Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Journey to Heaven ❯ Family ( Chapter 8 )

Note: This chappie takes place three days later…….I do not own Britney Spears song "Everytime."  Her stuff is not my cup of tea, but this song is really pretty.  Listen to it if you haven't.  It's really sweet.

Kat: Gotta love Aten's comebacks when he gets going.

PharaohYamisPrincess: Wow…that's interesting.  Well the next chappie has a Keith NCS in the beginning, but the rest of the chappie is integral to the rest of the series.

Anubiset:  At the end it wasn't Yami, it was the hate group. He's not part of it.  Later on, one of the other characters joins it, though.

Aspiker: Aria will eventually be able to get around the curse.

Black butterfly: awww….*hands Ryou plushie*  thank you!

Mediaminer Reviewers: I can't get to my reviews.I'll do it next chappie.

Family

Aria entered the house slowly, the Change of Heart plushie cuddled against her chest.  Ryou had taken her shopping to get her out of the house.  Aten stood up as she entered with a sniffle.  The Egyptian teen walked up to her and held her arms.

For the past three days, Aria had locked herself in her room with no contact with anyone.  Aten saw her disheveled appearance and sighed. She had not showered and had not even bothered to comb her own spiky hair.

"Sister, do you wish to do something later?  We can play a board game….talk? I can brush your hair later if you want me to.  You know how you've always enjoyed that."

Aria looked up into her brother's brown and purple eyes.  "No I need to be alone, Aten. I…I want to go to my room."

Aten stepped aside and watched his sister climb the steps.  His mother entered and sighed as he closed the door.

Ryou closed his eyes as he shut the door. He leaned on the door with an exhausted expression on his face. 

"Mother, go upstairs and get some sleep," Aten told him.  "This can't be good on your heart."

Ryou shook his head. "No, Aten.  I have to go make lunch."

Aten gripped his mother's shoulders. "Let me help.  Mother, you go rest."

Marik stood beside Ryou. "I'm going to look for Itemri.  Ryou, you look exhausted.  Go lay down."

Ryou shook his head. "No….I have to stay awake…if Aria needs me."

"Mother, I will help Aria if she needs it.  You go relax."

Ryou sighed and staggered to the couch.  His shoulder sagged and he started sobbing.  He had been awake for three nights. Bakura was still missing. His daughter could not stop crying.  He was stressed.

"Where is 'Kura?....I need my yami right now and he isn't here….Where can he be?"

Marik watched his son sit beside his mother and hold him.  The blond yami narrowed his eyes and growled at the sight of Ryou crying.  Ryou had to handle Aria himself all night long….and the father was no where to be seen. Bakura had been missing for three days already. 

Aria needed her father.

Ryou needed his husband.

Neither could be without Bakura during this time.

"I'm going to find Itemri. And I will not return until I find him, Ryou. Even if I have to search every dark alley, I will find him!"

Marik kissed the three men goodbye and left quickly, grabbing the Millennium Rod.

Aten held his mother in his arms. Malik sat on Ryou's other side.

"Ryou, you are physically and mentally exhausted.  We can take care of Aria."

"I wanted to be there for her, guys. I couldn't abandon my daughter….not when her father abandoned her, too.  I won't do that to my little girl."

Aten rubbed his mother's back.  Whenever he or his sister was ill, his mother was always nearby. 

To see his children in pain was difficult for Ryou, as for any parent.  When his children were ill, his own health was secondary.

"She was crying so much….I couldn't help her…Nothing I could say would make her stop crying."

"Ryou, that's normal. Remember when Miranda lost her baby years ago? We hardly saw Marik after she miscarried.  He stayed with her and Otogi cleaned for her, remember that?"

"Yeah."

Aten scratched his head. "We should ask Miranda to come talk to her."

Ryou sniffled. "But…."

"Mother, think about it.  We're guys.  We've never been through this.  I think it would mean more for Aria if she talks to someone who went through it and who knows what she is going through."

Ryou nodded. "You may have a point, Aten."

Aten reached over for the phone and pushed the quick-dial number.

"Robbie Morgan."

[Hi, Robbie. Can I talk to Mom?]

"Umm….sure. MOOOOOOOOOM!!  ATEN WANTS YOU!  What's up, Aten?"

[Aria lost her baby.]

"Oh no…..I'll be sure to give her a big hug, then.  Give her a hug from me, okay?"

[What are you doing?]

"Umm…enjoying my day off?"

Aten raised an eyebrow. [Nice try.  What are you REALLY doing?]

"Trigonometric formulas."

Aten raised the other eyebrow. [You're doing Trigonometry?]

"Nothing's wrong with that.  If I get it done ahead of time, I don't have to worry about it later.  Here's mom."

"Hello?"

[Hello, Mom. Umm….Aria lost her baby yesterday.]

"….Oh, that poor girl!  How is she doing?"

[She's locked herself up in her room right now.]

"She probably needs that time alone, Aten.  Give her some space and extra hugs."

[Could you maybe come over tomorrow and talk to her? That is, if you can.  If you can't, trust me….I understand.]

"Sure I'll come over, Aten.  I'll come over tomorrow morning and us girls can sit and have some coffee."

[I'll let her know.  Thank you, mom. Can I talk to Robbie?]

