"Arise from Darkness"

By Heikou and Janime

Chapter Thirteen

Wishful Thinking and Cursed Memories

            Keriam yawned and stretched then turned onto her side. She wanted to stay in bed, but groaned in remembrance of her two new houseguests.

            "I wonder how they made it through last night?" she couldn't help asking herself. Joey snored and occasionally talked in his sleep. She didn't know about Malik or Marik.

            Finally, Keriam dragged herself out of her bed and pulled on a light robe before leaving her room and going down to the kitchen.

            Malik looked happy as he ate his breakfast. He looked positively adorable in a large shirt and shorts, his sleepwear. He looked up and smiled, waving to Keriam.

            "Mo'nin!" he tried to say around a mouthful of cereal.

            "Morning. I thought you would still be sleeping," she smiled.

            He swallowed the mouthful as he shook his head. "Tried but between Joey's mumbling and Marik's kicking I couldn't stand it anymore."

            Keriam couldn't help laughing as she took the milk from the refrigerator. "I take it that you guys didn't have a problem with sleeping arrangements."

            "The fold-out bed couch wasn't so bad," Malik ate another spoonful. "Marik was trying to aggravate Joey by saying that since we're guests, we should have his bed."

            Keriam rolled her eyes. "Well, this is going to be a fun visit with you two. Terry up?"

            "She's hanging laundry outside."

            "And Zack went to his office at Kaiba Corp."

            "How did your uncle managed to get hired there?" Malik couldn't help asking.

            "He's one hell of an accountant," Keriam poured the cereal into a bowl then the milk. "A few months ago, he found a secret account that the Big Five had been 'investing' into it. No one else in the accounting department ever came across it because Big Five kept moving it around."

            "How much was in there?"

            "A lot. I don't know the exact amount but from the way Uncle Zack was acting after he was promoted--on the spot--I'm guessing that it was up there."

            "Glad we never have to hear about them ever again."

            "I know Seto would feel the same way." She joined him at the table.

            "Should we wake the guys up?"

            "No let them sleep in a bit more."

            "What if we hear them trying to kill each other?"

            "Then we tell them to keep the noise down."

~

            Joey yawned as he sat up. Scratching the back of his head, the blonde looked at Marik. The Egyptian was still asleep on the foldout couch-bed, lying on his stomach. The sheet was down around his waist and the back of his shirt had ridden up revealing the ancient text forever scarred onto his back.

            Joey touched his own chest, knowing that the spell the priests had tattooed on him so many lifetimes ago was still there, yet unseen until he would need it.

            I just hope that I won't have to use too soon, he thought as he got out of bed.

            Marik sighed but continued to sleep deeply.

            Joey let a smile creep on his lips, thinking of pulling a prank on him but shook his head. Pulling his jeans on he grabbed a clean shirt and headed upstairs.

            Malik slurped the rest of the milk from his bowl and turned to the Sister. "What are we gonna do today?" he asked.

            "I don't know," Keriam shook her head. "I don't have to be at the library until noon today, but I'll be out at six tonight. Joey's has to work from three to midnight..." she paused and looked at the young boy. "Please try to keep Marik out of here until Joey goes to work."

            "Maybe I can get him to go to the museum for a while."

            "Here's hoping."

            "Hoping what?" The two of them turned to look at the entering blonde as he yawned and stretched his arms.

            "Morning," Keriam said.

            "Morning," he smiled as he kissed her and ruffled Malik's hair. "So what's hoping?"

            "I'm gonna see if Marik wants to go the museum with me until you go to work," the young boy replied as he tried to fix his hair.

            "Good luck," snickered Joey. "See if you can get him to wake up first."

            "I know," Malik grinned. "Who would've thought he'd be such a deep sleeper?"

~

            Marik stood outside his old room, looking past the curtain into the small structure that he had spent his first years sleeping in. He let the old cloth drop back into place and started walking to the stairs.

            He stopped, the feeling of someone watching him as he neared the stone steps.

            "You're dead, father," said Marik. "We live in the light now. We never had to hide from it. Our ancestors meant to hide until the legacy of the Nameless Pharaoh was nothing more than a memory rather than truth. The scripture on my back still hurts today, but I have faced the pain and I can walk away from it. As I will walk away from you."

