Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return To Paradise ❯ Family Gathering ( Chapter 8 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: I do not own “Runaway Train” by Pearl Jam.

Family Gathering

Miranda pulled Ryou down the street as she saw a group of the reporters running towards them, their equipment bouncing on their shoulders. The reporters scurried towards them with microphones in their hands.

“Aten! Open the door!” Miranda called.

Miranda and Ryou ran to the door and tried to push it in, but the door was locked. “ATEN, OPEN THE DOOR!”

Ryou knocked on the door loudly. “Aten Bakari, open this door right now!”

The reporters were running on the lawn as Aten opened the door tiredly. Miranda and Ryou pushed inside and shut the door behind them tightly. Miranda locked it quickly and leaned against the door, panting.

Ryou grabbed the railing to the stairs and breathed sharply.

“Mother? What happened?” Aten asked.

“Ryou will be okay, Aten. Come upstairs, Ryou. We have what we need upstairs.”

Aten followed Ryou and Miranda upstairs and saw a scratch on Ryou's arm that was seeping a tiny amount of blood. He followed Miranda into the bathroom.

The three people heard knocking and banging on the front door. “Aten, can you take care of your mom? I have to go downstairs and make sure they don't break down my door.”

“Yes, I can do that. Sit down, mother,” Aten said, removing some disinfectant from the medicine cabinet.

Ryou watched Aten's hands shaking slightly as he held the bottle. “Aten, are you okay?”

Aten shrugged. “My hands started shaking today again. I don't understand why.”

“Does Dr. Zira know?”

Aten shrugged. “I don't know if I told him the last time I went to see him. In fact…..I forget the last time I saw him.”

“Dr. Zira?”

Aten nodded. “I found his business card with my last appointment. It was a couple days ago and I don't remember it too well.” Aten yawned as he tried to open the bottle with trembling hands.

“I don't know if I need that, Aten. I just need to wash my arm.”

“You don't want to get germs, mother, if someone scratched you. People have bacteria under their nails.”

“I know, but---.”

Aten took a clean washrag and wet it under the sink. “I'll wash it for you.”

Aten took Ryou's arm and ran it under the warm water. He rubbed some soap on the scratch, making Ryou wince a little. Aten's hands felt chilly, even under the warm water.

“Are you cold?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you cold, Aten? Your hands are quite chilly.”

Aten raised an eyebrow and continued washing Ryou's arm. “Robbie told that to me once before. He says my skin isn't as warm as it was before.”

Ryou could feel Aten's tremors as the teen held his arm. “Did you eat today?”

Aten shrugged as he grabbed a towel and pat Ryou's arm dry. “Very little. I don't get too hungry much anymore. When I do, I nibble….like Father Bakura.”

Miranda walked upstairs and stood in the doorway of the bathroom. “It looks like some of them are lingering outside.”

“Some of who?”

“The reporters who have practically camped outside your parents' home, Aten.”

Aten's jaw dropped. “You have campers on your lawn?”

“No, haven't you seen the crowd of media on your parents' front lawn?”

Aten cocked his head to the side with a confused expression written on his face. “There's a crowd there?”

Miranda leaned against the doorway. “You've seen them before on your walks outside. Remember?”

Aten shook his head. “No, I don't remember any of it.”

“Are you sure? They've been there for a while.”

“I don't recall.”

Daniel stepped behind Miranda. “They're still outside.”

Ryou sighed. “I don't want to get you and your family involved in this, Miranda.”

“Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later, Ryou. Don't beat yourself up over it.”

“Still…I should have ran home instead of here. I really don't want to get your family involved.”

Miranda crossed her arms. “Ryou, we would have been involved eventually, anyway. It was only a matter of time. Since you're over here, you might as well stay for supper. I'm cooking some beef stew and potatoes.”

Ryou scratched his head. “I'm actually not even supposed to be here. If Bakura found out that I left the house unguarded, then he'll be very upset. I told him I wouldn't leave alone.”

“So then we say you came over here to visit and we invited you to stay for dinner. That doesn't sound like we're stretching the truth too far,” Daniel suggested.

Aten smiled and nodded. “It's been a while since I've seen anyone.”

“I'm sure your father would be happy to see you, Aten,” Ryou said.

“Then it's settled,” Miranda grinned. “You're staying over for dinner. I'll have enough made for dinner, then.”

Aten turned to Miranda. “Did you get my medicine?”

Miranda handed Aten a bag. “There's your medicine.”

“Thank you,” Aten said, removing five pill bottles from the bag. “This looks about right. Thank you again.”

“No problem.”

“I better check on the front door and see if the media is still around.”

Ryou sighed. “The media keeps a close eye on our home. When Marik, Malik, and Bakura come here, the media will follow them, anyway. They will know they are coming here for dinner. I'm not sure about this….maybe I should just go home.”

“Ryou, you can't stop living your life because of them. What will be, will be. I picked up two pies at the grocery store after church a few days ago. I'll cook the cherry pie for dessert tonight.”

“Are you sure?”

Miranda shrugged. “Daniel won't mind. I'm sure Robbie won't, either. I know Aten wouldn't mind spending time with his family.”

“May I invite Aria? I miss my sister and she's so busy I don't get to see much of her or her children.”

Miranda nodded. “Go on, Aten. I'm sure she'd be glad to see you.”

“Do you really think this will be a good idea?” Ryou asked.

“It won't do any good stopping living your life. I'll call Malik, Ry. You relax.”

“Okay, Miranda. Thank you.”

Miranda left the mother and son alone.

Aten gave his mother a little smile. “Don't worry, mother. I'll enjoy having you over tonight for dinner.”

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

Robbie sat at his desk and dialed the doctor's phone number. He tapped his fingers impatiently on the desk, taking a series of deep breaths. He looked outside and watched the birds fly by.

[Dr. Zira's office.]

“Yes, hello, this is Robbie, Aten's husband. I need to speak to Dr. Zira.”

[Is this an emergency?]

“I have some concerns about my husband that I need to talk to him about.”

