" Seto half whispered, incredulous.

"Doesn't everybody?" Jou, looking serious.

"Ummm…yeah…right…everyone…" Eh??? What am I in for?

Seto looked down and paused. "Actually there's something else I want to talk about… Speaking of people in the past, I was just curious," Seto continued, still trying to wrap his mind around Jou's last comment—and he felt that he would be doing a lot of that in the future, "Namiko told me that before you passed out, you called out a name."

Jounouchi closed his eyes and thought back to a moment that he was sure would always stay with him. Namiko was clinging to him one moment and kissing him the next. But her eyes turned cold and he was struggling with her. She stabbed him with the needle at the hilt of the dagger. There was a bloody puncture mark on his shoulder. He grabbed the dagger and fought back. She sunk her teeth into his wrist to make him drop it. It felt like she was biting through him. Other hands came out of nowhere, pulling him down.

"Yeah, I remember..." the blond said and nodded.

"And it was Yugi, wasn't it?" Seto said trying to hide a note of jealousy in his voice while looking at the sky.

"Worried?" Jounouchi asked quietly. Honestly, Jou was getting tired of the "he's your best friend" speech.

"Not really," Seto replied and wished that was the whole truth. "But, I suppose it's meant to be. After all, if you combine the kanji "Yu" as in "Yugi" with the kanji "Jou" for Jounouchi it makes "yujou" ("friendship"). So, that's all you'll ever have together anyway."

"Good. I'm glad we've got that settled." Jou smiled, leaned over to Seto—brushed brown hair out of his eyes and said, "And I did call out a name. I called out for you. Though, at the time, I didn't know why."

"Really…? Hmmm… Was it 'Kaiba' or 'Seto'?"

"That's not my point."

I guess it doesn't matter. In time, I'll want you to call me 'Seto'---when we're no longer just friends... But I can wait for that day because you mean something to me. Because I simply cannot make a mistake and lose you…

"You're doing it again," Jounouchi said quietly, close to Seto's ear.

"What?"

"Looking at me and thinking something. Care to tell?" Jou raised an eyebrow.

Seto thought about his answer. Sometimes, it was still hard for him to speak his mind. "For one thing, I'm glad," Seto said and looked at the grass. "I'm glad… that we didn't break up."

Jou laughed and leaned against Seto. "I'm glad we didn't break up, too." He cast Seto another impish look. "Besides, now, I can look forward to our first kiss."

Seto looked away, feeling awkward. Jou saw a pinkish face and grinned to himself.

First kiss? I suppose, that one's going to be hard to explain. We've already had that a few times over. You just weren't awake for any of it.

"Okay, I'll wait until my busted lip feels better," Jou pouted, poking his lower lip with his finger. "It's still kind of sore, too…"

"Ummm…Right," Seto said reassuringly, and Jou hugged him instead.

Thirty minutes later, Seto found himself watching over Jounouchi while he napped on the grass. This time, his dreams were peaceful, and he had his arms folded against his chest. His breathing was soft. Blond hair tossed lightly in the wind. In fact, Seto could hear the wind coming long before he actually felt it. It was a strange sense of peace that he never knew before.

Takane no hana? When he thought back on it… I guess I do have a soul after all and you, in your puppy-ish ways found out how to touch it.

Jou rolled onto his side, his body touching Seto now. Then, he rolled back. He turned his head slightly and then again. "Stop being so restless," Seto murmured.He put a hand to the blond's face, stroking it with his thumb. Jou's body slowly relaxed at his touch and fell into a deeper sleep.

This is what trust looks like, he thought.

The park was still quiet—no one around. Seto watched Jounouchi's sleeping face a little longer. No more tears. "I understand it now …" he said, touching blond hair. I really do love you. Hesitantly, Seto leaned in and lightly pressed his lips against Jou's, loving and soft. Jou kissed back. Jou snored. He kisses in his sleep, Seto mused, laughing a little to himself.

"Koi is always wanting. Ai is always giving."

Seto looked over at Jou, little fingers locked again.

Sleep well, "Ai."

It was a winding, narrow sidewalk with angled breaks and cracks from Domino City's earthquake. Hopping over a chunk of concrete, a delivery girl with a deluxe shrimp and cheese Okonomiyaki in a large, flat box approached the park. She sighed openly to herself as she walked, the sidewalk guiding her--seeing the towering Kaiba Corp building in the distance with men replacing ground floor broken glass windows. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, which swished with each step she took.

As she walked past the park, her narrow eyes suddenly caught two male figures—a blond asleep on the grass and a brunette, with his back to her, throwing a pebble into the lake water. She allowed her eyes to rest on the blond one a little longer---with a look of recognition spreading across her face---before noticing that her uniform's right pant leg was riding up. She was starting to look silly with one pant leg all wrinkled up past the knee and one hanging loose. She put down her delivery and carefully pulled the cheap material over the steel blade in her ankle sheath. She giggled to herself as she walked on, leaving the delivery behind on the ground. Maybe, she'd come back to the park tomorrow. Maybe, Mutt would be alone next time.

I wonder… How would Kaiba-sama feel about that…?

… … …

The End

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