Another update. Got Covid so can't do much else. :)
Big reveal this chapter, and next chapter will also be quite big.
Hope you like it! Let me know what you think!
School brought some normality to the household. Probably because Yugi wasn't around his parents long enough to stir up any tension. That, and he would use any excuse to avoid getting home straight after school.
Monday was easy. He had Duel Monsters Club at school - and as the president, he had to go.
Tuesday was Basketball with his friends. They already sensed he was avoiding his parents and were supportive.
Wednesday was tricky - as his friends weren't available, but he was able to hang out at the library to write his graduation speech.
Thursday- he had a call with Pegasus about the Japanese National Tournaments. He took the call at the local library and just let Pegasus talk, as that was what the man liked to do. Didn't get home until it was well past dinner time.
He had managed the week with minimal contact so far. Now it was Friday. He got up extra early to have breakfast before his parents woke up, excuse at the ready. Just meeting up with Tea before school starts. It wasn't a lie.
His backpack felt heavy despite the lack of textbooks, almost as if it knew what he was doing. Inanimate objects were starting to judge his avoidance behavior.
Even his toast seemed dry with disappointment. He sighed, not wanting to bother with a time-consuming breakfast. The longer he stayed, the higher chance he had of bumping into...
The thump of steps came from the hallway. "You're up early again. Is... that all you're having for breakfast? Not even a cup of coffee?"
Yugi suppressed a groan. Plan ruined.
He turned to his father, fake smile at the ready. "Yeah, Tea and I like taking our time before school."
His father leaned on the kitchen bench, then said, calm and blunt. "Are you two a couple?"
Yugi staggered, nearly dropping his toast and knowing damn well his face was flushing red. "Wha... No! We've been walking to school together since we started high school."
"Sure," said his father, his tone suggesting he didn't believe him. "In that case, I can make you some coffee and Tea can wait ten minutes."
He opened the cabinet next to Yugi, pulling out a plain blue travel mug and a coffee strainer with some coffee ground. Flicking on the kettle at lightning speed.
"That's not necessary," said Yugi. Wondering where all the coffee equipment came from. He and his grandfather almost never drank any at home.
"I know what you're doing," said his father as he prepared the coffee strainer. "I get it. Your mother and I haven't been home and your about to experience one of the biggest challenges of your life. Graduating is a big deal! And it's difficult dealing with family during this time."
"Uh..." said Yugi, taking a step back.
"But we do support you in your studies, and your dueling, and whatever else it is you want to do. We might not fully understand yet, but you avoiding us isn't going to provide further clarity."
Once again, Yugi faltered at the direct call-out. "I'm not avoiding you!"
His father only had to raise an eyebrow in silence to address his point. The kettle tab clicked up, indicating it finished boiling. He poured the water into the strainer.
"Okay, fine," admitted Yugi. "Maybe a little..."
With a sigh, his father poured the coffee into the travel mug, put on the lid and handed it to Yugi. Not so much as bothering with cream or sugar. "Why don't you get home on time today so we can get all this out in the open. We're worried about you, Yugi. You seem stressed despite your exams being over. It's not healthy."
I'm stressed because of what I can't talk to you about. Thought Yugi. And I barely understand it myself.
Though his father stood next to him, leaning on the kitchen bench, arms crossed, with a defiant look that meant 'no' wasn't going to be an answer. Yugi stared down at the travel mug, then back up at him.
"Okay. I'll postpone things with my friends until the weekend," sighed Yugi, defeated.
His father nodded. "Wonderful. It will be nice to have you home... and outside your room. Your mother was threatening to tear it apart yesterday to drag you out."
"Yes... I can do that too," chuckled Yugi. The image of Atem's memorial being ransacked running through his mind.
"See, wasn't so hard was it?" said father, patting his shoulder and winking. "Now go and have a good time with Tea."
"It's not like that!"
"I was sixteen once, too, Yugi, and Tea's a good girl. Keep at it," said his father, ruffling Yugi's hair and walking back down the hallway towards the spare bedroom. Leaving Yugi to stare at where he was standing.
He shook his head, tightening his grip on the travel mug and glancing over at his toast - probably cold by now, but also unappealing. He needed to get out of here. He turned around and bounded downstairs to get outside.