[Hold on one moment, Mr. Ishtar.]

Robbie looked up at the clock and back outside of the window.

Seto opened the door to his office. “Robert, the Production Department claims they have finished their latest work. Can you go down there and check it out? I have to talk to Joey.”

“Sure, I'll be there in a bit.”

Seto closed the door and Robbie leaned back in his chair.

[Dr. Zira speaking.]

“Hi, Dr. Zira, this is Robbie.”

[Hi, Robbie. What seems to be the problem?]

“Dr. Zira, I'm concerned about Aten.”

[What concerns?]

“Aten's still sleeping a lot. I leave for work and he is still sleeping. Mom says that he's up for about two hours then sleeps for another four until I get home.”

The doctor thought. [What else?]

“He's been having nightmares again. Bad ones. He won't talk to me about them, but he wakes up screaming and thrashing all around.”

[How often?]

“He woke up this morning with one. He has them about twice a week.”

[Is he seeing Chapman regularly?]

Robbie nodded. “Yes, he still does. I don't ask him what he talked to Chapman about, though. If he tells me, he tells me. He told me that he has discussed these night terrors with him.”

[Anything else?]

“He's been having shaking hands and I have seen him twitching for no reason.”

Dr. Zira thought as he listened to Robbie. [Aten's nightmares shouldn't be related to his medications. Have you talked to him to see what is on his mind? Maybe he's worried about something or under stress. I know that if Aten's hand is trembling, he'll have a hard time painting. I noticed his hand spasming a little during our last appointment. He assured me he was fine. I'm wondering if we should check Aten's sugar levels. It is possible that Aten's medicines could cause diabetes. Aten's slowing down a little, I've noticed, too.]

“Slowing down?”

[Aten's a lucky boy, Robert. So are you for having him around for this long.]

“What are you saying, Dr. Zira?”

[I'm glad you called me about your concerns, Robbie. All I'm saying is that we have to keep a close eye on your husband, Robbie. We both have a long road in taking care of him. Just remember, Robbie, you have to take care of yourself, too.]

Robbie sighed. “I try to take care of myself. Sometimes it's really hard. Aten forgets sometimes to write down appointments, forgets to tell me when he's out of a pill. When his breathing gets difficult, there's nothing I can do except watch him struggle for breath. I hate seeing him like this.”

[Robert, this has been a long battle for Aten to fight….and for his family. This is not a battle that will be won overnight. Aten is terminally ill. You knew that when you married him, right?]

“……………………&# 8230;.” Robbie looked down at the desk and put the receiver against his shoulder. It was a harsh reality he had a difficult time accepting. He knew Aten was sick. He knew Aten's heart attack two years prior that he was on borrowed time.

It was a long, difficult recovery.

Aten's fall from the dueling platform in the Final Battle shocked the heart once more into a flat line, nearly killing him.

[Did you? Did you know that?]

“….Yes, I knew.”

[That's why I'm saying that we have to keep a good eye on him. I'll set up a time where we can check Aten's sugar levels. He'll have to fast for that one.]

“Okay. Just let me know what day and time would be okay with you.”

[Not tomorrow, but Monday? Does that work?]

Robbie scratched his head and flipped through the daily calendar on his desk. “That works for me.”

[Good. I'll see Aten at 8am. He has to fast. No liquids or food after ten the night before.]

“Thank you, Doctor Zira.”

[Good luck, Robbie.]

Robbie hung up the phone and buried his face in his hands. He clenched his eyes tightly as he fought back the tears. `I won't do this…..I won't do this….Whatever happens, I know God will pull me through. Please, God, give me strength to face this.'

The phone rang, making Robbie's head jerk up quickly. He picked up the phone. “Robert Morgan-Ishtar here.”

[Robbie, this is mom. Ryou and his family are coming over for dinner tonight. Your father will be there to pick you up and then he's going to swing around and pick up Aria and her family.]

“Oh, okay. That's fine.”

[Are you okay, Robbie?]

“I just talked to Dr. Zira and he said he'll set up a blood test for Aten to check for diabetes. I told him I was concerned about Aten's shaking, his nightmares, and his sleeping.”

[What did he say?]

“Just that he wants to set up that blood test and………..and…….”

[And what?]

“…..Nothing. That's it. We just discussed the blood test.”

[Oh, okay then. Your father will be there to pick you up soon.]

“Alright, mom, thank you.”

Robbie hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair again. He looked outside the window and watched the birds fly by the window again, thinking of Aten.

`I won't give up on him….I won't.'

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

Joey dipped the paintbrush in the paint lightly and continued to paint. He listened to his music, the brush painting lightly on the canvas.

“Runaway Train.”

He listened to the lyrics, singing quietly. He yawned, planting his feet on the floor to keep him from falling over. `I have to finish this painting today if I want to have it ready in time for the show.'

Joey heard the door open and he turned his head. “Hi, Seto.”

“Hi, Joey, I came to spend some quality time.”

Joey yawned and covered his paints. “I'm still working on it.”

Seto sat down on the couch and crossed his legs. “It looks good.”

“Thanks,” Joey said, sitting beside the CEO.

Seto put his arm around Joey, the blond leaned against him in response. “How are you holding up?”

“Tired. Stomach cramps a little bit.”

“Awww….poor puppy,” Seto said as he started to rub Joey's stomach.

Joey closed his eyes and sighed contentedly. “That feels good.”

Seto grinned, kissing Joey's blond hair. “Same here.”

Joey snuggled against Seto and yawned. “How did your press conference go?”

“Those people just wanted to dig their nose where it doesn't belong. I don't even think they heard one thing I said. I concluded the conference early.”

“Oh really? Why?”

“They were asking me questions about Marik.”

Joey raised an eyebrow. “What kind of questions?”

Seto groaned. “They asked if Marik put Shadow Magic into the simulator.”

“Did they even sound interested in the simulator?”

Seto shrugged. “They were asking about my relationship with Ryou.”

Joey took a deep breath and sighed. “What did you tell them?”

“I said that my personal business was none of their concern.”

