Chapter 09
Page 16
Everything was… No, nothing was fine today. I got a lousy grade on my history test, got yelled at for not payin attention and well, I won't start with my life here. I missed out on having lunch with my friends… My Father says he wants me here, 'cause his sick stupid friends are coming over… There is a curse on me, I'm doomed forever to this filthy sick bastardized life.
Kaiba put his hand to his head and winced. The effect of the drug they had injected him with a few moments ago was starting to take its toll. "We'll make this quick since you don't have much time to talk Mr. Kaiba."
The dizzy brunette looked up with a scowl. There were two men in front of him, one wearing a dark blue suit with short black hair and a goatee, the other wore a tanned suit and had longer brown hair. Kaiba gathered his thoughts together and straightened up, he was going to fall unconscious soon so he had to try and get something out of them before that happened.
They smirked, "Mr. Kaiba, we know you are hiding Katsuya in your over-sized mansion. We also know it was you whom stood in the way and caused Mr. Jyonouchi to spend time in jail."
Kaiba shook his head, ignoring the tingeing pain caused by the action, "Katsuya's father stormed into a public school, threatened teachers and staff and caused a huge ruckus and scene, no one but he is responsible for his jail-time."
The black-haired one nodded, "True. Well, let us get back to the business at hand. Kaiba, I understand it must have been human nature to protect someone from a crazed drunk, but I am sure that a low dog like Katsuya is a burden to you. It must be hard watching over him and taking care of your younger brother at the same time-"
"Yes, Mokuba must be a real handful like other children his age- He attends the Odaiba school now doesn't he? I remember seeing him once or twice, you know as I've drove by there." He hinted with a smirk.
Kaiba tensed, "You're threatening my younger brother."
"We only want what is rightfully ours." He answered, "Give us back Katsuya and we'll forget ever knowing of you and your little brother."
"Is there some sort of secret he knows of- is that what you and his Father are worried about? If so, I can assure you that he'll never mention it to anyone, including the authorities."
The one wearing the tan suit reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pink-and-white floral handkerchief, "It's much more than that, and we want him back for other reasons that we will not share with you. But we don't need him right away; actually it'd be best if he could wait until the first of November to return to his home. Give him this and I'm more than sure he'll return." He handed Kaiba the handkerchief. He placed it into his pocket keeping his eyes on the two sadistic men before him, but by now his eyes were blurring and his body felt so heavy.
"The first of November, no sooner and definitely no later, understand? And Kaiba if you fail to give him this message, your brother Mokuba will become our next target."
Kaiba huffed, "Don't you da…" He started to fall over, "Dare… lay a… hand…" He couldn't hold in the pressure anymore, his body was numbing and mind sleeping. He couldn't put two words together or even keep his eyes open.
"Sweet dreams, Kaiba," and he soon entered a world of darkness.
-
Mokuba ran down and entered the downstairs den, his face holding nothing of the terror and fear he felt deeply down in his heart, the trembling- all-consuming-pain that was taking over and eating his insides. He swore he didn't know how his older brother dealt with it… His older brother…
"Hey guys, what's up?" He asked, forcing his voice to be cheery and kind as it usually was under normal circumstances. "If you're here to speak with Jyonouchi, he's upstairs playing video games. You can go see him if you want."
Anzu frowned, "How is he doing? Are you sure he'd want to see us after what happened last night?" She asked.
Mokuba looked at her and smiled, "Of course he wants to see you all. Come on, he knows you guys were only trying to help, he'd never stay mad at you for long." He explained, "Seto on the other hand…" His brows furrowed a little, "Is still way ticked off at you."
Honda and Ryou sighed relieved. "That's great, we'll go up and see him then."
"I know he'll be glad to see you guys." He smiled. "Why don't you guys go ahead and stay for a while. He's upstairs on the third floor, fifth door down the right hallway."
Honda cringed, "You might hafta right that down for me."
"That's exactly what Seto did when Jyonouchi first moved in here." He replied with a small smile.
Yami stepped up to the young hazel-eyed boy, "Speaking of Kaiba, is he here?" -His tone was very serious and stern.
Mokuba blinked and gulped, 'Seto asked me not to say anything at all…' Mokuba sighed, "Oh I- he's at work. He's got a lot of things to do there and so, he won't be home for a while." 'Of course I wish he'd come through that door right now.' He hid away the twinge of despair and desperation.
"Has he called or anything? Are you sure he's at work?" The tri-colored teen asked, his face edgy and intense as if concerned and worried deeply about something. "Mokuba, are you sure he's all right?"
His face reddened in response of Yami's interrogation. 'Does he know something's wrong?' "Why are you asking questions about Seto?"
Yami sighed and frowned, "We saw him at school today and he seemed to be in another world. Anzu also saw him when he was getting in his limousine…"
Mokuba's heart jumped. So Yami saw his brother's kidnapper? "So?"
"Mokuba, I tried to talk to your brother but his driver grabbed me and knocked me down. He was really rude and he just seemed a bit unprofessional." Anzu jumped in, worry wrapping back around her.
Mokuba shook his head and raised an eyebrow, "So that's what happened to Mr. Lei and Seto…" He stopped himself as his thoughts soon caught up with him. He gulped and rushed out of the room.
