![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
Remember My Love
By Misster Cackles
Rating: M
Warnings: Yaoi, profanity, sexual content, abuse, character death, religious hints
Pairings: Kaiba Seto x Jounouchi Katsuya
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot and a few OCs
Prologue - Chapter One - Welcome to Hell, You'll Get Used to it with Practice
If nobody could notice what was happening, then they were blind, or just didn't care, or were extremely naive. They obviously were if they couldn't see the changes in me. The first time it happened, I didn't show up to school for a week. Of course, I had hell to pay when I came back - I would have to repeat the grade if I skipped anymore. I had no choice but to continue going to school no matter what. Three months went by, and it seemed kind of peaceful until the beginning of the fourth, I had worn a turtleneck, instead of the normal white tee, and had fastened all the buttons on my school jacket. My friend, Honda, had pulled me in a headlock, teasing me for looking so proper and I had cried out in pain. I had managed to let it slip past by my friends as "a sore neck; slept on it wrong." The third unusual happening was that each time I would start to talk; I'd clear my throat - as though I had a cold or something - and sometimes my voice would come out raspy and broken, which I did blame on an oncoming cold. And then the fourth accident is what had caught me red handed and trapped for explanations.
It was PE, and the sport for the day was soccer. Otogi and I were paired for the warm-ups, juggling back two balls between the both of us. Not watching his aim or his strength for the first time, Otogi kicked the spotted ball, and it hit me squarely in the chest and knocked all wind out of me. I fell back, turned on all fours, heaving for air. Mrs. Mitsuki the teacher, noticing, quickly made it to us and lifted my shirt for further inspection. I tried to fight her off, tugging the hem down, but she slapped my hands away, which had made me cringe. What they had seen made the by-standing eyes widen, gasp, and start mumbling to themselves or other classmates. I was pulled away fast by the gym teacher, and taken to the nurse, followed by Yuugi, Honda, Otogi, and Ryou as support.
Bruises, cuts, scars and other old wounds and injuries littered and patched my chest and arms, and that was just rolling up the sleeves; they haven't even lifted my entire shirt to check the back. I made feeble attempts to say they were from street fights, but the nurse would have none of it - it was too clear to see that the strikes were deliberate and hit near every vital organ or artery and vein, as though I had stayed almost perfectly still for the beatings. Further inspection, by checking my pupils and ears to make sure no blood was leaking, the nurse had found discoloration around my temples. She was enraged.
My name's Jounouchi Katsuya...
"Would you care to explain the head wounds, mister Jounouchi?" Ms Kitade made emphases by pushing her thumb sharply above my ear. I winced, and cleared my throat roughly, more dry than usual today - but she raised a questioning and suspicious brow. "And why do you keep doing that, clearing your throat like you have a cold? You eyes are not watery, and you aren't sniffling, or shivering, or coughing," she asked pointedly. I hesitated, yet her eyes were slowly widening. Before I time to explain that it was a new symptom, the nurse looked at me with so much concern and pity and softness it made me shake with fear that I realized that she might know. Kitade quietly asked the others to stand outside in the waiting room, claiming I was to have a full-body exam. When they had left, however, she just asked me to remove the rest of my turtleneck.
...and I've been physically abused for nine years of my life.
The dark red shape, with tints of yellow and purple and dark blue, like a spider surrounds my neck, as though someone was playing with the shadows, but all lights on overhead were not bright enough to make a shadow that dark. Ms Kitade had to cover her mouth and shut her eyes tight in concentration to hold back up-coming bile. Composure returning, yet slightly shaky, she spoke in a quiet voice as to not be heard from outside. "Am I the first one to know this?" I had stared at her for a moment before slowly shaking my head. Kitade lifted her brow in question again, "Who else knows?"
