Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Apocalypse ❯ United We Stand ( Chapter 71 )

Kura Magician Girl: How do I come up with stuff like `PinkyPoo16'? I'm just crazy in my own little way. Wait until you find our Marik's.

 

United We Stand

 

“Him?! You've gotta be kidding!”

Seto took the picture back from Bakura. “Of all the people we have tested, his is an immediate match.”

“Aten Bakari Ishtar…that kid's already on his last leg. He needs everything he has right now.”

Seto nodded. “I saw him the other day when he was having his physical therapy. I was glad for the one-way mirror. I'm sure he would have been embarrassed had he knew I watched him fall.”

“Yeah, he doesn't like people watching him fuck up. He has a huge esteem problem as it is.”

“The problem with this is that Aten couldn't take a liver transplant now. He's far too weak to go through with it.”

Bakura stood up and put his hands in his pocket. “You're right. A transplant would be dangerous now. Does Jibade know about this?”

“No, Marik doesn't know. I've only told you.”

Bakura walked around to Seto's side of the desk. He hopped up and sat on the mahogany wood. “Why me?”

Seto looked the yami in the eye. The brown eyes stared at him quizzically. Ryou's eyes were much more sparkly and shiny than his yami. Bakura's eyes had no shine.

“Because I know I could trust you to help me make this decision.”

“Woah, horsie!” Bakura gasped, jumping off the desk. “What makes you think I can tell you what to do? This is your decision, Kaiba.”

“I just need your opinion. I want to make the best decision.”

“Are you insecure?”

Seto narrowed his eyes. “No, that's not it!”

“I think it is if you need my help,” the yami grinned, crossing his arms smugly. “I'm surprised anyone is asking for my advice. You DO know I am a thief and can talk my way out of anything, do you?”

Seto nodded. “I trust you.”

“Moneybags, trust yourself first before you trust others. Personally, there has to be another donor available. Aten won't survive another operation so soon after his recent injuries. He's already got both feet by the grave. Anubis is just waiting for him to jump in.”

Set nodded. “I'm inclined to agree, Bakura. I may have to resort to Aten if no one else is available. Joey can hold out for a little longer. The doctors say it's not an immediate emergency, but he's still a huge concern.”

“I doubt Aten would say no if Joey needed a part of his liver. He's a good kid like his mother.”

“I know, but his health is my concern…both Aten and Joey.”

Bakura looked up at the ceiling. “Hopefully the gods will smile upon us.”

“Hopefully something does….and soon.”

“Other than the donor thing, how are you both doing?”

Seto crossed his arms defensively. “Why?”

“It's just a question, Kaiba. No need to put your shields up, Captain Kirk.”

“Joey and I are just fine.”

Bakura returned to his seat on the desk as Seto picked up a pen and a form to authorize the new guards a code to get to the top floor. “How are you handling Hayden's death? You making it okay together?”

Seto lowered his head, avoiding Bakura's eyes. “We're doing fine.”

“Have you talked? Knowing you, you've buried your nose in work to forget your problems.”

“Bakura, I am a busy man.”

“And I'm a jerk. Get used to it. Have you been avoiding?”

“Are you Sigmund Freud?”

Bakura shrugged. “Beats me who that is. My specialty is stealing, not names. Oh, and I know hundreds of ways to kill someone. But I suck at names.”

“Are you a psychologist?”

“Are you horny?”

Seto gasped. “BAKURA, OUT!”

Bakura hopped off. “Fine, Oscar the Grouch, but burying yourself in work never helps. You both need each other. When it comes down to it, Seto, your time with Joey is short. Cherish the time with him, or live a life of regret without him.”

Seto raised his eyes and watched Bakura walk towards the door, his slender hips moving almost seductively as Ryou's.

“Bakura.”

Bakura turned slightly so all Seto saw of his face was a brown eye. “Kaiba?”

“Thank you.”

“Don't thank me for the kick in the ass. It's free when you deserve it.”

Seto grinned. `Yeah, I won't charge you….even though I should considering all of the office supplies I've seen you steal over the hidden cameras.”

Bakura grinned and shrugged. “The good staplers aren't cheap.”

Bakura left Seto's office with a wink and a quiet evil chuckle.

The yami made his way down the hall and saw Cassie playing with her toy car that Hayden used to play with.

“Hello, Cassie-girl.”

“Ba-u-ra!” the little girl squealed and hugged the thief.

“Hello, little princess,” he growled into her neck. Being good for mommy?”

“Yes!”

“Being good for daddy?”

“No!”

“That's my girl! Gimme five!”

Cassie high-fived the yami.

