Disclaimer/Warning: Same as last chapter what makes you think it will change? I still don't own Yu-Gi-Oh because if I did there would be Puppyshipping, puzzleshipping, tendershipping, and various others. There is still abuse, depression, and swearing. Fight scene!

Last time: Somehow I didn't think this would end well. I hate when I'm right.

Seto's POV

The shadows were staring at Bakura. From what I could tell they didn't believe him, but he was known to be evil even for their standards at times. A demon and one of the more powerful one's mind you noticed I was awake. "So he awakens." Playing along I tried to look as confused as possible but I'm not that great of an actor when it comes to confusion. A few demons had already caught on to our plan and attacked saying, "Kill them!" Well that went well.

FIGHT SCENE! Seto's POV Still

Since our plan was foiled Yami and Marik came out of hiding. The demons charged us. Now I'm glad that Bakura and Marik brought all of those weapons. Grabbing the closest one a sword I prepared to fight. "Where's Jou?" I called holding the sword in front of me. I didn't expect an answer. "Soon to be gone!" a demon called as he charged me. Now I may not have ever held a sword before but I did have the general gist of what I needed to do. As the demon came closer I stayed still until he was a couple feet away, and then I turned and slashed at his neck. Normally I would have expected blood, but it was a shadow. What looked to be a black liquid traveled down its neck as it fell. Looking around me I could see Yami and Bakura casting what appeared to be spells as Marik defended them. They weren't what I was looking for though. Checking again I saw a few feet away what looked to be Jou…Except he was disappearing again. Rushing toward him I tried to shake him awake. He looked at me with unfocused eyes. "Jou!" I whispered frantically. All of a sudden I was hit in the back by something.

Turning around I saw this huge monster that was lithe and black with scales. It was about to strike me again when I raised my sword and blocked. That didn't stop it much and I slid back slightly. Growling I lunged forward swinging the sword in an upper cut. The thing's hand was cut off cleanly. When I went in for the kill a wave of energy threw me back. Most of the demons/shadows were destroyed. Looking at Yami and Bakura I noticed they had stopped chanting. Gently I picked Jou up and held him in my arms.

FIGHT SCENE OVER!

Walking over to the yamis I asked, "How do we get him back home without harming him?" Bakura answered that before Yami could open his mouth saying, "For now you'll have to transfer some of you energy to him. It will have to do since we won't have much time left. The spell we used only pushed back the demons for awhile." I nodded my head. Quickly they told me how to transfer my energy only to him and how to focus. I could feel the demons coming closer, but I worked quickly and soon they said that he would be fine. I felt drained.

Jou's POV

I could feel energy pouring into me. What's happening? What's this feeling? Where am I? Those were the thoughts pouring into my head. Creaking open an eye I saw Kaiba holding me. Okay what the hell is going on? I didn't have the strength to move but he looked caring. It was so different from what I usually see. In fact he's been semi-nice to me for awhile now. My energy was quickly slipping as I snuggled into him knowing he cared somewhat.

Seto's POV

We took extra precautions carrying Jou into my living room. I was kind of worried. (More so than the fact he faded, was practically abducted, and nearly died…) Jou was lighter than he should be and there were many bruises. As I pondered this I felt him snuggle into me. If no one was around I would have sighed in happiness, but sadly everyone was there and I had to keep up an image. I placed Jou on the couch as I ordered someone to get the first aid kit and call my personal doctor. He was bleeding when I inspected his injuries and I was becoming frantic. When the doctor came I was slightly relieved, but still anxious for the results.

I had stayed up almost all night watching Jou, and working on Kaiba Corp. files so I wouldn't pace. The doctor had examined him and told me the extent of his injuries. He wouldn't be waking up for awhile but I couldn't leave him alone and sleep in case he did wake up…At around 4 am I still hadn't gone to bed, and I was snapped to attention when I heard a noise. Looking around I found Jou stirring. Pure happiness ran through my veins. I wanted to rush up and hug him but he looked confused which I had to admit was a cute sight. Jou may have been an ex-gangster but when he woke up he looked like a child especially since right now he was rubbing his eyes. "Morning." I call to get his attention. His head snaps toward me as he says, "What the...? Where am I?" Chuckling only slightly I told him, "My mansion of course pup." When I called him pup he pouted. I think he was only half awake. Grumbling he muttered, "Jeez does he have to start a fight right after I wake up…" That made me feel bad but I couldn't help it. How else could I talk to him without freaking him out? I sighed and stood up. Walking over to Jou I sat on the edge of the couch right next to him.

