"Sisters of the Moon"

By:  Heikou and Janime Lee

            Seto private doctor had checked Marik over but he couldn't wake the young man up from his state-oh-mind. It was as if he was in a coma. Checking over Keriam he noted that she was feeling just a tad flushed and instructed her to get some bed rest and to put some ice on her cheek. Before he left he said that if anything else happened to not hesitant to call.

            Joey had been pissed that the brothers had appeared but more so when Marik had hurt the one he loved. He was so tempted to get out of bed and strangle the young man himself but after hearing about his comatose state he decided to wait until he had awaken. Mokuba was also worried but due to Seto's strict instructions he was told nothing. However, he was worried just as much as the others.

            Cheri was heading to her room, ready to remove her dress when she passed by Marik's room. For some reason, the door was open and peeking inside she noticed that Bakura was sitting at his side.

            "Bakura? What are you doing in here?" she asked softly.

            "Waiting until he wakes up I guess. Shouldn't you be asleep or at least changed?" he asked, seeing that she still had her dress on.

            "I just left Keriam and Joey when I noticed the door was open." Looking at the young man she sighed a bit sadly. "You know… it was wrong for Perjiem to bring up such a painful memory like that. We've all done a lot of bad things in the past but I'm pretty certain that Marik regrets all of it. But there's a strange sort of irony to it. If his father hadn't carved the gods into his back then maybe this wouldn't have happened. But if he didn't… he wouldn't have been able to live in the sun."

            ~Life has a tendency to work in mysterious ways,~ Ryou sighed softly but both youths understood the double meaning behind it.

            Cheri smiled gently and gently squeezed the white-haired youth's shoulder before leaning down and kissed his cheek. "Everything happens for a reason. I'm off to bed so good night everyone." Smiling she left them alone and closed the door behind her but leaned against it. Of all the times…

            Keriam dumped what remained of the ice into the bathroom sink; she looked at her reflection in the mirror, touching the bruise that had formed on her left cheek. She was surprised at how small it was, despite the strength Marik had used when he hit her. Keriam closed her eyes, forcing back the memories of her step-father hitting her.

            "It wasn't Marik's fault..." Keriam whispered as a tear ran down her unmarred cheek. She opened her eyes, frowned at her reflection before she turned off the lights and left the bathroom.

            Joey had already fallen asleep on the left side of the bed, snuggled contently under the covers.

            He looks so cute like that, Keriam thought and had to smile a little. She walked over to the other side of the bed, ready to pull down the covers, but then she stopped. Turning, Keriam grabbed her robe from the chair and put it on. She left the bedroom and walked down the hall to Malik's room.

            Keriam slowly opened the door and looked inside the room. Ryou and Bakura had left; Keriam stepped in and quietly shut the door.

            He was lying perfectly still under the blankets, his chest slowly rising then falling as he breathed deeply that he looked like he was just sleeping but the look on his face wasn't that of peace. He seemed troubled as was evident by the frown. To think he had such a blood-soaked past... by the way he acted now no one could have guessed that he had caused so much chaos... and by the look on his face, he had wished they had never found out.

            Being quiet she made her way to his side and looked down at him sympathetically. "Wasn't your fault..." she said softly.

            Reaching out, Keriam lightly brushed his pale hair away from his face. "I know where you are... I was there once myself." Keriam knelt beside the bed and took his left hand. "But you can't lock yourself in there forever. We need you, both of you. Joey's a little pissed off at you right now, Marik, but that's beside the point. And Ishizu needs her brother... her brothers. She loves you both." Keriam placed her right hand on his forehead. "Come on, guys..." she whispered as tears ran down her face.

            She didn't notice but a golden glow surrounded her and then went to the unconscious boy, which then faded shortly after. Keriam opened her eyes as the fingers of that hand she held began to grip hers a little. Groaning, Keriam looked up, watching lavender eyes open slowly.

            "...Hey..."

            "Malik," Keriam smiled. "Are you okay?"

