Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return To Hades ❯ Laugh ( Chapter 18 )

Kat: *laughs* love the Homer simpson inclusion. Marik is always the confident yami….and the caveman was a great touch. Never thought I would see that…or Ryou tearing open Marik's shirt.

Pharaoh Yamis Princess: *is proud of evil cliffie*

Caterfree: Marik and Ryou will be fine. Little shaken, but fine.

Marik Ishtar77: Yeah, the muses are quite proud of their work. Ryou's going to get a Ginger Snap today for his wonderful acting. *hugs Ryou*

Draza: Yami is behind the mask, yes. Hayden gets print in this chappie. *hands Ryou plushie* Do't hurt me with the javelin….take this instead!

Valea: The dream was confusing? A lot of it was foreshadowing.

Broken Time: *resurrects* If you're dead, you can't review!

Sakiyama: Marik, Ryou, and Aria are going to be okay. Yami..you are right.

I Is Me: *backs away*

Beysie: He got into his Rod….*snicker* Gotta love Rod jokes.

Lady Elfskye: hehehe….good title. Like it.

Tari Helyanwe: *hands smelling salts*

Anubiset: eep! *jumps from flame on butt*

Shadow of Light: They're going to be fine.

Laugh

Aria opened her eyes from the crash and heard the horn on the car sounded steady. Maxine was in the front of the car unconscious, her body slumped to the side. Aria groaned as she felt a sharp pain in her hand. Her palm was bleeding from broken glass.

She heard a male's voice call to her.

"Hey, kid? Are you okay?"

Aria's Sennen Eye continued to glow on her head as she growled at the man. "I'm fine. See to Maxine!"

To the man's amazement, he watched the girl unbuckle herself and open the car door.

"MOMMY!" Aria cried as she pushed through the crowd of people surrounding Ryou.

Aria kneeled by Ryou's side. Aria's hair spiked and her body shuddered. Her Sennen Eye had dimmed. "Mother?"

The dying mother raised his eyes to look at his daughter.

"Mother is dying?"

The white-haired hikari laid in a pile on the concrete. A large puddle of blood had surrounded him. Ryou opened his eyes, his body shivering. A large piece of glass had embedded itself in Ryou's neck. Ryou's body twitched and shivered on the pavement.

Aria reached for the glass.

"Don't pull it out, child! He may bleed to death!" a woman begged her.

Aria snarled at the woman. "I know what I am doing!" Her eyes lowered to her mother. If the people saw her miraculously heal the dying man in the street, there would be too many questions that would be unsafe to answer. Bakura and Marik had warned her and her brother that no mortals were permitted to know about yamis and Shadow Magic. If the mortals knew about such magic, Malik and Ryou would be in danger. Their lives would also be in danger. With ambulances racing to the scene, hundreds of people watching, using Shadow Magic would be dangerous.

Aria watched her dying mother on the concrete. "I have to do this!"

Aria removed her deck from her dress. "NIGHTMARE DRAGON! I SUMMON THEE! HEAR YOUR MISTRESS' CRY!"

A loud roar echoed through the intersection. Dark clouds appeared over head as the Nightmare Dragon hovered over the city. The dragon soared down, roaring.

People screamed and scattered.

Ryou laid on the concrete gasping for air.

Aria pulled the shard of glass from Ryou's neck. "Hold still, mother."

The girl put her hand on the site of Ryou's mortal wound. "Please let this work, dear Ra. Don't let my mother die."

Under Aria's bloody hand, the torn tissue and broken blood vessels were mended. Ryou's

severed windpipe was healed. "Heal my mother."

Ryou took a deep breath as Aria touched each of his injuries, healing them with her bloodied hand.

Ryou took the Ring in his hand. "Ba…Bakura…"

The spirit emerged from the Ring half aware of his surroundings.

"Ryou!!! Dear Ra!" Bakura gasped as he kneeled by Aria.

"I healed mother," the yami child said beside Ryou.

The yami looked up at his daughter. "Aria? Chibi Yami?"

Aria brushed her spiky hair behind her shoulders and lifted the hair covering her forehead to reveal the Sennen Eye. "Hello, Father. We meet again."

"Aria? What happened? Are you okay?" Bakura lifted his head when he saw the Nightmare Dragon flying in the sky, terrorizing the people. "Aria, what did I tell you about Shadow Magic and mortals?"

Aria snarled at her father. "I sensed HIM!"

"Him? Him, who?"

Aria growled. "The pharaoh."

The yami narrowed his eyes. "HE did this?"

"I sensed him."

Ryou started to sob and reached out for his husband. "Bakura," the white-haired boy cried.

Bakura held Ryou in his arms. "It's okay, Ryou. I'm here."

