YA: Must work on other fanfics! Gah! People will kill themselves if I delay
any longer but I swear I can't put this down! Must help poor Jounouchi! But
for the most part, I'm glad plenty likes this story! And just so you know,
you'll get to know who did this to Jounouchi. I'm pretty sure most of you
have guessed already but don't spoil it for others and yourself in case you
are wrong. This chapter is a little long, so grab some popcorn and a box of
Kleenex. Enjoy.
Leev: All, thanks for telling me that Seto is not being OOC. I'm sure that he's gotten a little sappy, but expect him to get even sappier. ^___^
Yugi Moto: ^___^ Perfect? This story is far from perfect but I'll take that compliment anyway! *whistles* Give me more comments!
Blue Lagoon: Oh yes, you'll get to kill this person. You'll get first dibs! But for now, put down your gun. It's coming!
Li: I like Seto and Jounouchi too! Must make more soon featuring them!
Amunra: Yep, this is more drama than angst. I'll fix that! ^___^
Heavy lids of my eyes suddenly lighten up. I forgot what happened, where I was and who I was holding. Reality set in as I looked down into the mass of dirty blond hair. He didn't sleep, I could tell. Motionless, he continues to stare at the walls. I wonder what he's thinking, perhaps trying to figure out how to get to sleep. Or maybe when he closes his eyes even for a second his mind flashes back to the exploitation. That would explain why he doesn't blink.
I move to get more comfortable but he cringes. Although he put his trust in me, it's obvious that he's still sensitive to my touch. Or any touch for that matter, even the feel of the sheets hurts him. I lower my head so it's the same level as his.
"I have to take Mokuba home." His eyes drop in disappointment. Perhaps he thinks I'm going to leave him. "If you want, I can come back. It won't take me long, I promise." I've been making a lot of promises lately. Anything to make him stay strong and optimistically return back to the Jounouchi I knew before. I gently, so very gently, placed him beside me so I can remove myself from the bed. He curled into a tight ball, nearly disappearing under the sheets. "I'll be back in 30 minutes."
Shutting to door behind me, I signaled a nurse to come my way. Saying it only below the tone of a whisper, I told her to make sure he wasn't to be disturbed. She looked at me as if she was being threatened. Whatever it took to make sure Jounouchi was safe, even if it means getting physical. I see Mokuba, lying on the same chair I left him in. Fortunately, someone was nice enough to give him a blanket. As I looked at my watch, it was way past his bedtime (which is usually nine) it's now 11:30. Kneeling down, I shake him gently.
"Mokuba. Mokuba? I'm taking you home." He stirred and rubbed his eyes.
"It's about time." He muttered.
"I'll have to come back after I drop you off. Go straight to bed."
"You think I'd do something else? Unlike you, I have school tomorrow." It was apparent he was cranky. I slung him over my back in a playful manner, making him groan of frustration. What I didn't know was outside the presses were still looking for me. Once the doors of the main hall were opened they came rushing in, completely surrounded me like the previous time.
"Mr. Kaiba? What are you feelings of finding young Jounouchi?" Well, if it'll get these crazy people away from me, I'll answer some of their questions.
"I'm relieved to know that he is fine and going to live."
"How on Earth were you able to find him?"
"I got lost when going to the bathroom and stumbled into another room where he happened to be." Liar. Some feeling lured me into the dark depths of the underworld to rescue the poor soul. I still can't quite describe the feeling the pulled me to find him but it left me content, another feeling I rarely have unless it deals with power. The crowed "oohed" and "awed" by my answer.
"You are a hero Mr. Kaiba!" I snorted a laugh.
"I rarely think so." I prefer to be feared by every living man on the planet, not to be "goosed" on by everyone else. "If you'll excuse me, I have to take my younger brother home. Thanks for allowing your time." Or wasting my time answering stupid questions. Behind me, I could still hear them calling out to me as I rush in the car. I knock on the window to signal the driver.
"Where to Mr. Kaiba?"