            He nodded slowly. "Yeah..."

            "What about Marik?"

            "He's still here... a little weak, though..."

            "You had us really worried but you're back."

            "Keriam..." His hand tightened on hers. "Thank you..."

            "For what?"

            "I heard you... You're the reason we woke up..."

            "That's what friends do, help each other out."

            ~I'm glad that you're ours...~ Marik spoke weakly.

            "And I'm glad you guys are mine." Keriam leaned over and kissed Malik's cheek. "Now get some more rest, you two."

            ~Will you stay?~

            "Marik..."

            "Sure, I'll stay for a little while." Keriam sat on the side of the bed, still holding his hand. After some time, Malik had fallen back to sleep. Keriam stood and up and turned to the door.

            ~Keriam...~

            "Marik?" she turned around and looked at the spirit in shock as he struggled to stand up. "What are you doing?" she tried not to get too loud as to not wake up Malik or the others in the mansion. "Get back; you need to rest. Both of you have to heal together."

            ~I know...~ Marik finally got to his feet but he still leaned on Malik's arm. Keriam couldn't help noticing that he looked more transparent than usual. ~There just one thing...~ Marik started to fall over and Keriam rushed over to catch him. ~One thing... I want to do...~

            "What?"

            Marik looked at her for a moment then leaned closer, brushing his lips against Keriam's. She blushed and looked at the spirit in shock.

            ~That's all I will ever ask from you...~ he said. Then he moved away from her and collapsed back into Malik's body.

            Keriam slowly backed away, and then turned around bolting to the door. She ran from his room back to hers. Closing the door, she leaned against it and slid down to the floor.

            "Keriam?" Joey walked out of the bathroom. "What's wrong?"

            She remained quiet for a moment before looking at him. "There's something I have to tell you." He looked at her quizzically before she continued. "For starters, Malik and Marik are awake..."

            "I guess that's good news..." Making his way to her he slowly knelt down to her level before reaching out and took her hand in his own. "What's wrong? You look like something freaked you out or something." He'd never seen her like this and wondered what could have shaken her up so much.

            "Um..." Keriam fidgeted, trying to find the right words. "You're going to get upset but please try not to go ballistic. Uh... Marik..."

            "Did he apologize?"

            "...Not exactly..."

            "What?"

            Keriam bit her lip before answering. "He kissed me..."

            Joey stared at her. "He what?"

            "As a spirit--he didn't use Malik's body. Joey..." she pleaded as he stood up and walked over to the other side of the room. Keriam drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around her legs. "Joey, please, this is hard enough as is."

            "What did you feel?" he asked quietly.

            "...Surprised and shocked."

            "What do you feel for him?"

            Keriam looked at his back, shoulders slouched over. "I care for both of them... but I love you, Joey."

            When he didn't respond, she stood up and walked over until she was an arms length behind him. "Damnit, do you believe that after five thousand years and crossing dimensions, I would leave after I found my husband again?" Keriam blinked at what she had said and Joey's head shot up.

            "What did you say?" he asked softly as he turned to face her, his tone void of any emotion or thought.

            "I... I don't know..."

            "You said 'after I found my husband again'. Keriam..." he took the few steps until they were standing so close they were almost touching before he spoke up again, "what did you mean by that?"

            She shook her head. "I'm not sure..." she covered her face with her hands. "What's happening to me, Kasuyan?"

            Kasuyan.

            Joey put his arms around Keriam, pulling her close. She wrapped her arms around him, keeping her eyes shut. Joey leaned close to her ear, whispering, "Theliane..."

            Keriam's eyes snapped open at the name. She closed them again and hugged Joey tighter. "Isis..." she whimpered.

            Joey didn't say a word as he hugged Keriam and closed his eyes. A rush of warm wind went by the couple and when they opened their eyes, they were no longer standing in Joey's room but in a lavish temple with a tall statue of the Goddess Isis in the center of the far wall with an altar before her.

