I'M BACK! Wow it's been a while hasn't it? Sorry for the wait guys, but I've finally gotten this chapter up! Now fair warning this one will be a long one and I hope I kept it into character. This chapter was tough one to write, but I'm finally happy with the end result and hopefully do will you guys! Now let's not drag on and go on and read! :)

CHAPTER 8: IMPOUNDED (PART 1)

Boing

…

Boing

….

Boing

What is that sound? Yakko thought.

Under his closed eyes he could still hear it. Not once did it stop and it kept this rhythmic pattern. The sound, then silence. Sound, silence. On and off and on and off.

Yakko tried opening his eyes and instantly he hissed feeling a pounding in his head. When did he get a headache? Did Dot hit him with her mallet again? What did he do to make her mad? Or maybe annoyed? Pushing aside the thoughts he once again opened his eyes slowly. In between flutters his gaze took in unfamiliar surroundings. The walls were this dark and gray color. Or maybe that was because it was so dark, but the pounding in his head didn't allow him to dwell on that. The room was fairly small. Probably only as big as a tiny bedroom if that makes sense. As Yakko stirred he felt the cold hard surface underneath him. He was sitting though...so this must be a table.

Yakko lifted his head slightly getting a glimpse of the front of the room. There on the far wall was a metal door. A small square of a window let the fewest rays of light pour into the already pitch black room. From below the door, slight shadows moved of the commotion going on outside, but rarely did so. With a small groan Yakko sat himself upright ignoring the aching in his skull and hoped it would stop throbbing.

Boing

….

Boing

What on earth is that noise? Yakko thought furrowing his brow as the noise was both getting on his nerves and making the pounding of his head grow worse.

His ear twitched as the sound rang out once more. It was coming from behind him. Yakko slowly turned around cringing at the creaks the metal chair made as he did so. Once his eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room did he see who was making the racket. Yakko had to stop himself from doing a double take because it would only hurt his head to attempt that toon tactic. Was he looking at himself? Eyes narrowed Yakko got a better look. That's when it hit him.

He was looking at that toon from earlier. The guy wasn't paying attention to Yakko and sat on a small bed in the corner of the room. He simply continued to throw a rubber ball across the room and where it hit the opposing wall making the same boing sound over and over again. His expression was completely emotionless and somehow very focused. Yakko had to look twice to make sure his mind wasn't playing tricks on him. The toon looked so much like him it was scary. The only clear differences were the toon's style of clothes and the obvious scar on his eye.

What did they call him…? Yakko tried remembering what the toon's name was. That chief had called out to him...what had he said. With the headache it was difficult for Yakko to concentrate, but he then remembered the name.

Zekko. That's his name.

Yakko was brought from his own thinking when the sound of the rubber ball hitting the wall suddenly stopped it's repeated cycle. He glance back up and saw Zekko was looking right back at him. Maybe it was just him, but Yakko couldn't help noticing there was some annoyance among the toon's otherwise blank expression. Zekko only held up his stare long enough for Yakko to feel uneasy. A smirk creeped on his face and he returned his stare back to the opposing wall.

"Nice to see you up."

Yakko was surprised to hear such a high pitched voice from the toon. It was tolerable, but unexpected. Although what got on his nerves was how smug he sounded. Yakko really wasn't liking Zekko's smirk as well.

"Where am I?" Yakko said choosing to ignore the smug toon and focus on the important things.

Zekko chuckled. "I'd really love to answer that, but I'd rather not. What fun is it to know?"

Yakko gave the toon a look. "What?"

Zekko shrugged. "If you don't know then don't ask."

"Wait what?" Yakko asked once more feeling more confused. Why was this guy not giving him a straight answer? He just had to get stuck with this guy didn't he? Yakko was in no mood for games right now. He had no idea where he was, why he was here and also...wait was it just him and this toon?

It struck Yakko. Wakko and Dot! Where are they?!

With a quick look around the room Yakko tried seeing if he had somehow missed them, but no one else was there. Only him and this toon. Zekko glanced at Yakko and raised an eyebrow at the semi frantic expression on his face. Seconds later did the amused look on his face turn grim. Zekko looked back forward to the opposing wall and threw the rubber ball in his hand towards it.

"Don't freak out on me Yakko." Zekko suddenly said making Yakko stop what he was doing. "They're fine."

