Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The Stress of Life ❯ Snapping ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! Or anything within it… This one wish they did though.

It was just another night for Jonouchi. His old man was out in the living room drinking and yelling at the TV as usual. The blonde sighed as he was already in bed. Sitting up the boy staring at the nightly sky. Looking at the stars he couldn't help but feel a bit lost among them. If his life was only better. Even if it were something small, like his father stop drinking, would be great. With another sigh Jou lay back down on his bed. As long as I think positive things'll work out he thought.

The next day as class was starting Jonouchi still hadn't shown up for class. This was unlike Jou since he always shows up for school. Soon enough he did show up an hour late. It wasn't until lunch when his friends came to talk to him. There Jou sat near the school building staring at the sky when Yugi and Honda walked towards him. Smiling cheerfully Yugi sat next to Jou. "We couldn't help but notice you came in late today. Is there anything wrong?" Yugi asked nicely.

"Nah, just got up a little late." Jou answered with a yawn.

"Yeah but you've been getting up late the past week. You sure there isn't anything you want to tell us?" Honda said in that half demanding voice.

"I'm fine, y'guys, I just need some sleep." Jou protested.

Yugi frowned a little and then a look of excitement came over his face. "Hey Jou there's a Duel Monsters con coming up this weekend, you going?"

"Huh? Oh yeah! I'm going to win the tournament there too!" Jonouchi's dull bored expression faded away and was replaced by a look of determination. Of course he blinked as if realized something and looked at Yugi. "You're going too, right Yug?"

"Mhmm. I'm going too but I'm planning on not playing." Yugi answered.

"Great! You, me, and Honda'll go and have a blast then!" Jou said with a grin.

Of course as the rest of the wee played out Jonouchi was still coming to school late. It seemed the only thing he cared about the Saturday. Even school didn't seem as important. Jou worked on his deck to get it the best it could be.

Finally Saturday had come. Everyone agreed to meet at the convention. Yugi was already there when Jonouchi showed up. Yugi smiled at first seeing his best Friend but, soon it faded away as he saw a large band-aid patch on his cheek. Jou didn't look cheerful at first but then slapped a smile on his face when he saw Yugi. "Hey, Yug, glad to see you made it."

"Good to see you here too. You okay? You look like you got hurt." Yugi asked with a concerned look.

"This? Ah, I got it in a fight. That's all." Jou smiled again as if reassuring Yugi.

"Well, as long as you're alright than." Yugi smiled again. "Where's Honda? The tournament is going to start soon."

"I donno, maybe he's walking his dog or something." Jonouchi sighed a little. Something always had to go wrong.

The two sat there waiting for Honda until they couldn't wait for him any longer. Unable to wait for their friend any longer the boys went to the dueling arena. There were crowds of people, kids and adults alike! People trading cards and people dueling each other for fun as a warm up. For Yugi, he always loved watching people duel.

"We better get you registered before it starts!" Yugi suggested as they hurried over towards the table. They could see Mokuba sitting there. He gave a little wave as they came closer. "Hey guys, you can to duel?" The small boy asked. "Yeah, Jou came to duel." Yugi answered back.

"Jonouchi?" Mokuba repeated as he picked up a clipboard and started to look through a list of names. Frowning as he looked back at Yugi and Jonouchi. "I'm sorry guys but Jonouchi isn't listed. But you are Yugi." Mokuba said with a little smile as if that was going to make things better.

"What do ya mean I'm not listed? And why is there even a list!?" Jou grumbled.

"Well Seto is hosting the tournament and the players are invite only. Sorry, Jonouchi." Mokuba answered with a little sigh.

Clenching a fist Jou growled. "It figures! The one thing I look forward to and Kaiba is in my way!" Turning away from the other the blonde stormed off. Yugi started to hurry after Jonouchi until Mokuba called out to him. "Yugi, I'm really sorry Jonouchi can't play. You know I'd let him play if it was up to me. But Seto won't let Jonouchi."

"It's ok, Mokuba. I'll just have to cheer him up." Yugi said giving him a smile to cheer him up and to reassure him everything would be fine.

"Stupid Kaiba…" Jou grumbled as he was stomping around the convention still pissed off. "If it wasn't for him I'd be dueling right now…" he stopped walking and clenched his fists. The blonde felt like kicking something but he knew better. "Man if he was here I'd give him a piece of my mind!" Jou growled.

"You'll do what, mutt?" Seto demanded as he was standing behind Jonouchi. Seto stared down at the blonde as he was holding his briefcase as usual.

Jonouchi whipped around to face Seto and right away started to yell. "Because of you I can't duel today!"

"It's not my fault if 3rd rate duelist aren't allowed in my tournament. And you, Katsuya, are a 3rd rate duelist." Seto said back.

Growling a bit Jonouchi started to yell louder. "I'm not any 3rd rate duelist! I came in the top four in Battle City just like you!"

"You are a mistake, Katsuya! You were never supposed to be in it in the first place. Now get out of my sight. I have a tournament to run."

Jonouchi was about to say something once more to Seto however; Yugi finally found his friend and grabbed the blonde by the arm. "C'mon Jou we should get going now." The boy suggested.

"Not so fast Yug! I wanna take care of this rich snob once and for all!" Jou growled as he pulled away from his friend. This made Seto quirk an eyebrow as he watched the blonde get closer towards him. Of course he was expecting Jonouchi to start yelling at him and then stomping off. However, that isn't what happened. It all happened so quickly. Jonouchi pulled back a fist and punched Seto right in the face. This made the CEO stumble a few steps back as he would glare at Jonouchi. Yugi stood there in shock of when his best friend had done. However, Jonouchi didn't stop there, no, Jonouchi went on the full assault of trying to push him into one of the tables. This time Seto was ready for the attack and wasn't pushed back enough to fall into one of the tables. When Seto pushed Jonouchi away and tried to throw his own punch at Jonouchi, but missed! Jonouchi had been in far to many street fights to be taken down so easily by a rich who'd hardly ever fight much.

The fight continued as a crowd stared to form and watch in shock. Who in their right mind would attack Seto Kaiba? Yugi kept trying to pull Jonouchi off of Seto but the blonde merely pushed his friend away on every attempt. It was only a mere few minutes before Jonouchi would get off of Seto. Staring down at his with rage filled eyes. He saw Seto lying there on the ground with a bloody lip and a black eye. Seto had taken a few more punches to the chest area. He was lucky Jou didn't end up choking him. A moment past, Yugi staring at Jonouchi still in horror, Jonouchi's rage soon faded as it soon turned into the same look that Yugi had. What had I done? He thought before turning away and running out of the convention. Pushing people out of the way not even caring if he knocked anyone over.