Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Journey to Heaven ❯ Lies and Deceit ( Chapter 15 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Uke Kit and Uke Io: That's a really good idea with the Tris x Otogi fic! I really love it! I might just add that to my `To Do' List of fics

Kura Magician Girl: It's been a while since I've done a foursome. We shall see about Aria *evil grin and hands Aten and Aria plushies*

Marik Ishtar77: Gotta love foursomes.

Aiden: *hands Bakura plushies* Thank you so much! I'm glad you're enjoying my story. Thank you so much!

Sweet Misery: Well, we needed a lemon. It was overdue.

Anubiset: Marik will be okay with it. He has already seen firsthand what can happen when a father turns violent against his son for being gay. I mean, Marik wouldn't be like that….especially Marik.

Crazy Kins: Isis and Odion had to come for a visit.

I is Me: Odion is upset about Aten, but tries to give Marik some advice on the future based on the scrolls in the pharaoh's tomb.

Broken Time: They are here just to visit….but there could be an alterior motive for their presence.

Shadow of Light: Odion is cool. The whole family will be cool with Aten's wedding. They can't fault Aten for being gay, after all.”

Beysie: Gotta love lemons. We were so due!

Tari Helyanwe: Their wedding is going to be awesome. I have a few loose ends to tie up before then.

Draza: It may have been short. My job has been keeping me extra busy and due to the increased demands on my time, I can't update as much. I really regret this, though. So, depending on my time, the chappies will have to be either normal size or a little shorter.

Tobusytologin: *hands Bakura plushies* I'm glad you love my stories! I like to hear that I'm doing a good job.

Nani: aww…*hands Bakura plushie* Your English was good. I can make it out. Don't worry…I have plans for after the 5 years. You know me. I always have something up my sleeve.

Sakiyama: I wonder how Robbie's going to propose to Aten.

High priestess of Sephiroth: Thanks for letting me know about the chappie. Otherwise it would have been bad for everyone. *hands Marik plushie*

Lies and Deceit

Marik narrowed his eyes and gripped the Millennium Rod tightly. “What are YOU doing here?” Marik growled threateningly at Odion.

Odion stared down Marik, malice in his eyes. “I could be asking you that same question, Yami Marik.”

Isis turned to Odion. “Odion, don't make this any more harder for him. Marik, may we come in?”

Marik growled low in this throat. “Isis, why did you have to bring him here?”

“Because he has decided to accompany me out of the goodness of his heart to offer his condolences for your son. Don't tell me you now turn well-wishers away from your door.”

Marik stepped back. “Come in before I change my mind.”

Odion and Isis entered the living room. Malik came out of the kitchen and squealed.

“ODION!!!! SISTER!” Malik jumped and ran for his family. He wrapped his arms around both of them and kissed their cheeks. “What are you doing here?! It's so nice to see you!”

Ryou stood up and ran for Isis, hugging her. “What are you doing here?”

Isis hugged Malik. “We came to visit your family. We hope to visit Aten in the hospital.”

Malik shifted his gaze between Odion and Isis. “How did you know?”

Odion turned his head to his half-brother. “It was destined. This incident was foretold.”

Yami Marik's hair twitched and he gripped Odion's cloak. He held him angrily. “What do you mean this was foretold?! Why didn't you tell us about this?! Maybe I could have stopped this!”

Odion scowled at Marik. “What good would I have done? I cannot control life and death, Marik.”

“You son-of-a-bitch! I should throw you out on your tattooed, scrawny---!”

Malik turned. “Yami, be quiet! Don't talk to Odion that way!”

Marik shoved Odion back. “Ra damn me for opening that door!”

“I have not only come here to offer my condolences for your child. I have come to speak to you, Yami Marik.”

Marik narrowed his eyes. “Fine. Come into the kitchen.” The blond yami stepped aside. “You first….Odion.”

Odion stepped around Ryou and walked into the kitchen.

“Marik? Be nice to Odion. They traveled too far for you to be rude.”

Marik's growl rumbled in his throat as he entered the kitchen. Odion and Marik narrowed their eyes at each other as they locked gazes. Odion scowled back at the one who made Malik's childhood a living nightmare. Marik growled at the one who had tried to control him and his influence over Malik during Battle City.

As a consequence, neither had ever been able to reconcile their animosity towards the other.

