Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Anything For You ❯ Last Glimpse ( Chapter 16 )

**NOTE: I AM ENCOUNTERING MORE COMPUTER PROBLEMS. I HAVE TO UPDATE AT WORK. SO IF I CAN UPDATE ON THE WEEKEND, I WILL. IF MY COMPUTER PROBLEMS ARE NOT SOLVED I WILL BE UNABLE TO UPDATE. SORRY, GUYS.

Last Glimpse

Joey held the Blue Eyes White Dragon action figure in his hands. Aria had already "defeated" his Red Eyes Black Dragon and his Black Skull Dragon. Joey knew that the Black Skull Dragon was more powerful than her Dark Magician, but Aria wasn't familiar with the Duel Monsters attack strength.

"One more attack, Unkie Puppy, and I wined!"

Joey took the Change of Heart action figure and put it in his hands. "The Change of Heart comes to rescue the lue Eyes White Dragon!"

Aria held onto the Dark Magician doll looking at it. Aria began to play with the figure's outfit when she sighed.

Joey saw Aria put down the doll. "Aria, your Dark Magician can attack the Change of Heart now. You already destroyed the Blue Eyes White Dragon with your Dark Magician. Aria?"

Aria grabbed the Change of Heart from Joey. "Aten woved to pway Dull Monners with me."

"I love to play them with you too, Aria. I thought you were happy to come here."

Aria sat up and hugged the Change of Heart. "I miss Aten."

Joey looked up at her and pulled her close to hug her. He missed Aten, too. Joey fought back his own tears as he tried to console the crying chibi. Joey knew how she felt having not seen his sister Serenity when they were kids because her mom took her away. Joey was left with a father who didn't care what happened to his son. Seto was his family. Seto loved him and cared for him and asked little in return.

"I know you miss your brother, kid. It's not easy being separated from a family member….or someone you love."

Aria nuzzled her cheek into Joey's chest. "I wove you, Unkie Puppy. Pwomise you won't weave me. I don't want you to. Everyone is weaving me."

Joey kissed her white mane. "They're going to find Aten, Aria. Don't you worry."

Seto burst through the door of the study. "Puppy, they found Aten and Ryou!"

Joey's eyes went wide as Seto gave the news. "What?!"

"I just received a call from some diner about a four hour drive from here saying that someone spotted Ryou and Aten."

Aria smiled, squealed, and ran to the CEO wrapping her arms around his legs. "Yeah! Someone found my mommy and bother!"

Joey stood up from the floor and ran to Seto also embracing his lover. "Are Ryou and Aten safe?"

Seto gave a heavy sigh. "They didn't catch them in time. But it's all over the news."

Seto grabbed the remote control and turned on the television. Seto sat in his chair and brought Aria on his knee. "They've been running this story on all the channels."

Joey sat on the couch. "Well, Steven was very respected in the community. He used to be a respected expert in his field. Now, he's nothing more than a common criminal."

Seto's lip curled. "All because he couldn't stand his son being different. He pressured Ryou into living the way he thought his son should live." Seto looked down at the little girl watching the television grasping her Dark Magician doll in her hand. "Much like my own. I hope Ryou never does that to his kids."

"I don't think he would. This is Ryou we are talking about. Does Bakura and Marik know about this?"

Seto nodded and wrapped his hand around Aria to keep her from falling off his lap. "I called Bakura using that cell phone that we found. Marik was going to drive Bakura to the diner."

"Marik can drive?"

"No, but if he gets stopped by the cops, he can always use the Millenium Rod and Bakura can erase their minds with his Millenium Ring. Oh…in speaking of the Ring, the cops dusted it for prints. There were fingerprints on the metal…and they match Steven exactly."

"It's good we can keep in touch with them with that cell phone. At least we can keep in contact with his progress. I also sent some of our guys to search the area of the diner."

Aria's hand gripped Seto's hand as he held her. The reporter came on the screen talking to a waitress.

The waitress talked into the microphone. "Well, they came in looking like any other people we get here. The boy told me to be careful with the napkin and I didn't think much of it at first. The little boy began talking about missing his father and again, I didn't think much of it at the time because I didn't read the napkin. Then I went to go get their check and I saw on the television that he and the little boy were kidnapped. I went to look for them and they were gone. They didn't pay their check. I read the note which explained who they were and what was going on. I called the cops right after and the number on the screen to report I had seen them."

Reporter: Were they in good condition?"

