On My Own
Chapter 8
Author Notes: Favorite number for a pretty decent chapter. And more references. I can't wait, as this the beginning...of a new arc lol. Time to get started, I do not own Yugioh!
3rd P.O.V
It was good to be out and about again. "Cheers~" Though Yusei didn't think that it such a big deal that his friends had to kidnap him to go to their favorite food joint to celebrate. "How's it feel to be a free man again Yus?" Tank especially was giddy as he chugged his soda, sighing in satisfaction.
It's been way too long since they've had a get together like this! "I don't know about being free. But the fact the cast is off is enough for me." He takes a small sip of his water, wincing slightly as he felt a twitch in his leg.
"Don't think you can go back to working yourself to death Yusei." He knew that all too well, so he didn't bother commenting at Blitz's statement or his suspicious stare. He had come too far to risk getting his ass chewed out by the doctor and everyone else.
Still, he was eager to officially get back into business. Being forced to take it easy was hardly relaxing, as strange as that sounds. If anything he was downright anxious. His fingers itching to touch his tools and work his magic.
But he could hold on just a bit longer to get the thumbs up. Footsteps approaching puts a slight pause on the conversation as Nervin offers a small smile and wave at their favorite waitress. "Hey Bella. How are you today?" The girl offers them all a warm smile as she comes with their plates.
"It's going good. Gotta say I was surprised to find you all walk in. I hardly see any of you anymore." Rally grins, his eyes widening in childish wonder as his lunch is presented to him. "Sorry bout that. You know how it goes here."
The young woman could only nod in understanding. Still it was a nice change from the assholes her and her mother usually dealt with. Though Yubel didn't tolerate anyone pulling shit, some customers were more welcome then others.
And this group of gents were on the top of her love list. "Doesn't mean you can't drop by. Mom nearly set the kitchen on fire when she found out you came. If we weren't so busy dealing with the lunch rush, she'd come and give each of you her infamous death hugs." All of them shudder.
Knowing the truth of that statement, the last thing they needed was having a broken back. Yusei especially. "Thank goodness for that." Bella laughed for a moment, bidding them to enjoy their meal before shoving off to another customer.
"See ya in a bit!" Not even a minute after sending the teen off with a kind farewell did the small group of five dig into their meal. Practically inhaling the piping hot food within a matter of minutes. A rare treat to be sure. "So I take it Crow already left to go see his siblings?"
Swallowing the last bits of his food, the still slightly injured man nods at Nervin's question. "Yeah, he spent the night at Zora's and apparently left at dawn this morning. He promised to stay in touch." Unlike before he expected the ginger to actually do it this time.
It helped that they were on good terms now. "Is it true he's part of the underground rings?" It was a question that was on Tank's mind since the whole explanation for his disappearance came out in the open.
"Yep, he's been doing it for years now." Actually, him, Jack and Kalim all were in the underground rings, not that Yusei bothered mentioning it. They all were well aware of Jack considering he's the champion. The 'Master of Faster' as he likes to call himself.
Though Kalin was a surprise to find involved. He was always more on the morally correct side, not one to really like breaking the law(not that it stopped him from throwing a punch when protecting an innocent against someone like Jerry.)
Still, it explained his sudden vanishing act. "He better be careful. Trudge from the sounds of it is cracking down on both his cops and those involved in the ring. No doubt it's only a matter of time before he's able to find their location and clean them out."
Blitz got a call from his cousin the other day, giving him a heads up on the fact, not that it really was a concern to him. No one he knew other then Crow was involved. Frankly he had bigger things to worry about.
"Speaking of 'finding locations.' Any news on Miss. Setsuko's missing daughter?" The mechanic could only sigh, resting his head on the table. "I'll take that as a solid no..." Yusei, Blitz and Nervin all rolled their eyes.
But it was Rally that answered for them. "No duh Tank. Of course not." It was a shock to everyone when they found out why the rich, kind New Domino civilian was in the Satellite in the first place. The Izayoi heiress had been missing the last year or so.
Her parents, alongside the police had been searching high and low for the young woman, only to reach dead ends in New Domino. Not wanting to give up, she decided to check the other side of town, regardless of the potential danger she could be put in.
"I helped put up some of the posters Mrs. Izayoi had on hand on Saint Martha's with my number for any news but no luck." Despite there being many wonderful, honest people living here, there were also a ton of assholes and scammers.
So though he didn't mention any of the sort, Yusei put his number on the fliers so he can act as a filter for the broken family. Last thing either Hideo or his wife needed was for someone to try and take advantage of their desperation to make a quick buck. "Playing detective Yusei? Aren't you busy enough?"
The individual in question only sipped his drink. He wasn't denying, nor admitting it. But if there was someone missing and he could do something to help, he'd do it. If it was Rally or one of his friends missing, he'd want as much ground covered as possible so his love ones could return safe and sound.
