Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return To Paradise ❯ Life or Death? ( Chapter 18 )

WARNING: MARIK X RYOU SHOUENEN-AI!!!

 

/……/=Ryou to Bakura through mindlink

//…..//=Bakura to Ryou through mindlink

 

Life or Death?

 

“Are you sure you want to do this, Aria? I think we should just go home,” Umi protested, still furious at Aten's accusations. “Touch my child like that, what is he thinking?”

Aria stepped in front of him, returning his angry look. “I know what Aten said was wrong, but my brother is dying, okay?”

Umi opened his mouth to protest, but Aria's eyes darkened.

“My brother doesn't realize what he sees is not really true. It's not his fault. My brother is very sick, Umi, and you have to realize that. I love my brother. Yes, I'm angry at him for accusing you of doing those sick things, but I see past that right now to see a dying brother. Do you understand me?”

Umi nodded. “I do, but----.”

“I love Aten more than you could know. He is my brother and I have seen him go through so much! He has been through more than you could ever imagine….and more than I hope that our boys ever experience. You talk to him tomorrow and I guarantee he won't remember anything of what happened tonight. He'll go to sleep and wake up acting normal. I have seen it hundreds of times. The only thing he will remember is us coming over to see him. That is it.”

“You were angry at him, too!”

“Only because I was defending you as a good father! I know he can't help what is going on in his body right now, but I'm not going to hold this against him. I didn't realize that he didn't remember mom or Marik at all. I wouldn't have gotten angry with him had I known he was having memory problems. I will speak to him tomorrow as his sister face-to-face because I want to spend some time with him before I don't have that opportunity anymore.”

Umi watched Aria walk ahead, carrying Rhett on her shoulder. He looked back at the Morgan house and sighed. He walked ahead and held Kai's hand.

They approached the Ishtar-Itemri home and knocked on the door. The crowd in front of the door separated to see Aria standing there.

Ryou opened the door with a smile. “Baby girl! Come in!”

Aria and the family walked in the house.

“Papa Marik!” Kai exclaimed running up to Marik and hugging him.

Marik grinned and picked up the little boy and held him in the air. “Umi spawn!”

Ryou gave Rhett a kiss on the cheek. “Hello, cute stuff.”

The baby cooed and giggled.

Malik stood up and went to Kai, taking him from Marik. “Kai! Wow, you getting to be a big boy!”

“I am big! I'm going to big as a whale someday!”

Malik threw Kai up in the air and caught him. “That's pretty big!”

Ryou's Millennium Ring glowed and Bakura appeared beside his Light.

“Aria's here?”

Aria hugged her father. “Hi, daddy. How are you?”

Bakura returned the hug with a smile. “Not bad. It's nice to see you.”

“I came to talk to you and mom.”

Ryou rubbed Rhett's back and gave the baby a kiss again. “Is everything okay?”

“Can I talk to you and daddy in the kitchen?”

Ryou handed Rhett back to his father. “We'll be back.”

Aria sat at the kitchen table, followed by her parents. Ryou poured himself, Bakura, and Aria cups of tea and sat down.

“First, I want to talk to you about Aten. I just came from him.”

Ryou sighed. “How did he look to you?”

Aria took a sip of her tea. “I talked to Isis. She said that he doesn't have a lot of time.”

Ryou took Bakura's hand and nodded. “I know.”

“Aten thought that Umi was touching Kai inappropriately. He became very aggressive.”

Bakura shook his head. “From what Ryou tells me, he's having a lot of memory issues. Ishtar has told me the same. Maybe he thought he saw something wrong, but he took it out of context.”

Ryou looked at his daughter. “Did Isis say how long he has?”

“No, she didn't.”

Ryou looked down; Bakura gave Ryou's hand a reassuring squeeze.

“Aten's still with us, that's the important thing. Is that what you wished to talk about?”

Aria took a deep breath and shook her head. “No, there's something else. Something important.”

Bakura leaned forward. “Just say it, then.”

Aria took a sip from her cup of tea. “This might be a shock, but…..I'm pregnant.”

Bakura's jaw dropped and Ryou's eyes widened. “Again?” they both asked together.

Aria nodded. “It wasn't planned at all.”

Bakura leaned back in his chair. “These types of things are rarely planned. Your mother was the horny one.”

Ryou pushed Bakura. “ME?!”

“Yeah, you!” Bakura snickered, poking Ryou back in the arm.

“How can you blame that on me?”

Bakura grinned. “You wanted the sausage.”

Ryou slapped Bakura's arm. “You weren't complaining.”

Bakura grinned again. “Hey, what can I say? My girl was the best accomplishment I have ever had….aside from breaking into the palace and stealing the Golden Goblet of Yami's father.”

