HIYA! :3 New chappie time! Brought to you by my lovely mindsla- I mean co-author!
ENJOY!
"We have arrived, Ms. Koe."
The black haired Vocaloid turned away from her book as the limo door opened. Stepping out, she looked up at the large building, "Crypton Records" shining in neon blue. She put her book back into her tote and went up to the producer.
"Yamino, where have you been? We should have started an hour ago!" He said sternly. She ignored him and walked on by without a care.
"Shut up and let's just get it over with." She stated coldly. The man looked at her in surprise, then shook himself out of his stupor and nodded.
"Erm... Yes. Let's go."
After a few minutes, they entered the recording area. The man sat next to two blue haired twins who were chatting amongst themselves. "Ey! Tate, Liza, We need you both outta here. Yamino specifically requested no one else be in the room while she records this song."
"No fair!" the male Hagane twin said.
"We want to hear it!" the female added. Yamino shook her head and pointed at the door.
"Out. You will get to hear it on the radio in a few weeks. Now, beat it or I'll lock you guys in the same room with Katsui and stuff that REALLY gets her drunk." Tate and Liza meeped and hurriedly left the room. The man laughed.
"Works everytime, eh Yamino?" Yamino rolled her eyes and entered the booth. Putting on her headphones, she shot a quick glare at the man.
"Just play the damn music before I summon Kamon to blow up your car again, Kache."
"Come on Yusei, it's time to go." Jack said calmly as he wheeled Yusei out the hospital, since it was somewhat mandatory for some patients to be in a wheelchair when leaving. Yusei was wearing Jack's spare coat and shirt, it was cold outside, yet Yusei didn't react at all to the temperature change.
Yusei stayed silent like Jack expected but he noticed Yusei twitch in response so he nodded to himself and calmly led Yusei to the car Ushio drove over to pick them up.
Jack placed Yusei gently into the car and pushed the wheelchair back into the hospital, Ushio looking over Yusei through the review mirror and flinched at the hollow look Yusei sported and was a small bit happy when Jack came back and said they can go.
After a very quiet drive back, Jack led Yusei to his apartment and sat him down on the couch, Ushio told Jack that the others would be here soon and decided to wait outside for them.
Jack sighed to himself as Yusei still didn't react to his surroundings but slowly reached out to place a hand on Yusei's shoulder which made Yusei turn to him.
"The others will be here in a few so hang tight okay?" Yusei stared at Jack and twitched slightly again, Jack took this as a yes and nodded.
Before Jack could ask Yusei if he wanted to watch something, the apartment door opened and Akiza stepped in.
"Welcome back Yusei!" Akiza said happily as she walked towards the pair. Rua and Ruka were following her with Crow not far behind.
"We brought some people too." Jack wasn't surprised when Ushio came in, but he was surprised when Martha and Carly came in.
"Yusei..." Martha said softly as she saw him; Carly skipped towards Jack and hugged him.
"Hi Jack!" Carly exclaimed happily as she hugged him. Jack pushed her away after a bit and allowed Martha to hug him too.
"How is he?" She asked quietly as she looked over Yusei, she did not like how thin he was. She was only told about Yusei disappearing about a month after he was already gone, she was not told about how Yusei was extremely injured until just a few days ago.
"Still not talking since that time when he woke up." Jack told her, a look of sadness covering his face.
"Yusei seemed to remember you Martha so why don't you talk to him?" Akiza suggested to her, earning a nod.
Martha stepped closer to Yusei and sat next to him, Yusei flinched but nothing more.
"Yusei, do you remember me?" Martha said gently, Yusei did not respond and did not look at her.
"Yusei, please say something, we're very worried about you." Martha went and placed her hand on his shoulder and pulled it away quickly when Yusei jerked away from her.
"Yusei?" Yusei started shaking and kept leaning away from her, Martha looked at him sadly.
"Oh Yusei, what did he do to you?" she murmured softly. Everyone looked on sadly as Yusei kept leaning away. Jack moved closer and gently placed his hand on Yusei's shoulder; everyone was surprised when Yusei stopped shaking and looked up at Jack.
