It took them longer than expected to get to their room, though, because Malik found he had a fascination for elevators and their music. They rode from the lobby to the top floor and back again several times before he was finally satisfied and the song finished.
He then volunteered to act as overseer when room service brought up the extra cot for him. Even after they had left, he had Isis reposition it twice before he was satisfied. Finally, he flopped down with a satisfied sigh. "What was I like before I died?" he asked quietly.
Isis sat down on her bed, looking thoughtful. "You were…not that different from how you are now, if you look very deep. You always had a stubborn streak, which you made no attempts to suppress. You also had a strong attachment to those you loved, though you tried to hide it back then."
"Was I a good boy?" asked Malik suddenly.
Isis opened her mouth and then closed it, unsure of what to say.
"Uncle Yuugi said that sometimes I make trouble." He rubbed his eyes a little sleepily. "I want to be a good boy…" His words faded into a yawn. "He says I have a kind heart. Isis, does that mean that I'm a good boy?"
"Yes, or at least you have a start," she said softly, tucking him under the covers and kissing his forehead. She was glad he was getting used to her presence.
But around one in the morning, she woke to a soft sniffling. "Malik?" she asked, gliding angel-like in her nightgown over to his bed. He was curled up beneath the blankets, crying quietly. "What's the matter?" she asked, taking him into her arms.
"I…I miss Uncle Yuugi," he said reluctantly. "I'm homesick. I want to go back."
"When the sun comes up," she reassured him, "we'll go back to the game shop. You'll see Yuugi again in a few hours."
Malik wiped his eyes on her sleeve. "Are you really going to take me away?"
"I thought I was at first, but I'm not sure now. We'll talk to Yuugi tomorrow and try and work things out."
Malik's face brightened. "I know! If you marry Uncle Yuugi, we don't have to go anywhere!"
Isis choked.
"Don't you like my idea?"
"Well…Yuugi isn't even out of high school yet. It's a little early to think about something like marriage."
"Maybe," he murmured, curling up in the warmth of his sister's arms. She held him even after he had fallen asleep, running her fingers through his soft hair. The tears trickled slowly from her eyes. She did not weep out of grief, but rather from a calm sort of joy. She had lost and now regained, and it was real.
The next day, Yuugi saw the car drive up again, and the Ishtar siblings walked together to the game shop doorway.
"Uncle Yuugi!" cried Malik, beaming, "Neesan says she'll move back to Japan! I'll still get to see you every day!"
Owari
Special thanks to Tenshi Bakeru and Gabbi, my two most faithful reviewers. Actually, if Tenshi Bakeru's Yami hadn't "flamed" me for not updating, this story would probably never have been finished. ^_~ Arigatou, minna-san!