"Home, Michael. But wait for me; I'm coming back here after I drop Mokuba off." The driver nodded and pulled away from the hospital. During the drive home, I nodded off alongside Mokuba. I didn't notice I drifted off until my head fell on top of Mokuba's. I didn't bother to move. The ride was smooth, and I probably wouldn't get much sleep in the hospital if I'm to watch Jounouchi. I swore to myself, if he couldn't sleep then neither would I, for his sake. The limo pulled up to the Kaiba mansion.
Reluctantly, I open my eyes and gather Mokuba in my arms. My mouth dropped open to let out a drawn out yawn. I was amazed that Jeffery waited up for us after so many hours. He opened the door for me and offered to take Mokuba to his room. I was grateful for his offer.
"Thanks Jeffery. You can have the weekend off." I was feeling generous tonight. Doing so many good deeds for the day, would one more hurt? With another stretch, I stumbled down the stairs back to the car, catching a look at my watch. It was already 11:45. Again, I didn't feel myself fall asleep during the car ride, only this time, I didn't have a bad vision. The car jolted to a stop which woke me. We were already there.
"Shall I wait for you, Mr. Kaiba?"
"No, Michael. You can come back in the morning to-" the same feeling tugged at me again. More urgent than before. From following my instincts before, it meant that Jounouchi needed my help, seriously. "On second thought, wait for me." While entering the main doors, I didn't bother to take the elevators, seeing that I would get to his room faster by foot on the stairs. My intuition was correct on how he needed me. No sooner that I opened the door, I heard him scream my name.
"SETO!" There were several doctors and nurses around him with frightened looks on their faces. One nurse had his hospital shirt in her hands leaving him with no clothes at all. The others held belts to strap him tightly to the bed.
"What is the meaning of this?" I shouted.
"Mr. Kaiba, we are trying to treat him. We need to clean him before he gets infections." Jounouchi huddled in the corner of his bed, bearing his teeth and holding himself close. Looking closely, he was shivering from the cold.
"Are you insane? Can't you see he's freezing?" I push them out the way and drape the sheets over Jounouchi. "Did you even ask him to remove his clothes?"
"He wouldn't speak to us." The other said. I was over annoyed over their stupidity. At this point, I could do nothing more but excuse it. Calmly, so not to startle Jounouchi I explain how to treat him.
"You need to coax him so he can trust you. He will not allow anybody to touch him." The doctor lifted a doubtful eyebrow.
"And I suppose he trusts you?" These people are beyond stupid, but again, I let it go and nod. The nurses shrugged and tried their best to get Jounouchi to expose him to them. Their pathetic attempts have failed, leaving them to think they had nothing else to do but force him. The same ditsy nurse that was here earlier made the first move of pulling off his sheets; the other grabbed him behind so he wouldn't move while the doctor approached him with a pail and water to clean him.
I continued to stay back and allow them to treat him. It was sad to see that he wasn't putting much of a fight. It took him more energy to try not to scream in misery and anguish. His eyes flared with a sign of shock, more tears falling freely. It took every nerve in my body to stand back, but quickly those nerves were ignored as the gut feeling in my stomach nagged me so much it was making me sick.
"Stop! Stop it! STOP IT NOW!" Everyone stopped and all was silent except for the sudden sniffs of Jounouchi. I approached them all and moved them to the side. "I can't stand this treatment, and I see now if this continues this boy will die from pure shock." I lower myself to a comforting level so not to appear supieroir to Jounouchi. I reach out just a little and gesture him to come to me.
"What do you suggest, Mr. Kaiba?" Jounouchi slowly crawled to me and collapsed in my arms. I held him firmly, yet gently so not to hurt him. Grabbing the nearest sheet, I wrap it around him to warm him.
"I'm taking him home." The doctors stared at me in disbelief, some even close to laughter. "I'll treat him my own way. I guarantee there will be a better recovery from him if he goes with me." Before I let them say another word, I carry the frail boy in my arms and out the hospital.
During the ride home, I planned that Jounouchi would stay right across from my rooming quarters so I can keep a close eye on him. I know for a fact that I won't be getting much sleep, preparing coffee once I get home will be the norm until he gets better. I carried him all the way to the guest bathing chambers where I sat him on the toilet seat.
