Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Hostile Takeover ❯ No Charity Case ( Chapter 16 )

Bwuebewwy Sugar Princess: Aku is evil…so good and evil…

Elizabeth Marie Rose: I think so. If I can squeeze it in.

bakachibi_voidfox: Aww…A NEW REVIEWER! *hands out Aten plushies* I always get excited by new reviewers! Thank you! You can count on other chappies being like this.

Malik Lover and Anzu basher: I wish I wrote Yugioh too. *drools*

No Charity Case

Marik went downstairs to have his dinner when he saw Aten laying in his playpen. He reached down and stroked the boy's hair. Aten whimpered and curled up into a tighter ball.

"Aten, son? You ok?"

Aten sniffled and rubbed his injured side from the fight at school. Aten cuddled into his blue bunny plushie, something rare.

"Aten? Speak to me, son."

Aten shook his head and rubbed his eyes.

"Daddy Mawik!" Aria ran to Marik and wrapped her arms around his legs. "I missed you!"

Marik's jaw dropped as he looked at her face and neck covered in bruises. Marik picked her up. His hand lightly brushed the injuries on the child's face. The little girl whimpered a little as Marik's hands glided over her white neck.

"There was a fight at school today. Eric threw me to the ground, bit, and hurt me. He even tore my pretty dress!"

Marik narrowed his eyes. "A boy tore your dress?"

Aria nodded. "Yes. And he hurt me."

Marik growled and brought the chibi to his chest comfortingly. "We'll take care of it, Aria."

"And Aten needed his medicine."

"Aten? Aten, talk to me, son."

Aten crawled to the other side of the playpen and covered himself from head to toe with a blanket.

"Aten?"

Ryou came out of the kitchen. "Marik, I have dinner ready for you."

Marik put Aria on her feet and walked into the kitchen. Ryou placed a plate of meat, potatoes, and a biscuit in front of Marik. Ryou sat at the table and Bakura left to find Malik. Malik entered and sat next to Marik.

Bakura sat beside Ryou and he folded his hands.

"Marik. I think we all need to talk."

Marik shoved a piece of potato into his mouth. "About?"

"What we're going to do about this."

Ryou shot Marik a questioning look. "About what?"

Marik put down his fork and sighed. "Ryou, first of all, I apologize for what I did to you." Marik took Ryou's hand and kissed it. "I'm very sorry for doing that to you."

Ryou looked down and his hand started to tremble. "It's ok, Marik."

"No. It scared you. That doesn't make it ok. I'm serious, Tenshi Ryou. I'm very sorry."

Ryou nodded. "I accept your apology, then."

Marik kept his grip on Ryou's hand. "Ryou, I lost my job today."

Ryou's eyes went wide. "What?!"

"I lost my job. I was fired."

Malik rolled his eyes. "Perfect, yami. What are we going to do now? Food? Medicine? These things don't pay for themselves."

Ryou sighed. "We'll be ok for now. We have food. We have snacks for the kids." Ryou went over to check the medicine cabinet. He and Aten had plenty of heart medication. Though he noticed Aten's stomach medicine was running low. Where would they get extra?

"Seto has some spare medication. He may even have extra stomach pills for Aten." Ryou dialed Seto's phone number. "Hello, Seto? I was wondering if you have any spare medication for Aten….stomach medication….ok. I'll hold. Sure I would love to talk to him…Hello, Hayden! How are you? Good?.....You and daddy are coloring?....O, he gave you permission to color with him, huh? Wow…lucky boy!...Bye, Hayden….You have some more? Good…Can we come over tomorrow to grab some?...Why? We'll talk tomorrow, Seto. Ok…Around noon, then. Bye!" Ryou hung up the phone. "Seto has more heart and stomach medication for Aten. We'll pick it up tomorrow around noon."

Ryou wrapped his arms around Marik from behind. "We'll be ok, Marik. Isis' money pays for the rent and utilities. We always have some money left over for food."

"Not much, though."

