Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return To Hades ❯ Distraction ( Chapter 16 )

Caterfree: Anzu is a moron. A nail is WAY smarter than Anzu.

Kat: Bakura would have killed Umi if he had seen what he did. He would have gone ballistic.

YoukoMia: That girl gives me a headache when she shows up. Umi is not a bad person. He loves Aria. As far as Seto is concern, he apologizes.

Jupitor Knight: I just got internet access….and on my laptop! YEAH!

Kura Magician Girl: Anzu can get much, much denser.

Sakiyama: Nope…Anzu is frighteningly immortal. I wonder how she managed that. Oh yeah…she is too stupid to die. I forgot.

Lady Elfskye: Seto didn't mean to be a moron. He's under a lot of pressure. *hands Seto plushie*

Cynical Spirit Valea: Yup…how dumb can she be…not recognizing a face right in front of her? Aria starts rebelling in the next story.

Shadow of Light: Gabby is a cutie. Vincent, Charlie and Dominic will pay in their own little way. We all pity the scorpion. I wonder if a snake should be her next pet.

BrokenTime: Aww….Anzu is friendly!!!!!

Beysie: Gabby isn't too dense, but she can be a little vacant. Robbie will be spared. Hayden?? *evil grin*

Anubiset: Aten should be fine. I didn't know two stories after that something happened. Aten always tells me eventually. But I don't think anything happened yet.

Distraction

Joey and Joel arrived at the hospital to bring Seto home. Walking down the hall, he saw Tristan exiting the elevator with two bouquets of roses. Joey waved to the tall brunet.

"Hey, Tristan! What are you doing here?"

"Didn't you hear? There was an attempt on Miranda's life."

Joey and Joel looked at each other stunned. "No, we didn't know that!"

"Otogi was with Miranda at the time. This punk tried to hurt Miranda, but Maxine interfered."

Joel nodded. "Seto is going to want to speak to Maxine if that is the case. Wait. I thought Asher was assigned to Miranda."

"Asher was at the fireworks display."

Joey took a deep breath. "Asher is going to be in deep shit."

"Miranda let him go, apparently. But they were both shot and I'm here to visit them."

"What room are they in?"

Tristan pointed to the door down the hallway. "Room 409B."

"Let me see if Seto wants to see her before he leaves."

Tristan nodded. "I'll be in there with them, then."

Tristan left Joey and Joel and approached the room where his husband and Miranda were reclining in their hospital beds. Tristan saw a man sitting by Miranda.

Daniel stood up by his wife's bedside. "Who are you?"

"Dan, it's Tristan. He's not of any harm."

The tall man in military uniform sat by his wife's bedside.

"TRISTAN!" Otogi cheered. "COME OVER HERE!"

Tristan handed Otogi the bouquet of red roses. "These are for you, pussycat."

Otogi grabbed Tristan's suit jacket and pulled him close for a hug. The tall brunet stroked the midnight hair pressed against his stomach.

"How are you doing, baby?"

"I was looking forward to you coming to see me all day!"

The brunet smiled. "Me, too, baby. How's the food?"

"God-awful, Tristan! When I get home, I'm going to make the biggest Turkey dinner you have ever seen!"

A devilish smile crossed Tristan's face. "Are you going to wear the frilly pink apron when you cook it?"

A playful slap from the Dice Master elicited a bigger evil grin. "You know I will, Silly Buns!"

Tristan grinned. "Looking forward to….stuffing the turkey with you."

Otogi licked his lips. "Mmm…stuffing the turkey."

Tristan looked over at Miranda giving him a smile. "Miranda, I got this for you. I bought a second bouquet of roses for you. I figured you'd like white, instead."

Tristan walked over the roses and Miranda took them.

"Aww…Tristan. You didn't have to." Miranda took Tristan's tie and pulled him down for a quick kiss on the lips. "You are so sweet!"

Tristan blushed, then cleared his throat as he looked at Daniel. "Nice to meet you. I'm Tristan Taylor and this is my husband, Otogi Ryuugi."

The tall military man stood up, towering over Tristan. "Daniel Morgan. Robbie's father."

Tristan looked at the man's build. If Robbie grew up to be as massively tall as his father, Robbie could easily take Aten, crush him into a little ball, and throw him into outer space. Daniel was muscular, his muscles showing from underneath his uniform. The man definitely had an athletic build that was already beginning to be apparent in his son. There was little doubt that Robbie was going to be just like his father.

Daniel took Tristan's hand and gripped it tightly. The man was far more strong than Tristan gave him credit for.

"I want you to know that I've been using my free time to look for your son."

Daniel nodded slowly. Deep below that calm exterior, Tristan could see there was a father who was aching. A father who was concerned about his missing child. The look on Daniel's face betrayed his calm exterior. "Thank you, Mr. Taylor. I appreciate all the help we can get."

"Everyone is looking for them, sir."

"I sincerely hope that we find all of the missing boys. It would be a shame if my son lost the most important person in his life."

Tristan looked down at Miranda, who gave him a little smile. "Oh. You know how close the boys are."

"Military life is lonely, Mr. Taylor. I don't want my son to live the military life. It would be nice if he could join the military, but with that foot of his, it's not going to happen unless they shove him behind a desk. My boy is a gifted child, Mr. Taylor. Desk work is hardly a challenge for a kid with a 180 IQ."

Tristan and Otogi's jaw dropped. "Robbie? 180 IQ? Congratulations! That is….amazing!"

Miranda smiled. "He gets it from my side of the family."

Daniel snickered. "No, my side."

Miranda sighed. "Yeah, you're right. My family couldn't tell their asses from a hole in the ground."

"I didn't know Robbie was a gifted child," Otogi said.

Miranda nodded. "The Gifted Schools have been asking for Robbie. But, Robbie doesn't want to go. He doesn't want to leave Aten behind."

Daniel sighed. "It's what Robbie wants, so I won't stand in his way."

"I know the school wants to place Aten into a Special school for kids with learning disabilities and who have suffered trauma like Aten has. They have a lot of minorities in that school, so the school feels that Aten would escape some of the prejudice at his current school."

