"Arise from Darkness"
By Heikou and Janime
Chapter Seven
Unusual Gifts
Malik pulled the pale blue T-shirt over his head and slid his arms through the short sleeves. He looked at his reflection in the mirror and then noticed Marik's reflection as he watched his now shorter other half finish dressing.
"You don't have them," said Marik.
Malik turned around. "Have what?"
"The hieroglyphs--you don't have them on your back."
Malik reached behind under his shirt and touched the skin of his back, discovering it smooth and not any trace of significant indents engraved upon the tanned flesh.
"If... I don't have them, then..." His eyes widen and he looked at Marik.
Marik frowned as he reached behind his back only to encounter thick scarring. Turning his back to the mirror he lifted the back of his own shirt. There, the passage was carved into his skin as if he had been the one to go through the pain. "Happy birthday to me..." he mumbled.
Malik reached out and lightly traced the marks before blinking at how small his hand looked. "This is another chance for me... but I can live under the sun instead of hiding from it..." he whispered.
The older boy let his shirt drop and turned to face him, kneeling to his level. "Hey, cheer up. You may look like you're ten years old but you still have the mind of a teenager."
He smiled up at him. "You make it sound like a good thing."
"Wheeler can't get made at you for staring at Keriam." Standing he ruffled his hair. "Better get finished dressing the others are waiting for us."
"I'm surprised that Mokuba kept his old clothes," Malik pulled on the socks and shorts. "How do I look?"
"Like a boy ready for summer," Marik grinned and they left the room, heading downstairs where the others were waiting in the living room.
Yami and Bakura were now dressed in decent clothing, courtesy of their hikaris having raced to their homes and grabbing a few necessities. Yami had on a pair of trousers and a dark undershirt. Bakura was wearing a snug black shirt and dark jeans.
Cheri and Tea were back into regular clothing again. Keriam was still in the Wingweaver dress. Her wings were now gone having figured out how to retract them; the only evidence were six evenly spaced lines on her back near her shoulder blades.
Tea had managed to magic her outfit and staff away but could also call upon them at will. Cheri didn't have that much luck but had her outfit hidden away and with Tea's help managed to will the blades away but the gold braces with large gemstones remained. "So, now we have three extra people," she sighed and curled her legs underneath her body.
"Yami can stay with me," Yugi spoke up. "It's not much but the sofa folds out into a bed. We just don't use it very often."
"That's fine with me," Yami said with a wave of his hand. "Solomon more or less knows about me anyway."
"So that leaves Bakura and Malik," Tea counted.
"Well I still have that guestroom where Malik was staying in," Ryou spoke up.
"Wrong. I'm taking that room now," Bakura spoke up. "Since we each have a solid form I doubt we can go back to our soul rooms and sleep like we used to."
"I don't think so, either," said Marik. "And I'm not giving up that room. The bed's large enough for Malik and me to share."
"I'm not sleeping on the couch," Bakura narrowed his eyes. "Why don't you stay with your sister and Rashid at the hotel?"
Marik crossed his arms. "Because they only booked one room."
Everyone looked at Ishizu and Rashid. Ishizu pulled at the Millennium Necklace as if it had tightened a little, while Rashid shifted uncomfortably.
"Aaaaah," the Sisters of the Moon chorused.
Joey held his hand out to Tristen. "Pay up," said the blonde.
"Joey, you didn't!!" Keriam exclaimed as she glared at him.
Tristen sighed and made to reached for his wallet but froze when he found himself staring at the tip of a blue and gold staff. He blinked and swallowed as it moved under his chin, making him look back. Tea looked furious as she glared at him angrily.
"If you even think of paying for such a stupid and meaningless bet I'm going to see just what spells I can practice on you," she threaten.
"Um I promise I won't?" You could see he was now terrified of the dancer turned magician as she sat back with her arms crossed over her chest but still held her staff.
"Keriam… I respect that Joey's your boyfriend but I have to agree with Tea," Cheri said slowly as she leveled a glare at both of the boys each in turn. "That was a stupid and sick bet."
"I know," she looked at the blonde and soon the young man had his head hanging as he mumbled an apology.
"So that still leaves the question of where they will be staying," Seto brought up as he tried to get the spotlight off Ishizu and Rashid.
"They're always your place," Bakura pointed out.
"I don't think so."
"Afraid I'll steal something?"
"That and the media will begin to spread rumors if they see you moving into the mansion."
"Besides, how are we going to explain you to my mom? As far as she knows, Ryou is an only child, and Malik has an older sister and someone he considers a brother," Cheri added as she began to braid a curl restlessly.
"So do Aunt Terry and Uncle Zack," said Keriam. "They'll be home by tomorrow night, and we're graduating in few days."
Tea sighed as she sat next to Yugi. "Could this day get any better?"
