"Sisters of the Moon"
By: Heikou and Janime Lee
Cheri smiled as she watched the Kaiba brothers have a 'dance off' before the large screen TV. It was also interesting to watch; both had cat-like grace as they matched step-for-step on the game, moving as one. But it was nothing compared to the look on their faces throughout the entire game.
Seto was smiling and it wasn't one of those evil smirk or the fake, hollow ones he showed to others. This one was warm and caring; slowly melting the ice chips he called eyes into a lovely shade of sapphire blue. If only others could see him as human, she said to herself, But then again, bare your throat to potential enemies and they'll rip it out before you could blink. She sighed in defeat and smiled as the game was over.
"Yeah I won again!!" Mokuba said happily as the game pronounced him the winner.
Seto just smiled as he noted that the score was higher than the other ones but slowly catching up to his high score. "You're getting better. Soon you'll beat my high score," Seto said with a grin, ruffling his hair.
The raven-haired boy grinned as he side-stepped him, looking at him from under unruly bangs. "You didn't let me win, did you?" he asked.
"No you beat me fair and square."
"Cool! I'm gonna get us some cokes!" Still smiling he ran to the kitchen, leaving the two teenagers alone.
"You're a great big brother, Seto," Cheri smiled as she tucked her legs underneath her, patting the space next to her.
He took it and sighed as he leaned back, wrapping his arm around her shoulder as she leaned against him. "He's all I have left and I will do everything to keep him safe. Along with you, of course."
"Of course." Hugging his arm she listened to the gentle beat of his heart, smiling softly. Acres and acres and it's all mine, she thought privately. "I could stay like this all day… it's so peaceful and relaxing…"
Seto nodded his agreement and rested his chin on top of her head.
~Sap,~ Marik grunted as he moved away from the door and looked at Malik. ~Couldn't you have released me just a few minutes sooner?~
"And have you make fun of Seto playing DDR?" his light asked. "Bakura has Ryou in hot water already. I don't need to be dragged into the same pot because of you."
~Please,~ Marik walked down the hall. ~Joey hasn't tried attacking you.~
"That's because Joey understands how we are better than Kaiba," Malik followed his darker half.
~Whatever. Geez you always have to rain on my fun.~
"Surprise your fun hasn't gotten me killed yet."
~Relax, I've kept you alive all this time.~
"Don't remind me..." Malik grumbled. He gasped, placing his hands on his head and leaned against the wall, and then fell to his knees. "Mar... Marik..."
~Oh shit...~ Marik ran next to him. ~Damnit, not again! I'm sorry!~
"It... wa-wasn't you..." Malik's eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed.
~Malik!~ the spirit quickly jumped up and ran back to the den. He only had a little time before he faded.
"Marik?!" Cheri yelped as he raced into the den, shocking her and the Kaiba brothers upon seeing him so transparent
~It's Malik!~ he started to say but he vanished.
"Marik!!" She blinked and raced out only to skid to a halt before the unconscious Egyptian. "Malik!!"
"Cheri what's-" Seto just took one look at the boy and yelled for Mokuba to call the doctor. "I'm going to find Ryou and Bakura."
"Okay I'll try and get him to the den." She watched him leave before looking at her friend worriedly. "Malik... god what's happening to you?" she asked softly.
"Good thing you still had the key to the room," Joey smiled as he hugged Keriam closer.
"I always save things--I'm a pack rat," she sighed, leaning against his chest. "You never know when things might come in handy."
The couple were in Keriam's hotel room that she and her best friend stayed in the day they arrived in Domino City. As for Kaiba's limo, they sent the driver off and spent the last couple hours enjoying the time with each other.
"Told you that I had better dance moves," Keriam giggled.
"I am now in complete agreement with that," said Joey.
Looking around the apartment it hadn't really changed that much from when he first came here but he didn't mind. Sure Kaiba mansion was great and all but it was too damn big and fancy for his taste. Smiling he kissed his love's cheek, breathing in her scent.
