Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Soul Of The Night ❯ The Perfect Bait ( Chapter 19 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

The Perfect Bait

Seto returned to Ryou’s room where he found Joey, Yugi, and Glenn sitting beside a sleeping Ryou. Joey grabbed Seto’s tunic when he entered angrily. When Joey realized he had grabbed Seto, he quickly released him. “Sorry, Seto. I’m just making sure nobody roughs him up when he’s sleeping.”
“Assholes, the both of them.  If we release Ryou, he’ll throw all of us into the dungeon.”
Glenn and Yugi exchanged worried glances. “What are we going to do?”
Seto sighed and ran his fingers through his brown hair. “Get out of the room and let him sleep.”
“What if Marik comes in and hurts him again?” Yugi asked. “We can’t abandon him.”
“I don’t think Marik will kill him.  I think he’s using Ryou as bait instead, knowing Bakura will stop at nothing to get in here and rescue him.”
Joey crossed his arms and growled. “Like a worm on a hook waiting for a fish to bite.”
“Do you think Bakura will take the bait?” Glenn asked.
Yugi nodded. “This is Bakura we‘re talking about and this is his husband. Bakura has always been ultra-protective of Ryou. It‘s guaranteed he will tear this place apart until he finds Ryou.”
“What if Marik comes and takes the baby while we’re gone?" Glenn asked.
“If Marik wanted to take it, I’m certain he would have done it already." Seto stood by the door. “Let’s go, everyone.”
Yugi and Glenn sat up from the bed and held each other’s hands as they left the room. “We’ll tell Aria in the morning that her mom is here. Ryou would want to see her.”
“What makes you think Marik is going to use Ryou as bait?” Joey asked as he stood beside Seto.
“He’s planning a celebration for his coronation.  Do you think Bakura will sit idle while the guards are distracted?” Seto lead the group out of the room. “The Ishtars want me to attend the party."
The group watched the guards lock the door as they left the room.  Seto lead the group down the hall.
Glenn turned to Seto. “Are you going?”
“How can I not?  If I don’t attend, Marik will throw me into the dungeon with Yami.”
Joey laughed. “That’s one party I’m glad I wasn’t invited to.”
“I should suffer alone, puppy? You’re coming, too.”
“But, Seto, I don’t want to go!”
Seto’s eye wandered to Joey. “You never had a problem attending Kaiba Corp functions. You’ve always looked forward to the Christmas Party, Halloween Party, and soirees.”
“Yeah, but the party was not being held by insane Ishtars.”
Seto stopped and looked at Joey. “Listen.  We do not want to be on their bad side. We can’t help Ryou or anyone else outside these castle walls if we are in the dungeon.”
The blond nodded with resignation. “You’re right.”
“I know I’m right, puppy.  Tomorrow I am going to go out there and warn the others. Ryou told me where they are.”
Yugi looked up at Seto. “You’re going to the oasis?”
Seto shook his head. “No, Yugi. Marik burned down Bakura’s oasis.”
“Holy shit!” Glenn exclaimed. “Oops...sorry.”
“That’s awful,” Yugi said.
“Nobody was hurt. That’s the best outcome we could have hoped for.  Ryou wasn’t killed and Aten and Robbie were gone at the time.”
Yugi stopped before the harem’s door. “Do you think there’s anything in the royal library that can help us find our way home? None of us really know Ancient Egyptian....except....” Yugi tapped his chin in thought. “You were able to read the ancient text on the Winged Dragon of Ra card in Battle City!” Yugi released Glenn’s hand and grabbed Seto’s hand. “You have to go to the royal library and try to find something to get us home.”
Seto’s eyes widened. “You may have something there, Yugi.  I couldn’t believe it when I was able to read the card.”
“I know you can do it, Seto,” Glenn said.
“You spent so long denying this past, perhaps now you can put Isis’ revelation to good use,” Joey said.
Seto nodded. “Very well. I might get lucky.”
“Goodnight, Seto and Joey ,” Yugi said, giving Seto and Joey a friendly hug before disappearing into the harem.  
“Night, you two. Don’t let the bedbugs bite...or whatever the Egyptian equivalent is,” Glenn said, following his lover.
Joey and Seto watched the door shut.  The blond and brunet looked at each other uncomfortably. “Well, maybe we should get to bed,” Joey said nervously.
Seto nodded. “Joey, please come back to my room. You belong at my side.”
Joey released Seto’s hand. “I’m sorry, Seto.  I don’t think I can yet.” The blond lowered his head and looked at the polished floor. “I don’t think I will ever be able to share a bed with you again.”
