Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return To Paradise ❯ Fury of the Elements ( Chapter 28 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: bakurasgirl
Bakura finds something shocking at the Domino Times Herald and confers with his people of the streets. Ryou thinks he found a way to help his dying son.

Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai / Drama / Action | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.16.2008 | Pages: 13 | Words: 13.5K | Visits: 374 | Status: Completed

Fury of the Elements
 
Ryou poured himself another cup of tea and sat beside Malik at the table. “Was anything about us on the news last night?”
Malik shook his head. “Nope. Nothing. Vesuvius might erupt again and we have storms coming to Domino that apparently came out of nowhere, but I know where they're coming from.”
Ryou sipped his tea and pointed to the ceiling. “There?”
“Afraid so. Marik spent all night in his room last night. He hasn't come out since. He's not hungry and I tried to get him down here for breakfast, but you know how stubborn he can be.”
Ryou sighed. “It's our son. He's upset.”
“Yeah, I know he's upset. I told him to come with me for a walk, but he doesn't want to leave the bedroom at all. Have you talked to him?”
“I don't know what to say to him. I wish I could tell Marik that everything was going to be okay, but that's a lie. I want him to know that I want to be there for him. He hasn't talked to me at all since we've come back from the hospital.”
Malik leaned back in his chair as the radio played in the background. “He's putting on a `tough guy' act, Ry. When he gets that mask on, it's hard to take it off of him. I guess since he wants to protect us, he thinks that he's protecting us from not expressing what's really going on in that mind of his. He should know better, though. He and I have a nice thing called a `mindlink.' He can't hide his emotions from me for too long unless he blocks it off.”
“Has he blocked it off?”
“All he keeps telling me is that he needs time alone. I'm willing to give that to him.”
[Today's News: An Earthquake measuring 2.5 magnitude on the Richter scale has hit southern California. The quake occurred around 5 a.m. Domino Time. Authorities are still assessing the damage and it is not known how much damage has been done. Few minor injuries have been reported at this time, but no serious injuries.]
Ryou took a deep breath. “At least nobody was hurt. If Marik is behind this, something needs to be done.”
“He might not even be responsible, Ry!”
“Malik, he has to be! The earthquake, the volcano, the unexplained storms that are rolling into Domino as we speak all point to something that has gone wrong and I don't think it's pure circumstance.”
Malik sighed. “Okay, I'll see what I can do with him, but I can't make any promises. If this is him, I know it's not right. Hurting innocent people is not going to make this all go away.”
Ryou reached out and took Malik's hand. “If you need my help, I can do this with you.”
“I should be able to handle him, Ry. If I need you, though, I'm glad I have you for backup.”
Bakura sauntered into the kitchen wearing his satin blue boxers. He stretched and yawned, rubbing his spiky, white hair. “Morning.”
“Hi, baby, coffee and tea are on the counter if you want anything.”
Bakura poured himself a cup of tea. “I have to get going pretty soon after I get cleaned up. I have potentially dirty business to do today.”
“What kind of dirty business?” Ryou asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I am going to the Domino Times Herald and giving that Araqiel Tillmann a piece of my mind….or dagger, whichever comes first.”
Malik watched the yami sit beside him. “Be careful.”
“Don't worry about me. Marik and I will be fine.”
“I don't know if you're going to get much out of Marik. He's upstairs in my bedroom and he doesn't want to come out.”
Bakura leaned back in his chair. “I know he's upset about Aten, but he can't change it.”
“'Kura…please.”
Bakura sighed. “Sorry, Ry, but Marik won't pass up an opportunity to kick some ass. I know Marik. He'll be all for it.”
“If Marik wants to stay in his room, then I'm not going to argue with him,” Malik said. “He needs some time to himself to figure all this out. Then maybe these quakes and natural disasters may stop.”
Bakura coughed from a gulp of coffee. “What?”
“An earthquake hit California this morning. It wasn't of great magnitude, but still….”
Bakura sighed. “Definitely sounds like Marik's doing. Then again, maybe it isn't him responsible. Maybe we should give Ishtar the benefit of the doubt.”
“If Marik's upset as I am, and he's capable of doing all of this, then I'd say this is his doing,” Ryou protested.
“Well, I'm not going to call a witch-hunt on Marik just yet. Maybe if I get him out of his little dungeon upstairs and take him with me, he'll focus on that instead.”
Malik pat Bakura on the back. “Good luck. I like my throat intact, thanks. I know when to let Marik be when he needs his alone time.”
“I'll ask him anyway. Besides, Marik is my partner in crime. And, in the case we have to do some crime time, he'll be good backup.”
Ryou covered Bakura's hand in his. “Please don't make this whole thing worse. Don't get caught.”
“I won't, Ry. You just stay here with Malik and Maxie.” Bakura looked around the kitchen and peeked into the living room. “Where is Maxine?”
“I told Maxie she could go home for the day. I'm sure her husband and Xiao-Chen miss her,” Ryou said.
Bakura turned to Malik. “You know where the weapons are and I know you know how to use them?”
“You don't become the hikari of Marik Jibade Ishtar without knowing how to use basic weaponry,” Malik grinned.
“Same thing with being Bakura Osiris Itemri,” Ryou smiled.
The two hikaris laughed as Bakura shrugged.
“Knowledge of basic weaponry is a must in this life, you two. I'm sure you could handle a blade better than, let's say, Miranda.”
“Maybe. We've never seen her handle a knife other than when she cooks,” Malik said.
Bakura stood up and looked at the clock. “I'm going to get ready. I'll be upstairs.”
