Greetings all! This is crazy! 24 reviews! Cha! That's a new record, peoples! Yay! (huggles everyone tightly)
MoonWolf2000: (shakes head) My my, desperate to get me to update, aren't we? 2 reviews. Thanks for complimenting my poetry. It's a thing of mine. (smiles) The one for this chappie isn't mine though...(sighs) Go Lord Tennyson! booya! Yes, dear, I'm glad you've accepted the fact that our dear Ryou will not be returning. It'll help you immensely in this chappie. (secretive smile)
StormySkys: (grins) Yes, our Gerald is an essential character. Might not seem like it right now but that's okay. (rolls eyes) Yes, Malik is disturbingly awesome. Scary, oh yes. I'm quite sure there will be scars. (so yay for you) Ferris-sama, eh? (smiles happily)
xKokurox: (cackles) Me loves cliffies! Loves em! (when I'm the one writing them anyway...-.o) Snot chocking you? (wince) I know the feeling. My sympathies. Want more Malik/Kura "action"? (is disturbed now) Wellll...you're gonna have to wait a while on that one, honey. Don't worry, it'll come by and by.
Tabby: (twitches) No...no...NO! (breathes) Sorry, I'm just tired of people begging me for Ryou's return. I'm not going to say anything now. This chappie will settle this once and for all! Mwahahaha! Ack! Quit grabbing at my feet! (hides feet under chair)
RaeRae: Yes yes yes! More chapters! More chapters!
KeraJeir: (sighs) Yes our Kura hates sympathy. Who knows though, maybe he won't mind...someday...(sighs wistfully) Malik's getting on your nerves? (cackles) Oh but he's only BEGUN! Mwaahahaa! (kera: >. ) hehee
Kit-Cat-Caitlin: (smirk) Yes I'm evil, and proud of it! No I haven't gotten a link to your piccie thingies. (sobs)
666TheWitch666: Want a visual of the carvings? (ponders) Hmm...thoughts...perhaps I'll sketch one for you honey! (beams) Yes I'm disturbing. Glad you liked the last few chappies!
Spryte: (cackles) What? You don't LIKE my cliffies? (readers: GLARE) heehee. Don't worry, Yami will discover the truth...eventually...(laughs) You're the only one who's interested or even remembered the Christmas present. Yes yes, you'll see it...later...(yeesh, everything's LATER) -.-; meh.
dragonlady222: Yes, we all feel bad for our slightly naive Marik. (huggles hikari) Hope Baku makes it? (smirk) teehee!
Satra: Yesyesyes! I've frikin' FINISHED! It's soooo wonderful! I'm on chapter five of Son of Apophis right now. Hopefully I'll be far enough along with that by the time you people finish this lovely story! (crosses fingers) Need...more...sugar...
redphoniex: (blink) This isn't that dark. This is semi-dark. Malik's only begun! Mwahahaha! (readers: o.o) Must remember to e-mail you...must remember to e-mail you...
Wish-full Thinker: all you people are like: "now that's violence!" I tell you, it is not. You should see the fight scenes later on...(not to mention how I kill someone off...) You actually get to SEE the violence firsthand later.Yay! I have good adjectives!
Silver Mirror: Honey, don't be shocked at what Malik does. That was fairly tame for him. (rolls eyes) Yami's taking a break from too much screen time at the moment. He'll return though. Must love Gerald! Must! (huggles bodyguard)
moonlit-leaf: No, Malik's gone for the moment. He'll be back later though. (smile) Yes our poor Kura and Ryou. They've both been through quite a bit. you'll be pitying yet another character in this chappie!
Broken Mirrors and Tainted Souls: Yay! Intent on revenge! Me likes it! (huggles)
wolfjessica5: Thank you for the prayers for my friends. Much appreciated. Poor Kura. He's having a rough time of it, neh? (-.-; understatement.)
blackalbino: (grin) I'm glad you like the humor. Over time it got harder and harder to stick in. Some chappies won't have any. (sobs) So sad! Of COURSE I can do worse to Kura!...and not just him either! (readers: O.O) Mwhahaha!
Freedom of Darkness: O.o...er...no. Kaiba's not going to get "fucked over". No one is again. You people disturb me. Gimme that frikin' stick! (chases)
TheGodFish: Some of your answers will be answered in this chappie. Actually, all of them are answered NEXT chappie. (fish: -.-) Err...sorry, you'll just have to wait on those...(smiles)
Under Finger and Thumb: O.o...you still continue to scare me, honey. Be proud of that. (i think...o.O) Hmm...I take it you don't like Yami, neh? (huggles) I wuv you too, honey, (you and all your freakiness)
Bluegrass Elf: Oh comeo now, the cliffie wasn't THAT bad! (smirk)...at least not compared to some upcoming cliffies! I tell you, I'd hate to have someone do what I'm going to do to you peoples! hehe! (readers: GLARE)
pink-kiss-candy: (sighs) Yes it is gory. We get a break from violence in this chappie!...kind of...(smiles weakly)
This chappie will be dedicated to our new reviewer: RaeRae! Whoot! Do so again, honey! We wuvs you! (group hug) yay!
