Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return To Paradise ❯ The Way of the World ( Chapter 15 )

The Way of The World

 

Ryou followed Marik close behind as they walked towards Miranda's home. Ryou's brown eyes watched Marik's body language closely, watching the yami walk tall. Marik's body looked tense as they walked down the street, the yami's eyes constantly moving, searching for threats.

“Are you feeling okay, Marik?” Ryou asked.

“I'm fine, Ry.” Marik stopped under a streetlight. “I'm sorry you and Malik had to see Itemri and I duking it out.”

Ryou sighed. “Bakura's been doing a lot for us while you are at work. He's been vigilant and keeps on his toes. He's very tired, Marik. Bakura has been constantly on edge.”

“That is why Maxie is there. She'll be able to give him a little bit of a break. I do feel bad for him…..I'm just under a lot of pressure myself. I'm trying to keep my family safe, trying to deal with the media bull-crap…..I don't know what else could go wrong.”

Ryou nodded. “Well, let's try to focus on Aten while we are going to visit him.”

“You're right. Let's focus on our son.”

Marik lead Ryou to the front door of the Morgan home and knocked on the door. Asher opened up the door slowly. “Marik here.”

“Oh, Marik, it's you,” Miranda said, standing beside Asher.

Ryou waved. “Hi, Miranda.”

“Oh! Both of you! Come in, guys!”

Marik saw Daniel sitting on the couch and poked Daniel with the Millennium Rod. “There.”

“What's that for?”

Marik shrugged. “I haven't poked you with my Rod for a while and I thought you were due.”

“To what do we owe the honor of your visit?” Daniel asked.

“I heard that Robbie had a kid. I'm here to see her.”

Miranda snickered. “What? Robbie didn't have a kid. He found her outside on the front step.”

“I heard about that. It's a baby girl?” Ryou asked.

Miranda nodded. “Yeah, it's a little girl. Aten and Robbie are asleep, but I can take you upstairs to see her. I have to check on her anyway. When the boys are asleep, Daniel or I usually will pop in to see how she is doing.”

Ryou smiled. “I'm so excited! I can't believe Aten has a baby!”

“Well, we can't be too loud around her.”

Marik nodded. “We know, Miranda. We had babies in our house before. Though I wondered how those kids slept at all with how much noise that came from my bedroom at night.”

Ryou nodded. “All of us wondered that. You kept Bakura and I awake on many occasions.”

Miranda opened the door slowly and saw movement in the crib. She turned on the light and kept the setting dim. “The boys have named her Miracle Zahra.”

“'Miracle Flower.,” Marik said with a grin.

Miranda lead them over to the crib and looked inside. Ryou smiled. Marik looked at the baby and grinned.

“Awww….look at the precious sweetheart,” Ryou cooed at the baby girl.

Marik reached into the crib and touched the girl's hand.

The baby girl looked up at the three people hovering over her crib. She kicked off the thin blanket covering her from the waist down, exposing her missing leg.

Ryou and Marik's eyes widened when they saw the small stump.

“What happened to her leg?”

Miranda rubbed the baby girl's head. “Miracle was born addicted to Cocaine. It's possible there was more of a cocktail in her system than just that, though. She's been sick lately, going through withdrawl.”

“What an awful thing to do to a child!” Ryou exclaimed. “How could anyone do that to a baby?”

Marik shook his head. “Some parents don't care, Ry. That's the sad part.”

Ryou touched the baby's leg and the baby began twitching. “How is her appetite?”

“At first, she couldn't eat much, but now her appetite has improved a little. When she's shaking too badly, she can't eat at all….or when she is in pain, she won't eat. But that will take time to improve. It will be a while before all of those drugs are out of her system.”

Marik sighed. “Poor child.”

“Her sleep is interrupted a lot. She doesn't sleep like a normal baby yet, but when those drugs are out of her system, hopefully she will. Do you want to hold her, Ryou?”

“Sure.”

Miranda picked up the tiny baby and handed her to Ryou.

“Aww…come here, baby girl,” Ryou smiled, taking the baby into his arms. “Why, aren't you a little sweetheart?” Ryou cuddled her against his chest and sighed. “She's a little darling.”

Miranda nodded. “She's very well behaved. We're still waiting to see if anyone claims her. I don't think anyone will claim her at this point. It has been a few days.”

“Has Aten been handling this well?”

Miranda shrugged. “He's having a hard time adjusting to this. He hasn't held her at all. He won't feed her. He won't look or talk to her. Aten keeps himself distanced from her. I guess he figures he doesn't want her to get too attached to him by the time his heart problem becomes too bad.”

“How has our son been, Miranda?” Ryou asked.

“He's having a hard time eating. His memory is not the best anymore. Aten has distanced himself from everyone while Robbie is out at work. He gets nauseous and breathing has become difficult for him.”

