Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return To Hades ❯ Call Me ( Chapter 11 )

WARNING: ANZU BASHING!

Anubiset: Marik talked sense into him. Asher takes his job VERY seriously! Ryou x Bakura x Malik lemon in chappie 14.

YoukoMia: Marik is an awesome father. He takes that role very seriously. Serenity deserved to be thrown against that wall. That summarizes their relationship, definitely.

Jupitor Knight: Yeah, I had no reviews on aff. It must have been down. I haven't noticed. Sure I can look at what you wrote. I'll read as I have spare time.

Kura Magician Girl: That Aria part was hilarious! It was all of a sudden she came to me saying that.

Broken Time: NEAT! Anzu bashing this chappie! I'm due for it anyway.

Sakiyama: Not sure when they will be rescued. Soon, I think. Because there is a long recovery.

Lady Elfskye: I thought that was so cute when Mokuba chased Jeanie out of the room! It was just so sudden that it happened on me!

I Is Me: NOT THE MILLENNIUM BACKSCRATCHER! You're not going to stab me? Hmm…maybe that will give my wounds some time to heal from all the previous stabbings.

Call Me

Ryou walked around downtown, searching every store, asking every person on the street if they had seen his son. With each 'no' he became more disappointed.

Someone had to have seen him!

He opened the door to Tristan's Motorcycle Shop. Tristan saw him and rushed up to him. "Hey, Ryou! Did you find him yet?"

Ryou lowered his head. "No. I haven't seen him or heard anything from him yet."

Tristan wrapped his arms around Ryou. "It's going to be okay, little buddy. We'll find him. I'm going out after work and searching the suburbs. Otogi packed me dinner already."

Ryou looked around at the salesmen looking at him. "Can we go into your office? They're looking at me."

The brunet lead Ryou into his office where the white haired man sobbed into his hands. "What if he did kill himself, Tristan? What am I going to do?"

Tristan took both of Ryou's shoulders in his strong hands. "You know what you do if Aten is dead, Ryou?"

Ryou looked up at Tristan with large, brown, bloodshot eyes. "What?"

"Concentrate on Aria. You still have her. You cannot stop living because you lost him. It might sound harsh, Ryou, but it is the truth."

Ryou sniffled as a tear dropped from his eye. "It's a truth that is hard to face. But, you are right. I have Aria. I have to live for her."

Tristan nodded. "Tonight, have a hot cup of tea and cuddle with Aria. I think you both need it."

Ryou nodded. "We do."

Tristan gave Ryou another hug. "Stay strong, little man. Otogi and I are here for you and we're trying every second we have to find Aten."

Ryou smiled. "I appreciate it."

"I know you do, Ryou."

"Thank you."

Ryou left the motorcycle shop and looked up. The sun had appeared above for the first time since Aten had disappeared. Either the weather patterns were changing or Marik was in a happy mood right now.

Ryou continued to walk around downtown and inquire at the different shops. When his search turned up nothing, he stopped at Central Park. He sat on a wooden bench and buried his face in his hands.

'Aten….I must be the reason why he wanted to kill himself. I am the worst mother on the planet.'

"RYOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Ryou found himself locked in a slimy, constricting hug. His eyes shot open and saw a brunette woman hugging him. "OH NO! ANZU!"

"Hello, Ryou!!!!! You're looking so friendly today!"

"Anzu……..get….off!"

Anzu smiled blankly. "I love friendship! I was out here chasing the happy busy bees and hugging the cute little squirrels to death because squirrels are like friendship! And I saw a horse and buggy and I hugged the horse so tightly! The buggy-man wasn't too friendly about it, though. Are you being friendly to the park chair?"

Ryou sat down. "No. My son is missing. I can't find him."

Anzu pouted. "Aww….I can spread the word of friendliness and happy bunnies if I help you and look for your son! It would be so friendly of me if I can do that!"

Ryou raised an eyebrow. "You….want to help find Aten?"

Anzu smiled blankly. "Of course! Then when I find him I can squish him and hug him and love him and pinch him on his cheek and…."

"You are NOT to touch him! Only find him and call me if you find him!"

Anzu smiled blankly, her eyes wide and vacant like usual. "CHIBIS ARE FRIENDLY!"

Ryou handed her a picture of Aten and Robbie. "Aten is my son and he is with his friend, Robbie, who is also missing."

Anzu jumped up and down. "YEAH!"

"What?"

"I FOUND THEM! HERE THEY ARE, RYOU!" Anzu held the picture.

