Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return To Paradise ❯ Heart of Gold ( Chapter 11 )

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

To Readers: Sorry for the delayed update. I have been balancing two jobs and I had an emergency happen that I had to take care of. *hides behind shield* Thanks for being patient. --Bakurasgirl

//………//= Yami Aten/Aku

Heart of Gold

Aten lifted the blankets in the basket and shook his head. “There's no leg.”

Robbie brought the baby girl into his arms and covered her with the blanket. The baby cried loudly and trembled violently. “This baby should still be in the hospital! Why was she just left on our doorstep?”

Aten pulled out the other blanket in the basket and sighed. “There's nothing in here to tell us who the parents are.”

“What is going on down here?” Daniel asked as he entered the kitchen.

“Robbie? What's this?” Miranda asked as he saw his son with the baby cuddled into his chest for warmth.

“I don't know. Aten woke me up and we heard a baby cry. We came down here to investigate and we found the baby in the basket outside.”

Aten handed the note to Miranda. “I found this with the baby.”

Miranda read the note. “'She's yours. Deal with it.' That sounds very cold and uncaring.”

The baby girl squealed and shivered, its face red.

“It sounds like the poor thing is in pain,” Miranda said.

Robbie held the baby gingerly and rocked it slowly. “She's not afraid, I can feel that. Her heart rate is through the roof, though.”

Daniel leaned over and checked the baby's eyes. “Her pupils are the size of pins. It's almost like she's on some kind of drug.”

Miranda looked at the baby's other eye. “You're right, dear.”

“What kind of drug, though?”

The tiny infant squealed loudly, shaking and trembling.

“Nothing legal, I can assure you,” Daniel said.

Aten stood at the other end of the table with his arms crossed. “We should call someone. Call the hospital and make sure they are not missing a baby.”

Daniel nodded. “The baby seems to be breathing on its own which seems to be a miracle unto itself.”

“Who would do such a thing to a poor baby?” Miranda asked.

“The same reason your sister offered to pay for an abortion when you were pregnant with Robbie and we found out he had a clubfoot,” Daniel said, pulling out the phone book.

Robbie gingerly caressed the baby's head, whispering and humming to it. “It's going to be okay,” he said quietly.

“Maybe we should call the police, too,” Miranda said. “We should report the baby found.”

“I doubt if anyone would come forward, mom. That person would have to openly admit they abandoned the child and they could get thrown in jail for that,” Robbie said. “Who would ever admit that they would abandon their own child?”

Aten folded the blanket and replaced it in the basket. “We have to put her somewhere, Robbie.”

“There's the spare bedroom upstairs.”

“That's not what I meant.”

Robbie looked up at Aten. “She can stay in our room.”

“What?! No!”

“Why not?”

Aten shook his head. “This baby is not ours. We can't keep her. She belongs with her parents.”

“Her parents abandoned her, Aten. Why else would they leave her on our doorstep with only a note saying `Deal with it.' She's an innocent baby with a….physical handicap. We can't just turn her away.”

Aten rubbed his forehead. “This baby is not ours, Robbie.”

Miranda nodded. “Robbie, I'm afraid Aten's right. This isn't our child to keep.”

“How can we find her parents? Maybe someone else kidnapped her and dropped her off at our doorstep. Maybe she was kidnapped. Maybe her parents really did drop her off at our door. But, Robbie, we can't keep her.”

Robbie looked down at the baby, trembling and whimpering in pain. “I can't----. I can't just take her back outside and leave her to cry alone in the night. I'm not that kind of person. I want to do the right thing.”

Daniel returned into the kitchen. “The hospital didn't report any stolen infants. I asked them to check the NICU division and they aren't missing any infants.”

Aten looked down at Robbie. “Robbie, we cannot care for this baby.”

“Why not?”

Aten took a deep breath. “She's not ours to keep. She's not our daughter or anything. She was left---.”

“Abandoned, Aten! She was abandoned,” Robbie said, narrowing his eyes in anger.

“She was abandoned on our step, but she still does not belong to us. How can we care for this child?”

Robbie pet the child's hair. “We can make ends meet!”

“What if this child was kidnapped and her real parents are looking for her?” Aten asked.

Robbie held the child gently in his arms, feeling every twitch of the girl's body. A little protrusion of a thigh is all the baby had for her right leg. The tiny stump knocked against Robbie's chest.

The teen sighed quietly.

Miranda stood beside Aten. “Robbie, let's report the baby to the police. We'll care for her until her real parents show up.”

“They may end up taking the baby to an orphanage,” Aten said.

“We can take care of her. I know we can.”

Aten took a deep breath and sighed. “Don't become too attached to her, Robbie. I don't want you to get your hopes up.”

“It's a miracle she's alive at all,” Miranda said.

Robbie nodded. “I know.”

Aten walked past Robbie. “Are you coming to bed?”

Robbie shook his head. “No, I'll stay up with her for a little bit. She's shaking pretty bad.”

“Goodnight,” Aten said, kissing Robbie's cheek.

“Goodnight,” Robbie replied quietly.

Miranda sat beside Robbie and took the baby girl's hand. The girl weakly closed her hand around her finger. It was a very weak grip, her breathing was sporadic and sharp. “Robbie, are you sure you want to put yourself through this?”

“I couldn't just leave her out there, mom.”

Miranda smiled at him and ran her fingers through Robbie's hair. “You are a good boy with a heart of gold, Robbie. I'm proud of you.”

Daniel watched Miranda go upstairs. “How is she now?”

“Her heart's beating. Her trembling has quieted down a bit.”

“It looks like she's sleeping.”

Robbie sighed. “I don't think Aten is very proud of me right now.”

“He'll be fine, Rob. We'll contact the police in the morning. You should get some rest.”

Robbie shook his head. “If she wakes up and gets hungry, she'll need to eat. She doesn't have a diaper, anyway. I've gotta find something she can use.”

Robbie looked around the kitchen. “For now, maybe we can use a towel.”

