Disclaimer: How many times do I have to tell you I DON'T OWN YU-GI-OH!!!!

Warnings: abuse, swearing, shounen-ai/yaoi

Jou's POV

Opening my eyes I see nothing but desert around me. 'This can't be right' I thought looking around. Domino lies nowhere near a desert! Suddenly my body moved on its own, but with more exhaustion than I felt earlier. Walking with my back to the sun I walk and walk for hours until I find a village. Straightening my back I put on a carefree attitude as I go down the streets. I slip by and no one notices I exist, which I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing. Every one that I see is wearing weird clothes and most of them are tan with dark hair. I have no control over my actions as I make my way into a house. Seconds later I hear a familiar voice shout, yet the tone is slightly different.

"Where have you been Jono?" the man asked. My name's Jou I'm not this 'Jono' person I try to say but instead I answer, "Someone left me in the desert, I'm sorry father." Fists rain down on me until I black out.

Gasping I sit up from the hard wood floor. Wait…wood floor? So it was all a dream…Wow…even in my dreams I can't escape from my father. How pathetic could I be? Groaning lightly I sit up. My recent wounds were stinging in pain, but my chest was no longer bleeding which is good because that means he didn't cut me to hard. If I miss anymore school I'll fail so I slowly sit up and try to walk. A few steps later I find myself falling on the floor. Damn…This won't be easy. Crawling to the bathroom I look for the first aid kit. Great I'm running out of supplies and these things aren't cheap. Carefully I take the bandages and wrap my wounds. Checking my face I looked for any bruises or cuts. Only one bruise on my left cheek and I could feel it throbbing. The sad thing is I'm so used to pain it's hard to tell where a bruise is because it hurts everywhere.

Looking through my cabinets I find some cover up which I got from Anzu. Don't ask. Anyways so I covered the bruise up with the makeup and made sure that it looked natural. Nodding my head I limped out of the bathroom and out the door. I was sure that my dad wouldn't hear me since he was a heavy sleeper and it was too early for him be up. Once I reached the door I straightened myself up as best as I could. The cool air hit me waking me up more and I could smell the faint smells from the city. Car exhaust, gasoline, and decay filled my senses. I really didn't expect to smell roses, or anything that smelled nice because anything nice was usually ruined.

Domino High was in the middle of the city and with walking it was a forty five minute walk. Walking all that way was the second worst thing of my day, with the first being when my dad was angry. I'm just glad that it wasn't raining because I didn't own an umbrella, or poncho. Usually I would just meet Yugi at the front gate along with everyone but I could tell that I would be late for homeroom. Not like it was a big deal because the teacher didn't care since it was only homeroom and we did nothing at all. My pace wasn't too fast because I didn't want to aggravate my leg wounds and make it worse.

A car pulled up next to me and slowed down to a stall. When you come from the neighborhood that I do you tend not to want to get in a car with an unknown driver so I continued to walk. The car followed me and kept pace with me. I was starting to get frustrated and was about to cuss the person out when I realized who it was. "Kaiba what the hell are you doing?"

Seto's POV

I should have realized that would be Jou's response. We never did get along well but I was pretty sure it was obvious I was offering a ride. "Just get in mutt," I demanded. Looking at him I could tell he was staring at me like I was crazy. Jou continued walking ignoring my demand completely. "Mutt just get into the car. You'll be late for school otherwise and I don't think you want another detention, now do you?" I told him raising an eyebrow. Finally he gave up and opened the passenger door. Slumping into the seat he slammed my door shut and buckled up.

"Thanks for the ride…" he muttered reluctantly. Jou shifted in his seat uncomfortably. He avoided my eyes and stared out the window.

"Not a problem I just saw you and figured, why not?" I told him.

"Still you could have kept driving so, thank you," Jou said waving off my excuse. He is right I could have just left him there, but I didn't want to. Putting my hand on the radio I adjusted it so it was to the station I wanted. Numb by Linkin Park was playing as I changed the channel so I left it and turned it up slightly. Usually I would listen to more uplifting music but right now it just fit my mood, which wasn't a bad one per say just unusual. Jou seemed to like the song a lot as he tapped to the beat and closed his eyes seeming to absorb the lyrics. If my focus wasn't on the road I probably would have stared at him longer, but I didn't want to get into a car crash. We listened to the song in relative silence until the song ended.

"I love that song it's my second favorite," Jou commented making light conversation.

"Really?" I asked interested. For once he wasn't yelling at me and I didn't want to ruin it.