"They looked alright to me. I couldn't see anything wrong with them. The little boy was so adorable! I would have stopped them if I known."

Reporter: Witnesses say they saw Ryou and Aten being thrown into a truck. The truck then sped off. The license plate numbers were unable to be identified as they were covered by a piece of material. Again, we are asking the public's help in recovering these two missing persons. If you see them, do not confront the kidnappers. It is not known if they are armed and should be considered dangerous. Call your local police department, or call 555-4827 to report any information you have regarding this case.

Seto turned off the television and sat quietly for a moment. Joey gave a disappointed sigh. Aria turned around and cuddled close to Seto's chest.

"At least they aren't hurt," Joey said trying to make himself feel better.

Aria clutched her doll tighter. "I miss Aten."

Seto rocked Aria in his arms as she slowly fell asleep. "I don't know what to do, Joey. I hope we can get Ryou and Aten back." Seto looked down at the sleeping girl. He knew she missed her brother terribly. He had to find some way of making her forget about Aten's absence. Maybe he could take her to the amusement park or to the beach one day. He would not let Aria leave his side the entire time. Malik could even be included.

"I hope so, too. Ryou is a good pal. I just wondering what we are going to do with her," Joey said indicating Aria sleeping in Seto's lap, curled up comfortably against her uncle.

"I think it might be a good idea to take her mind off of it. We could take her to an amusement park or something."

"There's a new place that just opened up not too far away. Isn't it another Six Flags or something like that?"

Seto reached into the drawer and pulled out his wallet counting the money. "Hmm…I have enough money to buy the park for a day. That way we don't have any crowds and nobody but us can get in."

"Good idea. But who's gonna watch the kid when we go on that roller coaster?"

"Hmm..we can bring Malik with us. It'll be great. We can have the guys in the costumes, the clowns, the safari, the whole nine yards. Nothing's too much for my little niece."

Joey snickered. "So, you do have a soft spot for kids. I tell ya, Seto, you'd make a great dad!"

Seto looked down at Aria as a thin layer of transparent goo dripped from her mouth.

"Joey, she's drooling," he said trying to move his clothes away from Aria's mouth.

Aria turned her head to Seto's chest and tucked her hands underneath her chin.

"Joey, get me a napkin. Aww, man. This is a $200 jacket."

Seto covered his jacket where Aria was drooling only to have her grab a finger and suck on it. "Geeze, I thought she would have outgrown that tendency by now."

Joey snickered, "I guess she hasn't yet."

Mokuba ran into the room seeing his big brother with Aria's head against Seto's chest sucking on his finger. "Seto, what are you doing?"

"Mourning my new jacket. What's up?"

"Did you just see the news?"

Seto nodded. "I hope Bakura and Marik find that bastard and get them back."

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

Ryou hugged Aten tightly as they drove for what seemed forever. He didn't remember Brackenridge being this far. Then again, knowing what had just happened in the diner made the minutes seem to take forever. Tim glared at him angrily. Aten whimpered against Ryou. Ryou caressed the boy's hair trying to soothe him. When the truck finally did stop, Ryou whispered into Aten's ear, "Be brave, baby. Be brave."

The doors of the van opened and Ryou was pulled out of the van roughly by his father. Ryou stood still knowing resistance was pointless. Ryou grabbed the bag and looked at the house. The house standing before them was a large white home with flower boxes under each window. Bars covered all of the windows. It looked like a fortress….or a prison. Four pillars held up the balcony and bushes lined the perimeter against the house. No other houses were able to be seen around the area. Woods surrounded the home on all sides.

Aten looked around at the pastoral surroundings and a smile crossed on his face when he saw a rabbit hop out of the bush and nibble on some leaves. "Mommy, a bunny wabbit! Mommy, behind you! A Bunny!"

Ryou turned and saw the rabbit munching. Aten always got excited over animals, especially small ones.

"Ryou is not your mommy, Aten," Steven corrected.

"Yes he is. Wyou is my mommy!"

Steven snickered at the impossibility of such an occurance. "Well, he definitely is feminine, kid. I'll tell you that."

Steven grabbed Ryou's arm and pulled him to the door. Jessica banged the door knocker against the gold plate.

"Take one last look at the outdoors, son. You won't be seeing this for a while."

Ryou looked down at Aten still fixed on the rabbit. "Mommy, I wanna bunny wabbit wike dat!"

Steven grunted in displeasure and a tall man around Steven's age and slightly balding opened the door.

"Steve!"

"Ry!"

