Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh or any of the characters involved with the show.

The exhausted boy ran. He ran into the night. His chest heaved with every pump of his legs. He raced passed red rocks, scorching flames, and screaming people. His legs throbbed, in a moment or so he knew they would buckle and he would go down. He didn't care. His body was spent and all he wanted was to rest. As if his legs had gotten the secret desire his mind had, his legs slowed of their own accord. That is when he felt the putrid air on his neck. His legs slowed a bit more and his nostrils picked up a waft of the sulfur in the air. His legs slowed still further and he felt a clawed hand curl around the collar of his jacket. The boy's eyes rolled to the side and he got a mere glimpse of the thing. Out of the boys' mouth tore a scream. The boy twisted and thrashed. The thing's grip tightened on his collar yanking him backwards. The boy screamed yet again and reached up, his fingernails dug into the back of the things' hand. He left long jagged marks into its hand. The thing jerked the boy backwards and pulled him to it. It uttered in a guttural voice, "Yugi submit."

Yugi grabbed the clawed hands and tried to pry them off of him.

"Yugi," the thing said again as it shook him. The thing gripped him tightly. It was almost as if it were hugging him.

Yugi did the only thing he could do. He sunk his teeth into the things flesh. He felt himself gag as he heard someone shriek, "Ouch!"

Yugi smiled in triumph he hurt it. Quickly the thing pulled its hand away from Yugi. Yugi had prepared to run off when he heard a voice asked, "Yugi, are you nuts biting your Grandpa like that?"

Yugi frowned in confusion. He knew that voice! It wasn't low and guttural. It was the voice of his best friend Jou. His eyes flew open and he stared into his honey colored eyes.

"Jou?" he asked timidly.

"Yeah, Yug, it's me."

Jou reached over to Yugi's Grandpa and gently took the old mans' hand and examined it. It was bleeding rather badly. Jou went into his bathroom and came out with the roll of toilet paper. He wrapped up the old mans' hand in an effort to staunch the bleeding.

Yugi looked in confusing from Jou to his Grandpa. His nightmare already dissolving into memory. "Grandpa, are you okay? Did I hurt you?"

The old man frowned and shook his head. "I will be okay. I am more concerned with you. That's the third nightmare this week."

Yugi dropped his eyes and grunted. He reached down and twisted the cover of his blanket.

"What were you dreaming about, Yug?" Jou asked him.

"I don't remember, "He deftly lied.

"You don't remember?" Jou asked incredously. "You seemed to be having a doozy of a nightmare and you can't recall any of it?"

Yugi shouted, "That's what I said I don't remember!"

Jou winced as though he had been struck. Then he frowned and ran his hand through his unruly mop of blond hair.

Yugi looked at his best friend. A scarlet wave of embarrassment spread across his cheeks. He smiled slowly. "I am sorry, Jou."

In typical Jou fashion he said, "Ah that is alright, Yug."

Grandpa carefully took the wrapping off his hand. The blood had slowed a bit but it was still flowing. He examined it and saw guessed he might need stitches. He swore softly under his breath. Yet, both Yugi and Jou heard him.

Jou walked over the old man and picked up his hand. "You will have to go to the hospital for that," he said.

Yugi jumped up and grabbed his Grandpa's hand. "Oh, man," he moaned.

Grandpa took his hand back and smiled at a worried Yugi. "I will be alright."

"No you won't, Grandpa. I have to take you to a doctor."

"Yugi," the old man said gently, "the city buses don't run this late in Domino City.

"We could call an ambulance," Yugi offered.

"Yugi, "Jou cut in, "that will cost money and take time for the ambulance to get here. I have a better idea."

"No, Jou, please don't call him."

"Yugi, he will bring the limo. We will get to the hospital quite fast. Plus he will throw his weight around and get your Grandpa seen a lot faster."

"Jou, he will be mad," Yugi warned.

"Just let me handle it, "Jou said.

Jou went over to his pack and took out his cell phone. He put a finger up to signal he needed a second. He walked out of the room dialing the phone. The person who responded was not happy at being awoken that late at night. Jou came back smiling sheepishly.

"All taken care of, Grandpa, how about you place your coat on?" Jou asked.

"He wasn't too thrilled, was he?" Yugi asked.

"Will you let me handle Rich boy." Jou cracked a smirk.

Yugi face scrunched up in worry. The situation was already tensed and no wanted needed an irate Seto Kaiba making things worse. For that was of course who Jou called at such a late hour for a ride to the hospital.

Yugi went to fetch some clothes to change into when his Grandpa stopped him. "You stay here and try to get some rest."

"I am going with you, Grandpa."

"Stay here, Kaiba can be a handful. You don't need that kid hassling you." He touched his grandson's forehead. It felt slightly warm. Turning to Jou he said, "I didn't mean what I said about Kaiba."

Jou smiled. "Oh, I am used to it." Turning to Yugi he said, "I will take care of him, okay? You can trust me."

Yugi smiled wearily. "Call me with information."

"As soon as I know you will know," Jou promised him.

