V.E.: It's nice to be back here! Pandora is an interesting thing to have when you're writing with some football playing in the background. Okay, I'm not the one interested in the later that's my dad. But I've been looking forward to getting back to this story since the next chapter Mahad is going to be in Japan.
I hope you've been having a nice wait since I've broken my cycle and will be updating Princess of Egypt after this, which is quickly becoming my favorite among the four stories I am currently updating.
No, I must warn you. There will be partially nakedness this chapter, but I will not be describing it in great detail. I actually have been considering how I would write that kind of intimate moments for some of my more...steamier fic ideas.
Disclaimer: Please just skip to the next line.
Mahad breathed a sigh as he stepped out of the misting shower, tying his own gray towel around his wait while using one of his smaller ones to dry his shoulder length brown hair.
It's a good thing I always take my own towels when I travel, it would have been awkward asking for some. Still, why do I keep my hair this long? Kisara's right, it does look like a girl's.' You do act like a girl with it.'
Pondering this, Mahad just made his way over to the sink, looking through his travel on kit to just make sure he cleared everything of his from the bathroom. He decided to take a shower in the morning before heading out to the airport later.
True to expectations, Ethan was thrilled last night when Mahad called with the news and Bianca also seemed pleased(of course this was said with some irritation, so Mahad could only assume she was reaching her limit with her brother). According to them, their father had yet to arrive but they expected him any day now.
Along with that, he had managed to get that reply from Rebecca. She also thought it would have been funny had the two of them been in Japan at the same time. She was also very secretive on whatever she wanted to talk about, telling him he'd have to wait and find out what it was.
But she had also been rather vague on what her grandfather wanted, Mahad knew she probably found out what her grandfather wanted to talk to him about.
Even Kisara had managed to get him an email at the news after he called her and left a message. Her gladness was implied throughout, but she had been in a hurry since she had to go dress shopping with Mika for the big even when the exhibit opened. Mahad had managed to get Mika and her tickets to the event. Mika had also called to let him know she could now successfully schedule a correct flight.
Breaking the news last night at dinner had been easy, but it didn't stop Mahad's feelings of disappointment. Marik seemed also disappointed, but already gave him his phone number just in case he was ever back in Egypt(Mahad promised he would call).
Ishizu, on the other hand, pretty much ignored him the whole night which seemed to come to her brother's attention. Odion had asked about it when she was out of earshot, but Mahad could only shrug and deduce it probably had to do with her day in general.
Back in the present, Mahad decided to go back through the drawers. Finding nothing of his, he was satisfied until he caught sight of the orange pill bottles in the back of the drawer. When he put his stuff in the bathroom, he had to be careful since this was Odion and Marik's bathroom as well. He had seen the little bottles before, but had been busy with his own things so he hadn't been too curious.
Now, he felt his hand reach toward one and grabbed it firmly. Lifting it up to the light, Mahad could still understand the Arabic, but what he found surprised him.
The little canister was definitely addressed to Marik Ishtar, which to Mahad's understanding was a pretty healthy person. Along with this, the date was rather recent. Mahad could still recall the cabinet in his old house which his mother had stuck all the medicine the family ever used. One cleaning session had discovered that much of the current medicine was technically expired.
Closer examination into the writing and being familiar with some medication due to quizzing Rebecca, made Mahad realize it was antidepressant.
Marik, depressed? Bipolar maybe, but I don't think I've seen him incredibly depressed. The most I've ever seen him is incredibly pensive.
He knew he should have stopped right then, but once more his body moved when his brain said otherwise. His hand closed around another bottle, but this one just made him more confused.
Depressants? Is isn't that counter intuitive?
Still, Marik's name was there so it was no doubt who that was meant for. There was still one last bottle in the drawer, but Mahad but the other two back before pulling that one out.
He almost dropped that when he realized what it was.
Okay, anti-depressants, depressants, and anti-psychotic medication. What on earth does Marik need these all for?!
He quickly put the little orange pill bottle back where it came from and quickly shut the drawer. As if it being out of sight would banish what he read from his memory.
Mahad was immediately taken back to that first dinner at the Ishtar's and Marik's words on normality and the Ishtars.
Okay, boy on different types of medication, sister that goes from welcoming to outright cold, and the adopted oldest looks like he could be a bodyguard though I have to say he's probably the most relatively normal. If this is 'not normal', I wonder what they consider normal?
Mahad shook his head in resolve. It wasn't any of his business, Odion and Ishizu probably knew about the medication since it was prescribed for Marik. If they didn't think it was funny or that Marik might have been a little crazy, they never said anything to Mahad.
He felt his mind go slightly amused as he remembered some of his more colorful experiences.
Weird medication is hardly the most bizarre thing you've ever seen, Mahad. Remember that spring break? Remember when you tagged along and met some of Ethan's French friends?