“I just can't believe it! I didn't know that I'd have another baby!”

Ryou sipped from his cup. “Honey, don't worry about it. I'm happy for you!”

Aria sighed. “I don't know if I should have this baby, though. What if we can't make ends meet?”

Bakura crossed his legs. “Aria, when you and Aten were babies, we didn't have enough of anything. We had to improvise to be able to afford toys for you and medicine for Aten. We all did our part to make sure you kids had food, clothing, toys, and a roof over your heads.”

“I know, dad, and I appreciate what you did.”

“It might seem overwhelming, but you can make ends meet.”

Aria sighed. “I hope.”

Ryou leaned back in his chair. “Another boy?”

“Third time's the charm, I guess.”

 

Bakura grinned. “I might not have fathered a boy, but my girl does a good job on her own of making them.”

Ryou reached out and took Aria's hand. “Honey, we're happy for you and we know it might be overwhelming now, but you can get through this.”

Aria shifted nervously in her chair. “There's more.”

Bakura's grin faded. “What else?”

Aria opened her mouth to speak, but she looked at both of her parents. What would Ryou do if he found out that she slept with Seto Kaiba and the baby might be his? She knew what her father would do. Bakura would go to Seto and dismember him, dispersing his body parts to the four corners of the Earth. She didn't want her uncle to pay the price for something that neither of them couldn't control. “Nothing.”

“Nothing?” Ryou asked. “You look worried.”

“No, it's nothing.”

“You sure, Aria? You look upset.”

Aria shook her head. “No, I'm good. I just wanted to come over and tell you that.”

Ryou stood up and gave her a hug. “I'm very happy for you, Aria. If you or Umi need help with the kids or with anything, give us a call, okay?”

“I think we'll be able to make it, but thank you anyway,” Aria said standing up.

Rhett began crying in the living room. Umi carried the baby into the kitchen.

“Aria, the little guy is tired.”

Aria nodded. “Okay, we're get the kids home. Mom, is it okay if I come over tomorrow?”

“I'll be here.”

“Okay, thanks, mom. I'll take my kids home and come over for lunch tomorrow.”

Bakura stood up. “I have some errands I have to run tomorrow, so I won't be here.”

“Malik will watch the kids. I'm sure he'll enjoy playing with the boys.”

Aria took Rhett into her arms. “Okay, dad, I'll see you tomorrow then, mom.”

Ryou and Bakura watched Aria and her family leave. Malik and Marik waved to the kids.

“GOODBYE, UMI-SPAWN!” the Ishtars yelled.

Kai turned and waved to the Ishtars, blowing kisses at them.

Malik giggled. “Kai is such a cutie!”

Bakura grinned. “Aria's going to have her hands full with three boys.”

“Three? Bakura, she has two.”

Bakura pat Marik on the shoulder. “She's gonna have another baby.”

Marik's jaw dropped. “Another one?”

“Apparently,” Ryou said.

Bakura narrowed his eyes at the crowd on the lawn. “I thought these people were gone.”

Marik growled low in his throat. “I'd like to banish them all to the Shadow Realm.”

Ryou and Malik turned to their yamis. “Inside, you two, before you make it worse.”

The hikaris pushed their two yamis into the house and shut the door.

Bakura sat on the steps, rubbing his temples. “We went to that damn paper, and these people haven't left yet! What more can we do?”

“Send Ammut to feast on their souls?” Marik asked, leaning against the closed door.

“It won't work. We couldn't get a god up here on Earth.”

Marik shrugged. “The Man-Eater Bug works, too.”

“I have some errands to run tomorrow. I think I need to go and turn up the heat on our friend at the Domino Times Herald.”

“What's the latest bullshit they are trying to claim?”

Malik picked up the Domino Times Herald from under the coffeetable. “Let's see.” Malik opened the paper. “They are still wondering who the mother of Aten and Aria could be. The story claims that you and Bakura seduced two women and impregnated them with your Shadow Magic.”

Bakura shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Sweet Mother of Isis…..”

Marik snickered. “Cool, Bakura! You and I had a foursome! Any publicity is good publicity!”

Bakura stood up and slapped Marik on the back of the head. “Butthead.”

Marik grabbed the paper out of Malik's hand. “'The two women, who insist on remaining anonymous, claim that the two Spirits took them to the middle of the woods, rendered them intoxicated, and raped them under the full moon.'”

Bakura crossed his arms. “Just fucking great…..now we're rapists.”

“Apparently, we're werewolves, too…turning into monsters during the full moon.”

Bakura threw up his arms. “I've heard enough.”