"Yusei you can trust us." Jack said gently, a small smile on his face.
Yusei just looked at Jack before sitting up straight and staring forward.
Akiza looked deep in thought as she observed Yusei's actions but didn't say anything.
Martha looked unsure of how to act but she slowly placed her hand on Yusei's shoulder again and this time Yusei didn't flinch away.
"Yusei?" Martha said softly, Yusei turning to face her. Martha flinched at his blank expression but didn't react any other way besides smiling.
"It's alright Yusei, you're safe here." Yusei stared at her before slowly closing his eyes. His mouth was moving softly, as if saying something.
"Yusei?" Martha looked curious as to what he was saying and leaned down to hear. Everyone looked on and was very surprised when Martha started crying.
"Martha what's wrong!?" Crow asked worried as Martha continued to cry, Yusei just sitting there as if nothing was happening.
"What did he say?" asked Akiza as she looked on.
"H-he said...oh Yusei! Why did you have to suffer like this?" Martha cried as she covered her face with her hands.
"What did he say?" Jack asked quietly but loud enough to be heard.
Martha looked at Yusei, then at Jack before taking a deep breath to calm herself down.
"H-he said, 'He'll come back," Martha took in a shaky breath. "He'll come back and you will pay for taking me." Everyone stayed silent as they took in what Martha said. Knowing that Yusei feels that Paradox will return. How sad.
"Oh Yusei…" Akiza said tearfully as she realized how much Yusei was broken inside.
Yusei simply stared forward; his lips repeated the same thing over and over.
Everyone looked sad as they realized that it will be a long time before Yusei healed.
"Yusei. Stop." Jack said quietly, and was happy to notice that Yusei obeyed, Yusei remained silent and looked at Jack, as if waiting for something.
Jack ignored that and reached down before giving Yusei's shoulder a squeeze.
"It's alright, calm down." Jack gave his shoulder another squeeze and let go before move away.
Ushio made his presence known with a cough as he stepped forward.
"I know that Yusei just got out of the hospital but is it alright if I can get him to describe his kidnapper?" Jack looked at Ushio for a bit before nodding.
"I'm not sure if he will answer now but you can try." Ushio nodded before moving close to Yusei.
"Yusei, tell me: what did your kidnapper look like?" Ushio ordered sternly. Yusei continued to stare at him, no one but Akiza and Jack could see that he tensed at the question.
"Yusei please answer him, we need to know how he looks like." Martha said gently, Yusei tensing further.
Yusei stared at the ground, his eyes wide and blank; he said nothing, just sat there.
"Yusei..." Ushio started to become annoyed at his silence.
"Yusei you can do it!" Ruka urged him.
Yusei soon became visibly tense, he started to tremble as Ushio continued to try and make him talk, Yusei's eyes widening even further.
Jack tensed up himself and stepped closer to Yusei, causing Akiza to look at him.
"Jack, what's happening?" Jack looked at her before looking back to Yusei.
"Leave him! He won't answer." Jack called out, his eyes never leaving Yusei; Ushio looked at Jack, confused.
"What do you mean he won't answer?" Ushio asked, looking from Yusei to Jack.
"Just move away slowly from him," Jack said quietly "Don't make any fast movements."
Ushio looked back at Yusei, and realized what Jack was seeing. Yusei was shaking badly, his breathing becoming rapid.
Ushio soon realized that Yusei was on the verge of breaking down, so with a nod, he started slowly moving away.
What no one counted on was Ushio bumping against the coffee table, and tripping.
Ushio swore loudly and waved his arms trying to catch his balance, his hand was near Yusei's face as he caught himself.
Yusei's hands instantly went to his face and covered his mouth, as if in shock, he brought his knees up and started trying to move away from Ushio.
Jack and the others held their breaths as they saw Yusei react to the sudden movement. Martha looked confused at their reactions.
"Ushio get over here now!" Akiza whispered harshly, Ushio moved as quickly as he could without making any more noise and stood with the others.
"What's wrong Yusei?" Martha asked, moving closer to comfort him.
"Martha! No!" Jack whispered loudly.
He moved to grab Martha but couldn't stop her next sentence.