"The doctors are correct when they say you need to clean yourself. I don't want you to suffer any infections." I turn and look at him and he nods slowly. It was hard for me to gauge the water temperature. Too cold and it'll hurt, too hot and it'll really hurt. Either way, water is going to hurt when it comes in contact with his skin. My feel for warm could be too hot for him but for now, he's just going to take the water as it is. I motion for him to stand and he does so. "Remove the sheet." I say.
He hesitates but lets the sheet fall freely. To make him feel comfortable, my back faces him and I hold out my hand to guide him to the tub. His small hand is consumed in my big grasp. One small foot steps in the water.
"Auughh!" he yelps. He recoils and looses his balance; clinging to me and making me lose balance too. My footing was then steady. I was so close to falling into the bathtub with him.
"Jounouchi!" He cringes and hides his face in my chest. Perhaps my stern voice frightened him. "I'm sorry. Believe me, the best way to get into the tub is to just go for it. No matter how much it hurts, you'll feel better once you're inside." His grip loosens and he tries again but with the same results.
He looks at me with pleading brown eyes. "I'll have to force you." I pointed out. He nodded quickly and shut his eyes. I gathered him in my arms once again and stoop over the tub and gently released him into the tub. He grips the side of the tub and bears his teeth. He rolls his head back, allowing stinging tears of agony to roll down his face. He refuses to make any noise, which tears at my heart. His breaths are heavy and come in waves just like his pains. He sucks in his breaths sharply, like a woman giving birth only in silence. This went on for over fifteen minutes, with me beside him coaching him to bear the pain. He became exhausted from the pain and slumped, sitting limply like a ragged doll.
"I'm proud of you." I whisper quietly. The hardest part was removing the bandages. I didn't want to remove the bandage on his head yet, I wasn't sure what kind of wound that was. With each strip removed, more blood flowed into the water, turning what was once clear into a murky, red-black mess.
Taking a small towel and lathering it with soap, I soap down his body gently. I couldn't tell if I was hurting him or if he was still very sensitive to touch, seeing as he kept moving and flinching. The months of dirt eventually wore off reveling the soft, pale skin underneath. The dirty mass of blonde hair looked like the purest of gold spun and placed on his head. Although it was beautiful at one point of view, there was a large amount of his hair missing. It was unbelievably thin, perhaps from lack of nutrition. For the most part he was clean and it was time for him to rest. I allowed him the pleasure of wearing one of my finest bed wear after re- bandaging him carefully.
It could be that he felt comfortable in my atmosphere. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he was asleep soundly. I was satisfied, knowing that I did more than any doctor could ever do. Not only did I treat him, but I did it gently and with care. Doctors these days don't love what they do. They just show up for the money. It can't be like that everywhere, just possibly in this ragged city of Domino. I retreat to my bedroom with a clear conscience. My bed engulfed me in its warmth and I too fell asleep soundly.
*~*~*~*~*
Hard to say, the moment of sleep didn't last long. For what I can remember going to bed, the alarm blared and it was time for me to awaken. While muffling the evil sound with one of my down pillows, I wonder with what happened last night, was it all a dream.
"Um, Seto? Seto? SETO?"
"What? What is it, Mokuba?" Mokuba runs into my room and pulls at my blankets.
"Get up! I think he's sick!" My brain was fuzzy for a minute before remembering that I was caring for Jounouchi. I throw myself out of bed, accidentally knocking over Mokuba and rush across the hall into Jounouchi's room. He sat up in his bed, holding his stomach, drooling non-stop. My guess was the drugs were no longer in his system. His face held a sick look to it, almost as the expression, "green in the face." I rush to his side and hold him over the bed.
"Mokuba! Get a pail from the kitchen, now!" My voice tainted with panic, I tried my best not to yell so I wouldn't scare Jounouchi. Mokuba was out of sight and I continued to care for the frail boy. "Hang on, Jounouchi. It'll get better." He nodded while a continuous stream of saliva flowed from his mouth. Mokuba came back with a pail and just in time. Joey retched and vomited in it, with such force I had to hold his head back before his face slammed into his own discharge.
