Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return To Paradise ❯ Lovers' Conflict ( Chapter 33 )

Lovers Conflict

 

Bakura's POV

 

CRASH! BANG!

“RYOU, I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR SHIT! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!”

CRASH!

“GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE BEFORE I SCRATCH YOUR EYES OUT, MARIK! NOW! GET OUT, I SAY!”

CRACK!

Malik and I were startled out of our sleep by the sound of breaking glass and furious screaming.

SLAP!

“What the hell?!” I gasped as I heard the sound of flesh slapping flesh loudly.

Malik lifted his head quickly and tensed as he heard the fury and anger in his yami's voice. I could tell. Ryou still gets that way when I get angry. He freezes.

“WHY CAN'T YOU ADMIT THAT YOU ARE THE REASON HE'S DEAD!” Marik's angry voice bellowed.

“IF YOU DIDN'T FUCK ME ON THE KITCHEN TABLE, NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED!”

Fuck. This can't be good.

“Malik, get up!” I growled.

Malik opened his eyes slowly. “What's going on?”

“OH, AND I SUPPOSE YOU BLAME THE KITCHEN TABLE FOR ATEN'S HEART FAILURE! IT'S YOUR FAULT OUR SON IS DEAD!”

“Is that Marik and Ry? Fighting?!”

I scrambled to my feet quickly. “Sure sounds like it! We have to stop it!”

Malik stood up quickly as we jumped to our feet. “Marik's gonna kill Ryou!”

“I DIDN'T MAKE HIM SICK!” Ryou protested.

This is going to end badly. I could tell.

Malik and I ran up the stairs quickly, but were impeded by a table that had been thrown in front of the steps blocking our way.

Just fucking great!

I pushed the table out of the way and heard the fighting coming from my bedroom.

“YOU COULDN'T EVEN MAKE HIM RIGHT, COULDN'T YOU?! YOUR DEFECTIVE GENES MADE HIM SICK SO IT'S YOUR FAULT! YOU NEVER SHOULD HAVE BORE HIM! I NEVER SHOULD HAVE FUCKED YOU!”

“I HATE YOU, MARIK! I HATE YOU!” Ryou screamed angrily.

I turned the knob on the door, but the door was locked. “RYOU!” I shoved my body against the door as hard as I could.

“MARIK, LET US IN!” Malik cried out. “DON'T HURT RYOU!”

I heard a loud, painful scream and a struggle ensue in the room.

If Marik kills Ryou, I will personally kick his ass into the next millennium.

Malik was shaking behind me as I tried to break the door down. Marik must have placed something in front of the door so I couldn't get in!

What an asshole!

A mirror shattered in the room and I stepped back from the door.

“Step back, Malik. We have to rush it!”

Malik and I stepped back and threw both of our bodies against the door. Isis and Odion ran out of their room.

“What is going on?” Odion asked over the shouting voices.

“Isis, please help! Marik and Ryou are fighting!”

Odion and I slammed our bodies against the door. The wood began to splinter as we forced our bodies against the door.

“I SHOULD KILL YOU RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW! THEN I'LL BE DONE WITH YOU!” Marik growled.

“NOT IF I STAB YOU FIRST!” Ryou's threat carried over the door.

This fight was getting way out of hand! Is that really Ryou in there? I've never heard Ryou threaten to kill anyone before.

Another loud painful scream issued from the room as the door opened. I saw the bureau had been pushed against the door, preventing easy entry.

Fucking damn it!

I looked inside and saw Ryou's legs kicking helplessly on the bed. Blood was smeared on the walls of the room. The mirror in the room had been shattered.

“Odion, a couple more times and I should be able to squeeze through!”

Odion and I crashed against the door again.

I saw inside Marik positioning himself between Ryou's legs. Ryou's shirt had been pulled up, exposing his belly and his chest. A strong hand was pinning Ryou's throat to the bed. Marik's other hand was holding the Millennium Rod, the dagger in plain view!

Marik's going to kill Ry! Holy shit! The fucker snapped!

“Odion, quick!”

Odion and I crashed into the door and it flew open.

Marik brought the dagger down to stab Ryou, but I had caught his arm as the blade touched Ryou's skin.

“Let go of me, Itemri!” Marik snarled.

“No fucking way! What is this shit all about?!”

I pulled back on Marik, freeing his grip from Ryou.

Ryou sat up quickly and lunged at Marik with his hands.

Malik quickly blocked Ryou's path to Marik.

I barely held Marik back as he brought the knife down behind me trying to stab Ryou. Ryou was barely being held back by Malik. My hikari was biting, kicking, and clawing Malik trying to get to Marik. Marik was kicking and tugging roughly, trying to free himself.

“Ishtar, put the Millennium Rod away this instant!”

Marik looked down at me and snarled. “Get out of my way!”

I grabbed Marik's wrist and bent it painfully. I heard a snap and Marik dropped to his knees.

“If you EVER try and kill my hikari, Marik, I will not show you mercy! Now what is going on here?”

Ryou stopped his assault on Malik, tears running down his cheeks. “He said I was responsible for Aten's death! It's not my fault he was sick!”

“Marik, Ry is right. Ryou didn't choose to have a child with a terminal illness.”

