" Hello ? Jaden ?" i was growing a bit impatient no sound was coming through.
"Arata ! Please ! He-" The scream was cut off into a choking sound. It was defiantly Jaden's panicked voice on the other end.
My hair stood on end as a struggle and a few screams where heard from through the speaker.
I stood up shakily on the ground feeling sicker by the second as more shouts were heard. I called him name.
" Jaden !? Whats wrong !?" I didn't get a response only a loud slap was heard and then a hard thud.
" Ja-"
" Arata, unless you want your little friend here to get hurt you should just listen to what we have to say" the voice was cold and sharp. Tiena. Damn it they got to Duel Acadamy.
Even though inside I knew I should have not wasted time. I couldn't help but make one snide comment.
" heh. Him. My friend ? You really should do your research." I laughed rudely through the phone.
I heard a muffled whimpered from the background. Probably Jaden feeling hurt. I could care less.
" Ohh so you don't care If he just dies ?" Tiena answered sharply and quickly. Well of course I didn't want Jaden dead.
" Teina leave the boy alone. You want me, not him ! " I shouted angry enough that they're trying to use Jaden to get to me. I mean I may have found the slifer irritating but I could never let him get hurt thanks to me.
I heard another struggle began with more shouts and screams. A slap was heard before everything fell silent again.
" Fine you want to keep the boy alive ? Meet us by the docks then we might let him go. After a game. " Taein now answered his voice sounding apathetic and bored. Why was he doing this ?
" Why can't you just let him go ? Why hurt him ? "
" Because I deserve a chance at revenge !" He shouted his voice having such a definite edge to it, it was hard to believe this was the same boy I use to know.
They wanted revenge for what ? For hurting Taein and almost causing him to die. It wasn't my idea to use those customized disk, and it wasn't my fault he couldn't handle the pain. Maybe they wanted revenge for me leaving them when he needed help. Well I had to go. It wasn't my choice to go and they even said it was a good idea for me to go to Duel Acadamy.
" Fine. I'll meet you by the docks in a bit" i knew I had to end this it was stupid and i would just prove to them who the better duelist is. Ohh yeah and to save Jaden.
" Heh. Be quick then or Jaden may not have much time left " Taein said before a long beeped sounded signaled that he had ended the call. Slumping myself against the wall I gave a low growl of annoyance before another growl echoed mine.
Looking down I saw cerbu looking up at me his face mimicking my current annoyance. He rubbed his center head against my leg softly.
" So ready to save a slifer ?" I asked half laughing. Cerbu changed his expression to his usually cocky look. I never quite got how I could see him or why I saw him.
I even asked chazz about it. Long story short he lost his patience with a few ojamas, started yelling then slammed his head on his deck in annoyance. The whole time after he kepts muttering something about ripping something when he gets to his dorm.
Cerbu starred up at me as I leaned against the door contemplating what to do next. I knew I had to hurry and get to the docks.
Grabbing something extra and looking down at cerbu who sat patiently looking at me. I knew I could do this.
"Let's go." cerbu disappeared into his card. I reached for the door knob and ran out of my room. Almost running into Alexis Rhodes on the way out.
" Woah ! Arata ? What's the rush ?" She asked bewildered.
" Umm a duel I gotta get too." I said. I didn't particularly like lying and it was a truth. Sorta.
" Ohh well good luck ! Hey have you seen Jaden ? I haven't seen him since class." I cringed slightly at the question. That was the problem I haven't seen Jaden but I knew where to find him at least.
" Umm I'm just about to go see him" fibbing I tried to not laugh as Alexis eyes widen. Yeah I think everyone here had noticed the cold shoulder towards Jaden.
" Ohh really ? Can I come with ?" she asked.
" Umm well, " I tried but gave up "Fine "
I started walking again as quick as possible to make our way to the docks. Alexis didn't say anything the whole way which I was grateful for. For her sakes I just hope Tiena and Taein didn't try anything.