“Thank you for coming from Egypt to visit my husband.”

“Malik is my family. I owed him my presence and support throughout his life. Now….I am here to offer my support to you.”

Marik crossed his arms defensively. “Why do you think I need…or want…your support?”

“Because I can imagine this being a difficult time for you. You're watching someone you love….fall into the dark abyss….and there's no way to stop it.”

Marik sighed. “You don't know the half of it. I want to stop it. Why didn't you tell me about this earlier?”

Odion sat at the kitchen table. “In the pharaoh's tomb, there are many scrolls and ancient prophecies. There are stories of madness and tales of twisted ambitions. It is difficult to tell which scrolls tell truths or which ones tell of these twisted lies.”

Marik put his palms on the table. “The Ishtar Family has spent five thousand years living in the shadow of a cruel pharaoh. Do you realize that? The Ishtar Family has wasted centuries trapped in a moldy tomb….and for what? A tomb full of lies and deceit. My husband was carved into like a Ra-damned turkey and all because of that pharaoh's decree. Just because the Ishtars were a Noble Family, my family and my descendants had to watch that tomb and await the day for the Great Pharaoh to return. Odion, it was all a lie.”

Odion nodded. “It is unfortunate that Master Malik had to suffer for such a tyrant.”

“You suffered, Odion. I suffered. Itemri suffered. All of us suffered for Yami's twisted ambitions! And that pharaoh will not rest now that he has been set free from that Puzzle. Whomever hid that Puzzle, did not hide it well enough.”

“I agree. But I have come to give you reassurance that your child will survive this unfortunate occurance.”

Marik leaned down. “I hope you didn't read it in the packet of lies that Yami left hidden in some moldy pot.”

“No. Aten will live to take on the most dangerous force on Earth.”

Marik gripped the Rod. “And what is that?”

Odion stood up. “A maniacal reincarnated Egyptian pharaoh bent on death, destruction, and chaos.”

Marik stood up and stepped back. “Tell me this is true and you are not pulling this out of your ass.”

Odion placed his palms on the table. “I'm pulling nothing out of my ass, Yami Marik. I am telling you that Aten will survive this, but his greatest challenge will face he and his sister in just three years time.”

“So you are guaranteeing that I have three years with my boy?”

Odion laughed. “I guarantee you not that you will have him. Someone else will have Aten by that time. But, I would not worry about that.”

“Well, my boy will live for at least three years more.”

Odion nodded. “Yes. You will gain five more years with your son. However, I must emplore you and ask of you one request.”

“What would that be?”

“The dead must remain dead. Do not think of bringing your dead child back to life.”

Marik gripped the Millennium Rod. “The pharaoh holds the power over life and death. I don't think there is a way to bring him back after he is dead.”

Odion walked around the table to the yami. “You will find a way to bring his lifeless body back from the Underworld. I emplore you, Yami Marik Jibade Ishtar…..do not do it. Do not bring his bones back to life once he takes his last breath.”

“Give me one reason not to consider it.”

“You will bring pain and suffering onto the people who love you. Let the dead rest in peace.”

Marik looked down. “I don't know if I can do that, Odion. If I find a way to bring him back, I will.”

“You will cause the death of many through your selfish act….including the possible demise of someone very close to you.”

“Malik….”

Odion nodded. “That is not the only one whom he will harm if he becomes a true yami. He may even go after his own creator…..his mother.”

“Ryou? Why would he do that?”

“Because Yami Aten does not care whom he injures. To see blood spill and run in rivers is the goal of Yami Aten. He has become a terrible force to be reckoned with now that he has bonded with another spirit.”

Marik narrowed his eyes. “Who? Who has he bonded with? Tell me!”

“The very creature spawned from Ryou's hatred and abuse.”

Marik narrowed his eyes. “Aku?! I can just destroy Aku now! I'm sure he's weakened from Aten's heart attack!”

Odion grabbed Marik's arm violently. “NO! You must not tear the two apart.”

“That Ra-damned psycho is inside my boy! I'm not going to let that happen!”

“You misunderstand me. Aku is a blessing and a curse. He has bonded with Yami Aten already. You cannot stop him. Secondly, that spirit will protect him now.”

“Why would he do that?”

Marik growled. “That makes no Ra-damned sense! Why would he seek to make all of our lives a living hell and help Aten?”