"So you have found the answer to the riddle," spoke a male voice and everyone in the room tensed.
A man walked through the far wall, carrying a golden scale and small orb in his hands with a gold ankh in the shape of a key hanging from a thick cord around his neck.
Yami stood up and nodded his head to the new arrival. "Shadi..."
"Shadi?!" Cheri growled and for a moment she saw red as she fairly bolted from the couch and made her way to him. Stopping in front of him she glared angrily before pulling her first back and planted one firmly in the middle of his face. "You stupid jerk!!" Reaching down she pulled him up and slammed him against the wall. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't strangle you with the damn key?!"
"Whoa Cheri calm down!!" Marik yelled as he stood and tried grabbing her arm but let go when she stomped on his foot. "Damnit what was that for?!"
"This is between me and him. He's got a lot to pay for."
"But he's on our side!" Yugi protested. "He's a good guy!"
Seto managed to get behind his fiancée and wrapping his arms around her waist pulled her back but she wasn't willing to go peacefully as she kept a strangle hold on his cloak. "Cheri let go already! I'm sure you broke his nose!" he tried soothing her temper but she just growled.
"Oh that's just the beginning. He gave Pegasus the damn eye; he killed people under Anubis' name; he nearly killed Yugi when he wanted to challenge Yami to a damn Shadow Game; he had someone nearly choke Joey to death and push him out the window; he put Tea's life in danger by turning her into a damn puppet with this Ra damned key!!"
The brunette blinked as she slowly stood. "What are you talking about? I've never meet him before!"
Cheri stopped struggling when her hand was pried off and just heaved before looking at her Sister. "Do you remember when those curators were found dead? Do you remember the professor that tried to kill Joey even after you knocked out three of his teeth?" She nodded and Joey remembered as he glared at Shadi who was holding his bleeding nose. "FYI Sister, he entered your soul room, changed it so you were a soulless puppet and then used you as bait to lure Yami out for a damn Shadow Game." But she turned her gaze back at him. "Or should I use the term, 'a pretty doll without memories or a voice'?"
Tea blinked and then her eyes widened as the memories came back to her. Scowling, the Daughter of Osiris rose slowly from the couch and walked over to Shadi.
The Keeper managed to sit upright and looked at Tea; her face was calm but the look in her eyes was like the high point of a hurricane. The next thing Shadi knew, he was lying on the floor again with a sharp pain now on the right side of his face.
Tea rested her scepter over her shoulder and glared down at Shadi. "Anything else you'd like to tell what you made me do?"
Keriam quickly went to her Sister and placed her hands on the other girl's shoulders. "Tea, please go back to the couch," said Keriam. "Everyone, back off."
As the others moved away, Keriam went over to Shadi and healed him, knowing full well that Tea and Cheri were glaring at her back. The Daughter of Ra helped the Keeper stand up.
"Thank you," said Shadi. "Apparently, the Daughter of Ra has more-" He was cut off as Keriam sent her knee to his groin. All the men in the room flinched.
"That's for being a complete moron," Keriam said and stepped back. "This is for what you did that almost cost Joey's life!" She pulled back her right fist and slammed it into the left side of the Keeper's face. He fell to the floor and rolled onto his back. Keriam placed a sandaled foot against Shadi's throat. "And give me one good reason why I shouldn't crush your windpipe for lying to Marik?"
Shadi grabbed her ankle and tried moving her foot away, but Keriam applied more pressure. "Hands off or I will kill you, Shadi." She was not lying, the tone in her voice said that Keriam would.
"Keriam please! I'm sure he has a good reason for being here!" Ishizu said as she held her hands out.
"So we can use him for a punching bag?" Cheri growled. "May I remind you that because of him, Marik decided to go and kill Yami because he said it was the Pharaoh's fault you lived underground when it was really your father's fault? People who serve the gods worship the sun not shun it. Then thing took over your brother's body and nearly killed Ryou, and then tried to kill you and Rashid."
"Mr. Ishtar had his best intention for his clan," Rashid said with a scowl.
"Oh don't you even try to defend him and don't give me that look!" she snapped at him angrily.
"After everything he deserves everything we've been throwing at him," Tea glowered as she gripped her staff tightly then sighed deeply. "But I think we should hear him out."
"As much as I hate to say it... we should. I'm sure Anubis is very happy with you," Cheri growled as she began to lightly pace.
Joey slowly made his way over and rested his hand on Keriam's shoulder. "I know you and the others are very upset but... hear him out? Afterwards you can beat him black and blue or whatever. Please?"
Keriam said nothing and removed her foot from the Keeper's neck, allowing him to breathe easier. She turned away, not bothering to heal him again. "By the way, Shadi, I've been wanting to do that for a very long time."