"Is something wrong my dear?" Something seemed to snap in Yusei at those words.
Tears flowed down his face.
No one expected him to scream.
"YUSEI!" Akiza cried as she ran over to grasp his shoulders.
"STAY AWAY! STAY AWAY FROM ME!" Yusei struggled and screamed, managing to scratch Akiza on the cheek and push her away.
"What's happening to him!?" Carly whispered as she backed away from the screaming teen.
"STOP! PLEASE STOP IT, PARADOX!" Yusei started clawing his face, as if trying to get whatever was attacking him off.
"Oh dear god." Martha whispered as she saw Yusei breakdown. She knew it would be bad, but nothing like this.
"Damn it, why did he relapse so soon?!" Jack growled moving Martha behind him and walking forward to pull Yusei's hands away from his face.
"STAY AWAY FROM ME!" Yusei turned and bit down into Jack's hand, causing Jack to curse and pull his hand away.
"Jack are you alright!?" Crow cried, moving to help but was stopped by Jack himself.
"Don't get involved!"
Not one to admit defeat, Jack grabbed both of Yusei's hands and pressed them to Yusei's chest, Yusei screamed in fear as he only saw Paradox.
"Yusei snap out of it!" Jack screamed, Yusei not hearing him.
"STAY AWAY!" Yusei struggled more, pushing away from Jack and doing his best to kick him.
"SNAP OUT OF OUT!" Jack pulled his hand back and brought it forward, slapping Yusei with great force.
"JACK!" Everyone cried in shock as they witnessed what he did. They became more shocked as Yusei reacted.
Yusei was suddenly silent, wide eyes staring into Jack's, nether spoke and everyone held their breaths as Yusei looked at Jack. Without a word, Jack drew his hand back, and brought it down to land across Yusei's cheek once more. The young teen's head snapped to side with a resounding crack.
"JACK WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" Akiza screamed, moving to go forward.
Crow grabbed Akiza's arm, stopping her progress, He looked at the two in front of him. "Jack?"
However, Jack paid them no mind. His attention was focused solely on the person before him. Said person slowly turned his head back to look at Jack, a very small spark flashing in his eyes before dying once again. The recognition was there in Yusei's eyes, if only for a few seconds.
"… Jack…" Yusei whispered hoarsely before his eyes slipped closed and he fell forward, Jack catching him.
"Yusei!" Everyone cried as they witnessed Yusei pass out.
"Calm down! He's alright!" Jack reassured them and placed Yusei back on the couch.
"Let's leave him alone for now." Martha said softly, "We can figure out what to do when he wakes up."
Nodding, they all decided to give Yusei time, hoping that it will be better after he rested.
Ushio left after Yusei passed out because he got a call from work.
Carly left as well, saying she needed to find a new story to write.
Martha left two hours after them, telling the others to call her if they needed help. Crow left with her to make sure she got home safely.
The twins went home when it became late.
After a couple of hours, Yusei woke up again that night, Akiza and Jack came slowly and made sure Yusei knew they were there before getting closer.
"Yusei are you alright?" Akiza asked gently, a soft smile on her face. Yusei looked at her and didn't react at all, something they expected, Jack moved closer and stood next to Akiza.
"Are you hungry? We can get you something." he offered, Yusei turned to him and twitched; he then looked down and murmured something.
"What was that Yusei? We couldn't hear you." Jack said, making Yusei murmured his words again, a bit louder.
"I'm cold." Akiza and Jack looked confused before realizing something.
Yusei was still wearing Jack's clothes.
"I'm so sorry Yusei! We'll get you some warm clothes right now!" Akiza jumped up and walked off to get some clothes.
Jack looked at Yusei and saw how thin he was.
"Oi! Get Yusei something to eat too!" Jack called out to Akiza as she headed off to get some of the requested items.
Jack led Yusei to his room and sat him down on his bed. Jack could feel Yusei start tensing up but he made sure to be gentler.
"Don't worry Yusei. He's not here." Jack said calmly, it seemed to get Yusei to calm down slightly, which was good. Jack slowly moved away from Yusei as to not scare him, and off he went to get the clothes from Akiza who stood in the doorway before walking back to the living room.