“Should we call Aria and have her bring over some baby stuff?” Daniel asked.

“Aria doesn't like to be awaken in the middle of the night….trust me. She'll come over here and wreak all kinds of havoc. I'll call her tomorrow from work.”

Robbie put a towel on the table and placed the naked baby on the towel. Robbie raised an eyebrow and scratched his head. “How do I do this?”

Daniel stood beside his son. “Considering this is your first time diapering a baby, I'll let you slide on that one. Here, let me show you how to do this.”

Robbie watched his father diaper the baby, who was drifting off into sleep. Daniel picked the baby girl up and handed her to Robbie. “That is how you diaper a baby. Have fun changing it every couple of hours.”

“I'll get some proper diapers tomorrow. I don't even know if Aria has any baby clothes that would fit her. This baby is really tiny.”

Daniel nodded. “Dangerously underweight. I suggest trying to feed her every couple of hours.”

“We don't have any baby formula.”

“I think the baby will do fine with milk for now. We can get some formula tomorrow after talking to the police.”

Robbie looked down at the tiny baby in his arms. The baby girl's eyes fluttered slightly, her breathing coming in short gasps. He rubbed her back as she whimpered in her sleep.

“Better get some sleep, Robbie, while you can.”

Robbie looked at the ceiling. “I don't want her to wake Aten up. I'll stay on the couch.”

“Okay, son, pleasant dreams,” Daniel said, climbing the stairs.

Robbie limped over to the couch and laid on his back carefully. He pulled a blanket over himself and the baby.

Daniel passed Aten's room and didn't hear any sounds coming from the room. Daniel slipped into bed beside Miranda.

“Is Robbie staying downstairs?”

“Yeah, he didn't want the baby to wake Aten up.”

Miranda turned on her side. “What do you think about all this?”

Daniel looked over at his wife. “Personally?”

Miranda nodded.

“If that baby survives the night, it will be a miracle.”

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

*****Dream Sequence******

Aten looked around and saw darkness. He stood up and bumped his head on something. He rubbed his head and reached around for a light. He tugged on a chain and the lights illuminated the basement.

He climbed the steps as fast as he could and opened the door. He looked around, recognizing the house. The front door at the end of the hall was missing. “Hello?”

The splash of water came from the bathtub. The sound of a boy's laughter came from the room. Aten approached the room cautiously. “Hello?”

“I need to be baffed!” the child's voice called out.

Aten cautiously opened the door and peeked his eyes inside. He saw himself as a child, splashing and smiling up at him. “Where is grandfather?”

The little boy looked up at him. “Who?”

“Grandfather.”

The little boy shrugged. “I don't know who that is.”

Aten entered the room and looked around. “We have to get you out of here. This place isn't safe.”

“I'm in a baff! I need to be clean! I is dirty.”

Aten looked around for the child's clothes. “Where are you clothes?”

“No cloves.”

Aten grabbed a towel. “Step out of there. I have to get you out.”

“I is dirty! I no tan go,” the boy said. “Tan you clean me?” the boy asked, holding out a washcloth.

Aten shook his head. “If grandfather comes back, he can't see you in the bathtub. He'll do bad things.”

“I no tan leaf the bafftub! I need to be clean!”

Aten dropped the towel and kneeled beside the tub. “Are you understanding what I am saying?”

“Can you wash me?” the boy asked.

Aten sighed with resignation and took the washcloth from the child. “I'll do this quickly so we can get out of here as fast as we can.”

Aten washed the boy's arms and his back. He washed the boy's chest and his legs. “You can do the rest,” he said, putting the washcloth on top of the water.

The little boy looked up at him. “Why you stop?”

“You can wash that part,” he said pointing to the little boy's private parts.

“I no know how to wass it.”

“Just put the cloth over it and make sure to get everywhere.”

The little boy looked at the floating washcloth, confusion written all over his face. “I tant do it.”

“I don't feel comfortable doing it.”

The child's eyes went large. “I don't know how to do it. Can you help me?”

Aten picked up the washcloth slowly. He slowly slipped the cloth under the water and closed his eyes tightly. He heard the child whimper.

“Stop….”

Aten tugged at his arm, trying to pull back, but his arm failed to pull. He opened his eyes and looked at his arm.

“Stop…I'm clean,” the boy said, nervously.

Aten tugged at his arm harder. “I can't pull my arm out!”

The little boy shifted back in the tub, but Aten's hand kept pressed against the child.

“Stop!” the child cried out, struggling against him.
”I can't pull my arm out of the water!”

“It hurts! Stop!” the boy's screamed loudly, his voice raising to a shriek.

Aten looked at the boy's red face, tears streaming down the brown cheeks. His shrieks and squeals of pain resonated through Aten's ears. He tried pulling his hand away from the child to no avail.

“Stop crying,” Aten growled, struggling with his arm.

“It hurts! Stop! Mommy! Help!”

He growled again, anger and frustration building as he struggled to pull his arm away. “Stop crying!”

The little boy arched his back and squealed in agony. “MOMMY!”

Aten opened his eyes and growled at the little boy. “STOP STRUGGLING, YOU LITTLE BRAT!” Aten raised his hand and slapped the little boy across the face.

*****End Dream Sequence*****

Aten's eyes shot open and he sat up quickly. Sweat covered him as he clutched the sheets tightly. He covered his face with his hands as he breathed heavily.

“I'm no better than my grandfather,” he whispered.

He heard a baby's cry coming from downstairs. “I don't want to be like him. I'm not like that.” Aten paused. “What….What if I do become like him? I don't want Robbie to see me like that. I'd rather die than be the abusive bastard that he was.”

He stood up and wrapped the soft, purple bathrobe around himself. He walked downstairs and saw Robbie sitting in the kitchen, holding the squealing, crying, and trembling baby.

Robbie held the baby and rocked her carefully. Robbie looked up at him. “Good morning, Aten. I hope she didn't wake you up.”

“It's okay. I was up.”

