Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return To Hades ❯ Special Touch ( Chapter 9 )

YoukoMia: The wedding will be in the next story. Nothing bad with happen to Aten. I don't think Joey is going to hang out for long. I'm up to 14 in written chappies and I have to put her in soon.

Kura Magician Girl: Havoc is fun. We can make fun of havoc.

Valea: Robbie and Aten will be okay. Don't worry, babes.

ZLChan: *hugs * Okay!

Crazy Kins: There are star ratings on affnet. None on Mediaminer. I just decided to see what everyone thought about that review. As far as Serenity goes, she'll get hers later.

Sakiyama: That was a good idea. I may bring in those children later. That was a really good idea, and honestly, I never thought about it until you mentioned it. I'll have them come back in later towards the end.

Jupitor Knight: Glad you found this site! *hugs*

Lady Elfskye: *hands Aten, Robbie, and Hayden plushies* I hope this helps.

Broken Time: *hands Marik plushie* Your Malik plushie might get lonely…He he he….

Anubiset: Well, Robbie and Aten have each other. That becomes important through this story and for the sequels to this story.

Seto lover and Bakurasgirl lover: *hands Aten plushie* That's for you!

Pharaoh Yamis Princess: *hands Asher plushie complete with book of matches* Here you go. This series will not end! Promise!

Kat: That spawning comment by Bakura was the best! I died laughing as I was typing that. Serenity will get to learn the truth sooner or later.

Uke Io and Uke Kit: I'll keep writing. Promise!

Shadow of Light: Umi's and Aria's kid will have Umi's hair, but with white tips on the hair. I have it all planned out. So cute!!

Special Touch

Aten held Robbie as he slept. Robbie's rhythmic breathing calmed him and had made him fall asleep, despite his fears of the chains rattling in the next room.

Robbie gave a violent tremor and woke Aten out of a deep sleep.

Aten woke up and held Robbie tightly.

"Aten, I don't feel so good," Robbie whined.

Aten looked down. "You look pale."

Robbie covered his mouth and Aten rolled away. He looked around frantically for something for Robbie.

Robbie swallowed hard and shuddered. "Sorry, Aten. I felt like I had to puke. My stomach is killing me."

Aten nodded. "Me, too."

The lock to the door was jiggled. "Robbie!"

Aten jumped on the bed and held his friend. The door opened and Charlie and Vinnie entered.

"So, you boys hungry or what?"

Robbie groaned. "Can't eat."

Vinnie shut the door behind them. "You were given a large dose of heroin. You have to be hungry now."

Robbie shook his head. "I'm not."

Charlie narrowed his eyes. "You boys will come to the table and eat with Vinnie and I. Dominic wishes not to eat with you. He's an antisocial bastard. He's with Hayden."

Robbie struggled to sit up and looked at his abductor in the eye. "I want to go home."

Vinnie laughed. "Not on your life, kid. You're gonna eat with us and he happy about it."

"Or else?" Aten asked, holding onto Robbie.

Charlie crossed his arms. "Or else Hayden takes a big dive off of the side of the pier. I'm sure you boys wouldn't mind going for a nice swim yourselves, am I right?"

The two boys shivered. "No."

"Good. Then come out here and have dinner."

Vinnie grabbed Robbie's wrist and pulled him off of the bed. Charlie grabbed Aten and lead both boys to the kitchen.

Robbie and Aten sat next to each other, holding hands under the table supportively.

Vinnie put their plates in front of them. "Now eat up."

Aten looked around. "Is Hayden going to eat with us?"

Charlie grinned. "That boy hasn't worked for his supper yet. When he works, he'll get fed. The same goes for you two. When you work, you'll get fed."

Robbie shifted his eyes between the two men. "Why are you feeding us now?"

Charlie stood up and stood beside Robbie. "Take your plate."

Robbie took his plate in his hands.

"Dump it on the floor."

Robbie turned the plate upside down and his vegetables and meat fell to the floor.

"Now. Sit on the floor and eat."

Robbie sat on the floor and ate his food. Aten watched Charlie sit in his own chair again.

"I will not tolerate questions, boys. You should be grateful for what you are given. When I show generosity, you will be grateful. If I punish you, you should be equally grateful."