I had coughed a little into my fist before staring back at her with burning eyes, clearly stating I didn't want to go through twenty questions - but, again, she would had have none of it; I was here until she saw fit. "My neighbers next door, nice folks they are." She asked if it could be possible that I could go to them before blacking out on the streets or something, but I shook my head quickly, "Misteh and Mrs. Nishi 'ave been too kind to me already. They're senior citizens dat are tryin' to enjoy their retirement. I don' wanna place my sorry ass on their doorstep 'cos they've done 'nough fer me, more then they should'ave." Ms Kitade hummed in concern, asked me to open my mouth. She shined a pocket light, pushing my tongue down with a flat stick. She proceeded to use the stethoscope on my chest, back, and around my throat.
"Your windpipe is being crushed." Kitade told me after writing it down on a clipboard, also grabbing a yellow infirmary slip to fill out my remedies while explaining my dos and don'ts. "Absolutely no more fights if you don't want to become mute. Same with straining it; no yelling and screaming and such." ...What? But I basically do it every day! I dislodge my throat, but she intervenes quickly, "Oh, and try not to clear your voice like that - you want your trachea to open by itself, so no more talking for a while." The fuck...? But-but, I talk everyday, too! "Wow, aren't we going to be a quiet one?" She giggles softly and hands me the slip.
Everyone thinks that I start a lot of shit - that I try to get into fights, and that's why I have all these injuries...
Kitade's hand is still on the paper, though, and I look at her curiously, but she's already staring at me with the same look. She cocks her head a little, and hums again. My stomach does a flip for some reason; I can tell it's not good at all.
"Haven't you told your father about this?" And as soon as the words left her mouth, my eyes had widen and I was silent for a good five seconds before laughing hoarsely, bitterly, and loudly. After I was done with that small episode, I glared at her expectantly, but she didn't know what I wanted. I sighed, shook my head, and focused my gaze to the floor.
"Whoddaya think does 'tis to me?" I rasped in a whisper. Kitade's whole body froze over cold, and didn't speak as I pulled the shirt back over my head, making sure the collar covered the bruising around my throat. "Well, I'mma outta here. See ya lateh, doc. Thanks fer teh check-up, I guess."
...but no one ever suspects my dad.
Fortunately for me, Kitade hadn’t uttered a single word about my father’s abuse on me to anyone, but she did try to make me come visit her once a week. She was also trying to be a counselor for me, but it wasn’t working because I was doing all he could to be incorporative; I didn’t want Ms Kitade dragged into all this with me and the old guy. The last time I had called out for help…
I won’t do it again. To solve the problem, I avoided her: that’s what I do now when someone tries to help.
Being a junior in high school meant that I had to get all my credits before it was too late. I was more involved with school now and I get home later than usual from after-school studies, or came to school first thing in the morning; I didn’t really care – I was glad to be out of the house. With this new schedule, I didn’t often see my father unless he was passed out on the couch when I trudged through the door; and I was making higher grades than his usual D’s or F’s. Everyone thought I was doing so well…
...except Kaiba Seto. Only that prick Kaiba had a snide remark to make something good bad, making me feel even worse on certain days. Sometimes, I swore on my Red Eyes that Kaiba tracked me down just to pick at me, trying to start fights with me it seemed – bumping me into lockers, knocking books out of my hands, or sending out unneeded insults.
I just need to say something right here for a second, it won't take long.
Listen, I've never gone around quoting proverbs, but there had been some sayings that just stuck with when my friends were teasing around about me and rich boy Kaiba: Hold your friends close, and your enemies closer; you hurt the ones you love; you've got to be cruel to be kind. I'm not saying that I love the guy, Christ, no, but... I just hope it's not only me seeing these things. Here are some incidents for example: I've already admitted the fact that my father hits me, yet when Kaiba throws his punches, he doesn't leave a single bruise. Not enough proof? Fine, look:
He keeps saying he doesn't have time to duel against worthless duelists, yet he calls me worthless and duels me still. So I mustn't be that bad at dueling, see? Um... Oh! Other than Yuug' (but that's beside the point because Kaiba wants to get his title back as the number one duelist), he has almost no social conversation with anyone - even though we mostly bicker, ahem.