“Joey, don’t say that,” Seto whispered. “Are you willing to throw away our twenty-year relationship which has been through so much?”
“Don’t make me answer that,” Joey said.
Seto placed his hands on Joey’s shoulders. “I love you, Joey.  If you’re not ready to return to my bed, I’ll respect your wishes. However, I will say one more thing before I go.  Remember when you cut my chest with a broken bottle while you were going through withdrawl? You were wacked out on Jack Daniels that you didn’t know what you were doing. Goodnight, Joseph.”
Joey watched Seto walk down the hall.  I’m sorry, Seto.  I know how hard it is to fight the flashbacks.  We both have our demons that we’ve had to face. But...this is Aria.  It’s his niece.  I’ve always been understanding of his relationship with Ryou. I’ve never had a problem if Seto wanted to take Ryou to his bed for cuddling.....or more.  Seto is not attracted to women at all. Wait....do I feel threatened by Aria?  I shouldn’t. I know Seto can’t even think of a woman naked without reaching for his stomach pills.  It would have made him severely ill to see Aria naked and then make a baby with her.  
Aria’s not a bad looking girl, though.  She keeps herself in shape and her long, white spiky hair looks just like her father.  Perhaps Seto was right. Maybe it was a flashback. How else would he have been able to see her naked and sleep with her? Maybe I’ve been too hard on him.
**********************
Bakura walked along the street shrouded in darkness.  He pulled his cloak around him and cautiously as he crept along the streets. Drunken men were staggering through the streets, some of them shouting sexual propositions to the women on the corners.  Few others roamed the streets helping their neighbors rebuild their homes.  
“Bakura?” Yami Bakura called as he saw movement at the end of the alley. The yami cautiously walked down the alley when he saw an older child sitting in the alley with three other boys.  “Is Bakura here?”
The boys turned their heads to Bakura as they sat around a small campfire. “No, that weakling isn’t here.”
Bakura narrowed his eyes.  I remember these punks. “The boy is not a weakling.”
The boys laughed. “He’s fun to punch!”
“What is your problem with Bakura?”
“Do you have a problem with us having a little fun with the newest meat on the street, chunky?”
Bakura narrowed his eyes. “Chunky? I’m skinnier than you!”
The boy stood up and cracked his knuckles. “It’s funny when Bakura cries. He’s a cry-baby! Cry-baby! Cry-baby! Poor little Bakura, we beat him up and take his food! Wahhh!”
The group of boys laughed. “Why should you care what we do to him?”
“Looks like Bakura found someone to fight his battles for him!” the boys laughed.
“He looks just like the little brat!" another boy exclaimed. “He should be just as easy to kick around! Beat him up, Ebo!”
The ten-year-old approached the yami with a confident grin.
“Are you really going to take me on?” the yami asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Why not? I’m not afraid to take on a larger piece of meat!”
Yami Bakura waited until Ebo was in front of him. His eyes narrowed as he felt his anger growing. Ebo snapped his fist out quickly to punch him. The yami grabbed Ebo’s arm and twisted roughly, breaking the boy’s arm with one hand. Ebo fell to the ground screaming as the bone protruded from his skin. “I have no time for bullies. If I find that you approach Bakura again, I will snap you in half!”
Yami Bakura turned to the rest of the boys who scurried away in a panic. The yami chuckled as he watched his little victim stand on his feet using his only good arm to get himself to stand. “Go ahead! Bully me now, you insignificant little cockroach!” Yami Bakura snarled as his eyes went pitch black and his canines grew sharp.  The boy’s eyes widened in terror and ran screaming down the alley.
Yami Bakura chuckled. “I still have it. I doubt those little bastards will fuck with my little self again.” The yami shivered and warmed his hands by the fire made by the street urchins.  His stomach growled from hunger. He left the alley and reached into the small pouch tied to the blue and white material tying his white linen skirt on his hips.  He looked up and down the street cautiously.
The thief waited for the streets to quiet.  When people had disappeared, the thief removed two of his tools to pick the lock on the shopkeeper’s house.  When he heard the click of the lock, the thief grinned. “Hell yeah, I still have it.”  The thief opened the door and grabbed three loaves of bread. “Aten, Robbie, and Bakura will be hungry when I find him. I hope the boy’s alright.”
Yami Bakura peeked his head out of the home as he felt a hand on his shoulder grab him. The yami grabbed his dagger lightning quick and slashed the empty air behind him. He looked confused into the darkness behind him.  “What’s this?”
