Honda's Ghost Part 3

Ow.

I woke to pain. I was not amused. Except I was because they had me on the good pain killers.

It was just me. I wondered if it would always be like this, me waking up before Honda.

I was thankful for small favours, it gave me time to think in the morning. Maybe it would change later, but I would take what I could.

I was only somewhat surprised to find myself in a hospital bed. Considering my last memory was of passing out... I was probably under observation.

I sat up and looked around the ward. There was a nurse doing paperwork at her desk. I wondered if I should let her know I was awake, or wait for her to make her rounds...

I scanned the room, most of the other patients were asleep, the only other guy awake was quietly reading, he must have sensed me watching as he looked up and nodded to me before returning to his book.

I looked to my desk, wondering if anyone had brought in stuff for me.

I found my school bag, and a motorcyclist magazine.

I mentally sighed, while usually I’m quite happy to read anything I could get my hands on, I would have felt guilty about reading the magazine first.

I pulled out the play we were meant to be studying for Japanese. I still felt that little twist in my mind, but I was starting to think it was just the disconnect from my old life.

The nurse noticed me then, and we ran through a few silly tests.

She answered my questions, unsurprised that I seemed confused. I had come in with a concussion, but thankfully no broken bones.

I had to be seen by a Doctor, but I cooperated and soon I was heading out the door where my sister waiting for me.

She tutted at me. I don’t think I’ve ever been tutted at before. I got into her car, her words washing over me.

Maybe I should have pretended to sleep until Honda woke up.

I poked him, but he didn’t stir.

There was a baby sitting in the back seat smirking at me.

Jihai. Honda’s nephew.

She snapped her fingers in front of my face, “Honda! Are you even listening to me?”

I looked at her, I didn’t even know her name.

I tried to smile, “Sorry, I’m a little out of it.”

She frowned, “Do I need to take you back to the hospital?”

I shook my head, “The pain killers are a little strong.” Her look softened.

“Be more careful next time.” She said, nudging me gently. “We were worried about you.”

Natsumi. I almost facepalmed, except then it would be obvious something was wrong.

Maybe I should take a closer look at Honda’s memories rather than expecting to be prompted, but it felt like such an invasion.

I looked away, wishing Honda would wake up and deal with his sister. I didn’t know how to deal with my own sister, let alone anyone else’s.

“I’ll try to stay out of trouble.” I said, and almost winced. I had a dozen or so plans at the back of my head that would land me in right the middle of trouble.

“Don’t lie to me Honda, I know you, as soon as that friend of yours gets into a mess, you’ll be right there beside him.”

I looked back to her and rubbed my head, blushing slightly “Yeah, I probably will be, but to be fair, if I get into trouble Jonouchi is going to be right there with me.”

She laughed, “Well at least you’re honest about it. Let get you home, you can spend the day on my sofa, you have your school work, right?”

--__--

I didn’t get a chance to talk to Honda, Natsumi fussed over us most of the day, checking we were healing. I’m not sure but we probably slept most of the day away.

The next morning I found myself back in Honda’s room, so we must have come home from Natsumi’s at some point. Most of the previous day was blurry, I remembered there had been food, and a screaming baby and... fog.

I showered, letting the heat wash away the pain, and quickly made a snack so I could take one of the painkillers. The names didn’t translate in my head, so I wasn’t entirely sure what I was taking, but food beforehand seemed like a good idea.

There was a note on the table for me. Well... it was for Honda really. I hesitated briefly before opening it.

Honda, call Natsumi if you need anything, or Mrs Mikuriya is in all day at no. 4. Behave and look after yourself. Love Mum

Well that solves the problem of if I’m expected to attend school today. I didn’t think I was but...

I had time to spend and nothing to do. I almost wanted to bash my head against a wall, but I don’t think Honda would appreciate another concussion.

I fetched down the school books, a blanket, and put a bottle of pop within reach of the sofa. I don’t know what Honda does when he’s ill or injured, but he wasn’t awake right now.