Marik held his wrist. The bone began to swell and I was strangely proud of my quick ability to render Marik no longer a threat.

“Ryou said I could have done more! I worked my ass to the bone to get him the medication he needed! I fathered him! I helped raise him! Not once did I ever deny that boy anything he wanted! I have been the financial provider for this family for years! When we all agreed to move in together and when I found you were pregnant, Ryou, I vowed to provide for all of you! I did that! All of you had a roof over your heads, food in your stomachs, and everything I have ever done for this family is for you three and the kids!”

Marik was always a solid provider for the family. He loved all of us and had always found himself sacrificing so Aten and Ryou could have their medications. Marik would go without food and clothing if Ryou ever needed refills on his own heart medication. Ishtar never complained if he had to sacrifice. He went without and called it a labor of love. He never pouted or regretted if he couldn't eat for an entire day.

Marik was there financially, physically, and emotionally for all of us.

He loved his children. Even though Aria was not his, Marik found ways to express his affection for her. He held her, played with her on the floor, and bought her any dress she coveted. Ishtar never favored his son over my daughter. Both of our children were his. Both children were loved equally. Both hikaris were loved and cared for by both of us.

Ishtar and I could be savage killers to those who threatened our family. At home, we loved our family and cared for our offspring. We hugged our children, played with them, bathed them, tucked them into bed after reading bedtime stories to them.

To say that Marik was an absent parent or that he did not care was simply false.

I turned to Ryou. “He has provided for all of us, Ryou.”

Ryou narrowed his eyes at Marik. I could tell my hikari was pissed beyond belief. It wasn't like Marik and Ryou to go at each other like rabid jackals in the desert.

Their anger and sadness at Aten's death was driving a wedge between them. It wasn't uncommon for couples to fight after the death of a child. Some marriages don't last after a child has died.

I wasn't going to give up on my family so easily.

I looked at Marik's face. His face was clawed and bruised. Teeth-marks tore open a patch of skin by his blond hair. His shirt was torn and his hair was stained red with his blood. He must have hit the mirror, shattering the glass which laid on the ground in tiny shards.

Ryou wasn't in much better shape. Ryou had a black eye which was swelling fast. His shirt was also torn, his jeans ripped. A large bruise was forming on his cheek.

I stood between the two combatants and crossed my arms. “I'm amazed at the both of you. Ryou, I'd never thought that you would ever do something like this! I never thought you would accuse Marik of not giving a damn about this family. Ryou, Marik loved Aten and he has worked very hard to provide for him.”

Ryou was silent.

I turned to Marik. “My Ryou is not to blame for Aten being ill! Let's get that straight right now! Steven was to blame! It was Steven's rat poison which made Ryou ill! Fuck, Marik, I almost watched Ryou die in front of me! How do you think that made me feel? Knowing my hikari was being poisoned slowly and I couldn't do a fucking thing about it? How would you like it if I go downstairs and make a nice cocktail of rat poison, vinegar, and the fuck knows what else he put in there?”

“Insecticide, Bakura,” Malik chimed in. “Insecticide, rat poison, and vinegar.”

“Thank you, Malik.” I'm surprised Malik remembered that. “I'll bring Malik a nice, steaming cup of that bullshit and watch you try and help him!” I stood over Ishtar, my body trembling with fury. “You can watch Malik ache and die,” I whispered. “How would you like that?” I stood up again. I wanted to slap Marik terribly. I wanted to hurt him for hurting Ry. Keeping my temper in check is not an easy thing for me to do. “My Ryou almost died from that, Marik. That is what caused the problems. I'll tell you what, Ishtar. I hope you never have to see that. I hope you never have to see your hikari being poisoned slowly because nothing makes you feel more hopeless than watching someone you love die before your eyes.”

Ishtar pulled back from me and collapsed on the floor on his knees. “I did watch someone die….my son. He was always so ill.”

“Then you know how hard it was for me to not be able to help Ryou. All I could do is watch, Ishtar.”

Marik lowered his head and his shoulders dropped. Ryou's eyes cast downwards.

“Ry, Marik deserves better treatment than this. He loved Aten. He did a lot so Aten could have what he needed to be with us as long as he was. Marik, Ryou loved your son and cared for him. There were many nights spent when Ryou was walking the house with a colicky baby Aten. Ryou made certain that Aten took his medicine and that he was healthy.”

Malik stepped beside me. “Bakura's right. There were a lot of nights when you and Ryou were awake taking care of that baby together. You both stayed up on many nights caring for that child. Now look at the both of you! I don't think Aten would want to see you both angry at each other. I definitely don't think Aten would want to see the two of you trying to kill each other.”

Marik buried his face in his hands. Ryou crossed his arms and sniffled.

I kneeled beside Ishtar. I leaned into Marik's ear. “Look at him, Ishtar.”

Marik shook his head.

“Look at Ryou. Trust me.”

Marik lifted his head and looked up at Ryou.

“Do you see him? He risked much to bring your son, your child, into this world. Ryou could have died. You were in the delivery room. Did you see how much pain he was in?”

“She,” Malik said quickly.

I shot Malik a stern look and he swallowed hard. This was not the time for interjections.