Ryou hugged Marik. "We have some money saved up. We'll just have to watch every penny we spend. Aria won't have her chocolate chip cookies all the time. She'll have to make her candy last a while. We will be fine," Ryou planted a kiss on Marik's cheek. We won't starve and we do have some medicine left."

Ryou looked up to Bakura and the yami nodded.

"Let's go, Malik."

Malik and Bakura left and Ryou kneeled in front of Marik.

Ryou looked up, stroking the face of the yami. "Marik? We're going to be ok."

Marik brought Ryou into his arms. "I have failed you."

Ryou shook his head. No, you haven't failed me."

"Yes, I have. I promised you that I would provide for our child. I promised that I would love our child."

Ryou wrapped his arm around Marik's waist. "But we do love Aten. And you do provide for him. Aten is our baby together, Marik. You and I may not be a hikari-yami pair. You are not my yami. But you know what? Aten is our common bond. We share a connection through our son that we created together. But we are both willing to do whatever it takes to provide for our child and protect him." Ryou looked down. "I sacrificed a lot to keep Aten from harm. I made many sacrifices, but you know? I'm willing to do it over…all for the love I bear my son."

Marik brushed back the hair from Ryou's face. He leaned down to kiss Ryou and Ryou placed a finger over Marik's lips.

"I can't, Marik…..I'm sorry."

Marik placed a gentle kiss on Ryou's forehead. "I'm sorry, tenshi."

Ryou kissed Marik's neck. "I know. We'll be ok, Marik."

Ryou stood up and left the room. Marik sat at the kitchen table and buried his face in his hands. "What do I do?"

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

The next morning, Bakura cuddled close to Ryou's naked body. He wrapped an arm around Ryou's chest, pulling him closer. Ryou turned his head and wrapped his arm around to stroke Bakura's white, spiky mane.

"Morning, love," Bakura said kissing Ryou's ear.

Ryou sighed in contentment and smiled. "Morning, my love."

Bakura took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of blueberries from Ryou's shampoo. He buried his face in the tuft of smooth, white, soft, blueberry-scented hair and nuzzled it.

The yami's hands glided across his lover's soft skin, indulging in the warmth and tenderness of the flesh below.

"I love it when you touch me, yami," Ryou whispered.

Bakura let out a tiny moan. "I love you so much, Ryou. So beautiful."

Ryou looked up at the curtain and saw the first rays of morning shining through. "Yami, we're going to miss the sunrise."

Bakura gave one final kiss. "I'll go get set up." Bakura slid out of the bed, the first light of the day illuminating Bakura's thin, naked body. Ryou smiled as he looked at the sculpted back. It wasn't muscular, but it wasn't weak. Bakura's white hair turned color in the light. His long hair fell around his shoulders and down his back, creating almost a rainfall of silver.

His yami's spine was clearly defined, leading a trail down to his hard, strong buttocks.

Ryou held his breath as he admired his yami's body. Since he had returned home from the hospital after his suicide attempt, he had never really looked at Bakura….really, really looked.

Bakura had been so protective and caring the night before, he couldn't help but think how lucky he was.

Bakura placed a kiss on Ryou's lips. "I'll be waiting, love."

Bakura descended the stairs and found Marik sitting on the couch. As he approached, the other yami stared blankly ahead of him with bloodshot eyes and a cold cup of coffee in his hand.

"Marik? What are you doing? You look like crap."

Marik looked up at Bakura. "I couldn't sleep. I was up all night sitting here."

Bakura placed his hand on Marik's blond hair. "We said last night that we will work through this, Marik."

"I know we did, but I was feeling guilty and besides, this Ra-forsaken, ill-gotten hangover gave me a pounding headache."

Ryou came down the steps and sat beside Marik. "What are you doing up, Marik?"

Marik talked to Ryou and sighed. "You want to watch the sunrise. I can go now."

"No, Marik. Would you like to watch the sunrise with us?"

Marik stared at Ryou in disbelief. "You want me…..to stay…with you?"

Ryou nodded. "Stay with us and watch the sunrise."

Bakura pulled back the curtains and poured himself some coffee and made Ryou's tea. Ryou covered himself and Marik with a blanket. Bakura returned and cuddled on Marik's opposite side.

