"Sisters of the Moon"
By: Yin-Yang & JanimeLee
It took everything she had not to bounce down the stairs but she did stop and made sure she looked alright before coming down the rest of the steps. Okay, just relax. Seto just wants to say thanks or something for being nice to Mokuba. That's probably it, yeah, it is. But why does it feel like butterflies in my stomach?
Taking a deep breath, Cheri calmly walked down the rest of the steps and into the lobby. Seto was sitting in a chair against the far wall with his legs crossed. I don't care what Keriam says, Cheri thought, the man is a god...
He looked up and saw her, giving a small smile as he stood and walked over to her.
"Hi..." Cheri breathed.
"Hi. I... I wanted to thank you again and to... to..." For the life of him he could not apologize!
"You don't have to say it but I had fun. So.." Now she wasn't sure what to say. She had pictured this kind of scene in her mind hundreds of times before but now... her mind was a complete blank.
"You still haven't eaten supper yet," Seto said, "I know a good restaurant not far from here."
"Really?" Cheri smiled.
"If you want to go, that is..."
"I'd love to. Just let me call Keriam and let her know."
Seto nodded and she went to the service phone.
Keriam was almost to the door when the phone rang. Groaning, she turned around and picked it up. "Hello?"
"Keriam," Cheri's voice filtered to her ear, "Seto's taking me to a restaurant."
"As a date?" she couldn't help but smile and feel just a tiny bit jealous.
"Yes! no! I don't know! Listen um I'll try not to be long. I'll tell you when I get back, bye!" Quickly she hung up the phone and smiled. This was going to be a night she'd always remember.
Keriam chuckled lightly and left her room. She walked down the hall till she stood outside room 1235. Hesitating at first, Keriam then knocked twice on the door. A few moments later, it opened and Malik stepped aside to let her in. With extreme caution, Keriam walked into the room, jumping a little when Malik shut the door.
~Welcome to our humble abode, ~ Marik waved from the couch not bothering to look at her.
"Thanks..." Keriam looked around nervously. The room was the same as hers but, then again, all hotels had the room made the same.
"Have a seat," Malik gestured to a vacant chair at the table. Keriam sat down and Malik sat across from her. "So..."
"Where would you like me to begin?" Keriam asked.
~How did you get here? ~ Marik asked.
Malik turned his eyes to the ceiling, annoyed.
"Well..." Keriam fidgeted. "Exactly how, I'm not too sure." She explained what had happened, deciding to leave out that everyone and everything connected to Yu-Gi-Oh was nothing more than a cartoon in her world.
Both young men were quiet as they listened but it was Marik who spoke up. ~It seems that someone brought you and your friend here.~
"And these same people might be looking for you two now," malik supplied. "But we don't know where to begin looking."
"But why us? We're normal."
~No, you aren't.~ The spirit turned and looked at her. ~You can see me, hear me where others can't. And you possess a great deal of power.~
Keriam looked at him. "What are you talking about?"
Marik studied her for a moment then turned to Malik. ~I have to try something. ~
"Figures," Malik sighed. "Can you trust us?"
"You, maybe," said Keriam. "Him I'm not to sure about. What does he have to do?"
~I need to connect with your mind. ~
She frowned and looked at him questionably. "You're not going to try and possess me are you?"
~No I won't. I learned my lesson that hard way.~
"No kidding." Looking at their stares she waved her hand. "Okay just, don't try to take control or anything."
"Don't worry, it's not you," said Malik. He closed his eyes and Keriam watched in amazement as Marik sat down and melded into the other boy. He shuddered then opened his eyes. Keriam noticed his features and eyes darken. Marik was in control. He reached his right hand out to Keriam and she reflexively moved back.
Marik sighed in irritation. "You have to let me do this."
"Sorry," Keriam said, "but considering your reputation of taking over other people's minds, you'll forgive me for being jumpy."
"I don't have the Millennium Rod."
Keriam just looked at him, unconvinced.