“Sorry, `Kura.”

“Marik, Ryou suffered great pain to give life to your son. How can that be an act of selfishness?”

Marik lowered his head again. I could see teardrops tumbling from his cheeks. “Ryou….”

I looked up at Ryou. “Ryou, come here.”

Ryou obeyed me and kneeled in front of Marik.

“Give me your hand.”

Ryou held out his hand to me. I took Marik's hand in my own. I joined their hands together.

“You both lost something very precious to both of you. Both of you need each other to heal. Fighting will only tear you apart and make this more difficult. Your son was a part of both of you, and as such, both of you need each other for support.”

I stood up and backed away from the two.

Marik sobbed with his head down, his entire body shaking with his weeping. Ryou glared at Marik, much to my amazement.

It wasn't like Ryou not to comfort someone crying. Malik and I waited to see what Ryou would do.

We watched nervously as Ryou watched Marik cry, a hard look on his face.

Finally, Ryou's tough exterior melted and he brought Marik into his arms.

“Ryou…..”

Marik held Ryou tightly, his fingers burying themselves in Ryou's white hair. Marik was shaking so badly, I thought he would shake the house's foundation with him.

I breathed a sigh of relief as I watched Ryou kiss Marik's temple.

“I'm sorry, Marik. You are a good father.”

Marik wailed into Ryou's shoulder. “Ryou……please forgive me.”

Ryou held Marik in his arms, but I saw a distant look in his eyes. It was the same distant look he used to give me many years ago. It was a heartfelt apology, but I could tell Ryou was forcing himself to believe that Marik was sorry. Ryou didn't believe he was.

//Just give him a chance, hikari. That's all I ask.//

/What he said to me was un-called for./

//I know, Ry. Just give Marik a chance, okay?//

/Okay. For you./

Ryou broke the hug with Marik and stepped back. “You know, I think I should stay over at Seto's tonight. This place is completely messed up and I think it's a good idea that I give you some time to yourself.”

Marik sighed and nodded. “Yes. Tonight Itemri and I have to go perform Aten's rites. That is, unless you don't wish to go now.”

I put my hand on Marik's shoulder. “I'll still go with you. I just have to go get our wardrobe.”

Isis raised an eyebrow. “Bakura Itemri?”

“What? I'm only going to borrow them and give them back after we're done!”

Odion glared at me. “'Borrow?' You do mean `Steal.'”

“I'm just going to get them, use them, and take them back. It's not stealing if I return what I've taken.”

Isis shook her head.

“I'm a thief. That's what I do. At least I'm an honest thief. Give me some credit.”

Isis looked at me sternly, but she knew I was good as my word.

“I think Malik should go, too,” Marik said, much to my surprise.

“Why me, too?”

Marik stood up and walked over to his hikari. I saw him put his hands on Malik's shoulders and grip them reassuringly. “Because I need to spend some time alone with Bakura. I think it would be wise for it to just be Itemri and myself.”

Malik hugged Marik. He was probably right. I could take much more of a beating than Ryou or Malik. Besides, he could kill them if he wanted to do it. It would take a lot to get rid of me. I'm bound to my Millennium Ring and that bond can't be broken too easily.

“Let me help Ryou get packed, Marik. You help Malik gather his things. I'll drive them to KaibaCorp when they're done.”

The Ishtars left the room followed by Isis and Odion.

Ryou and I stood in one place and surveyed the damage to our room. The dresser drawers were all over. Clothes littered the floor. Shards of broken glass covered the carpet. The furniture had been moved by their wrestling. The walls were covered in blood.

“I'm sorry, `Kura.”

I tried to block out the scent of freshly spilled blood swimming around me. Now would not be a good time to give in to those….urges. I opened the windows, hoping that would help eradicate the smell. It didn't help, unfortunately.

“What started all that nonsense, Ry?”

Ryou shrugged. “He came in here and we were talking. One thing leads to another and we just started fighting. I got so angry at him! I tried to hold myself back.”

I pulled Ryou's suitcase from under a pile of clothing. “You're both very upset now. You're both angry, upset, and hurting, but you have to try to fight the urge to take it out on each other.”

Ryou nodded. “I know. The words just flew out of my mouth without thinking.”

“Then I suggest you think the next time.” I caught the harshness of my reply and dropped the suitcase on the bed. I stood by my husband and caressed his cheek. “We're all in this together, Ry. I'm hurting, too. Malik is hurting. We are all feeling Aten's loss. But we are family. Try and remember that. We're all here to support each other.”

Ryou sat on the bed. I could tell my hikari was struggling with something inside of himself.

“When we bury Aten, we'll be able to pick up the pieces and move on, Ry. In the meantime, let's not kill each other, okay?”

Ryou nodded. “Okay, `Kura.”

I sat beside Ryou and put my arm around him. “Come here.”

Ryou put his head on my shoulders. He wrapped his arm around me and I let him cry out whatever he needed.

It wasn't long before Malik stepped into the room.

I pat Ryou's back. “Let's get you packed and ready to go to Seto. I think some time away will help you clear your mind.”

Ryou nodded. “There are a lot of memories here. Memories I need some time away from.”

