I have to admit, chapter 18 was rushed and I suppose a lot of people didn't understand what exactly happened. If anyone remembers, before the party, Jou appeared without Kaiba because the two of them got into a fight. The fight, which was hinted to near the end of the chapter, had to do with Honda loving Kaiba; which caused Jou's bitchy behavior. I hope I've answered the questions I got. I'm sorry about rushing. I promise not to do it again, but that means you people will have to be patient. Happy reading!

Chapter 19 - Burning

The snow was plenty done with by the time Honda had anything else to worry about. He had said goodbye to Otogi by the end of March with his stuff under one arm.

"You take care of yourself, you hear? There's always a bed for you here if you need it." Otogi said, brushing the side of Honda's cheek.

Honda nodded, smiling warmly, "Thanks, Otogi. You really saved me." he kissed the green eyed beauty lightly, "I'll see you around." he waved and walked down the stairs of the apartment building and over to his motorcycle.

Otogi sighed sadly, leaning against his front door as he watched the other boy drive away, "Thank you, Honda." he said softly, seeing the bike turn around the corner and out of sight, "I just wish you could see how much I really cared." he pushed his bangs out of his eyes and walked back into his apartment.

x-x-x

Honda's mother was more than excited to see her son finally home at last. He had called her religiously everyday but never visited. She was pleased to see how healthy he looked as she hugged him tight, "Oh Hiroto! It's so good to see you!"

Honda's smile almost split his face into two, "It's great to see you too, Ma." he kissed her cheek and walked back into his home. He felt the warmth that he had missed. The house still smelled of cinnamon. He went into his room to put down his belongings. His mother followed, "I've kept it neat for you. I promise I didn't snoop through anything."

"Thanks, Ma." Honda said, putting his bag on his bed. He unzipped it and asked, "What time is dinner?"

"Soon. I made your favorite."

Honda's laugh was light yet full of feeling, "I knew you would." his mother left and Honda began unpacking his things. The phone rang and Honda leaned over to grab the one on his desk, "Hello?"

"You tell anyone I called and I will stuff your inners into a doll and make a jacket for it with your skin."

Honda gagged, "You're disgusting, Bakura."

"Are you going to tell anyone I called?"

"No."

"Then that's all that matters." Bakura inhaled deeply. Honda assumed he was smoking again, "I asked Ryou to show me how this damn thing worked to call for food. I found your number on the refrigerator."

"I'm flattered." Honda said, throwing clothes in a basket to be washed for later, "Is there a reason you went to so much trouble?"

Bakura paused, "How do I tell Ryou...you know."

Honda laughed, "You want to tell Ryou you love him?"

"Laugh one more time and I'll make sure you'll never be able to laugh again."

Honda stifled his chuckles and said, "Well, why don't you just pin him to a wall and tell him?"

"That'll scare him."

"You sure? He dated Marik."

"...I suppose."

"Just tell him so. Even if it just comes out of your mouth. You're not good at being romantic anyways." he sighed, "its not hard, Bakura. For a tough guy like you, this should be cake." Honda threw his empty bag back into the closet, "Call me and let me know how it goes."

"Fine." Bakura grunted, "Hey, are you fucking Kaiba?"

Honda's eyebrows shot up, "How did you know?"

"I didn't. You just told me." Bakura cackled, "Oh what a glorious moment! Looks like I have a little secret on you now." his laughter stopped abruptly, like it was simple to end his amusement, "This plan better work, Kid, or else you're secret will be plastered around the city."

Honda bit his lip, "If it doesn't, we'll try something else."

Bakura gave a short laugh, "Right. See you, Kid."

"You're welcome, Bakura." and with that, Honda hung up the phone. He sighed and laid down on his own bed. He smiled and closed his eyes, feeling the nostalgia. He wondered if Kaiba would ever lay in this bed with him.

He sat up and it was if by magic, he saw Kaiba leaning against the doorframe.

"How did you find me?"

"I have my resources." Kaiba said, walking slowly over to the bed. He sat down and stared down at Honda with his piercing blue eyes, "So, what do you want to do now that I'm here?"

Honda, with shaky hands, ran his fingers through Kaiba's hair. The familiar silky texture made him melt, "Take me."

Kaiba pressed his thumb against Honda's lips, running it over the bottom. He connected eyes with Honda, taking a deep breath, "You sure?"

"More than ever." Honda's hands crept down and he began to undo Kaiba's belt, "I need you now."

Kaiba gently pushed Honda onto the bed, climbing on top of him like a predator hunting prey, "How much do you need me?"

"Too much." Honda moaned as Kaiba's lip traveled along Honda's neck, "Kaiba, please! Just fuck me!"

Kaiba laughed and finished undoing his pants. He undid Honda's as well and pulled them completely off. Honda felt the heat practically steaming off of Kaiba's arousal as he positioned himself. Honda closed his eyes blinded by too much bliss to want to keep them open.

"HONDA! Dinner's ready!" Honda's mother's voice rang down the hallway and through Honda's bedroom door.