Yami walked over to Shadi and helped the Keeper to stand. Well, at least Keriam didn't do too much damage to his face, the Pharaoh frowned a little at the bruise forming on Shadi's cheek.
The Keeper nodded his thanks to Yami. Carefully, Shadi leaned down and retrieved the Scale and Eye from the floor. "Now will you please let me explain why I have come here?" he asked as he gave the Sisters of the Moon a light scowl.
"Keep making that face and I'm gonna carve you a new one," Cheri warned even as Seto pulled her against him.
Bakura couldn't help but smirk. About time, he thought to himself a bit smugly.
"So why are you here?" Yugi asked as he took Tea's hand in his own, having her sit next to him but didn't mind as she kept her specter handy.
"I have something for the Sisters of the Moon." He wordlessly removed the key from his neck and held the item out.
Joey looked at the items before looking up at him with a stern look on his face. "You don't seem the type that hands out gifts of any sort."
Shadi only closed his eyes as the three Millennium Items floated from his hands. The Key went to Keriam, the Eye went to Tea, and the Scales went to Cheri. Everyone watched as the ancient magical relics settled on the Sisters of the Moon's laps.
"There is no way I am putting that thing in my left eye socket," Tea said flatly.
"You don't have to," Shadi told her. "It can reside in your scepter."
"Why are you giving these to us?" Keriam asked as she turned the Key over in her hands.
"The Daughter of Isis said to give them to you after the merge."
"... You know the Daughter of Isis?" He nodded and Cheri almost lunged at him but Seto held her tight. "Oh come on he deserves another whack!"
"I'm tempted to hit him as well but I'm afraid you'll kill him," Seto explained. "That should be left to us."
"... Fair enough."
"Shadi... why didn't you tell us that you knew about Isis' Daughter?" Marik asked slowly although he kept clenching and unclenching his hands.
"I was told not to. She said that you would have to figure the riddle out for yourselves and that I couldn't help you."
"Help? What have you done to help us?" one of the girls snorted.
Tea looked at the eye, watching the light glint off it before shuddering and closed her fingers around it tightly. "So now what do we do with it? Are they ours to keep or are you going to take them back when we're done?"
"That is up to the Items," said the Keeper. "They choose their masters."
"So why did the Millennium Rod leave Marik and go back to Seto?" Tristen asked. "I know that Seto was the High Priest five thousand years ago, but Marik had it first in this lifetime."
"They choose the most suitable to be their master."
"Ousted again, eh, Marik?" Bakura smirked.
Marik returned the expression. "I don't see the Ring around your neck."
The thief jumped from the couch and tackled the darker boy.
Malik looked at Ryou. "Well, at least something hasn't changed."
Tristen and Rashid ran over to the feuding duo and pulled them apart.
"So now what? I mean we're merged with our favorites, we have Millennium Items, what do we do?" Cheri asked as she ran her finger along the scale. It felt weird to be holding the item but also... it felt right.
"We must repair the Shadow Realm before it merges with this world," Ishizu said.
"We know that but how? These things don't exactly come with instructions," Keriam sighed as she looped the key around her neck.
Yami frowned as he sat down and tried to think it over. "I think... if you can enter the Shadow Realm maybe... maybe if we pool the item's powers together we can seal it or something."
"Nice idea but I don't think that's gonna be that easy. Yo Shadi, two questions for ya," Joey said as he looked at the Keeper.
"As long as I don't get struck again," he answered as he looked at everyone cautiously.
"You brought it upon yourself," Tea said under her breath.
"First, do you know the Daughter of Isis real name? Two, what do we do now? I mean we answered the riddle, the girls are alive, and now they have those creepy items."
"She didn't tell me her name," Shadi answered.
"Oh brother," Keriam groaned and stood up, pacing around the room.
"As to what you do now," the Keeper shrugged, "you have to figure that out for yourselves. I have done what I was instructed and can no longer help you."
"You're really more of an annoyance than help, Shadi," Cheri narrowed her eyes at him.
"Cheri, please," Yami looked at her. "His line has been guarding my family's burial grounds for many generations."
"Sorry about changing the subject," Marik spoke, finally released from Rashid's grip; Bakura was back on the couch, fuming slightly. "Why did we split, and why is Malik a child?"
"That I definitely do not know," said Shadi. "All the Daughter of Isis told me was that the Sisters of the Moon's powers were fading because the barrier holding back the Shadow Realm was weakening. Light and Dark shall divide, and the Sisters shall merge with their favorites."
Tea looked at the three pairs of look-a-likes. "Well, the Light and Dark dividing could have been a little clearer..."
"But why am I ten?" Malik exclaimed.
"When you're ten, nobody listens," said Mokuba, who had been quiet the entire time, listening and watched what happened.
Shadi felt a light tap on his shoulder; he turned and faced Keriam. She plunged the Millennium Key into his forehead.