Marik nodded with a sigh. “He's already living on borrowed time.”

Ryou cuddled Miracle closer. “I pray every night that he gets a new heart soon. I don't want my son to die.”

Miranda put her hand on Ryou's shoulder. “Ryou, I know how you feel. Christa was just a baby when I lost her to Cardiomyopathy. But I have seen these symptoms before. I know what is happening. I'm just trying to make Aten comfortable as possible.”

Ryou rubbed Miracle's back and kissed her forehead. “Aten's dying, isn't he?”

Miranda sighed and gave Ryou's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I'm doing all that I can for him, Ry.”

Marik took a deep breath. “We all knew this would happen someday…it still doesn't make it any easier hearing it, though.”

Ryou rubbed Miracle's head. “Poor little girl….”

“We're trying to get Aten to be more active in her life. It's a slow process.”

Marik nodded. “Aten has always felt uncomfortable around children.”

“Give him some time.”

Miranda yawned. “That's what I told Robbie. Give these two some time to know each other.”

“I wish my son was awake,” Marik said, disappointment clear in his voice. “I wish I could speak to my son.”

“You're always welcome here, Marik.”

“I've had my hands full with work and this new Rocher business.”

Miranda nodded. “That's why Asher is here. Oh, Ryou, do you remember that van? That van that tried to kidnap you?”

“I do.”

“I think that van came after Aten today.”

“Oh My, is he alright?!” Ryou gasped.

Miranda nodded. “We found him unconscious on our doorstep with a bruise on his cheek and what looks like needle marks on his arm.”

“Those men never pulled me into the van, so I have no idea what they wanted to do with me.”

Marik let out a low, deep growl. “I can't believe they would go after him like that!”

“He didn't remember much. Just that there was a woman involved and a needle. That's the gist of what he saw.”

“I'm glad he wasn't hurt,” Ryou said.

Marik bit his lip, angrily. “I might have to enlist the help of my men.”

Ryou kissed the baby's head and watched the baby girl suck her thumb. Ryou smiled a little as he watched the baby snuggle against him. “I remember Aten being this small….They grow up so fast.”

Miranda nodded. “Tell me about it. It seems like yesterday I was changing Robbie's diapers…..and now…..well….now he's a big boy.”

“Doing big boy things, no doubt,” Marik commented with a renewed grin.

Miranda snickered. “If you only knew the noises I hear at night sometimes….”

Ryou giggled. “It's worse living with the Ishtars. Just be glad you don't hear goat noises coming from the room.”

“There was no goat in my room!” Marik exclaimed.

Ryou giggled again. “So were you or were you not having Malik drizzle barbeque sauce all over you while you were dressed as a chicken?”

“That never happened!”

Ryou smiled. “Then why are you blushing?”

Marik shifted his eyes between Miranda and Ryou. “I plead the fifth. I did use the barbeque sauce, though.”

Miranda covered her mouth, her face turning red as she laughed into her hand.

“I think I left the iron on at home. Let's go, Ry.”

Ryou laughed. “Marik, you are so easy to stir up.”

“I'm special.”

“You're disturbing if you dress up as a chicken for foreplay,” Miranda snickered.

Ryou and Miranda laughed as a yawn was heard at the door. Aten was standing at the door, leaning against the doorway.

“What's going on?” Aten asked.

Marik reached out and hugged his son. “Hello, Aten. I came to see the baby.”

Aten looked at his mother and back to his father. Marik pulled back and smiled at his son.

“Well, aren't you going to say something?”

Aten squinted, looking at Marik and Ryou. “Hello?”

“What's the matter, Aten? Can't sleep?”

Aten looked at Miranda and leaned into her ear to whisper. “Who?”

“They're your parents,” Miranda whispered back quietly.

“Hi, mom and dad,” Aten said, hugging Marik back.

Ryou smiled and kissed Aten's cheek. “Hi, baby boy! I've missed you.”

“Your parents came to see the baby, Aten.”

Aten looked at the baby and shrugged. “The baby is here.”

`I wonder if he's sleepwalking. He doesn't recognize anyone,' Miranda thought.

“You couldn't sleep, Aten?”

Aten shook his head. “Bad dream. I had to get up.”

“Are you breathing okay?” Ryou asked. “You sound a little wheezy.”

Aten rubbed his bare chest. “It's hard to breathe. I'm hot.”

Marik touched Aten's arm. “You're cold as ice!”

Ryou touched Aten's other arm. “You are!”

Aten shrugged. “I don't feel cold. I'm going to get something to drink.”

The Egyptian left the room and the parents exchanged worried glances.

“How did he get so cold?” Marik asked.

“His skin has been getting cold and clammy.”

Ryou placed Miracle back into the crib. “Was it just me or did Aten not recognize us, Marik?”