“You know how it goes, Marik. If the host dies, the yami suffers. The primary objective of all life is to sustain itself. If Malik dies right now, you may carry on, but you will lose a vital part of yourself, correct?”

Marik nodded. “I love Malik very much.”

“Yami Aten is not the same as you or Bakura Osiris Itemri. Yami Aten was created by Aten's pain. Aku was created by Ryou's pain. Yami Aten does not have a Millennium Item. Thus, if Aten dies, Yami Aten will suffer…and may even perish. Aku would not want that.”

Marik pulled his arm away from Odion. “Itemri and I can handle Aku. We have done so before. We can do it again.”

“Marik, I am telling you….do not meddle with life and death. It will cost you a high price if you are not careful.”

Marik held the Rod up to Odion's chin. “I can protect my family, Odion.”

“I protected Malik for many years before you made your first appearance.”

The blond yami laughed. “Well, I have pledged to protect Malik for the rest of his life. I was hoping that would be enough for you.”

Odion narrowed his eyes. “I hope you love Malik and treat him better than you did in the past.”

“I do, Odion. I have not raised my fist in anger to him for many years.”

“See that you treat Malik with respect.”

“I do, Odion. What can I do to convince you?”

Odion looked into the purple eyes of the yami. “You have done well so far, Marik. I am pleased. As long as Malik is happy, there is nothing else that matters to me.”

“That makes two of us,” Marik said. “I'll take you to see my son.”

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

Seto shoved a check to the couple. “I'm pleased with the job you are doing in caring for Hayden.”

The doctor sighed. “It's such a shame to see that boy in that kind of place. He's too young to be in there.”

“He should be out there in school….finding a sweetheart,” the nurse said shaking her head.

The CEO nodded. He turned his head to a tiny racing car which was sitting on his desk. “This is all I have left of Hayden. We had to clean his room so we could put my brother's children in there.”

“We all should have something to remind us of those we love,” the doctor said.

The phone rang. “Excuse me.” Seto picked the phone. “What is it?”

[Ryuugi Otogi is here with the decorations for the wedding.]

“Good, Karl. Send him up.”

Seto stood up. “I have another meeting, so we're finished here. I'll see you next month.”

“Thank you for your contributions to Peaceful Harmony Hospital, Mr. Kaiba.”

The couple left and Seto sat in his leather chair. He picked up the little toy car and sighed. “Hayden, boy, I miss you.”

Otogi opened the door. “Hi, Kaiba! I have the stuff for your big day! It took me a long time to work on it, but I finally finished it!”

Seto watched as Otogi pulled out a pink and brown table cover. Around the edges were yellow lace and frills. The CEO covered his mouth in surprise.

“Do you like it? I really worked hard on it.”

“………………”

“Seto?”

“………………..”

Otogi's smile disappeared. “Well, don't sit there gawking! Tell me what you think.”

Seto blinked. “It's pink.”

“Yes….”

“And brown.”

Otogi's eyes shifted uncomfortably. “Yes.”

“…………And there's yellow lace.”

Otogi lowered his arms. “Well……that is what you wanted.”

Seto stood up and pointed at the tablecloth. “This…this is a nightmare. Are you TRYING to make a fool out of me and my wedding, Ryuugi?”

Otogi shook his head. “No, Seto. I did my best.”

Seto walked around the desk and held up the tablecloth. “Why does it have tassels on it?”

“Because that is what you wanted……..isn't it? You called me up and told me yellow tassels.”

Seto dropped the tablecloth. “Why would I want to put this garbage on my wedding table at all? It's ugly!”

Otogi's bottom lip trembled and his eyes filled with tears. “But…I did what you told me to. And Joey told me to use pink and brown.”

Seto narrowed his eyes. “What?!”

“Joey told me to put pink and brown in the color scheme and then you called me and told me to put yellow tassels on the edges.”

Seto sighed. “I never would have told you to put yellow frills on pink and brown anything! Joey knows I didn't want pink in this wedding! Why would he even consider telling you pink? Just because I'm gay and he's bisexual, does not mean that we want pink ANYTHING in this wedding!”

Otogi sniffled and whimpered. “I worked so hard on this! This is something you told me that you wanted me to do!”

Seto groaned. Crying women was one thing….a crying Otogi was almost impossible to soothe.