            Moving apart, they also saw what the other was wearing. Keriam had on a simple green Egyptian dress, while Joey was wearing a slightly worn, pale brown tunic.

            "I snuck in to pray to Isis," Joey whispered, "because of my love for you."

            "And I overheard you," said Keriam. "And I said that Isis had answered both our prayers. I was already here... because I said the same prayer... my love for you..."

            He looked at the altar, remembering the sage he had used and let his gaze travel up the statue. "I guess it true what they say," he was still smiling as he looked back at Keriam, "true love knows no boundaries."

            "To think... a prayer we said in a past life centuries ago is still strong as if we said it today..." She couldn't help but smile as she smoothed her hands over the dress. "Now I know why I felt so comfortably in this color."

            Joey smiled before slowly gathering her in his arms and leaned down, kissing her softly. "I love you more than anything. Keriam, Theliane, whatever name you go by I will always be there for you." Reaching up he caressed her uninjured cheek tenderly as he smiled.

            Keriam put her hand over his and smiled, blushing lightly. "You remember after we found each other here?"

            "We snuck back to your room and..." he started to blush, "and had the night of our lives..."

            Keriam placed her hands on Joey's chest, closing her eyes. The golden glow started at her hands and spread over Joey. He shut his eyes as warmth moved throughout his entire body; he opened his eyes as the warmth and the glow faded away.

            "How do you feel?" Keriam asked.

            Joey stopped for a moment. That was when he noticed the rest of the pain was gone. "I'm fine," he whispered, "no pain, nothing. It's gone."

            She smiled. "Good. That's what I wanted to do."

            Joey leaned towards her and they kissed. The rush of warm wind went by the couple again, and they were standing in the bedroom. Keriam removed her robe, and then took his hands in hers, pulling him towards the bed.

            Joey swallowed hard. "Um... Keriam... I did have a couple girlfriends but we never went... all the way..."

            "Neither have I," she answered as she sat on the bed and pulled him closer to her.

            "But, um, you know, protection..."

            "I got that covered."

            "You do?"

            "For medical reasons, my doctor put me on the pill."

            He blinked but smiled, gently pushing her back as he reached out and began to gently touch her body, worshipping the creamy soft kiss and memorizing her figure with his sense of sight and touch. "You're beautiful... perfect..." smiling he leaned over and pressed his lips against her hers, taking the pace soft and gentle-like. They may have done this before but that had been back in another life; this was a new life for both of them and he was going to savor every moment of it. Pulling back he gentle ran his fingers through her hair. "I love you, Keriam."

            "I love you too, Joey."

            "Good morning."

            "Malik!" Cheri jumped up from the kitchen chair and hugged the Egyptian. "You're up! How do you feel?"

            "A lot better," he smiled but he still looked very tired. "How about all of you?"

            "I'm good," said Cheri.

            "Same," Seto flipped the page of newspaper.

            ~Not too bad if you don't want to count that noise last night.~

            "Oh Bakura," Ryou groaned. "It wasn't that loud."

            ~To you, it wasn't,~ said the irritated spirit. ~For me, it was as if a hammer was being slammed inside my skull.~

            Ryou looked at the ceiling and sighed.

            ~I think I'll be glad I didn't hear anything,~ said Marik. ~As spirits are more in tune with noises and such.~

            "I was dead just to the world," Malik waved his hand as he sat down and yawned.

            Cheri opted to stay quiet as she plopped back on her seat and picked up her pencil once more. Humming under her breathe she began to do a new sketch. Last night she didn't get alot of sleep so she tried some drawings but now thinking about them she focused on the white sheet of paper. For their sake I hope Keriam and Joey don't wake up for a long while, she giggled to herself as she looked up at Malik then went back to sketching. Reaching for her glass she brought it to her lips only to blink and stared into it. "Damn. Okay since I'm getting up anyone want anything from the fridge or something?" she asked.

            ~Ear plugs for next time,~ Marik growled.

            "Something warm please," his light waved to her.

            "I'm fine thanks," Ryou nodded."

