"Furious" didn't even begin to describe how Malik felt.

He'd first glimpsed the brochure out of the corner of his eye. Wondering if Isis were mentioned, he'd looked through it—but it didn't mention any ancient Egypt exhibit at all. Suddenly uncertain, he'd checked the dates on the front. The brochure was current.

Then he realized.

After all, why would there be a second ancient Egypt exhibit so quickly after the one during Battle City? And when had Malik actually seen Isis planning something for this "exhibit"?

He hadn't, because there wasn't one. She had lied to him.

Everyone had lied to him.

Malik's entire body shook as he ripped up the brochure and dropped it at Bakura's feet. He watched in disgust as the boy blushed a deep red and mumbled to everyone else what the paper was.

What, embarrassed that I found out your lie?

One by one, Malik fixed everyone else with the same livid stare. None of them would meet his eyes.

Rage pulsed through Malik's body. Ugly words pressed up against his gritted teeth, and he made himself hold them back. Even if they deserve it, I can't let that out.

Finally, Yuugi mumbled, "We should probably call Isis-san and tell her."

"I'll do it," Bakura volunteered. "It's my fault. I should have put the brochures away."

Yes, that would have let you preserve your stupid lie.

Malik took a seat in one of the dining room chairs and watched Bakura dial the phone. "Hello, Isis-san? There's been a slight… problem…"

You've been found out, sister. What's wrong? Didn't you think I'd come here willingly?

"N-no, Malik is fine, except… he… I accidentally left a museum brochure out, and he found it, and he's really… upset…… Yeah, he knows now. I'm so sorry. It's my fault."

He's apologizing. Apologizing for the fact that I found out the truth.

"Okay, I'll tell him. I'm sorry…… Yeah. We'll see you then." Bakura hung up the phone. "Malik, Isis-san says she can't even express how sorry she is, and she's coming right now to pick you up."

Malik turned away. It didn't really matter to him if Isis could express how sorry she was, because he didn't care.

Isis hung up the phone and covered her face with her hands. "This is bad," she whispered. "This is… really bad…"

Watching her, Rishid asked in concern, "Isis-sama, what's wrong?"

"He found out," Isis said through her hands. "Malik found a museum brochure. He knows there's no exhibit." Her heart was pounding. "Bakura-kun says Malik is… really upset. Oh, this is bad… He must be so furious with me…"

"Isis-sama." Rishid put his hands on Isis's trembling shoulders. "You must calm down. Worrying over how angry Malik is will help nothing. Now, you said we were going over there, didn't you? Let's leave quickly."

Isis shook her head. "Rishid, I want you to stay here," she said.

"…Why, Isis-sama?"

Isis bit her lip. "I don't want you… to have to face his anger," she explained. "You don't deserve it. Rishid, this is my fault. The whole lie was my idea. Let me deal with the consequences."

"Isis-sama—"

"No, Rishid. I'm doing this on my own." She sighed, and with a wry smile added, "But you might want to start packing everything up, because I doubt Malik wants to stay here any longer."

Isis could barely concentrate on the way to Bakura's home. With her mind clouded by worry and regret, she almost missed several turns. When she arrived, she spent the long walk up to Bakura's apartment struggling to plan what to say.

"Isis-san, you're here," Bakura said as he answered the door, sounding relieved. "Malik's in the dining room." Isis followed Bakura through the apartment, an unpleasant knot in her stomach.

They reached the dining room. Malik looked up as Isis entered, met his sister's eyes for a brief second, and then stalked out of the room.

"Malik…!" Her heart in her throat, Isis dashed after him. "Malik, please…!"

Malik went into another room and slammed the door. Isis heard the unmistakable click of a lock. Futilely, she pulled on the knob. "Malik, open the door!" she cried. "Please let me explain…"

There was silence from inside. Isis gave a trembling sigh. "I'm sorry…" she said. "Malik, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please…" She kneeled, leaning her head on the locked door. "I didn't mean to… hurt you… I only wanted to help. I swear. I thought it would help to bring you here, and I didn't think you'd come, so…" Her excuses sounded so feeble. How had she ever thought it was a good idea to lie to Malik?

"I only wanted to help you," she insisted again. "I wanted to make your suffering go away. I wanted… I wanted to hear my brother's voice again…" Regret twisted Isis's face. "I've made it even worse, haven't I?" she whispered. "I've made you suffer even more. I've hurt you. Malik, little brother… I can't even say how sorry I am. Please, please forgive me…"

Still there was silence from inside the room. There was no sound of the door unlocking, no form of communication from Malik. Isis waited for a long time, and finally she closed her eyes in resignation. "I understand," she said weakly. "You have every right to be angry. I'll… I'll come back later… or something."

She stood to find Yuugi and everyone watching her. Taking a deep breath, she faked a calm voice and said, "I'm sorry to ask you this, Bakura-kun, but could I leave Malik with you for a little longer?"

Bakura nodded, pity in his eyes.

"Thank you." Isis touched the locked door one last time. "Malik, I'm so… sorry."

Then she walked silently out of the apartment, down the stairs, and to the car. She got in and closed the door. For a long time, she sat without moving, her eyes staring blankly ahead as she battled tears. At long last, she shook herself and started the car.

Malik hadn't moved since Isis had left. He was still leaning on the wall of the bathroom in which he had locked himself. His eyes were still squeezed shut, and his hand was clamped desperately over his mouth.

No… no…

He couldn't let them out. He couldn't let out the feelings that had strangled his words for so long. Now they were so strong that it was hard to breathe, so strong that it physically hurt to hold them back.

But he had to. He had to keep them inside of him. So he would stay right where he was until he could control it again, no matter how long that took.

Review Talk Time!

Sekana Katayama: Thank you, I'm glad you're liking it.

Kotori-chan: Thank you!

dirty footprints: O.O;;;; for some reason I thought you were a boy too XD. Well now that we've got that cleared up… Thank you for reviewing!

Emma: Don't worry, he will talk again… eventually… maybe sooner than you think…