Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return To Paradise ❯ The Undead Army ( Chapter 26 )

/……/=Hikari to Yami through mindlink

//….//=Yami to Hikari through mindlink

 

The Undead Army

 

Isis smiled at Ryou. “May I enter?”

Odion carried two luggage bags behind Isis and pushed through the crowd in front of the house.

Ryou closed the door behind Odion. “What are you both doing here?”

Isis was hugging an excited Malik tightly. Malik was smiling widely and squeezing his older sister tightly.

“It was time for us to arrive,” Odion said.

Ryou watched Odion put the two suitcases on the floor. “What time would that be?”

“We decided to visit, Ryou. Is that a bad thing? Is this a bad time?”

Ryou shook his head. “No, but Aten is in the hospital now and--.”

“He'll be fine, Ryou, trust me. He'll make it home.”

Malik felt a wave of despair flood his mindlink with Marik and he gripped his head in pain. “Ow! Ow! Damn!”

“What's wrong, Master Malik?” Odion asked, concern flooding his voice.

“Marik. What he's feeling is……overwhelming.”

Isis looked upstairs. “I will speak to him. Ryou, would it be possible to stay here?”

Ryou nodded. “Sure, that shouldn't be a problem. We have a spare bedroom at the end of the hallway upstairs. You can stay there.”

“How long are you going to stay, sister?”

Isis turned to Odion. “Two weeks.”

“Why so long? What's the occasion?”

Isis gave Ryou a little smile. “Because it is imperative that we be here.”

Isis climbed the stairs slowly, hearing Bakura talking in Arabic to Marik. She could hear Marik's muffled, barely audible sobs coming from Bakura's bedroom. She walked towards the room and knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Bakura said.

Isis opened the door and Bakura gasped.

“ISIS?! What the hell are you here for?”

Marik looked up from his hands and stood up. “Isis?”

Isis gave Marik a little smile. “Hello, Marik. I'm here for you.”

Bakura stood up quickly. “Why didn't you tell me you were coming?”

Isis shrugged. “I have come to see you. Ryou said it was permissible that Odion and I stay for a short visit.”

Marik wiped his eyes. “This isn't a good time, Isis. Things aren't going well with Aten.”

“I know.”

Bakura's eyes went to Isis' Millennium Necklace and pointed at it. “Did that tell you anything?”

“Isis, will Aten die this week?” Marik quickly asked.

“Bakura, please let me speak with Marik alone.”

Bakura shifted his gaze between the two Ishtars. “Very well.” He walked past Isis, but stopped beside her. “Don't be too hard on him,” Bakura whispered quietly in her ear.

Marik retreated from the bed and opened the curtains. He looked down at the crowd below, trying to avert her gaze. He was hiding his eyes from her, hiding his clearly torrential emotions. Marik looked up and saw some gray clouds creeping slowly across the sky.

“You can't hide from it, Marik. You can't.”

Marik crossed his arms. “I'm not hiding.”

“You are. You know that is not the way to handle it.”

“You know nothing.”

Isis took a step towards the yami and said, “I know more than you think. You have acknowledged my powers before. Yet now, you believe that I know nothing.”

“Just go back to Egypt. I can hold my family together by myself.”

Isis walked up behind the yami. “How can you hold a family together when you can't even look me in the eyes and keep your own emotions in check?”

“Isis, I need to be alone.”

“Look at me, Marik.”

Isis saw Marik's lip curl into a snarl. A low growling sound rumbled in his throat. “Go away.”

“How can you hold your family together when you won't let them reach out to you?”

“Go away.”

“Marik, I know you are upset. Pushing people away won't help.”

“ISIS! GET THE HELL OUT NOW!” Marik roared at her, angrily.

“ISIS!” Malik cried out from below, followed by quick footsteps up the stairs.

Malik opened the door and saw Marik seething at his sister. “Marik, back off!”

“Don't you tell ME what to do!” Marik snarled, his eyes completely red with fury.

Malik grabbed Isis' arm. “Let's get out of here, sister.”

Isis stood calmly in front of Marik even as Malik tugged at her arm to remove her from the room. “When you are ready to talk, my door is open.”

Isis calmly turned and walked out of the room away from the two Ishtars.

Malik looked Marik in the eyes and swallowed hard with anxiety. “Marik, my sister only wanted to help.”

Marik turned back to the window and crossed his arms tighter around himself. “Send Itemri back in.”

Malik retreated from the room quickly and returned to Bakura downstairs. Isis was reassuring Odion that she was in no danger.

Bakura returned upstairs to his partner and closed the door. “You wanted to see me?”

Marik looked up at the sky and sighed. Rolling thunder crept across the sky. A lightening strike stretched across the sky, webbing over Domino.

Marik shut the curtains and turned towards Bakura.

“Are you going to see Aten tonight in the hospital with Ryou? Isis and Odion are going with him and Malik.”

Marik walked slowly up to Bakura and shook his head. “I don't think I can.”

“I think Aten would want to see his father.”

“Ryou deserves his time alone with his son.”

Bakura shrugged. “I think you need to do what you think is best for your son.” Bakura put a supportive hand on Marik's shoulder. “I know this is hard for you. But this has to be hard on Aten, too. Aten needs his daddy.”

Marik sniffled as he looked into Bakura's chocolate eyes. “I probably should go, then.”

“We won't stay long. I can drive so you can be with Malik in the back of the car.” Bakura grinned. “Just keep the backseat sex on a low key since Odion and Isis will be back there. I don't think Odion wants to see the Millennium Rod in your pants.”

Marik snickered. “Odion would like it. I definitely know Isis would want to see my Rod.”

