Later that day Honda and I sat on the old scruffy leather couch back in Honda's apartment watching television. We didn't speak much. We just quietly sipped our beers and watched a weird documentary that made fishing look like the most intense and action filled hobby a person could have. Even with minor brain damage I knew that not to be true. Although it tried very hard, the documentary couldn't grab my attention. I kept on thinking back to the ass whooping Honda and I received mere hours ago at the Kaiba mansion. The memory was excruciating. The most horrible thing wasn't my sore body or the lingering taste of blood in my mouth. It was the humiliation that we both had to go through.

"Trumped by rich boy..." Honda sighed with a tone that revealed he could still hardly believe it. I looked at my friend. A nasty blueish mark started to reveal itself around Honda's left eye and his split lip was swollen. "At least I still managed to give the prick some ass whooping before I got tackled by one of those huge security meatloaves." I said in my attempt to try and lighten the mood a little.

"Security… meatloaves? Really jou?"

I shrugged. I couldn't come up with better insults right now. I was exhausted and my mind was racing. All the things that happened over the past couple of days just didn't… click. It didn't fit. Kaiba's behaviour, our 'arrangement' (whatever that meant) and those last few words… the ones that kept echoing inside my head:

'It's so sad when someone you know becomes someone you knew, Mokuba. It's better by far for him to forget and smile then to remember and be sad.'

"If only you actually knew how to hit someone properly, then you would've atleast knocked him unconscious." Honda said. "Or even better, if only you had not even gone there. Why did you go there anyway?"

"I doubt you'll believe me if I told you."

Honda raised his eyebrows. "Spill it."

And so I told him the whole story. How I found out Kaiba was paying my tuition. How I panicked and how I started thinking I stole the money from him. How our conversation went. And finally how I fainted right there in Kaiba's office, just before I could find out why he actually financed my studies. During my story Honda didn't once looked me in the eye.

"Apparently we have an 'agreement." I concluded sour.

"You shouldn't go there Jou." Honda responded looking at the beer bottle in his hand. The chill in his voice worried me slightly.

"Stating the obvious, Sherlock." I murmured. "Of course I wouldn't have gone if I had known any of this in advance!" I exclaimed throwing my hands up defensively.

"What I mean is, you should avoid Kaiba. Regardless of what happened you just should not have gone to that dreaded place and come into contact with that guy."

I raised my eyebrow. "Why not?"

"Just trust me, Jou. That guy is bad news and I won't always be there to come save your ass" Honda sighed.

I looked at my friend. The bags under his eyes showed his worry and exhaustion. Something was amiss, but somehow it just didn't feel right to ask. Looking at all the misery I caused my friend I felt guilty. Honda had been there for me all this time and the only thing I did in return was cause trouble for him. He deserved to be happy and it was my responsibility to make that happen.

"We, should go out!" I exclaimed. Even though I instantly regretted my offer, I knew for certain that it would cheer him up. It always had. And as I expected Honda finally turned to face me and with a bright grin plastered to his face said: "Yes! What we need is a long night of fun, beer and… and girls!"

"Or guys!" It was out before I knew it. For some reason I expected myself to panic. The fact that I was gay was something I never told anyone (for as far as I could remember). However instead of panic I felt a strange sense of satisfaction coursing through my body.

Honda looked at me for a split second. "Ye… or not." He responded. "We want the girls all for ourselves, right". Honda said, waving my previous comment away. The earlier satisfaction made way for a nasty sting and a pit in my stomach. "Right… Of course we do Honda." I felt disappointed. Not because of Honda's reaction, but because I realized that in two years' time I never had the courage to tell my best friend him. Apparently I hadn't changed much in that department in the last two years.

