Disclaimer: Sorry this chapter took so long I had final then my computer was sick. This chapter will be a bit longer getting into more detail. That's all I'm gonna say I don't want to spoil anything. Again I don't own Yu-gi-oh all thought I can beat my brother in the card game once and a while. Warning for Reference to violence, death and NCS. And now let us go to...
The Funeral
As Kaiba helped Mokuba with his tie he wondered why the child had been so insistent on going. Every time he asked Mokuba would just become silent. For the past few nights since the discovery the child had been kept awake with nightmares but claimed not to remember them.
"There you go Kiddo."
"Thanks Ni-sama."
"Mokuba?"
"Yes?"
"I know you don't want to talk about it but why do you want to go to Jou's funeral? You didn't really know him that well."
"…"
"Mokuba, there's something you're not telling me."
"Promise you won't get mad that I didn't tell you or the police?" Seto had an uneasy feeling but assured his little brother it would be OK.
"Well, you know when I wandered off and found Jounouchi's body?" Seto nodded. "I didn't exactly wander off I was fallowing someone." Seto became alarmed.
"Did you see who it was? What if that was Jou's killer? Why didn't you-"
"It was Jounouchi-kun." He said quietly.
"What? Mokuba, Jounouchi is dead. It couldn't have been him."
"But I'm sure it was him…at least that's what I thought."
"Mokuba just what did you see?"
"I think I saw his ghost."
* * *
The ride to the funeral hall had been a quiet one. Seto made Mokuba swear not to say anything about "Jou's ghost" especially in front of his friends. The child understood and promised not to say another word. Although he wouldn't admit it he was worried about his brother's claim to see the ghost of the dead teen. As he walked with the child into the building he was very uncomfortable. He wasn't a friend or loved one rather the bully who got a laugh at making fun of the boy. It wasn't very funny anymore.
The room was full of people, some from school and some he did know at all. He noticed Mai off to the side, her make-up a mess from her tears. She was talking to an older woman how look a lot like Jounouchi himself. Logic told him that this was most likely his mother but it looked as though she didn't want to be confronted by anyone else so he passed her without a second glance. It was fairly easy to spot Yugi in the crowd, his brightly colored hair stood out sharply against the sea of black. Although he had been avoiding it he felt he needed to talk to the boy. He knew he really should have told him about Jou in person but he didn't want to see the look on his face when he learned that his friend was dead. Mokuba seemed to be leading him towards the group of Jou's closes friends and so he fallowed.
* * *
Yugi was still very upset to say the least. He had lost his best friend and to him it felt like he a lost a part of himself the night he got 'the call.' Then the news started covering the story with talks of rape and tortured. The arrest of his father had started a lot of roomers around school about child abuse and that maybe his father went a bit to far this time. Yugi didn't think it was true though. He had gotten a call from the man on Tuesday demanding to know where his 'sorry excuse for a son' was. His voice had been slurred, drinking again no doubt. -Jounouchi complained about that a lot.- But thinking back he was ashamed to realized that his best friend was showing signs of abuse at home. He would show up to school with bruises and blame them on a fall or a fight with another kid.
Yugi knew he was lying but whenever he tried to ask Jou would become defensive not wanting to talk about it at all, so he left it alone. But the guilt was beginning to eat at him from the inside. -I should have done something about it or at least talked to him...now it's too late.- The boy stubbornly wiped his eye. He had cried enough already, with the support of his grandfather and Yami, he let out all of the pain and anguish shortly after he got the call. But it wasn't over, it wouldn't be until they found the bastard who did this to best friend, who he loved like a brother. But he had to stay strong even if it wasn't showing on the outside.
His Grandfather had been strong while helping him but late one night he could hear the old man quietly weeping in his room. Yami was now out of shock. His initial reaction was almost indifferent as if his mind wasn't registering that Jounouchi was indeed gone and not coming back. The ride to the funeral had been quiet and he noticed that his other self seemed to be in a minor state of shock as the drove up to the Hall. It was only now it fully hit him head on that Jounouchi was dead and that it was time to say good-bye.
