Seth: I still don't understand. I always spelled it "Jounouchi" and that is the correct way, but my cousin says it's "Jyonouchi" and in one episode during the Kaiba Grand Prix season, we did see it spelled "Jyonouchi". Too confused...
Forever Scarred
Chapter 07
He hesitated as his hand paused in mid-air. How was he going to speak to Jyonouchi? He'd never comforted the blonde before, never really seen him cry. He stared straight at the door unsure, the thought of seeing Jyonouchi so helpless and weak felt awkward. Perhaps he wasn't the best person to be there for the mutt after all. He frowned, what other choice was there; Send one of his friends- the ones that created this situation in the first place?
He shook his head it had to be him. Swallowing hard, he turned the knob, which was thankfully unlocked. Opening it slightly he could hear silence. With a scrunched up expression of confusion he entered the room and closed the door behind him. Jyonouchi was nowhere to be found. Then the light in the bathroom caught his eye, he turned and locked the door. He didn't want any of the blonde's friends coming up and making the problem worse.
He heard the water rushing in the bathroom and he pondered whether or not he should knock on the bathroom door. He decided not to and made his way towards the small desk across the bed. Folders lay neatly in the corner. Sitting down at the desk he shifted through some papers and found another journal underneath. Picking it up he examined it a bit more carefully. It looked the same as the one he had taken.
Curiosity started to get the better of him as he was about to open it up, luckily he heard the water abruptly stop and the door began to open. Quickly dropping the book and standing he soon met the gaze of the surprised other.
It was silent for a moment before the distraught one shook his head, "If this is about Yugi and them still being here, I'm sorry. The time slipped by me, it won't happen again okay." His eyes evaded Kaiba's, his face directed at the ground and not the other.
Kaiba frowned, "I'm not here about that. Actually, I know what happened downstairs." He replied feeling strangely sympathetic for him. "Are you okay?" He asked rather concerned.
Jyonouchi inhaled deeply, "Yeah," He said with a nod, "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm mean c'mon, I knew he was getting outta jail… They couldn't keep'em there forever," He tried to cover, "They never can." He muttered resentfully. Kaiba took a few steps toward him. "I just," He shook his head, "I don't know- I just hoped that he'd be in there longer. You know, just a little longer." His voice was cracking, it was obvious he was using all his willpower to not cry even the often called heartless CEO could see it, feel it; his pain and fear.
Kaiba was within arm's reach, "Jyonouchi," He began but the other didn't reply nor face him, "You're safe." He guaranteed. "He can't get you here, understand?"
Jyonouchi faced him and smiled weakly, "You don't know what he's capable of, you don't know anything Kaiba, nothing about this." His eyes were so sad the brunette was absorbed in their gloomy gaze, "Now that he's out, he can do what he wants." He looked away as one tear slipped down.
"Jyonouchi, I promise you nothing will happen as long as you stay here." Stepping just a little closer he unconsciously put his arms on the other's shoulders, "I swear, you are safe here," he vowed.
He still remained pessimistic, "I'm not safe and if I do stay here then you and Mokuba aren't either." He informed walking away from him and sitting on the bed. "Just please leave me alone, I need to think."
Kaiba frowned, "You need to think?" He stared over at him and soon went over to him, stopping right in front of him. "What do you possibly have to think about?" He asked a bit angrily or perhaps more fearfully. The other looked down, avoiding him. Kaiba knelt down and took Jyonouchi's chin in his hand and made him face him.
"He knows by now that I'm here with you." He whispered dreadfully.
"Jyonouchi, I don't care who your Father is or what his friends can do," He exhaled softly, "You aren't leaving. No matter what, I swear to you, you're safe here." Kaiba swallowed, "And I'm not going to let you leave and go back to those bastards- I'm not going to let you give up and put yourself through that torture do you understand?"