            "And you will," a female voice spoke.

            Marik spun around. A shadowy figure floated not far down the hall, and Marik found himself agreeing with Seto's description. "You're the Daughter of Isis," he said.

            "And you are a Child of Ra born in the shadows," she said, "and broke free to walk in the light of your Father." She moved slowly, closer to him before reaching out and touched his cheek. "I have watched over you since your birth."

            Marik jumped back and looked at her. "For what reason?"

            "That must remain unspoken for the time being," the Daughter of Isis drew her hand back. "Do you love the Daughter of Ra?"

            "I do," Marik answered carefully.

            "And Malik? Do you love him as a brother?"

            "Yes."

            The shadowy hood nodded. "Very good."

            "Why are you asking me this?" Marik demanded.

            "If the path that all of you are on remains as it is," the Daughter of Isis began, "you will be forced to make a decision that will affect both of them."

            "Affect both of them... to choose between two people who mean the world to me..." He held his hands out as if weighing them before lowering his hands to his sides. "I don't have an answer to that now... but then again, I don't think there's a right answer to it."

            The woman smiled and although it couldn't be seen, it was felt. "Truly you are wise beyond your years, Marik Ishtar."

            Marik couldn't help but smirk just a bit. "That's a first; a compliment directed at me."

            The woman reached out once more, brushing her fingers along his cheek before pulling back. "Remember what I said."

            "Wait, can't you tell us your name?" he asked, reaching out for her.

            "I'm sorry but that, too, must wait." Answering sadly she faded back into the shadows.

            Marik looked where she had gone before lowering his hand. Looking at the stairs he began to walk up them, feeling the light envelop him until he felt like he was apart of the light.

~

            Stirring Marik slowly opened his eyes, looking at the empty side of the bed, and slowly pushed himself up to his arms.

            A dream... Sighing he rolled onto his back, yawning then closed his eyes.

            He heard the door at the top of the stairs open and the sound of young feet making their way down the wooden steps.

            "Marik, you awake?" Malik asked as he climbed onto the bed.

            The darker half opened his eyes and looked at his light. Malik looked back with concern, which changed to mild shock as Marik reached up and pulled him down, hugging him.

            "Um... Marik..." said Malik.

            "Don't think the wrong way about this," Marik said.

            The smaller one blinked at the tone of voice. "Are you okay?"

            "For now, yes... little brother."

            Malik couldn't help smiling and hugged Marik.

            Marik couldn't help but smile, feeling a great surge of joy and love for his light, his little brother. Sighing he loosen his arms. "Are the others awake?"

            The young boy nodded as he looked at him. "Keriam and Joey have work later today so I was wondering, wanna go to the museum?" he asked.

            "Alright. We need to get out." Rubbing his back he said up as Malik scooted off. "Give me a few minutes to get ready and we'll go."

            Malik nodded and returned to the kitchen.

~

            Ryou sighed contently as the sound of calmness echoed throughout the house. No Bakura threatening Malik. No Marik yelling at Bakura. No Bakura telling Marik to stick the Millennium Rod where Ra's light didn't shine.

            It was heaven.

            Which was suddenly broken as Bakura cursed loudly and the clang of a metal bowl hitting the kitchen floor.

            "Oh well," Ryou said and climbed out of bed. "At least it's quieter. Beggars can't be choosers."

             Wondering what was wrong he entered the kitchen and stared.

            Bakura cursed as he placed the bowl on the counter. He peered at a book sitting open next to the bowl along with several other items. Picking two eggs up he put them in the bowl, followed by milk. "One cup of mar-gi-rine? What the hell is that?" he asked.

            "It's another term for butter," Ryou supplied.

            The thief turned too abruptly at his voice that he knocked the bowl and its contents onto the floor, followed by the milk and box of pancake mix. "Ra be damned!"

            "Kura, what are you doing?" the young man asked, watching as he tried to salvage as much as he could.

            "I was trying to make breakfast," he said softly, not bothering to look at him. "I remember you making this food, pancakes, and I wanted to make some myself."

            Ryou looked at his darker half. "You could've woken me up and I would make them for you." Granted that the thief spirit never asked for help ever--since Ryou had let him out of the Millennium Ring--but that didn't mean that Ryou was hoping that the yami would change. He had, in truth, already started with caring for Cheri.