Yugi had told Anzu and Honda over the phone after he was able to calm down enough to dial. They were with him now supporting each other. Ryo had come as well, and was now letting Jounouchi's little sister cry on his shoulder. Bakura had politely refused to go but he did stay with Ryo in his soul room.
Honda had done his crying as well but was now left with a lot of unresolved anger. His buddy had been hurt and killed and he wasn't there for him. After the funeral he planed to take some time to himself and beat the hell out of something. He wanted to do something more constructive to help his fallen friend but there wasn't much else he could do. It was then he spotted Kaiba and his little brother entering the hall. Needing a focal point for his anger and Kaiba made a worthy target.
"What the hell is that creep doing here?" he whispered loudly to his friends so as to not upset the other mourners. They all turned to see the Kaiba brothers signing in at the entrance. "He's got some nerve coming here after the way he treated Jou!" He baled his fist up as he looked at the taller boy. "If he makes one dog comment I'm gonna-"
"STOP IT!" Anzu almost shouted causing Yugi to jump slightly. She grabbed Honda collar forcing him to her lever as she spoke. "This is Jounouchi's funeral for God's sake! I will not let you start a fight in here! I don't care what Kaiba says or what he used to do. Jounouchi deserves a proper and respectable funeral. We couldn't help him..." tears were now starting to leak from her eyes as he voice cracked. "We couldn't help him then so let's say our good byes in a way he'd be proud of. Do you think he'd want you to fight Kaiba here?"
Honda flinched, she was right, if nothing else Jou's funeral would be a proper one. It was all they could do for him now.
* * *
While Kaiba couldn't hear the conversation he didn't miss the hateful glares Honda was giving him as he advanced toward the group. He hoped the boy wouldn't try to start anything in the hall but when he saw Anzu forcefully calm him down and figured it was safe.
"Yugi?" The boy in question looked up.
"Yes Kaiba?"
"Mokuba and I wish to offer our condolences on your lose."
"I'm sorry about what happened to Jounouchi-kun guys." Added Mokuba. Honda was a bit surprised that Kaiba actually being polite to any of them.
"Thanks guys, and I'm sorry you were the ones how had to find him…like that." Said Yugi quietly. Anzu nodded in response not trusting her voice not to crack. But Honda wasn't as willing to accept Kaiba's speech just yet.
"I'll bet you are. You never gave him an once of respect all you did was humiliate and harass him!"
"Honda!" Anzu said trying to calm her friend down. "What did I just tell you?"
"No, he's right. But while I did find him annoying and stubborn, I'm not going to sugar-coat it but…he was loyal and a good friend to all of you. And even though I personally disliked him he NEVER deserved this. If you want to have it out with me Honda please wait until after Jounouchi's funeral. Now if you'll excuse me." He said starting to walk off but Yugi jumped up and went after him.
"Kaiba wait!" Yugi caught up with him and his brother. "I'm sorry about Honda back there, everyone's just dealing with this in their own way and he's anger is his way of grieving. Don't leave…please." Kaiba found that he couldn't resist the boy's pleads on a day like this.
"Fine, but don't expect a big speech about how great I thought he was."
"I don't expect anything from you Kaiba, but I would like to talk with you…in privet." While wanting nothing more than to leave this nightmare behind him he did feel the need to talk to Yugi. Silently he nodded and fallowed the boy to a secluded corner of the building. There was silence for a few moments until Yugi finally broke the silence.
"I…wanted to thank you Kaiba."
"Thank me? For what?"
"For being the one to tell me about…about Jounouchi-kun. I'm glad I didn't have to hear about it on the news." Kaiba shrugged.
"I was just being civil."
