JN: Yeah - I know; I haven't updated in forever. . ::blushes::

YJN: She keeps looking over he shoulder where ever she goes, as if some rabid fans are going to jump her, tie her up, gag her, and make her finish this story ... I keep telling her not to worry - because that's my job.

JN: --' Well anyway, I've had this chapter written for a good 10 days, I just haven't had time to post it … . Anyways, here's your chapter!! !!

Chapter 6: Dirty Little Secret

If I had the chance to love,

I would not hesitate,

To tell you all the things I never said before,

Don't tell me it's too late…

Jou blinked awake slowly, very comfortable and warm in a way that he had never been before, though not coherent enough to question it at the present moment.

"Are you going to sleep all afternoon?" the lazy question came. Eyes snapping open, the blonde suddenly remembered what happened, and he felt his cheeks turn red. Looking up, he saw that he was clutching loosely to the side of one CEO of Kaiba corp, who had his arm around Jou's shoulders indolently as well. Whining slightly, the blonde turned his head down and nuzzled the warm side he was attached to, looking very cute for it, and saying with a slightly muffled voice,

"Uh-uh. I dun wanna get up." He felt more than heard a slight sigh on Seto's part as the brunette, who Jou just realized hadn't opened his eyes yet, said,

"Well I do, so that means that you have to move, pup." Sighing slightly himself, the blonde reluctantly let go of the brunette and moved away, rolling over and putting his feet on the ground. This immediately caused him to wince and stand, pressure on his backside creating a dull throb of pain. A chuckle behind him caused the blonde to turn and glare at Seto, who was the source of the sound. Sobering at his own pace, the CEO said,

"You're going to hurt for a while pup, but I think you already knew that." Jou's hands froze halfway through pulling up his jeans; he didn't like the tone of voice the brunette was using. Finishing dressing his lower half, he reached for his t-shirt, and jumped as a hand grasped his hand lightly, and the ice-eyed other said,

"You should probably get cleaned up before you get dressed pup; then again, you never were one for brains …" Throwing a mock glare in his direction because he couldn't seem to conjure up a real one, he stuck his tongue out at the brunette and pulled his arm away, moving to pull his shirt over his head.

"Besides, some of those cuts look like they could use some cleaning; do you not know what disinfectant is?" Jou's eye twitched - he had wondered when the other would comment on his body. But he didn't ask directly about them, so, it's ok; maybe he won't, the blonde thought, though this notion was dashed as soon as Seto continued with,

"You should stop getting into fights; unless that's not where they came from?" I can pretend that that wasn't a question, Jou thought, even though it was clearly open for answer at any point. He heard three slow footsteps approach his back, and he didn't move - didn't even breathe.

"So, is it, pup? Or is there something else that's hurting you worse than a fight ever could?" The words were spoken slowly - chosen carefully, as it were. The blonde swallowed. So, Kaiba didn't know it came from his family - at least, not yet. And the smaller teen meant to keep it that way as well.

"I don't think that's any of your business Kaiba." There. It was a deliberate goad on the blonde's part, but it might make the CEO angry, and if you were angry, it was the blonde's experience that you forgot what you were talking about before becoming mad. This instance however, did not play out in the most favorable way.

"Why not? After what just happened a few hours ago, I would think that anything that goes on in your life is my business." It wasn't an angry statement - it was more … beseeching, than anything else. Clenching his fists so hard that his hands trembled, the blonde knew that the brunette was right - before, the CEO of Kaiba corp didn't lay claim to any aspect of his life besides what went on in school during their fights. Now however, was an entirely different matter altogether.

"Pup - ." Worry. That was the tone that came from the one standing only a breath behind him. Fighting tears that he had no idea why his eyes were attempting to shed, he turned around and practically yelled,

"No - I don't have to tell you anything!! 'Ts too late anyway - there's nothing you can do! So just leave it alone - leave ME alone!!" and he was running. He didn't know to where - he didn't know why, but suddenly, hallways were passing him in a blur, the staircases came up to meet him at an alarming rate, and for once, his speed was enough. He was out of Kaiba Mansion and down the street in 2 minutes flat …

'Cause I've relied on my illusion

To keep me warm at night

And I've denied in my capacity to love,

But I am willing to give up this fight …

Down streets, past people, around mail boxes, over fences - he had no idea where he was going, really wasn't paying any attention. He was just running. He had no idea why he felt so miserable all of a sudden, so confused. He hadn't needed to blow up like that - Seto was just concerned, right? But, he didn't need that concern - didn't want it.