The two white-haired boys put their heads on Marik's shoulders, cuddling up to Marik as close as possible.

Both boys gave a contented sigh.

Malik stepped down the top of the stairs and looked down at the three boys cuddled up on the couch. He gave a sadistic grin. //Isn't that sweet….// Bakura and Ryou lifted their heads and each kissed Marik on the cheek. //I'm going to have to put a stop to this.//

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

Aria ran up the steps of KaibaCorp squealing happily. "I'm coming, Unkie Seto!!"

Aten climbed the steps slowly. Ryou held onto his hand, refusing his father's hand with a whimper. Bakura held his other hand as they climbed. Aria was jumping up and down with excitement as they approached.

"We're gonna see Unkie Seto! He'll give me M's! I want M's!"

Marik took Aria's hand and lead her inside. Malik grinned as he examined the first floor of KaibaCorp. The Security desk was positioned by the elevator. A large Blue Eyes White Dragon statue stood in the middle of the lobby. A cafeteria was to the right and a fountain surrounded by plants was nearby.

The group went to the Security desk. "We're here to see Seto Kaiba," Ryou said holding Aten.

Aria put her hands on the desk and tried to pull herself up. The guard looked down and all he saw were a pair of brown eyes and Aria's two batwing spikes decorated with pink bows.

"Hewwo, Mister Securty Man!"

"Hello, Princess Aria! You come to see your Uncle Seto, right?"

Aria nodded and jumped up and down. "Yes! Are you working?"

"Working hard, princess."

Aria held up a tiny hand over the desk. "Do you have any candy?"

The security man scratched his chin pensively. "It's going to cost you, little missy."

Aria squealed and stepped back so the guard could see her. She began to sing, "I'm a little teapot, short and stout! Here is my handle, here is my spout. When I get all steamed up, hear me shout! Tip me over and pour me out!"

The guard smiled and clapped. "Here you go," the guard said handing Aria a green lollipop. "Do you want one, Master Aten?"

Aten nodded and took the cherry lollipop. "Tankoo."

"Thank you, Mister Securty Man!"

"You folks can go up now."

Ryou lead the group to the elevator and out when they reached the top floor. Seto lived with Joey, their adopted son, Hayden, and Mokuba on the top floor.

Aria darted for Seto's office. Seto stood up and leaned down. He grabbed her and squished her against his chest.
"How is my little girl?"

"I'm here, Unkie Seto! I want M's! I want M's!"

Seto grabbed a bag of M&M's and handed it to Aria. "Why don't you and Aten go play, but stay out of my room, okay? I have to talk to your mommies and daddies."

"Okay," Aria pouted and she followed Aten out of the room.

Seto sat behind his desk and grabbed two bottles of medication out of his desk.

"I hope this helps, but I have to wonder why you need these now."

Malik crossed his arms and glared down at his yami. "My yami lost his job!"

Ryou took Marik's hand and leered at Malik.

"What happened, Marik?"

Marik clenched his fists. "I was fired because some woman couldn't control her brats!"

Seto sighed and leaned back, crossing his legs on the desk. "Look, Marik. I want to help any way I can. You know, I am looking for someone to become Head of Public Relations. All I'd need is a fingerprint and I can forge a birth certificate and a resume for you."

"No, thank you, moneybags."

"But, I managed to forge birth certificates for Aria and Aten, didn't I?"

Marik shook his head. "I can't ask you to do that for me, Seto. You've already done enough for Ryou and Aten. No. Aten is my responsibility. Ryou is also my responsibility as mother of my child. Everyone depends on me and as much as I would like to take advantage of your offer, I can't."

Seto held out his hands. "But, your problems will be taken care of! You'll have work! You'll get money! Marik, your pride is not going to feed your family."

Marik folded his arms defiantly. "Seto, I cannot take handouts and I refuse to be a charity-case!"

Seto rolled his eyes and scratched his hair, becoming frustrated. "Ok. How about if I pay for Ryou and Aten's medication?"

Marik stood up and began to pace. "That's the same issue! Seto, I cannot accept your offer! I have a family to care for! If I get a job, I want to get it with my own merits."

