"Arise from Darkness"
By Heikou and Janime
Chapter Three
Reality Check
"Dead?"
Word of what happened to Amierla spread around the school like wildfire. Everyone was surprised at this bit of news but few didn't believe she could do something so drastic. Some of the students thought that maybe losing one too many duels drove her to it but why over something so mundane? Duel Monsters was just a game everyone played for fun really since the end of the Battle Arch tournaments but when Keriam told her other Sisters and friends what she had seen they were surprised and worried.
"Keriam... are you positive you saw Twin Rods drown her? You didn't imagine it?" Tristen asked.
She looked at him with narrowed eyes. "I would not wish something like that on her, Tristen. I saw it and I have the headache to prove it. Look!" She held her hands out only to show that they were still shaking lightly.
Joey took her hands in both his own, feeling how chilled they were. "But why? I mean if she had any magic one of us could have sensed it," he said in a low voice.
The spirits of the puzzle, rod and ring were very quiet once they heard the news. Sure the young girl had been a pain in their necks since Keriam and Cheri first arrived here but to be killed by her own deck? Was that possible even to them?
Osiris, Tea thought. "Wait a minute…" Tea said quietly. "We can summon into reality with our powers but they have been leaking out, as it were…"
Keriam looked at her. "Are you saying that unintentionally I might have-"
"No, Keriam, that's not what I meant." Tea put her hand on the other girl's arm.
~It could be possible that whatever is causing your powers to leave also caused Amierla's death,~ said Yami.
"Might have," Keriam shut her eyes. "But I'm just as guilty if I had killed myself."
"Keriam, don't talk like that," Joey squeezed her hand.
"Keriam, listen to us okay?" Cheri leaned over so she could look her right in the face. "First, it was not your fault. Amierla wasn't exactly the nicest person we've meet but I seriously doubt you or any of us wanted this to happen to her. Second, if, and this is a big if, our powers did have something to do about it then we should have been able to stop it. Whatever is making us lose our powers may be behind this so if there's anyone to blame it's whatever is behind this."
"... But-"
"No don't even start. You are not responsible for any of this so don't kick yourself." She smiled at her childhood friend. "Hey, I'm sure everyone here thought of doing her in."
~More than once,~ Marik muttered then kept his mouth shut when he received a glare from Joey.
"And if just thinking about it is a crime then we're guilty. Along with most of the student body... Anyway, don't worry. We will get to the bottom of this."
Keriam smiled a little and nodded. "Okay."
Devlin and Mina walked over to the group. "I'm not going to ask if you heard."
"Yeah, we did," said Yugi.
The Dungeon Dice Master nodded solemnly.
"Well, as soon as the funeral arrangements are made," Mina said, "I'll let everyone know."
"Okay," said Tristen.
Mina looked at Keriam. "Are you going to go?"
The green-eyed girl froze for a moment. "I don't know… If I do go, everyone will say I'm there because I'll be having the last laugh on her. Then again if I don't go, they'll say I don't care about what happened to her. So I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't."
"Hey, since when did you care what others thought?" the brown-eyed blonde tried to joke but he couldn't so he slowly wrapped his arms around her.
"We'll let you know," Tea said softly. She knew everyone was two minded about this but still, this was a fellow classmate.
"Would you two like to join us?" Ryou asked, gesturing to the space around the table.
Mina smiled a bit sadly before shaking her head slowly. "Thanks but I just need sometime to think."
Duke took her hand and nodded to the group. "I'll see you later guys." Slowly the two walked off, the young man giving comfort to the sorrowful girl.
"Amierla wasn't so bad if she had at least one friend..." Yugi spoke up in an almost whisper.
Two days after the funeral was held, Keriam, Joey, Cheri, Seto, Malik, Marik, Ryou, and Bakura went to Domino Cemetery. Keriam had decided not to go to the funeral and pay her respects for the recently departed in her own way. She did sign the sympathy card and made a donation for flowers, surprising a few students that Keriam actually cared about Amierla.
The cemetery was enormous. In fact it was so large that the next city shared half it. The six students and two spirits walked to the northeast section of the cemetery where Amierla was buried.