Stepping out onto the street and breathing in the humid morning air felt like an escape from prison. Tea wouldn't be ready for a while, so Yugi was going to take his time to her place. The walk was pleasant, and he knew a few routes off the main road with trees and a park where he could drink his coffee. After meeting up with Tea, they would meet Joey at a breakfast stand then meet Tristan at the gate entrance.
He took a sip of the drink his Dad made as he started to walk, the mellow bittersweet flavor surprising him. Guess his father had a hobby after all.
The street was quiet, another benefit to waking up so early. The only noise being his steps echoing of the storied buildings and early morning office workers rushing to reach the train. He saw a few shop put out 'open' signs - mostly coffee shops at this hour - with the long apron workers looking as tired as Yugi felt.
After walking for a while, he made it to the park, about halfway to Tea's place. The cherry trees bloomed last season, so they stood tall with dark branches and only a sprinkle of pink among their green leaves. A few dog walkers hung around the greenspace, but the bench was empty under one of the larger trees so Yugi decided to sit down. Taking another sip of coffee as he did so and enjoying a small moment with nature in the city. He placed his school bag at his feet and tried to relax into the seat.
A shiver ran up his spine. The same as the night Grandpa gave him Atem's crown. And that feeling that a pair of eyes were glued to his back.
He stilled, tightening his grip on the travel mug and looking around. Staring at every dogwalker and far off city window within view, hoping it was just another stranger starting their day.
The park was the same. A Shibu Inu was tugging it's owner out of view and the people on the nearby street all had their eyes forward or on their cellphones. Not even the birds were looking in his direction.
Yugi shook his head. It had to be his imagination. The anxiety from dealing with his parents getting to him. There was nothing to worry about.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. Now that Bakura had been dealt with, there was no one who could possibly be interested in...
That's when a rag covered his mouth and he tasted chloroform, forcing him to drop the coffee his dad made for him and making the world go black.
...
A faint ticking sound rang out in Yugi's ear when he slowly came too. His body felt heavy, cold and damp, as if he had gone swimming in his school uniform. He tried to stretch his shoulders, feeling hard wood underneath him. The air was musky and humid, almost sticky to breathe in, causing him to cough.
"Well... Looks like our guest is awake. Sorry for the lack of hospitality, Mr. Motou, but there are few appropriate places in the city to conduct our business. Hope it's not too uncomfortable," the voice belonged to an unfamiliar man with an accent.
Yugi blinked his eyes open, noticing the dark wooden surroundings and lack of furniture. Imprints of large frames were on the peeling wallpaper, as if some long-term paintings had been removed. He could make out a thick layer of dust across the floor and hidden in the nooks and crannies. It seemed to Yugi that wherever he was, it had been abandoned some time ago. There was no sign of his school bag, or his travel mug. He doubted whoever took him bothered to pick them up at the park.
He tried to move but thick rope kept his hands and feet bound, causing him to grit his teeth.
"Hey! No need for that. We want to keep this easy, don't we, Mr. Mutou."
A masked man walked over into Yugi's view, dressed in dark foreign clothes. There was an unfamiliar mark on his mask - certainly not of Japanese design. Yugi glared at his direction. Only now realizing the man was speaking with an American accent. He didn't sound like Joey, or any Texan he met when visiting professor Hawkins and Rebecca.
"Who are you?" coughed out Yugi. "What do you want?"
"Give us a second," this time it was a woman - no, a girl - wearing a more form fitting version of the man's attire and sporting the same accent walking into his view.
She brought out white chalk and started drawing a circle around him, along with various foreign occult-like symbols. "Sorry about this, but we need you awake for the ritual and the less you move around the easier it will be."
She didn't sound very sorry.
"Why are you doing this?" coughed Yugi. "I don't even know who you are!"
The girl answered, though she didn't so much as glance in his direction, her focus remaining on the circle being drawn around him. "After what those fools did to our grandfather... well, we now need a pure soul to get him back. And you, Mr. Motou, will be ideal for it. A pure soul and revenge in one swoop. You understand?"
"Not really."
"You will soon. I recommend taking it easy. Grandfather doesn't like bruises, so he may give you his blessing if you cooperate."
The man came back into view with a large bag, his large hands pulling out a few items. A horse sculptor, a bronze pendant, a skull, and placed them on certain symbols as her accomplice drew them.
