Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return To Hades ❯ Scatter ( Chapter 8 )

Okay, guys, I have a little matter to clear up first. I received this review and wanted to respond to the person but he/she did not leave their email. So, I'm going to tackle this issue first:

Pillaie

2004-09-24

id # 288608

I have to say I'm not very please how this story is turning out but looking at your star rating I would have to say many people are feeling the same as I do. Please stop with the sequels and move on. I like you as a writer but the sequels are nerve racking now.

Response: Well, always start out with the positive. I'm glad you like my writing. I really do. But, I have no plans on stopping this story. This arc has 3 or 4 more stories. The next story is the wedding story, then the Battle Story, and then I have another chibi story. I know my stars are low, but I don't write for stars.

Sakiyama: I didn't get your review. Umm…I think it was a good review. Wasn't it? * chibi eyes*

Crazy Kins: Well, Hayden's the typical rebellious teenager. And having a famous dad doesn't help. You are right.

Valea: I need to die??? Eep…*dies laughing* Poo-muffins….Can I use that? I'll give you credit. *looks hopeful*

Kura Magician Girl: Well the kids were vulnerable…best time to strike.

Youko Mia: Aww….thank you! I was glad to read your review. It made me feel better. *hands Ryou plushies *

Broken Time: It will get better.

I Is me: eep…. *hides behind Robbie plushie *

Anubiset: awww…I'm sorry to hear that, hon. It's rough here, but I'm managing somehow.

Seto lover and Bakurasgirl Tormenter: NOT THE TOOTHPICK! I've gotten little writing in since I've been home. I'm trying.

Lady Elfskye: There will be an ending. It will work out somehow.

Scatter

Umi waited for his father to return. He stood on the deck of the houseboat waiting. The sea breeze blew through his blue hair which looked just like his father's. He sighed as he rested his head on the palm of his hand.

The boy looked beside him and found the fishing line still. No bites yet on the baited hook.

"Come on, fishy friends," he sighed. "My daddy and I have to eat tonight."

Umi swung his legs back and forth nervously. "Where is my dad?"

Umi jumped off of the box and walked onto the pier. "Dad?! Dad?! Are you there?"

Umi ran to the end of the pier and knocked on the door of the first houseboat on the docks. "Mr. Aquiss! Have you seen my dad anywhere? I can't find him."

The old man peeked out his head. "Umi Aquarius Tsunami?"

"Have you seen my dad? He went to go get some more bait and I haven't seen him anywhere!"

The old man shook his head. "I haven't seen him, Umi, child."

Umi's bottom lip trembled. "My daddy! Where could he be?"

He saw police walk along the docks and up to his houseboat.

"Pardon me," Umi said as he ran to his houseboat. "Can I help you? Are you looking for my daddy? Have you seen him?"

The captain looked down at the twelve-year-old child. "Are you Umi Aquarius Tsunami?"

Umi nodded. "I am he. Have you seen my dad?"

"Is Mako Tsunami your father?"

Umi nodded. "Yes."

"Where is your mother?"

Umi looked up at the man. "My mother abandoned me on this houseboat. I don't know my mother. I know nothing about her."

"Umi, we need to take you with us."

The boy gasped and jumped back. "What?"

"Your father was involved in an accident. We've been given an address where we can put you in capable hands."

The boy's eyes filled with tears. "What happened to my daddy?" the child cried.

"He's going to be okay, son. He gave us the number of someone who could take care of you while he is in the hospital."

Umi backed away. "Who is it?"

"A Ryou Thomas Bakura lives at that address. Do you know that person?"

Umi's eyes lit up. "That's my girlfriend's mother!"

"We have to take you to Mr. Bakura's house."

Umi reeled in his fishing line. "Just let me grab a few things."

Umi ran inside and grabbed some clothes and put on his shoes. Like his father, barefoot was the rule unless they were going into the city. He grabbed some toys and ran outside. He locked the door behind him.

**************************

Ryou had returned home from an entire day of searching door to door for his son. His feet were hurting, but it was his heart that had hurt more. He wanted to make peanut butter sandwiches for those who were helping him to find Aten.

Where was Aten?

Was he already dead and the knife wiped clean?