            Bakura grumbled.

            "What?" Ryou asked.

            "I said that I didn't want to bother you," Bakura said louder.

            "I appreciate it, really I do. But maybe I should teach you to make something easier." Getting the paper towels he knelt down and cleaned up as much as he could.

            Bakura said nothing but he helped him clean up as well. "... Sorry."

            Now that was a shock. Bakura never apologized even if it was his fault! "You don't have to apologize for anything," Ryou said softly.

            "Yeah well, just don't tell anyone what happened-" he began to say.

            "Bakura, you should know me by now."

            His lips quirked ever so lightly as they stood. "So... why don't they call that stuff butter instead of margarine?"

            "Butter is a spread made from milk that is high in both saturated fat and cholesterol. Margarine is made from unsaturated vegetable oil and contains trans fats."

            Bakura just stared at him with a blank expression.

            "Certain foods require one or the other," said Ryou. "But too much of either will damage your health."

            "Whatever you say..." Bakura turned and dumped the paper towels into the garbage can.

~

            Seto sighed as he looked over the e-mails, most of them from his company. Although he left he company in capable hands but there were several documents that needed his signature. Scrolling down he smiled as he noticed Mokuba's e-mail address. Clicking on it he saw it was a video message.

            "Hey big brother! Just wondering how you and Cheri are doing. I'm fine and so is everyone else but the reporters are upset that they couldn't get a hold of you. I gotta go; Mrs. Dante is taking me to the zoo. Oh yeah, she says hi and tell Cheri I said hi too. Miss you both!" The movie clip ended.

            "Good to see him so happy," the CEO said to himself. He looked up as the water was turned off, which could only mean Cheri was finished with her shower, before returning his attention back to his laptop. Looking at several files he sent replies to the e-mails and logged out of his mailbox. Sighing he cracked his knuckles, wincing as they popped loudly.

            "Keep doing that and you'll get arthritis," Cheri said as she entered the room wearing a short blue robe and a towel wrapped around the top of her head.

            Seto only smiled and held out his hand, which his fiancĂ© accepted and he pulled her closer, settling Cheri in his lap. "So what do you want to do today?"

            "Well," Cheri removed the towel, letting her damp hair fall on her shoulders. "Ishizu has some stuff to do at the Museum of Antiquities, but we are going to meet up later. I don't know about Rashid--I think he's helping Ishizu." She looked at Seto. "Would you mind going to the market place?"

            "Not at all. Thinking about buying some souvenirs?" he asked, reaching up to play with a damp curl.

            "You read my mind. I want to get a gift for everyone, including Nan. She's been just great."

            "She's been like a second mother to Mokuba and myself, even when he was alive."

            Cheri looked at him before leaning forward and kissed him. "Let me get dressed and we can go."

            He sighed but let go. Getting up from the bed he looked out the window. It was another bright day and the streets looked busy with people getting along with their busy lives. It reminded him a lot of home. He smiled when he felt an arm wrap around his waist. "You're a fast dresser."

            "Was that a joke?" She wore a pair of loose jeans with a sleeveless shirt; her comfortable clothing. "Let's go. I want to find the perfect gift."

            Smiling, Seto let her take his hand and lead him out of their suite.

~

            "Mail call!" Terry said as she sorted through the small pile in her hand. "For you, Zack. For you, Joey. For you, Keriam." The older woman handed the correct mailings to their addressees. "And the rest is for me."

            "All you ever get is magazines and their 'Payment Due' messages," said Keriam then yelped as her aunt whacked her head with the three magazines.

            "Just read your letter," she smiled as she shifted through the magazines.

            Joey smiled as he read the return address. "Hey it's from Serenity. Wonder how she's doing."

            "So open it to find out," Keriam smiled.

            "Good point." He tore the envelope open and pulled out the letter. "She's doing great, and so is Elizabeth. She said she got another postcard from Mai and... Mai's coming to visit Domino at the end of the week." He sighed as he looked at the ceiling. "Great."

            Marik couldn't help smirking from where he sat on the living room floor with Malik playing Duel Monsters. So, Mai Valentine's coming to Domino City for a visit, Marik thought as he placed a trap card facedown.

