Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return To Hades ❯ Anzu to the Rescue? ( Chapter 15 )

WARNING: ANZU BASHING!

Anzu to the Rescue?

Jaimen, Jeanie, and Mokuba entered Seto's hospital room. Seto was rubbing his eyes, waking up from his morphine-induced nap. Beside Seto, Kendall was reading a magazine and Donny was laying half-awake, talking to his wife in a low voice.

Jaimen ran to his father and sniffled. "Daddy Joey said you were hurt, daddy! Is your foot better?"

Seto ran his fingers through his son's brown hair. "Yes. Special medicine is making it not hurt."

Jaimen's blue eyes met with his father's. "I brought you a small box of Legos to play with in case you get bored tonight."

The CEO chuckled. "Well, thanks, son. I might just end up doing that. It's so damn boring here!"

Mokuba approached Seto and hugged him. "Big Brother, I was so worried about you!"

"Oh, I'll make a quick recovery, Mokuba. I won't let this stop me from finding Hayden."

Jaimen sniffled. "Do you want me to stay and read you a bedtime story, daddy?"

Seto smiled. "I'll be home tomorrow, son. But I won't be able to walk around too quickly until it heals."

Jaimen smiled. "It's okay, daddy! I'll bring you anything you need! A drink. A cookie. Anything you want! I can even bring you a drink AND a cookie!"

The CEO chuckled. "I'd like that."

"We're all relieved to see you alive, Seto. I was very worried!"

Jeanie ran his fingers through Seto's brown hair. "I'm glad to see you alright, Seto."

Seto sighed. "Glad to see you, too, Jeanie."

Jaimen bounced up and down on his feet. "Daddy! I have a question!"

"What is it, Jaimen?"

"When the baby arrives, can it sleep in my room? Please? I'm a light sleeper!"

Seto's smile dissipated. "What are you talking about? What baby?"

Jeanie and Mokuba exchanged uneasy glances.

"I heard that Jeanie was going to have a baby! They were talking about it!"

Mokuba gasped. "You were listening?!"

Jeanie turned white. "You were listening?!"

Jaimen stopped bouncing and he looked at the boyfriend and girlfriend. "Was I not supposed to tell daddy yet?"

Seto gripped the blanket on his hospital bed. "Jaimen. Can you step out of the room for a moment?"

Mokuba pat Jeanie on the back. "Baby, go with Jaimen."

Jaimen ran and grabbed Jeanie's hand. "Let's go!"

Jeanie and Jaimen left.

Mokuba looked down at his brother. "Seto?"

Seto gripped the bedsheets and his face turned red. "Tell me…..that Jeanie….YOUR girlfriend….is NOT……p---…..p-pregnant."

Mokuba ran his fingers through his black hair. "No. It's true. Jeanie and I are going to have a baby. Seto, I'm going to be a father."

Seto closed his eyes. "My little brother…….Mokuba Kaiba…..whom I raised single handedly……is going….to be…….a…father."

Mokuba covered Seto's hand. "Seto, I promise to take care of her and love her. I want to marry her."

Seto pulled his hand away. "HOW COULD YOU GET A GIRL PREGNANT?! I thought you used protection!"

Donny and Kendall woke up from their nap. Karl covered Jay's ears.

"I did use protection! The condom must have broke!"

Seto turned to Mokuba. "I never thought that you would be so pig-headed! How do you intend on caring for her?"

Mokuba rolled his eyes. "I'm a Kaiba! I own the other part of KaibaCorp! I can afford to take care of Jeanie and our baby."

Seto narrowed his eyes. "You are not old enough!"

"I'm twenty two years old! I can take care of Jeanie and a baby!"

Seto slammed his fists on the bed. "THAT IS NOT THE POINT, MOKUBA KAIBA! You disobeyed my order!"

"How did I disobey your order? Jeanie and I love each other!"

Seto narrowed his eyes. "You live under MY roof, you obey MY orders!"

Mokuba narrowed his eyes. "I am an adult now!"

The CEO glared at his brother. "Correction….you are a SELFISH adult now!"

Mokuba growled. "How am I selfish? I want to take care of Jeanie! I want to keep the baby!"

The CEO shook his head. "There will be no baby!"

Mokuba stepped back. "You can't……"

The CEO narrowed his eyes. "Watch me."

Mokuba growled. "I won't let you do that to Jeanie! I LOVE HER!"

"There will be others."

Mokuba clenched his fists. "There will be no others! I love Jeanie! I'm keeping this baby!"

Seto pointed an accusing finger at Mokuba. "You will not, young man!"

"Seto, I am not a child! I am in love! And the girl whom I love is going to have a baby!"

Seto shouted, "NO, SHE IS NOT!"

"Yes, she is! I am a father and I've never wanted anything more in my life! I love her, Seto. Jeanie is going to have my baby. And what is more…….I am going to marry her!"

Seto narrowed his eyes. "Get out of here."

A tear fell down Mokuba's face. "I'm sorry I let you down. Goodbye."