The yami felt pressure on his lips as he sheathed his dagger. Yami Bakura felt a sinking feeling in his stomach....it was a familiar feeling....something he felt for the first time when he was five....Terror. “What the.....? Oh god....BAKURA! Where are you?”
Yami Bakura raced towards the alley he returned to in his nightmares.  He knew the alley and what was soon to come for the little four-year-old boy.  The yami dropped the bread on the ground and darted down an alley.  Dirt and rocks flew into the air as he turned the corner sharply at the end of the alley. I don’t have much time....hold on, buddy!
Yami Bakura felt a hand touching his ass as he ran. Not this time, asshole! Yami Bakura stood at the entrance to an alley and heard the low chuckling of a man in the dark and the whimpering of a child. “Hey, asshole.”
The man in the dark turned to see Yami Bakura standing at the alley’s entrance. “Get lost. This doesn’t concern you.”
“HELP ME!” Little Bakura screamed in the dark.
Yami Bakura darted down the alley. Little Bakura saw the attacker’s sharp canines and heard the vicious growls of his older self. The boy curled into a protective ball and held his ears. He kept his eyes tightly shut as he quivered on the ground. He heard the painful shrieks of the man who had cornered him in the alley even through his palms. When Yami Bakura was satisfied that his prey was dead, he turned to the shaking, crying boy in the darkness.
Little Bakura felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. The child slowly removed his hands from his ears and turned his head.  
“Where have you been?  I have been worried about you.”
Yami Bakura felt the little boy quickly throw himself at him. The child trembled and quivered as he clutched onto his older self.  The yami held his younger self tightly against him. Yami Bakura’s arms could have wrapped ten times around the skinny boy’s body huddled against him.  The yami kissed his younger self’s forehead. “Bakura....do you know what I have just saved you from?”
The boy sniffled. “No.”
“May you never know.”
The boy looked up at his older self. “Why were you worried about me?”
Yami Bakura hugged the boy tightly. “Because I knew what that man was going to do to you.” Yami Bakura tucked a lock of hair behind the boy’s ear. “Why didn’t you return to us?”
“My mommy said she wished she never had me,” the boy said quietly.  “My mommy hates me. Your friend called after me, but I was too sad to return.”
Yami Bakura felt the little boy’s heart break in two.  “Bakura, you may be too young to understand this, but because she said she doesn’t love you doesn’t mean that nobody will. Ryou  loves you. That is why he called after you.  He stood up to her when you left.”
“Really?”
“He confronted mother and father.”
The little boy gasped. “Is he alright?”
“He was captured by the guards and is now at the palace.”
The child whimpered. “He gotten caught because of me?”
“I’m going to get him out of there, boy. I swear to Osiris I will get him out of there,” Bakura took the boy’s hand. “Let’s go home.”
Yami Bakura watched the boy hold onto his hand.  He watched the little boy walk beside him, rubbing his eye. “Don’t worry, ‘Kura. Everything will be alright.”
“I'm hungry.”
The yami lead the boy to the bread he had abandoned during his pursuit. Little Bakura grabbed the bread.  Both Bakuras returned to the Bordello where Robbie was holding his cane towards the owner. “If I catch you hitting another one of these ladies, I’ll beat you with my cane!”
“Robert?”
Robbie turned quickly and saw the Bakuras behind him. “You’re back! You found him!”
Little Bakura nodded. “We got bread.”
Yami Bakura picked up the boy and carried him up the stairs.  Robbie followed him close behind. “We were wondering if you were going to show up. Aten thought you were caught by the guards.”
“I’ve lived in the shadows since I was four.  I remember these streets as if it were yesterday. I had spent many years wandering these streets.”
Yami Bakura carried the boy into Aten’s room. The Egyptian teen opened his eyes as he was woken from his sleep.  “Sorry to wake you, Aten.”
Aten stretched and rubbed his eyes. “What is it?”
“Look who I found,” Yami Bakura said, placing the little boy on the bed.
“Hello,” Little Bakura said timidly as he held the three loaves of bread in his arms.
Aten sat up in bed. “Where did you come from?”
“My mommy?” the child asked.
“No, no....where were you hiding? We’ve been looking for you for three days!”
Little Bakura lowered his head. “My mommy wished she never had me.”
Aten looked up at his stepfather. “Your mother really talked like that about you?”
