DISCLAIMER: I Don't OwnYu-Gi-Oh!
If anyone notices anything that needs fixing or changing drop me a PM
Apologies for any OOCness
It was a little after 10 o'clock, on a Thursday night when the elder Kaiba brother finally left the Kaiba Estate. Kaiba Seto, CEO of the multi-billion dollar KaibaCorp, started off on a walk though the cool night air of one October night. A gust of wind blows past him ruffling his brunette locks. Shivering slightly from the cold he pulls his jacket closer around his lithe frame. He needed this fresh air. He has been locked in his office all day after school. There were so many things going on. With KaibaCorp projects and the Christmas party just a few months away he had a lot on his plate. Not to mention there was school work and such on top of it all.
A side note, he had no idea what his younger brother would be planning for his 19th birthday. The kid could be a little rebel when he wanted to be. He shivered at the thought of what the younger of the two could be scheming. One thing he knew of was that the 'Yuugi-dachi' would be involved in some form. Mokuba had grown awfully close to the group after Battle City. Not that he blamed him. The kid easily made friends. Kaiba Seto on the other hand didn't care nor have time for them. Sure over the years the hostility between them died down to tolerable. Well that was all of the except for one. Jounouchi Katsuya was a whole different ball park.
With both Kaiba and Jounouchi's personalities the two would always clash. Kaiba always having to be domineering and Jounouchi rebellious never backing down things were bound to get out of hand. They were so alike yet so different. If given time Yuugi thought that they could be great friends, but neither was willing to give into the other. Maybe Jounouchi's fiery personality was what drew Kaiba to him. He was the only individual that would cower in fear or back down. He would always challenge Kaiba's authority.
Speaking of the 'mutt' Kaiba stopped and thought for a moment. It seemed that as of late his fiery spark was becoming tame around the tall brunette. Sure they fought at times but there weren't many of them anymore. It appeared as if something was troubling the young man. He would start coming to school later than normal barely missing the bell for the start of class. If he wasn't mistaken he looked more exhausted lately as well, physically and mentally. Hell he was even starting to skip P.E. his fast class of the day. Or Kaiba assumed so since Honda and the blonde would make cat calls at the girls. No wonder they couldn't find a date.
Shaking his head Kaiba stops. When did he let his mind trail off on the subject of the 'mutt'? Looking up from his musings he takes in his surroundings. Somehow in the mist of his mind wondering he had ended up in the run down side of Domino City. How long had he been lost in thought to end up on the complete opposite side of the city? Glancing down at his watch he notices he has been out and about for nearly two hours. If he didn't head home soon or inform Mokuba he was going to have a very mad pre-teen after him. Scratch that a very mad pre-teen and Isono.
He didn't want to think about what Isono would have to say on behalf his younger brother. The man could be scary in his own right, especially when siding with Mokuba. The first time he saw it he wanted it to be the last.
Taking in his new surroundings he notices that the streets are littered with broken glass, trash, and anything else one could imagine littering the poor side of town. Heck buildings where so run down they were barely standing on their foundations. Across the street he could she girls waiting patiently for someone to drive up. He sighed sadly. Who ever would want to resort to that kind of life? It was dangerous he heard to be a Prostitute or Hooker.
He goes to pull out his phone to inform Isono of his late departure when he notice a young child close to the age of ten sighting against a brick building. He smiles gently to the youngster and pulls out his wallet. Looking inside he pulls out a 2,000 yen note and a 1,000 yen note. Bending down at the knees he takes the boys hands and places the money inside them. He child smiles brightly at him. No words where needed to be spoken. Seto laughs lightly as the child gets up holding the money close. The young one nods to Kaiba and takes off running into the night holding the money close.
Pulling out his cell phone Seto leans against the brick building covering up obscene graffiti. The time reading back to him, saying that it was already 12:30 in the morning. Mokuba was going to have it in for him for sure. Quickly, he texts Isono, telling him that he would be staying the night at the Kaiba Hotel. It would be a lot faster to walk there than all the way back to the Estate.
