Hiya! I know it has been like... forever since I was last here. Since September I have been drowning in things Lol. I laugh but it really isn't very funny... Well I'll admit that I am over reating just a little bit. Well with exam almost over (I only have one more) I've gooten back on to and have been inspired to get back to writing again.

There are a lot of other fics that I have to get done; I'm really, really sorry for starting this one but the truth be told I have always wanted to do a YGO fic (along with an FF8 one that I WILL get around to someday and Naruto fic) and this is it. Since I am not quite done the series I can't do the Yami and Yugi fic that I have in mid so I'm doing one about my second favourite couple Jou and Seto. I love those two, they are so cute...

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! I mean really if I did you really think I would be here... now that I think about it an author could always come here and write things that they weren't allowed to publish; one thing about that, nobody would ever be outta character lol. Enough! I write for fun I don't own anything... much.

Warning" I really do hate these things. There is YAOI in this fic. Boy and boy couples if you don't like that then please don't read.

Well please read and review. I don't mind flames they'll keep me warm over the winter ^_^

Pieces of Us

Tifa Strifeheart

Chapter One

Gasping for breath, 18 year old Katsuya Jounouchi sat up. His hands flew to his bare chest as if trying to force whatever it was constricting his lungs, and keeping him from taking in the oxygen his brain so desperately needed. Long minutes passed before his breathing rate came back down to something semi normal and he let his hands fall into his lap watching as they balled into fists above the thin blanket. 'Damn it. Not again.' He hated the nightmares he really did; problem was he didn't know the reason for them. 'Your being an idiot; everyone has nightmares. There doesn't have to be a reason.' Jou snorted at his inner monologue while he dragged himself out of his bed. There was no way that he was going to sleep now and he wasn't about to try. Staring at the alarm clock poised on his bead side table, Jou saw that it was just after 5.00 in the morning. Swearing to himself he stood and went to the bathroom.

The house was silent making his footsteps sound impossibly loud on the thin carpet, he passed the empty master bedroom – his father was never home nowadays – and only paused briefly at the room that was once his sisters. He missed the kid so much, she was so lively. He really loved his sister and was glad that she had recovered so well, he would be in Yugis debt for the rest of his life. His friend said differently but Jou had already come to terms with the eternal debt. Well wherever Shizuka was, it had to be better than this hell hole was what he thought as he almost tripped over one of the many beer bottles that always littered the floor. With a hiss he righted the bottle against the door and continued to the bathroom. Turning on the shower, Jou hurriedly stripped and stepped under the water, sighing in content as the warmth seeped in to him and taking away the cold of his nightmares.

Calmer now, he thought of his dream as he absently rand the sponge over his body. No longer in the cold of his room – of the whole house more like it – he could face it. He knew what it was that was giving him nightmares – bad memories. The sponge ran over his flat stomach and Jou looked down at the array of scars that were imprinted there. Fat, thin, long, short, scars of every kind littered his flesh; marks that he wasn't sure would ever completely disappear. He chuckled bitterly. It was sad, if anyone asked how he'd gotten them he'd always say it was in a fight but they were way too many for that to be the only reason if you thought about it. There were so many more on his back but he didn't see them very often – but then neither did anyone else. Honda was the only person who had seen most – if not all – of his scars and Jou was pretty sure he knew what had caused them but he never said anything. Talking about how your father beat his kid wasn't a subject that usually came up in daily conversation.

It had started when his Mom and Sis had gone. His father started drinking more, lost more gambling and took it out on his son. Sadly it was a common story, Jou knew it. He taken the beatings for years, at first to young to understand what was happening. Thinking that Mommy and little sis had left because of him and Daddy was beating him because that was the truth; that if Daddy was angry at him than it must have been something that he had done. Jou's eyes squeezed shut as he remembered the confused thoughts of a child. Daddy was only punishing him because he did bad. Daddy still loved him. It had been a while before he came to realize what his father was really doing. That if it was love then his father had twisted it into something sick and unrecognizable. It had taken a long time for him to realize that this wasn't the kind of love that he wanted. It was an eternity before he finally was brave enough to hit back. But he would never be like his father, he had made that clear, made it known to the old man that he wouldn't take anymore crap from him. Except he couldn't leave him; couldn't run away and be happy out of the house full of so much misery. This shell of his father was the last piece of a happy family that he had left. So he would take what he could get.