“I'll meet you downstairs in a few,” I told Malik before helping Ryou pack his suitcase.

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

 

Normal POV

 

The CEO opened the newspaper and flipped through the business section towards the obituaries. In alphabetical order, Aten's obituary appeared:

 

[Ishtar, Aten Bakari, 18, died at his home after a life-long battle with Dilated Cardiomyopathy. He was born September 28th, 2004 to Marik Ishtar and R. Bakura. He graduated from Domino High School and was an active member in the Domino Art Community. Aten was involved in painting all of his life. His collections appear in many distinguished museums across the United States and Europe, including the Louvre in France. Aten will be missed by all who knew him. Aten is survived by one spouse, R. A. Morgan-Ishtar and infant daughter Heaven Raine Morgan-Ishtar, one sister, one brother-in-law and two nephews, his parents and step-parents. He is preceded in death by his grandmother, Rhea Bakura, and his grandfather, Steven Bakura, and two infant nieces. A private ceremony will be planned in honor of Aten. The family requests that in lieu of donations, contributions can be sent to Camp Sitting Bear and Domino Hospital in Aten's name. Donations to Domino Hospital will benefit terminally ill children.]

Seto leaned back in the chair as his hand went to his pocket. His wallet sat in his pocket safely. It was the wallet that Aten had made for him during his camping trip to Camp Sitting Bear.

Seto sighed, remembering how excited the little boy had been to make that for him. The next year he came back with a pencil holder. The clay was misshapen and it leaned to one side. The colors were perfect, but the pencil holder looked hideous.

Seto continued to keep it on his desk since Aten had made it for him special.

The doors opened and Zira walked into the waiting room. Seto stood up, ready for any news of the surgery.

Zira stepped up to Seto and put his hand on Seto's shoulder. “The operation was a success.”

Seto breathed a sigh of relief. “That's a miracle.”

“We have to wait and see if Joey's body rejects the new liver. Hopefully it doesn't.”

“You were able to remove Aten's liver?”

Zira nodded. “Yes. I managed to find one cause of Aten's death.”

Seto looked at the doctor with narrowed eyes. “What killed him?”

“His ventricle burst. There was a clot, but it looked like the clot had separated. I wasn't able to determine where the rest of the clot had gone. Bakura and Marik said they would discover the cause of death.”

Seto narrowed his eyes at Zira. “You are the doctor, not them! You should examine that body and determine what killed that boy!”

“Bakura and Marik want to do something with the body and I have to respect their wishes. Seto, I don't normally let people do this. I'm making an exception for Marik because I know him well enough. If they don't find anything, I will go in and explore after they are finished.”

Seto nodded. “Very well. How did his blood clot?”

“I had him on anticoagulants, Seto. I had him on the best medicine possible. I might be a doctor, Seto, but I'm only human.”

“Is Joey awake? Can I see him?”

Zira shook his head. “No, he's asleep. Come back tomorrow. I promise you I'll take good care of him.”

“See that you do. I'll be back in the morning.”

Seto turned and left, walking beside Donny. “The kid's heart blew, Don. I wonder what else killed him.”

“He was a good guy, Mr. Kaiba.”

“There's not many left of his breed,” Seto said.

Don nodded. “I agree. He was unique.”

“Take me home, Don.”

Seto watched out the window as Donny drove them home from the hospital. Seto crossed his arms, thinking of the little boy who he had chased down the hallways of KaibaCorp. The little boy who spent hours painting beside Joey in Joey's Studio. The time that he and Robbie had found a box that they should never had found.

Seto had bathed the little child before bed and had tucked him into bed. There was no tucking Aten in bed now.

`It hurts to lose him, but Joey has been given a fresh start if his body accepts the liver. I should thank Ryou, but that would be awkward. `Thank you for having Aten because now Joey has a new liver. Oh, and by the way, sorry to hear about your son dying.' That's cold as hell.'

Seto realized when he had pulled into KaibaCorp, Bakura's car was sitting in the parking lot. “What's this all about?”

Seto and Donny rode the elevator to the top of the building and saw Ryou, Bakura, and Malik in the hallway.

“Sorry, moneybags, I didn't realize anyone was home,” Bakura said.

Seto saw Ryou and walked up to him. “What happened to your face?” Seto reached up and gently caressed Ryou's cheek. “Poor baby,” he whispered quietly. “Who did this to you?”

“We'll have plenty of time to fill you in,” Malik said. “Where's Joey?”

Seto put his arms around Ryou. “The surgery was a success. Joey has a new liver.”

Ryou returned Seto's embrace. “I'm glad they found a donor.”

Donny nodded. “Lucky for Master Joey.”

“Seto, do you think you can house Malik and Ryou tonight? I'm having issues with Ishtar and I need a safe haven for them for the night.”

Seto kissed the top of Ryou's head. “Did Marik do this?”

Bakura nodded. “Yes. Bastard woke Malik and I out of a sound sleep. I'll handle Marik. Can you handle these two? If you can't, I'll just take them to Aria's.”

“No, I can care for them. Malik, you can have Mokie's old room.”

“Sweet! Waterbed!” Malik squealed happily, running into the room.