"Sure, dear."

"Hello?"

Aten sighed. [Are you planning on doing….that big long word….all night?]

"Yeah, kind of.  Why, you want to do something?"

[Well….I really should be here for Aria.  Mother is really upset.  I guess I'll be busy tonight.]

Robbie sighed.  "It's up to you, Aten. Your sister needs you."

[Maybe…maybe we can get together later tonight…before bed. I'll meet you over at your back porch.  I…I may just need to….be near you after all this is done.]

Robbie smiled. "Sure thing, Aten.  Call me and I'll be out back."

Aten smiled. [Thank you, Robbie.]

"That's what I'm here for, Aten…..Damn Tangents….Drive me insane, they will!  See you later, man."

Aten hung up the phone and sat beside his mother again.

Ryou leaned against Malik, his eyes threatening to close from exhaustion.

'I hope father can find Father Bakura,' Aten thought as he held his mother's hand.

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

Marik walked through the dark streets of Domino.  He had searched all day.  Marik had attempted to talk to Bakura's loyal faithful, the criminals of Domino.

None of them attested to Bakura's whereabouts.

They did mention that Bakura was responsible for the massacre in the Exeter alley.  Bakura had been known to punish criminals who had struck against their own kind.  A rumor had spread around the Criminal Underworld that those men had sexual intercourse with Aria.  The new gang leader rejected the notion, knowing the punishment for touching the Criminal Princess was immediate death.

Bakura had promised anyone who touched Aria would meet a gruesome end.

"Nobody has seen the King of Thieves since, Master Marik," the gang leader said.

"I hope for your sake you are telling the truth….or you will find the Japanese Mafia can be quite…….brutal," Marik reminded them.

Marik walked through Downtown Domino as he worried about his lover. 'If Bakura's own people don't know where he is, this can't be good at all.  Every minion knows where his leader is located.  Bakura could not have dropped off of the face of the Earth.'

Marik stopped. 'What if he went into the Shadow Realm?.......If I cannot find him here, I'll have to search there next.  Itemri, where are you?'

Marik held his Millennium Rod close as he saw a drunken couple stagger by him.  He was passing a cemetery and looked up at one of the graves.

Bakura's blue jacket!!!

"Holy shit!"

Marik ran to the entrance and looked around cautiously.  Should anyone see him open the lock by magic, it could cause trouble.  He held the Rod to the lock.

"Open this lock, I command!"

The lock clicked and Marik removed it from the black metal bars.  He threw the lock aside and opened the gate.

"ITEMRI!"

The blond yami looked around the darkness for his former lover.

"Itemri, stop playing games and come here!" Marik growled into the eerie darkness.  He walked into the lines of graves, the wind howling through the trees and the gravestones. The moonlight barely illuminated the graves as he walked through the night.

"Itemri, I am not playing anymore!  Get out here now!"

Marik heard a growl. Two ruby eyes appeared from behind a gravestone.

The yami stopped.  "Bakura?  Itemri?"

Marik stepped back as he felt an object fly past his ear.  He looked back and saw the glimmer of a blade stuck inside an angel statue.

He swallowed hard, knowing that blade was an inch away from being embedded in his head.

He turned to the crouching, growling figure.

"Bakura?  You need to come home."

The figure stood up, his eyes still glowing a fiery red.  "And what makes you think I should return?"

"Because….because your family needs you right now."

The figure chuckled and approached Marik.  Bakura stood toe-to-toe to Marik.  The blond could smell the blood off of Bakura's lips. 

"You need me, Ishtar? I never knew you cared."

Marik grabbed Bakura's wrist. "I am not playing games with you, Bakura! You are coming home right now!"

Bakura reached out and pulled Marik close to him.  The white-haired yami gripped him tightly. "You want me to take you this time, Ishtar?"

Marik pushed Bakura to the ground. "I mean it, Itemri!  You are not going to sex your way out of this!  I am taking you home and you are going to talk to your daughter and your husband!"

The blond saw Bakura's clothes stained with blood as he laid on a grave. 

"Sweet Anubis, Bakura, what have you done?"

Bakura ran his hands over his body.  "Question is….what would you like to do?"

Marik groaned. Bloodlust.  'At least he's not pulling my pants off.'

Marik shook his head. "We are going home now.  Get up and let's go."

Bakura stood up and pounced on Marik from behind, knocking the blond yami on his stomach.  "You're not leaving until I get what I want, Ishtar!"

Marik felt Bakura trying to pull down his jeans. "ITEMRI, STOP IT!"

Marik's elbow flew at Bakura, hitting him in the jaw.

The white-haired yami fell off of his former lover.  Marik rolled over and grabbed Bakura by the collar.

"Look, I'm not screwing around with you!  I'm taking you home!"

"What's the rush?!"

Marik stood up and pulled Bakura to his feet. "Your daughter needs you, Itemri."

Bakura's eyes narrowed.  "And why is that?"

"Because you are her father, jackass!  You are a complete asshole for running out on Ryou like that!  And you had the Ra-Damned Fucking audacity to hit the one you love the most!  You were wrong, Bakura!"

Bakura narrowed his eyes. "Stop preaching!  You're the last person who deserves to prattle on about abandoning your family!  You abandoned your own family! Hell, you abandoned your whole social class!"