Ryou shook his head in dismay. "No, dumb ass. That is only a picture of them! Go around and ask if anyone has seen them!"

Anzu looked at the picture blankly. "It's only a picture? How can I find them?"

"Show people the picture and ask if they've seen Aten or Robbie. Aten has a scar on his right palm and his back is carved with the word 'MINE.'"

Anzu squealed. "I'll find him and I'll spread the friendly word of FRIENDSHIP all over Domino while I do it!"

Ryou sighed. "If you find him, Anzu, call me. The number is on that paper with the pictures. Robbie's right foot is clubbed, so he walks with a noticeable limp."

Anzu jumped around. "YEAH! I promise to find them, Ryou, and spread the word of friendliness, love, and HAPPY BUNNIES with Pinchy by my side!"

Anzu brought her pet scorpion out of her pocket and it leaped out of her hand. "Pinchy! Come back!"

The scorpion crawled desperately to the fountain to drown itself. Unfortunately, its captor….I mean, owner…..caught it and hugged it tightly. Her slimy hug encased the helpless insect even as it tried to sting her.

"We have work to do, Pinchy! It is our destiny to spread the word of happiness to everyone we see while we search for these two chibis! ANZU AND PINCHY AWAY!"

Anzu ran off, leaving Ryou shaking his head in dismay.

"Oh well. Maybe Anzu will find them……though that may be a good thing or a bad thing."

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

The sound of seagulls woke Aten early. The sounds of screaming and crying had finally ceased. He looked up and saw Robbie peacefully sleeping, his fingers twitching in his sleep. Aten's eyes widened as he felt something hard pressing against Aten's hips.

"Oh gods….Robbie….wake up."

Robbie's fingers twitched and he gave a quiet whimper. "Aten…."

The Egyptian boy's widened. "He's dreaming of me!"

Aten winced at the pain in his legs. They felt heavy. This wasn't the first time he had noticed this problem. This was a common occurrence from his Congestive Heart Failure.

He pushed against Robbie to roll on his back. He rolled onto his back and sat up.

His legs had swelled again. "Darn it!"

Aten took his pillows and put them under his feet. He laid on his back and took a deep breath.

'I haven't taken my pills in three days.'

Another seagull gave a screech and Robbie's eyes shot open.

"Morning, Robbie," the Egyptian boy whispered.

Robbie yawned and rubbed his eyes. "Oh, man……I'm beat! I don't remember closing my eyes last night."

Aten grinned. "Neither did I. I think I just passed out."

"Where's your pillow?"

Aten opened his eyes. "Look at my legs."

Robbie looked down and saw the normally bony legs filled with fluid. His veins were popping out and they were swollen to twice their size. "Holy Crud! What happened?"

Aten sighed. "I have to elevate my legs above my heart to help my legs drain. This has happened before."

Robbie touched his friend's left leg and heard Aten scream.

"OW! DON'T TOUCH IT! It hurts enough!"

"Sorry! I didn't know it hurt that bad!"

Aten yawned. "It's okay. It's from my heart failure. My legs do this to me sometimes, even with my medication."

Robbie's jaw dropped. "Is this from you not taking your meds?"

Aten nodded. "Yeah. My medicine prevents buildup of this fluid stuff. Since I don't have my medication, I can't stop it."

Robbie's eyes filled with tears and he took Aten's hand. "Don't die on me, Aten! Please!"

Aten grinned. "I won't die, Robbie. I have you with me. You know, Robbie, if it wasn't for you, I would have plunged that knife into my heart."

Robbie looked into his friend's different colored eyes. "You mean…..you stayed alive……..for me?"

Aten looked up into the icy-blue eyes of his friend. Those crystalline pools soothed him. Nothing else mattered but those two shiny icy diamonds.

The Egyptian boy nodded. "Yes. I couldn't………I couldn't leave you, Robbie."

Robbie leaned over and hugged Aten tightly. "I don't want you to leave me, Aten. Whatever it is that bothers you, we can talk about it! You know you can talk to me about anything."

'I love you, Aten,' Robbie thought in his head as he cried on Aten's chest. 'I never want you to leave me, Aten. I'm empty without you. You are all I have.'

Aten ran his fingers through Robbie's black hair that was beginning to curl on the ends. Robbie's hair had become curly as he aged.

Aten wrapped his arms around Robbie. "Don't cry, Robbie. I'll be okay. I just have to take it easy."

The lock on the door was jiggled and Robbie gasped. He sat up and held Aten's hand.

Vinnie opened the door. "Good Morning, brats. Time to make breakfast."