“How could he not recognize us? We're his parents. We've been his parents for eighteen years.”

Miranda crossed her arms. She knew if she told Marik that this was part of the process of Aten's dying, it would hit home. Miranda wanted to spare Marik's feelings as much as she could. Marik was already very worried, this would make it worse.

“He is half-asleep, too, guys. You know how it feels to be half-awake.”

“ATEN, LOOK OUT!”

The three parents heard something fall down the steps and they dashed out of the room.

Ryou and Marik ran down the steps and saw Aten laying at the bottom of the steps, shaking.

“Aten! Aten!” Ryou exclaimed, running down the steps and kneeling beside him. Daniel and Asher tried to get some distance between the concerned parents and the fallen teen.

“Give him some room, guys. He needs air. Aten, are you okay?”

Aten winced in pain. “Thirsty.”

“I'll get a little something,” Marik said, running to the kitchen.

“What happened?”

Aten blinked tiredly. “Weak.”

“Aten, can you move your arms and legs?” Daniel asked.

Aten slowly moved his arms and legs. “Yes, but it hurts.”

Daniel nodded. “Stiffness. Okay, Aten, we're going to move you to the couch. We had to make sure you could move yourself before we move you at all. Never move someone with broken bones. Ry, can you give me a hand?”

Ryou slowly helped Daniel lift his son and move him to the couch. Marik brought out a cup of water and placed it to Aten's lips.

“Slowly, boy,” Marik said, tipping the cup slightly.

Aten sipped slowly and laid back on the couch with a tired sigh. “Sorry….”

“You felt weak?”

Aten nodded. “Then I got dizzy.”

Ryou sat beside Aten and rubbed the white and blond hair. “You'll be okay, sweetheart.”

Aten looked up at Marik and reached out. He touched Marik's hand and gripped it.
”Dad…..”

The yami kneeled beside Aten. “What is it, boy?”

“I'm glad to see you. I'm happy.”

Marik grinned and placed his hand on Aten's thin stomach. “I'm very happy to see you, son.”

Aten smiled at his father and yawned again. “Thank you for the water.”

“You're my boy. I only wish I could do more.”

Ryou leaned over and kissed Aten's forehead. “We love you, Aten.”

Aten yawned and closed his eyes. His mother gently touched his cheek and heard the tiny whimper come from the drowsy teen.

“That scared the crap out of me,” Marik sighed.

“That's the first time he's fallen.”

“At least we could get him up,” Ryou said.

Marik took a deep breath. “I wish we could stay, but I know he's in good hands.”

Asher stood behind Marik. “Aten safe. Robbie safe. This house is safe. No bad people will come here unless they want a hotfoot.”

Ryou pet Aten's hair and sighed. “I love you, sweetheart.”

“We'll keep a good eye on him, guys,” Daniel said.

“Please do, Danny Boy. He's my son. And I love him. If he needs anything, you know where to find me.”

“We know, Marik. You're always welcome to stop by. You, too, Ryou.”

Miranda put a hand on Ryou's shoulder. “He's in good hands.”

Ryou stood up and sighed. “I guess I worry about him too much.”

“You never stop being a parent, Ry,” Miranda said.

Marik looked up at Asher. “Protect them, Asher. Keep your eyes peeled and let me know if anything happens.”

“I will, Mr. Marik.”

“Good boy. Ry, we should get going.”

“Okay,” Ryou sighed. “I hope Bakura and Malik are done talking.”

Marik shrugged. “They should be. Goodbye, Danny and Sexy Panties.”

“Why should I have expected that?” Daniel asked.

“Because you know me too well. Bye, Angel Drawers.”

Miranda slapped Marik's ass hard. “Bye, Saggy Nuts.”

“OW!” Marik turned to her. “They're not saggy! They're firm and round!”

“Not after that slap,” she grinned.

“Let's go, Marik,” Ryou said, pulling Marik's arm.

Marik followed Ryou down the street quietly. “I should go speak to my people after I see you home, Ry.”

“What about Bakura?”

“I'll see if he wants to come. Considering Maxie is at home, I'll feel a little better about us both being away.”

Ryou stopped in the shadows. “Bakura still loves you, no matter what happened.”

Marik sighed. “I know he does.”

“I know you two can make amends.”

Marik nodded. “I hope so, too, Ry.”

Marik and Ryou returned home and saw Malik sitting on the steps. “Marik, Bakura is waiting upstairs for you.”

“How did it go, Malik?” Ryou asked.

“Go upstairs to `Kura's room. Find out yourself.”

Marik gave his Light a kiss and a subsequent slap on the ass. “That's my boy.” The yami walked upstairs.

“Did it work, Malik?” Ryou asked.

The Egyptian grinned. “I think so.”