"And I wanted to thank you for being honest." Kaiba turned his head at Yugi's words. "Ever since Jounouchi died everyone has been so…just so fake. Their either being real nice to me or saying what a great guy Jounouchi was. Don't get me wrong he was the best friend I ever had, but it really makes me mad when strangers pretend that they've know him for years. He had his faults and he wasn't the smartest person in the world but…" he paused for a moment to compose himself. "But I really miss him." He said in almost a whisper but his next thought was meant to be heard. "And I hope the monster who did this to him dies a painful death." Kaiba was a little surprised but the venomous tone in Yugi's voice but couldn't really blame him.
"So far they have no real leads but with all the attention this case is getting the pressure is on to find this guy as quickly as possible." Yugi nodded but the thought of Jounouchi's killer running free while they had to bury their friend, just made him sick.
"Speaking of which, I've been hearing a lot of roomers and reports but many of them are really conflicting." He looked up at the taller boy. "You found his body Kaiba, did he…was it a quick death?" Kaiba turned away not wanted to look into those eyes but felt the need to tell him the truth and not what he wanted to hear.
"I'm no medical expert Yugi but…even though he was fully clothed I could still see a lot of bruises scratches and burns. The fingers on his left hand were bent back and his finger nails on his right were torn off. There was also a dark ring around his neck. I hate to say this but I doubt he died right away. I'm sorry."
Catching a glimpse of the boy he could see that he was badly shaken by learning the truth but refused to sink any further into depression. After a moment he spoke.
"Thank you for telling me the truth. After all the 'be careful what you say around Yugi' stuff it's refreshing to hear a bit of reality. Even if it's not what I wanted to hear." Kaiba was about to say something else but was indurated when a young girl walked up and offered him a flower to him.
"Here." she said softly.
"What's this for?" he asked taking the rose in his hand.
"There for my big brother, everyone's suppose to lay one in his coffin before they take his body to be buried." It was only then that he realized that this girl was Jounouchi little sister. -I never even knew he had a sister. -
Then she turned to Yugi. "Yugi-san, I just wanted to thank you for trying so hard to find him. You and all your friends." Yugi smiled sadly while Kaiba turned his head. After all, he was too busy to try and help.
"We did all we could Shizuka, we even got him on the news, but I guess it just wasn't enough." She shook her head.
"Don't say that, you did more than anyone else, even if there was a mistake on the fliers." Yugi looked down but Kaiba raised his head.
"What was the mistake?" he asked out of curiosity. She looked down and sighed.
"It said he was 17 but he never reached his 17th birthday." She looked up with tears in her eyes. "That would be today."
Kaiba saw both of them ready to cry again. He didn't want to stick around for that so he made a quick but tactful exit. "I still need to pay my respects, Yugi could you watch Mokuba for me?"
"Sure thing Kaiba."
* * *
Kaiba walked up to the coffin after making sure most of the mourners weren't around. He really didn't want any extra attention. As he came in view of the coffin he finally got a good look at Jounouchi. He was surprised to say the least. He was laid out in a nice black suit, his hair was fixed up and his skin looked flawless. After observing the body one thought kept creeping up in his mind. -This isn't Jounouchi.- The boy he used to taunt and tease wouldn't be caught dead in those close or with that hair. He frowned at the irony in that statement. Upon closer inspection he noticed his hands were folded covered with white gloves.
Every time he looked at those hands he would remember how they looked when he found him. His fingers on one hand were all broken and bent back and the nails from the other hand were torn completely off. -I guess the coroner couldn't hide that. - he thought to himself as he laid his rose down on the pile within the coffin. His didn't know why but he was becoming very disturbed by seeing Jounouchi's corps like this. All fixed up and covered in make-up. Some days he would come into school limping, holding his arm or just simply in pain. Kaiba could tell no matter how hard the boy tried to hide it. Now he looked perfect, like he was sleeping, like a life-sized doll. He would go as far to say that he looked better dead then alive. He stepped back at that thought, he didn't like thinking this way. It was making him felt things he didn't want to feel, like he was guilty or at least some what responsible for Jounouchi's death. He needed to leave but couldn't without his brother so he hurried off to the boy's restroom for some privacy, and some time to think.
