Guten Tag, jeder ein! Wie gehts? As Sapphire just said, Good Day everyone! How are you doing? Here's the third chapter!
Enjoy!
x-(-X-X-)-x
Arc I: Revelations
Chapter Three
Hormones and Accidents
"Oh dear Ra! Why can't you two let me sleep in for once?" Mālik whispered harshly as he felt one of the twins kick him in the rib cage, jolting the Egyptian teen away from his peaceful dreams. As if answering their mother, both of the twins sharply kicked Mālik's bladder and kidney respectively, causing said owner of kidney and bladder to grimace in pain.
"Kuso (Shit)! Alright, I'm up. You win, you little devils" Mālik muttered, as he attempted to get up. Mālik sighed his enlarged stomach hindered his struggles to straighten up. After a few minutes, Mālik finally managed to sit up, panting from the effort.
"When you two show up in three months, I am so going to go on a diet. I miss my old body…" Mālik muttered, rubbing his belly. He chuckled as he felt one of the twins lightly kick his hand in response. Behind him, a small grunt sounded. Blinking his lavender eyes, the platinum blonde turned around, to see the most adorable sight that he had ever laid eyes on.
…Damn you hormones…
Ryou's soft, chocolate brown eyes were closed, his snow white hair messy from tossing and turning as he slept. He was sleeping on his right side, a thin pale arm tucked under the feathered pillow that lay underneath his head; the other arm was casually thrown across Yūgi's petite form.
Said teen was lying on his back; his amethyst colored eyes were closed as he blissfully slept. His tri-colored hair was slightly messy, though not as bad as Ryou's. One arm was resting over Ryou's arm, the other spread out where Mālik had just been laying. His head was resting against Ryou's slightly masculine chest.
Mālik smiled, warmth and love radiating from his very being. It seemed like the Gods had finally let the two younger Hikari's have a full nights sleep for once in a long, long time. It'd been months since any of them had had a full nights sleep. Not since their…attacks, and Mālik getting up at all times of the morning to throw up what little contents was in his stomach. Mālik's attention turned back to the two younger Hikari's, when Yūgi shifted his head, a strand of black hair, tipped with red rose brushed against Ryou's nose.
Ryou scrunched up his nose in annoyance, bringing up a hand to wipe away the hair, before pulling the smallest Hikari closer to his body, sighing in content as he curled around the younger teen. Yūgi whimpered slightly at the sudden movement, before relaxing into Ryou's warm embrace.
After all the Yami's had left for the afterlife, Yūgi had grown from his previous height of one and a quarter meters (four foot eight inches) to a just over one and a half meters (five foot three inches). Sure, Yūgi wasn't as tall as Seto or Joey (Mālik didn't think that he'd ever grow that tall), but he was now just a few centimeters shorter then himself and Ryou which, to the petite teen who hadn't grown in over six years, was a vast improvement.
Mālik grimaced as he felt two sharp kicks to his side, signaling that the twins where getting annoyed with their Carrier for sitting there and not getting up and feeding them. Mālik sighed.
"Dear Ra! I hear ya!" he muttered, standing from the bed and waddling into the small bathroom that was across the hall. After relieving himself, the Egyptian teen walked into the small kitchen, and began to look for something to eat. After going through a mental list of food supplies in the cabinets, Mālik grabbed a large jar of crunchy peanut butter, a jar of sweet pickles, vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, two pieces of sweet potato white bread, and a can of tuna. With all of his 'ingredients' in hand, he then proceeded to make himself a sundae sandwich.
"If I wasn't pregnant right now, I'd be running to the bathroom to hurl." Mālik muttered as he scooped out the ice cream and placed it onto the tuna, smashing the piece of bread that had peanut butter and chocolate syrup on it onto the 'sandwich'.
Grinning happily, Mālik took a bite of his creation, looking down at his stomach.
"Happy now?" he asked thickly, his mouth full. He received two sharp kicks to his ribcage, making the Egyptian teen wince at the force. Although he was now rubbing his sore ribcage, the Egyptian teenager grinned in happiness, "Glad to hear it, little ones."
Mālik then waddled over to the living/dining room, plopping down onto the worn down green couch, sighing in content as his heavy weight relieved itself off of his already aching ankles. Sundae sandwich thing still in the small bowl that he had placed it in, Mālik reached his hand into 'The No-Man's Lands' aka the couch, and began to search around. With a small, excited cry, he pulled his hand back up, to reveal a black, universal remote control for the forty-two by thirty-two flat screen TV that his sister and brother-in-law had sent him for his seventeenth birthday.
Clicking the 'on' button on the remote, successfully turning on the TV, Mālik finally saw what time it was.
"You two woke me up at five in the morning?!" he exclaimed, nearly dropping his 'Creation' onto the floor. The twins were silent, as if sensing that their Carrier was pissed off at being up so early. Mālik sighed in disbelief and took another bite of his sandwich, rubbing his stomach gently as he did so.
"Look, I'm not mad at you two. Just a little…shocked that's all. Not used to waking up before Full Houseor SpongeBob is on" Mālik said. Upon feeling Mālik's rough, but gentle touch, the twins cautiously kicked Mālik's hand, causing said teen to laugh. "Yes, yes, I forgive you two. Now how bout we watch the new episode of Fullmetal Alchemist while we're waiting for Full House to come on, hmm?" Mālik asked.
Upon receiving two kicks, Mālik's grinned widened. "Sweet."
x-(-X-X-)-x
"Oh my Ra. That was…certainly unexpected. So, it seems like Ling is the new Greed. Well, Ryou's gonna be happy that Greed's back in the picture, even if it is that idiot Ling." Mālik said, taking a bite of his fourth chocolate bar. As if agreeing with him, one of the twins kicked Mālik in his kidney, causing said teen to wince.
"OK seriously? What is this 'Kick Carrier day?'" Mālik cried out, throwing his hands in the air. Another kick, this time to his ribcage, from one of the twins had Mālik sighing in defeat. "I am so going to have a fricken bruise there."
