Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Journey to Heaven ❯ Monsters In The Closet ( Chapter 6 )

WARNING: RYOU X MALIK LEMON!!!! YAOI!

Can't review on mediaminer? I found the way to.  Set up two browser windows. Copy the url of the story you want to review.  Go to your internet options and delete your temporary internet files…NOT YOUR COOKIES…..then paste the url into the address bar in the second window and hit enter.  Make sure you are signed in on the second window. I hope this helps everyone. DON'T DELETE YOUR COOKIES!!!

Kura Magician Girl:  Yami is just looking to tick everyone off.  Keith is a stressful point for Aten and Aria later.

Jasmine and her Gang:  *hands Aten plushie*

Sakiyama:  You know my fics….surprises around every corner.

Crazy Kins:  Yeah, Yami will stop at nothing to get to Aria.

I is me: You'll have to sign in from now on to leave a review.

Kat: *dies laughing* A Rod-less Marik is a bad thing…and sad.

Pharaoh Yamis princess: Bakura leaves before she comes home from school.

Shadow of Light: I agree with you. Aria should have protected herself, but it happened.

Note to new readers: Aten calls Miranda 'mom' as a term of endearment.

Monsters In The Closet

Aria sat on the couch beside her brother and shoved the last handful of popcorn into her mouth.  Malik was sitting beside her mother.  Ryou was cuddled up against Malik's side.  The two men were wrapped up in one blanket that Otogi had crocheted them. 

Her father was cuddled beside Marik.  She couldn't take her eyes off of her father.  When she would tell him her secret, he would be furious.

'Aten wouldn't judge me.  Maybe I should tell him.  Aten will understand.'  She turned her eyes towards her brother.  Aten chewed quietly on apple slices sprinkled with cinnamon.  'Aten's not a bad guy.  I know he wouldn't tell anyone unless I told him.'  Aria looked down at the empty popcorn bowl on her lap. 

"Anyone need anything else? I'm going to the kitchen."

Marik handed her his empty bowl, which had been filled to the brim with nachos and cheese.  "Thanks, Aria."

Ryou handed her his empty bowl which had been filled with ice cream. "Thank you, sweetheart."

The girl took the empty dishes into the kitchen and put another popcorn bag into the microwave.

'How do I tell Aten?  What if it gives him a freaking heart attack?'

A loud explosion sounded on television and the two yami fathers and her brother cheered.

'Okay. I'll tell Aten after the movie.  He'll understand.  I know he will.  This is Aten we're talking about.'

Aria poured her popcorn into her bowl and returned beside her brother. "Aten, do you want some popcorn?"

Aten shook his head. "No thank you. I can't have salt."

"Maybe we can get you the unsalted."

Aten shrugged and smiled at her. "No, I just need my apple slices and cinnamon.  I had a teaspoon of caramel dip with my apples the other day and I can't have any more sugar than that."

"Oh, okay."

"Thank you anyway," he said with a smile.

Aria chewed her popcorn and watched as her father snuggled closer to Marik.  'Umi and I used to do that.'

Marik kissed the top of Bakura's head.  "Love you, 'Kura."

The white-haired yami purred and he rubbed Marik's leg. "Love you, too, Marik."

Aria narrowed her eyes. 'Why don't they just rub it in that they love each other?'

The ending movie credits began to roll and Aten stood up and stretched. "I have some work to do upstairs."

Marik grinned at Bakura. "So do I.  Let's go, Itemri."

Marik and Bakura ran upstairs quickly and shut the door behind them.  Ryou shook his head and turned  to Malik.

"Some things never change, huh?"

Malik sighed. "Yup.  Nothing changes."

Aten went into the kitchen and took his night pills.  "I hope they can keep it down up there. I have to finish my painting."

Aria followed her brother upstairs.  "Aten?  I need to talk to you.  It's important."

Aten closed the door behind them.  Aria sat at Aten's desk.  "What is it, sister?"

Aten pulled the lids off of his paints.  "What's up, sister?"

"Aten, you have to promise me not to tell mom and dad."

"Okay, I promise to take it to the grave with me.  Now, what is it?"

Aria started to cry.  "Aten….I don't know what I'm going to do."

Aten kneeled in front of his sister. "Oh, Aria.  Nothing can't be fixed in this world.  Are you not happy with Keith?"

"That's not it!" she roared.  "It's something else."

"I just think he's bad news, Aria."

Aria looked up at her brother.  "Aten, I'm pregnant."

Aten's eyes widened and he stood up. He backed away. "What…what did you say?"

"I'm..I'm pregnant."

"Who is the father?"

Aria sniffled.  "I don't know."

Aten crossed his arms. "Why didn't you think about this?  Didn't you think this was a possibility of you sleeping with Umi?"

"I didn't know I would get pregnant!  Besides, I don't know who the baby's father is."

Aten took a deep breath.  "Are you saying…..that you are sleeping with Keith, too?"

"Why can't you be more understanding?"

"I do understand, sister. I'm not going to pretend that I don't understand.  But why didn't you think about what would happen?"