Scanning his surrounds he spots a small shaggy bar down the street. He could hear commotion coming from the entrance of the bar as a man was being thrown out. Or was tempted to be thrown out. Curiosity getting the better of him he slowly walked closer keeping in the shadows. He maybe curious but it didn't mean he wanted to get involved in a drunken brawl. Besides there was a 24/7 convenience store across the street. He could go in there and get a much needed cup of coffee. He was going to need he told himself.
When he neared he could see a man in his mid to late forties. The said man was roughly pushed out of the bar. Stumbling for his balance he nearly falls flat on his ass. The man could barely stand on his own two feet. He had to use the conveniently place trash can for support to hold himself up right. It was evident that the man was severely intoxicated having far too many drinks.
He spoke with a drunken slur. "Ah cum fuon, Jac. I'll ya ou tomorroo." (Ah come on, Jack. I'll pay you tomorrow.)
As Kaiba neared the drunken man he got a whiff of what could only be described as years of smoking and drinking. It smelled like it was imbedding in his skin. He did all he could do from gagging from the stench. Grimacing at the smell he looks up and sees another man approach the threshold of the bar entrance. This man unlike the other he looked well off, middle class stature. He was a taller than average thin male. Long black hair was tied up in a ponytail and deep piercing green eyes almost the colour of emeralds stared annoyingly at the drunk. It was very apparent that unlike the other this man was in fact very sober. In all actuality he was most likely the bar own or a bartender.
The man spoke with perfect elegance and smoothness. He was so well spoken he could have been a public speaker on behalf of the some governmental institution.
"I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Jounouchi. I do not believe that would be in my best interest or possible."
"And yi ot?" (And why not.) The drunkard responded trying to get up in the other mans face, but failing to keep his balance in check. He almost feel back knocking the trash can and what ever it's contains be on the ground.
"You already have a high bill. If I do so recall I believe you told me the exact same thing last time. Matter of fact you say it every time you come here. Not once have you come through for me. I'm sorry but this time I can't and will not accept your words."
"I romus tis ime I ill." (I promise this time I will.) The man now known as Mr. Jounouchi tried to compromise placing a wobbly drunk hand on the others shoulder.
Sighing and shaking his head the more decent of the two removes the offending appendage from his shoulder.
"I'm sorry again, Sir, that will not work this time. I have a business to run and a family of my own to support. I cannot and will not keep depending on your lack for better term lies. I just can't do it when I fully know you will not come through on them."
"Ah, sum fuon, Jac uddie o en." (Ah, come on, Jack buddy of mine.)
Sighing once more, Jack pinches the bridge of his nose closing his eyes. When he opens them again he gently turns Mr. Jounouchi around in the direction we can assume is his home.
"Sorry, Mr. Jounouchi, I will not give into your childish pleading. I highly suggest that you go home. Take a hot shower and spend some time with that son of yours. He's at that age now where he could be leaving you to go off to Collage. Go spend your time with your son instead of at my bar. Better yet stop drowning your life away in alcohol. It doesn't help make things better."
Ignoring the man further, Jack walks back into his bar shutting the door behind him. He had enough of the man's antics for awhile. He ran a bar but that didn't mean he had to put up with people that wanted to get drunk and drown their sorrows away. It just didn't work like that. Hell alcohol made things worse; he knew this from his own personal experiences, ones that he learned from.
A few minutes later the drunken man walks away from the bar mumbling obstinacies under his breath. For added affect to his anger he kicks the trash can over spilling its contents over the cold ground. Stumbling away in the same direction that our young CEO was standing, he almost collides with him in his intoxicated state. If Kaiba wasn't so quick on his feet he would have been knocked to the ground by the bulky man. Looking up in his drunken stupor he glares at the other man he almost collided with. Anger drips like venom from his lips.
"Otta mi ay, unk!" (Out of my way, Punk)
Recoiling away from the man and his stench Kaiba mentally rolls his eyes at the man before him. There was no point in egging the man on further. Who knew what he was capable of in this state? It was then that Kaiba Seto got a good look at the man. He was dressed in old faded jeans with numerous holes from extended ware. His sweater was litter with tiny little burn holes from falling ashes of a cigarette. Stains old and new coloured his sweater and faded jeans. What really caught Kaiba's eyes was the mop of dusty graying blonde hair and blood shot honey coloured eyes. Something about the man bugged him to no end. He felt as if he knew him in some way. He possibly couldn't, could he?