Keriam had bought a small bouquet of baby blue carnations--Amierla's favorite flower. She placed them in the metal vase by the tombstone, sending a silent prayer to Ra and the other gods for Amierla to be judged fairly and find peace in her next life.
Joey looked around, watching as a stiff wind blew through the trees. "This place is creepy," he commented.
Bakura smirked and made to scare the blonde but Ryou kept a firm hold on him. ~Don't even think about it,~ he warned.
~Spoil sport,~ the thief pouted.
Everyone offered their own prayer in their own way after Keriam was done for the unfortunate girl. Joey slowly wrapped his arms around Keriam tightly, holding her close. Everyone was quiet for a moment but Cheri felt unnerved. She never mentioned to anyone but she found the cemeteries to be the most peaceful place to be since it was always so quiet but now, she just felt like something was wrong. She pushed the feeling back.
"You gonna be okay, Keriam?" she asked softly.
"I think so," her best friend nodded. "I'll be right back. I have to go say hello since I'm here." Keriam walked away from the others towards the southwest section."
"Where's she going?" Ryou asked.
"To see her parents," Cheri answered. "Fortunately, her stepfather isn't buried here."
"How come?"
"Keriam's uncle fought her stepfather's family about having her mother buried next to him, since they were still married when they died. But he managed to have her beside Keriam's father."
~So where is the bastard buried?~ Marik asked.
"Don't know don't care but I wish Ammit could've used him as a chew toy," Cheri growled.
Seto wordlessly pulled her into his arms, rubbing her back as he felt her relax. "Remind me not to get you mad," he whispered into her ear.
Joey watched where his love had gone. Terry and Zack did the best they could but it just wasn't the same love as a parents' love for their child. Sure they were great people and treated him like family as well but... He sighed softly before slowly following her. He knew next to nothing about her parents but somehow, he knew they were good people who loved their daughter very much.
"I'll be back," Joey said and followed after Keriam. He stood behind her as she knelt before the stones that marked her parents' graves. Joey looked at the dates. Keriam's father had died when she was just a little more than a year old, and her mother had died during the early autumn season.
Keriam rose to her feet; she jumped a little when Joey put his arms around her.
"Sorry," he apologized. "Didn't mean to scare you."
"I'm alright," she smiled lightly at him. "I hate coming here sometimes."
"I know how you feel," Joey sighed. "I keep coming here to find my mother, but she's listed under her maiden name and I have no idea what it is."
"You'll find her," Keriam reached behind and touched his cheek.
Reaching up he covered her hand with his own, leaning into it. "I wish she could have met you..."
"I wish my parents could have met you. Maybe in the next life..."
Smiling the couple kissed softly before heading back to their friends. Saying good-bye was hard but it didn't have to mean forever. Joey made sure his arm was wrapped around her shoulders as they walked back, letting her know he would always be there for her no matter what. He lost her once and nearly again due to Set but not this time.
Later, Yugi and Tea were at the game shop, stocking boxes and occasionally--when grandpa wasn't looking--giving sultry looks and suggestive actions to each other. Yami paid no heed to the couple. That or else he was enjoying the show that Yugi's grandpa was oblivious to. Seto had returned to the office to finish some work but promised to give Cheri a call later. Joey and Keriam decided to go to the docks and enjoy themselves. Malik and Ryou had nothing to do so Cheri decided to accompany them. As they walked along the young girl balanced herself on the edge of the sidewalk, pretending it was a balancing beam.
"Cheri? Can I ask you something?" Ryou asked.
"Shoot," she said without looking at him.
"Where's your father?"
Father. The young girl stopped, staring straight ahead as she slowly lowered her arms at her sides. She tried very hard to keep the tears from falling but failed. Bowing her head she felt tears escape from closed eyes as her nails dug into her palms deeply. The boys watched in surprise as her shoulders began to shake ever so lightly.
Ryou walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders. "Cheri?"
She looked up at him, eyes still running with tears. "He left when I was seven-years-old. He was cheating on my mom and started hitting her. I tried to stop him and he hit me. He left and mom had a restraining order on him. I never saw him again before he died a few years ago."