Robbie dabbed the child's face with cool water. “She keeps trembling and her pupils have become tiny dots again.”

Daniel saw the baby girl shaking violently. “She needs to see a doctor.”

Robbie nodded. “I think so. I'll call Seto and explain the situation. Aten, can you hold her for me?”

“I don't think that is a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“I don't really know how.”

Robbie stood up. “It's easy. Take her under her arms and just hold her against your chest. That's it. Thanks, Aten.”

Aten sat down and looked at the trembling girl. The baby girl's muscles were starting to spasm. She twitched violently in his arms. Daniel poured himself a cup of coffee.

“You look like a natural, Aten,” Daniel said with a grin.

“This feels awkward.”

“You'll get used to it,” Daniel said.

Aten shook his head. “I don't think I can. It doesn't feel right.”

Miranda yawned as she entered the kitchen. “She sounds like Robbie when he was a newborn.”

“He sounded like that?” Daniel asked. “The kid had a good set of lungs on him.”

“That's what our son sounded like, alright. He was a baby who cried loudly and for hours. It got worse when he had Colic.”

Aten shrugged. “My dad always told me that I would cry before Aria would. I was the crying baby of the family.”

“I can imagine a lot of babies crying when they see your father, though, Aten. He's creepy sometimes.”

“Marik has his own, distinct charm.”

Daniel snickered. “You call that charm?”

“My father can be eccentric,” Aten added.

Robbie limped back into the kitchen. “I called and explained my situation to Seto. He gave me the day off to do what I have to do. The first thing we have to do is get Miracle to a doctor.”

Aten raised an eyebrow. “Miracle?”

“It's the best name I could come up with so quickly.”

“Robbie, we can't keep her.”

Robbie sat beside Aten and took the trembling baby into his arms. “Aten, there's something wrong with her. We have to take care of her. She's defenseless.”

“Who does she have to defend herself against?”

“Aten, she was just dumped on our front step. I can't just let this go. She needs medical attention. She's sick.”

“This isn't right.”

Robbie stood up and looked down at Aten. “She is entitled to our care until we can locate her mommy and daddy.”

“Did you ever think that maybe someone just dropped her off because they don't want to be bothered with her? Maybe they don't want her back.”

Robbie narrowed his eyes. “That is a horrible thing to say! What parent wouldn't want their own child? If they don't want their baby back, that's fine with me, but they aren't going to get away with just abandoning her in the middle of the night! It's not her fault that she has no leg! She shouldn't be tossed aside like garbage because she doesn't have a limb! I'm taking her to a pediatrician now. Do you want to come?”

Daniel nodded. “Go with him, Aten. This is your decision to make, too.”

“What decision?”

Miranda sat at the table with her coffee. “If the police let us keep her and she is unclaimed, then Daniel and I agreed to let the baby stay with us.”

“Well, we'll see what happens,” Aten said, getting his sweater on.

Robbie held the baby in his arm. “We'll get you to the doctor, Mira. Don't worry.”

Aten and Robbie left the home and walked down the block.
”I'm kind of glad she doesn't weigh much. It's easier to carry her while walking with my cane.”

The baby's cries stopped and she turned her head to watch Aten. He watched the vacant stare in her eyes. She wasn't focusing and her left eye wandered. She continued to tremor listlessly.

“I wonder what happened to her,” Robbie said. “She can't be more than a day old, yet it seems like she went through a very rough time.”

Aten nodded. “I've never seen a baby shake so much.”

“It's become worse since about two this morning. She looks like she's in pain. I think what dad said about her being on some kind of drug is right.”

“What drug could she have taken, though? Like you said, she isn't even a day old.”

Robbie shrugged. “I don't know. I have no idea what she had taken. I'll leave that up to the pediatrician to decide.”

The two boys entered the doctor's office.

“Excuse me,” Robbie said to the receptionist. “My name is Robert and this baby girl was abandoned on our doorstep last night in the middle of the night. I need to know why this baby is shaking and wailing as if she's in pain.”

The woman looked up at him. “Did you notify the police?”

“That is what we plan to do, but I want to see that the baby isn't in pain anymore. Please, miss, I want to make sure this baby isn't in pain.”

“What are her symptoms?”

Robbie held the baby against him tighter. “She's shrieking as if she's in pain. Her pupils become pin-size sometimes. She has sweats, chills, and she trembles violently.”

“Have a seat, Mr. Robert.”

Robbie and Aten sat down in the waiting room.

“Do you think this is a good idea, Robbie?”

“She needs medical attention, Aten. I have to make sure that she is safe and she won't get more sick. I've never heard any baby cry like she has been.”

A few minutes later, a doctor walked into the waiting room. “Robert?”

Robbie stood up. “Here.”

“Come back, Mr. Robert.”

Robbie and Aten followed the doctor into an examination room. Robbie placed the baby on the soft table. Her eyes looked around the room, not focusing on one object in the room. Her arms were raised above her head, her fingers twitching.

“When did this baby appear at your door?”

“This morning around two o'clock.”

“Did you see anyone around at that hour?”

Robbie shook his head. “Aten and I were asleep when we started to hear her cries. We went out our front door and found her covered in blankets. We picked her up and noticed that she didn't have no diaper or clothing. It was then that we discovered her leg is all but missing.”

The doctor shined a light in the baby's eyes. The baby didn't react.

“She's been doing nothing but crying and shrieking as if she's in pain. She's been trembling and twitching as she's screaming.”

The doctor tested the baby's reflexes and the baby didn't react.

“You didn't see anyone around?”

Robbie shook his head. “No, I didn't.”

“Any idea who would place this baby on your doorstep?”

Aten shook his head. “We don't know anyone who would want to give us a child.”

“Have you gone to the police?”

“No,” Robbie replied, “We're going to go after we are done here. I want to take care of her until someone claims her.”

The doctor listened to the baby's heartbeat.

“How is her heart?” Aten asked.

“It sounds a little irregular, but there's some medication we can put her on to help that.”

