I am really pleased with this chapter. It might be short, but it gets straight to the point. I have also came to a conclusion about the lemon (Yes, there will be one). I will make two chapters at the same time, so thosewho wish to not read the lemon, may just go on to the next chapter, knowing what went on in the later one of course. I do not know when that will be, soon I hope. I am done summer school, so I have more time for writing, though I need to write my second fanfic more. Anyways,I will not keep you waiting. Remember to review me please! I always like to be critiqued!

Chapter Nine

The drive to Jou's house was an awkward one. Neither boy said very much. Kaiba was tired, and just glad that the dinner was over. It was stressing enough hosting one. Jou had enjoyed himself, though he would never admit such a thing to Kaiba of all people. That went against the laws of humanity.

The fact that Kaiba gave him an actual compliment was weird enough. Jou had a hard time getting his head around, that they boy he had disliked a month ago, and only recently got on good terms with, would be so friendly towards him.

The limo drove on, and the two boys simply stared out the window, not eager for conversation. The air was heavy. Kaiba eventually broke the silence.

"Did you have a good time?"

Jou jumped slightly at the sound of his voice, so unexpected. "I had an ok time. I don't fit in with people like that, you know? So it was awkward at times."

Kaiba merely nodded, but didn't say anything. Jou waited for a moment, than spoke, "You looked like you fit in with those people." Jou was surprised to see the CEO shake his head.

"Those people's lives are centered around their money, and making more of it. I might have money, but it certainly does not control me. I know what else is important."

"And what is that?" Asked Jou.

Kaiba turned to look at the blond beside him, "Family."

Jou would have said friends, but for the fact that Kaiba did not have any, he kept quiet. "He really means a lot to you, doesn't he?"

Kaiba continued to stare at him, "Who?"

"Mokuba."

Kaiba nodded, "Yeah, he does. It isn't like I have any other family."

There was a definite bitter tone in his voice.

"Family isn't all it is cracked up to be."

Kaiba frowned slightly, "What do you mean?"

Jou sighed. He was having a conversation about his family to the last person he felt like talking to. He did not need Kaiba knowing what went on at home. He did not need sneers about that to.

"Nothing," said Jou, after a moment's pause.

"Obviously there is something Jou, I am not an idiot after all.'

It startled him. Kaiba's voice almost understood. And he called him Jou, rather than the lanky 'Mutt' he was so used to hearing. This time he didn't tell him what he had done. He kept it like that, not aware if Kaiba said it intentionally or not.

"Well," started Jou, "Me and Shizuka were separated when our parents split up. We are close and all, I just never get to see her. And I have to live with my Dad."

Kaiba undid the first button on his dress shirt, but did not say anything. Instead, he waited for the blonde to continue. When he did not, he asked him, "And you don't like you dad?"

Jou did not want to get emotional infront of someone he was sure would poke fun at him. Of course he did not like his dad. He couldn't even remember the last time he was sober, and not taking swings at Jou.

"He isn't fun to be around." Jou was oddly preoccupied with the buttons on the cuff of his suit.

"Is that where the bruises came from?"

Jou turned around, startled and horrified. "What bruises?"

"I saw them when you were changing into that suit in my office."

Jou lowered his head in shame. "I get in a lot of fights at school."

Kaiba did not press the matter, but nodded again.

"There is never a time where he comes home, and is not drunk. I wish he would just die."

Kaiba did not know what to do. He had no idea what Jou went through. Then again, Jou had no idea what he had to go through. Despite trying to justify his actions, he just couldn't understand why he had been so cruel to the blonde before. He felt pity towards him.

"I guess I am the lucky one."

Jou turned towards Kaiba.

A faint grin played on his face; "My step-father did die."

Jou faked a grin back.

The Limo turned at a set of lights, and it was obvious that this was a part of Domino for those with low income. The apartments were not well kept, and in more than one case, windows were broken, and litter covered the ground.

It was so different from what Kaiba was used to, like stepping into a totally different world. He was used to the best of everything. Even if he did not like his stepfather, he still was treated decently in a material sense. Kaiba did not know such poverty existed.

Not all the apartments were half-bad. Some were mildly well kept, and it was infront of one of these, that the limo came to a halt.

Jou felt odd. His other friends knew what went on with his family, but to tell someone as distant as Kaiba was new. Then again, they both had a sort of connection, as family went. So maybe it should not have felt as weird as it did. Then why did it? He guessed it was because he was so used to being a total jerk to Kaiba; he just had to get used to the feeling of being nice to him. That could take awhile.

Kaiba looked at the apartment that Jou lived in. The grass infront of the building was dead, and littered with cigarette buts. Most of the windows were dark, but some had a faint light, illuminating the interior of a room. All in all, it did not look like a very inviting place to be, almost spooky.

"Is you dad home?" Kaiba asked quietly.

"He is probably asleep by now." Jou looked at his watch. It was 2:34. "I'll just sneak in, he won't hear me."

Kaiba felt like a monster. The years he had spent tormenting Jou, and for what reason? Nothing Kaiba could think of was valid. He still did not want to be friends with Jou. He did not want friends at all, but he vowed to be as nice to Jounouchi as nice went for Kaiba.

"Want me to walk you to your door?"

Jou turned to look at the CEO, "What? Do I look six years old? I can walk myself to my own door thanks."

Kaiba shrugged, "Just a suggestion."

"Whatever man, I am off." Jou opened the door and got out of the limo.

"Remember, you have to stay later now."

"As if I could forget," came the gruff reply of the blonde.

"Hey Mutt," said Kaiba, "Here." He threw a small gold envelope at the blonde when he was finally out of the car.

Jou caught it mid-air; "What is it?"

But Kaiba had already closed the door, and the limo sped off into the distance. Jou stood standing infront of his apartment building, dressed very formal, looking after the limo that simply was not there. The suit would have to be returned to Kaiba sometime, but it should be dry cleaned first.

He closed the door to his room, and sat on his bed. He had crept quietly after his father, who was asleep on the couch, beer bottle in hand. He changed into his pajamas, and only then, remembered the tiny envelope Kaiba had given to him. He grabbed it off his dresser and opened it.

There was the tiny key, to the lock on his collar.