Otogi sniffed his flowers. "It's a shame he faces such cruelty at that school. You should see him, Daniel. He's gotten so big since you've last seen him! His skin is darker and he's such a happy kid. But, he doesn't want to leave Robbie."

"Marik doesn't have the heart to admit Aten into that school," Tristan said.

Daniel nodded. "I don't blame him. I can see where it would be difficult."

A knock on the door sounded and Seto hobbled into the room with crutches. "Miranda, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Seto. Took a little shot in the leg."

"Where was Asher?"

Miranda bit her lip. Seto looked pissed. "I let Asher go for the night."

Seto groaned. "Miranda, this person could have killed you! Why did you let him go?"

"Even he is entitled to a break, Seto."

"Not when there has been attempts on our lives, Miranda. Look, did Maxine catch the guy?"

Miranda shrugged. "I don't know. She ran for her car when Vinnie ran away."

Seto sighed. "Okay. Otogi, how are you?"

Otogi held his roses. "It still hurts, but I should be out of here tomorrow, the doctor says."

"Me, too," Miranda said.

"Fine. I'm glad to see both of you are in good shape. Miranda, I will want to see Asher tonight. Asher is to come to my office."

Miranda nodded. "Sure thing. Don't yell at him, Seto. It was my fault."

"He should not have left his post, Miranda. He knows better. Keep in touch, both of you."

Seto hobbled out of the room. "Joel, call Maxine. Tell her to come over with Marik. I also want you to call Asher. He is to come to my office on the double."

Joey carried Seto's overnight bag as he helped his lover out to the new limousine.

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

Seto arrived at KaibaCorp and hobbled to the elevator using the crutches. "Damn crutches. I have to walk with these things for a week!"

"It's just temporary, Seto. Your ankle has to heal properly or you won't be able to walk right anymore."

Seto rolled his eyes. "So Robbie and I have the same limp. Big deal. I have to go out there and find my boy."

The elevator doors opened and Jaimen threw himself at his father. "HI, DAD!"

Joey held onto Seto as the CEO staggered back. "Jaimen, daddy isn't too stable now."

Jaimen looked up at his father with large blue eyes. "I helped the cook make extra special 'Welcome Home' cupcakes! They're vanilla with chocolate icing. YUMMY!"

"Tell me Mokuba is not upstairs."

Jaimen's smile left. "I didn't mean to get you upset, daddy. I…I thought you knew about Jeanie and the baby."

Joey pat Jaimen on the shoulder. "Let's get daddy upstairs, okay?"

Seto rode the elevator up quietly. "IS Mokuba here?"

Joey nodded. "Yes. He's here."

Seto felt his blood pressure skyrocket. He took a deep breath to help cool his festering rage.

The elevator doors opened and Seto hobbled to his office. On his desk, the plate of 'Welcome Home' cupcakes were sitting. Jaimen reached up and bit into one.

"These things are really darn good! Have one, daddy!"

Seto sat down and rested his crutches on the ground. He bit into a cupcake and licked his lips free of chocolate icing. "It is very good, Jaimen. Delicious."

Seto looked up and saw Mokuba standing in the doorway.

*****Flashback*****

Seto searched the Stock Market Reports for potential companies he could purchase. The twelve year old rubbed his aching forehead. He had been at this for sixteen hours and had not taken a break.

Papers, stock charts, pencils, his five-hour-old tuna sandwich, and his computer with a dozen minimized stock portfolios littered his desk.

A knock sounded on the door.

"WHAT IS IT?"

The twelve year old looked up to see Alex. "What is it, Alex?"

"Master Kaiba…Seto…it's very late. Shouldn't you be in bed?"

A huge sigh came from the child. "I can't sleep. I have to work. Only that way can I succeed as a business man."

Alex shook his head. "You are a child, Seto. You need your sleep."

Seto banged his fist on the desk. "Alex, I do not need sleep! Everyone is depending on me! My brother is depending on me! I guarantee you I can turn this company around! But I can't do that if you keep coming in here every eight hours telling me I need a break!"

Alex stepped back and an eight year old Mokuba stepped into the room with a tray of cookies.

"Big Brother? I made you a little something with the cook. Chocolate chip cookies! They're still warm. I even brought you some milk!"

Chibi Mokuba walked to his brother and put the tray of cookies and milk on the desk. "They them! These things are really darn good!"

Seto looked up at Alex and saw the man with a small smile on his face.

"Spend some time with your brother, Seto."

Seto took a warm cookie and bit into it. He licked his lips free of the chocolate. "Boy, Mokie, these are really good!"

Chibi Mokuba smiled. "I knew you would like them. Everyone loves chocolate chip cookies!"

******** End Flashback**********

"Hello, Seto," Mokuba said quietly.

Seto held out the tray of cupcakes. "Do you want a cupcake? I know you always enjoyed 'Welcome Home' cupcakes."

Mokuba walked slowly to the desk and took one. "Thank you, Seto."

Joey took Jaimen's hand. "Let's go unpack daddy's stuff."

Jaimen followed Joey and Joel excitedly.

Joel shut the door behind them.

"Seto…….I'm…I'm sorry you don't like Jeanie."

Seto turned his eyes away. "I do like Jeanie. She's a nice girl."

"Why are you upset about this pregnancy?"

Seto stood up and put down his cupcake. He looked down at the street below. Cars and people were nothing but tiny dots. He was no bigger than those dots. He had no right to talk to Mokuba like he had in the hospital.

"I…I lost my son, Mokuba. I don't want to lose you, too."

Mokuba ran beside his brother. "That is what you are afraid of? That you will lose me? Seto, we've been through hell together. We went through hell for each other."

Seto laughed. "If you've only known what I went through to keep you safe from Gozuboro, Mokuba, you would understand."

Mokuba looked down at the street. "He molested you."

Seto turned his head sharply. "How did you know that?"

Mokuba took a deep breath. "Call it 'intuition.' You were not too good at hiding the scars. I knew you didn't run, so why did you limp every night?"

Seto hung his head. "Yes, Mokuba. He did. I thought I had hidden that from you."