Yami Bakura sat on the bed and looked at Little Bakura. “Bakura, don’t listen to your mother.  Your father has convinced her of that. Don’t you listen to her. You are a great boy with a caring heart. It may be hard to find sometimes, but you are capable of loving someone and being loved.”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
Yami Bakura pat the boy on the head. “Have a bite to eat. I’m going to guess you haven’t had much to eat these past three days.”
Heaven reached up for Bakura. “Ah Da!”
Yami Bakura picked up the infant girl and held her in his arms. “Well, hello, little lady. You want some dinner, too? Let’s see what the girls can whip up for ya. Come with me, cutie.”
Little Bakura handed Aten a loaf of bread. “Were you really worried about me?”
“I spent all night looking for you. I was afraid my father found you.”Aten watched the boy smile up at him.
“Thank you.”
Aten took a bite of the bread. “You’re not only going to grow up to be my stepfather some day, Bakura. You’re going to be one of my best friends.”
The boy smiled. “In speaking of friends, where is Marik?”
“I tucked him into bed next door.”
Little Bakura smiled and shifted off the bed. He ran out of the bedroom and opened the door to the next room.  Little Marik was sleeping on his back. The boy’s spiky, blond hair spread across the pillow.   His left arm rested beside his body as his right arm draped over his stomach. Little Bakura climbed onto the bed and tapped the other child on the shoulder.
Little Marik’s eyes shot open as he looked up at his friend. “You! Where have you been?”
“I ran away from my mommy and daddy’s house and hid.”
“Why did you hide?”
“Because...my mommy was mean.”
Little Marik nodded. “My daddy can be mean, too.  Don’t worry, Bakura. We have each other. We don’t need any of them.”
Little Bakura nodded. “It’s you and me, Marik. We’ll be friends forever and ever.”
************************
Ryou combed his hair and placed some scented oil on his clean skin.  The warm bath alone was a welcome experience.  He relaxed in the water and felt his sore back and ankles gradually become less tense.  He turned his head as the door lock snapped and it opened.
Yami Marik entered the room. “It’s time for you to get some exercise, angel. It will do no good for you to lounge around all day.” The blond yami approached Ryou with a grin. “You’re looking as handsome as ever.”
Ryou crossed his arms against his chest. “Don’t you have anything to say about last night?”
“Don’t piss me off and I won’t hit you,” the yami said with a grin. “It’s that simple.”
Ryou sighed as he avoided Marik’s gaze.  
Yami Marik approached Ryou and took his hand. “You look particularly handsome today.”
Yami Marik looked at the other man’s bare torso and linen skirt which hung on his hips and extending stomach.
“Umm...thank you?”
Yami Marik lead Ryou outside the room and down the hall holding his hand. “Did you sleep well?”
“You act as if nothing is wrong,” Ryou said.  “Do you know what you did last night was wrong?”
The blond yami grinned. “The pharaoh is never wrong.”
Ryou sighed. “If you say so, Marik.”
“Of course I say so.”
Ryou swallowed nervously. “So Yami was right to force your family to watch the tomb for generations?”
Yami Marik stopped. “What did I say about not pissing me off, Ry?” Marik asked casually.
“Marik, what happened with the light at Kaiba’s Summer home?”
“Snefru and Ausaira showed me the light, Ry.  They showed me the error of my ways in dismissing my destiny and my family name.” Marik continued to walk, keeping a hold on Ryou’s hand. “Did Bakura manage to find a new home since I burned down the oasis?”
“How could you burn down Bakura’s home?”
Yami Marik turned his head to Ryou. “You know, something has been bothering me. Snefru and I watched the oasis burn up in the inferno. How, pray tell, did you survive the flames? Bakura was unconscious and wouldn’t have been able to tap into the magic of the Millennium Ring.”
Ryou looked straight ahead to avoid Marik’s scrutiny.  “I can also tap into the magic of the Millennium Ring, Marik.”
“I saw you summon The Agent of Creation-Venus and Agent of Wisdom-Mercury.  How could you summon your monsters? You are mortal....aren’t you?”
Ryou held his breath. “Well, in ancient Egypt, did the masters of magic need to be dead?”
“Those possessed of special powers could use it.  However, you possess no special powers. You lack the power that Itemri and I possess.”
Ryou squinted as he stepped into the light with Marik. “I can still tap into the power of the Millennium Item being a hikari.”
“Yes, but not summon your monsters without your cards!” Yami Marik turned to Ryou and looked into the hikari’s brown eyes.  “Ryou Thomas, have you crossed over into the land of the dead and did not tell me?”
Ryou tried to back away from Marik, but the yami kept a firm hand on Ryou.  “What...Whatever do you mean?”