Bakura walked out of the room and up the stairs. He knocked on the Ishtar door.
“Marik, can I come in?”
“Fine.”
`This isn't going to be easy from the sound of it,' the yami thought as he opened the door.
“Marik, I'm going to the Domino Times Herald today to deal with that Araqiel once and for all. I'm still pissed off he wrote that we were fucking rapists. You in?”
Marik looked out of the window, leaning against the wall. “You go on.”
“Marik, you can't hole yourself up here like a hermit. A little bloodshed will set you right. Now get a shirt on, put on your pants, and let's go.”
Marik shrugged. “I'll stay here and guard the fort.”
Bakura approached his partner and stood beside him in front of the window. “What is this accomplishing? Just waiting for `the call'?”
“I don't want to go,” Marik growled. “Leave me alone.”
“You're being a stubborn jackass, you know that?”
Bakura blinked and found himself shoved against the wall with Marik pressing against him. A dagger was pointed at Bakura's throat.
“I'm not repeating myself,” the Egyptian growled, pressing the blade to Bakura's skin.
“Marik Ishtar?”
Marik and Bakura looked towards the door and saw Isis standing there calmly.
“Let Bakura go,” she said placidly.
Marik lowered the dagger and dropped it onto the floor. He walked over to the bed and sat down with his face buried in his hands. “Sorry, Itemri,” the yami apologized through a cracking voice.
Bakura looked on the floor and saw his cup of coffee spilled on the floor. “Malik's not going to like that, Ishtar.”
Marik sat quietly on the bed.
“Fine. I will go alone, Marik. You stay home and stay on guard.”
Bakura picked up his cup and walked out of the room with Isis in tow. “Little jumpy, isn't he?”
“He is mourning before anything happens. It is a common behavior for those expecting to lose loved ones,” Isis responded.
“That is the only reason why I did not fight him. I know he's grieving, so I didn't whip out my own dagger.”
“Wise decision.”
Bakura turned to Isis. “How much longer is this going to go on?”
Isis put her hand on Bakura's shoulder. “Not too much longer, I promise.”
“Good. Psycho Marik is one thing. This Hermit Marik is someone I don't know.”
“It is through adversity that we get to know someone, `Kura.”
Bakura sighed. “Marik's done this before. Maybe Malik's right. Maybe he does need some time to himself to sort it all out.”
“Don't give up on him, Bakura. In the end, you will have each other.”
Bakura nodded. “I know. We are condemned to walk the Earth when our hikaris pass. I don't want another hikari after Ryou. I want to spend the rest of my Afterlife with Marik. It has taken me so long to find him after we were separated.”
“Just be there for him, Bakura.”
“I will be…no matter what.”
****************************
 
Bakura stood outside the Domino Times Herald building and looked up at the huge skyscraper. `It's amazing these structures don't plummet to the ground from wind.'
Bakura straightened the cap on his head where he had tucked his spiky, white hair. He had hoped his disguise was good enough to keep him indistinguishable from the crowd. The yami tugged on Malik's borrowed shirt and walked towards the building. He walked inside towards the Reception Desk.
“I'm here to see Araqiel Tillmann.”
“Sign here.”
Bakura signed the guestbook `Mr. S. Rocher.'
“His office is-.”
“I've been there before. I know his office. Thanks.”
Bakura walked towards the elevator where one other man entered. The doors closed and the man was talking on a cell phone.
“Yeah…uh-huh…..uh-huh….uh-huh…..uh- huh….uh-huh…When will it be ready?....The Swisher Account…..The Swisher Account…..The…The…..” The man took a step towards Bakura and the yami narrowed his eyes. “Can you hear me now?.....Can you hear me now?.....Can you hear me now?.....The Swisher Account….uh-huh….uh-huh….uh-huh…..The Swisher Account…”
“Hey, pal, you're annoying the hell out of me. Finish your call so I don't have to kick your ass.”
The man turned around. “I'm on the phone with a very important client.”
“Then talk to him when you are out of here.”
“Hey, kid, I earn a six-figure income. Let's see you try to match that with your paper route.”
“I suggest you comply.”
Bakura clenched his fists as a purple haze filled the elevator. The man on the cell phone heard a growl behind him.
“I warned you,” Bakura said with a grin.
The man turned around and saw the Man-Eater Bug standing behind him.
Bakura grabbed the man's phone. “He'll call you later. He's having a little lunch.” Bakura hung up the cell phone and slipped it into his pocket. “Rather…he IS lunch.”
The Man Eater Bug bit down on the man and swallowed him whole. Bakura reached up and pat the bug's head. “Good boy. You better go before the doors open.”
The bug and purple mist disappeared. The yami leaned against the side of the elevator and sighed with contentment.
When the elevator doors opened, Bakura walked to Araqiel Tillmann's receptionist's desk.
The receptionist wasn't there. The yami walked into Araqiel's office and closed the door behind him.
Araqiel's chair was turned towards the window.
“I've had enough of you, you little rat! How dare you tell the people that my partner and I are rapists!”
No response.
“You had better explain yourself really fucking well or I will cut off your fingers for printing such lies!”
No response.
Bakura growled angrily. “You will not ignore me!” He walked up to the chair and spun the chair around to talk to the man sitting. When he did, Bakura took a step back.
Araqiel was dead.
Bakura covered his nose from the stench of death and blood. “It's fresh,” the yami said, slightly drooling at the blood slipping down the hole in Araqiel's throat.
“Italian necktie. Good work. Professional,” Bakura said, the smell of death flooding his senses.
The yami looked on the desk and saw Araqiel's next printed story on his desk: Body Found in Domino Dump.