Mokuba turned to his brother. "I love you, Seto. I always will. But now, like you, I have a chance to be the father that we never had growing up. I'll have a son or daughter of my own. And I want him or her to know that he or she is loved by this family. Don't deny my child that, Seto. Please? I want my child to have the best father and mother that he or she could ever have! My child is still in Jeanie's womb, but I know that child means the world to me. When my baby is born, that baby is going to see a mother and father who will live and die for him or her." Tears came to Mokuba's eyes. "I'm a father, Seto. Surely you feel the same about Jaimen…..and don't tell me you are not worried about Hayden. I know you are."

Seto turned his head away from Mokuba to hide the tears. "I'm very worried about Hayden."

Mokuba wrapped his arms around Seto and rested his head on Seto's shoulders. "It's okay, Seto. I understand."

Seto turned around, buried his face in Mokuba's neck, and sobbed. "What is that asshole doing to my boy?" Mokuba pat Seto on the back. "I'm sorry, Mokuba. I'm so sorry for the way I acted in the hospital. Please forgive me!"

Mokuba's eyes widened. Seto Kaiba asking for forgiveness? "You've already been forgiven, Seto. But, Jeanie also deserves to hear you say it."

"I have been an ass. I'm sorry, Mokuba."

Mokuba held Seto at arm's length. "I can't forgive you enough, Seto. You're my Big Brother. Nothing can tear us apart. We've been through so much together."

The corner of Seto's mouth twitched.

Mokuba smiled. "Seto Roka Kaiba! Are you…..trying to smile?"

Seto smiled at his brother. "Thank you…for forgiving me."

The younger Kaiba laughed. "ANDapologizing! Who are you and what have you done with my brother?"

Twin laughs escaped from the two boys.

A knock sounded on the door. "Who is it?"

"Asher Sparx, sir."

Seto stopped laughing. "Mokuba, you had better go. I have to talk to Asher. Come in, Asher!"

Mokuba left and the tall man stepped into the office.

Seto stood behind his desk. "Asher, sit down."

The tall man crept to the seat, his back hunched forward, his eyes cast to the ground. This man knew he was in the proverbial 'dog house.'

"Hello, Mr. Kaiba," Asher said as he sat down on the chair, his eyes still watching the tenth century Persian carpet with interest.

"Asher, explain something to me. Why did you see fit to leave your post?"

The man's bottom lip trembled and his body tensed. "Miranda said I could go see the fireworks because Otogi was there with her and she said she didn't need any more protection and I'm really sorry, Mr. Kaiba, it will never happen again, and I'm really, really sorry. Please don't hate me."

Seto watched the man's arms wrap around himself. "Asher, I do not hate you. But, I am disappointed. My direct orders to you were that she was not…NOT….to be left alone. You disobeyed my orders."

"Miranda said I could go."

Seto sighed. "Fine. The next time she tells you to go, you refuse. I am your boss, Asher. The next time, you follow my orders, not someone else's suggestions. Do I make myself crystal clear?"

"Yes, sir, Master Kaiba."

"I don't care if the whole city is burning down around you and you want to watch the sparks fly. You are Miranda's bodyguard. Your job, Asher, is to protect Miranda with your life! Now. Do you feel that you cannot carry out my orders? Do you feel that you would be better off on the search for Aten, Robbie, and Hayden? Because if you cannot carry out my direct orders, then I will assign this job to someone else. Now…what is it going to be?"

Asher's eyes slowly rose to look his boss in the eye, a daring move on Asher's part. "I will follow your orders."

"Miranda's body is your concern. Her safety is your job! Now go do your job, Asher. Before you leave, tell Joel to go to Ryou's home. Maxine is to come here ASAP."

Asher nodded and stood up. "Yes, Mr. Kaiba."

The tall man turned to leave when Seto stepped from behind his desk.

"Asher."

The tall man turned and looked down at his boss.

"Asher, I am not angry at you. I just want you to do the job that I pay you to do. Okay?"

Asher nodded. "I promise to do better, Mr. Kaiba."

Seto nodded. "Okay. Go on. Tell Joel to get to Ryou and have Maxine brought here."

Asher left and Seto collapsed into his chair.

His right eye raised to look at the pictures on his desk. He reached out and grabbed the picture.

Hayden and Aten were sitting on two separate carousel horses. Aten was six years old, his white and blond hair falling limply over his shoulders. Hayden's freckled face was scrunched up in a happy smile. His red hair appeared as if on fire in the sunlight. Aria was in the background, kissing her father on the cheek.

"Hayden…..where are you? Who has you?"

The picture offered no answers but silence.

"Why can't my men find you?"

The picture remained silent in his hand. Seto's heart sank. He wanted, needed, demanded a reply. But it was only a picture. A picture of the way things used to be.

The image of Aten and Hayden's smiling faces burned into him, sounds of their chibi laughter echoed in the back of his mind.

Seto put the picture down and stared at it intently. Outside, he didn't notice the sun cross the sky, the birds flying across his window. He never noticed Monique coming in to empty the trash can under his desk. Seto was in his own little world, listening to the sounds of Hayden, Aten, and Aria's squeals of joy as the carousel spun around in a circle.

*****Flashback*****

Chibi Aten bounced up and down on the carousel horse. [Tum on, horsie!!! Doe fasser! Huwwy up!]

Chibi Aria blew kisses to Seto and waving to him. [HI, UNKIE SETO! LOOK! I'M A PRINCESS ON A PRETTY HORSIE!]

Chibi Hayden bounced and shook the reigns. [My horse can go faster than yours, Aten!]

The Egyptian boy grinned and his hair twitched. [No, it tant betaws my horsie is a spekial horsie! It's lite the horsie on that Drool Monner tard I have. 'Nightmare Horse.' It's weawwy fast!]

****End Flashback****

A knock sounded on the door. Seto's head shot up. Marik and Maxine entered the office.

"Marik, wait outside for a moment, can you?"

The yami left the room and Maxine walked up to the desk, her arms folded behind her back.

Seto narrowed his eyes and stood up. The Oriental woman stood in front of his desk, unshaken.

"You wanted to see me, Mr. Kaiba."

