Chapter Fourteen-Anticipation

Jonathan and Christien saw Victoria run from the lot, and they looked at each other, sort of stunned. By then, Christien had calmed down enough to think rationally. "Where's she goin'?"

"Back to her world." Mokuba replied in irritation. "That's the last place she needs to be! Marik'll freak."

The Robas wasted no more time. They got on their bikes and followed Victoria. They were too late, as it turns out. She was standing inside a glowing streak, that Christien guessed was the portal that brought her there. She looked really weak too. "Victoria!"

"Stay back you fools." A foul voice interrupted Jonathan, as the elder of the two Robas went to help Victoria. It was Yami Marik. "The girl is mine at last."

"No way!" Mokuba yelled. "We won't let you touch Victoria!" He was still rather upset with her, but the young Kaiba knew Marik wouldn't want Victoria hurt by the yami. "Just leave her alone!"

"Who's going to make me, boy? You?" The yami shot energy at Mokuba,sending the Kaiba backwards.

"Mokuba!" Jonathan ran to help his best friend, while his younger brother sneaked around the yami to get to Victoria. Be careful,Chris...

I will. The middle brother put his hand in Victoria's. "Come back, Tori. Don't go in there! You can't handle it."

"You didn't want me! Why would you care?" Victoria yanked away from him, entering the portal. However, just as she took her final step, she was blasted with Shadow Energy from Yami Bakura,who'd happened upon the situation.

"Don't be a fool, girl!" He glared at Yami Marik now. "Shall we have another duel, then? I thought I told you not to bother Victoria ever again?"

"I thought I made it clear that I take orders from no one?" The other yami replied. He turned from Mokuba and Jonathan now to glint at the old thief. "This is not your concern."

"Oh but it is." Once more, the two yamis began to battle, while Jon,Christien and Mokuba dragged the unconscious Victoria into Duke's shop.

"Victoria!" Duke ran to help the kids who had the unconscious girl. "What happened to her?" He asked, full of concern.

"You did!" Mokuba panted. "This is all because of you, and your devious nature,Duke Devlin!"

"M-me......all I wanted was a sister......I didn't mean to hurt anyone....."

"Yeah,well, you did, and Victoria's not the only one!" Mokuba spat. "Marik got attacked by those awful rare hunters, and now he's in his bed, unconscious!" Well, he wasn't sure if Marik was still unconscious or not, but it sounded better.

"How is that my fault?" Duke demanded , his eyes narrowed.

"You brainwashed Victoria, that's how! You knew all about her past, and you used it to assuage her into staying!" Jonathan spoke up now. In the heat of the moment, he ignored the fact he'd used a dreaded vocabulary word. "Victoria was blinded by the wealth you provided her with."

Mokuba was amazed to hear Jonathan defending Victoria, and he was even more surprised by Duke's reply.

"You're right. I did those things. I wish I hadn't now....." Duke hung his head in remorse. "Bring her to my back office. We can call the Ishtars from there."

"Don't bother. They disowned her this morning." Mokuba told him. "And she's already said she's no desire to stay with you."

"Yes.....she said that before she left." Duke sighed. "Well,I can get her some ice at least."

"Where will Victoria go then?" Christien wondered aloud.

"She can go home with us." Jon decided.

"Like Espa will allow that!" Christien told him. "She's practically outlawed in our house."

"He doesn't have to know. Remember the secret passage we found? It's big enough for her."

"Oh right........" Christien looked at his girlfriend, worriedly. "We don't need you to do another stupid thing and die...." He told her softly. "If you come back, I'll take care of you, I promise." He hoped she would.

"She won't die....she's just out cold." Mokuba assured him. Sadly, he'd seen Marik out enough to know. "I'm going to go check on Marik now. Can you two keep an eye on her?"

"Sure,Mo. See you later." Jonathan told him confidently. "We'll take care of her."

"Okay." Mokuba left to visit the Ishtars then, and hoped he'd find Marik awake and okay again.

"Mokuba.....my friend....." Marik was indeed awake, and okay. "I'm sorry to have worried you." He smiled weakly.

"Just don't do it again." Mokuba replied, hugging Marik tightly. "I have come bearing news."

"Then do tell us." Ishizu said softly, thinking it might be something about him or one of his friends.

"Victoria is unconscious. She came to Egypt and the Robas and I tried to talk to her about what was going on. Then Christien broke up with her. She fled to go to her World,but your yami interfered. I don't think it was the yami that did it to her though. She was pretty weak by the time he got there."

Marik was stunned. "Where is she now?" Though he was deeply hurt by Victoria's recent actions, he still cared for his youngest sister a lot.

"She's in Duke's office." Mokuba hurried on when the eldest Ishtars narrowed their eyes. "Duke admitted to his deed too. He feels really bad."

"As he should." Ishizu replied. "He ripped a perfectly happy family apart."

"Indeed." Rishid nodded in agreement. "Though I do believe Victoria could've tried harder to resist him."

"Yes....." Marik said slowly. He looked up at his siblings. "We should let her come to us then, if she is truly sorry for everything." And if she doesn't then we can assume she cares nothing for us. He thought in dispair.

"I think that is best." Rishid told his brother. "You must still rest a little longer."

"I will tell her." Mokuba said softly. He wondered if the Robas would be able to pull of their ruse. He figured it would be better than her having to be in the rain and where the yami could get to her. "The Robas are with her right now, taking care of her."

"That is kind of those boys." Marik smiled a little. "They all have such kind hearts."

"I know." Mokuba smiled. "Well, you rest,and I'm going to check on things. I'll call you later for an update."

"Sounds good." Marik told him. He admitted he was still in a lot of pain and exhausted. He'd done well, keeping the memories of that night with the rare hunters out of his mind, but now that he was awake, they were there again. He closed his eyes , as if by doing so, he'd shut them out again. Soon,just as Mokuba left, he fell into another sleep.