All right. I'm going to crush many of yous' pointless hopes and dreams in this chapter. We have a nice look at Seto and Ryou's friendship, a nice flashback! Whoot for flashbacks! Onward!
For this alone on Death I wreak
That wrath that garners in my heart;
He put our lives so far apart
We cannot hear eachother speak.
--Tennyson
Chapter 24: Gone
(Mr. Mutou's POV)
Mokuba must have informed the guards that I was coming, because they're waiting for me at the gate when I arrive.
"Mister Mokuba is awaiting your arrival in the front lounge. I'll escort you there," one man with a gun at his side states.
I glance about as we stride quickly for the door. There are people running about, all carrying weapons. That can't be a good sign. We enter the mansion to find the distraught boy standing on the stairs, rushing down and clinging to me.
"Mokuba," I say, putting my arms about his shaking frame.
"I'm scared," he sobs. "Niisama's in trouble. They won't even tell me what's happening."
I turn my head and give the guard a stern look. He stares back at me helplessly, not saying anything. I sigh heavily.
"All right, let's go sit down somewhere. There's no reason for us to stand in the middle of the entryway. We'll get some tea and you can tell me what you know, Mokuba."
(Kaiba's POV)
I sigh tiredly, glancing over nervously at Ryou's pale form that's strapped up to tons of tubes and wires. They had to put a respirator on him, said his organs are failing. I grit my teeth, digging my fingers into my briefcase that's sitting on my lap. I can't believe I didn't see this coming. I should have known Malik wouldn't have passed up such an opportunity.
Marik and Bakura are unconscious, both covered in medical tubes and such. One of my personal emergency teams is here, overseeing their care until we get back to Kaiba Corp. where surgeries and other more extensive treatments can begin immediately. I close my eyes wearily.
"Sir, we'll be arriving at Kaiba Corp. in ten minutes," Gerald states, voice hoarse.
I nod, eyes shooting open at the sound of a heart monitor going flat. We both turn to see the medical team surround Ryou's motionless form. I stand up, entire body tense.
"We're losing him. I'm not getting a pulse!" one woman shouts as they rush about in an attempt to get him back.
I clench my hand on the Millennium rod, my eyes wide. Not now. I'm not ready.
"Clear!" They all back up momentarily as they send an electric current through his frail frame in an attempt to restart his heart. Nothing.
"Clear!" I watch as his body spasms again grotesquely. Nothing.
They glance at one another.
"Don't you dare stop now!" I scream.
They all hurry around like bees, taking off certain tubes as others add new ones. I feel my entire body trembling uncontrollably.
"Clear!" He spasms again. Still nothing.
"Again!" I shout, anger rising. I can't lose him now.
"Clear!" Nothing.
They glance at one another uncertainly. I feel my blood boiling.
"AGAIN!" I scream. They stare at me mournfully, but turn back to continue their attempts.
I feel a shaky hand rest on my shoulder. I turn to see Gerald staring down at Ryou's lifeless form.
"Sir…"
"We are not going to lose him now, damn it!" I growl angrily.
His hand tightens on my shoulder. How dare he! The team sends another shock through Ryou. Nothing.
"Again!" I growl, feeling my muscles weakening.
They pause, staring at me helplessly.
"What are you waiting for?" I scream, thoroughly enraged. They turn back, though they don't move nearly as fast as before.
I'm not prepared when Gerald pulls me away. Coming to my senses I struggle against him. He holds me firmly, staring adamantly into my eyes.
"Sir, he's gone," I hear him whisper.
"No," I growl.
"Yes. Sir, he's dead," he states firmly.
"NO!" I shriek, ripping myself from his grasp and racing back over to Ryou's limp form.
The medical team backs away, heads bowed. Gerald nods at them and they leave. He stands near the door, eyes downcast. I stare down at Ryou, my hand on resting on the side of his face.
"I'm not ready," I whisper to him, tears streaming down my face. "Come back."
I sob, burying my face against his chest. There's no heartbeat. He's really gone.
