Heartaches

Chapter 18

By Kellyq

Rally slipped out of the room once the tension had gotten too much for him. He entered the living room to see Mina just getting off the phone. She blinked when she noticed the depressed look in his eyes.

"Rally, is everything alright? Jack and Yusei aren't ..."

Before Mina could finish, the door to the computer room opened, and Yusei walked out, closing the door behind him. He put the cell phone to his ear and started to talk. He turned and walked to Jack's room and closed the door. The blonde-haired teen came out of the computer room a moment later. He wore a dark expression as he walked to his room and opened the door. Jack walked into the room and closed the door.

"I hope Jack doesn't hurt Yusei," Rally said in a small voice.

"Were they fighting?" Mina asked, looking down at the boy with concern in her eyes.

"No. But Jack wasn't happy when Yusei thought about handing himself over to Rudger," Rally explained.

Despite the fear that Rudger's name invoked, the group was determined to confront him. Mina covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a gasp. Her lime-green eye widened in horror and shivered at the thought. Images of Rudger hurting Yusei mentally and sexually went through her mind. Mina's eyes rolled to the back of her head, and a thump reached Rally's ears. He turned to see that Mina had fainted.

Mina woke up an hour later to see that she had been moved from the floor to the couch. Jack, Yusei, and Rally were standing over her.

"Are you alright?" Yusei asked her.

"Yeah." Mina sat up and eyed Jack momentarily before her gaze shifted to Yusei. She rose to her feet, a determined look on her face. Her determination was palpable, radiating strength and resolve. "Can I talk to you alone, Mr. Fudo?"

Yusei blinked. "Sure." He followed her to the computer room and closed the door. "What's going on?"

Mina walked to the computer table, opened the file drawer, and pulled out a peach-colored folder. She turned, but hadn't changed. "There's something you should know," she started—her expression. I looked your father up, and it turned out that Godwin, Rudger, and your dad worked together as Scientists," she explained.

Yusei nodded his head. "Did it say how Rudger became involved with Kiryu?"

Mina shook her head. "It didn't, but here. This will be helpful." before handing the file over, Mina thoughtfully stared at Yusei. "But don't hand yourself over - whatever you do, okay?" she scolded lightly, handing the file over.

Yusei smiled. "Don't worry," he reassured her, rubbing the back of his hip, "Jack already talked me out of that idea." His words were filled with confidence and trust in his friends. He turned and walked out, closing the door behind him.

A blush made its way to Mina's pale cheeks. She had a good idea that Jack must've spanked Yusei for having such an idea.

"Mina!"came Jack's voice, snapping her out of her thought. "I need you to come out here!"

She opened the door, walked into the living room, and bowed. "What is that you need me to do?"

"Take Rally to Martha's."

"Why can't I help?" Came Rally's voice.

They both turned to see him sitting on the couch with a cute pout on his face. Yusei walked out of the room with his laptop under his arm. Rally jumped off the couch and went over to Yusei.

"Why can't I help you guys?"

Yusei knelt and placed his hand on Rally's shoulder. He gave him a reassuring smile. "I'd feel better knowing you're out of harm's way."

Rally sighed. "I was hoping I could help you guys without being sent away. I had bad experiences with orphanages."

"Would you feel better if Jack and I came to ensure things were okay?" Yusei asked.

Jack grunted in response. "Fine, we can do that."

Rally's face lit up. He turned and hugged him. Mina watched with a smile.

The gang came to what looked like an ordinary house. The outside was painted white, the window frames were yellow, and the roof was shingled. A white fence stretched around the house, and the lawn was mowed. Rally had to admit that the place looked inviting. Jack, Mina, Rally, and Yusei stood there for a moment.

"I'm not sure if Martha's home or not," Yusei informed.

Yusei said Martha may not be inside. The door opened, and two twin children emerged. They both had turquoise-green hair and hazel-green eyes. The female's hair was in pigtails. She went by the name Luna. The boy's hair was pulled up in a high ponytail, a Pom-Pom. He went by the name that bushed like Leo. Luna wore a red shirt, and her twin brother wore a blue shirt.

"Yusei!" they both exclaimed. The twins ran up and hugged Yusei. By this point, Rally was standing behind Mina, watching.

"What's all the commotion?" came a voice that Yusei recognized.

The twins let their friend go as he looked up and smiled at the man a few years older than him. He had dark, short hair. He had slanted brown eyes, facial hair, and a starting of a mustache. He wore a white shirt and a brown vest with matching pants. The boots he had on were also the same color.

"Hey,Yusei. It's been a while," the teen said.

"Same goes for you,Blister," Yusei said, walking up to him, and their hands came into contact. "What are you doing here?"

"Martha wanted me to help you guys find out who Rudger is," he explained, their hands dropped to their sides. "And from what I heard, he might be related to Rex Godwin."

Everyone was shocked. A low, menacing growl came from the back of Jack's throat. He turned and walked over to his motorcycle. Mina shivered. She never liked the older man; something was wrong with Godwin. Jack put his helmet on and started the engine. Yusei turned, and in one swift motion, he was in front of Jack's motorcycle. Hot tension radiated off their bodies.

"Jack, you know that headlong is not going to solve the situation, and we know that Godwin is not going to help us the way we want him to help us," Yusei pointed out.

"Yusei's right, Jack," Mina spoke up. She felt the need to speak her mind. She turned to face the blonde-haired teen. "Godwin won't do anything until there's evidence that Rudger is the one who's causing Kiryu to go downhill, and he has to make an actual complaint about the care he's getting."

Jack grunted in response. "Fine, I'll stick around." He pulled off his helmet and moved himself from his motorcycle. "Even though I feel useless sitting around doing nothing."

Yusei winced inwardly, catching the meaning behind what his boyfriend thought,I need to get to the bottom of this before anyone else gets hurt.

To Be Continued ...