"Nice." I said with sarcasm. This further went on for a couple of hours until he was exhausted and fell asleep once again. I wipe my brow from sweat and sat back from fatigue. I had no idea it would be so much trouble caring for someone. I was afraid, not for the physical healing but I was sure that the emotional healing would further take its toll. The lull of his breathing put me to sleep until once again I was interrupted by the agonizing cries of Jounouchi. This time he was suffering from a nightmare. I shook him gently and sat him up.
"Come on! Wake up!" It seemed it was no use. He had a hard time removing himself from the terror of his own dream. "JOUNOUCHI!" His eyes snapped opened along with an attack of flaring arms and legs. "Calm down, boy!" He stopped on my command and took deep breaths. "Are you okay, now?" I asked pulling him close to stop the violent shaking.
"I'm sorry." He breathed. I wipe the sweat from his face as he once again laid his head on my shoulder. "I didn't mean to scream."
"Well, I'm not going to punish you for it." I assured him. He looked up at me with frightened eyes, insecure by his own sleep. "Do you want to talk about it?" He shook his head and leaned back, pulling me close upon him, to the point where I was almost on top of him.
"Just don't leave me tonight." He said lastly, almost inaudible. His chestnut eyes rolled back into slumber and all was quiet again. I didn't leave him that night, or any other night when he suffered from the recurring nightmares. And each night, he warmed up to me being near to him. My touch no longer sent shock waves of fright; instead it was the only thing that settled him. He was now new, like a newborn, a treasure of the deep blue yet to be discovered. The feelings I use to have for him are no more. Instead they are replaced by something I cannot name yet. Only time will tell why I have grown so close to him. To my amazement, he talked to me a few times. Still in low tones, never above a whisper but he was still afraid to speak.
How I miss the way his voice used to sound. Full of youth and vigor, excitement. His trills used to send chills up my spine but I long to hear his laughter again. It'll have to wait until later. Now, late at night, when he's sound asleep, I figure out ways of how I'll find this person who silenced my sweet nightingale. Jounouchi.
TBC
YA: I'm so sorry I got a little graphic there. But just to answer a few things before I get asked questions, I don't know how the after effects of how a drug works. I just watch too much TV. ^___^ I'm quite pleased with how this whole chapter came out. Next chapter, we get ever closer to finding out who was the one who did this to poor Jounouchi. But I warn you, if you thought this chapter was bad, the others are going to get a little more graphic as Jou tells his story.
Leev: All, thanks for telling me that Seto is not being OOC. I'm sure that he's gotten a little sappy, but expect him to get even sappier. ^___^
Yugi Moto: ^___^ Perfect? This story is far from perfect but I'll take that compliment anyway! *whistles* Give me more comments!
Blue Lagoon: Oh yes, you'll get to kill this person. You'll get first dibs! But for now, put down your gun. It's coming!
Li: I like Seto and Jounouchi too! Must make more soon featuring them!
Amunra: Yep, this is more drama than angst. I'll fix that! ^___^
Heavy lids of my eyes suddenly lighten up. I forgot what happened, where I was and who I was holding. Reality set in as I looked down into the mass of dirty blond hair. He didn't sleep, I could tell. Motionless, he continues to stare at the walls. I wonder what he's thinking, perhaps trying to figure out how to get to sleep. Or maybe when he closes his eyes even for a second his mind flashes back to the exploitation. That would explain why he doesn't blink.
I move to get more comfortable but he cringes. Although he put his trust in me, it's obvious that he's still sensitive to my touch. Or any touch for that matter, even the feel of the sheets hurts him. I lower my head so it's the same level as his.
"I have to take Mokuba home." His eyes drop in disappointment. Perhaps he thinks I'm going to leave him. "If you want, I can come back. It won't take me long, I promise." I've been making a lot of promises lately. Anything to make him stay strong and optimistically return back to the Jounouchi I knew before. I gently, so very gently, placed him beside me so I can remove myself from the bed. He curled into a tight ball, nearly disappearing under the sheets. "I'll be back in 30 minutes."
Shutting to door behind me, I signaled a nurse to come my way. Saying it only below the tone of a whisper, I told her to make sure he wasn't to be disturbed. She looked at me as if she was being threatened. Whatever it took to make sure Jounouchi was safe, even if it means getting physical. I see Mokuba, lying on the same chair I left him in. Fortunately, someone was nice enough to give him a blanket. As I looked at my watch, it was way past his bedtime (which is usually nine) it's now 11:30. Kneeling down, I shake him gently.