“Did you tell daddy that word I taught you to say?”

“PENIS!”

Bakura shook his head. “No, that's Marik's word. What's my word I told you to tell to daddy?”

Cassie scratched her head then smiled. “BUTT-TEEKS!”

“Butt-cheeks, Cassie. Butt-Cheeks.”

“Butt-chicks!”

“No, no. Butt-CHEEks.”

“BUTT-CHEEKS!”

Bakura snickered. “Tell your daddy that tonight.”

Cassie nodded with a devilish smile. “BUTT-CHEEKS!”

Bakura put Cassie on her feet and grinned. “Excellent! Now go play like a good girl.”

Cassie pushed the car down the hallway.

`When I was her age, I was still home. I remember playing with my wooden horse. I wonder if Isis ever excavated that thing. I know I left it in Cairo. I forgot where, though. A Noble's kid probably took it from its hiding place and got his rich germs all over it.'

Bakura walked down to the end of the hall and opened the first door on the left.

“Joey, it's not a sign of weakness if you talk about it,” Ryou said, holding Joey's hand.

“He's so busy in his own little world, Ry. I don't know what to say to him.”

“I don't think that will be an issue anymore, Joey. I talked to Seto.”

“You did?! Why?”

Ryou pat Joey's hand. “We're making sure you both are okay. We haven't heard or seen you in a long time.”

Joey lowered his eyes and stared at the wooden floor. “We haven't said much to each other lately. We have no words for each other.”

Bakura approached Joey and tilted his head up. “Joey, snap out of it. You don't live in a bubble. Neither does Moneybags. You need the support of each other. You both lost something close to you. Isolation is not going to help, now will it make things better for both of you. So get up off your ass and do something about it.”

Ryou shifted back in his seat from Bakura's harsh tone. /Yami, don't be so cruel./

//Sometimes, Ry, you gotta be blunt. I just gave Seto a kick in the ass. Joey needs the same treatment.//

“I guess you're right, `Kura,” Joey sighed.

“I know I'm right, Joey. I suggest you both help each other stand up and face this together. It won't be easy, but isn't your relationship worth it?”

Ryou looked up at Bakura as an uneasy feeling was blocked from the mindlink. From the look on Bakura's face, this was something he was struggling with. He thought it best not to pursue it now.

Joey nodded. “I love Seto very much. I can't imagine him gone.”

“Then do your relationship a favor and benefit from it. Ry and I have some things to do, so we will leave you two lovebirds go at it. Let's go, baby.”

Ryou gave Joey one last hug. “Good luck.”

Ryou ran after Bakura, following him. “Do you think it worked?”

Bakura snickered. “Only the moans of lust will tell.”

“Do you seriously think they will with the way they are both feeling right now?”

“I dunno, Ry. But I do hope they do something.”

Ryou nodded. “Quite true. I know they will.”

Bakura took Ryou's hands as they approached the elevator. “I guarantee it.”

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

Araqiel sat at his desk, his hands folded in front of him.

What he had saw that night still haunted him.

What was that thing?

No human being could have made that monster appear.

Was this person not human as his informer claimed?

He could go investigate the issue further, but what if he were caught?

What if that man conjured up the same monster and set it loose on him?

He swallowed hard at the thought of being torn to pieces by the creature.

These people looked harmless while they were in their home.

No creatures.

No glowing or darkening eyes.

No threat.

Araqiel tapped his fingers on the desk. “The mark of a good reporter is getting all the information from the horse's mouth before anyone else gets to it. I'll have to go over there tonight. There's something fishy about them. If I can get my story published, I'll be rich and famous! It will be the story of the century!”

Araqiel leaned back in his chair. If he could publish the story, then he would move out of his one bedroom apartment…get a brand new car….he'd be famous.

“I'll be on Easy Street,” he said with a grin and a chuckle.

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

Seto sat back against his pillow, reading The Wall Street Journal. A knock on the door sounded.

“Come in.”

Seto watched his new security guard, Johnathan, step in.

“Top floor secured, sir.”

“Thank you.”

“Who was that punk with the white spiky hair today?”

“Oh, Bakura Itemri. He's not bad, but if you see him stealing anything---.”

“I will shoot him on site.”

“No, no. Just bring him to me. I'll deal with him myself.”

John fingered the trigger on his gun. “I don't trust him.”

“He can be…eccentric, but he is part of the Family. Unless I tell you otherwise, leave him alone.”

“Yes, sir, Mr. Kaiba.”

“He can turn you inside-out, John…literally. I've seen what he is capable of. Don't piss him off is my advice to you.”