Bakura chuckled. “You won't hear anything from him the rest of the night, then. Just be sure to disinfect that room since there will be an Ishtar sleeping there in that bed.”

“I'm reading Aten's Will tomorrow at three in my office. Bring Marik with you then. Tell Robbie, too. You can give him a ride.”

“Sure, no problem.” Bakura kissed Ryou's ear. “Be good for Seto, Ry.”

Ryou hugged his yami. “I will, Bakura. If you need help with Marik--.”

“I'll be fine.” Bakura gave his hikari a smile and a kiss on the lips. “Goodbye, angel.”

Bakura opened Malik's room door. “Ishtar, careful where you rub one off! That's the kids' room when they come to visit! They don't need to see your baby-batter!”

Seto wrinkled his nose. “That's nasty, Bakura!”

The yami grinned. “Nobody said I was clean. See you tomorrow, Kaiba.”

Ryou and Seto watched Bakura leave.

The CEO looked down at Ryou. “Let's get you cleaned up.”

Seto took Ryou to his bedroom and into his private bathroom. “I don't know if I can do anything for your eye and cheek, but you have some scratches.” Seto held his first aid kit and started to pat Ryou's cuts and scrapes with disinfectant. “I know it hurts, Ry, but it only stings for a second.”

Ryou nodded. “Marik and I got into a fight. We were fighting over Aten.”

“Ry, there's no use fighting over it now,” Seto said carefully bandaging Ryou's cuts. “I can't believe Marik would do this to you.”

Ryou sighed. “We both said some things that shouldn't have been said. I just miss Aten. Marik's not handling the death of his son very well.”

“Well, seeing the sky says it all. It's been raining non-stop the past week. Parts of the country are flooded, wildfires and sparking up all over the west, and volcanoes are erupting. Parts of Africa have lost entire crops because of drought. Now I heard India had an earthquake this morning. Marik is definitely not taking this news well at all.”

Ryou looked up at Seto. “Maybe Marik's not to blame for all of it. Of course, this morning is when he and I got into that fight.”

Seto gave his friend a reassuring smile. “Bakura will be able to handle him. I just hope those two don't get into too much trouble.”

“Seto, they are yami. When DON'T they get into trouble?”

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

 

Marik kneeled on the ground in front of the bookcase. He searched the small library for the book. There was a possibility that the book would not be with the general collection. Ryou and Bakura shelves would not contain the book he needed, especially Ryou's. Malik's shelf had various books on gardening and herbs. The occasional Egyptian history book was mixed into the gardening books. A few cooking books were also included in the hikari's collection.

Marik searched his book shelf for the text and found it missing. “Who took that book and where did they put the fucking thing?”

Marik ran up the steps and searched his bedroom closet. “I doubt the book would be here. Such a precious book shouldn't be kept in a dark closet.” The yami didn't find the book in the closet and he grit his teeth in frustration. “I wonder if Bakura took it.”

Marik growled as he walked into Bakura's room. He pushed through the door and searched under Bakura's bed and in his closet.

The text was nowhere to be found and he let out a loud obscenity.

Isis walked into the room, finding Marik kneeling on the floor, rubbing his head. “Why are you in here again?”

“I can't find the Book of Rites! I've looked all over! It's not in the bookcase! It's not in my room and it's not here!”

Isis watched as the yami stood up. “The book you seek is not here. It has not been here for a while.”

“Where's the book, Isis?”

Isis smiled. “Think about it. What is in the book?”

“Words. Pages.”

“No, think. What are the words?”

“Prayers.”

Isis grinned. “Who used those prayers everyday?”

Marik slapped his own forehead and rolled his eyes. “I'm an idiot sometimes! I hope Robbie still has the book or if he even knows where it is. When Bakura returns from the Shadow Realm, tell him I'll be over at Miranda's.”

Isis stepped aside as Marik walked out of the room. “I'll be sure to tell him after I scold him for taking what does not belong to him.”

“Take it easy on Bakura, Isis. He's just doing what he does best.”

“For better or worse, he is good at his profession.”

Marik left the house and walked down to the Morgan home. He walked around to the back of the house where Aten's Studio still stood. Seto had paid for the addition to the home as Aten's wedding present.

Inside, he saw Robbie watching the black candle burning. Marik knocked on the door and Robbie jumped, startled.

“Marik, don't do that!”

“Don't do what?”

Robbie stood up. “You scared the heck out of me!”

“Am I that ugly?” Marik grinned.

“No! I just didn't expect you.” Robbie opened the door to let the yami in. “What do you want?”

Marik looked around at the Studio. “It looks so strange without him standing there painting.”

“Yeah, tell me about it. It doesn't feel right in here without him.”

Marik walked over to the painting and looked at the canvas. His eyes went to the gray swirled into the sky. `That gray doesn't look like it belongs there.'

“What can I do for you, Marik?”

“Robbie, I need a book of Aten's. It's a Book of Rites. Do you know where he kept his prayer books?”

Robbie nodded. “Upstairs in our room. What color is the book?”

“Black with gold writing. It would be in Egyptian.”

“Oh, yeah, Aten read that every day during his prayer time. Come upstairs and I'll give it to you along with the Scepter of Ra.”