“Otogi, I appreciate your help, I really do, but----.”

“I work my butt off trying to get this right and now you're telling me that this is something you don't want? I tried to tell Joey that this color scheme was poop, but he didn't listen to me!”

Seto narrowed his eyes. “I guess I have to talk to Joey about this, then. Otogi, we want nice colors. Not pink or---.”

Otogi shoved the tablecloth back into the bag. “No! I worked my butt off trying to get this right and now you say that I have to do this all over again? What if you don't like my colors again? Are you going to reject it and call it garbage?!”

“Otogi, I'm sorry.”

“No, you are not!” the Dice Master stamped his foot angrily. “If you don't mind, I have to go home and make a large chocolate cake so I can eat all of it by myself! You can forget my promise to help you with your wedding! I'm sure Robbie won't give me any bull-poop about his color scheme! Goodbye, Seto Kaiba!”

Otogi brushed his hair over to one side and he left with his nose stuck up in the air.

“Otogi! Wait!” Seto ran out of the office and chased the Dice Master down the hallway. “Let's go talk to Joey now, Otogi. Let's get this matter cleared up.”

Otogi pushed Seto back. “No! I have to go home and bake blueberry muffins and a chocolate cake!” Otogi stuck his tongue out at Seto and walked away, his hips shifting from side to side.

Seto sighed and walked down the hall to Joey's studio. He knocked on the door and found the blond touching the canvas lightly with a deep crimson color.

“Hello, love! To what do I owe this visit during your work hours?”

“What did you tell Otogi?”

Joey put down the paint. “About what?”

“Either Otogi is PMS-ing again or something terribly wrong happened. Did you tell Otogi what color scheme we wanted for our wedding?”

Joey bit his lip. “I told him that I'd get back to him on that. I was still sifting through what colors. I like maroon and white, personally.”

“Well, Otogi just came into my office and removed a pink and brown tablecloth with yellow tassles and lace.”

Joey wrinkled his nose. “Oh my god! Has he gone colorblind or something?”

“Well, Joey, he told me that you told him to make that the color scheme.”

Joey laughed. “Why would I do something like that? That's a dreadful combination!”

Seto threw up his hands. “You know I don't want pink in this wedding!”

Joey crossed his arms. “Well, I didn't pick the colors, Seto!”

“What HAVE you done for this wedding?”

Joey narrowed his brown eyes. “I was talking to the cooks about how many people to expect for the reception after the church! I've been doing my best!”

“Did you or did you not tell Otogi to make the color scheme pink, brown, and yellow for our wedding?! Yes or no!” Seto's voice bellowed angrily.

“Don't yell at me, Seto!” Joey shook his head. “I did not!”

“Then who told Otogi to use that color scheme?”

“I don't know! If I did know, I'd go and give him a lesson in color.”

Seto groaned. “Well, now I have to make it up to Otogi. He left here in a huff because I didn't like what he did with the tablecloth.”

Joey sat down and picked his paint up. “Now, Seto, you know how emotional Otogi can be.”

Seto sighed. “He needs time to get over it. I'll apologize to him tonight.”

“He said he was going to go home and bake?”

Seto nodded.

“You won't get him until tomorrow. Tristan's going to eat his little heart out tonight because Otogi's going to bake all day.”

Seto sighed. “Okay. I'll talk to him later.” Seto headed towards the door. “Sorry for yelling at you, Joey.”

“It's okay, Seto. Just calm down. Everything will be fine, love.”

Seto nodded and left the studio. He didn't look where he was walking and bumped into someone. He looked up. “Robbie?”

“Mr. Kaiba? Can I talk to you for a moment?”

Seto sighed and motioned Robbie to follow him into the library. He sat in front of the fireplace and crossed his legs. “What is it, Rob?”

“Mr. Kaiba, this isn't easy of me to ask you this. But….you know I love Aten?”

Seto folded his hands on his knees. “Everyone could tell, Rob. That's not new.”

Robbie wrung his hands nervously. He took a deep breath. “Mr. Kaiba, I want to marry Aten.”

Seto blinked and crossed his arms. The teen shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “Repeat that.”

“I….umm….I want to marry Aten?”

Seto blinked again. “You love him that much?”

“Yes, I do. And….the doctors only gave him five years to live. I want to be with Aten, Mr. Kaiba. Nobody else. Even if he does only live for five years, I want to be there for him.”