Mokuba turned the handle on the door and left. Down the hall, he saw Jeanie and Jaimen.

"Jaimen, go kiss your daddy goodbye."

"Okay!"

Jaimen ran off, leaving Jeanie looking into her upset boyfriend's eyes.

"Mokuba? What did he say?"

Mokuba took Jeanie's hands slowly. He lifted her hand and kissed it gently. "He wants us to get rid of it."

Jeanie's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. "He can't be serious!"

"Don't worry, Jeanie. We're going to keep this baby."

Mokuba wrapped his arms around Jeanie, hugging her tightly.

"We'll work it out, Mokuba."

Mokuba nodded silently as he held onto his girlfriend. "I love you, Jeanie."

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

Seto's POV

What have I done?

Donny and Kendall were looking at me.

How could I talk to Mokuba like that?

I always promised him I would never say 'not under my roof!'

My entire body is shaking.

My heart is racing.

How could I say those horrible things?

Mokuba……a father?

How did this happen?

Mokuba must hate me now for the way that I treated him.

My little brother has always meant so much to me! He was my everything growing up. I threw myself in front of him on more than one occasion to keep him safe from Gozuboro's abuse.

I bled for him.

I suffered silently for him.

Everything was for him.

And now…..I tossed that away with my anger.

Mokuba, please forgive me.

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

Anzu stepped into a dark place, full of smoke and smelling of liquor. Big men wearing leather clothing were shooting pool and drinking at the bar.

"Pinchy! This place is so friendly!!!! It's all foggy and warm and fuzzy!"

The scorpion stung her finger in a desperate attempt to make her drop it.

"Aww…..Pinchy loves me! COME HERE, PINCHY!" Anzu took the scorpion and clutched it to her chest. If the tiny insect could make a sound, it would be heard screeching. The scorpion was pressed against Anzu's bosom.

The men turned and looked at the girl. "What do you want?" the man behind the bar asked.

Anzu cheered as she held Pinchy to her chest. "I'm here to ask you something important!"

The tall man raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Anzu reached out to touch the man's beard. "You're fuzzy like a little bunny!"

The man stepped away. "What is the matter with you?"

Anzu smiled frighteningly. She pulled out the picture of Aten and Robbie. "These are two chibis who are lost! Have you seen them?"

The man looked at the picture. "No. I don't know where they are. I've never seen them."

Anzu looked at the picture. "Are you sure???? THEY ARE FRIENDLY LIKE ME! O! You're fuzzy like a bunny! Come here, Bunny!"

Anzu jumped over the bar and ran after the bartender. "I'M FRIENDLY! LET ME HUG YOU!"

Anzu stopped when she saw everyone turn and watch her. "MY FRIENDLY BUNNIES! LET ME HUG YOU ALL!"

The men decorated in leather and tattoos exchanged glances. "What are you talking about? We are not friendly bunnies!"

Anzu jumped up and down, her bosoms flopping hideously. "Has anyone seen these friendly chibis???? They are happy and friendly and happy!"

The men crowded around Anzu and looked at the picture of the kids. "We haven't never seen those kids, girl! Now get out of here!"

Anzu pouted. "You are all not very friendly! I think I need to tell you about the wonderful feeling of friendship!"

The men started cracking their knuckles. "You'd better get out of here before you get hurt, little missy."

Anzu grinned. "You know what I think? I think you all need a hug from Pinchy! GO, PINCHY!"

Anzu threw her scorpion at the men. The men screamed in confusion and terror as the deadly insect was tossed into the crowd.

Anzu jumped up and down. "PINCHY IS FRIENDLY! WEEEEE!!!"

The brainless girl threw herself into the crowd.
"OH MY GOD, THIS IS DISGUSTING!" one of the men screamed as Anzu threw herself at him.

"What is?!" another man answered.

"This girl!" the man screamed as Anzu tried to hug him.

The men scattered as the deadly insect landed on one of the men.

"Hello! Pinchy!" Anzu squealed as she picked up Pinchy and squeezed it.

The men scattered from the bar.

"Wait!" Anzu called out after them. "I WANT TO BE FRIENDS WITH YOU!"

She pouted. "I can't be friendly with anyone."

Anzu walked down the street with a sigh. Pinchy continued to sting her with its tail desperately trying to break free from the brainless girl's grip.

She lifted her head when she came to a row of single homes. White picket fences and pretty gardens surrounded each home. "OO! I can look here! These people look friendly. HERE I COME, LITTLE MISSING CHIBIS!"

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

Aten swept the floor in the kitchen, stopping every couple of sweeps to catch his breath. He leaned on the stick of the broom, panting heavily from the simple motions.

'This is awful,' he thought. 'I move a little bit and I'm out of breath.'

Downstairs in the basement, he heard Vinnie's angry voice rising. "YOU PATHETIC LITTLE WORM! YOU DROPPED THE LAUNDRY BASKET!"

Robbie's nervous voice stuttered. "S-S-Sorry….it was…t-t-too…heavy."

"YOU LITTLE BASTARD!"