Johnathan narrowed his eyes. “I will watch him like a hawk, regardless, sir.”

Seto nodded. “it's never a bad idea to keep an eye on him. Goodnight, Johnathan.”

“Goodnight, Mr. Kaiba.”

Johnathan left and Joey crept in rubbing his eye.

“Hello, babe,” Joey smiled as he removed his shirt.

“Hi, Joey,” Seto said with a small grin.

Joey removed his pants and boxers, replacing them with pajama bottoms. The blond went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash up.

He slipped into bed as Seto folded his paper and leaned back against the pillows.

Joey leaned back against his won pillows with a sigh. “Long day.”

“Yeah,” Seto sighed. “Too long. Meetings. Investors. Same old, same old.”

Joey fidgeted with his fingers. “Today was busy, too. I just finished my last painting for the art fair on Saturday.”

“Good job. I'll have to come by and see what you did.”

“You're always welcome, Seto.”

Seto smiled. “I know.”

Both men sat in silence for a long time, avoiding each other's eyes. Sirens from ambulances were blaring in the street below.

“What did Bakura tell you today?”

Seto shrugged. “He talked to me about your donor situation.”

Joey blinked. “Is that all?”

“He also talked to me about his concerns. He thought I was burying my face in my work to forget about……you know.”

Joey sighed. “Seto, you do that. You've always done that.”

“I don't know why that is so bad. If I don't work, we're living out on the streets and I am not panhandling. I want better than that.”

“I don't want to be on the streets anymore either, Seto. But I know that you are in as much pain as I am.”

“I don't have pain.”

Joey rolled his eyes. “That's bullshit, Seto. I know you do.”

“No, I don't.”

“Don't tell me you don't feel pain at the thought of losing Hayden!” Joey screamed angrily.

“Of course I do, Joey, but nothing we can do can help bring him back.”

“How can you be so cold?!”

“I'm just stating the truth.”

Joey jumped out of bed. “I'm sleeping in the living room!”

“Joey, wait!”

Joey turned around. “If you are trying to support me and help me through this, you are doing a shitty job, Seto.”

“Joey, I'm sorry. I just…..you know I'm no good at this.”

“I miss Hayden. He shouldn't have died. He had such a hard life with his uncle. He never played. He was in pain. He should have been a normal kid, playing outside, going to school. He should have grown up and had a girlfriend, gotten married. Experienced love with a real person who cared for him. Now he won't experience that ever.”

Seto crossed his legs as he sat. “I feel bad about that, too, Joey. But we have to accept some things in life. This one of those things.”

Joey's eyes teared up and a tiny crystal tear slipped down his cheek. “I miss Hayden, Seto. I loved him.”

Seto watched the blond start to cry into his hands. He stood up and walked around the bed to his crying lover. He brought Joey into his arms.

“Why did he have to die?! IT'S NOT FAIR!” Joey screamed into Seto's chest.

“I know,” Seto said quietly.

“He was just a kid!” Joey sobbed, punching Seto's chest in frustration.

Joey's punches didn't hurt. Seto held onto his lover, knowing he had harder punches dealt to him in his life.

“It's just not fair, Seto!” Joey sobbed.

Seto pet Joey's blond hair and nodded. “I know, Joseph. It's not fair.”

Seto lead Joey to the bed and sat beside him. “It was a hard thing to lose him, Joey. I watched it. I couldn't stop what happened. Joey? At least he couldn't hurt again. He would never feel the pain of heartbreak.”

Joey sniffled and nodded. “That's good. Because he'll never feel what I do at this moment.”

Seto kissed Joey's forehead. “It's okay, puppy. I'm……..I'm upset, too.”

Joey looked up at Seto's blue eyes. Seto very rarely expressed feelings or emotions to anyone, even himself. “I'm sorry I got angry at you, Seto.”

Seto smiled and kissed Joey on the lips softly. “You're forgiven, puppy.”

Joey sniffled and rested his cheek against Seto's chest. “Thank you.”

The CEO held Joey and rocked his upper body in his arms. “It's okay, Joey. It will take time.”

Joey nodded. “I know.”

Seto struggled to hold back his own tears. `Businessmen don't cry,' he heard a voice saying in the back of his head. `Crying will bring a severe punishment.'

Seto continued to pet the blond, saying little.

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

 

Araqiel walked down the dark streets. The only lights were the streetlights, some of which were flickering. The neighborhood appeared normal. Nothing was out of place or out of the ordinary.

The reporter approached the house that his informant had spoken of. He crept cautiously towards the house, careful not to make any noise to startle those inside the home. The shadows offered good cover as he approached the living room window.