Yakko realized what he was referring to. More like who. "Wakko and Dot-"

"-Are perfectly safe." Zekko finished for him catching the rubber ball as it rocketed off the wall and into his hand. "And they don't need a frantic brother so quit your worrying."

Yakko didn't know whether to feel relieved or insulted. Don't worry? Why shouldn't he be worrying? They were all in who knows where, separated and with no idea how long they were going to be here! For all Yakko could know they were being kidnapped and this guy, Zekko, was in on it. Okay maybe Yakko was overreacting a bit, but then again you never know. What he'd really like to know is where his sibs were and a possible exit to this place.

Yakko glanced back at Zekko. "Do you know where they are?"

Zekko caught the rubber ball and looked to Yakko. The toon looked a bit surprised, but that reaction quickly melted away to be replaced with annoyance.

"If I did then I wouldn't be here now would I?" Zekko sneered. He ignored Yakko's look of dislike and threw the rubber ball in the air before catching it, gaze focused on the task instead of Yakko. "Your siblings are probably with mine so if I did know then this conversation would never be because I would be long gone and out of your hair. Capiche?"

Yakko held back a scowl. "Guess so."

Man did this toon have such an attitude. His words dripped with annoyance and maybe just some anger. Yakko had no idea what on earth he did to get this guy's bad side, but he didn't think either of them were going to get along.

"Can you quit the staring?! It's very disturbing if you don't mind!" Zekko said nearly snarling at Yakko.

Yakko blinked wondering for a short time why he had snapped, but realized he was indeed staring. He moved his gaze away, not bothering to make some comeback, and took in his surroundings once more. There wasn't much to look at really. Even though Yakko's eyesight had already gotten used to the darkness there was nothing to look at. All four walls of the room were completely the same, each bricked and coated in the darkness of the room. The only other things to look at was the table he was on and plain bed in the room which he would rather not look at if it meant Zekko would just snap at him. Seriously, what did he do? He barely knows the guy! At least let him try and be annoying then Zekko could snap all he wanted.

You know making him a special friend isn't that bad of an idea… Yakko thought with a smirk.

A loud thud made Yakko jump and he snapped his head around to see what had caused the sound. Yakko gulped.

...or maybe not.

Zekko, for whatever reason, had punched a hole into the wall. He was no longer sitting, but standing besides the small bed. Anger was clearly written all over his face and he was breathing heavily, worked up for whatever was making him angry. With a grunt he pulled his hand out of the wall making plaster crumble out and fall onto the floor. Zekko shook his hand off of the dust that had gathered on it not looking to bothered by the fact he had punched the wall. He stopped and looked to Yakko who was a bit wide eyed. Zekko scowled, shaking off the last of the plaster dust.

"What? Never seen someone angry before?" Zekko snapped.

Yakko frowned. "Sure. Plenty of times, but ah…"

He pointed to the hole in the wall. "...I'm gonna need more explanation to exactly why you punched the wall. Probably none of my business, but hurting yourself doesn't really help you know."

Zekko scoffed, turned towards the wall.

"...why do I even bother?" Yakko heard him mutter. Zekko's hands clenched into fists.

Yakko frowned once more crossing his arms. "Hey you don't have to talk to me. I'm perfectly fine with that."

Like he'd want to carry on a conversation with this guy. Sure he'd be bored out of his mind, but he could live without talking...right? The mere thought made Yakko wrinkled his nose in distaste. Okay maybe not…

Zekko stood silent before glancing back at Yakko. His eyes were narrowed in clear anger.

"It's rude to eavesdrop ya know."

Zekko walked back to the bed and Yakko's ear twitched at the sound of clinking metal. He shot a glance in the direction of the noise and was taken back. Around Zekko's ankle was a metal brace. A long chain kept itself locked to the leg of the bed and only gave Zekko a short walking distance. The toon sat back onto the bed letting the chain rattler as he placed one leg atop the other, arms fixed onto his lap as he stared to the ground.

"I'm only going to say this once." Zekko began sounding frustrated and irritated at all the same time. He ran a hand through the tuffs of fur on his head with a sigh. "Just to be clear, I wasn't talking about you or anything to do with you. And second of all mind your own business Yakko. I don't fancy eavesdroppers and especially when they're sticking their nose where it doesn't belong."

Zekko shot Yakko a glare. "So make it easier on both of us and keep your yap shut!"

With a snort of air Zekko laid on the bed facing away from Yakko and slammed the pillow on his head. The chains rattles the entire time, to which Zekko said something unintelligible under his pillow. Didn't sound to happy though.