Mālik picked up the remote to put on another episode of FMA, when the alarm clock in the three Hikari's room blared out 'Awake and Alive' by Skillet. A strangled cry sounded out, before a loud 'THUMP' resonated through out the small apartment, closely followed by a loud stream of curses in English.
Blinking in shock and slight amusement, Mālik sat up and walked into the small room that the three teens occupied, and was met with a…interesting sight.
x-(-X-X-)-x
Weak sunlight peeked through moth-eaten curtains, illuminating the small room. Silently, it crept across the room, bypassing the small desk that had numerous of books on Ancient Egypt, Mathematics, Ancient Japan, and linguistics. It climbed up the queen-sized bed, before drapping across the two still figures that laid there, blissfully unaware of their surroundings.
The first figure was a boy, about seventeen years old. His snow white hair fell gracefully across his pale, slightly narrowed, but aristocratic face, making the sleeping teenager look younger. If his chocolate brown eyes were open, his hair would have made his eyes look bigger then they really are, more innocent. His arms were wrapped around a smaller figure that slept blissfully on.
The second figure (also a boy) with tri-colored hair lay on his side, his smaller body pressed up close to the slightly older boy's body for warmth. Amethyst orbs were closed; the boy was fast asleep. The boy looked to be about ten years old, but was actually 16 years old.
Both teens chest rose and fell as the breathed deeply in their sleep, not willing to leave the arms of Morpheus.
Neither were aware of what was about to come.
I'm awake! I'm alive!
Now I know what I believe inside
Now it's my time
I'll do what I want 'cause this is my life
Here, right now!
I'll stand my ground and never back down
I know what I believe inside
I'm awake and I'm alive!
I'm at war with the wor-
Chocolate brown eyes cracked open as Skillet, an American band that Mālik was fond of, blasted from the beat up alarm clock that sat on the bedside table. Turning his head to the side, Ryou glared at the clock with absolute hatred, as if hoping that the clock would spontaneously combust. When it didn't, the white haired teenager reached over to shut it off; forgetting all about how part of the queen-sized bed was broken, and that any weight that was put on that side, the bed would collapse.
"Sia! (Shit!)"Ryou's yelp echoed around the small room as the bed collapsed. Besides him, Yūgi's eyes snapped open in panic as, for just a second, he was suspended in mid air, before crashing onto the now broken bed. His arms flailed a bit as he tried to move the blankets off of him. This attempt failed, getting the poor teen tangled up.
The door to the bedroom opened, and Mālik popped his head in, blinking as he saw a still cursing Ryou sitting cross legged on the floor next to the bed, his white hair messy with sleep, and an oddly shifting pile of blankets on the edge. Mālik easily concluded that that lump was most likely Yūgi. Stifling the, slightly hysterical, laughter that threatened to come up, Mālik cautiously asked, "Is everything okay in here?"
Ryou looked up, glaring at the older Hikari. "Does it look okay?" he snapped. With another few grumbles, the albino stood quickly, only to teeter unsteadily on his feet, his pale face gaining a hint of green. Slapping his hand over his mouth, the albino ran out of the room to the small bathroom. A few seconds later, the sound of retching could be heard. Mālik winced in sympathy, grateful that he was out of the horrid first trimester. Turning his attention back to the still trapped Yūgi, Mālik chuckled as he walked up to the broken bed.
"Need some help Yūgi?" Mālik asked. A muffled 'Hai, please' was heard from the small Hikari, causing the grin that was on the older boy's face to widen. Bending down slightly, Mālik grabbed an edge of the blanket and pulled. A muffled 'eep!' was heard as the blanket was pulled away, unwrapping the petite teen.
Yūgi blinked his amethyst eyes rapidly and looked up, smiling as he saw the slightly crazed Hikari looking down at him, an amused look on his face.
"Arigato Mālik!" Yūgi said as he picked himself off the floor. Looking around, Yūgi noticed that Ryou wasn't in the room. "I'm gonna take a wild guess; Ryou's in the bathroom again?" Yūgi quarried dryly, just as the sound of retching sounded again. Mālik nodded, smiling weakly.
"Got it in one, Yūgi." Mālik wiped a fake tear from his face, his voice turning into a sarcastic whimsical tone. "Ah, the good ol' days. Waking up early to attend to the great porcelain God, sacrificing my meager meals to It every few hours." He sniffled. "I don't miss it at all!"
Yūgi laughed, before, he too, started to turn a light shade of green. Mālik noticed, and, as quickly as he could, turned around and grabbed a nearby wastebasket, all but shoving it into they youngest Hikari's hands. Yūgi looked up gratefully, before tucking his head into the wastebasket and emptying the contents of his stomach. Mālik sighed and walked out of the room, gently rubbing his large stomach to ease the sudden nausea.
Just because he was well passed that stage didn't mean he couldn't throw up.
Padding into their small kitchen, he grabbed Ryou and Yūgi's special tea cups from the cupboard and set them on the counter, filling their red teapot with more water to boil. With practiced ease, he dumped two scoops of the herbal morning sickness remedy that Ishizu had given him into the cups, before sitting down on a nearby stool.
Sometimes, Mālik was insanely grateful that his sister had regained her own memories of Ancient Egypt. This was one of those times.
When the pot finally boiled, he set the crossword puzzle he had been playing down and poured the hot water into the cups, quickly setting a timer for six minutes.
After covering the top of the mugs with a plate, he quickly waddled down the hallway towards the bathroom. Poking his head through, he grimaced slightly at the sight of the white haired teen curled around the porcelain god, sweat trickling down his pinched face.
"You alright Ry?" Mālik asked, violet eyes concerned and sympathetic.
Ryou looked up and shot the teen a weak smile. "Hai, I'm fine," he replied weakly, chocolate orbs tired. "I think I'm almost done."
Mālik nodded and stepped in, gently placing the wet rag over Ryou's face. "Good, well, I'm going to check up on Yūgi. You're tea is almost done steeping, so I'll bring it in in a minute." Ryou shook his head.
"No, I'm going to take my shower after this. Just keep it out there." the white haired Hikari said, his voice scratchy and rough from the previous vomiting stint. Mālik nodded. "Sure, and I'll bring you your clothes and set them on the counter."