Robbie held the baby's hand. “What do you think is wrong with her?”

The doctor wrote on a piece of paper. “I believe that the baby has been exposed to cocaine or some type of illegal drug. I'd like to take a blood test to determine what are the levels of the drug. Then we'll have a better idea of what drug she was exposed to. Whatever the drug was, it resulted in her birth defect.”

Robbie held the baby's hand as the doctor removed the tourniquet. “Don't worry, Mira. The doctor won't hurt you.”

“Mira? You named her?” the doctor asked.

“I just gave her the name Miracle since it is a miracle she survived.”

“How old do you think she is?” Aten asked.

The doctor stuck the baby with the needle, making the child wail and scream. “I would think she is about twenty hours old, but it is difficult to pinpoint a specific time.”

Robbie rubbed the baby girl's head. “It's okay, Mira.”

The doctor removed the needle and placed a band-aid on the injection site. “I'll be sure to have the results as soon as I can.”

“Thank you, doctor.”

“I'll put your information in her file so I know her guardian. Your full name?”

Robbie wrapped Miracle in a blanket and picked her up carefully. “Robert Allen Morgan-Ishtar.”

“Are you married?”

Aten stood up and nodded. “Aten Bakari Ishtar.”

“Address?”

“3836 Arendell Ave.”

“Phone number?”

Robbie gave the doctor the phone number and leaned against his cane. “We can pay you for services now.”

“Do you have health insurance?”

“She won't be covered since she's not on our policy,” Aten added.

“I'll pay for this. If nobody claims her, I'll put her on my policy,” Robbie said, removing a check from his pocket.

The doctor handed Robbie a business card. “Here is my card, Mr. Ishtar. If there are any developments, please let me know, especially if the police decide to place her in a foster home or an orphanage.”

“Thank you, doctor.”

Robbie and Aten returned to the front desk to pay the bill. Aten held the baby girl as Robbie wrote the check. The girl rested her head against Aten's shoulder and twitched, her whimpers beginning to become more pronounced. Robbie took the baby from Aten when he was done.

“Come to daddy,” Robbie said, taking the girl into his arms.

Aten bit his tongue, sighing uncomfortably as they walked out of the office. As they walked towards the police station, Robbie glanced over at Aten and saw his partner's eyes cast downwards towards the ground. His brow was furrowed and deep contemplation was written heavily on his face.

The little girl clutched onto Robbie tightly as a thick layer of sweat covered her forehead. Her tremors commenced as she sweated profusely. The tiny stump periodically bumped into Robbie as he walked with her.

`Why is he so quiet?' Robbie asked himself as they walked towards the precinct. `Is he angry at me for doing the right thing?'

The precinct was not too far from the doctor's office. The two silently entered the station as quietly as they walked side by side down the street. Robbie stepped up to the front desk.

“Excuse me, somebody dropped this baby girl off at my doorstep and I don't know who the parents are.”

The woman at the desk lifted her head. “Any papers?”

“For the baby? No. Just a note saying that she is mine, deal with it.”

“Maybe the child is yours, sir.”

Robbie shook his head. “No, no. You don't understand. This isn't my baby. Somebody else had a baby and left her to die in front of my door.”

“Do you know of anyone who was expecting a baby?”

“Not personally, no. I can think of a few people who I seen who were pregnant, but I don't think they would drop a baby on my doorstep for no reason.”

The woman typed on the keyboard. “Name?”

“Mine? Robert Allen Morgan-Ishtar.”

“Occupation?”

“Secretary.”

“Employer?”

Robbie raised an eyebrow. “KaibaCorp.”

“Does the child have any scars or identifying marks?”

Aten leaned against the desk. “No leg on her right side. She just has up to her mid-thigh.”

“Other than that, she doesn't have any physical scars. I just brought her to a pediatrician and she has a belief that the child came from a drug addict. She keeps crying and trembling and now she broke out into a sweat. She might have a fever. She's probably going through withdrawl.”

“Well, Mr. Ishtar, let me get some information from you. Address?”

“3836 Arendell.”

“Phone?”

Robbie answered each her, shifting his weight uncomfortably using his cane.

“Age?”

“18 years old.”

“Marital Status?”

“Married.”

“Spouse?”

Robbie raised his hand and pointed to Aten. “He's standing there.”

The woman raised an eyebrow. “Your partner's name?”

“Aten Bakari Ishtar Ibn Marik,” Aten replied, noting the woman's growing discomfort with the situation.

“You don't see too many inter-racial couples here in Domino.”

Aten shrugged. “Don't see too many elephants here, either. It doesn't mean they don't exist.”

Robbie nudged Aten with his elbow. Robbie rubbed the baby girl's head. “I can take care of her until somebody claims her.”

“That is not standard procedure, Mr. Ishtar.”

“I'll take full responsibility. You can even check me! I don't have a criminal record or anything. I want to take care of this baby until somebody claims her.”

The woman looked at him. “How do we know you are able to care for this child?”

“I'll do it. I have income and I live with my parents. They have both consented for the baby to stay with us until somebody can claim her.”

The woman folded her hands on the desk. “The chances that anyone might claim this child is very slim, Mr. Ishtar, do you realize that?”

Robbie nodded. “I know, but she deserves a family who will love her, no matter what condition she might have.”

“If the child isn't claimed within a reasonable amount of time, we will have two options. One option would be to put the baby into an orphanage for special needs children. This way she can get all the medical attention she needs, especially if she is from a mother who used alcohol or drugs throughout her pregnancy. The other option is for you to adopt her.”

“If nobody else in this city wants her, I'll be happy to take care of her.”

The woman leaned against the desk and looked Robbie in the eyes. “You are very young to take care of a child. Can you accept the responsibility?”

Aten shrugged. “Well, there are other people our age who have kids and they do okay. Robbie and I graduated high school and he's now employed.”

“What is your occupation, Mr. Ishtar?”

“I'm a painter.”

