Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Hostile Takeover ❯ First Kiss ( Chapter 40 )

IYYASHI: No, Aten won't take anything after this. Nothing major, anyway.

Shadow of Light: Oh, Aten loves this visitor.

Ryou's Mistress: it seemed to fit Ryou's state of mind at the time.

Lady Elfskye: Yeah, that song is a powerful one, and so appropriate.

star: this is why I do responses. Readers periodically have questions or some good comments I can respond with.

Maruken: No, It's not Anzu. No, Aten doesn't snap Marik out. Ryou does.

Amane Bakura: Dragondreamer Yami dragon also does Tristan fics. My wife gave him a haircut. All of her fics have Tristan in them and she does a very good job. So, if you love tris, read her stuff!

bakachibi voidfox: Aten will get better eventually. *kicks Aku*

Crazykins: Steven is nothing but a sick bastard. When he first showed up in "The fall of icarus" I didn't know he'd go as far as he did.

joeyrules: It's ok. I look forward to your reviews as well as everyone else's.

Mystical dragon: I said Anzu wasn't the visitor. I can't do that to poor Aten.

Valea: I hope your dog is okay. As far as the hospital, ouchies. I'm glad you're better though.

Malik Lover and Bakurasgirl worshipper: Malik would have been the father if he wasn't hit in the goodies with the golf ball. I was planning on a foursome, but, I had to get one of them out of commission so to speak. Instead, I picked Marik.

First Kiss

Ryou watched as Aten twitched in his sleep. Aten clutched his monkey tightly and began crying in his sleep. Otogi sat at the foot of Aten's bed and rubbed the boy's leg. Ryou stroked Aten's hair as the boy's tears fell, saturating the pillow.

"Aten?"

"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy Mawik! Wet me doe!"

//I KNEW IT! THAT SLEAZY, RA-FORSAKEN BASTARD!//

Otogi looked up at Ryou. "I should have known!"

Aten started struggling out of his blankets. His arms and legs thrashed. "We me doe! Not aden! No! Mommy Mawik, dat urts!"

Ryou grasped Aten's shoulders and nudged him gently. "Aten, wake up, baby boy!"

Aten's brown and purple eyes shot open. A loud sob came from him as he reached around to his back. "My bat urts!"

Otogi reached for the buzzer to call the nurse. When the nurse came running, Aten was turning red from crying so hard.

"Give him something for the pain," Ryou pleaded.

The nurse left and returned a few minutes later with an epidural. "Aten, I need you to lay on your side."

Ryou took Aten's hand. "This will get rid of your pain, baby."

The nurse administered the epidural to the child's lower back without complaint from the patient. Aten's body relaxed.

"Just give it a few minutes to work."

Ryou stroked Aten's cheek gently.

"Wat dis do?"

"It will numb you so you don't feel any pain."

Otogi looked down and saw "MINE" tattooed on the chibi's small back.

Aten laid on his side quietly looking into his mother's eyes. "Mommy….I wuff you."

Ryou leaned down and kissed Aten's cheek. "I love you, my angel."

Ryou sat up and reached for the phone. He called home and Tristan answered.

[Hello?]

"Tristan? How is Aria?"

[Aria! NO! Come here! She's fine.]

"What is she doing?"

[She's running around naked and I can't catch her to get her dress on!]

"Bring her to the hospital, Tristan. We're in room 406 in the children's wing of the hospital."

[SQUEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! HI, MOMMY!]

"Aria, sweetheart, let Uncle Tristan dress you and feed you breakfast. Then you can come see your brother."

Aten reached out his hand to Ryou. "I wan tall to my tisser, mommy."

Ryou handed Aten the phone.

"Awia?"

[Hi, Aten. Are you feeling bedder?]

"Awia, I mits you. Tan you tum tee me?"

[I'll be there, Aten! I'm nakkie right now! But when I get dressed, I'll be there!]

"Wuff you, Awia."

[Love you, Aten!]