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

 

Marik knocked on the door and cracked the door open. Bakura was sitting on the bed, glaring at him with his arms crossed.

Marik closed the door behind him after stepping into the room. “Itemri?”

Bakura took a deep breath. “Do you realize what you have done?”

“Itemri, I know I messed up, but I was following orders from Seto.”

Bakura raised an eyebrow. “Seto told you to use your magic in front of the cameras?”

“I did not know those cameras were there. I was a little distracted by the fire-sticks firing at me! You'd be distracted, too!”

Bakura shook his head. “This places all of us in more danger than before.”

“Bakura, I'm sorry. But, I know we can work through this. We have extra firepower here with Maxine.”

Bakura stood up. “I know Maxine is well qualified to help protect Ryou and Malik, but I do not wish to rely on her. It's a matter of pride. This is OUR family. We should be doing the protection. And I need to rely on you that you can keep our secrets safe. If you can't do that, Ishtar, then you are a threat to us, too. And you know what I do to threats to my family.”

Marik looked Bakura in the eye. “Bakura, you are tired and exhausted. You have been on edge for weeks. If you burnout, you won't be much of a protector. You'll be flat on your ass unconscious. Where will that leave our family then? We'll be easy prey for those people who want to get their hands on us.”

“Well, I know I have been pushing myself hard, but that is only because I love my family. You know, Marik, while I was locked in the Ring, I had thousands of years to think. My mind constantly thought about Rayna and my daughter. I had lost them both. Rayna and my little girl were victims of royalty….the royalty I hated….the royalty I despised…the Nobility I had sworn to hate. I vowed that if I ever had a real family again, I would protect them from any and all threats. I promised myself that the Nobility would never again take my loved ones away.” Bakura narrowed his eyes at Marik. “Everytime I look at you, Marik, I see the Nobility. I love the fuck out of you, but it's always on my mind that you are Nobility. Are you going to let my family be taken away from me?”

Marik sighed and grabbed Bakura's shoulders. “Itemri, I never intended for any of this to happen. You are part of my family. I want what is best for you and for those two Lights downstairs. I want to make this right, and I know what I can do, but I need your help, Itemri.”

“What do you mean?”

Marik released Bakura's shoulders. “Aten was attacked coming home from his appointment. He said a white van pulled him inside.”

“A van?”

“Ryou said a white van almost pulled him inside. I think it's the same van. I want to go see my people and have them keep their eyes out for this white van.”

Bakura snickered and rolled his eyes. “There are TONS of white vans in Domino!”

“But, only one has been terrorizing our family! They obviously have us under some kind of surveillance.”

“Who is `they'?”

“Whomever is trying to kidnap our family to get some kind of information out of us.”

Bakura nodded. “Well, I don't know what your guys can do, but I can talk to my men, too.”

“That's why I wanted you to come with me, unless you are too tired.”

Bakura shrugged. “I don't want you to go out there by yourself. And I guess any help is much needed nowadays.”

Marik grinned. “Maxine can hold down the fort here. We won't be gone long.”

The white-haired yami grabbed his dagger from his dresser drawer and snapped it onto his belt. “I'm ready.”

“I got all I need,” Marik said, gripping his Millennium Rod.

Marik and Bakura left he room and walked downstairs.

“Did you guys patch things up?” Ryou asked.

“We did, Ry. Bakura and I are going out for a little bit. We're gonna bring some more muscle into our corner.”

Malik hugged Marik. “You call if you need us.”

Bakura hugged Ryou tightly and kissed his forehead. “We don't want to expose you to more danger than we have to.”

“Be careful, Bakura,” Ryou said, kissing his yami's cheek.

Marik grabbed the car keys and left the house with Bakura. The two yamis ran to the car and jumped in quickly.

“We'll see my guys first,” Marik said, starting the car and pulling away.

“Was Aten hurt?”

Marik shrugged. “Apparently, they took his blood and pretty shaken up.”

Bakura watched Marik as he drove. “You look disturbed. What happened over there?”

Marik gripped the steering wheel tightly. “Aten fell. He's not doing too well at all.”

“We don't know why the gods do what they do, Ishtar.”

“I'm worried about him.”

“Understandable, Marik. He's your son.”

Marik sighed. “I'm trying to be strong. It's hard when it's your own child. I have to be strong for Ryou, too. I know he's worried about him, too.”

Bakura nodded. “I could see it in his eyes before we left.”

Marik stopped at a stop light and saw a cop car stop on the other side of the street. Bakura ducked to hide himself from sight.

“Hide yourself, Marik.”

“I have to drive this thing, Itemri. Besides, the police don't know that I've done anything yet.”

When the light changed, Marik continued to drive through the intersection and Bakura sat up. “I wish we could have just went on foot. We'd be less conspicuous.”