Bakura nodded. “Ryou said he didn't have a problem with Isis and Odion staying here for a couple weeks. Do you mind?”

Marik shrugged. “I don't know. I don't care if they do. Odion has to treat me with respect, though.”

“It might be hard to get respect if you blow up on everyone who wants to help you.”

Marik nodded. “I know. I'm just so……”

“I know. I know you're pissed. I would be, too. Just remember that everyone is here for you.”

“Thank you, Itemri,” Marik said, placing a hand on Bakura's shoulder.

Bakura returned the gesture. “You're not alone, Ishtar.”

Marik watched Bakura kiss him on the cheek and walk out of the room calmly. The yami touched the cheek that Bakura kissed and he sat on the bed.

He didn't know how Bakura did it. Bakura could keep a steady head on his shoulders when faced with a crisis. Marik shook his head, not knowing in which direction to go.

He was lost.

“Where are the gods when you need them?” Marik asked, burying his face in his hands again.

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

 

Robbie scooped some orange Jell-O onto his spoon. He slowly brought it to Aten's lips. Aten opened his mouth and bit down on the spoon.

Robbie looked at the full tray of food on Aten's table tray. Aten began to cough hard. Robbie put the cup down and pat Aten's back. “Chew it, baby.”

Aten coughed up the food and laid back against the pillows exhausted. “Can't swallow it.”

“What about your apple juice? Do you want to try that?”

Aten nodded. “Thirsty.”

Robbie took the cup and tilted it to Aten's lips. He gently raised the cup to let it wet Aten's lips. “Sip it slowly.”

The teen sipped his juice slowly, letting it trickle between his dry, chapped lips.

“There we go,” Robbie said with a smile. “At least liquids won't choke you.”

Aten laid back in the bed and coughed as a white, frothy substance began coming from the corners of his mouth. Robbie took a tissue and wiped Aten's lips clean.

“Maybe later we can try eating again.”

Aten reached out and took Robbie's hand. “Okay.”

Robbie leaned forward, holding Aten's hand, and pet Aten's hair. The machines around them beeped and forced Aten's heart to contract, keeping it beating. “Are you in any pain?”

“My head is hurting. I have a bad migraine.”

“Maybe we can get some aspirin for you. Hold on.” Robbie left Aten's bedside and approached a nurse. “Miss, my partner is having a bad migraine and I need something for it.”

The nurse nodded to him. “Okay.”

“He's been having a lot of these migraines.”

“We did a scan on him and didn't find anything that would cause such migraines.”

Robbie sighed. “Well, something must be causing them.”

The nurse handed Robbie two aspirin. “We can order another scan, but everything turned up clean.”

Robbie heard Aten's monitors beep haphazardly. He turned back to Aten, who was holding his head and wincing in pain. He returned to Aten's side.

“Hold on, Aten. I have something for your headache.” Robbie crushed Aten's aspirin and sprinkled it into his apple juice. “Drink this.”

Robbie helped Aten drink his apple juice. When he was done, Aten leaned back against his bed and closed his eyes.

“Bright lights.”

“The pills should kick in soon, just relax.”

A nurse pulled the curtain aside. “Mr. Morgan, Mr. Ishtar, you have visitors.”

Robbie saw Ryou and Malik walk beside Aten's bed, followed by Marik, Bakura, Isis, and Odion.

“Isis? Odion? When did you get to the States?”

“We arrived today,” Odion said. “We have come to visit for a short while.”

Robbie stood up and let Ryou sit down. “Isis, can I speak to you for a moment?”

Robbie and Isis stepped away as Ryou smiled at his son and held his hand.

Aten's brown and purple eyes looked around at the people around his bed. His eyes focused on Odion. “Who?”

“Odion,” Malik said, pointing to him.

“You don't remember me, Master Aten?”

Aten blinked. “No.”

“Odion just came to visit.”

Aten opened his eyes and smiled back at him. “Hello, mother.”

Ryou pet Aten's cheek. “How are you feeling, baby?”

“I have a bad migraine. Other than that, I've been better.”

“Malik told me you'll be home tomorrow.”

Aten whimpered as his free hand rubbed his chest. “I should be.”

“I'm glad you'll be home soon.”

Aten saw his mother's eyes glistening with held-back tears. “Mom, it's going to be okay. Promise.”

Ryou kissed Aten's hand and gave him a smile. “I know, son. My son.” Ryou caressed Aten's cheek with the back of his hand. “My boy.”

Marik sat on Aten's other side and took his other hand. He sat quietly, keeping his eyes focused on his son. His purple eyes were sparkling as they took in the thin figure of his boy connected to beeping machines, tubes, and IV's. //If only I had the power of the gods, Malik. I'd make this right.//

/You're here for him, Marik. That's the best power you have now./

//I have the power of immortality….With the blink of an eye I can command the wind, with a word, I can command the waters to do my bidding…..but I don't have the power to bring my son perfect health. What good are my powers at all if I can't even save the ones I love the most?//

Malik put his hand on Marik's shoulders. /Only the gods can determine life or death, Marik. This is all in their hands./

Bakura and Odion stood at the foot of Aten's bed, their hands folded in front of them quietly. Odion began to whisper quietly in a language that Bakura recognized as ancient. Marik and he were the only two who would communicate in Ancient Egyptian. Bakura recognized the passage as an ancient prayer for the dying, but it was spoken with some unfamiliar inflections.

It was the language of the Nobility.