"Did you catch that son of a bitch?"

Maxine took a deep breath. "No, sir."

Her eyes remained focused in front of her as Seto circled around his desk. He stood behind her with a growl.

"You failed, Maxine."

"Yes, sir. I failed you."

Seto stood by her side. "How did you lose him?"

Maxine remained steadfast. "I pursued him to down the Boulevard, sir. He turned sharply and fired his weapon at my tire."

"Did you not fire once at him?"

"I did fire, sir."

"And---?"

"I missed."

Seto stepped behind her and walked around the opposite side of his desk. "You missed."

"Yes, sir."

"Then I think it is high time, Mrs. Chang, that you go back to the Gallery and heighten your firing skills. I do not pay you to fail, Mrs. Chang, do I?"

"No, sir."

Seto crossed his arms. "What do I pay you for, then?"

"I am paid to steal. I am paid to do the job to which I am assigned."

"Maxine, what good is a dead thief to me? What if that asshole shot you? What would happen?"

Maxine opened her mouth and shut it again.

"What were you going to say to me?"

Maxine took a deep breath. "If that man shot me, my children wouldn't have a mother, sir. My baby would have no mother."

"Maxine, this is very upsetting. I can't have you do your job if you cannot protect yourself. Now, I will call Joel and tell him to spend the night with Ryou. You, my girl, are to get yourself to the Gallery and sharpen your firing skills. It's a shame Donny is down. You two could spar off against each other. Donny could teach you all there is to know about being a sharpshooter."

Maxine bowed in deference to Seto. "Yes, sir, Mr. Kaiba. I shall not disappoint you again."

"Maxie, I do not want to lose you. You are the best thief on my payroll. I can't lose you some asshole."

Maxine nodded. "Yes, sir. I will do as you say."

"Tomorrow, you will return to Ryou's home. Now go. Give your baby a hug from me."

A small smile crossed Maxine's face. "She's getting to be a big girl. She can count to ten already. She's smart, like her mommy."

Seto smiled back. "Who knows? Maybe I'll have another little thief on my hands in sixteen years."

Maxine grinned and turned slightly to Seto, revealing a slightly swollen belly. "Maybe you'll have three. Goodbye, sir." Maxine left.

Marik walked in and Seto shook his head. "Great."

"What's wrong, moneybags?"

"I'm surrounded!"

"By what?"

"Pregnant women."

Marik's jaw dropped. "Maxine is pregnant????? You had better cut her hours, moneybags. I didn't know she was pregnant."

Seto groaned. "So is Jeanie!"

Marik whistled. "That must have gone over like a lead brick. So, you're going to be a dad again?"

"Not me, you idiot! Mokuba!"

The yami laughed. "Mokuba and Jeanie are having a baby??"

Seto sunk into his chair. "Yeah, I'm going to be an uncle. Scary."

Marik snickered. "Keep lots of fruit juice and beef jerky handy. I can't tell you how many bottles of fruit juice we went through during Ryou's two weeks of pregnancy! I swear Ryou ate an entire herd of cattle by himself from all the beef jerky he ate!"

Seto turned on his computer. "Well, I don't know what we're going to do about space. I don't have a spare bedroom for a baby."

"You'll find somewhere to put it, Kaiba."

"No, Ishtar, I have no spare rooms. I am not turning my office into a nursery. Mokuba knows that."

Marik shrugged. "We made space for the kids. You'll figure out something."

Seto logged onto his computer and opened his Internet connection. "We'll have to set up a website to report the kids missing. We can track anyone who visits the website through special software that I have. You can get the IP address for---."

Marik squinted his eyes shut. "Wait. Hold on. I am a five thousand year old spirit. IP address…….software…..Simplify."

Seto sighed. "I have a computer program that can track each and every computer which visits the site. Every computer has a specific address, almost like a home address, that is unique to each computer. We can track each individual who visits the site. The kidnappers may be surfing the net searching for anyone who is looking for these kids."

Marik grabbed Seto's shoulder. "Maybe we should do a search for them. Maybe somebody already set something like this up. Maybe the kidnappers are expecting this. If they visit our site, we can track them and send your people out to take a look."

Seto opened up a new browser. "My software can get all the information out of their computer. Bank accounts. Names. Addresses. Email. My program can collect all this information and we can collect it here. It can even break into their cookies and see what other websites they have visited."

Marik shook his head. "No privacy with modern technology, huh?"

Seto laughed. "Not in this world, Marik. Do you think I got this company so successful from staying out of other people's business? Other people's business is my business."

Marik raised an eyebrow. "Moneybags, you impress me."

Marik pulled over a chair and looked over Seto's shoulder at the computer screen. "Nothing, hmm? Well, let's set up our website."

Marik removed the picture of Aten, Hayden, and Aria from the photo frame on Seto's desk. "That was a good time."

"Yeah. It was fun. The kids had a blast."

Marik smiled. "Aten had way too much fun in the inflatable house."

Seto chuckled. "Yeah. It's a shame he had to eat a hot dog before going on it, though."

"Well, it was the fun that counted. Malik and I had fun in that inflatable house, too. Thanks for taking the kids away from the area so we could have some time alone."

Seto shuddered. "Well, it would have been a crime against nature to have Aten watch his father have sex with Malik. Bakura has told me that you two are downright creepy when you have sex."

"Hey, it's not my fault that Malik is so bendable! And if you knew half the things about Itemri that I do---."

Seto held up his hand. "I've had my brother tell me his girlfriend is pregnant, my expert thief is pregnant, and I was shot in the ankle yesterday. The last thing I need to hear about is your and Bakura's sex lives. I've been traumatized enough."

Marik raised an eyebrow. "When's the last time you and Joey were together?"

Seto bit his lip. "We went out the other day."

"No…I mean, 'together.' When did you last make love to each other?"

Seto shrugged. "Joey and I haven't touched each other since Hayden went missing."

"You haven't? Why?"

Seto shrugged. "It isn't right, that's why."

"But you need each other now more than ever, Seto."

"Have you made love to Ryou since this whole shit started?"