“Very true.”

“They want something to be between Ryou and I just so they can tarnish the name of KaibaCorp. They want there to be a scandal. I know how the media works. If they found out there was something between Ryou and I, there would be no end to the stories! I won't let scandals and lies destroy KaibaCorp, Joey. I refuse to watch everything that I have worked hard for crumble to the ground.”

Joey nodded. “I don't blame you. You've worked your ass of trying to give KaibaCorp a better name.”

“I've worked my ass of hard to change KaibaCorp. I wanted to make it better than when Gozuboro was in charge.”

Joey snuggled into Seto. “You've done a hell of a job.”

Seto looked down at his husband and kissed Joey's hair again. “Thank you.”

“It's true. You've done a lot of work to get KaibaCorp to where it is today.”

Seto grinned and moved Joey's shirt up to touch Joey's warm skin. He saw a bruise by Joey's belly button. “Did you hurt yourself?”

“I just bumped into something lightly. I didn't realize that I bumped it hard enough to bruise.”

“Poor Joey,” Seto sighed, running his fingertips over the bruise lightly. “Is this helping the stomach pains?”

“Yeah, it is. It's not too bad, though. Whatever doesn't kill me only makes me stronger.”

Seto buried his face in Joey's blond hair and held the blond close. “I love you.”

Joey smiled and pat Seto's hand. “What do you say we do something tonight?”

“Such as?”

“I don't know.”

“I know Yugi wanted to see you.”

Joey smiled. “Well, let's take Yugi and Glenn out somewhere?”

“Sounds like a plan. I'll call and see if they are available.”

“And don't worry about anything. We'll bring plenty of protection with us.”

Seto nuzzled Joey's hair. “Donny and Kendall have off tonight. What about Karl, Maxine, and Asher?”

“The more, the merrier?”

“The more bodyguards the better.”

Joey nodded. “I agree. Karl, Maxie, and Asher it is, then.”

`I'll also bring along some extra protection….you never know if it will be needed,' Seto thought as he rubbed Joey's stomach lightly. `You can never have too much firepower.'

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

Kai jumped up and down excitedly on the dock. “Come on! Come on! Hurry! I wanna go!”

“In a minute, Little Minnow,” Umi said, carrying Rhett's diaper bag.

Daniel leaned against the car as the breeze blew through his black hair. “I always wanted a boat.”

Umi grinned. “It takes a lot of maintenance, but it is worth it.”

Robbie leaned against the car beside his father. “One of these days, you'll get your boat, dad.”

“If it happens, it happens, Rob.”

Aria carried Rhett her arms and locked the front door. “Umi, do you have the baby wipes?”

“Packed them, Mermaid!”

Aria smiled. “Awesome! We're ready to go!”

“YEAH!” Kai squealed.

“Umi, can you get the carseat from our car?”

Umi put the diaper bag on the dock and ran to the car nearby.

Aria smiled, holding the baby. “Rhett, say hello to Mr. Morgan.”

Rhett grinned and buried his face in Aria's chest, keeping one blue eye out to blink at Daniel.

“Shy little guy. Robbie was outgoing as a kid. I never had too much of a problem introducing him to new people.”

“I remember what he was like. Kai's very outgoing.”

“Hi, Misser Morgden!” Kai smiled.

Daniel chuckled. “Hi, kiddo.”

Umi returned with the car seat and placed it in Daniel's car. “Aria, wouldn't you rather we follow him instead of moving the carseat?”

“I'll drive you home, Aria, don't worry about it,” Daniel said. “If worse comes to worse, you can stay with us for the night. We always have a spare bedroom.”

“You won't mind?”

“Of course not. We should get going.”

Robbie sat in the front seat and propped his cane against the door. Aria placed Rhett in the car seat and sat beside him. Umi placed Kai beside Rhett and sat beside him.

As the car drove away from the house, Kai waved out the window. “Bye, house!”

Robbie snickered. “Cute kid.”

“Yeah, he's getting big, though. He's going to start Kindergarten next year,” Umi said.

“Really? Wow, he's getting to be a big boy,” Daniel grinned, turning into traffic.

Rhett whimpered in his car seat and squirmed.

Aria removed Rhett's whale plushie from the diaper bag and handed it to him. Rhett's whimpering calmed down and he hugged the toy tightly. “How has my brother been, Robbie?”

“Well…….he's been okay. He's still painting and doing his usual things.”

“That's good. Every time I call to talk to him, he's either too busy or sleeping.”

“When Aten's doing something he likes to focus without distractions.”

Aria nodded. “That sounds like my brother, alright.”

“He tends to block everything out while he's working on a project.”

“Concentration was never too much of a problem for him.”

Robbie shrugged. “He's having a little difficulty with that lately, but I think it's because he has a lot on his mind.”

“Is his medication helping any?”

Robbie nodded. “His angina is not as bad, but it can still flare up every now and then.”

Daniel turned the corner and saw the crowd of people outside his house. “They're not gone yet?”

Aria's jaw dropped as she saw the crowd. “They're at your house, too?”

Robbie's eyes widened. “Now they are at our house now?”

Umi looked at the crowd. “Holy crud!”

“They came to our house after Miranda pulled your mom to our house, Aria.”

“Why would they want to go to your house?”

“They saw Ryou running with Miranda and so they followed them to here.”

Aria saw the crowd and narrowed her eyes. Her spiky hair twitched in anger. “So they are moving here now, hmm?”

Umi put a hand on her arm, trying to calm her down. “Aria, this is not the time to contemplate sending people to the Shadow Realm.”

“You know me too well,” Aria said, grinning, her canines showing.

“Aria, don't do this. It's a bad idea.”

Aria turned to Umi, her lip curled in a sneer. “If they put a finger on my boys, I will show them no mercy.”

Daniel parked outside of the house as the cameras started flashing. He struggled to open the door. “I have nothing to say.”