Vinnie took a bite of his steak and looked down at Robbie. "So, you are Miranda's son?"

"Yes, sir," Robbie answered, not wanting to question how he knew that.

"Are you her only bastard?"

Robbie lowered his head to hide his tears. "Yes."

Aten narrowed his eyes. Robbie was not a bastard. His parents were married. His friend was not a bastard! Aten tried not to growl. If anything, Aten knew he was a bastard.

Robbie picked up a bean with his fingers and ate it.

"What is your name, kid?"

"Robbie."

Vinnie snorted. "'Robbie.' Your mother was never the original type anyway. She had other…..gifts…though."

Charlie turned to Aten. "Your name?"

"Aten Bakari Ishtar."

Charlie grinned at the Egyptian boy with two different colored eyes and hair. To rent him would certainly be expensive. His skin color and his other characteristics would make him a 'luxury item.'

"How old are you boys?"

"We're 12," Aten answered obediently.

Charlie nodded. "Twelve. Hmm…..well, we'll find you boys some way to earn your keep. Don't you worry about that."

Aten looked down and ate his food quietly. Something inside of him didn't like the sound of that.

Vinnie watched Robbie eat. "You're twelve, hmm? Your mother and I broke up fourteen years ago. Your mother was quite the looker. She had legs that you could lick all day and still not get tired."

Robbie looked up. "That's not nice to talk about my mother that way."

Vinnie narrowed his eyes and backslapped Robbie. Aten jumped off of his chair, but Charlie grabbed him. "Don't help him. He deserved it."

Robbie's body shivered as he laid on the floor. His cheek burned with the impact.

"Robbie? Are you okay?"

Robbie sat up on the floor. "Yes, Aten. I'm fine."

Vinnie narrowed his eyes. "You will be respectful. My son would never have spoken to me in that manner without getting the shit kicked out of him first."

Aten sat on his chair and ate slowly.

Robbie ate a piece of carrot. "Sorry, sir."

"You should be, you little bastard."

The four finished dinner and Charlie stood up. "Now. You boys are going to do the dishes. One of you will wash, the other will dry. When you are done, you will sweep and mop the floor. This kitchen must be spotless or Robbie will get the beating of his life."

Vinnie took his plate and held it over Robbie's head. He turned the plate upside down and all of the leftover food and meat fell on Robbie's head. "While you wash the dishes, Robbie, better wash yourself up, too."

Aten saw tears fall on Robbie's hand.

Charlie and Vinnie left the table. Aten looked up and saw the kitchen window bricked up. Nobody would be able to see into the kitchen.

"Robbie? Do you want to wash or dry?"

Robbie sniffled. "I want to go home, Aten."

Aten kneeled beside Robbie. "I want to go home, too, Robbie, but if we don't do as they say, we'll get hurt or Hayden will pay the price."

Aten hugged Robbie as another threat came to the front of his mind. [If you don't do as I say, grandson, this will hurt more.]

Robbie looked up at Aten and pulled him close. "I want to go home!"

Aten grabbed Robbie's shoulders tightly. "Robbie! Listen to me! If we do not do as they say, they will hurt us or Hayden. Come on. Deep breath."

Robbie took a deep breath.

"That's right. Stand up, Robbie. Come on." Aten helped Robbie to his feet.

Aten washed and Robbie dried the dishes. When they were done, Aten swept the floor and Robbie mopped.

Charlie and Vinnie entered the kitchen to assess their work.

Vinnie looked down at the two boys. "Who scrubbed the floor?"

Robbie looked up at him. "I did, sir."

Vinnie laughed. "You suck, Robbie. Do it again. This time, do it right."

Robbie looked down at the glowing floor. "Yes, sir."

Charlie leaned against the doorway. "And we're going to watch."

The green-eyed man grinned. "We like to watch."

Aten and Robbie cleaned the floor with washcloths.

"You're lucky you're not doing this with toothbrushes, Robbie," Vinnie said. "If your daddy is a Navy man, you'd have to wash that floor with a toothbrush. Your daddy is a Navy man, isn't he?"

"Yes, sir."

"Your daddy is Danny Morgan, isn't he?"

"Yes, sir."

Vinnie spat in disgust. "I'm going to get back at that man for taking my girlfriend away from me! You were supposed to be my son, Robbie. Well, now you are!"

