"Life is not fair."
"I know Malik," Yugi softly replied to his blonde friend as they stood on the deck of the Trident and stared out at the water. It was a day later and the Trident was slowly reaching Port Domino. Fortunately for Malik his father had been busy and had left his son alone for the time being.
"Tomorrow we'll be back home. It's funny that the place I didn't want to leave, I now don't want to return," Malik said with a small sigh. Part of him wanted to start crying again but he was too cried out after staying up half the night sobbing. Not when his mother died or when Isis left did he cry as hard as he did last night. He figured he would never cry again. Nothing could hurt as much as it did to lose Marik.
"I know what you mean," Yugi replied with a sigh of his own. "I was so scared when we were first captured. I thought I would never see my grandfather again. But then after I got to know them, they weren't that bad. Yami and I became close . . ."
"Marik and I were lovers," Malik blurted out.
"I know," Yugi softly replied. "I think that is what would have happened to Yami and I if we had more time. All we had time for was cuddling and kissing. Do you think we'll ever see them again?"
"No. It'll be too dangerous for them to go anywhere near Port Domino for a while. Plus I think that Father will have me under house arrest for the next ten years."
"Have faith Malik," Yugi told him. "Your Father isn't that bad."
"Yugi I disobeyed his order to go home and therefore ended up getting us both captured by pirates!" Malik cried. "If it was just me I doubt I would be in too much trouble, hell he would probably just left me to them but I got you captured as well!"
"I'll tell Grandpa it was my fault," Yugi offered. "I'll say it was my idea to visit Bakura that night and made you go with me. You know that I won't get in trouble."
"Thanks Yugi," Malik replied giving his friend a small smile. "But I need to stand up to my father or else I'll always be running scared of him. I only hope that my punishment won't be too bad."
*~*~*
"We need to go after them and rescue them!"
"Marik, no!" Yami barked back at the blonde pirate. "Yugi wanted to go and we are going to abide by his wishes!"
"You're blind and a moron!" Marik yelled back at Yami. "He only did that so we wouldn't get caught!"
"If you're going to stay on this ship then I suggest you don't question my intelligence!" Yami hollered causing Ryou to burry his face into Bakura's chest as the two of them. They were all in Yami's cabin to save the crew from their fight, which had been happening all night. The night before as Seto had promised he returned with the Duel Monster to pick up Yami and the others. Yami and Marik had been fighting ever since about what to do about Malik and Yugi. After a few hours Seto, who was tired of their fighting, shoved them along with Bakura and Ryou into there and told them to settle it.
"I've left before!"
"And you're welcome to do it again!"
"Shut up both of you!" Bakura finally yelled at the two of them. "You're not solving anything!"
"Oh and what do you suggest?" Marik sarcastically asked him.
"Well you were right in one thing and that is neither Malik or Yugi wanted to leave," Bakura snapped. "However! Going after the Trident is suicide! They have more firepower then us and will be halfway to Port Domino by now! Both of you should take my advice and forget about them. Even if you do see them again it won't be for a very long time!"
With that Bakura stood from where he was sitting with Ryou and helped Ryou to his feet. He then wrapped an arm around Ryou's waist and began walking with him to their cabin.
"Is that what you did when you lost Ryou?!" Marik asked after them causing Bakura to pause slightly.
"A day never went by that I didn't think about Ryou," Bakura honestly replied. "Sometimes I would push him out of my mind when I had to get a job done but he was always the last thing I thought of at the end of the day."
"Same here," Ryou softly admitted before the pair continued on their way.
"Wait, Marik!" Yami calmly said to the blonde. "Bakura's right we can't just go barging into Port Domino after them. Besides you are forgetting one small detail."
"And what's that?" Marik huffed.
"Mokuba and Shizuka live in Port Domino remember? We can get messages to Malik and Yugi through them. All we have to do is wait until the time is right and we can get them back."
"Fine!" Marik grumbled, hating to lose the fight but knowing that Yami was right.
*~*~*
Back aboard the Trident the day dragged by. Malik and Yugi were amazed that time traveled so slowly on the Trident when their time on the Duel Monster flew by. The pair spent most of their time together and occasionally Governor Mutou would join them. The only signs of Commodore Ishtar all day was far away on the deck for which Malik was grateful.
Eventually night fell across the land and Malik and Yugi were finally able to retreat back to their room for the night.
