Hello again. I had this idea for a story and just had to get it out as soon as possible. So far, I'm very pleased with it and I hope my readers enjoy as well.

Disclaimer: No, I don't own YuGiOh, and I never will in a million years.

He ran though the pouring rain down every street that would take him far away from that place. Tears mixed with the rain and blood, his blond bangs stuck to the side of his face. His crying was muffled by the sounds of his feet splashing through puddles, and his labored breaths. He kept going, unsure of where his feet would take him, but positive they'd lead him to safety, they always did. He continued on, not even glancing at the street signs, almost as if this was routine, that's exactly what it was becoming. He stopped in front of a very nice looking apartment building, large trees surrounding, their leaves blowing fiercely in the storm's wind. He had been coming here more often these days, always because of the same circumstances, the same 'accident'. He calmed himself before making the short journey up the path that lead to the entrance, a path that was lined with large orange lilies, his favorite. Taking in a ragged breath he brought his hand up to push the intercom button.

"Who is it?" A confident voice was heard from the speaker after a few seconds. A voice that sent chills down the boys spine.

"It's me." He replied weakly, not sure if the man upstairs heard him, but he heard the buzz that alerted him the door was unlocked for only a few seconds.

He pulled the handle and ran inside in air conditioned building, making him shiver under his soaking wet clothes. He was faced with the decision: up or down, choosing up and made his way to the third floor. Standing outside the white door, a number below the peephole read: 221B. He gazed at the number before allowing his eyes to focus on the brass door handle that turned slowly. The door cracked open to reveal half of a mans face. His eyes were crimson and he had the same golden bangs as the boy standing outside.

The door opened completely, the man gestured for the boy to come inside. "Is everything alright, Yugi?" The man asked, pausing for a moment, looking the boy over then continuing with, "Let me get you a towel and some fresh clothes." With that he disappeared into the dark hallway, returning a few seconds later with a light blue towel and clothes that weren't sopping wet.

"Thank you, Yami." Yugi said quietly, taking the towel from the mans hand, wiping away the wetness from his face.

"You can change in the bathroom if you'd like." Yami gestured towards the bathroom down the hall and handed Yugi the clothes that were in his hand.

Yugi made his way to the bathroom as Yami took a seat on the couch, resting his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. He let out a sigh and glanced down the hall towards the bathroom, lost in thought.

Yugi stood in front of the mirror examining his newest injuries. His chest and back were covered in bruises and small cuts, both large and small. His arm held one that was in the perfect shape of a hand. He sighed and traced his skin, hesitating when he passed over a large dark new bruise that made it's home above the right side of his hip. He pushed on it, hissing in pain as he did. He chuckled, "What did you expect?" questioning himself.

He began to dress himself with the clothes Yami had given him, taking in his scents, hoping tonight would be the night that would change his life. However, he had hoped that almost every night for the past few months, since he had been coming to Yami for protection. He turned around and opened the door the lead back out to the living room, flicking the light off before making his way down the hall.

Yugi emerged from the darkness of the hall in front of Yami, who was staring at the floor. "Are you alright?" Yugi questioned him.

Yami slowly brought his head up so their eyes met. He let out a sigh before answering the question. "I'm fine. What about you, what did he do to you this time?"

Yugi looked away immediately. "Nothing." He responded. He never made eye contact when he lied, and Yami knew that.

"Yugi, don't lie to me. You wouldn't be here if it was 'nothing'." Yami's voice grew louder, not by much, but enough to make Yugi uncomfortable.

He shifted his weight to his left leg, keeping his eyes fixed on the wooden floor boards. "He was drunk again." Yugi replied after a moment of silence. "I probably deserved it, I-"

Yami cut him off. "Yugi, look at me." He demanded. "You do not deserve anything that idiot has put you through." He paused, the gears were turning in his head. "Let me see." His voice was growing softer, that was the tone Yugi liked to hear.

Yugi just grunted and dropped his hands to his side. Yami stood up from his seat on the couch and stepped over to the teen. He sighed and began to lift up Yugi's over sized tee-shirt, revealing a not too pleasant sight. "Yugi..."

Yugi turned away as soon as Yami said his name, the pain in his voice was almost too much for him to handle. He walked over to the glass sliding door and watched the rain pound the veranda. A flash of lightning lit up the world for a half a second, casting terrifying shadows on the ground below.

"You can't keep letting him do this, I can't keep letting him do this. You can't stay there anymore. Things are getting out of hand." Yami stated and took a spot directly beside the teen.

"There's no where else for me to go." Yugi said, never adverting his eyes from the display outside. "It'll get better."

"Yugi, you know better. It's been months, things have only gotten worse." Yami replied, looking down at the teen standing next to him. "Every time you go back to him, it just makes him think he'll be able to get away with it again, and you haven't done anything to prove that wrong." He paused for a moment then turned back to look out the glass door. The rain was only getting worse, tornado sirens could be heard from the distance. That was one disadvantage of living in an apartment, no protection from a natural disaster. "I just don't want to see you hurt, Yugi."

Yugi sighed at looked up at his friend. "Then what am I supposed to do? I don't have a job, a car, a license. Nothing. At least-" He let out an uneven breath as a single tear slid down his cheek. "at least he takes care of me. I have a roof over my head and food to eat."

"And at what cost?" Yami snapped. "He beats you almost every night. That's not a fair trade, Yugi. You could be with someone better, someone who appreciates you and loves you. Someone who would never lay a hand on you." It took all he had to resist the urge to add 'Someone like me.' to the end of his sentence.

"You don't get it, Yami." Yugi started, balling his hands into tight fists. "It's not like I want this, but, where would I go if I were to leave him? I'd be living on the streets." He paused for a moment, trying to find the words to make Yami understand. "There are too many rainy nights like this."

He had to offer, after all, he just wanted to give Yugi a little bit of peace. "You could stay here with me." Yami said simply, his voice was quiet and calm, almost like he didn't want Yugi to hear his offer, in fear of rejection.

"I couldn't impose like that. It's not fair to you, you've already helped me more than I ever thought anyone could." Yugi said, looking back the outside world.

"At least stay the night, so I know you're safe." Yami pleaded with him. It was the first night in months he actually had the courage to ask Yugi to stay.

Yugi let out a sigh. "Fine." A failt smile found it's way to his lips, maybe tonight would be the start of something better.

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