To Silence a Nightingale
YA: Honestly, I couldn't stop thinking about this. I couldn't concentrate on anything else, so I thought if I just got this over with then I could finish other important things. It's not like anybody will like this anyway. ^^ So, first before we get started a few warnings. It'll get abusive a little later as Jounouchi tells his story. I don't think they'll be any yaoi in this one but I might throw in some fluff and that's about it. This story will be in Seto's perspective until further notice. Enjoy.
It's been the same for years now. I wake up, go to work, come home and work some more. Occasionally, there would be meetings in other cities or countries for certain matters but it's all the same. The only thing that I feel I live for is my younger brother, Mokuba. He feels as if everything in life has a certain purpose, a reason. He's so full of life; I wonder sometimes why he looks up to me so much? A monotonous life for a hard worker like me. I mentally sigh, my thoughts being pried away from the ringing of the phone.
"Yes? Seto Kaiba speaking." Another executive wanting to be linked to my cooperation. It's not out of the ordinary, rather humdrum actually. I tell myself that I'm bored because now I'm beginning to say words I never thought I'd use. "You would like to meet me downtown? Sure. Alright. It's nice doing business with you." Not! I drop the phone on the hook; such force bounces it off and leaves the dial tone signal blaring. The butler stands at the door, ready for me to announce another meeting to be met.
"It's alright, Jeffery. I'm going to walk today." He nods and goes off to tend to Mokuba. When grabbing my long, blue trench coat, a feeling inside tells me that something is going to be different today but I quickly ignore it. On my way downstairs, past the kitchen, I see Mokuba playing with an airplane along with the television.
"Going now, big brother?" he calls out to me.
"I'll only be gone until the evening." I open to door, pausing to say something more. "Expect me to sit down with you for dinner." I leave him with a smile on his face as I close the door behind me. The walk to downtown wouldn't take me long because I'm a brisk walker. The faster I get there, the faster I can come back home and spend a little time with Mokuba. While passing a street light, I noticed a news box with Jounouchi's face on it. It wasn't one of his better portraits but I assume that it was important due to the fact that he made it to the front page. From sheer curiosity and not from caring, I put a few coins in the slot and grabbed the paper. 'This should be entertaining.' I thought to myself. I'm quite skilled at reading something in my hand and walking to my destination at the same time. What I thought I'd get a good laugh from the paper I read devastating news.
"Katsuya Jounouchi: Missing Child from Streets of Domino." Were the headlines that I read. Missing? How could a child like Jounouchi be missing? I practically see him everywhere. But despite what I thought, my interest was sparked. "Last seen on the first day of summer vacation. What was thought he was visiting his mother in another city, Mr. Jounouchi never received a call from his son in months. Now ends the summer break and still no signs of the young teen from both sides of the family. Investigators are still searching for the lost boy of Domino City." The rest gives quotes from family and friends about his last whereabouts. I pull down the paper from my face a look around to make sure I haven't wondered someplace distant from my destination. To my surprise, I'm already here. I nonchalantly throw the paper in a wastebasket. It's not that I don't care about what happened to him, I actually would like to give my condolences to his friends and family after this meeting which is something that I normally don't do. The secretary greets me and leads me into a separate room. The other CEO's look happy to see me and greet me with friendly faces. What could I do but give into the ritual, although I don't smile that much. It amazed me how it seemed that the main person was just blabbering words. My mind drifted quickly, right into a subject I normally would never pass by. Jounouchi. Now would be the time when I start worrying about him? Why now?
The hairs on the back of my neck began to stand. The same feeling I had earlier when on my way out of the door. The feeling was more urgent this time, like a nagging voice that wouldn't go away. I wanted to explore this feeling; I wanted to explore it even more because the monotone voice of this man was driving me to the brink of insanity.
"Excuse me." I interrupted. "Mind if I take a small break to the bathroom? I'm sure I'll concentrate better of what you're telling me." The man nodded and pointed down the hall. I in return give him a nod of thanks and casually walk out the door. But this feeling isn't leading to the bathroom; it was leading me to a secluded door at the end of the hall. Curiosity again gets the best of me. I feel myself being drawn to the door until I become face to face with it. My hand travels to the knob, yet I hesitate to turn the knob. 'Do it. What's the worst that could happen?' I quietly turn the knob and pull the door opened. Much to my dismay, the door creaked.