The next morning they were waken early by the knocking on the door. It was an aid informing them that they would be arriving at Port Domino in a few minutes and that their presences were required on deck.
Malik sighed as his home city came into view.
"Malik," a stern voice said and Malik rolled his eyes before turning around to face his father behind him along with two soldiers. "These men will escort you home and make sure you stay there until I arrive this evening, understand?"
"Yes sir," Malik grumbled for a reply, he knew better then to argue with his father at that point. Malik then turned back around to look at Port Domino, which they were coming closer and closer to. A few minutes later they began docking and as soon as Malik feet hit dry land he was being dragged away by his 'escorts' without even being able to say good-bye to Yugi. Yugi however had his own problems.
"Yugi!" a voice cried and Yugi found brunette girl tightly hugging him. "I was so worried about you Yugi! I was afraid I'd never see my future husband again!"
"Tea!" he gasped trying to get air into his lungs. His time with Yami had made him forget that he was arranged to be married in a few years to Tea.
"I can't imagine what those horrible pirates did to you!" Tea continued on, clueless to the fact that Yugi couldn't breath.
"Tea, I think you should loosen your grip," Governor Mutou said with amusement in his voice coming to Yugi's rescue.
"Oops," Tea giggled as she let go of Yugi. "I was just so worried that's all. I couldn't bare the thought of losing another friend to pirates. Losing Ryou was bad enough but to lose Yugi and Malik would have been dreadful!"
"It really wasn't so bad," Yugi whispered but neither Tea nor his grandfather heard him.
"Come along, Yugi," Governor Mutou said as he and Tea began to walk towards a horse-drawn carriage. "Lets go home and rest for awhile. Tea's coming too so you two can catch up. It's only a year or two from now when you'll be married with lots of kids running around all over the place!"
"Oh joy," Yugi muttered as he climbed inside the carriage. He then went silent while he watched the secrecy for the entire trip home while his grandfather and Tea chattered. Yugi briefly wondered what happened to Malik. He had seen his friend disappear soon after they had landed but he had been choked too hard to see what had exactly happened. His thoughts soon however turned to Yami as he wondered what the pirate captain was doing at that exact moment.
*~*~*
Malik lay on his bed and stared up at the ceiling. He had been there for hours as the guards continued to remain not only in the house but right outside his bedroom door to make sure that the young Ishtar couldn't escape. Just because he had already tried to escape twice so far didn't mean he couldn't be trusted.
Malik perked up when he heard voices talking outside his door and he sat up on the bed, watching the door intently. A few moments later a dark skin man, who was bald but with a long black ponytail, entered the room.
"The guards are gone you can come out now if you wish," the man told him.
"Who are you?" Malik ask staring uneasily at the stranger.
"My name is Rishid, your father hired me to be your caretaker," he informed Malik. "I have specific orders to always remain by your side to make sure you do not get into trouble."
"Great so now I need a babysitter?" Malik asked in an annoyed voice.
"Please master Malik I do not wish to bring stress to you," Rishid replied bowing his head. "I only wish to help you. Although it was your father who hired me only you are my master."
"Why? You don't even know me!"
"That is correct, but I knew your mother, she saved my life," Rishid admitted. "Before you or your sister was born she found me living on the streets when I was only a few years old. She took me in and waited to keep me as her own but her husband wouldn't allow it so she convince a friend of hers to take me in. Your father no doubt doesn't recognize me or else he would have never given me the job of taking care of you."
Malik smiled at Rishid upon hearing his story. It didn't surprise him that his mother had wanted to help the orphan. "Thank you Rishid, it'll be nice to have an ally in this household again. I don't suppose you know what other punishment my father has in store for me?"
"I believe he is currently searching for a bride for you, believing that once married you will settle down and end your rebellious streak," Rishid informed the young blonde.
"How can I marry when my heart belongs to another?" Malik asked scornfully and Rishid gave him a questioning look but did not say anything. Although they had just met Malik felt compelled to tell his new caretaker about Marik.
"Love can conquer anything," was all that Rishid said when Malik had finished telling him his tail.
*~*~*
A frustrated Commodore Ishtar strolled down the streets late that afternoon towards his home. After hiring Rishid and sending him to his home to take care of Malik, the commodore began thinking of various young women he knew in Port Domino that were available to marry Malik.