Aria ran to Maxine. "She's near death!"

Aria put her hands on Maxine's head. "Heal this woman."

Maxine's bleeding stopped as the Ambulance arrived. The paramedics attended to Ryou and Maxine, deciding it best to take them to Domino Hospital for some tests.

Aria rode with Bakura in the back of the Ambulance. The Nightmare Dragon disappeared.

Bakura watched her intently as she looked out of the window with a menacing snarl. "Aria."

The child turned her head. "Father?"

"What did you do to your mother? From the blood covering his clothing, it's obvious that he was gravely injured. What did you do?"

The girl raised her eye to the doctor in the back, who was bandaging Ryou's broken arm.

"I laid my hands on him. He recovered."

Bakura's hair twitched. "You just don't touch someone and they heal, Aria Kanika. Young lady, you tell me what you did!"

Aria narrowed her eyes at her father. "Don't 'young lady' me, father! I saved my mother's life. I saved your husband from a certain death."

"What did you do?"

Aria crossed her legs and sat back, bringing her chest out more. Bakura noticed for probably the first time that Aria was becoming mature, more mature than her age dictated.

"Have you read the scripture 'The Oracle of Isis?'"

Bakura shook his head. "I was a thief. I probably stole the scroll and made some money off of it."

Aria grinned. "Old habits die hard, I see. It's good to see you haven't changed in five thousand years."

"Tell me, Aria."

"You call me 'Chibi Yami.' You are right. 'The Oracle of Isis' reads that one yami….will have 'Healing Blood.' That yami would be 'the seed of the Thief King.'" Aria turned her head to Bakura. "I…I am that yami."

"Yami Aria?" Bakura raised an eyebrow. "'Healing Blood?'"

Aria brushed her spiky hair behind her ears. "Remember three years ago, I was kidnapped? That lab tested me. Injected my body with many medicines. Do you know why they kidnapped me?"

"No."

"It's because my blood can heal. It can cure deadly disease."

Bakura rubbed his forehead. "If you can cure disease, why didn't you tell us? We could have cured Aten."

Aria shook her head. "I cannot cure a biological defect. Aten's heart is naturally weak and disfigured. I cannot heal a naturally broken heart."

Bakura sighed.

"There is more. The same scroll reads that one yami…will have 'Deadly Blood.' His blood kills. His blood takes life violently. His blood is dark. Vicious. Cruel. Evil."

Bakura narrowed his eyes. "Who is that yami?"

Aria took a deep breath and sighed. "My brother."

"Aten?"

Aria turned her black and red eyes towards her father. "Yami Aten."

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

Malik grabbed the duster and turned on his music. He cleaned the living room as he moved his hips to the music.

The hikari sang at the top of his lungs. The phone rang and he turned down his music.

"Ishtar-Itemri Residence."

[Malik, did Marik leave yet?]

"Yeah. He's not there?"

[No. He hasn't arrived.]

Someone knocked on the door. Malik turned off his music and looked out of the window at the door.

[Malik, what is going on?]

"Police officers….and they have the Millennium Rod! I'll call you back."

Malik turned off the cell phone and opened the door. "Hello?"

"Are you Malik Ramses Ishtar?"

"Yes."

The officers looked at a clipboard. "Do you have a 2003 Pine Green Chevrolet Impala?"

"Yes."

"Was your car reported stolen?"

Malik shook his head. "No."

"We found this item in the front seat of the car."

The officer held up a plastic bag with the Millennium Rod in it. "Does this item look familiar to you?"

Malik gasped. "That is mine! Where did you find it? Where is my car?"

"Your car was involved in an accident."

"What happened?"

"It crashed against the Burlington Park wall. It burst into flames, according to witnesses."

The man looked at the golden item in his hand. It wasn't scorched. It looked brand new.

"You will have to keep your car until we discover who stole it."

Malik gripped the Rod tightly in his hands. "Thank you for returning my…family heirloom. You didn't find anyone in the car when you found it?"

"No. Nobody was in or around the vehicle. We will keep you updated."

Malik stepped in the house and closed the door behind him. "Marik! Marik! Are you okay?"

Malik shook the Rod vigorously.

The Item glowed and Marik appeared holding onto the staircase for support. His forehead was wounded and bruised. The shirt he wore was burned and fused to Marik's skin in some places. The ends of Marik's blond hair were scorched.

Malik wrapped his arms around his injured yami. "Marik! SWEET ISIS! What happened?"

Marik fell to his knees and wavered unsteadily. The hikari held Marik against him, fearing that the yami would fall down. "Marik, I have to get the first aid kit!"

"No…need time in Rod…..Just came out to tell you…that I'm okay."

"Go into the Rod, Yami Marik."