Marik looked down at the teen. “You don't want to keep his Item?”

“You should have it, Marik. He was your son. I don't have any use for it. I think the Millennium Items should stay within your family.”

“If that is what you wish, Robert, I won't say no.”

Marik followed Robbie into the kitchen where Daniel and Miranda were sitting at the table. “Good morning.”

Miranda stood up when she saw Marik. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him. “I'm so sorry, Marik.”

Marik bit his lip as he returned her embrace. “Thank you, Miranda.”

“How are you holding up?” Daniel asked.

“Ryou and I had a fight this morning. We're not doing too well, but we're trying to cope.”

Miranda pat Marik's ass lightly. “You be nice to Ryou, Marik.”

“I know. I was an ass, but we'll get through it.”

“Marik came for Aten's prayer book and his scepter,” Robbie said.

Marik nodded. “Bakura and I are performing Aten's rites tonight and I need the book. I didn't realize Aten took it when he moved away.”

“I think that's one of the first things he took,” Robbie said. “I remember him bringing it in the first box here. I think he asked Bakura for it and Bakura told him he could take it.”

Robbie and Marik climbed the steps. “Aten took very good care of the book. He treated it as something sacred. I mean, it is a prayer book, so it is sacred. He just took very good care of it.” Robbie lead Marik into his room and handed the Scepter of Ra to its owner's father.

Marik held the Scepter in his hand and looked at the red jewel on the top. “He took very good care of it. It looks polished.”

Robbie nodded. “Aten believed in keeping his belongings in good shape. He tried to find anything that would keep the Scepter looking clean.”

Robbie opened the drawer in the side table beside the bed. He pulled out a book wrapped in crimson red satin. He closed the drawer and put the book on the bed. He unfolded the cloth around the book and there the book lay.

The black leather cover bound the book with gold letters embroidered on the front of the book. Marik sat on the bed and turned the book towards him. He opened the book to where Aten had placed a red ribbon as a bookmark.

“Aten prayed every day with that,” Robbie said. “It was his prized possession next to his painting supplies.”

Marik took the book with shaky hands. “Did Aten read this the morning he died?”

Robbie shrugged. “I don't know.” Robbie looked at the writing. “I never actually saw this book. I've seen him read it, but I never took a good look at it.”

“You wouldn't understand it unless you could read Arabic. There's a Prayer to Anubis written here.”

Robbie nodded. “Aten knew something wasn't right. I knew something wasn't right deep down, too. I just didn't want to admit it to myself.”

Marik closed the book gently and wrapped the book in the satin cloth. “Thank you for the book, Robbie.”

“You'll find it more useful than me, Marik. I can't read too many things in that book. Aten did teach me some Arabic, but it seemed confusing. I can say a few words.”

Marik snickered. “Did he teach you how to call someone a `cum-swallowing, disease-ridden old prostitute'?”

Robbie chuckled. “No, we didn't get that far. We got to basic household items like table, chair, fork, and stuff like that.”

Marik cradled the book against his chest. “Thank you for the book. And, thank you for caring for my son, Robbie.”

Robbie sat beside Marik. “I loved Aten, Marik. It was so lonely in bed last night.”

Marik looked at the dresser and the pictures that showed Aten and Robbie. One picture had Marik, Ryou, Malik, and Bakura in a family portrait.

Another picture had a six-year-old Aten and Robbie standing in their bathing suits, smiling. Aten had his tank top on to cover his back.

“It will take some adjustment, Robbie. My son will always be a part of me and he will always be near you in spirit. I know my son loved you, Robert. I didn't want his love to be misplaced, but I allowed him to marry you. You've proven yourself to me. Taking care of him was no easy task.”

Robbie nodded. “Seto's reading his Will tomorrow at his office at three.”

“I'll be there.”

Heaven began to cry in her crib and Robbie stood up.

“I have to care for the baby, Marik. Feel free to tag along.”

Robbie limped out of the room and Marik followed. Robbie winced as he picked up the little girl from her crib. He used his cane to walk to the changing table and whimpered.

“My foot is not doing well today.”

Robbie leaned against the changing table and removed the girl's diaper. “How did you turn carrots into that, Heaven? Stinky girl.”

Marik snickered. “Yup. It's amazing how babies can turn food into colors you never thought possible. I remember Itemri getting grossed out every time he changed Aria's diaper. Aten wasn't much better. I think Bakura actually threw up one time after changing Aria. I never let Bakura forget that.”

Robbie finished changing Heaven and handed her to Marik. “Can you carry her downstairs for me? I have to feed her.”

Marik took the infant in his arms and listened to her coo. Marik held the baby against his chest and smiled. Aten was a tiny baby, much smaller than his sister. Heaven looked as small as Aten had been when he had been born.

The yami carried the girl downstairs and told Robbie he would feed her the bottle. He watched the baby girl suckle on the nipple of the bottle, thoughts of Aten's infancy running through his head.

A knock sounded on the door.

“That's probably Bakura.”

Robbie opened the door and Mr. Hinney from the Art Gallery stood at the door. “Mr. Morgan-Ishtar, I presume?”

Robbie nodded. “Hi, Mr. Hinney. What brings you around here?”