Robbie pushed open the door and shielded his eyes from the flashing lights. He placed the cane on the ground and pushed himself out the door. The crowd swarmed around him, snapping pictures. The cane wobbled as the people crowded around him. He had a difficult time finding a place to place the cane due to the crowd of feet on the ground. He felt his father grab his arms as he limped forward.

Umi grabbed Kai and brought him into his arms. “Do you want me to grab Rhett, too?”

“I've got him and the diaper bag. I won't hesitate to protect my children, Umi.”

“Just try not to go---.”

Aria grinned. “Too late.”
Umi watched Aria's eyes darken and the red seeping through the black. Her canines were sharp. Her hair spiked and twitched. A deep growl emanated from within her throat.

“Yami.”

Rhett looked up at her and smiled. He reached up for her, smiling and giggling. The mother-yami snuggled the baby and growled into the baby's neck. “Mommy loves her little boy.”

Umi swallowed hard, watching Yami Aria cuddle the child. “We should get in the house before this escalates out of control.”

Aria grabbed the diaper bag and pushed the door, making it fly open. “Get. Out. Of. My Way!” she snarled, the crowd of media stepped back. Rhett buried his face into his mother's chest.

Umi opened the door and closed the door. A cameraman pushed him into the car, making Kai hug his father tightly. Aria whipped her head around and saw Umi having a difficult time walking around the car. She pushed herself through the crowd and grabbed Umi's shirt, pulling him.

One reporter shoved a microphone in her face. “You have a striking resemblance to one of the Spirits who lives down the block. Are you his daughter?”

Aria narrowed her eyes. “What makes it your business?” she glared at the other woman.

The woman kept the microphone in front of her face. “Are you related to---?”

“Get that thing out of my face,” she said with a sneer.

“What is your---?”

Aria growled and punched the woman in the face, knocking her down. She looked around at the other media who stepped back and cleared a path to the door.

Daniel and Robbie turned back and saw the woman unconscious on the ground.

“Does anyone else have a question they dare ask me?”

The cameras stopped flashing and the people were quiet.

“I didn't think so,” she said with a grin.

Daniel and Robbie opened the door for Aria and Umi.

Miranda walked out of the kitchen and saw Aria and Umi. She saw Aria's eyes and her hair and knew she was not herself. “Did the crowds outside give you trouble?”

“Nothing I couldn't handle by myself,” she said, her eyes becoming slowly lighter and her hair stopping their twitch.

“Aria!” Ryou smiled, hugging his daughter. “How are you?”

“NANA!” Kai squealed, jumping into Ryou's arms.

“Hello, sweetie-pie!”

Rhett smiled and waved to Ryou when he saw him. “Hi!” he waved.

Ryou picked up Rhett and snuggled the two boys in his arms. “Hello, cute stuff!”

Robbie looked around. “Where's Aten?”

“Upstairs,” Ryou said.

Robbie limped upstairs and into the bedroom. Aten was standing by the window looking outside. “Hello, Aten, I'm home from work.”

“……”

Aten continued to stare outside, speechless.

“Aten?” Robbie limped over to him and waved a hand in front of him. “Can you hear me?”

“……..”

“Earth to Aten, I'm home,” Robbie said, putting his hand on Aten's shoulder.

“…….”

Robbie raised an eyebrow. “Hello? Robbie to Aten….wake up!”

“…….”

Robbie looked outside the window and saw the neighbor's yard. Two children were swinging on the swings, laughing.

“Do you see something out there, Aten?”

“……..”

Robbie looked at Aten's eyes and saw them without luster. “Aten, can you hear me in there?”

“…..”

Robbie walked around Aten and sat on the bed. “This isn't right. I've never seen him stare so blank before. He only spaces out this bad when Zira increases the dosage of his meds.” He lifted his head and saw Aten looking down at him.

“Hello, Robbie. I didn't see you sitting there.”

“Aten, I've been talking to you for the past few minutes.”

Aten shifted his eyes back and forth. “You were?”

Robbie sighed. “Yes, I was.”

“Sorry about that.”

Robbie stood up and put a hand on Aten's cheek. “Are you feeling okay? You were spaced out big time.”

Aten nodded. “I'm okay.”

“You sure?”

Aten nodded. “Yeah, I'm okay.

“I called Dr. Zira from work. We set up a blood work for you.”

“But I just had a blood test.”

“He wants to check you for diabetes. You have to fast for it, too. No food or liquid after ten the night before.”

Aten sighed. “Why does he want to check me for that?”

“Your shaking is concerning me. I just want to make sure that these tremors of yours are not due to the medications.”

“I've had these for a while now.”

“I know, Aten, but I want to make sure that you're healthy.”

Aten crossed his arms and sighed. “Fine. I'll take the test.”

Robbie hugged Aten with one arm. “Aten, I know you hate needles, but I'm looking out for your best interests.”

“I'll do it for you, Robbie. I don't think I'm diabetic, though.”

“I'd rather be safe than sorry. I don't want anything to happen to you.”

“I know.”

Aria cleared her throat as she stood in the hallway. “Hi, baby brother. Long time no see.”

Aten scratched his head for a minute, looking at her quizzically. “Aria!” He walked towards her and hugged her tightly. “It's been so long since I've seen you!....And I'm not your baby brother!”

“Well, I am four minutes older than you. That makes you the little one,” she said, patting him on top of the head.

Aten looked down at her with a smile. “I'm taller.”

Aria grinned. “You're looking good, Aten.”

“I'll let you two talk. I'll check on dinner.”

Aten watched Robbie limp out of the room and downstairs. “How have you been, Aria?”

“I've been okay. I'm spending my time taking care of Rhett and Kai. Rhett's been rolling over and he's more mobile than ever. I found a place for Kai to go to Kindergarten next year.”

Aten nodded. “They grow up so fast.”

“I know. It seems only yesterday I had Rhett.”

Aten nodded. “It wasn't that long ago that we had that battle.”

“We made it through, though.”

Aten turned and sat on the bed. “Aria…..do you think we did good?”

“We did well, Aten. We won.”

“Did we?”

Aria raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, we won. I kicked Yami in the nuts hardcore. Seto didn't stand a chance, either.”

