So I'm going to try to post this one final time....please, if anyone has an issue or problem with my story, please, please email me and tell me. Please don't report it and have it taken down again. I know a lot of people are enjoying this, and it's not fair to have it removed.

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Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh...NOT MINE!

Chapter 3

Jou made his way down the hall and down the stairs, his steps slow and deliberate. His eyes darted side to side, as if trying to take in as much as he could before it was gone. He made his way to the bottom of the stairs, and with a painful sigh, shrugged his bag back onto his shoulder and headed for the door.

Mokuba stood in front of it, his hands on his hips. "You don't leave until we talk," he said, a very Kaiba-like gleam in his stormy gray eyes.

Jou gazed at him, noticing not for the first time how like his older brother Mokuba was. He gave a weary sigh. "Moke, I've gotta go," he said quietly. "I don't want to be here when your brother gets back. I'll miss you kid."

Mokuba glared at Jou, his eyes hardening to steel. "I said, you don't leave until we talk," he growled. "And I meant it. Now get into the living room." He pointed his finger in the direction of the room and stamped his foot. "Now, Jounouchi!"

Jou smiled inwardly. There's no fighting it when a Kaiba gets a thought in his head, he thought wryly. Gods, I will miss them both.

With a tired sigh, he stepped into the living room, Mokuba close on his heels. He tossed himself down onto the butter soft leather couch, trying hard not to remember the nights he spent on the very same couch, curled next to Seto as he worked, watching a movie. Mokuba closed the door with a decisive snap, and stomped in to stand in front of a slightly amused Jounouchi.

"Jesus Christ, Jou, what are you thinking?" he ground out. "How could you leave us? Don't you even get it?"

Jou glanced up at him. "Moke, what would Seto say if he heard you talk like that?" he joked lightly, trying to lighten the younger Kaiba's mood and failing miserably.

Mokuba's eyes snapped with lighting. "Fuck Seto!" he shouted. "Goddamn it, Jounouchi, would you just listen to me and stop trying to avoid the situation?" He crossed his arms and glared at Jou as if he could slice him into a million pieces with his eyes alone.

Jou stared at him, his mouth hanging open. "M…Mokuba," he stammered. "I – wha…"

Mokuba grit his teeth. "Listen to me, Jou," he said. "My brother loves you more than anything in this world. He would never intentionally hurt you, and if you mean to go through with leaving him, I think a part of him will die."

Jou's chest tightened and he dropped his head. "Mokuba, I can't deal with this," he said softly, his voice rasping. "He wants me gone. I've got to go. I can't stay, Mokuba, and let him hurt me again. You don't know what he said – or what it did to me."

He raised his head to look at the younger Kaiba, and Mokuba took a small step back at the depths of pain he saw in Jou's eyes. "A part of him will die, Mokuba?" he said quietly, standing up and turning towards the door. "Tonight, he killed most of me. Seto will be fine, little one – he always is. Please, Moke, don't make this any harder than it has to be."

Mokuba's eyes brimmed with tears. "Alright, Jou," he said, his voice quivering. "Go then. But do not forget what you will be leaving behind – two people who love you very much. I – I will miss you, Jou, my…my nii-san." He raced over and flung his arms around Jou's waist, sobbing into his back.

Tears glistened in Jou's honey eyes as he turned and knelt down, pulling Mokuba into his arms. He rubbed the younger boy's back, kissing the top of his head. "Shh, Mokuba, it's ok," he whispered. "I love you, Mokester, don't you ever forget that kid. How can I forget you? You'll see me again, little brother - I promise."

Mokuba let him go with a sob, and Jou stood and opened the door of the living room. Stepping into the entryway, he turned back to look at Mokuba. "You will live in my heart, little one," he said, blowing a kiss to the young boy. "You will always be with me."

Turning, he opened the door of the mansion, and with one final look at the younger Kaiba, he stepped outside, closing both the front door and the door to his heart.

Once outside and alone, Jou's legs trembled and gave out from beneath him. He slid to the ground slowly into a sitting position, his back to the door, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His breath froze in the air as several snowflakes began to dance around him, placing gentle kisses on his icy skin as they landed. He glanced wildly about, running his hands through his sandy hair. What do I do now? He thought desperately. How do I move on from here? Where do I go?

Gathering his strength, he pushed himself upright and shouldered his bag. He knew that somehow, he had to find the will to leave. Forcing himself forward, he stepped through the gates of the mansion and headed towards the only place he knew he would be welcome – Yugi's house. With one last glance back towards his former home, Jou turned the corner, and disappeared out of sight.

A/N: Go Mokuba, eh? Tough little squirt – he's more like Seto than anyone thinks! And how sweet is it that he called Jou "big brother?" Sniff…I do promise that things will get better for both Kaibas and Jou soon…maybe not next chapter, but the chapter after that. But I can't promise that they'll stay better. Remember that Marik has to make another appearance at some point – he definitely wants Jou, and won't rest till he has him, so stay tuned (I do promise that Marik will appear….and appear in a BIG way grin )!!! Please read and review…that's what keeps me writing, ya know!! 