Seto removed his legs from the desk. "And what job can a five thousand year old spirit hold?"

"Hey, I can hold lots of jobs!"

Malik snickered. "Yeah, you can hold your jobs, yami, but all you do it drop them after a little bit! You quit the Happy Fun Burger!"

Marik turned snarling at Malik. "You try asking people if they want Silly Happy Fun Fries for nine hours straight!"

"At last I would have a job doing it!" Malik screamed.

"It's not my fault, hikari!"

"It's never your fault, yami! Just like the time I couldn't walk for three days because all you did was fuck me until I was sore! It wasn't your fault then, wasn't it, yami?!"

Ryou and Bakura stared wide-eyed at the fighting couple.

Seto rubbed his forehead. "ENOUGH! Marik, my offer still stands."

Malik stamped out of the room. Marik, Ryou, and Bakura sighed in relief.

"I wonder what's gotten into him," Bakura said suspiciously.

Seto shrugged. "Maybe he's still upset about last week when he was at Joey's dad's house. Joey told me what happened there."

Ryou looked at Seto. "He never talked to us about it. I don't know anything about when he was there."

"Joey's dad forced Malik and Joey to have sex. But, Marik stopped him. Joey and Malik didn't get very far. Joey still feels guilty about touching Malik that way."

"Is the pup doing any better?" Bakura asked folding his arms.

"He's a little better. He's still very sore from when I found him with his dad. It took me four days to convince him to get out of bed. This morning was the first time he left the room."

"What was he doing in the room for that time?"

Seto scratched his head. "Hayden stayed with him. You know, I don't know how this is possible, but I think Hayden can sense what is wrong with Joey. We told him nothing about the circumstances surrounding me finding him. But Hayden did not leave Joey's side. One afternoon, I found Hayden cuddled up to Joey. Both of them were asleep. But, I think Hayden knows, even if we haven't told him anything."

Ryou shook his head. "Kids can be very perceptive, Seto. You didn't have to tell him anything. Hayden probably knows even without you saying a word."

Marik sighed. "At least Hayden is adjusting."

Seto shook his head. "He's adjusting to Joey. Not to me. He still has nightmares, still insists on sitting in the corner in the library, and still calls me 'Mr. Kaiba.' Hayden still asks permission to do everything. Even though the other day," Seto began to laugh, "The other day I caught him playing with his racing cars in his room. He made a huge racetrack in the middle of the floor out of a track set I have him. He raced two cars and he was giving a second by second description about the cars and their drivers. He had no idea I was standing outside his door laughing my ass off. I'm getting him a remote-controlled racecar for the holidays."

"He'll like that. What do you want him to get you?"

Seto's smile disintegrated and his shoulders sagged. "The only thing I want more than anything else in the world, is for Hayden to call me 'Father.'"

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

Malik walked down the hallway and saw Joey standing at a large window and looking down at the city. He was dressed in a bathrobe and his hand was placed against the window.

"You're still out there, aren't you..," Joey whispered.

Malik grinned. //You still afraid of daddy dearest coming for you, hmmm? Your daddy will be here soon enough, Joey Wheeler.//

Joey heard footsteps beside him and he jumped.

"MALIK! Geeze…man, don't sneak up behind me like that!"

"Sorry, Joey," Malik smiled. "I didn't mean to scare you. Who were you talking about?"

Joey began turning red. "Umm…no one. How are you doing?" Joey asked avoiding Malik's eyes.

"Can't complain. I wonder if you've seen the kids."

Joey turned away. "They went down the hall. I think Hayden and Aten are in Hayden's room. Aria? I have no idea where she is." Joey's attention turned back to the window.

Malik walked down the hallway, turned the corner, and stopped in front of a door. He turned and growled. //I sense Shadow Powers behind this door.//

Malik turned the knob and peeked inside. Aria was standing looking up at a safe scratching her head.

//Her Shadow Powers must be abundant if I can sense her as strongly as I did! She poses a problem. Aten may not be the only sacrifice the Unfaithful Guardian and myself have to perform. This girl may also have to be put to death.//

Malik approached Aria and kneeled beside her.