* *
Seto closed the door of the bathroom stall. He didn't want anyone to see him like this, a wreck –Funny. – he thought to himself. –Seeing him in that coffin was actually worse then finding him on the ridge. – He took a few more deep breaths. Just as he was about to leave he heard the door open and two boys walk in.
"Man, everyone's taking it pretty hard out there." The first boy stated.
"I know, I didn't know him that well but it's still hard to believe it really happen. That Jou was murdered." Said his friend in response. Kaiba decided to remain in the stall and not revile his presents. All he could do was listen as the first boy continued the conversation.
"Say, just what did happen? The news wasn't giving us a lot of information and I've been hearing a few different stories."
"You know my Dad's working that case right? Well, they know that Jou was abducted sometime on Sunday and they found his body a week after Monday."
"That much I know but not much else."
"He may have been abducted on Sunday but he didn't died until Thursday."
"Wait a minute, if that's true then that would mean he was alive for four or five days…"
"Being tortured, raped and God knows what else. There were burn marks, cuts, he was starved, the fingernails on his right hand were ripped out and the fingers on his left were bent back. The killer also tried to strangle him on several occasions."
"Dear Lord…four days of…that?"
"That's not all. The killer threw him from the top of Widow's peak but it wasn't the fall that killed him. He bleed to death waiting for someone to find him."
"What kind of sick fuck would do something like that?"
"I don't know they still don't have any leads."
"But I heard that his dad is being held for the murder."
"The station is holding his Father but not for murder."
"What do you mean?"
"He couldn't have done it. The poor kid was tortured and raped but the semen from the rape-kit didn't match the Father's. Not only that but they found blood under one of Jou's bent back fingernails and once again no match."
"Then why is he still being held?"
"They fond evidence of child abuse. Looks like it's been going on for years.
"Oh man, poor Jou, first his parents get devoiced, he dad treats him like shit and now this."
"I know, it's horrible, but please don't tell anyone else about this. My dad doesn't know I over heard him."
"Gottcha, besides his friends are hurting enough, especially Yugi. I'm getting worried about him." Their voices faded away as they left the privacy of the rest room.
Seto let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and slumped against the stall. –Oh Dear Lord…this just keeps getting worse and worse. – He put a hand to his head feeling a headache coming on. –I'm going to need a few more minutes. –
** *
Seto walked out of the rest room and spotted his brother talking with Yugi. He prayed Mokuba had remembered his warning not to tell anyone about 'That Night' Yugi spotted the elder brother walking towards him and looked up.
"Kaiba, are you OK? You look a little pale." Silently he cursed to himself. He didn't like showing weakness in front of others. Then again given the situation he doubted anyone would blame him.
"I'm fine but Mokuba and I have to leave soon."
"I understand, they'll be taking his body to the cemetery in a few minutes. You're…welcome to join us." He was about to decline when he glanced at Mokuba, eyes silently pleading with him to stay. He sighed, if this is what Mokuba needed to get over this, than so be it.
"Alright…we'll stay."
"Thank you." Soon the crowd dispersed, the people leaving for their cars to fallow the black car. Seto was about the leave when he happened to glance out a passing window…and stopped dead in his tracks. There was Jou, eyes hidden by his blood stained hair, but the blackened ring around his neck was clearly visible. Pressing his hand against the glass pain he ran his right down leaving a trail of crimson from his nail-less fingers.
"Kaiba!" He jumped at the sound of Yugi's voice breaking eye contact with the figure in the window. "You coming?" Quickly he turned back to see…Darkness there and nothing more. Shaking his head he turned to fallow the tri-colored haired boy.
"Ya, I'm coming." –I've got to get some sleep, I'm starting to see things. - Or was he?