Marik shook his head. “It would take us too long to get to the East Domino without a car. We'd be walking all night.”

“We'd probably make better time.”

“I don't think so. The less time we are gone from the house, the better. I don't want to leave those two home alone more than I have to.” Marik merged onto the freeway and looked in his rear-view mirror. “I want to get home to Malik in one piece.”

Bakura nodded as he looked out of the window. “I know. I don't want to leave Ry alone too long. Ry's been sleeping a lot….and that has me concerned.”

“Well, maybe if you didn't pound him to kingdom come, he might sleep better,” the blond snickered.

“Speak for yourself, Ishtar! You pound Malik into the Underworld almost every night! It's amazing that one can walk at all!”

Marik grinned. “He likes it.”

“Pervert.”

“When's the last time you pounded Ry until he was blue in the face, Itemri?”

Bakura snickered. “That's for me to know only, Ishtar.”

Marik grinned, licking his lips. “It's been a while since I've pounded Ry until he was blue in the face. I think I need to remedy that situation.”

“You're nuts.”

“So what else is new? You knew I was nuts from the first day you met me.”

Bakura laughed. “No, you were semi-normal. You asked if I wanted food or water in the desert. When you see someone passed out from exhaustion, that's the normal reaction.”

“I don't know. That might be the only thing normal about me.”

“Pretty much, Ishtar. You're a freak.”

Marik grinned and put a hand on Bakura's lap. “Aww….you say the sweetest things to me, Itemri,” the blond said, moving his hands towards the front of Bakura's pants. “What have we here, Itemri?!”

“Keep your hand to yourself, pervert,” Bakura said, swatting Marik's hand away.

The Egyptian yami grinned. “That was fun.”

“You're a Fruit Loop.”

Marik laughed loudly as he pulled off the highway towards Chinatown District. “You'd be lost without me.”

“Well, I will give you that one, Ishtar. You make the afterlife interesting.”

Marik parked beside a sushi bar. “Nagawa's Sushi and Noodle House. Care for a bite, Bakura?”

“Nah, I'm good.”

“Come inside with me.”

Bakura jumped out of the car and looked up and down the empty street. His muscles tensed as his eyes scanned the empty streets.

“Relax, Itemri. This is my turf. Nobody will hurt you.”

“This is largely unfamiliar territory to me. I don't feel comfortable here, so, no I won't relax.”

Marik put his arm around Bakura. “This is my turf. Nobody will hurt you when I am around.”

Marik knocked on the door and waited. A moment later a Japanese man opened the door slowly. Marik grinned at the man.

“Emporer Marik!”

“Let me in, Takashi.”

The man opened the door and bowed immediately. “Emporer Marik! We are honored to see you!”

“I need to speak to Ichiro. Is he in?”

The man bowed again. “Yes, Lord Marik! This way! Follow me!”

Bakura followed Marik through the elegant dining area of the Noodle House towards the back. Tapestries lined the walls as well as detailed examples of traditional Japanese Art. Paintings on bamboo decorated the walls, along with candles and exquisite red rugs. Marik entered the room and Bakura watched all the men fall to their knees before their “ruler.”

“Lord Marik! Your presence honors us!” a trembling fat man said as he bowed.

“I have come with news of great distress and I require your aid.”

Ichiro stood up. “We will gladly help you, our Emporer! What is it you wish of us?”

Marik crossed his arms. “My family is once again in danger and I need to enlist your help.”
”Anything we can do for you, our Emporer!” one man exclaimed loudly.

“My son has been attacked, as well as Ryou. A white van has been driving around, attempting to kidnap our family members for some unknown gain.”

Ichiro looked up at his leader. “Was the Little Emporer hurt?”

“He was given a good hit to the face and somebody took a blood sample from him. Other than that, he wasn't harmed seriously. But, I am not waiting until someone in my household is harmed by these people! I need to figure out who is doing this and to what end! What do they want? Why are they targeting our family? Does the media have anything to do with this? These are questions I need answered before someone in our family is seriously injured. It's not just myself, Bakura, Ryou, and Malik that are the targets. They have begun targeting our children. So, Bakura's daughter, Aria, could also be a target. They haven't done anything to her yet, but I'm not taking any chances. I need this white van to answer questions.”

“There are a lot of white vans in the city, my Emporer!” Ichiro said. “How can we be sure we have the right one?”

“This van must be becoming familiar with our family. My guess is that they are parking their vehicle nearby to watch our family. Otherwise, they would not have known where to put Aten when they were done with him. It's foolish to think that they randomly put him on the right doorstep. Nobody has been seriously injured, but I refuse to sit and wait. These people could kill somebody if they are not properly handled.”

The men stood up and bowed to Marik again. “We will do as you say, Emporer!”