Yami Marik took the Millennium Rod and tipped Ryou’s face upwards. “Are....you.....dead?”
“No,” Ryou whispered.
“There is one way to find out,” Yami Marik said as he licked his lips slowly.
Ryou tugged backwards in Marik’s grip to avoid the yami’s intent. “No, Marik! Stop!”
“Nana!”
Ryou turned and saw Rhett and Kai running towards him excitedly. “Marik, the kids!”
Yami Marik released Ryou’s arm and watched the hikari fall onto his side.  Ryou winced as his head hit the ground. His hand went to his head as a drop of blood slipped between his fingers.
“Nana is bleeding! Mommy!” Kai called.
Yami Marik saw Aria racing toward the sound of her excited sons.  Marik crossed his arms casually watching Ryou kneel on the ground.
“Mom? Mother? Are you alright?” Aria raced to Ryou’s side and kneeled beside him. “I’m here, mom. Let me see.”
Aria removed her mother’s hand from his hand. “Just a little cut, mom. You’ll be fine.”
“Aria?”
“Mother, what are you doing here? I thought you were with daddy.”
Ryou shook his head. “I’ve been here about three days.”
Aria hugged Ryou tightly. “Kai, can you get Uncle Glenn?”
“Alright,” Kai carefully walked down the stone steps.
“Mom, I was worried about you!  Are you alright?”
Ryou winced. “I’m dizzy.”
Aria helped Ryou lay down on the stone. “You just relax. Glenn will take a look at you.”
“Aria, Ryou will be alright. There’s no need to fuss.”
“This is MY mother, Father Marik,” Aria looked down at Ryou and watched him close his eyes. “No, mom, keep your eyes open. Glenn will be here in a few minutes,” Aria said with her hand cradling the back of Ryou’s head.
Ryou looked into Aria’s brown eyes. They sparkled as they looked at him much like Bakura’s when he was worried.
Ryou saw Yami Marik hovering above Aria’s shoulder.  Aria’s hand brushed away Ryou’s white hair away from the scrape on his forehead. Aria saw Glenn race up the steps and kneel beside Ryou.
“Hi, Ryou, Kai told me you fell down.”
Ryou chuckled weakly. “Yeah, he was right.”
Glenn looked at the scrape on Ryou’s forehead.  “We can get that cleaned up no problem.”
“He said he was dizzy.”
“I’ve been having dizzy spells even before this.”
Glenn took Ryou’s hand and placed his fingertips on Ryou’s wrist.  He counted silently to himself.  “Your pulse is a little fast.  Have you been feeling dizzy for long?”
Ryou nodded. “Since we arrived here, the world seems to be spinning.”
“It could be the baby. Pregnant women can feel dizzy in their second to third trimester.  We’ll stay with you until you are ready to stand up.”
Yami Marik growled. “Ryou, you are wasting your time.”
“Mom isn’t feeling well,” Aria said to Marik defensively. “If he’s not feeling well, he needs to lay down.”
“Marik, I have not been feeling well lately. I’ve been dizzy and my legs have been cramping.”
Glenn ran his fingers through his hair.  “Well, Ryou, these are common complaints. Did you experience this with Aten and Aria?”
Ryou shrugged. “I only carried them for about three weeks.”
Glenn looked at Ryou blankly.  “What?”
“It’s a long story,” Ryou said as he held Aria’s hand.
“Ryou, I must say that I am not enjoying your company as much as I had hoped,” Yami Marik said flatly.
Glenn took Ryou’s hand with a smile. “Do you think you can get up, momma?” Ryou held Aria and Glenn’s hands and rose to his feet. “There you go. I’ll go into the palace and get something for your scrapes. Aria keep a good handle on him.”
Aria kissed Ryou’s cheek. “I’ve got mom.” Glenn descended the stone steps.
“So, Ryou, tell me the truth,” Yami Marik said casually. “Are you dead?”
Aria looked at her mother with surprise. “Mom can’t be dead. He’s standing right here.”
“Well, my dear, I am dead and yet I am standing right here and talking to you both.”
“Marik, the magic of the Millennium Ring protected me. I can tap into the magic of my Millennium Item just as Malik can tap into the power of your Millennium Rod. In fact, I saw Malik summoning Jam Defender in the streets. How can he summon monsters if only the dead can summon their monsters?”