Robbie squeezed Aten's hand. "Aten can't be on his feet. His leg is all swollen."

Vinnie stepped up to the bed and cocked his head to the side. "Hmm…so it is." Vinnie pressed his finger into the leg and Aten let out a piercing cry.

"OW! DON'T TOUCH THAT!"

"What? This?" Vinnie pressed it harder and Aten covered his eyes and screamed again.

Robbie growled. "Leave Aten alone, you big bully!"

Vinnie grabbed Robbie by the collar. "Listen to me, you little brat! You treat me with respect!"

Robbie narrowed his eyes. "Leave Aten alone!"

Vinnie pressed his finger against Aten's legs again.
"STOP THAT!" Aten screamed as tears came from his eyes.

Charlie stepped into the room. "What the fuck is going on? I can't make love to my nephew if I hear a commotion in here!"

Aten sat up and pointed at Vinnie. "This jerk keeps touching my leg!"

Charlie looked at the boy's legs. "What's the matter with your legs, kid?"

Aten narrowed his eyes and rubbed his sore leg. "I haven't been taking my heart medication! My legs swell up like this all the time, but it's worse because I don't have my medication."

Charlie leaned down and saw the veins popping out of Aten's feet and legs. He pushed hard and Aten fell back on the bed.
"STOP TOUCHING MY RA-DAMNED LEG! IT HURTS, GOD-DAMN IT!"

Robbie's jaw dropped. "Aten!" He had never heard that language come from Aten's mouth.

Charlie narrowed his eyes and slapped Aten across the face. The boy was tossed off of the bed by the impact.

Robbie struggled in Vinnie's grip. "Aten! Let me go! I have to see Aten!"

Vinnie threw Robbie on the ground. The boy crawled to his friend on the ground.

"Aten? Aten, speak to me."

Aten groaned as Robbie picked his head up. "My legs hurt."

Robbie nodded and stroked Aten's hair. "I know, Aten. I know."

Charlie stood up. "I don't tolerate disrespect. You boys discovered that the day you got here. Now, Aten, get off of your ass and go cook us some breakfast."

Robbie shifted his eyes between the two men. The men glared angrily down at them.

"Do I need to drag you both out of here bodily?"

Robbie held Aten close to him. "Give me a few minutes to get him on his feet."

Charlie and Vinnie stepped out of the room.

"Aten, come on," Robbie said, pulling Aten to his feet.

For the first time since he had known Aten, he felt heavier. The fluid in his legs had weighed him down.

"I just have to walk around, I guess," Aten said. Aten stood on his feet unsteadily.

Robbie slowly let go and Aten stood up on his own. "You okay?"

Aten wobbled and sighed. "Yeah. If I walk around, it sometimes helps."

Aten and Robbie walked to the door and opened it. Charlie and Vinnie glared at the two boys.

"Are you better now or do we have to stick a metal pole up your ass to make you stand up?" Vinnie asked Aten.

"I'm better, thank you," Aten snarled at the green-eyed man.

"Good. Get your lazy asses to work in the kitchen. You DO know how to make breakfast, don't you, bitches?"

Robbie shifted closer to Aten.

Aten lowered his head. "I can make some things."

"Make me a ham and cheese omelet with toast. You burn the toast, you are going to get fifty slaps with the back of my hand. Get it?"

Aten nodded. "Yes, sir."

Vinnie glared down at Robbie. "Let's see. You are Miranda's son, so I have to keep this simple. Otherwise, your brain will freeze up and you'll be as useless as she was. I want a toasted bagel with cream cheese. Do you think you can handle that request? Can you get me a glass of orange juice with that, or will that push my request out of your tiny, tiny brain?"

Robbie lowered his head. "Bagel with cream cheese and orange juice. Got it, sir."

Vinnie's hand slapped against his own forehead. "Oh my God! He remembered! A friggin' miracle! Now get to it! When you are done making breakfast, there's a couple other things you can do around here to make yourselves useful."

Robbie and Aten walked to the kitchen quietly. They didn't speak a word to each other as they gathered the food. Both of them were too involved in their own musings to notice Dominic enter the kitchen and leave.

Robbie placed the cream cheese on Vinnie's bagel and poured him his juice. "Here you go, sir."

Vinnie laughed. "Kneel down, kid."

Robbie shifted his eyes uncomfortably. "Excuse me?"

"Give me my breakfast on your knees!"

Robbie kneeled down and handed the plate and juice to Vinnie.

Vinnie took a bite. "Not bad. Now. Get on your hands and knees." Vinnie put his feet on Robbie's back. "Comfy kid."

