Again I apologize on how long it has taken to get this chapter posted, damn writers-block. I kinda struggled with the court stuff and didn't want to get into too much depth with it. Anyway, enjoy!
Warnings: Rating M, Swearing, Child Abuse. If this type of thing offends you then DO NOT READ! This is a fictional story ONLY and nothing more.
Disclaimer: I own nothing! But the plot belongs to me.
Chapter 33: Once More, With Feeling.
Bakura watched the storm rage outside from the waiting area of the brightly lit hospital. The cup of coffee in his hands had gone cold hours ago. "You should get some rest." Bakura tore his gaze onto Yami who took a seat a few feet away.
"I can't sleep, doctor's orders, concussion and all." Bakura glanced back out the window. "Any news?"
"None." Yami crossed his arms and closed his eyes relaxing into the hard plastic chair the best he could.
Upon their arrival at the hospital Isis, Malik and Marik were swarmed by doctors and nurses and taken in all kinds of directions that Bakura simply couldn't follow all of them and when he tried, he was blocked by a doctor and nurse and taken into an examination room. That had been hours ago. Bakura was now getting nervous on why it was taking so long. "Have you called Ryou?" Yami asked.
Bakura nodded his head, Ryou spent a good hour yelling and sobbing at him, telling him how Marik had dumped him at some stranger's house and no one had come to get him yet and most of all Ryou had gone on in lengths on how upset and worried he was for everyone. Bakura had reassured him that they would all be home together soon enough and Ryou had at some point fallen asleep in the midst of their conversation, when a woman, no doubt Yami's wife had thanked him for calming Ryou down enough to get him to sleep, wished them all well before she hung up.
The storm eased up a little with the rising of the sun, instead of rain, snow fell lightly outside coating everything in white. "Ishtar?" A doctor called out walking into the waiting room. Yami was up on his feet and approached the doctor with Bakura closely behind him.
"You're Ishtar's boy?" Bakura nodded his head.
"How is my father?" Bakura asked and other questions came gushing out as well. "And Malik and my Aunt Isis? Rashid, anything about him?"
The doctor held up his hand. "I'm here about Marik Ishtar."
"How is he?" Yami asked placing a hand on Bakura's shoulder.
"There were complications." The Doctor said far too grimly for Bakura's liking.
"What kind of complications?" Bakura's voice trembled a little and his hands started to shake, flashes of living back on the street flooded his mind along with Malik being an extra he would have to take care of because there would be no way that Ryou would willing leave him behind.
The Doctor started to explain everything but all Bakura heard was 'Bullet, heart, rupture, internal bleeding, unstable' "Bakura." The hand on his shoulder brought him to focus on the Doctor again. Bakura wanted to take his medical terms and shove them down his throat. "He's in ICU now and under the best care."
"I want to see him." Bakura asked.
"He can't have any visitors until he becomes stable." The Doctor shook Yami's hand who thanked him and watched the Doctor walk away almost running right into Tucker who also approached them.
She knew that Bakura must be having a hard time considering what happened, she hoped to bring better news for the youth. "Hello Bakura." She smiled gently. "How are you holding up? Is there anything I can get you?"
"Marik's in ICU." Yami said as it looked like Bakura wasn't going to talk.
"Well, I have good news; Malik had twelve stitches to his arm. The bullet wound was only a flesh wound, no permanent damage and no infection. I have prescribed some medications for him, painkillers mostly; they will make Malik drowsy and antibiotics just in case. I want to see him in a few days." She glanced at Yami. "I have requested that Malik continues to see Miss. Valentine."
Yami nodded. "I'll be sure to pass that onto Marik when he's better."
"I want to keep Malik over night." Tucker added.
"Can I see him?" Bakura asked, if he couldn't get in to see Marik at least he could be at Malik's side.
"Sure." Tucker nodded and waved her hand for them to follow.
"I have to call the station." Yami said backing up while pulling out his cell phone from his pocket. "I'll catch up."
Bakura followed Doctor Tucker through the hallways of the hospital. "Malik might be unresponsive since we had to sedate him." She opened a door to a room. "He had another lapse." Bakura went to walk into the room when she placed her hand on his shoulder stopping him. "I'll see what I can do about getting you into see Marik."