Yami Marik grinned. “You know we are capable of summoning more than one monster. You and Bakura summoned multiple monsters which leads me to believe that you, Ryou Thomas Bakura, are as dead as a doornail.” Yami Marik leaned into Ryou, glaring at him angrily. “Itemri never would have summoned Agent monsters.”
Ryou looked down at Aria’s hand holding onto him.  Ryou’s thumb caressed his daughter’s hand as he held it tightly.  “It’s true.”
“Mom?”
Ryou rubbed his eye as he looked down at the ground. “It’s true, Marik.  I am dead.”
Aria shook her head in disbelief and felt a tear creep down her cheek. “Mom, tell me this is a joke.”
“I’m not joking, sweetheart.  I died six months ago...and your father brought me back from the afterlife.”
Yami Marik grinned as he leaned against the stone wall. “I knew it.”
“Your father and I were going to say something to you, but we didn’t know how or when would be an appropriate time,” Ryou said looking down at his bare feet.
Aria caressed her mother’s hand. “You don’t feel any different.”
“That’s because I have a higher temperature now with the baby.”
Yami Marik chuckled. “Well, this should fit into my plans perfectly.”
“What plans would that be?” Aria asked.
“Well, I knew once it was time for your sibling to be born that we’d have to cut him out. I had doubted that Ryou’s heart could take the stress of the removal process. But, now that he’s dead, we don’t have to worry about his heart stopping while giving birth. We just have to prevent excessive bleeding.”
Aria put her arms around Ryou’s shoulder. “You will not bring this baby into the world! You will have Glenn birth the child.”
“The Royal Doctors are fully capable--.”
“Bullshit! These doctors have never seen a pregnant man! They wouldn’t know where to start,” Aria exclaimed.
Ryou glared at Marik. “Marik, for heaven’s sake, your doctors thought that I would have to ...pardon my language, sweetheart....expel the baby from my arse! Preposterous! Every morning those doctors come in and they don’t know the first thing about delivering a letter let alone a living, breathing infant. They poke and prod me everywhere from head to toe and don’t know the first thing about me. Marik, what if there is a problem?  I want competent people by my side when I deliver my son.”
“Father Marik, Glenn can at least direct them. He’s a nurse for crying out loud!  Let him do his job!”
“Marik, I need Glenn to help me. I can at least talk to him and understand what he is saying.”
Yami Marik rolled his eyes. “Fine.”
“Thank you, Marik.”
Aria hugged Ryou. “Mom, what happened when.....you....?”
Ryou said, returning the hug to his daughter. “I died in my sleep. I didn’t feel any pain.  The poison finally took its toll on my heart and I couldn’t hold on any longer.”
“What poison?" Aria asked.
Ryou sighed and lowered his head. “My father came home and found that Bakura and I were lovers. He tried everything to tear us apart.  My father fed me poisoned soup for days when I became ill with pneumonia. I nearly died. I would have died if it were not for Seto."
Aria looked into her mother‘s brown eyes. ”Poison? Grandfather tried to poison you?”
Ryou nodded silently. ”That damaged my heart.  When I first became pregnant with you and your brother, they said the reason why Aten was so small is because the poison was still in my system. They gave your brother a small chance of survival and asked if I wanted to continue the pregnancy.”
“What was the afterlife like, mom?”
“Truthfully, I don’t remember anything after my soul returned to my body.  I remember talking to my mother and Aten, but my memory was wiped clean when I returned to this world.”
Aria kissed Ryou’s cheek. “I’m glad to have you back, mother.”
Ryou hugged Aria. “I love you, baby girl.  I’m sorry you had to find out like this.”
Aria wrapped her arms around her mother. “I didn’t know anything had happened. I was concerned that....you wouldn’t survive the delivery because of your heart.”
Yami Marik grinned as he leaned against the wall. “So, Itemri brought you back from the Land of the Dead.  Considering his devotion to you, it doesn’t surprise me.”
Ryou turned to Yami Marik. “Would you do the same for Malik if you found him dead in your arms?”
The yami narrowed his eyes as Aria calmly locked arms with Ryou and lead him down the steps.  Ryou sat under a tree and was quickly greeted by Kai and Rhett. The hikari gathered his grandchildren on his lap and kissed their cheeks. “Hello, little angels.”
Yami Marik wandered towards the group and stood nearby. Glenn returned with a cloth and a small container. He kneeled in front of Ryou and opened the lid of a container. “The doctor said this is what he has. Hold still, Ry.”
Ryou sniffed the sweet, translucent amber cream.  “What is this?”
“Honey mixed with herbs. The honey will kill any germs. It’s a natural antiseptic.”
