Disclaimer: Same

Key: Same

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Ryou smiled as he heard Marik's words. "Some dark-thingy was in the heart of the shadows but it died, or something. I can sense 'Kura coming back." "Thank God." He was so afraid Bakura wasn't going to come back. The last few weeks with the Ishtars #Time passes slower in the shadows# had been Hell. They were fine enough company and he had always felt a good friendship between himself and Malik.

But his worry over his lover had kept him awake so many nights. He wondered if he'd ever see Bakura again and if their child was truly okay. The only thing Ryou had been forced to give up by loving Bakura was a child. Then, for a short time, he'd had one, only for it to be snatched away. "Ryou? I need the ring." He hesitated, but handed it over. While still extremely psychotic, he wouldn't try and keep any item but his own after Yami had kicked his ass.

He did some freaky thing, drawing forth the powers of darkness and Bakura with them. The albino spirit landed on the floor with a *thud*. Not giving him a chance to recover, Ryou jumped on him and latched his arms around his yami's neck. "Hmm, Kura-chan," he purred, nuzzling him. "Ryou." They sat there embracing for a bit, and the Ishtars left them to themselves.

Ryou moved against him and the cloth blanket touched his arm. "Bakura? Is that..." The dark one sighed sadly. How could he kill his little tenshi like that? "Angel, you have to understand something." "Nani?" he replied sweetly, trying to peek in the blankets. "Ryou, this is our baby girl, but..." Ryou managed to open the bundle before he could finish. The look on his hikari's face said it all. "Ryou...I'm sorry." "Our baby." It didn't take a genius to realize he was heartbroken.

Ryou took her from Bakura's arms and cuddled her. *Sniffle, sniffle* "Kura, what happened to her?" "I think she was hit in the fight." "Are you okay?" "Yes. Physically, fine." "I'm glad." He gave Bakura a weak smile. He was most defiantly glad Bakura was okay. But, his baby...

A woman-like figure stepped up behind Bakura. +I'm sorry for your loss.+ "Who are you?" +I am the goddess Isis who gave you the child you now hold.+ He pulled her closer. "I'm sorry we couldn't take care of her." +It was my fault, young one. I made an error during the battle. I should have known better.+ "You were there?" +I have been with both of you as well as I could. I only wish I could have stopped Set.+ "Is there nothing you can do?" he asked, desperately. +There just might be. It would involve great sacrifice from you both, but I just might be able to do it.+

"I'll do whatever it takes," he proclaimed. Bakura nodded his agreement, frowning. "What's the sacrifice?" +Well, if I told you that, it wouldn't work. You have to be willing to give up whatever I may ask whether you know what it is or not.+ "Do we go for it, Ry?" "Neither of us will die, right?" +No one will be harmed.+ "Then I say we do it!" Isis took the baby in one arm and held both Ryou and Bakura's hands in the hand of the other arm. #@_@# Light made a case around them, trapping them. After a long Egyptian spell during which all had closed their eyes, the light turned into a whirlwind that went into their little girl's form.

"Did it work," Ryou asked, impatiently. +See for yourself.+ Ryou took the child, now a bit heavier and stared. Isis had sped up the child's formation to a healthy size and mind. The time spent with Set was dangerous and had to be carefully undone. He and Bakura held their breath as she squirmed. Then, she opened her eyes and cooed. /She's adorable, isn't she?/ Nothing. /Bakura?/ But all he heard was silence. He suddenly knew what the sacrifice was.

(-)(-)(-)(-)::Scene Change: Later That Night:(-)(-)(-)(-)

Bakura and Ryou both lied contently on their bed. After quite a bit of explanation, Seto had agreed to make a legal birth certificate for their little girl the next morning. Now, all they had to do was choose a name. She lied happily in-between them, cooing.

"How about Cecile? That's pretty." "Too girly." "Maki?" "Um...no." "Why don't you come up with some ideas instead of dissing all of mine." The dark one shrugged. Ryou sighed. "You're impossible," he huffed. "I don't know any present names. Or would you rather she be named Arukinishanikamus?" "Aru-what?" "I rest my case." Ryou giggled. "Well," Bakura admitted, "I do know one name." "We aren't naming our daughter Anzu." Bakura gagged. "Don't say that name."

"Okay, what is it?" "Amane." "Like...my sister." "That's where I heard it. I think it's a pretty name. And from the pictures I've seen, she'll look just like her." "Hmm." Ryou bit his tongue. He turned to the little giggling bundle of joy. "What do you think, sweetie? Would Amane be a good name for you?" She looked up at him and smiled.

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I believe sister's name was Amane. I read it in a lot of stories. Anyway, even if not, the name stays. The weird, long Egyptian name was not real. I just threw some short syllables together.