Aria shrugged. "I don't know, Aten. I'm scared and I don't know what mom and dad are going to think of all of this."

"Well, after we sedate Father Bakura, he will still feel like raising hell."

"Aten, I'm really scared.  What am I going to do?"

Aten sat on his bed. "I would stop sleeping with Keith to start."

"He'll help me, Aten!"

 Aten crossed his legs. "It wouldn't surprise me if Keith got you into this in the first place."

"Aten Ishtar!  I thought you would listen to me!"

Aria ran for the door, but Aten stood in her way. 

"Your father and mother are not going to take this easily.  But you know they are going to find out eventually."

Aria wrapped her arms around his sister and held her.  "Aria, this is serious.  Are you going to keep this baby?"

Aria sniffled. "I couldn't get rid of the baby, Aten."

"Well, you have to tell mother.  Mother will be able to take care of Bakura." Aten heard a groan of pleasure from the room across the hall.  "You would think they would keep it down in there."

Aria shuddered nervously. "You're right, Aten. Mom will find out sooner or later.  I have to tell him about it."

Aten pulled back and smiled at her. "If you want me there, I will be there for you."

Aria smiled. "Thank you, Aten."

Aten brought her into his arms as he felt his chest begin to burn again. He started coughing and started to wheeze.

"Aten, are you okay?"

Aten took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah. I'm okay.  If you want to go downstairs now and tell him, I'll be right there."

Aria nodded. "Okay.  Thank you, brother."

"You're my sister, Aria. I'd do anything to help you.  Besides, I'd rather be downstairs instead of listening to what's going on across the hall anyway."

"True," she said.

Aten and Aria went downstairs and saw Ryou reading a book with a hot tea. 

"Mother, I need to talk."

"Okay, sweetheart," Ryou said putting his book away.  "What is it, kids?"

Aria wrung her hands nervously.  "Mother, I'm….I'm pregnant."

Ryou's hands started to shake and he put his tea on the endtable.  "You're what?"

"I'm pregnant. Please don't be angry at me!  Please!"

Ryou saw his daughter begin to cry and he brought her close to him. "Oh my god, honey.  Didn't you use protection?"

"No…and I should have, but we didn't!"

Malik walked into the room. "Aria? Are you okay?"

"Malik, block your mindlink with Marik."

"He's too busy to pay attention to my mindlink right now. His mind is on….other things."

Ryou held his crying daughter. "Aria is pregnant, Malik."

Malik looked at Aten, shock on his face.  "Is this true?"

Aten nodded. "It is true."

Malik ran to Aria and hugged the crying girl.  "It's okay, Aria."

"You're…..you're not angry?" Aria asked.

Ryou looked down at his daughter.  'I vowed never to get angry at my children.  I didn't want to be the monster that my father was to me when I was a little boy.  The last thing I want her to think is that I'm disappointed and upset.'

Ryou brushed a spiky piece of hair out of her eye.  "Honey, we'll handle it somehow.  We'll find a way."

"I'd thought you'd be really angry at me," she whimpered.

Ryou hugged Aria tightly and kissed her cheek.  Ryou closed his eyes.

********Flashback******

Ryou ran to his father, sobbing as he held up his toy plane. "Daddy!!!  I broked my airpwane! It no flies anymore!"

Steven looked down at his four year old son.  "What do you want me to do about it?"

"Tan you fiss it to make it fwy again? Please?"

The father looked away from his newspaper. "Why are you crying like a freaking girl?"

Chibi Ryou cried harder. "But my pwane is broken and it can't fwy if it's broken!"

"There you go, crying like a sissy again!  Why don't I just dress you up in a dress and prance you around the neighborhood like a fucking fairy?  Would you like that, Ryou?  Would you?"

Ryou wiped his teary eye. "I'm a boy. Boys no wear desses."

"You're a boy? You could have fooled me, kid!  I should have had the doctors check you for a vagina when you were born."

Chibi Ryou looked up at his father with large chibi brown eyes. "Daddy?  Pease??? Fiss my pwane for me so I can pway?"

Steven slammed his fist on the table angrily. "I'M TRYING TO READ MY PAPER, RYOU! GO AWAY!"

Chibi Ryou ran away, sobbing. "My pwane is broken!!!  My fay-fit toy is broked!"

"I don't want to hear it, Ryou!  Stop crying like a girl or I'll give you something to cry about!"

******End Flashback******

Ryou hugged Aria tighter.  "Honey, we'll make it better. We'll work with it.  I couldn't get angry at you. You're my special girl."

Aria hugged Ryou back. "I love you, mommy!"

"Oh, sweetheart, don't cry. Shhh……it's okay, baby girl."

Malik rubbed Aria's hair. "What about school?"

"I'll talk to the principal tomorrow.  Gansey will understand."

"No, No, I mean is Aria going to quit school?"

Ryou shook his head. "No.  I never completed school because I stayed home to take care of Aten and Aria. I want my girl to go to school.  I want better for her."

Aria nodded. "I still want to go to school anyway."

"Now here's the big question…..how do we tell those two up there?"