Ryou shielded his eyes as a bright light emanated from the Millennium Ring. Bakura disappeared from Ryou's side and the light subsided.

Ryou looked around and sighed. “Oh, Bakura….”

Marik flipped through the paper and raised an eyebrow. “I'll take this to bed.” Marik slowly climbed the steps.

Ryou sat on the couch and sighed. “Now the tabloids are making up phony people to make us look bad.”

Malik sat beside Ryou. “I'm getting sick of doing my food shopping after midnight because I can't get out of here during the day.”

Ryou sighed. “I wish I knew what to do.”

Malik nodded. “Yeah, me too.”

“Do you mind if I spend tonight with Marik?”

Malik giggled. “You need some lovin'?”

Ryou shrugged. “If it happens, it happens. I just need to spend time with him. I know Marik was worried about Aten, so am I. We just need some time together.”

“No problem, Ry. I'll be able to spread all over the bed tonight!”

Ryou stood up. “Thanks, Malik. I'm going to bed.”

“Enjoy my yami. I'll watch a little boob-tube and hit the sack.”

“Which sack will you hit, exactly?” Ryou asked with a grin.

“Whatever sack that's available,” Malik winked back at Ryou. “Goodnight.”

The white-haired hikari climbed the steps with a yawn. He peeked his head into the Ishtar bedroom and saw Marik reading the paper, giggling.

“Marik, can you spend tonight with me?”

Marik giggled to his feet. “Sure, Ry.”

Ryou brushed his teeth and washed up. The Millennium Ring was set on the table beside Ryou's side of the bed. He slipped into his bed, shutting the door behind him. He removed his shirt and put on some boxers.

The blond yami snickered and giggled at the paper.

Ryou sighed as he leaned against his pillows. “What are you giggling about?”

Marik looked at Ryou through the corner of his eyes. “Boobies.”

Ryou shifted closer to Marik to see a page with a close shot of two breasts. “What's so funny about that?”

Marik pointed at the caption. “Sneezing causes an increase in breast size.”

“Oh sweet god,” Ryou sighed, rolling his eyes.

The yami giggled some more. “Sneezing never increased your breasts, did it?”

“I never checked at the time, to be honest.”

Marik snickered. “Maybe I should check it now.”

“What?! I don't have those anymore! I haven't had them for almost twenty years!”

Marik grinned. “There's no hurt in checking, is there?”

Ryou watched as Marik dropped the paper and reached over. Marik turned on his side facing Ryou and placed his hand on Ryou's chest.

“Hmmm…..how often have you been sneezing?”

Ryou giggled. “You are actually listening to that magazine?”

Marik rubbed the left side of Ryou's chest, petting it lightly. “Hmm…nothing here.” Marik began to rub the right side of Ryou's chest and grinned. “I'm enjoying this. What about you?”

“I can tell you are enjoying this,” Ryou said, feeling Marik's “enjoyment” against his leg.

Marik picked up the sheets and looked under them. “It looks like someone else is enjoying this. Wanna see?”

“I've seen that already,” Ryou laughed as Marik returned rubbing his chest.

Marik smiled. “I know you can feel it, too.”

“Well, yeah, I can feel it, silly.”

Marik rested his head on Ryou's shoulder and sighed. “I want to see if your breasts got bigger.”

“I told you I don't have them---.”

Marik raised his head and kissed Ryou on the lips. Ryou closed his eyes and reached up to rub Marik's cheek.

The yami moaned into the kiss, shifting close to Ryou. Marik's hand rubbed down to Ryou's stomach. He kissed Ryou's cheek, down his jaw and neck.

The hikari sighed as Marik was kissing his neck. His mind returned to Aten and he opened his mouth to say something, but he stopped. If Marik was enjoying himself, he didn't want to stop him.

`I hardly get alone time with Marik anymore. If this helps him feel better and keeps his mind off of his son's condition,' Ryou thought. `Maybe this will help me, too.'

Marik kissed down Ryou's chest, running his hand down Ryou's side and rested on his hip. “Ryou…..it's been such a long time.”

Ryou pet Marik's blond hair and nodded. “It has been too long since we've spent a night together.”

“Malik's spending the night alone tonight? I get you all to myself?” Marik asked, giving Ryou's left nipple a little lick.

Marik's head disappeared under the comforter and pulled the sheets over him as he kissed Ryou. Ryou closed his eyes as he felt Marik's soft kisses drift down his ribs and towards his stomach.

“Marik,” Ryou moaned softly.

Marik rested his head on Ryou's stomach and he sighed. His kisses had stopped. Marik's shallow breath brushed across Ryou's skin.

Ryou picked up the sheets and looked underneath. Marik's fingers were rubbing across Ryou's hip and the blond hair draped over Ryou's other hip.

