Title: Incurable

Chapter One: After School In The Courtyard

Summary: They had a chance, one night to put their differences aside and embrace the past to ensure a happy future. But pride got in the way. Now years later a second chance is given in the most unlikely of places.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh.

Yugi gave an excited squeal of laughter as he rounded the corner, "You'll never catch me Jou!"

"You can't escape, Yug!" called Jou speeding after him on his newly acquired red-wheeled skates that doubled as shoes. He barely managed to stay on his feet as he skid along the porcelain school hall, dodging what would have been a painful collision with the lockers.

On the other side of the hall, Kaiba gave a small frown as he watched the mutt's retreating back, 'fools' he thought shutting his locker and heading off towards the exit.

Jou crashed through the large double doors, easily spotting his tri-color haired buddy descending the stairs two steps at a time. Grinning widely, mirthful chocolate orbs drifted towards the metal railing. A small smirk played on his lips as he sped forward, bent his knees and pushed up into the air. Releasing a appreciative howl as he skid down the railing, passing a surprised Yugi as he spun off to land in a crouched position on the floor.

"I told you I'd improved." Jou boasted, raising to his full height in time to see the double doors open once more to a permit the indifferent form of Seto Kaiba.

Oblivious to the blondes distracted stare Yugi smiled, nodding excitedly and grasped Jou's hand in both of his. "Yeah, those ice skating lesson's really payed off, huh, Jou!" He chirped out before it was too late.

Jou paled, pulling Yugi to him and putting his index finger over the somewhat surprised Mouto. "Shush! No one's supposed to know about that!" Narrowed brown orbs scanned the courtyard, easily catching sight of the ever present silver briefcase and the CEO that it belonged to as Kaiba headed for his waiting limousine just a few feet away. Jou outwardly flinched, hoping against hope Kaiba hadn't overheard.

"Jou?" Wide amethyst orbs focused on the anxious blonde before following his gaze and catching sight of the retreating CEO.

Jounouchi released a sigh of relief when Kaiba continued on his way without so much as a glance.

"Oh…" Yugi blushed faintly as he felt Jou relax, feeling a little embarrassed for putting Jou in what could've been, and most likely would've been, a humiliating situation.

"That was a close call," Jou whispered more to himself than Yugi, letting his little buddy go.

"Sorry Jou," Yugi gave a nervous smile.

Jou just smiled, giving him a reassuring pat on the back. "Don't worry about it Yug', I don't think he heard you."

"Hey guys! Wait up!"

Ryou and Tristan waved as they came running towards them, twin grins in place. Almost instantly Tristan pulled Jounouchi off to the side, wrapping an arm over his shoulders before smiling innocently and pulling him forward into a headlock. "Heh, did you think you could get away so easily!"

Jou clawed at the arm wrapped around his neck. "C-come on man," he grinned despite the situation. "Y-you would've b-been laughing if it h-had been s-some one else!"

Tristan's grip loosed for a second but it was all Jou needed to grab the arm around his neck and flip the teen over him and onto the hard asphalt below. He grinned triumphantly, flashing a victory sign at his groaning pal below before helping him up.

"Damn, Jou, that hurt." Tristan rubbed absently at his aching shoulder where he'd landed on a rock.

"Sorry bud, but it had to be done. Besides it was your own fault." Jou countered.

"Yeah, well, if you hadn't panced me behind stage-"

"You pushed me into the duck pond!"

"Only because you switched my hair gel with glue!"

The two continued their arguement as all Ryou and Yugi could do was watch in quiet awe to all the pranks the two had pulled on each other.

"You didn't have to put worms in my sandwhich!"

"Well you didn't have to put dead rollie-pollies in my spaghetti!"

Both boys stopped, starring at each other for a moment before laughing and giving one another pats on the back and congratulatory hand shakes.

"Man, this year was great!" Tristan said, grinning at Jou.

"No doubt about it! I'm almost sad to see it go!" They starred at each other outta before they burst out laughing simultaneously yelling out,"Yeah, right!"

"It's over man!" Tristan shouted. Jou laughed slipping his arm through Tristan's offered arm as they pretended to skip along the yellow brick road.

Ryou shook his head moving to Yugi, "Is everything set for tonight?" he whispered, taking advantage of their distracted friends.

"Yeah, Yami went ahead with Mai and Tea to help decorate." Yugi said a bit distracted, a small frown marred his usually smiling face.

"What's wrong?" Ryou asked

"…Its just…what if this back fires and we end up making things even worse between them?…"

Ryou pulled him into a one-armed hug. "Stop worrying so much. Its destiny remember?"

Yugi nodded absently, amethyst orbs never leaving the brightly smiling face of Jounouchi as they headed out of the school gates for one last time.