            ~Don't conjure up any ideas just yet,~ Malik sent.

            ~What are you talking about?~

            ~I know you like the inscriptions on the back of Tutankhamen's burial mask. You're hoping that Mai will chase after Joey, and that will allow you to chase after Keriam.~

            Marik frowned at his light. ~Just put down your card and butt out.~

            Keriam noticed a sort of frown appearing on his face. "You don't seem happy about this."

            "All through Duelist Kingdom she nagged me for being this amateur always in Yugi's shadow, that I knew nothing about the game. Then with the finals of Battle City she was so sure of herself. She nearly got killed trying to control Ra just because she thought was better." He moved to sit on the sofa. "And after all that she never called, never wrote a letter, never sent a postcard! I almost thought we had something but I was wrong. Besides," he smiled at Keriam, "I have you in my life and no one is gonna turn my eyes away from you."

            The ten-year old boy smiled as he flipped a Trap Card over. ~So much for that.~

            ~Be patient, my shortened hikari,~ Marik picked up another card and smiled. ~Good things come to those who wait.~

            Malik narrowed his eyes. ~This from the one who wanted to send the Pharaoh to wander the Shadow Realm for eternity.~

            "What else did the letter say?" Keriam asked.

            Joey sighed. "Serenity wants me to visit her for the weekend."

            Malik blinked. Marik grinned.

            "You going?"

            "I don't know..."

            ~Oh, please! Go, Joey!~ Marik didn't bother hiding his thoughts. ~You need to spend quality time with your sister!~

            ~So you can spend quality time with Keriam?~ Malik asked.

            Marik glared at him. ~Didn't I tell you to butt out?~

            ~You're the one projecting.~ Malik stuck his tongue out.

            "Well why not? The last time you saw her was what, graduation?"

            "Yeah... and it is just for the weekend..." He looked at the letter. "You don't want to join me?"

            Marik stiffen at the comment. ~No she stays! You go!~

            "Joey, go ahead and spend the weekend. You and Serenity need to spend more time together."

            Malik blinked. ~I can't believe she just said that.~

            ~I can!~ Marik seemed ready to jump up.

            "Yeah, you're right," Joey smiled. "I'll call and tell Serenity I can stay for the weekend." He kissed Keriam's cheek. "So what did you get in the mail?"

            "Ah, just some junk mail and a chain letter," Keriam answered.

            Malik and Marik paused at the sound in her voice. Keriam sounded like it was nothing but there was something in her tone that made her sound a bit off.

            Joey smiled and stood from the couch, heading to the kitchen to use the phone. As he passed the Ishtar boys, Joey grabbed the taller one's hair and pulled his head back.

            "Lay one finger on her and I'll break both your arms," he hissed in Marik's ear before releasing the other blonde.

            Marik glared at his retreating back as he rubbed his head then turned his attention to his laughing light.

            ~So much for that plan,~ Malik snickered.

            ~You think I'm going to listen to him?~

            ~No. But hurt him in anyway and you'll have plenty to fear from Keriam.~

~

            Joey punched the number in, listening to it ring as he reread the letter. He still couldn't believe Mai was coming to Domino and honestly, he didn't care. Sure he had a crush on her and he never said anything but with his luck she would have laughed in his face. If she turned down that movie star why would she go out with someone like him? Besides, he loved Keriam and no one was going to change his mind.

            "Hello?"

            "Hi sis."

            "Joey! It's good to hear from you! How are you doing?" she asked, practically beaming over the line.

            "Just fine even if I'm still adjusting to having no more school.  I got your letter today and if the offer stills stands, I'd like to come visit you for the weekend."

            "Of course you can come! Mom was actually the one to suggest you come visit. She said it would be great if we could spent the weekend as a family."

            "She said that huh?" He smiled some as thought about how happy they were, before the divorce. "Yeah I'll be there for the weekend then. Oh hey, Serenity. What else did Mai say?"

            "She has a big surprise and she wants to tell you herself."

            "Did she say what kind?"

            "No," Serenity answered.

            "That's weird," Joey frowned a little. "Oh well, guess I should brace myself for any shock, right?"

            His sister giggled. "Joey, nothing shocks you."

            Wish that was true, he thought. "Okay, sis, I'm going to start packing. I'll see you Friday afternoon, alright?"