Ryou took a deep breath.  "It's almost tempting to get Bakura too tanked up on wine enough to care what I tell him.  But, then again, he is her father and he has a right to know."

"I'm sure Marik would like to know that he needs to provide for one more mouth in this house."

Aria gripped onto Ryou's shirt. "They're both going to kill me."

"I'll handle your father, Aria.  I've known him since I was ten.  I will talk to him after I take you both to school.  This way, he has all day to work it out for himself by the time you get home."

Malik shook his head. "Do you really think that Bakura's going to be over it by the time she gets home from school?"

Aria whimpered as her body convulsed.  "He's going to kill me."
Aten started to waver as he sat behind his sister. The medications he took were beginning to make him unsteady sitting down.  He put his hand over his thumping heart. "Have to….go to …..bed."

Malik caught Aten before he could fall on the floor. "Even at fifteen years old, he still manages to collapse anywhere when he gets tired."

Aten closed his eyes and started to snore in Malik's arms.

"Aria, honey, why don't you go to bed?  I'll help drag Aten up the steps.  Get your rest, honey.  I know how it feels.  You must be exhausted now."

"I am kind of tired. So much crying."

Ryou pat her cheek.  "That's normal, honey.  You go to bed, sweetheart, and let me handle your father."

Ryou stood up and put Aten's arm around his shoulder.  Malik supported Aten's other side.

"It's a good thing he doesn't weigh much."

Ryou and Malik carried Aten up the stairs and into his bed.  They removed Aten's shoes and his shirt. 

Ryou covered Aten with the blankets and brushed the boy's white and blond hair away from his face. 

"Ryou, what are we going to do?  How are we going to tell Bakura and Marik?"

Ryou shook his head. "I don't know.  I'll think of something."

Ryou and Malik left the bedroom and shut the door.  In Marik's room, identical grunts and snarls came from the room. 

The white-haired hikari entered his room and removed his shirt. 

"How do you really feel, Ryou?"

Ryou untied his shoes and kicked them off. "I can't believe this happened.  I'm shocked….and I'm afraid."

"How so?"

"My baby isn't a baby anymore.  I wonder how we're going to provide for an extra mouth here.  We're not starving, but with Aten's medical bills, it's going to put a strain on us."

Malik sat beside Ryou. "You got this distant look when Aria asked if you were angry with her."

Ryou looked down at the carpet and wrung his hands nervously.  "I was…..thinking."

Malik kneeled in front of Ryou.  "What happened?"

"My…my father was angry at me when I cried.  He….He taunted me whenever I cried as a child.  I promised…" Ryou wiped his eyes. "I promised I would never be the monster to my children that my father was to me.  I promised never to behave like my father towards my own children."

Malik kneeled between Ryou's legs.  "Poor Ryou.  I couldn't imagine your father making fun of you because you cried."

Ryou wrapped his arms around Malik's shoulders and rest his head on Malik's shoulders. "He would get angry with me if I was afraid or if I was crying. I had broke my favorite toy…..my father yelled at me for crying.  I should have foreseen what he would do to me…and my son."

"Ryou, you couldn't tell what he was capable of.  I didn't know the sick bastard would stoop so low as to hurt both you and Aten."

Ryou nodded. "What he did to me back in that cabin, I can forgive. But what he did to my son, I cannot."

The Egyptian rubbed Ryou's back.  "Poor Ryou. You could never be that way towards either of those kids.  I'm sorry that had to happen."

"He was so cruel, Malik," Ryou whimpered.  "I don't want to be that way towards my children.

Malik kissed Ryou's chest, making the white-haired man sigh.  "Ryou, it's hard to believe that you would be so cruel.  One thing that always attracted me to you, Ryou, is your gentle nature…your tender personality."

The Egyptian kissed along Ryou's collarbone, making the other man give a little moan.  Malik felt Ryou's fingers bury themselves in Malik's blond hair, stroking it. 

Ryou's back arched as Malik kissed down his chest, stopping to lick a budding little nipple.

"I think it's safe to assume we won't see the yamis until dawn."

Ryou nodded. "I agree."

Malik licked Ryou's nipple again, letting the flesh tighten under his tongue.  Malik took the bud between his lips and moaned lightly as he suckled on Ryou's flesh.

The white-haired man held Malik against him as he felt a hand rub between his legs.  He closed his eyes as he felt Malik's palm gently rub against the material covering his manhood.

"Malik," Ryou whispered as he squirmed under the other hikari's touch.

Malik slowly unzipped his lover's pants and slipped his hand inside.  Under his palm, he could feel Ryou's arousal slowly hardening under his touch. 

The Egyptian left Ryou's body to bring his lover into a slow, deep kiss.  Ryou felt Malik slip his tongue past his lips.  The bulge concealed in Ryou's jeans became slightly more evident. 

Malik's free hand unbuttoned the confining material and helped Ryou rid himself of the rest of his clothing.  Malik looked at his lover from white, silvery locks to toe. 

"You're so beautiful, love."

Ryou smiled.  "You are, too, Malik."

The white-haired hikari motioned for Malik to stand up. 