When he recovered, Shadi found himself standing in a stone-like hallway with a wooden door before him. "My soul room..." he whispered.
"Nothing like the taste of your own medicine, Keeper?"
Shadi turned around. "Why have you done this?"
The Daughter of Ra narrowed her eyes. "I want to make sure you're not hiding anything. So if it's alright with you, I'm going to have a nice little tour of your soul room."
"You have no right to do this to me!"
"Like you had any right to do what you already did! Granted, a couple of those men you killed weren't the best model citizens of the city, and Yugi would most likely never see the Millennium Puzzle again, but there could have been another way!"
Now he fell silent and lowered his head. Keriam said nothing as she brushed past him and opened the door.
His room was covered in sand and it looked like she was walking into the desert itself. The rooms were painted with the images of Egypt and hieroglyphics. What looked like a large stone coffin seemed nearly buried in the ground that she nearly tripped over. Frowning she knelt down and ran her fingers over it. All the indents were in the shape of the Millennium Items. "Guardian's Tomb..." Standing she looked around before noticing a large statue of Anubis in the corner made of black stone and gold accents. "Strong beliefs in Anubis." So far she found nothing wrong but there was something missing, there was no mention of friends or family members. The room was lonely and had an odd chill to it despite the burning heat.
Hearing light footsteps in the sand, Keriam turned and looked at Shadi. "You're an orphan."
The Keeper nodded. "I have lived my entire life completely alone. I had no idea who my parents were until after my father's death, when the Millennium Key was sent to me. I was still a child then. I found Yami's tomb and everything had been written down as to why I had to survive like a street rat." He shrugged. "Not knowing who my family was. This is why I am the way I am--it was all done to protect both me and the tomb."
Keriam felt a pang of sympathy and understanding. "I'm sorry."
Shadi nodded to her. "Someday, I will have to do the same to my child. Never know who he or she is, only pray that the Key will guide my child as it guided me."
"But that isn't right," she countered.
"It is the way it must be done. I have no choice."
"… Everyone has a choice, Shadi." Gripping the key she walked out of the room and felt herself back in her body.
Everyone watched as the two blinked before the Daughter of Ra moved to sit back down, holding the Key tightly. Cheri and Tea looked at each other before looking at their third Sister. Something was up and they wanted to know. But later hopefully.
~
Cheri sat outside on the porch as she drew in her book. She sighed in frustration as she just made a large doodle on the page, pausing from time to time to look at the Millennium Scale at her side. Lightly tapping it with her pencil she slouched even more and stared at the page of her book.
"… Forget this." Setting her book aside she laid back and just stared up. She blinked when someone looked down at her.
"Am I interrupting you?" Shadi asked.
"No just thinking." She sat up and moved her stuff aside as he sat down. For a while neither said anything but what was there to say? Fingering the scales Cheri sighed and closed her eyes. "I'm sorry."
The Keeper looked at her in mild surprise.
"I'm sorry, for striking you," Cheri repeated softly. "I know that you were doing your duties but… I dunno I guess I just jumped the gun for a minute."
"It is alright. I know that my actions did not seem sound but I had no choice," he said quietly.
"Everyone has a choice."
"The Daughter of Ra told me the same thing."
Cheri smiled as she carefully wrapped her arms around her knees. "Shadi, can you tell me about Egypt? I've always wanted to go there, even when I was a kid. My mom couldn't understand why I wanted to go see a place covered in sand but… then again I'm not exactly ordinary."
"Why do you not ask one of the others?" he asked, not to be rude but was wondering why she was being so nice to him.
"The Ishtars have been living underground most of their life and even when they were able to walk in the sunlight they were too busy with the God cards and stuff. You lived there, you experienced it first hand."
"… Very well then. Egypt is a beautiful country that even know with modern civilization one can still see how people thousands of years ago lived. It is still alive with legends and mystery but, there is also a dark side to such a glorious land. When one has no one to help them or a home to come to it makes life difficult. It is something no one should go through no matter who they are," he said quickly, never once looking at her.
Just like Bakura after his entire village was killed, Cheri thought to herself but looking at him, she noticed something. Reaching out she tentively touched his hand. When he looked at her she met his eyes saw what he had been trying to hide.
He had no one in his life; no family, no friends, no one. At first she had been upset but now, she wasn't sure to feel pity or sadness. She had felt like that after her father left the family and even worse when he died but, she had her mother and she had Keriam. Now she had more friends and family than before but she couldn't have children of her own.
She could feel the tears slowly build and threaten to fall she quickly looked away, folding her arms atop her knees and rested her chin on them. "No one should be alone…" she said softly. "To lead a life with no one to care about you… it makes the heart grow cold until it can beat no more."
Shadi looked at her with wide eyes. She had been able to see his true emotions but now, what she said, if was as if she were speaking from experience but how? She had a family and friends. "Unfortunately, one must give up everything for a cause."