            "Seto? Want anything?" she asked as she rose, closing her book.

            "No thank you," the CEO answered.

            ~Oh my God...~ Bakura looked like he was ready to fall out of his chair. ~Did I actually hear you say those last two words?~

            Seto narrowed his eyes at the spirit.

            "Bakura," Ryou held up the Millennium Ring, "it would be wise, for your sake. To be honest, my sake."

            ~Alright...~ Bakura grumbled and went into the Ring. ~Why can't I have fun anymore?~

            "Because you are now a pain in the ass," Malik said.

            ~I'm glad I'm staying in for awhile,~ said Marik.

            Joey may kill me because of you, Malik thought as he rubbed his forehead.

            Cheri placed the mug filled with lemon tea before him.

            "Thanks." Wrapping his hands around the mug he took a sip and sighed as he felt the warmth slowly spread through his body.

            "Better?' she asked as sat back down with some chocolate milk.

            "Much better. What's that book you have there?" He gestured to the green bound book.

            "Oh just a sketch book. I like to draw for the sheer fun of it." Flipping it open she revealed a picture of him looking thoughtful.

            Ryou leaned over. "That's very good," he said.

            ~What about us?~ Bakura asked.

            "Relax, I drew you two." Cheri brought the book back to her and flipped a couple pages, finding her favorite drawing of them. She held the book back up. Malik and Ryou started laughing.

            ~I don't think it's funny!~

            ~She captured you perfectly!~ Marik said.

            ~I do not look like that!~ Bakura protested.

            "Only when you're in the Ring," Malik laughed harder.

            "Okay I admit I was tired when I drew this but I think I did a good job," she pouted, looking at her drawing. Ryou was smiling but Bakura looked almost demonic with his tongue sticking out and small horns.

            ~Hey what about moneybags? Did you draw him?~ Marik laughed, trying to calm down.

            "Yeah I did..." she smiled gently as she flipped forward to reveal him looking not as cold mask in place but actually... human.

            "... You sure that's him?" Malik asked, ignoring the glare sent his way.

            "You guys are mean you know? Oh but don't let Keriam know I drew this." Smiling she revealed a picture of Joey as a blonde puppy with a green collar but holding the puppy was her best friend. "Because Seto kept calling him a puppy I just had to put it on paper."

            "Aw, they look so cute," Ryou said.

            Seto took the sketch book. "That's an improvement on him," he said.

            "Honestly." Cheri rolled her eyes as she took the book back.

            "The collar," Malik said, "that's the same green as Keriam's dress."

            "I know... I drew this before she got the dress."

            "Wow... Sounds like you may have the ability to see in the future," Ryou commented.

            She wrinkled her nose but smiled lightly. "I doubt it. If I did, then I could ace all my exams."

            "You certainly have talent," the brunette said as he looked through the images before noticing that a few pages had a bend corner.

            "I'm not that good... there's alot of artists better than me but like I said, I draw for fun. But sometimes I get a crazy image in my head that I have to draw it!"

            "As long as it doesn't embarrass us I hope," the blonde smiled as he drank some more of his tea.

            Keriam stretched and rested her left arm on something warm. Blinking her eyes open, she looked at Joey, still asleep with his left arm around her. She looked at him, smiling as she rested her head against Joey's shoulder. Slowly she ran her fingertips across his chest before his right hand stopped her. Cracking an eye open, he smiled at her.

            "Good morning," she said quietly.

            "Morning," he said then yawned. "I thought I was dreaming last night."

            "Well then, it looks like you're still dreaming and I'm dreaming with you."

            "I have no complaints on that."

            "And if we are still dreaming," Keriam moved closer to his face, "I don't want to wake up."

            "Here, here," Joey grinned and slid his hand into her hair, bringing her closer and kissed her gently.

            Smiling he hugged her tightly before pulling back as his stomach gave a rumble. "And the romance has been put on hold on an account of hunger," he chuckled.