Tea Gardner was his first choice but she was already engaged to Yugi so that was out of the question. Anyone else and he could pay off the fiancé's to let Malik marry her instead but Governor Mutou was one of the few in Port Domino who outranked the Commodore. Rebecca Hopkins, the granddaughter of Malik's former tutor was too young, so she was out of the question. Mai was far too wild to settle down and be a nice wife for Malik.
As the commodore mulled over his options his eye caught the attention of a young girl walking down the street towards him. He believed her name to be Serenity Wheeler, an orphan who was taken care of by her older brother who was a merchant. Her brother was always away on business however making the young Wheeler girl perfect to be married to Malik.
"Oh Ms Wheeler?" he asked calling out to her.
*~*~*
Shizuka Jounouchi almost forgot to stop when she heard that name being called. She never could get use to the fake name that her elder brother picked out for her and wished she could go by her real name like Mokuba but Jounouchi was a far too uncommon name and it would be easily traced back to her pirate of a brother who refused to go by his given name.
"Yes, kind sir?" Shizuka asked recognizing the commodore.
"From this day on you are now engaged to my son Malik, understand?"
Shizuka's eyes grew wide at that information but she knew enough to remain silent. "Yes sir," she replied forcing herself to keep sweetness to her tone of voice.
"Do you wish to meet your new husband now?" the commodore asked.
"Nothing would please me more," Shizuka smoothly lied. "However my step- brother Mokuba is waiting at home for my return. He will be most please to learn of this news."
"Very well. Tomorrow then," Commodore Ishtar replied before he began strolling away. When he was out of sight Shizuka hurried off home to inform Mokuba of this new development. They had to inform their brothers and get out of there fast.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N – Blah this chapter was supposed to be longer but I have too many essays right now. Regardless I'm going to try to get the next chapter up sometime next week but no promises.
reaper-from-heaven – Sorry you were confused with the last chapter. It didn't surprise me though that someone was confused (I expected more) because that chapter was a pain to write, which I ended up re-writing the entire thing when I was half way through with it because it wasn't coming together like I wanted. I also wrote it at a time when I had to get up in about 3 ½ hrs so it doesn't surprise me that it sucked. The main thing you need to know from Chapter 10 is Isis is back home and that Malik and Yugi sacrificed themselves so that the others could get away.
"I know Malik," Yugi softly replied to his blonde friend as they stood on the deck of the Trident and stared out at the water. It was a day later and the Trident was slowly reaching Port Domino. Fortunately for Malik his father had been busy and had left his son alone for the time being.
"Tomorrow we'll be back home. It's funny that the place I didn't want to leave, I now don't want to return," Malik said with a small sigh. Part of him wanted to start crying again but he was too cried out after staying up half the night sobbing. Not when his mother died or when Isis left did he cry as hard as he did last night. He figured he would never cry again. Nothing could hurt as much as it did to lose Marik.
"I know what you mean," Yugi replied with a sigh of his own. "I was so scared when we were first captured. I thought I would never see my grandfather again. But then after I got to know them, they weren't that bad. Yami and I became close . . ."
"Marik and I were lovers," Malik blurted out.
"I know," Yugi softly replied. "I think that is what would have happened to Yami and I if we had more time. All we had time for was cuddling and kissing. Do you think we'll ever see them again?"
"No. It'll be too dangerous for them to go anywhere near Port Domino for a while. Plus I think that Father will have me under house arrest for the next ten years."
"Have faith Malik," Yugi told him. "Your Father isn't that bad."
"Yugi I disobeyed his order to go home and therefore ended up getting us both captured by pirates!" Malik cried. "If it was just me I doubt I would be in too much trouble, hell he would probably just left me to them but I got you captured as well!"
"I'll tell Grandpa it was my fault," Yugi offered. "I'll say it was my idea to visit Bakura that night and made you go with me. You know that I won't get in trouble."
"Thanks Yugi," Malik replied giving his friend a small smile. "But I need to stand up to my father or else I'll always be running scared of him. I only hope that my punishment won't be too bad."
*~*~*
"We need to go after them and rescue them!"
"Marik, no!" Yami barked back at the blonde pirate. "Yugi wanted to go and we are going to abide by his wishes!"
"You're blind and a moron!" Marik yelled back at Yami. "He only did that so we wouldn't get caught!"