Why would Aten go to such drastic measures as suicide?

Ryou put down the knife for the peanut butter and started to cry. "Where is my son? Gods….tell me he's still alive!"

Bakura heard his husband sobbing in the kitchen. "Ryou…."

Bakura walked to his husband and turned him. "Ryou? Aten's going to be okay, love." The yami lifted his hand and stroked Ryou's tear-stained face.

"I…I don't want my son to be dead."

A little whine made Bakura turn around. Aria and Sekhmet were standing in the doorway to the kitchen.
"Daddy? Did Aten try to kill himself? Is that why he left us?" Aria asked her parent with teary eyes.

Bakura would have bet a million dollars that the neighborhood could hear his heart breaking. He opened his one arm to her.

"Come here, baby girl."

Aria walked to Bakura's side and sobbed. The father wrapped his arms around his daughter and husband.

"It's going to be okay."

Malik entered the kitchen, looking tired from searching. "Ryou, why don't you go lay down? I can make the sandwiches."

Ryou shook his head and sniffled. "No, I can do it."

A knock sounded on the door and Ryou jumped. He dropped the peanut butter knife on the floor, alluring Sekhmet.

Ryou opened the door and saw two cops standing with Umi on the doorstep. "Officers? Umi?"

"Are you Ryou Bakura?"

"Yes."

Aria hid behind Ryou, looking at Umi. "Umi? What are you doing here?"

Umi ran to Aria and wrapped his arms around her, sniffling.

"Umi? What's wrong?" Aria said softly, taking his hand and leading him into the kitchen.

Bakura, Marik, Malik, and Miranda stood behind Ryou. "What happened? Why is Umi alone?"

The cop revealed his badge. "I'm Lieutenant Nichols. I was told to inform you, Mr. Bakura, that Mako Tsunami is in Intensive Care at Domino Hospital."

Miranda gasped and covered her mouth. Marik responded quick and held her on her feet before she could fall.

"What happened?"

"He was caught in the crossfire downtown that also killed one of Mr. Seto Kaiba's security personnel."

Malik took Ryou's hand. "Oh my Ra! He's not dead, is he?"

"No. He was shot in the abdomen and has internal bleeding. He was conscious at the scene and told us where to find his son and to whom to take him. After that, he lost consciousness. Are you capable of caring for him during his father's hospitalization?"

Ryou nodded. "We can't deny him, Mr. Nichols. We'll take care of him."

"Are you related to Mako Tsunami?"

"No, but our children are good friends."

The man nodded. "He's in Domino Hospital Intensive Care Unit now."

"We'll take care of him, sir," Malik said gripping Ryou's hand.

The other officer handed Malik Umi's bag. "These are his things."

"Thank you."

The two officers left.

Ryou closed the door. He turned to the kitchen and saw Aria holding Umi in her arms and stroking his hair. She looked up at her mother with large brown eyes.

'Poor child,' Ryou sighed.

"Umi, you can stay with us. You're welcome here. Are you hungry?"

Umi sniffled and nodded.

"You can stay with Aria if you want," Ryou offered.

Bakura cleared his throat and turned to Ryou.

//Ryou, Umi can't stay with Aria in her room.//

/Why not? Umi has always stayed with Aria just like Robbie has always stayed with Aten./

//Aria is a girl. Aten is a boy. She has to be protected.//

/Yami, aren't you going to extremes?/

//I won't give Aria the chance to spawn with Fish-Boy's Little Minnow. Aria and Umi are getting older and the last thing I need is for my little girl to be put in a vulnerable position. I won't have it!//

"Umi, you can stay in Aten's bed," Bakura said.

Umi lowered his head disappointedly. "Yes, sir."

"But, daddy! Umi's always stayed in my bed!"

"Not any more, Aria," Bakura said. "Here's Umi's bag, Aria."

Aria carried Umi's bag up the stairs. "Don't worry about daddy, Umi, I'm going to sneak into Aten's room when he goes to bed."

Umi sniffled. "I really don't want to sleep alone. I don't want my daddy to die, Aria."

Aria held his hand. "Your daddy won't die, Umi. That only happens to people who are really old. Your daddy's not old."