            "Okay. Bye, Joey."

            "Bye." He hung up the phone and returned to the living room. When Joey entered, Keriam was no longer on the couch. Marik and Malik had finished their duel and they were now sitting on the couch that Keriam had vacated, watching TV. "Where's Keriam?" Joey asked.

            "She went upstairs," Malik answered as he changed the channels with the remote.

            Joey looked at Marik. "Lost?"

            "Shut up," the other blonde grumbled.

            Smirking, Joey left and headed upstairs. He stopped at Keriam's bedroom and knocked on the door. "Keriam?"

            "What a minute," she answered and then her door opened. "Hi."

            "Everything's cool," Joey smiled and walked into Keriam's room, and sat in her desk chair. "I'm heading over Friday afternoon."

            "That's good," Keriam smiled and sat on her bed, leaving her door open. Both knew that if they were in the same room together, the door had to remain open as ordered by Terry and Zack.

            "You okay?" Joey asked.

            "Fine, why?"

            "You seem a little on edge."

            Keriam shrugged. "Just some stuff at work I'm still thinking about."

            "Okay," Joey stood up from the chair. "Are you going to be okay with him?"

            "I'll be fine," Keriam stood up and kissed his cheek. "Don't worry, he won't get any closer to me than I'll allow. Besides, Namu can keep him busy. After all, Malik can't ignore his cousin, now can he?"

            "No I guess not, okay but I can't help but worry. Hey if you wanna talk, I am here for ya." he took her hand, giving it a squeeze.

            "I know but some things I need to work out for myself. Need any help packing?"

            "Naw I got it. But I better do it now or I'm gonna end up forgetting something. Love ya."

            "Back at ya." She watched as he left the room, silently closing it behind her before heaving a great sigh.

            I hate lying to him, Keriam thought as she reached under her pillow and pulled out the plain white envelope that only had her name and address printed on it. She reached inside and removed the small piece of paper. The so-called chain letter was actually a short message, bringing up her past.

            Keriam,

            It's been a while but I'm still here.

            And we're going to settle this now.

            Be at the Volcanic Underground this Friday night.

            And don't make me wait.

            You know what I'm capable of.

            Keriam crushed the letter in her hand and threw it against the wall. She fell backwards on her bed and stared at the ceiling.

            Joey would be at Serenity's house this weekend, which relived Keriam somewhat. He'd be out of the house and wouldn't follow her. Marik and Malik would be sleeping in the basement and Terry and Zack wouldn't hear her climb out of her bedroom window. She knew this for a fact after doing the act several times in her youth.

            She loved Joey but she couldn't pull him into this. And if she had told him he would break the date with Serenity and try to go in her place. Closing her eyes tightly she rubbed at them, thinking about back, back to when her aunt and uncle saved her form the hospital but it wasn't enough. Had she know what the gang was really like maybe she wouldn't have joined but what's done is done. This was her fight and she was going to see it to the end once and for all.

            I just hope I can walk away from this one alive, she thought to herself. Rolling onto her side she curled up and closed her eyes. She had a lot of planning for this upcoming Friday.

~

            Tea sighed as she read over the Egyptian text of the pictures in the stack of books on her desk. Something had been gnawing at her since the memory flash she had at the museum with Keriam. Tea had no idea what she was looking for, however she would know when found it.

            "And just what am I looking for?" she asked herself quietly. Sighing, Tea placed the bookmark on the page she was on and closed the book.

            Rubbing her eyes she pulled the next book from the stack and opened it up. Skimming the words it was the basic introduction she had read repeatedly she skipped ahead. She was having the same luck as the first several books that just as she was about to close it a folded page caught her attention. Opening it she found it was about the gods of Egypt. Reading through it it just seemed to be repeating the same stuff over but then she got to a passage where each god was represented by a city but when it came to Anubis it said that he was once represented by a city but destroyed it. No records were indicated as to why though.

            "'Since then people were afraid to worship the god least they bring his wrath upon them. According to records the only people to worship Anubis only bore masks in his resemblance when preparing the dead for burial.' But why did he destroy his own city?" she asked out loud. It didn't make sense.

            Her mother looked down at her with a sad smile. "Anubis had to destroy his own city to save Egypt."