Aten looked up at the ceiling. "Please, Ra……get us out of here!"

A chuckle came from the doorway. "God isn't going to help you, kid," Charlie laughed.

"Nobody is going to help you."

Aten watched as the middle-aged man stepped up to him. "I know Ra will, sir."

Charlie chuckled. "How has Ra helped you so far, kid?"

"I…I know he will. I pray often."

"So, you think he will help you, hmm?"

Aten nodded. "Yes."

Charlie chuckled again. "Grab a wet cloth and come with me, kid."

Aten followed Charlie to Hayden's room. Aten took a deep breath, preparing himself to see what they had done to Hayden.

'Everything in here is going to look familiar. I know what they've been doing.'

Charlie unlocked the door and Aten saw Dominic shoving something hanging around his neck into his shirt. Aten looked at Hayden on the bed and felt his heart sink.

"Aten, you will clean Hayden and get him ready for tonight."

"Why do you have to hurt Aiden like this?! It's wrong!" Aten screamed at Charlie.

Dominic narrowed his eyes. "You should watch your tone, little one….before you get the same treatment from me!"

Aten looked up at the tall, masked thin man standing over him. A shudder passed through Aten as he looked at the skinny fingers of Dominic.

Dominic grinned. "Now, if you don't mind me, I have a mother to eradicate."

Aten raised an eyebrow. "'E---E-Erdatitate? What does that mean?"

Dominic looked down at Aten and smiled. "I am going to kill your mother."

Aten gasped as he clung to Dominic's leg. "NO! YOU CAN'T! Don't kill my mommy!"

Dominic grabbed Aten's hair and picked him up, hearing the child scream. "Since I cannot kill your father, I will attack his host."

Aten started sobbing. "Don't hurt my mommy! Please!"

Charlie grabbed Aten and let Dominic leave the room. "Look, brat! You have a job to do! Clean Hayden up!"

Charlie threw Aten against the bed and left the room. The lock to the door snapped and Aten shuddered.

"A-Aiden?"

Aten stood up and looked at Hayden on the bed. Hayden was still chained. His eyes stared blankly at the ceiling. "Aiden? Can you say something?"

Hayden sniffled. "My…..My uncle said that my father and Mr. Kaiba are dead."

"No! They can't be!"

Hayden blinked. "They are dead."

"Aiden, that can't be possible!"

Hayden started to sob. "Aten, my parents are dead! I lose my daddy and Mr. Kaiba! I'm nothing but my uncle's whore!"

Aten took the wet cloth and wiped Hayden's dirty face. "Aiden, you can't give up! We'll find a way to get a message to our parents! We cannot give up, Aiden, no matter what they do to us!"

Hayden mumbled under his breath.

"Aiden?" Aten asked as he looked at the blood splattered at the bottom of the bed. Hayden was still bleeding. "Did Dom-nic take you?"

Hayden continued to murmur under his breath.

"Aiden? Did he?"

Hayden closed his eyes and appeared unconscious.

"Aiden, I know what happened was horrible. But, you can't give up."

Hayden didn't react.

Aten cleaned Hayden's injuries, taking deep breaths and trying not to break down. He couldn't stop the tears falling down as he examined Hayden's injuries that were so similar to his when he was three.

He could still remember Zira speaking to his assistant in the hospital while they thought he was asleep.

[Aten has numerous injuries on the left side of his back, extending from his spinal column to the ribcage. The boy has exhibited signs of entry and is torn and scarred around the rectum. We have found DNA samples from within the boy's body.]

Aten shook his head and pat Hayden's arm. "Aiden, don't give up. Okay? I know it hurts. I've been there. But, Uncle Seto and Uncle Joey will be waiting for you when you leave here. You have to believe that. Otherwise, you will never get out of here. You have to live to see them, Aiden."

Aten kissed Hayden on the cheek and stroked Hayden's cheek. "Believe, Aiden. Believe you will see them again. When you do, they will hug you and kiss you. And all of this will be nothing more than a memory."

Aten sighed and walked to the door. He banged on it. "I'm done! Let me out!"

Charlie unlocked the door and grabbed the Egyptian boy by the collar. He looked inside and at Hayden's intimate injury.

"Good job, kid. Now, go clean up the beer bottles from last night."

Aten fell to his knees before Charlie. "Please say that Dom-nic is not going to kill my mother!"

Charlie shrugged casually. "I'm not going to lie to you, kid. Get to work!"

Aten left the room and Charlie locked the door to Hayden's bedroom. Aten walked through the doorway and bumped into Robbie, making him drop laundry in his hand.

"Oops. Hi, Aten."

Aten saw Robbie's face turned slightly to the left. "Robbie? Are you okay?"

Robbie and Aten picked up the clothes when the Egyptian looked at Robbie's face.

"Robbie! Did Vinnie hit you?"

The boy rubbed his cheek. "It's nothing, Aten. It's okay."

Aten narrowed his eyes. "No, it's not okay, Robbie!" Aten raised his hand and brushed Robbie's cheek. "That looks sore." The Egyptian leaned in and kissed the small bruise by Robbie's ear.