“Marik? Are you okay?”

Marik tipped his head up. “Thinking.”

Ryou pushed back the covers. “What about?”

“A lot of things. I should be more happy that I'm spending the night with you, but I keep thinking about all the bullshit going on with the media and with Aten.”

Ryou nodded, running his fingers through Marik's hair. “I know. I hope everything is going to get better with him.”

Marik sighed and rested his head on Ryou's stomach again. “Let's not kid ourselves, Ry.”

“Marik, don't talk like that. He's being cared for very well.”

“We've been through a lot of shit, Ry. I wish I could make it easier for him.”

Ryou pet Marik's hair. “I know. Just have faith.”

Marik sighed and rubbed Ryou's hip slowly. “Faith…..that's hard. I've seen what the gods do, Ry….and you wouldn't like it.”

“Is that why you haven't been praying with Bakura in the morning for all these years?”

Marik bit his lip. The gods would not help Bakura. The gods would not save Bakura from Yami, despite his pleas. The gods watched while Yami viciously violated Bakura and did nothing to stop it. Bakura was broken, cut, bleeding, naked, and screaming in agony.

“Sometimes ignorance is bliss, Ry.”

“It's hard to stay positive sometimes, Marik, but I don't want Aten to see how worried I am. That would make him feel bad. He has enough to think about.”

The blond yawned. “I know. I can see where that would make him worse.”

Ryou pet Marik's cheek. “Just relax. Let's just enjoy our time together.”

Ryou continued to pet the blond until Ryou heard a faint sound of snoring. Marik had fallen asleep with his head on Ryou's stomach.

Ryou sighed as he looked down at Marik asleep. He looked at the Millennium Ring laying on the table beside the bed. The gold glittered in the lamp's light. The golden pointers dangled off of the table's end. Ryou laid his head back on the pillows and decided to return to his soulroom and check on Bakura.

He appeared in his own soulroom, the fire in the fireplace crackled quietly. The shadows crept along the wall and danced as the fire burned.

He went to the door which separated the two adjoining rooms and knocked quietly. “Bakura? Are you in there?”

“……….Come in, Ry.”

Ryou cautiously opened the door and found Bakura sitting on his cot. The candle beside his bed flickered. The bars embedded in the walls revealed a dark, cloudy night. The cold room made Ryou shiver. The heavy stone walls were barely illuminated by the candle.

Bakura leaned against the wall with his arms folded against his chest. “What's up, Ry? Enjoying your time with Marik?”

“How did you--?”

Bakura snickered. “It got hot in your room and it seeped into here. It felt nice.”

Ryou blushed. “Well, yes, what he was doing did feel really good.”

“Ishtar has a way with that tongue of his. I know. It kept me really warm on many of cold desert nights,” Bakura said with a smile.

“Are you still upset?”

Bakura sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “I can't believe all this bullshit, Ry! I mean, now the media thinks that we sacrifice virgins and rape them! It makes me so angry!” Bakura stood up and began to pace like a trapped animal in a cage. “I wish I could go to that infernal building right now and drag that Araqiel bastard outside into the middle of the street by his nutsack and reveal him as the liar he is!”

“That would not be a good idea, `Kura.”

“Good idea or not, it's what he deserves! I'd do that to all of these wretched papers that are spreading lies!”

Ryou leaned against the wooden door. “Well, the stories are true, to some extent.”

“Our lives are nobody's business! True or not, we are entitled to our privacy! I'm going to make an example of that fucker tomorrow!”

Ryou approached Bakura and stood in front of him. “No, you can't! You're going to get in trouble!”

Bakura rolled his eyes. “They can't get me, Ryou. If they do, they won't be able to hold me for long.”

“Bakura, listen to me,” Ryou said, grabbing Bakura's shoulders. “You can't go and do that.”

“I don't care. They deserve it,” Bakura said, gritting his teeth.

“That may be so, but still, we can't do that.”

Bakura stepped back and growled with frustration. “Are we all just going to sit around and do nothing when these people are actively trying to ruin our lives? Ishtar and I went to that paper to shake things up and this ass keeps up publishing all of this shit. Where is he getting his info, Ry? I ask you, where?”

Ryou shrugged. “You and Marik discussed Yami being behind this. Did you go to the Shadow Realm?”

Bakura took a deep breath and sat on his bed. “We went to get our Shadow Powers back. Dark Necrofear told me that she had not seen the pharaoh. Marik and I do plan on returning to Yami's temple.”

“Well, don't plan on it right now. Marik's passed out on me at the moment.”

Bakura snickered. “Passed out IN you?”

“No, silly! Passed out `ON' me!”