"I'm not preaching, you self-righteous bastard!  I left my social class because I love you, you asshole!  I am telling you that your family needs you right now and your daughter needs you."

"Why don't she run to whomever got her into this situation?!"

Marik shook his head as Bakura sat on a marble gravestone.  "Bakura, your daughter…." Marik rubbed his forehead, trying to control his own emotions. 

"Bakura, your daughter lost her baby."

The white-haired yami hopped off of the marble. "What?"

"Your daughter lost the baby last night.  You have to come home."

The two ruby eyes faded into the darkness.

"Are you serious?"

"Bakura, I'm not saying it's easy being a parent.  But, man……this is one time where you don't want to have a rod up your ass.  You. Are. Her. Father.  You are entitled to be upset, but you can't ignore your daughter now that she needs you."  Marik sniffled and took a deep breath. "She's your baby, Bakura.  You owe your daughter better than to be the same controlling monster that Steven was."

Marik blinked and found himself pressed against a headstone. 

"I am nothing like that prick!"

"Prove it.  Go home and be the father that your child needs right now, Bakura."

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

Ryou cleaned up after dinner.  The family ate quietly that night.  Aria had retreated to her bedroom alone after she had finished eating a few bites of her dinner.

Aten wanted to follow her, but didn't want to upset her.  The last thing she needed right now was to be the focus of both his and his mother's attention.

The front door opened and Marik came in with Bakura.

"Ryou?" Bakura whimpered.

Ryou walked up to his yami.  Bakura's clothes were tattered and stained with dried blood.  His hair was spotted with red dots.

Bakura fell to his knees in front of Ryou and opened his arms.  "Please forgive me, love.  I am so very sorry."

Ryou blinked, watching his yami on the ground, covered in blood.  Aten stepped out of the kitchen with Malik and saw his other father covered in blood.  He quickly retreated back into the kitchen at the sight of blood.

"Bakura, why do you think I should accept your apology after what you have done?"

"You shouldn't, Ryou.  But, I was an asshole.  And I lost my temper.  I shouldn't have treated you the way I did."

Malik narrowed his eyes. "Who do you think you are, Bakura Itemri?!  Punching Ryou and storming off like that!  You had the tantrum of a two year old!

Marik, trying to keep the peace, held up his hand to his hikari. "Stop. This is Bakura's turn to speak."

"Ryou, I was wrong….very wrong. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me."

"Marik, did you tell him?"

"Yes, Ryou, I did."

Ryou took a deep breath and sniffled. "Bakura, upstairs I have a daughter who has just lost a baby.  She needs her daddy, Bakura.  I don't want to lose Aria over this.  I love our daughter, Bakura.  She needs a father….not someone….someone who takes a tantrum when she does something that she wants with her life.  Bakura, she needs her daddy now.  Please go upstairs and talk to her….for the love of Ra, please talk to our baby.  She may be fifteen years old, but she is as much your baby as she was when you first held her in your arms.  Please go speak with her."

Bakura stood up and went to hug his husband, but Ryou stepped close to Malik.

"It's okay, Bakura. I'll hug you when you get cleaned up. Aria's my concern right now."

The white-haired yami walked up the steps slowly and into his bedroom. He discarded his filthy clothes and replaced them with clean ones. 

He stood in front of his daughter's bedroom and heard the crying from behind the door.  Bakura lowered his head sadly.  He hated to see his daughter cry.  It wasn't an easy thing for any parent to hear. 

He knocked on the door quietly.

"Come…*sniff* …in."

Bakura opened the door and Aria looked up sadly.  She was laying on her side in a fetal position, hugging her Change of Heart plushie.  Her cheeks were red and glistened with her pouring tears.  "Aria….can I come in?"

She sat up with some wincing. "If you want, daddy."

Bakura sat on her bed and opened his arms to her.  "Come here, sweetheart."

Aria shifted slowly beside him.  Bakura put an arm around her.

"I disappointed you….I'm sorry," Aria said.  "I must be a horrible daughter."

"No, honey…..I disappointed you.  I should have been more supportive."

Aria wiped her eyes.  "It's okay….I understand."

"Aria, honey…..I love you.  What I've done is wrong and childish.  I want to be your father and the last thing I want to be the father that your grandfather was."

Aria sniffled. "From what Aten told me, he deserves to suffer ten thousand deaths…."

"He does. Ishtar and I handled that."

"Dad….can I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead."

Aria sniffled again and wiped her eyes. "If I still had the baby, would you still be here apologizing?"

Bakura kissed her on the cheek.  "I would.  Because you are a wonderful daughter, Aria, and you deserve to have a father who cares about you. Not one who runs to archeological digs and abandons you for months on end to rely on yourself."

Aria started to cry and wrapped her arms around her father. "I'm sorry, daddy!  I'm so sorry!"

Bakura rubbed her back and kissed her cheek again. "It's okay, Aria.  It's going to be okay."

Bakura held his daughter tightly.  "My little girl…I'll hold you as long as you need me."

Bakura held his daughter and sighed sadly.  He remembered his own father in the Underworld.  His father found him chained up on Yami's bed, naked and bleeding.  His father stood by the bed and allowed his son to bleed.