"Jou we need to talk." I said.

Jou's POV

I woke up to the sound of typing. Rubbing my eyes I tried to figure out where I was because the couch or bed or whatever I'm on is way too comfortable to be mine. The last thing I remember was snuggling into Kaiba…Okay why the hell did I do that? Sure he's warm but to cuddle him? As I was thinking this I heard a familiar voice call, "Morning." I jumped I didn't notice anyone was in the room. Of course the typing should have given it away…. Now I just had to ask, "What the…? Where am I?" the voice chuckled and then told me, "My mansion of course pup." Kaiba! Okay well that's probably why there's typing in the first place. Usually I pick up on these clues earlier, but I'm too tired and my brain isn't functioning right. I mumbled, "Jeez does he have to start a fight right after I wake up…" Kaiba walked over and sat on the edge of the couch and said the words that I didn't want to hear. "Jou we need to talk." Great that will go well…

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked casual like but inside I was freaking. Could he mean…

"Where did you get those bruises, cuts, exc.?" he asked. Damn it I knew he was going to ask that. I tried to dodge the question saying, "I don't remember…" Apparently he saw through me and shouted, "Bullshit! I know you know where you got those because they show evidence of this happing on a regular basis!" There was no dodging this now. He then quieted down and said, "Jou I could help protect you from who's causing this." Now that's the first time I've ever heard someone say that to me. I let a few tears fall before rubbing my eyes and I told him the truth, "My dad…"

I could literally see smoke coming out Kaiba's ears. "It's okay though I deserve it." I told him. I really did…I'm worthless and there's no way I'll ever have a future. "Shut up and never say that again." He roared at me. I flinched. Was he going to hit me? I curled up and tried to block out the thoughts of my father beating me.

Seto's POV

I couldn't believe Jou would say he deserves to be hit. I yelled at him, "Shut up and never say that again." Immediately I regret yelling. Jou curled up and started to shake. Shit I thought as I watched him. Sighing I said, "You don't deserve it." He still didn't move but in a depressed voice he whispered, "I'm worthless, and no one loves me…I'm bad at everything I do. Of course I deserve it." I felt to many things at once. Sympathy for the life he lived, empathy for all the names he's been called, regret for calling him names, sadness that he had to go through all of that, and love. Pulling him into a hug which he then squeaked in surprise I told him, "People do love you. You're not worthless multiple people would say otherwise. Don't ever think like that again." He seemed to not believe me because he said, "Who could love me?" I then told him, "Yugi does along with Yami, Ryou, Bakura, and all of your friends. Your sister loves and cherishes you very much, and I…I love you." Well it wasn't the way I wanted to tell him but at least he now knew of my feelings.

Jou gave me a disbelieving look, and pulled away slightly. It wasn't like I expected him to say I love you too Seto! But I was kind of hoping he would… "There's no way that's possible. What could you love about me? You call me a mutt all the time…" He asked confused. Hugging him slightly tighter I explained why I love him, "At first it was your eyes. They were so entrancing that I just couldn't help it. I mean who could? But I saw you hanging out with Yugi, and those other guys, and well you could say I was slightly jealous. You didn't even look at me. So I put you down calling you a mutt…After awhile though I grew to love you determination to help your friends and sometimes me, your passion with everything you do, and when you are by yourself thinking about god knows what. That's why I love you." He seemed shocked at my confession.

Awhile later Jou sighed. "I can't say I love you back." He whispered. That made my heart sink until he continued saying, "I barely know the real you…I mean you have been nice to me lately and seem like an okay guy. Heck I never thought of dating anyone yet because I didn't want to hide my scars….I do like you but how much I'm not sure about….You make me feel…safe." Wow he sure knows how to crush than raise someone's hopes quickly. I hugged him to my chest and asked, "Would you date me and get to know me then?" Nodding his head Jou said, "Well I would like to be friends maybe a week or two before saying we're going out but that would be nice." So as to not be too forward I kissed his cheek saying, "You won't regret it." "I hope so." He whispered back.

TBC!!!

Now I know I should have updates sooner but I had a brain block. I hope you all like this and the next chapter is the epilogue meaning the last chapter! Thanks to all of those who have reviewed my stories! ^-^ Well Thanks and see you next time!