“I saw Aten's obituary in the paper and I came to express my condolences. He was a very talented artist.”

“Yes, he was. Do you want to come in?”

Mr. Hinney walked through the door and Robbie closed it behind him. “I wish to know if Aten completed any paintings for the show on Friday. He told me he would be ready for the show, but since his passing, I'm not certain if he had finished anything.”

“Come to the Studio. I know he placed some of his finished paintings in the corner. I think they're done.”

Robbie lead Mr. Hinney to the Studio.

“So this is where the magic happened,” Hinney said, looking around.

“This is where he spent most of his days. I had to pull him to bed on a few occasions because all he wanted to do was paint.”

Mr. Hinney looked through Aten's finished paintings. “Domino lost a promising young artist.” Hinney saw the picture on Aten's easel. “What detail! It's unfinished, though.”

“Aten was working on that when he died. He was painting one minute and collapsed the next. See, his brush and paint fell onto the floor.”

Hinney turned to Robbie. “I wish to purchase Aten's paintings from you, Mr. Morgan-Ishtar, especially Aten's unfinished piece.”

“You want to buy them?”

“That is what I said. I'm prepared to offer you---.” Hinney removed a checkbook from his pocket and filled out a check. He tore it out of the book and handed it to Robbie. “This is my offer.”

Robbie's eyes widened and his jaw dropped in shock. “I've never seen so many zeros!”

“Aten's paintings bring good revenue for the Domino Community. We wish to display these in Domino only. This painting that Aten never finished will remain in our gallery. It will not be sold, no matter the price tag.”

Robbie stared at the check. “Are you serious?”

“I am very serious. I only wish there would be more works of art.”

Robbie rubbed his eyes in disbelief. “As long as they don't leave the city, it would be nice to have a place be able to preserve Aten's paintings and care for them. I just want to keep one, if that's okay.”

“Feel free. That price doesn't change, though. I'm still willing to pay that price.”

Robbie folded the check into his jeans and looked through Aten's paintings. He chose a painting of Weeping Willows and a maiden in white standing beneath them.

“I appreciate your sacrifice. I can assure you that we will take the utmost care of these treasures. I will be around to pick them up tomorrow.”

“You can't. Aten's funeral is tomorrow. Wednesday would be better.”

Hinney nodded. “Okay. I will be around Wednesday, then.”

Robbie escorted him out of the house and returned to the kitchen, shock still written on his face.

“You look as if you've just seen a ghost,” Daniel said.

Robbie removed the check from his pocket and showed his parents. Miranda and Daniel stared wide-eyed at the seven figures written on the check.

“I knew he would good, but I didn't realize three million dollars good!” Daniel gasped.

Robbie looked at the check and let his fingers touch the paper lightly. “Aten would want me to put this to good use. Part of this should go to the hospital.”

“Three million dollars?!” Marik gasped. “Damn, my kid was good!”

Robbie nodded. “He was very good. Aten would have wanted this to go to the hospital.

Before the funeral service, we have to go to Seto's to hear Aten's Last Will.”

Marik's gaze became directed towards the baby girl who had finished feeding. Marik put the bottle on the table and let the baby girl rest against his chest. “Okay, girlie, time to get you to burp. Come on, make Papa Marik proud. Make it big.”

Heaven burped a little and snuggled into Marik's chest.

“You still have the touch, Marik,” Daniel said.

“This is nothing. When she gets older, she and I will have burping contests, just like I used to do at home with my kids. I'll warn you, though. Give Aria a can of soda and she will blow the house walls down!”

Robbie nodded. “I can confirm that.”

Marik looked up at the clock. “Where the hell is Itemri? It's almost sundown.”

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

Bakura crept along the shadows with the backpack strapped to his body. The robes he and Marik needed were folded gently into the backpack. He had to remember to thank Isis that she didn't place them in the general collection on display. Stealing robes which were on display would have complicated matters severely.

He peered around the corner to see a security guard turning a corner with a flashlight.

The thief grinned. “Damn, I'm good.”

He crept along the dimly lit hallway, keeping his ears peeled for footfalls. He saw the light from another flashlight beaming towards him. He scurried behind a statue of Horus and narrowed his eyes. `Great God Horus, protect me now,' he thought as he folded himself to remain hidden behind the statue's form.

The light slowly passed him as did the footfalls.

The bandit sighed in relief and checked for any new signs of guard patrols. `If I can avoid getting hit with those fire-sticks, I'd really appreciate it. Those fuckers hurt like hell!'

Bakura kept close to the darkness as he maneuvered around the display cases. He looked into one and saw a pair of wrist restraints. He looked at the spikes which aligned the inside of the restraints. `Those fuckers hurt, too! I remember those.'

Beside the restraints rested a whip. Bakura shifted uneasily on his feet. `I remember that, too. When Anubis wanted to, he could rip the flesh right off of your back. It took forever for my skin to grow again after that incident.'

The thief continued along his journey towards the Mummy Exhibit. The exit was nearby, but his portal to the Shadow Realm could easily be placed anywhere.

He walked along the cases and stopped at one mummy who looked short and stout in life. In death, there was little left of him.