"You know... maybe we can move in here together..." he said softly. "I mean, Cheri is gonna stay with Kaiba and that place is already kinda crowded with that many people in it. Whacha say?"
"I'd like that," Keriam whispered.
Joey noticed the sad tone in her voice. "But?"
She looked up at him. "You know."
"Yeah, I do..." he sighed and shifted their position so that he was above her. "I want you to stay here, Keriam, and not because of what happened between us five thousand years ago--I'm talking about now. Right here. And what's happened between us for the last couple months." Joey slipped his hand to hers and locked fingers. "I don't want to lose you."
"I don't want to leave you," Keriam whispered and tightened her grip. She leaned up and kissed Joey.
The cell phone on the night table began to ring. "Damnit!" Joey cursed. "I thought I turned it off." He moved away from Keriam and picked up the cell phone. "Hello. Yugi, what's wrong?"
Keriam sat up.
"Unconscious? How the hell did that happen?"
"What's going on?" asked Keriam.
"Malik passed out," Joey told her. "Marik vanished?"
"Has Ishizu called?" Keriam asked as she got up from the bed and picked up their clothes from the floor.
"Did Ishizu call?" Joey asked into the phone; he shook his head. "Alright, we'll be there in a little bit. Okay." He turned off the cell phone and grabbed his clothes, dressing. "Marik ran into the den and just said 'Malik' then he vanished. Cheri and Kaiba found Malik lying in the hallway."
"Oh no! Damnit." Handing him his clothes they quickly got dressed and ran out of the apartment. With the limo gone they would have to walk or take another means of transportation.
"Shit running will still be too long." Looking down the street he noticed a taxi and moved into the street, waving his arms. "hey taxi over here!! C'mon stop already!!" The yellow car squealed to a halt right before the blonde who sighed and motioned for Keriam to get in.
The driver stuck his head out the window, cursing. "Stupid kid what's the big idea?!" he said angrily.
"Just get us to Kaiba mansion ASAP," the boy snapped as she slammed the door behind him and Keriam.
"Kaiba mansion? And I take it you know Seto Kaiba personally," the driver scoffed.
"Yeah he's my best friend, now move it we need to be there as of five minutes ago!!"
"And risk getting a speeding ticket? Listen kid, I don't care who you know but I ain't risking my neck for two lousy fares."
Joey had enough and wanted to reach out and choked the guy but instead he fished into his pocket and threw his money at him. "There that's all I have now will you move your ass?!" the driver pocketed the changed, eyeing some twenties and took off with a sharp squeal of tires.
"I'm afraid that this has nothing to do with that bump on the head he had two weeks ago," said the doctor as he packed up his things into the medical bag.
"You're saying that what caused him to collapse is mental," said Seto.
"Indeed, I am," the doctor picked up his bag from the night table and started to leave the room. "When he wakes up, it will be his choice. I'm not a psychiatrist; I do not believe in shock therapy, although for him I might let it slide from what you've told me about his father carving those hieroglyphics on his back."
Seto nodded and walked with the doctor to the front door. "Just send me the bill."
"I did the last few times," the doctor said and looked at the young man, "and I'll also make an appointment to give you a complete physical."
"What?"
"Mr. Kaiba, for some odd reason, you've shown compassion to other besides Mokuba," the doctor tapped Seto's chest. "I want to see if the stone wall in there is beginning to crumble."
He scowled and lightly slapped his hand away but he didn't bother to shout that it wasn't true. "Times change and so do people," he said quietly.
"Indeed. And sometimes, change is good for the soul." Allowing a rather small smile he left him be. Before he completely left he said over his shoulder. "I wish you and your friends the best of luck with whatever is happening. I've done the best I could."
Seto wasn't sure what to say as he watched the doctor head out the front door. "... Thank you." The doctor waved as he got into his car.
Cheri was sitting at Malik's side, watching him but trying very hard not to start pacing. Seeing him there just lying on the floor made her think the worse had happened. And there was still no word from Ishizu and not the slightest bit of presence from Marik. Slowly she reached over and took his hand in her own.
