Well, this is chapter 8 and, though it is being posted super early again (sorry! I just couldn't wait to get this chapter up!), I hope that you like it and I will warn you now, there is a cliffhanger.
Thank you to DarkZorua100, bobmanv2.0, EndlessNight025, iloveyugiohGX93, decode9, Kamen Rider Sting, Lightclaw's Shadow, Lightningblade49, Sorcerer of the Stories, a1993 and StrawHatLuffy94 for reviewing the last chapter. You guys, as always, are the greatest.
The next chapter (which will be sent to my beta-reader on Friday because it has a duel in it) will, hopefully, be posted by Sunday. Yes, you will have to wait a week to see what happens but I'm sticking with my 'post one chapter a week' thing (it gives me time to get further in White Radiance).
Well, anyway, I hope that you enjoy this chapter and reviews, as always, are much appreciated.
8
Demons of the Past
The following day, there was still no word on where Atticus was. It got to the point that Emily, Matt, and Kaede were out searching for him again. To make matters worse, word of what happened to Slade and Jagger Princeton had reached the news, along with the knowledge that three others had fallen victim to whoever had attacked the Princetons.
"These five attacks are linked only by the appearance of a single Duel Monsters card on each of the victims; a card known as Brron, Mad King of Dark World. Investigators are attempting to discover the owner of the cards, but there is a lack of fingerprints, nor is there any other evidence that could link the cards to a single person," the reporter was saying. She was standing in front of the camera with an ambulance in the background and police man and woman talking with each other and with anyone that may have witnessed what happened.
The gang was sitting in Jaden and Raiden's hotel room, watching the news. It wasn't that late though, only a little after five in the afternoon. They had been watching the reruns of the duels of the quarter finals when the breaking news bulletin had flashed on the screen and this story had come on. Celina was with them; she was gradually integrating herself into the group without even realizing it. Kyle had also asked her if she wanted to join them.
"Man, it seems like it's getting worse," Jaden said softly.
"Do you think it's the same person?" Kasumi asked.
"The card suggests that it is, but it's possible it's more than one person," Raiden said.
"Detective Storm, do you have any leads on who could possibly be behind these attacks? And do you know whether this is being done by a single person or by a group of people?" the reporter asked one of the detectives who was working nearby.
"So far, we have found no leads on who could be behind these attacks," Storm said.
"Surely there is something that you can tell us. The people have the right to know what is happening in our city," the reporter said.
The detective sighed. "The only thing we've discovered is that the cards found at the scene of the crime are all counterfeits, which suggests that the attacker is one person. This is pure speculation, though. We won't have any conclusive evidence until we get everything back from the lab. As of right now, I advise that people stay indoors if at all possible until this attacker, or attackers, is caught."
"Unfortunately, that is all we know at this time about these attacks. Back to you, Chloe," the reporter said as the detective walked away.
"Thank you, Breanna," the anchorwoman said. "We will continue to keep you updated on the search for this attacker. Now, back to our regularly scheduled program." The screen changed back to the quarter finals duel they had been watching.
"I hope Atticus wasn't one of those attacked," Alexis said softly.
"I'm sure he wasn't," Jaden said, hoping he sounded reassuring.
She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. "I hope so," she said softly.
The door opened and the gang glanced up as Kaede walked into the room.
"Anything?" Jaden asked.
Kaede shook his head. "Matt and Emily are still out looking but I came to give you an update," he said. "I'm going to go back out and help, though."
"Thank you, Mr. Yuki," Alexis said softly.
Kaede nodded. "Keep your phone on, Jaden, and I'll call if we find out anything," he said and left the hotel room.
. . .
Kaage chuckled as he watched the news. "This really is fun to watch, don't you think?" he said, looking over his shoulder.
Atticus Rhodes glared back at him, struggling to free himself from the rope that kept him tied to the chair, his mouth was gagged so he couldn't exactly say anything.