Aten looked down at the floor. “It didn't solve anything, you know.”

“I don't think that. Our family is safe. We fulfilled our destiny. We were destined to kick pharonic ass. That is what we were made for.”

Aten looked up at his sister. “Who made us?”

“Well, my daddy looked at our mommy and put his happy stick in him making him pregnant with me.”

“Well---.”

“And your daddy saw our mommy and put his Rod up there pretty deep…and a little to the left and made you.”

“That's not what I meant.”

Aria giggled. “Well, that's what I thought you meant.”

“Who made us? Ra? God? Why were we made in the first place? Why are any of us here?”

Aria sat beside him, taking a deep breath. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Why were we put on this planet? Why do we live? We're born through pain, we live through unspeakable pressure, then we die.”

Aria crossed her legs. “It's all in what we believe. I think we're placed on here for some purpose. There's some reason why something up there wanted us to be born. I think something up there wanted me to have kids of my own and a family.”

Aten nodded. “Life's all about tests.”

“Yup, it sure is. We've just gotta make the best of what we've got, brother. Nobody can expect more than that.”

Aten looked up at his sister. “I know Robbie is very concerned about me.”

“He loves you., Aten. I know he does,” she said, putting her arm around Aten's shoulders. “He's concerned about you.”

Aten nodded. “I know he is.”

“It's good seeing you again, Aten. You're looking really good.”

“You think?”

Aria nodded. “You do! You really do look good. You're getting old! This year you'll hit the tender age of nineteen!” Aria poked Aten playfully. “I'm going to call you `old man'!” She laughed, poking him again, making him snicker and shift away. “Oh, really, you're going to try to escape, hmm? There is no escape!”

Aria grinned and pounced on her brother, trying to tickle him under his armpits.

“Aria! Stop!” Aten laughed loudly.

“Oh, don't be such an old bitty!” Aria grinned, tickling Aten harder.

Aten wiggled around, trying to buck her off of him. He pulled his arms in to block her fingers from tickling him.

Aria pulled back her fingers. “Uncle?”

“Yeah! Yeah! Un-cle!”

Aria pulled back and crossed her arms with a satisfied grin. “I win every time.”

Aten sat up, wiping the tears of hard laughter out of his eyes. “I'll get you back.”

“Looking forward to it, Aten Bakari,” she winked, turning to walk outside.

“Aria?” Aten asked.

Aria turned. “Yeah?”

Aten stood up and walked over to her. He looked down at her and hugged her tightly, holding her close. He put his head on her shoulder and breathed deep.

“I love you, sister.”

Aria hugged her brother, her eyes shifting back and forth at the sudden shift of mood in her brother. “I love you, too, Aten.”

“Aten, Aria! Dinner is ready!”

“Here we come!” Aria smiled.

Aten and Aria walked down the steps and towards the kitchen. Aten went to the medicine cabinet and opened the medications he needed.

Robbie sat and leaned his cane against the table. Umi placed Kai on a chair.

“What are we going to do with Rhett?” Aria asked.

“We have the car seat in the car,” Daniel said.

“I'll get it,” Aria said. “They won't mess with me.”

Aria left the kitchen to get the car seat as Ryou put the stew on the table. The front door flew open as Marik, Bakura, and Malik pushed through the door.

“Sons of bitches,” Marik growled as he slammed the door shut.

“Hi, dad. Hi, Marik. Hi, Malik. I'm going to get the car seat.”

“It's murder out there,” Malik said.

“I punched one in the face and she fell like a rock. They won't fuck with me,” Aria said with a grin.

Bakura grinned proudly. “That's my little girl!”

“Come in, guys! Dinner's on!”

Marik and Bakura ran into the kitchen and sat on either side of Daniel. “Hi, Sexy Girl,” Marik grinned at Miranda.

“Hi, Marik,” she smiled, giving him a wink. “I have some nice, thick, juicy, succulent meat for you.”

Daniel shook his head, knowing that Miranda enjoyed the torment of the neighbor.

“I love Malik's meat. It's very tender,” Marik grinned. “Hi, Aten!”

“Hello, father,” Aten said, popping a handful of pills into his mouth.

“How are you holding up?”

Aten swallowed his pills. “Holding on.” Aten sat beside Robbie and turned to him, kissing his lips. “Welcome home, Robbie.”

Robbie turned and hugged Aten. “You already said that, but I'll take it.”

“I did?”

“Yes, about ten minutes ago.”

“Oh,” Aten said, scratching his head.

Aria kicked the door shut and placed the car seat on the chair.

“Sorry we don't have a high chair for him,” Miranda said. “We don't have a need for one.”

“It's not a big deal. I'm industrious.” Aria put Rhett in the car seat. “You'll have some nice carrots for dinner, Rhett.”

The baby clapped his hands and squealed happily.

Ryou and Miranda sat down. Ryou spooned the stew for himself and Bakura. Malik spooned some stew for himself and Marik. Marik saw some of the gravy drip on the table.

“Naughty, hikari. You will be spanked for that later on.”

Malik turned to Marik. “Again? At least let my ass heal up from the last spanking!”

Daniel sighed and shook his head. “We have the most interesting neighbors.”

Marik grinned as he grabbed some potatoes. “I'll keep you on your toes, Danny Boy.”

Aten grabbed the ladle, but his hand began to shake. “Why now?”

“I can do it for you if you want,” Robbie said.

“I want to do it myself,” Aten said.

The Egyptian teen's hand trembled as he held onto the ladle. He spooned one small portion and sat down.

When the others helped themselves, Ryou turned to Marik.

“How was your appointment at the Times Herald?”

Marik growled as he ate. “That punk better have his head screwed on right from now on.”

“I think he got our message, Ryou, though we shall see what his next move is.”

Umi turned to Ryou. “I saw the press is now trying to say you had an affair with Seto, Ryou.”

“Now they are resorting to lies, I see. Yes, I saw that on the way to the grave----.” Ryou stopped and covered his mouth.