Charlie grinned as he turned on the television.

[The police still have no leads as to the disappearance of Aten Ishtar, Hayden Kaiba, and Robert Morgan. There have been no leads as to this time. The police are combing the city and its suburbs in search of the missing boys. There has been no evidence of foul play. Any information leading to an arrest has been increased to one million dollars by Seto Kaiba.]

Charlie snickered. "One million dollars for a clue, huh? What do you say we give them a clue, Vin?"

Vinnie shrugged. "Sounds good to me. Everyone here thinks I work for an insurance company, remember? Kaiba gives me a million smackers and we can live the rest of our lives in Hawaii!"

Charlie grinned. "Sweet. What do you think of Hawaii, Robert, my boy?"

"I don't want to go to Hawaii."

"Why not? You can meet lots of girls in bikinis."

Robbie looked away. "Girls don't interest me. Never have. Girls are weird."

Vinnie laughed. "So, you don't like titties, kid? What the fuck is wrong with you?"

Robbie lowered his head. "I just don't like girls."

"Tits are the best, kid. Your mom's were hot!"

Robbie tried to suppress a growl, but Vinnie's feet were weighing him down.

Aten brought out Charlie's breakfast. "I did my best with the omelet."

Charlie took a bite. "I've had better shit in prison, kid. But, it's food."

Vinnie gulped his juice. "Aten, what do you think of tits?"

Aten cocked his head to the side. "Tits?"

"Yeah. Boobies. Knockers. Breasts. Love-Jugs. Hooters. Naughty Pillows?"

Aten cringed. He was forced to touch a woman when he was two years old. Jessica made him touch her breasts and ever since then, he was scared by the thought of seeing a woman naked or seeing a woman's bare breasts.

"I don't like women's breasts."

"What the hell do you two kids have against titties? Something is seriously wrong with you two. Tits make the world go around! Hooters make everything better! Robbie, my boy, your mom was fucking hot! Her tits were the firmest I've ever had!"

Robbie's fists clenched in anger. How dare Vinnie talk about his mother like that! 'When I get up, I'm going to kick his ass from here to heck and back!'

Vinnie turned to Charlie. "So, what information do you think I should give?"

Charlie scratched his chin. "We need to lead the cops away from the suburb. We need to get physical evidence that these three might be in danger. It isn't enough that I destroy Kaiba financially, I must destroy him emotionally. That is the best way to crush a person. We will make Kaiba think the boys' lives are in danger. Then he will come running to their rescue. That is when we shoot him dead in the street! Kaiba would look nice with a bullet in his brain. But first, let's play some mind games with him. Tonight, I have a feeling that Kaiba and your parents will be getting some rather interesting phone calls tonight."

Aten and Robbie exchanged worried glances.

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

Kaiba picked at his food slowly. He leaned on his hand half-awake. This was not the longest time that he had gone without sleep. When Mokuba had the chicken pox after Duelist Kingdom, Seto didn't sleep for a month.

Joey looked equally as drained. His eyes had grown heavy.

Jaimen ate his Peking Duck hungrily. "Daddy, how do you like your duck?"

Seto shrugged. "It's good….it's edible."

"Daddy Joey? How do you like your duck?"

Joey sighed. "It's good."

Serenity walked in and sat at Hayden's place. Joey stood up angrily.

"You can't sit there! Sit on the next seat down."

"Why can't I sit here?"

Joey sat on his seat slowly. "That's Hayden's chair. You can't sit there. That is Hayden's spot."

Serenity rolled her eyes and sat down. "Peking Duck! Wow! This is the best thing that has happened all day!"

Seto pulled his napkin from his neck, threw it on the floor, and stood up. "Please excuse me." The CEO left the room, slamming the heavy Dining Hall door behind him.

Joey sighed. Seto hadn't spoken to him in two days. They had spent their time together in bed, but intimacy was difficult for them. They both needed each other, but neither could give each other solace.

Mokuba walked in, worry on his face. "Where's my brother?"

Serenity rolled her eyes. "He got all pissy because I sat in Hayden's chair."

Joey narrowed his eyes. "Serenity, please."

"Well, he did."

Mokuba sat at his place and scooped some duck onto his plate. "Hello, Jaimen. How's my little nephew doing today?"

Jaimen's face lit up. "Great! I built this neat Lego (I don't own) rollercoaster! You should come in and see it!"

Mokuba scooped some rice onto his plate. "Maybe later, little guy. I have to go over to Jeanie's tonight. She's not feeling too well, so I got her some things from the store to make her feel better. She must have that flu that's going around. I'm going to run out to her place and be back quick."