"Thanks." Bakura watched her leave before he entered the room. Malik looked so small and fragile in such a large bed. "Hey Malik?" Bakura walked around the bed. Malik lay on his side curled up in a ball under the pale sheets. "Malik?" No answer came, not even movement. Bakura got closer and brushed the hair away that hung over Malik's eyes to find the boy staring. "Malik," Bakura said more softly as he sat down at eye level. "Hey?" Bakura's eyes lingered on the bruising that was visible. "I spoke to Ryou; he can't wait to see you." Still nothing, Bakura bit his lip not sure what to do.
Malik slowly made eye contact and reached out with his good hand in which Bakura took in his. Tears filled Malik's light lavender eyes. "I want to go home now." His voice barely above a whisper, Bakura however heard him.
"I promise I'll take you home as soon as I can." Bakura's eyes widened as Malik started sobbing. "Hey." Bakura stood getting on the bed. "It's all over now, they can't hurt you anymore." Malik clung to him buried his face into Bakura's chest and sobbed his little heart out. Bakura rubbed Malik's back. "Just let it all out."
At some point Malik stopped crying and his breathing became even, the kid had cried himself to sleep. Bakura didn't have the energy to move and soon he too was drifting off.
Bakura jolted upright on the bed at hearing the door open. "Good evening." A nurse said brightly as she walked in. The room was cast in dark shades of grey, until the low lights were switched on. "You both have been asleep all day." Bakura glanced out the window and indeed it was dark outside.
Malik too woke up when the nurse gave him a brief check up and wrote in his chart. "How's my little patient this evening." Tucker walked in.
"He seems a lot calmer." The nurse replied handing over the chart.
"That's good." Tucker said flipping through the paper. "How are you Bakura?" She glanced up at him.
"Fine." He got off the bed. Malik panicked and latched onto Bakura's arm not wanting him to be too far away.
"I have news on Marik. He is slowly stabilizing and may be up to visitors tomorrow if he keeps improving, we may even be able to place him in a room."
Tucker turned her attention onto the nurse and the two of them spoke in their medical terms. "Bakura you need to go home." Tucker said. "You need proper rest as well."
"But I..." Bakura glanced at Malik who had taken his arm captive with no negotiation of getting it back anytime soon.
"Malik will sleep through the night undisturbed." Tucker stood by the bed a syringe in hand and working on injecting it into Malik's IV.
"Do you have too?" Bakura asked. "He's already sleeping well and I don't mind spending the night." Bakura felt Malik was a little too drugged up.
"With what's happened to him, I'm not taking any chances. You can come back in the morning." She left no room for argument.
Bakura glanced down as Malik gripped his shirt and the tearful pleading expression on his face. Bakura gripped his hand in his and looked at Tucker who was watching them both. "Could I stay? With everything that's happened I really don't want to leave him."
Tucker didn't have all the details of what happened, all she knew was that someone had tried to kill both boys. "It's against the hospital's policies." She sighed. "Just keep your head down and stay put." The nurse and Tucker left.
Malik was already fighting to stay away, so Bakura moved him over and joining Malik on the bed. The kid snuggled right into Bakura's side and gripped tightly onto his shirt. "I want to see Daddy." Malik whispered.
"We'll see him soon." Bakura ran his fingers through Malik's hair. Bakura stared at the ceiling for awhile, and for the first time in his life he was silently praying that Marik would pull through and that they'd be all back together as a family, and this time, Bakura was going to appreciate it a lot more.
"Thought you got away?" That voice, Bakura went to sit up, but found himself pinned down on the bed by Honda. "Thought you were so damn cleaver, didn't you?" Bakura kicked his legs, even tried screaming for help, not a sound passed his lips. "Look." Honda hissed digging his fingernails into Bakura's face as he gripped his chin and mouth forcing Bakura to turn his head. "I did what Majed couldn't... and got myself a little extra on the side." Malik lay face down in the corner of the room in a pool of blood and Ryou lay draped over Malik's back with his throat slit wide open and staring right at Bakura. Honda raised his hand the glint of a blood stained knife cutting the air and aimed for Bakura's chest. "You'll never escape me!"
Bakura jolted upright in the bed his heart pounding, he was gasping for air as he glanced wildly about the dimly lit hospital room while running a hand over his chest. Malik was in an unnatural state of sound sleep beside him. Bakura ran a hand through his hair as he got up off the bed.