Yugi felt his limbs go numb as each object was placed down. Each item adding extra weight on his chest in an environment that was already difficult to breathe in. He tried to struggle but could barely find the strength to roll over.
"That should do it!" said the man. He dusted the chalk from his hands. "I think gramps is going to like his new body. Young, fit, male, pure soul..." He counted an invisible criteria on his fingers.
Yugi almost went into a coughing. New body?! His body?!
"Is this really necessary?" huffed Yugi, finding it harder to breathe.
"Oh, yes!" said the girl in a high-pitched tone. Yugi could hear her smile underneath the mask. "Grandfather is going to love you! An ideal body and pissing off the hunters in one ritual. It is more than we could have hoped for! The hunters will be coming after us with full force, but it will be worth it, I think."
They circled around him and started to stretch. "Ready to begin?" said the girl to the man. Placing her hands into position in the air.
"You know I am!" said the man with a chuckle, matching her stance.
"Wait!" called out Yugi.
They continued to circle, muttering in an unfamiliar language which made Yugi's hair stand on end, but after a few moments of them stepping, circling and waving their hands in strange patterns... he found it easier to breathe. As if whatever was causing the pressure was being removed.
Yugi shifted an inch to a more comfortable position and stared as they moved around him, unsure what to expect.
They continued this for a few more minutes, their actions growing sharper and breaths harsher as time passed. This kept going...
...and going.
After a while, Yugi found himself counting the number of lines in the wood next to him. He glanced back up at his captors, noticing trickles of sweat underneath their masks. The strong pitch of their voices dropping with each lap around the circle and arms falling lower.
Yugi couldn't see their faces, but if he could... well, they weren't as excited as before.
"It's not working..." the girl muttered and arms dropping. She stopped her walk and fell to her knees with a gasp. "There is a powerful barrier on his soul, but it doesn't match the signature of his parents or any spirit I've worked with. I doubt it belongs to one of the three types. It must be a lone guardian."
"Shit! And whoever did it is much stronger. What ritual did those hunters perform? Or did they sign a contract with a more powerful spirit to protect their son?" said the man, leaning close to Yugi as if to inspect him.
"Have you ever known those stick-in-the-muds to make spiritual deals? This is something else," said the girl. She reached out to poke Yugi in the chest. "Something even the Hunters don't know about."
Spiritual deals? Hunters?
Yugi blinked. Trying to process what they were saying and feeling the slow rise of panic building in chest.
"This is awful! We finally found the son of those spirit-hunters and his pure soul will make him the perfect vessel, and he has a barrier on his soul? Never thought one of their own would break hunter laws."
It was at this point Yugi's heart fell to his stomach. Nausea slowly creeping around his insides as he processed the information he had just heard, finally connecting all the dots.
A spirit was destroyed by hunters. That spirit was their grandfather.
And Yugi was the son of those hunters.
His Mum and Dad... hunted evil spirits and destroyed them? That's what they have been doing this entire time. His dad didn't work with a bank and his mother didn't plan weddings?
The reality of his life shifted in his head at the thought.
That's why they were so nervous about the puzzle and his trip to the tomb in Egypt. Why they were more focused on that than his achievements in the dueling arena or the newfound valedictorian status he was still trying to get use too. It's what they have been working with for the past five years, and in turn, what they looked out for.
"My parents are exorcists. Is that what you are saying?" he muttered, dazed.
They raised their heads, pausing their conversation to stare at him in silence.
"You really know nothing," said the woman with eyebrows raised. "No wonder our counters to your barriers aren't working. They weren't placed by your parents or their friends... Strange. And of course, that would mean spirits would be free to make contracts with you. Your pure soul would make you ripe for any free-floating spirit in need of a purifying vessel. "
She circled him, again. Making him wonder about these 'barriers'. He hated this. Being unable to do much besides wait out until help 'hopefully' arrived. Whenever that happened.
Made him wish Atem was here to do the talking...
She stopped moving. "Who's that?
Now Yugi stared at her, confused as much as they were earlier.
"I see a man in your mind who looks like yourself, but isn't you. Who is it?" she tipped her head to the side.
Yugi winced, and lied, mind reading just being added to his list of weird things that happened today. "Uh... yeah. He was... my brother. Well, cousin, but he was more of a big brother. He passed almost six months ago now..."
He focused his mind, trying to control his thoughts. Trying to keep the picture of Atem as he was in the modern day and not the past.