"Take Jay to be your driver. He's on duty tonight."

Mokuba nodded. "I know, Joey. I won't be long. When I come back, I can see your rollercoaster."

Jaimen smiled and bounced up and down in his chair. "Yeah! Daddy Joey, can I borrow some of Hayden's cars to be on my rollercoaster?"

Joey turned his head. "No one is to go into Hayden's room. That is his room."

"Aww…can't I borrow one of the cars he doesn't play with? I'll put it back where I found it."

Joey sighed. "Okay. You can run in quickly and get a car, but not messing about, understand?"

Jaimen nodded excitedly. "Gotcha, Daddy Joey."

Serenity bit into her duck. "You've been spending a lot of time in there, Joey. What do you do in there all day?'

Joey turned to her. "None of your business."

Mokuba and Jaimen's jaws dropped. "Joey? Maybe you should get some sleep," the younger Kaiba suggested.

"I see Kaiba has rubbed off on you more than anyone realized…including yourself!" Serenity responded.

Joey narrowed his eyes. "Serenity, I am in no mood for your bullshit right now."

Mokuba turned to Joey. "Joey, maybe you should go lay down for a little bit. You must be exhausted!"

Joey lowered his head. "Fine." Joey threw his napkin on the ground and walked out of the Dining Hall, slamming the door behind him like his lover did.

Mokuba shook his head. "Poor Joey and Seto. This isn't easy on either of them."

Jaimen's bottom lip trembled. "Uncle Mokuba? I'm worried about my daddy. Is he going to be okay?"

Mokuba nodded and wrapped his arm around his nephew. "Jaimen, daddy will be fine. I'll try to talk to them after I see your rollercoaster, okay?"

Serenity crossed her arms. "Your brother changed my brother, Mokuba! Joey doesn't need your pity! He needs to go home with me where he belongs!"

Mokuba turned to the woman. "And who are you to decide where he is happiest? Joey's been living here since he was fifteen! I've had him around since I was twelve years old! This place changed for the better when Joey came here to live with us! I finally felt…like I had a family. Seto and I never had any real family growing up. Gozuboro treated my brother and I like cattle. But when Joey came, I felt like I had a friend and a family. Joey's always been happiest here."

"He doesn't look happy now, does he?"

"Joey and Seto have every right to be on edge! Hayden, Aten, and Robbie are missing and nobody knows if they are even alive! Have some compassion, will you?"

Serenity laughed. "What do you Kaibas know about compassion?"

Mokuba growled. "More than you, apparently. Telling Aten that the world doesn't need more of 'his kind.' You know what? My brother is gay, and I don't care! I know my brother and Joey make love together. I love them no matter what! If Aten is gay, that's fine! I won't like him any less! Same with Hayden. If Hayden turned out to be gay, it wouldn't bother me. If you love Joey, I don't see why it bothers you so much."

Jaimen looked up at Mokuba. "Gay?"

"Yeah, that means my brother only likes guys. He finds only guys attractive."

"Oh, I see."

Mokuba growled. "It sickens me to think that you are judging your brother…your own flesh and blood like this! What happened to the Serenity of Battle City who would do anything for Joey? You cheered him on! You supported him! Now you're bitching at him! You know what, Serenity, he doesn't need another bitch around making life difficult for him! We have enough shit to put up with without you making it worse."

Jaimen's jaw dropped. "Uncle Mokuba!"

"Sorry, Jaimen. I had to say it. And, Serenity, I've been hearing you make comments about me being the only straight one in the family. That isn't true, first of all. I'm not the only straight one in the family. I happen to know that Aria is straight as a ruler! Second of all, if you're going to be making comments about my girlfriend, you say them to me, not behind my back. I happen to love Jeanie very much and I will not tolerate you talking about her behind my back!"

Serenity gasped. "I would never talk about your girlfriend that way!"

"Bull-plop, Serenity. Now I have to get going to Jeanie. If I don't get her food to her, it's my head on a silver platter."

Mokuba finished his duck quickly and called Jay. Jay quickly suited up with his revolver and his bullet-proof vest. He met Mokuba at the door.

"Where to tonight, Master Mokuba?"

"Jeanie's house. My little girl has the flu."

Jay looked in the brown bag. "She has the flu?"

Mokuba blushed. "Yes, let's go."

Jay shrugged. 'Why would a woman who has the flu want chocolate chip cookies, pepperoni, Pizza Pockets, and Mountain Dew?'

