Disclaimer: Again, I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh because it belongs to the great Kazuki Takahashi. *bows down*

Well, looks like I'm getting as little reviews in this fic. And no help yet from how to write a love scene. Guys, whether you're signed or anonymous, please review. I greatly, greatly appreciate reviews so much!

By the way Santurion, thank you so much for the other review and the candies as well. *hehehehe*

But, as I have finished this chapter already, I'm presenting it now. Hope you enjoy it and. . . REVIEW!!!

***********************************************************************************************

HESITATIONS AND RESISTANCE

CHAPTER 3

Honda lay on his bed as he stared at the blurry ceiling, due to a new set of tears forming in his eyes and soon fell on his already tear-streaked face.

Consider this friendship over.

These words kept repeating in his mind, and every time it did, it always formed a new set of tears and fell from his hazel eyes.

Damn! I never knew it would end up like this. What have I done?! Honda thought, still staring at the ceiling. If he thought that Jounouchi's comatose in Battle City was the worse he felt, he was dead wrong. Standing in the middle of the deserted corridor, Jou's last words echoing around it and staring at the empty space before him was really worse. He couldn't it at first that his best friend had said those words, but when he got back from his trance and saw that his ex-best friend was gone and the words kept repeating in his mind, he knew everything was real.

And so were Jounouchi's words: their friendship was over.

And it was all because of him. . . because of his cowardliness of never telling the whole truth to his one and only best friend.

After that, Honda never got back to the classroom where he left Yugi and Anzu, and not even remembering that he left his things in there. He just wanted to go home and cry his heart out.

And that's what he's doing now.

Honda was literally mad at himself. All he wanted to do was to tell Jounouchi his feelings for him, bit he couldn't do it. A simple thing like that. . . he couldn't do. And look. . . it now lead to the ending of his and Jounouchi's friendship. . . a friendship that was longer than any of their friends. And also the most important thing in his life. Just because of Honda's fear, it was shattered into pieces like that of Yugi's Millenium Puzzle when he and Jou had rescued him from the burning warehouse (1).

Before Honda could continue thinking more, the telephone rang on his bedside table. Though the ring almost made his heart jump, he didn't bother to even pick it up and just stared at it. Knowing it was either Anzu or Yugi, he hesitated, as he didn't want to explain to them his sudden disappearance. But as the fifth ring came, Honda sat up. . . the ringing was irritating him already.

"Hello?" Honda said irritably as he picked up the phone.

"Hello, Honda? This. . . this is Yugi." Yugi's voice was shaky; as if scared that Honda might explode right then and there.

The brown-haired boy sighed inwardly. He didn't mean to put little Yugi at fault of all this. "Yes Yugi."

"Look, I'm sorry if I slipped awhile ago about that of Jounouchi. I. . . I. . .I didn't mean to, really. I'm very, very sorry. . ."

"Yugi, it's okay. I'm not blaming you. It was never your fault and, besides, I know you didn't mean to."

"Are you sure?" Yugi still didn't believe Honda forgave him that easily, as Honda can see it. "It's okay if you blame me. If it wasn't for me---"

"Yugi!" Honda said firmly, but gently. "I told you, it's okay. No need to worry. Look, is this the only reason you called? I'm. . . I'm doing homework."

"Honda. . . you're not doing homework. . ."

"How do you know that?"

"'Coz. . . you. . . uh. . . left all your things in the classroom awhile ago."

"What?!" Honda glanced at his desk to find that there was no brown backpack on it. "Oh shit!"

"As a matter of fact, both you and Jounouchi left your things in the classroom. What happened, Honda?"

Silence.

"Ok. I understand." Yugi said. "It's okay if you don't want to tell me yet. But are you going to get your things now? Or I'll drop it off?"

Honda thought for moment. To tell the truth, it was no use getting his things because he knew he won't be able to do his homework, not in the state he is now, as many things were still in his mind. "No Yugi, don't bother. I'll just get tomorrow morning and do the homework in school before classes start."

Yugi sighed. "Okay, if that's what you want. I suppose Jou will do the same, but I'll call him as well." He paused, as if waiting for a response. When no reply came, he continued. "Honda, if you're ready to tell what happened between you and Jounouchi, I'm ready to listen."

"Thanks, Yugi."

"Listen Honda, I gotta go. Somebody's on the door, and I'm all alone here. Grandpa's on a business trip with Prof. Hawkins."

"Ok, bye Yugi."

"Bye." The line went dead.

Honda lay on his bed again as he put down the phone and continued what he was doing before the call came.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"You did what?! Why did you do that?!"