"Guess it's boredom to the death." Yakko muttered to himself, putting his chin into the palm of his hand.

Sure Yakko would rather talk to keep himself busy, but with anybody else. Zekko made it pretty clear he had no intentions on talking to him. In the silence Yakko stuck to his thoughts. Maybe it was just his subconscious thinking or it just wasn't fitting in right, but Yakko realized something. He's never met the toon or heard of him...he barely introduced himself, not that he would have seeing the guy's attitude, but it made him wonder...just how did he...

"How do you know my name?" Yakko asked eyeing the toon suspiciously.

Okay so he was being cautious, but it did bug him. He'd rather know why someone he just met knows his name and exactly who his siblings are by the looks of it. Of course he's suspicious, why shouldn't he be?

"What part of not talking do you not understand?" Zekko's muffled voice said.

Yakko scowled at the toon's stubbornness. "The part where I can get a decent answer."

Zekko scoffed. "You want answers? Then get a psychic. They can tell you your future and tell you exactly how this conversation will end."

He took the pillow off his head and sat up giving a glare to Yakko.

"With you shutting up and me getting some peace and quiet! I love chatting as much as the next person, but right now I'd rather wring someone's scrawny little neck! And if you keep talking then it's your neck I'll be strangling so SHUT UP!"

Zekko threw himself back onto the bed facing the wall and slammed the pillow back on his head ending the conversation. Yakko sat there speechless. He was wondering just what happened and how dare this guy threaten him like that! All he asked was one question, just one! Yakko got to his feet and went to the front of the bed.

"Just what is your problem?!" Yakko demanded to know feeling quite angry himself. He was already tired of this guy and they've what? Been here for only a short time? If this was how it was going to be then he was going to find out just what in the world was making this guy so angry and Yakko was not about to be someone's stress ball.

"Well?!" Yakko asked as the silence dragged on.

With that one word the silence broke in the most insane way possible. Yakko's anger switched to bewilderment as Zekko's back shook and a noise came rising from the toon. It took Yakko ten seconds to realize just what that noise was.

It was laughter.

Zekko's laughing only grew as he tried sitting up, but he was laughing so hard it took all his strength to not fall back on the bed in a fit of uncontrollable laughter. The sound of the toon's laughter was truly unpleasant. It rose in a higher pitch then his own voice and he sounded like a legitimate madman.

"M-my p-problem?!" Zekko managed between laughs. He got to his feet still shaking with laughter.

Yakko stepped back as Zekko came forward. The guy was still laughing, but now it had mellowed into some weird combination of chuckles and uncontrollable giggles.

"My problem?" Zekko asked pointing to himself as if it was the most ridiculous thing he ever heard.

Zekko chuckled shaking his head back and forth still advancing forward. "Gee Yakko...you have no idea how many times I've been asked that stinker of a question really."

Yakko jumped slightly as his back hit the table. He had walked right onto it's edge. Looking back forward he came face to face with the toon. Zekko was right there and no longer laughing. In fact he wasn't even smiling. Yakko could feel the hairs on the back of his neck rise. Something in his stare was unsettling on so many levels. Like as if his eyes were burning into his soul, filled with an unkempt rage and something far more sinister. Zekko placed a hand on the table leaning further in making Yakko inch back.

"You wanna know what my problem is?" He said in a such a low voice Yakko thought he misheard him.

"Well I have many problems." He acknowledged with a nod of his head. "So many I've stopped keeping tracked. It wasn't necessary anymore to, but I made sure to remember the big ones. The ones I can never truly get rid of. The ones that would make the average person break down without a care in the world. So if you really want to know then I'll gladly tell you."

A moment of silence before he went on. "My problem is I'm a sorry excuse of a brother who can't even see the light of day let ALONE see his own siblings because I've been locked away. Labeled as a danger to anyone around me and myself included. Do you want to know WHY?! Just why someone could be so cruel to deny one of seeing their own family, Yakko?"

Zekko giggled sinisterly leaning further in. "And you know what? You know what? My situation is nearly the same as yours had been! What are the odds?! Oh oh, but one little twist in this sad toon's tale, yes...it goes to show you just how cruel the world can be ya know."

"That stinking little twist is my biggest problem of all!" Zekko exclaimed sounding so overly cheery it was clearly fake.