            "Hmm I think you're stomach has a point." Smiling she slowly sat up and watched as he got up, reaching for his boxers on the floor and pulled them on. She frowned at the scars that marred his skin but other than that he was absolutely perfect. And all mine, she thought privately.

            His stomach gave another rumble even as he rubbed it. "Okay okay I'm up." Looking over his shoulder he smiled at her. "I'm gonna get something to eat. You want anything?"

            "I'll be down in a little while," she said. "I'm going to take a shower first."

            "Alright," Joey finished putting his pajamas back on before leaning onto the bed and kissed Keriam. His stomach growled louder. "I'm going, I'm going," he grunted as Keriam giggled.

            After Joey left the room, Keriam picked up her pajamas and robe from the floor and walked into the bathroom. The shower was marvelous and Keriam kept thinking about the night of passion she had with Joey. Even if I have to go home, she thought, at least I'll have this with him to remember.

            Keriam stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in a very large towel. She went to the dresser and started pulling out her clothes. A sharp pain shot through her head and she almost screamed. Keriam fell to her knees and leaned over, feeling as though she was going to be sick.

            "Peisimemne… Agalameia… Sisters…"

            "…Theliane…"

            "…We…we are…still with you…"

            Theliane dragged herself across the sand closer to her Sisters. The simple act only drained her more. She collapsed, and then slowly reached her left hand to hold her Sisters'. "It's over…" Theliane said, feeling the last of her strength slowly ebb away.

            Peisimemne nodded. "Egypt is safe…for now…"

            "Our promise, Sisters…" said Agalameia. "Always remember…"

            "Yes…"

            "Promise…"

            They closed their eyes.

            "Theliane!!" a male voice shouted.

            'Ra…' Theliane opened her eyes slowly. 'He calls me… Why not…Mother Isis…?' She faintly heard rumbling draw closer and then stopped. She was then picked up and cradled in a strong embrace.

            "Theliane…"

            "…Kasuyan…my love…you're injured…"

            "Don't worry about me," said Kasuyan. Theliane, please don't die. Don't leave me…" Tears started in his eyes, stinging as they ran over the cut on his cheek.

            "Mother Isis…" Theliane gasped. "The temple, Kasuyan…please, husband…you must…the temple…"

            Kasuyan nodded and gathered her into his arms, yelling at the two soldiers who had just arrived to take the other Sisters of the Moon straight to the temple.

            Keriam gagged and tried not to throw up on the carpet. "Oh gods..." The room started to spin and Keriam fell to the floor.

            The blonde yawned as he slowly made his way down the hall to the stairs, rubbing the rest of the sleep from his eyes. Last night had been a bit tiring but hell he wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. Feeling his stomach rumble like a beast he rubbed it and rested his hand on the banister, taking his first step down when he was hit with a wave of pain and nausea.

            Oh shit… His eyes went wide that he gripped the railing tightly before he fell and broke his neck on the steps. He shut his eyes tightly and tried to will it away but it was no use. Gasping his head began to pound that he keened sharply.

            I say breakfast is out of the question… Joey groaned and waited for the nausea to subside a little before starting back to his room. He opened the door and gasped.

            "Keriam!" Joey moved as fast as the sudden sickness would let him and knelt next to his love. "Keriam..." he whispered and touched her bare arm.

            Kasuyan drove the chariot as fast as the team of horses could run. He glanced at Theliane every moment and also at the other two chariots that rode beside him. They raced into the city, stopping as they reached the temple steps. Kasuyan dropped the reins and gathered his wife into his arms. He jumped down from the chariot and raced up the temple steps with the two soldiers each carrying Agalameia and Pesimemne.

            The guards at the top of the stairs quickly opened the temple doors. Kasuyan and the others went inside and stopped before the altar before the statue of Isis. The priests who were praying inside the temple, watched in horror as the three men knelt down before the statue, laying the Sisters of the Moon on the marble floor.