Bakura picked up the newspaper. “A body was found in the Domino Dump early Tuesday morning. Police investigated and discovered a nude female body estimated to be twenty years of age. The woman's throat had been cut.”
Bakura looked at the body sitting in the chair. “This looks like the work of the Mafia. But I highly doubt the Mafia would come here looking to settle the score with this punk.”
“Witnesses explained to the police that a car was seen fleeing the scene of the crime. They described it as a BMW, but they weren't able to identify it in the darkness. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Domino Police at 555-0965.”
Bakura thought as he looked at the corpse. “Witnesses? How could there be witnesses at the city dump?” The yami hit himself on the forehead. “How could I be so stupid?!”
Bakura left the newspaper on the desk and cautiously left the room. He walked calmly down the hall and into the elevator.
“How many people drive around town with a fucking BMW? Those things cost a shitload of money. Only the rich can afford those horseless-chariots.”
When he left the building, Bakura ran to the nearest newsstand and bought a paper. The article about the body was on the front page.
“I'd better go visit with my friends down at the dump. I know they can get rid of that irritating man's cell phone quite easily.”
The yami ran towards the city dump. `I wonder why my people talked to the cops. It's not like them at all. They must have had a good reason to talk to them.'
Bakura arrived at the dump and found the police still exploring the scene of the crime. Outside the gate, he found three familiar faces.
One of the faces looked up at him and her jaw dropped. “If it isn't the King of Thieves!”
Bakura ran up to her. “Don't scream that with the cops so close by, Annie!”
The old woman wearing rags and a dirty dress put a hand up to her ear. “What, sonny?”
“I said don't scream that so loud with the cops around here!”
“What brings you here? We never see you anymore,” a younger man of thirty had said.
Bakura looked at the three people. “I'm here for answers.” Bakura showed them the paper article. “What do you know about this?”
“Well, we were out looking for goodies when we saw a car pull up to the gates,” the third woman of about forty years explained. “They opened the gates and drove in. We all hid because we didn't know who it was.”
“Can you describe the car, Scrubs?”
The woman shrugged. “I saw little. It was so dark. It was a big car and it pulled into the dump.”
“I was able to identify it as a BMW,” the man said. “It could have been a black car.”
“So tell me what happened, Rat.”
“Okay, so they drove in and they stopped the car. About two people got out of the car. They opened the trunk and brought out a body. They dumped the poor girl in the trash and they tried putting trash over her to cover her up. They did a real messy job. You know, Bakura, when you kill someone, at least have the decency to hide the body well.”
Bakura nodded. “Rat, I agree with you completely. They did a shoddy job hiding the body and just for that alone they need to be caught.”
Scrubs continued the tale. “So they got back in their car and they drove away. I know one of them looked familiar.”
“Who was it, Scrubs?”
The woman crossed her arms in front of her chest and shifted uncomfortably. “I don't want to say, sir.”
“IT WAS THE ALIENS IN HUMAN FORM!” Annie burst out loudly. “They killed that woman on their spaceship and tried to dump her here! They were going to eat us, too, but I begged for them not to eat our brains!”
“That's not how it went,” Rat protested.
“Rat and Scrubs didn't see the little green men walking towards us with forks, knives, and a bib!”
Bakura put his hand on Annie's shoulder. “Annie, I'm talking to Scrubs and Rat now. Why don't you go sit over there?”
“Don't let the little green men get you, my King!” The old woman coughed and walked away to sit on the ground and rock back and forth.
Rat shook his head. “Poor Annie.”
“Who did the person look like, Scrubs?” Bakura asked.
The woman looked towards Rat. “Should I tell him?”
“It might help him.”
Scrubs nodded. “I saw the Chief do it. His voice sounded familiar.”
“Are you sure? How did you know it was him?”
The woman laughed. “He arrested me tons of times when I was younger. That pervert felt me up intentionally during a search in my jail cell. I know what that pus-bag sounds like.”
“I was trying to keep Annie calm. She was muttering about Satan's shadows coming for her,” Rat said.
“So why didn't you tell the cops that you knew it was the Chief of Police?”
The woman stepped closer to Rat. “I didn't want the Chief to come after us. He would find Annie, no problem. But I didn't want to be executed by that slimeball.”
“There's only so many places to hide in the dump, Bakura. Scrubs and Annie might not be my family, but we have to stick together to survive. You understand, don't you?”
Bakura nodded as he looked between the two poverty-stricken people. Scrubs wore clothes that were too big for her and mis-matched shoes. Rat wore brown pants and a plaid flannel shirt. Two of Rat's teeth protruded slightly from his lips, hence his nickname. Scrubs had once been a housecleaner who left her abusive husband to live in the City Dump. Both of their faces were dirty and their hair was unkempt.
“I couldn't let the press know something that would put Rat and Annie in any danger,” Scrubs explained. “Annie might be a couple apples short of a picnic, but she's like my grandma. Granted, a crazy, hallucinating, delusional grandma, but a grandma nonetheless.”
“So you're sure it was the Chief of Police?”
Rat and Scrubs nodded. “We're sure.”
“You know the person who printed this article is dead, right?”
The two people's eyes widened and their jaws dropped. “What?”
“Araqiel is dead. I just came from his office. The murder looked like a professional could have done it.”
“How was he killed?”
Bakura shrugged. “Italian necktie. Very good work. If it wasn't the Chief of Police doing it, I would like to meet the guy and shake his hand…maybe even buy him dinner just to learn his clean technique. My neckties don't turn out so good.”