****Flashback****

"You know there's no use in asking the gods for help!   You just have to bend over and take it like a man…which, I heard you were used to by the time you were nine years old."

 "Why didn't you come to help me, daddy?  You knew how I was surviving on the streets.  So, why didn't you care?"

"Well, your mother was lucky.  We had a baby boy not long after your sister was born.  We only needed one boy in the family, so I didn't need you know where you were anymore.  I figured you were off living your own life---."

The man snorted and shook his head. "I didn't realize that you had become such a disgrace, Bakura!  I don't think I could handle having a homosexual in my family."

"I'm not a disgrace, father.  I did what I had to survive."

Dakarai stood up. "What can I say, Bakura?  I got rid of the right kid.  It's about time you knew, Bakura.  I don't know what I was thinking when your mom and I kept you.  I knew your birth was a dark omen….a curse upon my family."

***** End Flashback****

Aria felt her father tremble and she held him tighter.  She felt a single tear fall down her back.

"My father was cruel, Aria," Bakura whimpered.  "I don't want to be a bastard like him."

Aria buried her face in Bakura's neck and whimpered. "I don't want to be a bad daughter, daddy."

Bakura pulled back and stroked his daughter's cheek. "You're not a bad daughter, honey.  You may be stubborn. You may enjoy taking risks.  But never forget, honey….you are an Itemri….that's what we're about.  Never forget, honey, that you will always come home to a house where you are loved and wanted.  We may not be the typical family, but since when have the Itemris and the Ishtars been typical anyway….especially the Ishtars….freaks."

Aria smiled and let out a little giggle. "True."

"And as an Itemri, Aria, we are survivors.  We quickly bounce back from anything that happens to us.  This, too, will pass, honey.  You have a family who loves you very much, honey, and would do anything for you."

Aria smiled. "It's good to know, father."

"Your brother, your mother, the Ishtars, and I love you very much.  Let's see that growl, Chibi Yami."

Aria barred her teeth and growled. She let out a wince.  "Ow."

"Sorry, honey.  We'll do that when you feel better."

"Okay, father," she smiled.

Bakura grinned. "There's my baby girl's smile."

Aria smiled again and hugged her dad again. 

"Is my girl crying?"

"No, I just wanted to hug you again," Aria said with a sigh.

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

Aten listened upstairs. Aria had finally stopped crying.  He turned to the couch where his mother had fallen asleep with his head on Malik's lap.  Marik sat beside Malik and put his arms around his hikari.

"Dad, I'm going out to visit Robbie.  I'll be back in a little bit."

"Be careful, Aten," Marik warned.

Aten closed the door behind him and walked down the five doors to Robbie's house.

Robbie's POV

I sat in the back yard waiting for Aten to arrive.  Luckily, tonight was a nice warm night.  I never knew a day in December could be so warm.  We haven't received any snow this year.

The stars are so bright tonight!  The wind is so warm. I hope this weather keeps up.

I heard footsteps walk through the open gate.  "Aten?"

Aten walked through the gate and the sight of him made me smile. The moonlight cast a glow on his white and blond hair.

Notice me, take my hand

Aten sat beside me and we both looked up at the full moon hovering above us.  I felt his warm hand grab onto mine.  We locked fingers and I looked down at his hand.

He turned his head and smiled at me.  Half of his face was hidden in shadows, while the moonlight revealed his handsome face to me.

"Hello, Robbie," he said smiling.

"How did it all go with Aria?"

Aten sighed.  "She's a little better. Father Bakura returned. My father brought him back."

"That's good.  I'm glad she's a little better.  What about you?  How did your appointment go with Chapman today?"

Aten looked up at the moon quietly. 

Why are we strangers when
Our love is strong

Aten was always quiet about his appointments with Chapman.  It was none of my business what he discussed with his therapist. 

I want to be understanding and patient with him. 

When you love someone and have been with him for a long time, you get a feeling when something isn't right. 

Aten and I have done intimate things….but we've only touched each other. There's been nothing more than that between us. Everytime I touch him, he tenses…..he buries his face in my chest and cries.

Have I done anything?

I haven't hurt him, have I?

I love you so much, Aten.

Why do I scare you?

Why carry on without me?

Aten, I can help you. You mean so much to me….how could I not want to make it right for you?  How can I watch you tremble in fear at every touch?

"It was fine," he said finally.

"Thank you for coming to see me, Aten."

He turned to me and smiled. "Anything for you, Robbie.  How do you feel? Better than a few days ago?"

"Yeah, tons."

Aten shifted closer to me and put his arm around my waist and I laid my head on his shoulder.

Heaven.

EverytimeI try to fly, I fall

Nobody had ever cared for me the same way Aten does.  Aten has fangirls at school following him around.  Nobody has given me the time of day that Aten has.

Aten's the only one I want to be with.

I looked up into Aten's eyes and stroked his cheek. 

Without my wings, I feel so small

How many more nights will we get to do this?

Sit in my back yard, hold hands, and just be with each other?

Aten makes me feel good. 

He's always made me feel special. Without him, I wouldn't have anyone to hang around with.

Nobody really wants to hang out with me because of my foot.

Aten is the only one who wants anything to do with me.