"If you're going to stay on this ship then I suggest you don't question my intelligence!" Yami hollered causing Ryou to burry his face into Bakura's chest as the two of them. They were all in Yami's cabin to save the crew from their fight, which had been happening all night. The night before as Seto had promised he returned with the Duel Monster to pick up Yami and the others. Yami and Marik had been fighting ever since about what to do about Malik and Yugi. After a few hours Seto, who was tired of their fighting, shoved them along with Bakura and Ryou into there and told them to settle it.
"I've left before!"
"And you're welcome to do it again!"
"Shut up both of you!" Bakura finally yelled at the two of them. "You're not solving anything!"
"Oh and what do you suggest?" Marik sarcastically asked him.
"Well you were right in one thing and that is neither Malik or Yugi wanted to leave," Bakura snapped. "However! Going after the Trident is suicide! They have more firepower then us and will be halfway to Port Domino by now! Both of you should take my advice and forget about them. Even if you do see them again it won't be for a very long time!"
With that Bakura stood from where he was sitting with Ryou and helped Ryou to his feet. He then wrapped an arm around Ryou's waist and began walking with him to their cabin.
"Is that what you did when you lost Ryou?!" Marik asked after them causing Bakura to pause slightly.
"A day never went by that I didn't think about Ryou," Bakura honestly replied. "Sometimes I would push him out of my mind when I had to get a job done but he was always the last thing I thought of at the end of the day."
"Same here," Ryou softly admitted before the pair continued on their way.
"Wait, Marik!" Yami calmly said to the blonde. "Bakura's right we can't just go barging into Port Domino after them. Besides you are forgetting one small detail."
"And what's that?" Marik huffed.
"Mokuba and Shizuka live in Port Domino remember? We can get messages to Malik and Yugi through them. All we have to do is wait until the time is right and we can get them back."
"Fine!" Marik grumbled, hating to lose the fight but knowing that Yami was right.
*~*~*
Back aboard the Trident the day dragged by. Malik and Yugi were amazed that time traveled so slowly on the Trident when their time on the Duel Monster flew by. The pair spent most of their time together and occasionally Governor Mutou would join them. The only signs of Commodore Ishtar all day was far away on the deck for which Malik was grateful.
Eventually night fell across the land and Malik and Yugi were finally able to retreat back to their room for the night.
The next morning they were waken early by the knocking on the door. It was an aid informing them that they would be arriving at Port Domino in a few minutes and that their presences were required on deck.
Malik sighed as his home city came into view.
"Malik," a stern voice said and Malik rolled his eyes before turning around to face his father behind him along with two soldiers. "These men will escort you home and make sure you stay there until I arrive this evening, understand?"
"Yes sir," Malik grumbled for a reply, he knew better then to argue with his father at that point. Malik then turned back around to look at Port Domino, which they were coming closer and closer to. A few minutes later they began docking and as soon as Malik feet hit dry land he was being dragged away by his 'escorts' without even being able to say good-bye to Yugi. Yugi however had his own problems.
"Yugi!" a voice cried and Yugi found brunette girl tightly hugging him. "I was so worried about you Yugi! I was afraid I'd never see my future husband again!"
"Tea!" he gasped trying to get air into his lungs. His time with Yami had made him forget that he was arranged to be married in a few years to Tea.
"I can't imagine what those horrible pirates did to you!" Tea continued on, clueless to the fact that Yugi couldn't breath.
"Tea, I think you should loosen your grip," Governor Mutou said with amusement in his voice coming to Yugi's rescue.
"Oops," Tea giggled as she let go of Yugi. "I was just so worried that's all. I couldn't bare the thought of losing another friend to pirates. Losing Ryou was bad enough but to lose Yugi and Malik would have been dreadful!"
"It really wasn't so bad," Yugi whispered but neither Tea nor his grandfather heard him.
"Come along, Yugi," Governor Mutou said as he and Tea began to walk towards a horse-drawn carriage. "Lets go home and rest for awhile. Tea's coming too so you two can catch up. It's only a year or two from now when you'll be married with lots of kids running around all over the place!"
"Oh joy," Yugi muttered as he climbed inside the carriage. He then went silent while he watched the secrecy for the entire trip home while his grandfather and Tea chattered. Yugi briefly wondered what happened to Malik. He had seen his friend disappear soon after they had landed but he had been choked too hard to see what had exactly happened. His thoughts soon however turned to Yami as he wondered what the pirate captain was doing at that exact moment.