Ryou pressed his lips to Malik's stomach and kissed the warm, tan skin.  His fingers slowly unbuttoned and unzipped Malik's pants.  Malik shivered in expectation as his body was exposed to the air of the room.

The blond bit his lip and moaned as he felt Ryou kiss around his length, taking care to kiss the entire area.  The hikari was careful not to give Malik too much too soon. 

Ryou heard his friend's breathing become more erratic and he let his tongue gently touch the head of his lover's arousal.

Malik looked down. "Tease."

Ryou rolled his tongue around the head of Malik's length. "You say that as if it is a bad thing."

Ryou swallowed around Malik's length, letting his warm orifice arouse his lover.  Malik moaned as he felt Ryou's tongue lap at the underside of the length. 

Ryou withdrew from Malik slightly, only to swallow around him deeper again.

Malik ran his fingers through Ryou's hair lightly. 

The white-haired man withdrew and kissed the length again, lapping up a drop of translucent liquid from the head of Malik's need.

The blond leaned down and kissed his lover's lips. He kneeled in front of Ryou and kissed down Ryou's body.

The blond hikari swallowed around Ryou's length as the white-haired man laid back on the bed.  Malik held Ryou's hips down gently as he deep-throated him, allowing the moist, warm heat to surround Ryou's hardening flesh.

The man underneath squirmed and struggled desperately to bury himself deeper in the silky-smooth heat.

"Malik…..gods….I need you."

Malik let his lips glide over the surface.  "I know you do, Ryou."

Ryou shifted his hips. "Please."

With a devilish grin, Malik reached into Ryou's side drawer and grabbed a bottle of strawberry lubricant oil.

Malik coated two fingers generously with the oil and slipped one digit past Ryou's muscle and into the tight heat of his body.

The man winced as he felt his body stretch at the initial intrusion into his body.  Malik continued to tease Ryou with his tongue, letting himself clean the dribbling flesh free of precum.

When Ryou thrust back against the intruding single digit, he added the second to stretch Ryou further.

Ryou arched his back and moaned as the fingers buried themselves deep inside of him. 

Malik kissed his lover's inner thigh, watching the body writhe and breathe heavily. 

Malik covered his own arousal with the oil and coated his own length, begging for release.

The Egyptian continued to torture Ryou, planting tiny kisses around his manhood and the inside of his thighs. 

Ryou's body started to glisten with droplets of sweat.  His body was pressing against the digits, trying to take them deeper within him. 

Malik stood up, his body aching for release of the tension knotted in his abdomen.

Malik laid beside his lover and Ryou rolled on top of him.  The white locks draped over Ryou's shoulders as he leaned over. The smooth white curtain descended as Ryou leaned down to kiss Malik's

lips gently.

The Egyptian moaned as he felt Ryou's hands explore the plains of his chest and stomach.  The angel ground against Malik with a devilish grin.

"Ryou….Sweet Isis…..I need you."

Ryou smiled and sat back. He reached behind him and put Malik at his entrance and slowly slid himself down on the hard flesh.  Ryou gripped onto Malik tightly as the arousal slid deep into his passage.

A drop of sweat slid down Ryou's forehead slowly, hugging his body as it dripped down his chest. The droplet slid down the warm, flushed body.

"You okay, Ryou?"

Ryou nodded and winced as he felt Malik's arousal touching the internal injury left by his father.  Ryou shifted on top of his lover to an angle that he know Malik would not collide with the injury.

The white-haired hikari slowly rocked his body against Malik.  The blond Egyptian thrust up into his lover as Ryou's impaled himself on the arousal.

Marik sat up and brought Ryou into a kiss,  The white-haired man moaned into the kiss as his hand stroked his length, desperately pumping himself for release.

Ryou pulled back from the kiss and rested his forehead against Malik's.  Ryou's hot, sporadic breath hit his face.  Tiny whimpers of pleasure escaped him as Malik thrust into him.

"Malik….don't stop."

The angel's fingers dug into Malik's skin as the pressure built inside his body.

Ryou slammed onto Malik harder, giving a series of moans. 

Malik held Ryou against him and buried his face in Ryou's neck.  With a groan, he sent his release into his lover, coating the inside of his lover's body.

Ryou pressed himself against Malik, his release erupting between them. 

The two men held onto each other tightly, their bodies sweating and breathing heavily from their lovemaking.

Ryou brushed the white hair out of his eyes.  "Guess I got carried away."

Malik smiled. "That's not a bad thing, Ryou," the Egyptian said stroking Ryou's hair. 

Ryou kissed Malik and looked at the clock.    "We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow, Malik. We should get some rest."

"I don't know how we're going to handle those two."

Ryou took a deep breath. "I know, but I hope Bakura will listen to reason."

Malik stroked Ryou's cheek. "In the time since you've known Bakura, has he ever listened to reason instead of listening to his emotions?"

Ryou shook his head.  "I hope he can. If not for me, than for his daughter, his own flesh and blood.  Malik, I only want what's best for her."

"We all do, Ryou.  We all do."

