Take Me Away to Paradise.
A/N: Okay! Here's the third chapter! Yay! I'm getting reviews! I love my reviewers! Cookies for everyone!
Okay, this chapter is certainly longer than the previous one. Sorry about that, I couldn't write anymore as it would throw the others out of line.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, damnit!
Reviewer Responses.
Jibby: (sniffles) thank you! It's so nice to know that people like my story! Have a cookie!
Puffin: (cringes) yeah, that chapter was far too short! But rest assured! This one is longer! Thanks for your sweet review!
KatrinaKaiba: Yeah, poor Jou. Lol, his situation is going to get a LOT worse before it gets better! I'm so evil! Thanks for the review.
Serena: Thank you so much! Is this fast enough?
Flame Swordswoman: Are you the same Flame Swordswoman who does absolutely amazing Jou and Mai fan art? If so, then I will bow to you! (bows)! One of your pictures is hanging on my wall!
If you aren't, then I'm severely embarrassed…Thanks so much for your comments! Oh, there is SO angst in this chapter. I love Jou-angst! Go Jou-angst! I'm evil! You put me on your C2 community! I'm so happy! (cries). I'll update at least three times a week, if not more, and there's a whole series where this came from! Man, people are going to get so sick of me! Thanks so much for your great review! Sorry about the long reply! It's probably longer than the last chapter, damnit!
Thanks to all you guys! You're great! Okay, here's chapter three!
Chapter 3.
The rest of the day passed in a haze of pain and unease for Jou. Before he knew it, he was saying goodbye to his friends, and heading home. He walked through the pouring rain, once again cursing his bad luck. He was dreading seeing his father, because he was sure to be drunk as usual. And if the school had called……
Jounouchi continued to walk, oblivious of anyone near him. So oblivious, in fact, that he almost walked straight into a very familiar black limo that happened to be passing. The car screeched to a halt, and a window near the back would down. The head of Seto Kaiba appeared, looking shocked and angry.
"What the hell are you doing, mutt! Are you trying to get yourself killed!"
Jou looked into the furious sapphire eyes of his crush, and realized with a jolt that he didn't care anymore. He'd rather die now than endure one more drunken beating from his father.
"Chance would be a fine thing," he muttered, meaning every word.
A stunned silence met his words. Kaiba cleared his throat uneasily.
"Erm…mutt? Jounouchi? Are you alright?"
Jounouchi looked up, shocked. Was he hearing right? Was Seto Kaiba, the great CEO of Kaiba Corp, the object of his affections for so long now, actually worried about him? He did look concerned……
Jou dismissed these thoughts as ridiculous. Kaiba hated him, always had, and always would.
"Puppy?"
Jou forced himself to look up, and smile. "I'm fine, Seto. Goodbye."
And with that, he walked away. Seto stared after him.
'Did he just call me Seto?'
He vowed to save his puppy once and for all.
It was dark in his apartment when Jou finally got home. The stench of alcohol and sweat almost made him retch, but he held it back, knowing that silence was necessary. He quietly slipped out of his coat, and made his way towards his small room. However, before he got there, he heard a cold, slurring voice coming from right behind him.
"You're late, boy."
Yugi sighed miserably. The events of the day weighed heavily upon his mind. Absorbed in his thoughts, he didn't notice Yami walking up behind him, until his deep voice made him jump.
"What is wrong, aibou?"
Yugi turned to face his partner, smiling faintly. "Oh, Yami…nothing, I guess…I'm just worried about Jounouchi-kun."
Yami frowned. "Why? What's wrong with Jou?"
Yugi bit his lip. "It's his father. He abuses him, Yami. Jou thinks we haven't noticed, but it's so obvious. He's always bruised somewhere, and he never asks us to come over. I'm so worried!"
Yami took his small lover in his arms, and held him. Yugi felt the spirit's next words rumbling through his chest.
"His own father hurts him?"
"I…I think so…"
Yami was silent for a while. Then, he spoke. "Okay, aibou, give him time to get home, then call him. Invite him over."
Yugi shook his head. "His phone doesn't work."
"And you don't know where he lives?"
"No…"
The small boy started to cry quietly. Yami hushed him.
"First thing tomorrow morning, aibou. We'll help him."
Yugi hoped desperately that this was true.
Jou's heart froze in terror. He slowly turned around to meet the enraged face of his father.
"Dad, I'm sorry, I…"
His father interrupted. "Don't give me any of that shit, boy. The school called me earlier. You were late again."
"Yeah, but…"
"Don't give me any excuses, you piece of shit!"
Jou cringed as his father began to scream at him. He knew how this was going to end.
"Please, Dad, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be late, it's just that…"
He was cut off by his father's fist hitting his face. He cried out and stumbled backwards, hitting the wall as his father continued to punch him. A fist connected with his already sore nose, and he thought he was going to faint.
"Please! Please stop!"
Paying no attention to his son's pleas, Jou's father continued to beat him, eventually sending him crashing to the floor. Jou heard a sickening crunch as his father kicked him in the ribs, and a burning pain made him shriek in agony.
Eventually, his father relented, and stepped back, breathing heavily. Jou looked up with pleading, honey-colored eyes. His father spat at him, and pointed to the door.
"Get out of my house."
Jounouchi staggered to his feet, and limped as fast as he could out of the front door. He could only think of one place to go. He had to go find Yugi……
NOOOOOO! I can't believe I did that! (cries). Poor, poor Jou! Please review with kind words to help him feel better!