Kaiba couldn't help but think that the man was an utter and complete buffoon wasting away his life. Booze, alcohol, and cigarettes didn't make ones life easier. As far as he was concerned it was a huge waste of money. Sure he had the occasional drink at a business party, but he never went over his limit to get intoxicated. It wouldn't be very professional of him. Secretly he didn't want to turn into his step-father.
The young man truly felt sorry for whoever the man's son was. No one should ever have to put up with a father like that or any parent or guardian for that matter. The thought that he knew the man kept itching away at him till something clicked. A second glance at the man's back and the gears in his brain started to roll. Blonde hair, honey coloured eyes, that strong broad frame, and what did that man call him before? Mr. Jounouchi was it. It than dawned on him, he didn't know the man himself. Hell he knew his son; he went to school with the boy. He couldn't possible be Jounouchi Katsuya's father could he? The similarities were too uncanny for him to be anything but.
For the life of him he couldn't remember the 'mutt' being this poor. The blonde always had a smile plastered on his face. Than again he was so proud of those pair of expensive sneakers with a hole in them. He himself would have thrown them away and bought a new pair. Kaiba could remember the day the blonde got them. It was all he talked about. Said he risked his life to get them back from some guy with a knife. With Jounouchi's history he didn't doubt that for a minute. He was a street punk, part of a gang before he met Mutou, so was what his name. Honda? Yes that was it Honda Hiroto.
It bugged him to no end to think that this disgusting of a man could someone's father that he knew. What was Jounouchi's home life really like behind all the laughs and smiles? Did any of his friends really know what his life was like away from school and friends alike? Maybe he had the wrong Jounouchi. Come to think of it did he know any other Jounouchi's in Domino City besides the blonde duelist? Racking is brain he couldn't come up with a single one not being 'mutt'. So this man really could be his father?
What was the blonde's life really like outside of school and dueling? He didn't know he never really interacted with him in a personal matter. The only times he did was if they had to work on something together at school or if involved in Duel monsters. Did any of his friends know what his life was really like? He couldn't recall any of them ever talking about it. He knew about the others home lives though. They talked about it all the time.
Mutou lived at home with his mother and grandfather, whom ran Kame Game. He smirked mentally at the memory of visiting the place and ripping up the 4th Blue Eyes White Dragon card. He was the only rightful owner for that card and he already had the max 3 for a deck. He couldn't possibly let a forth one exist out there could he? Nope he couldn't it wouldn't be very strategic of him.
The other Yuugi-dachi members he knew of their lives as well. Masaki was a want to be Broadway dance. She was currently working at Burger World to earn some cash. He over heard that she wanted to go to New York City to train at their famous dance school. He ran into her a few times there thanks to Mokuba. The kid just couldn't get enough of American Burgers.
Honda, now who couldn't know of that skirt chasing mad man. He probably only joined the Beautification Club to get girls attention. He was always after some girl. The most recent and failure to court was Nosaka Miho. All he heard him talk about was some girl he liked and his sister. Apparently he couldn't wait for her to leave and talk her perverted little son with her. Masaki was with him on that one. He always subconsciously hugged her bosom when the brat was mentioned. Kaiba knew the source of that from his Death-T. The child was all over her. Deep down Kaiba did regret his toying with Death-T. He used to be a very different person then. After coming out of that lifeless coma he was a changed man. He didn't mean to worry Mokuba so much then. He deeply regretted that. He loved his brother too much to do that to him ever again.
Bakura Ryo, on the other hand he didn't know too much about. He knew that he was a transfer student. There was just something about him that game Kaiba the creeps. The man could be a real psycho path at times. He was one individual that he wanted to avoid and didn't care to get to know any better. He also knew that his father the owner of Domino Museum, which was the reason why he was sent to Domino High.