"I just worry what impact this will have on Bakura's relationship with her."

Malik reached over and grabbed a clean towel. He wiped the evidence of their lovemaking off of his chest.  "He won't take this lightly, Ryou.  Be prepared for anything.  You know Bakura may have changed, but he is still Bakura.  He can be unpredictable."

"That is what I'm afraid of."

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

Bakura rolled over and cuddled into Marik's back.  The white-haired yami spooned behind Marik and kissed the back of the blond yami's neck.

"Morning."

"How can you tell?" Marik groaned without opening his eyes.

"Aria's running to the bathroom again."

Marik sighed. "She needs to see a doctor, Itemri.  Maybe she's got that stomach flu."

Bakura groaned as he rolled out of bed. "I don't know.  I should go check on her."

Bakura stumbled out of bed. "Where did I throw my boxers?"

"Out the window," Marik snickered.

"What?!  I didn't!"

Marik snickered. "You pulled my pants off and threw your boxers onto the front lawn.  Honestly, Itemri…..what if a kid came by and saw your underwear on the lawn?"

"Don't be such a stiff, Ishtar," Bakura groaned as he put on his jeans.

Marik rolled on his back and threw the covers off of himself, revealing his naked body to the morning sunlight. "I didn't hear you complain about being a stiff last night, Itemri."

"Ha, Ha, Ishtar.  Very funny."

Marik reached down and scratched his thigh.  "Very hot, too.  I didn't think I could bend you that way."

"Didn't know I could either.  I'll be feeling that for a while," Bakura said rubbing his back.  "What is it with you and contorting your lovers like a pretzel?  You know, Ishtar, there are some ways that men were not meant to bend."

Marik grinned. "Yeah, but it's fun."

Bakura opened the door. Ryou was inside the bathroom with Aria, rubbing her back.

"What's the matter, baby girl?  You still sick?"

Aria coughed and sputtered. She wiped her mouth with a towel. "I guess so, dad."

"We'll have to get you to the doctor.  Zira will know what's wrong."

Aten stumbled out of the room and yawned. He peeked his head in the bathroom.  "Poor Aria.  Let me make you a hot cup of tea downstairs."

The boy tied his bathrobe around himself and went downstairs.   Bakura followed him.

Aria coughed. "How long does this last, mother?  I'm so tired of feeling sick in the morning!"

Ryou rubbed her hair. "I know, honey.  It's difficult.  It shouldn't be too much longer."

Aria sighed. "I have to go to school today….I can't get out of it."

Ryou pat her back.  "Are you okay now?"

"Thanks, mother."

"No problem, sweetheart."

Ryou went downstairs and saw Aten taking his medicine and steeping Aria's tea.  "How do you feel this morning, Aten?  You went to sleep pretty fast last night."

"I slept well. Sorry, I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore."

Ryou pat his son's cheek. "It's okay, baby.  We understand."

The phone rang.  Malik picked it up.

"Ishtar-Itemri Residence."

[Malik, is Aten there?]

"Miranda? Is everything okay?"

In the background, Malik heard a scream.

"Aten!  It's Miranda!  Something's wrong."

Aten flew to the phone as he finished swallowing his heart medication.  "Mom?  Is Robbie okay?"

[Aten, I hate to ask you, but can you come help me with Robbie?]

"What's wrong?"

[He was walking down the stairs and he collapsed!  It's his bad foot acting up again.]

"Sweet Isis! I'll be right there!"

Aten threw down the phone and ran upstairs. He knocked into his father as he ran up the steps. "What's the rush, kiddo?"

"Robbie's hurt!"

Aten threw his clothes off quickly.  He winced as his pulse raced with concern.  He grabbed his school books and ran out the door.

"BYE, MOTHER! BYE, FATHER!" Aten called as he ran out of the house. 

Aten hurried to Miranda's house five doors away.  Aten opened the front door and heard a cry of pain.

"ATEN, THAT'S MY HEAD YOU HIT!" Robbie cried out in pain.

"Sorry, Robbie," the teen said throwing his books on the ground.

Miranda stood beside Aten. "Thank you for coming over, Aten,  I hope this doesn't hurt you."

Aten shook his head. "No, it'll be okay. I just took my pills."

Miranda and Aten carefully helped Robbie onto his good foot and helped him to the couch.  Robbie sat on the couch and held his twisted foot with tears flowing out of his eyes.

"What happened?"

"I was coming down the stairs….and my foot couldn't support me when I stood on it. I don't even weigh that much!  My foot spasmed and I fell to the floor.  I couldn't get up."

Aten sat on the coffee table in front of the couch.  "Give me your foot," the teen said.

Robbie extended his leg with a cry of anguish.  Aten put a pillow on his lap and rested the twisted foot on the pillow.  Aten sat on the coffee table and rubbed the foot gently.  "Mom?" Aten asked his friend's mother. "Do you have any lotion I can put on his foot?"

"Hold on," she said as she ran up the stairs.

"Sorry to drag you…ow….over here."

Aten smiled as he rubbed the twisted clubfoot.  "You shouldn't have to go through this alone, Robbie.  I can't let you be in pain."