"Be quiet you." I muttered. The scene inside is dark, followed by a winding staircase leading down. It isn't intimidating, I'm not afraid of anything. It doesn't take much to frighten me. For all I know, it's probably a stock room anyway. So, traveling down the staircase to a much bigger room. It's empty and dark, until I reach another chamber full of boxes.
"See? I knew it was nothing but junk here." Again, the feeling I had nagged me again. 'Look closer and you shall find.' There was an odd stack of boxes again the wall to the right of me. It looked like a fraud, like the stacked bottles you would see at city fairs. I move them away and sure enough, they all move with each other. There was a door behind the boxes. 'What could they be hiding?' I thought to myself. I didn't hesitate to open the door this time, for my conscience has fallen to the pull of my curiosity. Hmm, another dark room, bigger than the one I was inside before. Only one window illuminated the room, only taking in a streak of sunlight. But what amazed me was when I looked far, far ahead. Something caught my eye and the feeling became stronger. As I edged closer to my target, I stopped and recoiled as it all became clear.
"Jounouchi?" It was him, but he didn't respond to my call. 'Maybe he didn't hear me.' When I moved closer, a foul smell assaulted my nose. It wasn't the smell of a dead corpse, and he was very much alive. From what I can see in the shadows, he was chained and bolted to the wall. The smell got worse when I moved closer to kneel down beside him.
"Jounouchi. Are you awake?" His bowed head lifted slowly, and his eyes met mine. Blood shot from pain and lack of sleep; it was an awful look for him. His face was stained with blood and the salt of his tears. Over his body was nothing except a piece of cloth to cover his inner area. His face was full of questions, a mix between confusion, joy and pain.
"Don't worry. I'm here to help you." The smell, I have gotten used to. From seeing his battered body, it was no longer a concern. I remove my coat and wrap it around him. I saw him flinch and move, leaving me unsure if I hurt him or it was a reflex. "It's okay." I coaxed. In my pocket I pulled out my cellular phone and dialed 911.
"Please get help right away. I found Katsuya Jounouchi!" A frantic sounding woman was on the other line. She was happy, yet she didn't believe I actually found him. "Yes it is him! No you can't talk to him, just get someone over here now!"
"He'll come back."
I was cut short when I heard the raspy voice of the boy below me.
"What did you say?"
"Please, leave now. He'll come back. He'll kill you."
I was relieved that he could speak but at the same time afraid of this person he was referring too. Not afraid of the person per say, but the damage that he's done to Jounouchi. With no time to waste, I grabbed the crowbar and beat the cuffs loose. To my horror, it was slick with fresh blood. I let is slip out of my hands in utter disgust. I still needed to get him free before this person returned. Without a second thought, I pulled a knife out of my pocket and cut through the thick ropes that bound Jounouchi to the wall. One snapped and the other was broken with hardly any effort. The metal cuffs will have to remain on his wrists until later.
"I'm going to lift you up now." I told him. He nodded slightly and I placed my hands under him to take him in my arms. With every move I made, he flinched, very sensitive to touch. And from looking at him he was devastatingly thin. I felt pity for him but it didn't bring me to tears. I knew that he needed care immediately. The police and paramedics met me halfway through the building.
"Please handle him with care." I instructed as I handed him to one of the doctors.
"Thank you Seto Kaiba. You are a hero." I smirked at the remark and watched them carry Jounouchi into the ambulance. With one glance, I saw his eyes peering at me before the doors shut. He looked as if he was trying to reach out to me, or maybe that was my imagination. Walking out the building, I noticed that I was bloodstained at dirty. It would be best to go home and get cleaned up. Never did I know that after today, I would be showered with praise, emotion and especially the love of someone I would have never considering giving my care to.
TBC
YA: Took me a long time to write that. But I hope you enjoyed it. I also hope that you don't mind me using the Japanese names on this story. I think I'll be using them from now on. Now, I'm going to roll on to bed and hibernate.