A shiver ran through him. Jou suddenly realized that the water had begun to cool. Swearing under his breath he hurriedly rinsed off and got out of the bathroom. In his room he pulled out his uniform after drying off and started o put it on. The clock said that it was only quarter after six and that left a good two hours before school started. Fully dressed, Jou reached for his book bag and headed out of the house. Right now anything was better than staying there.

The early morning air was cool on his face. Jou took a deep breath and started walking, sadly he didn't live very far from the school and less then ten minutes later he was watching the boring shape of Domino High slowly get bigger. "Never thought I'd live to see the day." The sun was in the process of rising and the early morning rays hit the school bathing it in a honey kind of yellow glow. Jou would have been amazed if it wasn't so sad. Everywhere was so silent and empty. It was more depressing hen it usually was and that was truly an accomplishment. Sighing, Jou trudged to the front door and opened it enough just to let himself in. Last minute, he turned and used a hand to keep the door from slamming. He didn't want to piss off any security guards or teachers that may be lurking around. His class, 3-B, was on the schools top floor, sighing, he made him way to the nearest staircase and lightly ran up them. Approching the class door, he figured that he would just take a nap at his desk. It was way too early. Resigned, Jou opened the door... and stared.

Sitting in his usual seat was Seto Kaiba, head down on his desk. For a moment Jou though he may be asleep but Kaiba must have heard the door open and sat up looking towards the entrance. When he realized who it was, The CEOs lips turned down slightly at the sides and his eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here?" Jou watched Kaiba fold his arms over his chest. Why, of all the people that went to this school – no of all the people in the world! – was Kaiba here?

"W-What are you doin' 'ere?" Frown lines appeared between azure blue eyes.

"I asked you first mutt." Jou let the dog comment go, barley registering it.

"Woke up early," He shrugged. "'Ad nothin' ta do so I came 'ere." Now it was his turn to frown. "So what 're you doing 'ere?" Kaiba just snorted.

"Now what makes you think that is any of your business?" Jou started.

"Hey! I told you!" Kaiba just snorted again.

"That is some canine logic you got there mutt." Jou growled. "I always come here. Happy?" Jou stared, again the dog comment forgotten.

"Why?" Kaiba glared.

"Now that is none of your business." Jou stared at him for a moment; he was a bit too shocked to get as angry as he usually did. Kaiba went back to facing the window. Jou shrugged and entered the room. Sliding the door shut behind him Jou and walked to his desk – a few rows before the CEOs and closer to the door – and took a seat dropping his bag with a sigh. He wasn't expecting anything when he had come to school much less for Kaiba to be there.

"Hey, how's Mokuba?" Jou waited for a reply. When one didn't appear to be forth coming he sighed again. This was not going to be very –

"He's fine." Jou started. Kaiba was still staring out the window. "He says he misses..." Jou grinned as Kaiba trailed off.

"Tell the kid that we all miss him too." Kaiba was glaring at him now but Jou was suddenly having too much fun to care. "You know, I really liked that kid. Smart and nice. The perfect package you know. He'll be killing the ladies in no time. Unlike a certain older brother of his."

"Shut up, Mutt."If looks could kill, Jou would have been reduced to ash or, at the very least, withering on the floor in pain. He leaned back in his chair placing his hands on the back of his head and pretended to stare off into the distance.

"Yep, I can see it now. He'll be beating back the girls with a stick." He glanced over at Kaiba who was still glaring at him. "I mean, he'll have so much better luck than you, with that stick up your ass and all." Now Kaiba smirked.

"I haven't seen many female dogs around lately, that must mean you're out of luck."

"Don't call me a dog." Kaiba arched an eyebrow.

"Well I don't think many approve of interspecies breeding." Jou was on his feet.

"I said, don't call me a dog!"

"What are you going to do, bite me?" Instantly Jou was across the room and had a handful of the millionaires trench coat in his fists. Jou glared up into Kaibas blue eyes; something flashed there for an instant then was gone.

"So help me Kaiba..." With a snort, the CEO took Jou's hands and pulled them off hi trench coat. Taking a step back Kaiba brushed the front of his coat and if brushing away some invisible dust.

"Temper, temper puppy." With that the CEO was gone. Before Jou could think about going after him the door slid open again and Jous fists clenched but instead of Kaiba in came other members of his home room class. With an aggravated hiss, Jou went back to his seat. As mad as he was at the bastard, a small part of him was disappointed that it hadn't been Kaiba that had come through the door.

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So what do you think? Can you tell that I had fun writing it? I swear that has got to be the first time I've finished a fic so quickly. The review button is right down there just click it Ill be most grateful.

Well later.