"Arigato Mālik,(thanks)," Ryou said as Mālik gently shut the screen door. Mālik chuckled as he turned around and entered their shared room. He once again winced in sympathy when he saw that, like Ryou, Yūgi's head was buried in a trash can, the smell of vomit thickening the air.
"How you feeling, Yūgi?" Mālik asked as he passed Yūgi to grab Ryou's clothes from the small closet.
The amethyst eyed boy gave the Egyptian teenager a small twirl of his hand in answer, though did not bother to lift his head from the trash can. Mālik chuckled softly, pulling out Ryou and Yūgi's school clothes – he was already there, so why not? – from their respective sides of the closet, before closing the Maple wood door and making his way over to the large dresser. Like the closet, each Hikari had their own set of drawers or space for the things that couldn't hang up. Opening the middle drawer that was labeled 'Ryou' in beautiful old Victorian cursive gold lettering and grabbed out a pair of socks and underwear, before doing the same for Yūgi's. Yūgi's drawer had his name scrawled beautifully in Algerian lettering, colored a deep amethyst color, while Mālik's drawer had his name written in pale lavender hieroglyphs.
"Good to know. Anyway, Ryou called dibs on the first shower and I made you guys some of the morning sickness tea Nee-san (Big Sister) made for me." Mālik informed the younger, who shot him a grateful look on his otherwise green face.
"A-arigato Mālik." Yūgi murmured, wiping his mouth with one of his sleeves, grimacing in disgust as the smell of the vomit permeated his nose. "Yuck."
Mālik rolled his eyes, tossing a towel at the younger's face. "That's really gross Yūgi."
"I know." Came the reply, prompting the older teen to once again roll his eyes as he strolled out of the room.
"Ryou, here are your clothes!" Mālik called, opening the door to the bathroom so he could set the clothes on the sink.
"Arigato Mālik!" Ryou said, poking his snow white hair out from behind the shower curtain. Mālik waved him off and wobbled back into the kitchen to stir his Otouto's tea. Rashid had brought over some organic honey the other day that had tasted divine in his spinach chocolate milk yesterday.
…
"FUCK YOU HORMONES!"
x-(-X-X-)-x
After spending a good three to five minutes raging about his hormones – which had promptly led to a crying/hysterical fit/blank fit – the Egyptian teenager gingerly set himself on the sofa, propping his feet up onto feet pillow that rested on the glass coffee table. Ryou had finally grown tired of having the older boy remove his feet, and had promptly bought the platinum blonde a foot pillow. Later on, Mālik had silently praised the gods after the twins had stared to develop more, as his ankles had decided that they wanted to be beach balls instead of ankles.
He cocked his head to the side when he heard feet padding softly against the wooded floor of their living room, grinning softly when he saw Yūgi emerging sleepily from the hallway. His dark blue, star covered pj's rustled softly against his skin as he shuffled towards the older Egyptian. Black, gold, and red tipped, shoulder length hair swished as the Japanese teenager plopped himself down besides Mālik, tea in hand, and leaned heavily against him.
"How can you be awake this early in the morning?" Yūgi muttered, blearily glaring as the Egyptian chuckled, wrapping a lightly muscled arm around Yūgi's shoulders.
"I grew up in the desert, Yūgi; I'm used to waking up at ungodly hours, even if I did live underground for the most part of my life."
Yūgi just shot the older male another glare, sipping slowly at his tea, before turning his attention back to the TV. "What's on?"
"Good Morning Japan. Everything else is for the younger ones." Mālik replied. "However, there are new episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist on the DVR, and a new Duel Monsters Tournament that we missed as well."
Yūgi perked up, amethyst orbs looking at Ryou with interest. "Oh? Who were the contestants?"
"A child prodigy by the name of Marufuji Ryo versus Nosaka Miho."
"Huh. I didn't know Ribbon-chan played Duel Monsters." Yūgi mused. Mālik blinked.
"You know her?"
"Hai (yes). She used to live next door before her kaa-san (Mother) died of cancer about...six years ago now. When Melody-kaa-san, Ribbon-chan's kaa-san, died, she went to go live with her Tou-san in Tokyo." Yūgi's lips twitched in remembrance. "We used to get into all sorts of trouble when I first moved in with Jiji-san (Grandpa), as we always liked to run around." Yūgi snickered, eyes wicked with amusement.
"There was this one time Ribbon-chan was staying with Jiji-san and I, as Melody-kaa-san had to go on a business trip to America – she was a salesperson, you see. Jiji-san wasn't able to close the Kame Shop as it was last minute, so he was forced to have us in the store. About...maybe two hours in, Ribbon-chan and I got really bored, so we decided that it would be funny following Jiji-san around and switch everything up. He didn't realize that it was us who was moving around the merchandise for over three hours, and the only reason why he did was because I accidentally fell when moving some of the puzzles to a different shelf."
Yūgi sighed in fond remembrance at the look of outraged disbelief and pride that had fought its way across the older males face. Mālik sat next to him, snickering as he imagined the scene.
"Kami, it was awesome."
"What was awesome?" Ryou asked as he walked out of the hallway, a small trail of steam rising off of his body as he rubbed his hair dry.
Yūgi started and looked over his shoulder at the British teenager. "Gah! Ryou, don't scare me like that!"
Ryou chuckled. "Gomen Yūgi."
"No your not."
"You're right; I'm not." He paused in mock thoughtfulness. "Is that a bad thing?" Yūgi shook his head and stood, placing a small kiss on Mālik's cheek as the teen replied to Ryou's mock-question.
"Yūgi, we should hide! Ry's turning into a sociopath!" the blonde said in mock horror, laughing when the albino just flipped him off.
"Urusai (Shut up), Mālik."
Yūgi rolled his eyes as he walked into the kitchen, depositing his mug onto the counter after rinsing it. "Ry, is it my turn or yours for dishes duty?"
"Yours, Yūgi. I'm cooking today." The Albino replied. Yūgi nodded, saying, "Hai, (Right) I remember now." before walking towards the bathroom.