Seto looked down. “The doctors….what?”

“The doctors only gave Aten five years to live. Didn't you hear about it?”

Seto shook his head. “No,” he whispered quietly. “I didn't.”

“Uh-oh…..sorry.”

Seto's bottom lip trembled. “I didn't know Aten only had that long left.”

Robbie nodded. “I know. I'm going to miss him, Seto,” Robbie said lowering his head.
”That's why I want to marry Aten.”

Seto sighed. “What is it that you need?”

Robbie took another deep breath. “Could I ask for a loan? I want to buy rings for Aten and I. I'm going to need wedding and engagement rings for both of us.”

Seto raised an eyebrow. “You are serious? Do you really want to marry Aten?”

Robbie stood up and walked to Seto's chair. He kneeled in front of the CEO. “I love Aten more than life itself, Mr. Kaiba. I want Aten to marry me, but I want to have rings. I'll do anything you want. I'll work it off somehow. I'll clean your office, clean your bathroom, do your laundry, if you give me a job, I'll be the best security guard you've ever had.”

Seto raised his eyebrow. “How are you at school?”

“I'm number one in my class.”

Seto scratched his chin. “What are your plans after high school?”

“I want to go to college.”

Seto raised his eyebrow. “Are you planning on entering the military? I know the rest of your family is in the military.”

Robbie shook his head. “No. My foot is too bad for me to enter the army. I'm afraid of heights, so the Air Force is a bad idea. I can't enter the military unless I want a desk job. But, I want to do what my dad does if I enter the military. My dad is a commander in the Navy. They probably won't even consider me.”

Seto bit his lip in thought. Robbie was intelligent….and trustworthy. But could be trusted with confidential Kaiba-Corp information?

“Have you decided what you wanted to be after high school?”

Robbie shook his head. “I'm not sure yet.”

Seto nodded. “Okay. Robbie, I'm going to give you the money to get the rings.”

Robbie's jaw dropped. “You will? Oh, thank you!” Robbie threw himself at Seto and hugged him tightly. “Thank you so much, Seto! You have no idea what this means to me!”

“I have enough guys with street sense, Robert. My Public Relations people are street smart. I can't see you as a cold-blooded killer, Robert. I really can't see you going up to a person and slashing their throat or burning down their building…..or shooting them from two hundred yards away…or tying them up.”

Robbie shook his head. “I could never kill anybody, Mr. Kaiba!”

“You're not the killing type, Robbie. You're the intellectual type. We'll discuss possible employment later. You would be perfect to be my personal assistant. When do you need the money?”

Robbie stood up, his bad foot making him wince. “Well, my foot's beginning to act up. I may not go today. I can't walk too well as you can see.”

Seto saw the teen waver and shift on his feet. “Your foot giving you problems?”

Robbie nodded. “Yeah….it's been getting more painful. My doctor told me he can't do anything. I wrap it up every night to relieve some of the pressure on my ankle, but it doesn't do much. The doctor said I may need a cane to move around a little better.”

“A cane?”

“Yeah. Well, it seems like I'll need it any day now. I mean, I'm walking almost on my ankle now.”

Seto stood up. “I'll tell you what, Rob. Let me call Donny and let him take you to where you need to go from here. Where do you have to go?”

“I want to go back to Aten.”

Seto nodded. “Okay. I'm going to have him take you to go buy the rings and then to the hospital.”

“Thank you, Mr. Kaiba. I appreciate it.”

“Don't mention it. But, Robbie…there's one thing I must ask of you,” Seto said walking up to Robbie. The CEO reached out and grabbed Robbie's shoulders. “Always……love Aten as we have loved him. I would hate to see that boy hurt again. He's been hurt by so many people already.”

Robbie's blue eyes looked up at Seto's sapphire gems. “I would rather kill myself than hurt Aten. I love him so much, Seto. I would never think of hurting him.”

Seto nodded. “I had to say that, Robbie. Aten means a lot to Joey and I. Have you asked Marik about this?”

“That part scares the living heck out of me. I keep thinking he's going to chop my head off or send me packing to the Shadow Realm.”

Seto nodded. “Marik can get a little protective, no doubt about it. I don't blame him. Remember, Robbie…he wants what's best for Aten. He will want to know what you have to offer his boy before he gives you permission.”