It seemed to work.
"Sorry for your loss..." she nodded, the sentimental tone causing Yugi's nerves to stand on end. "That would explain it. The dead always leave a mark on those closest to them. No wonder the barriers are strong," she paused. "Your parents were not aware of his death. Correct?"
Yugi turned away, trying to act both ashamed and sad, to catch their sympathy. "I haven't brought it up yet. They were away so long. I don't think they even know he stayed with us... Doubt we would have received their approval, if you catch my meaning. My brother was a bit rebellious on a good day," Yugi let it roll off the tongue. Seeing the lady nod, accepting his answer.
"I understand..." she muttered, her eyes glazing over. "They did not approve of us either."
The girl turned to the masked man. "We won't be successful here."
The man sighed. "I agree... Shame, it was a good idea. Despite this particular hiccup. We'll have to look elsewhere..."
A loud noise, the sound of a door being blown open, vibrated beneath them followed by a barrage of steps heading up the stairwell. Screams of orders and commands made in unison. They had been discovered.
The man swore under his breath then signaled to the woman, who sighed in disappointment before scrambling for the few occult items they scattered about previously. Done with such calm Yugi wondered how often she had done it before.
"See ya later, kid. You have some luck... I never knew your brother, but he sure is one powerful soul."
Yugi gave a nervous smile, attempting to ignore the 'is' in the man's statement. "He was always a bit overprotective."
He then nodded at Yugi, before following the women out the room and - presumably - out whatever way they came in that didn't involve the front door downstairs.
Yugi sighed, relishing this moment alone. Thoughts of Atem and his parents flooding his brain as his instinct for survival faded. He hung his head back. Focusing on his breathing and not his exhaustion.
The mark from Atem he could accept. A small gesture to ensure Yugi's safety before his partner moved onto the afterlife. The decision to move on was difficult on them both, and he couldn't judge a man trying to make peace before his death.
But his parents... what was he supposed to believe?
"I found the boy. Over and out," said an authoritative voice followed by the crackling of a walkie talkie.
Yugi glanced up to see a police officer with his gun drawn and scanning the room. The sight relieving a weight from his chest.
"I'm okay," he called out, wiggling his tied together hands. "Untie me, please! I want to go home!"
...
Stepping out into the open air, he tasted the cool taste of freedom in his lungs and the lights of Domino City in the distance. Much better than the musty tinge of what Yugi now knew was an abandoned apartment building. It was late, the sky was dark, and the streetlights had been turned on. Surrounding him was a small force of officers - one of them holding his school bag and another gently pushing him out the house. Most in collective chatter about whatever job they had next.
"Yugi!" his mother rushed over, squeezing him into thunderous hug. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah. Will be sore tomorrow though," Yugi choked back, unable to look at her. Still struggling to believe what he just found out.
"Yug's!"
Yugi looked over his mother's shoulder to see Joey and Tristan muscling their way past the police towards him. Their eyes lined purple with lack of sleep.
"Guy's!" Called out Yugi, pulling away from his mother and staggering towards them. "Are you okay? You look exhausted."
"Says the dude who can barely stand up," muttered Tristan, eyeing the red lines on Yugi's wrists. "Anyhow. Tea will be here soon. She was the one who notified everyone you were missing and has been looking for you with a bunch of classmates on the other side of town. They'll be happy to hear we found you."
"Yeah..." said Joey with a knowing smirk. "Something about you never failing to walk with her to school. It's paying off."
Yugi cheeks tinged pink. "I'm just glad none of you got hurt. The people who took me don't seem like a friendly bunch."
Joey shrugged. "Can't be less friendly than Kaiba, right? And as if we would leave you alone with weirdos. We both know how that turns out."
"That's true," said Yugi, finding it in him to laugh.
He moved away from his mother towards them wanting to discuss everything he saw. There were no secrets from his friends regarding the strange and supernatural happening in his life. But a side eyed glance at his parents made him think otherwise.
Maybe he should have the full story first - but he could mention everything non-family related. He turned back, making sure his mother wasn't listening in, before telling what he could to his friends. He also needed to make a phone call to his grandfather, given what he knew had to happen next.
From inside the building, his father came running outside, bags under his eyes and slightly unruly. He was huffing by the time he made it to the gate, as if he had been running much further than just the inside of the abandoned apartment building.
