Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Promises of Days Forgotten ❯ The beginning ( Chapter 1 )

Kitty-wings: This story, is definetly one of my favorites. It may not be so original, but it'll do in a pinch of writers block.

Dedication: To my 'wife' Sam, and my 'daughter' Kyko. The rest of the family can go screw eachother for all I care.

!@!@!@!

Seto Kaiba sat in the library, researching sexual abuse. It was a school project, and he was stuck working with Katsuya Jounounchi. Little by little he came to make some realizations, Jou had all the symptoms of someone being Sexually abused. He wasn't positive, but Jou had been plaguing his mind for days, and it was bothering him that he cared so much for the puppy.

Jou wasn't talking to Kaiba, and Kaiba lost his temper more than once, yelling at Jou to say something, Jou didn't but rolled up his turtle neck repeatedly.

Kaiba wanted to see if his suspisions were correct, so he followed Katsuya home after working in the library. Kaiba grew angry every step he took. Jou deserved to live in a better place. Not this crummy rat-hole of a complex. Jou deserved a world better. Jou deserved what he himself had, or what he should've had: happiness.

Jou was a god stuck in human form. He deserved the best, and yet look at what he had, nothing. Kaiba grew angry at himself for not helping Jou's family out. He could buy them a nice home, a mansion if he pleased.

Kaiba looked around, the yards were poorly maintained, shattered glass littered the ground, and the houses looked centuries old, and in horrible condition. How could Jou live here? Why didn't he demand what he needed? He could, because that is how he should of always been treated, like the beauty of a god he was. Jou should never of even had to know what this life was like.

Kaiba had already begun to plan out all possible situations in his mind, how could he save Jou? What would his reaction be to every exact motion. Kaiba hadn't even thought of the possibility of what he saw next.

Horror and hatred boiled from Kaiba when he saw his lil' Jou-pup being raped, by his father no less. Kaiba kicked the door in, and attack Jou's father, knocking him unconscious.

That wasn't anything like Kaiba had planned, but his anger got the better of him, and he knew it. No one touched Jou like that and got away with it. The man had obviously hurt Jou badly, and Jou was scared. Kaiba let down the cold barriers, and showed a side no one, excluding Mokuba, had ever seen, or thought possible for the CEO.

"?!" Jou hid himself under a blanket, whimpering like a little hurt puppy.

"I'm not gonna hurt you. I promise. I'm gonna help you." Kaiba promised, pulling the blanket off Jou'd head, only to see his hair caked with blood, and lip bleading slightly.

Kaiba ran, and got Jou boxers.

"Can you move alright?" Kaiba asked

Jou shook his head 'no' and hugged his knees tightly to himself.

"Let me see your legs." Kaiba ordered

Jou's eyes went wide, and he shook his head 'no' again.

"I'm not gonna touch you." Kaiba said "I just want to put some boxers on you, okay?"

Jou nodded reluctantly, and let Kaiba put the boxers on him.

"I'm going to take you away from here, okay? You won't have to feel this pain EVER again, alright?" Kaiba tried to calm the nervous wreck of a boy. "I won't let anyone hurt you ever again, okay?"

Kaiba picked Jou up and held him close. Kaiba ran out of the apartment, holding Jou tightly. He ran all the way across town, getting him to the hospital. Kaiba put him on a stretcher, and went to find a nurse.

!@!@!@!

Hours later hospital room

"Jou what happened?" Kaiba asked

Jou began to cry.

That moment Kaiba's heart broke. He would never of wanted to see such a beautiful creature so weak, so helpless. It killed him inside that he could only do so much to help Jou. Kaiba knew he'd never be able to give Jou everything he deserved, but he would try his hardest.

"Jou, I will never make fun of you because of this. I promise. And if you want me not to tell, I won't, but if someone asks, I will tell." Kaiba looked Katsuya in the eyes.

Jou wiped away a stray tear, leaving one streak of tan skin under the red coat of dry blood, he smiled and hugged Kaiba. Kaiba didn't expect this, but did welcome it, and even hugged back.

"Jou, can you speak?" Kaiba asked worriedly, holding Jou's face in his palms.