Ryan brought in the group and into the study. Ryou sat by the window with Aten on his lap isolated from everyone looking outside.

Jessica sat next to Steven and Tim stood by the fireplace leaning against it watching Ryou intently.

Ryan poured brandy for everyone, even Tim. Ryou looked at the alcohol and shook his head. "I really don't drink, Uncle Ryan."

Ryan still stood there. "This will put hair on your chest, Ryou. From what I hear of you, you need some hair on it. It's fine. Drinking never hurt anyone."

"I don't want any. I'm holding my son. Besides, drinking won't help me…I don't need more problems in my life."

Ryan took Ryou's hand and put the glass in his hand. "Drink it up. Now."

Ryou turned to Steven who was glaring at him angrily. Tim had already finished his. Jessica was downing hers quickly.

"Drink it. It will make you feel good."

Aten looked at him and he wrapped his arms around Ryou's neck.

"If I must," Ryou said downing the alcohol so quickly it burned his throat. Ryou exploded in a fit of coughing. Aten squeezed tighter and Ryan slapped him on the back.

"See? That wasn't so bad, was it?"

"Like fire…*cough *….." Ryou wiped his mouth clean.

Steven poured another glass for himself and Tim. "We damn nearly got caught at that diner. His buddy Kaiba put out a reward for his safe return."

Ryan took Ryou's glass and refilled it. "Don't worry. We'll have your kid straight in no time. All he needs is a little bit of help along the way. Here, Ryou. Drink up."

Ryou shook his head. "I told you I do not want to drink, uncle!"

Steven put his glass on the table and walked over to Ryou. "You WILL obey your uncle, Ryou. Do what he says and maybe Aten won't pay the price."
"Daddy, I don't want to."

Steven raised his hand and Ryou shrunk back gripping Aten shaking as he held his son.

"I'm not going to lay a hand on you, Ryou. At least not now."

Ryou's eye opened as Steven turned away piercing his father's back with unimaginable scorn.

"So, what if the cops come looking for him?"

"I have a wine cellar for quick emergencies. I also have a room set up for him. It's a room where we keep the things Margaret and I used to have that I don't want."

"How are you dealing with the separation?" Steven asked pouring a third glass of brandy for himself and Tim.

"Her loss, Steve. I gave that woman ten years of my life and she walks out on me because she thinks I have a problem. Pfft…I don't have a problem," Ryan said pouring another glass of brandy.

Ryou looked down at Aten trying to smile. Ryou brushed back Aten's hair when he began to feel tired.

"Mommy? What's wrong?"

Ryou shook his head and yawned. "Nothing, baby. I'm just tired."

Aten reached up for Ryou's eyelids and closed them. "Go to sweep, mommy."

Ryou giggled quietly. "Aten, what are you doing?"

"Twying to get you to sweep. Wuwabye and good night…umm…I forget the song."

Ryou pulled back his head and kissed Aten's hand. Aten squealed loudly and pressed his head into Ryou nuzzling into him.

Steven turned to Ryan. "So, you got it all ready, huh?"

"Yeah. I put a hanging bulb up and I also barred the window. It's all done. I wouldn't want our Ryou to escape."

"Let's take a look. Ryou? Come on, boy."

Ryou grabbed the bag. Ryou still held onto Aten as Ryan led them to a door in the hallway. They went down the stairs and Ryan opened up another room. Inside the room, there was one window, a hanging lightbulb, boxes of clothing, and a closet, and a little cot.

Aten looked around. "Cold. Stinky down here."

"Welcome to your new home, boy."

Ryou turned around. "You are putting me down here?"

"It's all the room we have," Ryan said.

"You have twelve bedrooms upstairs!"

"Don't complain, Ryou. I'll leave you a little something to calm you down."

Ryan reached over and grabbed a bottle of wine and pushed Ryou into the room. "You'll get used to it. Drink this when you get thirsty."

"I'm not giving my son wine!"

"Beggars can't be choosers, son," Steven said.

Ryan swiftly closed the door and locked it. Ryou put Aten down and banged on the door. "Bakura will get you, dad! Let me out!" Ryou kicked the door.

After a while, Ryou gave up and sat on the cot sighing. Aten reached into one of the boxes and cheered.

"Look, mommy, I found a bunny!" Aten squealed bringing out a tattered brown bunny stuffed animal. Aten took the animal in his arms and cuddled it. Ryou tried to take solace in the fact that Aten found some little piece of joy in the dark room stored with

disposable objects.