Shai: *Growls at readers* PhantomBrat is writing as fast as she can and she does have a life outside of FanFiction. If I find that anyone has written another 'update request' I'll hide her memory stick for a week from her intended update.
Shai, don't scare off my readers. But seriously, please refrain from leaving a review requesting that I update any of my stories. I'm doing the best I can and trying not to allow my brain to mix up the various storylines I'm working on. If anything, leave a suggestion or a comment on your favorite part(s).
Yugi: The 'requests' mess up the review counter and make PhantomBrat feel inadequate as a writer.
Right…I do have a list of things to do and I'm not only writing for you guys, I'm also working on things for an upcoming County Fair that I want to participate in.
Ryou: So what is it that you're doing?
Working on a massive afghan in a jacquard pattern…for those of you who are unsure of that, I'm basically crocheting a blanket in a multi-colored checkerboard pattern switching colors every ten stitches using two different colored yarn at the same time…one being used and the other being 'hidden' by the one in use. I'm only on the seventh band and have at least 13 more to go. I got bored and decided to figure out how many stitches I needed to complete my project. 20 bands of each double-color combo, 6 rows to a band, 200 stitches across…for a grand total of 24,000 stitches more or less.
Ryou: That sounds complicated.
It is…but I get so relaxed when I crochet, that I tend to doze off while still working on my project.
Yugi: Seriously?!
Yuppers. My mom has to wake me up sometimes.
Malik: Gee, hope you finish soon.
Me too. I have until April to finish it. I'm thinking of posting a picture of it on Facebook and/or DeviantArt when I'm done.
Mokuba: Enjoy the chapter!
His brother prodded Malik awake. "Malik," Marik whined, "I'm hungry. Make food."
The Hikari groaned and rolled over, "Go away, Marik. I'm not cooking. My arms hurt to move."
Marik whined, "Food. I'm starving and want to eat."
Malik threw his covers back and sat up. He grabbed his pillow and threw it at his older twin before leaving the room. Marik followed him to the kitchen where Malik pulled a box of cereal and a bowl from the cupboard and a spoon from the drawer. Marik watched as Malik got the carton of milk out and stumbled into the dining room.
He put everything in Marik's place and glared at his twin, "There. Pour the cereal into the bowl, add some milk and there's breakfast. I'm going back to bed. Leave me alone now."
"Sit with me?"
"I'm tired, Mar. I just want to sleep." Marik pouted, making Malik feel bad, "Just until someone else wakes up. Then I'm going to crash on the couch in the living room."
Daryn was the first one up after Marik and Malik. He was stunned to see Marik up so early. "Good morning boys."
"Morning it may be," Malik grumbled, "but I can't see the good in it right now."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because Marik wanted breakfast at four o'clock. Then he wanted toast with jelly and orange juice. I wish he weren't so him. Why is he so weird?"
Daryn sighed, "You mean nobody told you?"
"Told me what?"
"Marik wasn't always like this. Granted he has moments when he's sane and like most everyone else. But he was much like Bakura before his accident."
"What happened?"
"It was the traditional 'Rite of Passage' for children raised by Hunter parents. Dean was assigned to observe Marik that night. It was supposed to have been simple, run the course and make it to base camp in one piece as fast as possible. They ran into trouble midway. It started pouring and Marik wanted to wait it out as he was taught. Dean said no and to keep moving. Wrong move. Marik lost his footing and fell into a ravine, hitting his head on a boulder. He was in a coma for six weeks. We nearly lost him several times before he got to the hospital. He wasn't the same after he woke up. Sure, he was still quite brilliant, but he was mentally unstable. I noticed that he's almost the boy I watched grow up. He looks up to you, Malik."
"Thanks for telling me about Marik, sir."
Daryn nodded.
Malik peeked in on Yugi, only to find him sound asleep. Daryn saw the small male sleeping peacefully, "He reminds me of his mother sleeping like that. She looked like an angel, but she was a firecracker when she was awake. That woman had a way with Hunting. My sister met Balin on a Hunt where a Were had him cornered. Marie launched a silver arrow at the Were and killed it, saving Balin. It was love at first sight. I couldn't disapprove of my sister marrying him, because I had gotten to know him before they met."
"Yugi is different, sir. He's pretty docile and helps Atem keep things in order," Malik stated. "He even acts as mediator when arguments break out within the team. It's almost impossible to make him angry; but when it happens, you don't want to be in his range."
Daryn smiled, "Must have been his grandfather's influence. That old man was right to take the kid in. I'm sorry to say that I opposed the idea."
Yugi stirred and winced as he breathed in deeply. Malik was by his side instantly, "You ok?"
"Hurt," Yugi croaked. "I think it's time for my medicine and painkillers. Where's Yami or Atemu?"
"I think Atem's in the lab and Atemu is with Ishizu working on your medicine." Malik helped Yugi sit up carefully and removed his shirt. "I'm not supposed to take off the wrappings but this will help Sister check on you better."
"Thanks Malik. I'm a little hungry and Thirsty. Have you and Ryou had anything yet?"
Malik shook his head, "Not yet. Ryou's still sleeping. He had a tough night."
"Who's he," Yugi asked, looking at Daryn.
"I'm your uncle, Daryn Parkerson. Your mother was my sister, kiddo," Daryn stated. "You have her eyes. Your mother would have been proud of you."
Yugi blinked, "So if you're my uncle, then Ryou and Bakura are my cousins?"
"Got that right, kiddo," Daryn beamed. "Malik's a cousin on your father's side. His younger sister was Malik's mother. Same with Seto, only it was Balin's older sister."
Malik was shocked to hear the news. "I can't believe it," he cried out. "All this time we grew up together and weren't told until now! Wait till Ryou hears this!"
Ryou listened as Malik passed on the news. "That's amazing! Wait until we announce it at dinner," Ryou beamed. "Dad will be pleased to find out more about my true family. I'm glad that Mother and Father aren't going to take me away from him."
"All hybrids and Daywalkers to the den," Atem called over the intercom system. "We need to discuss a few things." Atem wanted to keep the real truth about the Hikaris a secret to give Bakura's parents time to see their personalities first.
Ryou and Malik sat at the foot of Yugi's bed as their ancestors claimed the couch. Atem took the chair. "We have more guests coming in sometime this week. I don't want a repeat of last night. We will carry on as normal and I will alert them to the conditions. No one is to have any weapons out unless we are called on a Hunt. No Shadow Magics in the halls. I want all explosive devices in my lab before they get here. Marik take your medication, the same applies to you Mariku." Atem looked at the Hikaris, "No Shifting in the house."
The angelic-vampires groaned at the ordered 'request'.
Marik: NO E.D.s!? WHY?
Because you might hurt someone and make the team look bad.
Malik: Shifting is safer, so why are we not allowed?
Because Shifting is a vampiric trait and Atem wants to make it clear that you three are off-limits for Hunting.
Yugi: Until next time!