The woman leaned back in her chair. “I will investigate this and see if this baby was reported kidnapped. In the meantime, I will give you ninety days. If nobody has claimed this child by then, we will take the child to the orphanage unless you have submitted papers to adopt her.”

“Ninety days?”

“Mr. Ishtar, I have to do what is in the best interests of the child. If you haven't heard from me in sixty days, I suggest you begin those papers if you want the baby to be in your custody.”

Robbie nodded. “I'll do it!”

“Good. In the meantime, I will have someone check on the child every week to make sure she is being cared for while she is in your custody. Please keep me informed as to any changes. I will do the same for you.”

“Thank you!” Robbie said, holding the baby girl close.

“Was there anything to allude to the baby's name?”

Robbie shook his head. “No, no name. The doctor said she didn't even look one day old. I named her `Miracle,' but I call her `Mira' for short. That's going to be her name until I can find some other name.”

“Whatever name you decide for her has to be official on the adoption papers.”

“We know that.”

“Keep us updated, Mr. Ishtar.”

Robbie and Aten walked out of the police station and looked up at the sky. Slightly gray clouds were looming off in the distance. Aten put his hands in his pockets.

“Looks like it's going to rain.”

Robbie nodded. “Yeah, we should get home.”

They walked down the street as the baby began to cry and convulse. Robbie winced as he walked.

“Aten, can you take her? I can't comfort her if I'm walking with my cane.”

Aten slowly reached out and took her into his arms. He held her against his chest, feeling her heart racing quickly against his own. Aten swallowed nervously as he held her in his arms.

`I don't want to be like him,' Aten said in his mind as he carried her.

//It's just a matter of time.// Yami Aten replied from inside.

“Robbie, I can't hold her.”

“Aten, I can't hold her if I'm walking with my cane and she's crying.” Robbie stopped and looked at him. “What are you afraid of?”

Aten looked down at the ground. “Nothing.”

“You're afraid of something. What's bothering you about all this?”

Aten shook his head. “Nothing.”

Aten took a step and he felt Robbie's hand on his shoulder.

“Bullshit. Something is bothering you about this entire situation.”

Aten turned towards Robbie, placing his hand over the little girl's ear so he wouldn't hear. “This is neither the time nor the place to discuss this. We'll talk about this later in my room.”

“Aten, I care about your input. Are you…..are you angry at me?”

Aten shook his head. “At you? No. My anger lies with someone else,” he said turning away, continuing his walk down the street.

//A matter of time.//

Aten stopped and turned quickly as he heard the screeching of tires behind him. Robbie turned as the van door opened and five people jumped out.

Aten stood in front of Robbie as they pointed towards them. “Media.”

“Give me Mira.”

The Egyptian handed the baby girl to Robbie, who walked down the street. Aten followed behind as the media came from around the corner and behind them.

“We are here live with one of the children of the spirits of Arendell street and it appears that he has a baby with him. Excuse me, can we have a moment of your time?”

Aten shook his head. “No, I have nothing to say. Let's go, Robbie.”

The woman reached out to take Aten's elbow and grabbed it. “One moment, sir.”

“DON'T TOUCH ME!” Aten screamed in fury, whipped himself around and shoved the woman. “YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TOUCH ME, SO BACK OFF!”

The crowd stepped back as Robbie began walking. Aten followed close behind. The media continued to follow.

“Did you adopt this child?”

“What are you doing with a baby?”

“Does this child have the same powers as you?”

“What powers do you have? Are they the same as your father's?”

“Which spirit is your father?”

“Is your mother really a man?”

“Has your art suffered because of your sexual orientation? Are your paintings more popular since you have married a man?”

“Does your father have destructive tendencies?”

Aten narrowed his eyes. “I have nothing to say other than the media has misjudged my family. We are not dangerous. We just want to be left alone. We are no different than the other people of Domino.”

“What about the fact that the spirit conjured up a dangerous creature?”

“What about your sister who conjured up a large, black dragon not too far from here?”

“Was your sister fathered by the same spirit you were?”

Aten growled in frustration. “Go away!”

Robbie limped towards home, the media following them as the baby's screams became louder.

As they approached home, the media stopped advancing. Aten opened the door for Robbie and shut the door behind his husband.

Miranda and Daniel emerged from the kitchen. “Any luck?”

“The doctor thinks that she's been exposed to drugs, alright. Nothing legal like you said, dad. The police will let her stay here. Someone will pop by every now and then to see how she is doing.”

“I set up our spare room upstairs for her,” Miranda said. “I called Aria to see if she had any furniture she's not using anymore. She said she'll bring over what she can later.”

Daniel pointed to a plastic bag on the couch. “I went out and got her some formula just in case, as well as some diapers and a bottle.”

“Thanks, dad,” Robbie said with a smile.

Miranda took the baby from Robbie. “I'll get her some formula.”

Robbie watched Aten go into the Studio. He followed Aten and closed the door behind him.

“Aten, talk to me.”

Aten looked at Robbie sideways and sat on the couch. “Robbie, we can't take care of this baby.”

“Why not? I make enough money.”

“She needs a place that can take better care of her.”

Robbie sat beside Aten. “What makes you think I can't take care of her? I think we can take care of her better than anyone else! There's a reason why she was left on our doorstep.”

Aten leaned back against the couch. “Robbie, you know I am sick. How can I take care of a baby when just taking a simple breath is a chore?”

“My mom and dad can help you, Aten.”

“Robbie, this is a bad idea.”

“Tell me why.”

Aten sighed and looked up at the ceiling. “Because……because….I won't be a good father.”

“Why not? I think you would be a good father.”

Aten shook his head. “I won't be! I can't be a good father!”

“Aten, you've never been a father. You can't say that you'll be bad.”

Aten shook his head. “I can't trust myself with her….”

“Why not?”

Aten closed his eyes and sighed. “I'm tired from our walk. I need to go upstairs and lay down.”

“Are you sure?”

Aten nodded. “Yes, I am sure.”

