I don't own Yugioh.

Chapter 10

Yugi was asleep in the bed he had used before, with Yami gently placing a cold cloth on his forehead.  Shortly after leaving the house, Yugi told Yami that he really felt sick.  Yami tried to talk him through it, but he felt Yugi's physical body suffering from it, and they had to stop.  Yugi had thrown up, and was running a fever by the time they brought him back.  They had gotten some medicine into him, but then he fell right asleep.

Jou and Anzu were in the room, too.

"He's so pale," Anzu whispered, brushing some of Yugi's bangs out of his face.

"Just give him some time," Jou crossed his arms, leaning against one of the beds as he sat on the floor.  He looked down and closed his eyes, "Yug was really scared.  No bully could get him that worked up.  Not even Honda."

"But will he be alright?" Anzu whispered, "Mentally?"

"I don't know," Jou opened his eyes and gazed sadly at the ground, finally letting a couple tears trickle down his face.  He wiped them away, "Dammit.  I was try'n to be strong for Yug."

"And just when he stopped stammering and was getting better," Anzu sighed, depressed.

"You did a fine job, Jou," Yami nodded, "It's alright.  Yugi's strong.  He'll be fine."

"You're right," Jou nodded.

"I really wish I could stay here," Anzu shook her head, "But mom will have a fit.  Can you tell Yugi that I said to feel better when he wakes up?"

Yami smiled and nodded, "I'll be sure to do that, Anzu.  Take care of yourself."

Anzu nodded, "Thanks.  Bye!"  She left.

Yami glanced at Jou, "It's past seven.  Shouldn't you be getting home?"

"Nah.  Pops doesn't care either way," Jou shrugged.

Yami looked at him for a while, then spoke up, "Jou…does your father hurt you?"

Jou started, looking around like a scared rabbit for a little while, "Wha…what do you mean…?  N-noth'n goes on…"

"That doesn't sound too convincing," Yami went over and sat next to him, "How old are you again?"

"Eleven."

"And you only live with your dad?" Yami raised an eyebrow.

"Mom and dad got divorced when I was about eight," Jou looked at the ground, tears welling up in his eyes and trickling down his face, "And me an' my sister were separated."

"You have a sister?" Yami asked.

Jou nodded, "Yea.  She's two years younger then me, but she lives in the next town over.  I don't get ta see her much, or my mom.  And my sister's eyesight ain't so good…it was never good.  I already told Yugi…that's why I got a job.  For her."  He wiped his eyes.

"Jou…," Yami softened, "…you really are a good person."

"Thanks for the compliment, but I think I'm go'n straight to hell," Jou smiled, self-mockingly, "I stole…"

"Past sins, if not that bad, can be repented for," Yami said solemnly, "I already told Yugi, and Seto knows as well, but I killed people before with the Shadow Games.  That time I told you and Yugi to run to the bench?  Remember?  I was using the Shadow Realm.  During those games, people can lose their souls or even die.  Even though stealing isn't right, it's nothing compared to the deeds I have done."

Jou looked at the ground, wiping more tears away, "I jus' want things to be alright, ya know?"  his voice cracked with the tears, "I didn't want Yug to hafta be subjected to the kinda stuff I go through.  He's too nice for that.  I figured that pops hitting me was a way of them guys from above watch'n us tell'n me that what I'm do'n is wrong."

Yami put a hand on Jou's shoulder, "Nobody deserves to be beaten like that.  If Yugi hadn't begged me not to hurt his parents, I would have beat those two sick parents of his up.  And, I don't even think those are his real parents."

"No?  He was adopted?"

"I'm not sure," Yami shook his head, "I'm sure we'll find out soon.  Anyway, why don't you have something done about your father?"

"He told me never to tell nobody," Jou whispered, "Threatened me, even."

"So that's how you knew everything about Yugi's situation," Yami whispered.

Jou nodded, wiping his eyes again.  "I dunno what to do…"

"Well, I certainly can't sit still and let him hurt you," Yami smiled, "You're my friend.  You're Yugi's friend.  Yugi wouldn't sit still, either, if he found out that you were getting beaten as well."

"Yea, but unlike Yug," Jou shook his head, "I don't got the courage to tell any cops about it.  After all, I have a juvenile record for stealing, once."

"Once," Yami emphasized, "Listen to me, Jou, everyone has courage.  It's just where and when to use it."

"I can't do what Yug just did today," Jou shook his head, "I wouldn't even be able to get into the room."

Yami shook his head, "Here's what I want you to do.  I want you to go downstairs and tell Seto."

"Why…?"

"While the cops are still here," Yami replied, "So you, Seto, and Toshiba…ask for him to go with you, he's nicer…can go over to your place."

"I can't do that, Yami…"

"It's either now or Seto will have to call them all over again when he looks at the security camera tapes later," Yami smirked.

"You sly dog…," Jou whispered, then grinned, wiping his eyes, "Ya care about me that much to trick me into getting help?  Man…I got some good friends…"  He buried his head in his hands and started to cry.

Yami put a hand on his shoulder and then rubbed his back.

A small voice spoke up from the bed nearby, "Only 'cause you're such a good friend to all of us, Jou.  Because you care so much.  You have a big heart."

Yami glanced up, "Yugi…"

Yugi smiled despite his pale face.  He was still laying down, but was on his side so he could face them, "Jou, please ask Seto to help.  You can do it.  I know you can.  You believed in me back there.  I believe in you.  I know you can do it."

"Yug…," Jou wiped his eyes, "Sorry…I was try'n not to cry…"

"It's okay to cry," Yugi whispered, his eyes feeling heavy again.

Jou nodded and stood up, "Alright, I'll do it!  Yugi, get some rest.  Thanks for everything, man.  Oh, Anzu says to 'get better soon', too.  I'll tell Seto now.  See ya later!"  He waved and went out the door.

Yami chuckled, "That Jou…"  he turned back towards Yugi, and walked back over, sitting on the bed in front of him, and smoothing back Yugi's hair comfortingly.

"How are you feeling?" Yami whispered gently.

"Tired," Yugi responded weakly.

Yami placed a hand on Yugi's forehead, "You still feel feverish."

"But I'm not afraid," Yugi whispered.

"Eh?" Yami blinked.

Yugi sat up, ignoring the dizziness, and hugged Yami, closing his eyes, "I'm not afraid, because my big brother is there for me.  I love you, Yami."

Yami hugged Yugi, "I love you too, aibou.  Now, lay back and get some rest.  I'll be right here."

Yugi nodded and lay back down, snuggling under the covers with a smile.

TO BE CONTINUED…