"Malik and Marik... I don't know if either of you can hear me but please, fight this," she whispered to them. "You're both strong I know you are. Just don't leave the people who care about you." Smiling weakly she reached out and gently brushed his bangs from his face. "Besides, if you leave now Keriam is gonna be so pissed. And she's scary when she's mad."
"Cheri," Ryou said as he walked into the room, "how is he?"
"The doctor said it wasn't from his head hit the floor," she answered, turning around to face him. "He said it's in his mind."
Bakura appeared next to Ryou and looked down at the unconscious boy. ~What about Marik?~
"Sure, we're gonna tell the doc that he has a split personality. That'll go over well!"
~You know what I meant!~ Bakura glared at her.
"He vanished just after saying Malik's name," Cheri sighed, "and then I found him in the hallway."
Yugi, Tea, and Tristen ran in. "Is gonna be alright?" the shorter boy asked. "What did the doctor say?"
"It will be his decision to wake up," said Seto as he walked into the room.
"That's comforting," Tea murmured.
Joey and Keriam ran in with Mokuba right behind them. "Of all the times for him to take a nap," Joey said, trying to be funny but it only earned him an elbow in the ribs from Keriam.
"I don't get it, how could this happen?" Tristen asked himself.
~If we knew that we would probably have found a way to wake him up!~ It seemed that Bakura was not in a nice mood today.
"Look now is not the time to argue among ourselves! If we have any hope to bring Malik and Marik out of this coma then we have to be there for him or wait until Ishizu calls!" Cheri snapped, the frustration weighting down at her that she just snapped a bit.
Tea went to her side and touched her shoulder. "Cheri..."
"I'm sorry. Just... never mind." She patted the other girl's hand before standing.
Yugi blinked when Yami separated from him. The former pharaoh had a thoughtful look on his face. "Yami?"
~Earlier today, did Malik do or say anything out of the ordinary?~ eh asked without looking up.
"He was okay before Joey and I left," said Keriam.
"Wait a minute," Ryou spoke and he looked at Seto and Cheri. "His back was itching this morning, remember? Marik looked at it and said it was fine."
"Malik said that it was the first time it ever bothered him like that," said Seto. "Then it just stopped."
"Think we should look at his back?" Yugi asked.
"You'll understand if I suddenly take leave," Keriam said, "knowing how those markings got there, I prefer not to see them ever."
"That makes two of us," said Cheri as she rose from her spot on the bed.
"Three," Tea backed away.
"Excuse me, Master Kaiba," Nan walked to the doorway, "Miss Ishizu Ishtar is on the phone in your office."
"Thank you," he nodded to her. "Nan, I want you to stay here and keep on eye on Malik in case he wakes up. All of us have to talk to Ishizu. Make sure you page me if he does."
"Yes sir," the older woman nodded and sat in the chair next to the bed as everyone went to Seto's office.
Getting there Seto put the phone on speaker; everyone looked on with a mixture of concern, anxiously, and suspense. It was getting so thick you could cut it with a knife.
"Ishizu, we've been waiting for you to call," Seto said calmly.
"Seto, Joey was right. We found the original caskets of the Sisters of the Moon including an extra body," she began, looking at the scrolls spread out before her. "We also found the scrolls but there was one scroll that surprised Rashid and myself more than anything."
"What is it?"
"It's the same as the one on Malik's back. Somehow, our father knew about this but he never told anyone. Speaking of which, where is Malik?"
"... He's in a comatose state of mind right now. Earlier this morning he was complaining about his back itching and just a few moments ago he collapsed and Marik just vanished. I'm sorry Ishizu..."
There was a pause before they heard the half-sob from the woman. "Not again..."
"Ishizu, this happened before?" Yugi asked gently.
"Yes," Ishizu sniffed, "It started shortly after Rashid helped us escape. Malik just collapsed right in front of me. He was unconscious for over a week; and when he woke up, he was very disoriented."
"That's not good," said Tristen.