            "Save Egypt from who?" Peisimemne asked.

            "The Black Scorpion."

            "The Black Scorpion..." Tea whispered. Picking up the phone, she dialed Yugi's number.

            "Kame Game Shop," a cheerful voice greeted her.

            "Yugi, it's me. Can I talk to Yami for a minute?"

            "Sure."

            "Hello, Tea," said the Pharaoh.

            "Yami, does the Black Scorpion ring any bells?" she asked.

            There was a long pause before he said anything. "How do you know about him?"

            Tea noticed the dark tone in his voice. "I had a memory flash," she answered, "my mother then said that Anubis destroyed his own city but none of the books I've checked or any of the web sites say why."

            "Hold on for a moment."

            She heard him say something to Yugi, then his footsteps. "The Black Scorpion made a pact with Anubis so that he could destroy his enemies. Supposedly when he did, Anubis would take his soul. But the Black Scorpion said that as long as Egypt had enemies, he could not give Anubis his soul. Egypt was nearly destroyed by the Black Scorpion."

            "Some warrior. What happened?"

            "Anubis asked Isis for help who told him to trick the Black Scorpion into giving up his soul. The priestess of Anubis became the Scorpion's Queen but when she had his soul he murdered her in the temple."

            "So Anubis destroyed the city as an act of revenge?"

            "That's what I was told. That's why even in my time there were no temples to honor him because people feared him so much," he explained. "People were forbidden to ever mention the Black Scorpion; I don't think he was even given a proper burial because no one knows what happened to him."

            "After what he did I can see why," Tea said softly. "But I don't understand, what has he got to do with what's happening now?"

            "I don't know," said Yami. "That's all I can remember what my father told me before he died."

            "Thanks, Yami. I appreciate it."

            "You're welcome. Anything else?"

            "Remind Yugi that he's having supper at my house tonight, and yes, my mom baked an apple pie."

            Yami laughed. "I'll be sure to tell him that."

            Tea hung up the phone and stared at the cover of the book before her. Idly, she traced her fingers over the hieroglyphs representing the names of both Osiris and Isis.

            "Isis is calling me, Peisimemne... You are the Daughter of Osiris now."

            "Mother, please..."

            Dalila lightly touched her daughter's cheek; the puncture wounds from the asp still fresh on her wrist. "I will watch over you..." She brought her daughter's ear closer to her. "Remember what I told you... Osiris is your Father... You are the only one who can..."

            Peisimemne nodded as tears slid down. She didn't want to hear that. She didn't want to be reminded what she might eventually have to do. She didn't want this to be her mother's last words to her, haunting her like a horrible dream.

            Dalila smiled. "I love you... my daughter..." Her hand fell and she became still.

            Peisimemne broke down, leaning her head against the side of her mother's bed.

            "Mother..." she said between sobs. "How can I kill my Sister?"

            Tea jumped up, knocking her chair backwards. Once she slowed her breathing, she turned and looked at the picture of herself, Keriam, and Cheri. They looked so happy with their arms around their shoulders, grins apparent on their faces. But that flashback...

            "Kill?" she breathed before shaking her head. "No! I refuse to believe that!"

            "Tea?" Her mother's voice came through the door but it didn't open. "Are you okay?"

            "I-I'm fine mom. I... thought I saw a spider."

            "You sure?"

            "Yes it was just a shadow." She sighed when her mother walked off she slowly straighten her chair. Looking at the book she piled them together. "I learned enough for now."

~

            Marik looked around, making sure that no one was in earshot as he picked up the cordless phone from the laundry room and walked outside to the back porch, closing the door behind him. He dialed Ryou's number and waited patiently as it rang.

            "Hello?" Ryou answered.

            "Ryou, its Marik. Can you put Bakura on?"

            "Sure."

            There was a short pause then a long disgusted growl before the thief took the phone. "What do you want?"

            "How would you like to go to a club Friday night?"

            "The hell have you been smoking?"

            "Shut up and listen," Marik hissed. "Keriam's in a bit of trouble. She doesn't know I found out. Someone sent her a message to meet her at the Volcanic Underground this Friday." Marik had felt terrible sneaking into Keriam's room prior to the phone call, but he knew that something was bothering her. That was when he found the note crumpled on the floor.