Robbie smiled. A kiss from Aten always made everything better.

"Thank you, Aten."

Aten helped Robbie carry the laundry into the hallway closet. "Where is Vinnie?"

Robbie shuddered. "He's having lunch."

"Robbie, I'm going to open the front door and you leave."

Robbie shook his head. "Aten, I can't leave you here! I can't leave you here to deal with these creeps!"

Aten grabbed Robbie's shoulders. "Robbie, Dom-nic is going to k-k-kill my mother!"

"What?! They're going to kill him?!"

Aten shook Robbie. "You have to get out of here and warn my mommy!"

Robbie grabbed Aten's hand. "But, Aten, what if these guys try to hurt you?"

Aten shook his head. "Robbie, I've endured worse than this. You have no idea. But, Robbie, if you have the chance to escape, Ra-damn it……Robbie, I don't want you to get hurt."

Robbie held Aten's arms and leaned down to kiss his friend on the lips. "I am not going to leave you, Aten. If we have to go…..If they do decide….to shoot us……they'll have to take me, too."

Aten's bottom lip trembled. "Robbie, I want you to live, don't you understand? Do you know what is going to happen if you don't leave?"

Robbie shook his head. "Yes. Aten…..I would die for you. A life without you…..is nothing. You're my best friend."

Aten brought Robbie against him in a hug. "Robbie….please."

Robbie kissed the top of Aten's head. "I will not leave you."

Aten buried his face in Robbie's neck, kissing the skin gently. "Okay, Robbie. Then that is the way it's going to be."

A knock sounded on the door. "OOO! FRIENDLY DOOR!"

The doorbell sounded. "DOORBELLS ARE LIKE FRIENDSHIP! YEAH FRIENDSHIP!"

Aten gasped. "OH SWEET RA! Robbie, it's Anzu! She can get a message to our parents!"

Aten and Robbie ran for the door and opened it.

"Anzu! For the first time in my life, I'm glad to see you!" Aten said, bouncing up and down.

Anzu smiled blankly at the two chibis. "Hi! I came to see if you friendly people have seen these two friendly chibis that remind me of friendship and cute little cute-sy, wootsy puppy dogs!"

Anzu showed the boys their picture.

Robbie sighed. "You ding-bat! That's us!"

Anzu looked between the picture and the boys. Picture. Boys. Picture. Boys. Picture. Boys.

"Hi! I am looking for these two friendly chibis!"

Aten took Anzu's hands. "Anzu, that is Robbie and me! Listen carefully. These men have us and they are going to kill my mother! Please warn Unkie Seto that we are here and tell my mommy that some guy called Dom-nic---."

"Dominic," Robbie corrected.

"Dom-nic is going to kill my mommy!"

Anzu smiled blankly as the evening wind blew through her empty skull. "Hi! You boys are so cute! You look like the boys in this friendly picture!"

Robbie grabbed his own hair, tugging at it in frustration. "THAT'S BECAUSE IT IS US, YOU BRAINDEAD MORON!"

Aten covered Robbie's mouth with his hand. "Do you want Vinnie to come out here, Robbie?"

The Egyptian turned to Anzu. "Please, Anzu, go tell my mommy that he is in trouble!"

Anzu reached for Aten, squeezing him tightly. "YOU ARE SO CUTE!!!! I CAN SQUISH YOU UNTIL YOU STOP BREATHING!"

Robbie grabbed Aten's pants, tugging on them. "Anzu, let go of him!"

Anzu looked down. "Aten, you have no shirt on! YEAH!"

Aten pushed against Anzu. "Let me go!"

Pinchy emerged from Anzu's shirt and crawled onto Aten's hand. Aten let out a scream as the scorpion raised its tail.

"PINCHY! NO!" Aten cried out as the scorpion brought its tail down.

Aten closed his eyes to refrain from seeing himself stung. Instead, he heard Robbie let out a string of curse-words that would have impressed Marik. Aten opened his eyes and saw that Robbie hand placed his hand in the path of the scorpion's tail.

Vinnie stepped out of the kitchen. "Hey, brats…I mean, kids! What's going on?"

Robbie pulled his hand away and sunk to his knees and held his throbbing hand. Anzu dropped Aten, who kneeled by Robbie.

"Aten…owies."

Aten grabbed Robbie's arm. "We have to get you inside! Come on."

Vinnie watched as Aten lead Robbie to the kitchen. He turned to the brainless girl. "What do you want?"

"I came to look for these two chibis! Have you seen them?"

Vinnie raised his eyebrow as he looked at the picture. How dumb could this girl be? The kids were standing right in front of her and she couldn't make the connection?

"Never seen these kids."

"Really? They look so friendly, don't they? YEAH FRIENDSHIP!"

Vinnie grinned. This girl was obviously no threat. And, as frightening as she looked, tail was tail. (I know, guys. Ew…)

"Would you like to come inside and have dinner with us?"

Anzu jumped up and down cheering. "YEAH! I'M SPREADING FRIENDLINESS TO THE WORLD! GO ME!"