"Neh, Yūgi, are you going in for a shower, or are you going to be using the whole bathing function?" the British teenager questioned as he deposited his dirty pajamas and towel into the laundry basket. Yūgi absently made a mental note to do laundry later on.
"Just the shower; we woke up a bit later than usual, so I'm just going to have to skip it right now." The smaller teen sighed wistfully. "Maybe I'll take one after school."
Ryou grinned. "That seems like a great idea. I know that I could use a good soak pretty soon, and I'm sure that Mālik would appreciate it as well."
"Hai, (yeah) that's what I was thinking!"
Ryou laughed and ruffled Yūgi's hair, easily dodging the playful swipe the younger sent him. "Alright, well hurry up than; I'll go cook us something to eat. How does grilled mackerel, Kansai style dashimaki (grilled) egg and tofu in kaminabe (paper pot) sound?"
Yūgi's face lit up as he grinned and nodded, black, gold and rose red locks flapping at the force. "Hai, arigato (Yes, thank you) Ryou! Ano, can I have sugar in mine instead of soy sauce?" was the reply. Ryou laughed again, nodding at the request, as he excited their bedroom, while Yūgi stepped into the bathroom, the door swishing softly as it closed.
Carefully stripping down, Yūgi gently folded his clothes and set them besides the door, adding his school uniform to the self of soaps and hand towels. Grabbing a towel, the teenager started to walk towards his washing kit, when he saw a sight that caused his stomach to sink in the mirror.
Yūgi's body was still thin, though not as much as he used to be. He'd probably gained a few pounds or so over the last few months, mostly because of the baby. His face was drawn and pale, making him look younger then he was. His eye's showed innocence, but at the same time, they showed wisdom, pain, sadness, and a bit of resentment. A long, ragged scar trailed down from his left collar bone down to his belly button; one of two things that remained from where Akasaki had raped Yūgi.
With a sad sigh, the young Japanese teen quickly gathered his bathing supplies and began to wash. If there was one redeemable quality about their shabby little apartment, it was their onsen (bath house). There were only two shower heads, though that was fine with all three of the teenagers. Even though he had been living in Japan for almost three years, the poor English teen was still not used to bathing with others.
Though the teen was just fine with getting into the large tube with them, which easily fit all three of them comfortably, with enough room to add one more person.
Yūgi sighed as the hot water from the shower head cascaded down his aching back before he vigorously scrubbed at his long hair. His stomach was beginning to settle the longer he stayed, and, as his eyes started to slid shut, the teenager decided that he would spend just a few extra minutes inside.
x-(-X-X-)-x
"Neh, Ry, how was the wake up call this morning?" Mālik said, smirking slightly. Ryou glared at the snickering Egyptian and smacked him upside his head, prompting the platinum blonde to bark out a laugh.
"Hai, hai (Okay, okay)! Jeez, I'm sorry" Mālik laughingly appeased, rubbing his head. "Damn! You've got a hell of a punch there, Ry." Ryou's answering grin was wide and wickedly sharp.
"Learned from the best."
"Who, me? Aw, I'm touched Ry." Mālik said, wiping a fake tear from his eyes. Ryou rolled his eyes.
"Hell no, not you. I learned from the bullies, my father, and of course, Ba- the Thief King" Ryou said. His brown eyes darkened at the near slip up, glazing over in pain and hurt. Mālik blinked when the white haired teen muttered something under his breath and went into the kitchen, rummaging around in the cupboards. Shrugging, Mālik picked up the remote, intent on watching more TV.
It was as the smells of breakfast began to fully penetrate the small, two bedroom, one bath apartment that Mālik heard it, and paused his show when a soft beeping sound emitted from somewhere.
Curiosity getting the better of the oldest Hikari, Mālik looked around, lavender orbs flickering over every possible source, before settling on Yūgi's laptop; a neon green light blinking on the corner. A wicked smile crept onto the teenagers face as he slowly set the remote back down.
"Oh goody!," Mālik's voice was cheerful, with a hint of mischievous, as he said this, instantly making Ryou weary as he placed a plate of breakfast in front of Mālik.
"Nani (what)?"
"I think Yūgi has a new e-mail," Mālik explained, reaching down, mentally grumbling about how hard it was because of his enlarged stomach, and grabbed the amethyst colored laptop with the kanji for 'Not gonna Grow Up' stuck to the lid. Mālik snickered when he saw the words, lavender orbs glittering in amusement and exasperated fondness.
It had been an April Fool's joke from Mālik, the older teen making fun of the fact that the poor tri-colored teen wasn't going to grow another meter, but Yūgi had loved it and plastered it on his laptop. Of course, shortly after that, Yūgi was found to be singing the song all around the house in English as loudly as he could.
For such a small person, Yūgi had a damn good pair of lungs.
Quickly typing in Yūgi's password – six 'L's, the year he was born in, and the initials of his name – the teenager impatiently waited for the main screen to load, taking a bit of his breakfast as he did so. Since all three of the Hikari's lived together, they basically shared everything that they had, including laptops, phones, clothes – not boxers though, they didn't share those – food, drinks, the like, and as such, it was just common sense that they knew each others passwords for various things.
Mālik smiled sadly when the screen popped up, showing a picture of all the Hikari's, the Yami's, Seto, Joey, Atem, Mai, Valon, Ishizu, Rashid, even Mokuba and Serenity were there. The picture was of Rashid and Ishizu's wedding, where everything was peaceful; everyone was happy. Nothing had happened to ruin the moment.
The picture had been taken shortly after the Yami's had come back, back when the Hikari's had still been innocent (well, as innocent as someone like Mālik could be); when none of them had been ignored.
Chasing away those thoughts, least they lead to darker musings, Mālik easily navigated his way to opening the web browser, and clicking into Yūgi's e-mail, the plus one showing that the Egyptian had been right. Knowing that Yūgi wouldn't mind, the platinum blonde opened the message. His lavender eyes scanned the screen quickly, a slow grin making its way across his face.