Another questioning thought entered his mind.
Remember Kisara when she first moved in? Remember when she collapsed that day for no reason?
His irritation at his mind peaked. He loved his cousin, he shouldn't be thinking anything about those times.
Yet, he always knew that Kisara had been rather different compared to most people her age. Her mother's death happened when she was an infant, so it truly didn't impact her that much. But Mahad knew how much her father's death impacted her.
The door creaked despite his attempts to muffle it, though it didn't disturb his cousin as she simply stared out the window, a ghost of the regular self…..a ghostly pale child who seemed to be looking past of what she was seeing, into a million miles away and gazing only oblivion….
Mahad felt a chill go over him, despite the bathroom still being warm from the shower. For some reason, he got the distinct impression he should check up on Kisara. Especially since they'd be in Japan soon.
Wiping a portion of the mirror's fogginess off, he managed to get an acceptable part for a reflection as he grabbed his toothbrush and applied the paste to it.
However, before he could really apply it thoroughly, he heard the rapping on the bathroom door.
"MARIK! Come out of there right now!"
Mahad felt taken a back at the very virile tone which Ishizu was using, but she continued before he could response.
The door slammed open as Ishizu furiously went on, though that was melting away as she realized who was really there.
"I cannot believe you snuck out last night! If you went out to that bar across the street from the museum again, you are…in…so much….trouble…."
There the two of them just stood, as awkward as Mahad felt the first time he met Ishizu. Only this time he didn't have a shirt on, so his muscles weren't covered and were in fact still glistening from the shower.
About several seconds later, Mahad felt his towel slip from his wait and drop to the floor.
Mahad's face turned rather crimson as he turned away after grabbing the towel. Ishizu also seemed just as red and immediately closed the door with a rather loud BANG!
Just then, Marik walked by, humming merrily before opening his eyes to find Ishizu there. He felt himself immediately turn around and bolt towards his room. He would emerge later when Ishizu was in a less vindictive mood.
Lucky for him, Ishizu was too caught up in her own imagination running wild
Her back to the door, Ishizu's face went even more red as she felt herself pant heavily. What happened seconds ago replaying in her mind as she felt herself seriously starting to doubt her resolve from earlier.
"So, any chance you'll be back in Egypt someday?"
Mahad shrugged as around the two, the general noise of the airport went on, oblivious to independent conversations. Odion and Ishizu had driven with them to the airport, but Ishizu had gotten a call and pulled Odion over to a less noise place. Thus leaving Marik and Mahad alone for a while.
"Doubtful, unless there's another exhibit my company covers."
Marik rolled his eyes.
"Ummm Mahad, do you not understand the definition of 'vacation' or 'free time'?"
Mahad sighed and smiled in good nature.
"Believe it or not, me getting some free time is rather difficult. Even the holidays are a pain."
Marik sighed.
"You need to get a backbone, Mahad."
Mahad chuckled.
"The day I outright defy Ethan is the day I either get fired or promoted."
Marik looked confused at that.
"No offense, but how is that possible?"
"Let's just say, Ethan and his family have a rather tumultuous relationship."
Marik rolled his eyes.
"Isn't that every family in the world?"
"Really? You and your siblings get along pretty well to me."
Marik's voice seemed a bit strained as he answered.
"It…..wasn't always like that. Let's just say I did a lot of stuff I wish I could take back and I kind of dragged Odion with me."
Mahad's eyes widened as he looked at Marik, finding him to be the most nervous he had ever seen him.
Of course he's got his secrets. And it isn't your business to pry into them Mahad.
Yet, he still couldn't forget what he found in the bathroom earlier. The youngest Ishtar had always been somewhat mysterious, but Mahad couldn't believe that there be something so terrible Marik kept close. He was a good kid, sure a trouble maker, but essentially a good person.
And once again he felt his own inner voice seek in.
Oh and you call yourself good? You alone are normal? What of your dreams, your delusions? You are hardly the ones to be casting the stones.
Mahad shook himself back to reality though not before Marik noticed his dark thoughts.
"Hey, are you alright?"
Mahad shook his head in response.
"Just a little nervous I guess."
"Yeahhh, sorry about this morning. I've already gotten my rights read by Ishizu, you were just the unfortunate person in the crossways."
Mahad chuckled uneasily.
"Not the first time I've been on the receiving end of a woman's anger and it wasn't my fault, namely Ethan's though most tend to apologize afterwords."
Mairk looked quizzically at the older man.
"You know, I'm surprised that you're not lecturing me on the stupidity of sneaking out and drinking?"
Mahad looked rather nervous as she spoke next.
"You're off age in this country, aren't you? Besides, it's not like I hadn't…..experimented with alcohol in college. And I WAS underage."
