On My Own

Chapter 18

Author Notes: Last time we got Leo after Yusei decided to do some snooping. Time to continue where we left off. Not wasting any time today-no sir! I do not own Yugioh.

3rd P.O.V

"I can't believe this shit. Kid and his sister have been missing for two fucking years?!" When Leo stirred, he found himself warm, surrounded by blankets and pillows. "Keep your voice down Trudge, don't want to wake him." The boy kept his eyes closed, but he could easily recognize the second man's voice.

It was the one who found him. "I let you on your own for one match Yusei. One match and you find a missing kid? So what else did Blister say? What else did you find?" The other voice was harsher.

And it left Leo wanting to hide further into what felt like a nice, soft bed. "I'm not going into details. Just know it's bad, and Blister is getting us backup." For a moment Leo felt like he was back at home, being a sneak as he quietly listened in on his parent's conversations. Like a cool super stealthy spy.

"Shit. And here I thought dealing with the Arcadia Movement was bad enough. Fact that some of my own boys were involved... I swear heads are going to roll back at HQ." Though the kid wasn't understanding much. Arcadia Movement sounded familiar...but he couldn't quite place it.

Much like the rest of the conversation. "We'll worry about that After we find Luna and anyone else that was imprisoned." Leo heard a deep snort before heavy footsteps walked in his direction. For a moment he tensed.

Figuring he was busted in eavesdropping. But surprisingly enough 'Trudge' was only walking past him. "You mean me. I lost to the damn witch, so now all eyes are going to be on you and your duel tomorrow. I'll wait for Blister to send me backup before we search top to bottom. You focus on not losing."

Dueling? The guy who saved him was a duelist? If Leo didn't think his rescuer was cool before, he certainly was now! "What about Leo? I doubt Blister is going to volunteer on babysitting duty. And after what I saw like hell am I letting him out of my sight." He couldn't resist anymore and opened his eyes.

Watching Yusei send a heated glare in his friends' direction. "Look we'll figure something out...just relax." That wasn't good enough. Immediately Yusei shook his head, looking far more frazzled then when Leo first ran into him.

"Trudge you weren't there. That place was like being in a fucking psycho murder flick. And when I found him there-it was like when I first met Rally but worse!" At that the dark skinned man winced, able to easily hear the rage in his voice.

He raised his hands in surrender. "I hear you. But right now we need to lay low. We don't know what happened to the kid, and right now you're still in the tournament. Blister says it'll be a couple days to scrounge up enough people. So chill out, get a good night's sleep, and we'll talk more in the morning."

That was apparently all the police officer was going to say on the subject. Ignoring the scathing look he was given as he walks out of the room. "Get a good night's sleep' he says. Until these bastards pay for their crimes that ain't happening." With a sigh Yusei scrubs his face with his hands, before freezing.

Realizing that Leo was awake. "How long were you listening?" If the situation wasn't so serious Leo would've laughed at his face. "Awhile?" He gave a sheepish grin, not really sorry for being a snoop.

"I should've figured with how loud he was being. Sorry for waking you." Leo shook his head, sitting up as he finally got a good look of the room and the comfy bed he was in. "No biggie. Hey is that chocolate?!" Yusei was glad to order room service the moment he made it back to his sleeping quarters.

Amused with how quickly the food was disappearing. "Take it easy. Don't want you to choke." A sense of nostalgia overcame him as Leo literally started coughing as soon as he said that.

Honestly it was like looking at and caring for a green haired Rally. God he missed his little brother, it wasn't even funny. "It's so good!" Yusei found himself chuckling, his heart lighter than it's been in ages now.

"Here...you're making a mess." He took a napkin, dabbing the food residue off the kid's face. "S-sorry. But i'm so hungry! It's been ages since I had something to eat..." He looked away then, embarrassed. Not willing to meet the elder man's worried gaze as he held his stomach.

For once not in pain or grumbling. "Hey, I get it. My brother used to live on the streets, digging through trash to eat. I'm just asking you to slow down before you make yourself sick. The food's not going anywhere." It was painful to see how relieved Leo looked when he said that.

His shoulders dropped so low that Yusei was surprised it didn't hit the damn floor. He immediately went back into eating, albeit slower, taking his saviors' advice. From there, all that could be heard was the sound of Leo munching away, occasionally slurping the juice that was handed to him.

Questions were filling both of their heads as this silence continued, however the mechanic was in no rush to start asking. He wasn't going to pry into things when the boy-at least for the moment acted like a kid his age instead of the scared kidnapped victim he was. This has been a long draining day.

Talking could always be done tomorrow. However it just couldn't be so easy. Not for him when he heard a series of knocks, startling the both of them. "Who-who's at the door?" He had no idea, and considering Trudge just left not too long ago, it seemed suspicious.

"I don't know...but I want you to hide. If its the guys who took you, i'm not letting them take you back without a fight." Without being needed to be told twice Leo rummages his way under the bed.

Completely hidden from sight. "Keep quiet alright Leo? I'll tell you if its safe to come out." Though it was highly unlikely, Yusei was praying that it was just Trudge coming back. Telling him Blister got ahold of him or that he forgot something in his room.

