Episode 10: Grandfather
BANG!
"Owwie!" A soft voice hissed as if attempting to avoid waking the sleeping oocupant from his slumber.
Although annoyed at being awoken, the sleeping occupant was also glad to be awake. It meant that he was alive. He had survived his brothers' torture, and that he would continue to be the bane of that woman's existence. Regardless of the torment he endured from her and his brothers, Chazz Princeton was glad to be alive and to remind that woman that the son of some whore was more loved than she was. It was the only reason Chazz could think of for the woman's abuse toward him. Why else would that woman put him through all that hell if it were not because Princeton Senior loved him more than his own wife? At least that was Chazz' single life-line to continue on living; aside from his Chibi.
Now, if only he could open his eyes to find out who woke him up. Suddenly he heard a soft, timid voice that made him purr in delight.
"Hi, Chazz." Syrus! "Didn't mean to wake you... Eh... That is if you're awake."
Hunh? What are you talking about Chibi? Of course, I'm awake. I just need to open my damn eyes! Ngh!
"Well... Let's see..." Chazz could mentally picture Syrus tapping his tiny, slender finger against his chin in thought, "Oh yeah! Riku-chan found your Grandfather! Eh... I mean your mother's father!"
What! How's that possible! I was told... I was told... I have a grandfather... I have a Grandfather!
"Yeah! Cool, ne! Riku-chan left me the information if you're interested. She would have left it here with you, but something... She saw something that scared her, but I don't know what it was. I hope it isn't anything too serious because..."
Because!
"I wonder where Jaden is..." Syrus' voice was so soft that Chazz had almost missed the smaller Chibi's confession.
"I miss him." Syrus whispered; Chazz could feel a bit of his heart tighten in pain but it quickly disappeared when he felt his bed dip deeper from some added weight. Chazz knew that Syrus had crawled into his bed and proceeded to curl into Chazz' lithe form. Chazz could feel himself quietly purring, "But I still have you. I still have you."
Chazz felt Syrus bury his face into the crook of his neck. Suddenly Chazz remembered... He suddenly remembered a similar feel of someone nuzzling into his neck, but it was different. This was different. The feel from last night made him feel safe; like he was protected. This feel... He knew that he making his Chibi feel safe, protected, even though he was in such a state. Chazz wanted to let Syrus know that he was safe, and protected, but Chazz did not know how. It was taking his body forever to wake itself up, and he hated that. Normally once he was awake, he was up. Suddenly he heard it...
Jaden!
Chazz heard the motor-sized purring and knew Jaden was near. After all, it was Jaden, who purred like an overgrown kitten last night, and therefore, it was Jaden, who purring again like an oversized kitten. Not that he minded that Syrus was seeking comfort from him, but with his track record in dealing with emotions... Perhaps it would be best for the clueless wander to take over. It just made the young millionaire happy to see that it was he, who comforted Syrus first.
Suddenly Chazz felt something wet trembling down his neck; sending chilled shivers down his spin. He heard the purring stop when he realized that the bitter salty scent was tears. His Chibi was crying! His Chibi was crying!
Chazz did not even hesitate nor did he pause at his stray thought of ripping the offender's throat out for making his Chibi cry. Nor did he hesitat or pause when he realize that the purring had begun again; this time a bit louder, trying to comfort Syrus.
Now, Chazz was worried. He knew that Jaden would never leave their Chibi alone. He knew that Jaden would never allow Syrus to cry. He knew that Jaden would try to comfort the blue-haired angel, but where was he? Was it not him who was purring? And if not, then who?
Chazz did not have time to think it over when he heard Syrus speak again.
"Chazz, I'm scared." Syrus quietly began with an even softer voice as Chazz felt Syrus' small hands clutch onto his hospital gown, "I know your brothers did this to you, but nothing's being done about it. They managed to cover it up. They're saying that the butler did it; the same one that almost killed me... They're still out there. I'm afraid that they'll come back... I'm afraid that they'll take you away. I'm scared that I'll be all alone again and I can't do anything to stop it... Jay's gone, and you're here but so far away... Please, I don't want to lose any more people that I love... Please..."
Chazz was stunned. Syrus loved him! But what about Jaden!