Marik perked up in interest, a rather sly smirk.
"Oh, what's this? Do tell Mr. Goody Two Shoes."
Mahad sighed.
"Let's just say, it's an experience I don't remember and wish to keep it that way. Worst mistake of my life. That was the last time I listened to Ethan about 'fun'. I was just lucky no one found out about it and I had passed out somewhere."
Marik shook his head in amusement.
"Still, my sister could have knocked."
Mahad sighed.
"She's probably got a lot on her mind. Although, I have to ask, is you sister bipolar? One moment she's pretty welcoming, the next she's incredibly cold, and then she sees me naked after getting out of the shower!"
Marik had to muffle his laughter at that to which Mahad's face become rather red.
"Oh, just shut up."
"Well, my sister's many things I could describe, but I don't think 'bipolar' is one of them. 'Moody' I think is a better word for it. She's usually pretty calm and composed."
Mahad gave a small nod in agreement.
"Have to say that was my first impression of her."
Marik seemed to stare at him for a couple of moments that made Mahad feel scrutinized. He could definitely see the resemblance between the Ishtar siblings at that moment.
"Umm, Marik?"
Marik got himself out of it and he pulled a folded note of his pocket.
"Sorry about that. Anyone, here's something you want."
Mahad carefully took the piece of paper from the teen's hands and opened it. He scanned it to find it an interesting address labeled Kame Game Shop.
He looked up rather confused.
"What's this?"
"You said your exhibit is in Domino, Japan."
Mahad nodded.
"Yeah, I wondered why we were doing it there, but apparently the Mizuno Group has some…..connections to Kaiba Corp, so they wanted to open a hotel there."
Marik seemed to pretend he hadn't heard the undercurrents in Mahad's voice.
"Yeah well, I visited there some time ago. So, if you ever have some trouble, just give them my name and you should be okay."
Mahad looked at Marik quizzically.
"How does an Egyptian teen know someone in Domino, Japan?"
Marik's answer was brief as he shrugged.
"Dueling."
Just as Mahad was opening his mouth to ask for details, the elder Ishtars returned to them. Odion was still as reserved. Ishizu was calm until she caught sight of Mahad and resolutely turned to avoid looking at Mahad, her face tinged with red.
Not that Mahad's face was any less red, but he still smiled at the two.
"So, any news on your missing artifact?"
Odion shook his head.
"No, but they think they might have found something. They want us to examine it as soon as we get back to the museum."
Mahad cleared his throat.
"Well, I shouldn't keep you. I better be getting in line anyway."
Odion nodded his head, the briefest smile touching his face.
"Be well, Mahad Shen."
Mahad turned to Marik who looked to be smiling.
"I'm sorry I won't see you again when the artifacts come back."
That didn't seem to deflate Marik, in fact his smile was starting to creep Mahad out a little.
"Oh, I get the feeling we'll see each other soon."
"AHEM!
Before Mahad could remark on his certainty, Ishizu had cleared her throat and Marik cringed. Turning his attention to the Egyptian beauty, Mahad felt himself just stand there awkwardly as Ishizu returned to resolutely not looking him in the eye.
Mahad felt his throat caught in the middle as he spoke.
"Miss Ishtar…"
Ishizu slowly turned to Mahad.
Mahad chickened out and simply bowed his head, placing his hand over his heart.
"I hope you stay well."
Ishizu's face was calm but her eyes were wide, as if reminded something from the past. Her hand, making its way to her neck only to find nothing there.
Mahad then nodded to the three in general.
"Take care."
Marik smiled at that.
"You too."
At that, Mahad turned to go through the security check, leaving behind what he knew of this land that felt like home and into a land he had only ever heard or read about.
And for some reason, he got the feeling that things were going to get crazy pretty soon, and he got the feeling it had nothing to do with the exhibit.
She leaned back with a sigh into her chair, feeling exhausted, but not as much as she used to be. This was a good sign, but it didn't mean she should try to test her limits.
I'll need my strength for what's coming ahead.
She already saw that the Dark One and his associates knew of her existence. She should have realized her actions wouldn't have stayed with the Tomb Keepers.
Still, it'd spoiling things if I revealed myself too soon. No doubt they'll be looking for me and my host, best to keep them guessing.
She lifted her hand up, seeing her ring gained a smile on her face.
But still she had to be careful, at the very least what she wanted next would come whether she interfered or not.
The sooner those two meet them, the sooner things will be set in motion. This is one of those things even I cannot change even if I wanted to.
Oh, my only hope is that Mahad's reaction is not as violent as what I saw…..It makes Seto Kaiba look like an open minded young man….
That will be an interesting meeting between those three. At the very least, it will be a good laugh for me.
V.E.: So glad this is done! Can't wait for Japan! I will definitely be delving more into Kisara when we get there.
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