Vinnie let Anzu inside. Aten had placed Robbie on a chair in the kitchen.

"Don't raise your arm, Robbie. The venom will spread."

Robbie clenched his eyes shut. "It hurts…..burns…"

Aten grabbed an ice cube. "Hold that on the sting. It will numb it." Aten ran for the first aid kit in the kitchen. He opened it up, his body trembling. He removed gauze and bandages. Aten grabbed some painkillers and gave two pills to Robbie.

Aten handed a glass of water to Robbie. "Drink up."

Robbie took the pills, tears coming down his face. Aten took the ice cube and rolled it around the sting.

Robbie put the glass down and watched as Aten gingerly rolled the cube around the sting. "How do you know about scorpion stings?"

Aten looked up with his purple eye. "My father taught me. He was teaching me First Aid in case I ever decided to go back to Egypt. You have to know about this stuff, you know. Scorpion stings. Snake bites. I'm a qick learner."

Robbie smiled. "A 'quick' learner, Aten."

Aten chuckled. "Well, I am dyslexic, you know. English isn't exactly easy. Give me a break."

The boy laughed. "You're doing a damn good job, Aten."

"On my English or this?"

"Both."

Aten shrugged with a smile. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Robbie Morgan."

"Flattery? You call me a flatterer? I know how you speak to the nurses at Domino Hospital!"

Aten removed the gauze from its sterile packaging. "Hey, my daddy taught me well. Now. If it's one thing the nurses taught me, Robbie, is how to apply this stuff. Hold still."

Robbie watched as Aten bandaged his hand with the gauze. The boy could not get his eyes off of Aten's face buried deep in concentration. Aten was so handsome. So gentle. So caring. His touch was not like Marik. The Egyptian was taking more after his mother than his father. That was such a difference from Aria, who was becoming more like her father, Bakura, every day.

When Aten was done, he bandaged the hand and applied surgical tape.

Aten replaced the gauze and the tape in the First Aid kit. "Does it feel better, Robbie?"

Blue eyes met purple and brown. "Aten, you are amazing."

Aten smiled. "No, I'm just Aten. Just plain, old, regular, boring Aten."

Robbie grabbed Aten and pulled him in for a kiss. Aten and Robbie closed their eyes as Robbie's tongue entered between them. Robbie's hand rose to stroke Aten's cheek with his fingertips. The two boys kissed desperately until Aten felt Robbie swerving.

Aten pulled back. "Robbie, you should go lay down. Come on, I'll put you to bed."

Aten helped Robbie out of the chair and supported him. Vinnie saw the two boys and growled.

"What's the matter with you, kid?"

"My meanie scorpion stung Robbie!!!!! SCORPION STINGS ARE FRIENDLY!"

Aten rolled his eyes. "I'm putting Robbie in bed so he can rest."

Vinnie laughed. "You can't even take a little scorpion sting, Robbie? You're a little pussy."

Aten narrowed his eyes. "Ignore him, Robbie. Let me get you settled."

Charlie stepped out of Hayden's room. "Where are you two going? You have dinner to make."

Aten looked up at the man. "I'll cook dinner tonight, sir. Robbie got stung by a scorpion."

"How the fuck did you manage that, genius?" Charlie asked sarcastically.

"This girl showed up with her pet scorpion and it stung Robbie."

Robbie wavered. "I don't feel so good."

Aten helped Robbie into bed. "Here, Robbie. You lay down and rest. I'll make dinner."

Charlie watched as Aten covered Robbie with the comforter. "Get your skinny little ass in the kitchen!"

"Aten, what about your legs?"

Aten held Robbie down. "You stay here! I'll handle it."

Robbie watched as Aten left. Charlie pushed Aten against the wall. "Hurry your skinny ass up! I'm hungry!"

Charlie shut the door and Robbie let out a sigh.

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

Anzu let out a squeal as she sat down to eat. She looked at the hot dogs and beans on the table and cheered.

"HOT DOGS ARE LIKE FRIENDSHIP!"

Aten rolled his eyes. "I'm not asking……"

Robbie sat down beside Aten, whispering to Anzu. "Anzu, when you leave here, tell my mom that I am here. Okay?"

Anzu pinched Robbie's cheek. "You are so cute!!!!!"

Robbie pushed her away. "You thick-headed idiot! Don't touch me!"

Aten whispered to Anzu. "Please tell the others that we are here, Anzu!" Aten took several deep breaths. "I….need my……….medi-ation."

Anzu cocked her head to the side. "Awww….Aten, you are so cute!"

Robbie rubbed Aten's back. "Aten, you okay?"

"Cooking this was very tiring. I'm so……tired."

Robbie nodded. "Then I'll clean up, Aten. After dinner, you go into the bed…..HOLY HECK!…Aten, your legs! They're purple!"

Aten leaned forward, out of breath. "I….know. They hurt."

Charlie and Vinnie walked in. "Hot dogs and beans???? Aten, you're even more worthless than we thought. Where is the big feast? We have a guest, you know."