I would have used the saying "opposites attract" as well, but we're not exactly opposites, either; we both have a little sibling that mean the world to us - hell, we probably couldn't go on without them; they're all we have... Even though my favorite card might be the Flame Swordsman, I have a special connection with my Red Eyes Black Dragon. And Kaiba's? His favorite and special connected card is his Blue Eyes White Dragons. See, they're both dragons. Erm, what else... Ah, here - we both have our birthday on the twenty-fifth day in the month.
Seriously, this is what happens when I look too deep into what my friends are just teasin' about.
Okay, so anyway, back on topic.
Just when it became too much for me, to the point where I wanted to pound that smug grin into the guy’s face, I confronted the other before he could stalk me out once more that week. I had cornered him while Kaiba was washing his hands in the bathroom, and I stood in front of the swinging door to insure that Kaiba wouldn’t walk out while I was talking. I crossed my arms, and cleared my throat which this time not only allowed me to speak, but also got rich boy's attention.
“What the hell’s yer problem, Kaiba? I haven’t dun nuthin’ to ya to cause ya to act ‘tis way to me, ya know,” I croaked. Kaiba looked at me once, raising a brow at my voice, but I ignored it. Kaiba then smirked at me smugly, chin jutted out a bit.
“Well, I needed something to do before I left, koinu, but don’t think you’re in the special section with me – I’m doing it to everyone.” He had twisted the faucet off, and grabbed a brown paper towel from the dispenser. I look at him funny, for the puppy name mostly, cleaning out my throat again.
“Whaddya mean ‘fore ya left’? Where’re ya goin’?” Despite myself, I was actually a bit interested; however Kaiba just scoffed at me, crumpled the towel and tossed it with ease underhand into the wastebasket.
“Nothing a mangy mutt would understand,” his ego was lacing all through his tone. “You’re only trying to look like a human by studying. I’m surprised that the old mutt learned a new trick; who taught you it? Surely it wasn’t that second-rate duelist, Motou, now? What did you have to do - stop eating from the garbage?” His grin grew wider, “I never knew you’d go so far to get a bone, Mutt.”
I had been bubbling at each word, starting with ‘mangy mutt’ (what just happened to puppy?) and the next thing I, or Kaiba for that matter, knew I had thrown an angry punch straight for that fucking snobbish smile of his. As though expecting my outburst sooner than later, Kaiba side stepped me easily enough and I ran right by him.
“Enough, heel, sit,” Kaiba jested. I swung around, fist aimed for the side of the brunette’s head, growling at the dog commands. I missed again, but just barely, so instead of thinking of the next move, I charged straight at him, faking a kick at Kaiba's left, but pushing down at his right. I effectively pinned him down to the cold tile floor while straddling him, one hand holding both of his tightly against his chest so my other hand could pulverize his ego.
I tried to make a threat to the older under me, but since I didn’t clear out my throat out first, it became more broken than before, so I had to start all over. Yet, before I could speak, the damn blue-eyes beat me to it, quieting me with a glare; “Why are you doing that? It’s getting annoying; you better not have a cold.” And he was dead serious about that, I could tell, knowing him: he didn’t want to be absent from work just because of a stupid flu.
I gave him an indifferent look, cleaning my vocals yet again, “And if I do, rich boy?” I was just about to place his hands on my hips to have a more effected expression before remembering too late that one of them held Kaiba at bay. Unfortunately, however, I had eased up with out realizing it; and Kaiba felt it, I'm guessing, taking his chance at once quickly switched our positions so that he now straddled me. For some fucked up reason I had no idea of, I felt my face slightly flush - I blamed it on anger even though I felt none at that very second. Maybe it was the way he was holding me down with my hands above my head; he's never done that before. I also blamed it on my so-called friends - it's their fault for putting ideas in my head to begin with!