"Awia? Tan you tell Wobbie to tum tee me, too?"

[I'll tell Robbie you're there, Aten!]

"Tankoo, Awia."

[Let me talk to your mother, Aten.]

Aten gave the phone back to Ryou.

[I'll have her over there shortly.]

Aten's eyes widened in horror. "Mommy! I can't feel my bum!"

[Okay….that's my cue to leave. Bye!]

Ryou hung up the phone. "It's ok, Aten. The epidural makes you not able to feel parts of your body. It's alright."

Aten started to whimper. "I no wan my bum to fall off! Unkie Togi! Iss my bum still dere?"

Otogi lifted the blanket and saw what the doctors had seen. Tiny bruises speckled his hips. His wrists and ankles were black and blue.

Aten's entire body was covered in tiny cuts. Otogi put down the blanket.

"Yeah Aten. Your bum is still there."

The nurse came in with Aten's breakfast. "Sit up for your breakfast, honey."

Aten shook his head. "My bum urts too mush to sit."

The nurse leaned down. "Well, aren't you the cutest little thing! What's your name?"

"Aten Bakari Ishtar Ibn Mawik."

"Are you hungry, Aten?"

Aten looked down sadly. "I dess doe."

Ryou removed the blanket on Aten. "I'll take care of him, nurse. I have to change his diaper." Ryou removed his old diaper. Ryou and Otogi looked at Aten's injured bottom. Ryou cleaned Aten's injuries carefully. Otogi didn't know how Ryou could clean Aten without getting sick or breaking into tears. Then it occurred to Otogi that Ryou gave birth to Aten. Very little would scare Ryou.

Ryou replaced the diaper and kissed Aten on his belly. "Who's my baby?"

Aten smiled and giggled. Ryou pulled back and Aten tried to turn himself on his stomach.

"You can sit up and eat, sweetheart," Ryou said sitting Aten up in the bed.

"I till no feel my bum, mommy!"

"That's the epidural, baby," Ryou said opening Aten's container of applesauce.

Aten took the spoon and dug it into the applesauce. He put the spoonful of food into his mouth and licked his lips. "Me so hungey! I no eat in a wong tine!"

Ryou looked at the container of orange juice and pulled out a dollar from his pocket. "Otogi, can you go to the cafeteria and get a bottle of apple juice. Aten can't have the orange juice with his bad stomach."

Otogi left as Aten made yummy sounds eating his applesauce.

"I wuff attlesauze! So yumny!"

Zira came in with his clipboard. "I just came in to check on my littlest patient at the moment. How are you, Aten?"

"Dotor? I no tan feel my bum!"

Ryou rubbed the chibi's back. "He had to have an epidural. His injury was hurting him."

Zira put the clipboard down on the bed. "Aten, can I look at your back?"

Aten put down his spoon and looked up at Zira. "Pomise you no urt me, Siwa?"

"I promise not to hurt you. Ryou, can you hold Aten's hand?"

Ryou held Aten's hand as Otogi returned with the apple juice. Zira brushed Aten's hair to the side to inspect the word tattooed on Aten's back.

"Does it hurt, Aten?"

"Yes, sir. It urts awot."

Zira reached into his pocket and brought out some children's chewable Tylenol. "After your breakfast, Aten, chew these and swallow them. They'll help you with the pain."

"Otay."

Ryou looked at Aten's back red and swollen. "How does it look, doctor?"

"That word is on his back permanently. We could try to remove it, but it won't be a guarantee that it will be removed completely."

Otogi went around and looked at the tattoo. "Ouch, little man! That looks like it hurts!"

Aten picked up his spoon and shoveled another spoonful of applesauce into his mouth. He nodded. "It tuzz, Unkie Togi."

Zira looked closer at the boy's spine. "Whoever did this was careful to miss his spinal cord. The tattoo covers his entire left half of his back from the shoulder blade to the hip. Removal would be a very painful and costly process."

