Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The Yami Virus ❯ Little Girl Found ( Chapter 21 )

Sekhmet: Egyptian goddess who was supposedly the twin sister of the cat goddess, Bes. Bes and Sekhmet were supposed to represent the duality of good and evil. Sekhmet was portrayed as having a good and an evil side…much like Aria.

Lady Elfskye: I know. My wife ruined butter to me, too. My wife is handing you a tub of margarine *hands tub*

Jupitor Knight: *hands Aten plushie* This will make you feel better.

Terra: It is an interesting way to rearrange furniture. What about Lover's workshop??????? *snicker*

Xenobia: We call our husband 'kitchen bitch.' We love him though.

MarikIshtar: My wife bows to your praise regarding the butter. *Bakurasgirl shakes head*

Shadow of Light: I'm going to have to give Robbie a dreamcatcher. *hands pins for voodoo doll*

star: Thank you.

Valea: Joey's a great help to Seto. Seto and Joey help each other. That's why they get along so well.

Kura Magician girl: I do have a guestbook, but geocities says it is full. I'm looking into bravenet or something for a free guestbook with more space.

Tari Helyanwe: Aria comes back in this chappie. I have to continue Carry Me Home. It's almost done, though. I want to finish it next week. *hands Aten and Aria plushies*

Crazy Kins: Really? The best you ever read? I feel so loved!

Lully-Chan: Tristan can't stand his brother talking down to Otogi. I'm waiting for him to sever ties.

Little Girl Found

Aria walked through the desert heat, pulled by an invisible force, and called by a familiar voice that called out to her.

'Aria Kanika……find me.'

The voice whispered to her in the desolate climate. The dog followed her, panting heavily in the dry heat.

"It can't be that much further, Sekhmet."

'Aria,' the voice whispered again. 'Come to me, my love.'

Aria's nose turned up. "Love is icky."

She continued to walk until she saw a pyramid in the distance. "Shelter!" Aria ran for the pyramid, Sekhmet following her and barking.

The eight year old grinned ear-to-ear at the thought of shelter from the heat. She and the puppy ran to the broken seal of the tomb.

'After five thousand years, Aria…..you have returned to me.'

"Who are you?"

No response.

Aria cautiously walked into the tomb. "Hello? Anyone there?"

No response.

Her voice echoed again. "Hello!"

She crept into the tomb, her brown eyes scanning the darkness. The little girl brushed her medical gown free of dust and sand. She walked down the hall and into a room full of treasure.

"Wow! Look at all this gold!" Aria ran to a gold bowl and picked it up. "This feels….weird. This bowl is heavier than I remember."

Aria dropped the bowl and it clanged to the floor. "'Than I remember? I never held that before. Why does it fell faniliar?"

Aria moved to a mural on the wall. She looked closely at it.

"Unkie Seto's been here! That looks like Unkie Seto in Egyptin clothing!" The girl laughed. "Unkie Seto looks like he's wearing a skirt! That's so funny!"

She moved further down the mural where he saw the figure looking like Seto sitting on a chair with a young girl of eight washing his feet.

"Wow! She's really pretty! Hey! She's got white, spiky hair like me! Neaties!"

Aria walked further down the mural. The young girl appeared to be as tall as him. "Ew!! They're kissing! That's disgusting! Kissing is gross."

She walked further down and stopped beside a statue of Anubis.

"Hey! The girl with white, spiky hair has a baby in her tummy! I wish my mommy can have another baby. Maybe I'll ask him when I get home. I'm sure he won't mind."

Aria left the room and stopped suddenly. "Something else is here." She walked to the next chamber and found a sarcophagus and beside it was two coffins not much bigger than Aria.

Aria sat on the ground and began stroking the tiny coffin sadly. "Makalani."

Her eyes scanned the coffin.

"Why do I remember this boy? Could this be the baby that was in the girl's tummy on the wall?"

Aria's eyes went to the other coffin. "I don't know this one."

Aria read the name on the coffin. 'Unika.'

The girl returned to the tiny coffin and rested her head on it. "Makalani."

She looked up and saw a bed sitting beside the sarcophagus.

"Wow! I remember this!"

She ran to sit on the bed. She laid down and sighed contentedly.

"I can almost feel Unkie Seto holding me right now."

The girl closed her eyes as her stomach started to growl and her head began to spin.

"Tired."

The girl closed her eyes.

**************Aria's Dream*********

The fifteen year old girl with white spiky hair stood outside a bedroom pacing. The High Priest Seth stood outside the room with her.

"Let's pray that he lives, Aria. He is our last hope."

The pharaoh walked down the hallway, his tri-colored hair more spiky than usual.