I guess I need you, baby

We closed our eyes and he leaned over to me.  We pressed our lips together under the shroud of darkness around us.  I pressed my hand lightly to his cheek. 

His hand went to my thigh and started to rubbed it.

I love you so much, Aten…..

His tongue slipped slowly between my lips. Aten's a cautious kisser. I always let him take the lead. 

He traced my jaw with kisses and kissed my neck. 

When he pulled back, I kissed him back, taking care to kiss his own jaw and his neck. 

How could this be wrong when it feels so right?

And everytime I see you in my dreams
I see your face, it's haunting me
I guess I need you, baby

His hand roamed under my shirt and ran his palm over my chest.  I touched his leg and he jumped.

I pulled back. "Sorry, Aten.  I didn't mean to scare you."

"No…..It's okay, Robbie."

His eyes widened and he suddenly looked afraid.

"Aten, are you really okay?"

He nodded and I removed my hand. "Sorry, Robbie. Yeah, I'm really okay." 

I stroked his cheek.  "Okay, Aten."

"Umm…Robbie, I…I have to go."

"Did I scare you? Aten, I'm really sorry."

"No, Robbie. It's okay. Really. I'll see you tomorrow."

I sighed.  "Okay. I'll be going to school, so I'll be at your house to pick you and Aria up."

He smiled at me. "Okay.  See you then."

Aten leaned over and kissed me goodbye. He stood up and left.

Before I knew it, I was alone in the night.

My opportunity to tell Aten how I felt was gone.

Aten…..

I make believe that you are here
It's the only way I see clear

Aten's POV

Robbie touched me and for no reason at all, my mind wandered to my grandfather again.

Why does this happen?  I want to be close to Robbie.

I can't tell Robbie right now what happened in that cabin and in that house.

I want to.

Gods! Do I want to!

I returned home and ran upstairs to my room after kissing my fathers and mother goodnight.  I always kiss my mother and fathers goodnight.  Even at fifteen, I'm still affectionate with my parents.  I love them all so much.  They've done a lot for me.

I brushed my teeth, flossed, and kissed my sister goodnight.

I crawled into bed and laid on my back.  My eyes stared at the ceiling as I thought about Robbie.

I wish Robbie could be here beside me now.  Sharing a bed with Robbie has always been my idea of ecstasy. 

It was nothing that I could ever experience with anyone else.

If I had to choose one thing in my life, I would choose him.

What have I done?

I laid on my side and curled up into a protective ball.  I wrapped my arms around myself. 

Once again….I let my grandfather's memory get to me.

///You always do that.  You allow him to get the better of you….even after all these years.   He's laughing at you.  He's laughing at his victory of you.  Every time you run from Robbie's touch, he laughs at his triumph.///

/I don't want to run!  I want to be near him!  I want him to touch me!/

///Then let him.  This is Robbie.  From what I had seen it doesn't look like he would hurt you.///

I'm sorry, Robbie…..I'm so sorry!

You seem to move on easy

When Robbie and I were saved from that house, he took some time to heal emotionally. I heard that he never left his father's side. 

He had nightmares.

He was depressed for a while when he couldn't talk because of the withdrawal from the drugs we were injected with.

When he recovered from the withdrawal, he had returned to himself. 

Thirteen years after my first incident with my grandfather and I'm still trying to make sense of it.

How the hell does he move on?

Doesn't he think about what happened?

How can some people be so strong?

If Robbie is strong…..does that mean I'm weak?

And everytime I try to fly, I fall

When Robbie makes me feel good, it rekindles those feelings of being used for someone else's pleasure.

I talked to Chapman about that today.

When he touches me, my body enjoys it.  He makes me feel good.

Robbie makes me feel loved.  He makes me feel like I am desired for something other than nonconsensual activities. 

I try to forget. I try to let go.

But I failed again tonight.

One of these days, I promise, I swear, I pray, I wish, I will allow Robbie to touch me and I will not jump, tense, cry, or plead for him to stop. 

Robbie has always stopped when I've asked him.  He's never asked why.

Without my wings, I feel so small

If it weren't for Robbie's understanding and patience, things would be so much harder.  But Robbie's always been the light in my darkness.

He's always been my stability.

Without him, I have nothing.

I guess I need you, baby

I need Robbie.

I need him like I need air.

I need him so badly…..

Can't you see how much I want him to hold me and kiss me?

I want him to lay beside me, hold me, and tell me it's going to be okay.

And everytime I see you in my dreams
I see your face, you're haunting me

Every night I dream about him with me.

I hope that these dreams come true.

But with my heart condition, it's hard enough to wonder if I'm going to actually wake up the next morning.

Every sunrise I bless because of Robbie.

Every day I get closer to being able to be with him….to be near him.

I guess I need you, baby

I need him in my life.

There's no other person for me.

I want him.

I need him.

I may have made it rain

I'm sorry if I made you cry, Robbie.

I never meant to hurt you.

If I have ever made you cry, may I pay the price.

Your beautiful blue eyes should never shed tears in my name.

Please forgive me

I'm sorry, Robbie.

I'm sorry if I made you sad.

My weakness caused you pain
And this song's my sorry

I don't mean to be afraid.

I try not to be.

Of you, I aren't afraid. 

I'm weak…..you are strong.

There's no hope for me…..you will go on and live.