"Come back…come back…" I wail, holding his limp body against me, rocking it back and forth. "Please…come back…"
(Mr. Mutou's POV)
Mokuba's curled up against me, sniveling as we both sit in the back lounge on one of the large, green couches. There's a fire blazing in the large fireplace, the mantle decorated with numerous trophies and such from Seto's early dueling career. The large drapes are closed; the fire is the only light in the room. I sigh, glancing up to watch the flames' reflections play across the marble ceiling.
There's a soft knock on the door. We both look up.
"Come in," Mokuba states, sitting up a bit more.
A guard enters softly, coming over and standing in front of the couch.
"Sir, Mister Kaiba has arrived at Kaiba Corp."
Mokuba's eyes widen. "Is he all right?"
"He is unharmed," the man states slowly, holding something back.
I narrow my eyes. "And?"
He shuffles slightly. "He won't be coming back here for a few days…"
"Why not?" Mokuba asks, hurt.
"I can't…"
I stand up, angry now. "Listen you, this boy has been frantically worrying about his brother. Information has been held from him, leaving him to agonize more than he should have to. You are going to tell him right now why his brother isn't coming back for now or we're going to march on over…"
"All right!" the man holds up his hands. "Roland said something about preparations…there are injured to be taken care of…and…" He watched me nervously. "…one dead."
My eyes widen in shock. "Just who are these people? How many wounded?"
"Two. I don't know who they are. I wasn't informed."
Mokuba looks over at me mournfully.
"Who's dead?" I whisper, feeling my stomach churn.
The man shakes his head. "I…don't know."
I sigh heavily, glancing over at Mokuba who his staring at the fireplace. I turn back to the guard who's standing there uncomfortably.
"Thank you. You may go," I say softly. He bows and strides to the door, closing it softly behind him.
"Did niisama kill Bakura?" Mokuba whispers, eyes still fixed on the fireplace.
I put a hand on his trembling shoulder. "Do you think he would?"
"I…didn't think so before…now I'm not so sure." His voice is quivering.
I pull him against me. "You just have to believe in him." For now we can only wait.
(Yugi's POV)
I yawn as we sit around the kitchen at our house. It's been three days since Grandpa went over to the Kaiba mansion. He'd called us there, saying he didn't want to leave Mokuba. They won't let the boy go to Kaiba Corp. to see his brother. That's no doubt Seto's doing. We're all worried, not sure who the three people Kaiba brought back are. Grandpa said someone died. Two people are seriously injured too. Where on earth did Kaiba and Bakura go? Did Kaiba kill him? I try to push that thought from my mind. I shouldn't be making assumptions like that.
Yami's been lying on the couch wrapped up in one of Ryou's sweatshirts. I've never seen him in so much pain. It took us an hour and a half to get him to eat something this morning. We're not going to school, unable to face the world. Jou and I have talked some, but all Yami wants to do is sleep. His face is wan, body growing thin. I'm worried about him, yet I don't know what to do.
Yami stares down at the plate of food Jou's set in front of him. I'm forcing myself to eat; all food tastes bland to me. Jou himself has lost his usually hefty appetite.
"Yami man, you've got to eat something," Jou states firmly from where he's perched on the counter.
Yami sighs heavily. "I know…I'm just not hungry."
"Well you're gonna eat something one way or another. Now do I have to come over there and force it down your throat or…"
Yami shakily picks up his fork, staring down sickly at the food. I feel my heart ache watching him. What did we all do to deserve this?
(Mokuba's POV)
Mr. Mutou and I are playing a game of chess at the dining room table. The thing is an antique, almost thirty feet long. I'll never understand why Seto bought it. There are only two of us after all.
The room is lined with large windows on either side. There are guards stationed outside of each one. Something is making them very edgy. Perhaps…
The two oak doors open, Roland walking in. He looks worn out, lines creasing his face. He looks at least ten years older. I doubt he's had much sleep the past three days.
"Roland!" I cry, jumping up and racing over and hugging him.
He stares down at me in shock. I've never hugged him before. I'm just so glad to see him.
"What's the news?" Mr. Mutou asks, standing up.
"I've just come back to take care of Mister Mokuba now that things have calmed down a bit," Roland states.
I let go of him. "Where's Seto?"
He sighs. "He's still at Kaiba Corp. He's refusing to see anyone. We haven't been able to get him to leave the morgue."
I feel myself shudder. What's niisama locking himself in the morgue for? My heart sinks.
"It's Ryou, isn't it?" I whisper.
Mr. Mutou looks at me in surprise. Roland nods solemnly. I feel tears escape my eyes. That's it then. He's really gone. There's no way he'll ever come back. I feel a hand rest on my shoulder. Mr. Mutou's beside me, staring up adamantly at Roland.