“You wouldn’t want to know, Mutt.” His hands were slightly larger than mine so he had an easier time fisting both of my hands in one of his. “But if any damage came out of it, you’d be the one to pay full price, not like you ever could, however.” Kaiba’s smirk came back, cocky as ever.
I thrashed and growled menacingly low in my chest, “Jus’ ‘cos yer all high an’ mighty in that office of yers don’ mean ya can sue me jus’ ‘cos I gave ya a stinkin’ cold!” I swung my legs about, trying to reach the CEO’s head, but with no luck. “Now, gettoffame ‘fer I give ya rabies!” I gasped and cursed; I swore it was the spur of the moment kind of thing! I swore I only said it to get him off! I swore it on my Red Eyes that I had only said it to make him think that I was sick, but as soon as the words left me, I wanted to hit myself over and over again.
Kaiba gave me the most superior look he had ever mustered, and I knew exactly what was going over his mind: to hear me put myself down like that just had to be gold! The azure teen pulled up and crossed his arms, looking highly victorious.
I took this opportunity to slug him in the shoulder a few times and land a punch squarely on his jaw, before Kaiba got furious once more and pinned me down, shoving my back even further against the tile. I admit that I might have hit a little harder than necessary, but I was pissed!I just hated that smugness from him. However, I froze solid when he felt one of Kaiba's hands wrap around my neck with fury. I went wide eyed, hardly able to breathe – the force that held me down was rough on my already bruised skin.
"Get off", I tried to shout, but only helpless whimpers came from my strangled throat. With both of my hands trapped once more, I couldn’t do anything at all.
Kaiba leaned forward to my ear, right up close where I could feel the hot breath on the shell of it, and muttered darkly at me, voice kept calm yet deadly. “If you ever do that again, you fucking mutt, I’ll make sure you’re ass gets dragged to the pound with your tail between your legs, got it?” He shoved his palm straight down onto my jugular for added meaning. I nodded quickly, eyes shut tightly to try to withhold the pained tears, or the shiver that ran through my spine. One more shove and the CEO stood up, sneering, and left me shaking on the bathroom floor.
Finally, after a few more weeks, summer vacation was here at last, I passed with outstanding grades (well, outstanding for me, anyway). With being only seventeen, I had been immediately looking for a summer job - for when my next birthday came, I wanted to get the hell out of the house, quick, into my own apartment and take my baby sister with me. Unfortunately, my future wasn't looking good.
Two months into vacation, and I still couldn't find employment – no one was looking for some one with my abilities, there were no spots open in office, and/or someone had gotten the post before me. It had seemed that my only option was to apply at the Kame Game Shop, even though I had already declined Yuugi’s first offer to work there: I didn’t want to get a job from friendly connections, but I had no choice...
On my first day of work, however, I was left unstable for the rest of my life...
The bedroom door slamming open against the wall first startled me in the wake of consciousness, my heart speeding in an instant with wide eyes on the wall since my back was turned from the racket. The first thing that passed through my mind was where's Shizuka? And I had to remind myself that she was at a friend’s house. When our mom was mysteriously burned to death by a random arsonist, almost two years back Shizuka had to move in with me and our dad. As a brother, I always made it a big deal if she was ever in the house alone with our father, and protected her from most of the beatings that were meant for her.
I would NEVER let that fucked up bastard touch my little sister, even if it killed me.
My body tensed as no sound was made – did I really wake to the door, or was it something equally loud? I was too frightened to turn over to look, just in case my father was actually there, but when the silence stretched too long for my liking, I did. And I wished I hadn’t.