Umi opened the door to Aten's room. "It smells nice in here."

"My brother burns incense when he prays to the gods. When it's too cold for him to pray outside, he prays in his room. He lights candles and burns incense. It's really neat. I like watching him." Aria sighed. "I really hope that Aten is found soon. I miss him."

Umi put his bag on Aten's bed which was covered in monkey plushies and Duel Monsters plushies. "Where is he?"

Aria sat on the bed and took Aten's toy monkey in her hand. "He took his pills and a knife from the kitchen. He said……." Aria bit her lip. "He said he……." The girl's eyes closed and a river of tears flowed. "He said that he was going to kill himself."

Umi's jaw dropped. "He didn't! Holy Fish! Why would he do that?"

Aria shrugged. "I don't know. I didn't see the note he left. I just heard that Aten wanted to kill himself. That's all I know."

Umi looked down. "I like Aten as a friend. I can't believe that he would do this! Does Robbie know?"

"Robbie's gone, too."

Umi gasped. "Not him, too! Man, we were buddies! We have lunch together at school! We were in the same class for two years! I can't believe that Robbie would want to kill himself, though. He's too confident in himself. He's too optimistic about everything!"

"I know. But Sekhmet and I are going to find them! Even if it takes Sekhmet and I a long, long, long, long time."

Umi wrapped his arms around Aria. "I know, Aria. I want to find them, too. I want my daddy to be well."

Aria stood on her tip toes and kissed Umi on the cheek quietly.

Her father's voice called from downstairs. "DO I HEAR SPAWNING UP THERE?!"

"No, daddy!" Aria lied. "Don't worry, Umi. I'll come in tonight. I could really use a hug tonight."

Umi smiled. "I'd love it."

*******************************

Seto sat down with Monique and their new cook, Celeste. "We need to have the summer home cleaned from top to bottom for the wedding. Are you both available for extra hours?"

Monique bit her lip. Whatever Seto Kaiba wanted, he usually demanded. But to his employees and his housekeeping he was cordial. Still, there was only a few who could say 'no' to their rich and powerful boss.

"I cannot possibly clean both, Mr. Kaiba. I'm going to need help."

Seto nodded. "Okay. Consider it done. Celeste, you may need to take Jay and Karl to do the food shopping for the reception."

Celeste looked at the menu. "It can be done, Mr. Kaiba. I'll need to stay late for a week to get all of this prepared, but I can do it."

Seto looked at the menu list and gave a chuckle. "Well, if you need an extra pair of hands, I can ask Otogi Ryuugi to come over and help you."

Celeste chuckled. "Otogi's Caesar Salad is outrageous! His puts mine to shame! He can help me make the cakes and the salads. I don't know how he does it!"

"I'm sure he won't mind bringing over his pink frilly apron with him," Seto said shaking his head and laughing.

Someone knocked on the door. "Come in."

Joey walked in. "Have you seen Hayden anywhere?"

Seto nodded. "He took Trevor to go shopping for snacks."

"That was two hours ago."

The phone rang on Seto's desk. "What is it?"

[Master Kaiba, two policemen are here to see you.]

Seto grunted. "Damn it! Okay. Send them up, Alex. Celeste, can you make tuna salad for lunch today? I'd like my lunch in one hour."

"Yes, sir, Mr. Kaiba, sir."

"Monique? Can you clean our black satin sheets for Joey and I tonight? I'd prefer to have them tonight if at all possible."

Monique smiled. She knew what the black satin sheets meant.

Seto and Joey were going to be "together" again.

"Yes, sir, Mr. Kaiba. I can clean them right away."

"Now I have an important client coming, so you ladies can go."

Celeste and Monique left. Seto crossed his legs and leaned back. Joey stood beside Seto. "I wonder what this is about."

The policemen walked in.

"Mr. Kaiba, there has been an incident involving one of your employees."

[Shit! Damn! I told Asher! Burn the building down then leave! Don't go staring at the fire and admiring it for its 'beauty!']

"What can I do for you gentlemen?"

"Do you employ a man by the name of Trevor Belsing?"

Seto nodded. "Yes. He's in my Security Department."