Honda's eyes snapped open and he groaned in irritation. He looked down and saw his hand had found a home around his manhood. Removing it and fixing up his pants, he pulled his shirt over the bulge and opened his bedroom door. He walked into the bathroom to wash up and shivered the moment he walked through the door. A lot of thoughts had happened in this bathroom; a lot of thinking. He remembered the cold showers that he used to take when his desire for Kaiba became too much to bear. He remembered washing his face with water and chanting his mantra to stay under control. He looked in the mirror, seeing himself for the first time since he moved out of Otogi's. The boy had removed his mirrors so Honda could not hate his appearance or break one to harm himself. Honda smiled, seeing the youthful face and his brown eyes had become filled with warmth again. It was nothing like the sickly green boy he recalled.

Satisfied, Honda washed his hands and walked off into the kitchen, ready to eat until his stomach begged him to stop.

x-x-x

School was strange now. Honda didn't know how to really react towards anything. He and Jou were back on track, but every time Jou came around to play, Kaiba would be attached to him in some way. Yugi and the others never really minded, but it burned Honda's every shred of sanity. He would feel the energy through Seto's eyes. They both wanted to grab each other, kiss each other all over, and drown themselves in a lustful passion without caring about who was watching or what was happening around them. Honda didn't know which was worse: being in love with Kaiba in secret, or being with Kaiba in secret. Did he really have what he wanted now?

Honda didn't want to think about it anymore. He attended his classes and focused on his studies. There were exams coming up and Honda needed an outstanding grade or else he'd be in a lot of trouble. Though, as the weeks went by, Honda's mind couldn't stay focused.

"Explain how World War II affected the Japanese economy." Otogi read the index card carefully. He peered through his bangs at Honda from across the kitchen table, "Honda?"

Honda was staring out the window, a chopstick that poked out of his mouth moved as he chewed on it. He blinked and looked over at Otogi, "Hm?" he spit out the chopstick, "Damn, I'm sorry. What was the question?"

"I give up." Otogi said, throwing the index cards onto the table in frustration, "What the hell is wrong with you? You've been acting like this for days. It's not Kaiba again, is it?"

Honda shrugged. He was used to telling Otogi everything, but this time, he couldn't bring himself to do it. He sighed and said, "I don't think it's anything major. I'm just bored."

"Bored of what?"

"I don't know."

Otogi stood from the table and grabbed his jacket, "Come on."

Honda blinked, "I thought we were studying."

"Obviously, you can't. Get your coat. It's windy out."

Honda nodded, "O-okay." He stood from the table and tugged on the jacket on the chair behind him. He followed Otogi out the front door and down the street. Honda was still confused, "What are we doing?"

"Walking. You know, where you move your feet forward to go somewhere."

"Shut up." Honda laughed along with Otogi as they stepped out into the spring breeze. It wasn't warm enough to spend the whole day outside, but it was nice to wear a light jacket and go around the block. Honda smiled, enjoying this weather instead of the frigid snow. If anything, snow only brought him trouble.

Otogi jammed his hands in his pockets, "So?"

"So what?" Honda said back, looking up at the sky. The clouds were moving quickly, racing to get away from the wind.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Honda shrugged, "I'm just tired today." He looked down at the sidewalk as he lied.

"You said that yesterday." Otogi pointed out, "Did you get some sleep?"

"A couple hours."

"How much is 'a couple'?" Otogi eyed him skeptically.

Another shrug, "I don't know. Four? Five?"

Otogi let out a long sigh, "I don't understand what's happening, but it's not my job to pry." His voice seemed to get softer, "I just thought that best friends tell each other everything."

Honda blinked. Best friends? When did that happen? Honda and Jou were best friends. As time went on, did Honda switch out Jou for Otogi? It was an accident. He never meant to do it, but here they were, walking side by side in Domino City. Honda was in awe. Honda hadn't even thought of Jou since the day Jou attacked Honda at the party. The anger in Jou's eyes seemed to burn right through Honda's heart and ruined every good memory between the two of them.

Honda began to tremble a little, "How did this happen?" He stopped walking in the middle of the sidewalk and stayed down at the angry cement. The sidewalk dealt with the agony of people walking all over it day in and day out. It had the bear the spills of drinks and the litter. A handful of months out of the year, the sidewalk were buried by snow and it must scream in pain when people who have no patience jam their shovels into it to clear it. Honda could sympathize with it. He looked out over at the cars on the street and felt that they didn't understand. Nobody understood what the sidewalk had to go through.

Everyone was a monster and Honda couldn't take it. He didn't look back at Otogi as he climbed the guarder railing that divided the street with the sidewalk and didn't hesitate to walk right into the middle of the road.

"HONDA!" Otogi's screams the only thing heard over the sounds of the screeching rubber. The stench of burning tires could be smelt from a mile away. The little blue sports car was trying its hardest to understand, but Honda had not reached it in time. Honda could not do anything more but close his eyes and wait for the impending end.

x-x-x

Whoa. What a fun ending, wasn't it? Don't worry though, it totally isn't over! I swear it! I promise not to disappear again. I'll bring Chapter 20 soon!