“It's a messy business,” Rat said. “I know I don't want my tongue protruding from my neck when I die. That's why we didn't say anything when we were questioned.”
“That's probably a good move. I know the chief and he's an asshole.” Bakura handed Rat the cell phone from his pocket. “Rat, destroy this for me.”
“What for?”
Bakura snickered. “Some guy pissed me off in an elevator, so I had him gobbled up by a very good friend of mine.”
Rat took the cell phone. “Okay, I'll destroy it.”
“Good. Well, the papers will be all over the murder of Araqiel, so maybe my family and I will be yesterday's news.”
“Take care of yourself, Bakura,” Rat said.
“If we see anything else, we'll find a way to let you know.”
Bakura nodded and handed them both some money. “Get yourselves something to eat.”
“Thank you, sir,” Scrubs bowed to him.
The yami pat her on the head. “You've done well.”
“Thank you very much. I don't know what to say.”
“You've already said it, Rat. Get Annie something, too.”
Bakura walked away hearing Annie scream a loud `HAIL KING BAKURA!' to him. The thief grinned, enjoying the praise from his equals.
Bakura returned home, taking side streets and avoiding the major roads. As he slipped along the shadows and behind bushes he thought about the impact of the recently deceased reporter's death.
What was stopping the authorities from questioning his family?
Would the cops even consider investigating the death of the poor girl dumped in the garbage?
If the Chief of Police was responsible for the girl's death, what would be the chance of a fair inquiry as to her death?
Bakura rolled his eyes. “Barnes is the chief. He can easily give some excuse not to pursue the matter of the suspicious death.”
Either way, this would hopefully give his family a brief period of peace from constant media presence on the lawn.
A rumble of thunder appeared above as clouds began spreading over the blue sky. Gray clouds crept in, blanketing the town in darkness.
“Ishtar,” Bakura whispered as he rushed home, hoping to remain inconspicuous.
********************
Seto held onto Joey's hand as he sat beside his lover. Joey's skin had become slightly yellowed from his condition and his fever was still high.
The CEO rubbed Joey's hand lightly. “Don't give up, Joey. We'll find a liver for you. Don't give up.”
Joey opened up his eyes and gave a weak smile to Seto. “Will you do me a favor, Seto?”
“Anything, puppy.”
“I…I want you…to put me with Hayden.”
Seto nodded. “I know that is what you wanted. I don't think you will be joining him so soon, Joey.”
Joey shrugged weakly. “If it is meant to be, Seto….”
“Don't talk like that. We'll find you a donor. It will happen, puppy. You're strong. I know you won't let a little thing like this get in your way.”
“It was hard seeing Aten the other day. I had a hard enough time getting out of the limo.” A smile came to Joey's face. “I was happy to see him.”
“You'll see him again, Joey. We'll pull through. You. Me. Aten. Robbie. We'll all get through this.”
Joey gave Seto's hand a reassuring squeeze. “Of course we will.”
“You should get some sleep now, Joey. It's late and I have a phone call to make.”
Joey nodded and yawned. He slipped into the sheets and sighed. “See you when you get back.”
Seto tucked his lover in and kissed his cheek. `I can't believe I'm doing this,' he thought as he walked away from the bed. `What other choice do I have?'
The CEO walked down the hall to his office and closed the door behind him. He sat behind his desk and thumbed through some index cards by the light on his desk.
`I have to do this…for Joey. She may help.'
Seto dialed the number written on the index card and held his breath waiting for a response.
[Hello?]
“Serenity? This is Seto Kaiba.”
[Oh. My brother's butt-buddy. What do YOU want?]
“Serenity, your brother is very ill. He needs a liver transplant.”
[And?]
“Is there any way you could help him? Are you compatible with your brother's blood type?”
Serenity laughed over the phone. [It's your fault he's sick, Seto Kaiba! You deal with it!]
“I am not responsible for this! Your father drove him to this! If Joey wasn't such a heavy drinker, he wouldn't be in this position right now! Besides, his injury didn't help either.”
[Injury?]
“He was shot. Remember? By Hayden.”
[Nope. Doesn't ring a bell.]
“Serenity, I know you remember! Joey is in serious danger! He's your brother, Serenity!”
[Why can't you help him?]
“I'm not a match! Aten is a match, but he is in no condition to help.”
[Well, then I guess there's nothing left to do but start making arrangements, Seto. Better invest in a pretty pink coffin for him.]
Seto clenched his fist so tightly his knuckles turned white and his teeth grinded with fury. His entire body trembled at her insult. “Your brother endured hell to keep you safe from your father, Serenity. Hell! How could you feel nothing for him?”
[Brother? I have a brother?]
“Go to hell!” Seto slammed the phone on the hook and gripped his brown hair in frustration. “What a little bitch! How could she not give a shit about him?” Seto took a deep breath. “Joey is all I have…if he dies…..I—I don't know what I'd do.” His fist slammed down on his desk. “I feel so helpless!”
Seto closed his eyes tightly as his stepfather's voice echoed inside his head. `Business people don't cry….You don't have emotions. The only thing you feel for anyone is satisfaction after you've destroyed their reputations and bought out your competitors. Don't you dare tell me you feel `helpless.''
************************
“You want Rhett to what?” Robbie asked, playing with Heaven on the floor.
Ryou watched Robbie tickle the baby girl. “I want to see if Rhett can heal Aten.”
Robbie raised a suspicious eyebrow. “Would Rhett even be able to heal Aten?”
“What about Malik and his cut? It was healed when Rhett was right by him.”
“That doesn't mean that Rhett did it, though, Ry.”