`Now's my chance,' he grinned as he peered inside.

A white-haired man walked out of the kitchen with two drinks. He handed one to a smooth-haired blond sitting on the couch.

“Thanks, Ryou!” Malik said, spanking Ryou's ass lightly.

“Did you smack my ass?”

Malik grinned. “Yeah, why not? You were turning around to put your drink down on the table.”

“After twenty-eight years of knowing you, you would think I would learn to protect my ass around you Ishtars.”

The blond smiled proudly. “Yeah, it's probably a good idea. Ishtars are known ass-smackers.”

“Among other things,” Ryou grinned.

Malik beamed with pride. “Hell yeah! Ishtars rock! GO ISHTARS! WOOO!”

Ryou laughed and pinched Malik's cheek. “You're so cute!”

The blond winced. “Ow! That hurts!”

Ryou laughed. “I can kiss it away if you like.”

Ryou leaned over and kissed Malik's cheek. “Better?”

“Ummm……you hurt me here, too,” Malik said pointing to his other cheek.

Ryou kissed the other cheek. “All better?”

The blond grinned evilly. “You hurt my lips.”

Ryou snickered. “I did, did I? Well, I guess I better take care of that then.”

Ryou took Malik's drink and set it on the table. He straddled Malik's lap and kissed his lips deeply. Ryou pet the blond's soft hair gently. The golden strands parted easily for Ryou's fingers.

The Egyptian moaned into the kiss, holding Ryou close to his body.

Araqiel watched as the two men caressed each other's faces, touching each other slowly and lovingly. `This is interesting……'

The Egyptian's tongue made a trail from the base of Ryou's neck up to his chin, making the white-haired man shudder.

Araqiel heard a deep voice talking in the back of the house. He carefully walked around to the side of the house and saw the one being who had made that creature appear. A golden object shined beside him. It looked like a golden rod of some type.

“I don't know which gods are up there, but please protect and watch over my boy,” he said as he looked up into the sky as he lay on his back in the grass. “I don't want my son to die. Please keep him strong.”

“Praying again?” another deep voice asked.

“Hello, Itemri. Yes, I am praying.”

Araqiel watched the second man walk towards the one lying in the grass. Around his neck shone a golden ring with spikes.

“I thought you had given up your faith long ago, Ishtar.”

Marik sat up and nodded. “I did. I gave it up a long time ago. But….You know, Itemri….I pray for my boy. Not for me. I care not what punishment Ra and Osiris have prepared for me for denying them and turning my back on my fate. I pray for Aten.”

Bakura sat in the grass beside his ex-lover. “The gods….though they have been severe….though they have condemned me to an existence without end, I still pray.”

Marik looked up at the stars. “Life without death. An eternity without sleeping. Is that the kind of death you envisioned, Bakura?”

Bakura shook his head. “No. I envisioned my death in the streets fighting Yami's guards. I wanted to be a martyr to the poor of Cairo. I wanted to be the One who stood up to the pharaoh and lost his life in the process. I never imagined my death to be in Yami's dungeon…starved….raped….strangled. That's something I didn't expect.”

Marik nodded. “I thought I'd die in the lap of luxury when I was young. Mummified with my family. When I met Amunet, that changed. I expected to die with her.”

Bakura looked up at the stars and took Marik's hand. “It's funny how nothing turns out like we expect.”

Marik nodded silently. “True. I thought my son would be as strong as the sun. He would be as strong as the gods himself. Never did I think what the reality of my hopes would be.”

Bakura nodded. “Aria is a strong girl. It's not easy being a father to a girl who is just as stubborn and hot-headed like me.”

Marik shifted closer to Bakura. “At least she can control her powers now. She's not out there making huge dragons appear like she did when she was little.”

“It took a lot……A LOT….of patience with her.”

Marik turned to Bakura and laid his head on Bakura's shoulders. “It's been a long time since we've watched the stars. What are Malik and Ryou doing?”

Bakura kissed the top of Marik's head. “When I passed, they weren't really watching television. Ryou seemed more preoccupied with what was in Malik's pants.”

Marik snickered. “Go, Malik!”

Bakura put his arm around Marik and continued to watch the stars twinkle in the sky.

From the open window, Araqiel could hear moans of pleasure.

“Jibade?”

“Yes, Itemri?”

“What do you think you're going to do when Malik dies?”

Marik shrugged. “I haven't decided. We can either stay here…..or attempt to go through the Underworld, I believe.”

“What if the gods won't take us back? We have already been ripped from there once before.”