Robbie gave a shudder.

When the two boys were finished cleaning the floor, they were forced to sit down and watch television.

The boys sat on the floor, holding hands out of the men's line of sight.

The television announcer was standing in front of Robbie's house and was talking to Miranda and Ryou.

"Hey! Aten! It's our moms!"

Vinnie punched Robbie in the back of the head. "Shut the fuck up!"

Robbie rubbed the back of his head as the announcer spoke.

[I'm standing here with the parents of the two missing boys. Mrs. Morgan, you say your son was found missing this morning?]

"Yes, my son was missing from his bed when I got up this morning. Robbie, if you can hear me, I love you, baby."

Robbie wiped a tear away. "I love you, mommy," Robbie whispered.

[Your son was also found missing this morning, correct, Mr. Bakura?]

"Yes. Aten, I love you, baby. We'll find you. If anyone has my son, please give him back to me! Money is not an issue. I just want my son back home safely. I'm begging you. He has heart condition that can be fatal if he hasn't taken his medication!"

Aten gasped. "My medication! I forgot! I left it in the alley!"

Charlie laughed. "They won't find you, Aten. Don't worry. You're going to be with us for a very, very long time."

"But, sir, I need my medication to live! I'll die without it!"

Charlie sighed and leaned forward. "Okay, kid, I'll tell you what…..tomorrow night, go out into the back yard and choose where you want us to put your carcass."

Aten gripped Robbie's hand tightly.

[You say he has a heart condition?]

"Aten was diagnosed with heart failure three years ago. He will die without his medication!" Ryou pleaded.

Robbie's jaw dropped and he turned to Aten with tears in his eyes. "Aten? Aten….is this true?"

Aten nodded slowly. "Yes, Robbie. I'm dying."

Vinnie and Charlie watched Robbie's face drain of color. Robbie's bottom lip trembled.

"No….No, Aten, you can't die on me!"

Aten wiped away a tear of his own. "Robbie, I was afraid to tell you--."

Robbie stood up angrily. "Why? So I could just wake up one morning and find you dead beside me? Aten, why couldn't you tell me? I thought we could trust each other with our secrets!"

"Robbie, I've had a bad heart all my life. My heart is deformed and the medication and my pacemaker is all I have!"

Robbie started to sob. "Why couldn't you tell me?"

Aten stood up and reached out for Robbie. "Robbie, I didn't do it to be mean."

Robbie backed away. "Don't touch me, Aten!"

Charlie and Vinnie smiled at the dramatic confrontation happening in front of them. This was going to be good. Aten looked like Robbie had driven a stake through his heart.

"So I had to hear you were dying this way?! No, Aten! I don't want you to die!"

Aten narrowed his teary eyes. "Robbie, I wanted to tell you! Please. Don't be angry. I know you don't want to be angry with me, Robbie."

Robbie's bottom lip trembled and he fell to his knees in front of Aten. "I don't want to wake up and find you dead, Aten! It would kill me! I can't live without you!"

Aten stepped to Robbie and Robbie buried his face in Aten's stomach. The Egyptian boy rubbed the back of Robbie's head. "Robbie? Robbie, please don't cry. I don't ever want to see you cry."

"Say you're not going to die on me."

Aten looked over at the two smiling faces. He looked down at Robbie. "I have no medication. I don't know what is going to happen, Robbie. I cannot promise that."

Robbie sobbed into Aten's green shirt. "You're my best friend, Aten."

'I love you, Aten. You can't die on me!' Robbie thought.

Aten leaned over and kissed the top of Robbie's head, forgetting that the two boys were not alone.

Vinnie sniffled mockingly. "Oh, my heart is breaking!"

Charlie laughed. "Aww…..it's so cute I could vomit!"

The two men laughed as the two boys hugged each other silently.

Ryou and Miranda on the television started to plead. "Please give us back our sons. We love them and miss them terribly."

[Here is a picture of the two boys. Aten Bakari Ishtar is approximately five feet tall and weighs approximately 60 pounds. He has a scar on the right palm of his hand and his back is tattooed with the word 'MINE.' That's M-I-N-E. His right eye is brown and his left eye is purple. Robert, or 'Robbie' as he is called, has a tiny scar on his forehead. His right foot is a clubbed foot. He walks with a noticeable limp. If you see these two boys, please contact the Domino Police at 555-3956.]