"Oh do stop that. You're gonna hurt yourself," Kaage said, smirking. "No matter how fun that would be to watch, I need you in one piece for one of the phases of my plan." He turned to the television screen as it changed to the quarter finals duel it had been on before the breaking news bulletin.
Dark Shadow snickered in the back of Kaage's mind. 'I wonder if little Judai will make the connection between his missing friend and these attacks,' he said.
That won't occur until I give him a reason to make such a connection, but I already know how. After all, just dropping my name will be enough, even if it will take him by complete surprise. After all, I am supposed to do be dead, though I do wonder why no one told him what really happened, Kaage thought musingly. It helps that this name isn't even my real name, as you know well enough.
Dark Shadow knew that Kaage Naka was the name that Kaage preferred to be called by; he wasn't stupid enough to go by his actual name when he was a fake Shadow duelist nine years ago, after all.
'Indeed. With it not being your real name, you can drop it and little Judai will know who you are but, at the same time, no one would be able to actually find you since they only know you by your fake name in Japan and no one knows you here. It is rather ingenious,' Dark Shadow said.
But of course, I am a genius, Kaage thought smugly and cast an exasperated look at Atticus, who was struggling to get free again. "If you don't stop that, I will knock you out again," he said coolly.
"Who the hell are you? And what do you want?" Atticus demanded, having managed to free himself from the gag around his mouth.
Kaage stood up before walking over to kneel in front of Atticus. "You shall see soon enough, Atticus Rhodes. I'm not gonna hurt you much, unless you become too much of an annoyance. You're just the bait," he said.
"The bait? What are you talking about? The bait for who?"
"Your sister."
Atticus's eyes widened and then they flared. "If you lay a hand on my sister, I swear I'll…mmph!" Whatever else he had been about to say was cut off as Kaage refitted the gag, making it a bit tighter so that the boy couldn't get free from it again hopefully.
'It is going to be so much fun to watch little Judai after we take care of his little girlfriend. Have you decided who else we will target?' Dark Shadow asked as Kaage returned to his seat in front of the television.
His brother, his sister, his friends, his father even, oh there are oh so many to decide from! I would just take them all but, as I want witnesses to the little monster's death, I can't take them all, but I know just who to take along with the little monster's girlfriend, Kaage thought, wild eyes filled with glee as he let out a maniacal laugh.
Atticus, who was watching the man, shook his head as he, again, tried to free himself from the ropes that bound him. This guy is a psycho, he thought. He doubled his efforts to get free. He had to get free and warn his sister that this psycho was going to come after her. At the very least, he had to get to his phone and call the police and tell them what was happening.
His phone was on the nightstand and had been ringing practically nonstop since before Atticus regained unconscious. No doubt his sister and his aunt and uncle were trying to reach him.
But why does he want Alexis? The Red-Eyes duelist thought, looking at the psycho sitting in front of him. And why has he been attacking these people? What did they ever do to him?
He didn't know how long he had been trying to get free from his binds when the psycho suddenly stood up and turned to him. "Did I not just say to stop trying to get free?" he growled, walking forward.
Atticus glared right back at the psycho, trying to kick him but the man just avoided it as he grabbed Atticus's hair and jerked his head up. "Try that again and I will start breaking your fingers," he growled.
I thought he wanted me in one piece, Atticus thought.
The phone started ringing again and the psycho glanced at it before picking it up and hitting the ignore button. While he was distracted, Atticus kicked him again. This time he managed to land a kick on the psycho's knee, causing it to buckle. He didn't wait and kicked the man again, this time between the legs, all the while twisting and wiggling as he attempted to get free from the ropes, and the psycho fell to the floor.
He managed to free an arm and quickly tilted his body to where the chair he was tied to fell to the ground. Wincing, though thankfully he hadn't landed on the arm that he had freed, he reached for his phone just as it started ringing again. He grabbed it and hit the answer button before also hitting the speaker button. He then, dropping the phone, ripped off the gag with his free hand.