Otogi Ryuji was a different matter all together. He hated that man with a passion. Not only did he have the nerve to hack KaibaCorp's computer systems, he wanted to make a business deal with Kaiba. As far as Kaiba was concerned he could take his deal and shove it up his ass. He had no room from the dice master and his Dragon Dice & Dungeons game. He could take his business proposal up with Mutou Sugoroku. No, that wouldn't work; his father and Sugoroku Mutou had bad blood between the two of them. Kame Game and Black Crown will just have to remain rival game shops. Better yet he should leave his dealings what that man Pegasus J. Crawford and his company Industrial Illusions. The two were just a 'lovely' pair.
Thinking back there was one thing he didn't know about the 'mutt'. He knew he had a sister for he met her at the Battle City Finals. She must have gotten her looks from her mother for she looked nothing like her brother except for the eyes. He could have sworn that Mokuba was smitten with her with the way he sent her looks out of the corner of his eye. Oh yes he saw those looks his brother gave the girl. He just chooses not to dwell on it. It was just a youth fascination. The girl wasn't bad looking with long brown hair and those honey coloured eyes. If he didn't swing a certain way he was sure he would have been smitten like Mokuba, Honda, and Otogi. Only one was not, Mutou for he knew the boy had a crush on that Masaki girl.
A side note, he seemed to recall not seeing Jounouchi present at school that morning. The classroom had been awfully quite now that he remembered. When Jounouchi was present there was always some kind of commotion going on in class. For the life of him he couldn't remember a single day when the blonde wasn't there. Minus that one time when he got involved with his old middle school gang again. Something about him re-joining to protect his class mates. Ha, like the great Kaiba Seto needed protecting from a street punk.
Making the decision to follow the man, Kaiba set out to track him in the shadows. He needed to get to the bottom of this gut feeling he had. Some way or another he was connected to this man. For the life of him he hoped he wasn't the boy's father. This feeling growing inside of him he just couldn't ignore. If it was Mokuba he wouldn't be second guessing himself at the moment. He may have been confrontational with Jounouchi but it didn't mean he hated him or wish harm upon him.
Following the drunken Mr. Jounouchi, Kaiba traveled through many dark alley ways. He made sure to stay a good distance away. He didn't want the man to know that someone was tailing him. The allies they traveled were very badly lit. Boxed and trash was scattered though out the path. How could any one live in such conditions was beyond him. Did this park of Domino really exist?
A good twenty-five minutes later and many sad and territorial looks from stray cats and dogs later, it looked as if the man reach his destination. Looking up Kaiba could see a slightly run down 4 story apartment building. The lawn could use some heavy maintenance. The bushes need trimming and the grass needed a good cut, along with some weed killer.
Kaiba sighs as the man grumbles something inaudible under his breath. How was he supposed to keep following this man if he lived in an apartment complex? He just had to find a way to follow him. Something was eating away at him. He didn't like the feeling one bit.
With a grunt and a kick to an offending bush the older man looks up at the entrance to the apartment.
"Rat' beta ave let oor unrocked." (Brat, better have left door unlocked.)
It would seem that the man didn't have his own keys to his 'home'. Stomping up the stairs to the third floor the man barely makes it up. Along the way he kept tripping over his own two feet. Kaiba had to keep a good distance from the man. Every now and then he would send a look over his shoulder than shrug it off.
Letting the man get farther ahead of him Kaiba waited at the base of the third floor stairs. He didn't have to want to bee seen by the drunk. He was now desperately wishing that Jounouchi didn't live in this place. He was about to ascend the stairs when a young girls voice interrupts him.
"What brings ya here?"
Looking down to the small girl, barely ten he smiles warmly to her. He always had a soft spot for children.
"I was looking for a friend." Oh, how that word sounded so foreign coming from his lips.
"Who's ya friend, Mista? I might know where they live since ya look lost." She spokes Kaiba in the chest with a finger for added affect.
"Do you know the Jounouchi residence?"
She claps her hands together excitedly, smiling brightly. "OH! You must be Kat's friend!"
"Could you tell me what apartment is his? I have some school work that he missed yesterday." Suspicions confirmed. White lied told. The girl didn't need to know that he wasn't here on school business.
She shakes her head sadly. "301, but ya might wanna come back lata when Pops aint home."