"I'm sorry," said Ryou. "I didn't mean to upset you."
Cheri nodded and wiped her cheeks. "Don't worry about it. You didn't know."
"Um how did he die?" Malik asked softly, afraid of setting her off.
"He developed an ulcer, overdosed on painkillers, went driving and crashed into a tree a week before my birthday." Taking a deep breath she rubbed at her eyes. "Okay I'm fine now."
"You sure?"
"Yeah no worries. I'll be fine." Giving them a weak smile she nodded. "Hey, you guys wanna duel?"
"Sure," Ryou smiled at her as he let her arms go. "Let's see how that news deck of yours works."
~Care to play against me?~ Bakura asked.
~By all means, do so, Cheri,~ said Marik. ~You know his deck inside out.~
Joey lay stretched out on his bed. His homework long since finished, and he was now staring at a picture of his birth mother. Elizabeth had sent him the picture for his last birthday. Joey was surprised that his stepmother had actually went so far to find the picture of her deceased best friend.
He sighed as he gazed at the photo. The woman was pretty with the same blonde hair as his own falling a bit past her shoulders and her eyes were a bright hazel but what he loved most was that she was always smiling. She seemed so happy and just full of light. But sadly enough, he had turned up nothing as to her maiden name. Reaching over into the nightstand he pulled out the photo he had found while his father had still been alive. Both his parents had been happy...
"Mom... I wish I could've met you just once; even as a ghost..." he said softly, tucking the pictures away in the drawer before grabbing the pillow and buried his face in. He took a deep breath and just relaxed, feeling his mind slowly drift away into sleep.
Keriam was sitting in her bed, the sheet over her legs and she sat propped up on her pillow reading a book. Someone knocked on her door. "Come in," she said. "Hey, Uncle Zack."
"Hi, sweetie," he smiled as he walked over to her bed and sat down on the edge. "Joey said that you went to the cemetery today."
"Yeah," Keriam sighed, "I know that Amierla and I were less than acquaintances but I still had to pay my respects."
"I understand," Zack nodded. "Did you go say hello?"
She nodded. "I miss her."
"Me too. But she's always with you, Keriam. So is your father. I know for a fact he loves you dearly. You've seen your baby pictures with him holding you."
"I know… but he didn't."
"Don't worry about him anymore," Zack told his niece. "Let it go, honey."
"It's not easy," said Keriam.
He looked at her as he moved to sit next to her and rested his arm around her shoulders. "It's going to take time but one day you'll get over it. I know this may seem harsh but you can't move into the future without first letting go of the past."
She said nothing but leaned into him, letting the words sink in. "It's ironic how Joey and I have similar pasts. We both lost our parents, came from abused homes, but at least I had you and Aunt Terry."
"And now Joey has you. If they were still alive, I know they'd like him as much as we do."
Keriam couldn't help but crack a smile. "Even though he eats his weight in food everyday?"
Zack returned the smile as he nodded. "As long as he makes you happy."
She leaned against him. "He does."
"That's good," Zack kissed her forehead then stood up. "Get to sleep. School's not over yet."
Smiling, Keriam closed her book, handing it to her uncle who set it on the dresser. "Good night, Uncle Zack."
"Good night, Keriam." He left her room, shutting the door behind him, the momentum causing the Escaflowne wall scroll to sway lightly.
Keriam shifted, finding a comfortable position and started to fall asleep.
~Brat.~
Keriam's eyes flew open.
~Who do you think you are?~
She swallowed hard.
~You think you actually deserve to have all this after what you did?~
Her hand clenched the pillow as she recognized the male voice. It can't be… she thought as she slowly sat up and turned her head towards the window across from her bed. Keriam froze as she stared at the translucent figure standing in front of the window.
It was her stepfather.
~Remember? You killed me, you little bitch!~
Keriam screamed. Moments later the lights went on and the spector disappeared. She felt someone grab her arms and start shaking her. Keriam tried pushing the person away.
"Keriam! Sweetie, it's me!"
Her eyes fixated on the speaker, and then Keriam broke down into tears, hugging her aunt tightly.