"A price too high for some to take, especially when you must walk it alone." Sighing a bit shakily she rubbed at her eyes and rubbed her eyes before rubbing her hands on her pants. "Shadi… I was wrong about you. I'm sorry for hitting you but I just needed to let it out of my system but…" Now she looked at him. "You don't have to be alone."
"What do you mean?"
"Just what I said. Join us!"
"What? No I cannot."
"Why not? You can help us and you understand the situation. You'll be among friends!"
"But this is too dangerous. What if something were to happen?"
"Like what? Look we've been kidnapped, brainwashed, used as bait, nearly died summoning the gods, fought a dark god, watched someone die before our eyes and have their soul devoured, have our power sucked out of our bodies, nearly died from that same power loss, have merged with our favorite Duel Monster, and on top of that we're have household chores, after school jobs, and finals with graduations coming up," he counted off on her fingers all in the same breathe. "After all of that I think we can take on anything the world throws at us! But you know how we got through all of that? We did it together, as friends and family."
"You… You would consider me… a part of your group?" he whispered.
"I would. Look, we serve under the same god so in a way that sort of makes us like siblings. But like you've been told: everyone has a choice so it's up to you." Smiling she tucked the pencil in her hair and picked up her stuff before standing. "Think it over. Laterz." Waving she headed inside to relax some.
~
Bakura muttered to himself as he fluffed the pillows, setting them at one end of the couch. He had to look on the bright side to sleeping in the living room. One, he had access to the television and two, the refrigerator.
Once the pillows were in place, Bakura stretched out along the large piece of furniture, grateful that it was made of a cotton-based material and not leather. He shifted slightly, grunting as his boxer shorts rode up on him a little, and fixed them before placing his hands behind his head and closed his eyes.
"Bakura?"
The thief opened his eyes and looked at his hikari. "What?"
"I just wanted to see if you needed anything else and that I'm sorry about this," he sad quietly.
"I'm fine. Not like I'm gonna live on this sofa forever," he replied.
"Yeah..." He wanted to say something else but… "Bakura?"
"What?"
"What will you do with your life? I mean now that you have a solid form, what will you do?"
Bakura snorted. "I won't be hitting any convenience stores if that's what you're worried about."
"That's one part."
"Don't forget, Ryou, this is a result of the Sisters merging with their favorite Duel Monsters. This new body I have might be temporary."
"I haven't thought about that..." Ryou said quietly. "It still feels weird not having you inside with me."
"You know, some people would take it that wrong way." He chuckled as Ryou blushed brightly but his eyes widen as he watched him pick up a pillow and bring down on his head.
Hard.
"Bakura that was just--don't say that again!" he exclaimed.
"It was a joke!"
"Some joke. Good night."
"Night." Rubbing his head Bakura sighed and lay back down. Grumbling to himself he closed his eyes but smirked a bit. Maybe now I can dream in peace.
~
"What are you doing?" Marik asked as Malik set two pillows lengthwise in the center of the bed.
"We're in separate bodies now," the younger answered, "but just in case you dream about Keriam, I want a divider between me and your hentai subconscious."
"For the love of Nuit," Marik grumbled as he settled on the other side of the bed.
Malik yawned as he curled up on the bed beneath the blanket. Today's actions had taken a lot out of everyone but he was more than certain that the Sisters would be the ones most tired. By all rights he should be asleep but it seemed Marik had other ideas.
"Malik, you asleep?" Marik asked, looking over at him.
"No but I'm about to," he sighed and closed his eyes.
"This merge, do you think we'll return to ourselves after this is over?" he asked.
"I don't know but if not, make the best of it," came the mumbled reply.
"I would but Wheeler doesn't trust me in the same room with Keriam, especially now that I'm not a spirit." He looked up at the ceiling as thoughts came to mind.
"Marik don't even think about it now go to sleep! You have to go to school tomorrow." The bed shifted and he opened his eyes to look over his shoulder at the now sitting young man.
"Why do I have to go to school!?"
"Do you honestly think they're going to believe I'm a high school senior?"
"… Fine but there is no way I'm taking your final exams."
"Whatever. Now will you at least let me sleep?"
"Gee quick being such a baby." He yelped when he felt a hard pinch in the side. "Ow! What was that for!?"
"I'm ten years old, do I need an excuse? Night." Curling up once more he closed his eyes and within moments, he was fast asleep.
Marik looked down at him, surprising himself by smiling before laying down and looked out the window. The night was quiet it seemed to lull him into sleep. Making himself comfortable he pulled the blanket around him and closed his eyes.
Maybe this won't be so bad after all, was the final thought going through his mind as he drifted to sleep.
~
~Hey, Yami.~
"Yes, aibou?"
