Amnesiac Dreams

XXIV. The Ripples Before A Storm

Jounouchi studied his phone intently as they exited the store. It was very thin with a large screen. Mai had gone over the various functions of the fancy phone, quite a few times already. "I still feel like its way too good for me to handle. Mai you really shouldn't have demanded the best." He tapped on his contacts and smiled at the many names she had entered in for him. Seto Kaiba's name sent a chill throughout him. Mai lead the way across the street toward a nearby smoothie shop.

"Don't worry about that. Your phone is in an indestructible case, if its does break they will replace it. Nothing is too good for you Jounouchi. You and the others have done so much for me... This is the least I can do for you, hon."

The male nodded slowly. "Thanks Mai. This is beyond nice. I can be in contact with all of you now without havin' to worry I'm bothering someone or rules over when and who I can call - just a lot of different things that kept me from talkin' to you. It's amazing how everyone is just a button tap away. Phones are pretty amazing, why didn't I ever get one before?" The last part was asked more to himself. 'Heh, but I probably couldn't afford it.'

She opened the doors and gestured him in. Jounouchi looked about the small establishment. They had a wide variety of smoothies written on signs hanging on every wall. They walked over to the small line of people. "They are handy aren't they? I suppose you never really needed one back then. You were always with Yugi and the others - and you could use your phone at home whenever you wanted." Her eyes danced with amusement. "Your dad and you didn't have stuffy rules or requirements for living. And he definitely didn't bar you from your friends." Mai shook her head and held up her arms. "Sorry that was uncalled for. I didn't mean to bring up your Mother, considering her and I don't particularly see eye to eye on many things. So... just forget what I said."

Jounouchi smiled warmly. "It's okay, Mai. She makes it hard to be comfortable around and even harder to like. But yeah let's not talk about her right now... But, I am curious over what you said about me and my dad just now." He started hesitant. He wanted to know more about him, all the things he read on him and the picture Kaiba had so thankfully given to him only fueled his desire to know his father more. With all his heart he didn't believe his dad would try to kill him.

They were at the front now. Mai turned to the clerk and gave the employee their order. "They have some amazing smoothies here. You'll love'em." She assured him. They moved down to the register counter and she paid for the drinks. They stood to the side to wait. "You and your dad huh? I had to hear it from the news that he's accused of orchestrating the shooting. I was also asked not to say anything about him for your own good." She replied honestly. "No one wants to cause you unnecessary strife. And if your Father really is involved..."

The blond pouted defeated. "I-I see." 'What is the big deal? Does everyone really believe he's guilty? Is he a horrible person like mom says? I mean even Shizuka is unsure...' "So I guess you can't tell me anything either."

Mai's features softened a bit. 'I can only imagine what you're thinking right now. No one wants to hurt you. Yet, as I thought, that is what they're doing.' "Hon, I can't stand to see you like this." An employee brought them their drinks. She thanked him and returned her attention to the other. "Come on, let's sit over at the booth in the corner." They did just that and she handed him his smoothie. "You know they love you Jounouchi. We all do. When it comes to your father they don't know what to think. Yugi and the others only know that your father was very neglectful and cruel to you in the past. But aside from a vague understanding that's all they know of him. You worked very hard to keep them from ever meeting him because of this. You didn't want any of us to feel bad for you or for us to get caught up in the drama."

Jounouchi nodded slowly. "My dad has gotten into a lot of trouble with alcohol and drugs. I saw some old police files on him." His eyes fell downcast. "I recovered some memories of us, I looked a bit younger than I am now but they weren't really pleasant. But do you think my dad would do this to me? Please tell me if you know anything about my dad - my relationship with him before all of this happened. I tried asking Honda but he doesn't think I need to know." He questioned, his dark browns desperately bearing into her. "I need to know Mai. Please don't leave me in the dark."

She put her hand to her head, sighing heavily. "I feel I am gonna get a lecture later but.. I do believe you deserve to know. I can't say much for your time before I met you because I've only heard bits and pieces here and there. I know it was pretty rough for a long time. He had some terrible habits and you were involved in a gang for a while there. You made friends with Honda and were troublemakers causing all kinds of problems." She shook her head. "We have had a pretty crazy past, so everything I know are from conversations we had over the phone or the rare visits when I was in Domino." She took a gulp of her smoothie and swallowed. "I met your dad several times and he was a bit rough but overall sweet and good-natured. You used to get a bit tense in the beginning and acted a little embarrassed but after a few visits more, you seemed pretty okay with me talking to him."