Looming over me was my father, Jounouchi Senior, staring at me with blood-shot eyes and tight lined lips drawn back in a frown while he fisted a beer bottle in his hand. A dribble of alcohol ran down from the corner of his lips and dripped from his chin. He didn't do anything for a moment besides run his eyes over my probably terrified face. The old man's eyes held a sincerity that I hadn't seen in years, and I relaxed only a little. Setting the bottle on the ground, my father sunk to his knees, kneeling over the bed and me, gently pushing up my blonde bangs and palming my forehead as if to check my temperature. Finding no fever, his eyes returned to mine.
"Wat's up, boy? Why ya in bed?" His father asked in a quiet voice, almost soothingly, using the back of his hand to wipe his mouth. I could hardly believe it - was dad repenting for his sins? I gave a cautious, shaky half-grin before propping myself up on his elbows for leverage to stare evenly in the eyes of my father. It's been a long time since I'd done that, always too scared to make eye contact. They were golden like my own but exahausted and red. An emotion flashed quickly over them, but I couldn't read it. I coughed.
"Jus' a little chilly, Dad, dat's all." I smiled. Jounouchi smiled back, but it was more familiar, more like a sneer, but I dismissed it - I had been waiting for a long time for this father to return. Jounouchi opened his arms for me, wanting me closer, and I complied without thought. I choked back a sob, "I... I missed ya, Dad..." Jounouchi's hand was on me, smoothing out the shirt as he petted my back; I sighed and hugged my father tighter.
"I'm... I'mma sorry, son." He wrapped both arms around me, one arm around my midrift, the other holding my shoulders. "Nuthin' came out righ', didn't it?"
I closed my eyes, giving out a light chuckle mixed with the first sob after clearing my throat, "It did in teh end." And I could have swallowed at how cliche that had sounded on my part. I felt my dad nod on my shoulder.
"I'mma sorry, I'mma really sorry, son. It will come out all righ' in teh end, I promise ya dat."
I smiled almost warmly - the first appology from my father was enough, he didn't need to keep repeating himself - this was the father I wanted and loved. Cough, cough - "It's all righ', Dad. It wasn' yer fault - it was all dat damn liquor. Ya... Yer're drunk when ya did it." Of course I was slightly hesitant talking about my beatings to the man who did them. The elder seemed to run over my words carefully, thinking. He noddded again on me.
"Yeah, yer righ'. Ya can say it dat way." He inhaled a deep breath. "But, I really t'ink dat bitch drugged my drink or sumthin' when I screwed 'round wit' 'er..."
I froze. I, feeling at ease before that, felt as though I was plunged into a bucket of iced water. I stiffened all over, and I had to pull only a little away to see Jounouchi's face. I started trembling violently. No... No... He looked smug and darkly amused, the dangerous drunken smirk very much apparent. He'd been playing with me all along... No, no, no! Jounouchi was too close now for my comfort and I wanted out. I struggled quickly in his hold, but couldn't find a release.
"N-no! D-Dad, what... what are you doing?" I stammered, voice even more hoarse with panic.
"I'mma sorry, son," he said yet again, but with hysterical chuckles, "I'mma so sorry yer're born!" He stood up swiftly for a man drunk, pulling me with him so I kneeled on the lumpy matress. Then Jounouchi, with all his strength, threw the me against the wall. I crashed, hard, my head feeling as though it'd been split. "Yer so fuckin' gullible, boy! I thought I toughen you up! Fuck, it's like I'm raising a fag!" He peered over me curled up at the wall, head tucked to protect my skull furthermore. "Yer not a fag, are ya, boy?" Jounouchi asked in a hollow tone with no room for humor.
"N-n-NO! I'm not gay!" I screamed out, my father kicked me in the mid of the back hard. I had to get out - I was in a bad position just lying there. On the other side of the room, on the windowsill, the small black alarm clock was going off, the original time that I was suppose to wake up (ten o'clock). I had a wave of worry flood over him - ten was the time when Shizuka would start packing up to come home.
"Turn that blasted thing off!" Jounouchi snarled. I stumbled to his feet quickly, and ran to pull the plug out. Anything to be out of his reach.