His hand left Jyonouchi's face and in turn the blonde covered his face with his own hand. Shaking his head the tears he was suppressing finally released. He slid to the floor and reached out to Kaiba. His arms wrapped around his neck as he tried his best to quiet his sobs. The brunette caught off guard by the act swiftly adapted and placed his arms around the other's back. His eyes closed as he melted in the warmth and rubbed the other's back soothingly.
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He held him tightly even as the tears died down. They sat there on the floor in each other's arms, just sitting. Jyonouchi finally gaining control of himself slowly pulled away and smiled, "This is so, "He struggled with the right word, he laughed very lightly and smiled, "Funny. I never thought I'd be crying in your arms." He admitted.
Kaiba shared the smile, "I never thought I'd be here comforting you either mutt."
Jyonouchi narrowed his eyes for a second, "Mmn, let's not start on the name calling right now." He begged. The brunette nodded in agreement. It was quiet for a moment. Becoming a bit uncomfortable for the blonde. "This is awkward."
Kaiba shook his head, "You think so?" The other looked at him and blinked, "I think it's nice. You know, being in the same room with you and not arguing." He explained. The other laughed lightly. Both sighed at the same time.
He gulped and stared back at Kaiba whose eyes were now glancing around the room. "Kaiba," His tone was serious now, "You don't hafta let me stay here." He frowned and lowered his head, "You've done so much for me already an' I- I don't want to cause any problems or put you guys in danger. I know you don't want Mokuba in any danger so I- Please if you don't want me here, then just tell me an' I'll understand."
"Jyonouchi, didn't you hear me just now? You're not leaving, not now." He reminded. Leaning in a little closer he cupped the other's chin and smiled very faintly- it was almost hard to see, "It's about time for dinner, you can eat in your room if you want."
The saddened teen closed his eyes as the warm, gentle hand once again left his face, "I really don't feel like eating right now." He replied solemnly.
Kaiba stood up and extending his hand to help Jyonouchi, sighed, "I'll have someone send up a plate for you just in case." He said, "Remember what I said, Jyonouchi," The blonde looked at the other questionably, "You are safe here." He left the room right after.
Jyonouchi sat down on his bed and lied down. 'I sure hope you're right, Kaiba.' He grabbed a pillow and held it to his chest, "But you don't know how sly they are… If you or Mokuba get hurt," He exhaled heavily, "I don't want you guys to get hurt…"
He stood up and shook the man's hand. "Thank you for meeting me in person, Michen."
"No problem, Mr. Kaiba. Actually this works out better, I think information like this is best dealt face-to-face." He replied. Both sat down and put their sober expressions on.
Kaiba nodded, "So, what have you found out?"
The man shook his head, "Mr. Kaiba, I'm afraid these men might be part of a larger organization than we thought. Mr. Kaiba, I think it's time to consider placing you, your brother and Jyonouchi Katsuya in Witness Protection." The man opened up his briefcase and handed the brunette some filed folders, "They are dangerous and we need to get you three out of Domino and somewhere where they can't find you until we take care of this mess." His tone was grim and severe.
Kaiba sat back in his seat and weighed the option in his head. Well, there really was no 'option' or choice. If he wanted to be safe, if he wanted Mokuba and Jyonouchi to be safe… "No,"
"Mr. Kaiba sir, this is a very serious matter. We need to take any all precautions and preparations."
"You want my brother, Jyonouchi and myself to step out and become easy targets for them? I think Jyonouchi is safe where he is."
"Sir, they know what they're doing by now they most likely have your brother's school under close observation as well as your house. Waiting any second and ready to snatch your young brother or Katsuya." Kaiba was silent. "Mr. Kaiba, read what I've compiled and then please give me a call. I understand how difficult and overwhelming this all is, but you need to keep a clear head and think about what's safest for all of you."
He left him to ponder on that. Kaiba took a deep breath and exhaled frustrated. Running a hand through his brown locks he stared grimly at what was before him. He opened the first file and began reading.