To be continued…
In: The Mirror
Next time: Kaiba doesn't believe in ghosts but Jounouchi has something to say, and he isn't about to be ignored.
The Funeral
As Kaiba helped Mokuba with his tie he wondered why the child had been so insistent on going. Every time he asked Mokuba would just become silent. For the past few nights since the discovery the child had been kept awake with nightmares but claimed not to remember them.
"There you go Kiddo."
"Thanks Ni-sama."
"Mokuba?"
"Yes?"
"I know you don't want to talk about it but why do you want to go to Jou's funeral? You didn't really know him that well."
"…"
"Mokuba, there's something you're not telling me."
"Promise you won't get mad that I didn't tell you or the police?" Seto had an uneasy feeling but assured his little brother it would be OK.
"Well, you know when I wandered off and found Jounouchi's body?" Seto nodded. "I didn't exactly wander off I was fallowing someone." Seto became alarmed.
"Did you see who it was? What if that was Jou's killer? Why didn't you-"
"It was Jounouchi-kun." He said quietly.
"What? Mokuba, Jounouchi is dead. It couldn't have been him."
"But I'm sure it was him…at least that's what I thought."
"Mokuba just what did you see?"
"I think I saw his ghost."
* * *
The ride to the funeral hall had been a quiet one. Seto made Mokuba swear not to say anything about "Jou's ghost" especially in front of his friends. The child understood and promised not to say another word. Although he wouldn't admit it he was worried about his brother's claim to see the ghost of the dead teen. As he walked with the child into the building he was very uncomfortable. He wasn't a friend or loved one rather the bully who got a laugh at making fun of the boy. It wasn't very funny anymore.
The room was full of people, some from school and some he did know at all. He noticed Mai off to the side, her make-up a mess from her tears. She was talking to an older woman how look a lot like Jounouchi himself. Logic told him that this was most likely his mother but it looked as though she didn't want to be confronted by anyone else so he passed her without a second glance. It was fairly easy to spot Yugi in the crowd, his brightly colored hair stood out sharply against the sea of black. Although he had been avoiding it he felt he needed to talk to the boy. He knew he really should have told him about Jou in person but he didn't want to see the look on his face when he learned that his friend was dead. Mokuba seemed to be leading him towards the group of Jou's closes friends and so he fallowed.
* * *
Yugi was still very upset to say the least. He had lost his best friend and to him it felt like he a lost a part of himself the night he got 'the call.' Then the news started covering the story with talks of rape and tortured. The arrest of his father had started a lot of roomers around school about child abuse and that maybe his father went a bit to far this time. Yugi didn't think it was true though. He had gotten a call from the man on Tuesday demanding to know where his 'sorry excuse for a son' was. His voice had been slurred, drinking again no doubt. -Jounouchi complained about that a lot.- But thinking back he was ashamed to realized that his best friend was showing signs of abuse at home. He would show up to school with bruises and blame them on a fall or a fight with another kid.
Yugi knew he was lying but whenever he tried to ask Jou would become defensive not wanting to talk about it at all, so he left it alone. But the guilt was beginning to eat at him from the inside. -I should have done something about it or at least talked to him...now it's too late.- The boy stubbornly wiped his eye. He had cried enough already, with the support of his grandfather and Yami, he let out all of the pain and anguish shortly after he got the call. But it wasn't over, it wouldn't be until they found the bastard who did this to best friend, who he loved like a brother. But he had to stay strong even if it wasn't showing on the outside.
His Grandfather had been strong while helping him but late one night he could hear the old man quietly weeping in his room. Yami was now out of shock. His initial reaction was almost indifferent as if his mind wasn't registering that Jounouchi was indeed gone and not coming back. The ride to the funeral had been quiet and he noticed that his other self seemed to be in a minor state of shock as the drove up to the Hall. It was only now it fully hit him head on that Jounouchi was dead and that it was time to say good-bye.