Marik lifted his chin weakly. "Malik…give me a kiss…please."

Malik leaned down and kissed his yami's lips. "Go into the Rod, Marik. Love you."

Marik disappeared and his flicker of light returned to the Rod.

Malik dialed Seto's phone number.

[Seto Kaiba.]

"Seto, Marik is hurt! The cops said that my car was in an accident!"

[Is Marik okay?]

"He's burned! He's in his Rod now."

[Healing, hmm? Okay. I have some emergencies I have to deal with now. Maxine is in the hospital.]

"Maxine?"

[Maxine was also involved in a car crash. Ryou and Aria were injured.]

Malik's eyes filled with tears. "Oh, sweet gods, no. Are they alive?"

[Maxine's cuts are healing faster than normal, but she may have some internal damage. They are checking.]

"Aria?"

[A few cuts on her hand.]

"Ryou?"

[The doctors don't know how all three of them got out of that accident with no major injuries. Ryou was laying in a pool of blood, apparently. How he escaped with no bruises or cuts is beyond me.]

"Seto, can you give me a couple of hours to keep Marik in the Rod? Marik heals quickly in there. For every hour he's in there, it's the equivalent of a week's worth of healing."

[Fine. I'll have someone come and pick you up at noon.]

"Okay."

Malik hung up the phone and sat on the couch. He laid the Millennium Rod on the coffee table in front of him.

"Relax, Marik. I'll take you to Seto after you rest."

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

Malik arrived at KaibaCorp and entered Seto's office. "Marik, we're here."

A bright light shined and Marik emerged from the Rod, yawning. His cuts were healed and his bruises had cleared.

"Marik, I hear that you got into an accident."

Marik growled. "My brakes were cut."

Malik gasped. "Oh my Ra!"

Seto narrowed his eyes. "Why does that not surprise me?"

Marik put his arm around Malik's shoulders. "If Marik or Ryou was in there, they would have been dead."

"Ryou and Aria were also involved in an accident, Marik," Seto said as he crossed his legs.

Marik's face drained of color and his eyes filled with tears. "W-What?"

"Maxine's brakes were cut, too. They are in the hospital."

Marik dropped his arm and put two open palms on Seto's desk. "Please….please tell me that they survived."

Seto nodded. "They did. Somehow they came out with some scrapes."

"What about Aria?"

Seto shrugged. "I don't know how that girl managed to get out with only a cut hand. The car was totaled. Aria should be dead by all accounts."

Marik breathed deeply and sighed. He sat in the chair by Seto's desk and buried his face in his hands. "I almost lost Ryou. I could have lost Itemri. I…I could have lost Aria."

Malik put his hands on Marik's shoulders and massaged them. "We know. I didn't know what to think when the police had your item in their evidence bag. When they told me what happened to my car, I thought I lost you." Malik wrapped his arms around his husband from behind, hugging him tightly. The hikari placed a soft kiss on Marik's cheek. "Don't ever leave me, Marik."

The blond yami nuzzled his cheek against his husband's, "I won't, hikari. You're stuck with me for the rest of your mortal life."

Seto crossed his arms. "If you two are done giving me cavities from all of the sugary sweetness you two are radiating, I can tell you what I heard."

Marik and Malik turned to him. "You heard something?"

Seto nodded. "I had a dream last night. I was so stupid! I dreamed that Aten told me where to look."

Marik crossed his leg and leaned on the arm of the chair. "So, where do we look?"

"I was told to search for the 'Desert Flower.'"

Malik scratched his head. "'Desert Flower?' It's hard to find flowers growing in the desert."

"You yourself told me to look for a 'beacon'."

"So we have to search where for a desert flower?"

Seto turned on his computer. "On the Net."

"We searched the internet."

"I know, but we didn't know what to look for. It never occurred to me."

The internet browser started and Seto typed in 'Hayden McGinnis.'

"Hayden used to be 'Hayden McGinnis.'" The news reports were in the search results. "Now, remember three years ago they released Charlie, Hayden's uncle. The news gave some of the details of Charlie's child pornography ring. Hayden was rented out to at least one hundred men. Charlie also had a website that he established."

Marik narrowed his eyes. "What are you suggesting?"

Seto shifted his eyes between the two men. "My guess that Charlie is still as stupid as he was eight years ago."

"Are you saying that Charlie probably has a website now just as he did then?" Malik asked.

Seto nodded. "It occurred to me as I was waiting for you to arrive."

"Why didn't you have the website up? Why didn't you have the computer turned on?"

The CEO took a deep breath. "Because I'm afraid….that it's true."

"We have to search for 'Desert Flower?'" Malik asked.

Seto nodded.