“See that you do,” Marik said. “They are targeting anyone they can get their hands on.”

“We shall begin immediately!” Ichiro said.

“Good. Ichiro, one more thing.”

Ichiro bowed. “Anything!”

Marik grinned. “Get me a little chicken. I'm hungry. Get my partner here some fish.”

“Yes, sir!” Ichiro exclaimed, bowing out of the room.

“How can you be hungry at this hour?”

The blond shrugged. “I'm a growing boy.”

Bakura snickered and shook his head. “I guess I can't complain. Food is food. I haven't eaten too much today.”

“Well, see, I have your best interests in mind. Besides, you're getting thin. I ought to feed you a sandwich or something.”

Bakura grinned. “I look good thin.”

“Yes, you do. But I can see your bones, Itemri. You need a sandwich, but you can settle for some sushi. I know you like your meat raw so it's still mooing, oinking, or clucking….or in this case, flopping.”

The white-haired yami nodded. “Flopping is good.”

Marik and Bakura waited for the food to finish cooking.

“Won't you stay and dine with us?” Ichiro asked, handing the yamis their food.

“No, we have to meet Bakura's people next. The more help, the better.”

Ichiro bowed. “Yes, my Emperor. We will tell you what we find.”

Marik put his hand on Ichiro's shoulder. “Keep an eye on the Domino Times Herald. One by the name of Araqiel Tillmann is pushing my buttons….which is a dangerous maneuver.”

“Yes, our Ruler!”

Marik took a bite of his chicken. “Well done, Ichiro. Thank you.”

Bakura followed Marik to the car, nibbling on his fish. “This is awesome!”

“Ichiro makes kick-ass food. Is your fish floppy enough?”

“It's good!”

“Yeah, that fish was swimming about half an hour ago. That's how fresh their food is there.”

Bakura snickered. “Do I need to drive to our next destination?”

“Yeah, I want to enjoy my chicken without having to worry about traffic. Good cock is meant to be savored.”

“Chicken Lover.”

Marik grinned and snickered. “If you only knew, Itemri.”

“Ewwww….”

Marik laughed loudly as he sat in the passenger seat.

Bakura sat in the driver's seat and started the car. He pulled away from the noodle house and returned to the freeway. Bakura merged onto traffic, still nibbling on his fish.

“How's your cock?”

Marik leaned back in his seat with a satisfied grin on his face, licking his lips. “Savory….”

Bakura chuckled. “You and your chicken obsession. What am I going to do with you?”

“Hump my brains out tonight, hopefully.”

Bakura rolled his eyes as he accelerated. “You wish.”

“I can't give up my hopes, though, right?”

“You just wish I'd hump your brains out after what you put me through today.”

Marik grinned. “You don't want to have a piece of my cock as a peace offering?”

Bakura shook his head. “No. Because you're nasty. That's why.”

Marik pouted. “Aww….you don't want a piece of my cock? Can I have a piece of your floppy fishy?”

Bakura handed Marik the container. “Here. Sample my fish.”

Marik popped a piece of sushi into his mouth. “Mmmm….good swimmer. Of course, I prefer the real thing,” the blond said, reaching over to touch between Bakura's legs.

“HEY! I'm trying to drive!” Bakura protested.

Bakura and Marik felt the car shake.

“You're driving pretty lousy,” Marik said. ”Sunday driver.”

“That wasn't me.” Bakura looked in the rear-view mirror. “Fuck. Hold on, Ishtar!”

Marik turned and saw a van behind them. “Is that the fucking van?!”

“I don't know! I have to get them into the light to see! Hold onto your ass!” Bakura made a hard turn off a ramp, making Marik curse in Arabic. Bakura looked behind them and saw the white van. “It's the white van, alright!”

Marik heard the glass shatter behind him and felt a stinging sensation in his left shoulder. He grabbed his arm, gritting his teeth. “OH, FUCK!”

Bakura looked beside him and saw Marik's shirt soaking in blood. “RA DAMN IT! Hold on, Ishtar!”

Bakura growled as he sped through an intersection. The loud pop sounds continued to speed past him, hitting the front windshield.

“Damn, it, Bakura! They're firing those fucking fire-sticks at us again!”

“I KNOW! I KNOW! JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP FOR A MOMENT, WILL YOU?! I'm trying to think!”

The white van sped after them, knocking into the back of their car. Bakura made a hard turn into a one-way street. The van lost some ground as it turned.

Marik tore his sleeve off of his shirt and pressed the cloth against his shoulder. Bakura turned again onto a main road. The van turned, losing ground again, and sped up. The van pulled beside Bakura and slammed into the side of the car. Bakura snarled and knocked his car against the van, hoping to turn it into oncoming traffic.

The blond yami clenched his eyes shut as his shoulder continued to bleed. “Easy with the car, Itemri!”