Bakura tightened his folded hands in an old reflex of disgust of the Nobility. However, the prayer was for Aten, this was no time for making a scene. No matter the status in society, interrupting a prayer for the dying was the epitome of disrespect. `I might be a thief and a killer, but even I can show some measure of self control.'

Aten winced and squeezed onto Ryou and Marik's hands. “Not again…..”

“What's wrong?” Ryou asked.

“Headache….and my chest hurts.”

Marik reached out and rubbed Aten's chest. “I know, son.”

Ryou leaned forward and began to rub Aten's head. “Any better?”

Aten leaned back against his pillow and closed his eyes. He opened them slowly and sighed. “A little.”

Ryou continued to rub Aten's head lightly and began to sing softly to him.

The Egyptian closed his eyes again and began to slip into sleep.

Bakura stood behind his husband and put his hand on Ryou's shoulder. //I think he likes that.//

/Remember when he was little, I would sit with him and rub his hair until he fell asleep? When his chest began acting up, I used to do this to help him fall asleep./

//I remember. You were always a good mother, Ry.//

Ryou shook his head. /No. I've done him a disservice./

//How so? You've always taken care of him.//

/I brought him into the world. If I had not done this, he would not be sick. He wouldn't suffer. He suffers because of me./

//Hardly, Ry. It's not your fault he's sick. It was that bastard's fault. Not yours.//

Ryou sighed and continued to rub Aten's soft hair. “He looks so peaceful.”

Marik leaned back in his seat and nodded. “He does.”

Robbie returned with Isis, the former looking pale and sickly.

Isis stood beside Odion. “He must be tired, poor thing.”

Odion nodded. “He looks like Her, doesn't he, Isis?”

Isis shrugged. “I was too young. I don't remember her too much.”

“Look like who?” Malik asked.

Isis looked at her brother. “Like our mother before she passed. After she had given birth to you, she looked pale. That is all I remember about her that day.”

“You couldn't see much because of the dim firelight,” Odion said. “I just remember seeing how pale she had become…and hearing Malik cry for the first time.”

Ryou stood up and let Robbie sit down. “Robbie, you look sick. Are you okay?”

“I'm fine, Ry. How long has he been asleep?”

“Just a couple of minutes.”

Robbie sighed and leaned back in the chair. “I can take things from here.”

“We should go. Aten needs his rest and Robbie is quite capable of caring for his needs,” Isis said, leaving.

Marik stood up, reluctantly, and took Malik's hand.

“Have a good night, Robbie. If you need us, you know where to find us,” Malik said, leading Marik out.

Ryou leaned over and gave Aten's forehead another kiss. “Goodnight, baby.”

Bakura took Ryou's hand and pat Robbie's back. “Be strong.”

The Itemris left.

“Did you talk with Isis?” Odion asked.

Robbie nodded. “'I'm just playing a waiting game.' That is what she told me. I know she knows when Aten will---. She didn't tell me when.” Robbie paused. “Odion, do you think Aten will feel any pain when the time comes?”

Robbie looked up at Odion with large, crystal blue eyes.

“When Aten's ka leaves his body, it will fly to the Underworld. Pain will not mean anything when that happens. His spirit will be free of mortal bonds. That will be a moment to celebrate his passage to immortality and his freedom from mortal chains.”

Robbie lowered his eyes. “I know. I want him to be free of pain, but I don't want him to leave me. Does that make me selfish?”

Odion shook his head. “No. You are not selfish. It is just something that we have to accept….difficult as it may be.”

Robbie nodded. “True.”

“Have a good night, Robert.”

Robbie watched Odion leave and he leaned back against the chair. Aten continued to sleep in the bed, his chest rising and falling steadily as the monitors beeped around him.

Robbie struggled to keep his eyes open as he watched Aten sleep. After three hours of watched Aten sleep, his eyelids fell and he fell asleep in the chair.

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

Bakura sat on the couch, cleaning beneath his nails with his dagger. Maxine watched him from the window.

“Careful, Bakura. You might cut yourself.”

Bakura snickered. “I've done it already. Hundreds of times. Besides, it wouldn't be the first time I've been cut.” The yami looked at the clock: 2:30 AM.

“You should get some rest,” Maxine said.

“No, I'm not really tired. I have work to do.”

Maxine chuckled. “Then why are you cleaning your nails?”

“I'm waiting for Ishtar to return. He's out checking for any news. When he gets back, he and I are going to take a little journey to the Shadow Realm.”

“How is Aten?”

Bakura shook his head. “Poor kid doesn't have a week left in him. I can feel it.”

“I'm glad my children are in good health.”

“I got lucky with Aria. She's a strong girl. She rarely got sick when she was little. Now, the only sickness she seems to get is the pregnancy sickness.” Bakura snickered. “My girl's going to have a big family.”

Maxine nodded. “A big family is a happy family. Children bless a marriage.”

Bakura blew on his nails. “I had the biggest family of them all growing up. My family were the thieves and the poor of Cairo. The prostitutes were my mothers and the scoundrels of the streets were my disciplinarians. I had to depend on myself for a lot of things, though. But in the early years, they were my teachers.”

“It must have been lonely and hard for you, `Kura.”

Bakura shrugged. “It taught me to trust myself….and it taught me what is really important. For years, I didn't know what was important. Now I have my own family whom I love very much. I would do anything for Ryou or my children. Malik and Ishtar are important to me, too. I wouldn't want them anywhere else but at my side.”

Bakura heard the back door open and he jumped to his feet, holding the dagger in front of him.

Marik walked into the living room and held up his hands. “It's me, `Kura.”

Bakura lowered the dagger. “Just making sure. What did you find out?”

“My men haven't discovered anything new. They have informed me that the papers are organizing an exorcism.”