Robbie looked over at the television. "Tattoo? Since when were you tattooed, Aten?"

Aten's bottom lip trembled and he buried his face in his hands. The Egyptian boy sobbed as the memories of his grandfather carving into his back returned. "I…..I can't…….my grandfather did it!"

Robbie wrapped his arms around Aten. "Aten, it's okay. I didn't know. You always wore a shirt during the summer. I've never seen you without a shirt. I thought you didn't like being without a shirt."

Aten shook his head. "No….my grandfather did it! Then he……he…."

[Aten……hold it right there…..here comes granddaddy!]

Aten shut his eyes and hugged Robbie so tightly that he couldn't breathe.

Robbie coughed. "Aten, it's okay."

Charlie turned to Vinnie. "Who needs cable? We can just watch these two!"

"It's better than all the other shit on the box."

[We have also received information that Hayden Kaiba, adopted son of Seto Kaiba, has been reported missing. Mr. Kaiba, you have a statement?]

Seto looked into the T.V. camera angrily. "To whomever has my son, you are meddling with the wrong person! I'll find you wherever you are. You cannot hide from me."

Charlie laughed. "He has no idea!"

Vinnie stood up. "Okay, lovebirds. T.V. is done for you. Get back to your room."

Vinnie grabbed their shoulders and dragged them off to their bedroom. He threw them in and locked the door behind them.

Aten turned on the light in the room. The light from the lighthouse appeared in the room consistently.

Robbie stood up and sat on the bed. "Aten? Why?"

Aten shrugged. "I….I didn't want you to have to see it."

Robbie shook his head. "It's part of you. Can I see it?"

Aten turned his head away. "You do not know what you are asking, Robbie."

"Yes, I do. Please."

Aten turned away and removed his shirt. Robbie's heart sank as he saw "MINE" carved into Aten's back. The word had become scar tissue on the tan back.

"This is why my back is bumpy when you rub it. My grandfather did this to me."

Robbie stood up and approached his friend. His fingers touched the scar tissue and his eyes filled up. "Aten….I never knew."

Aten was silent.

"Aten?"

Robbie went to Aten's front. "Aten, I'm so sorry."

Aten stared blankly into an abyss, not even hearing Robbie's words of consolation.

"Aten, are you going to say anything?"

Aten looked up at Robbie. "I tried to stop him, Robbie……"

Robbie brought Aten against his chest. "I know, Aten. Come over to the bed."

Robbie lead Aten over to the bed. Robbie and Aten held each other on the bed.

"I never knew, Aten. It doesn't change what I think of you, if that helps."

The Egyptian boy looked up at his friend, his eyes threatening to rain tears. "Really?"

"Really."

Aten hugged Robbie tightly. "Thank you, Robbie."

"It's like you not being my friend because I have a bad foot."

Aten shook his head. "That would never happen. I'd be your friend even if you had no feet at all."

"Really, Aten?"

Aten nodded.

The two boys were silent for a while.

"I wonder how long it will take them to find us," Robbie said.

Aten rolled off of the bed. "Let's see if we can get out of these windows."

Robbie and Aten went to the window above the bed. They both grabbed the window and tried to lift.

"Wait. Something's wrong here. Aten, move over." Robbie stood on his toes. "Gosh, darn it! They fused the locks on the windows! We can't get this window open."

"Can we break it?"

Robbie looked around. "There's nothing here to break that window with. Besides…" Robbie looked closely. "My daddy showed me all about this when he took me on his ship one time for a visit. This window is wired to an alarm. If it's broken, the alarm will sound."

Aten looked at the wiring. "It's professionally done, too. In my daddy's own words….'Sit.'"

"It's 'shit,' Aten."

"Oh, yeah. Well, this window's alarm system looks foolproof. I think my daddy and Daddy Bakura would be impressed."

Robbie looked at the other two windows. Heavy metal bars were screwed to the outside of the windows. "We've got nothing to unscrew those bars. We can't even get to the screws if we tried."

Aten sighed. "Even those windows are wired."

"Bakura was teaching Aria how to pick locks. Can't you?"