"Atsuko... We have a problem!" said Hayate, pushing himself past the police towards his wife. "There was a sacrificial circle up where Yugi was held. It was unsuccessful, but I don't know why. Is he okay?"
His mum glanced over at Yugi, who was now out of earshot and had made his way over to his friends outside the gate. They were talking in low tones, the tall blonde one listening with a hand on Yugi's shoulder.
Atsuko nodded, accepting their son couldn't hear them, she whispered to her husband. "Any sign of who did it?"
"It's consistent with the Pellorsi family from Wisconsin. The white chalk and bilateral symmetry is the traditional style they follow. Very out of fashion with most other supernatural families. I wonder if they tracked us here after what happened to Lawrence?"
"But why target Yugi? Unless..." His mother's expression darkened.
"Exactly. That's my concern as well," Yugi's father pushed up his glasses, expression unreadable.
Yugi's blonde friend waved at them from the gate. Pulling them out of the conversation.
"You two alright?" he called out. "We can get Yug's to the police station, no problem. He's light enough to carry. I found his phone at the park earlier, so now we're just waiting for him to finish making a call to Gramps."
Outside the fence, Yugi was on his cell phone with a serious expression. Which meant his grandfather currently knew more about what had happened to him than Atstuko and Hayate - a sad state of their current reality. Their expressions hardened.
"Ah… I would rather we take him," said Atsuko, pushing her hands together, nervous.
"Sounds good! I'll call a maxi cab for all of us," said Tristan with a nod. "Yugi still needs to make a police report. We can meet Tea there."
Joey leaned close to him. "Of course, Yugi would want Tea to tend to his wounds."
"No, sorry," said Hayate, waving his hands in the air. "We mean that we want to take Yugi home. It's almost midnight."
The two friends pursed their lips. The blonde one speaking first. "If you say so, but just so you know, Yug's is short but tough. He is capable of a-lot more than he looks."
"Hey everyone, Grandpa is just glad we're okay," said Yugi, staggering back over.
He glanced between his parents and friends, then a jolt went up his spine at the realization that this is the first time they have met each other. He turned them, " Uh... Sorry. Mum, Dad, this is Joey and Tristan. I've talked about them..."
"Yugi," said his mother, walking over to him and dragging him by the arm. "We need to go home."
Joey and Tristan shared a look, one of realization. With Yugi suspecting they finally caught on as to why Yugi was avoiding his parents.
"Wait... but..." started Yugi.
Joey offered a non-chalant wave. "Don't worry bout it, Yug's. We'll catch up when you're better. Just glad you're okay."
"You know how to get a hold of us," winked Tristan. "We'll update Tea. She'll probably come round on the weekend to check up on you. We might join in. Play some Duel monsters and whatnot."
Yugi frowned. "Okay... and thanks for today. For getting everyone together..."
"I just said, don't worry about it," said Joey, gesturing to his mum. "Might wanna head home before your folks get too angsty."
Yugi glanced up at his parents, who hadn't taken their eyes off him throughout the exchange. Noting the tired eyes and the way his mother was rubbing her hands together. His father's seemed to be inching towards the street despite his cool stance.
"I'll see you when you come round then," said Yugi with sigh. "Message me when you get home safe, and thanks for taking care of my phone."
"Gotcha. Rest up, bud."
"See you, later!"
His friends than left, walking down the street with their arms around each other shoulders. Yugi sighed, wishing he could go with them.
A firm hand gripped his shoulder. "Let's go home, Yugi. You need to rest."
He glanced up at the tired eyes of his father, then back down. Not in the mood to talk to him. The police were starting to disperse, and Yugi was beginning to notice some peculiarities. Like how not a single police officer had asked for his account of events, or when he saw his backpack handed to a stern looking woman with glasses rather then get taken in as evidence. If Joey hadn't found his phone in the dog park, he doubt he would have seen it again.
His father sighed himself. "Alright. If that's how you're going to be."
Yugi felt his teeth clench. Betting his parents organized this raid and they had a hand with the police, most likely through whatever group 'spirit hunters' work for.
Either way, he was going to be getting answers when they got home. He might be able to mention family matters to his friends, but that didn't include Grandpa. Now both of them wanted answers.
Whelp! Sounds like Yugi is going to confront his parents when he gets home... ;)
Let me know what you think! Hope you liked it!