Jou rested his head on Bakura's chest, breathing heavily. He had been going to Bakura's more often. It was a surprise Ryou didn't know. Bakura's fingers poked and prodded through Jounochi's hair. Not at all like Kaiba's gentle hands. Jou closed his eyes. He just HAD to go and think about Kaiba again.

"Jouno? Is everything alright?" Bakura asked in a interest, but not concerned voice.

"Yeah, fine," Jounochi said a bit short.

"Because the Pharaoh was asking my host if he had seen you. Seemed...oh...concerned?" he asked unsurely, like he didn't know the meaning of the word.

"Everything's fine," he mumbled.

"Jouno?" He lifted Jou's head up to look him in the eye. Jou hated Bakura's smile. "You're a great fuck. You know that, right?"

Jou nodded, fighting to keep the tears in his eyes from falling. ~Since when do I cry when I hear that?~

"Good, Jouno. Good."

Jou suddenly ripped from Bakura's embrace. He began throwing on clothes.

"What's the rush?"

"I have to go," he mumbled, pulling his pants on.

"Rich boy expecting you?"

"I just have to," he whispered.

Bakura shook his head. "Whatever, Jouno. Bye."

Jou began running out of the small apartment, trying to get his shoes on. He opened the door and ran smack into Yami. He stepped back, trying to inch around him. "H-hey, Yami."

Yami's eyes went from Jou, to the apartment, back to Jou. "You look out of breath, is everything okay?"

Jou waved his hand away. "Yeah, fine." He plastered on a fake smile.

Yami raised an eyebrow. "Yugi nor anyone else has seen you in more than a week. What's going on?"

"I'm just...getting through some stuff," he said lamely.

"Why don't you have your Duel Disk?" Yami tried another tactic.

"It broke." It wasn't a complete lie.

Yami smiled ruefully. "Good luck trying to get another one from Kaiba."

"It doesn't matter. I'm not going to win the tournament, you are. So what's the point?"

"That doesn't sound like the Jounochi I know."

Jou shook his head at Yami. He grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him really close. "The Jounochi you know," he said through clenched teeth, "is just one big lie." He pushed Yami away.

Yami stared at Jou, surprised. "Jou...I..."

"You what?"

Yami looked down. "You're really hurting Yugi right now."

"Good, then we're even. And you, Yami? I don't like you. And I never will. So get over yourself."

Yami let go and let Yugi take over is body. "Jounochi? Why are you being like this?"

"Because I'm of being hurt by the people I thought I could trust," he said, his eyes narrowing. "It hurt enough when I don't even know the person, Yugi. Who do you think you are to think I wouldn't care? I don't know what's going on in that little head of yours, but you better know that that you and I are best friends. And best friends don't treat each other this way. So until you're ready to give me one hell of an apology, i suggest you stay out of my way."

Yugi looked down and nodded. "Okay, Jounochi."

~~~