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Dear Yūgi, Ryou, and Mālik,
Hey guys! How r u? Jiddo (Grandpa)just taught me how two use the computer and the thing called an email so don't b alarmed if I spell words wrong!
Egypts wonderful right now and im having truble trying to rember tht im not in the past anymore. Nothing has changed all tht much. Sure the citys r bigger, nd there r mor people but the buildings r still the same. Well some of them r. Im really glad that Jiddo decided to take me wit him to the dig site. Do you realize how many tings ive found that I rember usin myself? Honestly it feels like only a few months hve passed, not five thousand yers.
Oh listen two me im rambling. Sorry. Anyways Jiddo and I think tht we had just discovered dear Ra hat word just changed when I typed it mine or Yami's tomb. I wouldn't mind finding Yamis tomb, wat wit tht bastards been doing two u guys but if its mine dear Ra now that will be creepy!
Jiddos been doing well although he keeps saying that hes two old four this but we all know that he loves it.
So along with the computer and the email Jiddo nd Profeser Hawkins showed me how two use something called a web cam nd a website Skype.
Im going 2 try it out at like 2:00 my time which in your time it should be like 7ish. I dont no but Ill sign on right now. E-mail me back nd when I figure out two reply Ill reply!
Sincerely
Atem Sennen
Ex-Pharaoh of Upper and Lower Kehmet
P.S. I'm ex_pharaohofegypt)
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Mālik chuckled under his breath, lavender eyes glittering in amusement as he read over the mistakes the former pharaoh made. Ryou sighed and shook his head.
"There is something wrong with Atem," Ryou deadpanned, looking at Atem's signature. Mālik continued to snickered as he quickly signed into his Skype and sent out on invite for ex_pharaohofegypt. A few minutes later, the invite was accepted and Atem's tanned face popped up onto the screen.
It was dark outside, a light peeking out to the side, un-doubtly a lantern was probably hanging there. Even though it was about 2 o'clock their in Cairo, Atem looked like it was in the middle of the afternoon; his crimson eyes were shining with excitement, and a deep knowledge that only the ex-Pharaoh could have.
"Good morning Mālik, Ryou. May Ra's light bless you upon this day. Where is Yūgi at?" Atem asked, his baritone voice sounding static-y.
"Morning Atem; May Ra's Light bless you as well. Yūgi's in the shower at the moment," Ryou said, taking a sip of his tea.
"Ah, that makes sense. My Ra, I would love to have a pressurized shower right now."
"Why? What's wrong with- oh that's right. You're not living in a hotel right now, are you? You're staying in one of the tents at the site" Mālik said.
Atem nodded, sighing wistfully. "Unfortunately, that is correct. Though I did live for seventeen years without pressurized showers, and only the Nile or the slaves/servants bringing up water for the daily cleansing, after all. Looking back, I'm very thankful that we took baths every morn; many of the soldiers stank like Osiris had risen the dead again." Atem shook his head sadly, dramatically shuddering at the thought of his soldiers stench, causing Ryou and Mālik to laugh. "So how is everything in Japan?"
"Pretty good. The twins have been moving around a lot – OUCH! – like now." Mālik glared at his stomach where the twins were kicking. Atem and Ryou laughed at their friend's discomfort, promoting the Egyptian teenager to stick his tongue out at them.
"Have you thought of any names for them yet? Usually the mother would have begun the prayers to the Gods by now. However, I believe that in Modern Times, you do not pray for the Gods to send you the name of the child or children, correct?" Atem was slightly bewildered by this, though understood why they didn't anymore. Mentally, the reborn Pharaoh heaved a long suffering sigh. Honestly, modern day parents were so strange.
Mālik grimaced, rubbing a calloused hand against his hard stomach. "Aha (yes), you're correct. Now a days, we just Google baby names and look through books until we've found ones we like. I've thought of a few, but I'm still undecided."
"Well, let's hear them then," Atem said, tilting his head to the side curiously.
"Let's hear what?" an innocent and child like voice called out. Mālik and Ryou turned around, and saw Yūgi drying off his tri-colored hair. "Hi Atem!"
"Greetings Yū Ra's light bless you upon this day."
"Ohayo Gozaimasu (Good morning) Yūgi. Atem finally got it through his thick brain on how to use an e-mail-"
"I request that you 'shut up' as they say, Mālik. You would have difficulty as well if you were originally from Ancient Egypt." Atem interrupted.
"And to you as well Atem," Yūgi replied to Atem cheerfully, skillfully ignoring the pout Mālik sent the ex-Pharaoh. Mālik smiled and rolled his eyes, causing Yūgi to giggle as he took a bit of his breakfast. "Anyways, he finally figured out how to use his e-mail and Jiddo (Grandpa) taught him how to use his web cam. So he e-mailed you, and maybe us, but I'm kinda too lazy to check, but back to the subject, we are now currently talking to Atem. He asked me what some of the ideas that I've got for the twin's names." Mālik finished.
Yūgi blinked, cocking his head to the side in curiosity, and sat down next to Ryou. "I didn't know you were searching for names."
"What do you think I do all day when you and Ryou are at school or at work?" Mālik asked, slightly exasperated.
Yūgi grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his black and red colored hair. "Umm…watch Dr. Phil or FMA, and/or eat us out of house and home?"
Atem and Ryou laughed as Mālik stuck up his middle finger at the boy.
"Okay, so yes, I might do that, but seriously. That does get boring when you continue watching the same episodes over and over, over and over, over and over, over and over, and over and OVER again."
"We get it Mālik. You do other things then eat them out of house and home. Now, what were the names that you were thinking of?" Atem asked.
"Well, I was thinking of something like Khai, Meti, Amen, Heru, Akio, Miki, Yuki, and then there's Yuugi, with two 'u's and Ryo with no 'u'." Mālik said, counting off on his fingers. The others stared at the blonde Hikari.
"You're going to name one of your kids after me?" Yūgi asked, slightly touched. Mālik's face turned a slight reddish color.
"Well, yeah. I mean, you guys have been with me the entire time an' all. I was also gonna ask Atem if I could borrow his name for one of the boys middle name."