"What is the problem, High Priest Seth?"

Seth bowed before Yami. "It's my son. He has taken ill with a fever."

"What have you done for him?"

Aria lowered her head. "I have done everything for my son. His skin is red and his wailing has become worse. His fever is very high and I don't know what else to do."

The doctor emerged. "I'm sorry, Your Grace. I could not save your child."

Aria burst into tears. "MAKALANI!" Aria ran into the room to see her six-year-old son lifeless on the bed, his skin still red from his fever.

Seth and Yami approached the bed. Aria buried her face in her child's chest, sobbing wildly.

The High Priest walked beside Aria and leaned down to kiss his dead child. "My precious boy…."

Yami folded his arms. "I am disappointed in the both of you."

Seth cradled his limp child against him. "I love you, Makalani. I'm so sorry."

Aria looked up at Yami. "Why are you disappointed? I bore the heir that you desired!"

Yami backhanded the slave girl, sending her to the floor with a bloody lip. "I needed you to bear me an heir that would LIVE!"

Seth stood up, cradling his dead child in his arms. "It is not my servant girl's fault that the child died, sir."

Yami turned to Seth and growled. "It is your servant girl's fault! I suggest, High Priest Seth, that you drop that child. Aria, you don't know what to do? I'll tell you what to do. Get on this bed, get on your back, mate with Seth, and produce me an heir like you are supposed to!"

Aria's eyes filled with tears as the pharaoh walked away.

"Oh. And one more thing, Seto." Yami turned towards the High Priest still holding the body of his child. "That child failed me. Get rid of it. I don't care where you put it. Bury it. Throw it to the dogs as a chew toy. Throw it in a stew. Whatever. I had better see another heir in nine moons or your slave girl will pay the highest price. No more disappointments."

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

Aria slept soundly, unaware that a woman and a group of men had entered the chamber. The woman's eyes widened as the men gasped.

"A little girl! How did she get here?"

The woman stepped closer.

"Watch it, Ms. Ishtar! We don't know who this girl is."

Isis leaned down and gasped. "She's my niece! Aria Kanika?"

Isis lifted the sleeve to see the tattoo on Aria's upper

arm: GT5459-B.

"Aria Kanika Itemri? Wake up."

Aria opened her brown eyes and rubbed them tiredly. "Who--?"

"It's Isis, Aria."

Aria's face lit up with a smile and she threw her arms around Isis' neck. "AUNTIE ISIS! I want my mommy and daddy!"

Isis picked the child up. "How did you get here?"

Aria snuggled into the woman's comforting arms. "Walked."

"From America?"

"From my daddy and Daddy Marik's oasis."

Isis gasped. "Oasis? Did your daddy ever tell you about the oasis?"

"I heard my daddy's voice so my daddy has to be here! I was in this big place in the desert and they tried to hurt me."

Isis sat on the bed and put Aria on her knee. "Are you hurt?"

"No. But..," the little girl whimpered. "I want my daddy…and…."

The little girl broke into a sob. "I want my mommy!"

Isis cuddled the child close to her body. "Continue with the excavation. I cannot leave the child."

Aria looked up at the men. "Be careful with Makalani."

"Who?"

"My baby….over there." Aria points at the tiny coffin. "That's my baby. Take care of it. Watch him. His body is kinda hot from his fever."

The men exchanged confused glances and picked up the tiny coffin gingerly.

Aria sighed as she snuggled into Isis. Sekhmet sat by Isis' feet.

"Who is this, Aria?"

"This is my new friend, Sekhmet. Some bad people took me from Robbie while we were playing. They kept putting needles in me and they put me in a room with my puppy here." Aria rested her head against Isis' chest and yawned. Within moments, Aria's eyes closed with sleep.

Isis removed the cell phone from her pocket. Aria coughed in her sleep. She wheezed heavily and her face became wet with sweat despite the dampness of the tomb.

She dialed her brother. "Malik?"

[Oh..*sniff*…Hello, sister.]

"Malik? What is wrong?"

[Oh…*sniff*…Marik is very sick.]

"I already know that."

[No…*sniff*…I mean, he's very ill.]

"Marik is ill? That's peculiar. I wanted to inform you that I have Aria over here and---."

[ARIA'S THERE?????? RYOU!!!!!!!!]

Isis heard a shriek a moment later.

[Isis! It's Ryou! Aria's there? Is she hurt? Is she alive?]

"She's alive, Ryou. I have her on my lap asleep now."

Heart-wrenching sobs came from the other end of the line.

[Isis…..you found Aria?]

"Bakura? You sound horrible."

[How is my baby girl?]

