Heartaches

Chapter 29

By KellyQ

The three came back to Kiryu's room. The camera that was on the wall was gone, and an extra bed was near the window. Kiryu smiled when he saw that Martha, Yusei and Jack were waiting.

Jack raised a brow when he noticed Misty, and she was giving him a look. This went unnoticed by the others when they helped Kiryu back into bed.

"You must be Jack Atlus," Misty stated. Her voice got everyone's attention.

"And you are?" Jack asked bluntly. He eyed her for a moment, and then he remembered. "You're that chick that caused a lot of problems for Akiza!"

As soon as he said his friend's name, the red-haired woman walked in with some blankets. Misty and Akiza eyed each other for a moment, before Akiza placed the sheets on the bed.

"So ..." Crow spoke up, getting everyone's attention. "What's with the extra bed?"

"I'm going to have someone stay with Kiryu until we find out what happened the other night," Martha explained.

"I would volunteer to be the one," Akiza offered, getting the bed ready, "but Sayer wants me to visit him in prison ..."

The room went silent when the name left her lips. Kiryu glanced around the room wondering why everyone was quiet.

"S-Sayer? Friend?" He inquiered.

By this point Misty had already walked out with Carly trailing behind. Jack also walked out when he saw that he wasn't needed, leaving Akiza, Crow, Kiryu, Yusei, and Martha alone.

Kiryu blinked when he realized that Carly had left. "Crow?" he called out, getting his friend's attention, pointing at the open door. "Carly ..."

"What ... do you want me to go get her?" Crow asked. Kiryu shook his head. "Then what do you want if you don't want me to go get her?"

"I think he wanted her to say goodbye to him and she didn't," Martha concluded. "Is that what you're trying to tell us, Kiryu?" He nodded his head. Martha smiled. "Next time, tell her you want a hug before she leaves."

"Carly!" Kiryu sang out, chuckling.

Crow, Yusei, Akiza, and Martha glanced at each other and smiled.

"Kiryu," Martha spoke up, sitting on the bed, getting his full attention. "Someone is going to stay with you," she explained, pointing to the bed.

Kiryu nodded his head. "Yus!"

"I wish I could," Yusei responded, rubbing Kiryu's bent arm, getting his friend to look at him, "but I can't ..."

Hurt flashed across Kiryu's face. "Friends?" He asked sadly.

"Of course we are, Kiryu!" Yusei reassured. All Kiryu did was nod his head, not making eye contact with his friend.

"Everyone in here is your friend, Kiryu," Martha explained, getting the crippled teen to look at her.

"Yeah!" Crow said, sitting on the bed too. "We all love yea!"

"L-love?" Kiryu murmured, feeling something in his chest. He liked the feeling he got; it made him feel good.

"Well, yeah! I love you!" Crow said without thinking.

Kiryu stared at him for a moment and a smile made its way to his lips. "Kiryu. Love. Crow."

Yusei, Akiza, and Martha watched Crow. He lowered his head and his expression darkened. A sad smile made its way to his lips. Crow knew that Kiryu didn't understand that he just stated how he really felt, and it pained him.

"I do need to get going," Akiza spoke up breaking the silence. "I'll only have a little time to see him."

"Do you want me to accompany you?" Yusei offered, glancing at her.

A soft smile made its way to Akiza's lips. "That's sweet of you, Yusei, but my dad's going to be there."

On cue, a man with rich brown hair walked in. He had a full beard without a mustache, and brown slanted eyes. He wore a fine tuxedo and tie.

"Daddy!" Without thinking, Akiza ran up and hugged her father.

Mr. Izayoi chuckled and gently moved her back so that he could lead her to the car. He held out his arm and she took it.

"Are you sure you don't want me to be there?" Yusei asked again. He didn't feel comfortable having Akiza see her current boyfriend, Sayer.

Just the thought made Yusei's skin crawl. He never liked him at all. As far as he was concerned, Sayer was a greedy self-centered bastard.

Mr. Izayoi gave Yusei a respectful look. Akiza smiled at her ex-boyfriend. "I'll be okay, Yusei. Besides, I need to take responsibility and help Sayer get better."

Yusei sighed. "Just be careful."

"Don't worry, Yusei," Mr. Izayoi reassured. "I'll make sure she doesn't get hurt."

"We better get going, daddy," Akiza urged. "And if it helps, I'll call you, Yusei."

He nodded his willfully, watching the two walk out.

To Be Continued ....