Jou shook his head 'no', and showed a deep cut on his neck, it looked a day old or so, it went right through his voice box, and it looked unrepairable.

"Is that why you wouldn't talk to me at the library?" Kaiba asked

Jou nodded vigorously.

"I'm sorry I yelled." Kaiba apologized.

Jou gave him a smile and thumbs up.

"And I'm sorry for everything else I've ever done." Kaiba sincerely meant it.

Jou scowled, and folded his arms.

"No, I'm not taking pity on you."

Jou looked surprised.

Kaiba loved the way Jou's features were always so animated no matter the situation. Be it a good time or a bad, he was always ready to express how he felt repeatedly, and make it known to everyone.

"Don't ask me how I knew!" Kaiba then realised "Are you telepathic?"

Jou shook his head 'no'.

"You're right, you're just obvious. " Kaiba smiled

Jou nodded, and then it hit him, what was that supposed to mean? Back to the better questions, where would he go from here? Who would he live with? Who would take care of him? A wave of sadness over-powered him.

"Jou, don't worry about it, you can stay at my mansion until you are ready to leave." Kaiba smiled and carressed Jou's cheek, slightly calming the boy.

Jou scowled.

"That isn't pity, Jou, that is just a..... peace treaty." Kaiba smiled, chuckling lightly.

Jou smiled , and looked quizzically at Kaiba.

"Yes, Jou, I think we could be okay friends if we put our differences aside." Kaiba nodded in emphasis.

Jou looked at Kaiba oddly.

"I feel fine, and no, Anzu's speeches have not gone to my head." Kaiba smiled, taking his hands off of Jou's face.

!@!@!@!

Kaiba mansion 1 week later.

Jou walked around, totally lost. No one was in sight, and he hadn't a clue where he was. Jou was told he would never be able to talk again, but he did all the time, to Kaiba. Sort of. Jou never actually said a word since he was stabbed, but Kaiba always knew EXACTLY word for word what he was trying to say.

Jou needed someone to find him, and thought as loudly as he could, who knows, maybe Kaiba could hear him. He was lost in the many hallways of Kaiba corp, not knowing right from left or up from down. About an hour later, Kaiba found Jou holding his knees to himself in the linen closet.

"You okay?" Kaiba asked, helping Jou stand.

Jou nodded 'yes', and hugged Kaiba tightly.

"Lonely?" Kaiba asked, relishing in the hug.

Jou got lonely very easily, he hated to be alone. If he was left alone for too long he began to get scared, and insecure. When someone finally came back, he became clingy, not wanting to be alone, so he clung to the only person he'd seen in what seemed like forever, but was really only a few hours.

Jou nodded again, and didn't let go.

"I won't leave." Kaiba sighed

Jou smiled. He never understood why the CEO became so nice, but right now, Kaiba was the exact thing he needed, he needed love, comfort, and warmth.

"Jou, you're bleeding again." Kaiba pointed to his throat, worry quite evident in his voice.

Jou shrugged, and held Kaiba's wrist to make sure Kaiba didn't leave him.

"I thought you were the puppy." Kaiba smiled

Jou then got unreasonably angry, tears welling in his eyes. His scowl was unmatchable, and the hatred in his eyes was untamable.

"Jou?" Kaiba couldn't find out what was wrong this time.

Jou mouthed: Go to hell, Kaiba.

Jou ran for it, he didn't want to be here. He would rather of been with his father.

"Jou?! What's wrong? I don't understand!" Kaiba ran after him.

Jou made it to the door, and opened it, making a run for the gate. Kaiba tackled him long before he could reach the gate.

"What the heck is wrong?! What did I do, or say, or--!?!?!" Kaiba asked, frustratedly.

Jou scowled, and mouthed: I am NO ONE'S dog.

"I never said anythi- Oh, Jou. I'm sorry. I didn't know he called you that." Kaiba apologized "I wasn't calling you a dog, I was calling you a puppy. A cute, friendly, loving, adorable, mouthy, and beautiful, Puppy." Kaiba sat up.

Jou stared at him, and hugged him like his life depended on it. He really did need Kaiba, he knew he would've killed himself if someone didn't care. He wasn't even so sure that all Kaiba's caring would keep him going.

"I'm so sorry." Kaiba stroked Jou's hair.