"She's unharmed, Bakura."

[Ryou and I will come pick her up.]

"Bring Marik and my brother. Also, bring Seto Kaiba with you. There is something here that he needs to see."

Ryou grabbed the phone, his entire body shaking hysterically. [Thank you, Isis! Thank you!]

"I'll keep her with me at the Museum until you arrive. When you arrive, contact me so that the security personnel can allow you access."

[Thank you, Isis! We'll contact you when we get there! Goodbye!]

Isis turned off her cell phone and stood up. "A High Priest's tomb is no place for a small child. I will take her back to my apartment so she may rest. Come….Sekhmet."

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

Ryou ran upstairs and packed a bag for himself. Bakura entered the room slowly.

"Hikari?"

Ryou folded one of his shirts. "Bakura, you can't go with me. You're too sick to travel."

Bakura reached into his on drawer and removed a white shirt. "I am going."

"Are you sure, yami?"

"This is my daughter, too, Ryou. You are not taking that trip by yourself. I am her father and I have every right to be there."

Ryou sighed. "I know you do, Bakura. If you want to come, you can."

Malik came into the room. "Umm…what are we going to do with Aten? We can't leave him here alone. He just had heart surgery."

Marik stepped in. "Leave him with the Puppy. I'm sure Joey wouldn't mind taking care of him."

Ryou nodded. "Yeah, I don't want Aten to be far from the hospital. Joey's been wanting Aten to visit anyway. Marik, be sure to pack Aten's homework. He needs to do the worksheets that Mr. Cullen gave him."

"Joey's going to have to take Aten to see his psychologist, Dr. Chapman tomorrow. And if we're not back the following day, Aten has an appointment with his cardiologist, Dr. Carrols. Dr. Zira may want to see Aten, too, to check on his condition."

Ryou shook his head in dismay. "So many doctors…."

Marik walked up to Ryou. "I know, Ryou. Look, Aten will do better in Joey's care while we're gone. Miranda has her hands full with her pregnancy, Robbie, and an injured husband."

Marik kissed Ryou on the cheek and went to pack Aten's clothes for his stay with Joey.

Malik packed enough clothes for himself and his yami. He called Yugi to let him know that Aria had been found.

[Yugi's Game Shop. Yugi Motou speaking.]

"Yugi, Aria's been found! She's in Egypt!"

[Holy Hell! How did she get there?]

Marik was a little shock at Yugi's phrasing for his surprise. "We don't know, but we're going to go. If you need someone to watch the shop, I'll be unavailable."

[Really? Oh. Okay.]
"How is Yami faring?"

[Yami? He's….fine.]

Malik heard the quiver in Yugi's voice. "Yugi? Is Yami really 'fine'?"

Yugi's voice broke. [No. He's really….not himself….lately.]

"Yugi, if you need to go somewhere, go to Joey at KaibaCorp. Tristan and Otogi live at the Freedom Apartments on Walnut Street. Go to someone if you need to get away from Yami."

[Oh…really? Okay. Umm..I…I have to go, Malik. I want to see Aria when she comes home. Oh, when I see Aten the next time, I have a Get Well present for him. Yami got pretty angry at me when I bought it and I really want Aten to have it.]

"I'm sure he'll like it, Yugi. We should be back with Aria tomorrow. It depends on if she can travel. Aten's staying with Joey tonight. Maybe you can take it over to him."

[I'd love to see him tonight! I'm sure Joey won't mind!]

"Call Joey later and ask him."

[I'll do that! Thanks, Malik.]

"Bye, Yugi."

Ryou ran to Aria's room and grabbed one of her dresses and picked up her red M&M plushie.

Malik entered the room. "Ryou?"

The mother stared at his child's favorite toy. He clutched the plushie to his chest, sobbing. "Thank the gods my daughter is safe."

Malik wrapped his arms around Ryou. "Let's get her back, Ryou."

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

Marik and Bakura stopped halfway up the stairs to KaibaCorp, finding climbing taxing on their weakened bodies. Malik held Marik's hand as he climbed.

Aten held his father's hand with one hand and his toy monkey in another. Ryou held Bakura's hand as they climbed.

Security let them through and they entered the elevator. The guard had also called Seto to alert him that his friends had arrived.

Seto stood outside of his office when the elevator doors opened. "Sweet Isis," Seto whispered as he saw the yamis step off the elevator.

Bakura's white skin had taken a slightly grey pallor. The corners of his eyes were wrinkled. The white-haired yami's fingers twitched slightly as he walked, holding onto his lover's hand.

Marik's blond hair had a small grey streak from the top of his forehead to the top of his spiky hair.