Grandpa smiled. He was grateful his grandson had a best friend like Jou. 'Such a nice and thoughtful boy. What the hell was he doing with an asshole like Seto Kaiba?'

Jou went over to Grandpa and rewrapped his hand. Then he went off to get dressed. No sooner had he pulled on his jeans when the doorbell rang. Yugi went to answer it. In the doorway stood the tall CEO of Kaiba Corp. "Jou, the limo is here." He walked off to avoid any further conversation with Kaiba.

Jou frowned. He stood on his toes to look over Kaiba's shoulder. "Where is Mokuba? You left him home alone? "Jou asked with wide shocked eyes.

"Don't be such a blond, puppy. Security is watching him. Where is the old man?"

Jou elbowed Kaiba and shout whispered, "Please don't call him that, thank you."

Kaiba muttered, "Fine. Let's go." He turned on his heels and snapped his fingers for Jou to follow.

Jou looked at Kaiba's retreating back and sighed in disgust. Moneybags acted as though he were a real puppy. One day he would have to break Kaiba out of that.

Gently, Jou took Grandpa by his arm. He helped Grandpa with his coat and then he led him off to the limo. Turning to Yugi he reassured him by saying, "He will be fine. Try not to worry, okay. I will call you as soon as possible."

Yugi nodded and mumbled, "Thanks."

Easing the old man into the limo, the car peeled away from the curb into the late night. Yugi closed the door and went back into his bedroom. He removed his cover and felt his sheets. "Fuck," he said in irritation, they were wet yet again.

He was glad the urine didn't have an odor. He took the wet sheets into the bathroom and soaked them in a tub of soapy warm water. He went to the linen closet and retrieved fresh sheets. Quickly, flipping over his mattress he made his bed. Then he opened the windows and aired out his room.

At the hospital the CEO was being his usual bossy self. Jou resisted the urge to muzzle Kaiba. He needed Seto to do just what he was doing. Getting people to move their ass. Seto walked up to the nurses' station and demanded to see a doctor pronto. The nurse stared into his cold sapphire eyes but said nothing. It was a well known fact that if the young spoiled CEO wanted anything he got it. She escorted Grandpa to a private room and within minutes a doctor came in and began stitching and bandaging his hand properly.

While that was ongoing, Jou took the time to sneak back to the nurses' station. While he was glad Seto made them move their ass he still felt a tad guilty. Jou blushed at he nurse. "I am sorry about Seto's behavior. Please forgive him." He bowed low to the nurse. The nurse smiled and bowed back. As Jou left she got the feeling that he often apologized for his boyfriends' behavior. She further wandered what a nice boy was doing with an asshole like Seto Kaiba.

Jou went back into Grandpa's room he found the old man sleeping. Looking over at Kaiba, the CEO said, "The old man's hand was throbbing so the doctor gave him something for the pain. It must have had a sleep aid because it knocked him right out."

Jou scrunched up his face in irritation. "I told you not to call him an oldman"

Kaiba peered over at the old man. He made sure he was asleep before doing the rarity that only Jou and Mokuba heard him do. He apologized quietly. "Sorry."

Jou sighed, "Why can't you be nicer to people? Would it kill you to be nicer?"

Kaiba smirked, "No, it would kill other people. They are used to me being this way. I do have a reputation to maintain you know."

Jou walked over to him. "You are not a bad guy all the time." He touched the tips of his brown hair and grinned.

"Correction," Kaiba said, "I am a cold hearted jerk all the time."

"That is not true. You want people to think that. If you were so horrible you wouldn't have sent the limo tonight."

"Yes, well," Kaiba brushed Jou's unruly mop of hair out of his eyes. "Don't go making a big production out of it. "

Jou moved closer to him and kissed his bottom lip. "Promise you will be nicer to people."

Kaiba smirked and raised his right hand. "I promise to be extra nice to you and Mokuba."

Jou frowned, "Why do I even bother?"

Kaiba nodded in agreement. "Why do you? I was this way when you met me. I will be this way for the rest of my life."

Jou switched topics. "I am really worried about, Yugi."

"What is the problem with the little twerp anyway? Furthermore, as clean as the old guy keeps that house it reeked of piss. I can't believe you didn't smell it. "

Jou elbowed Kaiba. "Can't you practice a little discretion, please?"

"Discretion, "Kaiba smirked, "have you been reading the dictionary again, puppy?"

"Fuck you, Seto."

"Now we could have been doing that. However, you just had to keep the little pipsqueak company tonight."

"He is my best friend, "Jou answered.

Kaiba stifled a yawn. "One wonders why. " Before Jou could reply Kaiba added, "Let's go home, puppy. We can continue this conversation tomorrow."

Jou glared at him. "Enough with the puppy shit."

Kaiba strutted out the room and Jou picked up the rear.

As they left out of the shadows walked a tall figure with crimson eyes. Its' face wearing a mask of disgust at the blond. It wondered to itself how Yugi could have such a dickless wonder for a best friend.

Now that Kaiba the thing murmured. Not that the thing was gay. It just liked Kaiba's attitude, his strength, and his power. It reminded the thing of Kaiba's ancient self Seth.