Bakura raised an eyebrow. “An exorcism? Of what?”

“This house.”

Bakura rolled his eyes. “Oh, fuck me.”

Marik grinned. “Don't mind if I do!”

Marik grabbed Bakura and pulled him into a hot, heavy kiss. He held Bakura against him tightly and backed the white-haired yami against the wall. Bakura moaned into the kiss and felt Marik's hand in his hair.

Marik yanked on Bakura's hair, making the yami whimper and expose his neck. Marik nibbled on the side of Bakura's neck. Marik's hand snaked into Bakura's pants and wrapped around Bakura's arousal.

“I…..didn't…..mean……this…R 30;.literally,” Bakura moaned.

The Egyptian nipped at the side of Bakura's neck with a growl, making Bakura tense.

“Then you shouldn't have suggested it,” Marik grinned.

Bakura struggled to raise his hands and push Marik back, but the yami removed the hand on Bakura's arousal and pin Bakura's hands above his head.

Marik grinded against Bakura, making the other yami whimper. His grip on Bakura's hair tightened.

Maxine turned around and watched outside the window.

“Marik…..now is not the time,” Bakura moaned as his body heated under Marik's touch.

Marik chuckled and looked Bakura in the eyes. “I hope Odion walks in on us.”

“Maybe we should get done our business before we do this.”

Marik sighed. “That's no fun.”

“It might not be, but we have to get this done. This bullshit with the papers has to stop.”

Marik backed away from Bakura and groaned. “I guess you're right.”

“Maxie, Ishtar and I will be back. If Ryou asks, tell him we went to the Shadow Realm and will be back shortly.”

“Okay. Be careful.”

Bakura and Marik returned to the kitchen. Marik held up the Millennium Rod and the item began to glow. Purple haze began to fill the kitchen as a black vortex appeared in front of them.

Bakura and Marik stepped through the closed the portal. They looked around their surroundings and saw no monsters approaching them.

“That's strange. Usually we're always greeted by our monsters,” Bakura said.

Marik stood close to Bakura. “You're right. The Winged Dragon of Ra never misses my arrival.”

Bakura looked up at the Castle of Dark Illusions hovering over Yami's temple. The castle was glowing an eerie green.

“What is that?”

Marik shook his head as he looked at the glowing castle. “That is strange.”

Bakura and Marik walked towards Yami's castle. Bakura gripped the dagger in his hands tightly. His eyes scanned around them, ready to attack should anything encounter them with hostility.

They arrived at Yami's castle and climbed the steps cautiously.

“I have a bad feeling about this,” Bakura said with a growl.

Marik gripped the Millennium Rod in his left hand tightly. “Yami never gives me a good feeling in the first place.”

“Ditto,” Bakura said as they arrived at the top of the steps.

Bakura and Marik walked into the temple and saw a figure sitting on the throne at the end of the throne room.

Bakura and Marik approached the figure slowly and saw Yami sitting on the throne.

“Pharaoh!” Bakura barked. “We need to talk!”

Yami raised his head and stood up. “What do you two want?”

Bakura narrowed his eyes. “You have been putting the media on our tail, haven't you?”

Yami grinned and walked down the three steps to the ground below. “What of it?”

Marik narrowed his eyes. “It's time for this bullshit to end, pharaoh! I'm through with running from the media and hiding like a dog!”

“The only dog here is the one standing behind you, Ishtar. We should put that dog out of its misery.”

“We're serious, pharaoh! Do you realize the danger to which you are exposing everyone? Even your own hikari?”

Yami crossed his arms. “If it's going to get rid of you, then the risk is worth it.”

Marik chuckled. “Are you expecting the media to get rid of us? If so, that is the lamest plot you have come up with yet.”

“How could you risk Yugi's life? His safety? All to eliminate us as a threat, which will never happen, by the way,” Bakura asked.

“You should be thanking me. I opened the doors so you no longer have to hide. We are no longer rats that have to hide in the darkness.”

Marik growled. “WE ARE DARKNESS! We can't be the ones endangering our hikaris and everyone around us!”

“Don't even waste your breath on him, Marik! This bastard only understands one thing!”

Bakura's Millennium Ring glowed and the yami's hair spiked. A dark ball of black energy sparked between Bakura's hand.

Yami narrowed his eyes and raised his hand. “LIGHTNING VORTEX!”

A lightening bolt crashed in front of Bakura, knocking the yami backward. Marik grabbed Bakura and jumped back as a series of lightening bolts sparked in front of them.

Yami laughed as the blond yami darted around the bolts.

Marik and Bakura ran for Yami and knocked the pharaoh down. The lightning bolts stopped abruptly.

Marik and Bakura held Yami's collar tightly and kept the pharaoh pinned beneath them.

“Do you know that Yugi could be in danger, too? Don't tell me you feel nothing for him.”

Yami narrowed his eyes at Marik. “You can't tell me what I can or cannot feel, Ishtar!”

“The fucking State locked me up, pharaoh. Do you want to know what they did? They were ready to extract my fucking organs and cut me up like some slab of meat. Do you know that they could just as easily go to Yugi and do the same to him?”

Bakura grinned, knowing Marik was hitting a tender spot on Yami. “Do you want the Feds to dissect Yugi like some kind of science experiment?”

“I---I---.”

“They will KILL him, Yami, do you realize that? If you want Yugi dead, you might as well just tell Bakura to do it. Then you don't have to worry about the Feds doing it.”

Bakura chuckled. “I can do it so he doesn't feel a thing. I could also keep him alive to maximize the amount of pain he feels.”

“NO!”