Yugi had told Anzu and Honda over the phone after he was able to calm down enough to dial. They were with him now supporting each other. Ryo had come as well, and was now letting Jounouchi's little sister cry on his shoulder. Bakura had politely refused to go but he did stay with Ryo in his soul room.
Honda had done his crying as well but was now left with a lot of unresolved anger. His buddy had been hurt and killed and he wasn't there for him. After the funeral he planed to take some time to himself and beat the hell out of something. He wanted to do something more constructive to help his fallen friend but there wasn't much else he could do. It was then he spotted Kaiba and his little brother entering the hall. Needing a focal point for his anger and Kaiba made a worthy target.
"What the hell is that creep doing here?" he whispered loudly to his friends so as to not upset the other mourners. They all turned to see the Kaiba brothers signing in at the entrance. "He's got some nerve coming here after the way he treated Jou!" He baled his fist up as he looked at the taller boy. "If he makes one dog comment I'm gonna-"
"STOP IT!" Anzu almost shouted causing Yugi to jump slightly. She grabbed Honda collar forcing him to her lever as she spoke. "This is Jounouchi's funeral for God's sake! I will not let you start a fight in here! I don't care what Kaiba says or what he used to do. Jounouchi deserves a proper and respectable funeral. We couldn't help him..." tears were now starting to leak from her eyes as he voice cracked. "We couldn't help him then so let's say our good byes in a way he'd be proud of. Do you think he'd want you to fight Kaiba here?"
Honda flinched, she was right, if nothing else Jou's funeral would be a proper one. It was all they could do for him now.
* * *
While Kaiba couldn't hear the conversation he didn't miss the hateful glares Honda was giving him as he advanced toward the group. He hoped the boy wouldn't try to start anything in the hall but when he saw Anzu forcefully calm him down and figured it was safe.
"Yugi?" The boy in question looked up.
"Yes Kaiba?"
"Mokuba and I wish to offer our condolences on your lose."
"I'm sorry about what happened to Jounouchi-kun guys." Added Mokuba. Honda was a bit surprised that Kaiba actually being polite to any of them.
"Thanks guys, and I'm sorry you were the ones how had to find him…like that." Said Yugi quietly. Anzu nodded in response not trusting her voice not to crack. But Honda wasn't as willing to accept Kaiba's speech just yet.
"I'll bet you are. You never gave him an once of respect all you did was humiliate and harass him!"
"Honda!" Anzu said trying to calm her friend down. "What did I just tell you?"
"No, he's right. But while I did find him annoying and stubborn, I'm not going to sugar-coat it but…he was loyal and a good friend to all of you. And even though I personally disliked him he NEVER deserved this. If you want to have it out with me Honda please wait until after Jounouchi's funeral. Now if you'll excuse me." He said starting to walk off but Yugi jumped up and went after him.
"Kaiba wait!" Yugi caught up with him and his brother. "I'm sorry about Honda back there, everyone's just dealing with this in their own way and he's anger is his way of grieving. Don't leave…please." Kaiba found that he couldn't resist the boy's pleads on a day like this.
"Fine, but don't expect a big speech about how great I thought he was."
"I don't expect anything from you Kaiba, but I would like to talk with you…in privet." While wanting nothing more than to leave this nightmare behind him he did feel the need to talk to Yugi. Silently he nodded and fallowed the boy to a secluded corner of the building. There was silence for a few moments until Yugi finally broke the silence.
"I…wanted to thank you Kaiba."
"Thank me? For what?"
"For being the one to tell me about…about Jounouchi-kun. I'm glad I didn't have to hear about it on the news." Kaiba shrugged.
"I was just being civil."
