Chapter Eight-Back to "Reality"
When Victoria came downstairs, she was greeted by something very unexpected. It was Ishtar, her loyal guard cat. "Ishtar!" The cat ran to her,and purred gently, rubbing his head on her legs before she scooped him up,and held him tightly.
"He missed you, it seems." Marik said softly. He couldn't read Victoria's expression at all.
"He did." She put Ishtar down, and began to sort through some of the bags.
"Won't you eat just a little bit, Victoria?" Ishizu asked kindly. "It's not good to skip breakfast."
"Maybe just a little bit. Ishtar might be hungry too..." She added the last part just above a whisper. Ishtar meowed softly,nudging her again, so that she'd pick him up again. She laughed a little,and scooped him up. "Spoiled cat." She teased the feline.
Marik chuckled softly, watching the scene,yet,he was sad. It upset him that things had turned so foul, and all because of his yami. "We will get him something to eat." He told his young friend, as he gently guided her into the kitchen.
"Does he like tuna fish?" Ishizu asked with a smile. "We have an abundance of that."
"He loves tuna." Victoria replied, as she sat down in front of a plate of eggs and toast.
Ishtar padded over to the Egyptian woman,weaving in and out of her legs in greeting. "Meow?" He looked up at her expectantly.
"Well,hello to you too,Ishtar. It's good to see you." Ishizu humored. She opened a can of tuna for him, and set it on the floor. She chuckled watching as the cat dug into his meal. Meanwhile,Victoria, who'd claimed she wasn't hungry, was also "digging in" to the eggs and toast. She'd decided she'd need the strength when it came time to go back to her world. "Do you think Yami Bakura will let us back through? Remember Jo's warning..."
"I'm hoping he will,my friend. It would be good for you to see your home one more time." Marik had talked it over with Ishizu and Rishid before waking Victoria up. The Ishtar siblings had agreed amongst themselves that they would take Victoria in.
"One last time?" Victoria looked at Marik now. "What do you mean?"
Marik sat down beside her,and put a hand over hers. "Ishizu,Rishid and I had a talk before we woke you up this morning....We want you to live with us."
"R-really?" She'd expected to have to go back to foster care. "Are you sure?"
"We have never been more certain in our lives." Rishid spoke up firmly. "You will find no safer place than here with us."
Victoria blinked. This was the last thing she'd expected, and she wasn't so sure she was ready to accept this place as her new home. Sure she loved Marik, and the other two Ishtars,but..things were so different for her there. "I'd love to..." She said finally, knowing that was the answer Marik wanted.
Marik nodded slowly. He'd seen the uncertainty in the girl's eyes. It is best for her. I do know that much. And perhaps in time, she will understand as well that we were right. "When you've finished eating, we can go see Yami Bakura about possibly getting you back to your world temporarily."
"Okay, Marik." She reached down and petted Ishtar,who was lying beside her chair. "Are you going to stay here, Ishie?" The cat only purred,resting his paws on her hand. She grinned,and finished her breakfast with one hand.
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"I delivered the message and her things." Johanna reported to Yami Bakura later on.
"Very good. Then we will be getting a visit from her soon." The yami cleared his throat. "I don't recommend you being here when they come."
"Why not?" Jo wanted to know. Her eyes narrowed on the thief.
"That's not your concern. I will send you elsewhere for now." With a flash of his Millennium Ring, Johanna vanished from view. Now the plan will be set into motion without her meddlesome interference. He went upstairs, to wait for the expected visitors. He'd wisely convinced Bakura to go into work. He didn't want his hikari getting involved and messing things up. That fool yami better appreciate this. I have no patience for Victoria whatsoever. And he better give me the payment I'm owed too! I'm not doing this for my health. The thief narrowed his eyes, hearing the doorbell ring. "It's time."
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"Come in." The thief grunted to Victoria and Marik. "What is it that you want?"
"An emergency has come up. Victoria needs to return to her world for a brief period of time."
"Oh? And why should I care?" The yami sneered, folding his arms.
"Yami Marik killed my family. I must be there for the funeral." Victoria replied, her voice trembling. She felt Marik put a comforting han d on her shoulder.
"I see...." The tomb raider pretended to think about his decision. "Alright. But you can't both go."
Marik's eyes narrowed. "Why is that?" He had no intention of letting Victoria endure this alone.
"Because." The yami replied. "Do not question me,or neither of you will go." He studied Victoria now. "You want to go so badly, you go alone."
"Very well. I will go alone." She replied softly. She looked at Marik now, noting his troubled expression. "Don't worry,Marik. I'll be all right."
"Okay then." Marik replied uncertainly. He remembered with great displeasure what had happened the last time he'd let Yami Bakura take Victoria alone without him. "I want you to know how much I disapprove of this,Yami Bakura."
"And I want you to know that you've no idea what's to happen." Yami Bakura replied, before opening a large portal in Bakura's sitting room. "Well, go on then, Victoria." He turned to the girl now. "You've got two hours."
Victoria licked her lips and nodded. "Alright." She headed into the portal, and disappeared fro m sight.
When she was gone, Marik looked at the tomb robber. "What's to happen?" He wanted to know.
"Your yami was on the other side of that portal. He's planning to brainwash her into hurting you."
"You wretched wretched thing! How can you have done this?!" Marik demanded.
"I would have let you go with her, but there is trouble back at your house. The rare hunters broke in." The yami folded his arms. "Now you have a choice to make, it seems. Do you save some silly girl, or do you save your precious siblings?"
Marik was stricken. He wanted to take care of Victoria, but on the other hand, he needed to take care of his brother and sister too. Which way should I go?! I know my yami will do some awful things to Victoria,but the rare hunters will do worse to my brother and sister! With a shake of his head, he fled the Bakuras' house,and took his motorcycle back home. He only hoped he wasn't too late,and that Victoria could hold out for him.