            "And what do you want me to do?" Bakura asked without a trace of caring in his voice.

            "If this was Cheri, what would you do?" asked Marik.

            "... I'm only going because she's Cheri's best friend and Sister," he growled.

            "Gee and here I thought you cared about me," Marik said with sarcasm.

            "Shut up. So how the hell are we going to get there? Why didn't you ask Wheeler to go with you?"

            "He's going to stay with his sister this weekend and if I tell him he'll go in Keriam's place and get killed," he said, sitting on the porch steps with a quiet sigh.

            "Well least you'll be able to spend some quality time with her... I hate you right now."

            "I'll meet you on Friday and don't tell anyone!" Hanging up the phone he sighed. Now the only question was how were they going to get there?

            The back door opened and Malik stepped out. "Call anyone?"

            "Just annoying Bakura," Marik grinned. "I'm letting him know that even though we're no longer under the same roof, you and I are still around."

            Malik smirked then jumped on his yami's back. "Piggyback ride?"

            Shaking his head but smiling, Marik hooked his arms under Malik's legs and stood up.

            Joey looked up as he was helping in setting the table as the two Ishtars came in. He remembered a time when he had such a close bond with his sister he felt almost envious but said nothing.

            "Okay time to get off," Marik smiled, heading over to the chair and set him down.

            Malik settled himself in the chair as he looked up at Joey. "What's for supper?"

            "Terry said it's a surprise," he smiled at him.

            "And you haven't eaten it all yet? There's a surprise," Marik said as he crossed his arms over the back of Malik's chair, taking the moment to tease the young man without interference.

            "Hardy, har, har," Joey narrowed his eyes.

            "Now, now, boys," Keriam walked into the room wearing her headphones and her portable CD player attached to her belt. "No food fighting."

            "Keriam, would you help me, please?" Terry called from the kitchen.

            "Coming, auntie." Keriam took her headphones off and placed them and her CD player on the table next to Malik.

            Noticing that it was still playing, Malik picked up the headphones and listened.

            They'll never see

            I'll never be

            I struggle on and on

            To feed this hunger

            Burning deep inside of me

            But through my tears breaks a blinding light

            Birthing a dawn to this endless night

            Arms outstretched, awaiting me

            A open embrace upon a bleeding tree

            Rest in me and I'll comfort you

            I have lived and I died for you

            Abide in me and I vow to you

            I will never forsake you

            "Whoa..." Malik took the headphones off and held them to Marik. "Listen." He pushed the previous button so that his darker half could listen to the song from the beginning.

            Marik's eyes widen as he listened to the lyrics. "That's deep. I didn't know she liked these kind of songs."

            "We all have different tastes." Looking at the table he sat in his seat. "This weekend I'm gonna visit Serenity and Elizabeth. So don't try anything you may regret."

            "Oh that hurt," the darker skinned youth said, scowling as he sat next to Malik.

            "You know what I mean. I didn't trust you as a spirit and I trust you even less now that you have a body."

            "Don't blame me. I didn't ask for this to happen," said Marik and thought, I am, however, very grateful.

            "Supper!" Keriam said as she held the swinging door open for her aunt as Terry walked through with a large glass pot. She set it on the table and removed the lid.

            "Chicken and dumplings!" Terry smiled. "Dig in, kids, and I'll go get Zack." She went back into the kitchen.

            "No usage of shovels," said Marik.

            "Ah, shut up," Joey grumbled.

~

            The museum was huge and filled from floor to ceiling with ancient artifacts, protected by glass cases. Cheri smiled as she looked at a case of ancient weapons on a long table. She looked up to see Seto reading the plague of a table covered with old scrolls.

            After their little trip to the market square Seto and Cheri headed to the museum to talk with Ishizu and Rashid. One of the workers said they were busy and asked for them to please be patient and wait. Looking around Cheri looked down in her hand where she was carrying a bag of items she had bought.

            I hope everyone likes them, she thought to herself, sitting on the bench she set the bag next to her and reached inside. She pulled out a statue of Isis that had been wrapped in paper for protection and smiled. I just know Keriam and Tea will love this. She had bought one for herself she carefully set it back in the bag and sighed. Leaning her head back she closed her eyes for a moment, never noticing that a black shadow moved as it took the form of a scorpion, moving silently. Skittering closer to her hand its tail lifted then came down hard, striking the back of her hand then faded away.