Aten stood up and walked out the door. //A matter of time.//

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

Aria stepped into the bitter cold of the Shadow Realm. She looked around at the purple haze that enveloped her. Goosebumps formed on her white arms as she stepped into the frigid temperature of the `Realm of the Dead,' as her father called it on occasion.

Aria looked around and saw a baby's blue sleeper laying on the ground. She ran over to it and picked it up. “Hey! How did this get here?”

“My Lady, why are you here?” a woman appeared in front of her, carrying a sword and a shield.

“Loyal Servant, I need to discover the source of this,” Aria held out the piece of spiked material to The Loyal Servant. “My baby was crying and when I went into the room, I could smell the Shadow Realm and I found this material at the base of his crib. Have you seen this material before?”

The Loyal Servant examined it. “It smells of death and decay.”

Aria nodded. “Whomever worn that startled my baby boy and I want to make sure that whatever it was doesn't harm my child.”

The woman handed Aria back the piece of spiked material. “Only one wears clothing such as this.”

“Where is this person?”

“The Castle of Dark Illusions.”

Aria looked up into the distance and saw the castle hovering nearby Yami's temple. “I will go there and make certain this person doesn't harm my children.”

“I do not believe that this monster will bring harm to your child. This monster fears your child.”

Aria raised an eyebrow and laughed. “A monster fears my infant son? He's only a few months old! He poses no threat to any---.”

“To Him, he poses a threat.”

“Who is `Him'?”

The Loyal Servant looked at the castle. “One whose name is synonymous with torment. One whose purpose is pain and torment.”

“How can someone like that fear my baby boy?”

The woman smiled at Aria. “Your children are young, yet, mistress. Pay you mind to their strengths. They will amaze you with powers beyond your comprehension……and beyond your abilities.”

“Rhett and Kai?”

“This monster feared Rhett because of his powers which have not been realized yet. They will be in time, however. When their powers have been realized, then you will understand why this monster has feared your offspring.”

Aria looked up at the castle and saw a single light illuminating one room of the fortress. “I should investigate and see who is there.”

“No, my lady! You mustn't!”

“If this creep thinks he can scare my baby boy senseless, then he has another thing coming! I won't let anything happen to my little boys!”

“My mistress, the threat is gone. He will not show his presence around your children again.”

Aria shook her head. “I have to go!”

“The Castle of Dark Illusions will have you seeing only illusion. You will go there and see no one. Even if someone is beside you, you will not see them. I have heard that your parents went in there searching for the same monster who lurks within…..and they did not find anything. The monster lurking can manipulate the reality within that castle. You can be placed in jeopardy by your own fears….and your darkest desires.”

Aria looked up at the castle. She watched the light flicker. “I'm still going up there. NIGHTMARE DRAGON, COME TO YOUR MISTRESS!”

The Loyal Servant looked up to see a large, spiked black dragon approach from the distance. “My lady, your children are not in peril. Why go into the castle?”

“Because I protect my children at all costs!”

The Nightmare Dragon landed and she pointed at the castle.

“Take me to the Castle of Dark Illusions!”

“That place is dangerous,” the dragon said.

“My baby was almost attacked by something and I know that something in that castle is responsible.”

The dragon raised it's head as she climbed on top. “As you wish, my lady.”

The dragon opened it's large wings and took flight.

“The Loyal Servant said my parents were once in there. Did you hear anything about that?”

The dragon growled. “No, my lady, I haven't.”

“I thought the castle was deserted. Does anyone actually live there?”

“The castle is full of many mysteries. It is rumored that a disfigured being lives there, one with the lust for blood and the desire for revenge.”

Aria watched the light turn off in the castle as the dragon approached. The dragon landed on the roof. It lowered its head and Aria climbed off its head.

“Stay here.”

“Be careful, my mistress.”

Aria walked through a doorway with no door. The hallway was dark as she walked through. “Millennium Trident, illuminate!”

The trident glowed brightly, illuminating some of the hallway. The stones of the hallway were made of gray brick. She sniffed and curled her nose up at the smell. It smelled familiar…..Cologne.

She stopped as she saw something on the floor. She walked up to it and realized it was a bandana…..made in the image of the American flag. She stopped, her heart leaping into her throat.

“Bandit Keith! Show yourself!”

Aria looked down the three hallways that broke from the hallway she just passed. “I'm not afraid of you, Keith!”

“Ha! Ha! Looks like the little girl is back for some fun!” she heard Keith say. “So, will you open them up willingly this time?”

Aria narrowed her eyes. “No!”

“That's too bad!” a voice laughed from down one of the hallways. “I'm waiting down one hallway for you, little lady!”

“Keith, I'm not playing games with you!”

“Who's to say that it is really Keith who lurks here?” a deep, angry voice asked.

Aria swallowed hard. “Who are you?!”

“Family.”

Aria walked down the middle hallway. “You don't sound like my father or Father Marik!”

The angry voice chuckled. “I didn't father you, dear child. Blood. That is what I am.”

Aria gripped the trident close. “Did you break into my baby's room and try to scare him?”

The voice laughed. “His powers overpowered me. That boy was no fun…………….. unlike your brother.”

Aria stopped. “I know who you are!”

“ARIA!” Seto's voice called from down another hallway.

Aria turned, hearing the scream. She backtracked, running down the third hallway.

“ARIA!” the voice cried again.

The voice sounded like Seto!

“Seto! Seto, are you here?!”

Aria gripped tightly to her trident as she ran, looking ahead for any sign of Seto. She looked hard to find him and saw him standing ahead in another intersection of hallways. “Seto, it's me!”

Seto turned and saw Aria. He brought her into his arms and held her tightly. “Nobody will hurt you, Aria. I promise. I found somewhere we can be safe.”

Seto pulled Aria into a room nearby and closed the door behind him.

Aria looked around at the room with a desk. Lit candles were placed around the room.

“I'm glad you made it here, Aria. What were you thinking coming into a place like this?!”