Aten looked up. "My feet hurt. My legs hurt. I can't be on them this much. Besides…..breathing is getting harder."

Charlie rolled his eyes. "Excuses, excuses. I should have put that bullet in your brain, Aten. Worthless kid."

Aten looked down as he sighed. Robbie put his hand on his leg.

"Don't listen to them, Aten," Robbie said.

Charlie and Vinnie sat down. "So, girl, what are you doing here?"

Anzu smiled blankly. "I…came to spread the word of FRIENDSHIP all over the place! And to look for these two boys."

Charlie's jaw dropped. "Vinnie, you asshole, why did you let her in?!"

Vinnie chuckled. "Relax, Charles. Hey, chick, look at your picture."

Anzu removed the photo from her pocket.

"Do these boys look familiar?"

Anzu looked between the picture and the boys. Picture. Boys. Picture. Boys. Picture…Picture…Boys.

"NO, BUT THEY LOOK FRIENDLY! SCORE ONE FOR FRIENDSHIP!"

Vinnie laughed. "See? This girl is of no threat."

Charlie laughed. "Perfect! It looks like you boys will be here for a long time if they have people like her looking for you."

Charlie and Vinnie laughed loudly.

Aten and Robbie exchanged glances. The two boys reached down and held each other's hands.

They looked into each other's eyes sideways.

"It's going to be okay," Aten whispered below the laughter in the room.

"It's going to be okay because we have each other," Robbie said, forcing a smile.

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

Ryou jumped when he heard the phone ring. He reached for the phone by his side.

"Hello?"

[Ryou?]

"Miranda!"

[Ryou, are you okay?]

"Yes. Why wouldn't I be?"

[Has Maxine returned yet?]

"No, I was wondering where she was. Bakura, Malik, and I went to bed and when I woke up, she was gone."

[Ryou, Otogi and I were attacked.]

Ryou gasped. "BAKURA! You were attacked? Where was Asher?"

[I sent him to see the fireworks.] A sniffle sounded over the phone. [My old boyfriend knows where Robbie is. He wouldn't tell me anything, Ryou.]

"He knew where the kids were?!"

Bakura ran by Ryou's side. "What?"

"Miranda and Otogi were attacked!"

Bakura grabbed the phone from his husband's hand. "Where are you now? Are you okay?"

[Yes, Bakura. I'm in the hospital. Otogi and I were shot. We're both okay, though.]

Bakura growled. "This bastard! Who was this man, Miranda? Who did this to you?"

[His name is Vincent O'Rourke. That was his name when we were dating, anyway.]

Bakura narrowed his eyes. Ryou watched as the brown eyes of his husband suddenly glowed ruby red. The yami's hair spiked and a vicious growl rumbled in his throat. "Consider this fucker dead!"

Bakura handed Ryou the phone and ran out of the door.

[Bakura? Hello?]

"He left, Miranda. Will you be okay over there?'

[Ryou…..I just want Robbie home.]

Ryou sighed. "I know, Miranda. I want Aten home."

Miranda's voice cracked. [Ryou, I have to go.]

"Okay. Call me if you need anything."

[Okay. Thank you.]

"We'll try to stop over to see you and Otogi tonight."

[I'd like that.]

"Goodbye, Miranda."

[Goodbye, Ryou.]

Miranda put the phone on the receiver and sniffled. 'What is that bastard doing to my little boy?'

Miranda let out a sob, unaware that a tall, muscular man was standing in her doorway.

She whispered Robbie's name and wiped her eyes.

The man approached her bedside and put his arms around her. Miranda jumped and then looked up.

"Daniel?!"

Daniel gave her a reassuring smile. "Hello, sweetheart."

Miranda wrapped her arms around her husband and sobbed. "Oh, Daniel!"

The tall man stroked her hair softly. "It's okay, Miranda. I'm here. Shhhh……you won't be alone anymore."

Miranda let out a stronger wail. "That bastard has our boy, Daniel!"

The man's blue eyes widened. "Who? Who has our son?"

Miranda sniffled. "I think Vincent has him. Remember him?"

"Vincent….Vincent….YOU'RE KIDDING! VINCENT O'ROURKE? The guy whose ass I kicked for making you lose your first baby?!"

Miranda nodded her head. "Yes. He…He came to my door….He's the one who shot Otogi and I."

Daniel narrowed his eyes and bit his lip in fury. It would do his wife no good to see him angry and upset. "That bastard is dead when I find him!"

Miranda wiped her eyes dry. "What took you so long to come home?"

Daniel kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry, sweetheart, but the Board had to discuss all of their legal bullshit before letting me go. Finally, I told them to sit on their thumbs and rotate them for all I care. My son is missing and I have to find him."

Miranda leaned her head on Daniel's chest. "I'm worried about him, Daniel."

"I know, princess. I know."

Daniel held Miranda in his arms, letting his presence do more comforting than his speech. Daniel missed these times where he could just hold his wife. Navy Life was a lonely one for a family man. It required being away from the people whom you loved for most of the year.