Robbie shrugged. “I'm not rich. I'm still in school. I don't have a job. I really have nothing.”

Seto pat Robbie's cheek. “You have a great personality, Rob. Don't sell yourself short. Let me get Donny up here. Wait here.”

Robbie watched Seto leave. `I know I have something to offer. I just have to figure out what it is.'

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

Ryou opened the door to the hospital room slowly. He peeked inside and saw Aten laying with his eyes closed. In Aten's arms, he cradled his favorite monkey plushie.

“Bless his little heart,” Ryou smiled.

Ryou walked in quietly. “Honey? Are you awake?”

Aten's closed eyelids fluttered as the adults entered the room. Aten's fingers twitched in his sleep.

“And…rew….stop……no…pleaseR 30;.”

Aria bit her lip nervously. She did not feel ready to tell her parents about the incident involving Keith.

Ryou put his hand on Aten's arm. “Honey? Wake up.”

Aten opened his eyes as the heart monitor beeped unsteadily. His wide eyes shifted to each person standing around his bed. With a sigh of relief, he laid his head back down on the bed.

“Sorry, mother….”

“Don't be sorry, sweetheart. Look who's here. Odion and Isis have come to see you.”

Isis stood by Aten's bedside and kissed him on the forehead. “How are you, Aten? Odion and I were very worried about you.”

Aten's eyes focused on Odion. “Who are you?”

Odion bowed slightly. “I am Master Malik's step-brother.”

Aten squinted his eyes. “Your face…..it's…..tattooed like…Malik's…back.”

“I tattooed myself to prove my loyalty to him and the Ishtar family.”

Aten blinked. “I see. It must have hurt….espess-shally around your eyes.”

“To prove my loyalty to Malik, it was worth it.”

Aten's brown and purple eyes looked up. “Auntie Isis…..why are you here?”

The Egyptian woman put her hand on the cold metal of the hospital bed. “We have come to see you, Aten. We are sorry for our late arrival.”

The teen in the bed reached out. “It's good to see you, Auntie Isis….”

Isis smiled. “My, have you grown, Aten Ishtar! You've become so handsome! It's not hard to see that you are of Ishtar Blood.”

Aten smiled. “I guess so.”

Odion stood over Aten and looked down at him. `This is the fierce-some killer? Barely able to lift his head?'

Aten looked towards his mother. “I was able to sit up today……. for about ten minutes.” A little smile crossed Aten's lips weakly. “Isn't that good?”

Marik took a deep breath and gripped Malik's hand. “I'm proud of you, boy.”

“I can't wait….to get out…of this bed.”

“Does it hurt?” Ryou asked. “Do you have enough pillows?”

“I'm fine,” the Egyptian said with a wince.

Isis reached out and stroked Aten's hair gently. A smile and what seemed like a purr came from the boy.

“How do you feel?” Odion asked.

“Tired….I don't feel much pain. Of course…I have so many painkillers and medicines running through me….I just feel kind of……..” The boy closed his eyes and breathed heavily. “Numb.”

Aten reached out and took Ryou's hand. “Mother…..don't leave.”

“I won't, baby,” Ryou said taking Aten's hand.

“Robbie…Robbie….where is he?”

Aria looked around. “He's always here. I wonder where he went.”

Aten winced. “I want Robbie…where is he?”

Odion looked around. “Who is this `Robbie?'”

Aten looked around anxiously. “I want Robbie….where is he?”

Ryou pat his son's arm. “It's okay, honey. We'll find him.”

Umi released Aria's hand. “I'll see if I can find him.”

Umi left the room and walked into the hallway. He looked around and didn't see the blue-eyed boy anywhere.

The elevator doors opened and Robbie stepped out. Umi ran up to Robbie.

“Where have you been?”

Robbie reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box. He handed it to Umi.

“Open it.”

Umi opened the velvet box and saw two identical rings. The two rings had a blue and purple diamond embedded in the white gold.

“Wow, Rob! They are really pretty! Where did you get them?”

“At the jewelry store down the corner.”

Umi looked at Robbie. “How could you afford this? You don't work….and I know your family isn't rich.”

“Seto Kaiba loaned me money. I'll pay him back for it. But what do you think?”

“It's nice.”

Robbie took the box in his hand. “I'm going to ask Aten to marry me.”

