Disclaimer: "Could I ask you for a really big favor, Angel-Belle?" I stop writing for a moment. "Sure, Yugi, what is it?"
"Well….do you think that maybe you could make me 6ft., 5in.? "
"Um…I'm really sorry, Yugi…but I can't do that." Aw, the poor kid looks disappointed. "Why not?"
"Because I don't own Yugioh. I'm sorry, sweetheart. But don't worry; everyone loves you just the way you are! You just wouldn't be the same if you were that tall!" He gets this great big grin on his face. "They do??"
"Sure they do!"
"Thanks, Angel-Belle!"
"You're welcome, sweetheart."
"Oh, by the way, Yami said to tell you that you still will never own Yugioh."
"Yeah, sure….rub it in, Pharaoh…"
Author's Notes:. Ok, so that was a long disclaimer. I'm starting to make them short stories now…LOL! Yes, there are a couple of more chapters until we are finished. There are 23 chapters all together, so we are in the home stretch now. Oh, and how many of you cried when I killed off Frank? No one? Didn't think so…hee…hee…Arigato for all the reviews! Oh, and by the way, Kaiba doesn't have to go to jail, because they determined it to be self-defense. A special thank you goes to my beta-reader, Hyatt Insomnia!
Warnings: Mild violence and language.
Listening With The Heart
Chapter Twenty-One: The Sounds of Silence
Joey was standing in front of his father's grave. A cold wind blew his shaggy blond hair around. He stared down at his father's tombstone, not quite sure how to feel. Finally, he turned to leave. As he started to walk away, he felt a hand wrap itself around his ankle and he fell to the ground. He turned his head and to his horror, he saw a hand coming out of his father's grave, pulling him backwards. "Ya think ya c'n get away from me that easy, ya punk!? " Frank's voice boomed through the air. "This is all yer fault, ya no good kid!! I'm taking ya wit' me ta HELL!!"
"NO! Dad! Please!" Joey screamed and clawed the dirt beneath him. "It was an accident! I swear! I didn't mean…."
"SHUT UP!! You're goin' ta HELL!!" As he was being pulled towards the grave, it began to open up. Soon there was a huge hole there, and Joey found himself being pulled into it. "NOOOOO!!"
He was being pulled farther and farther down in the hole. Suddenly the ground began to close up again. He heard his father laughing maniacally. Dirt began to fall on top of the hapless teen. He tried to scream for help, but the dirt was choking him. He couldn't breathe, and all he could see was the black soil falling on top of him…
"NOOOO!" Joey awoke with a start, breathing heavily. He was trembling and sweating. He sat there for a moment, trying to calm down.
Kaiba stuck his head in the door. "Joey? Are you all right?" Joey nodded in response.
The billionaire sighed and began to slowly walk into the room. "Another bad dream, huh?" Joey nodded again. "Do you want to talk about it?" The blonde shook his head.
"Joey…," Kaiba began. Suddenly the brown eyed boy bolted out of the bed and ran into the adjoining bathroom, locking the door. Shortly after, Kaiba heard the sound of the shower running. He sighed sadly, shook his head , and exited the room.
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Yugi arrived at the mansion after school, as he had been doing for the past few days. "How is he today, Kaiba?"
"The same."
Yugi looked up at his dueling rival, the sadness evident in his eyes. "He still hasn't said anything at all?"
"Not unless you count screaming when he wakes up from his nightmares."
Yugi looked even sadder when he heard this response. "Well, I guess I'll go up and see him now."
"Be my guest." Kaiba gestured up the stairs.
Yugi climbed the staircase and walked down the long hallway. When he got to Joey's room, he knocked softly on the door. When there was no response, he took a deep breath, put on his best fake smile, and gently pushed the door open.
Joey was lying on the bed on his side. "Hi Joey!" Yugi called cheerfully. He came around to the side of the bed Joey was lying on, but as he did so, Joey turned the other way so that his back was facing him. Yugi tried not to be fazed by this. "So, how are you doing today?" Yugi found himself cringing at his own voice. Ugh. I sound like some bad kids' TV show host.
He could hear
his Yami chuckling in the background.
// I'm afraid I have to agree you on that one, aibou. //
/ Thanks a lot. /
// You're very welcome, aibou. //
He sighed and sat down next to Joey on the bed. "Hey, Joey, guess what? I've got great news!!" He paused for a moment. The blonde continued to lay there with his back to him. "My grandpa talked to your mom last night. She's looking for a house right here in Domino City! She wants to move up here with Serenity…and you! Isn't that great, Joey? You'll all be a family again!" Yugi waited…he had hoped that this news would elict some type of response from his friend. When there was none, he continued. "Just think, Joey…now you won't have to live so far apart from your sister! You won't have to miss her anymore, Joey….she'll be right there! You'll be able to see her every day!" He paused again. Joey still lay silent on the bed. Yugi's face fell. "Won't you talk to me, Joey? Please?" The only answer he received was more silence. Yugi sighed and shifted slightly.
// Give him time, aibou. He's just had a major shock. He'll come around. //
/ But what if he never does? /
// He will, aibou. You'll see. //
/ I hope you're right, Yami. /
// Be patient, Yugi. I know it's difficult right now, but it will get better. //
/ I hope so./
// It will…trust me.//
Yugi stayed for a while longer, alternating between chatting to his silent friend and his Yami. Finally, he decided it was time to leave. "Well, I've got to go now, Joey….but I'll see you tomorrow, ok?" He paused, still being optimistic. "Well, okay then….bye!" He smiled and waved cheerfully as he left. As soon as he left Joey's room, the smile quickly faded from his face and his large violet eyes reflected the sadness he was feeling once more.
Kaiba caught sight of Yugi descending the stairs. He looked like he'd just lost his best friend, which in a way, he had. "So I take it you didn't have much luck with him, either."
The spiky-haired teen shook his head. "I'm afraid not. I really don't know what to do anymore."
"He'll come around. Just give him time."
Yugi smiled up at the tall CEO. "You know, you sounded just like somebody else I know."
Kaiba raised an eyebrow at this. "Please do NOT tell me I sound like your grandfather."
Yugi chuckled. "No…just…someone else I know. Well, I guess I should be going now. Bye, Kaiba! I'll see you tomorrow!"
"Good-bye, Yugi." Is it just me, or does that kid get weirder every day?
The small teen exited the Kaiba mansion and began heading for home.
// Hm…perhaps there is some hope for Kaiba yet. //
/ There's always hope, Yami. That's why I'm not giving up on Joey. /
// You're so optimistic, aibou….don't ever change that. //
/ I don't plan to. /
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Next chapter is another one that's long on drama….just two more chapters to go folks! Please read and review! Thank you!