"D-d-d-d..." I swallowed and forced himself to keep still and not shake, "D-do ya need me to make ya breakfast, Dad?" He didn't appear to have heard me - Jounouchi was busy picking out a pack of cigarettes from his jeans as if to say 'speaking of fags'. He lit one up, inhaling through the filter thoughtfully. He pulled the cigarette from his mouth, looking at the hot cherry with the same thoughtful look.
"Fer a long time now," Jounouchi finally said, "I 'ave been an arsonist. Peoples all ova are searching fer me, or my signature, my kink in it, but dey've yet to find one save for the fact dat all my targets 'ave peoples who burned alive in their homes. Do ya know why, boy?"
I did not like the topic we were on since my mother had burned to death by a pyro. "...W-why...?"
My father (should - could I even call him such?) slowly looked up from his cigarette to my face, his own son, eyes glinting something malicious and grinned like Satan, all remaining yellow stained teeth visible. "Because my kink is staying to watch 'em die in their house. The thrill of their bloody screams. Oh, fuck, son... It's the best thing in the world."
Oh God, I couldn't move. I couldn't even think. I fell to the floor in fright, knees too weak to go anywhere. Nothing further registered through my head, and I just stared blankly at the man in front of me, and I think was about to whimper cause I was so scared. I couldn't believe my ears - that my father had killed dozens of people in the safety of their own homes. It didn't matter to him, I realized; men, women, children nor senior citizens had been safe from this monster. My monster that was in front of me. I needed air; I was hyperventilating. I needed to get out of there NOW!
Oh, fuck, God - If I ever had any doubt in any, this is where I need one! God, give me strength!
Somehow, one way or another, I found my feet and balance, but I had wasted too much time - Jounouchi had found the perfect way to snuff out his half-finished cigarette.
Standing at a safe distance, he dropped it in the beer bottle that was directly under his draping bed covers now a mess from our earlier commotion, and laughed as the insides swallowed up in flames. He studied it for a second before stating humorously, "I'll give it at least a minute before it explodes." I stared in horror at the bottle then at the wicked man before making a dash for the open door.
"Oh no you don't! You're staying in here with it!" Jounouchi bellowed and picked up a stray school book, making contact with my blonde head with a sickening 'thump' when he threw it. I collapsed to my knees with a cry of pain as Jounouchi made it first to the door and promptly slammed it behind him. "This is 'ow yer bitch of a mother died, ya know!" The man yelled through the door - having to raise his voice as the bed covers caught fire.
Checking for blood and finding none, yet seeing stars, I contemplated on the window. Opening it would add power to the flames with oxygen, however it would also let out the smoke and alert people outside that there was trouble. I could either die by the smother of smoke or flames, or broken bones trying to escape - there was no way in hell I'd be able to make it all twenty-three stories. Stupid apartments. There were such things as fire-escapes nowadays, you know...
As much as I wanted to open the window, I kept it closed - it would be better to pass out from lack of oxygen then burn up quicker in flames then experiencing the burning part from the start, right? I quickly went to the door, pushing on it with all my might, but found that my father was still there holding me in. "Because my kink is stayin' to watch 'em die in their house..."
"Lemme out ya damn bastard! Lemme out!" I pounded, screaming at the top of my lungs, my throat terribly constricted and raw. My father didn't answer. Oh God, oh God. This is the end for me. Jounouchi Katsuya goes out in flames. I slid down the length of door, collapsing to my knees for the last time, sobbing. I ducked my head a little further between my shoulders when the glass bottle gave out and hot molten pieces shattered everywhere. A shard burned through my sock and gave me a jolt to shake it out.