The blond yami lifted his head. “I don't know if Osiris will let me back in….not after the way I have disgraced the gods. I may be condemned to an afterlife on earth. I can't die again. Sometimes……I wish I could. That way I will be able to be with Malik after his death. No one knows if I can re-enter Paradise.”

Bakura sighed. “Who knows if I can return to paradise either. If I can't….I'll be up here with you. The Walking Dead.”

Malik turned and faced Bakura. “If we have each other……we can be together again.”

Bakura looked into Marik's eyes. “I know. I have considered that, too. We'll be able to be a couple again.”

Marik reached up and touched Bakura's cheek lightly. “We can make love for hours….like we did in the desert.”

Bakura grinned. “We could run the Underworld of Domino….just like we did back in Cairo.”

Marik grinned. “True. This time, I have my own gang of thugs…the Mafia.”

Bakura grinned. “True. I still have the criminals of Domino eating out of my hand.”

Araqiel heard moaning and the squeaking of the couch from his hiding place.

Bakura sighed. “I would miss Ryou. I love him. I couldn't bear to spend eternity without him.”

“I love Malik, too. It will be hard without him.”

Bakura and Marik stared at each other in thought.

“We will have to see what the gods intend for us, Ishtar,” Bakura said with a sigh.

“Very true.”

“Whatever happens, Ishtar, we will face it together. Just like I told Seto today…..we will have to face their deaths together…along with anything the gods intend.”

Marik grinned and held Bakura's hand. “We will see anything through together. No matter what happens.”

Bakura nodded. “No matter what happens.”

The two yamis pressed their lips together. Marik advanced on Bakura slowly, covering Bakura with his body.

The blond caressed Bakura's sides, letting his tongue explore the depths of Bakura's mouth at the same time.

Bakura held the blond yami close to him, letting Marik touch him under the stars.

Marik wrapped his arms around Bakura and held him close. “I'll always love you, Itemri.”

“I know, Marik. I love you, too.”

Marik smiled. “I have to go check on Aten. He's home and I have to make sure he's doing okay.”

Bakura laughed. “I'll warn Ramses to watch his ass when you get back. That's if Ryou's not pounding it now.”

Marik grinned. “Give me details when I get back.”

“Count on it,” Bakura said with a smile.

Marik grabbed the Millennium Rod and walked out of the backyard. Araqiel followed him at a safe distance.

Only once did the yami turn his head slightly to see how far he was being followed. Other than that, he continued without hesitation.

Araqiel walked ahead a few doors as Marik knocked. He ran around the back of the homes.

The home he was examining had an addition built onto the structure.

He crept along the house and heard a woman inside saying “Hold on! Coming!”

Marik grinned as Miranda opened the door. “Hi, Miranda. I love it when you come for me.”

Miranda grinned and leaned against the door. “Yes, Marik. I came just for you. I came quickly.”

Marik grinned. “I'll make you come a little slower next time.”

“I like coming fast,” Miranda said with a grin.

Marik leaned against the door. “Fuck, you're hot.”

Miranda smiled. “I know. Imagine me in bed.”

Marik's jaw dropped and he swallowed hard. His eyes stared directly into her blue eyes. Her long, black hair draped over her shoulders seductively. Miranda could tell the yami started to drool.

“Be careful, Marik Ishtar.”

Marik wiped his chin. “Umm….is my son home?”

Miranda giggled. “Yes, he's home. But he's in bed at the moment.”

“Is he planning on displaying his paintings in the Art Show at Evergreen Creek tomorrow?”

“No, he says he doesn't want to show his paintings. I think he's having a hard time with the colors. I can hear him in there screaming something that sounds like Neck Knee.”

Marik snickered. “He's cursing in Arabic again.”

Miranda shrugged. “I have no idea what it means.”

“Fuck me.”

Miranda grinned. “You'd like that too much, Marik.”

“No, that's what it means. Fuck me.”

“Oh.”

“Well, I can tell he's upset. Tell him that I came by and that I will come over in the morning.”

“Okay, sexy boy. I'll do that.”

Marik grinned proudly. “Have a good night, Miranda.”

“Oh, Marik…one more thing…..Aiyz Temus?”

Marik moaned and he covered the front of his pants. “Where did you learn to say that?”

Miranda grinned. “Your son said it once to my son. When I asked Robbie later what it meant, I'll never forget it.”

“I can't believe you just asked me if I want a blow job!”

Miranda giggled. “Goodnight, Marik.”

Miranda shut the door behind her.

Marik swallowed hard and moaned again. “Malik is in so much trouble when I get home….”

 

Updates: 10/20