Zira released Aten's hair and it fell. Zira sat on the bed with his clipboard. Ryou lifted up the lid on the food tray. Otogi opened up the bottle of apple juice and poured it into a cup. Aten picked up the cup of juice and gulped it hungrily.

"Aten, can you tell me where you were?"

Bakura listened in his soulroom intently. Ryou sat on the bed and Otogi stood at the foot of the bed.

"I wass in a pace dat wass told and tilly." Aten licked his lips free of juice. He wiped his mouth. "I taw my danfatter."

Ryou's eyes widened. "My daddy? Aten? Your grandfather is dead."

//I KILLED THAT SON OF A BITCH MYSELF! I MUMMIFIED HIM ALIVE! WE PIERCED HIM THROUGH A METAL SPIKE! WE……oh my god! SHIT!//

/Yami? What's wrong?/

//Steven's back.//

/How can he be?!/

//…………//

/YAMI!/

//Marik and I went out and dug him up. We carved curses into his back, impaled him on a metal spike in the graveyard, and sent his soul to the Shadow Realm never to return to the real world.//

/You WHAT?!/

//Marik and I heard what he did to Aten and we cursed him to the Shadow Realm. We couldn't let him go unpunished.//

/So, in other words, if my father wasn't alive again, Aten would not have been put through this. Next time you and he decide to go and dig up another one of my relatives, please consult me before you bring back their soul from the dead./

//Yes, Ryou.//

Aten put down his cup and wrapped his arms around himself protectively.

"I taw him. He tut my bat and…..and…..he tut my bat."

Zira took Aten's hand and he let out a little shriek. Aten pulled away quickly.

"Peas no tush me, Siwa."

"Why not? Did your grandfather touch you, Aten?"

Aten hung his head low. Zira couldn't see his eyes hidden behind his white and blond hair. "No," he whispered. "Siwa tush is man tush. Man tush hurt."

"Your mommy is a man, Aten. I'm your doctor. I wouldn't hurt you."

Aten sniffled. "Mommy tush is mommy tush. Siwa tush man tush."

Zira nodded. "Ok, Aten. I just wanted to know. We won't discuss this any further. I want you to eat your breakfast now."

"Siwa? Wa if my danfatter tums bat for me?"

Zira took Aten's hand gently. "He won't come back for you, Aten. Your mommy and Otogi are here for you."

Aten looked up with big chibi eyes. "I no wan eat."

Zira took the napkin and dabbed the side of Aten's face. "Now, son, if you don't eat, you can't get better."

Ryou looked up at Zira. "He's a little scared, doctor. I'll stay with him."

"Ok. I'll be by later to check up on you, Aten."

Zira left and Aten relaxed a little. Aten licked his lips as he looked at the plate of eggs before him. His stomach growled ravenously. He hadn't eaten for three days.

Otogi picked up the juice. "Have a little more juice, little man."

Ryou poked at the eggs with a fork. "Have a little eggs, sweetheart. Then you can have something to help with the pain in your back."

Aten's face contorted in sadness and he let out a choked sob.

"Oh, honey," Ryou said pushing the food tray away and sitting beside his son.

"I twied to bite bat! I twied doe hard!"

Ryou kissed the boy's forehead. "I know you did, baby." Ryou reached for the Tylenol. "Here, honey. Take these. You had your applesauce. That should be fine for now."

Aten wrapped his arms around his mother's waist and chewed the medicine tablets. "Dey tase wike Shewwy."

Ryou looked up at Otogi tiredly. "Tristan should be here with Aria soon."

Aten wiped his eyes and smiled. "Awia's tumming. I mits my tisser."

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

Aria came in running excitedly. Tristan entered behind her obviously out of breath from trying to follow her.

"Your kid can run, Ryou," Tristan struggled to say.

Aria gripped onto the side of the hospital bed and pulled herself up as much as she could. Ryou lifted her on the bed.

"Don't move around too much, Aria."

Aria wrapped her arms around Aten and squeezed him, making him arch his back and scream. Aria jumped back as the boy fell backwards on the bed breathing heavily.