"Mokuba. Mokuba? I'm taking you home." He stirred and rubbed his eyes.
"It's about time." He muttered.
"I'll have to come back after I drop you off. Go straight to bed."
"You think I'd do something else? Unlike you, I have school tomorrow." It was apparent he was cranky. I slung him over my back in a playful manner, making him groan of frustration. What I didn't know was outside the presses were still looking for me. Once the doors of the main hall were opened they came rushing in, completely surrounded me like the previous time.
"Mr. Kaiba? What are you feelings of finding young Jounouchi?" Well, if it'll get these crazy people away from me, I'll answer some of their questions.
"I'm relieved to know that he is fine and going to live."
"How on Earth were you able to find him?"
"I got lost when going to the bathroom and stumbled into another room where he happened to be." Liar. Some feeling lured me into the dark depths of the underworld to rescue the poor soul. I still can't quite describe the feeling the pulled me to find him but it left me content, another feeling I rarely have unless it deals with power. The crowed "oohed" and "awed" by my answer.
"You are a hero Mr. Kaiba!" I snorted a laugh.
"I rarely think so." I prefer to be feared by every living man on the planet, not to be "goosed" on by everyone else. "If you'll excuse me, I have to take my younger brother home. Thanks for allowing your time." Or wasting my time answering stupid questions. Behind me, I could still hear them calling out to me as I rush in the car. I knock on the window to signal the driver.
"Where to Mr. Kaiba?"
"Home, Michael. But wait for me; I'm coming back here after I drop Mokuba off." The driver nodded and pulled away from the hospital. During the drive home, I nodded off alongside Mokuba. I didn't notice I drifted off until my head fell on top of Mokuba's. I didn't bother to move. The ride was smooth, and I probably wouldn't get much sleep in the hospital if I'm to watch Jounouchi. I swore to myself, if he couldn't sleep then neither would I, for his sake. The limo pulled up to the Kaiba mansion.
Reluctantly, I open my eyes and gather Mokuba in my arms. My mouth dropped open to let out a drawn out yawn. I was amazed that Jeffery waited up for us after so many hours. He opened the door for me and offered to take Mokuba to his room. I was grateful for his offer.
"Thanks Jeffery. You can have the weekend off." I was feeling generous tonight. Doing so many good deeds for the day, would one more hurt? With another stretch, I stumbled down the stairs back to the car, catching a look at my watch. It was already 11:45. Again, I didn't feel myself fall asleep during the car ride, only this time, I didn't have a bad vision. The car jolted to a stop which woke me. We were already there.
"Shall I wait for you, Mr. Kaiba?"
"No, Michael. You can come back in the morning to-" the same feeling tugged at me again. More urgent than before. From following my instincts before, it meant that Jounouchi needed my help, seriously. "On second thought, wait for me." While entering the main doors, I didn't bother to take the elevators, seeing that I would get to his room faster by foot on the stairs. My intuition was correct on how he needed me. No sooner that I opened the door, I heard him scream my name.
"SETO!" There were several doctors and nurses around him with frightened looks on their faces. One nurse had his hospital shirt in her hands leaving him with no clothes at all. The others held belts to strap him tightly to the bed.
"What is the meaning of this?" I shouted.
"Mr. Kaiba, we are trying to treat him. We need to clean him before he gets infections." Jounouchi huddled in the corner of his bed, bearing his teeth and holding himself close. Looking closely, he was shivering from the cold.
"Are you insane? Can't you see he's freezing?" I push them out the way and drape the sheets over Jounouchi. "Did you even ask him to remove his clothes?"
"He wouldn't speak to us." The other said. I was over annoyed over their stupidity. At this point, I could do nothing more but excuse it. Calmly, so not to startle Jounouchi I explain how to treat him.
"You need to coax him so he can trust you. He will not allow anybody to touch him." The doctor lifted a doubtful eyebrow.