Marik shifted his eyes away. "No. I've been wanting to though. But I've been gone most nights looking for him. When I get home I am so exhausted that I have to go into the Millennium Rod to rest."

"See? Joey's been so busy in Hayden's room and painting that I haven't seen much of him."

Marik sighed. //You're in denial, moneybags. You don't know Joey is hurting more than you think.//

"Have you talked to each other?"

Seto turned to Marik, clearly frustrated. "Are you going to ask me questions or are you going to help me?"

"I am trying to help you, you stubborn mule! Seto, you have to talk to Joey."

"Is something wrong with Joey?"

//He's drinking again. You can see it in his eyes.//

Marik put a hand on Seto's shoulder. "Seto, I am serious. You have to talk to Joey."

Seto narrowed his eyes. "Okay. I will talk to Joey tonight!" The CEO opened the program. "Okay. Description?"

"Aten Bakari Ishtar. 12 years of age. Four feet tall. Right brown eye, purple left eye. White and blond hair. Dark skin. Scar on right palm. Scars on back read 'MINE'. Sixty pounds."

Seto bit his lip. "'Hayden Kaiba. 13 years of age. Five feet two inches tall. Green eyes, red hair. Freckles on face. Ninety pounds. Scar across the lower stomach and in the inner right thigh.'

What about Robbie?"

Marik ran his fingers through his spiky blond hair. "Robbie Morgan. 12 years of age. I would say he's….Four feet….eight inches tall?"

Seto nodded. "Sounds about right."

"Blue eyes, black hair which is slightly curly. Right clubbed foot. Walks with a considerable limp.

How much do you think Robbie weighs?"

Seto scratched his chin. "He's no where as skinny as Aten. I would put him at eighty pounds."

Marik nodded. "Sounds good. That boy had a little belly growing on him the last time I saw him."

"Scars?"

"He has a tiny scar by his forehead where that Jason kid smacked him with his hockey stick."

Seto typed in the information. "Good. Now I just upload it onto the company server and we are done."

Seto and Marik watched the loading bar fill slowly. "Our servers must be slow. I have to make the technology department aware of this."

Marik grabbed the Millennium Rod. "Okay. You two really need to 'connect' with Joey if you know what I mean."

Seto sighed. "Maybe you're right. I'm making no promises it will be successful."

The yami grinned. "Well, Seto, it's the effort that counts. Right now, I know that Ryou wants me home."

"How's he holding up?"

Marik shook his head. "I don't know what is keeping him going. He's been out for two days looking for those kids, plus taking care of Aria, plus cooking the meals. I don't know how he does it. I know he hasn't slept lately."

Seto raised an eyebrow. "Maybe Ryou needs you, Marik. Have you ever thought of that?"

"I know he needs me. I can tell it when he looks at me with those sad eyes of his that he needs me. It's a look that is different than the look he gives Bakura."

Seto crossed his legs. "Not surprising, though. You and Ryou are connected by Aten. It only goes to figure this would be hard on you both."

Marik tapped the Millennium Rod against his shoulder in thought. "You know, it's hard being a parent, Seto. Children are born helpless. They depend on you for everything. Then they grow up. You try to teach them good morals. Teach them how to tie their shoes, brush their teeth, comb their hair. Then one day…..it doesn't look like they need you anymore. They get older. Maybe….maybe it is possible that they forget about you. Trying to keep them safe and happy is no easy task. But you know what, Seto? Those times that we spent at the amusement park, those times when we took the kids out for a picnic in the park, even those times when things were not so great, I wouldn't exchange parenting for the world." Marik pointed at his smiling son on the picture. "See that smile? I would kill for that smile. And you know what, moneybags? I have killed for that smile. These bastards better start praying because they are next."

Marik turned away. "Goodnight, moneybags."

Seto sighed as the yami left. Marik, for a cold-hearted killer, could be very poetic. Philosophical Marik did not appear many times. Vicious, Insane Marik was the usual visitor to his office.

As vicious as Marik could be, he was right. Joey and he did need to connect. They had been avoiding each other and avoiding their usual intimacy.

That had to stop.

There was no need to alienate each other.

Right now, they needed to stick together.

A knock sounded on the door and Jaimen ran in. "Dinner is here, daddy!"

"Go get Other Daddy and tell him to come to dinner."

Jaimen jumped up and down. "Yes, sir, daddy, sir!"

Jaimen ran down the hallway as quickly as his legs could carry him. He knocked on Joey's door.

"Dad?"

No answer.
Jaimen opened the door slowly and found Joey asleep with his head on his desk. The blond was snoring loudly, his hand still clutching an empty glass.

The twelve year old walked up to Joey. "Dad? Time for dinner! Pizza!!! Yum!"

Joey's fingers twitched in his sleep. "Dad…..no…..I don't wanna."

Jaimen shook Joey's arm. "Dad, it's time for dinner."

Joey gave a whimper in his sleep. His fingers squeezed the glass tightly. "Don't let me….please…."

Jaimen stepped back as a loud shatter was heard.

Joey's eyes shot open and he looked at his bleeding hand. Joey had squeezed the glass so hard, it had shattered in his palm.

Joey put his drying towel in his hand and winced. "Jaimen? What are you doing here?"

"Time for dinner. Are you hungry?"

Joey looked at the bottle of Vodka on his desk and quickly hid the bottle in his desk drawer. "I'll be right there, Jaimen. Tell Daddy I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Yes, sir!" Jaimen smiled as he ran from the room.

Joey sighed and opened his top desk drawer. He grabbed the bottle of Listerine and quickly swished some of the mint flavor in his mouth to hide the evidence.

Joey stood up and fell back into the chair, losing his balance easily. "I hope Seto doesn't notice."

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

Serenity walked into the Dining Hall and sat on the chair next to Joey. "Well, hello, Joey. I haven't seen you all day! Where were you?"

Joey sipped his cranberry juice. "I was…painting." The blond kept his head lowered so no one would see his bloodshot, drunken eyes.

Mokuba raised his eyes to Serenity and growled quietly. He kept his attention focused on his pizza in front of him.

Jaimen was chewing quietly, oblivious to Serenity's entrance.