"And I wanted to thank you for being honest." Kaiba turned his head at Yugi's words. "Ever since Jounouchi died everyone has been so…just so fake. Their either being real nice to me or saying what a great guy Jounouchi was. Don't get me wrong he was the best friend I ever had, but it really makes me mad when strangers pretend that they've know him for years. He had his faults and he wasn't the smartest person in the world but…" he paused for a moment to compose himself. "But I really miss him." He said in almost a whisper but his next thought was meant to be heard. "And I hope the monster who did this to him dies a painful death." Kaiba was a little surprised but the venomous tone in Yugi's voice but couldn't really blame him.
"So far they have no real leads but with all the attention this case is getting the pressure is on to find this guy as quickly as possible." Yugi nodded but the thought of Jounouchi's killer running free while they had to bury their friend, just made him sick.
"Speaking of which, I've been hearing a lot of roomers and reports but many of them are really conflicting." He looked up at the taller boy. "You found his body Kaiba, did he…was it a quick death?" Kaiba turned away not wanted to look into those eyes but felt the need to tell him the truth and not what he wanted to hear.
"I'm no medical expert Yugi but…even though he was fully clothed I could still see a lot of bruises scratches and burns. The fingers on his left hand were bent back and his finger nails on his right were torn off. There was also a dark ring around his neck. I hate to say this but I doubt he died right away. I'm sorry."
Catching a glimpse of the boy he could see that he was badly shaken by learning the truth but refused to sink any further into depression. After a moment he spoke.
"Thank you for telling me the truth. After all the 'be careful what you say around Yugi' stuff it's refreshing to hear a bit of reality. Even if it's not what I wanted to hear." Kaiba was about to say something else but was indurated when a young girl walked up and offered him a flower to him.
"Here." she said softly.
"What's this for?" he asked taking the rose in his hand.
"There for my big brother, everyone's suppose to lay one in his coffin before they take his body to be buried." It was only then that he realized that this girl was Jounouchi little sister. -I never even knew he had a sister. -
Then she turned to Yugi. "Yugi-san, I just wanted to thank you for trying so hard to find him. You and all your friends." Yugi smiled sadly while Kaiba turned his head. After all, he was too busy to try and help.
"We did all we could Shizuka, we even got him on the news, but I guess it just wasn't enough." She shook her head.
"Don't say that, you did more than anyone else, even if there was a mistake on the fliers." Yugi looked down but Kaiba raised his head.
"What was the mistake?" he asked out of curiosity. She looked down and sighed.
"It said he was 17 but he never reached his 17th birthday." She looked up with tears in her eyes. "That would be today."
Kaiba saw both of them ready to cry again. He didn't want to stick around for that so he made a quick but tactful exit. "I still need to pay my respects, Yugi could you watch Mokuba for me?"
"Sure thing Kaiba."
* * *
Kaiba walked up to the coffin after making sure most of the mourners weren't around. He really didn't want any extra attention. As he came in view of the coffin he finally got a good look at Jounouchi. He was surprised to say the least. He was laid out in a nice black suit, his hair was fixed up and his skin looked flawless. After observing the body one thought kept creeping up in his mind. -This isn't Jounouchi.- The boy he used to taunt and tease wouldn't be caught dead in those close or with that hair. He frowned at the irony in that statement. Upon closer inspection he noticed his hands were folded covered with white gloves.
Every time he looked at those hands he would remember how they looked when he found him. His fingers on one hand were all broken and bent back and the nails from the other hand were torn completely off. -I guess the coroner couldn't hide that. - he thought to himself as he laid his rose down on the pile within the coffin. His didn't know why but he was becoming very disturbed by seeing Jounouchi's corps like this. All fixed up and covered in make-up. Some days he would come into school limping, holding his arm or just simply in pain. Kaiba could tell no matter how hard the boy tried to hide it. Now he looked perfect, like he was sleeping, like a life-sized doll. He would go as far to say that he looked better dead then alive. He stepped back at that thought, he didn't like thinking this way. It was making him felt things he didn't want to feel, like he was guilty or at least some what responsible for Jounouchi's death. He needed to leave but couldn't without his brother so he hurried off to the boy's restroom for some privacy, and some time to think.