~If he tries anything, Keriam, I'll stop him, ~ Malik said. ~He doesn't have complete control anymore. I can let him have it and take it away when I wish. ~
"...Okay..." Keriam moved closer and Marik placed his palm on her forehead.
"Relax," he said, closing his eyes. "And remember how you were brought here."
Keriam shut her eyes as well and focused on what had happened.
The images were blurry to begin with but they soon began to sharpen and came into better view. Marik could see how she and Cheri had walked home from school, heated up a pizza and were going to watch TV. For some reason he couldn't see just what they were watching but he did see the hands come out of the screen and pulled them in. Pulling his hand back the connection broke and he looked thoughtful.
"Whoever brought you two here is powerful. I've never heard of anyone being able to do that, especially with their bodies intact."
"I'm taking that as a good thing," Keriam grunted.
"You realize that Yugi and Yami have to know about you two."
She lowered her eyes and nodded. "I'll tell Cheri when she comes back."
"When she comes back?" Marik looked at her quizzically.
"Kaiba has taken her out for supper."
Marik grinned. "And speaking of supper." He stepped out of Malik's body. ~I believe it's your turn to cook. ~
"Thank you for reminding me," Malik looked at the spector. He turned to Keriam. "Do you want to stay?"
She shook her head. "I'm not really hungry right now. Thanks though."
"It was nice meeting you Keriam. I wish it was under better circumstances though."
"Like wise. hey I'll see you at school then." She smiled some and waved as she headed back to her hotel room. So far, so good.
Cheri was having a good time herself. She was still nervous but he had been very kind and charming. Oh he is so very different from the series. He's actually human!
"Something amuses you?" Seto asked, noticing her giddy smile.
"Oh no, it's just that you're a lot nicer than from what I've heard people say." You idiot!! Cheri yelled at herself.
Seto chuckled. "No doubt there," he said, "Mokuba is the only one who usually sees my good side."
"I'm glad you're letting me see it."
Seto felt something twinge inside when she smiled.
"Why don't you tell me about yourself?" he asked, feeling intrigued by this young lady.
"I'm in high school, I live with my mom; I'm pretty much average teenager. So what about you?"
"Nothing much to say except I run a company. I don't have time for anything else..." he looked up when she touched his hand with her own.
"I know you don't want anyone to take Kaiba Corp but sometimes you just have to enjoy life for what it has to offer before you're too old to enjoy it."
"I suppose," Seto closed his eyes, finding the touch of Cheri's hand comforting. "I guess the reason why is for Mokuba not to have to worry about anything in the future."
"You sound so much like Keriam."
"The other girl that's with you?"
Cheri nodded. "She's been my best friend since we were kids. Everyone picked on her in school. Then when we started junior high, she started lashing back. That's when the bullies became afraid of her... along with ninety percent of the student body."
"But you became friends."
"I was like her except I didn't fight back. Besides, she can fight much better than I can."
"She reminds me of the mutt, especially when she stood up fro him at he mall today."
"Seto, can I ask you something? Why do you call him all those dog names? He really hates it."
"It's the loyalty he has to his friends--always on the defense. That always reminds me of how a dog is. I find it irritating."
"How come?"
Seto leaned back in his chair. "Loyalty can only extend so far. Certain people who you think you can trust just might, if not, will turn against you."
"True..." Cheri said.
Keriam's stepfather had tried to go after her, but Keriam's mother intervened. They fought, Keriam ran out of the house, and something caught on fire and the house burned down, killing both adults. After months of therapy, Keriam moved in with her uncle and aunt--her mother's brother and his wife. They turned out to be much better parents.
"She has a hard time trusting people," said Cheri. "In a way, she can sense what kind of a person someone is."
He wasn't sure what to say but what could he? Maybe... that's why she defended him... he thought, They share the same loyalty to friends.
"Seto. I want to thank you for a really good time but I think we better head back. We both have school tomorrow."
"Does this mean I'll be seeing you around more often then? he asked as he stood. she nodded.
"Yep. I think it'll be fun. Least Keriam and I won't be alone."