After looking over them and deeming them comfortable enough Jack looked at Yusei and then at the bundle in his hands.
"...Yusei can you put these on for me?" Jack asked quietly when Yusei looked at him. Yusei and Jack stared at each other for a few minutes, Jack never flinching and staying calm, Yusei soon nodded and slowly reached out to grab the clothes.
Jack nodded happily as Yusei started change and turned around in order to give him privacy, from how Yusei was clinging to him, Jack wouldn't be able to stay away for very long with Yusei reacting.
After a while, Jack felt a tug on his sleeve and looked behind him to see Yusei in the clothes he received, Jack gave Yusei a black long-sleeve shirt, and dark blue sweatpants. Jack looked sad as he noticed Yusei's shirt, one that he normally fitted perfectly, seemed so big on him; the left side seemed to fall off his shoulder. Jack took a deep breath and let it out before taking Yusei's hand and leading him out and into the living room.
Akiza was starting to heat up some food for Yusei as Jack lead him to the couch, Jack had some things to do so he told Akiza that he would be right back. After telling Yusei and reassuring him that everything was alright, Jack went off to get his errands done quickly so he wouldn't have to be gone for long.
Akiza brought Yusei his food and held it out for Yusei to grab.
"Yusei can you eat this?" Akiza asked as gently as she could, but Yusei didn't respond to her, frowning at his lack of response, Akiza brought the food back to the kitchen and brought out a yogurt.
"Do you want something soft?' she held out the yogurt for Yusei to take but Yusei still didn't respond, becoming upset, she tried different things that Yusei might like and still Yusei would not accept anything, as a last resort, she brought a plate of food she had asked Martha to make for Yusei just in case he wouldn't eat anything else.
But it didn't seem to work at all.
"Yusei please eat something." Akiza begged as she placed the plate down on the coffee table and pushed it closer to him.
Yusei just looked at the plate of food. Akiza was on the verge of tears as she looked at him.
"Please eat." Akiza looked to the door as it opened, revealing Crow walking in.
He looked at Akiza and then Yusei before setting his eyes on the cooling plate of food.
"He's not eating?" He questioned, sighing when Akiza nodded.
"He won't touch anything, I even asked Martha earlier to make his favorite so he could eat when he woke up but he won't eat it." Akiza whispered as tears flowed down her face, that fact that he wouldn't eat because of what happened with Paradox made her so sad.
"It's going to be alright." Crow assured Akiza, walking to her side and placing a hand on her shoulder. "Give him time and he'll be back to the Yusei we know is still there." Akiza nodded and wiped her tears away.
"He's not eating anything?" Crow and Akiza turned and noticed Jack coming into the room.
"No, I'm trying to see if he'll eat his favorites but nothing will work." Jack sighed at her words and moved to stand next to Yusei, which caused the silent teen to slowly look up at him.
Jack inwardly flinched as he looked into Yusei's eyes. He would never get used to such emotionless orbs. He placed his hand on Yusei's shoulder and smiled. Yusei tilted his head to the side, almost as if he was curious of Jack.
"So how are we going to make sure that Yusei eat?" Crow asked as he and Akiza watches Jack interact with Yusei.
Jack sat down and watched as Yusei got closer and allowed him to trace his face with his hands. Yusei looked at him closely, his face revealing nothing, but Jack could tell that Yusei felt safe with him by the way his muscles relaxed when he got near him.
Akiza smiled sadly as she watched Yusei act so innocent towards Jack, as if he never seen him before, she was also a bit jealous. Yusei felt safe around Jack and not around any one of them, she knew it wasn't Yusei's or Jack's fault but she couldn't help it.
Crow look at everyone and could see how they acted. Jack and Akiza were the only two that never gave up when Yusei was still missing, so it's obvious that what happened to Yusei hit those two that hardest. Crow knew that it was going to be rough, but they all had to hang in there, for Yusei.
"Jack." Jack slowly moved his head away from Yusei's hands, Yusei placed his own head on Jack's shoulders, which let Jack wrap an arm around him and give him a small squeeze.
"Yeah?" Jack asked.