"... Do you think he could... That he would be capable of planning a school shooting and try to kill me?"

"I only spoke with him a handful of times when I went to see you so I can't determine how he truly is but from what you've told me... About how much had changed between you and him. You told me once that for the first time you were able to talk to him, ask for advice and help - that you truly felt connected like a father and son should be." She smiled fondly of the memory. "The warmth you had on your face when you told me that, was so sweet and sincere. Hon, I can't see someone that made you say those things about them, do something like this. I can't say for sure but in my heart of hearts, I don't believe it."

Jounouchi took a deep breath. "I see." The blond sighed heavily. "But... Someone wanted me dead." He murmured.

Mai put her hand over his, "I'm sorry I couldn't give you a more definite answer."

He smiled with a slow shake of his head. "No, Mai. Thank you for what you said. I appreciate it greatly. I have this feeling that he didn't do this. Someone is framing him but with all these secrets about him being a horrible person, it's nice to hear my relationship with him was good. Hearing your opinion means a lot. You and Kaiba are both honest and have really been good to me. If I could just see my dad and actually talk to him. Maybe I could remember what caused all of this to happen but... I'm kinda scared to face him."

Mai's expression softened. "I am sure. You aren't a hundred percent certain about this whole affair and have no idea why this gang would want you dead after all this time. It is frustrating and scary."

He nodded slowly. "Yeah... But in all honesty that isn't what I'm worried about." She gave him a puzzled look. "How can I explain it? I feel like we had an argument before all of this started, a big one. Or at least something happened between us. I am near certain he wasn't part of the shooting. But I think we still had a falling out. I have this memory of us that seemed so painful. Like it still stung to remember now and... some memories I have between Kaiba and me..." He put his hand to his head as it began to throb. "For some reason my uneasiness in those memories feel linked to the one I have of my dad and I arguing. I can feel that it does, y'know? Like I did something so terrible it caused him to hate me."

She put her finger to her chin and it grew quiet momentarily. "And you have no idea what it was about?" He shook his head.

"The only thing..."

Her eyes fixated on his hesitant browns. "What is it, hon?"

"It was just that.. I remember him yelling at me to get something out of the house. Like whatever I had in my room that he saw was so terrible he just erupted in anger. He just kept saying to get it out and he didn't want to talk about it. He said he was disgusted with me." He relayed to her quietly.

"I-I see. Well, love, I don't really know what could have possibly happened." He nodded in understanding. "But I will see what I can come up with for you. I want to help you in any way I can." She assured.

"Thanks Mai. I don't know what all you can do but anything you can find will be a great help."

"Of course. I will even get Kaiba to do some digging and we'll get to the bottom of this together. So rest easy. With both of us on the case you have nothing to worry about." She winked.

His stomach churned as a previous thought resurfaced. He paled a little, "Uh, s-speaking of Kaiba... Are you- is he your... Are you two, like y'know, a couple? You're always together and you even stay at his house. I mean that is great for you two if you are... You're both fantastic people and I was.. just curious."

Mai's face was frozen as the words "are you two a couple" hit her. Seconds past and then suddenly she burst into a large fit of laughter that left Jounouchi utterly confused. She clutched her stomach and hit the table with her other hand trapped in hysterics over the ridiculousness of the question.

Kaiba walked into the small room and waited for Kamuio Jounouchi to enter. He had decided to try speaking with the man again and interestingly enough, had learned Shizuka had visited her father. 'Strange. I don't believe the mutt's mother would allow such a thing. I guess she doesn't have such a tight reign on her family after all.' It was a fleeting thought but it lifted his mood a bit to know she didn't always get her way.

He saw two security guards walk in with Kamuio in tow. One of the guards approached the brunet, "Mr. Kaiba are you sure this is what you want? We have rooms better suited for visiting-"

"No. I don't believe this man will cause a scene, and I'm not worried about any harm befalling me. On that note, I am also aware and acknowledge that if any harm comes to me, the blame is entirely my own." The guard backed up and nodded slowly, hesitance still present on his features. Kaiba didn't like the visitor rooms with the window in-between and talking through a phone that who knows how many people have used.

"What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to leave me be?" The man's voice was grim and short. He sat down at the small table in the middle. Kaiba approached and sat across from him.