Keriam had finished the last of the leftover pizza Ryou had given her. Bakura had been right behind him--no surprise there. They had dropped off the slices just as Keriam was about to get ready to take a shower. She reheated the pizza after the shower.
Standing up from the table, Keriam put the dishes in the sink and started to wash them. She was grateful for putting on her pajamas before eating. This way she could watch a little TV and then go straight to bed.
There was a knock on her door. Keriam dried her hands and dropped the towel on the counter. "Were you that excited you forgot your key?" Keriam smirked as she walked to the door and looked through the peephole.
It was Joey. And he had his head down.
Keriam opened the door. "Joey, what is it?"
He looked up and she gasped. His bottom lip was split and a bruise started on his left cheek. "I'm sorry," he said, "I didn't know where else to go."
"Oh God," Keriam took his hand and led him in, shutting the door behind him. She gently took his face in her hands and examined his wounds. "What happened?" she asked, though she knew what the answer was going to bed.
"My dad's drunk again," Joey winced a little despite how careful she was being.
"Sorry. Just stay here." Going into the sink she grabbed the towel she had just used, wetted it and came back with some ice wrapped in it. "Okay bear with me now." With a gently hand she began to dab at the wounds before taking his hand to hold the wet cloth to his face. "There. But I can tell you it's not going to be pretty."
"It never is, but thanks for your help." he smiled weakly at her but it didn't reach his eyes. They were full of pain, anger and sorrow.
Keriam gestured for him to sit and sat next to him. "Why don't you go to the police or something?"
"Dad threatened me and my friends if I ever said anything. Besides, who'd believe a street punk like me?" he sighed and slowly sat back, fingering his split lip. "And if they could do something what? Mom doesn't want me and I have no other family to take me in. And the idea of foster homes doesn't appeal to me."
"I've been on that road."
Joey looked at her.
Keriam looked at the drapes covering the window. "My dad died when I was a baby, and my stepfather never really appreciated the fact I was my mom's kid. He'd hit her and me. When I was ten, he was drunk and came after me with a broken beer bottle. Mom got in his way and told me to run. She had something cooking on the stove and I know I knocked something over when I ran out of the house..." she stopped and tears rolled down her cheeks. "They didn't make it out in time..."
Joey put the towel down on the table and put his arm around her. She leaned her head against his shoulder, letting the grief escape some. "Did you ever tell anyone?" Joey asked against her hair.
"Cheri knows about my stepfather and the fire, but I never told her I might have caused it." Keriam sat up, wiped away the tears and looked at him. "The foster homes do suck--period. I live with my aunt and uncle now."
"At least you have someone that took you in."
"I just don't get it. Why didn't your mother take you with her when she took your sister?"
"She's afraid of me," Joey sighed and leaned back. "My guess is that she thinks I'm gonna turn out like him. You know, like father, like son."
"That's stupid," said Keriam. "No, I'm sorry, that's beyond stupidity."
"Try telling her that. The only one who does care is Serenity but I can't see her as much as I'd like to. At least I have Yugi and the others... they helped me find a job and if I can save enough, I can move out and live my life without fear." His stomach growled and he grinned sheepishly. "Um sorry about that. I have to hide my money from dad or he'll use it on beer and bar tabs."
"I understand," said Keriam. "Why don't you take a shower and I'll call room service for a sandwich."
"You don't mind?"
"Not at all."
"Thanks, Keriam," Joey stood up. He pointed down the little hallway. "Which door?"
"The left," Keriam told him. As Joey walked into the bathroom, Keriam placed the sandwich order. Then she picked up Joey's backpack he had dragged into the room. A piece of paper fell out of the front pocket and she picked it up, smiling as it was a picture of Joey, Tristen, Yugi, Tea, Malik, and Ryou. Keriam stared at spot behind Malik and Ryou and for a brief moment, she could just about see Marik and Bakura.
"I guess cameras can capture souls," Keriam said aloud and put the picture back where it had come from.
Picking up the phone she dialed the number for room service and asked f they could bring a little something up she thanked them and looked up as she heard a knock. "That was fast." but upon answering it she found it was Cheri.