Bakura grinned. “I've made thievery and murder a career, pharaoh. It's up to you how I get to proceed.”

Yami pushed both yamis off of him. “You won't dare put a hand on Yugi!”

Bakura stood up. “I will. My conscience died long ago. Pharaoh. I do what I have to do to keep my family safe. If this is something I have to do to protect my family, I will kill Yugi myself.”

“Pharaoh, you don't want to see Yugi suffer. You might stand there and profess that you don't care about Yugi. You may even stand there and say you don't care about him at all, but I know the truth. We might be separate from our Lights, but you know as well as we do, that they are a part of us.”

“Bakura doesn't have the guts to kill Yugi. He's bluffing.”

Bakura narrowed his eyes. “Am I? How can you be sure? I don't bullshit when it comes to my family's safety.”

Marik crossed his arms. “You are causing more harm than good, pharaoh, helping these people. These people are easily panicked and gullible. You don't want to lose Yugi because of your own lust for revenge.”

“I've said all that I need to say to you, pharaoh. Don't push me. Those who call my bluff end up regretting it.”

Bakura turned and began walking out of the temple.

Marik uncrossed his arms. “Don't lose someone you care about because you want revenge. Spending your afterlife angry, pharaoh, isn't worth it. We spend our mortal lives angry….don't spend the afterlife locked in your own hatred.”

Marik turned around and Yami crossed his arms.

“You talk big, Ishtar. You continue to be angry, so does Itemri.”

Marik stopped. “Watching someone you love dying in front of your eyes changes your perspective, pharaoh. If luck favors you, you won't have to witness Yugi's death for many years. When you witness something so difficult, you will understand.” Marik continued walking towards the exit when he stopped. “Pharaoh, don't think that your actions will not have any consequences. Someone will end up paying for your actions….and I'll spend a cold day in Hades before I let my family…my loved ones…pay for your ignorance.”

Marik followed Bakura down the steps of the temple. “Do you think we got through to him?”

Bakura rolled his eyes and continued walking. “He's a pharaoh. Nothing gets through to him unless it is handed to him on a silver platter and a silver spoon. He didn't get anything we said.”

“We gave him something to think about, though, I'm sure.”

“I don't see why you insisted on speaking to him on civil terms.”

“He might be ticked off at Yugi being with Glenn, but I'm betting deep down he still cares for Yugi. Let's face it, `Kura. You can hate your hikaris, but it doesn't change the fact that they are still a part of you.”

Bakura stopped and clenched his fists tightly. “It took me years to acknowledge that, Ishtar. I hated Ryou with a passion when I first met him. I wanted to see him suffer. It was hard for me to acknowledge that something I had seen as weak was a part of me. Yami won't see that until he wants to see it….until he wants to acknowledge that Yugi is still a part of him even if Yugi doesn't share his affection.”

Bakura continued to walk, followed by the blond yami. He looked into the distance and saw the Duel monsters preparing for what appeared to be a battle. The Earl of Demise was sharpening a sword. The Harpy Ladies were flying around squawking and screeching.

Marik saw the Loyal Servant handing a bow and arrow to the Helpless Child. “I wonder what is going on.”

“I don't know. I've never seen them do that. It almost looks like they are….preparing for battle.”

“I wonder what they are preparing to fight.”

Bakura saw the Nightmare Dragon roaring furiously at the Winged Dragon of Ra. Dark Necrofear was glaring towards their direction with fury in her eyes. “That explains why our monsters didn't come to greet us.”

“The Winged Dragon of Ra looks pissed. I wonder what the Nightmare Dragon did to piss it off.”

Bakura continued to walk towards the portal. “Some war must be approaching. We should go before we get caught in the middle of it.”

Bakura and Marik walked through the portal to the house and closed it. Ryou was sitting at the kitchen table sipping at a cup of hot tea.

“Ry, what are you doing up?”

“I couldn't sleep. Too much going on. How was your trip to the Shadow Realm?”

Bakura sat beside Ryou. “Practically pointless. I doubt the pharaoh took us seriously. He only cares about himself.”

“We did give him food for thought, though.”

Bakura shrugged and began to rub Ryou's back. “He's a stubborn jackass. Who knows what will happen.”

Marik stretched. “I'm going to crawl next to Malik and maybe grope him in his sleep.”

Marik left and Bakura sighed.

Ryou leaned against Bakura and rested his head on his shoulder. “I'm glad you're back okay.”

Bakura kissed Ryou's forehead. “Nothing I couldn't handle in the Shadow Realm.”

“I couldn't stop thinking of Aten. I keep thinking about him and how he looked laying in that hospital bed.”

Bakura continued to rub Ryou's back. “I know, Ry. But you have to realize that this was going to happen eventually.”

Ryou nodded. “I know. I thought I was ready for it, but I guess I was wrong.”

Bakura kissed Ryou on the cheek. “I'm here for you. For all the shitty things I used to do to you, this is the least I can do. You've always been there for me, so now I want to let you know that I will be there for you, too.”

“Thank you, `Kura.”

Ryou turned and hugged Bakura tightly, resting his head against Bakura's body. The yami grinned, holding his lover against him.

A surprised squeal came from above them.

“I think Malik just got molested,” Bakura chuckled.

“Sounds like a lot more than just touching going on up there.”

Bakura grinned. “I hope Odion hears them. If the Ishtars wake him up, I'm getting some popcorn and soda and watch the sparks fly.”

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

Robbie helped Aten to bed and walked into Heaven's bedroom. The little girl was laying in her crib looking up at him with large eyes.

“Hello, cute stuff. Did you behave for Nana?”