"Every so often he has blackouts--the last one he had was before Battle City."
"Do you think the blackouts are from Marik?" Joey asked. "I mean, since he was born from Malik's pain..."
"But Marik wasn't 'officially' born until right before he killed his father," Keriam said, "because he was going to kill Rashid for helping Ishizu and Malik escape. Unless that first blackout was the conception."
"I don't know," said Ishizu. "All I can ask is that you take care of him until he wakes up."
"We will," said Tea. "Um, Ishizu? The passage that's on Malik's back..."
"It was on the scroll that we found held by the skeleton next to the sarcophagus with the Winged Dragon of Ra engraved on it."
Keriam's hand found Joey's and she gave it a quick squeeze. "Now, I'm definitely not looking at his back," she said.
"Is there anything else you can tell us?" Cheri asked softly.
"Not at the moment. Most if not all the scrolls we found deal with the true history of the Sisters. But I think Rashid and I should have another closer look at the sarcophagus."
Cheri couldn't stop the icy shiver that sudden raced up her spine as she waved for someone else to ask question now.
"Hey Ishizu, thanks for everything," Joey spoke up. "We'll keep an eye on Malik for ya."
"Yeah that's right. He's a friend and we're going to help him as much as we can," Yugi smiled.
Although they couldn't see it they could feel the smile from the other woman as she thanked them as well. "I'll call if something comes up." With that she hung up.
Everyone sighed. "Again we have to wait," Seto grunted as he pushed the speaker button.
"Do you think Malik would be offended if we avoided him for a little while?" asked Tea.
"I'd think he'd start avoiding you three when he hears about what his sister just told us," Tristen spoke.
"And what can we do about Malik and Marik?" Ryou asked.
~He's right,~ said Bakura. ~We can't afford to wait a week for one of them to wake up.~ If they wake up, the spirit thought.
"Hey, Yami," Yugi looked at the Pharaoh, "you know how you can send a spirit from a person's body, is it possible for you to send someone's spirit into another person?"
~I've never done that before,~ Yami answered, ~but I believe I can.~
"You're gonna send someone into Malik?" Joey asked in disbelief. "Wouldn't that be dangerous?"
~Depending on who is sent," said Yami.
"And just who are you planning to send?" asked Keriam. Yami looked at her. "Oh, no you don't!"
~Keriam, you've healed them,~ said Yami. ~You're the only one who can do it again.~
She held up her hands. "Forget it! I am not going to have an out-of-body experience!"
~Out of your body to another body,~ Bakura corrected.
"Shut up!"
"Keriam," Cheri took her hands, "please, he needs help. They both do."
"I can't," her best friend shook her head and shut her eyes. "It'll be like that time I was in the hospital. I can't go through that again."
Cheri blinked. "What are you talking about? What hospital?"
Keriam sprinted from the room.
"Keriam!!" She made to go after her but Joey held her back. Slowly shaking his head he went after the love of his life. "Keriam…" Seto came up behind her and held her tightly even as she tried very hard to not to cry.
"Let them talk it out," he whispered into her ear. Joey… I hope you can try to convince her. She's the only one who can help us at the moment.
In Domino three strangers were making their way through the crowded streets. They looked nothing out of the ordinary and were dressed in casual clothing but for some reason the three of them just spoke an air of danger.
Coming to a corner the men stopped, saying nothing, doing nothing that went the light changed to green they crossed the street then went in three different directions. One man began walking further down to where some shops were located. Another man headed several streets further down, looking for an apartment complex but knew he wasn't close to it yet but would continue walking. The third man began walking down the sidewalk where the people began to thin out. Looking up he could see the mansion that belong to the CEO of Kaiba Corporations. It would take a while to walk there but for the time being they had time.
Like the sands of time slipping through my grasp… so shall I relish in the pain and suffering as you once caused on me, Marik. Once the Sisters of the Moon are under our power they will summon the Egyptian Gods to life and we will take back what is rightfully ours… I will never rest until my brothers and I have succeeded in our quest.