"Do you know of his whereabouts?"

Seto crossed his arms. "He is taking my son out for a little shopping."

"My name is Lt. Nichols. I am here to inform you that there has been an incident involving Mr. Belsing and your son."

Seto swallowed hard. His body tensed and his eyes narrowed. "What do you mean 'an incident?'"

"Mr. Belsing was found shot multiple times in the head, neck, stomach, and hips. He was pronounced dead at the scene."

Joey gasped and held onto the leather chair to keep himself from falling down. His eyes filled with tears. "What about Hayden? Was Hayden around?"

"Your son was missing from the scene. We don't know of his whereabouts."

Joey's bottom lip trembled. "Oh no! Hayden!"

"He was pronounced dead?"

"Yes, Mr. Kaiba. His skull was blown open. One other man who was wounded at the scene told us that Hayden Kaiba had entered a vehicle, but was unable to tell us much as he was also caught in the crossfire."

Seto lowered his head and growled. How was he going to tell his children? Trevor's wife had died a few years before and now those children had no parents.

"In what hospital is this person who was caught in the crossfire? I need to talk to him."

"He's in Intensive Care Ward at Domino Hospital. There is massive internal bleeding and I'm not sure if he is stabilized or not at this moment in time."

Joey reached down and grabbed Seto's hand, squeezing it tightly. "What is the name of the man who was shot?"

"Mako Tsunami."

Joey and Seto gasped. "Mako?! Blue hair? Strong build? Freaky Fish Guy?"

"The man did have blue hair, yes."

Seto stood up. "I will go to the hospital, Joey. Thank you for informing me of this, gentlemen."

The CEO shook the men's hands and the officers left.

Joey broke down into tears. "Where can he be?"

Seto held Joey in his arms. "We'll send everyone out to look for him." Seto pushed a button on his desk.

[Donny here.]

"Donny, is everyone in the office?"

[Umm….Asher has off today.]

"Call him in and assemble the entire department in my office in thirty minutes. Tell Asher I'm having a barbeque or I need to light my fireplace and he'll be here in ten minutes."

[Yes, sir.]

Seto turned to Joey. "Joey, pull yourself together, baby. It's going to be okay."

"What if he was shot? What if he's in danger? What if we never see….our son……..again?"

The blond sobbed loudly into Seto's shoulder.

"Joey, we have the best people in the city to look for him." Seto held Joey tightly. "I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that Robbie and Aten are missing, too. I find it hard to believe that this is an isolated incident."

Seto and Joey exchanged silent glances.

A knock sounded on the door. "Come in."

Serenity entered the room. "Big Brother, I've been looking all over for you. What's wrong?"

Joey broke into tears again.

"Hayden is missing and his bodyguard was found shot. The police don't know where he is."

'Oh no!' Serenity thought. 'If my leverage on Joey and Seto's wedding is gone, they'll marry for sure now! Then I can't take Joey back home to mom!'

"He's missing?! Oh no! What are you going to do?"

Seto narrowed his eyes. "Simple. I'm sending all of my people out and we are not stopping until we find Hayden, Aten, and Robbie."

Serenity walked up to them and pat her brother on the back. "What are you going to do about the wedding?"

Joey looked up at his lover. "What do you want to do about the wedding, Seto?"

Seto sighed. "It wouldn't be right for us to marry and not have everyone here for it."

Joey nodded. "I really wanted Hayden to be our ring-bearer."

Seto nodded. "Me, too. We'll have to postpone the wedding until we find them."

Joey nodded. "I agree."

'YES!' Serenity cheered in her head. 'Now I have more time to talk Joey out of it!'

"Can you go tell Celeste not to worry about the menu just yet? We'll tell her when to begin preparations."

Joey sniffled and looked up at his lover. "I love you, Seto."

"I, too, Puppy."

Joey turned and left.

"I'm so sorry, Seto," Serenity said, putting a hand on his shoulder.

Seto growled at her and removed her hand. "Please don't touch me."

"I'm sorry Hayden is missing, Seto, but that's no reason to be bitchy."

Seto snarled. "Get the fuck out of my office before I throw you out myself!"

Serenity turned up her nose. "Well, fine."

