No Such Thing as Coincidence
Chapter XXI: The Other Side
Jack slept fitfully. He couldn't get that image out of his mind… He wanted Yusei back; NOW! However…
The group had been caught, not by the Emperors, but by Yeager. The clown-like man was very cryptic with his story. However, Kris felt it safe to go with him, so they did. And so far, nothing of note had happened. They hadn't found Yusei or Ayano; as far as Jack knew.
Yet Yeager seemed positive that they had escaped the Emperor's compound. How? The clown wouldn't tell them, but he said they would begin the search within the next week.
"Give the half-breeds time to adjust to their new surroundings."
Finally fed-up with tossing and turning with no results, Jack got out of bed and, pulling a robe around his pajamas, walked to the living space within the house Yeager had them in.
As Jack entered the room, he heard Yeager on the phone. He slowed his pace to listen to the conversation without the clown noticing his entry.
"Yes. I see… So you have planted that seed… Good. Please see to it that they make it there. Good. And they were there? Oh dear. But they left? Good. Yes, thank you. Good night."
The one-sided conversation did nothing to ease Jack's growing tension in his stomach.
Yeager hung the phone up and turned to see Jack standing behind him.
"What was that about?" Jack asked the clown-like man.
"Just checking in that the plan is running smoothly," Yeager answered, letting out his annoyingly high-pitched laugh.
"What plan?" asked Jack, his irritation and built-up sexual tension making his voice aggressive.
"We'll be headed towards the Arena in the next few days," Yeager said.
"Arena?"
"Yes. A place that's formed recently where half-breeds fight and humans bid on their performances. It's an underground black market. The trading and buying of half-breeds along with gambling on the winners of each round, you know…"
"Such things exist in Neo Domino?"
Yeager giggled. "Yes. I see there's much you still need to learn."
Ignoring Yeager's comment, Jack asked: "and Yusei and Ayano will be going to this 'Arena' place? Why?" He hated being left in the dark.
"Yes. You are still Yusei's Master and Ayano is still tied to Yusei. Ayano has a strong sense of ownership and will drag Yusei with her to find you. I had an associate of mine plant the information that you will be at the Arena later this week. Ayano will bring Yusei and once we find them, we can bring them home."
This time, Yeager didn't laugh after his sentence, which threw Jack for a loop.
"Everything alright?" the sleepy voice of Kris asked from the stairs.
"Yeah," Jack said. "We're just discussing bringing Yusei and Ayano home."
Kris tilted her head to the side. "Good," she answered as she registered what was said. "Do we know where they are now?"
"No, but we'll find them soon," Jack answered. "No need to worry."
"Good," Kris repeated, yawning.
"Can't sleep?" Jack asked as Kris wandered over to him. Yeager had vanished down a hallway, leaving Kris and Jack alone.
"Nope."
"Why's that?"
"I'm worried." Kris looked at Jack, something close to fear in her eyes. "I'm worried about Ayano and Yusei. That man said they're safe, but are they really? If they escaped the Emperor's, then the Emperor's will search to find them. We won't be the only ones looking for them. Plus, Ayano is a very rare breed with a very rare power. Someone will probably try to pay a high price for her. I doubt Yusei will let that happen though." Kris chuckled a bit, but went back to being serious. "I'm worried because I care."
"We all do, Kris," Jack said, pulling her into a hug. "And I assure you that Yusei and Ayano will return safely home."
"But where is that home?" Kris asked, clinging to Jack's clothing. "If Ayano and Yusei are headed to the Arena, then…"
"What do you know about the Arena?" asked Jack, embracing Kris tightly.
"It's an underground trading system, a black market, where humans bid on and buy half-breeds based on performances in the fighting arena. However, Ayano is completely against violence. To think she would willingly step foot into a place like that again…"
"Again?"
Kris went silent, her forehead leaning against Jack's chest.
"How did you meet Ayano?" Jack asked, stirring the uncomfortable silence.
Inhaling before speaking, Kris took a moment to breathe. "I met Ayano after she'd escaped the second time and before she'd met Yusei. It was a brief exchange; I was trading around her territory when I saw her walk out of the trees. She was in her human form and she walked up to me after I'd finished my trading and asked if I could sell her some clothes. She pulled out a ruby and asked if that would be payment enough. I could tell she was special, so I agreed and gave her some clothes.
"Ayano was… different from the start. Almost as if she'd never interacted with anyone else before. Her vocabulary was very formal and her posture was proper." Kris smiled. "I'm glad I was able to meet her again."
"Back up a bit," Jack said. "You said 'the second time she escaped'... what does that mean? How do you know?"
Kris bit her lower lip. "I-I didn't want to tell you this…"
"Doesn't matter. Please tell me."
Shuddering in Jack's embrace, Kris sighed. "I-I used to work for the Emperors."