"Oh, baby," Terry ran her hands over dark hair.
"…H-he was here…" Keriam sobbed against her aunt's shoulder.
"Who?"
"Him!" Keriam wailed.
Terry looked over her shoulder at Zack standing in the doorway. Joey appeared behind Zack, looking into the room at Keriam.
"I heard her screaming," he said, "is she okay?"
"She just had a nightmare," said Terry.
"No!" Keriam pulled away from her aunt and looked at her with red eyes. "He was here! I know it was him!"
"Keriam..." but she refused to listen.
Joey made his way inside and went to her other side. Opening his arms he drew his girlfriend into his embrace, not saying anything but trying to be a soothing presence.
Zack entered the room as well, looking around carefully before slowly making his way to the window and looked out. "I don't see anyone or anything," he said as he shut the curtains. "Keriam, are you sure you weren't dreaming?"
"No it was him, I saw him right outside the window! I wouldn't make this up!"
"Keriam hey I believe you," the blond said softly, refusing to let her go. "But we're here and we're not gonna let anyone hurt you." Deep in his heart he was getting nervous.
"Her stepfather?!" Cheri exclaimed.
Joey nodded. "She swears that she wasn't dreaming."
"Oh man," said Tristen.
No wonder she's been so quiet today, Seto thought, his own memories of Gozaborou tried to surface but he pushed them back.
Joey yawned and rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry," he stretched his arms and let them fall on the desk then his head falling on top. "I stayed up watching over her most of the night."
~Did you feel anything in her room?~ Marik asked. ~Like that someone or thing had been there previously?~
"No, not real… wait a minute…" Joey was quiet for a moment. "When I walked by the window across the foot of her bed, it felt really weird. Like a dark cold feeling…"
Marik looked at Malik. "Hey, Joey, is it okay if we swing by after school?"
He thought about it for a moment before slowly lifting his head up and nodded before yawning. "Yeah and only 'cuz you're better at sensing darkness than I am," he said tiredly.
~Was that a joke at my expense?~ Marik asked but Joey rested his head down once more and was fast asleep. ~…~
"I think he deserves a little sleep, at least until class start," Yugi said with a bit of sympathy.
Tristen rubbed his head as he thought all this over. "You know… I never believed in ghosts before all of this but now I find it hard not to believe in them. Do you really think Keriam's stepfather came back from the dead?"
"For Keriam's sake, I certainly hope not," Malik said with a bit of worry in his voice.
Cheri slowly moved to Keriam's side before slowly getting to her knees. "Keriam?" Reaching up she rested her hand on her arm. "Is there anything you need me to do?"
Keriam looked at her and shook her head. Cheri couldn't help noticing how some of the light and life that was in her eyes had faded a bit.
"I'll be alright," said Keriam.
"Okay, I'll call you after I get home from the doctor and Seto's." Giving her best friend's arm a quick squeeze, Cheri went back to her seat and the teacher came in.
Class seemed to crawl along and more than once Joey was threaten to have detention if he didn't quit falling asleep but he couldn't help it. Gym rolled around and the mood of the group seemed a bit down, depressing if you will. As the students changed the coach explained that today they would begin their unit on fitness training.
"Today we're going to see just how fit some of you are," she explained. "From that it's my job to help you with your weak spots and strengthen them. At the end of the semester we'll do this again and see how well you've done. As I call your name come up so we can get started. We're going to take this one at a time."
The first level was stretching to see how everyone measured up; followed by simple exercises and other such things that would sure enough get the heart pumping. In Joey case, it would certainly be enough to wake him up completely.
Cheri and Tea kept on eye on their Sister throughout gym class. Keriam seemed to hold up rather well, despite that she nearly jumped out of her skin every time her name was called. A few students found it humorous.
"Man, she's jumpy today," a boy near Malik, said quietly.
"Yeah," another spoke, "maybe Amierla's haunting her."
"Wouldn't surprise me. Keriam didn't go to the funeral."
"You expected her to? They hated each other."