Bakura's hair spiked as his canines sharpened. “The back window is fucking shot out and they keep fucking our asses from behind. I think caution has been thrown to the fucking wind by now!”

“WATCH OUT, ITEMRI!” Marik screamed.

Bakura looked ahead and saw a “Road Closed” sign. He closed his eyes as he and the van plowed through the sign. Orange cones were hit and flew over the roof of the car.

“Turn around, Itemri!” Marik screamed.

Bakura saw another sign reading `Bridge Out'.

Bakura sped up and Marik's eyes widened. “What are you doing?!” Marik asked.

“Speeding.”

“ITEMRI, STOP!” Marik cried out. “THE BRIDGE IS OUT, YOU CRAZY BASTARD!”

“Just what I'm hoping for,” Bakura said, speeding up.

Bakura sped towards the bridge, the van continuing to slam into them from behind.

“Turn back!” Marik growled.

“Shut up!” Bakura growled back.

Marik saw the bridge approaching quickly and he swallowed hard. “Ra, here I come….umm…again!”

Bakura quickly turned the wheel before the chasm. The van turned to give chase when the van turned on its side and fell into the chasm turning over a multiple number of times. Bakura stopped the car and turned off the engine. He ran to the side of the pit and saw the hood spark and a flame started. Marik jumped out of the car and ran to the side of the pit.

Bakura narrowed his eyes and began crawling down the side of the slope.

“Bakura! You crazy bastard!” Marik called to him. “That shit will explode!”

“I need answers!” Bakura called up to him. He tumbled down the slope and ran towards the van. The door of the van was open.

Bakura saw one man in the van, his eyes open in a wide vacant stare. “Snapped his neck on impact,” Bakura said. He reached around and opened the door to the van. The fire spread under the hood of the car.

“Itemri!” Marik called. “That shit is going to blow!”

Bakura opened the door to the van and saw syringes, guns, and sparking computer wires. Bakura sniffed and smelled gasoline leaking. “Damn,” he growled, knowing he was unable to track the source of the van.

He felt a tug on him. “COME ON, BAKURA!”

Marik was tugging on his shirt. Bakura struggled against his partner as Marik pulled him towards the slope and away from the burning car.

The van exploded, sending black smoke into the air and metal shrapnel hurling towards them.

Marik and Bakura looked back and saw the van burning.

“I could have found out who they were!” Bakura protested.

“I just saved your ass!” Marik winced, holding his injured shoulder.

Bakura sighed. “Thank you.”

Fire sirens blared towards them. Police lights began to flash nearby.

“Come on, Marik, we have to scram!” Bakura growled.

Marik dug his nails into the earth to climb up, but let out a cry of pain. “My fucking shoulder!”

Bakura arrived on the top of the slope. “Climb!”

“My shoulder! Fucking thing hurts!”

“Pull yourself up with your good arm! The Smokies will be here in a few minutes!”

Marik dug his hand into the soil and pulled himself up with his good arm. Each time he tried to move his left shoulder, he let out a grunt of pain. “Fucking bullet,” he groaned.

Bakura and Marik jumped into the car and sped away.

They used back roads to get back to civilization.

“We need to get your arm looked at.”

Marik touched his shoulder, his face becoming sweaty and the look of pain was obvious on his face. “We need to do your thing first.”

Bakura nodded. “My guys will take care of you. We can fix you up good. And we gotta get that blood off of you before I feel the urge to pound you into the pavement.”

“Can't you just pound me into the pavement anyway for old times sake?”

Bakura shook his head. “Not in this neighborhood. I may run these streets, but I know things about this area you do not.”

Bakura pulled the car besides an abandoned building. Marik looked up and down the streets at the steam rising from the sewers. Neon signs flashing `NUDES! MALE AND FEMALE!' and `GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS!' lined the buildings. Nearby, a little building had a single sign swinging in the breeze that read `St. Dominic's Homeless Shelter'. On the door of the shelter read `Closed Indefinitely.'

Marik watched as a woman was sleeping on the sidewalk, her two children sitting beside her, one of them, a little girl, looking up at Marik with large, pleading eyes.

“What a mess,” Marik said.

Bakura looked down the street. “What's a mess?”

“Those children on the streets.”

Bakura nodded. “Future recruits. It's the way of the world, Ishtar. Even the poor need to eat. These are my people. The poor. The destitute. The salt of the Earth.”

Bakura lead Marik into the building with boards where the windows had once been. A crowd of people were huddled around a fire blazing from a drum.

“Lord Bakura!” a woman exclaimed as they approached.

The crowd of men, women, and children dressed in rags swarmed around them. Marik saw their hair disheveled, sores covered some of the children and women, the men looked gaunt and hungry.

“Lord Bakura, we missed you,” one child said.