Bakura stopped chewing and swallowed. He turned to Ryou. “To where?”

“The grave---.”

“You went to the grave, didn't you? Your mother's grave?”

Ryou put down his fork and nodded. “I did.”

“Ryou, do you have any idea what kind of danger is out there?”

Ryou nodded. “Some men tried pulling me into a car. Miranda saved me at the last second.”

“You put Miranda in danger, too?” Bakura asked.

“Yami, I thought I could handle it! I went armed!”

“Having is weapon for protection is no good if you do not have the chance to get it or you don't know how to handle it properly. I can't believe you disobeyed me!”

Ryou nodded and sighed. “I promise to be more careful and listen to you.”

Bakura put his arm around Ryou's shoulders. “I love you to death and I don't want to see you hurt.”

“Who tried to grab you, Ry?” Malik asked.

“I don't know. They were people in a van.”

Umi wiped Kai's gravy-stained face. “You have no idea who they were?”

“No, they didn't say where they were from.”

“So now the media are kidnapping people?”

Daniel sipped his milk. “I don't think it was them. News reporters don't go kidnapping people for their news coverage.”

Marik and Robbie watched as Aten's hand could hardly hold onto the fork to eat his meal. Aten narrowed his eyes, looking angrily at the plate.

Aten's right eye began to twitch as he finally managed to place a piece of meat into his mouth. Marik saw Aten put his fork on the table and sit back in his chair with a long sigh.

“You okay, Aten? How's your dinner?” Robbie asked.

“I don't feel too well.”

Marik looked at Aten's plate. “You only ate a few bites.”

“I'm done,” Aten said. “I'm feeling kind of nauseous. Dinner was good, mom. Thank you.”

Aten placed his plate in the sink and walked out of the kitchen. Rhett followed Aten with his eyes and started whimpering.

“It's okay, Rhett,” Aria said comfortingly.

“Ta Ta Ta-n,” Rhett said to his mother.

“It's okay, Rhett. Eat your carrots, baby,” she said.

Aten's footfalls could be heard going up the steps.

“Was it something I said?” Marik asked.

Robbie shook his head. “No, Aten's not eating much lately.”

“He looks really pale,” Malik said.

“He looks tired,” Ryou said. “Has he been sleeping?”

Robbie shook his head again. “Aten's been awaken by nightmares lately. He's not eating very much either, but I did talk to Dr. Zira about it.”

“And?” Bakura asked, munching on more meat.

“Dr. Zira and I will take care of him. He has some tests scheduled and I'm going to help Aten with these nightmares the best that I can. I'm no therapist, but I can help him as much as I can.”

“Has Aten hit his head on anything? I've noticed that he isn't remembering things like he used to. He didn't remember that there's been a crowd of people parked outside our home for the past week or so,” Ryou said.

Miranda shrugged. “He hasn't hit his head to my knowledge. He called me Mary Ann the other day, which I thought was a little strange. When I asked him about it, he called me Miranda, so I don't know why he called me Mary Ann at all. He spends a lot of his time painting a candle and his paintings. He doesn't get out too often anymore.”

“I can see where he got Mary Ann, though. He could have mistaken `Mir' for `Mary' and `An' for `Ann'.”

“What about the `Da?'” Daniel asked.

Marik shrugged. “I don't know. Linguistics is not my specialty. French kissing is what my tongue is used for primarily….among other things.”

Malik giggled and blushed.

Bakura rolled his eyes. “Freak.”

Ryou snickered. “Is this really dinner table conversation? How you use your tongue, Malik?”

Marik grinned. “It's a very delicate skill….that requires years of mastery. Allow me to demonstrate.” Marik turned and grabbed Malik, kissing him deeply. The Egyptian's eyes widened and whimpered into the sudden kiss. He slipped his tongue between Malik's lips, which parted willingly. Marik stood up from his chair slowly and kissed Malik onto the ground, moaning and groping his Light.

Daniel shook his head, avoided looking at the two men kissing heavily, and continued to eat. “Could you pass me the butter, dear?”

Miranda passed the butter to Daniel. “Malik is a good sport.”

Bakura shook his head. “This is normal for them. Ishtars randomly make out anywhere. Freaks.”

Ryou turned and looked at Malik clawing at Marik's back. “We've gotten used to this over the years.”

Aria nodded. “Yeah, this is normal. Just ignore them and they'll do their thing.”

Umi watched Marik and Malik and his jaw dropped at their intimate display of affection right at the Morgan dinner table. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, Umi, this is nothing new.”

Marik stood up, catching his breath. “And that is how babies are made, boys and girls.”

Aria snickered. “If kisses made babies, Marik, you'd have battalions of kids with Malik, and my mom and dad.”

“Very true. I have good seed.”

Miranda giggled and shook her head. “You are one in a million.”

“I have a million, alright….Minimum.”

Ryou sighed. “See what Bakura and I have to live with, Daniel?”

“My condolences,” Daniel chuckled.

Kai looked up at Umi. “Is Uncle Aten sick?”

“He's just not feeling well, Umi. His tummy is upset.”

“Oh, that's bad. Tum-ney hurts not good.”

Umi grinned and wiped Kai's mouth clean of gravy again. “Nope, definitely not good.”

Robbie put down his fork. “I better go check on him.”

Marik looked above him and sighed. “I'll go with you.”

Robbie grabbed his cane and stood up. Marik followed close behind him. “Is he on new medications?”

“Nope, his stomach's just been really sensitive lately. He doesn't eat much and when he does…..”

As they climbed the steps, they heard Aten coughing hard in the bathroom.

“Yup, I knew it,” Robbie sighed.

“Sounds like he has a little stomach bug in there.”

Robbie knocked quietly on the door. “Aten? It's Marik and I. Do you need any help?”

Robbie opened the bathroom door and saw Aten kneeling in front of the toilet, holding his hair back. Robbie sighed and limped into the bathroom.

Marik looked down at his son, trembling on his knees and wheezing. Marik reached down and took Aten's hair, holding it. Robbie rubbed Aten's back as the Egyptian finished gagging.