"And I suppose he trusts you?" These people are beyond stupid, but again, I let it go and nod. The nurses shrugged and tried their best to get Jounouchi to expose him to them. Their pathetic attempts have failed, leaving them to think they had nothing else to do but force him. The same ditsy nurse that was here earlier made the first move of pulling off his sheets; the other grabbed him behind so he wouldn't move while the doctor approached him with a pail and water to clean him.
I continued to stay back and allow them to treat him. It was sad to see that he wasn't putting much of a fight. It took him more energy to try not to scream in misery and anguish. His eyes flared with a sign of shock, more tears falling freely. It took every nerve in my body to stand back, but quickly those nerves were ignored as the gut feeling in my stomach nagged me so much it was making me sick.
"Stop! Stop it! STOP IT NOW!" Everyone stopped and all was silent except for the sudden sniffs of Jounouchi. I approached them all and moved them to the side. "I can't stand this treatment, and I see now if this continues this boy will die from pure shock." I lower myself to a comforting level so not to appear supieroir to Jounouchi. I reach out just a little and gesture him to come to me.
"What do you suggest, Mr. Kaiba?" Jounouchi slowly crawled to me and collapsed in my arms. I held him firmly, yet gently so not to hurt him. Grabbing the nearest sheet, I wrap it around him to warm him.
"I'm taking him home." The doctors stared at me in disbelief, some even close to laughter. "I'll treat him my own way. I guarantee there will be a better recovery from him if he goes with me." Before I let them say another word, I carry the frail boy in my arms and out the hospital.
During the ride home, I planned that Jounouchi would stay right across from my rooming quarters so I can keep a close eye on him. I know for a fact that I won't be getting much sleep, preparing coffee once I get home will be the norm until he gets better. I carried him all the way to the guest bathing chambers where I sat him on the toilet seat.
"The doctors are correct when they say you need to clean yourself. I don't want you to suffer any infections." I turn and look at him and he nods slowly. It was hard for me to gauge the water temperature. Too cold and it'll hurt, too hot and it'll really hurt. Either way, water is going to hurt when it comes in contact with his skin. My feel for warm could be too hot for him but for now, he's just going to take the water as it is. I motion for him to stand and he does so. "Remove the sheet." I say.
He hesitates but lets the sheet fall freely. To make him feel comfortable, my back faces him and I hold out my hand to guide him to the tub. His small hand is consumed in my big grasp. One small foot steps in the water.
"Auughh!" he yelps. He recoils and looses his balance; clinging to me and making me lose balance too. My footing was then steady. I was so close to falling into the bathtub with him.
"Jounouchi!" He cringes and hides his face in my chest. Perhaps my stern voice frightened him. "I'm sorry. Believe me, the best way to get into the tub is to just go for it. No matter how much it hurts, you'll feel better once you're inside." His grip loosens and he tries again but with the same results.
He looks at me with pleading brown eyes. "I'll have to force you." I pointed out. He nodded quickly and shut his eyes. I gathered him in my arms once again and stoop over the tub and gently released him into the tub. He grips the side of the tub and bears his teeth. He rolls his head back, allowing stinging tears of agony to roll down his face. He refuses to make any noise, which tears at my heart. His breaths are heavy and come in waves just like his pains. He sucks in his breaths sharply, like a woman giving birth only in silence. This went on for over fifteen minutes, with me beside him coaching him to bear the pain. He became exhausted from the pain and slumped, sitting limply like a ragged doll.
"I'm proud of you." I whisper quietly. The hardest part was removing the bandages. I didn't want to remove the bandage on his head yet, I wasn't sure what kind of wound that was. With each strip removed, more blood flowed into the water, turning what was once clear into a murky, red-black mess.
Taking a small towel and lathering it with soap, I soap down his body gently. I couldn't tell if I was hurting him or if he was still very sensitive to touch, seeing as he kept moving and flinching. The months of dirt eventually wore off reveling the soft, pale skin underneath. The dirty mass of blonde hair looked like the purest of gold spun and placed on his head. Although it was beautiful at one point of view, there was a large amount of his hair missing. It was unbelievably thin, perhaps from lack of nutrition. For the most part he was clean and it was time for him to rest. I allowed him the pleasure of wearing one of my finest bed wear after re- bandaging him carefully.