"Atticus? Are you...?" Aunt Emily's voice began.
"Why you little…" the psycho snarled, not noticing that the phone was on.
"Get away from me, ya psycho!" Atticus shouted.
The psycho grabbed him by the hair and jerked him up but Atticus used his free hand to give him a quick uppercut and shouted, "I'm at some hotel! I don't know where but the psycho that's behind all the attacks has me." His free hand was grabbed and the psycho wasted no time snapping a few of Atticus's fingers, causing him to scream in agony.
"Atticus! Hold on, stay on the line. The police are tracing the call," Emily said.
The psycho released his hand and grabbed the phone before tossing it against the wall so that it shattered upon impact. He turned to glare at Atticus, who was glaring at him with tears of pain falling from his eyes, his hand throbbing and a few of his fingers at odd angles.
"You are lucky that I need you alive," the psycho snarled. He picked up something Atticus couldn't see and then slammed it hard into the Red-Eyes duelist's head, knocking him back into darkness.
. . .
Emily Rhodes could not get her nephew's agonizing screams out of her mind. She just couldn't. It echoed in her head and caused tears to fall from her eyes. She stared at her husband, who hugged her, though he was just as shaken by what they just heard as she was.
"We managed to narrow it down to this area," the police man said, pointing to the computer screen. "And there is only one hotel in that area. We're sending a squad out now. We'll find your nephew, Mrs. Rhodes."
"Please do," Emily whispered.
"He'll be all right. Atticus is strong," Matt said gently, wiping away Emily's tears.
"What do we tell the others?" Kaede asked quietly from where he stood nearby. "They'll want to know, especially Alexis, Kyle, and Keith."
"I don't think we should tell them what happened. We just tell them that we found Atticus's current location," Matt said.
Kaede nodded, pulling out his phone and immediately dialing a number as he left the room.
"Please be okay, Atticus," Emily whispered.
"Serena will want to kill this psycho," Matt murmured.
"I wouldn't exactly blame her."
. . .
"Okay, Dad, thanks," Jaden said and hung up his phone. He then turned to his friends. "They've managed to find where Atticus is right now."
"Is he okay?" Alexis asked.
"Dad didn't say," Jaden said, sitting down beside his girlfriend and wrapping his arms around her. She leaned against him, worry creasing her forehead and he gently kissed her forehead.
"He'll be okay," he said softly.
Alexis gazed up at him. "I hope so," she whispered. "I really do."
. . .
Kaage slung Atticus's unconscious body over his shoulder, already hearing the sirens getting gradually louder. "Hmph," he muttered as he strode out of the hotel room, making sure to take everything with him. The hotel he had chosen was one of those ones that were only two stories with the doors being outside and, so Kaage was able to walk away from it without anyone noticing, though he did tap into Dark Shadow's power to prevent anyone from noticing since he did paint a pretty big target on his back by lugging Atticus's unconscious body around. Frankly, he hoped the chloroform he used on the boy when Atticus stirred a few minutes ago would keep the boy asleep.
'They do seem to enjoy announcing that they are coming,' Dark Shadow mused. 'Humans are so odd.'
Most humans anyway, though they do that for safety reasons, Kaage thought.
'To me, all humans are odd. You are odd, too, but in a good way I suppose,' Dark Shadow said.
Kaage didn't know, nor did he care, whether that was a compliment or not.
He strode away, sticking to the shadows as he watched the police cars drive by. He remained in the shadows, though, knowing that it would be pointless to leave them when they provided the perfect cover and they powered Dark Shadow's powers.
'Time for phase two?' Dark Shadow asked eagerly.
Kaage smirked. Now time for phase two, he thought and looked at Atticus's body. You will be playing the part of forcing your sister to duel soon enough.
. . .
Emily swallowed as another sob escaped her lips. They had just found out that they had been too late. The psycho who had Atticus had managed to get out of there before the police arrived.
