Heartaches

Chapter 56

By Kellyq

Yusei, Jack and Bruno walked into Martha's room to see that she was awake. Yusei was the first to walk up and hug her as Jack and Bruno walked to the other side of the bed.

"Ah ... so this is your new teammate and friend for the race. I'm Martha," she introduced, holding out a weak hand for Bruno to take. "I'm the one who raised these guys."

Bruno nodded his head. "Bruno. It's nice to meet you. Yusei told me a lot of good things about you."

The door opened and Crow walked in pushing Kiryu's wheelchair in. The crippled teen's face lit up when he saw Yusei.

"Hug!" Kiryu said, motioning for Yusei to come closer.

Crow chuckled as he watched Yusei make his way over and hugged Kiryu. "He's been demanding to see you. He was happy when I told him that he could see Martha and you."

Yusei nodded his head and pulled back. Bruno stepped up and knelt beside Kiryu. "Hello. I'm Bruno. A friend."

"A good friend?" Kiryu asked, speaking clearly. Bruno nodded. Kiryu smiled, feeling a similar feeling he got when he was around Yusei.

Martha smiled. She liked that things were slowly looking up and when the time was right, she would reflect back on when she looked after Yusei and the kids.

Crow wheeled the wheelchair over to the side of the bed. Kiryu blinked a few times when he noticed that Martha's appearance looked different from last he remembered.

"Ma?"

Crow placed his right hand on Kiryu's shoulder. He glanced at Crow before returning his gaze back at Martha. "She's not feeling well," Crow explained.

"Ma going to get better?" Kiryu asked, not liking the state Martha was in.

The old woman smiled. "Don't worry about me," she advised. "Whatever happens, you've done well for yourselves."

A disapproving growl came from the back of Jack's throat. He hated when Martha talked as if she was going to die anytime soon. "You're not going to give up! That's the one thing you've taught me – so don't even start!"

The room went silent. They were shocked with Jack's outburst. It was very rare that he showed sadness. Martha frowned, reached out and pulled on Jack's ear. He was surprised that she still had quite a bit of strength left.

"Don't talk to me with that tone of voice, young man!" she said. "I'm going to be alright. Besides, you've got bigger things to worry about, like the race that's coming up." By this point, Martha had let go of his sore ear.

Jack sighed in defeat and rubbed his ear. "Fine."

Martha smiled. "Good. Now go practice and have a good time, okay?"

They all nodded their heads.

"What's wrong with Martha and Kiryu?" Bruno asked.

After they had left, Jack, Yusei and Bruno helped Crow get Kiryu situated in his apartment. Bruno thought it was a quaint spot, and it seemed to fit Crow's personality.

By this point, Jack, Yusei and Bruno were on their way to the racetrack, leaving Crow with Kiryu, so he could get adjust to the new surroundings.

"Kiryu hit his head hard and Martha has cancer and bedridden after she fell and broke her hip," Yusei explained.

The three had parked their bikes at the back. Bruno nodded his head and rubbed Yusei's back as Jack walked out to the racetrack.

When they had gotten to their destination, Jack saw Dragan going around the track.

A taunting smile made its way to his lips. Jack remembered the race he had and he didn't mind having another one against Dragan.

Jack stopped walking when he stepped onto the sidelines. He waited for Dragan to take notice that he was standing there. Dragan's dark blue gazed into violet eyes. Dragan veered his motorcycle to the side, pulled off his helmet and stood next to his motorcycle.

Jack walked up and stopped when he was ten feet away. They both had a stare down that lasted for a few seconds.

"Ready to lose again?" Jack taunted, and smirked.

"I don't have to worry about winning, I have my confidence back."

"Confidence?" Jack repeated. "What are you talking about? You didn't last very long, and it wasn't much of a challenge. If you ask me, that race was lame."

Intense anger flashed across Dragan's face. "Watch it, Atlus! You don't know what really happened that day!"

Jack's lips curved into a snarl, and anger flashed across his eyes, as his hands balled into fits. "Of course I remember that day! I won and you didn't!"

"I lost because of what happened to my father! He was hit on the way to the race that day, that's why I actually lost! Otherwise I would've won!" Dragan pointed out. Jack flinched lightly. He didn't expect to hear that. "I'm not surprised that you didn't know that, considering that you don't hold anyone close to you!"

Jack felt that he was slugged in the gut. "You don't know anything about me!" Jack growled. And I'm not heartless, he added mentally.

"I know that Jack cares about me!" came Yusei's voice. They both turned their heads to see him walk up, with Bruno by his side.

"And things could be settled in a more civil manor," came Harald's voice. He walked up behind his boyfriend and placed his hands on his shoulders.

"Agreed," Yusei said, standing next to Jack. He laced their fingers together to show that he was going to support Jack. "So whatever happens, let's make it a fare match, agreed?"

Harald studied Yusei for a moment, and smiled. He could see that Yusei had one angel protecting him and that was Hakase.

"Agreed."

To Be Continued …