Turning to the bed it looked down at the sleeping figure of the old man. Clucking his tongue to his teeth the thing smiled a cruel cold smile. From his pocket he pulled out a knife. Lifting Grandpa's hospital gown he carefully etched into his stomach a bloody message for Yugi.

Submit, Yugi, or they will all die!

Quietly and quickly he slipped from the room.

Grandpa awoke the next day to the sun streaming in his room. His head a bit groggy from the medicine taken the previous night he lifted his hand to examine it. "Ouch," he winced.

Dimly, he wondered why his stomach should hurt as he lifted his arm. Looking down at his hospital gown he was shocked to discover blood. Lifting it he saw the messaged scrawled across his stomach. He was still screaming as he fainted.

Later that morning, Jou was still snoring softly. Kaiba as usual had already risen, bathed, and ate breakfast. He sat in his chair by the bay window his long fingers interlaced. He watched Jou sleep. The blond tossed and turned in his sleep fitfully.

Kaiba debated about waking him up. His puppy had a long night and an early morning. When they left the hospital he insisted on calling Yugi to report to him regarding his Grandpa. Kaiba could hear the little duelist sniffling on the other line. He could also hear Yugi giving his thanks. Kaiba wondered for the trillionth time why did Jou have a whining brat for a best friend.

Kaiba smiled at Jou. He hated being called puppy but like a puppy Jou was loyal. He was kind, a voracious eater, and most of all he had a huge heart. Kaiba had finally made up his mind to wake Jou when the phone rang, diving for it, he answered it midway through the second ring.

"Kaiba," he growled, "this had better be important this early."

"Is Jou awake yet?" the caller asked timidly.

"No, he isn't awake yet. "

"Shit," the caller responded.

Kaiba could hear a muffled cry. He asked, "Yugi, is that you?"

"Yes, "he whispered fearfully.

Kaiba could hear the fright in Yugi's voice and frowned. Seto didn't careYugi was afraid. In fact, normally Seto enjoyed inflicting fear in people. His favorite targets were the geek squad (Honda, Anzu, Yugi, and Jou…but of course he stopped picking on Jou a long time ago. Once he finally let his guard down and fell in love with the puppy. Now he had a new target….the runt of a duelist Yugi.) Yet, he could tell this wasn't just normal fear on Yugi's part. Worse the fear wasn't a result of something he Seto Kaiba had done. This fear was from a different source and Seto didn't like it.

Uncharacteristically he asked, "Why do you need to talk to Jou this early? Is there some sort of trouble?" Seto chewed his lip nervously. He really didn't care if Yugi was in trouble or not. However, he knew his puppy did. Which meant Jou would get involved thusly involving himself whether he liked it or not.

Is there some sort of trouble?" Seto chewed his lip nervously. He really didn't care if Yugi was in trouble or not. However, he knew his puppy did. Which meant Jou would get involved, thusly involving himself whether he liked it or not

"Can I just talk to Jou?"

"He is currently sleeping. We got in quite late this morning after taking your Grandpa to the hospital."

At the mention of his Grandpa, Yugi sobbed, "Grandpa he is the reason I am calling."

Kaiba pulled the receiver away from his ear in disgust. He couldn't stand hearing the twerp cry. Actually, that wasn't completely true he couldn't stand to hear any man cry. He chewed his lip in disgust and inhaled slowly. The thought crossed his mind to put the receiver back on its cradle.

"Kaiba, are you still there?" Yugi mumbled through his tears.

"Yes. Listen, Yugi, whatever the problem is Jou and I have involved ourselves in it more than enough. Can't you get Honda or Anzu to aid you?"

"I…I need Jou's help."

"Why do you need his help?"

"Something has happened to Grandpa." Yugi whispered.

Kaiba was getting worried. "Something like what?"

"He was hurt in the hospital."

Kaiba frowned. He thought to himself, 'those fuckers at that hospital. If anything happened to that old man as result of their negligence they would deal with Seto Kaiba.'

As if Yugi could read his mind he filled Kaiba in on the correct information.

"The police called me at home. They told me they needed me to come to the hospital right away. When I got there," Yugi inhaled and a sob escaped his throat, "the nurse took me to Grandpa's room. Someone had cut him up, Kaiba. They wrote a message on his stomach."

Kaiba's stomach flip flopped in fear. He didn't like this; no he didn't like it at all. "What did the message say?"

"It said Submit, Yugi, or they will all die."

"This message means something to you, Yugi?"

"No, Kaiba, I don't know who wrote it. I don't know what they want me to submit to. I don't know who is going to die."

Kaiba laughed aloud, "And you think my puppy can answer any of these questions? Yugi, don't be a fool, my puppy can't help you. Don't call here again."

Seto prepared to hang up when Yugi shouted. "Please, Kaiba just let me talk to him. "

"Yugi, Jou is your friend, correct?"

"Best friend," Yugi corrected.

"Yes, best friend," Kaiba said as though he had a bad taste in his mouth. "Yes, and as his best friend you wouldn't want to endanger him, would you?"

"No, of course not."