YA: Honestly, I couldn't stop thinking about this. I couldn't concentrate on anything else, so I thought if I just got this over with then I could finish other important things. It's not like anybody will like this anyway. ^^ So, first before we get started a few warnings. It'll get abusive a little later as Jounouchi tells his story. I don't think they'll be any yaoi in this one but I might throw in some fluff and that's about it. This story will be in Seto's perspective until further notice. Enjoy.
It's been the same for years now. I wake up, go to work, come home and work some more. Occasionally, there would be meetings in other cities or countries for certain matters but it's all the same. The only thing that I feel I live for is my younger brother, Mokuba. He feels as if everything in life has a certain purpose, a reason. He's so full of life; I wonder sometimes why he looks up to me so much? A monotonous life for a hard worker like me. I mentally sigh, my thoughts being pried away from the ringing of the phone.
"Yes? Seto Kaiba speaking." Another executive wanting to be linked to my cooperation. It's not out of the ordinary, rather humdrum actually. I tell myself that I'm bored because now I'm beginning to say words I never thought I'd use. "You would like to meet me downtown? Sure. Alright. It's nice doing business with you." Not! I drop the phone on the hook; such force bounces it off and leaves the dial tone signal blaring. The butler stands at the door, ready for me to announce another meeting to be met.
"It's alright, Jeffery. I'm going to walk today." He nods and goes off to tend to Mokuba. When grabbing my long, blue trench coat, a feeling inside tells me that something is going to be different today but I quickly ignore it. On my way downstairs, past the kitchen, I see Mokuba playing with an airplane along with the television.
"Going now, big brother?" he calls out to me.
"I'll only be gone until the evening." I open to door, pausing to say something more. "Expect me to sit down with you for dinner." I leave him with a smile on his face as I close the door behind me. The walk to downtown wouldn't take me long because I'm a brisk walker. The faster I get there, the faster I can come back home and spend a little time with Mokuba. While passing a street light, I noticed a news box with Jounouchi's face on it. It wasn't one of his better portraits but I assume that it was important due to the fact that he made it to the front page. From sheer curiosity and not from caring, I put a few coins in the slot and grabbed the paper. 'This should be entertaining.' I thought to myself. I'm quite skilled at reading something in my hand and walking to my destination at the same time. What I thought I'd get a good laugh from the paper I read devastating news.
"Katsuya Jounouchi: Missing Child from Streets of Domino." Were the headlines that I read. Missing? How could a child like Jounouchi be missing? I practically see him everywhere. But despite what I thought, my interest was sparked. "Last seen on the first day of summer vacation. What was thought he was visiting his mother in another city, Mr. Jounouchi never received a call from his son in months. Now ends the summer break and still no signs of the young teen from both sides of the family. Investigators are still searching for the lost boy of Domino City." The rest gives quotes from family and friends about his last whereabouts. I pull down the paper from my face a look around to make sure I haven't wondered someplace distant from my destination. To my surprise, I'm already here. I nonchalantly throw the paper in a wastebasket. It's not that I don't care about what happened to him, I actually would like to give my condolences to his friends and family after this meeting which is something that I normally don't do. The secretary greets me and leads me into a separate room. The other CEO's look happy to see me and greet me with friendly faces. What could I do but give into the ritual, although I don't smile that much. It amazed me how it seemed that the main person was just blabbering words. My mind drifted quickly, right into a subject I normally would never pass by. Jounouchi. Now would be the time when I start worrying about him? Why now?
The hairs on the back of my neck began to stand. The same feeling I had earlier when on my way out of the door. The feeling was more urgent this time, like a nagging voice that wouldn't go away. I wanted to explore this feeling; I wanted to explore it even more because the monotone voice of this man was driving me to the brink of insanity.
"Excuse me." I interrupted. "Mind if I take a small break to the bathroom? I'm sure I'll concentrate better of what you're telling me." The man nodded and pointed down the hall. I in return give him a nod of thanks and casually walk out the door. But this feeling isn't leading to the bathroom; it was leading me to a secluded door at the end of the hall. Curiosity again gets the best of me. I feel myself being drawn to the door until I become face to face with it. My hand travels to the knob, yet I hesitate to turn the knob. 'Do it. What's the worst that could happen?' I quietly turn the knob and pull the door opened. Much to my dismay, the door creaked.