"Sorry, Aten!"

"My bat urts!"

Slowly, Aten stopped shaking as Aria whimpered in fear.

"I no mean to hurt you, Aten! I'm sorry!"

Aten sat up with Otogi's help. "S'otay, Awia." Aten sat up as another nurse came into the room to check his vital signs.

"Hello, Aten," the nurse said. "I remember you from the last time you were here! Not feeling well again?" The nurse put the stethoscope on Aten's chest. "Breathe deeply, baby." Aten breathed deeply.

Aten breathed deeply. And the nurse listened to his heart. The nurse pulled back.

"My tisser tame to tee me!"

She smiled. "You have a great sister! I have to record your weight. Think you could stand in one place for a moment for me?"

Aten nodded.

"Ok. I have to lift you." The nurse leaned down and had Aten wrap his arms around her neck. She lifted up carefully and put Aten on the scale. Aten shivered as the air hit his skin. He stood on the scale.

"Ten pounds. Height? Two feet. Did you eat your breakie this morning, Aten?"

Aten shifted uncomfortably. "No. Towwy."

"It's no problem, honey. Can you do something for me?"

"Yes?"

"Try to eat your lunch, Aten." The nurse replaced Aten on the bed and he squinted. She went to Ryou. "Make sure he eats lunch. He's underweight."

Ryou nodded. "I will."

Tristan sat by Aten. Aten laid on his right side He gave a long sigh. "Your bum hurts, little man?"

Aten nodded. "Yes." Aten looked up at Tristan. "I was tared dat my bum faw off wike Unkie Togi. I no wan my bum to faw off, Unkie Tissan."

"It won't fall off, Aten."

Aten smiled looking up at Tristan. "Dese wadies tame in and bing me my beckist! I had attlesass and attle choos! Toe good!"

Aria shifted closer to Aten and looked at his back. "What happen to your back?"

Aten bit his lip. "My danfatter tut me, Awia. It hurt..no tush!"

Aria pulled her hand away from the word and sat in front of Aten. "I tell Robbie's mommy you are here. She said she would bing Robbie over to see you."

Aten smiled and clenched his fists excitedly. "I mits Wobbie!"

Ryou smiled. "I know you do, Aten."

Tristan crossed his legs. "I found her number and called her up, so she'll be over after school."

Aten's eyes lit up. "What tine is it?! I wan to tee Wobbie!"

Otogi looked into the hall. School was letting out in thirty minutes.

"Hey, Tristan, we have to go pick up the brat."

Tristan's shoulders sagged in protest. "Oh man! Do we have to?"

Otogi let out a yawn and stretched. "Hey, man, at least you got sleep last night. Ryou and I were up with the little guy all night."

Tristan folded his arms. "True. I got some sleep, but not much. I couldn't fathom the thought of sleeping where Ryou and Bakura get….intimate."

//BITE ME, TAYLOR!//

Ryou let out a little chuckle. Tristan raised an eyebrow at Ryou. "What?"

"Nothing," Ryou snickered.

Tristan scratched his head. "Man! I really don't want to go pick up the little hellraiser!"

Otogi rolled his eyes and sighed in resignation. "Fine. I'll go, too. Then I have to go home and get some sleep before I pass out."

Tristan took Otogi's hand with a wink. "I'll get you home."

Otogi sighed. "Why do I get the distinct impression that you're taking me home for a reason other than for sleep?"

Aten reached out for Tristan. "Unkie Tissan, no mate Otogi's bum faw off! I no wan Unkie Togi's bum to feel wike mine."

Tristan shot a look at Ryou, who gave a resigned sigh and nod. Tristan pat Ryou on the back reassuringly. "It's ok, Tristan. Get Otogi home for some sleep. Thank you, Otogi, for staying with me."

"No problem, man. Bye, Aten." Otogi gave the child a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you for my money, Unkie Togi."

Otogi brushed Aten's hair back and grinned. "Anytime, little buddy."