“I had to find out who was trying to break into Rhett's room.”

Seto leaned against the door. “I'm just glad you are safe.”

Aria held the Trident up. “You are probably an illusion, too.”

Seto chuckled. “I'm not here to hurt you if that is what you think.”

Aria's fingers tightened around the gold of the trident's handle. “I still have to defend myself and my children, Seto. I know who lives in this castle now. I know who tried breaking into my baby's room.”

The CEO grinned. “Rhett is safe, that's the best thing we could hope for, isn't it?”

Aria nodded. “Yes, very true.”

Seto stepped closer to Aria slowly. “I'm not here to hurt you, Aria. I just want to make sure you are alright.”

“Of course I am! I can take care of myself! I'm a strong girl.”

Seto grinned, stepping up to her. “You may be strong, but you are not invincible.”

Aria looked up into the blue eyes and smiled slightly at him. “You always took such good care of me, ever since I was a little girl.”

“How could I do any less?” Seto asked, bringing his hand up to Aria's cheek. “I love you. Thousands of years could not quench my love and longing for you. Time has made my desire for you grow. My love is like a candle that can never be extinguished. It burns incessantly for you……for your love……for your essence…..for my adoration and loyalty to you.”

Aria's hand holding the Millennium Trident quivered as Seto leaned closer towards her lips.

“I love you, Aria Kanika Tsunami.”

Seto pressed his lips to Aria's and she dropped the Trident on the floor. Seto wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Aria wrapped her arms around Seto, pulling him close and running her fingers through his hair.

The CEO's hands brushed down her back as she jumped to wrap her legs around his waist. Seto turned and pressed her up against the wall.

Aria felt Seto tug on her hair and pull down, exposing her neck. The girl whimpered as Seto nibbled on the front of her neck.

She tried moving her hips, but Seto pressed her against the wall to keep her from moving anything but her legs.

“I love you, Aria Kanika,” Seto moaned, rubbing her side and cupping a breast in his hand.

Aria moaned as she looked at the CEO. “Seth?”

“Yes, my queen?”

Aria opened up her mouth and smiled. “Let us make the pharaoh an heir.”

Seto placed a hungry kiss on Aria's lips and pressed her harder against the wall. Aria's Millennium Trident began to glow on the floor.

She watched Seto carry her over and place her on desk in the room. “Seto? What is going on?”

“We're going to make an heir for the pharaoh.”

The door opened quickly and Umi stood there in shock.

“ARIA! ARE YOU CHEATING ON ME?!”

Seto grinned at Umi and reached into the desk. He removed a pistol from the drawer.

“Umi, what are you doing?!” Aria gasped, grabbing Seto's arm. “Don't do it! Don't kill him!”

“Consider yourself terminated,” Seto grinned, pointing the gun at Umi.

“UMI, RUN!” Aria cried out as the gun fired.

Umi fell against the wall as blood splattered out of his chest. He fell onto the floor, gasping for breath.

Aria slapped Seto. “GET OFF OF ME!”

“No, we are making that heir!” Seto growled at her.

“Get off of me right now!” Aria growled, punching and kicking Seto away. She pulled away from Seto and grabbed the Trident. She ran over to Umi and hugged him. “Umi? Say something.”

Umi looked at Aria and opened his mouth to say something. His eyes focused on her, then he rested his head against her arm.

“Umi? Umi? Please say something.”

Aria hugged him and opened her eyes to see Seto pointing the gun at her. “Get away from me.”

“He's dead. Get back on the desk and let's finish this.”

Aria growled and her Trident glowed. “Stay away!”

The trident glowed and fired a blast of light at him.

She ran out of the room and down the hallway. “I have to find the source of that familiar voice!”

“MOMMY!” she heard Kai cry out for her.

“KAI! Mommy's coming!”

She ran down the hallway and found a deformed creature holding Kai by the arm. “Let go of my son!”

The creature with charred skin and rotting flesh laughed. “Why should I?”

“I will kick your ass!”

“You do not scare me, granddaughter.”

Aria raised an eyebrow and raised the trident. “What did you call me?”

The creature chuckled. “You heard me….Aria Kanika Itemri.”

“I'm married.”

“Oh…..congratulations. Had I known, I would have attended like a good grandfather.”

“You! You live here in the Castle of Dark Illusions?!”

The creature laughed louder. “This is the Castle of Dark Illusions. Nothing is what it seems to be, my dear girl. I can be no more than a particle of your memory. You remember seeing me before. I tied you to that altar to sacrifice you when you were a mere child. Now I see you….all grown up with beautiful little children of your own. How sweet!”

Aria fired a blast from her Millennium Trident which hit him. Kai disappeared when the blast hit the monster. Aria ran past the monster and ran for the exit. She ran quickly, the Millennium Trident glowing and pointing her towards the exit.

She ran towards the exit and stood outside the exit, panting heavily.

“Did you find what you came to seek?” the Nightmare Dragon asked her.

“I saw Seto, Kai, and …..my grandfather.”

“That is the essence of the Castle of Dark Illusions….everything you see may or may not be there. You have been warned, my lady.”

Aria gripped the trident tightly. “Maybe my grandfather wasn't there.”

“Illusions reign supreme in this place.”

Aria climbed on her dragon's head. “The Loyal Servant said that Rhett scared away whatever tried to hurt him. I don't think anything will be around bothering him again.”

The Nightmare Dragon took flight as Aria thought about what she had seen. `The Loyal Servant said that the castle knows my darkest desires and my fears. I don't want Umi dead…..why did he have to die? Is that a fear?.....Or worse…is that a desire?'

Aria sighed, holding her Millennium Item. “No, that's not it. I love Umi. I know I do……”

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

Seto leaned back in his chair. He rubbed his forehead as he thought about Joey. Joey was running out of options. With Aten being the only possible match, it made the choice even harder to make.

He grit his teeth in frustration that he nor any of his family were a match.