I settled down to read the play for Japanese. (My mind was still doing little flip flops over that)

It must have been a couple of hours later that someone knocked on the door.

I shrugged out from my cocoon, opened the door, and stopped.

I had a Jonouchi on my doorstep.

Why did I have a Jonouchi on my doorstep?

“You were right.” He started with, and I must have pulled a face because he laughed and rubbed the back of his head.

I grabbed him and pulled him inside, before deciding the kitchen was a good place to be.

“Sit.” I commanded, and put the kettle on, getting out the cups and tea. I breathed in the scent of the tea leaves discreetly, they were calming.

I turned to him and looked him over. He looked... messier than usual, and like he hadn’t slept last night.

“Did you have any breakfast?” I asked, then shook my head as he went to answer, “Never mind, I’m doing myself something.”

I turned back to the kitchen cupboards and searched for something easy I could do. There was bread, and preserves. Great, jam on toast, well it wasn’t like I would have to deal with Jonouchi’s sugar rush and crash later.

“Did you even hear me?” Jonouchi asked, “I said you were right.”

“I know.” I replied, “I’m trying to work out what mad thing you must have done last night...” I trailed off, looking at him harder.

There was a sense of satisfaction about him, a job well done.

“You jumped in after that stupid puzzle piece last night, didn’t you?” I asked.

Jonouchi smiled bitterly, “Not exactly... try the night before.”

“What did Yugi say?”

Jonouchi shrugged, “Nothing. I gave it to the old man at the game shop, I figured he was Yugi’s gramps or something.”

I nodded, the toast popped and I turned back to spreading sugary stuff across the toast.

“Ushio went crazy.” Joey said quietly.

“Oh?”

“He was rolling around in garbage yesterday, crowing about how rich he was.”

I snorted, “Filthy rich.” I dropped a plate in front of Jonouchi, and carefully poured the tea. He watched me, and I wondered what he saw.

“So when are you coming back to school?” Jonouchi asked.

I considered, “Monday probably. Not going to be worth much today, and with the half day tomorrow...”

Jonouchi nodded, and for a while it was silent while we ate.

“So... Yugi. What do you think?” Jonouchi asked.

“He has guts. Standing up to Ushio like that.”

Jonouchi tilted his head, “I thought you were pretty much out of it by then.”

I shrugged, and winched. Must stop hurting myself. “My memory is pretty scrambled. Want to tell me what happened?”

“Ushio decided Yugi would be paying him for bodyguard duties. He beat us up as proof he would make a good bodyguard, demanded payment, then offered to let Yugi beat us up. Yugi didn’t go for it, like you said, the little guy has guts, didn’t back down for a moment. I could see how scared he was. Ushio got him a good one, that eye’s a beaut.”

Jonouchi watched for my reaction.

“But you knew that already.”

“I guessed...” Yeah, that sounded pretty weak, even to me. “What now?” I asked.

Jonouchi gave me this look, like he knew what I was doing and didn’t like it one bit. Well I’m glad someone knew what I was doing, since I was in the dark.

“I mean, how do you want to play things from here? We have a pretty good deal, want to extend the gang?”

Jonouchi tapped the table. “Yugi’s a good guy. Wouldn’t mind having him in my corner.”

“We take Yugi, it’s a sure bet we’ll have to deal with Anzu.” I pointed out and Jonouchi grinned.

“Bet she can’t say anything if we’re being all friendly like.” Jonouchi pointed out.

I glanced at the clock, “School?” and Jonouchi swore, before running out like a bat out of hell.

This was going to be interesting.

I did wonder at Jonouchi, was he checking out my reactions before befriending Yugi? That seemed a little... strange.

Then I blinked, and reran the conversation through my head.

Not once had Jonouchi said Honda’s name.

Oh screw it, Jonouchi knew already? I hadn’t even spent 2 full days with the guy.

I lowered my head into my arms, curling up on the table. So screwed.

And if Honda didn’t want me interacting with his friends, he had better man up and wake up at a decent hour, or at least when I poked at him.