Cheri looked thoughtful as she sat on the bench in the back of the mansion, looking up at the sky. She had been worried when Keriam left but still, what had she meant by 'I can't go through that again'? Was there something she hadn't told her?
I knew she kept at least one secret from me but I never thought to pry into her life, she thought to herself as she hugged her knees to her chest. But she knows she can trust me. I trust her like a sister! Sighing she hid her face in her knees, closing her eyes as she began to lightly doze off.
Joey found Keriam hiding in the far corner of the library. She was huddle on the floor with her knees drawn up and head bowed. Slowly, he walked over to her and touched her arm. "Keriam," he whispered, "what happened?"
She didn't respond. Joey sat next to her and put his arm around her. "C'mon, sweetheart, you can tell me."
After a few moments, Keriam slightly raised her head, staring out into the room. "Remember when I said I started living with my aunt and uncle roughly five months after my mom died?"
"I remember."
"I was only in foster care for three weeks."
Joey blinked at her. Only three weeks? But where... "Where were you before that?"
Keriam closed her eyes. "In the children's division at a mental hospital."
A mental hospital? he just held her tighter, bringing his other arm around and held her tightly to his chest. "Was this because that fire or something else?" he asked.
"The fire, my stepfather..." Keriam bit back a sob. "I was only supposed to stay there for a few weeks... but I was having nightmares and the doctors said I was losing touch with reality when I told them what I was seeing." She sighed, leaning against his chest. "Some of the other kids there were worse than me. I started tossing the medication when the orderlies weren't looking, and then the nightmares stopped."
"Seeing Malik the way he is reminds you of the hospital," Joey leaned his cheek on her head, "and you're scared the nightmares will start up again. Hey, I understand; it's okay. You've seen me wake up a few times ready to scream."
Keriam nodded. "It's weird how the three of us almost have the exact same history."
"Yeah, it is," Joey tucked his fingers under her chin and lifted her face up, looking into her eyes. "But Malik and Marik need your help. You're the only one who can fix whatever's causing the blackouts and bring them back."
"It's not that I don't want to help them..." Keriam looked away, "I'm afraid of what I'm going to see."
"If it'll help in any way, I'll go with you," said Joey.
"But Joey, what if you can't?" she sighed, looking down at her lap as she clung to him tightly. "I can't do it..."
"Keriam..." he sighed, thinking hard on how to help her. "Hey, what if you ask Cheri to go in with you? Look, if I can't go in there is no way you're going in alone. Besides, they always say two minds are better than one."
"But the nightmares-"
"I'll help you with them. Please Keriam, they're our friends and right now they need us."
She looked at Joey, and then wrapped her arms around his neck. "Okay... I'll do it."
"It'll be alright, Keriam," he said, slowly rocking her. "I'll be right beside you."
Solomon Mutou looked up from the invoice papers as the bell on the shop door rang. "May I help you?" he asked, seeing a man in his late twenties walk in and stepped up to the counter.
"I believe you can. I have heard that you carry a lot of Duel Monster Cards."
"Yes, indeed. Are you a Duelist?"
"On occasion," the man said, "I am looking for a very rare card, though."
Solomon couldn't help the creepy feeling that this man was now giving. Then again, the elder Mutou had been on such edge lately from what his grandson had told him. "Why don't I see what I have in stock?" Solomon opened his inventory book. "What's the card you're looking for?"
"Slypher the Sky Dragon."
The game shop keeper felt his blood turn cold. "Uh... I'm sorry," Solomon shut the book, "but I don't have that card."
"I know," Haziem leaned on the counter, "but your grandson, Yugi, does."
His eyes widen as she slowly moved of his stool, ready to run should the need come. He was only thankful that Yugi wasn't here at the moment.
"It's no use trying to run, Mr. Mutou. Besides, I think I may have something your grandson may trade me for the card."
"And what might that be?" he took another step back.