Ryou nodded. “I know, but maybe Rhett could do something. He might be able to help Aten. Don't you want that?”
“Of course I do, but Rhett is just a baby. How could he heal severe heart failure and cardiomyopathy? A heart is harder to heal than a physical cut.”
“We should talk to Aria and see if it could possibly be done.”
“What could be done?”
“Have Rhett touch Aten.”
Daniel shook his head. “Ryou, we don't even know if it is possible. What if it can't be done?”
“Then it can't be done. At least we tried.”
Robbie shrugged. “Well, we've tried everything else. It might work. I guess we'll never know until we try.”
Ryou smiled. “Excellent! I'll talk to Aria and see if she can come over tonight.”
“That's not a problem,” Miranda said. “I'll throw on some extra food for dinner.”
“I hope this works,” Ryou said hopefully.
Robbie nodded. “I hope so, too.”
Robbie watched Ryou leave and he looked down at Heaven. “Do you think your cousin Rhett can help your daddy?”
The baby girl blinked at Robbie and blew a bubble of drool. She squirmed on the floor and flexed her fingers.
“Does drooling mean a yes or a no?” Robbie asked his parents.
Daniel shrugged. “I don't know. I don't speak baby.”
Miranda shrugged. “Maybe it's a maybe.”
*******************
Aten stepped back from the painting and cocked his head to the side. He looked at the depth of perception and the swirls of color. The picture looked brilliant and so life-like that he amazed himself.
“My masterpiece,” Aten smiled proudly as he examined the picture for minute details.
“A little more work and it'll be complete. It's taken me years to complete this,” he sighed, breathing in the sweet scent of vanilla from the candle burning on his altar to Ra and Anubis. “If only I had a little more time.”
A knock sounded on his door and he put his brushes down. “Who is it?”
“Your sister. Let me in.”
Aten rushed to the door and opened it. He smiled widely and hugged his sister tightly. “Sister, I'm so glad to see you! Robbie said you would be coming over with the kids.”
Aria hugged him back, aware of how unusually strong Aten's hug had become. “Yeah, well, I wanted to see you and mom told me it would probably be a good idea.”
Aten nodded. “Come in. I'm glad you came.”
Aria walked into her brother's art studio and looked around at the hanging plants, cans of paints, completed paintings and blanks, along with the burning candles on Aten's small altar. “Rhett was excited when I told him we'd be coming here today.”
Aten nodded. “I'll play with him in a little bit. Is Kai here, too?”
Aria grinned. “Yeah, I brought the whole clan.”
The Egyptian teen sat on the couch and pat the seat beside him. “How have you been feeling?”
Aria sat beside her brother and looked him in the brown and purple eyes. Aten had become thinner than ever, his skin turning pale and discolored. “I've been the same. The morning sickness is a bitch.”
“That's a shame. Maybe try some peppermint tea? That is very good for upset stomachs. Or maybe even some chamomile tea.”
“Doesn't work. The only thing I've been keeping down is peanut butter and licorice sandwiches.”
Aten wrinkled his nose. “That sounds gross.”
“That's what happens when you get pregnant….you crave the silliest crap. Stuff that ordinarily tastes bad I can't get enough of.”
Aten leaned back against the couch. “Well, I wouldn't know about pregnancy. I'll never have to deal with that nonsense.”
“You're lucky. Sometimes I just want to punch dad in the nuts for making me a chick. If he aimed a little to the left, maybe I would have been a guy and I wouldn't have to worry about carrying on like this for nine months.”
Aten shrugged. “Well, I don't think it was his aim that made you a girl, Aria. If so, I'd be all over the place. Just look at my dad.”
“Point well taken.”
“I'm glad you're getting along well. I really hope I can see the baby when it's born.”
Aria nodded. “I know. I hope so, too. Aten, I have a question for you.”
“Go ahead.”
Aria shifted uncomfortably. “What if this baby isn't Umi's?”
Aten was quiet. He crossed his arms and bit his lips. “What do you mean by that? Were you cheating on Umi? Did Bandit Keith come back into the picture?”
“Gross, gods, no! Do you know about those flashbacks to the past? Do you get them?”
“I get flashbacks every day. Which flashbacks are you speaking of?”
“The ones where we are back in Old Egypt. Do you get those?”
Aten rubbed his forehead. “Not too often, no. Why?”
“Well, you know I get those flashbacks to the past with Seth and I. Well, those flashbacks continued up to the battle with Yami and even after the battle. Well, one night I was home and then I felt an irresistible urge to find Seth. I tried to fight it. I mean, Aten, I really tried. Well, I remember everything. I remember watching everything, but I couldn't control my body. I couldn't control anything.”
“So what happened?”
Aria folded her hands in front of her dress. “I….I think Seto might be the father of my baby.”
Aten's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. “What--? How---? Why--? How could you do that?!”
“Aten, I couldn't control my body or my voice! It happened beyond my control!”
Aten rubbed his eyes. “He's our uncle! How could you do that with him?!”
“I don't know! If I could have stopped it, I would have.”
Aten shook his head. “Does Umi know about this?”
“No. I don't feel right about telling him yet. He's so happy about the baby that I don't want to ruin it for him.”
“If the baby ends up looking like Seto, he's going to question the child's parentage.”
Aria leaned forward, sighing sadly. “I know…I tried to fight those feelings during the Final Battle. I thought by defeating Yami that the flashbacks would end. Instead, they just continued.”
Aten shifted over beside his sister and put his arms around her shoulders. “Do you love Umi?”
Aria nodded. “I really do.”
“Then you will have to do what is right eventually. This won't remain hidden forever.”