If I've caused you pain, Robbie…….I am terribly sorry.

At night I pray
That soon your face will fade away

It's hard to sleep when I think of Robbie.

They're good dreams, but the scary ones are my nightmares where Robbie morphs into my grandfather.  Those are the difficult dreams.

As long as I can remember I've had dreams about that cabin or my grandfather.

Every night, I pray to the gods that I do not see him in my dreams.

Please Ra, I offer good spices to you each morning.

Anubis, I worship you in the night.

What must I do to get one good night of sleep without having to dream of him?

What must I give to you?

If you need blood to be spilled, I'd spill my own just for a chance at a good night's sleep without his face hovering above me or down around my hips. 

And everytime I try to fly, I fall
Without my wings, I feel so small

One of these days, Robbie, I hope these memories will dissipate and fade like fog.

I know you can help me, Robbie.

///First, you must believe that you can do it.///

I want to believe I can.

///If you want it, you can achieve it.  All you need to do is control it.///

Easier said than done.

///Don't let the problem control you.  When you get into a situation, use the hostility you harbor towards your grandfather and focus it on your enemy.  I, your yami, will help you.///

How?

///You will see that in time.///

I guess I need you, baby

I grabbed my monkey plushie and hugged it tightly, feeling soft fur against my face. Okay.

Go ahead.

Laugh at me for cuddling a monkey doll at fifteen years old.

But I'm not your typical teenager anyway.

When Robbie's not beside me, I need something to cling to in bed.

One of these days, my father's going to find me in here cuddling my monkey plushie and I'm never going to hear the end of it.

The child of a ruthless killer…..cuddling a monkey plushie.

Well, if you laugh at me, you have to laugh at Aria….she still sleeps with her Jessica doll and her Change of Heart plushie.

Wish Robbie was here…..

And everytime I see you in my dreams
I see your face, you're haunting me

I laid on my back and looked up at the ceiling.   My hand traced my chest and my stomach.

Robbie…..

Hopefully my dreams will be filled with thoughts of you.

Hopefully you will kiss me and tell me that you will be mine….that we will be together someday….that you love me.

I love you, Robbie.

Deeply.

Truly.

Forever.

Completely.

I guess I need you, baby

Someday….Robbie and I will be together.

I know we will.

Someday.

Goodnight, Robbie…..

Sleep tight.

I love you.

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

Seto and Joey entered the Conference Hall.  Television cameras were poised at the podium.  Donny had thought it more secure that Seto announce his marriage in a secured area rather than in front of the steps.  His staff had been working double time trying to keep KaibaCorp secured and the CEO and his family safe.

The Crusaders for Moral Decency had threatened to stop the wedding, even if force and the loss of life was required. 

Behind Seto and Joey, Jaimen walked behind them.  Donny, Asher, Maxine, Ichiro, Kendall, and Jay surrounded Seto, Joey and Jaimen. 

The cameras started clicking as they walked down the steps.

"Be on your guard, everyone," Donny murmured to the Public Relations Personnel.

Seto leaned into the microphone.  "Thank you for coming. Today I formally announce my engagement to Joey Wheeler."

The cameras snapped, nearly blinding the security personnel.  One reporter stood up.

"Mike Vallas. Domino Reporter. Where do you plan on holding your ceremony?"

"That information is classified at this time.  We don't want shall we say….certain people….to be aware of our plans.  Next question."

A woman stood up. "Bonnie Johnson. Domino Sun Times.  Where will your reception be held?"

"At my private residence outside of Domino.  No media.  Just friends and family.  Next question."

Another man stood up. "Mr. Kaiba, how long have you two been together?"

Joey blushed. "Oh, geeze….about….twenty years, isn't it?  Aten and Aria are fifteen now….We were fifteen when I moved in with you, Seto.  We had just gotten together before Ryou had the kids.  I would say about seventeen years."

"Yeah, that sounds about right. Nearly twenty years."

A man stood up. "Jack Fitzpatrick. Morning Globe.  Any plans for a honeymoon?"

"My plans shall not be disclosed for security reasons.  All I can say is that my new husband and I will be traveling to Europe.  Next question."

A man stood up. "David Tremmer.  Domino Nightly News.  Have you ever been to the arctic?"

"I don't see what that has to do with what we are discussing."

"Really? Because I'm looking at a couple of frozen stiffs right now!"

The man pulled the gun quickly and aimed at Kaiba. 

"SETO!" Ichiro cried out as he leaped beside his boss to pull him out of the way.

The man pulled the trigger and Ichiro fell to the ground. Reporters screamed and pandemonium ensued.

Donny removed his gun as the man fired his weapon again. 

Donny and Kendall fired at the man's head, killing him instantly. 

Asher had shielded Jaimen with his body and looked back at the empty Conference Hall. 

Maxine kneeled before Ichiro. "Ichiro! Zhan qi lai!" (Chinese: Ichiro! Stand up!) "Ichiro?"

Seto and Maxine rolled Ichiro on his back.

The bullet had hit Ichiro in the back of the head.

"Ichiro!  DAMN IT!" Seto cursed.

Maxine leaned over and covered her mouth as she tried to hold back the tears. "Ichiro….."