At that last word Zekko drew back from Yakko and turned facing the wall. Yakko hesitantly stood back up removing himself from the metal table which had been very close to imprinting him on his back. He looked to Zekko seeing the guy was breathing heavily, giant ragged breaths coming out from him in an out of controlled motion. Before Yakko wonder why, Zekko controlled his breathing and sighed heavily.

"...I'm...I'm psychotic." Zekko finally said.

Yakko was taken back by how broken he sounded.

"...my biggest problem…" Zekko whispered. "...is I'm a psychotic toon…"

His voice broke at the end and he dropped to his knees as if all his strength had been wiped out. His hands clenched to fists as he pulled up to his chest. Yakko could see Zekko was shaking uncontrollably.

"...a-a-and that is such a...such a pathetic reason to be...to be crying about!" He rasped out as a sudden tightness folded within his throat, making him choke on his words.

Yakko had no idea what to do or even think about what was going on at that moment. He could stare in shock as the toon fell forward, curling up into a fetal position. Zekko's back continued to tremble and shake as his ragged breathing only grew. Maybe as in some final attempt to save what was left of his dignity, Zekko reached one arm onto the bed and grabbed the pillow he had left there. As soon as he grabbed hold of it he placed it over his head, tightly holding it down. It wasn't long before muffled crying sounded out.

In that moment Yakko debated just what to do. His mind was still trying to wrap around what he had been just told and if was reading it right then he had every right to feel pity for the guy.

'My problem is I'm a sorry excuse of a brother who can't even see the light of day let ALONE see his own siblings because I've been locked away.'

Those words came hurdling back at him. It reached Yakko that Zekko hadn't been alone when he had been surrounded by those police. Two other toons stood right alongside him. Both younger and probably his own siblings' age as well. They were Zekko's siblings. The events that happened there made Yakko's blood run cold. If...if that had been him and those two were Wakko and Dot...he couldn't bare the thought. Not being able to see them...now that was unimaginable.

Yakko brought his gaze back to the sniffling toon and walked forward. Letting the awkwardness pass within him, he placed one hand on the toon's shaking shoulder. Instantly, Zekko tensed up. Even his muffled crying had slowed. A shaky breath escaped the toon.

"G-go...away."

His voice was choked up on tears and bitter sounding, but also, if Yakko listened hard enough, there was an undertone of embarrassment. Biting back a smirk and remembering why he was doing this in the first place, Yakko sighed.

"Look...I um…" Yakko tried saying, but the words weren't coming out.

Oh now I can't say anything? Come on just say it!

Yakko sighed. "...I'm sorry."

Zekko became completely silent. Not even his crying could be heard. The silence nearly had Yakko thinking maybe the guy had exhausted himself out and was now asleep, but he was proven wrong. A bitter and hollow laugh escaped Zekko's lips.

"You're sorry." Zekko repeated to himself. "Now that's rich."

His grip on the pillow tightened holding it closer to his head. Zekko only stayed quiet for a short time.

"...why?" He asked hesitantly.

Yakko pursed his lips. Why was he sorry? In that moment he quickly settled on an answer.

"Because I shouldn't have snapped. If I had known...well it wasn't right." Yakko finally said.

"But you didn't know." Zekko said instantly after Yakko finished talking.

Yakko moved back as Zekko pulled off the pillow from his head and sat up, sitting on his knees. He kept his face hidden and looked to the wall in front of him.

"...There's no reason for you to be sorry Yakko."

Zekko glance back at Yakko. In that mere glimpse Yakko caught sight of his red and sore eyes. As quick as he had turned, Zekko faced back to the wall not wanting to look at Yakko.

"No reason at all." He whispered.

A pause of silence filled the room. Neither spoke, both either not wanting to or unsure of what to say.

"...how long?"

Zekko's ear twitched. "What?"

Yakko sighed not really wanting to say it, but he wanted to know. "How long has it been since you saw them? Your brother and sister...how long?"

The silence dragged on for the longest as Yakko waited for an answer.

"...why do you want to know that?" Zekko asked sounding suspicious.

Yakko frowned. "Maybe if you can't recall I'm in the wait game as well. So I should at least know how long right?"

Zekko chuckled, but it sounded bitter. "Oh Yakko...you don't want to know. Trust me."

"I do want to know-"

"No, no you don't." Zekko said flatly. "Knowing doesn't help at all."

Yakko bit back a frustrated sigh. "Just tell me."