“I know Ishtar's been preoccupied.”

Ryou nodded. “I'm worried about my son, too. Marik's taking it hard.”

“Marik might appear strong, but he gets emotionally attached. Aten's state of health is a tender spot for him, always has been. I lost my parents early. My father kicked me out of the house when I was four years old. I guess I learned not to get too emotionally attached to people.” Bakura wrung his hands as he lowered his head. “Not soon after, my village was decimated by yami's troops and I was raised in Cairo by the prostitutes and criminals. I'm upset by Aten's health, but old habits are hard to break.”

Ryou sat beside Bakura. “Marik is Aten's father, too. He's bound to feel deeply about this.”

“I love Aten as my son, too. This whole issue with the safety of my family occupies my mind more than anything else. It might sound cold, but that is a real threat.”

Ryou put his arm around Bakura. “Maxine will keep an eye out while we are asleep. Lay down.”

Bakura laid on the cot on his back. “I'm so tense.”

“Roll over on your stomach.”

Bakura turned over on his stomach and rested his head on his pillow. Ryou stood up and sat beside Bakura. He put his hands on Bakura's back and began massaging it lightly.

A long moan escaped the white-haired yami. “Hell yeah.”

Ryou smiled and rubbed Bakura's shoulders. “You are so tense!”

Bakura tucked his arms under his chest as his husband massaged the aching muscles. The candle was blown out by a gust of wind. The clouds shielding the moon had lifted, sending moonlight into the cold jail cell.

The yami's eyes struggled to stay open and they fluttered.

“Just relax, yami,” Ryou whispered, petting Bakura's hair.

Bakura's eyes fluttered again and shut. His back rose and fell slowly as he fell asleep. Ryou covered Bakura up with a midnight blue comforter that he had given Bakura to keep him warm in his soulroom. “Goodnight, baby.”

Ryou crept out of the room slowly and shut the door behind him. He returned to his soulroom and slipped into his own bed.

He laid awake staring at the fireplace thinking of Bakura and Marik. `I wish I could do something to stop this madness. I'll have to think of something.'

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

The alarm sounded, eliciting a cranky groan from the blond yami. He turned over and cursed at it, rolling back over to cuddle against Ryou.

“Marik……alarm….on,” Ryou whimpered half asleep.

Marik groaned and fumbled around for the `Off' button. “Damn button so loud stupid alarm send it to the shadow realm.” Marik hit the button and gave a despondent groan. “Kill me now.”

Ryou turned around and cuddled into Marik. He opened his eyes and watched the blond yami snuggle closer to him. “Time to wake up, Marik.”

“I don't wanna.”

“I know you don't, but I really appreciate you, Marik.”

The blond yami pulled Ryou against him and let out a contented sigh. “I know you do.”

“How about we make you some special chicken wings for dinner tonight?”

Marik grinned and opened one eye. “Chicken wings? Spicy?”

“As hot as you like them.”

Marik's hand drifted below the covers and pat Ryou's ass. “Good boy. I'd love that.”

Ryou giggled. “I thought that would wake you up and get you in a good mood.”

A quiet knock sounded on the door. “Marik? You awake?” Malik opened the door.

“I'm awake, tenshi,” Marik said, rolling over.

“I got your breakfast ready.”

Marik yawned and sat up in the bed. He stretched and Malik giggled.

“Hard night, Marik?”

Marik looked down and pulled the covers over his hips. “Nothing happened, Malik.”

“Then why are you blushing?”

“No reason.”

The Millennium Ring glowed on the bedside table and Bakura reappeared beside it.

“Good morning.”

“Morning, babe,” Ryou said with a smile.

Bakura walked up to Marik and pushed his arm. “Move.”

Marik stood up and Bakura slipped into bed beside Ryou.

“My Ryou,” Bakura sighed as he cuddled against Ryou.

“I've gotta get ready for work, Ry. I enjoyed our time together last night.”

“So did I, Marik. Bye.”

Marik shut the door behind him and Malik. Bakura held Ryou against him and yawned.

Ryou felt his yami's ice-cold body pressed up against him. “We need to invest in a space heater for your soulroom, yami. You are freezing!”

Bakura shrugged. “That probably won't work. I don't have electrical outlets in my room. We didn't plug lamps into the wall in Ancient Egypt.”

“Well, maybe we can run a wire under your door. We have to come up with something to make your room more comfortable.”

Bakura shivered as Ryou held onto him. Ryou tucked the covers around his yami as he shivered.

“I'm going out today, Ry. I should be home by suppertime.”

Ryou rubbed Bakura's arm. “Where are you going?”

“I'm going to the Domino Times Herald. I also am going to check with my people and see if they have found out anything about that white van that keeps dogging us around.”