"He could be anywhere," one of the police officers said quietly. "We are still looking, though."
"Thank you," Matt said, curling an arm around Emily's shoulders.
Kaede paced, wondering who the man who was behind all of this was. Why is he targeting the Rhodes? What did he do to him? Atticus said the psycho was behind the attacks, so it really was one person if he's right, but how is he doing this? he thought. He had too many questions and not enough answers.
"What do we tell the others?" Matt asked.
"I think we have no choice but to tell them the truth," Kaede said.
"The whole truth? But Kaede…" Matt began.
Kaede shook his head. "No, not the whole truth. They should at least know about this kidnapper and that he has Atticus, though," he said.
. . .
Upon hearing the news, Alexis started sobbing, worry and concern battling in her brown eyes. Jaden didn't bother hanging up. He just dropped the phone on the bed and immediately gathered his girlfriend in his arms, rubbing her back soothingly as she buried her face into his neck, sobbing quietly.
"He'll be okay, Lex, he'll be okay," Jaden whispered soothingly.
"This kidnapper better hope Mom and Dad don't catch up with him. No one messes with a member of our family and gets away with it," Keith sad coolly.
Kyle nodded in agreement, grim concern on his face.
Celina hugged him, causing him to blush, but he didn't move.
Keith stood up and everyone looked at him.
"Where are you going?" Kyle asked.
"I need to take a walk," Keith said. "I won't leave the hotel, but I just need some time to think and calm down before I try to find the man who took Atticus myself." He left the hotel room.
"What I'm wondering is why did they take Atticus?" Kasumi said.
"Could they be looking for a ransom?" Chazz suggested.
"Why here in Hawaii? While that's a good idea, it just doesn't make sense for this to happen here. I mean, how many people out there know we're here?" Kyle said.
"True."
Alexis had managed to calm down, though she was still hiccupping.
Jaden got to his feet and walked over to the minifridge in the hotel room to get a bottle of water for her. He handed it to her and she, thanking him, began to sip from it.
Raiden ran a hand through his hair. "Other than for ransom, I honestly can't think of why this guy would kidnap Atticus," he said.
Jaden fidgeted, hoping that Atticus was not kidnapped for the same reason that Jaden and Raiden had been kidnapped when they were young. Granted, he still didn't know the real reason why they were kidnapped but the fact that his aunt and uncle, who had been sent to negotiate, had been killed, clearly said that it hadn't been about ransom. He hoped that what happened with his aunt and uncle didn't happen to Atticus's aunt and uncle.
. . .
Kaage made sure that Atticus was still unconscious at his new hiding place. He was only going to be staying there long enough to draw Alexis there, but he still needed—no, wanted—to let the little monster know that he was back.
It was fun playing mind games with someone, and letting the little monster know he was back and then systematically tear four people the little monster cared about away from him definitely helped with his plan.
It would break him and he would be that much easier to destroy.
I am going to enjoy watching him break before he dies, Kaage thought sinisterly as he left the warehouse he was in and slipped out into the streets, sticking to the shadows as usual. He scanned the area, looking for the perfect victim to let the little monster and his friends and family know that he was back.
He finally spotted him, a man with a ten year old boy walking happily alongside him. He smirked as he strode forward. Time for the next phase of my plan to be put into action, he thought.
. . .
Celina had been nice enough to get everyone glasses of iced tea while they waited for any news. So far, there was nothing, so the gang had taken to watching the quarter finals duels that were still showing on television, though with commercials occurring every ten minutes or so.
Jaden was sipping at his iced tea, occasionally looking at Alexis and Kyle, the two who were most worried about Atticus, not that Jaden could blame them. Had it been Raiden or Kasumi, Jaden would have been in the same boat, if he wasn't hunting the man down himself, like Keith already said he wanted to do.