"Be quiet you." I muttered. The scene inside is dark, followed by a winding staircase leading down. It isn't intimidating, I'm not afraid of anything. It doesn't take much to frighten me. For all I know, it's probably a stock room anyway. So, traveling down the staircase to a much bigger room. It's empty and dark, until I reach another chamber full of boxes.
"See? I knew it was nothing but junk here." Again, the feeling I had nagged me again. 'Look closer and you shall find.' There was an odd stack of boxes again the wall to the right of me. It looked like a fraud, like the stacked bottles you would see at city fairs. I move them away and sure enough, they all move with each other. There was a door behind the boxes. 'What could they be hiding?' I thought to myself. I didn't hesitate to open the door this time, for my conscience has fallen to the pull of my curiosity. Hmm, another dark room, bigger than the one I was inside before. Only one window illuminated the room, only taking in a streak of sunlight. But what amazed me was when I looked far, far ahead. Something caught my eye and the feeling became stronger. As I edged closer to my target, I stopped and recoiled as it all became clear.
"Jounouchi?" It was him, but he didn't respond to my call. 'Maybe he didn't hear me.' When I moved closer, a foul smell assaulted my nose. It wasn't the smell of a dead corpse, and he was very much alive. From what I can see in the shadows, he was chained and bolted to the wall. The smell got worse when I moved closer to kneel down beside him.
"Jounouchi. Are you awake?" His bowed head lifted slowly, and his eyes met mine. Blood shot from pain and lack of sleep; it was an awful look for him. His face was stained with blood and the salt of his tears. Over his body was nothing except a piece of cloth to cover his inner area. His face was full of questions, a mix between confusion, joy and pain.
"Don't worry. I'm here to help you." The smell, I have gotten used to. From seeing his battered body, it was no longer a concern. I remove my coat and wrap it around him. I saw him flinch and move, leaving me unsure if I hurt him or it was a reflex. "It's okay." I coaxed. In my pocket I pulled out my cellular phone and dialed 911.
"Please get help right away. I found Katsuya Jounouchi!" A frantic sounding woman was on the other line. She was happy, yet she didn't believe I actually found him. "Yes it is him! No you can't talk to him, just get someone over here now!"
"He'll come back."
I was cut short when I heard the raspy voice of the boy below me.
"What did you say?"
"Please, leave now. He'll come back. He'll kill you."
I was relieved that he could speak but at the same time afraid of this person he was referring too. Not afraid of the person per say, but the damage that he's done to Jounouchi. With no time to waste, I grabbed the crowbar and beat the cuffs loose. To my horror, it was slick with fresh blood. I let is slip out of my hands in utter disgust. I still needed to get him free before this person returned. Without a second thought, I pulled a knife out of my pocket and cut through the thick ropes that bound Jounouchi to the wall. One snapped and the other was broken with hardly any effort. The metal cuffs will have to remain on his wrists until later.
"I'm going to lift you up now." I told him. He nodded slightly and I placed my hands under him to take him in my arms. With every move I made, he flinched, very sensitive to touch. And from looking at him he was devastatingly thin. I felt pity for him but it didn't bring me to tears. I knew that he needed care immediately. The police and paramedics met me halfway through the building.
"Please handle him with care." I instructed as I handed him to one of the doctors.
"Thank you Seto Kaiba. You are a hero." I smirked at the remark and watched them carry Jounouchi into the ambulance. With one glance, I saw his eyes peering at me before the doors shut. He looked as if he was trying to reach out to me, or maybe that was my imagination. Walking out the building, I noticed that I was bloodstained at dirty. It would be best to go home and get cleaned up. Never did I know that after today, I would be showered with praise, emotion and especially the love of someone I would have never considering giving my care to.
TBC
YA: Took me a long time to write that. But I hope you enjoyed it. I also hope that you don't mind me using the Japanese names on this story. I think I'll be using them from now on. Now, I'm going to roll on to bed and hibernate.