Heartaches

Chapter Four

By Kellyq

Mina walked to the door when she heard voices from the other side. She peeked through the hole and saw Jack talking to a male teen with black hair. Mina could see the teen's face. Yusei's eyes held a calm expression and there was a soft glint in Jack's eyes. That must be Mr. Fudo, she thought, opening the door for Jack.

"Welcome home, Mr. Atlus," Mina said, stepping to the side and bowing. She eyed Yuesi for a moment. I wonder why Godwin doesn't like Mr. Fudo? He seems harmless ...

"Mina," came Jack's southern crisp voice, snapping the young woman out of her thought. "Go make some tea."

The young housekeeper flinched and bowed. "Uh ... does Mr. Fudo want some tea too?"

Yusei blinked a few times before he realized that he was asked a question. Yusei smiled to Mina. "No, I'm fine - but thanks for the offer."

Mina bowed again and made her way to the kitchen. She couldn't help but smile, feeling optimistic that the atmosphere would change. Mina moved the tea kettle to the front burner, and turned it on. She opened the cabinet and pulled out a tea packet. Placing it on the table, Mina moved to the other cabinet and brought out a cup. The kettle whistled, signaling for Mina that the water was ready.

"Mina!" came Jack's voice. "Turn that thing off and hurry it up!"

Mina jumped and dropped the cup onto the floor. It shattered into five pieces. Mina cried out as she turned to see Yusei move the tea kettle off the burner.

"Are you okay?" Yusei asked, snapping the startled woman out of her shock.

Jack's silhouette moved across the room, and he picked up the broken pieces. Yusei observed the whole thing quietly.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Atlus!" Mina cried. "I'll buy you a new cup right away!"

Jack grunted. "Leave it," he calmly ordered. The blonde-haired man had thrown the broken pieces into the trash. "And finish making the tea." Jack's eyes shifted from Mina to Yusei. "Go sit back down, Yusei. You're still not healed from your fight from Kiryu."

Mina blinked and that's when she finally noticed bruises and faded scars on Yusei. Kiryu?That name does ring a bell ... Mina bit her lip. She waited until Yusei was out of hearing range to ask what was really going on.

"Un ... Mr. Atlus? Who is Kiryu?" Mina inquired.

Jack gave Mina a sharp stare. The look in his eyes glazed over. "It's none of your business!" Mina cringed and fear flashed across her eyes. Jack sighed, giving himself a mental note to keep his temper at bay. "He was a friend of ours," Jack started to explain, sounding bitter and frustrated.

"Oh, that's right," Mina said, finding her voice. "I do remember meeting him on your 18th birthday."

"Yeah ... that was before he got into the wrong crowd to hang out with," came Yusei's bitter voice. Jack and Mina turned their attention to Yusei, who was leaning against the wall. "He was a good person - bright and intelligent - until one night that all changed -"

"That's enough!" Jack barked, stopping Yusei from finishing the story. The tension in the room grew thicker. Jack closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm going to bed."

Mina was about to speak, but Yusei shook his head. After Jack was out of sight, the dark-haired teen pushed himself from the wall and followed his boyfriend to his room.


Jack turned when Yusei walked in and closed the door behind him. The tension in the air had not lifted.

Yusei's expression half darkened. "That was completely uncalled for. She was just trying to help."

"Do you think I care? The one thing I care about is you! You know very well that Kiryu is never going to get better!" Jack pointed out. "And you're just letting him trample all over you! Do you know how hard it is for me to stand by and watch without being able to help? Do you have any clue how much it pains me? None!"

"I'm sorry, Jack," Yusei murmured darkly.

The blonde-haired teen grunted. "You don't have to apologize - You just need to fight, Yusei!"

"You mean - like this?"

Before Jack knew what was happening, Yusei brushed his knuckles casually against Jack's cheek. Then Yusei brought his other fist back and gently hit his boyfriend in the gut. Jack stared at Yusei for a moment to see a lot of emotions in his eyes.

"I don't mean to hurt anybody," Yusei said, trying to keep his emotions at bay. "I -"

Before Yusei could finish, Jack pulled him close and kissed his boyfriend. "That's enough, we -"

"Mr. Altlus," came Mina's voice from the other side of the door. "Your tea and the first-aid kit are just outside the door when you're ready to retrieve them."

Yusei pulled away and turned to open the door. The first thing he saw was the first-aid kit and tea.

"Your water is coming in just a moment, Mr. Fudo!" came Mina's voice from the kitchen.

Yusei picked the tea and first-aid kit. He handed it to his boyfriend. The dark-haired teen walked into the kitchen just as Mina turned. The two stared at each other.

"Mina right?" Yusei inquired softly.

A light blush made its way to Mina's pale cheeks and she nodded her head. "Yusei right?"

The dark-haired teen was about answer but Jack's voice bet him to the punch.

"Yusei, get your ass in here right now!"

Annoyance flashed across Yusei's eyes. He smiled to Mina and took the class of water. Yusei turned and walked out of the kitchen, leaving a blushing Mina behind.

To Be Continued ...