We reached the docks and the scene that we say had us both frozen.
Tiena stood tall arms crossed over her chest. Her black hair slightly longer than before now reaching her shoulder. She wore a deep purple shirt black skinny jeans and stuck with black combat boots. Behind here was Taein.
" Ohh Arata ?" Tiena said amused " I told you to hurry up quickly. Your friend isn't holding out to well." she gestured behind her to where Taein kneeled next to Jaden who was covered in several cuts and bruises his arms tied behind his back and his feet bound together.
Taein looked up a look of terror filling his eyes before quickly being replaced with hate. Stone cold hatred.
" J-Jaden !?" Alexis choked out after she got over her initial shock.
" Tiena ! Taein ! Let Jaden go ! You don't want him, you want me" I shouted watching as Taein pulled Jaden to his feet by his collar. Jadens eyes were half open and one of them was brusing slightly.
" Arata who are these people ?" Alexis question. I sighed inwardly closing my eyes for abit before answering. " Just old memories"
" Old memories !? That's it ! You demon !
So I was a demon now ?
" Yes just memories I want to forget." the air was growing tenser with each second passing I could feel everyone glancing at each other. Soon or later someone in this ordeal would snap.
" Here take him " Taein scoffed throwing him towards us. Alexis ran over before Jaden could hit the ground. He was unconscious and breathing unevenly.
With Jaden now safe we could just leave but I knew it couldn't be that easy.
" Now Arata let's play a little ... Game ..." Tiena said smiling like a snake. Great just what we needed a game. " What kind of game ?"
" Simple. You remembered our disk design. We've simplified it to just a wrist cuff. It does the same thing as before it hurts and screws with your blood. " She stated, "The rules of the game are simple you and I will each put on a cuff periodically pulses will be sent through the cuffs as before. The winner is whoever remain conscious the longest through the blood loss "
Nodding I accept the challenge even against Alexis protest.
" But Arata what if-"
" I'll be fine just get help no matter who wins someone is gonna need it. "
She nodded and ran off carrying Jaden as best as she could with her. Truthfully I just didn't need them around for the next part.
Taein handed me a cuff which slipped easily over my thin wrist. The silver metal could easily pass for a reguler braclet.
Tiena stood infront of me as the cuffs both activated.
It didn't take long before the first pulse ran through my core. As if my blood decided to freeze and boil all at once pain erupted throughout my body.
I squeezed my eyes shut breathless from the first wave of pain. Slowly it ebbed away and I looked at myself. No blood loss externally ... Yet.
Tiena seemed fine and only winced a bit as the pain seemed to have no effect on her.
" Stop " Taein commanded "Sister let me take your place this is my revenge. "
" Taein but you won't make it. You know your veins are weak. "
" please let me try ..."
Tiena nodded and switched the cuff onto his wrist. He stood now infront of me. Silently we waited for the next shock of pain.
" Arata ?" Taein asked while we waited " Why did you do this ?"
He looked down slightly then looked back up at me.
" Taein, I don't need friends what we use to be. I'm fine alone." I said before a roll of pain exploded into my vein a lot of the pain center in my chest making it hard to breathe and making me hold my stomach. I gave a hard cough trying to get air properly into my lungs.
I saw blood now on the grass infront of me. Great blood that was coming from my lungs.
I looked up and saw a vein under Taeins cheek burst. A small streak of crimson fell from there and Taein smiled sadly.
For a moment I saw him as he use to be. Smiling no matter what was happening. His face never harboring anything negative.
" Arata why did you become this w-way ?" he asked his face going cold in pain. His scrunched up his eyes breathing in sharply. More blood came from the cut under his cheek it falling onto his blue shirt and black jeans. A bruise also form on his right shoulder showing that a vein probably popped but wasn't bleeding through.
" Why did you become so, ahh" I winced as my own vein popped in my palm "so, cold ? Retorting his question. Taein looked dead into my eyes. His grey eyes losing their coldness showing his sadness. His bottom lip trembled slightly before he spoke.