"Take us to him."
I look over at him in shock.
"The boy's been dead for three days. I don't see what…"
"Not Ryou. Kaiba," Mr. Mutou says softly, squeezing my shoulder.
Roland looks me in the eyes. I can see the pain, the torment he's been going through. I can only imagine what niisama must be feeling. I stare up at him pleadingly.
"Very well."
(Jou's POV)
We finally got Yami to eat something for lunch. I sit across the room on the floor while he sleeps on the couch, still wrapped up in Ryou's shirt. It hurts him to talk about him. This whole thing was just so sudden…so cruel.
Yugi walks softly into the room, glancing over at his darker half mournfully. Yugi sits down beside me, our backs against the wall.
"We need to get him out of the house," I murmur as we stare at the sleeping figure.
Yugi nods somberly. "I know. Why don't we call up the others and go somewhere? Honda and Anzu have been calling every day. They've been worried about invading his space too soon, though."
I frown. "It's gone on long enough. We can't let this new lifestyle of his become a habit. I know it's still really soon, but sitting around doing nothing will only keep his mind on it."
Yugi sighs. "I know. You wake him up. I'll go call the others."
He gets up and marches across the room into the kitchen to get the phone. I get up and walk over to the couch, gently shaking the sleeping monarch by the shoulders.
"Yami man, you've gotta wake up," I say gently.
He moans, eyes opening and looking up at me wearily.
"What?"
I smile kindly, pulling him into a sitting position. "Come on, man. We're going out with the others."
He shakes his head, pulling Ryou's shirt tighter about himself. "I'll pass."
I growl. "No you don't. You can't go on like this, man. You can't lock yourself up like this. You're coming an' that's final."
(Kaiba's POV)
I sit in the morgue's cold atmosphere, staring down at the lifeless form on the table. His eyes are closed, lips blue now. I can't bear to touch him anymore. He's so empty. It's not my friend any longer, just a…thing.
I cough harshly, the temperature in here getting to me. I'm not going to leave him though. I can't. I just can't seem to find a way to move on. I reach into my pocket pulling out the necklace that I'd installed the tracking device into. Staring at it, I remember…
Ryou laughs as Mokuba pouts at getting beaten again. They're sitting at the table in the dining room playing Duel Monsters.
"You're getting better, Mokuba-chan," he smiles.
Mokuba frowns. "I don't want you to go easy on me. I know you were."
Ryou grins. "So what now? Want to play again?"
Mokuba shakes his head. "Nah. You'll just beat me again."
Ryou quirks an eyebrow. "Oh? So that means you should give up? Look how long your brother and Yami have dueled now. Seto's never beaten him. It doesn't mean one should stop trying. By continuing to face that challenge one still has something to work for. There's always room for improvement of skills." I feel myself tense at this from where I'm standing around the corner. How dare he speak of me that way.
Mokuba scowls. "I don't think it's fair of Yugi and Yami. I mean, they share a body so they can feed each other ideas during a duel. It's two against one."
Ryou laughs. "I suppose so."
Mokuba gives the white-haired boy a questioning look. "Do you and Bakura duel together like Yami and Yugi?"
Ryou's eyes darken, a sad look appearing in their warm depths. "No. No we never have."
Mokuba seems to be thinking for a moment before he says: "Well, maybe you should…and duel Yami and Yugi like that. Then it'd be more fair."
Ryou chuckles. "Perhaps one day."
I smirk, entering the room at this point. Mokuba jumps up and runs over to me, hugging my waist. Ryou stands up, a small smile on his face.
"I think it's time for you to go to bed, neh?" I say to my brother who pouts.
"Fine fine. Bye Ryou! Night Seto!" He races out of the room, no doubt to find Roland and give him trouble. Oh well.
Once I'm sure he's gone I turn to Ryou who's still standing in the same spot.
"You won't be coming here again, I'm afraid, unless you start getting some manners," I hiss.
Ryou looks at me confusedly. "What?"
"I don't want you talking about me behind my back to my brother. How I duel is none of your concern."
Ryou frowns. "You know, some people would consider eavesdropping unmannerly as well."
I scowl. "How dare you! Get out of my house now! I don't want to see you here ever again, do you understand me?"
He nods, walking for the door. "You know, Seto, the world isn't against you. Perhaps you should stop acting like it is."
I whip around and glare at him. "What did you say?"
He smiles sadly. "I know what it's like to bottle up anger…to feel like everyone's judging you…People don't understand people like us."
I scoff. "Are you trying to compare myself to you?"
He sighs. "See? This is the attitude I mean."