It could be that he felt comfortable in my atmosphere. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he was asleep soundly. I was satisfied, knowing that I did more than any doctor could ever do. Not only did I treat him, but I did it gently and with care. Doctors these days don't love what they do. They just show up for the money. It can't be like that everywhere, just possibly in this ragged city of Domino. I retreat to my bedroom with a clear conscience. My bed engulfed me in its warmth and I too fell asleep soundly.
*~*~*~*~*
Hard to say, the moment of sleep didn't last long. For what I can remember going to bed, the alarm blared and it was time for me to awaken. While muffling the evil sound with one of my down pillows, I wonder with what happened last night, was it all a dream.
"Um, Seto? Seto? SETO?"
"What? What is it, Mokuba?" Mokuba runs into my room and pulls at my blankets.
"Get up! I think he's sick!" My brain was fuzzy for a minute before remembering that I was caring for Jounouchi. I throw myself out of bed, accidentally knocking over Mokuba and rush across the hall into Jounouchi's room. He sat up in his bed, holding his stomach, drooling non-stop. My guess was the drugs were no longer in his system. His face held a sick look to it, almost as the expression, "green in the face." I rush to his side and hold him over the bed.
"Mokuba! Get a pail from the kitchen, now!" My voice tainted with panic, I tried my best not to yell so I wouldn't scare Jounouchi. Mokuba was out of sight and I continued to care for the frail boy. "Hang on, Jounouchi. It'll get better." He nodded while a continuous stream of saliva flowed from his mouth. Mokuba came back with a pail and just in time. Joey retched and vomited in it, with such force I had to hold his head back before his face slammed into his own discharge.
"Nice." I said with sarcasm. This further went on for a couple of hours until he was exhausted and fell asleep once again. I wipe my brow from sweat and sat back from fatigue. I had no idea it would be so much trouble caring for someone. I was afraid, not for the physical healing but I was sure that the emotional healing would further take its toll. The lull of his breathing put me to sleep until once again I was interrupted by the agonizing cries of Jounouchi. This time he was suffering from a nightmare. I shook him gently and sat him up.
"Come on! Wake up!" It seemed it was no use. He had a hard time removing himself from the terror of his own dream. "JOUNOUCHI!" His eyes snapped opened along with an attack of flaring arms and legs. "Calm down, boy!" He stopped on my command and took deep breaths. "Are you okay, now?" I asked pulling him close to stop the violent shaking.
"I'm sorry." He breathed. I wipe the sweat from his face as he once again laid his head on my shoulder. "I didn't mean to scream."
"Well, I'm not going to punish you for it." I assured him. He looked up at me with frightened eyes, insecure by his own sleep. "Do you want to talk about it?" He shook his head and leaned back, pulling me close upon him, to the point where I was almost on top of him.
"Just don't leave me tonight." He said lastly, almost inaudible. His chestnut eyes rolled back into slumber and all was quiet again. I didn't leave him that night, or any other night when he suffered from the recurring nightmares. And each night, he warmed up to me being near to him. My touch no longer sent shock waves of fright; instead it was the only thing that settled him. He was now new, like a newborn, a treasure of the deep blue yet to be discovered. The feelings I use to have for him are no more. Instead they are replaced by something I cannot name yet. Only time will tell why I have grown so close to him. To my amazement, he talked to me a few times. Still in low tones, never above a whisper but he was still afraid to speak.
How I miss the way his voice used to sound. Full of youth and vigor, excitement. His trills used to send chills up my spine but I long to hear his laughter again. It'll have to wait until later. Now, late at night, when he's sound asleep, I figure out ways of how I'll find this person who silenced my sweet nightingale. Jounouchi.
TBC
YA: I'm so sorry I got a little graphic there. But just to answer a few things before I get asked questions, I don't know how the after effects of how a drug works. I just watch too much TV. ^___^ I'm quite pleased with how this whole chapter came out. Next chapter, we get ever closer to finding out who was the one who did this to poor Jounouchi. But I warn you, if you thought this chapter was bad, the others are going to get a little more graphic as Jou tells his story.