Looking around at his surroundings, a short, bitter, bark of laughter was emitted from his throat. His body had taken him to the spot he always went to think. A large, sturdy oak tree that sat in the middle of the park, surrounded by smaller trees. Jumping up easily into the branches, he smiled slightly at the irony. This is where he had been sitting the first time he had ever laid eyes on Seto Kaiba. Before he had met the CEO, before he had hated him, before he had loved him … He had been sitting in this tree branch, and the brunette had walked by the tree with his little brother, who was a raging ball of energy at the time. And he remembered the first time that the icy eyes had connected with his own - the intensity of the gaze as it pierced into his, seeming to see straight through him and into his thoughts … Jou shivered at the memory, and then, banished it quickly.

I didn't need anyone before - so therefore, I can't need anyone now - I don't need anyone now. Katsuya Jounouchi is fine, the blonde thought feverishly as he crossed his arms, preparing to sleep here, where he sometimes did if he was particularly afraid to go home. Then … why do I feel this pain - so much worse than the physical? It hurts … as if something has been taken from me, and I need it to survive … Katsuya Jounouchi doesn't love - no one besides his sister … something I promised myself a long time ago … but … maybe … the blonde shook his head. No. He didn't need the ice-eyed brunette; didn't want to give up the fight he was having with his subconscious, which said that he did love the CEO, more than life itself, and that he did want his help - wanted his concern, wanted his everything … because maybe … maybe he already had Jou's …

Been up all night drinkin'

To drown my sorrow down

But nothing seems to help me since you've gone away.

I'm tired of this town

Where every tongue is waggin'

When every back is turned

They're telling secrets that should never be revealed

There's nothing to be gained from this

But disaster …

The blonde finished the second bottle of alcohol - most likely vodka - from the liquor cabinet that his dad always kept stocked under any circumstance. He figured if he could get drunk enough, he'd either die, or, if he passed out before that happened, then he wouldn't have to think about his problems anymore. At least, not for a while.

The blackness around him swam in swirls before his dilated eyes. He had done nothing for five days except sleep, drink, and stare at the wall. He hadn't left his room, hadn't gone to school, hadn't seen his friends - nothing. He was too miserable, to confused, to afraid that something was going to happen if he saw Seto again, to even chance meeting him. And he knew that the CEO didn't know where he lived, though he wasn't sure how long that would last - it wouldn't be hard to look in the student directory at school. Too bad he'd had no chioce but to put the correct address on the damned paper ...

And you know the funny thing? Usually, when he was feeling this lousy, he would mope about through the week until it was Saturday - sometimes even Friday night, if he couldn't wait that long - and he would drink himself into darkness, and when he woke up, he would either have the solution to his problem, or he wouldn't care anymore. Neither one of those outcomes were commencing, and he couldn't understand it. Nothing seemed to help since he left Seto's house; since he was gone …

There's nothing to be gained from a relationship with him but disaster - for me, my dad, my sister, my mom … everyone is better off if I stay away and keep my mouth snapped shut … the blonde thought hazily. If he went back to the CEO, then he would eventually have to tell him about what his dad did to him, which would cause the brunette to do something, and then, eventually, Serenity and possibly his mom would feel the repercussions. So, all in all, everyone was better off. Why then, did the blonde feel so lousy …?

He hadn't been seen in 5 days; he idly mused what kinds of lies people were spreading about him. The last time he had done this, people started a rumor that he had joined a gang 1; that one happened to be true, but no one had actually known that for a while after it was being told. Probably sayin' I started prostitution or something… Jou thought in an annoyed fashion. And then, a thought crossed his hazy mind just before he hit the ground in a dead black out; What does Seto think happened to me …?

Here's a good one

Did you hear about my friend

He's embarrassed to be seen now

'Cause we all know his sins

Looking at the school, Jou's eyes darted, resembling a wild animal that was recently caged. He was watching out for a blue Ferrari, and he was also looking out for Yuugi-tachi. 2 Suddenly spotting the tri-colored hair, the blonde waved; Yuugi was exactly who he'd been looking for. Short legs sped up as the smaller of the two ran to the blonde, saying,

"Jou! Where have you been? I haven't seen you since last Friday!" The blonde held back a wince; he had been ready for the little guy to be worried about him, but Yuugi sounded as if he was about to cry. Tossing on a smile that he deemed believable, the blonde said,

"Oh you know; I've been around, hanging out at home and whatnot. Anyways, I was wondering if I could talk to Yami for a second?" He was a bit nervous about asking for it, because Yuugi would know something was up; he didn't usually talk to the spirit of the sennen puzzle unless he was already out doing something else. But, the violet eyed boy seemed to think nothing of it as he said,

"Sure Jou - just hold on a second." Wide violet eyes closed, and after a second, the boy grew a few inches in height, and when he opened his eyes again, they were slightly pointed and the color of blood.