"Oh good! It still works!" Yugi beamed. "I wanted to see if we could still talk telepathically. Seems that we can."
Yami smiled as he picked up the couch cushions and placed them against the wall near the bathroom door. Yugi then pulled the folded bed out and slapped his hands on the mattress, coughing a little when the dust flew into the air. "Are you sure you don't want to use my bed?"
"Don't worry, once the sheets are on, there shouldn't be too much of a problem; and if there is, I'll kick you out of your bed." Yami grinned at his hikari.
Yugi couldn't help laughing. "At least grandpa wasn't too shocked when we explained what happened."
"True. The worse we could have done is given him a heart attack."
Solomon seemed surprised but not too much. When he was given the whole story, starting form eth beginning he had said he shouldn't have been kept in the dark but didn't hold it again them. He was just happy that Yami was living up to being a true guardian and protecting him when he couldn't. The boys looked up as Solomon came in with clean sheets, a blanket and pillows.
"Here you go. Ah I see you managed to get the bed out," he said as he handed the sheets to his grandson.
"It's kinda dusty but so far in good shape," Yugi said as they began to pull the sheet over the mattress.
"I appreciate this, Mr. Motou," Yami started to say but paused when the old man looked up at him.
"No need for thanks and call me Grandpa. Everyone else does."
Yami nodded. "As you wish."
"Anyway boys, you two better get to sleep. Especially you, Yugi, aren't the exams starting tomorrow for you?"
"Yeah, I'm one of the luckier ones," his grandson grumbled and Yami laughed.
"Goodnight boys," Solomon left the room.
"Night, Grandpa!" Yugi called
"Goodnight... Grandpa," said Yami.
~
Students sweated over their exams as they wrote in answers. Some looked confident but a great majority was chewing their pencils to toothpicks. Marik growled as he scratched his head. All these questions made no sense he didn't see a point of it but then again, Malik was giving him the answers from the safety of home.
~Okay the answer should be true,~ Malik said.
~Your test.~ Marik circled 'T' for truth and moved on. ~Wonder how the others are doing.~
~Probably worrying about this but Yami and Bakura can't help them.~
~Would they even ask for help?~ He looked up at his fellow classmates.
Joey frowned as he chewed on the eraser of his pencil. Think think think... Oh forget it; I'm going with this answer. He wrote his answer down and moved to the next question. I hate tests.
~I said it before I'll say it again; looks like we'll be joining Keriam next year,~ Marik grinned to himself as he looked back on the paper.
Malik sighed and told him the answer to the next question.
Keriam let out a quiet sigh as she finished her test, setting down the pencil and flipped her answer sheet over. She took a quick glance around the room, seeing a few other students had also finished early as the rest struggled along.
The one time I'll envy Seto in this life, Keriam thought. Well, at least I don't have to take the literature exam. She stretched her arms above her head. I wonder how everyone else is doing.
"If anyone has finished, please bring up your answer sheet and test book," said Mr. Hames. "You may leave but be back here in time for your next exam."
Those already finished gathered their tests and answer sheets, placing them in two piles on the teacher's desk and then left the classroom.
Keriam walked down the hall and almost bumped into Yugi.
"Hi, Keriam," he smiled. "Finished early?"
"Yeah, went better than I thought," she answered as they walked out to the courtyard, sitting under the trees away from the few other students who were also there for a breather. "So how are Bakura, Yami, and Malik?"
"Yami and Malik are fine," the short boy answered. "Bakura's being a pain."
"Why am I not surprised?" Keriam smiled.
Yugi chuckled and paused. "Yami said that he wouldn't mind changing places with me right now."
She couldn't help but smile. "So what is the former thief doing?"
Yugi was silent as he listened to his darker self. "For one thing he's annoying Yami to no end and trying to get Malik to tell Marik the wrong answers on his final."
"I bet Marik isn't happy with that. But still, if Marik was home with Bakura they would probably be dead."
Yugi laughed at the mental image. "Yami says if they did that he would gladly bury them together so they can give someone else gray hairs in the afterlife."
Tristen sighed as he walked out of the building, enjoying the sunlight. Man my fingers are stiff, he complained to himself as he rubbed his fingers. Looking up he walked over to where Keriam and Yugi were sitting. "Hey guys, how'd it go so far?"
"I think I did okay," Keriam answered.
"Me too," said Yugi. "How about you?"
"Finished but I hate true or false," Tristen sighed and slumped against the tree. "The way some of the statements are written, you can't tell."
"Multiple choices are fun," Keriam snorted.
"So you made it out."
"Hey, Duke," Yugi greeted the new arrival.
Devlin sat down besides Keriam and looked at the trio. "Okay," he said quietly, "please explain to me why Marik is taking Malik's tests. Punishment?"