“Sorry,” Aten coughed, holding his head up.

“Don't be sorry,” Marik said. “We're here for you.”

“Maybe I should have made you some soup, hmm?” Robbie asked.

Aten shook his head. “No…dinner was good….but my stomach….is upset.”

Aten's father reached down and pet his son's hair. “I think you'd be more comfortable in your bed. You're looking pale.”

Aten coughed. “Brush teeth.”

Aten stood up on shaky legs and squeezed the shaving cream.

“No, no, Aten. Toothpaste…not shaving cream.”

“Oh….yeah,” Aten said with a yawn.

Aten brushed his teeth, leaning against the sink. After rinsing his mouth out, Marik and Robbie helped him to his bedroom. They put Aten on the bed and covered him up.

Marik sat beside Aten, who shifted close to his father and placed his head on his lap. The blond yami ran his fingers through his son's white and blond hair. Aten yawned, blinking tiredly as he cuddled against Marik.

Robbie sat at the foot of the bed, rubbing Aten's leg. “Feeling any better now, Aten?”

“I've missed you, father,” Aten yawned.

“Work keeps me busy, Aten. I've missed you, too. I think about you every day.”

Aten smiled contentedly as he breathed in the scent of Marik's cologne. “I love you, father.”

“I love you, too, my boy,” Marik aid with a small smile. “I'm glad to see that Robbie is taking good care of you.”

Aten yawned, the wheezing in his lungs continuing. “I love Robbie, too….”

“I'm glad you do. I wouldn't have trusted your care to just anyone,” Marik said looking up at Robbie, his face full of concern.

“Get a good night's sleep, Aten. If you are still throwing your guts up tomorrow, I'll get you some cold medicine on the way to work.”

“Okay,” Aten yawned.

Marik rubbed Aten's back as the teen began to close his eyes. “My boy,” Marik sighed, slipping Aten's hair behind his ears.

Aten closed his eyes with his head on Marik's lap.

“Has he done this before?”

Robbie shrugged. “He hasn't told me if he's done this before. He complains about nausea, but to my knowledge, this is the first time he actually vomited.”

“Keep me updated on his condition, Robbie.”

“You know I will,” Robbie said.

Aria opened the door a little. “Is everything okay?”

“Aten's just drifting off. He's not feeling too hot right now.”

“Oh, that's sad. Kai wanted to play with him.”

“I don't think that's going to happen. His dinner didn't stay down and it looks like he's fast asleep.”

Aria crept into the room and looked down at her brother. “Aten,” she whispered. She leaned down and gave Aten a kiss on the cheek. The Egyptian teen whimpered and turned over on his other side.

“Let's let him sleep,” Marik said, standing up.

Robbie and Aria nodded, leaving with Marik. They followed Marik downstairs.

“Where is Aten?” Umi asked.
”Fast asleep,” Marik said.

“Is he okay?” Miranda asked.

“He's fine, mom. He just needs some rest.”

Bakura looked outside the window. “Getting home is going to take luck.”

Malik peeked through the curtains. “Maybe we can go out the back through Aten's Studio.”

“Well we can all jump the fences in the back to get home,” Bakura suggested.

Daniel crossed his legs as he sat on the couch. “I hope you guys can get home okay.”

“We'll be fine,” Marik said. “I will make certain of that. I'm going to the back to see if we can leave that way.”

Marik went through the living room and kitchen. He opened the door to Aten's Studio and turned on the light. He looked around at the hanging plants and the few finished canvases lined against the wall. He moved the curtains to look out the back window and didn't see any reporters. He walked towards the door and opened the curtain to see no reporters out there.

“At least the back is safe for now,” Marik said.

He turned around and saw Aten's small shrine in the corner. Aten's statues of Ra, Anubis, Isis, and Osiris stood among candles which were half burned. The only candle that was not burned on the altar was Aten's black candle painting with gold hieroglyphics.

Marik walked over to the candle and picked it up. He read the inscriptions and ran his fingers over the paint. “Aten's death candle……he….he finished it.”

He held the candle in his hands delicately. “I didn't think he would finish it so soon.”

Marik put the candle down and looked at it. “Aten……”

“Ishtar!” Bakura called from the doorway. “Is it safe to leave through the back?”

Marik nodded. “Yeah. Nobody is back here.”

Bakura entered and stood beside the blond yami. “What's wrong?”

“Aten….he finished his black candle.”

Bakura picked the candle up and examined it. “He did a very good job on the text. There's not a glyph out of place.”

“………..”

Bakura turned and saw Marik looking somberly at the candle. “Ishtar, don't beat yourself up.”

“Aten doesn't look well, Itemri.”

Bakura nodded. “He's sick, Marik.”

Marik took a deep breath. “I'm going to lose him soon…..aren't I?”

Bakura put the candle down on the altar and grabbed Marik's arms. “You're lucky you have him now, Ishtar. All this could have happened when he was a little child, yet. You could have lost him when he was nine years old…..or even when he was five years old. He's eighteen now….he's well-passed his age limit. Consider yourself lucky that Ra has allowed him to stay.”

“………You're right.”

Bakura sighed. “Come here.” Bakura pulled Marik towards him and hugged the blond yami tightly. “Don't give up hope.”

Marik nodded and hugged Bakura back. “Trying not to…..”

“Let's get Ryou and Malik home before things outside get too bad.”

“I think you're right.”

Marik and Bakura returned to the living room. “We're getting home before the crowds get too bad outside.”

Daniel stood up. “I should get your family home, too, Umi. How is that crowd looking, Malik?”

“Not as bad. Some went home for the night, but there are some that are still outside.”

“I'll take care of it,” Aria said, picking up Kai.

Kai waved to Miranda. “Bye, bye!”

Rhett slept in his car seat, which Umi picked up.

“Thanks for dinner,” Umi said. “It was awesome.”

“Glad you liked it.”

Ryou hugged Kai, Umi, and Aria. “It was nice to see all of you. Robbie, it was nice to see you again.”