"Did you eat?"

"No."

Robbie groaned. "Aten…."

"I had no time. Now take deep breaths and relax."

Miranda returned with some lotion.  "Will this do?"

Aten smiled. "That will do. Thank you."

Aten squirted the lotion on Robbie's foot.  The cold lotion coming in contact with his warm foot sent shivers up his spine. 

Aten rubbed the bad foot gently and massaged it.  "Did you go to Dr. Peters?"

"I have to go to her at the end of this week."

"Okay.  You really should tell her you've been having a hard time with your foot."

Robbie shook his head. "If only those doctors knew what they were doing fifteen years ago, I wouldn't have this problem."

"Your clubfoot was severe, Robbie.  The doctors couldn't do anything."

Robbie shrugged. "It's gotten worse over the past couple of years."

Aten rubbed Robbie's heel.  "Robbie, just because you have this condition doesn't make you less important to me."

Robbie smiled. "Thank you, Aten."

"It's the truth," Aten said as he looked at the foot.

Robbie's foot was turned inward to the point where he was walking on the side of his foot.  His toes had become worse. Though they were well groomed, the bones began to twist and bend in ways they shouldn't.  Robbie wrapped his foot in a bandage and it seemed to help him for a while.

Miranda sighed. "Aten, Robbie's going to have to stay home today.  Can you pick up his homework for him?"

"Mom, I'm okay. I just need to go easy on it today. Mrs. Gansey will give me the elevator key."

"Robbie, you can't walk.  How can you go to class and between classes if you can't walk?"

Robbie sighed. "Well….I do have my German textbook. I guess I can catch up on that homework."

Miranda returned to the kitchen, wanting to give the two boys their private time.

Aten chuckled. "Why not do something radical like…..enjoy a day off from school?"

"And do nothing?"

Aten smiled at Robbie as he continued to rub Robbie's feet.  "Robbie……there's something to be said for just….'being.'  Understand?"

"Not really."

Aten smiled. "Okay.  Well, let me see if I can put it into words."  Aten wracked his brain, trying to search for the words he needed.  It would have much easier if he could explain in Arabic, but since Robbie's knowledge was limited, he had to do it in English.  "You'll realize someday, Robbie, that life is short.  We can study and plan all we want in life.  But the fact is, Robbie, and having known for years that I am in the advanced stages of heart failure, is that life is short.  You have to get out there and enjoy life.  Life every second as if it's your last.  Because you know, Robbie….." Aten looked up at Robbie with a serious face. "You never know what minute will be your last."

Robbie put down his textbook.  It wasn't like Aten to be so philosophical.  He had to find out the hard way that Aten was dying.  He had to hear it from a televised plea made by Ryou's mother during their kidnapping that Aten needed his medication to survive.  He was very surprised about Aten's calm demeanor when his terminal illness was discussed.  Very rarely did Aten exhibit regret or anger at his illness.  If Aten was ever angry, Robbie never seen it.

"Aten, you're right."

Aten's hands started to massage the aching ankle.  "I know I'm right. It's also true, Robbie. You're so smart, you have a hard time slowing down.  Turn off your brain for a little bit and listen to music, play some video games, go sit outside and let the wind fly through your hair.  Enjoy life, Robbie.  Because our lives are just like a candle.  We burn for a short time and then the light slowly fades."

Robbie blinked quietly as he watched Aten calmly rub his ankle.  He winced as he lowered his foot.

He leaned forward and kissed Aten on the lips.  He raised his hand slowly to bury his fingers deep within the soft silky strands of Aten's white and blond hair.

Aten put his hands on Robbie's thighs and gripped them gently. 

Robbie kissed down Aten's neck quietly to avoid his mother hearing their private moment of love.

Aten let out a quiet whimper as he kissed Robbie's ear.

Miranda called from the kitchen. "Aten, do you want something to eat before school?"

Aten broke his kiss with Robbie and the two nuzzled each other's cheeks together.  "Just some cereal if you have it. Cheerios will be good."

Aten sat beside Robbie as Miranda brought out a bowl of Cheerios to him.  "Thank you, mom."

Aten munched on the cereal. "This is really good stuff. Thank you."

"I keep that stuff in for me.  Robbie loves his pancakes and waffles."

"It's better than those sugary cereals.  Some of them make my chest feel like it's on fire."

Robbie brought his foot on top of the pillow again. "Did you pack your medicine for school?"

"Sure did!  I never go anywhere without my pill box, Robbie.  It stays in my pocket."

"How's your sister, Aten?" Miranda asked.

"She's……..fine."

Robbie snuggled next to Aten.  "I hope you don't run into that Keith guy again."

"I can take handle myself," Aten said.  "I won't let him get the best of me."

"You know how protective I get."

Aten pat Robbie's cheek. "And you're sweet for doing so.  I'll be fine. I have to see Dr. Chapman on my way home."

"Nightmares?"

Aten shook his head. "No, it's…..family…..stuff."

"Oh, I see. Well, I'll be here.  I'm not going to grab my jogging shoes or anything."