"What's the problem, sweetheart?"

"Unkie Seto's toys are up there, but the last time I tried to get into it, Unkie Seto caught me. I wanna be a good teef like my daddy. But, I don't now how to get past the loud noise that sounds when I touch the safe."

"What kind of toys are in there?"

Aria smiled and jumped up and down excitedly. "My sword is in there! And the dancing egg…and the leather bracelet…and the ebidel stuff that tastes really good! And the rope…and the handcuffs…all that is in there! That's where the fun toys are!"

"I can help you, sweetheart. I can disable the system."

Aria's eyes lit up. "You can?"

Malik grinned. "I'll do anything to make sure my little girl has a good time."

Aria wrapped her arms around Malik. "Thank you, Mommy Mawik!"

Malik hugged her back. //This child is healthy and strong. But, she'll never escape her fate.//

Malik placed his hands on the safe and turned to her. "Go get your brother and Hayden. I can open this for you."

"That kid? That kid likes to play with these toys, too?"

Malik grinned. "'That kid?'. You don't like Hayden, do you?"

"He's trying to steal my Unkie Seto away from me!"

"Oh. I know he is. He wants to take Seto away from you because Hayden is more special to him now."

Aria looked up at Malik, her lip quivering. "He is more special to Unkie Seto now?"

Malik nodded. "If you chase Hayden away with these toys, he won't bother your Unkie Seto anymore. Seto would love you if you did this. Hayden will leave and then you will have Seto to yourself. Don't tell Hayden what is in this safe. Let it be a surprise. Ok?"

Aria nodded. "I didn't know he hated these toys," she said with a grin on her face. She gave a twisted little chuckle.

"And don't let anyone know that I opened this for you. This is our secret. Ok?"

"Ok!" Aria ran out of the room. She ran down the hall to Hayden's room where Aten and Hayden were talking on the floor.

Hayden stiffened when she ran into the room. Aria always snarled at him and tried to bite him a few times.

"Kid! Aten! I found some really neat toys we can play with!"

Aten stood up smiling. "Tush ass?" (Translation: Such as?)

"Follow me! It's a surprise!"

Aten turned to Hayden. "Tum on, Aiden. Wet's tee what my tisser finded."

Hayden hesitantly got to his feet and followed, wondering why he was following the white, spiky haired girl.

Hayden and Aten followed her to Seto's bedroom and Hayden stopped short.

"I can't go in there without asking permission," Hayden said, his voice quivering. "That's an adult's room."

"But I have something fun inside! You will really, really, really like it!"

Hayden grabbed Aten's hand. "I'm not going in there without Aten," he said nervously.

"Great! Come on in!"

Aria lead the other two kids in the room. Malik had disappeared.

Aria ran to the safe, but couldn't reach it. "Hey, kid! Move the chair so I can reach!"

Hayden quivered nervously. His uncle's voice in the back of his mind. [You touch anything or anyone without my permission, and you'll be beaten within an inch of your life, slut!] He knew better to make Aria angry. If he did what she said, she wouldn't yell or snarl at him like the big, angry dog at his uncle's house.

He moved the chair and Aria jumped up on it. She cracked the safe. The code was easy….15 Left………25 Right……..17 Left.

Aria smiled as the lock clicked. She opened it up and squealed.

"SQUEEEE!!! TIPPIE!"

Aten looked up curiously. "What's in dere, Awia?"

"THIS!" Aria said pulling out the vibrator and holding it high. "You like playing with this toy, kid?" Aria's eyes went dark and she grinned, showing her canines.

Hayden and Aten's eyes opened wide and they both stepped back. Their lower lips were trembling and their bodies quaked. Aria reached in and grabbed the cock ring. "My bracelet!"

Aria reached into the safe. "OO! A new toy! It's squishy and it looks like something funny!"

Aria grabbed the three toys and jumped off the chair. Aten gave a whimper as he looked at the realistic dildo in her hand.

"Unkie Seto din't have this before!" she exclaimed as she looked at it.