" You almost killed me. I felt so betrayed. Tiena convinced me you needed to pay but seeing you now ... I can't " a tear rolled down his cheek mixing with the blood that was already there. I felt a small pang of guilt.
" Arata I answered your question so now answer mine." he said struggling to keep his composure.
I was gonna start answering but another wave of pain spread through my veins. I gave another cough blood building up in my mouth. The taste of iron making me feel sick. I felt a warm in my right arm and looked to see more of the crimson liquid drip from a wound that appeared out of nowhere.
Looking back at Taein I saw he was just getting worse. His blue shirt looked soak through and he was clearly out of breath.
I felt someone touch my shoulder looking behind me I saw ... Yugi !
" Yugi ? What are you doing here ?" I asked shock I backed up from his hand. Taein stood wide eyed. Clearly shocked as well.
" Alexis said you were in trouble. What's going on ? " he asked as Tiena stood behind her brother. Jaw dropped they looked at Yugi.
" Arata are you okay ? Your bleeding !" he said shocked. I nodded numbly noticing the crimson drops where falling from my fingers.
" Leave. " I said through my teeth. More pain was shooting through me. It felt like this one lasted the longest of them all. More blood fell from my fingers now becoming a puddle. My hands felt cold and numb.
A sharp breath was taken by Taein as he went through his own pain. He let out a weak whimper as his knees gave out and he fell on all fours coughing blood. He squeezed his eyes shut panting in ragged breaths. I could tell this was getting to him.
" Arata, " He breathed between breaths, " Answer my question." Now all eyes were on me. " Fine. I'm this way because... Because I'm sick of trusting people who are gonna use me or not care about me at all ! I practically rasied myself ! Then you guys didn't even try to stop me from leaving ! I just ... I " stopping when I heard Taein coughing more I looked down.
" You think that's enough ! Your despicable ! " Tiena shrieked. "You deserve to die !" Taein stood up weakly his front of his shirt soaked in blood. He placed a hand on his sister shoulder smiling weakly.
" Arata ? What is this all about ?" Yugi asked. I looked away for a bit before returning my stare at them.
" I don't want friends, and when I did have them I almost killed one." I said plainly. My voice was dead and emotionless and I realized how terrible I actually did sound.
" But Arata you need friends ! Friends are what give you courage and strength !" Yugi said like he had been through this before.
" I don't need friends to slow me down. I work on my own. " I said aggrivated. Yugi shook his head obviously disappointed in my response. Murmering he said
" Now you sound like Kaiba..."
Rolling my eyes before more pain shot through me this time I couldn't help but let out a small scream.
It felt like fire had made its way to my heart burning my veins to nothing. My arms felt numb and I was feeling cold. My arm was blood soaked and my mouth tastes like I had pennies in my mouth. My head started feeling dizzy, I started felt so disconnected to my body. I stumbled back a bit.
Taein grabbed my arm before I could fall back. Blood seemed to be coming from his head now as well and was running into his eyes.
A purple haze filled my vision and my face felt warm. My eyes unfocused. I felt my legs slip from under me as I fell back into the grass. Everything started to go dark. I didn't feel anything after that. I couldn't move anything everything was numb and cold. I saw movement infront of me but couldn't focus on it. I heard shouts and then a laugh.
I couldn't feel anything.
My hearing stopped.
Then everything went blank.
AN- okay well I'm almost done with this story. Sorry for all the grammar and spelling mistakes I might make. Once again I'm doing this from my iPod and sometimes auto correct wants to change my words -_- anyways a few more chapters to go. Then I'm writing two more sequels to this one is a tournament that Arata enters and the other sequel. Well that's secret. Anyways I'd like to thank my friend light for giving my the wrist cuff idea and once again I'm thanking A friend off twitter _TensaZangetsu for giving me some inspiration for this.
Anyway I'm going see ya !