"Why would that be?" puzzled Kaiba asks.
"Well ya see…."
It was just than that they both heard and anyone else in the vicinities could hear a blood curdling scream coming from the third floor. Kaiba's eyes go wide as he looks from the stairs to the little girl. He could see her figure relax sadly and a sigh escapes her.
"That's why, Mista. It's not a pretty sight when Pops is home."
She could see the puzzlement in the young CEO's eyes. She looks down sadly placing her hands behind her back. He kicks the ground with a foot.
"Pops aint a very kind man ya see. I tried ta help once. Only made mattas worse, Mista. Ma Daddy drinks too but not like Pops. He's a real mean one that he is. I feels for Kat. He's always so kind ta me and da othas."
Wide eyed Kaiba looks to the girl and turns to move around her and go up the stairs. Something very wrong was going on here and from the sound of things it didn't look good. From what the girl said this isn't something knew. How long has he been putting up with this? Kaiba couldn't just stand by and watch someone hurt what was his territory.
Before he can make it up one step, the girl grabs his arm. She looks to him with very sad eyes. Shaking her head and casts her eyes down, she speaks to him pleading.
"Wont do no good, Mista. Please don't make mattas worse."
"I can't sit by and watch as a friend is getting hurt."
With that said he gently removes her hand from his arm. He runs up the stairs two at a time. He needed to get to 301 quickly. He feared that something very sinister was going on behind that door. What did Jounouchi have to live though? He gave no signs what so ever that he was suffering from abuse. Abuse at the hands of his father no less. Kaiba should have seen the signs. He went through something along the same lines to a degree with his step-father. That man was a psycho in his own right.
When he reached the correct apartment the door was wide open. Inside he could see Mr. Jounouchi looking to the younger with anger and hatred in his eyes. Jounouchi sat on the ground cowering in the corner between the kitchen and living space. Kaiba could seem him flinch as the man yelled some inaudible words at his son. A hand was raise over his head holding a shattered whiskey bottle. Kaiba watch mortified as kick after kick assaulted the blonde. Deep hatred courses thought Kaiba's veins as he can't believe the sight before his eyes. If he could he would rip the older man apart in front of him for touching his son in such a way. No parent justly had the right to abuse there own child in such a form.
Running towards the man Kaiba grabs the nearest object he can, which happened to be what he assumed was Jounouchi's school bag. With the object in had he swings it hard at the man knocking him in the head with such a force knocking him out. If the man wasn't drunk he would most likely still be standing. Dropping the bad he rushes over to the blonde's side.
Looking up through blurry hazed honey eyes. Jounouchi questions himself if he is seeing what he is.
"Ka-Kaiba?"
Shaking his head Kaiba places a finger to Jounouchi's lips quieting him. "Don't speak. Everything's going to be fine, I promise.
Smiling weakly Jounouchi looks up to his rival and once enemy. He fought hard to stay with him. It was so hard to keep his eyes open. Slowly honey eyes drift closed barely able to stay open anyone. He couldn't hold on any longer. Barely a whisper escapes his lips directed to the brunette in the room.
"Thanks…Ka…"
"Come one stay with me Jou… Damn it mutt!"
With a frustrated growl Kaiba pulls out his cell phone, tears threatening to fall from his eyes. He needed to call 119 and fast. He didn't know how long the blonde duelist had. He looked to be in bad shape. Once blonde locks where stained brown. A pool of red was forming from under his shirt. Kaiba could feel it soaking his shirt, staining his fingers with the blonde's blood. How long has this been going on?
Not long after he called the ambulance her could hear the sirens approaching. Paramedics rushed up the 3 flights of stairs to 301. What meet there eyes was not a sight they were prepared to see. Taking over quickly they remove Kaiba from the injured person. They needed to get him to the hospital fast. There was too much blood loss. Skin was starting to lose it warm. Straight to the emergency room he was to go.
It had been a good two hours since Kaiba arrived with the ambulance to Domino City General Hospital. As soon as they arrived he was ushered to the side and questioned. How the hell did they expect him to answers all theses questions? For one he was in a state of shock. Secondly he didn't know the health history to Jounouchi.