Jou began to cry into Kaiba's shirt in the middle of the walk-way infront of one of the biggest Mansion known to Japan. Kaiba held Jou sweetly, and this was comforting to both boys.

"I'll never leave you, Jou, I promise you that, and I'll never do anything to hurt you, intentionally." Kaiba secretly loved this boy, and knew it right then and there, that he could never live without him, and he'd be damned if he even had to try.

Jou smiled and slowly stopped crying. Jou hugged Kaiba still.

"Ya wanna go get burgers with Yugi?" Kaiba asked

Jou nodded, then shook his head and clung to Kaiba even more.

"Lemme guess: You're comfy?" Seto laughed

Jou nodded.

"Don't even Start with the 'pillowy exterior thing!" Jou chuckled voicelessly, "Well, I have a meeting in two hours, so if you wanna go eat, now is the time." Kaiba looked at Jou adoringly, but hiding it behind caring and worry.

Jou whimpered slightly, and then stood, helping Kaiba stand.

"Who do you want to be there?" Kaiba asked

Jou smiled brightly, waving his arms enthusiastically.

"Yes, I mean you get to choose." Kaiba smiled, and rolled his eyes.

Jou smiled even brighter, he never had a choice of ANYTHING. He loved the feeling of being important. Whenever he was with Kaiba recently, he felt important, wanted, loved, and like he belonged.

"So The Hikari's, the Yami's and Honda." Kaiba double checked

Jou hugged Kaiba, and put one more finger up.

"Mokie?"

Jou smiled and nodded, and ruffled Kaiba's hair teasingly. Kaiba sighed, and chuckled.

"Yes, I know I'm the best." Kaiba laughed "But, this will also be the time where you tell them what happened, you can't keep them in the dark, Jou."

Jou sadly nodded, then grinned, and pointed laughingly at Kaiba.

"Which in truth means I tell them." Seto sighed, he felt stupid, he had forgotten that Jou couldn't speak.

!@!@!@!

A little diner in Domino.

The group of friends, sat at a large table.

"So whatchoo wanna tell us?" Honda asked

"Well, Jou was being sexually abused, as most of you probably figured, by his father, he will be unable to speak for the rest of his life due to a stabbing." Kaiba told strait out.

"Oh, Jou!" Yugi hugged Jou tightly.

Jou squeaked, and waved his arms frantically, pointing to Kaiba, and his throat very urgently.

"He isn't going anywhere, Yugi, so stop choking him." Kaiba chuckled

Yugi gasped, and stopped the hug frantically. Jou sighed, and smiled.

"He says he's fine, and that he wants burgers immediatly." Kaiba swatted him over the head. "I'm not saying the last part, Jou."

Jou shrugged, then cocked his head sideways, worry in his eyes, as he looked around nervously, and put his head on the table, and tried to hide.

"Yes, he's been arrested, and the trial is May 6th." Kaiba reminded "Would you guys testify at the trial?" Kaiba asked the group.

"Of course!" Yami said

"Can't we just send him to the shadow realm?" Malik asked

"It's not bad enough of a place." Ryou said

"Jou, won't you have to learn sign laguage?" Bakura asked

"I know it, I can teach ya!" Yugi smiled.

For some reason Kaiba wasn't too keen on letting Jou near Yugi, or rather his over protective Yami, for that matter.

!@!@!@!

Mansion after dinner.

"Well, Jou, I'm going to the meeting, food is in the kitchen, and if you want to, Mokuba asked to play video games with you." Kaiba sighed.

Jou whimpered and hugged Kaiba tightly, not letting go. Jou sighed, and whimpered, he was still afraid to be alone.

"Do you want to come with me?" Kaiba asked "It'll be no fun, I guarantee."

Jou nodded, and smiled, looking gratefully up into Kaiba's eyes.

"Alright, you can come, but you'll be stuck in a room for two hours, this is an important meeting, I'm merging companies, and it'll expand Kaiba Corp. all the way out west." Kaiba explained, and warned of the longness and boringness of the meeting to come.

Jou still hugged Kaiba, peaceful look on his face.

"Well, let's go." Kaiba opened the door, Jou flying out it, running out in the yard, looking like a puppy.