“I know. Telling him is going to be difficult.”
Aten nodded. “It will be, but Umi has been there for you before and hasn't left your side. I don't think he would leave you for something you couldn't control.”
“I hope you're right,” Aria said.
Aten leaned forward, rubbing his chest. “Oh gods…..”
“Aten? Are you okay?!”
Aten nodded and shifted to lay down on the couch. He placed his head on Aria's lap where she ran her fingers through his white and blond hair. “I hate it when this happens.”
Aria pet her brother's hair lightly. “Are the doctors giving you anything for the pain?”
Aten nodded. “Sometimes it doesn't feel like it works, though. You know, the doctors don't give me much time before the heart just gives up. Not even the pacemaker is doing much for it right now.”
Aria watched her brother's chest heave with pain of breathing. His eyes closed against the strangulating feeling in his chest. “That is why we wanted to come over. I wanted to see my baby brother.”
Aten smiled and chuckled. “Only by four minutes.”
“Thank you for understanding, Aten. I didn't know if it would upset you or not.”
“It's not a case of being upset. It's more of a case of the gross factor. But you couldn't control it. I hate things I can't control.” Aten paused and looked at the altar across the room. “Have you figured out how to tell Umi?”
Aria took a deep breath. “I haven't decided how. I'd rather wait than tell him, to be honest.”
“Well, you love him, right? You should be honest with him. That's what relationships are based on, you know?”
“I know. This will work itself out somehow, Aten. In the meantime, thank you for just listening to me.”
Aten smiled up at his sister. “What else are little brothers for?”
“Aria! Aten! Dinnertime!” Ryou called from the kitchen.
Aten rubbed his stomach. “I'm not hungry at all.”
“You should eat something, though.”
“It's hard to swallow.”
Aria let out a little chuckle. “Sorry, Aten, that sounded dirty.”
The boy chuckled. “Yes, I know. That's how I intended it to sound. I guess we better go. I have to take my cocktail of pills before I eat.”
Aten sat up slowly and stood on his feet. He reached down to his sister and took her hand. “Shall we?”
Aria giggled and took her brother's hand. “Such a gentleman,” Aria smiled, imitating their mother's British accent. “Thank you, kind sir.”
Aria stood up and proceeded to walk towards the door, but Aten stopped, still holding her hand.
“Aria?”
Aria turned and looked up at her brother. “What is it?”
“I love you.”
The girl smiled and hugged her brother. “I love you, too, Aten. Now let's get some grub. I'm so hungry!”
Aria and Aten joined the family for dinner. Marik and Bakura were seconds away from drooling all over the meat on their plates when the siblings arrived.
Marik took a bite of Miranda's roast and moaned in his seat. “Miranda, your meat is so sexy!”
Miranda winked at the yami. “I know you love my meat. The juices are just….succulent.”
Bakura tore into his meat, intentionally cooked rare by the hostess. “There's something different about it this time.”
“I let it marinade a bit.”
“Oh, so that's why the blood is just to die for,” Bakura grinned.
Aria cut up her son's food and fed Rhett his bottle before digging into her own plate. Aten grabbed his pills and lined them up in front of him. He took the handful and shoved them into his mouth at once. He drank some water and sat down, filling his plate with a spoonful of vegetables.
“Aren't you hungry, son?” Marik asked.
Aten shook his head. “No, I'm not really. This will be fine for me tonight.”
“Miranda, did you hear the guy who was printing all that nonsense about us in the papers was found dead?” Malik asked.
“No, I didn't!”
Bakura chuckled and shook his head, his mouth full of food. He swallowed and looked over at the hostess. “I found him. He hadn't been killed long before I got there.”
“What happened to him?” Daniel asked, intrigued.
“He….” Bakura looked at the kids sitting at the table. “Someone bought him a new necktie.”
Daniel's eyes widened and he nodded. “Oh, I see.”
“Well, maybe this will be the end of all of those outrageous stories made to create panic.”
Robbie began feeding Heaven her bottle. “There wasn't any in today's news. Let's hope that's all done.”
Bakura chuckled. “Yeah, now we have a more juicy story on our hands other than our lives.”
“What do you mean?” Daniel responded.
“It seems that our Police Chief is as crooked as the Leaning Tower of Piza. I have people who say that he's been the one dumping bodies in the dump.”
Miranda shook her head. “He'll get away with it, too.”
“Maybe he will, maybe he won't,” Bakura grinned.
“They'll have to prove it was him,” Ryou said.
“That's not a problem. I'm not worried.”
All heads lifted when they heard Aten began to cough, holding his throat. Robbie rubbed Aten's back and began patting it.
“Aten, are you okay?” Ryou asked, concerned.
Marik watched closely.
Aten coughed up a piece of corn and cleared his throat. “Sorry.”
“You alright, son?”
Aten nodded. “Yeah. You know, I think I'm just going to have a cup of tea for dinner.”
Aten stood up and walked to the sink. He began filling a cup with water when Robbie arrived beside him.
“Feel better?”
Aten rubbed his forehead. “I couldn't swallow it at all. I'll be okay. I'll just get some tea and eat later.”
“Okay,” Robbie said, planting a kiss on Aten's shoulder.
Marik watched his son prepare some tea for himself. The teen leaned against the counter, looking very tired. He watched as Aten covered his mouth for a moment and close his eyes tightly. “Son, what's wrong?”
“I'm okay,” he responded, clearing his throat again.
“Isis and Odion couldn't make it tonight. They had some important work to do at the Domino Museum,” Ryou said.
Daniel looked up from his plate. “Who?”
“My sister,” Malik said. “Did you ever meet her?”