"How are we going to make sure Yusei eats?" Crow looked at Yusei, who was playing with Jack's hands, flexing it and gripping it, Jack smiled at Yusei as he looked as well before looking back at Crow.
"I don't know, but if worse comes to worst..." Jack closed his eyes and looked very upset.
"If worse comes to worst?" Akiza repeated, dread filling her.
Jack opened his eyes and looked at her. "If worse comes to worst, we're going to have to admit him to the hospital and have them force feed him with a tube." Akiza gasped and Crow's eyes widen at how serious Yusei not eating really was.
"Y-you can't be serious..." Crow asked in disbelief, mouth hanging open as Jack nodded.
"If we can't get him to eat, we are going to have to get professional help in this, we can't just have Yusei here and try to get him to eat if nothing we do is going to work, we might do something that might cause him to have a relapse. If we can't get him to eat soon, we will have to get professional help in this." Jack looked at Yusei again and saw that he was tense and was looking at him. Jack smiled softly, and that seemed to calm Yusei down and let him go back to playing with Jack's hand.
"I don't want that." Akiza said quietly.
"I don't want that ether but like I said, if worse comes to worst." Crow and Akiza nodded at Jack's words, they looked back as Yusei and seemed surprised before smiling softly.
Curious as to why they were smiling, Jack looked at Yusei again and smiled along as well. Yusei had curled up and buried his face into Jack's chest before falling asleep, his face was relaxed and Jack could hear his soft breathing.
"We'll talk about this later." Crow whispered to the others, which earned nods from the two.
Jack moved and as gently as he could, picked Yusei up bridal style before carrying him to his room. Akiza followed him and quickly pulled that blankets away, earning a grateful smile from Jack as he placed Yusei on the bed, Jack moved away, allowing Akiza to pull the blankets over Yusei, tucking him in, and brushing the stray strands of hair away from his face before leaving.
Jack looked at Yusei sadly, wondering why he had to suffer, before soon walking away as well and gently shutting the door.
For days everyone tried to get Yusei to eat but to no success.
Jack was always busy trying to convince Yusei that he was safe but Yusei wouldn't listen, trapped within his mind and unable to awake from his memories.
Martha came as much as possible to watch over Yusei, Ushio came every now and then, trying to get Yusei to describe his kidnapper but soon gave up as Yusei kept breaking down.
Crow helped when he could but he didn't know what he could do to help Yusei, Akiza was upset and couldn't be alone with Yusei without crying anymore.
Yusei was getting worse by the days; everyone was worried that Yusei was trying to starve himself to death.
Jack had to make sure Yusei wouldn't do anything, he was always watching out for any signs that Yusei was healing. It was stressful because Yusei seemed to get worse when he wasn't near, Jack had to stay by him almost all the time, Yusei wouldn't even react to any of the others.
It was stressful for all of them but they never lost hope that Yusei would recover.
It was a week after Yusei finally came home, Yusei still hasn't eaten anything and everyone was thinking that they had to get Yusei help. Everyone was hanging out at Jack's home; Yusei was watching TV with Jack and Ruka, Akiza was reading a book, and Rua was playing his videogames, Crow was here earlier but went out to help Martha with something but came back an hour later.
As he came in he started looking around for something, getting more frustrated as he looked, soon he turned to everyone with an annoyed look on his face.
"Okay you guys, seriously. Where is it?" Everyone looked at Crow and saw him glaring.
"What are you talking about?" asked Rua as he placed his handheld game down.
"I left a candy bar on the table before I left and now it's gone! I know it was one of you so spill!" Crow huffed as he continued to glare at everyone.
"I seriously doubt that any of us would want to touch you candy bar." Akiza sighed and shook her head.
"Come oooon! I bought that for myself as a treat before having to go help Martha! I bought that for ME!" Crow whined, Jack snorted and continued watching TV with Yusei clinging to him
"I wonder what I should buy today." Akiza asked to herself curiously as they all ignored Crow's shout of 'HEY!'
"Guys! I want my candy!" Rua huffed at him.
"No one ate it Crow!" Rua told him before playing his game again.