"Seto," the yami said slowly. "I know this is going to be difficult. But, we have to do this for the boys' sake."

Seto felt his hand tremble. What if Charlie was running the same type of website? What would he find? Would Aten be on that website? What did they subject him to?

Marik stood up. "We have to do this for the kids, Seto."

"You're right, Marik. I just…I don't know what I will see."

"I don't know either."

Seto hesitantly typed in 'Desert Flower' into the search engine. A list of books and apartments were listed as results.

"No good," Malik said, hovering on Seto's other side.

"What about….'Desert Flower' and 'Aten?'"

Seto typed in both terms. Nothing.

Marik put his hand on Seto's shoulder. "Charlie is not going to put Aten's name anywhere on the page. Search for 'Egypt' instead of 'Aten.'"

Seto typed in the terms and saw a link which read 'See the most Beautiful Desert Flower found in Egypt.'

Marik growled. "Click on it."

Seto clicked on it and a list of downloadable movies were revealed. "What the hell is this?"

"'Fallen angel?' What's that got to do with deserts or flowers?"

Seto clicked on the link and a movie downloaded. Marik, Seto, and Malik gasped as an image of Aten and Charlie filled the screen.

Aten was bare from the waist up. Broken and frayed angel wings were attached to his back. Charlie was holding Aten by the upper arms and was kissing the twelve year old deeply.

"What…the fuck….is THIS?!" Marik snarled as his hair spiked in fury. He gripped the Millennium Rod in his hands angrily.

Malik covered his mouth. "Oh, gods, no!"

Seto closed the movie. "Three Is a Crowd?"

Seto gripped his chair with one hand and clicked. Seto's heart sank as he saw Hayden chained to a bed. Seto focused on the man pounding into Hayden. "CHARLIE MCGINNIS! SHIT!" Seto's eyes wandered to the other two men who were kissing Hayden's body.

"Why is that guy wearing a mask?"

Marik narrowed his eyes. "Because he knows he's being watched. He knows if we see this, we will know who it is."

Malik shrugged. "How can we tell?"

"We'll find out who it is and I am going to carve their mangled carcass and feed it to my dragon!" the blond yami snarled.

Seto's bottom lip trembled. "Hayden! No….my little Hayden."

Marik closed the window. "What other fucking movies are on here?"

Marik clicked on the link 'Lost in Innocence.' (thanks, beysie!!!!) The movie downloaded and the three men watched stunned. Aten and Robbie were under the covers, their pants laying by the bedside.

[I miss my mommy and daddy, too. But I'm glad I have you, Robbie.]

The two boys looked at each other and Aten started to touch Robbie's chest.

[Aten.]

[Robbie.]

The two boys started kissing, their hands drifting over each other slowly.

"What the hell is my kid doing?" Marik asked, cocking his head to the side.

Malik watched as Aten's hands slid lower, Robbie's body eventually gave a shiver of pleasure. "Oh dear."

Marik's jaw dropped. "That…bastard…VIDEOTAPED MY SON…DOING THIS?!"

Seto shook his head. "Aten is going to be crushed if he finds this out."

"I cannot believe…..Aten…..my son…." Marik's eyes glowed a blood red. "What the hell is my son doing now?"

Malik clicked off the movie. "We can't watch this, Marik. It's not right."

Marik's eyes were burning red. "How dare that man treat my son like this!"

Seto turned to Marik, his eyes full of tears. "At least you didn't see your son being raped, Marik. I…I just did."

Marik looked down and his eyes returned to normal. "You're right."

The men looked at the list of movies.

"'Masquerade?'"

"Should we click on it?"

Seto closed his eyes and clicked on it. The masked man was pounding into Hayden.

"What is that?"

Seto narrowed his eyes. "One dead man."

Malik shook his head. "No, that light. See that light in the upper right hand corner by the window?"

Marik raised an eyebrow. "It keeps appearing and disappearing."

Seto turned his attention to the corner window. "You're right. A light…..That must be the Beacon from my dream!"

Marik grabbed the mouse and opened the two movies they had looked at. In the background was a similar light that appeared and disappeared every five seconds. "Strange."

Seto bookmarked the site. "I'll have Joel run this through the equipment in the office. He's good at this type of stuff. He'll investigate this further. But now we know he can't be in the South Domino. Nothing like that will cause this type of light."

Marik's eyes read the links of the movies. "'Egyptian Delights.'"

Marik released the mouse. "I…I cannot see what is behind that link."

The yami stepped back. "My boy. What have they done to you?"

Malik bit his lip. "Maybe Aten's not in that movie, Marik."

Marik shook his head. "I don't want to find out if he is or not."

Seto looked at the link. "Turn around, Marik."