Malik clenched his right hand tightly as Marik shifted angrily within. How dare they talk about Keriam and Amierla this way! True that the two girls weren't exactly close, but to speak ill of the dead and blame it on someone the departed person didn't like was uncalled for.
They jumped when they felt a hand rest almost heavily on his shoulder. "Just ignore them," Joey said quietly.
~How can you be so calm about this?~ Marik demanded angrily.
"I'm not calm, I'm the opposite. But picking a fight with them will do more harm than good. And Keriam needs us right now. Besides, I'd rather get them back when they least expect it." With that said Joey moved up when his name was called.
Marik blinked before smirking. ~Maybe they would like a personnel trip to the Shadow Realm, courtesy of us.~ Malik could almost feel the evil smirk creeping upon his lips.
~A short trip sounds like a good idea,~ he answered. ~They need a break anyways after all this testing the coach is having us do. Shall we handle it ourselves or should we ask Ryou and Bakura to help?~
~Hmm, Bakura would be upset if we cut him out of this event--even though they'll be in the Shadow Realm temporarily… ah, what the hell, let's include them.~
Malik nodded and silently moved over to the albino haired boy. He quickly whispered in his ear about what he had just heard and then their plan. Bakura was beyond thrilled about this and Ryou seemed hesitant but after making fun of their friend like this, he grudgingly agreed. They quickly set their plan into motion.
After class as everyone got ready to change two of the boys couldn't find their uniforms. Turned out the combination locks on their lockers had been picked at and everything inside was missing. They looked around the entire locker room, wondering where their clothes could be. They had no idea they were alone or that the door was slowly locking itself shut.
"Lose something?" Bakura asked, in control of Ryou's body.
"We don't appreciate it when someone talks behind our back; but you've crossed the line when you blamed Amiela's death on Keriam," Marik fairly growled out.
"What the hell?!" The boys looked at the two boys. They looked darker, more edgy than earlier and thought of nothing to fear but they didn't seem to notice as the room slowly faded away into a strange, blackish-purple fog began to form.
"What is this?!" one of the boys cried out as the purple and black fog enveloped them and strange blobs slithered across the ground.
"Welcome to the Shadow Realm," Bakura held his arms out and grinned sadistically.
"Don't worry," Marik brought his left hand up and tapped his chin in thought. "How long do you think we should leave them here? An hour?"
"I prefer eternity," Bakura crossed his arms, "but an hour sounds good enough. For now, at least."
"Ryou! Malik! What's the matter with you two?!" the other boy shouted.
"He's not Ryou."
"He's not Malik."
"Enjoy your stay in the Shadow Realm!" Marik smiled as he and Bakura vanished, returning to the locker room. The two spirits stepped out of their hikaris.
~Ah, that felt good,~ Bakura grinned and placed his hands behind his head.
~It's been ages since I last did that!~ Marik said with unsuppressed glee.
"As much as I want them to stay there don't forget in an hour we have to let them out," Malik reminded.
~Thanks killjoy.~
"C'mon, it's lunch time and the others will begin to worry if we don't hurry," Ryou added. The four of them left while two boys were in pure and utter fear of the world of duel monsters.
~YOU SENT THEM TO THE SHADOW REALM??!!~
Bakura rubbed his left ear. ~Must you bellow?~
~It's only for an hour, Yami~ Marik said.
The other's at the table did their best to hold back their laughter, both from what Malik and Ryou had told them what their darker halves had done--also taking part of the blame--and for Yami's reaction.
"Too bad you can't see his face, Tristen," Joey snickered as he watched the pharaoh glare at the other two spirits.
"I can imagine," his friend grinned.
Even Keriam seemed to perk up a bit at the scene before her. "Granted you guys went to an extreme on my behalf," she said, "but I do wish I could've seen the looks on their faces."
~What a pity we didn't have a Polaroid,~ Marik shrugged. ~Oh well.~
~There's always next time!~ Bakura smiled.
~Don't even think about it,~ Yami growled.
"Yami can you please relax? Those boys had it coming to them," tea said in, surprisingly, in their defense.
The pharaoh just looked at her wide-eyed. ~How can you say that?!~
"I call them as I see them. Besides, if it had Yugi they were making fun of I know you would've done the same thing."