Hayden's breathing became rapid and he began to cry. "No….."

Aria saw that Hayden was afraid and she smiled. She held out the dildo to Hayden. "This looks like fun! Wanna play, kid?"

Aten let out a shriek and Hayden gave another whimper.

"I thought you liked playing with this, kid!" Aria turned on the vibrator and Hayden screamed.

Aria darted after Hayden, but Aten jumped in her way.

"Here I come, kid!" Aria growled angrily.

"No, Awia! I no wet you tare Aiden!"

Aria growled and tried to dart around Aten, but he once again put himself in her way. Aria clenched her fists and the Sennen Eye came out. Aria raised her hand and slapped her brother. Hayden was almost to the door. She stepped over Aten, but he grabbed her ankle. "No, tisser! No hurt Aiden!"

Aten pulled her ankle and she kicked not caring where her foot landed. Aten immediately released her and she dropped the dildo in front of Aten's face. She got back on her feet and chased Hayden with the other toy in her hand. Hayden ran down the hall and saw Joey.

"Daaaaaaaaaadddddddddyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!! Make him stop! Make him stop! Make him stop!!!!!"

Joey looked down and saw Aria running with the vibrator turned on full speed. Hayden ran into Joey's arms. Aria stopped and the Sennen Eye vanished.

Marik burst through Seto's office door, hearing a child's scream. Hayden was up in Joey's arms screeching and shrieking. Seto, Ryou, Bakura, and Marik ran down the hall to see Aria standing with Joey and Hayden holding the vibrator.

Seto grabbed it angrily out of her hands. "Where did you find this, Aria?"

"Your safe!"

Bakura grabbed Aria by the back of her dress and growled angrily. "Whatever possessed you to do this? THIS of all things!"

Marik's heart rose into his chest. If Aten saw this toy, maybe he was in the same state as Hayden! "Aten! ATEN!"

Nothing.

"Where is your brother, Aria Kanika?" Ryou asked angrily. Aria narrowed her eyes and her hair twitched at her mother.

Bakura growled. "Don't you twitch your hair at your mother, little missy! Where is your brother?"

"In the room with the toys," Aria said angrily.

Ryou, Seto, and Marik ran for Seto's bedroom. Marik and Seto held their breath knowing what they may see. On the floor, they saw the cock ring, the bottle of edible massage oil, and a realistic-looking dildo.

Aten was no where to be found.

"Aten? Aten? Aten!" Marik said looking in all the corners and under the bed.

Seto ran out into the hallway and saw Joey standing with Hayden with a blank stare on his face. [Oh crap…..not again!] Seto ran up to Joey and waved a hand in front of his face. No response.

"Damn it! Aria, was Aten still in the room when you left?"

Aria folded her arms and pouted. "Yes!"

Bakura growled. "Uncross your arms, chibi yami! Isn't Aten in there?"

"No, he doesn't seem to be in there!"

Seto reached out for Hayden. "Son, come to me."

Hayden buried his face in Joey's neck and shook his head, weeping.

Seto took Joey's arm and lead him to the bedroom. "Love? Please talk to me."

Joey looked straight ahead. His eyes didn't move nor blink.

Ryou stepped beside him. "What's wrong with him?"

Seto growled. "We were making such progress! I went out and I bought that new toy because Joey wanted me to! He was doing so well with everything! I don't know why he's acting like this."

Seto put Joey on the bed and let him sit there. He went to place the toys back in the safe when his eyes went to the new toy. Marik, Bakura and Seto exchanged worried glances. If Aten saw this…..

Ryou ran around the room, his body quaking with his son's disappearance. "Aten? Aten? He's gone!"

Seto ran to the security phone and the Chief of Security answered. "Mr. Kaiba?"

"Lock down the building, Cooper. Aten Bakari Ishtar is missing and I want no one to enter or leave this building until he is found."

"Yes, sir."

Ryou ran to Marik. "What are we going to do?"

"Where's my hikari? Where's Malik?"

Seto turned to Aria. "I am very disappointed in you, young lady. Bakura, give her to me. You guys search this floor. I'll join you."

