Spicy Marmalade
Part Two





When Jounouchi walked into the classroom, his gaze was immediately taken captive by a burst of unusually brightly colored hair, not unlike watching a rainbow emerge as light filtered through a prism. How long had it been like this? Even when he hadn't been able to stand his younger friend, he'd always been aware of him in one way or another. Yuugi was the type of person that shouldn't have been too difficult to ignore; for the most part he was soft-spoken and polite, very rarely did he ever try to draw attention to himself--prefering instead to stay in the background engrossed with what ever puzzle had currently captured his attention.

This proclivity of his had once drove Jounouchi insane. How could someone be that quiet, that sweet natured? It certainly wasn't "manly". He had thought that if he pushed Yuugi's buttons hard enough, that sweet facade would come falling to the ground, showing him that Yuugi wasn't really any better than Jounouchi himself...remaking the boy in his own image. It was better than being confronted by that innocent smile day after day. Yuugi had been a living reminder of what Jounouchi used to be, and what he had changed into.

Strange how Yuugi had been the one to change him, rather than vice versa...

At first it was just the little things. Yuugi's cheerful voice trailing after him like a pathologically devoted two year old, bringing a smile to his lips. The way he was always supportive of Jounouchi, even when those around him thought he was idiotic or insane--perhaps both. The way his eyes would spark like pepper thrown into a bonfire as his other half took control. Yuugi was so far past him in so many things, and yet the other boy never lost patience with him. The way the other boy could always tell when something--

"Jounouchi-kun, what's wrong?"

Jounouchi sighed, flopping down in his seat inelegantly. "It's nothin'. I just didn't feel like playing cards today..." Considering I always lose, among other things.

Yuugi frowned lightly. "Well, we could have done something else."

"Nah, s'okay. I had something I needed to think about anyway."

"Jounouchi, think?" Anzu had come up behind him, smiling. "That'll be the day."

"Urusee...I'm not in the mood right now." Jounouchi turned away from her cheerful grin. Yeah, life was so easy for her. She had Yuugi's heart wrapped up and in her back pocket. She didn't have to worry about damn egomaniacs kissing her out of the blue. But...it wasn't really her fault.

Conversation stopped for a brief moment as the president of the Kaiba Corporation finally came back from lunch, the area around his right eye taking on a sickly yellow hue that was sure to darken as the day went on. Still, the familiar smirk was evident on his face as he cast his gaze in Jounouchi's direction. Jounouchi turned his head away--he didn't even want to look at the bastard.

And then, Kaiba Seto surprised everyone by laughing.

***

It was interesting to watch the streets of Domino change as he made his way home. The buildings grew dirtier and the sidewalk became more cracks than actual pavement as he walked along. The people changed too. Shopkeepers stared from deep within their shops, sharp eyes on the lookout for shoplifters instead of greeting their customers. Alleys grew deeper, an occasional groan of pain emanating from within from some poor sap that had wandered a bit too far from home and had found his wallet forcibly taken from him. Punks smoking cigarettes, dark sunglasses hiding already ancient eyes that had seen too much as they laughed without real happiness at some dirty joke one of their friends had made.

Jounouchi hated his part of town. He hated to call it home.

What else could he call it? They were going to be out on the street pretty soon anyway; his job delivering newspapers wasn't enough to pay the rent, and his dad had been fired from yet another job. He had showed up to work drunk, again. Sometimes, Jounouchi couldn't even blame him. This place sucked you in until there was no escape except the end of a bottle...or a shotgun.

But Jounouchi was a fighter, he wouldn't let it get to him without a struggle. Some days were just harder than most.

The blond was so lost in the winding narrow streets of his thoughts that he failed to notice what the entire neighborhood had picked up immediately; namely that there was a limo following him stealthily, like a black snake slithering across the ground. Some watched the car with hooded stares, wondering how much its hubcaps or other parts would fetch on the black market. They could only pray that it would stop somewhere along the way, and they would be given a chance to find out.

The young CEO settled back into seat and watched the make inu with hooded eyes, a predator kept at bay only by the tinted windows of the limousine. Inwardly he was waiting, after all, it was the make inu's move. One had to be patient in games like these, especially when the other party didn't know the rules.

***

"Why don't you watch where you're going, you bastard?!"

Jounouchi almost flashed a dark grin. A few years earlier and those exact same words could have been issuing from his own lips as he stared down a poor frightened salaryman on his way home from work. Any excuse to start a fight and pick up some extra cash on the side. He had no idea why these punks had decided he was a prime target--perhaps he had fought with them a long time ago--the faces got mixed up after a while.

His silent audience of one watched from his car, smiling to himself as the distant sound of upraised voices managed to find their way to his ears. The bonkotsu na duelist was out of his league, obviously. He liked to talk big, but Kaiba doubted that he could back up his boisterous words. Of course, Kaiba could always play the hero and rescue the unwitting sap from his impending beating...but, where would the fun be in that? No, it was much more entertaining to watch the dog get exactly what he deserved.