Donny put his hand on her shoulder. "Maxie, he saved Mr. Kaiba's life."

Maxine looked into the sapphire eyes of her boss.  "You're right….."  She looked down at Ichiro's body and ran her fingers through his hair.

Asher looked down at the body and touched it with a child-like curiosity.  "Ichiro won't wake up anymore?"

"No, Asher," Donny said, jumping off of the platform to inspect the gunman's body.

"Mika not going to like this.  Mika will cry," the tall pyromaniac said sadly.

Jaimen ran to his father and hugged him. "Dad, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, son."

Joey wrapped his arms around Seto's waist. "That could have been you, Seto," Joey whispered.

Seto put his arm around his son and his lover. "I'm okay, you two. Wouldn't be the first time I've had a shot taken at me."

Kendall jumped off of the platform and removed the man's wallet.  They heard a click as Donny opened the man's jacket. 

"Kendall, stand back."

The tall African American stepped back as Donny opened the man's jacket slightly.

"Shit!  Maxie, take Mr. Kaiba, Joey, and Jaimen out of here!  Jay, get over here!"

Jay ran beside his boss' side. 

"Look at that."

Jay lifted the man's jacket slightly. "A BOMB!"

Joey and Jaimen gasped. "Oh no!"

Maxine lead the family out of the Conference Hall. 

Jay carefully pulled back the material.  "I need my tools!"

Donny called Karl on the cell. "Karl, grab Jay's tools for dismantling bombs and get over here to the Conference Hall!"

[Yes, Don!]

Jay looked at the box as the digits turned to 5:00. "It's professionally done.  This man was very good if he made it."

Kendall narrowed his eyes. "This man did work for the Domino Nightly News.  His pass was legitimate."

Karl ran down the stairs and stopped beside his lover. "Here you go, Jay.  What happened here?"

"Someone took a shot at Seto.  Ichiro jumped in the way and was killed instead," Jay told his partner as he unraveled his tool pouch.  Jay was an expert in mechanics.  He knew how to construct bombs out of common items and had record times of dismantling even the most professional of explosive devices.

The digits read 2:50.

Jay put on his glasses and carefully opened the box. "Booby trapped.  Let's see…."

Jay looked at the wires quickly and examined how they were routed. "Karl, get out of here.  I don't want you caught if this thing goes off."

"Jay…."

Donny put a hand on Karl's shoulder.  "Go on, Karl.  I don't want to lose both of you if this goes off.  Kendall, you, too.  Asher, go on."

Karl, Asher, and Kendall reluctantly left Donny and Jay hovering above the bomb.

"This is damn good," Jay said.

"Jay, hurry it up! You only have one minute!"

"Alright, alright."

Jay grabbed his wire cutters and grabbed the yellow wire.  "This links to the activation system."

50 seconds.

He traced a black wire to the booby trap and the activation device.

"If I cut the black wire, it will activate the bomb."

40 seconds.

"Jay, hurry it up!"

"Don't yell, Don! I'm working on it!"

"Work faster!"

30 seconds.

Jay examined the wires again.

Jay picked up a green wire.  "This is it, Don.  Hold your breath."

Donny and Jay took a deep breath.

The wire cutters snipped the wire and the clock stopped at 00:10.

Both men breathed a sigh of relief.  "Who could have planned this?  Do you think he was working alone, Don?"

Donny shook his head. "How could a newspaper reporter make a bomb of such high caliber?  No, I don't think he was working alone.  And this is not an isolated incident."

Jay stood up and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Donny and Jay looked down at Ichiro's body. 

"We can't just leave him there."

"I'll call the hospital, Jay. You report to Seto."

Jay opened the door and saw Seto standing by the door.  Donny walked past his boss to notify the morgue.

"Mr. Kaiba, I disarmed the bomb."

Seto crossed his arms. "Good work.  What do you know about it?"

"It's nothing like I've ever seen before.  This was the work of a professional.  No ordinary scum would have been able to make this type of explosive."

"How so?"

"I examined the unit.  There was enough TNT to blow this place sky-high."

Joey looked at Seto.  "This is going to be bad publicity."

"Somebody has some explaining to do. Jay, I want you to investigate this.  Study the bomb's components. I want answers by tomorrow morning.   Get going."

Seto turned when he heard Maxine's alarmed voice.

"Xiao-Shen!  Xiao-Shen!"

"What's wrong?"

"My son!  He's disappeared!"

"Asher, go tell Donny to lock this place down. Nobody gets out of here until Xiao is found.  Seal the exits!"

Jaimen tensed. "An attempted bombing and now a kidnapping?!"

Mokuba ran through the lobby. "Seto! Big Brother, are you okay?!"

The younger Kaiba attached himself to his brother tightly. 

"I'm fine, but Maxine's son is lost."

"Jeanie is looking for Lilly and Ivy!  I can't find them either!"

Seto turned to the guards.  "Go find Xiao-Shen!"

The men in black scattered.

Seto returned to the elevator, rubbing his forehead.  "Nothing has gone right today! I'm going to need a hot bath when all this is over."

Joey stepped into the elevator with the rest of the group.  "Did you leave with them, Mokuba?"

"No, I put them down for a nap and during my break I went to check on them.  They were gone."

"Where's Ceres?"