Thinking slowly, and looking around hollowly, knowing I was going to die, I searched for my valuable belongings. My dueling deck was on the dresser - I pulled out the Red Eyes Black Dragon card. I remembered the first time I ever saw it in play, back at Duelist Kingdom, the same day I won it from Ryuzaki. It was my most precious possession - Good ol' Red Eyes won me most of my duels, and helped me a few times in tight situations like my duel against Yuugi while Malik had me under the Rod's power. The card was worn in my hand with numerous plays. I smiled sadly at it and the rest of my wonderful deck - such good cards to be fuel for fire.
A picture of the whole gang, every one of my friends, was in one of the drawers, the picture taken a long while ago - after the whole Dartz adventure. On the far left stood my best buddies Honda and Yuugi, and me. We were goofing off as usual. Anzu, Mai, Rebecca, and Shizuka were next standing neat and fashionable for the photo. Malik, Isis, Rishid looked kind of awkward in the middle, but were laughing and smiling just like everyone else. Then over on the far right side was Otogi, Ryou, and Mokuba picking on each other - I can't remember the 'why' correctly. Ryouta and Miho were standing in the back, chatting comfortably like old friends. Yuugi and Rebecca's grandfathers came, too, Sugoroku and Arthur, standing near their grandchildren. Varon, Raferu, and Ameruda looked even more uncomfortable than the Ishtars, since we were just fighting against Dartz and all. I swore that if I didn't stare directly at the photo, I'd be able to see shadows of Pharaoh Atemu and Bakura standing almost protectively over their Hikaris.
I blinked and squinted against the irritation of the smoke to study the picture more carefully - Where was Kaiba at? I scanned over the people again slowly before catching the dark shadows of the young executive right over Honda's shoulder, standing almost behind the corner of the building. He was leaned back against it, as if patiently waiting for Mokuba to be finished with his activities. I smiled at the photographed Kaiba, wishing things could have been a lot more friendly between the two of us - Look at Varon, Ameruda, and Raferu, Kaiba! I mean, Raferu took Yuugi's soul and we still forgave him. The two-dimensioned Kaiba still frowned up at me. Ya could have made an effort, anyway, not the friendship-thing, but jeez - smile!
Now it looked like Kaiba's whole face had been dunked in water, but I knew better - my emotions were finally getting the best of me. Gripping tight both card and photo, I charged at the door and pounded again, "Lemme outta of here!" A new wave of fear came over me as flames engulfed half my belongings. "Please! I needa get outta here! Shizuka -"
"Will be along righ' behind ya." A laugh came from beyond the door
Raw rage over came panic, "DON'T YOU FUCKING LAY A HAND ON HER! I SWEAR TO GOD IF YOU TOUCH HER, I'LL -"
"Ya'll...?" Jounouchi was laughing hysterically all over again. "Ya'll do what, haunt me when dead?"
I fisted the door, punch after bloody punch to get at him to tear out his throat. The bastard had to die, the bastard had to die, the fucking bastard had to DIE! The heat was becoming too much, but I didn't dare take off my shirt - extra burn. It was getting harder to breathe - I shouldn't have yelled out like that - waste of oxygen on an, not to mention, irritated throat. I stared at the roar of the flames, knuckles throbbing in pain, and just cried - what more was there I could do but cry? I had no cell phone; oxygen was limited; my door only opened from the outside; Shizuka was in danger... Oh God, my little sister Shizuka, poor little Shizuka. I'd sworn to protect her the first night she came...! I'd fail her...
I couldn't help but let the noises of distraught pain come, mixed with my sobs. Throat so tight and hoarse from the yelling, I could hardly speak - whisper would have to do; I had heard anyway that He could hear you even when you thought. "Help her, keep her safe, please..." I couldn't help but smile almost bitterly; I'd heard that non-believers would be converted at the last moment in their lives.
I sat there a moment, almost certain that I had passed out from the overpowering smoke, but when the light sound reached my ears I knew what it was. She'd come home from her friend's house. I tried yelling out warnings, but they only came out in soft whispers - I couldn't stand up anymore, my vision was totally blurred and he couldn't get air in my lungs without hacking my head off. "R-run...cough-cough...Shizuka. G-go to...cough-cough...Kaiba's..." It was the first thing that came to mind, since I'd been thinking of him individually just a little bit earlier.