Yami looked ready to retort but fell silent. Bakura and Marik laughed.
~The mighty pharaoh, speechless!~ the thief laughed.
Joey tried to keep the laugh down but he was grinning broadly. "Sometimes you guys actually do something good."
Knowing that they'd did something to defend a friend is a lot better than trying to take control of Yami's powers a couple years ago, Cheri thought.
Even Seto had to smile a little at the actions the spirits and their hosts had taken. He looked at his watch. "So they have another forty minutes."
"They're not going to lose their memories, are they?" Keriam looked at Marik.
He shook his head. ~They will forget who sent them to the Shadow Realm, but they will remember being in a very strange place and scared silly.~
"And then they're going to have to figure out how in the world they're going to explain why they missed lunch and another class," Ryou smiled.
~They brought it upon themselves,~ Bakura said.
"You know, its friends like you guys that make life easier to handle," Cheri smiled.
Seto waited patiently in the lobby of the doctor's office, fumbling through one of the many magazines just to kill time. Some of the articles he found were rather pointless and couldn't understand how some people could believe every word.
The articles that were written about himself, he found amusing.
When he heard Cheri's voice, Seto put the magazine down on the table and stood up. Cheri came out and smiled at him.
"Well?" he asked as the started out the door.
"I'll get the test results in a couple days," Cheri answered.
"For what?"
"I had a really bad infection when I was thirteen, and the doctor just wants to make sure nothing else was affected. That's why he always had me come back every few months."
"But you're fine? No side effects or anything?"
"So far none. C'mon, let's see if my mom is on her break." Taking his hand they headed down the hall.
Rose was at the reception desk, getting the files she needed for her next patient and such. She looked up when she saw her daughter and Seto. "Hi honey, how'd it go?"
"Same as always; I'll get the results in a few days."
"That's good. Hello Seto, how are you doing?"
"Very well, thank you," he answered politely.
"Always the polite one. Well, I have to rush off but I have to get the files ready for the next patients. Which reminds me, Cheri I have to work a double shift so stay with someone tonight? I don't want you home alone."
"Okay mom. Don't work too hard!" Rose smiled and embracing them waved as she headed for the examination room with files in hand.
"So, would you like to spend the night at my home?" Seto asked with a grin as they headed outside the hospital.
"Hmm, I don't know," teased Cheri. "I'll have to check my book and see if I can squeeze you in."
"Oh, I'm sure I you can fit me into that busy schedule of yours."
"Okay, you've convinced me. Just let me swing by my house so I can grab a few things."
"Of course."
Paul opened the door to the limo and the couple went inside. "Cheri's house."
The car started and pulled out of the parking lot. They reached Cheri's house and the young woman went inside while her boyfriend waited in the car. As soon as she went through the front door, Seto pulled out his cell phone and hit a quick-dial number.
"Mokuba, make sure everything is ready. Yes, tonight. Don't worry, I'll wake you up and let you know. And try not to grin too much. See you shortly." He ended the call and put his cell phone back in his pocket.
Making sure she had everything Cheri grabbed her bag and keys. Taking a look over she wrote a brief note so her mother wouldn't worry and headed out. Locking the door behind her she went back to the limo. Thanking the driver she slid in and smiled at her boyfriend. "All set."
"That was quick. You sure you have everything?" he asked with a smile as he pulled her close.
"Positive. I left mom a note so she doesn't worry," she smiled and leaned into him, playing with the buttons on his jacket.
"Forward, aren't you?" Seto smiled down at her.
"You wish."
"Must I remind you who had the advantage when you three transported us to that replica of Yami's Egyptian Palace?"
"It certainly wasn't you," Cheri grinned and put her arms around his neck. "Besides, I didn't hear you complaining. And weren't you the one that said you would rather I tied you to the bed?"
He chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing her onto his lap. "Guilty as charged. But what about that drawing of me held captive in nothing more than a loin cloth."