Umi's eyes widened. “Really?”

Robbie nodded. “Yes. I'm hoping Vidello will do the ceremony for us.”

The boy bit his lip. “Are you sure Vidello will do that?”

“I've been part of that church all my life. My family gives to the church and donations. I sing in the choir. We give to all the food drives and blood drives. I go to church with my mom every week. Why wouldn't Father Vidello want me to marry?”

Umi shook his head. “Man, I think it's a bad idea to ask your priest. I'm warning you that this may be too……….extreme…for him to grant you any type of marriage.”

Robbie looked at the box in his hand and at Aten's room down the hall. “How bad can it be, Umi?”

“It's your decision, Rob. I support you all the way, man. Just be careful about who finds out about this.”

Robbie shrugged. “I kicked Keith's ass. Eric is next on my list.”

“Eric is the one you have to watch out for,” Umi warned. “I hear he's in with this hate group, The Crusaders for Moral Decency. Please, Robbie. Be careful.” Umi reached out and grabbed Robbie's arms. “Robbie, you're my friend and what has been going on with all these murdered gay teens bothers me.”

“Umi, I'll be okay. I beat Keith in a duel. Eric is next on my list.”

“You tell me when you're going after those two bastards. I want a piece of them, too! Nobody hurts my Little Mermaid!”

“You've got it, Umi.”

Umi nodded. “Okay, Rob. You better come to Aten's room. He's calling for you.”

Robbie limped down the hallway quickly, shoving the velvet box into his pocket.

Aten saw Robbie enter the room and he reached out for him. “Robbie….”

Robbie stood by Aten's bedside and hugged him. “I'm here, Aten. I'm here.”

“You weren't here when I woke up,” Aten sobbed.

Robbie kissed Aten's forehead. “I'm here.”

Odion watched the two teens hold each other and caress each other. `Is this the boy who is mentioned in the pharaoh's scrolls? Is this the only one capable of standing up to Yami Aten's wrath?' Odion turned to Isis, who was facing the door. `I sense something…..'

Odion turned and saw Tristan enter.

“Hello, guys,” the brunet said. “I came to find Aten and see how he was doing.”

Aten looked over when he saw the other duelist arrive. “Uncle Tistan?….what are you doing here?”

“Can't an uncle visit his sick nephew? I came to see how you were doing, Aten. I'm glad I found you.”

Aten smiled. “It's good to see you, Uncle Tistan.”

Tristan smiled back. “How do you feel?”

“I felt like I was hit by a truck and dragged for about two miles.”

“Oh…that's too bad. I'll have to come back here with something to make you feel better. Otogi wasn't cooking this morning.”

Aten yawned. “That's a shame. I could have had some of his Angel Food Cake.”

Tristan pat Aten's arm. “I'll have to come back later and give you some cake.”

Tristan looked up and saw Isis standing there. “Hello, Isis. Long time no see!”

Odion narrowed his eyes. Something was not right…..he could sense it.

Tristan turned and saw Odion. The smile faded from Tristan's face.

“Oh…hello….Odion.”

Odion curled his lip. “Hello…….Tristan Taylor.”

“I have to go, guys. Otogi wants to go shopping and I have to go. I only popped by to find…I mean, see Aten.”

Odion narrowed his eyes as Tristan ran out of the room. `I sense evil……that man was not Tristan.'

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

Yami walked down the street grumbling. He had succeeded in finding Aten's room. That was one positive thing that came out of assuming Tristan's appearance. He would have assumed Yugi's appearance, but Yugi was not intimidating enough.

`Why is Odion here? What business does he have besides seeing Aten? He must have detected me. He was acting awfully strange.'

Yami approached the Game Shop. `I wonder what my Light is doing right now.'

Yami looked into the window and saw Glenn and Yugi standing by each other. Glenn pointed to something on the newspaper and Yugi laughed.

The pharaoh narrowed his eyes. `That's it. I have had enough of this meddler……Glenn dies by my hand!'

Yugi hugged Glenn and kissed him on the lips. Yami watched Yugi grab his car keys and head for the door. Yami ran around the corner to hide.

`Good…he's leaving him alone.'

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

Glenn looked up from the newspaper to see Seto walk in. Glenn smiled at the CEO.

“Hello, Seto. Nice to see you coming around here today. What can I get you?”