Bakura leaned down and pat the child's head. “I've missed you, too, Jenny. I don't have much to give you tonight. I didn't plan on coming here.”

“What brings you here, King of Thieves?” one man asked.

“I am in need of your eyes and ears. Marik and I were just attacked by people unknown in a white van. These people have been following and terrorizing my family, most recently kidnapping a family member and dumping them unconscious on his home's doorstep.”

The people exchanged confused glances.

“We have just destroyed the van, but I don't know if they will give up so easily. I highly doubt they will give up. I need for all of you to keep your ears and eyes open for any information you hear about my family or the origins of this van.”

The crowd nodded.

“We'll keep an eye out,” one man said.

“Good. Tell me what you know and you will be handsomely rewarded.”

One man brandished a knife with a grin. “Can I cut up people for information?”

Bakura sighed and shook his head. “No, Rudy, you can't cut up anyone for information unless you know they know something. Leave the cutting to me.”

“Can I grope anyone for information?” another man asked.

“No, no, Andy, not necessary. Just listen. Don't molest for a change.”

The man grinned. “But it's fun.”

“Molest yourself for a change, Andy. You know how I feel about you hanging around here. You're supposed to be on sixteenth street, not living here. You know we've discussed this before.”

The man pouted and walked out of the door.

“You'd let him live here, Itemri?”

Bakura shrugged. “He has to be told things a few times before they sink in. He's a good street rat, though. His information is usually very reliable, even though he has some twisted appetites. He knows what he can and cannot do. He knows that if I catch him with any kids, his ass is grass. He just has an unhealthy infatuation with groping people.”

“We'll do as you say, Lord Bakura,” one man said.

“There's dinner for a week for all of you if you dig deep enough for some good dirt.”

There were excited mutterings from the crowd.

“Jonny, come here, I need you.”

One man in rags stepped forward. “Yes, my Lord?”

“Marik was shot. I need you to work your magic.”

“Very well. Sit down, big guy.”

Marik sat down and looked up at Bakura. “Is this safe?”

“Jonny used to be a doctor, but he lost his license because of some….unpleasantness. He'll fix you up like new.”

Jonny disappeared and reappeared with his bag. He opened it up and all of his surgical supplies were gleaming in the fire's light.

“What made you lose your license?” Marik asked.

Jonny smiled. “I got divorced and found out my wife was dating another man. He came to me for Anemia.”

“So that made you lose your license?”

Jonny grinned again. “Lethal dose of Iron. He didn't stand a chance. He didn't live long after, either.”

Jonny grabbed tweezers and reached into the wound to grab the bullet.

“SONOFABITCHOWFUCKDAMNSHITCOCKBALLS!”

Bakura grinned. “There are child pickpockets present, Ishtar. Watch your tongue.”

Marik shot Bakura a dirty look as Jonny removed the metal.

“This one's a feisty one, my Lord,” Jonny said with a giggle.

“Jonny's good with the tweezers as much as he is good with robbery,” Bakura said. “Bank robber extraordinaire.”

Jonny grinned. “Lord Bakura, you flatter much.”

“I wouldn't flatter if I didn't think highly of you.”

Jonny removed the bullet and threaded a needle.

“What are you doing?” Marik asked.

“You need a couple stitches.”

Bakura leaned against the wall, rubbing his nose. “At least I don't smell the blood badly now.”

Jonny put the needle in Marik's shoulder and the blond released another string of curses.

When he was done, Bakura grinned and pat Marik's shoulder. “Thanks, Jonny.”

“No problem, sir.”

Marik touched his shoulder, gritting his teeth. “Fucking hurts.”

“You were shot. Of course it hurts. Let's go home.”

Marik followed Bakura back to the car and sat in the passenger seat. “How are we going to explain the car damage to Malik and Ryou?”

“The truth. At least the car wasn't damaged more.” Bakura pulled away after starting the car.

Marik nodded. “Count our blessings?”

Bakura nodded. “I do that every day.”

Marik reached over and touched Bakura's leg. “Thank you.”

Bakura grinned. “For what?”

“For putting up with me.”

Bakura shrugged. “We've put up with each other. It would be foolish to stop now.”

Marik winced at the pain in his shoulder. “I hope this is the last we have heard of that white van.”

Bakura let out a heavy sigh. “We can't relax just yet. If anything, we just stalled whomever they are. We just delayed their meddling.”

“That will teach them to mess with my son,” Marik said with a grin. “Nobody messes with my little boy and gets away with it.”

“I'm just glad that Ryou is safe from them, for now at least. The biggest confrontation is yet to come.”

Marik nodded as Bakura turned onto the freeway. “We'll be ready for `em together, Itemri.”

Bakura grinned, giving Marik a high-five. “Damn straight…….partner.”

 

Updates: 9/26