"My favorite would be Comatose by Skillet," Jou responded. I've heard that song before and although it's not my favorite I do like the band.

"I prefer the song Last Night by Skillet," I told him.

"That's a good song to," he said tapping his chin with his index finger. Giving a slight smile Jou looked at me and said, "I never pegged you as someone that would like that kind of music. Piano or violin music seems more your style."

"Actually I prefer more upbeat songs, but I do like random other ones," I explained. He nodded his head thoughtfully. We had a decent conversation until we almost reached school.

"Hey Kaiba," Jou said.

"What?" I asked momentarily taking my eyes off of the road to look at him.

"Could you just drop me off a couple blocks away from the school?" Jou inquired.

"Why should I do that? Don't want to be seen with me?" I asked not letting any of my emotions out.

"Sort of…Not in the way you think though," Jou replied.

"Okay then why do you want me to drop you off away from the school?" I inquired.

"Rumors. We've been known to fight constantly to the point that they have to set us on opposite sides of the classroom and now you're giving me a ride? People probably will freak out saying it's the end of the world," Jou explained. He did have a point, but I really hadn't cared about that so I was going to just continue to let him ride with me.

"Well it's your choice," I told him. I let him out and continued driving. He waved goodbye and started walking.

Jou's POV

Surprisingly and thankfully Se…Kaiba gave me a ride to school and we had a decent conversation. I'm just glad I didn't have to walk with my leg the way it is…Coming to a light jog I made it to school on time and was able to meet Yugi at the front.

"Hey Jou!" Yugi called waving happily. When I got closer he glomped me making me lose my breath, literally. For a couple minutes I couldn't breathe but soon I was okay after I calmed down.

"Yo, Yugi what's with the killing happiness?" I asked giving him a light hug back.

"Yami and I are making plans for everyone to go to our cabin up north!" Yugi explained. Somehow I didn't see this turning out to well…

"When?" I inquired letting Yugi go.

"We plan to have it during spring break since there's a beach close by," Yugi told him.

"Sounds like a plan you can count me in!" I told him happily. I hate when I only have two options to choose from and both don't look promising. If I go with Yugi no one will suspect anything is wrong with me, but I'll get hurt worse when I arrive home for 'running away'. However if I don't go they suspect something and I still get beaten up. Really hate these choices.

"Great! We'll be meeting at the game shop the first day of summer break!" Yugi exclaimed. That gives me about five days to pack. We seem to run on a lot of last minute decisions, with this sudden trip.

"You betcha!" I say. Looking at the clock on the school I grab Yugi's hand. "Holy crap we'll be late if we stay out here any longer!" I exclaim.

"Don't worry about it, the teacher won't mind since its homeroom," Yugi told me.

"I don't need anymore tardies though," I explained.

"You're right you don't. Okay let's hurry up," Yugi concluded. I laugh.

"What do you think we're doing?" I say and he laughs with me. Running to homeroom caused my leg to hurt worse than it did this morning but I wasn't going to say anything. Both of us quickly sat in are seats but the bell rang before we got to them. The teacher said we were at least in the classroom so it didn't matter. After taking attendance we just sort of hung out with each other.

"So how many of you guys know about Yugi's sudden trip to his cabin?" I ask the group. Everyone but Anzu, Otogi, and Honda raised their hands. Yugi then cut in.

"I would have told everyone yesterday but Yami and I only got the details set last night. Bakura and Malik know because they were hanging out with me and I planned to tell everyone in homeroom," Yugi explained.

"So we're all going?" Anzu asked curiously. 'No, Yugi just said that to taunt us. Of course we're all going!' I mentally shouted.

"Of course!" Yugi exclaimed happily. "What kind of trip would it be otherwise?" he asked.

"Just making sure," Anzu said.

"When are we all meeting?" Honda asked.

"Noon on the first day of summer break," Yugi replied. Noon? Sounds reasonable I'll just have to pack everything at five in the morning and leave at six so none of my stuff is ripped apart before I go. Not like I was going to sleep in at my house anyways I'll just go to the park and rest.

"How long will we be there?" Otogi asked.

"It's only a four day trip plus getting up there so five days," Yugi concluded.

"Sounds interesting count me in," Otogi approved. Honda after Otogi agreed to go quickly said yes. I can tell he has a crush on dice-boy. Anzu said she would have to check with her parents. Yeah because they so noticed you were missing when we went to Duelist Kingdom ((a/n watched the abridged series of Yu-Gi-Oh and you'll understand)). You may think I'm being mean to Anzu but she can be annoying. She always states the obvious and her friendship speeches are endless. I don't think she would be so bad if she didn't do that but oh well.