“I hope somebody has found out something. I don't know what those people wanted….or why they would want to take blood from Aten.”

Bakura yawned again. “It's probably what we have encountered years ago when Aria disappeared. She told me that they were interested in blood tests.”

“That was so long ago, though. I thought they would just let it go.”

Bakura rubbed his eyes. “Some people never let things go.”

“Aria's coming over today again, so I'll tell her to keep her guard up.”

“Ask her if she has protection. If she doesn't, give her one of mine.”

Ryou smiled. “I'm sure she carries something on her. She's her father's daughter. The fruit never falls far from the tree.”

Bakura smiled proudly. “I'm glad that girl took my teachings to heart. You never know when a good knife will come in handy.”

“Very true. You've lived by that rule for as long as I've known you.”

“There's a reason I've lived by that rule. It has saved my ass on numerous occasions. I'll be bringing one of my pretty babies with me when I leave today.”

Ryou hugged Bakura tightly. “Please be careful. Bring the cellphone with you.”

Bakura kissed Ryou's cheek. “I'll be careful. I've been looking over my shoulder my entire existence. I'll bring the cellphone to help ease your mind.”

“Thank you, `Kura.”

Bakura hugged Ryou under the sheets, his hand sliding down to Ryou's butt. “You've been losing weight, skinny boy.”

“Well, I've been worried about Aten and this whole media situation. I haven't eaten much.”

Bakura cupped Ryou's cheek in his hand. “Try to have something to eat today. I'll take care of everything.” He gave his husband a kiss on the lips. “Trust me, okay? I'm a big boy. I can take care of myself.”

Ryou nodded and cuddled closer to Bakura. “I know you can. Malik and I will hold down the fort here at home.”

“You both do a great job.”

Ryou looked into his yami's brown eyes. “If you get into trouble, call me on the cell.”

“I will, Ry. Don't worry.”

Ryou pet Bakura's white hair and heard Marik's cursing outside at the damaged car.

“We're going to have to get that car fixed. That van did a lot of damage to it.”

Ryou nodded. “When we can get the car to a shop without being chased by cameras and reporters, we'll do that.”

“At least the car is still functioning.”

“It could always be worse.”

Bakura groaned, rubbing his forehead. “Let's not say that….I don't want to know how this web can get worse.”

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

Aria rocked Rhett in her arms. Kai was upstairs playing in the spare room. Ryou brought the teapot from the kitchen and sat beside her.

“Here you go, sweetheart. Have a hot cup of tea.”

Aria poured herself a cup of tea and sipped from the cup. “It's good, mom.”

Malik sat on another chair. “Dishes are done….finally.”

“Thanks for letting me come over, mom. I wanted to discuss this issue without dad around. If dad found out what I had to tell you, he'd flip.”

Bakura ran down the stairs. “I'll see you later, Ry! Hi, Aria!”

“Hi, dad!”

Bakura kissed Ryou on the lips. “I have the cell phone and I have protection with me.”

“Please be careful,” Ryou said, kissing his husband back on the lips.

“I'm always careful. See you, Malik! Bye, Aria!” the yami ran out of the door.

Aria sipped from the cup and watched Rhett suck on his pacifier. “Can you block the link between you and dad?”

“Sure, I can if you want to. One moment.” Ryou closed his eyes and talked to Bakura through the mindlink. He opened up his eyes and nodded. “Go on.”

“NO COMMENT!” was heard screamed outside in Bakura's voice.

Aria put the teacup down. “There's more to the story about my pregnancy.”

Malik smiled. “You're pregnant?!”

“Yes, I am.”

“What more can there be to the story?”

Aria took a deep breath. “Malik, you can't tell Marik anything you hear!”

“I won't tell him. What's said in here, stays in here.”

Aria took a deep breath again and put down the teacup. “The baby might not be Umi's.”

Ryou and Malik's eyes widened and their jaws dropped. “What do you mean?”

Aria looked down at the floor. “The visions have started again.”

“The ones with you and Seto?” Ryou asked.

“Yes. Seto might be the baby's father.”

Ryou sat back in his chair. “How---?”

“Mom, I don't know what happened. Seto said he has proof. He said the visions started on him again, too. I feel awful about the whole situation. I tried to control those visions, but they have returned.”

Ryou crossed his arms. “I can't believe Seto would take advantage of those visions!”

“No, mom! It's my fault, too! I couldn't stop the vision from happening. I blacked out! I called Isis and she said that the visions were going to happen because we fought the visions! Isis said in the past, Seth was the father of my baby. I was already pregnant with Rhett during the battle! Seto is not to blame! I should have been strong enough to fight it, though, but I couldn't. And now, this baby might be Seto's or it might be Umi's.”