Zekko looked to Yakko. The expression on his face was of total disbelief. The toon positioned himself so he drew his knees up to his chest with his arms crossed on them.

"I don't like thinking about it…" Zekko began. "...but if it's so darn important then I'll tell you. I warned you Yakko. You won't like it."

Yakko sat crisscrossed with his arms in his lap. "Just tell me."

Zekko shook his head. "...Gekko and Shayna...until yesterday the last time I saw them was…"

He took a deep breath in before exhaling.

"...seventy years ago."

Yakko felt his mouth go dry. "What?"

Zekko scoffed. "You heard me. Seventy years. Unless you want to technical about it seventy years, five months, two days and-"

He brought up his wrist revealing a watch. "-seven hours."

Zekko put down his arm. "I'm not even going to go further into the seconds so don't ask."

He looked to Yakko and his inner anger disappeared for the shortest of times seeing the look on Yakko's face.

"I told you, you didn't want to know." Zekko muttered bringing his knees closer to his chest.

Yako's mind was still trying to wrap itself around those two words. Seventy years...gods how did he handle that? Zekko looks to have already accepted it and almost come to terms with it minus his small break down Yakko had witnessed. Yakko couldn't take it if he was separated from Wakko and Dot for that long. No… he wouldn't let it happen. Not on his life would he let his sibs get taken from him for that long. He wouldn't have it.

In his thoughts the most horrible thing he could have thought of hit him. What if...what if that's how long he'd have to wait? Yakko could feel himself going cold. No...no it won't happen! It couldn't happen….it can't! But...if that's how long Zekko has waited...what if-

"Hey! HEY! Snap out of it Yakko!"

Yakko was jolted from his thoughts as Zekko had suddenly begun shaking him by the shoulders. As quick as he started Zekko brought Yakko to a halt and stared him dead in the eyes. He looked angry.

"Don't you DARE think that way!" Zekko ordered, as if he had read Yakko's thoughts.

"What?" Yakko said in shock.

Zekko scowled. "Don't play dumb with me kid. I know exactly what you're thinking so stop it!"

He let Yakko go and got to his feet pointing at Yakko in an angry manner.

"If you think you're going to be rotting in this cell then you're out of your mind! Believe me you'll be out of here before you know it. Plotz may be a jerk, but I know even he has the tiniest bit of heart in those dollar sign eyes. He'll come and get you three out or send someone to, but don't DARE think you won't see your sibs Yakko! I will not have their brother freaking out on me and I will definitely NOT tolerate it! UNDERSTAND?!"

Yakko was completely speechless. He had no idea what to say. Well Zekko didn't give him any time to as he then pulled Yakko up by the scruffs of his fur on his chest, making Yakko yelp out.

"Do you understand?" Zekko hissed. He was dead serious.

Not trusting his own voice Yakko nodded. Zekko stared him dead in the eyes, as if daring Yakko to even try and lie to him, if he did he would regret it. Without a sound Zekko let him go. Yakko stumbled a bit trying to regain his balance and ignore the the aching part of his chest where Zekko had grabbed him.

"Sorry about that." Zekko said seeing Yakko rub his chest. "I get too worked up when I try and make my point sometimes."

"No, really?"

Zekko scowled raising a fist. "I don't have to be sorry ya know. I can just as easily let you drown in your own thoughts, but I'm not having a brother of mine-"

Suddenly, Zekko then smacked both hands over his mouth, eyes a bit wide in panic. Yakko blinked wondering why he had done that. Then he recalled Zekko's words. His own eyes widened.

"Did you just say-"

"Nope!" Zekko quickly said placing both hands behind his back. A fake smile plastered on his face. "Didn't say anything of interest whatsoever!"

Yakko pointed at him. "Yes you did. You said-"

"La la la la! I can't hear you!" Zekko chanted placing his hands over his ears. "I didn't say anything also! Still can't hear you! La la la-"

"You said brother." Yakko interrupted. "Why did you say brother?"

Zekko grew silent and removed his hands from his ears. He gave off a nervous chuckle twiddling his thumbs trying not to dwell on what he had said, but the look on his face gave it away. Yakko could feel his jaw slack a bit.

Zekko chuckled nervously. "Looks like the family got a little bigger huh Yakko?"

Does this mean what we think it means?! Where are Wakko and Dot and are they okay?! Can this fanfic get more reviews?! Until next time the Queen has left the building! Bye! :)