"Wow." Ryou said.
"Oh...s-sure Mālik, I would be honored to lend you my name. You do know what my name means in my language, do you not?" Atem asked. Atem sighed when he saw the blank expressions on their faces. "In the ancient language, my name meant mythical great god of Annu." Atem said. The others looked at him.
"Really? I didn't know that" Yūgi said. Atem nodded.
"I did not either. That is, until I got to the afterlife. My Sitto, Grandmother, told me that. Evil, nasty, vile women she was." Atem said, shuddering.
Mālik laughed at Atem's look. "What's so wrong with your Grandmother?"
"What is wrong with her? What isnotwrong with her? Sitto was like Egypt's Bloody Mary. She killed over one hundred thousand men, women, and children just for lookingat her!" Atem shuddered again. "I can not say that I honestly miss her at all."
Everyone laughed at the ex-Pharaoh's discomfort. "Aha, aha laugh at my misfortune, young ones. I still have to send in my report to Osiris; maybe I will see if Osiris will let me bring her back just so she can talk to you guys."Atem threatened, causing the others to laugh harder. Atem rolled his eyes before cocking his head as a thought came to the five-thousand year old teen.
"Yūgi, Ryou? What time does your school start?"
Horrified looks crossed the younger Hikari's faces, their wide eyes snapping to the digital Kuriboh wall clock so fast, it nearly gave Atem and Mālik whiplash from just watching.
"No! It's seven forty-five!" they shouted, bolting from the couch, grabbing their shoes, backpacks, and blue school coats before running out the door. Atem and Mālik blinked slightly in shock.
Silence rang about the small living room before;
"Well, I believe that it was a good thing that I said something then, aha (yes)?" Atem said, amusement dancing in his crimson orbs.
Mālik nodded in agreement. "They've been doing better, did you know that?" Atem looked at the platinum blonde Hikari, curiosity and an underlying hint of sadness in his deep crimson gaze. "I'm actually surprised on the rate that Yūgi's recovered. To me, it's almost as if he's done this before."
"I would certainly have hope that Yūgi has not gone through this before." Atem said, cringing at the mere thought. Mālik nodded absently, hesitating slightly, before resolving his determination.
"Me neither Atem. Me neither." Mālik sighed and rubbed a hand tiredly over his face. "Yugi's just too...he's just too innocent for this shit to have happened, ya know? And it kills me that it did. I just...just-"
"I know, Mālik, for I feel the same. In my time, Yūgi would have been one of the Blessed Children of the Gods, and would be training under the High Priests and Priestess for his Gift. My father and, in extension, myself and Sheut, would have treated him with the utmost respect and praise." Atem smiled a bit, before shaking his head. "I am grateful that the Gods have given me this chance to meet you all."
Mālik grinned and touched the screen with gentle fingers. "Me too Atè. Our meeting might not have been one of the best, but...in the end, I think that everything will work out."
Atem's eyebrow rose. "You believe that you and the others will get back with my brother and the other two?" Mālik nodded.
"Aha. Atè, they are our Darkness; our other half. One day, we will reconnect, of that I am sure. It will be a long and trying process, but we will one day be with them. If its not that of lovers, it will be as friends. You should know this well, Atè. After all, you are still searching for you're One, are you not?"
Atem gave the blonde a rueful grin, and nodded, his hair, so like Yūgi's, but different at the same time, swishing softly in his low pony tail. "Aha, you are correct, my friend. In a way, I understand what you say, but I do not like it all the same. What my brother, the Thief, and the Keeper have done to you three is unforgivable, and it will take me much time to forgive them." Atem gave a rueful chuckle. "To be honest, I am still amazed that you three had forgiven me as well. But, as you have said many a time, that is the Way of the Light."
Mālik's eyes shone in amusement. "We would not be of the Light if we did not Forgive. We will never Forget, but we will Forgive."
Atem smiled at Mālik, and opened his mouth to say something, before closing it and looking curiously over his shoulder when he heard his name being called out. "Ah, I am afraid that I must take my leave, Mālik. It seems that we've finally gotten to the inner traps of the tomb. We will speak again, aha?"
Mālik grinned. "Aha Atem. Be careful, got it Atè? None of us want you to get hurt." Atem laughed, no trace of the earlier sadness in his eyes. "I promise, young one, on the Souls of my Ancestors. Fair thee well, Mālik; may the Gods watch over you and yours."
"Fair thee well, my Pharaoh; may the Gods watch over you and yours as well."
x-(-X-X-)-x
"Come on Ryou! We can still make it!" Yūgi panted, dashing through the throngs of people who stood between him and the school.
Behind him, Ryou panted lightly as he speed walked after the energetic teen. Since he was further along then Yūgi was, he had to take it easier then the teen, who was still calling out to the Albino. "I'm coming Yūgi!" Ryou's voice was breathless as the older teen ran behind, a dribble of sweat streaking down past his right eye.
Yūgi paused at the breathless tone of the albino's voice. Yes, they had been running, but Yūgi wasn't nearly as breathless as Ryou was. The tri-colored teen grimaced slightly and slowed his pace, the near stumbling form of his Aniki gracelessly pulling to a stop besides the smaller teen. Ishizu's voice rang though his head, mentally chiding him for running while he was Carrying, though he easily shrugged it off.
"Gomen ne (I'm sorry), Ryou. I forgot that you were further along then me," Yūgi apologized sheepishly. Ryou gave a breathless laugh, wrapping his left arm around the petite boy's shoulders. "It's okay Yūgi. I did the same thing, until I started to cramp a little."
Yūgi grinned up at the older teen, giving him a quick, one-armed hug. "Still, gomen for running. Anyways, we still need to hurry; I really, really don't want to get another detention from Darby-sensei."
Ryou turned slightly pale as he remembered the last time that they had to have detention with the mousy old woman who was their homeroom sensei. The albino shuddered. "Agreed. Plus, with the way that my stomach – and un-doubtly yours too – has been acting about it, I seriously do not want to clean out the-"
"Don't say it!" Yūgi cried, dramatically clamping his hand over his ears, face turning slightly green at the thought. Ryou grimaced, but laughed all the same, amusement sparkling in his chocolate brown orbs.
