The day was growing cold, and Jou knew he had to make it home. He couldn't shake off the strange feeling that something had happened to the brunet. No matter. He didn't care. It just felt a little strange knowing that the arguments were over, at least for now.

He bobbed up the stairs leading to the apartment, pushing the door open slowly. He paused before he walked in, and a crash was heard instantly. Looking at the floor, he saw shattered glass at his feet. His dad was home. And drunk. The smell lingered out of the door, drifting pass Jou with a sickly weight. His heart slowly began to beat against his bones, echoing in his ear. He had to go in, he had no choice. He had to be hit. It was his duty. Taking a slow breath, he forced forward his right foot, pushing himself into the darkness.

'Yhoo.'

'Yes?' He swallowed, closing the door quietly behind him.

'Wheeree have yhou bheen?'

'School.'

'Hmph.' Jou backed up against the wall carefully, bracing himself to take a hit or run. He could feel the adrenaline rise, the slow pain in his chest build to a pressuring sickness. He hated this feeling. It was the worst part of all. He could deal with the punches, the kicks, the bruises and cuts…but the sickness? No.

The blackened figure staggered towards him, lumbering side to side.

'Yhor late, boy.'

'I'm sorry.'

'Noh exhuses.'

'Yes.'

'Dho yhou khnow whattt happhens when yhour lhate?'

'Yes.' Jou lowered his head and tensed, expecting the first hit. In his stomach, as usual. He winced, before standing up straight again. It would only hurt more if he leaned forward, it only gave his father more access.

'Usehellss bhoy!' the next hit was to his face, a sharp tug on the golden locks, forcing his head downwards. He sucked the air in quickly as a knee connected with his stomach again, pushing the sickness into his throat, making his mouth warm. He hated this. He felt his head being pushed down further via his hair. His back could take to more, and he fell to his knees, his left eye connecting with his father's knee as he fell. He gasped slightly. He felt a blow to his temple as his father kicked him in the head, knocking him to the floor. He closed his eyes tightly, praying for the end, praying for everything to just stop. He repeated the vain prayers over and over in his head, taking slow breaths as he did so. His nose felt warm and numb, and heat began to roll down his face, the copper lashing at his lips. He could feel the salt burn at raw eyes, the connection of every blow, every painful blow. Even the numbness had worn off and every slight of movement burned him. It tore at his skin, ripped through his nerves and scolded his blood. His head flopped back as a foot attacked his jaw, sending him into blissful darkness.

He awoke an hour or so later, his head throbbing with clotted blood and swollen vessels. He pressed a hand into the floor, fingers cracking as he did so. Steadying himself he took a deep breath as he pushed himself up, leaning against the wall.

Fuck.

The pain was immense. He couldn't even pinpoint a place that hurt the most…it was just, everywhere. He sighed, closing his eyes. He looked around through swollen eyes, that burned from the light. His father was nowhere to been seen. Probably out drinking again, which mean Jou had around two hours to relax and sleep.

Shakily, he got to his feet, gripping the wall for balance. He dragged himself slowly along it until he reached his bedroom. He closed the door firmly, before gripping onto the sheets of his bed, fighting back the tears.

But he would not cry. He did not need to cry. He was Katsuya Jounouchi. Feared by many, and he was a man. A man that did not need to cry over a few scratches. As he peeled off his clothes, a cold wind brushed by him. The draft crept around his ankles and snaked up his leg. He took a long breath…he hated the cold.

But winter was a good time for him. It meant long duffle coats and hats. Scarves and boots that hid bruises and bandages. It was convenient. Pulling some tissue from his drawer, he dusted off the blood, before climbing into bed. He was too tired to do anything else. He was totally worn out and vacant, his head aching madly.

Laying back onto the pillow, he pulled the blanket up to his chin, weaving it around his body tightly, cutting off any gaps to the chilly air. It was the weekend soon. He could see his friends, maybe play some duel monsters. There was a tournament due for Christmas…Kaiba corp. always held one…

But Kaiba was missing.

Jou bit his lip, furrowing his brows in thought. How could Kaiba be missing? The stoic brunet was a complete workaholic. He was a complete ass too. But he'd never just abandon his brother. Never. While he was a complete bastard to the rest of the world, his brother was something different. He really cared for that kid, even if he did have a warped way of showing it.

He rolled onto his back, blond hair falling about the pillow. His mind became lost in thought about Kaiba, and where he could be. He didn't care about Kaiba, but Mokuba would be worrying. He had no one to look after him. And the tournament wouldn't take place. That would be a catastrophe. He'd saved up and bought some new cards, and he'd be really pissed off if Kaiba wasn't around to get his ass kicked.

Stupid Kaiba. Never giving a fuck about what he does and how it affects others.

Jou rolled over again, determined to force the brunet from thought and get some sleep. He wouldn't have long left before his dad came home and made a racket, so he really need the shut eye now.

He rubbed his face and forced himself again. He cursed mentally at himself again and again. Tonight was not panning out well.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Jou sat at the back of the class, staring out of the window at the yellowing trees. Kaiba hadn't turned up today either, and the news on him was no different. It was all so ambiguous, so…strange. Mokuba had made another appeal for his brother to come home and it had become the main gossip all over Domino. Where was Seto Kaiba?

It was getting rather dull, too. Sure, at first it was exciting, but now, two days on, it was old news for Jou. Lazy brown eyes drifted over to Yugi who sat across from him. Yugi smiled meekly. He'd yelled at Jou earlier about the bruises and cuts.

'You shouldn't be hanging out with those kind of people, Jounouchi.' He had stated. 'Gang fights are dangerous, people are getting killed all over Japan. Stop, please?' Jou had rolled his eyes, and assured his friend he was fine. He just got in a few scraps on his way home for leaving the gang. He'd be fine. It happened a lot. He was used to it. All the usual excuses. Anzu sighed and explained the importance of looking after himself, whilst Honda really didn't seem to care. Jou had shrugged it off, it happened most weeks, and he was used to it. He'd had every speech, every glare and every horror story about gangs and fighting. He could quote them perfectly. But it didn't matter, in truth, it was all irrelevant.

The bell wrung and Jou was pulled from his reverie to see the students filing out. As he got up, a fat hand encircled his shoulder.

'Mr Jounouchi. Wait behind, please.'

Fuck. Late again. Jou took a deep breath, before nodding, waving goodbye to his friends.

When everyone had left, Mr Nosaka closed the door, and gestured to a table.

'Take a seat.' Jou nodded.

'I really need to get home.'

'I understand. I just want to make sure you're alright.' The man smiled, trying to cover the worry on his face.

'I'm fine, teach. Don't worry.'

'You don't need support or anything?'

'Nah.' Jou smiled as best he could, a wide grin plastering his face.

'If you're sure…'

'I'm fine.' He said in his most upbeat tone, bouncing off the desk.

'Ok…I'll see you on Monday.'

'Thanks! See ya!' Jou shouted, jogging out of the door.

Ten past three…I'm gonna be late again. Jou's light jog burst into a full speed sprint as he left the school. He sprinted passed Kaiba corp. and the coffee shop. Past the game shop and the watch shop, passed the food places and the staring citizens. He really needed to get home, and soon. Dashing across the road, he looked as he got half way across, a black car breaking towards him. He froze. His feet would not move. His eyes widened in a sudden realisation and he braced himself for the inevitable. He closed his eyes, darkness surrounding him as his heart began to pound…

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Hey

Another chapter.

I hope you're all enjoying it. This is my first post age 19! Woo! So yeah, I'll update soonish, I hope. Please let me know what you think, all reviews are greatly appreciated.

Thank you

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AB

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