“Same here, Ry,” Robbie smiled.

Malik waved to everyone and saw Marik withdraw towards the kitchen. He followed Marik and stopped at the kitchen. “You okay?”

“We should get going. Think you can still climb over fences?”

“I don't see why not. Are you really feeling okay?”

Marik nodded. “I'm fine. We had better get going.”

Ryou and Bakura walked into the kitchen.

“How, exactly, are we getting home?” Ryou asked.

“We're going through the back. It will be easier for us to sneak by unnoticed.”

Ryou raised an eyebrow. “Climb over fences? Isn't that extreme?”

“We can either get mobbed by reporters or go out the back. Your choice,” Marik said.

Ryou sighed. “Let's go the back way.”

The Ishtars and Itemris left through the back.

Robbie watched his father leave with Aria and her family. The crowd quickly parted for the family.

“How was dinner, Robbie?”

“It was good, mom.”

“Is Aten okay upstairs?”

Robbie nodded. “He fell asleep by Marik.”

“Marik looked upset.”

“I know. I'll be upstairs with Aten, mom.”

Robbie limped up the stairs and into the bedroom. He walked to the bed and sat down beside Aten. The Egyptian turned over and snuggled against Robbie's hip.

He threw his arm over Robbie's legs and sighed. “Robbie…..”

Robbie looked down at his sleeping husband. “Goodnight, Aten.”

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

Malik sat on the bed brushing his hair. “Did Araqiel mention Yami?”

Marik shook his head. “No, but Itemri and I did tell him that he's digging his own grave if he wants to work with him.”

“I wonder what Yami promised him.”

“Promised him?”

Malik turned to his yami. “Yes, promised him. You know, for printing those articles.”

“Do you think Yami promised him something in return for printing these articles?”

“I wouldn't put anything past Yami. It's a good thing you and Bakura got your full powers back. If Yami tries messing around here, he doesn't know that you and he got your powers back.”

Marik shrugged as he leaned against his pillows. “I don't know if he knows we have our powers back. I hope he does. Then I can kick his ass more efficiently with all of my powers intact.”

“I certainly hope those reporters will be gone by the time we wake up.”

“It will be nice not fighting my way to the car for a change.”

Malik stretched and yawned. “It would be nice to finally go outside and go shopping without being followed or watched like a hawk.”

Marik grinned and ran his fingernails down Malik's bare back. “Sexy.”

Malik giggled. “Thanks.”

The blond yami rolled over on his side and ran his fingers up and down Malik's back.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, sure, why wouldn't I be?”

“Well, after you came out of Aten's Studio with Bakura, you were acting strange.”

“I….I was looking at Aten's black candle. He finished it.”

Malik put the brush down and laid beside Marik, facing him. “So that is what is bothering you.”

“I can't let anyone know how much I worry about him.”

“He's your son, Marik, of course seeing him not feeling well is going to upset you. Maybe he's got a little cold. Some bugs are going around.”

Marik sighed. “I have to remain strong, Malik. Surely, you can see that I have to be strong for everyone.”

Malik shifted towards Marik and hugged him. “I know how you really feel. You can't hide that from me so easy.” Malik pulled his yami against him and kissed him deeply. “Cheer up, Marik. You had a long day.”

“It was a long day. At least I got a chance to see my son.”

“I know that made you happy.”

Marik yawned. “Yeah, it did.”

Malik rubbed Marik's back as he watched his yami's eyes slowly close.

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

A man burst into Rocher's office holding a newspaper. “SIR, I THINK WE'VE FOUND HIM!”

Rocher scratched his head as he sat behind his desk. “Found who?”

“One of the men who broke into our facility and threatened us!”

Rocher raised an eyebrow. “Who broke in?”

“Don't you remember, sir? They came in here and killed several of our men before they left?”

“No……I really don't remember, Bobby.”

Bobby put the paper on his boss' desk and pointed to the blond yami. “This is the one who broke in!”

“How come I don't remember that happening, Bob?”

“I don't know, sir, but I think I've seen that thing that he has in his hand before! I saw that on him when he was running away!”

“Are you saying it was this individual who breeched our security?”

Bobby nodded. “Yes, sir! I know this was him! I can bring up the security files for the night in question to remind you!”

“Show me.”

Bobby went to Rocher's computer and typed some commands into the computer. “I have our security cameras hooked up to your computer and the computers in the Security Office.”

Rocher looked at the computer screen and saw the blond pictured on the front of the newspaper and another man.

==========

[[ “Now, now……we don't need to bring them into our mess, do we? Like I said, we are here for a friendly chat.”]]

[[“I don't have any idea what you would want from me.”]]

[[Marik grinned and grabbed the man's face. “Word on the street is that you are attempting to acquire KaibaCorp secrets at any price. Now, why would you go and try to do that?”]]

[[Rocher narrowed his eyes. “KaibaCorp is a rival! Why wouldn't I want to get all the knowledge I can about their operation?”]]

[[Marik shook his head. “That makes me very sad to hear, Mr. Rocher, because all it would take is a phone call and you are out on the streets singin' for your supper. Do you know what that is like, Mr. Rocher? Of course not. You were probably born with a silver spoon up your ass like Seto Kaiba.”]]

==========

“Enough,” Rocher said. “I vaguely remember what happened…..”

Bobby stopped the security file. “What do you want us to do?”

“That blond freak mentioned KaibaCorp. He must work for them.”

“He does. I have seen it in the papers.”

Rocher leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingertips together.

“What do you want us to do?”

“Follow him……closely. Seto Kaiba thinks he can bully us into silence. I doubt that we will crumble so easily. Follow him closely. I want to know every move this …..person….makes.”

“The papers say he's a spirit! A spirit from five thousand years ago!”

Rocher grinned. “Ghosts don't scare me.”

“I'll follow him. I'll confirm that he is employed by KaibaCorp. What if he gets in our way and comes around here again?”

Rocher grinned again and looked up at Bobby. “If that happens…….I want his family dead.”

Updates: 3/23