His teeth looked well cared for. Blond hair covered his head. Bakura narrowed his eyes upon recognition of the mummy: Kaemwaset Ishtar, Marik's father.

Bakura's lip curled in disgust. `What I wouldn't give for a match and some oil to set this wretch ablaze!'

****Flashback****

Bakura narrowed his eyes at the man. His arms and legs were chained. He was bound to a chair, a prisoner of Yami. “Marik meant nothing to you. Your own son, your flesh and blood. He's dead and I bet you didn't even shed one solitary tear for him.”

“You're right about that, thief. Marik's death was a blessing and a relief. I should have killed him when he took his first cry after his birth. My life would have been better if I had not fathered Marik and placed him in his mother's womb.”

Bakura cleared his throat and spit on Kaemwaset. “How dare you call yourself a father!”

***End Flashback***

`Marik's death meant nothing to you. I'll have you know….that Marik means everything to me….and I don't give a damn what you think about it. Marik never deserved you as a father. You never loved your son….that is a crime more brutal than I could ever have committed.'

Bakura continued along the line of mummies and stopped short when he arrived at a tiny mummy. The sign below the mummy read: `Child Mummy. Aged Approx. 2 yrs.'

The mummy's white hair speckled its head. Its mouth was gaped open as if in an eternal yawn….but it wasn't a yawn as Bakura remembered.

Bakura felt his knees become weak. His fingertips touched the glass. “It can't be,” he whispered to himself. “I'd never thought I'd see you again…..Ilthien.”

Bakura's eyes looked at the baby, his hands wanted to reach through the glass and hold his only son.

Bakura felt a drop of water fall on his arm before he realized it wasn't water….his tears were trickling down his cheek. “I'm sorry, Ilthien,” he whispered. “If I could have saved you, I would have, baby boy.” Bakura shook his head. “Locked in Yami's dungeon, I couldn't have even saved myself.”

The child stared above him, his eyes long rotted away, but his mouth remained opened, screaming for eternity.

“I wonder how they found you,” Bakura sighed. “Rayna probably saw to it that you were cared for after your death.” Bakura clenched his fists angrily and his teeth grinded together. “No…not death…after your murder by Yami.”

Bakura's eyes went to the white cloth that concealed the baby's belly and its chest. “At least you don't suffer anymore, Ilthien. All I wanted was you away from the palace, somewhere safe. Forgive me, my son. Sleep well, my little angel.” Bakura stood up and looked down at the baby mummy for one last time. “Daddy loves you, little boy….forever.”

Bakura closed his eyes as his Millennium Ring glowed in the darkness. The purple haze of the Shadow Realm filled the air.

As he stepped through the portal, he saw the Ultimate Obedient Fiend standing in front of a group of battle-ready duel monsters. Beside the Ultimate Obedient Fiend, the Robotic Knight clutched onto his sword, ready for battle. Oni-Tank T-34's engine roared furiously.

He walked across the emptiness of the Shadow Realm towards the portal to his home. The duel monsters growled and snarled at him as he passed.

Dark Necrofear grasped a spear in her hand and scowled at her master.

Bakura jumped aside as the Winged Dragon of Ra roared at him angrily.

Bakura crossed the path of the monsters and knew that in their agitated state, something big was going to happen…something big…and wrong.

 

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

The woman crossed her legs as she opened the newspaper. She took a puff of her cigarette and sent the smoke curling above her head.

“The news is just absolutely dreadful, mummy,” the woman said, taking a sip of her expensive wine.

“The news never has good news! The most exciting thing in the papers was the story about those Spirit people. They don't even have any more stories about them! I knew they looked familiar.”

The younger woman rolled her eyes. “Yes, that dreadful family has certainly corrupted my sister and her brood, especially poor little Robbie.”

“I don't know why Miranda didn't just get rid of it! I knew that kid was bad news for her. We should have offered her an extra thousand to get rid of him.”

The younger woman sat up in the chair and put her cigarette in the ashtray. “Why, hello! Aten Ishtar's name is in the obituary!”

The older woman shuffled over to her daughter and her eyes lit up with pleasure. “He's finally dead! It's finally happened, Vera!” The older woman hugged her daughter and cheered happily. “Does the obituary say how he died?”

“Dilated Cardiomyopathy. What ever in the world is that?”

“Who cares, Vera-dear! It killed him! We have a chance now. We must act!” The older woman shuffled away and picked up a phone book. “I have been waiting for this day! The day that boy died! Aten is dead! Shout it out to the Heavens and praise them! Now we can think of Robbie's bright future with the girl of his dreams!”

“Whose number are you looking for, mumsy?”

The older woman grinned through a nearly-toothless mouth. “I know the perfect girl for our little Robbie. He'll be able to settle down and enjoy a pure marriage with a pure wife! Praise the Lord that boy is now dead!”

“I'll get Stetson to pack our bags for the trip,” Vera said.

The older woman dialed the number on the phone and grinned. “Candy, I have the perfect boyfriend for you! We're leaving tonight. Pack your bags. I have the marriage documentation here all ready to go….yes, he died….I know, it is glorious news! Be here as soon as you can get here. You won't regret it.”

 

Updates: 3/17