Yu-Gi-Oh was created by Kazuki Takahashi. I claim no ownership of any of the series, or characters in the series; further more I do not and never will earn any money for writing fanfiction of any sort including this fiction.

Ok now that I have put up my disclaimer. I wanted to say I am a fan of the first Yu-Gi-Oh series, I have not found the others as interesting. This is my first foray into the world of Yu-Gi-Oh and I hope it is not too terrible for you. This is Shounen Ai. I do not know if I will even continue this fiction. I have the first two chapters written but I will be checking over the second one thoroughly before I publish. Please do not expect the next chapter to show up for at least a couple of days. I have the third chapter layed out and also I have a vague plot in mind.

This is a puppyshipping fic; because I like the conflict and contrast of Seto and Joey (A.K.A. Jounouchi Katsuya). I have found that those are my favorite fics. I personally prefer Seto as seme/dominate and Jou as uke/submissive. Though I do not think of Jou as a submissive personality. I just like the idea that the tough reformed street thug finally finding a nice safe place to fall-in a pair of equally strong and loving arms. Seto is too arrogant to be bottom in a relationship in my personal opinion and Jou is really like a cute puppy. Though I have to agree with something I read on a Yu-Gi-Oh forum about the puppy nickname (it does seem a little mean lol) but I think that all those barbs and taunts are really the only way Seto knows how to interact outside of the relationship with his brother. Maybe that is Seto's way of flirting? I think that is my interpretation. Seto is emotionally stunted because of his poor upbringing at the hands of Gozaburo. It's a wonder that Mokuba is so stable and well rounded, but that is a godsend for a lot of these fics because he acts as a peacemaker and often a matchmaker. I think that it is plausible, the boy is intelligent and loves his brother enough to not only not be shocked to find he is gay but to actively try and help him find love.

Ok well enough of my rants lol. I hope you like this. If I did not make it clear enough earlier the main pairing in this fiction will be Seto x Jou. Please be patient I am starting with Jou's back story.

The Dragon's Child

Chapter 1: The Happy Lie

They were happy…no they were more than that. Warmth radiated from them, his family. His mommy was the prettiest mommy in the world. His daddy was smart and stronger than anyone else's daddy. His sweet baby sister was so cute, such a happy baby. Jounouchi Katsuya loved his family. They were simple farm people. They were not wealthy by any means but neither Katsuya nor his sister, Shizuka, knew what it was like to go hungry. They had warm clothes in the winter and respectable clothes to wear to church every Sunday.

Katsuya was a bright and energetic boy of four when his sister was born. He had golden hair which stayed in constant disarray that made him look just as mischievous as he really was. His smile gleamed with healthy white teeth (only missing two at the moment) a warm smile to go with a kind heart. The boy liked to run about and play fight with the other boys in the village. He may have seemed rough around the edges, but he would always be the first to offer a hand to help even those who had been mean to him. He loved animals of all shapes, sizes and kinds. He especially loved the farm cats. They had a fluffy calico that had kittens in their barn. His favorite kitten was a white female that had blue eyes. He named her Tobi.

There was one thing that did mar this perfect existence…Katsuya was different. He wasn't sure how he was different but he just felt it down to his very bones. He would ask his mommy. She would smile and pat his head singing a rhyme to him.

…My little Katsuya.

…My pride and joy.

…Yes you are a very special little boy.

His mommy liked to sing and make up rhymes for his sister and him. They always made his heart feel big. Sometimes they made his heart feel achy…his mommy would sometimes look like she was heart achy and sad when she sang them.

…My Katsuya, My love.

…Look over the mountains away and above.

…Look past the fires that burn in the sun.

…Look under the waters of the ocean deep.

…When you do you will find.

…The treasure that they keep.

She would softly sing this tune. Katsuya had the rhyme memorized it was nice to have his mother's pretty song in his heart for when he was unsure and scared.

"Katsuya you are my special little angel. Never forget that," His mother often said things like that to him; It was almost as if she were expecting to leave him. Sometimes at night when everybody should have been asleep the little boy would wake to the quiet sobs of his mother. He went to her on one occasion and found her in her rocking chair that his father had built for her when they learned she was to have her first child.

"Mommy?" Katsuya called to her. He was afraid.

The woman sniffed and quickly planted a smile on her face. She wiped her eyes and spoke, "What is my little Katsuya doing up? You should be in bed."

"Mommy, why were you crying," His little lip trembled.

"Oh, Katsuya darling, don't fret so. Sometimes mommies and daddies get sad too. It's ok to cry my angel. It makes the sad feelings less so."

She reached for the boy. He stretched his arms out wrapped them around her neck as she gracefully lifted him into her lap. The child laid his golden head on her shoulder and hugged her, "please don't be sad mommy. I love you."

"I love you too my little one," She stroked his soft hair as silent tears escaped her eyes and ran down her already tear reddened cheeks.

She rocked him back to sleep and stood carrying him back to bed. His head lulled on her shoulder and he mumbled, "Love you…mommy."

When the child awoke it was all normal again and his mother smiled beautifully kissing her husband on the cheek as she set the breakfast plates out for her family.

It didn't seem enough attention for Katsuya Senior as he snagged his wife's waist and pulled her into his lap laughing heartily, "Is that all I get woman?" He hugged her pulling her closer. The lady turned her head and allowed her husband to capture her lips in a loving kiss. The man let her go smiling until his eyes wrinkled making him look older.

That was something little Katsuya wondered about…and he was not the only one. His Daddy seemed much older than his mommy. The man was a hard worker, and that could age a man somewhat, but his lovely wife looked every bit the girl he married. People assumed that he was older than his wife but after they had settled and had been living in the village for over half a decade the difference was noticed and only grew more apparent as time went on. She almost glowed with youth and vitality.

Katsuya Senior knew he was aging too rapidly he worried for his pretty wife and his beloved children. If he were to die they would be destitute. There was little he could do because there was no extra money for saving. They lived on excess crops and what little money that did not go to their landlord either went toward clothing and house hold goods for the family; or to farm supplies.

He, of course, kept his fears to himself. How could he make his loved ones worry? He couldn't.

Senior finished his breakfast sipping the last of his hot tea. He stood handing the dishes to his wife.

"Have a good day darling," His wife bid and kissed him.

"Thank you Eiko my love," The man took his hat and walked out the door.

He turned back at the threshold smiling at his family. His smile was bright and carefree. Little Katsuya mirrored his father and waved, "Bye Daddy!"

Katsuya Senior never walked through that door again.