            "Ouch!!" Cheri winced as she shook her hand, feeling a throbbing pain she looked down only to see a kind of bite. It was red and stung like hell. She didn't see anything near her or at her feet so what bit her? "Damnit, this is worse then a fire ant," she winced, holding her hand tightly.

            "What's the matter?" Seto asked as he walked over to her.

            "Nothing," Cheri answered. The pain in her hand faded rather quickly and she noticed a small red mark in the center of the back of her hand.

            "Miss Ishtar will see you now," a worker said.

            Seto and Cheri followed the worker down the hallway and pass a 'Personnel Only' sign, before stopping in front of an office door and opening it for the couple.

            "Welcome," Ishizu greeted from where she sat at her desk.

            Seto nodded and Cheri smiled. "I hope you're not a workaholic like Seto is," she said.

            She smiled and slowly shook her head. "I don't think I am but I enjoy myself. I see you've been to the market square."

            "Yes it was quite interesting. I thought Cheri was going to buy everything in sight," Seto smiled. Ishizu smiled and Cheri frowned a bit.

            "Ishizu... can I ask you something?" She began to rub at her hand nervously.

            "Is something wrong?"

            "... It's about that day in the Valley of the Kings. I... saw something down there."

            Ishizu looked at her. "What was it?"

            Cheri fidgeted and rubbed her hand. "Who was the Black Scorpion?"

            Both Ishizu and Rashid gaped at her. "How do you know about him?"

            "Well, when I fell down into that chamber," Cheri began. "There was a mural there and... I had no idea what it said exactly but... the Black Scorpion was mentioned. I don't know how I know it was him."

            "Why didn't you tell us when you left?" Rashid asked.

            "Honestly? I was scared. I mean landing in a room of skeletons and a nest of scorpions crawling up my legs I just didn't think," she admitted.

            "Who was this Black Scorpion?" Seto demanded. "How come I've never heard of him before?"

            Ishizu didn't say anything but knew she had to. "He was a murderer who made a pact with Anubis. As long as Egypt had enemies, he would keep his soul and the Army of Anubis. He proclaimed himself the Scorpion King and during his reign, destroyed many lives; even the pharaoh feared him and none could withstand his wrath. So Anubis asked Isis for help." At this she paused and looked down.

            Her husband rested his hand on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze as he continued the story. "Anubis' priestess at the time was a Sister of the Moon who became his queen. She tricked him into giving up his soul and in retaliation, he killed her. The gods brought punishment upon him for betraying Egypt. So that this would never happen again Anubis destroyed his city," he finished.

            Cheri thought long and hard about it as her eyes closed. "If she was the Sister of the Moon... who took her place?"

            "She has an apprentice and so the duties fell to her," Ishizu said softly. "The people were forbidden to ever speak of the Black Scorpion ever again."

            "Anything after that?"

            "Nothing, except that her daughter took her place when Isis called her..." Ishizu looked at Cheri. "And she was the last Daughter of Anubis."

            Seto wrapped his arms around his fianc's waist. "Your mother was the apprentice."

            No, she was my adoptive mother, Cheri thought. The one before her was my mother. The Black Scorpion was my father...

Authors' Notes!

Janime:  Song lyrics are from "Lies" by Evanescence. I swear that song describes Marik perfectly.

Heikou:  *adds dramatic music* So Cheri's the daughter of a priestess of Anubis and a betrayer of Egypt. -.- nice parents.

Janime: Hey, she had a nice second mother and two Sisters to boot.

Heikou: You're right. Anyway, we hope you like how this fic is going.

Janime: They must. Look at all the reviews we have so far compared to Sisters of the Moon.

Heikou: I know. ::grins:: Well, looks like Keriam's going back to her past. And it ain't gonna be pretty.

Janime: For those who've read the manga and know what Joey's life was like, yes, Keriam's was just about the same.

Heikou: Birds of a feather flock together, is what they say.

Janime: I wonder how Marik and Bakura are gonna follow her without being seen.

Heikou: And not spend the entire evening arguing. You have to stay tune for the next chapter.