The girl left and Seto sat on his chair. He buried his face in his hands. "Hayden…..gods, where are you?"

*******************************

Aten felt himself being thrown onto a hard surface. He opened his eyes and saw feet. Vinnie had thrown Aten on the floor.

"Hey, Dom, Charlie needs help with his nephew."

"Oh, you got him? It was successful?"

Vinnie laughed. "Yes, Charlie's got him now. How's the kid?"

"Overdose for sure."

Aten closed his eyes and struggled to get to his knees.

Vinnie pushed him over with his foot. Aten fell over weakly without a struggle.

Dominic left the room with Vinnie and slammed the door behind them.

"Robbie?" Aten whimpered from the floor. He could hear Robbie's shallow breathing from the bed.

Aten struggled to his feet and sat on the bed. The Egyptian boy collapsed on the bed, his own breathing difficult. His chest burned from the injection.

He put his hand on Robbie's arm. His skin was cold and clammy.

Robbie was curled up in a protective ball, his stomach spasming.

"Robbie? Say something."

"Where…..Where am I?"

Aten looked around the room. Above the bed was a window. He looked out of the window and shrugged. "I don't know. All I see is a lighthouse out there. I don't know where we are."

Robbie let out a moan and gripped the sheets. Aten stepped down and moved Robbie over on the bed. Aten went to the other side and held Robbie in his arms.

Aten held his friend tightly as the bed shook with Robbie's convulsions. "It's okay, Robbie. I'm here."

Robbie started to cry. "I don't know who you are! I want my mother!"

Aten kissed Robbie's forehead. "Come, Robbie, it's me. It's going to be okay."

Aten tensed when he heard a scream come from Hayden in the living room.

"No! I don't want to do that again! Please! Uncle! Don't make me work! I've put that behind me!"

Banging against the walls and the doors could be heard as Hayden struggled with his captors.

"Dominic, hold him!"

"My father knows you, Dominic! How could you betray my father like this?! When he finds out, he's going to send Donny after you!"

Dominic laughed. "What is he going to do to me, Hayden? Fire me?"

Robbie clung to Aten tightly as the group slammed against their bedroom door. "Don't let them come in! Don't let them take you away from me!"

"I don't want to go in there!" Hayden screamed at the top of his lungs.

"You're going in there and making up for lost time, you worthless bag of bones!"

Hayden's crying and his struggling sounded loudly into the next room.

The sound of metal chains sounded and Aten shuddered.

***Flashback***

He couldn't move as his wrists and legs were chained to the altar. The sound of an unbuckling belt behind him made him freeze.

"Now be a good boy and open wide," Steven said.

Aten's scream pierced the Shadow Realm.

*********End Flashback********

Aten shuddered and gripped onto Robbie. "Robbie, don't let go of me. Please, don't let me go."

The chains rattled again as Hayden struggled. "I won't be chained again! Please stop! I can't do this again!"

The bed rattled in the next room as Hayden struggled.

The door to the bedroom closed and the three men were heard walking down the hallway laughing.

Robbie looked up at Aten as he heard sobbing. "Is that you?"

Aten shook his head and shuddered. "No. It's Hayden. They've chained him up…..he's crying."

[He's crying like I was……..He's helpless like I was.]

Robbie looked up at Aten. "I want to go home."

"So do I, Robbie."

[Daddy, where are you?]

******************************

Seto stepped into the Intensive Care Unit with Jay. Mako was laying on a bed, his body hooked up to breathing machines and heart monitors. Bandages were wrapped across his stomach and his chest.

Seto approached the bed with Jay. "Mako?"

Mako opened his eyes and looked up at the CEO weakly. He blinked slowly, obviously unaware of where he was or what he was doing there.

Mako's face had been wiped clean of blood, but his wounds seeped below the bandages.

Seto put his hand on Mako's shoulder. "Mako? Do you know who I am?"

Mako blinked and said nothing.

"Can you talk?"

Mako blinked twice.

"Okay. Let me see…..did you see the person who shot you?"

Mako blinked once.

"Damn. Okay. Did Hayden run away or did someone grab him?"

Mako blinked one eye.

"One eye this time?"