"Keriam I had the best time!!" she squealed happily before gloomping her with a big grin on her face. "Seto is the sweetest, nicest guy ever!!"
"You're positive on that?" Keriam shut the door. "It wasn't an impersonator, was it?"
"No way! No one else in the world has eyes like that!"
"Hey, Keriam, can I use-" Joey said as he stepped into the room wearing only a towel and froze when he saw Cheri. "-Your soap."
"Hi, Joey."
"Hi, Cheri."
"You can use it," said Keriam.
"Thanks," Joey slowly walked backwards into the bathroom.
Cheri turned to her best friend. "Weeeeeeeeeeeell?"
"Nothing happened," Keriam said. "His father's drunk and he came here. Now I'm glad we told them where we're staying."
"Yeah... Man you have all the luck! But he does have a cute body."
"Hey!! You got your own guy leave mine alone!!"
"Alright geez! You're so protective!" She quickly ducked into the bedroom to change before she could retort. It wasn't long before she came out in some flannel pjs she had bought and skipped when she heard a knock on the door. "I'll get it! Yes?" she asked.
"Room service ma'am."
Cheri looked through the peephole and saw the clerk. She opened the door and took the sandwich. "Here," she handed him the money. "Keep the change."
"Thank you very much. Enjoy and good night."
"Thanks." Cheri closed the door and looked at the sandwich. "That's weird," she said, "It's a different kind of paper."
"Maybe they ran out," said Keriam. "Just put it in the fridge until Joey finishes his shower."
"Okey dokey." She hopped to the fridge and did so before plopping on the sofa and reached for the remote. "So, was the note a love letter?"
"Actually it was from Malik."
"Whoa timeout! Malik? As in the guy whose dad carved him like a turkey? The one with the dark half who tried to kill one hot guy in leather?"
"Hot guy in leather and dark half are on the same level," Keriam informed, "not seeing completely eye to eye, though. But Marik can't take control of Malik's body. Malik has to let him have control, and he can stop Marik when he wants. It's the same with Ryou and Bakura. By the way, they're in room twelve, thirty-five."
"Does Joey know they're down the hall?" asked Cheri.
"Probably," said Keriam.
"Then why didn't he go to their room? Oh wait, you're in your pajamas."
I wish that was the answer, Keriam thought as she turned a little red. "I say it's because he doesn't want to listen to half-conversations."
"What are you talking about?"
"I can see Marik. And Bakura."
Cheri's eyes widened. "See them?"
"And hear them, too."
"No fair how come I can't see them?" she pouted.
"Don't be such a baby. You like Seto."
"I do but you have to admit, they are cute. For psychotic ghosts."
"... You're impossible." They heard the shower turn off and then Joey called out to them.
"Um ladies? Do have a robe or something I can borrow?" he called out.
"Hold on, Joey." Keriam disappeared into the bedroom and took the light gray bathrobe from her bed and walked to the bathroom door. "Here you go."
Joey stuck his hand out and took the garment. "Thanks."
Keriam walked back to the TV area, and a few moments later Joey walked out tying the belt. "Is the sandwich here yet?"
"It's in the fridge," said Keriam; the phone rang and she picked it up. "Hello?"
Joey took out the sandwich.
"You're out of tomatoes?" Keriam asked--it was room service. She looked at Joey as he stopped in mid-unwrap. His eyes widened and he threw the sandwich into the garbage can. "That's okay if it doesn't have tomatoes," Keriam stared at the garbage can. "Thank you." She hung up the phone and slowly walked behind Joey. "What happened?"
"It moved..." he said, not taking his eyes off the can.
She looked skeptical. "Are you sure you didn't imagine it?"
"Hey wait, if that was room service... then who delivered the sandwich?" The three of them looked at each other then at the trash can.
Cheri frowned as she crept towards the trash can with a broom in hand. Peering inside she cautiously stuck the handle down and poked around some. "Something very weird is going on..."
"Gin," Ryou set down his cards.
Malik groaned. "Okay, I do your laundry for another week."