Rhett bounced in Ryou’s lap. “Nana smell sweet.”
Kai kept his eyes focused on Yami Marik nearby. His hands rested on Ryou’s arms as he cuddled against Ryou. “Nana,” Kai whimpered as he turned and cuddled into Ryou’s chest.
“What’s the matter, sweetheart?”
Kai shook his head and snuggled close to Ryou quietly.
“Mom, where have you been?”
“Marik locked me in a room in the palace. This is the first time I’ve been allowed out in about three days.”
Aria turned to Marik angrily. “How can you do that to mom?”
“Because I can’t have my little bird flying from his cage so soon before I get what I want.”
“What is it you want from mom?” Aria asked.
Ryou hugged Rhett and Kai closer to him. “He wants your brother.”
Aria narrowed her eyes at Marik. “What are you going to do with Aten?”
“He doesn’t want Aten,” Ryou said quietly. “He wants the baby.”
Aria’s lip curled in a snarl and stood in front of Ryou. Her eyes glared furiously at her stepfather.“If you touch my mother, I will make sure Aten is the only kid you ever have. Do you hear me?”
Yami Marik chuckled. “Do you think you could stop me, young Bakura?”
“You bet your ass!” Aria said confidently. “I won’t let you hurt mom.”
“Aria Kanika?” Ryou asked calmly. “Sit down, sweetheart. Let’s not ruin our brief time together.”
Yami Marik nodded. “Yes, little Bakura.  Your time with your mother shall be brief before I lock him in the room again.”
Aria looked down at her mother, trying to give her a smile. Aria sat beside Ryou and saw Glenn dab the honey mixture on Ryou’s arm.
“There you go, Ry,” Glenn said. “How does that feel?”
“Terrific, thank you,” Ryou said.
Glenn checked Ryou’s pulse again. “I suggest you take it easy today. Bed rest is the prescription of the day, alright?"
Yugi walked over to the group. “Ryou! How are you feeling?”
“Thanks to Glenn, I’m feeling much better, thanks,” Ryou said.
Rhett giggled as he leaned back against Ryou. “Nana tickles!”
Ryou shifted as the baby stretched. Rhett squirmed and giggled again.  “Thank you for staying nearby last night, Yugi. You are a real friend.”
“No need to thank me, Ryou. That’s what friends do.”
Ryou hiccuped as Kai felt something tap him on his side. Kai poked Ryou’s stomach and he hiccuped again.
Glenn sat on the grass. “Is the little slugger practicing swallowing, Ry?”
Ryou nodded quietly.  Ryou hiccuped again. Kai giggled and poked Ryou’s stomach again. He could feel the quick hiccup reflex of the baby.
Glenn smiled. “That’s so cute.”
“Wow, Ryou, is it that bad?” Yugi asked.
Ryou nodded and hiccuped again.
Glenn looked up at Marik. “Can’t Ryou stay in the harem with the rest of the pharaoh’s women? I can keep a good eye on him and he won’t be shut up alone.”
“He remains in his chambers where none of you can let my little bird fly away.”
Glenn stood up and approached Yami Marik. “Marik, if you isolate him, it could be really bad for him and the child.  It will add stress that his body can’t afford right now.”
Yami Marik looked down at Glenn calmly. “He does not leave my sight or his confinement unless I am by his side.”
Ryou sighed and bounced the boys on his knee. “I miss Bakura.”
“Don’t you ever mention his name again!” Yami Marik growled.
Ryou cringed as Marik raised his voice. Yugi put his arm on Ryou’s shoulder. “How can he not miss Bakura? You can’t demand he not think of Bakura.”
“I can command anyone....with this, my little Yugi,” Marik said holding onto the Millennium Rod.
“Besides being held captive by a maniac, how have you been feeling, mom?” Aria asked, holding Ryou’s hand.
“It feels good to sleep in a bed again, I must admit.  Baby and I are healthy. That’s all that matters now.”
Yami Marik watched as Malik ran down the stairs.  The yami grinned as his husband stood before him. “My beautiful hikari, what has you so excited?”
“The preparations for the celebrations are almost finished and the nobles of the land have been summoned to celebrate our ascension to the throne.”
Yami Marik reached out a calm hand and caressed Malik’s blond hair. “My hikari is such a good boy.”
Yami Marik put his arms around Malik and proceeded to kiss him deeply in front of the others.  Glenn put his hands on Ryou’s shoulders. “I’ll be there for you, Ry. I’ll make sure those doctors behave themselves.”