"Hello Jounouchi; there is something you wanted?" came his deeper voice. The blonde nodded, steeling his reserve and figuring out exactly how to word it so that the inhabitant of the puzzle couldn't figure out that he was referring to himself. Nodding once more to himself after a second, the blonde said,

"Yami, I have this, uh, friend, and he's got a problem. He came to me for help, and I don't know how to help him; since you're pretty good at figuring stuff out, I thought maybe you could help." That was not a lie at all. His subconscious was the one that insisted that he wanted a relationship with Seto; if he had his way, he'd completely forget about what happened … or how good it felt … or … shaking his head furiously, the blonde failed to notice that they had started to walk, or that Yami had replied,

"Alright Jouhouchi; what is this problem that your friend has. I may be able to help." Nodding, the blonde thought about it for second, and then he said,

"Well, he has some issues at home, and it's kind of physical - guess you could say it's abuse. And he's cool with that; deals with it pretty well. Anyway, someone happened to see some of the results of this issue at home, and asked some questions. Now, he doesn't want to tell because it'll only get worse for a lot more people, but he wants to tell the person who asked because he really likes 'em, and he doesn't want them to go away. So, he's at a loss - did that just make any sense at all?" He had been rambling on, trying to make it sound casual, though it probably just came out sounding rushed and slightly frantic. Yami simply nodded in response, eyes closed, seemingly deep in concentration. Finally, after a few minutes, he said,

"Well, I think you should tell your friend that he should decide how important the person asking about his home life is to him. If your friend really wants a relationship with that person badly enough, he should try it out, and go along with whatever happens, and if he has to eventually tell the person about his life, then I guess, so be it; however, I think the person asking, if they care enough to ask, will understand that your friend can't tell them about what's going on. At least not right away." Jou nodded slowly; somehow, he knew the pharaoh would say something to that extent. Seeing that they were in front of the game shop, Jou said goodbye and ran off in a random direction to think about what he had been told, not noticing the few drops of water that landed on his head from the darkening sky …

If I had the chance to love,

I would not hesitate,

To tell you things I never said before

Don't tell me it's too late

Ding ding, ding dong! The doorbell rang outside Kaiba mansion. Not the bell on the gate though. The actual door bell. It was pouring rain out; had been for the past 3 hours. The door opened, and icy blue eyes widened only a fraction, which was the only external sign of his shock. The blonde before him, that had been missing for 5 days, looked like he had been walking around for the past 3 hours outside, and he was just turning to walk away as the door opened; then, he stopped dead.

Amber eyes connected with ice blue, and the CEO read one thing there. Let me stay with you; give me a chance to love you. Please don't tell me it's too late … the brunette said nothing for a very long time; he just stood in the doorway, staring at the sopping blonde, who was getting wetter by the second, with that critical blue gaze. And suddenly, as Jou was just thinking about turning tail and going home, 3 strides brought Seto out into the torrent and to the blonde, enfolding the smaller in his arms and setting his chin on the slick golden locks gently. And that was how they stayed, in the pouring rain, holding each other, no questions, no declarations of love, no words of anger, concern, confusion … Nothing. Just existing with each other. And it was enough …

'Cause I've relied on my illusion

To keep me warm at night

And I've denied in my capacity to love

But I am willing to give up this fight …

Owari?

JN: So ... what did you think?? I might, keyword might, write a follow up chapter - but I did like the last section - I thought it made a very cute, fluffy visual ... !!

YJN: You would, you baka ... --'

JN: :P Anyway, R'n'R plz!!

Reviewers!! !!

Fae Quill - Thankies muchly!! I still have to go back and beta this entire fic --' But I'm glad you liked it!!

Celeste1 - Ok, so this probably isn't what you wanted … but … it kind of sums it up … right?? … Dun hurt me … o.O

Lady Divinity - ::blushes:: Nah - I'm not all that good. Especially on a first try. But thanks for being so nice!! !!

HikariChang - Thankies muchly!! Glad you liked it!!

And to everyone else taht reviewed - I LOVE YOU ALL!!!! !!!!

Footnotes:

1 - In the manga, Jou disappeared for a while and no one knew for sure where he went, but everyone said he joined a gang; it wasn't until much later that the rumor was confirmed.

2 - Yuugi-tachi means literally "Yuugi and his group" … Just in case you didn't know … ."