Lord only knew how badly Yusei wanted any sort of his news on his father when he was younger. It was far too late for any hope on his old man to return to him, but that didn't mean it had to happen to the Izayoi's. Especially with the kindness of them paying for his medical bills.
Even if they state it was payment for Yusei helping them first, it still meant a lot to him. He only wished he could do more. "So any big plans after this?" Rally was giving him a look. One that pointedly showed he was Not happy.
Still Yusei chose to ignore it as he answered. "I got an appointment with a new customer before getting the house straightened up for Rally's birthday in a couple days." Now his younger brother was glaring harshly at him in disapproval.
Fortunately before he could protest(more like manipulate his friends into getting him to change the subject) Bella returned to take away their dishes, giving each of them a smile. "Don't bother getting your wallets out boys. Mom said these were on the house."
There were cheers on all sides as the young teen walked away with her trays. Still that didn't stop them from giving a generous tip in the jar in front of the kitchen window as they made their way out. "Come again boys! This time with bigger appetites~" They laugh as Yubel waves them off.
Wishing them well. "Welp till next time guys. Take good care of Yus Rally!" It's now become a joke. "Will do~" One that the elder brother in question wasn't sure if he should be amused or annoyed with. "Bye guys." The siblings walk together in content silence back to their home, separating from their friends.
Though that quickly ends as Rally gives a small scowl his guardian's way. "We're not doing a party to celebrate Yusei." The redhead watches him frown at the statement, time for the daily brother bicker to start yet again.
"Why not? You used to love the little parties we would throw every year. Especially since it meant more food. It would be no different then today." That was true, usually it was Yusei, the guys, Rally, maybe Zora, her son and Doctor Anderson and his husband.
Nothing too big or overwhelming. However there was one important person missing. Someone he's missed the last couple years now. "Martha won't be there. It's not the same." He painfully realized that last year.
Knowing that kind, loving maternal smile and hug won't be there to greet him when he wakes up. "I know it's not. But she'd have our heads if we didn't try to make life worth living. She'd want you to celebrate. I'm sure she'd love to hear about what we've been doing between visits."
The sixteen year old kicks a pebble in thought. "Do you think she can hear us?" It was common for the two to chat to her at her gravestone as if she were there listening. But she was dead. There was no reason to really do it.
"I think so. Whether others believe it or not doesn't matter to me. When I see her, I feel at peace. I want to think she's still watching over us. Which is also why i'm doing my utmost to not push my luck and make my injury worse..." At that Rally snickers.
The both of them could clearly imagine their adopted mother groaning, ready to lecture the hell out of Yusei for being so stubborn and stupid to get injured the way he did. If it wasn't for the fact it was logically impossible, the two would've expected the ex nurse to dig herself out of her grave looking angry.
Defy death itself just to yank on his cheek or ear in frustration the moment Trudge ratted him out. "In that case...I wanna see her first thing in the morning. I want all of us to be together for my birthday first and foremost. Just like we used to. With Martha's signature chicken pot pie."
A strong hand suddenly ruffles the curly red locks. "Hey stop that!" Rally growls as he looks up, seeing his brother offer him a soft smile. "You got it." His poor tangled mop was released. Allowing for the two to continue their walk peacefully.
At least until they reached the front of their home. "Expecting anyone Yusei?" With narrowed blue eyes, he shakes his head. "Not for another hour at least." Immediately the two were on high alert with the two black cars parked in front of the shop.
"Yusei Fudo?" Both bristled as a few men in suits come out from the cars. "Who wants to know?" Though he asked, Yusei already had a good idea who these mysterious men in black were. "Alright you guys need to back off. You're not making this any less tense then it has to be."
Especially since he recognized the supposed leader of this group. It was hard to forget his face. Though it's been years and he wasn't wearing a suit unlike last time. "Been awhile Yusei. How are things going?" Rally furrowed his eyebrows as he looked back and forth between the two.
Watching his brother narrow his eyes in suspicion. "What do you want Blister?" The man in question pulled a cigarette out, ignoring the siblings for a minute so he could light up to get some nicotine in his system.
"That's J-IPA Agent Blister to you kid. Mind if we take this conversation inside? There's something I need to discuss with you. And before you ask...no, we can't hold this off or do another day. It's important."
Well...it wasn't like they really had much of a choice but to let their surprise guests inside their home.
to be continued
Author Notes: Here we go. Belladonna and Yubel from His Silent Scream, a nice little chit chat chapter between the group of boys. As well as get ready for the real...conflict of the story-so to speak. I tend to change my story formulas the more I jump into the fandom with stories...
But this one I'm going to blame Sen for if people don't like it. But that is it for now folks. Thank you all for reading~ If you like this series so far please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean so much for me, tchao for now.