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

1 A.M

Joey sat in the bed he shared with Seto. Joey's eyes laid on the phone. He nervously bit his lip, waiting for a tip or the police.

Why weren't they calling?

Seto entered the bedroom and stripped down to his boxers. He washed up and sat in the bed reading the newspaper he didn't finish with his breakfast.

Joey and Seto jumped as the phone rang loudly.

Joey grabbed the phone. "Hello?"

[PLEASE! STOP!] a voice called over the rhythmic creaking of a mattress. [IT HURTS!]

The voice sobbed.

"Hello! Hayden! HAYDEN! Is that you?!"

[DADDY, MAKE HIM STOP!]

Joey's entire body trembled as he listened to Hayden's cries. Seto wrapped his arms around Joey, hearing the desperate cries of Hayden.

A familiar man's deep laughter came from the other side of the line.

A last high-pitched cry from Hayden sounded over the receiver. A man's deep groan of pleasure ended the call.

"HAYDEN? HAYDEN!!!!!!!! NO!" Joey sobbed into his pillow. Memories of his own father raced through his head as he pictured what this sick bastard was doing to Hayden.

Seto held onto Joey, suppressing his tears for the good of his lover. "Joey, come here."

Joey turned around and sobbed into Seto's chest loudly. The CEO picked up the receiver and dialed the number to get the phone number of the last call received.

The number was unlisted.

"Shit!" Seto cursed as he hung up the phone. "I'm here, puppy."

"Hayden!!!!!! Gods, Seto, tell me Hayden isn't…….Hayden!!!"

Seto hugged Joey closely. What Marik had told him in his office was right. Marik and he had to combine their efforts. Seto closed his eyes. If only he had acted sooner, maybe Hayden wouldn't be paying the price….

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

1:15 A.M

Bakura yawned and rolled over, wrapping his arms around his husband. It was Bakura's turn to stay home this night. Marik was off with his Mafia crowd, searching the seedy streets of Domino for the lost boys.

Even though Maxine was great protection, she didn't have Shadow Magic, which could prove more important than theft skills.

The phone rang and their eyes shot open at once.

Ryou picked up the phone first. "Hello?"

Crying.

Quiet crying.

"Hello? Aten? Baby boy, is that you?"

A slap of flesh and Aten's cry of pain sounded through the phone. Bakura's mental barriers were broken by Ryou's mental images of his fears passed through their link.

"Aten? ATEN?"

Aria started screaming in her room. Bakura ran to Aria's room. Maxine's steps could be heard running up the stairs.

Aten continued to cry over the phone as another slap sounded over the line.

"Aten, baby? Talk to me! Are you hurt?!"

[Mommy! I can't fight him off!]

"TRY, BABY! TRY!"

Malik's door opened and he ran into Aria's room.

[NO! DON'T TOUCH THAT! IT HURTS!]

Ryou covered his mouth as he listened to the sobs of his son.

"MOMMY!" Aria cried from her room.

Malik ran into Ryou's bedroom. "Ryou, you should come take a look at this!"

"ATEN, BABY, WHERE ARE YOU?"

[Let go of me!] Another slap. [I can't fight him, mommy! He's hurting me!]

A man's deep laugh sounded. [HE'S OURS NOW!]

Aten screamed and the sounds of someone choking him were heard. Aten's sobs were interrupted by sounds of his throat being squeezed. The line went dead.

"Aten? ATEN!" Ryou dropped the phone and ran to Aria's room.

The little girl was curled up in a ball, clutching her cheek.

"Aria, baby girl, what's wrong?"

"My cheek!"

Ryou took her hand. "Let mommy see, come on," the mother said calmly as the girl lifted her hand.

A large bruise decorated her cheek. Bakura turned to Umi.

"Tell me you did not raise a hand towards my little girl!" Bakura roared angrily, his hair spiking and twitching with fury at the little boy.

Umi backed away. "I didn't! I heard her scream and I ran in here!"

Aria nodded. "It's true. I was sleeping and it felt like someone slapped my cheek."

Bakura touched her cheek gently. "It feels hot as if someone slapped her."

Ryou turned to Malik. "It must be their mindlink! Aria, what feelings are you getting from Aten now?"

"My legs hurt. They feel weak and puffy."

Malik looked up at Bakura. "He hasn't had his medication."

Maxine put her hand to Aria's forehead. "You feel warm."

Ryou touched her forehead. "She does. Aria, are you feeling okay?"

Aria nodded. "Yeah. My stomach hurts a little though."

"Are you hungry?" her father asked.