Mokuba shifted his stance. "He's drawing.  I hope Lilly and Ivy didn't leave the floor again."

Seto sighed. "Heavens know what Aria has been teaching those two kids."

The elevator doors opened and Seto walked towards his office.

Jeanie ran down the corridors. "I FOUND THEM!"

Mokuba, Jaimen, Joey, and Seto ran down the hall to Seto's office.  Seto ran into his office.

Seto ran to his desk and saw the three year olds sitting around Seto's jars of candy.

"Lilly!  Ivy!"

The two girls looked up at their father with smiles on their faces….along with chocolate all over their faces and hair.  "Hi, daddy!  Want tum tocwate?"

Mokuba sighed. "Girls, I was worried about you!  How did you manage to find Seto's hidden candy?"

"Awia sowed us," Ivy said with a giggle.

Seto shook his head. "I'm going to have to talk to her…….again….about this."

Seto took away the bowl of candy from Xiao-Shen.  "Xiao-Shen, this is the sugar free candy!  Who showed you where this was?"

"Aten-kun sow me candy wif no sugar."

Seto sighed. "Looks like I'll have to have a few words with him, too."

Seto picked up his phone and called Maxine. 

The Chinese woman raced up to Seto's office.

"Xiao-Shen," the mother said, crossing her arms sternly.  "Bie zie yang." (Chinese: Don't behave like this.)

The little boy looked up at Seto and his mother with large chibi eyes. "Duibuqi, Mama" the child said quietly. (Chinese: Sorry.)

"Ni zhen, Zou Ba. Sorry about the candy, Mr. Kaiba." (Good boy, let's go.)

"It's okay, Maxine. I'm just glad we found him.  I'll tell Donny we found them."

Jeanie picked up Ivy. "Ivy, you're covered in chocolate!"

"YEAH CHOCOLATE!" the three year old squealed happily.

Mokuba picked up his eldest twin. "Lilly Ann, you are a mess."

"Tocwate is good, daddy!  You want a peas?"

Mokuba chuckled. "No, but you two girls are going into the bath."

Mokuba turned to Jeanie.  "And you want another one?"

Jeanie smiled and shrugged.  "The twins keep us busy enough."

Mokuba shook his head. "Twin girls keep it interesting."

The two girls bounced in their parents' arms as they were carried out.

Seto sat at his desk. "Great…..I was shot at, my building nearly blown to kingdom come, and I just realize that we are living with not one, but two Chibi Arias."

Joey stood behind Seto and massaged his shoulders.

"I'd better get back to my homework," Jaimen said as he quickly left the room.  He wanted to give his two fathers some time alone.

Joey rubbed Seto's shoulders. "I'm glad you're okay, Seto."

The blond leaned down and kissed the side of his lover's neck. 

Seto turned in his chair and pat his lap. "Come here, puppy."

Joey sat on Seto's lap and put his head against the CEO's chest. The two cuddled up to each other with a contented sigh.

The CEO held his lover close, knowing that eventually the cuddle would have to end and he would have to explain to Mika, Ichiro's wife, why he would not be home for dinner.

Downstairs, Jay set to work on the anatomy of the bomb.  He opened his tool pouch as Karl stood beside him.

"Jay?"

The man looked up at his lover.  "What is it, man?"

Karl stepped back. "Can you….stand up?"

Jay stood up. "What is it, Karl?"

Jay's lover wrapped his arms around him and hugged him tightly. Jay shifted his eyes and hugged back. "What's wrong?"

"I heard that shots were fired…and….when I saw that bomb ready to detonate…and you there….I…I was afraid…"

Jay kissed Karl on the lips. "I knew what I was doing. I thought Don was going to have a heart attack on me."

Karl smiled. "I'm glad you're okay."

"I know, sweets.  I'm fine."

Karl pressed his lips to Jay again and held his lover close. 

Maxine and Xiao-Shen entered the room, finding the two men involved in a slow, tender kiss. 

The child snickered. "Two men kissing…..funny."

Jay and Karl turned to the kid and towards each other. "To be continued tonight, love," Jay said with a smile.

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

Aria walked towards Keith's apartment deep in thought.

Aria's POV

I don't know what I was thinking…..I never should have met Keith.  My family has done so much for me….and yet I repay them this way.

I'll tell Keith that it's over between us.

He'll have to understand.

I want Umi back.  Aten's right. He does love me.

The biggest mistake I made was getting rid of Umi.

I know he was the father of my baby.

It's over with Keith.

I want Umi back, if he'll have me.

If he doesn't, I don't blame him.

I love Umi and I want him back.

My only hope is that Keith will understand.

Updates: Thursday

NOTE FOR NEXT CHAPPIE: NCS!!!!!!!!!!  FOURSOME NCS!!!!  And the climax of the entire series comes in the next chappie!!!! I've been waiting so long for this! *runs to find a good hiding spot from angry, disgruntled fans*

To I IS ME: READY THAT BACKSCRATCHER!!!!!!

To EVERYONE: READY YOUR IMPLEMENTS OF DESTRUCTION!!!

Marik: Bakurasgirl is not kidding about this.

Aten: O.o…..Please, Ra let Thursday come slowly.

Bakurasgirl: *EVIL grin* MWAHAHAHAA!!!!