The little girl stuck her finger in her mouth and began to suck. Robbie walked her over to the changing table and winced as he walked, depending on his cane to hold his weight.

Robbie leaned against the changing table so he could free his cane hand. He removed the girl's diaper and cleaned her up.

“Did you miss daddy, Heaven?”

The baby reached up for him, clenching and unclenching her hand.

“Are you waving to daddy?” Robbie smiled, waving back at the baby. “Are you waving bye-bye? What a cute little muffin you are!” Robbie rubbed the baby's belly. “You've been eating more, haven't you, little muffin? That's a good girl. You wanna be big and strong when you get older! You're gonna be such a pretty little girl, aren't you? Aren't you? Daddy's little muffin.”

Robbie began to tickle the baby girl and smile at her. “You're daddy's little muffin, aren't ya? Aren't ya? That's a good girl. Little muffin! You look so good I can eat you all up!” Robbie took the girl's hand and pretended to eat it, kissing it lightly. “You are so good I can eat you all up!”

The baby made a happy squeal and swung her legs.

“Daddy will give you your breakfast and maybe if your other daddy is awake, you'll be able to visit him for a while. I'm sure Aten would like that.”

Robbie picked her up and grabbed his cane. He limped with the baby in his arms down the stairs, biting his lip the entire way.

He limped into the kitchen and put the baby in her high-chair. “My leg is killing me.”

“I could have helped you with him, Robbie,” Daniel said. “I knew you were going to aggravate your leg.”

“I wanted to do it myself, dad,” Robbie protested. He grabbed a bottle from the countertop and prepared the baby's formula.

The phone rang and Miranda picked up the phone. “Hello?”

[Seto Kaiba, Miranda. Is Robert there?]

“Yeah, he's right here. Robbie, it's Seto. I can feed the baby for you.”

Robbie gave the bottle to his mother and picked up the phone. “Hello?”

[Robbie, how is Aten?]

“He's not doing too well at all.”

[What did the doctors say?]

Robbie took a deep breath and clutched the phone in his hand. “Aten won't last the week. They told me before we left the hospital that it would be a miracle if Aten saw next week at all.”

[Oh. My condolences, Robbie. I'm very sorry. I would like to see him with Joey, if that is okay with you.]

“I can't say no. You're his family. Come over whenever you want. He'll be here.”

[Thank you, Robbie. I know this is a very difficult time for you.]

Robbie nodded. “I have to call a lot of people to prepare for……..you know.”

[Robert, I understand this is difficult for you. I wanted to call to tell you to take the week off.]

“Sir, I can't do that. I have a job to do.”

[Your job will be here when you are ready to return. Don't worry about that now.]

“Mr. Kaiba, I can't just abandon my work there!”

[Your family needs you now, Rob. They are your priority. Keep me informed. That is all I ask.]

“I can do that.”

[Good. I care for Aten very much. It's going to be hard to see him leave. But I know he has the best of care, Robbie. Joey and I will be there after dinner tonight.]

“Okay, Seto. I'll let Aten know you are coming.”

[Perfect. See you tonight. Goodbye.]

“Goodbye.” Robbie hung up the phone and returned to the kitchen. “Seto just gave me the week off.”

“That was nice of him,” Daniel said.

Miranda handed Heaven's bottle to Robbie. “At least you can focus on yourself and Aten.”

Robbie sat at the table feeding the baby. “I have a lot of plans to make. I have to call the funeral home. I have to call Father McKenzie to arrange the funeral service. I have to buy a casket. I have to call the cemetery and arrange for Aten to be buried next to Ryou's mom.”

“Aten wants to be buried in the family plot?” Miranda asked.

Robbie nodded. “He said he wanted to be buried by her. Ryou said that there are four plots in the grave. Ryou's mom has one and the other three are open. Aten will be placed beside her.”

“Are you sure Aten wants a Christian service? I thought he practiced Islam.”

“Aten told me that if I wanted a Christian service that it would be okay with him. He said he would leave it up to me.”

Daniel turned to Miranda. “Have Bakura or Marik ever even seen a Christian service?”

“Aten and I were married in the church,” Robbie said. “I know they were there. But if they have ever seen a normal Sunday service, I don't think they have.”

“They still practice their old religion from Ancient Egypt,” Miranda said.

Daniel leaned back in his chair. “Robbie, have you talked to Marik about what he wants for Aten's burial rites? Maybe Marik wants to do something separate with Aten.”

Robbie ran his fingers through his black hair. “Marik and I haven't discussed it.”

“Well, he is Aten's father. And his culture is different. He may want to perform certain rites for Aten. Maybe you should talk to him about it.”

Robbie shrugged. “Maybe I should. I tried to let Aten make his own decisions about what he wants done with his body. It's not fair if I do everything I wish to do. Marik should have a chance. I haven't had too much of an opportunity to talk to him about it.”

“Maybe you should,” Miranda said. “Marik is Aten's father. Marik may have a way to honor his son after his death.”

Robbie put the bottle on the table and began burping the baby. “I'll talk to him tonight when Seto and Joey are here. They want to come over after dinner and see Aten.”

“That shouldn't be a problem,” Daniel said.

Robbie stood up. “I told Heaven I'd let her see Aten after her breakfast if he's awake. I'll be back down soon.”

Robbie took the baby upstairs to Aten's room. Aten was laying in bed on his side facing the door. “Aten, you have a little visitor.”

A small smile crossed Aten's face. “I can't see her.”

Robbie approached the bed and sat beside Aten. “Here she is.”

Robbie placed the baby in Aten's open arms. “Here's the little muffin.”