Aten went to the door and jiggled the doorknob gently. "I can't access the spring. Even if I slipped a card in there, it wouldn't work. Aria is the expert at picking locks and stealing."

"An air duct? Something? There has to be something! Can't you zap us into the Shadow Realm? That cold, dark place you are always talking about?"

Aten shook his head. "I don't have my Item. Only if I have my Item I can do it."

"Your Item? What is your Item?"

Aten sat on the bed, sighing. "When I was little, my mommy took me to the Cairo Museum. I saw my Item. The Scepter of Ra."

"How do you know it is yours?"

Aten looked up at Robbie and his eyes darkened. "I can feel it, Robert. I know that is my intended Item. I am going to need that."

Robbie didn't know what to gasp at first: the fact that Aten called him 'Robert' for the first time since they've known each other or for the fact that Aten supposedly knew this object in a museum belonged to him and was rightfully his.

"So, you can't tap into your magic?"

Aten shook his head. "Aria can tap into her magic without her item. I can't. I need the help of my Item, which I do not have. I rely on my sister to take me to the Shadow Realm. I'm convinced that Aria is more yami than I am. Maybe that is why she has powers that I do not possess."

Robbie grabbed Aten's shoulders. "Can't you try?"

Aten sighed and wavered. He was weak. But without his medication, he would become even weaker. He stood up.

"I will try, but I can't promise that I can do it."

Robbie stepped back.

Aten crossed his arms against his chest and lowered his head.

"Servants of Dark, Hear my Cry

Upon the darkest winds you Fly

Open wide the portal Dark!

Add Flame to My Fire with your tiny spark!

Transport me to the Realm of Death and Sorrow

Take me now, Gracious Dark, to the Realm of Shadow!"

Aten opened his arms and threw back his head.

"Listen to my Haunted Cry

Take our souls and let us fly!"

Aten grabbed Robbie's hand as a rough wind gathered in the room.

"Helpless Child, Guide us now

Into the world of Dim and Darkened Shadow!"

A purple mist began to surround them, when a bright light surrounded them.

Aten and Robbie hid their eyes from the light. The room suddenly became very hot.

Sweat formed on their faces from the heat.

"ATEN, WRONG SPELL!"

"NO! THAT IS MY INCANTATION! IT ALWAYS WORKS! SOMETHING IS STOPPING ME FROM SUMMONING MY SHADOW POWERS!"

The purple mist dissipated and the light grew darker. Aten and Robbie looked around. They were still in the room.

"What just happened?"

Aten fell back on the bed, panting heavily, gripping his chest. "Ouch."

"Aten! Oh gods! Are you okay? I'm sorry! I didn't know it would do that to you!"

Aten took a deep breath. "No. It….took…a lot. It always worked before."

Aten struggled to put his entire body on the bed. "Something or someone stopped me from using my Shadow Powers."

Robbie sat beside Aten on the bed and ran his fingers through Aten's hair. "Just rest, Aten."

Aten shifted closer to Robbie and snuggled into Robbie's hip. "Tired….I'm supposed to take my medication now."

"I'll be here for you, Aten. Close your eyes and go to sleep."

Aten slowly closed his eyes and slept beside Robbie.

Robbie's POV

Gosh, he looks so good when he sleeps! I watched Aten's side rise and fall with each breath he took.

I never knew Aten was cut by his grandfather. That must have been horrible!

With his shirt off, he looks……..oh god……not now! Not again! Dang it!

He looks so thin without his shirt on! Each rib just sticks out from him! It's amazing. Aten eats pretty well, but I've never seen any kid on medication as thin as Aten!

I took my hand and I lightly put it on Aten's ribcage. I can feel his heart!

Wow.

His heart.

Beating.

I can feel his lungs fill with air. His skin was warm.

Do you know what?

He's so beautiful!

Is it hot in here or just me?

It's not helping this that Aten is pressed against my hip as I'm sitting up. I can feel his skin and….it's so soft!

Aten said he would love me even if I had no feet.

Was he telling the truth?

I'm getting a little tired, too. Maybe I'll lay down.

………..

Ah…that's better.

Aten shifted closer to me and buried his face under my chin. A tired, contented little sigh came out of him.

Of course, this is really not helping me right now.

Darn body…..I can't get stiff now!

…………

………….

Uh-oh…..

Aten?