Serenity sat down. "So, what is our feast tonight?" Her eyes narrowed. "Pizza?? From Luciano's? Where's the good food?"

Seto dug his teeth ravenously into the plain pizza. "I sent my cook out tonight to look for the kids. Just because I'm rich doesn't mean we eat like kings every night, Serenity."

Mokuba scraped the cheese off of his pizza. "Luciano's is the best pizza in town, Serenity. We need a treat."

"My daddy gets really good pizza. Only the best for the Kaiba Family!" Jaimen smiled.

Serenity grabbed a piece of pizza. "Well, what is everyone going to do tonight?"

Mokuba shook his head. What did she think was happening? Did she have a clue? Did she think they were going to take it easy and have a party with cocktails and butlers? Three kids were missing. Three kids were in danger.

Joey bit into his pizza. "I should go out and look for the kids tonight."

Seto nodded. "Marik and I are going out tomorrow night. I wanted to give my ankle at least a day to heal."

"You? Going out with Marik?"

Seto nodded. "Yes."

"Well, I had planned to go check up on Jeanie tonight, Seto, if that is okay."

"I want you to take Asher and….who else is not either on the hunt or in the hospital?"

Mokuba shifted his eyes in thought. "Karl is still in the hospital with Jay."

Seto groaned. "I hate to do this. But I have to pull Karl away from Jay."

Serenity crossed her arms. "You are pulling Karl away from his unconscious lover in the hospital? That is a new low for you, Kaiba."

Seto growled. "How did you know about Karl and Jay?"

"I have my resources."

The CEO growled again. "My employees private lives are their business. But right now, I am understaffed. My Public Relations Department needs more people. I can't afford for something to happen to Mokuba. The only ones I have downstairs are my martial arts experts. Ichiro has been at the front desk for three days already."

"Looks like we have to hire more people Public Relations."

Seto shook his head with a sigh. "Another thing I have to do. Great."

"Well, Kaiba, if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen. If you can't handle being the CEO or you think you are getting too OLD for it, shut the company down and go to a nice retirement home," Serenity said.

Joey lifted his head. "Serenity? Sis? Can I tell you something?"

"What, Joey?"

"Shut. The. Fuck. Up."

Mokuba and Jaimen's jaw dropped.

"Other daddy said a bad word!"

Serenity gasped. "Well, I never!"

Joey put down his pizza. "Sis, I want you out of here tonight! Pack your things and go!"

"Where am I supposed to go?"

"Anywhere but here," Mokuba responded coldly.

Serenity stood up. "Fine. I'll go." The girl left the Dining Hall.

"Sorry about her, Seto."

"I'm about two seconds away from throwing her out on her ass, Joseph!"

Joey looked up. "If you throw her out, mom will make my life a living hell!"

"Joey, your mom never talks to you! She never visits! She never even called to talk to you about this marriage. Why do you care if we throw her out if you never see or hear from your mom?"

Joey shrugged. "I just…I can't bear to throw her out. Hopefully we can rest with her not around tonight."

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

Ryou lathered the washcloth and washed himself down. The bubbles in the bath soothed his tense muscles. The strawberry scented soap left a trail of bubbles as it ran across his white skin.

The hot water relaxed him.

When he finished washing himself down, he reclined in the bath, letting the water and bubbles cover him completely, with the exception of his face. Ryou took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

It wasn't often that he had a chance to relax in a bubble bath. The Bubble Gum scent made him smile. It brought back memories of bathing Aten and Aria as infants. It reminded him of the bubble bath his mother used on him when he was a young child.

Ryou's hands rested on his chest and glided down his stomach. He rubbed from his chest and stomach, allowing himself to indulge in the soothing caress of his own hand.

Bakura knocked on the door. "Hikari?"

Ryou gasped. "Yami! Bakura? What's wrong?"

"Aria's not feeling too good."

"Okay. Let me dry off."

Ryou pulled out the plug and grabbed his towel. He quickly rubbed himself free of the bubbles and dried himself. He wrapped his bathrobe around himself and stepped out of the bathroom.

"Where is she?"

"Downstairs on the couch."

Ryou walked down the stairs and saw the little girl on the couch with Umi holding her hand. "Baby girl? What's wrong?" Ryou saw it took a lot of effort for Aria to blink.

"Tired….weak."

Ryou felt her forehead. "Malik? Malik, did you take her temperature?"

Malik came out of the kitchen with a hot cup of tea for the girl. "Slight fever. Nothing bad."

Marik leaned in to Ryou. "Do you think she is getting this from Aten?"

"Hard to say."

"Aria? Are you feeling this way or is Aten feeling this way?"

Aria closed her eyes. "I don't know."

Ryou sat on the coffee table and stroked her daughter's hair. "Does anything hurt?"

Aria looked around at the men uneasily. "No."

A knock sounded on the door and Ryou tensed. Bakura and Marik stood in front of the sick child and her mother. Marik withdrew the dagger of his Millennium Rod and Joel withdrew his pistol.

Joel opened the door and there was Serenity.

"Serenity? What are you doing here?" Bakura snarled. "You've got brass balls showing up here!"

Marik's hair spiked and twitched. He advanced on the door. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

Malik stood by his husband. "You are not welcome here after being so cruel to Aten!"

"My brother kicked me out of KaibaCorp for the night."

Ryou stood by Malik. "Joey should have done that a long time ago, Serenity."

"Please, I need a place to stay, Ryou. I won't cause any trouble."

Umi stood behind Malik's legs. "What do you want here? Are you going to bad mouth Aria like you bad mouthed Aten?"

"No, I was wrong to do that. Just for one night!"

Bakura wrapped his arms around him from behind. "Why should we?"

"Because….because…."

Marik continued to growl. "Listening."

"Because Joey is your friend. Think of this as a favor."

Ryou sighed. "Serenity, I do not have a room for you. Umi is staying with us until Mako can get out of the hospital. Aria isn't feeling well tonight, so I have to attend to her."

"Aww….sick chibi?"

"My daughter is ill, Serenity. I have no room for you."

"I'll sleep on the couch!"