"So everyone is going then?" Yugi asked. Choruses of 'Yes' rang out and he nodded his head. "Good I can't wait to go now!" Yugi exclaimed.

Seto's POV

While reading my book I noticed Yugi-tachi talking about some trip to his cabin. Jou appeared to be going and I wanted to go with them but I didn't want to ask because that would A.) Reveal I was eavesdropping and B.) I wanted to be friends. The second one wasn't so bad but I didn't want everyone bugging me all the time. All of a sudden, without warning, Yugi was facing me and asking, "Hey Kaiba will you go to my cabin with me?" He pulled his puppy dog eyes which could rival Mokuba's. I raise an eyebrow.

"Will you continue to bug me until I say yes?" I inquire looking at him.

"I will," Jou answered for Yugi. As much as I like Jou I don't think I could take his pestering. When he says he'll do it trust me he will.

"To save you time and me a headache, fine I'll go," I answered. Yugi cheered and Jou pumped his fist into the air and said, "Alright Yug' Now everyone's going!" I'm included in the term everyone? "Can Mokuba come also?" I asked.

"What do you think?" Jou said rolling his eyes. I glared at him.

"Of course Kaiba! Mokuba is more than welcome to come," Yugi exclaimed happier. He's probably thinking the more the merrier… The bell rang a couple minutes later so I gathered my stuff and left. Jou surprisingly caught up with me and started walking next to me.

"Thanks for coming," he said smiling at me.

Jou's POV

Kaiba just said, "Whatever" after I thanked him. Not like I really expected too much of a change from him but part of me was hoping…Oh well better to have lower expectations, less disappointment that way.

"It really means a lot to Yugi and everyone else since we all want to be your friend," I told him anyways.

"What about you?" Kaiba asks me. Why should it matter what I think to him? Sure we had a decent conversation in the car but we're in school.

"I would like you there, it wouldn't be the same without you," I replied truthfully. We walk to our next class together in silence. The teacher is surprised that we entered without killing each other along with a few other kids. I swear I heard someone say it was the end of the world and we were all going to die but I ignored it. Quietly I walked to my seat and plopped down resting my feet on the chair in front of me. Seto was more dignified and elegantly sat down. The class was shocked into silence, but we didn't care since it really was our choice whether we got along or not. Hopefully we might get closer…right that's just wishful thinking.

I officially hate gossip and people who gossip. They keep making up weird crap about Kaiba and I just because we were getting along. The worst rumor was when they said that I was now his slave and would get punished if I didn't listen. Do these people even hear themselves? Oh well…

Math wasn't so bad today considering I actually understood some of it. We were talking about parabolas and graphing which wasn't too bad and we didn't have to remember any long formulas since they were pretty short. The teacher seemed to be in a good mood and only gave us about 14 problems on it. Quickly writing down the answers since I just needed it done not right I finished quickly. Gently I laid my head on the table and decided to take a nap.

A vast desert was everywhere. Looking around I recognized it as the same place my dream this morning was. So was it a repetitive dream? I hope not…This time instead of being haggard and lost I actually seemed to be going somewhere. My legs lead me to a huge monument with pictures instead of words on looked to be royal. 'Wait…sand, pictures instead of words…I'm in ancient Egypt!' I thought wanting to look around but the dream me would let me. Walking toward the building I kept my head down and tried to look presentable. My walk seemed endless as I walked down corridors and up stairs. Finally my dream self stopped in front of a specific door.

Knocking lightly I immediately bowed my head and stepped back. Someone answered the door, but I couldn't look up to see who. "Come in," they told me. I nodded my and walked in. A man in about his late twenties led me further inside. "The supplies are over there, so get started immediately," he commanded. I wanted to growl and cuss the guy out but I could only nod my head and start cleaning.

For hours I cleaned every part of the big room and around noon the same man came in to check my progress. I was almost done with the room but it was so big that it was hard to complete. The man had company. When he saw me still cleaning he was angry. "WHAT THE HELL?! I told you to clean this room!" the man shouted.

"I'm sorry master," I mumbled but he wouldn't accept my apology. I could tell he was about to hit me and I prepared to get hit.

TBC!

Finally! I hope you like this since I'm not sure about it…R&R ^-^