"Hai, hai I won't say it" Ryou exclaimed, before paling slightly when they heard the five-minute warning bell.
"Kuso (Crap!)! Hurry Yūgi! Hurry!" With that said, Ryou and Yūgi started to run/speed walk into the large, two-story school building.
The building was an older one, having been originally built as a local hospital for the village, and proudly shown its ancient roots in the arcs and styles. There were only a total of twenty three classrooms, and was able to house over seven hundred students, though more oft than not, Domino High only held about five to six hundred at a time. Many students claim that the ghosts of those who had died still haunted the halls of the building as yōkai (demon/spirits).
Yūgi never truly believed that any of the yōkai haunted the building, though he always made sure to have a few shikigami (Spirit Talismans) on him. Just in case, of course.
They quickly dashed through the locker rooms, stopping only long enough to switch shoes, as they ran towards the classroom. Both slowed to walk as the neared it, smoothing out their uniforms before calmly walking into the classroom. Ryou took a quick peak at the clock, grinning when he saw that they only had about two minutes to spare before the final bell rang. Only a few people looked up when they entered, curious to see who had come in, though were quickly ignored. Everyone had pretty much either forgotten about them, or simply hated the two and ignored them, which was both a blessing and a curse to the boys.
The youngest Hikaris quickly walked to the back of the room towards their seats, making sure to keep their heads low. While some had forgotten them, there were still the occasional bully who deemed them easy enough targets.
Sitting down at their desks, the two took out their black, composition notebooks and pens, setting them in the corner of their desk, before grabbing something to keep them occupied before their Sensei came in. Yūgi was about half-way through drawing a scene from the eighteenthchapter of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Ryou pointing out details that he had missed, when the screen door opened again. Curious, Yūgi and Ryou looked up, only to wince and duck down, instantly wishing that they hadn't.
In walked Yami, Akefia, Marik, Joey, Seto, Tristan, Duke, and Téa. Akefia and Marik were laughing at something that Joey had done, the blonde Japanese-American teenager seething with rage and embarrassment; the only thing that was keeping him from attacking the two was Seto, who had a gentle, but firm, hold on his arm. Duke and Tristan were walking next to each other, slightly tense, though at the same time, at ease as they joked with each other.
It was obvious to others that the two were in love with each other, but as both boys were as dense as a rock, neither noticed it. Téa had her bony arms around Yami's waist, smiling happily. Yami was also smiling, although if anyone had been looking close enough, they would have seen that the ex-Pharaoh was uncomfortable.
Téa's dark, cyan blue eye's flickered over towards Yūgi and Ryou, her face contorting into hatred and disgust, before she looked away, face once again smooth and joyful, laughing at Joey's discomfort.
Yūgi and Ryou looked at each, their eyes sad. It had been Téa who had started to spread rumors around the school, saying that Mālik, Ryou, and Yūgi were all yariman (sluts/whores). Her spiteful words that spread the hurtful rumors that they did drugs, which was the current 'rumor of the week'.
It had been thanks to those rumors that the three Hikari's had been raped.
The two boys gave each tight, comforting smiles, Ryou grasping and squeezing Yūgi's thin hand before releasing it to put away his book as the final bell rang. Yūgi had just finished putting away his art supplies when Darby-sensei, a rather mousy looking woman with graying red hair, walked in, holding her rather large attendance book. According to various stories from students who's parents were taught under Darby-sensei, the book held all of the names of every student she had in her teaching years in it.
She had yet to confirm or deny the stories.
"Ohayo Gozaimasu (Good morning), class," Darby-sensei said, her voice slightly monotonous.
"Gozaimasu, Darby-sensei," most of the class chorused, though some of the 'cooler' students didn't.
"Please take out your homework from last night and set it out on your desk, while I take attendance," Darby-sensei said. The sound of rustling paper was heard as the students grabbed their assignments.. Yūgi was bending down to grab his assignment from his school bag, absently hopping he'd but it in there, when a yellow piece of notebook paper hit him in the head. Blinking in surprise, he grabbed the paper and sat up, curiosity swimming in his amethyst eyes as he set his homework onto the corner of the desk.
"Addams."
"Here."
"Anderson."
"Here."
/Ryou, Mālik, someone just threw me a note./ Yūgi said, opening the link to talk to his brothers. Surprise filtered through the link.
"Bachmen."
"Present ma'am."
/Really? Whose it from?/ Ryou asked.
/I don't know./ Yūgi said, opening up the note. He paled as he read the note.
\What does it say Yūgi?\ Mālik asked curiously.
/It's from Téa…she...she said;'Stay away from them, you damn queers. Your not wanted here, so you should leave, just like your little whore-toy, Mālik, did.' –T.G./
"Bakura."
"Present." Ryou replied out loud, ignoring the sidelong look Akefia sent his way.
\God damn that ijiwaru uso tsuki (bitchy liar)! Why can't she just leave us alone!\ Mālik practically shouted, causing the other Hikari's to wince slightly. \And I'm not a whore-toy!\
/I agree with you Mālik. We haven't done anything. However, I just think she's jealous./ Ryou replied.
"Gunther?"
"G'day Darby-sensei."
"Hiroshima? Hiroshima?"
"Hiroshima's Okaa-san gave birth to his little sister last night, Darby-sensei," a girl with vibrant blonde hair said. "He told me that he wasn't going to be coming so he can help his Kaa-san."
"Very well, Arigato Uryuu. Hunter?"
"Here sensei."
/Jealous? How?/ Yūgi echoed, generally curious.
/I think she's jealous that the three of us know more about Yami, Marik, and Akefia, even Atem, then she does, and that we're also the only ones that Atem told where he was going after he and Jiji-san left./
\That does make sense. She still needs to leave us alone though.\ Mālik muttered. Yūgi and Ryou stifled a laugh as the pregnant Hikari mentally pouted.
/Did you miss Malcolm in the Middle again?/ Yūgi asked.
"Manson?"