"No. I had an entire bag of M&M's though. Maybe I ate too much."

Ryou stroked Aria's hair. "Baby, can you feel what is happening to Aten right now?"

Aria thought for a moment. "I'm getting nothing from him. When this happens, he's usually asleep."

"He's not blocking you, is he?" Malik asked.

"No. He must be asleep. I'm not getting anything from him now."

Ryou sat with Aria after everyone filed out of the room. Ryou held Aria against him and kissed her bruised cheek. "Is there anything else you got from Aten?"

Aria sighed. "Before I woke up, I remember being afraid. That's about it."

Ryou hugged Aria tightly and closed his eyes. Tristan was right. He had to remain strong for Aria. He kissed his daughter's forehead. "It's okay, angel. How's your cheek now?"

She looked up at her mother with her large brown eyes. "I love you, mommy," Aria said, cuddling close to her mother.

Ryou rocked her on his lap. "I love you, too, angel."

'Aten, please be okay,' Ryou pleaded as he held his daughter close.

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

1:30 A.M.

Miranda slept quietly with Asher sitting on a chair by her bedside. She had spent the day on the phone with the military desperately trying to get them to give Daniel an emergency leave.

His son was missing, possibly abducted. Nobody knew what had happened to the boys.

The only clue that was known was Aten's suicide note, which left no admittance other than that he loved Robbie.

The phone rang and she jumped. Maybe it was the military calling her back!

"Hello?"

[…….Mommy?]

"ROBBIE!"

[Mommy….I was allowed to call you.]

"Robbie, baby, where are you?"

[I can't tell you. *sniff* I love you, mommy! *sob* Mommy, I'm so scared….I'm so afraid….I want to come home!]

Miranda's hands began to shake from worry about her son. "Robbie, baby boy, calm down and tell mommy where you are."

Robbie sobbed. [I can't tell you, mommy! I want to come home! I love you, mommy!]

Miranda sobbed. "I love you, too, little soldier! We're looking for you, baby!"

[I'm afraid.]

"I know you are, baby. Are you hurt? Are you with Aten?"

[TIME TO GET OFF OF THE PHONE, YOU LITTLE BRAT!]

Miranda jumped as a slap of flesh was heard and Robbie's scream. Her face drained of color at the familiar voice. But it was a voice that she heard so long ago…..but, from where?

[MOMMY, HELP!]

"ROBBIE! ROBBIE!"

The line went dead.

Miranda hung up the phone and jumped out of bed. She wiped tears away as she dashed past Asher. The large man chased after her as she ran down the street towards Ryou's house.

She knocked on the door, her body shaking and sweating. "RYOU! OPEN UP!"

A woman opened the door, clutching a dagger. "OH! Miranda!"

"Is Ryou here? I need to talk to Ryou!"

Maxine lead her upstairs to Aria's bedroom.

Ryou looked up and saw Miranda standing there with Asher behind her.

"Miranda?"

"Ryou…."

Miranda's eyes rolled back and she was caught by Asher before she could hit the floor.

Aria gasped. "Miranda!" The little girl ran to the unconscious woman.

Ryou ran to Miranda. "Malik! We need a wet cloth!"

Malik and Bakura ran into the room, startled by the urgency of Ryou's cry.

Malik ran downstairs and wet a cloth. He returned and put the cloth on Miranda's forehead.

"What happened, Asher?" Maxine asked.

Asher looked down at the woman. "She was talking to her son over the phone."

Maxine gasped. "What?!"

Ryou turned to Maxine. "I got a call, too! It was Aten, only…."

Maxine put her hand on Ryou's shoulders. "Ryou, I have to notify Seto. Tell me what you heard."

"Crying….my boy was crying….and someone was hitting him. Hurting him."

Aria looked up. "I felt someone slap my face. That's why my cheek hurts still."

Maxine looked up at Asher. "Asher, did Miranda say anything?"

Asher scratched his head. "Miranda was asking her son where he was. The next thing I knew she was screaming and she ran past me."

Maxine stood up. "Asher, come with me. Ryou, we have to use your phone."

Ryou nodded. "Okay. Bakura, take Aria and put her with Umi."

"But, mommy, I want to stay with you."

"Aria, honey, you need your sleep. Go snuggle in with Umi."

Bakura narrowed his eyes. He did not want Umi and Aria in the same bed AGAIN. But he could feel Ryou's tension through the mindlink. If he protested, he was likely to get a tongue-lashing from his tense husband.

"Let's go, Chibi Yami."

Bakura lead Aria out by her hand.