Ryou sighed. “I know Isis can look into the past. She's always said that it's hard to fight fate.”

“Mom, I don't know what will happen if Seto is the baby's father. It hurts. I love Umi. What if Umi leaves me if this baby is not his?”

Malik leaned forward. “Umi's been near our family for years. He knows about Shadow Magic and has been exposed to it. He knows there are some things that cannot be explained. He knows about your visions, too, doesn't he?”

Aria nodded. “Yes, but not too many details. All he knows is that they involve Seto.”

Ryou looked down at Rhett, who had fallen asleep. “I know you would have fought those visions, Aria.”

“I tried! But, I guess Isis was right..you can only fight Fate for so long before she catches you.”

Malik reached over and pat her leg. “Don't worry about it, Aria. The best we can do is hope that the baby belongs to Umi.”

“I can see why you didn't want your father to know.”

“Dad would kill Seto for eternity if he found out. That is why I asked you to block dad's mindlink to you.”

Ryou nodded. “Well, it's too early to detect now who's baby it is. I had this same question when I was pregnant with you and your brother. I didn't know who the baby's father was….or if Bakura was the father of both you and your brother.”

“Weren't you upset when you found out that Aten was yours?”

Ryou shrugged. “I wasn't upset. I was shocked, though, when I found out that Aten was Marik's son. I still love you and your brother, no matter who your father is.”

Aria nodded. “I still love Umi, no matter if he is the baby's father or not. I won't treat them any different.”

“See that you don't.”

Aria shook her head. “I won't.”

“I hope the baby is Umi's,” Malik said.

Ryou shook his head. “I can't believe that you and Seto would get so caught in your visions. I thought they would end once the Final Battle was over.”

“Apparently, the Final Battle only delayed the inevitable,” Aria sighed.

“I can see why you didn't want Bakura to hear. He would flip his lid,” Malik said.

Ryou nodded. “He'd do more than flip his lid. Seto would be on the `Missing Persons' list for a long time.”

“He'd scatter Seto's body to the four winds, that's for certain.”

“Mom, Malik, promise not to tell dad about this.”

Ryou and Malik crossed their fingers. “We promise not to tell your father or anyone about this.”

“Seto was angry at Isis. I know he's angry at himself that this happened. I guess we have to wait and see until the baby is born.”

“The only problem would be if the baby has brown hair. Umi will know the baby is not his.”

Aria took a deep breath. “That's a chance I will have to take. I won't get rid of the baby. This was destined to happen.”

Ryou took Aria's hand. “Just like you and your brother were destined to fight Yami. You were both destined to be my children. I did the best I possibly could.”

“You did a great job, mom. I want to be a great mom, too….I just worry about what this baby will bring.”

Ryou rubbed Aria's arm. “Just take care of yourself now. I'm sure you want a healthy baby, no matter who the father is.”

“I do.”

“So take good care of yourself and don't worry about it, sweetheart.”

Aria held Rhett in her arms and brought him close to her. The baby slept close to his mother. `How can I not worry about this?' she thought as she watched her baby sleep.

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

Seto shook the partner's hand. “I'm sure this will benefit both of our companies.”

“Thank you, Mr. Kaiba,” the man said before he left.

Seto sat at his desk and called Robbie. “Robbie, I have something for you in here.”

[Yes, sir, Mr. Kaiba. I'll be right there.]

Seto hung up the phone and heard a knock on the door. “That was fast. Come in!”

Three men in black suits appeared and shut the door behind them.

“Mr. Kaiba, Agent Paul Staufford. INS.” The man revealed a badge. “I am here to inquire about one Marik Jibade Ishtar. Is he employed by your company?”

Seto crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “Yes. Why?”

“We are here to investigate his employment status. Is Mr. Ishtar legally able to be employed by your company?”

Seto nodded. “I don't hire people who do not have the necessary papers to work in the United States.”

“Did he furnish a birth certificate at the beginning of his employment?”

“Yes.”

“What about Social Security? Did he furnish a Social Security card?”

Seto leaned forward. “He did.”

“We require copies of the documentation.”

Seto nodded. “Okay. I'll be able to get that for you.”

A knock sounded on the door and Robbie walked in. “Oh, sorry, Mr. Kaiba.”

“Robert, come in.”

Robbie limped into the room with his cane. “What do you need?”

“I need you to file this contract and I need you to get me copies of Marik's file. I need his birth certificate and his Social Security card.”

Robbie raised an eyebrow. “Marik's info?”

“Yes, Robert. Give them to these men. Quickly. Go.”

Robbie limped out of the room past the INS agents.