Bakura took the chair deciding that he had had enough sleep for now and would just simply watch over Malik until morning.
Bakura jolted awake in the chair his eyes focusing on Malik sitting up in bed staring at a tray of food. "You have to eat that it won't eat itself." Bakura stood up and stretched.
"I want Daddy's pancakes." Malik whispered pushing away the food. "I want to go home."
"Just try and eat something or they won't let you out of here." Bakura said approaching the bed and looking the food over, it had no colour and most of it looked like ooze. "On second thought... we can get something from the cafeteria." Bakura picked Malik up and left the room.
They ate breakfast and visited Isis who was also being visited by Rishid, who had been released from the hospital and they spent their morning together. "I can get a cleanup crew today and straighten the house up before Marik gets out." Rashid said.
"I can go home?" Malik asked in his soft whisper.
"Sure, we'll pick Ryou up as well." Isis hugged him tightly. "What do you think Bakura?" She asked. "About Rishid and I looking after the three of you until Marik is released." She glanced at Rashid when she got no answer.
"They still won't let me see him." Bakura muttered staring out the window.
"I'm sure we can see him soon." She smiled turning her attention onto Malik, who was once again drifting off to sleep. "Poor baby," She hugged him tightly resting her chin on top his head. "How are you?" She asked Bakura.
He shrugged, "Fine." Like Malik, he just wanted to be home. "I'm going for a walk." Bakura headed for the door.
"Bakura?!" Rashid called out concerned.
"I need some air." He said over his shoulder.
Bakura had no destination in mind as he walked the hallways of the hospital. His feet however brought him to the doors to the ICU. Bakura weighed up his options, he could sneak inside without anyone noticing, just get few minutes to see Marik, to see with his own eyes that the other was doing ok. "Oh are you here for someone?" Bakura turned about to see a young nurse standing before him with an arm full of charts and files.
"My father." Bakura turned about. "I just want to see him for a few moments if possible."
"What's his name?" She asked.
"Marik Ishtar."
"The detective?" She sounded surprised. "I'm sorry..."
"Please." Bakura cut her off. "You don't understand what we've been through, he saved my life. I just want a few moments."
"Alright." She opened the doors and stopped. "I'll give you a few moments. Do not touch anything." She narrowed her eyes at him.
"Scouts honour." Bakura did the salute.
"I can lose my job for doing this." She led him right to Marik's bedside.
Bakura gasped, it shocked him, Marik looked to be in a tangled up mess of wires and tubs connected to machines, that hissed and beeped around him, most going in and out of his chest that was heavily bandaged, tears filled Bakura's eyes. "I'll give you a moment." She closed the curtains and walked away.
Bakura moved to the bed as close as he dared, the machines taking up most of the room, but he was able to grip Marik's fingers lightly. "They told me what was wrong with you but it might as well have been in Latin." Bakura ran a hand through his hair. "I wanted to thank you for coming and saving us. It's kinda your thing, isn't it? You look like shit by the way." Bakura lightly chuckled and it faded. "Malik's doing really good, talking and all, full sentences and everything... I really need you to pull through for our sake."
"You have to leave now." The nurse came back.
Bakura nodded and leaned down. "Pull through; you know what Ryou is like when he doesn't get his way, he'll kick all our asses if you don't wake up soon." Bakura kissed Marik's cheek and brushed the hair from his face. "See you soon." Bakura turned and left. The nurse saw him to the door. "Wait!" Bakura stopped her from leaving. "How's he really doing?"
"He's very unstable; the bullet was very close to his heart." She bit her lip. "We've already had to resuscitate him." She patted his shoulder. "Hang in there, your father's a real fighter."
Three days rolled by and Christmas was closer than ever. Isis and Rashid decorated the house in hopes to lift a few spirits; a very grumpy Ryou who seemed uninterested in his favourite festive season threw a tantrum on more than one occasion and this was one of them. "I don't wants Christmas! I don't wants to help!" Ryou finally snapped, it had built up all morning and threw the Santa ornament on the floor breaking it. "I wants my Daddy! I wants to see him now!" He screamed at them.
"Ryou, honey." Isis reached for him, didn't matter how much they tried to explain it to him, Ryou seemed more frustrated than ever.