"Well. . . he deserves it Yugi! How could he keep secrets from me when we never ver keep secrets from each other! As a matter of fact," Jounouchi glared at the tri-color haired teen. "We all never keep secrets from each other."

Both boys were sitting on the couch in the Mutou household. Yugi sighed. This was getting worse than he ever thought. "Jounouchi," he reasoned out. "we have a reason why we never told you. And we can't tell you what it is. If you want to know, talk to Honda."

"I don't need to talk to Honda!" The blond said stubbornly. "There's nothing to talk about. It's clear to me that he's not my true best friend. Besides he won't explain to me everything!"

"That's because you won't let him explain everything!" Yugi yelled, exasperated by Jou's stubbornness.

"I. . . I. . ."

Yugi studied his friend's face in which the stubbornness was gone, and was now replaced by. . . sadness? He quirked an eyebrow. "Tell me, Jou, is there another reason why you cut off your friendship with Honda? Because, knowing you, your friendship with him is very important for you and you wouldn't just cut it off because he kept a secret especially from you. Tell me, is there something more?"

Jounouchi didn't want to answer Yugi's question, but he couldn't help but nod his head. He can feel his amethyst eyes looking intently at him as he stared at the floor.

"Hmmm. . . aha! I know now why!"

"What?!"

Yugi smiled innocently, though his eyes were twinkling with amusement. When I studied you awhile ago, I knew you look familiar. Then I remembered seeing that look on Yami and Ryou---a look when a person is depressed because of love."

Jounouchi blinked before Yugi's discovery sank on him. When he saw this, he immediately stood up from the sofa looking at Yugi, horrified. Then he turned around. "I. . . I have to go. I still have to do my homework."

Yugi chuckled softly. "Jou, your homework, and bag as well are here. You left it in the classroom this afternoon."

"Really? Where?"

"Here." Yugi handed him a green backpack. As Jou got hold of it, he noticed a brown backpack in front of Yugi.

"Who owns that?"

"That's Honda's. You both left them in the classroom." Then Yugi looked at the blond. "Jou, talk to Honda. Tell him what you feel for him."

The blond stared at the tri-color haired teen and looking bewildered too. How does he know about these things? He nodded towards the brown backpack. "Is it okay if I bring that as well?"

"Yugi hesitated, then nodded. "Okay, but give it to Honda tomorrow morning 'coz he'll do his homework in school before classes." Jou nodded as he got hold of the said backpack, said goodbye and went off, Yugi waving behind him.

"Oh Jounouchi, I hope you and Honda would settle everything." With that, Yugi went inside the house, sighing.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jounouchi took out the house keys from his bag. It was a good thing that he didn't go home immediately or he'd be standing outside his house, wondering where his keys are. Plus, he'll be panicking too. The moment he got inside the house, he dropped the two backpacks on the living room couch, and went to the fridge to see what he'll cook for dinner.

As he got an apple from the fruit bowl, he checked the answering machine, only to see that there were no messages. Jou's face fell; he expected to see even just one message. And what made his stomach churn is that he expected it to be Honda. He sighed as he bit on the apple.

Yugi was right. . . he was in love with Honda. Ever since. . . uh. . . before Battle City. In between Duelist Kingdom and Battle City, to be exact. Jounouchi didn't know how, but he started realizing that he was in love with Honda at a ride in the motorcycle, his hands on around his best friend's waist, and was even blushing hard. It was that time when he had lost his Red-Eyes Black Dragon to a Rare Hunter, and he was sulking on the beach and didn't want to go to Serenity in the hospital. And this wasn't the ordinary blushing because since that day, he would blush whenever he made any physical contact with Honda.

Jounouchi chuckled when he remembered the time that he saw Honda topless. . . he was staring at him and was uncontrollably blushing when Honda saw him staring. Fortunately (or unfortunately?) his best friend never found out the reason for Jou staring at him like he saw a girl in a bikini. Well, as Honda would describe it.

Of course, what he saw was more than a girl in a bikini. Much better actually.

But now, it would never be the same again because the friendship was now over. Jounouchi and Honda would never laugh, joke around or be together and have fun just like before. In fact, he would never be able to even just kiss Honda on the lips or to cuddle in his chest, as what he had dreamed ever since he fell in love with his best friend. Because, now, Honda was in love with somebody else. Damn it! If Jou found out before that his best friend was gay earlier and had the guts, then he would have told him his true feelings immediately and then he would have been the happiest person in the world. But now, that would never happen. . . ever.