Yami glanced back at the rest of the group. Each of them exchanged concerned expressions before following after the young Kaiba. "Mokuba what's going on?" They all asked at the same time.
He stopped in the middle of the hallway and closed his eyes. He'd been looking for his brother for over two hours and there was no sign of him anywhere, as of yet. Tears started to form as he pondered on what to do now. The group caught up to him and so he turned around to face them. 'I guess I should tell them now…'
-
'Where's Mokuba at?' He pondered walking down the stairs. 'We were playing games and then he said he was gonna go get some sodas and now he's gone. It's been thirty minutes already…' He thought about it some more. "Hm, maybe Kaiba's home." As he neared the second floor, he stopped as before him he saw Mokuba, Yami and his other friends walking into the den. He followed quietly behind, their faces were grim and they seemed to walk in a slump. He recognized that walk; he often slumped around in pain, fear and sickness himself. Something was wrong.
And if something were wrong, they wouldn't discuss it if they knew he was there. So he slowly walked down and leaned against the den door, opening it just a little. "I haven't heard a word from Seto. And I know he isn't at work either. I tried calling Mr. Lei too and he didn't answer either," Jyonouchi's eyes opened wide.
Mokuba started tearing, "I don't know where Seto is!" He was now trembling and breaking.
Jyonouchi gasped at the words. 'Kaiba's missing? H-how?'
Anzu hugged him close, "It's okay Mokuba. You'll find your brother all right?" She assured and comforted, staring up at Yami hoping he had some magical solution.
"Mokuba, you have people that can go out and look for your brother right?"
He nodded, "Yeah but," He sat up and leaned against the back of the couch, "They've been looking for him for hours now and we can't go to public with it because, then their would be all this commotion and publicity which is something we don't need right now." Mokuba sighed, "I don't know what to do now."
Yami thought about his plight and smiled calmly. "Don't worry so much. Everything will be just fine, Kaiba is too smart to let anything bad happen to him." He stood to his feet and checked his watch, "Honda, Ryou and I are going to look for him. So just stay here and wait and see if your brother calls or comes home. Anzu, stay with Mokuba and call me or Ryou if anything happens..."
Jyonouchi stepped away and rushed over to the stairs. 'Seto's in trouble and I bet I know why… It's all because of me. Oh please let him be okay, please…' Jyonouchi bit his lip as Yami, Ryou and Honda came into view. He was hiding behind the stairs, kneeling down as to not be seen.
"So what do you think?"
Yami shook his head, "I'm not sure what to think. I just wish right now, that Kaiba hadn't been so stubborn and would've just let us help him deal with these people in the beginning." He sighed, "Well, let's do our best to find him and bring him back to Mokuba." They each nodded and soon left out towards the front doors.
Jyonouchi stepped out and took a deep breath, he himself was unsure of what to do. Kaiba had told him not to take one step outside his house; he made him swear he wouldn't the day he got here… So, "But Kaiba is," The thought of what they could've done to the strong, serious brunette made him sick to his stomach, "I can't just stay here." He muttered.
"Jyonouchi what're you doing down here?" He froze and turned around to see Anzu standing there.
Mokuba came standing right behind her, valiantly trying to wipe away his tears before the blonde saw them. 'Pour Mokuba. He was trying so hard to make sure I didn't hear this, that's probably why he didn't come back up. He said that he'd been tryin' for hours to find Kaiba so…' He smiled and shook his head, "I was just comin' down to get some water. Anzu when did you get here?" He asked in pretend happiness, pretending; something he had gotten good at a long time ago.
Anzu hid the worry on her face, "Just a little while ago. So um, say why don't we go watch some TV in the living room or something?" She suggested, trying to find a way to ease the uneasiness in Mokuba's heart.
Jyonouchi smiled, "Hey Mokuba, do you have any ice cream left? C'mon let's go watch a movie." He encouraged and Mokuba nodded softly.
He sat up and swallowed hard. His mouth felt dry and his head was pounding hard like a bad hangover. He thought they had just sedated him but obviously that wasn't the case… His body ached, particularly his lower regions… Well, it was nothing he wasn't already used to, nothing new or totally unknown. Not that he was going to let this go either. He narrowed his eyes as he clutched his fists, he would get the two bastards for what they did, as well as for what they've done to Jyonouchi. Kaiba was more determined than ever.
He sighed and slowly stood to his feet. Right now though, he needed to get home. "Mokuba probably is bouncing off the walls, terrified. I have to get home." He repeated and mustering up all his strength he began walking in the direction of his house.
Kaiba was lucky; lucky they dropped him off in the park and not in the middle of no-where. Then again, he was supposed to be their little messenger boy and deliver their message to Jyonouchi. Which reminded him, 'what am I going to do now? I can't possibly tell him about it, after what happened to me- it's going to be hard just to keep him home…'
He lost his cell-phone somewhere in the bushes a while back. The worst thing was he heard it ringing but was just in too much pain and too out of it to get it. And now he was almost on familiar territory as he came to the heart of Domino City. Pulling together what all he had left, he stood up straight and began sifting through the crowded streets. 'I need to get out of here before someone recognizes me.' Not to mention he was still feeling woozy from the last traces of that drug injected into him.
"Kaiba!" Before he could look up and see whom was calling him, the unknown person grabbed his arm. 'Great, more trouble...' He rolled his eyes which only caused him to flinch thanks to his headache.