A couple of hours later we stood in front of 'our' favorite bar. Or least that was what Honda told me. Because once we arrived at the bar I had absolutely no clue where we actually were. Right in front of me was the most unsightly place I had ever seen. From the outside the place was nothing more than an old open door with exfoliated green paint and a set of crooked wooden stairs. Honda walked towards the entrance and motioned for me to follow. We both slowly ascended the stairs. Every step creaked, as if the staircase was crying out of sheer pain. It very obviously suffered from old age and bad maintenance. The walls were wooden and were decorated with several paintings on either side. Displaying famous landmarks from across the world. As we ascended the staircase the muffled sound of music and stomping feet became clearer and clearer. In addition one particular odor filled my nostrils, flaring them wide open. I wasn't unfamiliar with this particular smell. It was the stench of old dried beer mixed with sweat. My stomach turned a little bit, because it instantly reminded me of a darker time. At the top of the stairs was another old wooden green door. Honda pushed the door open with his elbow. Instantly the deafening sound of loud music perforated my eardrums. The bar was everything but spacious. I couldn't quite estimate how big the place was because the entire room was filled to the brim with people. Everyone attempted to dance but couldn't do much more than shuffle slightly around to the beat of the music. A nasty shiver ran down my back and I started to sweat. Crowded confined spaces were never really my forte. They made me feel anxious. While I stood in awe looking at the ridiculous display in front of me Honda gave me a slight nudge and yelled over the music: Look at that hot chick!" He pointed towards a blonde girl with heavy cleavage. "Dibs on that one!" Honda exclaimed. He then instantly disappeared into the crowd, leaving me behind.

I looked over the room and knew I had two options to get myself through this night. Number one: Run for my life and disappear and go home. Number two: find the bar and get completely hammered while waiting for Honda to find someone he could take home. Unfortunately for me option two was the only reasonable option considering I was here to make Honda happy. "Completely smashed it is" I muttered under my breath.

I looked around the place for the bar, which wasn't hard to find, due to big neon letters saying bar and a giant arrow pointing at it. Unfortunately for me it was on the other side of the room. Meaning I had to wade myself through the colossal sea of human to get to my first and final destination of the evening. With great risk for my own safety I decided to take the plunge anyway, knowing it would be an even greater risk for my well-being if I had to deal with this shit sober.

While making my way through the forest of flesh and limbs I couldn't begin to comprehend why out of all the places on this planet, this would be my favourite bar. For one I hated crowded places and had claustrophobic tendencies. In addition to that I hated the smell of dried up beer, because it reminded me of my ex alcoholic father. And my 'favourite' bar managed to combine the two.

When I finally made it to the bar I flashed the female bartender my trademark grin which got her attention and ordered myself a large beer. While waiting for my drink I tried to lean over the bar as much as possible desperately trying to distance myself from the roaring and stomping crowd. When the bartender handed me my giant mug filled with beer I chugged it down in one go and ordered another one. I drank… and drank... and drank. Every so often I saw Honda shuffle by while being flaunted over by a different blonde girl. The first two times I had rolled my eyes, but after about eleven beers I was too drunk to care and instead started to cheer him on. Just when Honda was about to suck another girl's face off I was distracted by a low sensual whisper in my ear. That send a shiver down my spine. The good kind this time.

"Having a good time?"

I turned to face the man that just whispered in my ear and was pleasantly surprised. A tall lean raven haired man with brown eyes and a dazzling smile looked at me with a bright, extremely white, smile. Was this night finally looking up?

"It's getting better." I admitted to him, smirking slightly.

"With every drink you chug down I bet." He responded throwing me a fat wink.

"You don't know the half of it.

"Try me" The black haired stranger daringly said as he signaled over the girl behind the bar and ordered a beer for the both of us.

"I woke up from a coma a little over a week ago, got my ass handed to me this morning by a 20 year old millionaire and now I've got the honor of watching my friend make out with every easy girl in Domino."

The handsome stranger raised both of his eyebrows. "That's quite the tale you've got there big boy." He responded smirking. "Let's for a second assume you are telling the truth here. Then my first question would be, why a good looking guys like yourself isn't following his friend's example and just shoves his tongue down some chick's throat to forget about his shitty life."

I chugged down the beer the stranger had bought me and looked the stranger in his chocolate brown eyes. His gaze left me fuzzy inside. I don't know what it was. Perhaps it was the fact that watching a room filled with lascivious good looking people had me left horny. Or perhaps because I lost the ability to give a shit about five beers ago. Either way the next thing I did was grab the raven-haired stranger by the shoulder. Moved my body closer to his, gently brushing my hips past his manhood and whispered in his ear: "Because I rather shove it down yours."

He looked down over his shoulders and a mischievous grin graced his face. "I supposed that can be arranged." The next moment I felt a strong arm snake behind my waist yanking me closer and our lips lustfully collided. His mouth was warm, his lips soft and he tasted just like the cheap beer I had been drinking the entire time. I didn't care though. I felt my tense body eagerly soften up and I welcomed the distraction his human touch gave me. Eagerly I threw my hands around his neck and opened my mouth slightly so that his tongue could explore my mouth.