I frown. "Get out. I didn't ask you for an analysis of my character, nor do I want you planting ideas into Mokuba's mind."
I turn and walk over to the large, mahogany table, staring down at my reflection in its shining surface. I wait for the sound of the doors closing. It doesn't come.
"Want to duel?"
I look over at him in surprise. He's standing there with his hands in his pockets. I feel a smirk form on my face.
"You must be joking," I snort. "Do you think you stand a chance in hell against me in a duel?"
He smiles, striding back over and plopping down in a chair. "I guess we won't know until I try."
We duel. Early in the game I've whittled his life points down to a sparse 100.
I smirk across the table at him. "My life points have yet to be touched. Sure you don't want to forfeit?"
He shrugs. "I don't really see the point of doing so."
I frown at this. There's no way he can win against me and he knows it. Why on earth is he continuing?
He smiles as he moves, taking 120 of my life points with a damn magic card. I scowl, but I'm not worried. I'm about to end this duel.
"Any last words?" I grin.
He shrugs. "No. Not really."
I frown. This isn't the reaction I was expecting. He's so impassive. Doesn't he care that he's about to lose? What was the point of challenging me in the first place?
"Well? Aren't you going to attack me?" he asks, giving me a curious look.
I scowl. "All right, what's your game here?"
He stares at me in confusion. "Duel Monsters?"
I growl. "No, idiot. I'm talking about the fact that you're about to lose and don't seem to give a damn about it. What's the point of this if you're just shaping up to lose?"
He smiles. "It's all about winning with you, isn't it?"
I frown. "What else is there?"
"Learning. Improving…even having a bit of fun?" he states simply.
I stare at him in astonishment. I've never met someone like him before. It's…intriguing. He doesn't care about winning? I put down my Blue Eyes, finishing his life points off. I watch his face the whole time, looking for any signs of anger or remorse. He looks up at me cheerily.
"Good game." What the hell!
He gets up as I remain motionless in my seat. I turn to watch him leave. He opens one of the big oak doors.
"Ryou," I say before I can stop myself.
He turns around, giving me a questioning look. "Hmm?"
"Same time tomorrow?" I smirk.
He smiles, nodding. "Tell Mokuba I'll bring the foreign cards he wanted to see."
Then he's gone. I sit back in my chair, wondering why the heck I invited him to come back. Perhaps it's my sheer lack of understanding when it comes to him. He's so…carefree…no, that's not the right word. I don't even know how to describe him.
He does come back, day after day. Mokuba's dueling skills have improved dramatically. We both give my brother pointers. Ryou never beats me, but he's getting incredibly better. After Mokuba goes to bed Ryou and I sit and talk for hours on end. I've never had a peer to discuss things so openly with before.
"Why do you shun Yugi and the rest of them?" he asks me one evening as we sit across the table from one another.
I smirk. "They're not my type, let's put it that way."
He frowns. "You know, you could at least be polite to them."
I look up. "What? And you're any better? At least I acknowledge their presence."
He looks down, blushing slightly. "I…don't fit in with them so well," he mumbles, shuffling through his cards.
I quirk an eyebrow. "Well, it sends the wrong signal to them, if you're trying to fit in."
He smiles sadly. "I've tried. It's just…hard."
We never talk about the subject after that night. There's no need to. There's an unspoken understanding of the situation. We both have been hurt, unable to join groups of social freaks. I'm not even sure why Ryou can't fit in. It's just the way we are.
One night after he's left I sit back at the table by myself. Deciding it'd probably be best to go to bed, I reach over and pick up my deck only to find something wrapped around it. It's a small chain with a little silver ring around it. At first I wonder if he meant to take it with him when I notice the small writing on it: Believe me, every man has his secret sorrows, which the world knows not; and oftentimes we call a man cold, when he's only sad.
We never spoke about it but it described both of us better than anything else could. A silent understanding that we had for one another…
I come out of my daze by a knock on the metal door of the morgue.
"What did I say about interrupting me?" I shout hoarsely, not moving.
"…Sir, your brother's here."
My eyes widen. I quickly cross the room and open the door to find Mokuba staring up at me, tears streaming down his face.
"Niisama…"
(sobs) That was one of the toughest chappies for me to write! (huggles rat) Awww fowstie!
All of you: STOP GIVING KURA AND MALIK COOKIES. Like they need any sugar...-.-;
Kura: hehe! Cookies!
Malik: (stuffing face)
Yami: Wah! No cookies for ME? What am I, chopped liver?
Ferris: Believe me, you don't want to ask some of these people that...
Yami: (pouts)
Kura and Malik: Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! (bouncing around)
Ferris: -.-;...this can't be happening...
REVIEW!