~Why don't you use your Duel Monsters cards instead of those ridiculous poker decks?~ Bakura asked.
"Old habits die hard," said Ryou and Malik chuckled.
~You realize that was meant for us,~ said Marik.
Bakura grunted as he settled back against the couch. Marik shut eyes; they flew open and he looked in the direction towards Keriam's room. He stood up and walked over to Malik, touching his shoulder to let him know what he was sensing.
Malik's dropped his hand, eyes widened at the feeling. "It can't be."
~He's here.~
"Hey Cheri maybe you shouldn't poke at it like that," Joey spoke up, feeling unnerved by this. "Maybe I just imagined it or something."
"I doubt it. I know your reputation for eating anything Mr. Bottomless Pit," she said without thinking and peered in closer.
"Hey how do you know about that? We just met!"
"Uh guys?" The brunette looked at them with wide eyes as she pulled out the broom. The end looked like it had been gnawed at or something.
"Houston, we have a problem," Keriam breathed out even as she began to back away.
"Yes, we do, Apollo..." Cheri backed up holding the broom in front of her for defense.
Something like black taffy shot out from the garbage can, stretching to the ceiling.
"What the?!" Joey yelled.
Three tendrils shot out at them. Joey and Keriam jumped out of the way, as the third wrapped around Cheri's broom handle and pulled it from her hands. Oh God... she thought and quickly moved as it came after her.
Ryou grabbed the doorknob to the girls' room but it was locked. "Great!" he hissed.
~Allow me,~ said Bakura. Ryou let the spirit step into his body. Bakura opened his eyes, and then slammed his shoulder into the door. It flew open and they ran in. "What the hell is that?" Bakura looked at the grotesque creature.
"Believe me," said Malik, "you don't want to know."
"Gang way!!" one of the girls cried out as she ran by them. She managed to grab a tall floor lamp before the thing wrapped around her ankle and pulled. "H-Hey let go!!"
"Cheri! Oh damnit!" Joey growled as he pushed Keriam back as tentacles lunged at them. "Hey some help you two!!" he couldn't move that much due to the robe.
As if talking the thing gurgled and pulled the struggling girl toward it, even as she struggled but when it pulled her close enough soon she found herself hanging upside down. "I said let go!! I am not a piñata!!" Growling she swung the lamp only to have it ripped out of her hands. It didn't look happy so she did the only thing she could. She struggled by failing her arms at her sides wildly and was raising hell.
"Lemme go lemme go lemme go!!!"
"Cheri!" Keriam shouted and ran to her.
"Keriam! Don't!" Malik yelled.
But she ignored him and grabbed Cheri's hand. A bright light suddenly appeared briefly, causing the creature to howl and released its captive. Cheri fell on top of Keriam and they looked at each other. Their attention went back to the beast as it reared up again.
~Our turn,~ said Marik, and then stepped into Malik. He shouted something at the creature; it turned to him then lunged forward. Marik drew a symbol in the air and the stretchy thing stopped. Everyone watched as it pulled itself into a black ball before Marik's hand.
Joey was like amazed before he shook it off and went to the girls. "Hey you two okay?"
"Uh yeah I guess so. Oh sorry Keriam!" she quickly scrambled off her.
"You're fine, I'm kinda fine." Letting Joey and Cheri help her up she nodded to the four new guests. "Thanks a lot."
Bakura crossed his arms and looked at Marik. "What is that thing?"
"Let's say that it gets rid of pests," Marik closed his hand and the ball then turned into a black scarab beetle. "I'm certain that you're disappointed that I'm still alive. Believe me, the feeling is mutual."
The scarab then flew through the window without breaking the glass.
Keriam looked at him. "You said that you don't have the Millennium Rod."
"I don't." Marik stepped out of Malik. ~That doesn't mean I don't have my own magic powers.~
"Whoa..." Cheri stared at Marik.
"You can hear him?" Malik asked.
"Was I suppose to?" she asked back.
"Never mind. Wheeler, what are you doing here?" Bakura asked.