Marik concealed the dagger of the Rod. "You deserve to sleep in the mud for what you said to my boy's face, you heartless bitch!"

Umi gasped and Malik elbowed his yami.

"Chibi presence, Marik."

"Ryou, this is your decision," Marik snarled. The yami put the Millennium Rod up to her chin. "One comment….one word against my child or the way that we live…..I will personally rip out your intestines with my teeth. Understand?"

Serenity went pale. "Y-y-yes."

Malik followed his yami into the home.

"What do you say, Ryou?"

Ryou crossed his arms. "You really hurt my feelings, Serenity."

"I know I did, Ryou, and I am sorry."

The rain had started once again and started to pour down.

Ryou sighed. "Okay, Serenity. For tonight."

Serenity threw herself at Ryou and Ryou pushed her away.

"Come in before you get soaked."

Serenity walked in and saw Umi sitting by Aria. She walked up to Aria. "Aww…poor sick little Chibi Ryou!"

Aria snarled and her hair spiked. "I'm Chibi Yami! Not Chibi mommy!"

Ryou walked into the kitchen to get some Children's Tylenol for Aria.

"You let her in?" Marik growled at Ryou.

"I had no choice. I did it for Joey."

Marik stepped up to him. "Why for him?"

Ryou looked up at the angry yami. "Because Joey is my friend." Ryou shook the child's medicine bottle.

"Ryou, you've always had a heart of gold. She's the kind of person to take advantage of that."

"I know, Marik. I know."

Ryou grabbed a spoon and returned to his daughter. "Here, sweetheart. Take this."

Aria opened her mouth as Ryou gave her the dose of Tylenol. Ryou smiled and kissed Aria on the forehead. "That's my girl." Ryou's fingers rubbed her spiky white hair. "You just relax, angel."

Another knock sounded on the door. Joel pulled his pistol and Marik stepped in his way.

"I will handle this."

Marik opened the door and three men in suits bowed to him. "Well? What have you found?"

"Regretfully, we have found nothing. The docks are clean. No bodies hidden there."

Serenity looked out at the men. "Door to door salesmen at this time of night?"

Marik turned to Serenity. "'Door to door salesmen?' Serenity, this is the Italian Mafia."

Serenity's jaw dropped and her eyes widened. "What???"

"Italian Mafia."

"How did you get mixed up with them?"

Marik shrugged. "These are my people, Serenity."

"I can tell the resemblance."

Marik raised an eyebrow. "Do you want to go sleep in the rain tonight?"

"No."

"Then shut your mouth."

Serenity walked away.

"Georgio, extend your search to the neighboring counties. Seto and I are searching Chester County tomorrow. Get in touch with your New Jersey contacts. See if they have found anything."

The old man nodded. "I will do so."

Another limousine pulled up and the Italians stepped aside. The Japanese Mafia Boss stepped out of the car and walked up to Marik.

With a deep bow, he looked up at Marik.

"Yami Marik, we have not found your child."

"Search the surrounding areas. Chester County will be searched tomorrow by Seto Kaiba and I."

The boss shook his head. "I hear he got himself a bullet in the ankle. I am happy to hear that he is safe."

"I know that you depend on his generous contribution."

"He provides much of our funding….and is a trusted associate."

Marik overlooked the two groups of men standing before him. "Expand your searches. Check the suburbs next. Go door to door if you have to. Bring my son home."

"Where are you searching tonight, Marik-san?"

"I am not going out tonight. My family requires me here. Our other child is ill."

"The poor little bambina!"

"Poor little chibi."

Marik nodded. "I will remain home tonight. Tomorrow at dawn I leave again."

Malik stepped beside Marik. The yami put his arm around his husband's waist. "Now, go."

The two groups of men returned to their cars and left.

Malik looked up at the sky which had remained cloudy. The rain poured harder, pounding against the ground. "Yami?"

Marik turned around and hugged his husband tightly. The yami buried his face into Malik's shoulder.

The hikari rubbed his yami's back without saying a word.

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

Robbie and Aten were looking at the lighthouse against the dark sky. "It looks so nice out there, doesn't it?"

Aten nodded. "It does."

Robbie sighed. "One day we'll have to go inside and check it out, Aten."

"Do you think we really can?"

"Sure we can, Aten! When we get out of here and get better, we can go in there and look down on the city! I'm sure it would be a nice change of scenery from this."

Aten nodded. "Well, it may take a while until I can climb stairs. My legs are getting bad."

Robbie looked down. "Yeah, they are." A devilish grin crossed Robbie's face. "It's so much easier to do this now."

Robbie pushed Aten back slightly and Aten fell on his back on the bed.

Robbie laughed as the mattress barely moved from the impact.

"What was that for?" Aten asked.

Robbie pounced on Aten, straddling Aten's hips. "It's so much easier to do this!"

Robbie lifted Aten's shirt and tickled Aten's armpits.

"Robbie!" Aten laughed as he tried to evade Robbie's tickling fingers. "Stop!"

"What else is ticklish on you??? Oh, I know!"

Robbie leaned down and pressed his lips to Aten's chest. He blew hard, sending ripples across Aten's tan skin.

Aten squealed. "Robbie! That tickles!"

The blue-eyed boy laughed. "You're so sensitive! I poke you and you laugh!"

Robbie poked Aten's belly and Aten arched his back with a roar of laughter.

The Egyptian boy panted as his friend sat up straight. "You….are….evil."

"So, what else is new? You're so easy to tickle, Aten!"

Aten poked Robbie. "You just enjoy seeing me squirm. Admit it."

Robbie crossed his arms. "I admit to nothing."

"Doesn't FEEL like you admit to nothing, Robert."

"What are you talking about?" Robbie's eyes widened as his pants tightened again. "Oh……sorry."

Aten grinned and bucked his hips up, sending Robbie falling beside him.

The Egyptian pounced on his friend, straddling Robbie's waist. "The tides have turned, Robbie."

Robbie laughed. "Get off of me, Aten!"

Aten grinned. "Okay. I will." Aten started rubbing against Robbie below him slowly.

Robbie's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he shook his head quickly. "What are you doing?"