`If I was a match, I wouldn't hesitate to do it! I know even Mokuba wouldn't mind! But things have to be complicated, don't they?' he thought as he sighed in resignation.

There was just one avenue left that he hadn't explored….Joey's family.

Joey's father was dead. Seto made sure that Mr. Wheeler's remains were scattered to the four corners of Domino. To this day, not one piece of his body had been found. Seto considered that luck.

He didn't know Joey's mother's phone number.

That left one person.

The person who had scorned Joey….the one person who had once relied on Joey…and who at one time, loved him.

Serenity.

The CEO's lip curled in anger as he remembered how Serenity behaved towards him the last time.

Joey loved his sister still.

And he felt betrayed by her at the same time.

Joey wanted nothing more than the blessing of his marriage from Serenity, and she wouldn't give him the pleasure.

She renounced the union and could not believe that Joey would marry the one person who made his life Hell for so long.

Serenity must still feel something for Joey.

Seto picked up the phone and dialed Serenity's phone number.

/Hello?/

“Hello, Serenity?”

/…..You./

“Serenity, don't hang up on me. Please. I have some news about Joey.”

/I hear he's sick as a dog. So what disease did you finally give him?/

“Serenity, I didn't give him any disease. Joey's disease came from his father who made him drink like a poet on payday.”

/So, what is it?/

“He's got cirrhosis and liver failure. The doctor also thinks he has Hepatitis.”

/Hmph. I knew you'd get him sick with some kind of bug. I'm surprised it's not AIDS./

“Joey and I always take precautions, Serenity.”

/Ew!/

“Well, that's what married couples do.”

/No, that is what normal couples do. You just fuck him for the hell of it./

“Serenity, I love your brother. And right now, your brother needs you.”

/What is it that you want?/

“Please go get tested and checked to see if you can donate some of your liver to Joey.”

/………………………/

“Serenity?”

/And why would I want to do that? I don't want nobody cutting me open./

Seto clenched his fists in fury. “Serenity, your brother saved your eyesight, don't you remember? He risked a lot to get your eyesight back during the Battle City Tournament! You owe him! The fact that you can see anything now is because of him! HIM, Serenity! Your brother risked his life, his safety, and damn near died just so you can look at your selfish face in the mirror every day!”

/Nobody is cutting me open./

“Serenity, please listen to me! Joey needs your help! Your…..your brother is dying, Serenity. Don't you care?”

/Of course I care….but he has to do something for me in return./

“Which is?”

/If I test positive and am a match, you and Joey must get a divorce./

“What?”

/You are too good for Joey. Joey deserves better than someone who once called him a `mutt' and a `mongrel.' I will always remember you as the sniveling brat who tormented my poor brother for years, taking his dignity and humiliating him!/

“Serenity, if I could take that all back, I would.”

/If I am a match, Joey and you get a divorce!/

Seto looked at the picture of Joey on the desk. Joey was in his bathing suit, kneeling in the sand with a toy shovel in his hand. Seto was half buried under a pile of sand. In the background, Malik and Marik were having their own make-out session on the beach. Bakura was grilling in the background, nibbling on cheese. Aten and Aria were five years old building sandcastles with their mother.

“I love Joey…..and I will do anything to keep him safe.”

/Good choice, Kaiba. I'll get checked as soon as I can and see if Joey and I are a match. If we are a match, you get your ass down to city hall and file those divorce papers. I won't get the operation done until the divorce is final./

Seto nodded. “You win, Serenity. I don't want to see Joey die.”

/If he does die, Seto, it's going to be your fault./

Seto opened his mouth to reply as Serenity hung up the phone. Seto sighed and hung up the phone.

“What a bitch,” he murmured as he stood up. He slowly left his office and walked down the hallway towards the bedroom. He opened the door and found Joey laying on his stomach with his head turned to the side.

“Hi, Seto,” the tired man said from the bed.

“Hi, Joey. What a long day it's been! I'm glad it's over. I thought you were tired. Couldn't sleep?”

Joey yawned. “No. I'm trying, though.”

Seto removed his shirt and his pants. He removed his underwear and slipped into bed beside Joey. He reached out and ran his hand along Joey's bare back. “Laying next to you makes today well worth it, baby,” he said with a smile.

Joey turned his head towards Seto and smiled at him. Seto looked into Joey's yellow eyes. Yellow eyes?!

“Joey, what's wrong with your eyes?”

Joey sighed and buried his face in the pillow. “It's from my jaundice. Remember you said my skin looked a little yellow? I noticed my eyes getting more yellow.”

Seto shifted closer to Joey and hugged him. “Come here, Joey.”

“I'm a freak!” Joey screamed into his pillow.

“You are not a freak, Joey. You're just a little sick right now.”

Joey sniffled. “I'll understand if you want me to sleep elsewhere tonight.”

Seto shifted closer to Joey and ran his hand over Joey's shoulders. “Joey, look at me.”

Joey turned his head slightly. “What?”

“I'd love you no matter what color your eyes are. I want you by my side. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather be sharing my bed with right now than you.”

Joey wiped his eye. “Really?”

“Really.”

Joey bit his lip and commenced crying into his pillow.

“Joey, come here,” Seto said, opening his arms. Joey turned around and shifted close against Seto. He buried his face in Seto's chest and sobbed. Seto ran his fingers through Joey's long, blond hair. He pet the soft strands gently, wondering what he could say to help Joey.

“What will I tell people?”

“You don't have to tell anyone you don't want to, Joey. People here understand that you are sick. Nobody will say anything.”

Joey clung to the CEO tightly. “I didn't know how to tell you about this.”

“I was going to find out eventually, Joey. I love looking into your eyes, no matter the color.”

Joey looked up at the CEO and grinned. “Now you're getting sugary sweet.”

“I don't know if you'd like the taste of me, then.”

Joey kissed Seto on the lips lightly. “Wanna make a bet?”

Seto kissed Joey on the lips and let his hand drift down Joey's back.

Updates: 5/15/07