Daniel shrugged. “I really don't remember. If I did, it's been a long time ago.”
“My sister came with Odion. Odion was my family's servant a long time ago. He was my friend growing up in the Tomb of the Pharaoh.”
Marik chuckled. “And his sister is hot.”
“Marik Jibade Ishtar!” Malik scolded, elbowing his yami in the ribs.
“She is! She is very sexy. I'd poke that.”
Malik slapped Marik on the back of the head. “Behave! There's kids around. Besides, that's my sister you're talking about!”
Bakura shook his head. “Every time they talk about Isis it comes down to this.”
Ryou nodded calmly as if this argument was routine between yami and hikari. “Here we go again.”
Aten returned to the table with his tea. “Here, Aria, I'll feed Rhett so you can eat.”
Aria handed the baby over to Aten. The teen held the child in his arms and began feeding the bottle to the baby boy.
“I can't help it if your sister has the body of a vixen!” Marik exclaimed.
“My sister shouldn't be an object of your lust!” Malik argued.
Bakura sighed. “Malik, you're beating a dead horse with this one. Just let it die in peace.”
“Why not? She's not my sister! It's perfectly legal!”
“But she is MY sister! That's practically your blood!”
Marik shook his head. “'Practically' is not completely my blood, though, is it?”
“Hey, guys, let's just enjoy our dinner, okay?” Daniel intervened.
Aten looked down at the suckling baby in his arms and sighed. `Here is a life with so much potential…so much promise. He has his whole life ahead of him.' Aten finished feeding the infant and held Rhett's hand. He looked into the boy's sparkling eyes and grinned. He leaned over and kissed the baby on the forehead.
In Arabic, Aten whispered to the baby, “Your grandfather is a horny jackal, isn't he?”
“I heard that, Aten Bakari Ishtar!” Marik reprimanded his son in English.
“Well, you are,” Aten smiled.
Marik shook his head as he bit into his meat again. “I'm surrounded.”
“You like it,” Malik smiled at his victory.
Rhett looked up at Aten and began to whimper. Aten held Rhett against his chest and let the baby rest against him. The infant put his head against Aten's chest and snuggled into it softly.
Ryou watched closely as the baby began drifting off into sleep against his son's chest. `I hope this works.'
Aten rubbed the baby's back and looked over at Heaven. He reached out and pet the little girl's head lightly with a smile.
Robbie began eating his dinner as he watched Aten hold his nephew and pet his daughter. “Heaven has to go to the doctor's tomorrow for a checkup, Aten.”
“That's fine. I have to work on my painting. I should be able to finish it tomorrow if I'm lucky. I also want to go see Seto and Uncle Joey.”
Robbie nodded. “Just don't overtax yourself. I can go with you if you want.”
“No, I'll be okay. I just want to see them for a little visit.”
“No problem,” Robbie said. “She's doing much better now than when we first found her.”
“Is the adoption legal yet?” Malik asked.
Robbie nodded. “Yes, it is. The parents don't want anything to do with her, so I'm more than happy to take her in as our own.”
“That was a quick adoption. I know it took Seto a long time to complete the adoption process with Hayden,” Ryou said.
“I lucked out, I guess,” Robbie said.
Aten began to yawn and cough. He handed Rhett back to Aria and winced. “I think I need to lie down. Excuse me.”
Aten stood up and everyone noticed how stiff the teen was walking. Robbie could tell Aten's joints and his muscles were stiffening again as the teen leaned against the wall for support.
“I think he'll need another bath tonight for that,” Robbie said.
Bakura shifted his silent gaze between Daniel and Miranda. Daniel nodded silently to Bakura as Miranda looked down sadly. Bakura blocked his mindlink to Ryou. `And so the end begins…..'
Marik looked down at his plate and stood up. He walked into the living room where Aten was laying on the couch. “Boy?”
“Hi, father,” Aten whispered as he laid on the couch.
Marik walked over to Aten slowly and sat beside him. He took his son's hand and noticed how cold his son's skin had become. As he laid on the couch, Marik saw Aten's chest rising slowly. Aten's chest stopped moving and Marik tensed. It wasn't until seconds later that Aten's chest rose slightly again to bring more air into the dying boy's lungs.
“Do you need anything, son?”
Aten smiled slightly, exhaustion written all over the teen's thin face. “There's nothing you can give me that I need. I have Robbie and Heaven. They are all I need.”
“Why don't you go to bed? You might be more comfortable upstairs.”
Aten breathed again and his chest went still. Marik held his breath until the chest rose again. “Too weak.”
Marik stood up and leaned over. He gathered Aten's body into his arms and lifted him up.
“Father, what if you drop me?”
“I won't drop you, son. Trust me.”
Marik carried Aten upstairs and into his bedroom. He laid his son on the bed and covered him up with blankets. “Better?”
Aten nodded. “Yeah, thank you, father.”
“It's the least I can do for you, boy.”
Aten closed his eyes. “Where……Isis?”
“She had to go to the museum today, remember?”
“No,” Aten murmured.
“She had to go there with Odion.”
Aten opened his eyes slowly. “Who?”
“Odion.”
Aten coughed and began to wheeze. “Don't…..remember him.”
“Odion is….a family friend.”
“Oh, okay,” Aten struggled to say as he began to wheeze. His father took his hand as he tried to breathe. Marik heard the air go into Aten's lungs. It sounded as if Aten was trying to breathe underwater.
The teen's face wore a semblance of extreme fatigue.
“I don't think you should walk to KaibaCorp tomorrow if you are feeling this way,” Marik said. “You could hurt yourself.”