Marik shook his head. "I'm leaving the room. I cannot bear to hear him cry."

The yami left the room and sat on the chair outside Seto's office.

//A beacon of light? How the hell is that going to tell me where he is? Is he near the airport? The docks? I know there is a lighthouse in Domino Harbor. I see it all the time when Mako takes Aria and Aten out on his boat. Itemri and I usually go with Fish-Boy when he takes the kids sailing.//

Malik emerged pale a few minutes later. The yami looked up. "Marik….Aten is going to be okay."

"Was he in that video?" Marik asked as he stood up.

Malik avoided looking his yami in the eyes. It's hard to tell. You can't see too much. The link is blurry for some reason.

"I see."

Marik brushed past his hikari and entered Seto's office. "Moneybags, I have to go to the hospital to see my family. Can your men take me?"

Seto's seat was turned around. "Whatever. Go Away. Leave me alone."

Marik left. "Let's go, Malik. We're going to see the Itemris."

//I'll get you back, Aten. I promise you, son.//

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

Malik watched the buildings pass as the rainstorm grew in intensity. The rain slammed against the far with hurricane force.

"Marik?"

"This rain will not let up until those kids are found, so do not ask me again, Malik Ramses."

The hikari sunk into his seat at his yami's stern tone. "Okay. Sorry."

Marik lead his husband through the hospital. He entered Ryou's hospital room and saw the white-haired man reach out for him.

"Marik…."

The blond yami walked to Ryou's bedside and clutch the white-haired man to his body. He leaned over to wrap his arms around the thin figure. His eyes closed tightly as a tear fell down his eye. "Ryou, I was so afraid that I had lost you."

A quiet whimper came from Ryou.

"Shhh, baby. It's okay."

Marik held onto Ryou until the hikari reached out for Malik.

The two yamis met each other's eyes hungrily. Marik walked around the other side of the bed and Bakura pulled over the curtains to give him and Marik some privacy.

Once behind the curtain, Marik grabbed Bakura's shoulders with a tight grip and pulled the other yami against him. Marik possessed the other yami's lips hungrily and with a vicious growl.

Bakura gripped onto Marik tightly, his fingers digging into Marik's leather jacket. Bakura pulled back from the kiss and bit hungrily into the side of Marik's neck with a growl.

Bakura backed Marik against the wall. The two growled low in their throats as they remained pressed against the wall.

Marik sensed the familiar bite and growl was the result of bloodlust. Bakura must have been near Ryou's blood during the crash. "Itemri……."

Bakura pressed himself harder against Marik. The blond wrapped his arms around Bakura slowly and hugged him against his body.

"Itemri…."

Bakura pulled back. "Seto called and told us that you were in an accident. He said that your car was totaled."

Marik held the other yami against him and sighed. "The brakes were cut. My head slammed against the steering wheel. Then I felt flames all around me. I gathered whatever power I could to get into the Rod. I knew I'd be safe there."

Bakura hugged the other yami. "I was afraid, Ishtar."

Marik kissed the smaller yami's forehead. "Don't be."

"Marik?"

Marik released Bakura and the two yamis pulled back the curtain. "Yes, Ryou?"

"Have you seen Aria?"

"No. I didn't get to the Pediatrics yet."

Ryou looked down. "Okay. I was just wondering how she was doing."

"We'll go check on her, Ryou," Bakura said, taking Marik's hand.

Malik nodded. "I'll stay here with him."

Bakura and Marik walked to Pediatrics, striking angry glares at anyone who dared comment that they were holding hands.

They heard a hiss come from one of the rooms down the hall.

"Sounds like my baby girl is giving a nurse a hard time."

Bakura and Marik entered the room and saw Dr. Zira standing by Aria.

"Aria, were you hissing at the doctor?"

"He touched my leg and it hurt!"

Zira shook his head. "We did all the x-rays on her leg and we found nothing wrong."

Bakura pulled back the sheets and saw Aria's legs were normal. "Dr. Zira, can we take Aria and Ryou home today?"

"Yes, there's nothing wrong, amazingly. I don't know how she escaped unscathed."

Aria smiled up at her daddy and winked. "I love my father!"

The little girl threw her arms around Bakura.

"Love you, too, baby girl."

"Well, Bakura, I was told by Seto to allow Miranda to go home with you when she was ready, but her husband is back from the military. I would hate to disobey Mr. Kaiba's orders, but I know right now you have a choice."

Bakura shrugged. "It's Miranda's choice to make, not mine and not yours."

"Mr. Ryuugi can go home, but I believe his husband is with him."

Marik snickered. "Husband? Since when was Otogi married?"

Zira shrugged. "I can't give out personal information like that, Mr. Ishtar."