Kaiba opened the door to the limo, and whistled, calling Jou like you would a Puppy, Jou responded and jumped in.

!@!@!@!

Meeting

Kaiba and Jou entered the black and gray room, sitting down quietly in leather apholstered sofa-chairs.

"Welcome Mr. Kaiba." A tall man greeted, he was balding, and old, like the kind of guy you'd expect to be in a boring board meeting.

"I see you brought a guest." A lady smiled falsly, she was pretty, but looked cold and uncaring.

"Yes, Jou Katsuya." Kaiba pointed, glaring at the false smile.

Within minutes Jou was asleep, and curled up on a chair, snoring adorably, and looking absolutley cute with his puppy-like features.

"Mr. Kaiba, if I may ask, why did you bring a street punk to this meeting?" The lady asked, totally confused on this matter, and yet had a hopeful look on her face.

"He is no street punk, he's a recovering victim of an abusive family. You know that man you was found unconsious, and then imprisoned due to sexually abusing his son, who remained anonymous?" Kaiba asked, knowing the other two knew exactly every detail, because they always butted in one peoples tragedies.

"Yes, my sister is a juror for that case, point?" The lady, who we'll call Karen, raised an eyebrow.

"This is his son, and he is staying with me, he doesn't like to be alone, do you have a problem with it?" Kaiba growled, scowling at her.

"No, sir." Karen apologized, then smiled, and nodded gratefully. "I'm actually glad you brought him along. This makes a world of difference, and brings you good news."

"Why?" Kaiba asked, suspiciously.

"Because, we didn't want our company merged with one owned by a cruel hearted CEO with bad intentions, that is obviously not the case here. We will sign the papers immediatly." The man smiled at the blonde haired boy.

"No questions, and no catches." Karen smiled sweetly, and put a chocolate bar infront of Jou's nose, who woke up, and jumped it, ate it, and tried to say thank you, but couldn't.

"He says thanks." Kaiba chuckled, and tousled Jou's hair adoringly.

!@!@!@!

Kaiba mansion

"They just signed the papers?" Mokuba asked

"Yeah, no questions or catches." Kaiba was as surprised as his brother. "Looks like having a heart isn't such a bad thing."

"Are you in-love with him?" Mokuba asked, grinning knowingly.

"What would give you that idea?" Kaiba asked, growling slighly.

"The way you look at him, the way you look out for him, the way you've spoiled him, the way you check up on him three or four times a night to make sure he isn't having nightmares. The way you bring him everywhere, and translate for his friends, even though you still hate them very, very much. The way you re-bandage Jou's throat, the way you protect him from all the bad in the world, no matter how obvious it is, you find a way to make it go away." Mokuba smiled

"Explain thaat last one." Kaiba ordered

"C'mon! You bought the news channels so Jou couldn't hear the things that people are saying about the case. You've changed it to his favorite shows, you've paid people to watch out for him when you can't. You are so in-love with him!" Mokuba hugged Kaiba around his neck, and whispered sweetly. "Congradulations."

Mokuba ran off, and Kaiba blushed furiously. Was it that obvious?! Did he really love him that much? Was it all true? Did he really do all that? He himself wasn't sure. There was only one solution.

@!@!@!@!@

10 AM

Yugi & Yami's apartment, 2 blocks from Kame shop.

Yami, Yugi, and Jou sat on Yugi's bed, and learned Sign language.

"Okay, Jou, next letter." Yugi smiled, forming the letters with Jou's fingers.

"Hey, we're up to Q, you said we could take a break at P!" Yami grumped.

"Not like you're doing any of the work!" Yugi protested.

The two continued to bicker, and Jou fell on his back, laughing hysterically, at the 'married couple'. Jou sobered in a few minutes, and Yugi and Yami looked on in concern, wodering why Jou was laughing so hard.

"What's so funny?" Yami asked.

Jou began to sign quickly, and spelled out: 'married couple'.

"Oh, so funny, Jou!" Yami growled, and tackled Jou, tickling him until Jou was so hysterical he was crying.

The hysteria stopped eventually, and Jou sighed, and plopped down, asleep on Yugi's bed. Yami chuckled, and lay next to Jou, arm around Jou's waist, Yugi snuggled into Jou's arms, and each boy fell asleep. Jou loved this feeling, of being surrounded by loving, caring people.