Aten looked up at his father. “I have…..to try. I have to see Uncle Seto and Uncle Joey.”
“Aten, are you okay?” Ryou asked, walking into the room.
“I'm okay, mother. Father just helped me up the stairs so I could lay down. I'm feeling weak.”
Ryou walked beside the bed and pet Aten's hair. “You just relax, sweetheart.”
Aten turned his head to the side and closed his eyes. Ryou looked down at Marik and put his arm on Marik's shoulder.
“Do you think it worked?”
Marik shook his head and shrugged. “There's no telling yet. With Malik, I hear the change was instantaneous.”
Ryou sighed. “Maybe it takes time since his heart is so damaged.”
“I don't know, Ry. I hope it worked.”
Robbie took a step into the room. “What's going on? Aten's okay?”
“He just fell asleep, Robbie.”
Robbie sighed in relief. “That's a relief. I was concerned when I didn't see him downstairs.”
“I don't know if it worked, Robbie,” Ryou said.
“We might have to wait and see,” Marik added.
Robbie nodded. “I'll let you know if there is a change.”
Marik sighed. “We should let you go. It's up to the gods now. Only the gods can intervene now.”
“I'll go back down to the others,” Ryou said.
Marik and Robbie watched Ryou walk out of the room, giving Aten one last look in the bed.
Robbie watched Marik look down at his son. The father held his son's hand, rubbing it carefully.
“Have you made……arrangements?”
Robbie nodded. “Everything is all taken care of, Marik. We're just…..waiting at this point.”
Marik's bottom lip trembled as he leaned forward and rested his forehead against Aten's cold hand. “My son….”
Robbie sat beside Marik and heard unquenchable sorrow in the father's two words spoken to his son. The yami's body concealed his face from the observer.
Outside, Robbie heard thunder rolling in the distance and the trickle of raindrops falling on the window of the bedroom.
Marik sat up, raising his head to look at the dark, gray, cloudy sky through the window. “You know, Morgan, I've suffered much in my afterlife. My mortal death was agony. I felt my life slip out of my body as I laid there in the desert sands. My lungs burned like magma. I felt death's cold grip wrap around my heart. But that pain is no comparison to what I'm feeling right now.”
Robbie touched Aten's leg through the bedsheets. “This is not easy on anyone.”
The trickling of the rain sounded louder against the glass as a downpour began.
Marik turned around to Robbie. “Thank you for taking care of my boy.”
“Why wouldn't I? I love him.”
Marik looked down. “I was worried at first when I gave you permission to be with my son. I was afraid you would take advantage of him…like so many people have. I was afraid you would not care for him. It even occurred to me that you would abandon him on his deathbed when he needed you most.”
“I would never do anything like that to him, Marik. I thought you knew me better than that,” Robbie said, taken aback by the yami's confession.
“When a father gives his child away, there is always some level of suspicion. I know my son is in good hands. You have always been nothing less than a loyal companion for him, no matter how sick he has become.”
Robbie sighed. “I would never leave Aten. He means too much to me.”
Marik put his hand on Robbie's leg. “I am glad to hear that, Robert.”
“Marik, there is something I need to talk to you about.”
“Okay, what is it?”
Robbie took a deep breath. “Do you….I mean….How do I ask this?”
“Honestly.”
Robbie nodded. “Okay. Do you want Aten's body after he dies? Maybe you and Bakura want to do a ritual with him or something? I know I just want to bury him, but I know that you and Bakura have your own beliefs and you should be able to honor your own traditions as you see fit.”
Marik raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“Well, I know the Egyptians in your time mummified their dead. Do you…Do you want to mummify Aten or do you want to perform an Egyptian mass of the dead or something?”
Marik looked away from Robbie and rubbed his temples. “What a decision to make…”
“I know it sounds awkward, but if you want to do a ritual with Aten, then I won't stand in your way.”
Marik looked down at Aten and felt his chest tighten. Mummify his own son? This person which had brought so much joy and life to his own immortal existence?
“Robert….I…I'm speechless.”
“If you just want the coroner to do it, then I'll respect your decision.”
Marik looked down at Aten and reached out to pet the white and blond hair gently. “You wanted a Christian mass for him, didn't you?”
Robbie nodded. “I do, but if you want to do something for him, too, I won't stand in your way.”
Marik took a deep breath and slid his hand down to Aten's chest. “I want to perform the burial rites with Itemri. I want to prepare my son for his journey to the Underworld.”
Robbie nodded. “If that is what you want, Marik, I won't stand in your way.”
“It's not going to be easy, but Aten's body deserves the rites that will help ease his passage to the afterlife.”
“I wasn't sure how to bring it up to you. I was just going to have a service for him and then bury him. It was mom and dad's idea that maybe you might want to do something separate from what I planned.”
Marik stood up as a roll of thunder passed over the house, making Robbie look up at the ceiling. In the other room, Heaven began to cry.
“I better go see to my daughter,” Robbie said, standing up with his cane. He limped out of the room and into the baby's room.
He carefully picked the baby girl up and held her. Robbie limped over to the rocking chair in the corner and leaned the cane against the wall. “Don't worry, Heaven, it's only a storm.”
The tapping rain on the window seemed to slam against the window as the rain began its downpour.
Robbie held the baby against his chest and let her head rest on his shoulder. “The storm will pass, Little Muffin, don't worry.”
Robbie looked out the window at the pouring rain and streaking lightening, listening to the rolling thunder.
He held the baby closer to him and rubbed her back. “Hopefully this storm passes soon, Heaven.”
 
Updated: 10/14