Ruka giggled at her brother's words.
"What's so funny?" Crow asked, clearly upset that he lost his candy.
Ruka continued to giggle, she simply pointed at Yusei.
Suddenly the sound of munching could be clearly heard.
"Huh?" everyone looked at Yusei and was happily surprised at what they saw.
"MY CANDY!" Crow cried out upset.
Everyone but Crow that is.
Yusei looked up and stared back at everyone, nibbling on Crow's candy bar.
"He's eating!" Akiza exclaimed happily, the others smiling as Yusei continued to eat.
"That's a relief!" the twins cried out together.
Jack simply smiled as he looked at Yusei.
Yusei looked around and then turned to Jack and saw him smiling; as if unsure of what to do, Yusei slowly took a small bite of the candy again and saw Jack smile more. Yusei started eating a bit faster after that until it was all gone, than he curled up next to Jack and started nodding off.
"He eats my candy and then acts like it's nothing…" Crow pouted as he watched Yusei, wincing as he was hit over the head.
"Yusei is finally eating something when we were about to send him to the hospital for help and all you think of is your food?" Akiza growled at Crow, making him cower.
"I'll be good." He whimpered, earning a nod from the redhead.
"Do you think Yusei will keep eating?" Rua asked hopefully at Jack.
"I think he was watching my reaction just now when he was eating." Jack said quietly.
"What do you mean?" Ruka asked.
"He looked at me and then slowly took a bite; after I smiled again he started eating more of it. I think...he wanted to make sure it was what I want." Jack seemed a bit upset at how his friend acted but knew it couldn't be helped.
"Maybe it's because you saved him." Akiza suggested making everyone look at her.
"Well Jack saved him right? Then Yusei's mentality at the moment has become attached to Jack so he seeks Jack's approval for everything." Everyone became lost in thought at her words.
"You may be right." Crow murmured, everyone agreeing as well.
"You can get Yusei to eat more!" Ruka realized happily, everyone smiling at the idea.
"I can't force him. I think he's still nervous about everything so it will take time for him to adjust to eating as much as we want him to." Jack muttered as he made sure Yusei didn't fall off the couch.
"Well so long as there's a chance I don't care." Akiza said happily.
As everyone chattered excitedly about ideas, Yusei stayed curled up by Jack, sleeping the time away.
'What. To. Do?'
That was Paradox's main thought as he just laid on the bed that he had kept his dear Yusei all those months. He just laid there with a relaxed expression, simply staring up at the ceiling, his arms spread apart a bit.
He had wanted to go after Yusei and destroy him immediately. But that thought was put to a stop instantly.
Why give Yusei a quick death when it could be so much sweeter for Paradox?
He wanted Yusei to BEG him to die, to plead, and crumbling away in agony. The mere thought sent a delightful shiver up and down Paradox's body. It was such a lovely sight in his mind; the beauty would only increase a thousand fold when it actually happens.
Paradox closed his eyes and remembered all those times he spent with Yusei. Holding him, showering him with love, destroying him slowly.
Paradox could never get enough of it. He loved it when he stabbed into Yusei, when he wrapped his hands around Yusei's throat and squeezed, when he took him.
THAT made Paradox moan out loud as he remembered those moments. Yusei was truly a delight, his body was so responsive! It was as if it knew when to make the right sounds at the right moment.
Oh his screams were the most beautiful songs Paradox's ears. The ways his body gave in and let him claim it time and again.
Destroying him over and over was never a dull thing. He will take everything that mattered to Yusei and never give it back.
Paradox smirked cruelly, he made sure that Yusei would not recover from this, and if he starts to, well, it's more fun for Paradox. But he highly doubted Yusei could recover so easily.
"Oh my dearest brother, if only you didn't betray me." Paradox chuckled softly," But now I don't have to worry about you interfering. So it's for the best."
He sat up and got off the bed, streching to get any cricks out of his bones. He then left to leave the room. Glancing back one last time, Paradox grinned sinisterly at the bed.
"Oh Yusei... soon, I'll have you BEGGING to come back..."
Hi agan! Enjoy the chappie?
See that review button? It gives me inspiration everytime you review!