Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Brotherhood ❯ Prologue ( Prologue )

Yu-Gi-Oh! :

Brotherhood

 

 

Prologue:

Setting-A small house for four in Texas, July 12, 2002

 

 

 

Takuya woke up to the sound of his alarm clock. Thinking to himself, Well, today's the day. Jesse goes off to basic training today. Takuya couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. He was going to miss his brother. Throwing the covers aside, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stepped onto the floor. Yawning, Takuya walked down the hall into the bathroom. After a shower, Takuya dressed and went downstairs.

Jesse, the older of the two, smiled and slapped Takuya on the back when he saw him. Takuya, did not return the smile, but continued into the kitchen, to fix a bowl of cereal. He sat down at the table, where the rest of his family sat. Takuya's father was the first to mention Jesse's leaving.

“Well, Jess, are you ready for the army?”

Jesse's reply was simple. “Yeah, Dad. I am.”

“I should hope so. Are all your things together?”

“Yes, Dad.”

“Good. We'll all go with you to say goodbye.”

“Count me out…”Takuya said, finished with his cereal and putting the dish in the sink.

“But, Takuya, I was hoping you'd come…”Jesse said, looking somewhat downtrodden.

“Yeah, well we don't always get what we want. I wanted my big brother to be around, but I'm not getting that am I?” Takuya's words stung, as he had voiced the tension that had been slowly growing between them ever since Jesse had announced his decision to join the army.

“I'm sorry, Takuya…” his words were unheard by his little brother, as he did not stop on his way up the stairs to his room.

Takuya, meanwhile, stalked into his room and shut the door forcefully, not quite slamming it. He flopped down on his bed and sighed. Why did I just do that? I'm not mad at him…just depressed. Why did he have to join the army anyway? Stupid army. Why does my brother have to go?

 

A few hours later, Jesse was all dressed up in his army fatigues and at the door with his bag. He was saying his goodbyes to only his parents; Takuya had not come out of his room. Jesse opened the door as he said, “Say goodbye to Takuya for me, will you?”

“You could just say it yourself.” Takuya's voice had come from the top of the staircase. Jesse looked up to see his brother looking rather red-faced. He noticed a tear still on Takuya's chin. Takuya nearly ran down the stairs to his older brother and hugged him, his arms around Jesse's chest.

“I'm gonna miss you, you know that, Takuya?”

“I know. And I know you're just following your dream, but it's just hard to think about life without you in it.”

“I know. So,” Jesse said, pulling his class ring off of his finger. “Just look at my ring and remember that I'll be here whenever you think of me.”

Takuya went wide-eyed and started tearing up. He knew exactly how much Jesse had loved that ring, since he had paid for it himself. Realizing just how much more he mattered than the ring assured Takuya's already lonely heart.

“I love you, lil bro. Never forget that. And I'll always be around as long as you're thinking of me. You hear me, lil bro? I'll always be with you.” Jesse's eyes also now filled up with tears.

“I love you too, big bro.” As they hugged, neither one realized it would be their last.

 

Several weeks later, Jesse's first letter came in the mail. Takuya was first to read it.

 

Hi everyone,

 

All is well here in camp. I'm almost finished with basic training here and it's the time of my life! Well, second in line to that time you and I spent the whole night playing Duel Monsters, Takuya. Mom, Dad, I urge you not to worry about me. I may be just a Grunt, but already I know how to handle myself. I will be with you all again very soon. I promise. Tell Grandma and Grandpa I said “Hi.” Until then, I will be counting the days until I am with you all again.

 

All my love,

Jesse

 

After reading the letter, Takuya sat alone in his room, looking at the ring and thinking about what Jesse had said about their all night Duel Monsters marathon. Takuya got off his bed walked into Jesse's room and looked on the dresser for the deck Jesse had used. He found it in the top drawer in a black deck box. Taking it back to his room, Takuya leafed through the forty some-odd cards that made up the deck. At the bottom, Takuya found what he was looking for. Buster Blader, Jesse's favorite card… And mine, the Dark Magician. Whenever he fused them into Dark Paladin, it always felt like we were also bonded… I wonder…What if we really were bonded? Nah…

 

It would be another month before they received Jesse's next letter.

 

Hi again everyone,

 

Basic training is over now, and I'm told that we will be getting to see some real action soon. The War in Iraq is something we all, in the troop, believe in and feel privileged to be going off to fight for our country. Mom, Dad, Takuya, I know whatever I say about the war can't alleviate your feelings of worry, but I hope you won't. Until I am safely back in the house, I know you all will not cease to worry about me. Takuya, I know this is especially hard on you, but I hope you don't forget what I said. And I hope my ring gives you hope. It brought me such a feeing of accomplishment when I got it, and I really hope you will feel the great feelings it brought me. Until then, I will not stop counting the days until next I see you all.

 

All my love,

Jesse

 

 

All Takuya could feel was that familiar feeling of despair and helplessness. He could not be with Jesse to keep him safe, so he had to trust Jesse to keep himself safe. Throughout the next few days, Takuya spent most of his time looking through the deck Jesse made and wondering if he'd come back alive. Takuya's wonderings would soon be answered. Within another month, a letter from the army arrived at the Natsume household. It stated that Jesse had been killed in the line of duty, and that he died a hero. Upon hearing this, Takuya spent the rest of the week inside his room, mostly crying. But also looking at the ring and thinking. Sometimes, his thoughts turned angry. How, God, how do you do a thing like this to a kid like me?! You take away my brother, and give me false hope that he'd come back alive? What kind of God are you? Or do you even exist? Huh?! Answer me, damn it!! What about you, Jess? Go off to war and get yourself killed?! Why would you do this to me? Why?! You said you'd be with me always??? Where are you now?! You'd said you'd be with me…but you're not…

 

 

A few days later, Jesse's body was shipped back to America, to a memorial home the family had chosen. The funeral was held on a Sunday. After which, the three remaining members of the Natsume family returned home. Takuya went up to his room after lunch. Throwing the tie and dress shirt on a chair, Takuya flopped down on his bed, then looked over at a picture of Jesse on his beside table. In it, Jesse was smiling and had his arm around Takuya's shoulder. Big bro, how do I go on? Knowing I'll never see you again… It hurts so much…

I'll always be with, you, lil bro. Always…

Huh? Is that you…? Takuya's gaze drifted to the Jesse's ring. The blue stone reminded Takuya of Jesse's blue eyes. Jesse's voice sounded like he was right next to him, but that couldn't be possible. Could it? Takuya then saw the deck and picked both it and his brother's ring up and held one in each hand. These things meant something to him…they deserve to represent him. Don't worry big bro… Takuya could bring himself to use his big brother's name again. I'll continue your legacy…and become the greatest duelist in the country!