Aria jumped out of bed and rubbed her lower back. "Ow, Aten. Knock it off."

"What's wrong, Aria?"

"Aten's lower back is hurting. Either that or it is mine. Daddy, can we stop at the store and get some chocolate?"

Bakura shook his head. "No, Aria, you were sick yesterday. You shouldn't have chocolate."

Aria's eyes darkened. "I need chocolate! Now!"

Bakura shook his head. "No, chibi yami, you were sick. Now, come on."

Marik, Bakura, and Zira left the room and Aria grinded her teeth.

The child snarled and the other hospital bed disappeared from the room.

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

Bakura, Marik, and Aria returned to Ryou's room where Miranda, Daniel, Otogi and Tristan were visiting Ryou.

Marik and Bakura stood on either side of Otogi. "Dice-Boy, did you marry Coffee-Boy?"

Otogi blushed. "Yes, we got married before the Justice of the Peace a couple of weeks ago."

Ryou's head snapped up. "You did? Why didn't you tell us?"

"Well, we didn't want anything big and elaborate, Ryou. We just wanted it with just us," Tristan said casually.

Marik grinned at Miranda. "Hello, hotness. Oh, Hi, Daniel."

"Marik, you haven't changed since the last time I saw you," the man said.

"Five thousand years haven't changed me, Danny-Boy. Besides, I am dead, but certain things still work, if you know what I mean."

Miranda snickered. "Marik, I don't sleep with dead guys."

Marik shrugged. "There's a first time for everything."

Bakura shoved Marik. "Can you stop thinking about trying to get into Miranda's jeans for two seconds, Ishtar?"

Marik licked his lips. "Not really."

Daniel held up Miranda's hand with the wedding ring. "I don't blame him." Daniel kissed Miranda's hand. "I can't go for that long either."

The woman shook her head. "I'm surrounded."

"Daniel, Seto wants Miranda to go home with us. But since you are home, that is your decision."

The tall man ran his fingers through his short black hair. "I want to go look for my son. But, I can't leave her home alone. Not after that asshole tried to get to her again. I'm taking no chances. I don't gamble with my wife's safety."

Bakura nodded. "Understandable. Okay. When you are out looking, Miranda, you are welcome to stay with Ryou and Malik. I fear leaving you alone while this guy still walks the streets."

Miranda nodded. "I agree."

"Perfect. Then we are agreed."

Aria stood beside Ryou. "How do you feel, mother?"

Ryou leaned over and kissed his daughter. "I don't know what you did, Aria. But…thank you."

Aria put her head on Ryou's lap. "I couldn't let anything happen to my mother."

The girl wrapped her arm over Ryou's legs and hugged them.

Ryou smiled and stroked her daughter's hair. "My little angel."

Bakura watched Aria's eyes turn from brown to black and red. Her canines sharpened and she smiled.

Yami Aria hugged Ryou's legs tightly and instead of a growl, the chibi yami was purring at the affection given to her.

"My mother…."

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

Hayden's POV

Two weeks.

That is how long they've told me I've been with them.

Two weeks.

Why won't daddy come for me?

Uncle Charlie told me that Mr. Kaiba is dead. He told me that he shot him execution style.

Mr. Kaiba.

Uncle Charlie came in with Aten.

"Hayden, here is Aten."

Charlie threw Aten against the bed. Aten looked at Uncle Charlie defiantly.

I can't fight. I'm tied.

Tied.

Bound.

Just like when I was five.

Aten looked at me with tears in his eyes. He could see my bruises, my body getting thinner and thinner.

"Aiden, are you okay?"

"Aten, please……"

Charlie sat by my bedside with an evil grin. Bastard.

His pain has always been his pleasure.

Is that all I am good for?

Yes.

That's the way it has always been. And it will forever be like that.

"Aten, show Hayden what a good little boy you are."

Aten shook his head. "I can't do that to Aiden. He's like…He's like a brother to me."

Charlie growled. "You are putting on a very bad show for the cameras, my dear boy."

Aten. I can't hurt him.

We played together as kids. We always played cars.

We weren't as close as he and Robbie, but we still spent quality time together.

Aten shook his head. "I don't want to put on a show for the camas! I know you taped Robbie and I doing something that nobody should have been able to see!"

Charlie glared at him. "Don't talk back to me, boy. You keep this up, Robbie will be placed here instead."

Aten has guts. He has brass balls. If Aten's not careful, that's going to get him a nice swift beating.

Aten looked down at me. "I can't have Robbie injured."

Aten leaned down to me and kissed my lips.

"I'm sorry, Aten," I whispered into his ear.

His brown and purple eyes looked deeply into mine. "I'm sorry, too, Aiden."

My uncle watched us.

I'm his whore.