Seto's phone rang. “Robert will get you those copies. Please wait outside my office and my assistant will get you what you need.”

The men left and Seto picked up the phone.

“Seto Kaiba.”

[Greetings, Seto. Long time no see.]

Seto clenched his fist. “Rocher.”

[Do we have a deal? Be careful what you answer. This is a life or death decision.]

“You can't scare me into submission, Rocher.”

[So be it.]

Rocher hung up the phone. Seto placed the phone on the receiver and rubbed his forehead.

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

Bakura ran out of the house to escape the barrage of questions from the media.

“Did you rape that woman in the woods?”

“Do you drink human blood like a vampire?”

“How did you impregnate those women with your magic?”

Bakura darted through the crowd and pushed through the crowd that tried to hold him back. “NO COMMENT!”

He struggled through the crowd and ran down the street. When he got to the corner, he stopped and took a deep breath. “They're getting more desperate for answers.”

/Yami?/

//Yeah, Ry? What's up? Everything okay?//

/I have to cut our mindlink for a while./

//Why?//

/Aria wants to talk privately to me and she asked me to cut the mindlink./

//Okay. If you need me, open the mindlink again.//

/Love you./

//Love you, too, sexy. Bye.//

Bakura walked down the street, periodically looking over his shoulder. He put his hands in his pants pocket and walked among the crowd.

His eyes scanned the crowd cautiously as he walked. Some people jumped out of his way as he walked past, his white hair flowing in the wind.

`When I get my hands on that Araqiel Tillmann, he's gonna be food for my Man Eater Bug,' he thought as he turned a corner.

A white van pulled up in front of him and he reached for the switchblade knife on his belt.

One man got out of the van in a baker's outfit and the man walked to the back of the van to unload his cargo of pies.

Bakura took a deep breath and cursed quietly. `Wait until I tell Ishtar I was traumatized by Blueberry Pie today.'

Bakura continued down the street and walked across a parking lot.

“Excuse me, do you have the time?” a man asked Bakura, approaching him.

Bakura continued to walk. “No. Scram.”

“It'll just take a minute of your time!” the man called back.

Bakura turned around. “Beat it!”

Two men appeared from behind two cars and grabbed Bakura's arms. A body pressed close to Bakura's back and placed a cloth over his nose and mouth.

`What the hell?!'

Bakura struggled as he inhaled the liquid on the cloth. `If I retaliate with my Shadow Powers in public, I'd put everyone in danger------.'

His vision became blurry and his head began to spin.

`Oh……..shit.'

His body began to relax.

`I don't……feel……so…….good.'

“Is this the one?” one man asked. “I thought he didn't have spiked hair.”

The man holding the cloth close to Bakura's nose and mouth held tightly onto his increasingly tiring victim. “He's trying to elude us by changing his hairstyle. He can't fool us.”

Bakura tugged at his arm, freeing one arm.

“You're not getting away from us!” one man said, punching Bakura in the stomach.

Bakura breathed deep from the impact, inhaling deeply the liquid on the cloth.

The other man grinned as Bakura's head fell back limp on his assailant and his arms hung limp on his sides.

“Quick, get him in the truck!”

The three men picked the unconscious yami up and put him in the back of a truck.

“Tie him up good. Bound his arms and legs. Tie him up well. Jared, get us out of here!”

Two men jumped into the back of a red truck with Bakura and tied his arms and legs. They gagged his mouth with a blue bandana .

A cell phone rang and one of the men answered it.

“Yes, boss?”

[Do you got him?]

“We got him, boss.”

[Take him to Kaiba's summer home.]

“Why there? I thought you wanted him at your place?”

[Kaiba will take the heat for his lover's murder. Think of the media circus around that! `Seto Kaiba kills lover in jealous rage!' Take him into the compound.]

“What if he resists?”

[Kill him. I want proof of his death.]

“Yes, boss.”

[And Tony……don't kill him right away. Make him suffer.]

“Yes, boss. Tony out.”

Tony grinned as he looked at the unconscious victim.

“What did the boss say?”

Tony smiled. “The boss wants us to kill him. He told me to make him suffer. Kaiba will take the heat for his death.”

The other man laughed. “We'll have fun with this.”

Tony smiled and removed a hunting knife from his pocket. “I want to slit his throat….and watch him struggle for breath as he gasps for his life.”

The other man looked at the gun on his hip. He removed the gun from his holster and pointed it at Bakura's head. “I want to fill him full of lead. Shoot him and watch his brains splatter.”

Tony grinned as he leaned down and pointed the knife at Bakura's throat. He grabbed Bakura's hair and tilted his head back.

“Why not get this party started early?”

 

Updates: 11/28