* *
Seto closed the door of the bathroom stall. He didn't want anyone to see him like this, a wreck –Funny. – he thought to himself. –Seeing him in that coffin was actually worse then finding him on the ridge. – He took a few more deep breaths. Just as he was about to leave he heard the door open and two boys walk in.
"Man, everyone's taking it pretty hard out there." The first boy stated.
"I know, I didn't know him that well but it's still hard to believe it really happen. That Jou was murdered." Said his friend in response. Kaiba decided to remain in the stall and not revile his presents. All he could do was listen as the first boy continued the conversation.
"Say, just what did happen? The news wasn't giving us a lot of information and I've been hearing a few different stories."
"You know my Dad's working that case right? Well, they know that Jou was abducted sometime on Sunday and they found his body a week after Monday."
"That much I know but not much else."
"He may have been abducted on Sunday but he didn't died until Thursday."
"Wait a minute, if that's true then that would mean he was alive for four or five days…"
"Being tortured, raped and God knows what else. There were burn marks, cuts, he was starved, the fingernails on his right hand were ripped out and the fingers on his left were bent back. The killer also tried to strangle him on several occasions."
"Dear Lord…four days of…that?"
"That's not all. The killer threw him from the top of Widow's peak but it wasn't the fall that killed him. He bleed to death waiting for someone to find him."
"What kind of sick fuck would do something like that?"
"I don't know they still don't have any leads."
"But I heard that his dad is being held for the murder."
"The station is holding his Father but not for murder."
"What do you mean?"
"He couldn't have done it. The poor kid was tortured and raped but the semen from the rape-kit didn't match the Father's. Not only that but they found blood under one of Jou's bent back fingernails and once again no match."
"Then why is he still being held?"
"They fond evidence of child abuse. Looks like it's been going on for years.
"Oh man, poor Jou, first his parents get devoiced, he dad treats him like shit and now this."
"I know, it's horrible, but please don't tell anyone else about this. My dad doesn't know I over heard him."
"Gottcha, besides his friends are hurting enough, especially Yugi. I'm getting worried about him." Their voices faded away as they left the privacy of the rest room.
Seto let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and slumped against the stall. –Oh Dear Lord…this just keeps getting worse and worse. – He put a hand to his head feeling a headache coming on. –I'm going to need a few more minutes. –
** *
Seto walked out of the rest room and spotted his brother talking with Yugi. He prayed Mokuba had remembered his warning not to tell anyone about 'That Night' Yugi spotted the elder brother walking towards him and looked up.
"Kaiba, are you OK? You look a little pale." Silently he cursed to himself. He didn't like showing weakness in front of others. Then again given the situation he doubted anyone would blame him.
"I'm fine but Mokuba and I have to leave soon."
"I understand, they'll be taking his body to the cemetery in a few minutes. You're…welcome to join us." He was about to decline when he glanced at Mokuba, eyes silently pleading with him to stay. He sighed, if this is what Mokuba needed to get over this, than so be it.
"Alright…we'll stay."
"Thank you." Soon the crowd dispersed, the people leaving for their cars to fallow the black car. Seto was about the leave when he happened to glance out a passing window…and stopped dead in his tracks. There was Jou, eyes hidden by his blood stained hair, but the blackened ring around his neck was clearly visible. Pressing his hand against the glass pain he ran his right down leaving a trail of crimson from his nail-less fingers.
"Kaiba!" He jumped at the sound of Yugi's voice breaking eye contact with the figure in the window. "You coming?" Quickly he turned back to see…Darkness there and nothing more. Shaking his head he turned to fallow the tri-colored haired boy.
"Ya, I'm coming." –I've got to get some sleep, I'm starting to see things. - Or was he?
To be continued…
In: The Mirror
Next time: Kaiba doesn't believe in ghosts but Jounouchi has something to say, and he isn't about to be ignored.