Miranda opened her eyes slowly. "Robbie?"

"Robbie's not here, Miranda. You're in my house."

Miranda started sobbing and Ryou brought her into his arms. "Robbie….in danger….crying….screaming."

"I got a similar call."

Miranda looked up. "You did? You heard from Aten?"

Ryou nodded, a single tear coming down his cheek. "Someone is slapping my boy."

Miranda and Ryou sat on the floor, holding onto each other, the only comfort they felt that they had.

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

Maxine dialed Seto's direct phone number. When Seto picked up, she heard sobbing in the background.

[What is it?] the harsh voice growled over the phone.

Maxine took a deep breath. "Maxine Chang reporting in, Master Kaiba."

[This better be good!]

"Ryou and Miranda just received two separate phone calls. Both of them had their children crying and screaming."

[FUCK! We received a phone call as well. It was Hayden.]

The crying in the background grew louder into mournful wailing.

"I take it, sir, that there was also crying and screaming."

[…That….and a creaking mattress.]

"Oh no!"

[Okay. That's it. Tap the god-damned phones, the both of you! Help Asher tap Miranda's phone. I don't know how he did it, but he once rigged up a phone tap to explode. Most likely, he just wanted to see the place burn. Route the frequencies to KaibaCorp's 'Public Relations Department.' Donny will have Joel trace the calls. This way, we will get an exact location on these sons of bitches that have these kids!]

Maxine nodded. "Yes, sir. I will have to return to KaibaCorp to get the necessary equipment."

[Joel is downstairs now. Karl is in the office. Have him help you get the equipment.]

"Yes, sir, Master Kaiba."

[Get going, Maxie. Have Miranda stay with Ryou. Keep Asher there.]

"Yes, sir."

Seto hung up his phone. "This son of a bitch is dead when I find him!"

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

Charlie woke the next morning, laying beside the shivering naked body of his nephew. "Hayden? You look so sad!"

Hayden closed his eyes. "Why are you doing this to me? Why can't you just leave me alone?"

Charlie stroked the red-haired boy's face. "Because you are too good to let go, Hayden."

Vinnie stepped into the room. "The job is done. I pumped them both full of the stuff you gave me."

Charlie grinned. "Good. Seto will fall for it. I'm going to go to a payphone to call Kaiba. From there, we'll both go and get the drop on 'em. If I kill Seto and his boyfriend, I will keep Hayden for the rest of his life. Wouldn't you like that, my boy?"

"Please don't kill Mr. Kaiba and my daddy!"

Charlie growled. "I am your father now, Hayden! You obey me!"

"Yes, sir!" Hayden whimpered.

Dominic entered the room. "I took the bloodied clothing from both bodies."

Charlie grinned. "Good. Dominic, you may come if you wish. Your abilities may come in handy. I don't think the two boys in the other room will give us any trouble. They're dead tired!"

Vinnie and Charlie laughed.

Charlie grinned. "So, Seto goes to pick up the kids from that building and we get the drop on 'em. Oh, and boys? Shoot to kill."

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

Seto opened his bloodshot eyes as the first rays of dawn came. Joey had cried himself to sleep on his chest and there was no moving him.

Mokuba had entered the room to check on them when they didn't come for breakfast.

"We got a disturbing call last night, Mokuba," Seto sighed sadly.

"Was it about Hayden? Is he……dead?"

Seto shook his head and turned his head away from his little brother. Mokuba couldn't see his tears as a kid and still Seto would not allow Mokuba to see him cry.

"I don't know, Mokuba. I don't know."

Mokuba put his hand on Seto's arm. "We'll find him, Seto. I know we will."
"I….I don't want my son…..hurt, Mokuba. I….I love Hayden so much! I swear I heard my heart crack when I heard Hayden's screams."

Mokuba squeezed Seto's arm. "It's going to be okay, Seto."

The phone rang and Joey's eyes shot open.

Seto lifted the handle and tensed. "Hello?"

[Sir, we have someone on the line who wishes to talk to you.]

Seto growled. "Put the bastard on."

The phone clicked and Seto growled.
"Where is my son?"

The deep voice laughed. [My, Seto Kaiba, so demanding of you!]

"Where is my boy? Where are Aten and Robbie?"

[Go to 2910 Blekman Street. Go to the third floor, Room 356.]

"Why?"

[I would think you would want to pick up the bodies of your son, Aten Ishtar, and Robert Morgan before the rats get to them.]

Updates: Thursday

Next Chappie: Car Chase! Will Seto survive an ambush by Charlie and his men?