Jounouchi's blood was singing a long forgotten battle hymn as the first guy threw the first punch. Hmm, four guys against one. He was a bit out of practice, and he would have liked to have Honda for back up, but this shouldn't be too hard.

The dance began somewhat slowly, as it always did. All four of his opponents unconsciously made a circle around him, boxing him in, before drawing closer. When the first one was in range, he struck with the quickness of one that has done such things many times in the fast. It was amazing how it all came back after a few moments. Duck, punch, kick, punch, duck. A haunting rhythm in which one could lose oneself and never surface until the whole thing was done. It went beyond strategy or thinking. Watch out for the knife, trip the other guy and send him sprawling into his friend...the feeling of teeth giving way to a well-placed punch.

Before he knew it, the fight was over. To his surprise, he felt blood dripping down his arm. One of those bastards must have gotten him with the knife. Great, now there was a tear in his uniform; he'd have to wear his summer one until he could find the time to sew up the hole. That is, if the faculty would let him. His run-ins with the principal had been surprisingly few once he finally made it into high school, but from what he had seen of the man, he obviously though Jounouchi was a troublemaker.

Still, he had to smile. Though he probably shouldn't admit it, that had felt rather nice. Fighting was the best way he knew to let off steam, now, if only he had been facing down four Kaibas, then he could have done some real damage.

"Let's go home." The words were curt, and the driver's only reaction was a slight nod of the head as he pulled out from curb.

Kaiba was torn between laughing and cursing. As much as he hated to be wrong about something--no matter how slight--he had to admit that the dog could hold his own when it came to street fights, as least. Perhaps there was more to him than met the eye.

This could be more fun than he originally thought.

***

"Jounouchi-kun! Jounouchi-kun, wake up! It's time for lunch..." Yuugi attempted to shake his friend from his deep slumber, thankful that at least he wasn't snoring like last time. Sunlight streamed through the windows of the near-empty classroom. Laughing voices could be heard from the courtyard below as people played basketball and gossiped while eating lunch.

Yuugi had initially been worried when he saw his best friend come into school with a few bandages on his face, until Jounouchi had cheerfully pacified him with his explanation. Jounouchi's only reaction to Yuugi's repeated shaking was a mutter of something that sounded less than friendly. Yuugi sighed and began digging around in his bag for something to work on. Honda wasn't at school today, and Anzu was off buying her lunch with a couple of friends that she had been promising to have lunch with for the last three months. So, it looked as though he was stuck with a sleeping Jounouchi. Hmm, maybe he better try one more time--he was starting to get worried. Granted, Jounouchi sleeping through math and english was nothing new, but lunch was his favorite time of day!

"Haven't you ever heard the phrase: Let sleeping dogs lie?" The voice came from behind them, but Yuugi didn't have to turn around to know who was talking.

"He's not a dog, Kaiba-kun." Yuugi said reproachfully. He had pretty much resigned himself to the fact that Kaiba wasn't ever likely to become one of their best buddies, but he did wish the other boy could try to stop mocking his best friend every time Jounouchi so much as sneezed.

"He certainly fights like a mongrel." Kaiba smirked at the shorter boy as he stood up. His school uniform fit him like it was tailor-made--probably because it had been--a stark contrast to the way Jounouchi's was always wrinkled in the elbows and knees and the way he was forever losing the brass buttons. Kaiba sauntered until he reached Jounouchi's desk, staring down at the blonde boy with poorly hidden derisive amusement.

Without warning, he kicked the other boy's chair out from under him. Jounouchi let out a startled yelp as his head cracked against the floor, sitting up and glaring at the young CEO with an expression that spoke wonders. Yuugi was instantly at his side, looking up at Kaiba with anger and bewilderment clear in his large purple eyes. Kaiba wasn't they type to go out of his way to be physical with someone, he preferred to toy with them verbally. What was going on here?

"Kaiba...temee..." Jounouchi was up on his feet in a flash, grabbing Kaiba's collar and bringing the taller boy down to his level. Were he any more furious, his amber eyes would have miniature flames dancing within.

"Does this mean you want a repeat of yesterday?" Kaibe asked wickedly, his face mere inches away from Jounouchi's own. Jounouchi let go of the fabric as if it had suddenly burned his fingers. He opened his mouth to say something, but stopped as he darted a glance towards Yuugi from the corner of his eye. Instead, he stalked out of the classroom, pushing a gaggle of girls out of his way and ignoring their squawks of outrage.

Kaiba brushed himself off and turned to face the steady gaze he knew would be waiting for him with enraged reproach.

"Kaiba." The voice was low, even after all this time, it was still strange to hear it issuing from the shorter boy's throat. "What is going on here?"


to be continued