Jay turned to his boss. "One blink is yes. Two is no. Maybe he doesn't know if he only blinked one eye."

"You don't know, Mako?"

Mako blinked once. With an effort, he pointed to Seto's black jacket.

"What? The man wore a jacket?"

Mako blinked twice.

"Was that the color of the man's clothes?" Jay asked.

Mako blinked once.

"Was that the color of the car?"

Mako blinked twice.

"Good. We have something to go on," Seto said. "Is anyone taking care of Umi?"

Mako forced a smile and blinked twice.

"Let me guess….he's at Ryou's place."

Mako smiled again and blinked twice.

"Well, he's in good hands then, Mako. You just get some rest. We'll take care of the rest. Oh, before I forget…for what information you gave me, I'm willing to buy you a bigger houseboat for you and your son. That boat you have now is too small for the two of you. I can imagine there's little privacy."

Mako smiled and closed his eyes in a morphine-induced slumber.

Seto turned to Jay. "I'm going to find this son-of-a-bitch who took my son, Jay."

Jay's eyes widened. "Who? Jaimen?"

"No, Hayden. Hayden is missing and Trevor was found dead in the street."

Jay gasped. "Trevor is dead?!"

Seto growled. "Nobody kills one of my people and gets away with it! We're going to find who took Hayden and teach them not to mess with me!"

******************************

Seto stood behind his desk as his "Public Relations Department" filed into his office. They stood in front of Seto's desk and bowed reverently.

"Yes, Mr. Kaiba."

"I had the cops in here this morning, people. Trevor is dead. Hayden is missing."

The group exchanged worried glances.
"Mako didn't see whoever is responsible for this. All he remembers is a black car. I want each of you to take a section of the city. Jay and Tyson, you take the docks. Akil and Donny, you take Center City. Karl and Kendall, you take the East Side. Alex and Eddie, you take the West Side. Nobody rests until those kids are found! File your expenses with me. Whoever finds him will be greatly rewarded. Maxine and Asher, you both will be guarding Ryou and Miranda's houses respectively. I have to check with Ryou and Miranda to see if they will let you stay with them."

"Yes, sir," the people said in unison.

"I want everyone to check in every hour. Let me know what you guys find."

"Yes, sir."

Seto leaned forward, placing his palms on the desk. "Nobody…and I mean, NOBODY rests until we find those kids! Does everyone here understand me?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Get out of here. Alex, I need you to stay for a moment. Eddie, wait outside."

Seto waited until everyone had filed out of the room. "Alex, I don't want you to strain yourself."

Alex held his hand out to Seto. "Seto, I know you're concerned about me and I promise not to strain myself too much. I will rest when I need to, okay?"

Seto let a tiny smile cross his lips. "I'm just concerned about you, Alex. You couldn't exactly dodge a bullet now like Donny or Jay."

"Well, Donny can dodge anything. And Jay's still young yet."

Seto nodded. "True as that may be, Alex, I want you to be careful. The West Side is not as rough as the East Side. You shouldn't run into any problems. But you never know. Keep your Remington with you. Okay?"

Alex chuckled. "You are still worried about me, despite your cold exterior. Seto Kaiba, concerned about an old man's welfare."

Seto smiled. "You are not just an ordinary 'old man,' Alex. You protected me from my grandfather when you discovered what he was doing to Mokuba and me. Why do you think I kept you around after I killed Gozuboro?"

Alex grinned. "I don't know. Maybe it was my charm?"

The CEO sat on his chair. "You're neverending. Go on, Alex."

"Oh, Seto, I have to give you a word of advice."

Seto raised an eyebrow. Alex was the only one who could give Seto a piece of advice and not be found dead the next morning. "What is it?"

"I saw Monique stripping your bed and washing your black bedsheets."

Seto turned beet red.

"You might want to wait until your wedding night to pound Joey through every floor of the building."

Seto's shade of red grew deeper. "Alex!"

"That's just a piece of advice," the old man said as he left.

Seto shook his head. "Does everyone know what those black sheets are for?.....Damn." Seto sighed. Now came the hard part.

How do you explain to two children that their father was killed in the line of duty?

Updates: Thursday