Letter. Write it down before you forget. Hey, maybe we could have that long overdue conversation today?

Honda

Well that was an interesting start. I wonder if you remember what I do in the mornings?

If not, Jonouchi says Ushio is no longer a problem. Jonouchi might be, I think he suspects. Oh btw if you don’t want me talking to Jonouchi, you need to wake up earlier.

Onto more serious matters.

I object to getting beat up, shall we look into some training? I’ll leave that in your hands, since hopefully I’ll be out of your hair at some point in the near future.

We seem to have naturally fallen into a pattern. I assume you don’t object to me having the mornings. If there’s anything you would like me to do first thing, leave a note or a checklist or something.

I would suggest, as we are alone today, we alternate hours.

However I will not force you to hold up your side of the conversation, or indeed take part in any conversation with me, if you wish to ignore the matter entirely.

As an aside, I do not intend to harm you, your family nor your friends. If you believe I have taken actions to do so, please inform me as it was not intentional.

As a spirit I would like it known, I do not seek vengeance, justice, or a dozen more things I could think of. I honestly don’t know why I’m here.

If you wish to speak about this to anyone else, I request that you discuss it with me first.

Kind Regards

Robin

I read through the letter half a dozen times, wondering if I should add anything else.

It was difficult. If Honda choose to ignore me, I didn’t know what I would do.

I felt him stirring, finally. School would be starting right about now.

I sipped at my tea and considered.

At the end of the day, everything came back to Yugi.

If I couldn’t gain Honda’s trust, I might be able to gain Yugi’s. But that was a dangerous game to be playing, I would have to think long and hard before making my play.

I slipped control over to Honda, and hoped.

I watched him read the letter, before sinking further back. I would need to make plans. My survival instinct was screaming at me to get a move on.

I don’t know how long it was until I felt him reach for me, but I slipped back up to the surface quickly.

Robin

I want you gone. Stop messing with Jonouchi’s head. I don’t believe you.

Honda

Blunt, to the point, and devastating.

Honda

I want to be gone. Trust me, no spirit wants to be within a hundred miles of the stuff going down right now in your school. If you have any ideas of getting rid of me, try, I won’t stop you.

Robin

I threw control back to Honda so fast my head spun.

Like I’m going to believe someone who kept me trapped in my head for a day.

I blinked. There was spots in my eyes, and what felt like a small storm brewing in my head.

Like I should trust a bullying twat, who doesn’t even recognise magic when its right in front of him.

I tossed control back, and something tore.

Everything went black.

--__--

Waking up on the kitchen floor was not fun.

Waking up with a killer headache even less so.

Waking up at the same time as Honda? Feeling him wrapped around my thoughts?

I slammed up my walls, and backed as far away as possible.

I refused to be prodded back into action that day, sulking I suppose, a bubbling pool of resentment until I drifted into sleep.

--__--

I woke the next morning, Saturday, and thought it was a lovely rainy day. It suited my mood... which made me strangely cheerful.

There was the notebook, on the bedside table, looking so innocent for all the angry words it contained.

Robin

I’m sorry.

I may have starred with disbelief at those words. He was sorry? He was admitting he was sorry?

I’m taking my anger out on you, I shouldn’t have I should have listened. I didn’t mean you were trying. You don’t I should

I’m sorry. You were trying to make things work. I didn’t care. I just wanted you gone.

You have a point about the training, there’s a few clubs and gyms nearby we could try. Jonouchi might have a few ideas.

What is coming? What are you afraid of?

I promise I will tell you before sharing our secret

Honda

It didn’t make things right but... teenage boy, new situation, new terror inducing situation. Oh course he was going to lash out. Anyone would. That fact he only took a day to apologise...

I frowned.

Got dressed, thinking hard. There was a computer downstairs.

I checked the internet history.

Another thing to teach Honda, how to hide what you were searching for on the web.

Interesting. So the boy knew how to do his research, when it was important.

I had a letter to compose.