The breaking news bulletin flashed on the screen suddenly and the anchorwoman appeared soon after it vanished. "We interrupt this program to bring you another message. The Dark World attacker, as we have taken to calling him because of the calling card he always leaves with his victims, has struck again. We take you live to my colleague Breanna Rice who is live at the scene."
The scene shifted until it looked as though they were in an area around downtown Honolulu, but in a place the gang had never been before. The reporter from before was standing with an ambulance at her back and police officers roaming around, like last time.
"We're here at the edge of downtown Honolulu at the sight of the most recent attack by the Dark World attacker. Just like all the other people who have been attacked, the victim, who will remain nameless, was found with the counterfeit copy of Brron, Mad King of Dark World upon his chest and, like the other victims, he was found comatose. However, this time, there was a witness to this crime who is currently being interviewed by Detective Storm, who has officially taken on this case. Detective Storm?" The reporter turned as the detective from last time walked over to join them, looking grim.
"Is there anything you can tell us about the Dark World attacker now?" the reporter asked.
Storm sighed. "The witness, whom I will not name, told me that the attacker spoke to him directly after the witness's father fell. The attacker told the witness that he wants people to know about him and he wants people to know that he is not likely to stop these attacks anytime soon, 'until I get my revenge,' the witness said that was what the attacker said," he said.
"Who is the attacker, Detective Storm?" Breanna asked.
"The witness said that the attacker's name is Kaage Naka."
The utter silence that had descended upon the gang was broken by the sound of shattering glass.
. . .
"The witness said that the attacker's name is Kaage Naka."
"No!" Kaede gasped eyes wide with horror. "Oh God, no, not him!"
"You know him, Mr. Yuki?" Detective Coral, Storm's partner who had remained behind to continue helping Kaede, Matt, and Emily find Atticus, asked.
Kaede swallowed. "I…yes, I do. He's the leader of a gang of sorts that I helped to get arrested almost ten years ago. He swore he'd get his revenge on me and he nearly did when he attacked my wife and my sons before we adopted my daughter Kasumi. His brother nearly killed my wife and then someone murdered his brother, his friends and nearly killed him. Kaage somehow survived, though I had thought for sure he had died, so did my wife. We didn't find out until recently that he had only been put into a coma."
"You seem terrified of him, Kaede," Matt said quietly.
"I'm just scared for my children," Kaede said quietly. "He wants revenge against me and I fear he will go after Jaden, Raiden, and Kasumi as a result. Oh, I should have taken my wife's warning seriously."
"Wait, your wife warned you this might happen?" Coral asked.
"She was attacked in Florence sometime before the second semifinals duel and she said that the attacker gave her a warning that he was going after me and my children next. But I have never seen Kaage Naka as someone who would warn his victims that he was coming after them, which was why I didn't believe her. I should have!"
"Calm down, Mr. Yuki," Coral said gently. "Based on what you've said, I can't blame you for not believing your wife. This guy seems like he's a psychopath and what psychopath would warn their victim?"
"Should we call and warn the kids?" Matt asked.
"I think we should," Emily said quietly.
. . .
Everyone turned as one to the source of the sound to see Jaden staring wide-eyed at the screen, the shattered remains of the glass he had been holding at his feet. He was white with horror and anger and worry all battling in his eyes and his hands appeared to be shaking.
"Judai?" Raiden whispered, concerned.
"It's not possible," Jaden said in disbelief. "It's not possible, it can't be him! He can't be alive. I killed him myself!"
Everyone froze, staring wide-eyed at Jaden as the boy trembled, eyes flickering between gold and brown as he stared at the screen. "He can't be alive! He can't be!" he whispered.
"Judai," Raiden whispered, the only one unfazed by Jaden's outburst. He moved to Jaden's side before gathering his little brother in his arms as he held him and gently rocked him, trying to get him to calm down. He knew who Kaage Naka was; the man had introduced himself when he had challenged his mother to a Shadow Duel, so he knew exactly why Jaden was reacting this way.