            "Mother Isis," Kasuyan prayed, wiping the blood from his forehead. "Please, your humble servant begs of you. Spare your daughters, the Sisters of the Moon. Our enemies are defeated... They used the three gods that Ra, Osiris, and Anubis have given them. Egypt is safe. Please give the Sisters of the Moon their strength to continue to live..."

            At first nothing happened and just before he could scream his frustration a light began to gather in the temple. The young man looked up and gasped, holding his beloved wife tightly to his chest. The statue of the Mother Goddess was glowing and it seemed to be moving. Isis stepped down to the floor and moved to stand before him but as she kept glowing she grew smaller. The glow slowly began to fade but just enough to where he could gaze at her face.

            She was a beautiful woman with sun-kissed skin with hair black as ebony. Her robes shone with the purity of the stars and gold that shown even with no light but the look in her eyes... they varied from the midnight skies to a clear day.

            "Isis..." he bowed his head even as the soldiers bowed in deep respect. "Please… save them..."

            "Kasuyan… I am sorry but I can do nothing…" she said in a sing-song voice even as she reached out and gently tilted his face to her own. With a gentle finger she brushed the tear away. "Sacrifices must be made... the Sisters knew that, and so did you…"

            "But it's not fair!" he shouted, cradling his love to his chest as a mother would a child. "I can't lose her!"

            "I know… you both prayed to me for love and I granted your hearts' wishes… But this is out of my hands…" Looking at him sadly she stepped back as three statues in the back began to glow and walk towards them. With each step they movements became more fluid and one by one they stopped before each of the fallen woman. The soldiers were shocked and yes, a bit fearful.

            "The evil has been defeated…" Anubis said in a rough sort of tone as he knelt and reached down for Agalameia. His hands passed through her chest as if he were a ghost but when he pulled back in his arms was the weaken soul of the young woman. It glowed a soft sapphire blue color.

            "But even so, it shall rear its evil head once more…" Osiris said with a stern and strong voice as he reached for Peisimemne and withdrew her soul from her mortal shell. Her form glowed a ruby red.

            "The Sisters will live again to protect this world…" Ra said deeply as he reached for Theliane. Kasuyan pulled back, not wanting her to be taken away but still he could only watch as her soul was taken from her body. It glowed a brilliant gold as the sun itself.

            "No… Please take my life instead just let them live and breath!" he begged but they did not listen. Together the three gods stepped back and soon, the spirits of the girls were gone. "What have you done with Theliane?!" he demanded, not caring if they took their wrath out on him. He carefully laid the still form of his love on the ground and stood before the Mother Goddess, defiance in his darken eyes.

            "They will be reborn Kasuyan, but… so the forces of evil do not corrupt them they shall be separated by time and space…" She looked at him sadly and reached down, resting her hand over his chest to feel the painful beat of his heart. "But I do promise this… you and your beloved wife shall be reunited…" Leaning forward she kissed his cheek and whispered words of encouragement. The forms of the immortal beings glowed and in a flash of light the goddess and gods were gone and their statues were lifeless once more.

            Kasuyan shut his eyes tightly but still the tears fell down his face. He heavily dropped to his knees before leaning forward and wordlessly pounded his fists on the tiled floor, demanding they bring his wife back but they didn't answer him.

            "I swear to the gods above and below I will find you Theliane! I don't care how long it takes but I will hold you in my arms once again!" he swore fiercely.

            Joey gasped and leaned back, falling onto the carpet next to Keriam. "Great Ra, what happened?" he whispered.

            "Joey..." Keriam opened her eyes and looked at him. He looked at the green orbs and saw they were full of pain and fear.

            "Keriam," Joey pulled her close and held her, "I am not losing you. Not again, my love..."

Authors' Note:

Janime: As much as I would have LOVED to put a lemon in here between Joey and Keriam... I can't, no thanks to the uptight people who complained about the fics that are NC-17 and/or contain adult situations. So I am keeping within the guidelines by only hinting at the event that between them. Don't worry, we'll be hinting at another couple very soon.

Heikou: (evil grin)