The brunet offered him no response, instead he continued on to the point of his visit. "You didn't plot this attack on the school, or the hit on your son. Yet the people that attacked made a point to pin it on you - they wanted your son to believe you were out to kill him. I want to know why." The man was silent. A minute or so went by, Kaiba glared in annoyance. "You had a visit with your daughter - so you should know he is very much alive. If you want him to stay that way, I need you to tell me everything you know."

The man took a deep breath. "I know they will. But what can I do? I've already put him in this situation."

The CEO sighed. "Well then we need to get him out of it. Do you want him to die?"

"Of course not!" He exclaimed in frustration. His expression softened. "Of course not. When Shizuka told me he was alive... I-I was beside myself. My boy is alive, he's alright." He relayed in deep relief.

The other was feeling rather irritated. He understood the emotional rollercoaster the man must've been experiencing but he didn't have time for this. Nor was he the one needing to console this Jounouchi for certain. One emotional mutt is enough. "Right. But they will surely be after him for some reason. I need you to think hard and tell me why they could possibly be targeting him."

The older nodded slowly. "It's a long story but Kaiba-boy I will tell you everything from the beginning. I can tell you want to help him, it's in your eyes. And if you can truly protect my son, I will do all in my power to make this right." He replied honestly.

Kaiba cringed at the suffix 'boy' added to his name but shook it off. He was actually surprised the other was suddenly so compliant. But whatever the reason for the older Jounouchi trusting him, he was grateful for it. It was kind of funny when he thought about it. 'Heh. What is it with both Jounouchi's trusting me so readily? I guess the apple doesn't fall that far from the tree...'

"Sounds like fun. If you guys want, once we meet up with Mai we can grab a bite at my work. The guys said it's on the house and they welcome all of you to join." Ryou chimed in. Yugi had just got through explaining the plan after school.

"Hey, well I ain't gonna pass up free food." Honda replied as he leaned his elbow on Otogi's shoulder. "I'm in. And Jounouchi won't say no either I'm sure. What about you Mr. Crabby Pants?" He asked towards the DDM Creator.

The named glared and effectively pulled away from the other. "Well-"

Ryou chuckled. "Of course he is. We were already planning on eating there after school. Right Otogi?" The soft-spoken teen chimed in for him.

The dice-thrower forced a weak smile across his face. 'For being so quiet and in the background he sure has been quite the chatterbox today.' "Right..." 'Oh well. At least it won't just be me with all of these strangers and Ryou.' Again he didn't mind Ryou but he just didn't feel comfortable around the fair-headed teen.

Yugi smiled, "Sounds good. I've been wanting to see where you work, Anzu says the food is amazing. And the service is fantastic."

"It is. I don't think I have ever met a friendlier staff - every time I go, no matter who my waiter is, excellent service. You guys will love the place, although are you sure you want this idiot," she pointed over to Honda who was trying to put Otogi in a headlock, with the other putting up quite the protest. "...in a place like that?"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Honda pouted, stopping his assault.

"Urgh! She means you're an absolute moron!" Otogi huffed and crossed his arms against his chest. "You would only embarrass Ryou with your crude behavior." He furthered.

"Aha, aw you two are too hard on him." Ryou gave the pointy-haired brunet a half-hearted smile, "A lot of the guys can get rowdy and rambunctious there too. They just know when and when not to be so. I really think all of you will get along with them just fine." He insisted.

"Oh I was just kidding around, Ryou. I'm sure it will be a lot of fun. Alright guys, I guess we better get to our last classes. I'm surprised no one came looking for us though. I mean we all skipped at the same time."

"I'm more surprised you skipped Anzu. I mean doesn't this go against your whole like code?" Honda cut in.

"Yeah you are a bit of a goody-two-shoes." Otogi added with a light smirk.

Yugi couldn't help but chuckle lightly. She gave him in particular a hurt pout. Turning back to the others she glared, "Of course it does. If one of you knuckleheads had asked me to do so, I wouldn't have. But I know Yugi wouldn't ask unless it was important, which it was. Anyway, we should at least attend our last classes. I also need to inform my club I won't be in today." The last part muttered mostly to herself. They all quietly made their way, one by one, out of the broom closet and dispersed. They waited for the bell to signal the end of the current class and blended into the hall filling with students on their way to next class.