He has us both. I made you stronger to live. I made you stronger to protect him. Jaden's voice and words echoed in his mind.
Whatever Jaden had done to him last night, he had done it to help Chazz live, and for that Chazz was greatful. Whatever Jaden had done to him, he had done it to help protect Syrus, and for that Chazz was truly greatful. Whatever Jaden had done, it had bound all three of them together, and it may be true that they would get on each others nerves, but they would always have each other. Chazz smiled. I can live with that.
Coming to his decision, Chazz finally could turn to another important matter; comforting Syrus.
"Ch'bee." Chazz quietly exhaled.
"Chazz!" Syrus' head shot up as he peered into a pair of metallic obsedian eyes.
Chazz stared into a pair of wide mercury pools and smiled, but instead of re-assuring his little Chibi, it caused the smaller duelist to call for the nurse.
"Chazz! You're awake!" Syrus finally cheered as he gently hugged his injured friend.
"Yeah... Nuthin beats the Chazz." Chazz croaked. He mentally winced at the sound of his voice. It sounded dry and gravely from abuse. He hoped it was not permanent.
"How long was I asleep?" Chazz managed to say after Syrus handed him a glass of water.
"You've been asleep for the past week." Syrus frowned.
Chazz' eyes grew large; reflecting light much like Jaden's would at times and very much like a cat's.
"What... happened?"
Bird Rock Lamp-chop Bigger Bird Bird
"Hey, Old Man." Chazz off-handedly called; causing his grandfather to pause in mid-sip.
The ancient detective took stock of his only living child's pensive expression. The elder frowned. It was only two weeks ago did the son of his beautiful daughter, Haijime Ichiko, appeared at his doorstep; looking very much like a lost and confused child. Haijime was convinced that if it were not for the tiny blue-haired friend, the raven-haired boy would have bolted before the older man had a chance at opening the door. It was only weeks ago and yet Haijime found it easy to read the usually closed off youth. And right now, the elder found the younger's pensive expression troublesome.
His grandson was very much like his Ichiko; they both were strong, confident and passionate. However, being cautious and nervous did not suit their personality at all, but Haijime also knew better than to push for more information; given the boy's family history. Of course, he did not need the report that mysteriously appeared on his desk before the youth showed to recognize the signs of physical abuse. He was the greatest detective the mainland had and was still saught for advice from time to time. When the younger was ready, he would talk. However, the old man did not miss his grandson scratching the back of his hand as if he had a rash.
"Is there something wrong with you hand, Chazz?" The old man asked; using the distraction to help figure out what was truly wrong.
"Hm?" Chazz looked down at his hand and slowly frowned.
For awhile now, Chazz had been restless, and the old man did not mind.
He recognized the signs.
Chazz hummed with engery; especially at night. Chazz would at times be found outside; napping and sprawled out in ways that one should not be able to do unless they were spineless. At times, Chazz' eyes would shine with an ethereal fire that the old man was transfixed in just looking at them. Chazz would move in silence that came with a natural grace that one would associate with a large cat.
Oh yes, the old man recognized the signs very well... It would seem that his grandson was Infected, and the Infection was accepting his grandson...
"I was lookin' at your ol' albums," Chazz interrupted the old man's musings; still scratching at the back of his hand, "an' saw something 'bout the Yukimura Yakuza..."
"Mmhm."
"Who were they?" Chazz asked as he looked squarely at his grandfather's old, sharp blue-steel eyes. He was hoping that his old man could shed some light for him in regards to his missing friend/rival and perhaps on what was happening to him. Chazz was not an idiot. He knew that something was happening to him, and it had to do with what Jaden had down to him nearly three weeks ago.
It would seem that Jaden disappeared after he "infected" Chazz with the Yukimura Curse, as Riku-chan had put it. Naturally Riku-chan was surprised and frighten by Jaden's actions. It was true that Jaden had done it to save Chazz' life and to help protect their Chibi, which Chazz had no compliants about, but the fact that Riku-chan was scared of what Jaden had done worried the disowned millioniare. He needed to know who and what the Yukimura clan was. Perhaps it would shed some light on why Riku-chan was scared; perhaps it would shed some light on who Jaden really was and shed some light on what sort of mess he gotten himself into.