Kaage Naka was one of the people Jaden attacked and killed—or almost killed in this case—when Haou took control the second time.
"What do you mean, Jaden?" Kasumi said eyes wide. "Jay, what do you mean?"
"You…you said that you…you killed him yourself," Alexis whispered.
Tears started falling from Jaden's eyes as he realized exactly what he had said. He gazed at his brother and Raiden, who gently wiped the tears from his eyes, gave a small but sad smile. "You're gonna have to tell 'em, Judai. They all heard you. You have to tell 'em before they jump to the wrong conclusions. They need to know the truth."
"But they'll hate me," Jaden whispered.
"You don't know that. You thought the same of me when you told me the truth," Raiden said, rubbing Jaden's back.
Jaden closed his eyes. "O…Okay," he whispered, not opening his eyes for a long moment. When he did open them, he turned to look at the television screen for a long moment.
"Jaden?" Alexis whispered. "Did you…did you really kill him?"
"I thought I did," Jaden said softly and, ignoring the looks exchanged by everyone in the room, he added, "it happened nine years ago, when my powers first awakened."
"Powers?" Celina repeated.
"The powers of the Supreme King, Celina. It's complicated," Jaden said quietly. "I…I didn't exactly tell you guys the entire truth when I told you about what happened when my powers awakened. I just…I didn't feel ready. I was afraid, scared that you would turn your backs on me and hate me for what I did. But since I kinda just blurted it out now, I figured I might as well tell you the whole story."
"As I told you before, what happened during my duel against Kagemaru has happened twice before. However, both times it was worse than it was during that duel," Jaden said. "The first time this happened was when my powers originally awakened. I was seven, Raiden was eight. We had been playing in the park one day when these men suddenly grabbed us. I don't remember much about what actually happened, as I had been knocked out. When I woke up, we were in this warehouse somewhere.
"I don't know why the kidnappers took me and Raiden, but it wasn't for ransom. I know that because my Aunt Cassie and my Uncle Kaito had arrived to negotiate with the kidnappers for our release. But…" Jaden trailed off, gripping his hands into fists. Raiden rested a hand on Jaden's and he slowly relaxed before going on.
"While this was happening, Raiden had managed to escape, but the kidnappers caught me before I could. Aunt Cassie and Uncle Kaito had been brought before the leader, but he didn't give them a chance to speak. He just shot them in cold-blood." Jaden closed his eyes and slowly told his friends about what happened afterwards; the blur, the explosion, the bodies.
"I panicked once I came to, and I ran. I crashed into Raiden and the two of us managed to get out of there. The fire destroyed everything and everyone; we were lucky we managed to get out of there alive ourselves," Jaden finished softly.
"Y…You killed them?" Chazz said in shock.
"No," Raiden said suddenly, firmly. "Haou killed them. It may have been Jaden's hands that did the deed, but it was Haou who had been in control at the time. Jaden is not to blame for what Haou made him do."
"I thought you said Haou wasn't evil," Alexis said.
"He isn't," Jaden said with a shake of his head. "But I also said he has a tendency to go too far to get what he wants. In this case, he wanted to avenge the murder of my aunt and uncle, and was pissed by the fact that history was repeating itself because his powers had awakened for the same reason, losing someone he really cared about. Those two combined together caused this to happen."
"But what does this have to do with Kaage Naka?" asked Kyle.
"My dad thinks Kaage had something to do with what happened to those kidnappers. That's what I overheard him say one time, anyway. I don't know if he's right or not. What happened between me and Kaage happened a few months later. My powers were still very unstable around this time and Haou remained a constant presence in the back of my mind. He was the only one who could control my powers, as they were once his.
"Anyway, my mom, Raiden, and I were heading home from the store, I think. Kaage Naka and his brother and friends grabbed me and Raiden and forced us into this alley, Raiden was practically knocked out during that. Mom, naturally, went after us. Kaage introduced himself, though I'm sure Kaage isn't his real name, and then challenged Mom to a Shadow Duel. Kaage was like Titan when we first met him. He was all talk and smoke and mirrors and that kind of stuff. He was used to his victims being terrified when he challenged them. Mom wasn't.