Aten chuckled. "Good one, Robbie.  I won't be there long. I have to make another appointment to see Chapman."

"Oh, okay.  Well, I'll be here."

Aten quickly ate the cereal and put the bowl in the kitchen sink. "Thank you for the cereal, mom.  Robbie, I'll stop by after I see Chapman for a few minutes, okay?"

"Sorry about any inconvenience."

Aten looked at Robbie and blinked. "Smaller words, Robbie."

"Thanks for getting my homework."

Aten smiled. "No problem. Now I have to go before I'm late."

Aten hugged Miranda and Robbie goodbye and left.  He ran as fast as he could to see his mother and sister getting into the car to go to school. 

The teen sat in the back of the car beside his sister.

"Was Robbie okay,Aten?"

"He fell down. I acc…I ass..I assidentally hit him in the head with the door when I opened it up."

Aria shifted nervously in the car and took Aten's hand.   "You didn't tell him, did you?"

"No. I promised I wouldn't tell anyone unless you wanted me to tell them."

"I know…I know Robbie really likes kids.  I don't mind if Robbie knows.  You can tell him."

Aten snickered. 'After his reaction to the video in health class, I wouldn't be surprised if doesn't want to be anywhere near the delivery room.'

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

Ryou entered the door and found the two yamis cleaning up the breakfast dishes.  Malik had finished dusting the living room. 

"Hey, guys?  Yamis?"

Bakura and Marik poked their heads out of the kitchen.  "What's wrong?"

Ryou sat down nervously.  "'Kura, Marik, we have something to discuss."

Marik groaned. "Look, we put the toilet seat down this morning."

"No, that's not it."

Bakura and Marik sat on the couch.  "What's to discuss?"

Malik sat beside Ryou on the loveseat.  He looked at the two yamis and worried about the reaction that could come from the two yamis.  Both yamis had the tendency to become violent when angry and both of them were unpredictable.

"Bakura, Marik….I don't quite know how to tell you this," Ryou said unsteadily.

"Just say it," the blond yami said. "How bad can it be?"

 Ryou took a deep breath and held Malik's hand. "Aria is pregnant."

Marik and Bakura blinked quietly.

No rage.

No movement.

Just…..stillness.

The hikaris' gaze shifted between the two darks.

"Marik?" Malik asked.

"Bakura?" Ryou raised an eyebrow searching their mindlink.

Bakura's eyes narrowed and Ryou shifted closer to Malik.  "What?"

"Bakura, I know you are upset." Ryou jumped as he felt the mindlink shut loudly between them.  "Bakura?"

Bakura stood up, his fists clenching, his body shaking, his canines sharpening, his hair spiking, his blood boiling.  "What….did you…just ….say?"

Malik put his arm in front of Ryou protectively.  "Bakura, I know this isn't easy to hear, but---."

Bakura stepped in front of Ryou and leaned down.  Ryou's body shook with fear at the sight of his yami's eyes glowing a familiar red. 

"Are you saying that our daughter……my baby…..is pregnant?!"

Ryou shifted back into the chair, looking at Bakura's fists instinctively.  "Please….'Kura…..don't."

"Who did it?  Who's the father?!  Ryou, will you tell me!" Bakura growled as he grabbed Ryou's collar and shook him violently.  "TELL ME, RYOU!"

Marik jumped out of his seat and tried to pull Bakura back.  "Itemri, hands off!"

Marik yanked Bakura off of Ryou.  "Calm down, Itemri!"

Bakura turned and pushed Marik into the wall.  "You fucking calm down!  My little girl is pregnant!"

"Bakura, I know it's a shock, but we have to think this through!"

Bakura released Marik. "You think this through!  You deal with this problem!"

Malik stood up. "Bakura, this is everybody's problem…even yours."

Bakura turned to Malik.  "When I want an opinion from a tomb-dwelling psychopath, I'll talk to you!"

Marik narrowed his eyes and spun Bakura around on his feet. His own hair spiked and his canines sharpened. "Don't you ever talk to my husband that way, Itemri.   I won't tolerate you talking that way to anyone in this house!"

Bakura shoved Marik away. "Get away from me!"

Ryou stood up, his body trembling.  "Bakura?...Please listen to me.  I….." Bakura turned his red eyes towards him.  As Bakura approached him, Ryou froze.   The familiar red eyes renewed an old fear.  During Bakura's cruel assaults sixteen years before, his eyes glowed red with anger. 

"Ryou, how can you be so calm about this?" Bakura asked in a low, threatening voice.

Ryou opened his mouth to talk, but nothing came out.  Marik stood beside Ryou.  The blond yami put his arm around Ryou.

"Itemri, stop it! You're scaring him to death!"

Ryou shifted close to Marik.  "Bakura, please……we can talk this over."

"There's no more talking!  She will not keep this baby!"

Malik stood on Ryou's other side. "Bakura, we can't make her give up the baby.  Besides, that is not our decision to make."

"I won't have my daughter a teenage mother!"

Ryou gripped onto Malik and Marik tightly. "Yami, what do you think I was at sixteen?"