*~*~*
Malik lay on his bed and stared up at the ceiling. He had been there for hours as the guards continued to remain not only in the house but right outside his bedroom door to make sure that the young Ishtar couldn't escape. Just because he had already tried to escape twice so far didn't mean he couldn't be trusted.
Malik perked up when he heard voices talking outside his door and he sat up on the bed, watching the door intently. A few moments later a dark skin man, who was bald but with a long black ponytail, entered the room.
"The guards are gone you can come out now if you wish," the man told him.
"Who are you?" Malik ask staring uneasily at the stranger.
"My name is Rishid, your father hired me to be your caretaker," he informed Malik. "I have specific orders to always remain by your side to make sure you do not get into trouble."
"Great so now I need a babysitter?" Malik asked in an annoyed voice.
"Please master Malik I do not wish to bring stress to you," Rishid replied bowing his head. "I only wish to help you. Although it was your father who hired me only you are my master."
"Why? You don't even know me!"
"That is correct, but I knew your mother, she saved my life," Rishid admitted. "Before you or your sister was born she found me living on the streets when I was only a few years old. She took me in and waited to keep me as her own but her husband wouldn't allow it so she convince a friend of hers to take me in. Your father no doubt doesn't recognize me or else he would have never given me the job of taking care of you."
Malik smiled at Rishid upon hearing his story. It didn't surprise him that his mother had wanted to help the orphan. "Thank you Rishid, it'll be nice to have an ally in this household again. I don't suppose you know what other punishment my father has in store for me?"
"I believe he is currently searching for a bride for you, believing that once married you will settle down and end your rebellious streak," Rishid informed the young blonde.
"How can I marry when my heart belongs to another?" Malik asked scornfully and Rishid gave him a questioning look but did not say anything. Although they had just met Malik felt compelled to tell his new caretaker about Marik.
"Love can conquer anything," was all that Rishid said when Malik had finished telling him his tail.
*~*~*
A frustrated Commodore Ishtar strolled down the streets late that afternoon towards his home. After hiring Rishid and sending him to his home to take care of Malik, the commodore began thinking of various young women he knew in Port Domino that were available to marry Malik.
Tea Gardner was his first choice but she was already engaged to Yugi so that was out of the question. Anyone else and he could pay off the fiancé's to let Malik marry her instead but Governor Mutou was one of the few in Port Domino who outranked the Commodore. Rebecca Hopkins, the granddaughter of Malik's former tutor was too young, so she was out of the question. Mai was far too wild to settle down and be a nice wife for Malik.
As the commodore mulled over his options his eye caught the attention of a young girl walking down the street towards him. He believed her name to be Serenity Wheeler, an orphan who was taken care of by her older brother who was a merchant. Her brother was always away on business however making the young Wheeler girl perfect to be married to Malik.
"Oh Ms Wheeler?" he asked calling out to her.
*~*~*
Shizuka Jounouchi almost forgot to stop when she heard that name being called. She never could get use to the fake name that her elder brother picked out for her and wished she could go by her real name like Mokuba but Jounouchi was a far too uncommon name and it would be easily traced back to her pirate of a brother who refused to go by his given name.
"Yes, kind sir?" Shizuka asked recognizing the commodore.
"From this day on you are now engaged to my son Malik, understand?"
Shizuka's eyes grew wide at that information but she knew enough to remain silent. "Yes sir," she replied forcing herself to keep sweetness to her tone of voice.
"Do you wish to meet your new husband now?" the commodore asked.
"Nothing would please me more," Shizuka smoothly lied. "However my step- brother Mokuba is waiting at home for my return. He will be most please to learn of this news."
"Very well. Tomorrow then," Commodore Ishtar replied before he began strolling away. When he was out of sight Shizuka hurried off home to inform Mokuba of this new development. They had to inform their brothers and get out of there fast.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N – Blah this chapter was supposed to be longer but I have too many essays right now. Regardless I'm going to try to get the next chapter up sometime next week but no promises.
reaper-from-heaven – Sorry you were confused with the last chapter. It didn't surprise me though that someone was confused (I expected more) because that chapter was a pain to write, which I ended up re-writing the entire thing when I was half way through with it because it wasn't coming together like I wanted. I also wrote it at a time when I had to get up in about 3 ½ hrs so it doesn't surprise me that it sucked. The main thing you need to know from Chapter 10 is Isis is back home and that Malik and Yugi sacrificed themselves so that the others could get away.