"Seto! Seto!" Ryou ran to the CEO. Bakura followed Ryou a few steps then released Ryou's hand. "Isis found Aria! She wants you to come to Egypt with us!"

"Isis found Aria?! In Egypt? How the hell did she get over there?"

Aten ran to Seto, attaching himself to Seto's waist and hugging tightly. "Hi, Unkie Seto!"

"Can Joey watch Aten tonight?"

"Somebody found my sister???!" Aten gasped.

Seto nodded. "Puppy! Joey!"

Joey ran out of his studio. Aten gasped and ran to Joey, his white and blond hair fluttering behind him. He hugged Joey tightly and winced.

"Ow…my arm. Got to rim-emmer not to do that."

Joey bit his lip and clenched his fist, fighting the urge to squish the chibi.

"Joey, Isis found Aria in Egypt and I'm taking Ryou and the others over to get her."

Joey gasped. "How is she?! How…How…How in the name of the gods did she get over there?!"

"That is irrelevant, pups. We have to go find her. Ryou, give me ten minutes to call my appointments and reschedule. Aten, would you like to call for the helicopter?"

Aten nodded. "Yes!" Aten ran into Seto's office.

Marik and Bakura sat on the couch and sighed. "Damn steps," Bakura complained rubbing his feet. "Why does moneybags have to have fifty seven steps just to get into the friggin' building?"

Marik rubbed his back. "The steps to the Temple of Isis were much easier to climb."

Seto dialed the number to Heidegger's office. He gave the phone to Aten. "Tell Heidegger to get the helicopter ready."

[Hello, Mr. Kaiba.]

"Hello, Heinney-ger. Get the hell-popper ready."

[Hello, Aten.] The man's bland sigh came through the phone.

"How did you know it was me?"

[Mr. Kaiba doesn't say 'hell-popper'. Your sister says 'helicopper.']

"We need the hell-popper, Heinney-ger."

[I'll get the helicopter ready.]

"Thanks! Bye!"

Aten hung up the phone. Seto made the necessary phone calls as Malik stepped out of the room.

Malik followed Aten to Joey's studio. Aten ran in and to his paintings.

"Joey? Can I talk to you?"

Joey put down his paints and brush. "Sure, Malik."

"I called Yugi to let him know that Aria was found. Apparently, Yami hasn't been himself and he wants to give Aten a present to help him feel better after his surgery."

Joey turned to see Aten opening his can of Sky Blue paint. "Aten will like that."

"Yugi might call and want to come over."

Joey bit his lip as Aten kneeled down to paint. "Aten won't mind that. It won't bother me if Yugi comes over. I haven't been over to the Game Shop in a while. It's near the place where I used to buy my booze after school. I really should visit him more often."

"I just thought you should know about Yugi, Joey."

"No problem, Malik. It would be nice to see him again."

Malik went to Aten and leaned over. "Be good for Joey, Aten."

Aten looked up with his large brown and purple eyes. He put his paints down.

"When you see my sister, tan you give something to her for me?"

Malik smiled. "What would that be?"

Aten reached up and pulled Malik down. He kissed Malik on the cheek gently. "Tell my sister that I love her."

Malik's eyes widened. It had been five years since Aten initiated a kiss between them. Malik's purple eyes grew teary. "Come here, Chibi Marik," Malik whispered as he drew the child to his chest.

"We love you, Aten."

Aten hugged back. "I love you, Malik."

Ryou came in the room followed by the others. He went to Aten and hugged him. "Be good, baby boy. We'll be back tomorrow. If not, we'll call you."

Aten stood up. "Tan you bing me bat a peasant?"

"We can."

Malik kissed Aten again. "Uncle Yugi should be coming over to see you, too, Aten."

Aten's eyes lit up. "Unkie Yugi! I haven't seen him in a really long time! I'm so ass-ited!"

"I know you're excited, baby. Be good."

Marik hugged and kissed his son. "Ana bahebek, Aten. Be good."

"I will be good. I will be good for Unkie Puppy. I will wash myself really good tonight. I'll eat my snat (snack) and go to sleep."

Marik buried his face into the side of Aten's neck and growled. "That's my boy. Bye, little monkey."

"Bye, Daddy Bakura! Hope you feel better."

Seto wrapped his arms around Joey. "Love you, Joey. I won't be long. We should be back tomorrow. If not, we will call you."

Joey kissed Seto. "I love you."

"Love you, too, Joey."

Joey and Aten followed the crowd out of the door. Aten wrapped his arm around Joey's leg and waved goodbye to his family.

"Bye, mommy….Bring my sister home."

Updates: Sunday or Monday