"Not entirely but there is a reason." Keriam cupped her hand over her mouth and Devlin's ear.
His green eyes widened as she told him the abridged version of what happened. Devlin pulled back and stared at her. "You've got to be kidding..."
"No, I'm not," Keriam shook her head.
"But that means... all of them?"
Three heads nodded.
"There's a little more to the story," said Yugi. "But if you can wait until after school, we'll tell you everything."
"Oh this I have to see for myself! Is it okay if I come over?"
"I don't see a problem with that," Yugi nodded.
Tristen continued rubbing his hand that he noticed that Cheri was coming out of one of the buildings. "Hey Cheri!" He waved but either she didn't see him or was ignoring him. Silently she turned the corner and kept walking. The group just watched.
"Huh, maybe I wasn't yelling loud enough." Tristen said as he rubbed his head.
"No I think she has a lot on her mind right now," Yugi added.
More than you realize, Keriam thought privately.
~
Cheri sighed as she leaned against the building, hands behind her before slowly sinking down and wrapped her arms around her knees tightly. Without warning, tears slowly ran down her face. It had been happening a few times since her blood test results but she had tried very hard not to let anyone, including Seto, see her cry. Her mother had explained that she was just depressed and tried to comfort her when she could but it wasn't the same.
No. No I can't think about that now. Just few more tests then graduation, she thought to herself as she quickly rubbed at her eyes, taking a deep breathe and stood. Dusting the back of her skirt she took another deep breathe and decided to head back to class. Reaching up she rested her hand on her stomach before slowly dropping to her side.
~Bakura?~
~Oh, so now you're going to talk me,~ the thief grumbled. ~Give me one good reason why I shouldn't sever the link?~
Ryou frowned. ~You were asking me where the peanut butter was in the refrigerator while I was in the middle of an exam!~
~So?~
Ryou sighed as he walked towards the courtyard. ~Why didn't you ask Yami or Malik to get it for you?~
~Please!~ Bakura said in disgust. ~They are the last people on earth and the Shadow Realm I would ever ask for anything!~
~You're impossible at times.~ Turning the corner he bumped into someone. "Oh sorry about that."
"Ryou?" Cheri weakly smiled at him. "Hey how'd the exams go?"
"Oh they went alright. Unless you have this annoying voice asking where the peanut butter is located."
"Bakura? Why didn't he ask Yami or Malik for help?"
"Asking for help is beneath him." He sighed. "He startled me so I had to block him out and now he's throwing a hissy fit."
~I am not!!~ the thief yelled.
"Yeah... Hey wanna come with me? I'm thinking of just walking around some."
"Sure," Ryou smiled. ~Okay, Bakura, I'll see you guys when I get home.~
~Come on! Don't cut the link now!~
~Bye!~ Ryou severed the link. "So how about your exams?"
"I'm doing okay."
"Cheri, what's wrong?"
She stopped and looked at him.
"Ever since Bakura and I found you that day Talbert's body was discovered, you've been awfully quiet and distant from everyone. Maybe not so much as Keriam, Tea and Seto but... this isn't like you."
Cheri took a deep breath and sighed, preventing herself from letting any tears fall. "I can't talk about it, right now at least."
"Cheri, I'm here if you want to talk. Please;" he reached out to take her hand in his own. "I just want to help."
"... No one can help me now. Hey, we got more important things to worry about." Giving his hand a squeeze she walked off but it took everything she had not to break down once more.
Although the link was blocked Bakura could feel what felt like a wave of sadness. He tried to open the link but it was no use. What the hell is going on out there? he asked himself. Cursing he plopped down on the sofa and glared at the TV. I hate being left out of things.
Malik leaned over the armrest. "Hi."
"What do you want?" Bakura narrowed his eyes.
"Nothing," Malik grinned at Bakura.
The thief stared at him for some time then turned his attention back to the TV. "Go away, Malik."
"Marik's on a break now and he'll let me know when he's heading back to finish the rest of the exams."
"So why don't you go study or whatever."
"I'm telling Marik the answers from what I already know," Malik jumped over the armrest and sat down. "I don't like to cheat."
"Ain't that sweet. Go bug the pharaoh or something," he growled.
"Bugging you is more fun," the boy smiled at him almost impishly.
"Whatever kid." Looking around he located the remote and began to channel surf. "I know what you can do, go make me a sandwich."
"I'm not your servant so go make it yourself," Malik frowned at him.
"I don't know where the peanut butter is."
"Didn't you ask Ryou?"
"He blocked me."
"I wonder why."
"Shut up!"
"I see you'll argue with anyone, even a child," Yami taunted as he entered the room, eating a sandwich he made and sat on the armchair. "By the way, Duke is coming over after school."
The former king of thieves looked at the former king of Egypt. "What the hell does he want? To lose to you in his own game again?"