Tristan and Otogi left and Ryou sat at the edge of the bed when Aten's lunch arrived.

Aten could not sit up, so Ryou fed him on his side. Aria talked as Aten ate. She told her mother how she ran away from Tristan when he was trying to dress her. She laughed as she told him the trials of Tristan trying to feed her.

"Unkie Tistan must no have kids."

"No, he and Otogi have no kids."

Aria shook her head. "No. That's because they no have a girl in the family! Girls make the babies! If Unkie Togi and Unkie Tistan no have a girl, they no can have a baby."

"No, they can adopt, Aria. But, you are right about them not being able to have babies."

Aria pointed to her chest. "But, I can have babies!"

//Oh dear Ra….Ryou, could you be so kind as to let me not hear this?//

"I want lots of babies!"

//I've heard enough, Ryou!//

Aten finished his vegetable soup as Robbie ran in. Robbie ran in front of Aten. Aten let out a big squeal and wrapped his arms around Robbie sobbing.

The covers from the hospital bed shifted as Miranda entered the room. Miranda stopped in the doorway and covered her mouth at the sight of Aten's back.

Ryou leaned down to Aria. "Aria, stay here, sweetie."

Ryou walked to Miranda and turned back. "Thank Ra, he's back alive."

Miranda turned to Ryou. "Ryou…? What happened to him?"

Ryou bit his lip and lowered his head. "He says his grandfather took him, but he's dead. He didn't come out and say it, but, whoever attacked him assaulted him like my father."

"He was…?"

Ryou nodded and wrapped his arms around Miranda. "I couldn't protect him again, Miranda."

Miranda held Ryou. "It's not your fault, Ryou. He didn't come out and say he was molested?"

"No, but there's physical evidence that he was."

Miranda's eyes went wide. "Ryou. Look," she whispered.

Ryou turned around to see Aten shifting over on the bed. Aten pulled back the hospital covers and Robbie sat on the bed. Robbie removed his shoes and covered himself and Aten with the bed sheet.

Ryou and Miranda approached the two children who were unaware or ignorant of their approach. Robbie opened his arms and Aten shifted closer to Robbie. The injured child tucked his arms against Robbie's chest. Aten nuzzled his head against Robbie's chest. Robbie wrapped his arms around Aten gently and gathered his friend close to his body.

Miranda and Ryou exchanged glances of shock. "We better leave these two alone. Aria, do you want some candy?"

Aria squealed and chased after Ryou. "I WANT CANDY!"

Ryou took Aria out of the room for candy and Miranda followed.

Robbie rubbed his cheek against Aten's hair. "I missed you, Aten. School's been really boring and mean without you."

"Kool is bad, Wobbie?"

Robbie sighed. "Eric and Jason stole my candy money from me the other day. All they do is call me 'Limpy.' I really miss you, Aten."

Aten sniffled. "I mits you, Wobbie. No tush my bat, Wobbie. It urts."

"What happen to your back?"

Aten sniffled and cried quietly. "My danfatter tooked a niff and tut my bat. Den. He. He……I no tan tay. He ted he tum affer my mommy and daddy. I no tan tay. But, my bum weawwy, weawwy, weawwy urts. An I faid it will fall off!"

Robbie rubbed his cheek against Aten's hair and gave him a tiny, gentle kiss on the white and blond hair. Robbie let out a contented sigh.

Aten looked up at Robbie. "You….you tissed me. Why?"

Robbie shrugged. "When I'm not feeling well or when I'm sick, my mommy kisses me and it makes me feel better. Do you feel better?"

Aten smiled and nodded. "Yes."

Robbie and Aten sighed together. The white and blond haired boy's face contorted and Robbie looked down.
"Does it hurt?"

Aten started to shiver. "Urts toe mush, Wobbie."

A tiny whimper escaped Aten as Robbie held him. "I won't let go of you, Aten. Ever."

Aten nuzzled his head into Robbie's chest as both boys smiled.

"My Aten……"

Updates: Monday