@!@!@!@!@

Midnight

Kaiba mansion.

Jou opened the door to the mansion, and walked in, trying to be quiet so not to wake the butler, who had fallen asleep on the job.Jou chuckled, and made his way for the kitchen. There was a not on the counter, when Jou turned the light on. Jou picked it up, and read.

'Mokuba,

Jou isn't home yet, I got worried, and I've gone out looking for him. If Jou gets back, call me, and I'll come home. My new # is ~ - ~~~ - ~~~ - ~~~~.

Seto.'

Jou decided he'd call, so he picked up hte kitchen phone, and dialed the number, but only when Kaiba picked up did Jou realised that calling was stupid, since he couldn't speak a word.

"Hello? Mokuba?" Kaiba answered, he sounded ragged, and worn, and tired. "Hello? Is anyone there?" Kaiba sighed "If this is Jou, whistle, if you can't whistle, snap your fingers."

Jou whistled, and snapped his fingers.

Kaiba sighed in complete relief. "Thank god you're safe, Jou. I'm headed home."

Kaiba hung up, and Jou sat on the counter, and ate an apple, waiting for Kaiba to return home. Only minutes passed before the kitchen door swung open, and Jou jumped ontop of Kaiba as he entered. Jou lay on Kaiba, who was no flat on the floor.

"Where the hell were you?" Kaiba panted

Jou put his hands in the shape of a triangle, to signify the millenium puzzle.

"Yugi's? What were you doing for that long?" Kaiba asked, slightly angry.

Jou pantomimed sleeping by snoring, with his eyes closed, and hands like a pillow.

"You screwed yugi?!" Kaiba almost screeched.

Jou shook his head.

"Yami?" Kaiba growled

Jou shook his head once more, and then sighed, giving up.

"You fell asleep?" Kaiba asked

Jou nodded, and smiled, loving being so close to someone he cared so much for. Jou was in-love with Kaiba, and it hurt that he couldn't shout it out, or even show him affection without the chance of being kicked out.

"I was worried when you didn't come home before 10." Kaiba sighed in relief. "I did have something planned, but I guess it'll just have to happen another day. I'm just glad you're safe." Kaiba smiled

Jou shook his head, and pointed to the ground.

"Now?" Kaiba groaned. "It is kind of late, but you slept all day, now didn't you?" Kaiba chuckled tiredly.

Jou nodded, and yawned.

"How can you still be sleepy?" Kaiba was astonished.

Jou just shrugged, and fell asleep on Kaiba's chest, right then, and there. Kaiba groaned annoyedly, and sat Jou up, Jou still asleep. Kaiba dragged Jou up to his room, too tired to put Jou in his own room, and fell asleep with Jou in his arms, under warm blue blankets.

@!@!@!@!@

Next Morning.

Jou woke up right with the sun, but remembered his bedroom didn't face the east. Kaiba's did... Jou squeaked as a shirtless Kaiba pulled Jou closer into a hug. Kaiba was possesive, wasn't he?

Jou flailed, and woke Kaiba with an accidental punch in the face.

"Jou?!" Kaiba sat up hurriedly.

Jou rolled his eyes at the blue eyed angel before him. Jou flailed once more, this time excitedly, and rushidly.

"Fine! Fine! I understand you want to know what I planned, but it'll have to wait!" Kaiba stretched, waking himself up.

Jou pouted, and folded his arms angrily.

"Mokuba was right, I do spoil you!" Kaiba joked

Jou stuck out his tongue teasingly.

Kaiba caught Jou's tongue in his Mouth, and kissed him passionatly. Kaiba didn't know what to do now. Was that a big mistake? Would Jou sue him for harassment?! Did Jou even like him that way?

Jou kissed back after a moment, and this made Kaiba ecstatic, passed that, it made him have an out of body expirience, that is how good that kiss was. Jou broke the kiss for air, and he was panting wuite heavily.

"Jou, I love you, I hope you know that." Kaiba panted out, smiling brightly.

Jou nodded, and did the sign for 'I love you' that was known nation wide, like ours is.