"Yous are keeping my Daddy from me!" Ryou pulled away tears running down his cheeks. "I hates you!" Isis gasped, Bakura tried calming him explaining that Marik was finally getting better and they'd all be able to see him soon, but Ryou made more of a fuss not believing them at all, so Bakura let him go watching with a passive look on his face.
"Ryou." Malik walked into the room hearing the boy all the way upstairs, despite Isis, Rashid and Bakura's attempts to get Ryou to feel better, they were making it worse and annoyed Malik knowing they were just upsetting him. Malik said nothing as he held out his hand and the moment he did Ryou ran over right in his personal space.
"I don't likes them." Ryou sniffled wiping his face with the backs of his hand; hiccups escaped him now and then. Malik turned and left the room, Ryou instantly followed close behind clutching onto the back of Malik's shirt as he let himself be led.
"How does Malik do it?" Isis sighed fixing a few lose hairs that had come undone from her ponytail.
Bakura shrugged wishing he had the power to calm Ryou when the boy went nuclear. The doorbell rang and Isis got up at the same time the phone rang. "I'll get it." Bakura offered walking to the phone as Isis got the door.
Shizuka, Yami, Kaiba and Mai stood on their doorstep. "We need to talk." Mai said. Isis let them in and through the house to kitchen.
Isis made them all drinks with the help of Shizuka and soon they were all sitting about the table. "Under the circumstances Malik, Bakura and Marik will have to go to court." Yami said.
"I don't think." Isis paused for a moment. "Malik you see, he still doesn't speak often and if anything upsets him he... shuts down, he hasn't said anything in two days, only to Ryou." She explained.
"Let us finish." Shizuka gripped Isis's hand.
"I know of Malik's condition and so is the judge." Mai spoke up. "So he's giving us a week after Christmas to get everything together for the court hearing."
"Ok." Isis nodded again.
"Also, Majed is recovering and if all goes well for him, he'll be at that hearing as well." Yami added.
"But Malik won't talk if his father is there." Isis glanced from Yami to Mai.
"That's why it's best if we keep Malik away. I've spoken to the Judge and he's agreed to hold a private setting for just Malik, so he won't have to face his father. I want to make this as less stressful for Malik as I possibly can." Mai added. "I'll need to see Malik after Christmas."
"Honda Hiroto escaped." Kaiba took a sip of his hot coffee.
"What do you mean, he escaped?" Bakura asked from the doorway, he had heard everything.
"Get the little ones." Isis said to Bakura a panic feeling overwhelming her. She had to get the boys now and leave for somewhere safe. Her father's cabin that was five hours out of town, it sounded really good.
"Easy." Shizuka held her hand giving it a gentle squeeze.
"He was last seen passing over the border." Yami pulled out a few photos of Honda in a car at a checkpoint. "They didn't know who he was at the time until we sent out an APB, by then it was too late."
"What does that mean?" Isis hissed at him angry for them not doing their jobs properly and protecting them. "What if he comes back for one of the boys or me?"
Yami raised his hand. "Honda won't be able to get far. The other state knows who he is and is on the lookout for him, he won't be able to pass any other boarders without being arrested. We just have to wait for now."
"We'll keep a good watch on the house." Kaiba reassured.
"Isis." Bakura moved towards the table. "The hospital called, they're moving Marik up to his own room now and he's stabile enough to have visitors."
Isis took a deep breath and smiled. "Get the boys, we'll go see him." They all stood from the table and Isis led them back to the front door.
"Isis." Yami faced her. "We'll do all we can't in getting Honda behind bars where he belongs." He frowned gripping her arm. "Are you going to be alright?"
"Fine... just recovering is all." She smiled watching them all leave and closed to door to go get ready herself.
"WE GOING TO SEES DADDY!?" Ryou shouted excitedly somewhere on the top floor.
The best day in Ryou opinion was the day that Marik came home, Christmas eve. Ryou didn't leave Marik's side for a second and fetched everything he thought Marik needed. Ryou made hot drinks with the help of Bakura or Isis. "I can makes it." Ryou would snap at them when they tried to help, but really if you asked Ryou, they were simply trying to take over and get all the glory of his hard work... it wasn't going to happen. "I knows how Daddy likes it." He'd pushed them away, holding the hot drink in both hands and walking it back to the living room.
Ryou brought Marik more blankets then he knew what to do with, but didn't say anything but ruffled Ryou's white locks with a thank you. The night passed with the odd little family sitting in the living room watching the line up of Christmas movies until Ryou and Malik had drifted off and were put to bed.