Seto carried Aria under his arm, letting her arms and legs dangle. He didn't say one word to her as he took her to his office. Seto put her in one of the chairs in front of her desk.

"You will sit here and you will not move until I get back. If I find that you left this seat for whatever reason, you will be in more trouble than you are right now."

Aria lowered her head and nodded. When Seto left, she crossed her arms and glared at the pencil holder. The Sennen Eye appeared on her forehead. She was so angry, she didn't even notice the pencil holder vanish.

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

Seto joined in the search for the missing boy. Marik found Malik in the library reading a book.

"Malik, Aten's gone missing! You have to help us find him."

"Missing?" Malik mocked concern. "Oh dear. What happened?"

"Aria chased Hayden with a sex toy and we found a dildo lying in the middle of Seto's bedroom. We don't know what happened. Hayden isn't talking and the pup is in a state of shock."

Malik gave a little snicker. "Ok. I guess I'll help."

Marik searched the library and found nothing. When he left the library, he found Bakura.

"Aten's no where on this floor. We searched everywhere."

"We have everyone in this building looking for him. He can't go far."

Ryou searched on the floor below next. Desks, offices, filing cabinets, corners all became potential hiding places for the thin little boy. Ryou stopped against a wall gripping his chest. He panted heavily worrying for the safety of his child.

One of the security guards came up to Ryou. "We'll find your son."

Ryou covered his face with his hands. "Aten…..where are you?"

The security guard's phone sounded. "The child has been found. 39th floor. Office 3908."

Ryou looked beside him. The office was 3956. Ryou ran down the hallway ignoring the stabbing pains shooting through his chest cavity. "Aten…."

Ryou ran to the room with sweat pouring off of him. A security guard was sitting beside a storage cabinet. Ryou looked inside and saw Aten sitting with his knees drawn up to his chin. His eyes were clenched tightly and his body shook.

"Aten?" Ryou asked kneeling down to his son. "Aten, it's mommy."

Aten opened his eyes. "I taw dat bifore………..it tared me."

"Saw what, honey?"

Aten shook his head. "It urt."

"What scared you? What hurt? Sweetheart, talk to me."

Aten reached out for Ryou. "Want ug, mommy."

Ryou picked Aten up in his arms. "I love you, baby. Why did you disappear like that?"

"Tared me….."

"What scared you?"

Aten buried his face in Ryou's chest. "No wet doe of me, mommy."

Ryou rocked the boy. "I won't let you go, baby boy. Your father is very worried about you."

Aten looked up at his mother. "He is?"

"Yes. Of course he is! He's your father! He thinks about you all the time!"

Aten rubbed his chest and Ryou lifted his shirt slightly to see a bruise on his chest.

"Aten, how did you get this?"

"Awia ticked me over de heart."

Ryou cuddled him quietly, rocking him. Aten blinked and cuddled into Ryou's chest quietly.

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

Seto returned to Joey, who panted cuddling Hayden by his chest.

"Joey?" Seto whispered kneeling in front of Joey. "Joseph? Beloved? Can you hear me?"

Seto reached up to touch Joey's face and he flinched.

"What did I do?" Joey asked quickly.

"Nothing. I wanted to see if you were feeling better."

Joey nodded slowly. "I don't know what happened. I kinda…..froze. I'm sorry."

"No apologies."

Seto looked down to Hayden. "Son? Are you ok?"

"I…….I want……."

"What do you want, Hayden?"

Hayden curled up into a tiny ball. "May I please go back to my room, Mr. Kaiba?"

"Sure you can, Hayden. But, I want to come in later and just talk. Ok?"

Hayden gave a shiver. "If that is what you want, sir."

Joey waited for Hayden to jump off his leg, but he didn't move. "Hayden?"

"I cannot walk, sir," Hayden whimpered. "I'm so sorry….."

Seto sighed. The kid was too scared to move. "Joey, can you take him to his room and let him relax?"

"Mr. Kaiba, sir?"

"Yes, Hayden?"

Hayden bit his lip. "Could you stand in the corner over there?"

"Why?"

"Because……I don't want you to get angry at me for not being able to walk."