Daniel kissed Miranda on the forehead. "I won't let him down, Miranda. I will find him."

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

Umi stood outside Aria's bedroom and peeked inside. Aria was sitting on her floor surrounded by her Barbie dolls. Sekhmet was sitting by her side faithfully.

"We've been looking for Aten forever, Sekhmet! I miss my brother."

The dog lowered its head and nudged her with his muzzle. She pet her dog's head.

"But, Gabby is coming over to play for a little. I'm sure Aten won't mind if we take a little break from the search, right, Sekhmet?"

Umi watched Aria closely. He watched as her white spiky hair draped over her shoulders. Her purple ribbons were tied at the base of her batwing spikes. Her lavender dress hugged tightly around her body. The thick belt tied around her waist made her developing breasts protrude a little further from her body.

Umi wiped the corners of his mouth as he thought about her. He shook his head. This was Aria! Was she really interested in him? She was beautiful! A chibi goddess! Who was he? The prince of the sea. A roamer, like his father.

'I love you, Aria,' he wanted to say as he stood at the doorway, looking at her, worshipping her with his eyes. 'Your hair…your eyes…your white skin….so beautiful!'

Aria put one of her dolls on a toy chair. "Jessica, you stay here. Angelica, you stay over here. Johnathan, you have to go ask Jessica out on a date. She really likes you." Aria gasped. "Johnathan, you can't ask Jessica out if you look like that! You need to be stripped!"

Aria stripped the male doll quickly and replaced his attire with a tuxedo and a bowtie. "Now you look spiffy!"

Aria leaned over to grab her Angelica doll and Umi held onto the wall. He could see down the front of her low-cut dress.

'Oh gods of the sea…..Oh Neptune! Not again!' Umi cursed to himself as he felt uncomfortable in his cut-off jeans.

Aria grabbed her Barbie Convertible and sat Angelica in it. "Angelica, you have to drive them because they have to make out in the back seat because they are boyfriend and girlfriend."

Umi crossed his legs as the thought of making out with Aria didn't help his current condition.

A knock on the door sounded and Aria jumped to her feet. "GABBY!"

Aria burst out of her room and ran down the steps before Malik could open it.

"Hi, Aria! Girl, are you looking good today! Is that a new dress? I got new shirts the other day! They have really funny sayings on them."

Aria hugged her friend, Gabby. "I got new dresses a couple of weeks ago! I'll have to show you!"

Malik smiled down at Gabby as he dried a pan. "Hi, Gabby. Nice to see you."

Gabby grinned. "Hi, Mr. Malik! I heard about Aten's missing and stuff. I'm sorry."

"We'll find him, Gabby. You two girls go upstairs and play, okay? Are you hungry, Gabby?"

"No, thank you, Mr. Malik. My mommy fed me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before I came. I love the strawberry jam my dad makes! It's sooooooooooooo good! I like Grape, too. What is your favorite?"

Malik blinked. This was normal speech for Gabby. She had always been a rapid talker. "Umm…I like pineapple, personally."

Gabby curled her nose. "Ew…I don't like that flavor. It's icky. Oh well, nice talking to you, Mr. Malik!"

Ryou called out of the kitchen, "Hello, Gabby-dear!"

"Hello, Mr. Aria's mommy!"

Ryou shook his head with a sigh. "I will always be 'Mr. Aria's Mommy' until the day I die, won't I?"

Malik nodded. "You bet. I can't complain with Mr. Malik."

Aria and Gabby ran upstairs and saw Umi by Aria's door.

"Hi, Umi!" Gabby waved to him and jumped up and down excitedly.

Umi blushed red. "Oh…umm….hi, Gabby."

Aria smiled at her boyfriend. "Umi, would you like to play dolls with Gabby and I?"

Umi's jaw dropped and he tried to think of something else as his body was reacting to seeing the two girls. "Ummm….Umm…."

Gabby and Aria exchanged glances. "Umi?"

Aria bent down as she saw where he was looking. "Umi….my face is up here."

"Ummm…."

Aria growled. "My face is not my breasts, Umi."

Umi shook his head. "Oh…sorry. What? I was thinking about…..the sea."

"Yeah, right, Umi. Do you want to play dolls with Gabby and I?"

Gabby threw herself at Umi and hugged him. "Oh, come on, Umi! I know you'll enjoy it! I always play with Aria and we always have so much fun! Don't we, Aria?"

"We sure do! We play for hours and hours and hours and hours and hours on end! I'll keep looking for Aten tomorrow."

Umi shifted his gaze between the two girls. "Ummm…okay."

Both girls squealed loudly in excitement. They took Umi's hands and yanked him into Aria's room. Aria and Gabby sat on the floor. "Sit down, Umi!"

Aria gave Umi her John doll and her Cynthia doll. Gabby grabbed the Angelica doll and changed her clothes.

Gabby handed Umi a tiny brush. "Brush Angelica's hair!"

Umi raised an eyebrow and looked confused. He had little idea of what to do.

"Just brush it, Umi."