"Oh fine, you win. For now." Leaning forward she pressed her lips against his, taking her time. She didn't want to admit it but she was getting worried. She wasn't exactly bashful around sex as she used to be but she hadn't been able to get pregnant. Sure she was still young but she wanted to become a mother. She loved Seto and wanted to spend her life with him.
The kiss slowly broke off and Seto reached up, gently caressing her cheek. "Cheri? What's wrong?"
"... Seto, do you want to have a family? I mean someday?" she asked softly.
That question caught the CEO completely off guard. "Someday, yes. I'd like to have my own family, my own children… why do you ask?"
"Just wanted to know." Cheri smiled and leaned against his chest. Part of her felt ecstatic beyond anything yet another part of her was depressed. She had been feeling this way ever since that pregnancy scare Tea had a couple months ago.
The girls were at Tea's house and in said girl's bedroom, waiting for the egg timer to go off and check the result. Naturally, Tea's mother walked in.
"What is that?!" Mrs. Gardner glared at her daughter holding the pregnancy test.
"Mine…" Cheri said meekly to cover her Sister.
"Cheri!"
"Ninety-eight percent effective," Keriam spoke.
"This from the one who's on the pill," said Tea.
"I'm off the pill. My doctor said I don't have to be on it anymore."
The timer rang and the girls looked at the result. Negative.
All four sighed.
"Cheri, in a way I am sorry but you're too young to have children now," said Mrs. Gardner. "And the tabloids would have a field day if you were pregnant by Seto Kaiba."
"Yeah..." she said softly. Mrs. Gardner left and all three of them sighed in relief.
"That was too close!" Tea said as she sat down heavily. "Thanks Cheri."
"No problem but man you are lucky."
"That was too close... I hate to think what would happen if the test came up positive," Keriam said with a slight frown.
"If my mom's reaction is any indication, not good. We'll just have to be careful."
Careful. Sure there had been a few times the two of them used protection but what about the other times. She was having her cycles regularly like clockwork so what was the problem?
The limo pulled to a stop and Paul opened the door for them. "We're home," he said. He helped Cheri out then closed the door behind Seto. "Anything else, boss?"
"For now no; take the evening off, Paul." Thanking him he led his love inside.
"Go into anything personal and I'll hurt you," Keriam warned.
~So I guess this dresser is off limits,~ said Marik.
"Correct."
Joey and Malik were downstairs in the living room playing video games, distracting Terry and Zack while Marik walked around Keriam's bedroom.
~Right here?~ he asked as he stopped, pointing to the space before the window.
Keriam nodded. "That's where he was."
Marik turned back to the area, and then his eyes began to glow. He could see it--a ripple of several dark shades of purple right in front of him near the junction of the wall and floor.
~It's a tear,~ Marik said as his eyes returned to normal.
"A tear?" Keriam asked. "What do you mean?"
~It's a tear between the barrier of this world and the Shadow Realm. That's how your stepfather was able to get in your room.~
"But what you're saying… that would mean my stepfather was sent to the Shadow Realm when he died."
~I hate to say it but it looks that way.~
"But how did he get there?" Keriam demanded and gasped at the next thought. "Oh great Ra, what about my mother?"
~Again I don't know but something is very wrong... How and why was he sent to the Shadow Realm?~ Looking at her he walked over and slowly wrapped his arms around her. ~Keriam, please try to calm down. We will figure this out.~
"But Marik my mother could be in danger!" she protested, fear evident in her eyes.
~I doubt it. Your stepfather deserved what he got but your mother didn't so I'm sure she's safe. Te Shadow realm is the home of duel monsters but it's also a type of eternal hell for damned souls. Why do you think Bakura and I felt so at home there every time Yami banished us?~
"I guess... is there anyway we can stop him?"
~I'm no sure but first we have to try and seal this tear. But that brings up another question, why is this happening? Both worlds were separated for a reason.~
"Do you think... this has to do with us losing our powers?"
~... I'm afraid that's the key in this little mystery...~
"You think Malik would mind if you stayed here tonight?" Keriam asked.
Marik blinked at her. ~I don't know,~ he said, ~Malik might not have too much of problem but…~
"I'll handle Joey," Keriam smiled at him.
~Okay,~ Marik nodded.