"I'm just here, besides you're changing the subject," he snapped. "Who is attacking these girls?"
"Someone that, I'm afraid," Malik said, "has a grudge against me. Actually, Marik, because he still thinks Marik is me."
"What did you do, Marik?" asked Keriam.
"What hasn't he done?" Joey snorted.
"Do you want to find yourself in the hallway without the robe?" Bakura asked.
~That's it~ Ryou sent Bakura out of his body and the spirit stumbled a little from the force; he glared at Ryou.
"I am not going to stand for his, 'Kura."
"Hey can you start from the beginning then slowly get to the part why a bug was sent after us?"
He nodded and gestured for them to have a seat. This was going to be quite a tale.
The scarab landed in its master's hand. It spread its wings and a small image of Marik appeared above it.
"I'm certain that you're disappointed that I'm still alive. Believe me, the feeling is mutual."
He crushed the scarab in his palm, aggravated that the two girls were now under that pretender's shield now.
"Marik... You shall pay for the hell you cause..." His eyes narrowed as he opened his fingers, letting the bug drop lifelessly to the floor. "I will make sure of it."
"He's mad at you because you screwed him out of a deal," Keriam finally said.
"But Perjiem doesn't know Marik and I have split, as it were," said Malik.
"And with his little performance earlier," said Joey, "he does still gonna think Marik's you."
"Lovely," Cheri said. "Now here's a good question: what does he want with us?"
"It must be because of the power you two have."
"Correction: Keriam has power; I just make a good hostage."
"You're power might be hidden then you just need to awaken them."
"Is there any possible way I don't have to wake it?" Cheri asked with pleading eyes.
~Probably,~ said Marik. ~That is, if you don't want to go home.~
"That we do want to do," said Keriam as she raised her hand.
"I'll call my sister in a few hours and see if she knows anything that involves two girls," said Malik.
"We'll tell everyone else in the morning," Joey said and yawned. "I'm ready for bed."
"You're not going back home, are you?" Ryou asked.
"He's staying here," Keriam said, "on the couch."
~So you have your own personal watch-dog, eh?~ Bakura smirked.
"How would you like to find out the hard way if I can hit you?"
~I'd like to see you try.~
"Why you-" he growled, getting up. Keriam stopped him in time before he could get hurt while Cheri led everyone out.
"Okay guys thanks for saving our tails and see you at school tomorrow don't be a stranger bye-bye!" she said in one breathe and closed the door after them. "Phew!"
"I didn't know you can see Marik and Bakura," Keriam looked at Joey. "How come?"
"Tea can see them as well," he said, "Tristen's the only one who can't. We think it might be because of the Millennium Rod, when Marik had Tea and me under mind control."
"Oh man," Cheri said, "well, at least something good did come out of that, right?"
"I guess so."
"Come on, we gotta get to sleep," said Keriam.
"Night," Cheri walked into the bedroom.
Too bad my bed's not bigger, Keriam thought and looked at Joey. "You going to be okay?"
He nodded. "I'm alright. I survived my dad and a stretchable monster all in one night."
"You deserve a prize." Keriam smiled and hugged him. "Good night, Joey."
"Night, Keriam." He watched her walk into the bedroom.
Cheri smiled as her as she climbed in the bed. "You sure you don't want him to take my bed? That way you two can have the room for yourselves," she smiled knowingly.
Keriam narrowed her eyes. "If we ever get there," she said, "it will be when you and Seto are all alone without anything from his company disturbing the two of you--and most likely it will."
Not if he takes my advice, Cheri grinned. "Good night, you who cannot see opportunities before you."
"Good night, you who are pathetic at insults."
Sticking her tongue out she curled under the blanket and sighed. Within a matter of moments she was fast asleep.
Joey sighed as he tried to get comfortable and lay back once more. This sofa wasn't made for sleeping, he thought but just rolled onto his other side. But it sure beats saying awake all night because of dad. Sighing to himself he pillowed his head and counting Scrape Goats he was soon sleeping soundly. And snoring softly as well.