Aten's getting the same thing!

"Robbie….."

Aten cuddled up closer against me. What am I going to do?!

I yawned. This entire day has been hell. Utter hell.

Maybe it's best if I just go to sleep.

I kissed Aten on the forehead like I've always done.

"Goodnight, Aten."

I sighed as I held Aten against me. The last thing I remembered before I fell asleep was smiling.

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

Umi licked his lips clean of the chocolate ice cream. "This is delicious!"

Aria nodded. Her nightgown was a pink one with lots of green lace. She tied her hair with green bows.

Ryou looked outside the window, nervously biting his nails. "Where did Marik go again, Malik?"

"He went to go get his people out there to look for him."

Ryou raised an eyebrow. "His 'people'?"

"Well, Bakura and Marik have their 'people' to help in the search if need be."

"Where did he go?"

Malik shook his head. "He never told me who these 'people' were. I don't know."

Bakura walked down the stairs. "Chibi Yami, go brush your teeth, girl."

Aria ran her bowl into the kitchen and ran upstairs to brush her teeth. Umi took his bowl out to the kitchen.

"Umi, we'll see if we can go see your father tomorrow. In the meantime, you can sleep in Aten's room tonight."

//Nobody's gonna spawn with my daughter while she is under my roof!//

/Yami, you're being unfair./

//Oh yeah? I'm protecting her.//

/Yami, Umi wouldn't hurt Aria./

//I'm not going to give him the chance.//

Aria finished brushing her teeth and kissed her father and Malik goodnight. Sekhmet followed her up the stairs. Ryou tucked Umi into Aten's bed and Aria into her bed. "Your father's just tense right now because of your brother."

"I miss him."

"I know you do, baby girl. We all do. Just close your eyes, okay, angel?" Ryou kissed Aria on the cheek. "I love you, Aria."

Aria sighed. "I love you, mommy."

Ryou tucked Umi into Aten's bed. "Your father will be okay, Umi. Just cuddle with your whale plushie." Ryou kissed Umi on the cheek. "Goodnight."

Ryou walked down the stairs. "Where's Bakura?"

"He left. He went to go see his people."

Ryou sat on the couch and sighed. "Aten…."

Malik sat beside Ryou and held his hand. "Aten will be okay, Ryou. We have so many people out there looking for him, he'll be found in no time."

Ryou turned to his friend. "Do you think so?"

"I know so, Ryou."

Ryou and Malik looked at each other, getting lost in each other's eyes. The two men closed their eyes and pressed their lips together slowly. Malik's hand lifted slowly and cupped Ryou's jaw in his hand.

Ryou's hand pressed against Malik's shirt and burrowed its way underneath the material.

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

Aria's POV

It's been a long time since I was put to bed. I wonder why daddy didn't come in and check on me like he's always done.

I slid out of my bed and opened my bedroom door. Downstairs, I hear my mommy moaning and Malik's voice. They must be making love downstairs.

It doesn't bother me.

I've live with this all my life.

I've walked in on my mommy and daddy making love. I even walked in on Daddy Marik and my mommy making love! I wonder how they do it, though. If men don't have vaginas, where does their penis go? Because that is how men and women make love.

Did you know that? That's how babies are made.

Yuck.

That's just gross.

Oh well…..

I opened Aten's door and found Umi in bed. I closed the door behind me and snuck into the room.

I wanted to stay with Umi! Why should my dad be afraid of me staying with him? Is he afraid I'm going to show him my bra or something?

Ra only knows why he is afraid of me being with Umi.

Frankly, I'll do what I want. I'm twelve. I can behave, but I wanna do this.

Umi shifted over and let me in bed with him.

He put his arms around me and I sighed happily. Umi was so comfortable! His skin felt so good!

"Thanks for coming in with me, Aria."

"No problem, Umi. It's been a while since we've been together."

Umi smiled at me. He has the cutest smile! "It has been."

Slowly his skin became sweaty. What is that?

His knee must be against my thigh.

"Umi, can you move your thigh back a little? It's poking me."

Umi started turning red.

"What's the matter, Umi? Are you feeling okay?"

Umi nodded quickly. "Yeah. I'm good…..I think."

I looked up into Umi's blue eyes. "You sure?"

"Yeah. I'm good."