Aria nodded. “And if they don’t, Glenn will tell me and I’ll teach them a lesson they won’t forget.”
Ryou smiled. “Thank you, baby.”
Yami Marik stopped his kiss with his hikari and turned to Ryou. “I think you have had enough sun for today, Ryou. It’s time to return to the room.”
“Can’t I stay out here a little longer, Marik?”
“No, Ryou. I don’t trust any of them not to let you go.”
Ryou slowly rose to his feet as Rhett and Kai hugged him. Aria hugged Ryou tightly and kissed his cheek.
“I’ll be in to check on you later tonight, mom.”
“Alright, sweetheart. I love you, baby girl.”
Aria watched as Yami Marik and Malik grabbed Ryou and lead him away. “I have to get a message to daddy somehow.” The teenaged girl snapped her fingers and leaned against the tree. “My mindlink with Aten!”
Aria closed her eyes. [[Aten! Brother!]]
[Ah! Aria? Why are you talking over our link?]
[[You have to tell Father Bakura! Your father is planning a celebration for him and Malik’s coronation ceremony.  Preparations are almost complete. This might be his only chance to get into the palace when the guards are distracted.]]
[Do you really think that would work?]
[[It might be worth a try.  Your dad is determined to keep mom locked up alone in solitary confinement under heavy guard.]]
[Otherwise, is mother alright?]
[[So far. We have to keep him that way.]]
[I’ll tell Father Bakura. He’s still trying to find a way in there.][[Marik is going to be inviting local nobility. Maybe Little Marik can get you in.]]
[I don’t know how, but thank you for the information, sister.]
Aria smiled. [[I’ll keep you up to date when more becomes available.]]
[Love you, sister.]
[[Love you, too, baby brother.]]
[Only by four minutes.]
Aria giggled as she heard Aten’s protest. “That one always gets to him.”
**************************
Little Marik rubbed his eyes as he yawned.  Aten watched the little boy’s head slowly lower towards the papyrus.  The child’s head slowly lowered onto the papyrus. Aten heard the child quietly begin to snore.  Aten returned his attention to his own scroll.  Little Marik had been working diligently to find an answer to their way home.  
The teen flipped the page of the bound book.  Some pieces of the papyrus had been torn from the book. As he turned the pages, he saw what appeared to be dates and events:
8th year, 36th day of reign, removed from home
10th year, 5th day of reign, Ahmose Alley, exchanged pleasure for half loaf of bread
12th year, 10th day of reign, Ahmose Alley, killed first time-beat Chana for piece of horse meat
19th year, 200th day of reign, Sahara, saved Noble Ishtar’s life in desert
20th year, 110th day of reign, found Noble Ishtar’s family descimated
20th year, 114th day of reign, intimacy with Noble Ishtar
Aten’s eyes widened. “Is this a journal of Father Bakura’s life events?” Aten continued to read when he came to the final entry. ‘23rd year, 35th day of reign, deceased. Corpse desecrated and dumped outside city. Dogs found chewing on corpse.’
“Father Bakura....oh my god.” Aten closed the box and looked at the book before him.
Aten felt a slight poke on his knee and he looked down. Little Bakura was resting his hands on Aten’s knee.
“What are you doing?”
Aten looked down at the little boy and swallowed anxiously after reading the entries in the book. “Reading these books looking for a way home.”
Little Bakura raised the cover and looked at the book’s heiroglyphs. “How can you read this?”
“You taught me how to read Ancient Egyptian before I could read English,” Aten responded.
Yami Bakura walked into the room and sat on the bed with a heavy, exhausted sigh. “I’ve examined all of the old entrances. They’re all under heavy guard.”
“Father Bakura, I have something that could get you into the palace with a little planning. Aria told me my father is planning a celebration for his and Malik’s coronation.  He’s going to be inviting the nobility to the palace.”
Yami Bakura narrowed his eyes. “The nobility?  I think I just found my ticket to getting into the palace.”
“But, Father Bakura, that’s....the palace! That place will be crawling with soldiers not to mention additional eyes everywhere. You shouldn’t go alone.”
Yami Bakura walked to the bed and put his hand on Little Marik’s back as he slept. “I have to get your mother and the others out of the palace, Aten.  Ryou isn’t safe in there.”
Aten took a deep breath. “What about enlisting Yami’s help?”
“Who knows what Marik did to him? I can do this without that asshole’s help.”
“If father is going to invite the nobles, he may invite his father,” Aten said.
Yami Bakura nodded. “He may be my ticket in, Aten.”