"Your life." he smiled as held his hand out, just before Solomon's face. Before the old man could turn and run he felt something invading his mind, immobilizing him to the point where he was a prisoner in his own body. he could still feel but he couldn't control what was being done. Haziem smirked ever so lightly as he turned and left the shop. "Don't forget to lock up."
Solomon slowly followed, his eyes a bit blank looking as the door swung shut behind him. Taking his key he locked the store and followed the stranger as they walked down the street. Haziem couldn't have been more pleased this had been too easy. All that was left was to kidnap the other two and the gods would soon be in their hands.
Serenity sighed as she set her book down and looked out the window. She still wasn't speaking with her mother but what Joey had told her came back to her mind. Just give her another chance, she said to herself. I'll do it but only because you asked me, big brother.
She located her mother in the kitchen and taking a deep breathe she reached over to touch her shoulder. "Mom? Can we talk?"
Elizabeth looked up at her, slightly out of surprise. "Okay. About what?" she asked.
The young girl was about to open her mouth when she heard a knock on the door. "I'll get it." Going to the front door she checked the peep hole and saw a young man standing there. He had a hood pulled over to hide most of his face. "Yes?"
"I'm looking for Serenity Wheeler," he said. Serenity unlocked the door and opened it some.
"Do I know you?" she asked with a slight frown.
"No but I know your brother and a friend of yours, Malik Ishtar." He smiled and held his hand up. "And he needs your help."
Serenity looked at him for a moment, not liking the uncomfortable chill going down her spine. "Who are you?"
"Let's just say that I need something to trade for what Marik has," said Perjiem.
Marik! Serenity went to slam the door but Perjiem shoved it open, and grabbed Serenity's arm. "Mom!"
"Serenity?" Elizabeth stepped into the hallway and screamed at the sight. "Let go of my daughter!" She ran at them.
Perjiem quickly wrapped one arm around Serenity and held up his other hand. Both women stilled, and Elizabeth walked back into the kitchen. Her memory was now that Serenity had gone out with a friend from school. Perjiem smiled down at the young girl as he released her. "Let's go, my dear," he said.
Serenity took his hand and they left the house.
Mokuba was bored and worried. He knew something happened to Malik but no one was saying anything. I hate being left out, he thought to himself, heading out back and kicked at a stray pebble. Looking around he noticed Cheri was sitting by herself on one of the stone benches and went over. "Cheri? Hey you alright?"
She stirred and opened her eyes, looking up at him. "Mokuba? Oh hey." She smiled and slowly stretched. "Guess I dozed off. What's up?"
"Nothing. Everyone's worried about Malik but what's going on? How come no one is telling me anything?" he asked, sitting next to her.
"I don't suppose it'll help if we say it's to protect you."
"No but I guess I should be used to it. Its not fair though."
"Nothing ever is." Cheri smiled as she hugged him. "How about we get some ice cream and we can play a game? I'm worried about Malik but... the only one who I think can help him right now is Keriam." And Joey, I hope you can help her, she thought privately as she took his hand. "Whadda ya say?
"That'd be great!" Mokuba jumped up from the bench. "Except for one thing: Seto will have one of his bodyguards following us."
"Yeah, kinda of a bummer," Cheri stood up, "but at least it shows how much he cares."
Mokuba nodded as he took Cheri's hand and they walked into the house. They found Joey, Ryou and Seto in the living room sitting quietly. "What's up?" Mokuba asked.
"Keriam's gonna help Malik," said Joey. "Yami had us leave so that there wouldn't be any distractions."
"Do you think it'll work?" Cheri asked.
"All we can do is hope," Seto answered. "What are you two doing?"
"We're gonna go for some ice cream," his little brother answered. "Do you guys wanna come?"
"Thanks but I'll stick around to see how everything turns out," Joey grinned lightly at the younger Kaiba.
"Me too," said Ryou. "Tea's stopping by later, and Tristen said he'd also swing by."
"I'll go with you," Seto rose from the white leather chair. "I'll have my cell phone on. Call me when he's awake."
"No problem," Joey said and watched the trio leave the room, feeling the twinge of jealousy when Seto took Cheri's hand.