Bakura growled. "You would never have gotten pregnant if you were never changed into a female!"

"True, but if I was still a woman, Bakura, I would have probably had a few more kids by now!  I was a teenage mother and the last thing that Aria needs now is more stress."

"She brought this on herself!  She has to pay the consequences!"

Malik held onto Ryou.  "She is scared, Bakura."

Bakura slapped his clench fist against his palm. "She better be scared!"

Marik reached out and grabbed Bakura's collar. "You keep your mits off of Aria, Itemri!  I don't know how this happened either, but we will have to discuss what we have to do to make this work.  Aten's medication and Ryou's heart medication takes a lot of my paycheck.  The rent and food swallows the rest."

Bakura snarled and bit Marik's hand. "Get off of me, Ishtar!"

"Bakura, this is going to be rough on all of us, but we have to stick together as a family," Ryou said.

The white-haired yami narrowed his eyes. "I can't believe what I am hearing!  Ryou, what did you tell her when she told you?"

Ryou walked towards his yami. "I told my daughter that I loved her and that somehow we are going to work through this.  Bakura, I don't want to be the monster that my father was to me.  I can't do that to my daughter."

Bakura growled. "If you are not going to discipline your daughter, what kind of mother are you?"

Marik and Malik didn't see the fast hand that connected with Bakura's cheek.  Bakura's head was whipped around.

Tears rolled down Ryou's cheek. "Don't you call me a bad mother……at least I'm trying to help our daughter through a difficult time.  I love her, Bakura.  I love my son.  Nothing is going to stop me from being the mother to my children that I never had.  And I refuse to be the monster to my kids that you used to be to me."

Before Bakura's eyes flashed red.  When he snapped to consciousness, Ryou was laying on the floor wiping the corner of his mouth free of blood. Marik and Malik were hovering over Ryou's shaking body.

Marik looked up at Bakura and the white-haired yami was gone.

"Ryou, it's okay," Malik said as he held Ryou in his arms.

Marik wrapped his arms around Ryou. "I'm here, Ryou. We'll get through this together."

Ryou sobbed. "I thought Bakura would try to understand….he's her father."

Marik stroked Ryou's hair.  "Itemri can be a real bastard sometimes, Ryou.  He doesn't mean it."

"Bakura?" Ryou looked around.  "'Kura?" 

Silence.

Ryou clutched onto Marik. "Don't leave me, Marik."

"I won't, Ryou. You never have to worry about that," the yami said with a kiss to Ryou's forehead.

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

Bakura walked down the street angrily.  He strapped his dagger to his belt and concealed it with his shirt.  He growled quietly as he walked, his eyes not watching who he was bumping into.

"Ow!" cried someone he knocked into in front of the Game Shop.

"Bakura?"

"Joey?  What are you doing here at this part of town?"

"I had to get paintbrushes.  I was just stopping in to see Yugi."

Bakura growled. "Big deal."

"You're angry?  Pissed, looks like. What happened?"

"My daughter is pregnant!  I had to get out of that house!  Ra only knows if I can even go back and look my daughter in the face again!"

Joey shook his head. "Really?  She's pregnant?  That's not surprising."

Bakura grabbed Joey and threw him against the wall.  "What are you saying? That my daughter is a whore?!"

"Well, Bakura…if the shoe fits…."

Bakura snarled and his eyes glowed red again.  "My daughter does not sleep around!"

"Well, I saw her with a gang of street thugs the other day.  They were just banging away at her."

Bakura shook with anger. 

"They were sucking at her and banging her hard.  I tried to break it up and come get you, but she told me that you to go fuck yourself right in the ass."

Bakura threw Joey to the ground and he snarled. "Where did you see these punks?"

"I saw them in the alley by Exter Rd and Convent Ave."

Bakura darted off towards the nearby alley.

Joey smiled. 'Bakura, you made a serious mistake coming to me…your family is going to regret this.'

Joey's figure disintegrated into Yami. 

Yami laughed. "Time to pin some dirt on Bakura."

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

Bakura walked into the alley and removed the dagger from its sheath.

The gang turned and looked at Bakura. 

"Lord Bakura, to what do we owe the honor?"

Bakura's snarled. "So, you boys find it funny to touch my daughter?"

"Excuse me?"

Bakura  advanced on the group.

"Lord Bakura, we didn't do anything!"

"My friend Joey Wheeler says otherwise, Filch!"

The men backed away from the King of Thieves. 

"Which one of you fucked my daughter?"

The men exchanged worried glances.  "We never touched your daughter!  We know never to touch her or do anything to her!"

Bakura held the dagger in front of him.  "You will pay for your lies!!!!"

A purple haze surrounded the alley and blocked anyone from looking in and witnessing.

The men screamed as Bakura butchered his victims.  When he was done, he licked the blade clean. 

"This is only the beginning," he grinned as the men's blood creeped out of the mutilated bodies and spread around the around the concrete.

The blood ran in rivers down the alley.

The purple haze lifted and Bakura wandered away from the alley in a bloodlusted stupor.

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