"She told him no. His brother got pissed for some reason I don't even know and attacked her, stabbing her in the chest with a knife no one knew he had." Jaden paused for a moment and then went on to tell exactly what happened next; he didn't go into too much detail but the way he described what happened immediately told his listeners that, unlike the first time, this time he had been more aware of what was happening.
"I then remember Yubel screaming at me, at Haou actually, to stop and then I was waking up in the hospital and the doctors were telling me that I had been in a coma for three days. One doctor told me that I was lucky I hadn't been killed by whoever had killed Kaage, his brother and his friends. Naturally, I was shocked since I was the one that killed them."
Jaden turned to Raiden before adding, "I didn't tell you this, Rai, but the only reason why I wasn't charged with anything was because there was no evidence linking me to what happened. The knife that I had used? Yubel got rid of it. I don't know how, as she never told me, but she got rid of any and all evidence linking me to what happened."
'I did it because I did not want Jaden to suffer for what Haou did,' Yubel said quietly, materializing beside the bed.
"Jaden would've been blamed for what Haou did," Kasumi said, "even though it's obvious he had no control over what happened, not to mention it could be seen as self-defense so it's doubtful that he would've actually been charged with anything."
'I didn't know if that was true at the time,' Yubel said.
"So what? Does Jaden like have DID?" Celina asked, sounding horrified but also confused.
"DID?" Jaden repeated.
"Dissociative Identity Disorder. It basically means you have more than one identity that you can switch between," Raiden said. "It's more complicated than that, but that's the general gist."
"It's complicated, Celina," Jaden said. "While DID does explain a lot, now that I think about it, Haou is an actual person. Man, I'm making it sound like I'm crazy."
"You kinda are," Chazz said and was promptly smacked upside the head by Kasumi. "Ow!"
"I think this means that you and Haou are like two separate personalities and identities that are, in no way, connected, except by the fact that you are sharing the same body," Kasumi said. "That's why Dissociative Identity Disorder does make a lot of sense."
Jaden remained silent. "I can understand if you guys hate me now," he said quietly.
"You already know that I don't hate you, Judai," Raiden said quietly.
Kasumi stood up and walked over to join Jaden before taking his hand in hers. "I don't, either," she said. "I know that it was Haou that is to blame for what happened and I can't hate you for what he did. That would be like blaming Atticus for what Nightshroud did or Raiden for what Dark Shadow did. My point is that you weren't in control of your actions, therefore you are not responsible."
"Nightshroud? Dark Shadow?" Celina repeated.
"Erm, very long story," Kyle said. "And, Jaden, based on everything I've heard, I have to agree with Kasumi. I can't blame you for what Haou did. It's hard to understand, but I do understand that you and Haou are two completely different personalities, just as you told us after the duel against Kagemaru."
Arina nodded. "He is your other half, yes, but he is not you," she said.
"Personally, I just think you have DID, but that still means that whatever your other identity did isn't your fault," Celina said.
Chazz folded his arms across his chest. "You and Haou are two completely different people," he said. "There's no doubt about that. I have no doubt Haou would never have stood up to my brothers to defend me. So, while I do still think you're kinda crazy—ow!—I don't think that what happened was your fault at all." He rubbed his head from where Kasumi had smacked him again.
Alexis nodded in agreement as she gently took Jaden's hand. "I love you, Jaden," she said, "and, while I am shocked that Haou could do something like this, that doesn't change how I feel about you. I can't blame you for what he did."
"So you see, Judai, they don't hate you because they understand that what happened was not your fault. It was your hands, yes, but it was still not you," Raiden said.
Jaden gave him a small smile "I suppose you're right," he said.
"Well, duh."