Seto shut the blinds to the front of the door and locked the door behind him. He slowly removed the gloves from his hands. “We need to talk.”

Glenn walked around the glass display case. “What is it? Is it something that has to do with Aten? Yugi and I are planning to visit him again soon. Any news?”

Seto approached Glenn. “All of this has to do with you.”

“Oh? Really?” Glenn asked as he shifted awkwardly. “What about us?”

Seto's blue eyes narrowed and his voice deepened. “You are meddling with things that you should not meddle with. Do you know KaibaCorp does to people who stand in our way?”

Glenn backed a step away. “Seto……I don't see how we stand in your way. We're a simple dueling shop.”

Seto advanced on Glenn. “It runs deeper than that. You are competition. And we hate to see our competition…….succeed.”

Glenn moved around to the other side of the display case as Seto followed him. “Seto, I don't see what you have to fear from us. We're only a small business.”

Glenn gasped as he felt Seto grab his throat.

“You're not listening…..I hate when people don't listen to me. It makes me……do things I regret.”

Seto slammed the back of Glenn's head against the wall. “Did that clear out your ears or do I need to do that again?”

Glenn fought back the tears pooling in his eyes. “Seto….I'm no threat…..Yugi is no threat.”

Seto growled. “I beg to differ.”

Glenn swallowed hard. “Seto…..let go of me.”

The CEO narrowed his eyes. “Nobody fights Seto Kaiba.”

The CEO slammed Glenn face-first into the wall. Glenn's hand went to his nose.

“Not so feisty now, are we?”

Glenn gripped onto the glass display case as the room began to spin.

“Aww….did I break your nose, Glenn? Maybe you should sit down!”

Seto grabbed Glenn, turned around and kicked him in the chest, sending Glenn across the room to the other wall.

The man crumbled to the floor, still holding his broken nose.

Glenn panted as he struggled to get to his feet. Seto slammed his foot against Glenn's spine, making the man collapse onto the floor.

“So, do you still insist on fighting me?” the deep voice asked.

Seto growled and slammed his foot against Glenn's ribs.

Glenn let out a scream as he turned on his side and wrapped his arms around himself protectively.

“You little shit!” Seto growled as he picked Glenn up by his hair. “You better hope to Ra that Yugi doesn't come in! He's going to get some of this from me, too!”

Glenn kicked Seto's leg and punched Seto in the face. He ran for the door, but Seto caught him by the back of the shirt.

“Where the fuck do you think you're going you little prick?!”

Glenn turned and tried to punch Seto again, but the CEO's fist connected to Glenn's jaw.

“The more I ruin your face…the less likely that Yugi will ever love you again!”

Glenn staggered back. “Yugi…..what does Yugi have to do with this?”

Seto narrowed his eyes. “You ask too many questions for your own good, Glenn!”

Seto pushed Glenn through the closed door separating the shop from the rest of Yugi's home.”

The door shattered as Glenn's body was shoved through the wood. Glenn laid on the floor shaking, his body bleeding and bruised already.

Seto stepped through the shattered door, stepping over the broken pieces of wood. He glared at his prey. “Get up.”

Glenn shivered. “I…..c—can't.”

Seto picked him up by the collar. “You obviously need your ears cleaned out again.”

The CEO threw Glenn into the banister, making the man's neck crack slightly from the force.

Glenn collapsed on the stairs. “Seto…stop….please…”

“Why should I? You have made my life a hell, you little bastard? You've taken more away from me than you will ever know!”

Seto slammed his foot on Glenn's right ear angrily. “You're taking away my life!”

The CEO grabbed Glenn. “I should take away yours to make us even!”

Glenn shook his head. “No….please….”

“Why not? You deserve a punishment worse than death for doing what you have done to me!”

“Seto…..ow…I've never hurt you……have I?”

Seto narrowed his eyes. “You have hurt me in ways I cannot even explain. But I will have my revenge on you, Glenn. I will take away what little dignity you have left.”

Seto dragged Glenn upstairs and threw him into the bathroom. Glenn hit his head and shoulder against the porcelain tub and fell into unconsciousness.

“The last thing we want is blood on Yugi's brand new carpet…..right?”

Seto smiled as he saw a trail of blood crawl from under Glenn's right ear. “My work here is done.”

Updates: Saturday