Umi brushed the doll's hair and looked up at Aria.

"So, what are Angelica, Cynthia, and Jessica going to do today, Aria?"

The girl with the white spiky hair bit her lip in thought. "Maybe…..maybe they should go for a pool party!!!"

Gabby squealed. "YEAH! A POOL PARTY!"

Aria grabbed the toy pool with the wooden deck and placed it near. "Umi, can you fill this with water?"

Umi gratefully took the tiny "pool" and ran to the bathroom to fill it with water. He took several deep breaths and thought about anything that would relieve the uncomfortable feeling in his cut-off jeans. He closed his eyes as his mind thought about the attractive two girls in the other room.

'I love Aria….Gabby is pretty, too. What is going on? Why are my pants so tight all of a sudden?'

Aria ran to the bathroom. "Umi? You okay?"

Umi nodded quickly. "Y-Yes."

Aria approached him and he turned beet red. "Are you okay, Umi? You don't look too good."

"Yeah…I'm..okay."

"Are you sure? You look feverish."

Umi snickered. "No…I'm fine."

Aria's eyes shifted away from him. "It's Gabby, isn't it? You like her, don't you?"

Umi put the 'pool' down. "Aria, you know I love you. We're going to get married! Have lots of kids! Gabby is a good friend."

Aria looked up at him with her big brown eyes. "Are you sure?"

The boy hugged his girlfriend. "You bet! You're my Little Mermaid, Aria! Nothing is ever going to change that."

Aria smiled. "Really?"

"Of course!" Umi gave his girlfriend a kiss on the lips. "I love you, Aria."

A loud squeal sounded at the door way. They turned and saw Gabby jumping up and down excitedly.

"UMI AND ARIA ARE KISSING! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!"

Aria gasped. "Gabby! Don't let my father hear that! He'll kill me!"

Ryou called up from down the stairs. "Anything wrong up there, children?"

"NO, MOMMY!" Aria called. "Gabby, don't tell my father that we were kissing. My father will kill me!"

Umi nodded emphatically. "And her father will send me to the Shadow Realm where I will suffer countless deaths throughout eternity and where I will be fed to the Duel Monsters. I'll be Silver Fang's neverending chew toy!"

Gabby shrugged. "Why? Doesn't your daddy like Umi, Aria?"

Umi leaned down. "We're not supposed to 'spawn.'"

Aria shook her head. "My daddy doesn't like anybody! He has no problem with Robbie, though. It's no fair! They don't have a problem with Aten and Robbie, but they have a problem with me being with Umi! It's not fair!"

"What about your mommy? He doesn't have a problem with you being with Umi, does he?"

Aria shook her head again. "No. My mommy doesn't mind. It's my fathers that constantly tell me what I can't do!"

Umi watched Aria's body shake as she became more and more upset. "Aria, I know you are upset, but don't let anybody hear about this!"

Aria stamped her foot defiantly. "My daddy is constantly telling me not to spawn! He must not give a royal damn!"

Gabby gasped. "Aria, you cursed!"

Aria crossed her arms. "I don't care! It's not fair that Umi hardly ever comes over here! I can't even lay next to Umi at night! Aten and Robbie have been sleeping in the same bed since they knew each other! It's just not fair, Gabby!"

Gabby sighed. "It must be because you are a girl."

Aria stamped her foot again angrily. "But, that makes no sense! Why can't I stay with Umi when we sleep? What is the difference between a boy and a girl laying next to each other and two boys?"

Gabby and Umi scratched their heads as they thought about her question.

"Well," Gabby said slowly, "Maybe it's because girls can't catch 'boy cooties?'"

Umi rolled his eyes. "'Boy cooties? I don't have cooties!"

Gabby laughed. "Of course you do! All boys have them."

Umi snickered. "Gabby, that makes no sense."

"Gabby, as my friend, please do not tell my daddy about this. He will have Umi's head on a silver platter."

Gabby smiled. "I'm your friend, Aria. I would never tattle-tale on you!"

Aria squealed and jumped up and down. "Thank you, Gabby!"

Umi went to hug Gabby, but Gabby put her hands out. "Umi, I'd like to have you hug me, but if my mommy finds a boy cootie on me, I'll be grounded for a month!"

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

Charlie hit a button on the coffeetable. He sat down with his hot pot of coffee and reviewed the previous night's hidden camera tapes. Nothing new in Hayden's room.

When Vinnie had returned from his excursion, he had told Charlie that he had lost the broad who was chasing him. Vinnie was furious that he had failed.

Charlie reviewed the tape in Robbie and Aten's room. His jaw dropped and his eyes widened.

"Holy Shit! This is gold!"

Charlie watched the two boys on the screen. With an evil grin, he saved the tape.

"Now I have all that I need to get my website back up again! I think I'll call that segment 'Young Love.' I'm a genius!"

Charlie watched Aten kiss his friend. "I wonder where that boy learned to kiss like that. It's time to put that lad to the test."

Updates: My dad won't get the internet connection up until Tuesday. If Tuesday is impossible, I will update on Wednesday.