Ryou: I seriously hate being stuffed into a dress with strangers brushing my hair!
Sorry, but it might make Bakura want to 'avenge' you more.
Ryou: *Sighs* Ok...
Yugi: Please enjoy this chapter. I need to help PhantomBrat escape before Bakura loses his temper on her.
Dartz watched as his servants once more brushed and styled his pet's hair. "Roux, you make such a wonderful doll," he stated. "A shame I don't have your companions to keep you company. No matter, they will be mine soon enough."
There was no reply from the creature in front of him. Dartz didn't expect one as he looked over his pet's attire. The black lace dress made the youth look like a porcelain doll with his pale features and white hair. It made the new vampire king wonder about the remaining boys. He was curious as to what to do with his new pets when they were delivered to him. Would one of them be another perfect doll, a faithful tracker like Shai, a guard, or a servant pleased to serve his master? Only the stones would expose that quality when gifted to his pets.
Yugi had fallen asleep at the dining room table midway through his breakfast. One second the Hikari was talking and the next he was out like a light. The only indication of his dropping off to sleep suddenly was the clatter of his spoon on the floor. Atem sighed, "Will someone mind taking over Yugi's chores for the morning? He's been overdoing it in training."
"What is he required to do," Mahaad asked.
"Today he was supposed to be washing the dishes and planning out lunch," Tea started. She glanced at the sleeping Hikari, "After that, he's supposed to help tend to Ryou's gardens with Malik and Ishizu. Then at four, he helps monitor the radio, scanners, and reports that come in for Hunts. At five, Yugi usually helps set the table for dinner unless there's a target nearby. If that happens, then he helps pack gear into the vans. That's just today's list. It all depends on what day it is and what's on the schedule just behind you."
"You mean to tell me that everyone has assigned tasks," Mahaad pressed.
Atemu nodded with a smirk, "Including us three. We live together and must work together in all aspects of teamwork. I admit that it took a bit of getting used to the thought of menial tasks; but with the young ones around things are easier than they appear."
Isis gave a small nod, "I will assist my husband in taking over the little prince's tasks for the day to permit him rest. Mahaad will aid in all but the garden and cooking, I will handle those assignments."
She glanced over at the slumbering hybrid and couldn't help but be reminded of Heba.
The smaller prince had been out training since breakfast and racing horses with his elder brother afterwards. It was no wonder that he passed out cold at dinner. He had barely eaten his pheasant before he fell asleep in his bowl of fruit. Heba had certainly overdone it as he hard barely been cleared of a nasty illness that kept him in bed for nearly a week and a half.
Shai growled as he waited for sundown to arrive. He hated waiting to strike. He wanted to get his task completed as soon as possible. The tracker was concerned about his relapses and wanted as far away from the property of the group of Hunters as possible. His master wanted the boys that this particular group protected and Shai was duty-bound to obtain them for him.
Malik let out a sigh of relief as he managed to set fire to the target that Mahaad had indicated. "Impressive," Mahaad praised the Hikari.
Malik beamed, "I've also been practicing with Shifting. I think I can manage to keep my wings and maintain the right bone density so that I can fly without going full bird."
"I would like to see this tomorrow night," Mahaad started, "however, the hour grows late and I believe that Atem has requested that all training end before eleven tonight. Go clean yourself and head to bed."
Malik nodded as he yawned. Gathering up his things, Malik headed to the door. "Thanks for taking the time to help me get this fire-thing under control."
"Anything for my wife and her lineage, Young Malik. I am honored to be able to meet the child of our line."
"I thought that Mariku was our many-greats-great-grandfather?"
Mahaad smiled sadly, "I am so sorry, but Mariku's only child died shortly after he and the other two were taken from us. Isis and I were able to bear three children before we were Turned by that mysterious attacker. Our youngest, a daughter named Banafrit*, was the only one to have children. We followed her line until there were too many to keep track of. We, however, know that you are of our line. I just don't know how to break it to the brother of my wife."
"I can break it to him easy," Malik stated softly. "I just have to wait until the time is right. Maybe after my sister gives him his medicine. He's more attentive then and calmer."
Hermione helped set the table for lunch and sent Harry and Serenity to collect the others. Yugi stumbled into the doorway and leaned against the frame for support. "You look exhausted," the young witch exclaimed in surprise.
Yugi yawned, "I can finish up here if you want."
"No way," the girl huffed. "You practically fell asleep in your oatmeal and had to be carried to bed. Just sit down and let the rest of us take over your chores for the day."
Yugi didn't bother to argue and went to curl up on a chair. Hermione was stunned to see a Mau sleeping in one of the empty chairs when she turned to check on Yugi after picking up a stack of cloth napkins. "Where'd the cat come from," she asked the empty room.
Malik looked out from the kitchen, "So Yugi finally emerged?"
"Yes, but he isn't in here any more. I don't know where he went so quickly."
"There a cat in here," Malik asked her.
Hermione nodded, making Malik smirk. "Then Yugi's still in here. He must have gotten cold and Shifted to stay warm."
"You mean that he can change shape without a spell!?" The girl was shocked.
"Ryou, Yugi, our ancestors, and I can change into animals. Yugi and Atemu are Egyptian Maus, Ryou and Akefia are jackals, and me and Mariku are falcons." Malik looked over at his small cousin, "Yugi's ancestor thinks that it's because of what we are that makes us able to Shift."
She looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking. "You do know that those three animals were among those greatly worshipped by the Ancient Egyptians?"
"Yeah. I guess it's kinda ironic that our ancestors were there. Yugi's got the highest status as the descendant of a Pharaoh, Atem too."
Mahaad was at a loss as to what to do in the communications room. Ishizu and Tea had tried to explain the codes used, but the poor vampire mage was still lost. "Shades of blue are for children under 18, red is for men, yellow for women…both over 18. Unidentified ages are highlighted in orange, but that's usually where there are multiple victims and our information isn't clear. Other reports aren't normally highlighted so they tend to be more of a recon than anything," Tea explained for the fifth time.
*Banafrit—Egyptian meaning Beautiful Soul
Malik: PhantomBrat's run off to hide from Bakura's wrath.
Ryou: I had to distract him with a medium-rare steak.
Yugi: Great thinking, Ryou.
Mokuba: Until next time!