"Must you criticize everyone?"
"It's one of my many talents."
"Right… He wants to meet us." He took a bite from his sandwich. "He thought Marik was taking Malik's tests as a punishment."
"If I did that I would be held behind," Malik said.
"At least you'd have Wheeler for company," Bakura grinned, "much Marik's dismay."
Yami rolled his eyes.
Malik paused for a moment. "Break's over," he said and left the room.
"What'd he leave for?" Bakura frowned
"When you said to tell Marik that the answer for the height of Mt. Everest is 8850 meters is false," Yami took another bite of his sandwich and swallowed, "its better if he tells Marik the answers when he's away from you."
Bakura snorted and looked off to the side. After a long moment of silence, "Where's the peanut butter?"
"Middle shelf, to the left, behind the pickles."
Snorting again he got up and headed to the kitchen. Yami smiled as he ate in peace.
~
School was finally over and as students milled out nearly everyone sighed in relief. Just a few more days and the senior class wouldn't have to worry about high school every again. Joey yawned behind his hand as he leaned against the stone fence surrounding their school.
"I can't wait to get home and sleep... Or maybe I should eat first," he wondered out loud.
"You think even during final days they would serve decent food," Tristen frowned.
"Unless they're eating the good food and giving us the spoiled stuff," Joey scowled.
Yugi sighed. "Well we can eat when we get home. Who else are we waiting for?"
"The girls and Ryou," Joey answered.
Tea looked at the blonde. "And Marik."
"If you want to wait for him, be my guest, because I'm not."
"You two really don't like each other, do you?" Devlin asked, although he knew full well about Marik's interest in Keriam.
Said girl walked up to the group and gave Joey a kiss. "So how did everyone do?"
"Alright, I guess," said Devlin. "But we won't know for sure until tomorrow."
"This is where we start praying now," Tea smiled.
"Well you never know," Yugi smiled as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Too bad Kaiba couldn't share some of his brains with us," Duke grinned but Seto just glared at him.
Ryou and Cheri walked over to them but one looked worried and the other depressed. "Um Seto? I need to stop at my house and pick up some stuff," she said quietly.
"The reporters might still be there and I thought you had everything at the mansion," he said as he reached up to brush his fingers over her cheek.
She leaned into it but sighing. "I need to get my paints and that painting I did for your birthday. Please? We can go through the back door."
Seto nodded.
"We'll see you at Ryou's house," Joey said as he took Keriam's hand, leading her off. The other's watched as the couple had a little argument, then Keriam sighed and soon the couple walked out of sight.
"I stand corrected," said Devlin. "Joey hates him."
"Hates who?" Marik asked as he walked up to the group.
"You; who else besides Kaiba?"
"Joey doesn't hate Seto," Cheri said. "They just don't get along very well."
"What kept you?" Ryou asked the Egyptian.
"Had to let Malik tell me how to let down that girl Elaine without hurting her feelings." Marik sighed, almost disgusted. "Why didn't he tell her too bug off?"
~Unlike you, I take other people's feelings into consideration,~ said Malik.
~I'm considerate!~ Marik shot back.
~In a pig's eye.~
Duke looked at him before turning to the others. "What's with him?"
"We still have a mental connection with our other half and right now he's talking to Malik," Yugi explained.
"Or day dreaming about Keriam," Tristen grinned then winced as Tea pinched him in the arm.
"Let's got then, the limo's here." Paul opened the door and closed it behind them. "To Cheri's house." Nodding he headed down the street. Luckily for them there seemed to be no reporters inside. Stopping before it Cheri got out.
"I'll be back," she said quietly and headed inside. It didn't take long before she came out, carrying a tackle box covered with paint spatters and a kind of portfolio. Nodding her thanks to the driver she slid next to Seto, still keeping quiet.
"Ryou Bakura's house," Seto spoke into the intercom and the limo drove off.
Authors' Notes
Janime: Why couldn't I have a mental link with my best friend when I took my SATs?
Heikou: Why did you want one?
Janime: Her score was around 1350.
Heikou: O.O I'd want a link with her too! What was your score?
Janime: ……
Heikou: Never mind...
Janime: At least we don't have to worry them anymore.
Heikou: Honestly? I rather have them instead of my finals. :p
Janime: I didn't have to take the Physics or Geometry final my senior year. Literature and Economics were fairly easy though.
Heikou: That's good. Anyways, back to the fic plot. Yes, we got a little sidetracked when we said at the end of Chapter 5 that Seto and Cheri would be taking off somewhere. Sorry that hasn't come up yet.
Janime: But it will very soon. I know I shouldn't say that line. *looks at Warrior Call and other solo fics*
Heikou: I know the feeling. Oh well, one of these days we'll be caught up with our fics. Now then, onward to the next chapter! ... I beat my game! *does a corny dance*