Some excuses are better than others, ya know... I told himself. But she could help him smile - she's jus' good like that. I grinned myself just thinking about her, but frowned a not even a second later at the sound of a struggle outside the door, then a feminine yelp echoed through my aching head.
"Leave her the fuck alone you bastard!" I strained my voice to the point when I swore I could taste blood in my mouth, but that wasn't the only thing - the door had busted open revealing an anxious, distraught Shizuka. My eyes widen in the utmost fear in realization of her silly mistake.
The fire grew twice its size with the new oxygen, and ate it up like a glutton, swooping its scolding flames over me to make its way out the door. I hollared yet again in panic and pain, the fire entering my mouth as I screamed my lungs out - Shizuka's own agaonizing shrills higher than mine. I could taste the flames sucking out all the moisture as it started to lick at my throat. Oh, God! It hurt so much!
I failed... I failed, I failed! I abandon all hope in this anymore - there's no way...I can...
All went black to my eyes.
Dong...dong...dong
I've never heard such a more depressing sound in my life.
Dong...dong...dong
It's able to be heard all over the city.
Dong...dong...dong
If I could, I'd take a jack hammer and crack the damn bell.
Dong...dong...dong
Fuck... Now It's echoing in my head...
Dong...dong...dong
Please... Oh God, just make it stop...please...
Do-oong...
I don't feel the aching sensation all over my body as I had earlier that month, I noted when pulling on the black dress coat, of my heavy scarred skin being stretched and flexed, but I can't feel anything at all, either, not even the angry throbs in my head. But somehow I'm still hurting so much...
Truthfully, I can't think much at the moment; it's all white noise and repeated information that the docs told me when I first awoke, but even now it's all bits and pieces...
"...results noticed that darker burns led to already bruised and damaged tissue..."
"...skin where clothes didn't cover needs to be removed surgically..."
"...severely burned, especially in the mouth..."
"...we could do; miracle if he ever speaks again..."
"...blind at some point, perhaps..."
"...lucky guy..."
"...bad news, your younger sister, Kawai Shizuka, has past away in the accident..."
I gritted my teeth, and hot angry tears of anguish rivered down my scarred cheeks. No, no, NO!! I didn't believe it the first time I heard the officer; I would have strangled him if I hadn't been hurting too much, but the look of Shizuka's angelic face in distorted pain like that... I'm think I'm going to see red... Which is almost funny since I've got this color-blindness-thing now. Something about red and green... I wasn't listenin' enough...
Oh, God...
There's a fast, high pitched tone going on that hardly makes it pass the loud ringing in my ears. A commotion is coming, too; I can feel vibrations while I'm on the hospital room floor.
Floor? Wasn't I just standing, getting dressed for my baby sister's funer-
Don't even think it, Jounouchi!
Oh, God. I asked of you to lead her to safety, not to her death. What was that famous saying Your Son said, God?
"'My God, my God, why have you deserted me?'"
Wha'ever - I don' care anymore!
Fuck it... I hur' 'oo much 'o do dis...
..'o 'ire'...
Bee-ep. Bee-ep. Bee-ep.
If there had to be any sound I hated, it had to be that - not only was it annoying, but it usually gave the impression of something grave. Could someone turn it off for me? Ah, there ya go - it's getting slower now... I'll just allow the slow steady timing to put me to sleep.
Bee-ep. Bee-eep. Bee-eeep. Bee-eeeeeeee...
"... Jou...? Jounouchi?! Katsuya! KATSUYA! STAY WITH ME, YOU IDIOT!"
...don'...wor'eh...jus' a li'le...n'p...
TBC
<<Previous Chapter | Next Chapter>>
Comments