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Chapter 7

Josuke paced the small alcove they occupied while waiting for Jotaro to return.

"Josuke, sit down. Your pacing is grating on my nerves." Rohan griped.

"Shut up, Rohan. You saw those paintings. We should all be nervous." Josuke snapped.

"Calm down. Whatever it is, I'm sure Jotaro can handle it." Joseph said.

Josuke dropped down onto a bench next to Okuyasu, "If he's not back in 10 minutes, we're going after him."

Joseph waved a hand, "Fine, fine. 10 minutes."

The allotted time passed and Josuke jumped up, "Ok! Okuyasu and Koichi, follow me. Rohan, stay here with the old man."

"Now hold on! I did not say you would go without me!" Joseph argued.

"You're old and slow. You need to stay here." Josuke exclaimed. Seconds later he was laying on the floor, wrapped in purple vines, twitching like he was being shocked.

"I may be old and slow, but I'm not without my tricks." Joseph said with a proud smile, "How do you like my Hamon zap vines? Pretty effective, wouldn't you say?"

"Ok! I get it!" Josuke cried through clenched teeth. His whole body had that awful pins and needles tingling feeling. When released, he stood with a full body shudder, "NEVER do that again! Ugh! Fine. You can follow us but stay back. Jotaro will kill me if you get hurt."

Josuke stalked off at a pace he knew the old man couldn't keep, Okuyasu and Koichi flanking him on either side. He paused just outside the entry to the Egyptian artists and peeked inside. His jaw dropped when he saw Jotaro HUG some redheaded man.

Jotaro didn't hug. Jotaro didn't have any emotions outside annoyance and anger.

This was definitely the work of an enemy stand. They had to rescue Jotaro.

He turned to his friends, "Jotaro is being affected by an enemy stand, let's go get him!"

The three teens rushed in with one goal in mind: rescue Jotaro.

*****

Tenmei was certain of one thing: this hug had long since past the point of being merely friendly. He was anxiously awaiting the return of his personal space but afraid of offending the one man who seemed to have the answers he needed.

Before he could find a way to politely pull away, they were forcibly pulled apart.

"Get your hands off my nephew!!"

Tenmei instinctually called Hierophant Green as Jotaro yelled, "Josuke! Stand down!"

All three teens had summoned their stands and were ready to fight. Jotaro called Star Platinum and the stand appeared in front of Tenmei, guarding him.

"Mr. Jotaro, who is this guy?" Josuke asked.

"He's...a friend. Where's the old man?"

"He and Rohan were right behind us." Koichi said.

Just then, Rohan lead Joseph in the room.

"Jotaro, what's taking so long? Did you find the stand paintings?" Joseph asked.

"Old man, we have a...situation." Jotaro said, indicating Tenmei.

Joseph looked at the man standing next to his grandson and gasped, "Kakyoin? Is that you?" He slowly made his way to the redhead and raised a shaking hand to his cheek, "Kakyoin, oh my god. It is you! Oh my boy!" he cried as he hugged Tenmei with a strength that defied his age. "I'm so sorry, Kakyoin! I never should have let you face DIO. Please forgive me!"