Jaden had stated that Chazz would hate him for what he had done. So far, Chazz had yet to see the down side to what was happening to him. He was stronger than before. He was healthier than before, and plus he could actually be there for his Chibi; instead of watching from the shadows. Nope, Chazz had yet to see the down side to being one of the Cursed Ones; thus, he concluded the real problem lied with this mysterious Yukimura clan, and if Riku-chan would not answer his questions then perhaps a retired detective, who was a retainer for the police department, would know or at least point him in the right direction.
Haijime frowned. He found it disconcerting that his grandchild would ask him directly about the cursed Clan. He, however, found it curious that Chazz had somehow came in contact with a member of the Cursed Ones and yet not know anything about the Clan that bred them. Haijime knew which artcile that the younger had read. It was the only article on the Yukimura Clan that his wife managed to save and perserved from him all those years ago. As his steelly-blue peered into onyx-black eyes, Haijime knew that there had to be another reason for the sudden interest in that dreaded Yakuza, and he knew that to get answers to his own questions, he would need to answers Chazz' questions.
"The Yukimura Clan is one of the few yakuza clan of Japan with any real power; aside from the Mibu Clan." Haijime began then chuckled, "Yes, Chazz, the Mibu Clan still exist, but it's the Yukimura clan that holds the most power. The Yukimura Clan have been in existence since the time of the Meiji Era. They have been working in the shadows of Japan in all fields that can assure them power. They have their hands in everything. Politics, economics, the military, technology and science. Whatever you can think of, there's a member of the Yukimura Clan in it. But..."
Haijime paused as his sharp eyes became hazed. His eyes became hazed as a long forgotten memory surfaced, and trapped in his mind's eye, a pair of angled honey-amber eyes peered into his soul. Honey-amber eyes belonging to a forgotten face but the gaze continued its soul-piercing hunt even nearly sixty years later.
"But what?" Chazz whispered in hushed reverence.
"The Mibu Clan and the Yukimura Clan are equal in power, strength and assassins, but the normal members of the Yukimura Clan are nothing; just insignificant specks of dust compared to the true power of that damned Clan. They're nothing compared to the Cursed Ones."
"The Cursed Ones?" Chazz whispered as he felt his heart race; it raced faster when he noticed the soft smile and distant gaze on his elder's face. Chazz' heart raced as his mind flashed before him the images of Cobra and Jaden fighting and their glowing tribal markings. Chazz suddenly scratched at the back of his hand while he waited for his grandfather to continue.
"Hai, the Cursed Ones." Haijime replied in reverence, "Tenshi no Oni. The Demonic Angels or the Angelic Demons... No one knows for sure how they came to being. Some believe that the Cursed Ones were created via genetic manipulation. It may be true for the majority of them but there is one among them that is naturally cursed."
Jaden. Chazz thought as he remembered Cobra and Jaden's tribal markings. They were different colors. One was a poisonous green while the other was a gentle white-gold.
"The Cursed Ones are blessed and cursed with heighten sense, enhanced speed, agility, endurance, at times with greater strength than they should have. The Cursed Ones are often times compared to large predator cats."
Chazz remembered the feline grace that Jaden possessed when the Dueling Champ thought he was alone. It was mesmerizing. Would he move like that? Had he moved like?
"Of course, I only met one by chance, and I was fortunate to have met the one that was naturally cursed."
"What do you mean?" This made Chazz curious. Was there such a great difference between a natrually Cursed One and the Others? If so, then which was he?
"A truly Cursed One has honey-amber eyes. A truly Cursed One's marking glowed in the same shade as their eyes, and a truly Cursed One is not mad." Haijime replied ominously, "If you ever come across a Cursed One who is mad... Then God help you because they will hunt down and make you wish for a swift death."
Chazz' own onyx orbs glowed while he swallowed a growl that threaten to erupt from his throat. He knew that the old man was not threatening him; just warning him, just telling him the truth. However, just because it was the truth, it did not mean he did not like it.
"I'll keep that in mind." Chazz quietly replied then slowly got up to leave. He needed time to absorb what his old man told him.
True, the old man answered his questions but now he was left with more questions than answers. Perhaps he should revisit his former role; perhaps Detective Chazz Princeton should pay a visit... Hm, this is going to a long summer indeed. Chazz purred.