In fact, he rather hated himself now. Before, Jou had a problem with Honda because he was in love with his younger sister, Shizuka. So, he thought he was straight. But then, when he found out Honda was gay, he guessed the crush with Shizuka was a cover up. He could've told him then and there, but didn't have the courage to do so, as he was scared of rejection. Not only that, but Jou was afraid to lose friendship with his best friend. But now it was worse. He not only lost his best friend, but his chance of being his boyfriend because Honda loves somebody else.

And the reason for cutting off his friendship with Honda? He didn't want to get hurt more. Jounouchi thought it was Otogi at first for it was sort of obvious, but he didn't become sad when the dice king went to America. . . in fact, he was so happy. This was what saddened Jou more for if it was Otogi, he'll accept it because the dice king was okay for his best friend. Knowing that his best friend was in love with somebody he didn't know had hurt him, what more if he saw the guy (whoever he is) and Honda get together. Jou will see them more often, kissing to heaven knows what, and this was what'll hurt him the most. It's better cutting it off that friendship than being hurt in the future knowing that Honda won't be his---ever.

Before he could continue thinking more, the telephone rang. He was about to pick it up when he stopped. What if it was Honda? He didn't know what he'd say. After all, Jou was the one who cut off the friendship.

After a minute of debate, the blond decided not to pick it up and let the answering machine do the work. After the fifth ring, the said machine activated. By that moment, Jounouchi was on his way to the kitchen to cook dinner. But he stopped before he even came in when he heard a deep voice.

"Hello, Jounouchi? Are you there?"

He looked over his shoulder at the answering machine and just stared at it, not daring to go near it as if it was a bomb about to explode.

"It's Honda."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Honda tossed and turned on the bed, but he was not sleeping. He was actually thinking, and it made him more confused.

In truth, he wanted to settle things between him and Jounouchi once and for all. Even if the only way was to tell him the truth, then that's what he'd do.

He hesitated at first, but if he wanted to settle thus as early as possible, he'll have to do it now. Not later, not tomorrow, now. He picked up the telephone reluctantly and nervously dialed a number. Honda waited...it was already the fourth ring and still no answer. Honda was about to put it down on the sixth ring when it never came. Instead, Jou's voice came.

"Hi! This is Jounouchi Katsuya. I am sorry, but I cannot attend to you right now, as I am out. Please leave your name, message and telephone number after the beep and I'll try to call you back. Thanks." Beeeeeeeeeeeeep.

An answering machine. Should I talk? Anyway, I'll just leave a message "Hello, Jounouchi? Are you there?" Stupid me. . . of course he's not there! That's why it's an answering machine you're talking to. "It's Honda." What will I say? "Uh. . . uh, I know I have no right to call you as we're not friends anymore. But I. . . I . . .I hope that. . . uh. . . we can still . . . uh. . . talk even for just awhile. I know you'll refuse, but. . . even. . . if for. . ." Honda was crying again, his voice shaky. ". . . j-just t-the last t-time. Please. . . I have t-to t-tell you something important." He breathed.

"If you'll give me a chance and agree to talk with me, if it's okay with you, let's talk here in my house. Just go here if you want to. If. . . not. . . then, then that means you won't go, eh?" He sniffed. "Well. . . that's all. I'll wait until. . . " Honda looked at his watch: four-thirty. ". . . until six 'o clock. I'll see ya. . . I hope." He said sadly. "B-Bye..." He waited for a minute. Nothing. He gave up and was about to hang up, when he heard somebody pick up the other line. Honda froze when he heard a soft, shaky voice.

"Honda. . . wait."

***********************************************************************************************

(1) This was during Yugi's fight with Bandit Keith when he was controlled by Marik, and the Millenium Puzzle was at stake. Then the warehouse caught fire and Bandit Keith shattered the puzzle.

A/N: Well, that's it. . . at least it's longer than the last chapters. This chapter is more narration than talk. . . hope you didn't get bored. If you did, then tell mean the reviews. I would really appreciate it if you were all honest.

And guys. . . review, please! I only have one review (thanks Santurion!), but I still put up Chapter 2.

Review, review, review!!!!!!

And oh, help me on this:

I NEED HELP!!!!!: I am not good (as in not good) in doing/writing a love (take note: love) scene, especially with Honda/Jounouchi. I may have read many R fics, but it's not enough. So, I need your help: if any of you are willing to help in my situation by giving tips or something, please feel free to do so. It would be much better if you email me, so as to be private, in malfoy_gurl09@yahoo.com. Please, I really need some help. . . it's for my next fic as well as in this fic. . .on the last chapter I think. I would really appreciate it and even acknowledge you.

By the way guys, I have some notes on my profile. It's more on the stories that I'm planning to write. I jsut want all of you to know, and also, so that you can help me and give me some ideas on the stories. Just look at my profile.

Bye people!