The next thing I knew a strong hand grabbed my collar from behind and jerked me away from my blissful distraction. The collar choked me for a second and I was about to start flailing wildly with my arms to release myself from the unknown grip when my collar was suddenly released. I turned around to see to see who had just attempted to choke me and came eye to eye with Honda who had the most menacing look in his eyes. He looked royally pissed off. However he wasn't the only one pissed off. "What the fuck dude?!" I exclaimed.

"We're going." Honda stated curtly. He then grabbed my arm and started pulling me towards the exit. I was too drunk and too confused to resist while he dragged me through the sea of people back to the door from which we entered the room. His grip tightening with every step he took. He opened the door and forcefully pushed me down the stairs. When we were back on the street, Honda pulled me towards a small abandoned alleyway between two large flats. He then finally released his titan like grip and I felt the blood flow back into my arm. During that time

"Seriously dude! What the fu.." I was abruptly cut off by Honda who had turned around the instant I started talking and with a look in his eyes that could kill off a thousand fluffy bunnies started yelling at me.

"Why are you such a disgusting piece of shit?! And after all I've done for you!"

My eyes grew large and for a split second I couldn't quite comprehend what was happening.

"This amnesia was supposed to be a blessing, Jou! You were supposed to be normal again! You were supposed to be Jou again! But instead... Look at you, you are even more disgusting than you were ever before, you fucking fairy!" Venom dripped from Honda's last couple of words.

My heart stopped for a second. Frozen dead in my tracks. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My friend... My brother...

"I hate you gays, all of you. Thinking the world belongs to you. Always flaunting with your fucked up lifestyle. It's unnatural! Your kind is an aberration! A distortion!"

I didn't know what to say. I didn't understand. This was Honda... my friend... Motionless and mute I endured his roaring insults.

Honda suddenly stopped yelling and took a step towards me. His face mere inches away from mine.

"You don't understand, do you?" Honda laughed cynically and then calmly and disdainfully continued: "You have been dead to me, ever since I found out what a pathetic little faggot you are. But I missed you Jou. Not this poor and pathetic apology of a human being that is standing in front of me, but the old you. So when I heard of your little problem I had high hopes for you my friend. With just a little nudge in the right direction I could cure you. Get back the old you. So I took you in, fed you, gave you a place to sleep and something nice to look at at night. And still you manage to fuck it all up! If only they had just left you in that ditch after the accident. Then everyone would've been better off.

His words felt like daggers. Venomous snake fangs that cut through my flesh and through my weak heart. Even though I had seen dark times. Nothing in my life could've prepared me for this devastating feeling. I wanted to fight it. I wanted to get angry and scream and shout. But I just couldn't. I couldn't resist. I couldn't fight. I could only hang my head in defeat and endure this torturous nightmare.

"Please, do the world a favor and crawl back into the hole that spawned you and die. Honda took a few steps back and concluded: I hope I never see your pathetic faggot face again." He then turned on his feet and stomped away. As he exited the alleyway he nearly bumped into two girls that had probably come to check out the noise.

"Are you all right?" One of them asked.

I forced myself back into reality. This was real and I had to deal with the aftermath. I knew I had to get out of here as quickly as possible. I was about to break down, but I wasn't going to break down with people around. Not today. I wouldn't let him have that satisfaction.

"All Go.. All Good." I shakily responded. I cursed myself for the fact that I hadn't been able to get the sentence out properly. I didn't know if I managed to convince the girls and I wasn't going to stick around to find out either. Instead I started walking towards the opposite direction of the two girls. Further into the alleyway. I didn't stop walking after I reached the other end of the alleyway. I didn't stop walking after I left the street and I didn't stop walking after I could no longer see the alleyway into the distance. I had to go further. I had to distance myself more from him. From that place. From people. I don't know how long I walked. I don't know how I managed it. But in the end I managed to walk until my brain could no longer block out the pain and the cruel thoughts. And right there on an abandoned street somewhere in Domino I collapsed. I fell on my knees on the wet pavement. Somewhere along the way without me noticing it had started raining. My shirt was soaked and clung to my cold skin. But I didn't feel the cold. I didn't feel the hard pavement my knees had fallen on. I just felt pain. I couldn't believe it. It felt like I lost everything. My memories, my home... and my friend. The past few days... all of it had been a lie. I wanted to cry. Bawl my eyes out. But somehow I couldn't. I could only stare blankly at my fists that rested on my lap.