Again nothing was ever so simple for him. As much as he'd like to stand there, glaring at the door, he had to see who it was that decided to visit him so late into the night. Taking a deep breath he heads to the door. There was a slight hesitation in his hand as he reached out.

Slowly, despite the now pounding on his door he grasped the knob. Blinking in surprise and confusion to find a small group outside waiting for him. "About time you answered Dust!" Of all the people he thought to find in front of his room, he didn't at all think it would be Crow, Jack and Carly.

"Is there any particular reason why you guys are here so late? Is everything alright?" Anxiety was clawing at his chest as each of them held a serious expression. "We need to talk about something important...can we come in?" It wasn't a question.

It seemed Crow was the defacto leader of this little invasion as he all but pushed his way in. Making himself comfy on the mini sofa that was nestled in the room. "Didn't think you would leave such a mess man. At least when we were rooming together you always kept things tidy."

Carly and Jack shared a glance before the host moved to the side, allowing them in as well as narrow his tired eyes at the ginger who has made himself way too comfortable lounging. Of course this was Crow...he could find himself relaxed even in Sector Securities clutches.

"I had a guest not too long ago. I ended up falling asleep before they left and woke up to this mess." Despite the hammering in his chest, his expression was composed. A yawn actually broke through his lips, emphasizing on how fatigued he was.

Making Crow snort. "And you were so tired that you fell asleep without changing into your pjs? You're weird." There was a smile on the short male's lips, but his tone was provoking-accusing.

A part of Yusei was irritated with the sudden ambush, especially with the fact the other two were more than happy to keep silent in the background. Watching his every move. A sense of dread filled his being. Still he kept up his facade...it was all he knew how to do anymore.

"Is there a reason for the hostility Crow? I'm going to be honest. I'm tired. It was a long day today and it's going to be a longer day tomorrow. Please get to the point of your arrival or please leave."

It was probably the rudest he ever was in his Dust persona and it showed as his guests all looked at him in shock. But it didn't last long, as his old high school friend quickly recovered. "The point? I said I wanted to talk to you, but in reality I just got a question for you..."

Anxiety mixed in with dread, and it took everything to face the glare being shot his way. "Mind telling me what the hell you're doing in a place like this with a fake identity Yusei?" The air grew tense as Dust's eyes widen.

Panicking for a moment before scowling. "Wh-what are you talking about Crow? You come to my room in the middle of the night accusing me of such a thing? What lunacy." He would deny it as long as he has to. He didn't have a choice in the matter. Leo and his missing sister depended on it.

"Please-don't give me that shit. Carly did some research on you. 'Dust Fairfite' doesn't exist. The only records of you anywhere in the world is when you signed up for this tournament. Same goes for Gumshoes...but with Trudge taking a random on going vacation and Saint Martha's missing its owner-i'm not That stupid."

This couldn't be happening...not now. "I do believe it's against my privacy rights and illegal for Ms. Carmine to be trying to go through my records. But I suppose the fact that she hasn't found me shows that her skill is not as high as her desire to capture and interrogate contestants." It was a low blow.

One that made her wince and Jack growl out in warning. Right now he couldn't think about being nice so long as they leave with nothing. They couldn't get involved. Not when he was so close to discovering the truth.

"You're changing the subject. And it's not going to work. I don't know why you're here, but you're not doing yourself any favors trying to deny it. I'll admit the disguise is good, had me fooled for the longest time...but I know you. You can't fool me any longer." It was getting harder.

Harder for him to keep shaking his head no. To keep looking like he wasn't panicking on the inside. "This is becoming a waste of my time. My name is Dust Fairfite. I don't know this Yusei friend of yours other then what you've already told me. I have a duel first thing in the morning and I would like to go back to sleep."

It hurt staring Crow in the face. Watching his angered expression turn into a sad, pained one. But Blister's and even Trudge's words echoed in his mind. Reminding him of the dangers of this mission. Telling anyone the truth as to why he was here could get them dragged right along with him.

Get them killed right along with him...he had to stay strong. Jack had been standing there, staring at this interaction with frustration. It was clear they were going to be getting nowhere no matter how much evidence the birdbrain threw his way.

"You know it was Kalin that wrecked your chances in the tournament back in high school." The two arguing sides froze at his statement. "Wh-what!? Kalin was the one!? Wait-what the hell does that have to do with anything?" The blonde man smirked.

Not even looking in Crow's direction even though he was answering his outburst. He kept his gaze steady on Dust. Knowing he got him. "I don't know. Why are you freaking out Dust? You seem shocked about something you have no knowledge or involvement in..."

He was caught. Dammit all to hell and back. With a frustrated sigh, Yusei rubbed his aching, greased face as he sat down at his desk chair. Making sure to glare at all of them as he finally blows his cover. What a night.

"You're a real bastard...you know that Jack? I knew I should've punched you harder the last time I saw you. Why I ever wanted to see you again is beyond me." Blister and Trudge were going to be on his ass so badly for this.

to be continued

Author Notes: Welp, the cats outta the bag now. Jack is a prick through and through. Sadly we have to wait for the continuation of that particular conversation. Why? Because I am ready to go to sleep and this chapters long enough.

So as I say most if not every single time-thank you all for reading my story. If you like what you see so far, please feel free to fav/follow/review as it means a lot to see other people enjoying my work. I'll see you all ne