Aten brought the girl against his chest and kissed her cheek. Robbie listened to his husband talk to the baby quietly in Arabic. All Robbie could understand from him were the words “love” and “beautiful.” Heaven looked at Aten, her eyes focused on him intently as she listened to him speak in his native tongue.

Aten's voice was low and raspy as he pet the baby girl's head. “Sorry” was now a word that Robbie heard said in Arabic.

Aten looked directly into the baby's eyes and began singing to her in Egyptian. It was from this slow song that Robbie could only translate the word “flowers.”

He watched Aten cuddle the baby and hold her delicately. Aten's embrace was so gentle, it looked like Aten was holding some gentle piece of ceramic that could easily break if held too tightly.

Aten kissed the girl's forehead and sighed contentedly.

“Seto and Joey want to come visit you tonight. Do you think you'll be up to it?”

“I don't see why not,” Aten said. “I'd like to sleep for a while, Robbie. Could you take her?”

Robbie took the baby girl, who protested with a groan. “That's a good idea. You'll need your rest for tonight.”

Robbie tucked Aten in and kissed him. “I'll check in on you later.”

“Okay. I love you, Robbie.”

Robbie smiled. “I love you, too, Aten. Very, very much.”

Robbie closed the door behind him and carried Heaven downstairs again. “I better start making those calls.”

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

 

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

Aten walked through the purple haze of the Shadow Realm. The mist hovered heavily around him as he walked alone.

“Hello?”

Nobody answered.

The winds began to howl around him as he continued to walk.

“Is anyone out there?”

Aten stopped walking and looked around. “Am I alone?”

[You are not alone.] A deep voice replied from the thick, heavy mist surrounding him.

“Who's there?”

[I am waiting for you. When you join me, we will be a force to be reckoned with.]

Aten looked around, straining to see the source of the voice. “Who are you?”

[Forgotten me already? One would think that it would be hard to forget one who is so close to you….your own flesh and blood.]

Aten swallowed hard, nervously. He held up the Scepter of Ra in front of him. “Show yourself!”

The deep voice chuckled and appeared in front of him.

“YAMI!”

Yami Aten grinned as he stared at his other half. “If this scares you, how do you hope to conquer the trials that the gods have set for you upon your death?”

Aten gripped the scepter in his hands. “I will conquer them. I have faith.”

Yami Aten laughed. “Faith. Faith will not save you alone. The only hope you have is to conquer the gods….defeat death itself.”

“You cannot fight the gods.”

Yami Aten approached Aten and glared at him. “You cannot. We can.”

“How?”

Yami Aten grinned. “Use the dead against the gods. Fight. Unite the dead against the gods. Command the armies of the undead. The dead outnumber the gods.”

Aten shook his head. “I can't do that. I want to find peace in the Underworld, not Revolution.”

“Use the dead to destroy everything: god and man. Use them to destroy those who have wronged you.”

“I can't. I don't want to destroy. After my death, I want rest.”

Yami Aten narrowed his eyes at his other half. “I will get my revenge one way or the other. I will not rest. I will resist. I will destroy. I will not stop.”

Aten growled at Yami Aten. “You will do no such thing! I won't let you!”

“You can't stop me! I'm too strong for you, remember? You might have thought that you could overpower me, but I will show this world what power really means! I will show the entire world not to fuck with me! This miserable existence has given me nothing but disdain and pain. And if you think you can stop me in your mortal shell, then by all means try. But death will be my gateway into a glorious transformation. I will be strong after I rid myself of this mortal coil. Then, we will be a force not seen before. My power will be great….OUR power.”

Aten shook his head. “I want nothing to do with your plans! When this body dies, I want to rest. I don't want to return to this world.”

Yami Aten grinned. “What about Robbie and that little brat?”

“She is not a brat!”

The yami rolled his eyes. “Oh, please. Don't get too emotional. That baby girl will get poked by someone eventually and she'll end up having her own little brat in the future.”

“Don't talk about her that way!”

The yami laughed. “Or else what? You're going to fight me? Good luck. You wouldn't last a minute against me. Your heart is a ticking time-bomb and we both know it. I'm just waiting for the fucking thing to explode. That would be cool, don't you think? Just sitting there and BOOM! The heart just blows up your chest cavity in front of everyone. THAT would be awesome.”

“No that would not be awesome! I don't want anyone to see that.”

The yami shrugged. “Well, something big is going to happen once we collapse like a bunch of broccoli. Just try not to shit yourself too bad when you die. Try to have a little dignity in death.”

Aten narrowed his eyes at his other half. “That's wrong.”

“Well, it's a known fact. Try to hit the john before you croak. It will make things so much easier to clean up.”

“This conversation is over.”

Aten turned to walk away when he heard a chuckle behind him.

[Come back…..don't leave…..it's almost time to play.]

Aten's eyes widened and he froze at the sound of the old voice.

[Sexy little boy…….]

Yami Aten growled behind him. “We can fight him.”

Aten turned and saw the Castle of Dark Illusions behind Yami Aten.

[Sexy little boy……come play with your grandfather.]

Yami Aten narrowed his eyes and growled fiercely. “We can defeat him! Don't be a pussy, Aten!”

Aten saw the windows of the castle light up. “It can't be….”

[You can't fight me. You were never able to fight me. Come here and make your grandfather feel good.]

Aten put his hands over his ears and closed his eyes. “I DON'T HEAR YOU!”

[Come here…..Aten Bakari.]

Aten opened his eyes and saw Steven standing in front of him. The twisted creature was covered in barbed wire and its skin looked rotten.