After the questioning died down he took the opportunity to give Isono and Mokuba a call. They would need to and want to know where he was. If he arrived at Kaiba Hotel like he said he was going they would have already been informed of his arrival. Much panic ensued in his phone call with his brother. It took much convincing to the younger Kaiba that it wasn't him who was in the hospital but Jounouchi.
Pacing back and forth Kaiba had thrown many death glares to anyone that had interrupted him with out news of the blonde. His eyes twitched as he heard a familiar voice coming from the entrance to the waiting room. He should have known that Mokuba would notify the blonde's best friend.
In walked Yuugi thorough he double doors that red Emergency Room Waiting Area. His usual spiky hair lay straight falling to his shoulder. His eyes looked red from tears Kaiba was sure he had shed. He didn't blame him; this was his best friend after all they were waiting for news on.
"Kaiba?"
Kaiba stops his pacing and looks over to the short duelist. He glares daggers at no one in particular. As he speaks to the other duelist his rage takes hold of him. Unable to control it anymore he punches the wall hard leaving a small dent. This action causes Yuugi to cringe along with some children as well. Bowing his head he speaks.
"Damn it! Why?"
"Kaiba, calm down! Have you heard anything yet?"
"I am calm Mutou. And no I haven't. I have been here a whole 2 hours and not heard a word. What is taking these doctors so slow?"
"I wouldn't call punching a hole in the wall calm."
"Shut it Mutou."
Before either of them could speak another word to each other they are interrupted by a doctor. Sighing, the doctor removes his surgical cap and mask. Looking between the two youths he smiles sadly to them. Holding out his hand to Kaiba and Yuugi they shake it gently.
"I'm Dr. Takahashi head of surgery. I have some news of your friend that you arrived with earlier, Mr. Kaiba and?"
"Yuugi Mutou Yuugi."
"Right, well all I can say for certain now is that Mr. Jounouchi is stable. He is currently in ICU. We will have to keep him closely monitored for the next few days. He was very fortunate that you called us when you did. If it wasn't for you I don't think the young man would have a chance to make it out alive. Don't get me wrong he is no way in the clear yet, but I do see hope."
"What are his injuries?" Yuugi asks the Dr. Takahashi. He prayed that things were too bad for his best friend. They way things were looking it didn't look well.
Dr. Takahashi signs and looks at the two of them sadly. "Well, for starters he has several lacerations, internal swelling and bleeding that we were able to stop. A few of his ribs are fractured and bruised, 2 cracked vertebrate, and his spinal column is bruised. There is also a fractured wrist, dislocated shoulder. I have to say for a lack of better terms he has been through blender."
Kaiba looks to the doctor pointedly. There was something more that the man was hiding. He had seen the look he was getting one too many times in the business world to know when someone was withholding information. What could he be hiding that he didn't want to tell them?
"What else is there? I can tell that there is something you don't want to tell us?"
"Truthfully there is one thing that worries me more than injuries that can heal. Mental and emotional wounds are harder to heal."
Kaiba looks to the Doctor threateningly. "Dr. Takahashi…"
Sighing sadly Dr. Takahashi informs the two of what their friend had gone through. He was right when he said that physical wounds could heal over time. The wounds that really had the two worried would take a long time to heal if ever. Kaiba wasn't going to stop till he had all the answers. He was more determined now than ever to help the blonde out. Who ever had raped the duelist was going to pay dearly. He just prayed that it wasn't the boy's father that had done it. That would have gone beyond sick. Not only with Mr. Jounouchi end up six feet under, but Kaiba would find himself in jail for murder.
A/N: Thanks for reading! I will apologies now to my past readers of this story. I don't mean to make the chapters so much longer than previously were. I just find myself somehow turning what was 2 paragraphs into 2 pages. After reading many well written fanfics and growing older, I find my style has changed. If there is things I need to work on please let me know! there is always room for improvement. I will try to update once a week to bi-weekly, depending on work and kids. With the holidays coming work is getting hectic. STOP ORDERING SO MANY CAKES AND DONUTS! J/K
Please R&R