I have to do this. I have no choice.

Here I go….spiraling.

Forced to do what I know shouldn't be done.

I am dirty. Wrong.

Sorry, Aten. I'm falling.

Spiraling.

I have to hurt you. I'm sorry.

Spiraling….

Falling….

Aten's kisses fall to my chest and I can sense detachment in his soft kisses.

He wasn't kissing me.

He was kissing someone else.

Falling….

Was it Robbie he was thinking of kissing?

I hate myself for this.

I hate myself for reacting to this.

What do I have to look forward to? Mr. Kaiba is dead. I don't know where daddy is.

I have no choice but to fall into myself.

Lose myself forever.

Because I am Uncle Charlie's little object.

Falling…

Spiraling…

Madness….

Falling….

Little whore….

Little Object….

Nothing left.

Aten's head snapped up in fear as he arrived at my lower belly. His face was pale.

Did that scream come from me? That tortured scream?

I can't believe this is happening!

Aten, I'm sorry.

"I can't do this to Hayden!" Aten begged.

"Do it, you little rodent!"

Falling….

Madness….

I have nothing left.

This is wrong. Dirty. Evil. Cruel.

And my body is reacting to his kisses.

That is the worst thing.

Aten jumped, startled by something.

Another scream from me, I guess.

No….laughter.

"GO ON, ATEN! MAKE ME YOUR WHORE JUST LIKE UNCLE CHARLIE!" I laughed.

Aten shook his head. "Aiden?"

"GO ON, ATEN! DO IT TO ME!"

If I can't shed any more tears, I will laugh! LAUGH, I SAY! I CAN'T LAUGH AND CRY TOGETHER!

See?? HAHAHAHAHA!!! Hear me laughing? I can laugh!

Laughter is the best medicine, isn't it?

YOU LAUGH! GO ON! I DARE YOU TO LAUGH!

Uncle Charlie is standing up. He's angry! Laugh at him!

*SLAP*

Uncle Charlie just hit me! Laugh!

Uncle Charlie is grabbed Aten! Laugh!

Funny!

Feels good! Laugh!

Laugh harder!

Everyone likes a good laugh!

Aten's fingers dig into my stomach. He needs to file those damn things!

They're sharp.

Sharp things don't make me laugh.

Violence. Violence is the way people interact. Should I laugh?

This is how the world is, then I'll join in. Why not?

Well, Hayden……

Then this is how I shall be.

I can be just like everyone else…and laugh it off after.

After all….everybody loves a good laugh, don't they?

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

Phone call

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

Ryou opened his eyes as a loud shriek pierced the quiet night. His heart froze as he realized the scream was not coming from the Ishtar bedroom.

Ryou rolled out of bed and ran to his daughter's room. Bakura ran into the room with Ryou to find Aria curled up in a ball holding her stomach.

"Aria? Baby, what's wrong?"

"Mommy, it hurts!"

Ryou held her hand. "What hurts?"

Aria looked up. "My stomach……and…." The girl looked at the four men looking down at her. "and…." Aria blushed.

"Guys, I can handle this," Ryou said, noticing the child's hesitation.

"Are you sure?"

Ryou nodded. "Yes."

The three men filed out of the room.

"What hurts?"

"My vagina."

Ryou sat down. "Okay, sweetie. You haven't hurt yourself down there, have you?"

Aria shook her head. "No….."

Ryou bit his lip. "Okay."

Aria closed her eyes and whimpered. "My stomach really hurts."

"Where does it hurt?"

Aria rubbed her lower belly. "It really hurts, mommy! Why does it hurt?"

Ryou shrugged. "I don't know."

"Must have been all the chocolate I ate."

Ryou sighed. "Aria, you know not to eat an entire bag of M&M's, baby girl."

"But I needed to!"

Ryou stood up and opened the door. "Bakura, can you get Aria some Tylenol? She's having stomach cramps."

Ryou turned back and sat on Aria's bed. "Daddy's going to get you a Tylenol."

The mother looked at his daughter and noticed a tiny pimple on the side of Aria's cheek.

Ryou stroked Aria's hair, noticing her calm down as he sat with her.

Aria winced. "Ow."

"Stomach cramps?"

Aria shifted. "Aten's uncomfortable."

"You still hear from him?"

Aria nodded. "Yes."

Bakura entered the room with Tylenol and a glass of water. "Here you go."

"Can you talk to Aten now?"

Aria blinked. "I'm blocking him."

"Why are you blocking him? Is something happening to him?"

Aria sniffled and wrapped her arms around Ryou's waist. She laid quietly, indulging in Ryou's gentle touch.

Bakura watched Ryou's worried face. The yami put a comforting hand on Ryou's shoulder.