The creature grinned at him and looked him in the eye. “I've been waiting for you to join me.”

Aten swallowed hard and watched the figure in front of him with horror.

The creature walked up to him and grabbed his hair. “I've missed you……boy.”

The figure pulled Aten's head into a fierce, hungry kiss. Aten put his hands on the body in front of him and began to push away, but to no avail. The barbed wire from the creature's body curled around Aten's hands and up his arms.

Aten screamed into the kiss as the barbed wire curled around his body. Aten struggled to push himself away from his assailant, but the barbed wire constricted around Aten's skin, cutting into his flesh.

Aten closed his eyes tightly as the barbed wire curled in front of it.

The creature grinned, continuing the kiss. He watched the barbed wire constrict tighter, piercing the flesh and watching the blood begin to trickle from the lacerations.

The creature put his hands on Aten's chest and watched the barbed wire burrow deep into his victim.

Aten began to convulse as the barbed wire tightened. He could feel the spiked coils twist and turn under his skin.

The creature watched his victim fall to the ground with a choked scream. The twisted grin closed in on his bleeding, trembling victim. “This is nothing compared to what I will do to you when you cannot die. When your physical body won't suffer, I will make your spirit writhe in pain. When you die, you will be mine.”

The creature leaned in to him and kissed him on the lips again. “When you die, I can continue my torment of you into the afterlife. Prepare to spend an eternity pleasing your grandpa.”

********End dream*******

Robbie was roused from his sleep by an ear-piercing screech beside him. Aten was flailing around in the bed as Robbie felt something warm touch the back of his boxers.

Robbie turned and saw Aten panicking in his sleep. The screech turned into a pain-and-panic-filled wail.

“Aten! Wake up! It's only a dream!”

Aten's eyes shot open and he grabbed Robbie's shoulders tightly. “Where is he? Where?”

“Who is he? Who are you looking for?”

“Grandfather!”

Robbie shook his head and pat Aten's cheek. “Aten, remember we discussed that your grandfather is dead? He's been dead for several years already. He won't hurt you anymore.”

Aten began to sob wildly as he laid in the bed. “He's not going to let me rest.”

Robbie hugged Aten and sat beside him. “Aten, he can't do anything to you anymore.”

“I know that! But when I die he's going to come for me! He's going to take me to the Underworld where he's going to make me pleasure him again! I don't want to do it, Robbie! Please say I don't have to do it!”

Robbie cradled Aten's upper body in his arms as Miranda and Daniel ran into the room.

“Robbie, is everything okay?”

“Yeah, don't worry about it, mom. Dad, could you get a set of clean bedsheets?”

Daniel sniffed the air and wrinkled his nose. “What happened here?”

Robbie turned on the light, groaning until his eyes adjusted. He pulled back the covers and saw a wet stain on the bed. “Can you please get some more sheets for me?”

Aten gripped onto Robbie tightly. “I'm sorry,” he whimpered.

“No, no, don't apologize. I understand.”

Aten sniffled as Miranda brought in new sheets for the couple.

“If you need anything, just call,” Miranda said as she left, followed by Daniel.

Robbie sighed as he held Aten in his arms. The Egyptian's skin seemed like a block of ice. Aten's flesh was chilled and mottled.

When Aten composed himself, he helped his husband change the bedsheets. Aten limped stiffly to the bathroom to clean himself up and get a new set of sweatpants.

Robbie let Aten crawl into bed first and turned off the light. He laid down under the sheets and Aten shifted closer to Robbie. Aten pressed himself against Robbie and cuddled close.

“I didn't mean to wet the bed.”

Robbie pet Aten's hair. “Don't worry about it. Just try and get some sleep, okay?”

Aten sighed and yawned. “It was nice seeing Uncle Seto and Uncle Joey again.”

“Well, they wanted to see you. It's been a while.”

Aten closed his eyes. “Do you think my grandfather will really get his hands on me in the afterlife?”

Robbie nuzzled Aten's hair with his cheek. “Aten, I'm sure you'll be sent someone who will help guide you to the afterlife safely. I don't think that God or whatever is up there will let you suffer at the hands of him again. He's probably sitting and sizzling in Hell. I'd like to give him a good poke with the pitchfork, personally. I think it would be good for him.”

Aten chuckled. “He'd like it, alright.”

Aten slowly slipped into sleep in Robbie's arms. Robbie tried to go to sleep, but he couldn't seem to doze. What mattered to him most was that Aten's heart was beating, but it was beating erratically.

 

***Flashback***

“Isis, isn't there anything I can do for him?” he asked the Egyptian woman in the hospital.

“Robert, there is nothing you can do but pray. You have a strong spirit. It is precisely that spirit which will keep you alive during this difficult time. But heed my advice: Survive for your baby. Your greatest trial is not this. Soon you will be faced with a greater foe. You may have to sacrifice something very precious for someone close to you.”

Robbie folded his hands. “I would sacrifice anything for Aten. If I have to die so he can get better, then I'm willing to do it.”

“No, Robbie. Aten has his own sacrifices to make. Your sacrifice will change a lot of people. You have to ask yourself: Are you ready?”

“What sacrifice? Sacrifice for who?”

Isis smiled at him. “Your family.”

*********End Flashback*******

 

Robbie closed his eyes as he continued to hold Aten. He heaved a sigh as he was certain Aten had fallen asleep in his arms.

“Isis is always so cryptic! I wish I knew what she meant. I'd give anything for Aten to live….anything. I would sacrifice anything.”

Robbie yawned and kissed the top of Aten's forehead. “'Till death do us part, baby.”

 

Updates: 8/14