A/N: I love Jounouchi and Honda! Chibi Jounouchi and Honda are even better! *Giggles*

Disclaimer: I don't own them.

Warnings: Um...talk of child abuse and neglect. And two impossibly cute little boys.

Rated: PG to PG-13 depending on the chapter.

Archiving: Just ask me by e-mailing me at Jounouchi_kun_joey@yahoo.com

Summery: Jounouchi is a lonely little boy whose is abused by his father and dreams of a better life. Honda is the youngest of seven children and only wants someone to pay attention to him. What happens when these two boys meet?

Authoress: JKJ

Title: Itsudemo Atarashii Ashita

Chapter 1/???: Daijoubu

A pair of blue sneakers pounded the pavement, splashing through the puddles that were quickly forming. A small boy in a light blue green windbreaker was running as fast as his short legs could carry him, his disheveled blond hair blowing behind him. Every so often, he looked over his shoulder. Why he was running wasn't obvious to the passerby for a moment, but it soon became so as a large man in blue jeans and a bathrobe came running out of the door the boy had just exited from.

"Jounouchi!" The man screamed down the street, his accent made worse and his voice slurry by what could only have been alcohol, and he waved his fist in the direction the boy had gone, though he made no motion to follow him. "Come back here! Jounouchi!"

The little boy didn't stop, or even turn around. Instead he screwed up his face, and forced himself to run faster. Several people yelled after him as he shoved his way through the crowds that were getting thicker the further he ran, but he paid them no heed. He had to get away!

Finally feeling like he could run no further, he made a quick dart down an alley. He ran up until it came to a dead end, and leaned heavily against the brick wall. He sat there panting, wide brown eyes closed. He was soaking wet, but the rain was letting up now. He didn't believe his father had followed him this far, if he had followed him at all, and his small, trembling frame began to relax. Something suddenly grabbed him from the front of the shirt and lifted him clean off his feet.

"Hey kid!" A gruff voice laughed, and the blond boy opened his eyes fearfully. He found himself face to face with a boy that had to be at least twice his age. He whimpered and began to struggle. The older child seemed amused by this, and began to laugh. "What you so scared of, kid? Can't find your mommy and daddy? Are you lost?" The boy shoved him against the wall, and Jounouchi let out a frightened cry. The kid smirked. "Give me all your money, kid, and maybe I'll help you find your way back."

"But...but I don't have any!" Jounouchi whimpered honestly, big brown eyes staring at him pleadingly. Angrily the kid slammed him into the wall again, causing Jounouchi to cry out once more.

"Look kid we can do this the hard way or the easy way. Give me all your money!"

"But I don't got any!" The kid slammed him again, harder this time. Jounouchi was beginning to see spots.

"I said give me all your..."

"Hey!" The kid turned around, and Jounouchi looked over his shoulder. A boy was standing at the end of the alley was a boy with hair much like Jounouchi's, only brown and shorter, and wearing a worn out leather jacket. He was looking at the older boy defiantly, and standing in a fighting pose.

"Who do you think you are, punk? I'm busy here, doing business with this kid, so why don't you just scoot?" Jounouchi looked at the boy pleadingly, begging him with his eyes not to leave, and the boy nodded to him before glaring up at the kid.

"Leave him alone! He hasn't done nothing to you!"

"No one asked you, baby! What's he to you anyway?" The boy smirked, hazel eyes dancing with energy.

"He's an innocent, and as he is, it's my duty to protect him!" Even Jounouchi had to admit, that sounded a bit corny, but he admired the boy's courage, as he didn't think that he was any older than himself. The boy holding Jounouchi's shirt raised an eyebrow.

"What are you, some kind of hero or something?" The young brunette smirked.

"Something like that." Faster than Jounouchi could move, the younger boy had run up and hit the older boy in the side of the neck with the side of his flat hand. The older boy cried out, and dropped Jounouchi, who landed hard on his rear. He stared as the brunette used speed like Jounouchi had never seen to take down the older boy, who was to stunned to fight back. He went down hard and quickly, and as soon as he did the brunette turned to face Jounouchi with a fierce look. Jounouchi whimpered, and pressed himself into the wall as far as he could, closing his eyes and bracing himself for an attack. When none came, he opened his eyes, and gasped in surprise. The boy was reaching his hand down for him to take!

"Are you alright?" He asked in concern. Jounouchi used the hand to pull himself up before nodding.

"I'm fine. Arigato, you were wonderful!" The kid grinned at him, and scratched the back of his own head.

"Yeah well, I can't be everywhere at once. You look after yourself now, you hear?" Jounouchi nodded, grinning.

"My name is Jounouchi Katsuya! Who are you?" The boy smiled at him.

"Honda Hiroto." Honda shook Jounouchi's hand, before turning away. "You be careful alright?" Jounouchi grinned, nodding once more.

"Arigato again!" Honda gave him a thumbs up before running down the alleyway, disappearing at the corner. Jounouchi sighed, and started walking back toward his home. After all, he had nowhere else to go. He kicked a rock, and then looked up at the sky. If only he had a friend, then he'd have someone to help him escape from his father. Maybe a friend like Honda! Jounouchi smiled a little, imagining the brunette being his best friend. He found comfort in that thought, unaware that across town, another little boy was imagining the same thing about him.

End A/N: Well, that's how our two boys meet. When will they meet again? You'll have to wait and see ;). Ja Ne,
JKJ