Seto shook his head. "I'm not angry, Hayden."

Hayden buried his face in Joey's shirt. "Don't hurt me, Mr. Kaiba."

Seto sighed and backed away to allow Joey to leave the room. Seto gripped his hair and tugged at it. He tried to have patience! He had tried so hard to help Hayden! Hayden was doing much better! Joey was doing much better! But now Aria had to ruin it! Seto stamped over to the security phone.

"Mr. Kaiba?"

"Get someone up here and change the god-damned combination to the safe for the tenth time! And I want the locks changed to my bedroom! NOW!"

Seto slammed down the phone and growled back to his office.

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

Malik sat on the couch behind everybody. Aria was sitting on the chair in front of Seto's desk.

Seto arrived and sat in his chair. "Aria. Do you know why you are in trouble?"

"I didn't want you to be taken away from me, Unkie Seto!"

"Aria, I told you that I do not love you any less because I have Hayden! What do I have to do to prove that?"

"Get rid of him!"

"No," Seto said crossing his arms. "I am not giving Hayden up. I thought that we had gone through this nonsense before! Aria, I love you. But, I have to admit that I am very disappointed in you. You not only hurt Hayden, you hurt Unkie Puppy, you hurt your brother, and you scared your parents. You hurt a lot of people today, Aria."

Ryou looked over at his shoulder. Aten was still awake with his arms wrapped around Ryou's neck. Little brown and purple eyes looked up sadly at him.

"There was no need to do what you did, Aria. We are going home right now and you are going straight to your room," Ryou said taking her hand.

Malik suppressed a chuckle as he watched Ryou carry a whimpering chibi in his arms and hold the hand of the furious girl.

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

They drove home and found Robbie sitting on their front step. When he saw the family car pull into the driveway, He stood up happily.

Ryou got out of the car. "Robbie? What are you doing here?"

"My mommy said I could take Aten over my house to play."

Ryou looked behind him to see Aria sitting in her carseat pouting. "Let me ask him. He just had a big scare at his uncle's place."

Robbie gasped. "His butt didn't fall off, did it???!!!"

Ryou needed a little chuckle after the incident at KaibaCorp. "No. He just had a little scare. Let me ask him."

Ryou went around to the other side of the car and unlocked Aten's buckle. Aten walked on the ground rubbing his eye.

"Wobbie?" he asked sadly.

"Aten? Have you been crying?"

Aten sniffled. "No."

"My mommy said you can come over to play and for dinner. Do you want to come over?"

Aten looked up at Ryou and wrapped his arms weakly around his mother's leg. "Can I go pway wif Wobbie?"

Ryou looked at Robbie with folded hands.. "Pleaaaaaaaaasseeeeeeeeeeeeee??????????" Robbie's blue chibi eyes pleaded desperately.

"Ok. Someone will go pick you up after dinner so you can get your bath."

Aten smiled and rubbed his cheek against Ryou's pants. Ryou stroked the child's hair. "Just have fun, sweetheart."

Aten nodded. "I will, mommy. And I will be weawwy, weawwy good!"

Ryou watched Aten and Robbie walk up the street. They only lived a few houses away, so Ryou was able to see if they got to the house. Aria was taken into the house and carried up the stairs by her father. Bakura put her in her room.

"You will stay in here until dinnertime and I will hear no arguments, little missy! You were bad today."

"But dadddyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!"

"No 'buts', Aria Kanika! I will admit that there are times where cruelty is called-for. What you did today was cruel….needlessly cruel. And I don't want my daughter to be needlessly cruel to others."

"So you are mad?"

"I am angry and disappointed. But I do not love you any less. You are my child, my offspring. You are my flesh and blood. But, I do not know the little girl who tormented Hayden this afternoon. That little girl was not my child. I want my child back, Aria. I want the little girl that I love. When I come back later, I hope she is here."

Bakura shut the door. Aria growled at the door and sulked. She sat on her bed and looked at her pink bunny plushie. The Sennen Eye appeared on her forehead and the plushie disappeared.

"I'll show you someday, daddy….I'll show you real good!"

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