"You said 'Get off on me.'"

"Aten, I said, 'Get off OF me' NOT 'Get off ON me!'"

Aten snickered. "Well, I am dyslexic, you know."

"Nice excuse."

Aten smiled. "Thanks!" The Egyptian leaned down and rested his head on Robbie's chest.

Robbie wrapped his arms around Aten and noticed how much lighter Aten had become since this ordeal had began. Robbie could feel Aten's heart beat unsteadily, but his friend had appeared okay.

"Aten? Are you okay?"

Aten smiled. "Yup. In heaven now."

Robbie smiled and sighed.

The lock on the door jiggled. Aten looked up and gasped. Robbie tensed as the door opened.

Charlie and Vinnie entered the room. "Hello, boys," Charlie grinned.

Aten crawled off of Robbie.

"Oh, no, Aten….stay there."

Aten and Robbie exchanged glances. Robbie sat up.

"What do you creeps want?"

Charlie sat at the foot of the bed, Dominic and Vinnie sitting on either side of him. "I want to watch you two do what you did the other night."

Aten and Robbie blushed. "W-What?"

"We want to see you two do what you did the other night? Are you fucking deaf, you little cripple?"

Robbie shifted back. "No."

"Wh-What did we do the other night?" Aten asked, trying to delay the inevitable.

Charlie laughed. "You know. I caught you on tape."

Aten and Robbie held hands and looked around. "Hidden cameras?"

"We need gold for our website we are going to put up. You, Aten, and Hayden are going to be the stars," Charlie said.

Aten narrowed his eyes. "How dare you tape us! That's not fair!"

Charlie licked his lips. "What's not fair, Aten, is not letting us in on your little escapade the other night."

"What escapade?"

Vinnie grinned. "You touched each other. We felt left out."

Aten's bottom lip trembled and he released Robbie's hand. "You…..You….You saw us?"

Charlie grinned. "It was a good performance on both of your parts."

Robbie's bottom lip trembled. "I can't believed you taped that!"

"Now, we want to see you two kiss," Vinnie grinned.

Aten and Robbie looked at each other and around at the ceiling for a hidden camera.

"We can't," Aten whimpered.

"Not when people are watching," Robbie added.

Charlie blinked. His arm quickly reached out and grabbed Aten's neck. A squeak came from Aten.

"Do what we say or I will finish you and your little boyfriend off. And you know what, Aten? You will watch him die first."

Charlie released Aten's throat.

Aten turned to Robbie. "Well?"

Robbie's bottom lip trembled. "It won't be all bad. At least I get to kiss you."

Aten watched Robbie's eyes focus on Charlie and Vinnie watching with evil grins. "Robbie, look at me. Keep your eyes focused on me. Don't look at them."

"How can I not look at them?" Robbie whispered.

Aten opened his mouth, but closed it quickly. "Robbie…I know all about this. I know how to distract myself so I don't concentrate on what is happening around me. Trust me, Robbie."

Robbie nodded. "I trust you, Aten."

Aten smiled. "Just keep your eyes on me."

Robbie and Aten closed their eyes. They pressed their lips together. Aten's hand raised and traced Robbie's jaw with his hand.

Charlie grinned. "This is the last bit we need for our website."

Vinnie nodded. "This is gold! Keep it up, kids!"

Aten saw Robbie's eye open slowly and peer at the two men watching them. Aten turned his face slightly to the left to disguise the fact he was whispering to Robbie. "Don't look at them, Robbie. Focus on me. It won't….It won't hurt as much."

Robbie closed his eyes again. "This doesn't hurt, Aten," Robbie whispered.

Aten pulled away. "Really?"

"It never hurts to kiss you."

Aten smiled. "Really?"

Robbie opened his mouth and took a deep breath. 'I want to tell him I love him…so badly. But, being videotaped while doing it is not the way I want to do it.'

Aten reached up and ran his fingers through Robbie's growing curly black hair. "Do you have something you want to say to me? You look like you want to see something."

Robbie's eye turned to Charlie and Vinnie. "I…I can't say it while they are here."

Charlie shrugged. "We'll get it on camera eventually, Rob."

Vinnie narrowed his eyes. "Less chatty more kissy!"

Aten and Robbie looked down and then up at each other.

"Just keep looking at me and block out everything around you, Robbie. Trust me."

Aten and Robbie kissed again, the pale boy brushing the hair off of Aten's shoulders. Robbie's hand cupped Aten's cheek in his hand and slid it down Aten's neck, over bruise Charlie made on Aten's neck.

The Egyptian found it easy to detach himself from what was going on around him. He only let himself feel Robbie's lips and his gentle touch. He focused on Robbie's actions.

Deep within his mind, he heard a low growl. Aten heard it from the darkest reaches of his memories.

Old emotions boiled and churned like brew in a cauldron. Hate. Fear. Anger. All of these spilled over, reminding him of Steven and suffering humiliation.

Like Steven, these two men were forcing him to do what they wanted.

Like Steven, they threatened the safety and lives of those whom he loved.

Like Steven, they were enjoying it.

//They are not going to get away with this!// the voice threatened.

/Who are you?/

//Me? I am all that your grandfather had created. I am the hate, the pain, the consequence of the rape incidences by your grandfather. I am vengeance. My evolution is not complete. I await my other half. These men feed me with your degradation. They make me drink the milk of your bitter tears. I will soon be strong enough to emerge.//

/Emerge? Whenever you come out, it takes a lot out of me./

//Because you are not strong. You are weak. I am the only thing that can protect you from the world around you. Only I can protect you against everyone who intends on hurting you.//

/Robbie won't hurt me./

//I cannot be certain of that….yet. I do not trust him. It will be a long time before I can consider the possibility that he would not betray us.//

/I love Robbie./

//Still. I will not be able to emerge until you rest. Tonight, you must rest. You are weak.//

/I have had no medication for a week. I'm running out of breath easier every day./

//I know. Every day we grow weaker. Tonight, we must rest.//

/Who are you?/

//Your counterpart, Yami Aten. And do not worry about these men. I will destroy them. Their days are numbered.//

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