"She caught the flu Darby-sensei."
"Arigato Morgan. Mūto?"
"Present Sensei." Yūgi said aloud.
/Or was it Criminal Minds?/ Ryou added cheekily.
\I missed Malcolm in the Middle. Criminal Minds isn't on until nine.\ Mālik replied, sighing despondently.
/Oh…I knew that/ Ryou said.
/\No you didn't./\ Mālik and Yūgi said at the same time. Ryou mentally stuck out his tongue, before he blocked the two. Yūgi and Mālik burst out laughing.
/Got to go Mālik. Darby-sensei is handing out our assignments./
\Okay. See you guys at lunch.\
/Ja ne (See you later)Mālik!/ Yūgi said, before he too, blocked the older Hikari. Yūgi looked up at his sensei, who was talking about space and Earth's rotationor something like that.
'Yay…science is Homeroom today.'Yūgi thought with disappointment, even as he began to scribble away at his notebook. He had to ace all of his tests to get into college, after all.
x-(-X-X-)-x
"Kami (God/Gods), I seriously hate Uzumaki-sensei'spop quizzes" Ryou grumbled under his breath, harshly shutting his shoe locker. Yūgi laughed but nodded all the same. "That's only because you suck at Web Design."
"Yeah, so?" Ryou defended.
"Jeez, you're so hormonal right now" Yūgi chided playfully as he rolled his eyes, standing from where he had been sitting. The tri-colored teen swung his bag over his shoulder, absently tucking a lock of black gold hair behind a slightly pointed ear, before walking out of the building.
Ryou sighed and rubbed his stomach discreetly, following after the younger. "Blame the child in here," he grunted, sounding both happy and disgruntled at the same time. Yūgi grinned and mockingly patted Ryou on the shoulder, chuckling lowly when Ryou swatted at his hand and pouted in a playful manner.
Classes had just finished a few minutes ago, and the two had just barely managed to escape after school clean up. They were exhausted, sore, and tired, and wanted nothing more than to go home and pass out on the couch, using Mālik as a pillow. Surprisingly enough, the platinum blonde was very comfortable. Of course, they had to stop by the Kame Shop first, and do a bit of cleaning before heading there, but it was worth it and both were more than happy to as well.
Jiji-san had asked Yūgi to watch it for the four to six months he was gone. Since Atem was with him, and Yami was no doubt fucking Téa everyday after school, Yūgi and Ryou (Mālik used to go as well before he started showing) always went after school and at noon on Sunday, to do the chores and to feed Jiji-san's fish.
As they walked, they were joined by other students, from the other high school in town and a few of the middle schoolers also joined them, small, elementary children on their backs. The group stopped at a red light, everyone chatting away with their own little clicks, and were eventually joined by a few of the adults who weren't in jobs or who were just getting out.
"I know what you mean. Remember when I dropped my lollipop on the floor during free period?" Yūgi questioned, a faint blush on his cheeks. Ryou nodded, his lips twitching. "I seriously felt like crying when I dropped it, then I felt like hitting someone, then I felt like crying again" Yūgi said, sighing.
Ryou laughed. "Mood swings, my friend. They're a pain in the ass, I tell you!"
"I agree," Yūgi muttered, stepping off the sidewalk when the light turned green. "Come on Ry, we'd better hurry. You remember the last time that we left Mālik alone for to long?" Yūgi said, causing Ryou grimace.
x-(-X-X-)-x
"WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED HERE?!" Ryou shouted as he looked at their shared apartment. Said apartment was in complete chaos, garbage was thrown all over the place. Dishes where on the floor, the laundry basket was, for some very strange reason, hanging off the ceiling fan. The room smelled of rotting food (how it was rotting, was beyond the two Hikari who stood shocked in the hallway).
Platinum blonde hair poked out of a pile of dirty clothes. Chocolate brown eyes narrowed in anger.
"Mālik!" Ryou shouted, causing both Yūgi and Mālik to jump.
"A-aha (Y-yes)Ryou?" Mālik said timidly.
"Siaion. Bioan. Alliawa. Forian. Zianro. (What. The. Hell. Happened. Here)?"Ryou's voice was soft, underlying anger swirling underneath as he subconsciously switched to his Mother language. Mālik, who knew a little bit of English, gulped as he barely translated what Ryou said, Yūgi sending him a sympathetic look. They both knew that when Ryou got mad, he always switched to his native language.
"Umm…I was looking for…something?" Mālik said, although at the end it sounded more like a question then a statement.
"And what, exactly, were you looking for?"
Mālik gulped." I was looking for...a-a-a…"
"A what?"
"Iwaslookingforapregnancytest!" Mālik said. Ryou and Yūgi blinked. "What?"
Mālik took a deep breathe, calming his nerves. "I-I was looking for a Pregnancy Test," Mālik muttered, looking down.
Yūgi and Ryou's eyes widened in shock; whatever they had been expecting, it hadn't been that.
x-(-X-X-)-x
Ryou shuddered. "Yeah, I remember that day" he said, smiling slightly.
Yūgi laughed. "That's when we found out we were going to become 'Uncles'" Yūgi said. Ryou nodded, still smiling. Ryou looked over Yūgi's head, and his face turned that into one of horror. Yūgi blinked and looked behind him, and paled.
Racing towards the two was an out-of-control mini-van, the women behind was frantically yelling out the window, "MOVE OUT OF THE WAY! MY BRAKES AREN'T WORKING! PLEASE MOVE!"
Her golden eyes were wide as she saw that Yūgi and Ryou were in the way. Yūgi looked at Ryou.
"Move!" Yūgi shouted, startling the Albino teen. Yūgi pushed the shocked teen, in an attempt to get him out of the way. The next thing either of them knew, a bolt of electric burning pain, and something solid hitting the two's side. The last thought in their heads, were; /MY BABIES!/
x-(-X-X-)-x
Hope you enjoyed the story! Again, I will mention this: If you spot some random misspelled words like 'Sia (shit') then that is PURPOSELY spelled. It's like that to signify English, as their all speaking Japanese
Ja ne!
The Twins
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