Christmas morning was spent about the tree unwrapping gifts, Bakura being the most surprised to be handed gifts. He held the brightly wrapped present for a long moment; he couldn't recall the last time was he given gifts whether it'd be birthdays or otherwise. "You have to open it." Marik raised an eyebrow.
"Oh wow!" Ryou gasped as he tore into one gift after another. Isis just giggled and lent her head on Rashid's shoulder.
Malik on the other hand just stared at his gifts with a furrowed brow, unsure of what to do with them. He glanced at Ryou who was having a great time unwrapping, colour-in books and an art set and Bakura seemed to enjoying himself... Malik glanced back at his gift; did he tear into like Ryou? But what if he broke it? Then he'd have no gift at all. It was best that he just left it sitting where it was.
"Marik." Isis called her brother's name softly and nodded in Malik's direction.
"Malik," Marik called out to him. "Come here, bring your gifts." Malik got up taking his gift with him to the armchair. Marik was on complete rest he wasn't able to walk around too much or lift anything at all, he'd spent his morning in the armchair. "What's the matter?" Marik asked as Malik stood beside him.
"I... I don't... I don't know to open it." Malik whispered, despite the boy talking which made not only Marik happy but Ryou and Bakura as well, however Malik never raised his voice at all and only spoke when necessary. "I never had one before." It brought tears to Isis's eyes as she overheard.
"Like this." Marik helped a little bit to show Malik how to unwrap his gift and soon the boy had all his gifts open.
Soon the house was full; Yami, Rebecca and Yugi were the last ones to arrive for a short visit. "This is Yugi." Ryou said introducing the boy. Malik liked Yugi; he was quite, kind and very gentle, opposite to what Malik was used to dealing with a very bossy and demanding Ryou.
"Ryou you can come stay again when your Daddy is better, Malik too." Yugi offered as his Mother helped him with his jacket. Yugi had already declared that they would be the best of friends.
"Malik." Ryou grabbed his hand. "Let's go make a snowman." He led Malik out into the back yard. "Come on Milly!" Ryou called, the puppy in her little jacket, yapped as she ran after them.
The day was filled with Marik's family who soon left the later it got. "Be good girls for your father." Marik's mother patted Ryou and Malik on the head. "Oh." The she laughed. "They're so beautiful Marik; they look just like their mother." She patted Bakura on the cheek. "I wasn't sure at first, but she's makes such a pretty wife."
Bakura snorted and turned back into the house, Marik just laughed finding it funny than anything else. "Let's go now." Isis took their mother's arm. "Marik needs his rest." She led their mother out to the car, Rashid jumping in the driver's seat.
"Daddy." Ryou tugged on Marik's shirt and pointed to woman crossing the lawn, with fiery red hair.
"Elder." Ryou watched Marik smile and glanced back at the woman. Ryou glanced at Malik, both little ones watching as the adults exchanged words as they hugged and she was invited in.
Marik led the way to the kitchen, "Daddy." Ryou followed with Malik close behind only to have their paths blocked by Bakura.
"C'mon Runts." Bakura in one sweeping motion picked both Ryou and Malik up under each arm and walked them to the living room.
"Put something on Ryou." Bakura ordered as he put both boys on their feet.
"What would yous like to watch?" Ryou bit his lip, his eyes lit up as he picked up a DVD that Isis had brought him on one of their shopping trips. "SpongeBob!" Ryou squealed hopping about.
"I already have a headache." Bakura groaned as he turned everything on and got the show started. Ryou jumped about the room singing away; naturally he forced Malik to sing-along as well. Ryou soon settled down and watched the show, Milly curled up on Malik's lap and Ra was rather comfortable by the fireplace.
Soon their attention was pulled to the argument in the kitchen. "Daddy shouldn't be getting upset." Ryou said worriedly getting up.
"Just watch your show." Bakura said getting up. "Malik keep him in here."
Malik did, patting the spot next to him and said. "I'm cold." Ryou gasped grabbed the blanket Marik had been using and wrapped it around them both and snuggled up to Malik.
Bakura entered the kitchen to see the woman in tears. "Just remember Elder you brought this upon yourself." Marik sneered.