I cuddled up against Umi and sighed. I could feel some emotions that I wasn't sure were mine. I know Aten and I have a kind of mindlink like my mommy and daddy have. While I was eating dinner, I felt a wave of fear coming from him.

"I hope Aten is okay," I whispered.

"I hope both Robbie and Aten are okay, Aria. I'd hate to see anything happen to either one of them."

I sighed. Why would my brother want to kill himself? Was I somehow involved in why he wanted to kill himself? Did I say or do something to him? Aten and I always told each other everything. He told me about my mommy's daddy. He told me everything. It took everything I had not to go to my mommy's daddy's grave and dig up his bones. I wanted to tear his skeleton apart. That ass doesn't deserve to rest in one piece.

"Umi, what do you think of Aten?"

"I like him. I think he's nice. It's a shame he wanted to do something so wrong like kill himself, though."

It's good Umi likes him. Like me, like Aten. Hate Aten, fear me. That's the way it's always been with Aten and I.

"Robbie's a good friend, too. We don't get together as often as we should."

I looked up at Umi. "When we find Aten and Robbie, let's all go out somewhere. Let's go to the arcade or the ice cream place."

Umi smiled. Damn it, he's cute when he does that!

"That sounds great, Umi! We'll have to do that!"

"Aten and Robbie will be found, Aria. Don't you worry your pretty spiky head about it."

As I looked at him in the moonlight and as we shared a bed together, I wanted to kiss him. What is it that I feel? Why do I feel so different about Umi all of a sudden?

I closed my eyes and tipped my head up. I kissed Umi on the lips for the first time.

This feels…….good.

Two years ago, this would have been icky and disgusting.

Why does it feel so different now?

Umi kissed me back, and much to my surprise, he slipped his tongue between my lips.

This would have been disgusting a few years ago. Still is, a little. But, it feels good.

Umi shifted his hips away from me. I wonder why.

"Umi, are you afraid of me?" I asked as I pulled back.

"No, Aria. I….umm…it's a guy thing."

I laughed. "It's YOUR guy thing?"

Umi turned redder. "Well…if you want to put it that way….yeah."

I snickered. Poor Umi. "It's okay, Umi. I won't bite."

A drop of sweat poured down Umi's face. Poor guy.

"Do you like me, Umi?"

Umi laughed. "Of course I like you! We've been friends for nine years! I wouldn't kiss any girl I didn't like."

"You've kissed other girls? Who?"

Why does Umi look like a caged tiger all of a sudden?

"I kissed Gabby once, but that was it."

"You kissed my best friend?!"

"I kissed her two years ago! She was worried about you when you got the Chicken Pox! I gave her a kiss to help her feel better!"

It was just an innocent little kiss. There's no reason to get worked up over it.

"That's okay, Umi. I just wanted to know. I'm not mad."

"Really?"

I nodded. "I can't stay angry at you, Umi. I like you a lot."

Umi hugged me closer to him and he smiled. "I like you, my little mermaid."

[No….I think I love you, little mermaid.]

"I like you, too, Umi. Goodnight."

[[No, I love you, Umi.]]

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

Bakura walked down an alleyway, armed with his dagger. A gang of men stood at the end of the alley.

"Hey! Brothers!" Bakura called to them.

The big men in black leather turned around to see him.

"Well, if it isn't Bakura Itemri! Where have you been all these years?"

"Settled down. Had a child." Bakura looked around at the littered alley which was covered in graffiti. Rats ran around the edges of the alley looking for morsels of food. "Nice place. What have you maggots been up to?"

"Murder. Robbery. Rape. It never ends."

Bakura laughed. "You bitches never change!"

As in ancient Egypt, Bakura always connected with the criminals of Domino. He knew who committed what crime. Bakura's people were a brotherhood. The criminals of Domino relied on each other. Bakura was pleased to keep his title as the King of Thieves. The criminal underworld bowed to Bakura and his orders.

"Look, bitches, I'm in a rut." Bakura handed the gang leader a picture of Aten and Robbie. "These two kids are part of my family. They were abducted. I don't know where they are. Aten is my husband's son. He has a deadly heart condition and could die without his medication. I need you boys to get the word out to every criminal scum in this city! Find them! Whomever finds them will get a substantial reward. Seto Kaiba's son is most likely with him. So, if you find all three of the boys, you will most likely be rewarded with a full pardon."