"Nothing ever goes the way I want things to go." I muttered under my breath.

I felt completely numb with the exception of my heart that physically hurt with every thought that crossed my mind. I didn't know where to begin to sort my thoughts. I didn't know where to begin to build myself back up. To find the courage to continue. But maybe... Maybe I didn't need to. Perhaps Honda was right. Perhaps I could do everyone a favor and just...

The sound of an engine startled me. As I looked up I saw a pitch black car drive around the curve. Normally my first reaction would've been to instantly get up, brush myself off and act like nothing was up. But I couldn't. Not today. Not this time. With a little bit of luck the person driving the car wouldn't pay attention to a lowlife like me anyway.

But as always it turned out that I, Jounouchi Katsuya, was incapable of having even the slightest sliver of luck.

The car slowed down and came to a standstill right in front of me. The door flung open and there he was. Climbing out of the car wearing his typical white KC trench coat, black turtle neck and duel monsters card necklace. Seto Kaiba.

I couldn't help but snort bitterly. Out of all the places... Out of all the people... If there was a god out there. I'm pretty sure he hated me.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" Kaiba asked. As I looked up at him and met his icy blue confused eyes something happened. The numbness I had felt this entire time was replaced with a different feeling. Something far more pure. Something much warmer. Something I could truly relish in... Anger. I welcomed the feeling hungrily. The anger spread like a fire throughout my cold body and brought me back to reality. It made me feel like me again. I raised myself up and said:

"Just walking around. Minding my own goddamn business. How about you? I can't imagine what rich boys like you do on Friday nights."

"From my point of view it didn't look like you were just walking around." Kaiba responded. He remained remarkably calm. I needed him to get angry. I needed to fight with this man. It felt like the only way I could keep things together right now. The only way to keep out the cold.

"I'd love to see things from your point of view, but I just can't seem to get my head that far up my ass."

That remark got me a nervous twitch in the corner of Kaiba's mouth. I was getting closer.

"Then again I could try climbing Domino tower to reach your level of ego to make it easier for me, but what's the poi-?"

"I know you hate me Jounouchi," Kaiba interrupted me. "But right now this isn't about that. I know something has happened. Tell me."Kaiba commanded

"Hate you?" I responded. "I don't hate you. I would unplug your life support in order to charge my phone, but I don't hate you."

Kaiba took a step into my direction and instinctively I took a couple of steps back until I hit the wall behind me. I knew I was getting closer. However keeping my distance was important. I had no intention of physically fighting the stronger man.

"Please Jounouchi stop trying to fucking provoke me. I know what you're doing and just stop it" Kaiba pleaded.

"Please Jounouchi" I sarcastically repeated him in a high pitched voice. "You know what I'm doing now Kaiba?! Please. Have you considered using your brains for nonsupport? Or in your case perhaps you can just buy yourself a new one."

Kaiba shot towards me. I tried moving backwards but I had forgotten the wall behind me. I was trapped and was at the mercy of the brunet charging at me. Kaiba pulled his fist backwards and for a I braced myself for the impact. There was definitely an impact but not an impact with my jaw. Instead Kaiba forcefully punched the wall right next to my head. His face mere inches away.

"I told you to fucking stop. Listen to me mutt." Kaiba growled with a low voice.

Adrenaline coursed through my body as I felt the heat of Kaiba's ragged breathing on my skin. Normally strands of his hair would cover parts of his eyes. But because of the rain his hair was plastered to his face. Enabling me to see both of his cold blue orbs in their entirety. His glare made my skin crawl."

Perhaps it was the drunken haze I was still in, perhaps it was my last hope of survival, but I didn't back down.

"Why don't you make someone happy for a change by minding your own damn business?"

"I can't". Kaiba responded curtly.

"Why?"

I caught a glimpse of uncertainty in Kaiba's eyes. An expression I had never seen him wear before. And then the impossible happened. Kaiba grabbed me by my collar yanked me toward him and covered my mouth with his. My eyes widened and I couldn't comprehend what was happening. I didn't respond. Neither did I resist. I stood there frozen. Then, just as abruptly as it started, it ended when Kaiba pulled away. He looked at me with an intense gaze and said those five impossible words:

"Becaus you are my business."