Jaden smacked his brother upside the head for that.
"So what do we do know? We know Kaage Naka is still alive, we know that he is the one behind these attacks, and I think it's safe to assume he's gonna be coming after you, Jaden," Kyle said.
"That's what I'm afraid of," Jaden admitted. "Kaage has proven, with these attacks alone, that he doesn't care who he hurts to get what he wants, though why attack people who have nothing to do with his hatred towards me, I don't know."
"He's a psychopath, 'nuff said," Chazz said.
"You know, Chazz is probably right," Kasumi said.
"Yeah, but if he comes after me, he might try to get at me by going through you guys. That's what I'm afraid of. I don't want you guys to get hurt for something that is my…Haou's fault," he corrected quickly when Raiden glared at him and opened his mouth to protest.
"Honestly, I think we're in danger no matter what, Jay," Kasumi said.
"Is it possible that Kaage is the one that has Atticus?" Celina suggested suddenly.
"Oh God, I hope not," Jaden said and the gang fell silent.
A laugh sounded suddenly, shattering the silence just as all the lights in the room snapped off, the television going first. Jaden and everyone else jumped, startled by the laugh and the sudden darkness that enveloped them.
"So they don't blame you for what you did to me, little monster?" a very familiar voice echoed around them. Though it had been over nine years since Jaden last heard it, he recognized it.
"Kaage," he growled, getting to his feet.
"So, you do remember me, little monster. I'm not at all surprised," the voice purred. "But this is wonderful. It will make my revenge all the sweeter knowing that you know exactly who it is that is tormenting you. Perhaps now you can know my pain."
"Your brother tried to kill my mother," Jaden shouted, eyes flaring gold.
"And there are those demon eyes of yours, little monster," the voice hissed. "The very same eyes that have haunted my sleep for more than nine years while I lay in a coma, barely clinging on to life, all thanks to you. I swore I would avenge my brother's murder at your hands, little monster, and I plan on doing just that."
The voice grew quieter as Kaage hissed, "You took my brother, someone I love, away from me and my revenge shall start, little monster, by me taking someone you love away from you!"
Then there was a scream that Jaden, to his horror, recognized. "Alexis!" he cried, whirling around and reaching for his girlfriend, only to find his hands grasping at empty air.
"Come and find me, little monster. After all, it will be all the sweeter to force you to watch as I tear the soul from the woman you love, just as you tore the life from the brother that I loved," Kaage hissed and then there was nothing but silence.
The lights flickered on, followed by the television, announcing to the occupants of the room that the final duel of the quarter finals was about to begin. Jaden stood where he had jumped to his feet when Kaage first started speaking, his hands clenched into fists and his eyes were golden, filled with pain, rage and concern all battling to be the dominate emotion.
The gang all looked around, checking to see if everyone was okay. It soon became obvious that Kaage had not been kidding when he said he would be taking someone Jaden loved away from him.
Alexis was gone.
. . .
A/n what do you think?
Blaze: and there you have. Chapter 8 has been posted!
Jaden: (being restrained by Jesse, Chazz, Yami and Bakura) let me at him! Let me at him!
Blaze: wants to go kill Kaage, doesn't he?
Bakura: no kidding
Blaze: (shrugs and starts listening to Burn! by bullettrain) I really do love this song. I wanna learn how to speak Japanese! (pout) Hey, I just thought of a question!
Jesse: really? What is it?
Blaze: simple, if you could learn to speak any language, which would it be? Me, it's a tie between Japanese and Spanish, the former because it's such a pretty language and the latter because it's my heritage, even though I never learned it (pout)
Jesse: ah, I'm sure you'll learn those languages someday
Blaze: oh I want to definitely
Bakura: whatever, are you going to end the chapter anytime soon?
Blaze: gees, patience. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter (and please don't kill me because of the cliffhanger I left [I love my cliffhangers!]) and reviews, as always, are much appreciated.