The gang members looked at each other. "You say we could get pardoned?"

"The justice system is nothing to Seto Kaiba. He could pay your way. You could live in the lap of luxury."

The leader bowed in front of Bakura. "We will be honored to help you, Bakura Itemri."

"My daughter is looking for him, too. You are to help her in any way you can. And, if I find out that one of you put a finger on her, I will bleed you to death personally!"

The leader smiled. "How old is the little princess?"

"She's 12 now. She's got daddy's bloodlust, for sure. Now, Gregory, I'm looking your way! If you put a finger on my daughter, you will suffer a million deaths! Don't tell me you don't know what I'm talking about. I know what you do at night!"

The man grinned. "I promise, Itemri."

"You'd better."

"We'll find your kid, Itemri," the leader said.

"He's Ishtar's kid, but I love him as if he were my own. You get it?"

The leader nodded. "We'll show this picture to every lowlife in the city, Bakura. The entire criminal population will be looking for him by sunrise."

"My daughter is to be aided if she needs it."

"We will help the little princess thief any way we can."

Bakura growled and his Ring glowed. "Good. Now, get going. I want you scum to report to me at sunset."

The leader grinned. "We may be scum, but we are your scum."

"And don't you forget it," Bakura grinned as he disappeared into the night.

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

Kanaye counted the pile of money in front of him. "Two thousand dollar. Not bad. Kin should have known better not to cross me!"

The Japanese men laughed.

The lights dimmed in the room and a bolt of lightening lit the room suddenly.

The men looked around, alarmed.

"What?"

"What is going on?"

A deep voice bellowed through the room. "Do you fear the dark?"

The men looked towards the door. Two beams of light filled the room.

The lights appeared as rain banged violently against the window frames.

Marik appeared. "My old friends! Surely you would have been excited to see me after so long!"

"Akira Marik!" Kanaye gasped.

Marik chuckled as he entered the room. "I would have thought that the Japanese Mafia would miss me."

"We have not seen you for long time. Where have you been?"

Marik sat on a velvet couch and clutched the Rod in his hand. "I married and had a son."

The men surrounded Marik and bowed before him. "Master, that is great news," Kanaye said with a smile. "A boy is a blessing."

A roll of thunder sounded outside. "My boy is missing."

Kanaye and the other men gasped. They exchanged glances. "Who would dare take the son of such a respected criminal?"

The yami growled. "I do not know. That is the thing." Marik gave a picture to Kanaye. "I want you and the Mafia Underworld to find him. The dark child is my boy. You are to find him and his friend, also pictured here."

"What is the name of your Prince?"

"Aten Bakari Ishtar. His friend is Robbie Allen Morgan. The boys are twelve years old."

The men looked at the picture one by one.

"We will find him, Akira Marik! You have helped us in our ventures! You are our Anchor! We will help. Find son."

Marik scratched his back with the Millennium Rod. "My son has a heart defect. He's dying of heart failure. He needs his medication and I'm not sure if he has any with him."

"Your prince has a heart condition?! Oh, Marik, we will find him! We will not let the little prince die of such a sickness!"

"When you find the guy who took my son, bring him here and tell me. I want a piece of this asshole myself."

The men bowed. "Yes, master. We will do that."

"My son means a lot to me, Kanaye. I do not want my son to die. I have already told the Italian Mafia and now you guys know. Search every dock. Every street. Every alley. Everywhere! Report to me whatever you find."

"Yes, Marik. We will do that."

Marik stood up as another bolt of lightening struck across the sky. "Do not let me down."

The men shook their heads. "No! We will never let you down! Great one!"

"Good. See that you don't."

Marik turned and left the house.

He walked out into the pouring rain.

Marik's POV

We have to find Aten!

Bakura and I have all of our people searching.

Gods, I hope we don't find him dead.

I hope we get to him in time.

There's no replacing a child that you lose.

I didn't keep Aten alive this long only to lose him!

I won't stop until I find him.

My hands gripped the Millennium Rod. I threw back my head and screamed into the night as the rain poured down on my face.

"I WILL FIND YOU, ATEN! NO MATTER WHAT I HAVE TO DO!"

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