Part One: Puppies

You're running away again. He gritted his teeth, those words hurt more than any physical blow ever could. Running away. He was always running away from something; from fights, from love, from life in general. His surroundings became a blur in his mind, nothing to stand out, nothing to notice, and he could only hope that reality would ignore him for a little longer. It was December, and usually he loved this month. With December came hot cocoa, Christmas, holidays, breaks in school, and 'jollyness'. The smell of rotting leaves filled his nostrils as he walked; forgotten leaves. He imagined himself to be like that, just after his peak, falling from some seat of glory as an ember of autumn, only to be swept up under winter's curtain; forgotten and rotting.
But whos' chasing you? He slowed, looking behind him. Nobody was. Nobody would come after him this time, he was old enough to live on his own. He was strong enough to live without his friends. He was man enough. He laughed at himself then, bitter and crackling, a reminder of the quick autumn and burnt leaves. Man enough? He was never man enough. Often degraded to the status of a dog, known as the 'funny one' or the 'brash' one. He ran away often enough, but before there had always been someone to chase him, to bring him back... to remind him that he was wanted. But today was different, because no matter how fast (or slow) he ran, nobody would be following. It didn't matter that snow covered the ground, and his hands were freezing, his ears were already numb, it didn't matter that the sun mocked him and danced off the snow. No one was coming after him.
Isn't it better this way?
Wouldn't you prefer to stay? Both parts of his mind argued. It was better that he was forgotten before he ran away. And it was better that they didn't care to come after him. Because it would hurt less, and he might be able to forget faster. But he wanted to stay, to run back to his friends and family. He was afraid of them rejecting him, again. He still remembered reading the letter in the privacy of his room, and feeling the world drop out from under him. Rejected. Twice. Three times. Four. Five. All of his college applications had been rejected. And he hated that feeling. Just another failure for Jounouchi Katsuya.
Watch where you're walking. The voice in his head mocked, giving him the warning a split second too late as he found himself walking into the railing. Clumps of snow fell from the metal posts and onto his sneakers. Soon his toes would be cold, and then numb. He looked down at the snow with an accusing eye; even nature was against him. Two black eyes looked back up at him. And two blades of the wide flat grass. He blinked, and pulled two black marbles and blades of grass from the snow. Taking two more steps forward he came to another pole in the railing, and a small ovular sphere sat on it, twin black eyes staring out at the holiday world with a blankness and cuteness only stuffed animals had. The blades of grass were used to mimic rabbit ears, and as he inspected further little happy faces had been carefully drawn on. He put down the marbles and grass and picked up the 'snow bunny'. It was cute, he admittedly, and pushed his troubles to the back of his mind.
Always look ahead. He walked down the length of the rail, bunny after bunny passed him, each giving him a reassuring smile. The faster he went the happier he seemed. He was running again, but this time he was running to something, not away from it. And if he ran fast enough, maybe his troubles would vanish. The snow bunny in his hands began to melt as he held it close, warmed by his body heat, but also destroyed by it. A silohuette came into view, tall, slender, with artist's hands, a snow bunny carefully placed ontop of the railing before it moved down to make another. He ran faster.
"Oi!" he called out. The slushy remains of the snow bunny fell from his fingers, but it was ok, because he'd meet the maker of the short lived happiness. And was shocked.

Part Two: Games

"Oi!" He froze, hand outstretched to place the second ear on the bunny. He was starting to get cold, and was almost done before he was interrupted. Strangely, he liked to hear that voice, it's brash challenges and foolish behavior that boredered on innocence. But he composed his face.
"What do you want?" He half snarled, the bunny's ear falling to the ground. A pile of slush fell from the other's arms and he focused on that as well. One of his bunnies. It was a well kept secret that he liked to make snow bunnies, it was a sort of game, to get out and make them, see who noticed them and who didn't. And he loved games. This was a game too, he thought, with a smirk.
"I jus'...I thought they were... a little cute..." The other fumbled, blushing furiously. He laughed, almost condescendingly, but managed to curb it. This puppy was really amusing to him, a puppy who trailed on the heels of rgeatness but could never manage it. Not everyone was meant for the seat of power, some were ... different. He knew, because his brother would never be one to hold power in his hand, but instead, ride beside it with a smile on his face. And he was sure this puppy was the same time. He liked puppies almost as much as he liked games.
"Cute?" He formed the word like it was alien, watching for the other's response. Seto Kaiba was a game, and he was very good at it. He always won at Seto Kaiba, but sometimes lost at other things. Many other things. He lost at Family, Friends, Social Life, and Reality in general, but he was very good at Seto Kaiba.
"...uh... I..er...what are you doing?" The blond sputtered. He smiled through Seto Kaiba. It was nice to play games, not so nice to those he played with who didn't know the rules though. And this blond didn't know the rules, but that's what made him interesting. He didn't fear the Seto Kaiba, and instead went out of his way (or so it seemed) to rebel against the Game.
"Making snow bunnies," He responded, pointing at the almost finished mound of snow. Honey eyes blinked twice, and looked down at the pile of slush, "Which you seem to not care for much." He added, with a sneer.
"I like them!" The blonde cried out, and then blushed, realizing what he had said, "They remind me of my sister." Jounouchi Katsuya added lamely. Seto Kaiba laughed, but it was a softer laugh, and the game changed.
"Aa. Ore mo." Jounouchi stared. Kaiba smirked, round one was his, "Mokuba likes them," he explained, bending down and placing the ear on the rabbit.
"...Kaiba?" Blue eyes were drawn to him, even though the brunette didn't say anything Jounouchi could feel that intense stare, and the laughter behind those eyes. He hated being laughed at, and whenever he was with Kaiba it felt like the brunette was laughing at him.
"Hn?"
"Why are you reall out here?" He lost the game of Jounouchi Katsuya. He hadn't expected the blonde to actually 'see' things, to know things, and so he lost the game. He didn't like to lose, and he wanted to hold back the words that fell from his mouth.
"To get away," This time it was Jounouchi who smirked.
"Run away?"
"...take if how you will, but I fight when I get back, can we say the same for you?" the tension between them was palable, and yet, friendly. Both wore confident smirks, and angry looks, but neither was confident or angry.
"Game over?" Kaiba asked, he was getting colder, and undoubtedly so was the blonde. They both were running from something, but neither would admit it. And running was only bad if you never stood your ground to fight.
"Never, I'm going to fight this one out too!" He yelled, punching the air with his fist.
"Aa, wakkata yo," came the answer. Jounouchi blinked, the brunette favored him with a smile-smirk.
"I could almost consider you my opponent...make inu..." And then he left.
"Don't calle me make inu!" Jounouchi yelled after him, but inside he was strangely warmed. Opponent, he'd look forward to his next challenge against the man who was Seto Kaiba.

Well, I am surprised at myself for THIS little bit of trouble.
This hasn't been beta'd, because I have no beta reader I guess.
I Mean, I do, but for someone like me... it doesn't seem to do any good.
Well, please leave a review.
If you are interested in my fics, check out my beta0live-journal, all my fics will be posted there, before to be beta'd and stuff. :nods: its chibinightmare at ; reviiiiiiiew.