"Aria, can you tell Aten anything?"

Aria shook her head. "Not unless I break down the barriers. He told me to promise not to break them until tomorrow morning."

Ryou sighed. "Okay, baby. You go back to sleep, okay? Get a good night's sleep."

Aria rubbed her lower belly. "Okay, mother."

"That's my girl."

Ryou kissed Aria on the forehead and left the room with Bakura.

The two Egyptians waited outside.

"Is Aria okay?"

"She just has some stomach cramps."

Marik sighed. "Well, she did eat an entire bag of M&M's today."

Malik turned to Bakura. "Did you notice that Aria's face has a pimple? Boys, I think our little girl is blossoming."

Bakura poked Malik. "My girl is not blossoming. She is not a flower."

Ryou turned to Bakura. "She's not going to be a child forever, Bakura. She is getting to be a young woman."

Bakura shook his head. "Not my kid."

The spirit walked past his husband and entered his room.

"Bakura really needs to get a handle on this thing," Marik said.

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

Robbie watched the lighthouse beam spin around with a sigh. He jumped when he heard a scream come from the other room.

A slap made Robbie wince. What were they doing to Aten? Why was Hayden screaming?

Robbie sat down on the bed. Laughter was rising from Hayden in the next room.

The blue-eyed boy stood up and ran to the door. He jiggled the doorknob and kicked the door in anger.

"LEAVE ATEN ALONE, YOU BUTTHOLES!"

Why is Hayden laughing?

He scratched at the door and kicked it harder. "Let me out! I have to help Aten!"

He threw his body weight at the door.

He fell back, holding his shoulder. "Ow. That hurt."

Robbie looked around for something heavy to break down the door. "I'm coming, Aten! I'm going to get you out!"

Robbie growled as he found nothing. He slammed himself into the door again.

He fell onto his side. "Don't give up, Aten!"

Robbie struggled to his feet and sat on the bed. He rubbed his sore clubbed foot. The cold weather was coming and it always seemed to get worse when the air became colder.

The laughing stopped.

The door unlocked and Aten was thrown inside.

Robbie rushed to his friend. "Aten? Oh god! Aten, speak to me!"

Aten's body shuddered as he laid face down on the carpet.

"Aten? It's okay. You're with me now," Robbie said stroking Aten's hair.

"Robbie."

Robbie stepped back as Aten struggled to his feet.

"Aten, good gracious! What happened? Your face is filthy!"

Robbie ran for the glass of water he had and dipped his hand in it. He reached out to clean Aten's face, but the Egyptian stepped back.

"Don't."

"Aten, you're a mess!"

Aten shook his head. "No. I'm fine. I'll do it."

Aten took his hand and washed his face off.

"Aten, what happened?"

Aten narrowed his eyes and Robbie stepped back.

"Okay, I won't ask anymore."

Aten growled low in his throat. "Tomorrow. This is it! We're getting out of here tomorrow."

Robbie sat on the bed, watching Aten walk to the other side of the bed. "I'm just glad to see you back, Aten."

Aten turned to Robbie and nodded. "So am I."

Robbie watched Aten run his fingers through his hair. Aten was speaking strangely. His hair had spiked. Lightening bolts formed from the blond hair. "Umm…Yami Aten?"

Aten turned around. "Yes, Robert?"

Robbie's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "Oh. I knew it was you again."

Aten turned around. "You could, hmm? Good for you."

"How do you think we're going to leave? We can't leave Hayden here."

Aten growled. "Don't you worry, liebhaber."

Robbie's jaw dropped. "No way! Where did you learn to speak German? I thought you only knew Arabic!"

Aten laughed. "I watched you and looked at your dictionary. It's the only word I care to know. It's the only word I cared to pick up."

Robbie raised his eyebrow. "Did you just call me what I thought you called me?"

Aten chuckled. "It's time for bed, Robert."

"Aten, did you just call me l--?"

"Robert, I said it is time for bed."

Robbie and Aten laid down. Aten faced away from Robbie and sighed.

"Aten? Aren't you going to give me a goodnight kiss?"

Aten turned his head. "Not tonight, Robert. I'm sorry."

"Are you angry at me?"

Aten shook his head. "No. I am not angry. Tomorrow when I have washed up, feel free. But not now."

Robbie turned around and cuddled up to Aten's back. Robbie put his arm around Aten's side. "Goodnight…..Yami Aten."

"Pleasant dreams, Robert."

Aten kept his eyes opened. //Those men have dug their graves tonight. By High Sun tomorrow, they will be dead. I guarantee it.//

Robbie blinked as he held Aten against him. 'I didn't know Aten watched me as I did my German homework. He just called me……… 'lover.''

Update: Tuesday