"You did Marik when you brought these kids in." She snapped. "I thought it was fine for awhile but I thought you'd give them over to the saté... So I left for a few months hoping when I got back they would be gone, but they're still here! You don't need to start a family with me since you already have one!"
"Those kids have no one but me!" Marik pointed in the direction of the living room and right where Bakura was standing. "If you can't handle it Elder, then leave." She teared up even more and ran from the kitchen, almost bumping into Bakura as she fled the house with a slam of the front door. Marik sighed and took a seat, rubbing slightly at his chest.
"She kinda sounded like my mother." Bakura rubbed the back of his neck.
"Heard it did you?" Marik glanced at him.
"Hard not to," Bakura approached.
"Damn it." Marik hissed about to get up.
"They're fine... Malik has Ryou wrapped about his finger." Bakura grinned taking a seat. "If you ask me I think it's Ryou who has Malik wrapped about his finger with always demanding Malik's attention." Marik smiled, he'd give Ryou credit, he was smart and knew how to get what he wanted. "How are you?" Bakura asked leaning on the table.
"Fine." Marik muttered, though he had thought she'd be the one for him... been partners for years did everything together and the one thing that Marik was needed for and to do the right thing, she couldn't handle it. Marik wasn't going to give up the boys because she wanted him to.
"I'll make some hot drinks." Bakura got up, feeling that this little break-up was his and Ryou's doing; if they weren't in Marik's care she'd still be around.
"Elder has never really liked kids. She lives more for her job than anything else. It had nothing to do with..." Marik stopped talking when Bakura wrapped his arms about Marik from behind, resting his head on Marik's shoulder.
"Thank you for everything." Marik gripped his arm and gave it a squeeze and before he could say anything Bakura pulled away and got to work in the kitchen making hot drinks.
"I had a great day." Ryou said as Bakura tucked him into bed and got a kiss on his forehead; the child was already yawning and falling asleep. Malik had his arms wrapped about Milly and both fast asleep, after all they had such a big day. Bakura stopped at the door, looking the room over one more time to be sure, before flicking out the light and leaving, almost running into Isis.
"Oh are they already asleep?" She asked.
"They practically passed out." Bakura sighed tiredly as Isis linked her arm with his.
"I think Marik's passed out as well." She laughed. "I'm so relieved to have him home again, having all of you home again."
"You and me both." Bakura said just as Isis cupped one side of his face, turned it slightly and kissed his cheek.
"Merry Christmas." She smiled unlinking their arms and walking off.
The few days over Christmas were wonderful for Bakura, spending most of his time in Marik's company. Isis and Rashid kept Ryou and Malik busy in the kitchen with all kinds of baking, everything was finally back to normal.
The hallway was busy, with men and woman dressed in dull suits rushed about like they were in a hurry. "Do you understand, Malik?" Mai asked sitting in a chair next to him, Shizuka and the nice Doctor was standing a few feet away, Marik had a hold of his hand. "Malik, remember we've talked about this all week?" Mai pressed looking up at Marik.
"Give me a second." Marik asked Mai nodded got up and joined Shizuka and Tucker. "Malik, for only a very short time you need to talk to a man about everything that happened, how your father..."
"But." Malik gripped onto Marik's jacket tears filling his eyes. "You're my Dad." Marik's chest felt light and he smiled changing his words. "All you have to do is talk about Majed, do you think you can do that?" Malik nodded his head yes. "I'll be with you so you don't have to be afraid."
"Malik Jihad." The door opened suddenly and out walked a woman with black hair pinned back into a bun, with not one hair out of place, dressed in all black, attractive if it wasn't for that scolding look on her face as if she had one too many bad days rolled into one and reminded Marik of his third grade teacher, cold, strict and to the point... Miss Archer, Marik recalled running into her before, when Malik was forced to see his father. "Follow me please." She turned walking back the way she had come, her high heels clipping loudly on the tiled flooring.
She led them all down a hallway and opened the door. "The Judge Hawkins will see you now."
Marik paused and had to ask. "Arthur Hawkins?"
"The very one." Miss Archer entered the room.
There sitting at a desk was Yami's wife's Grandfather and Marik had to wonder if Rebecca had anything to do with this? "Sit down please."
Malik sat in the only chair that faced the elderly man and could see no one else unless he turned his head. "Hello Malik." Hawkins glanced up as he closed a few folders. "Just reading up on Miss. Valentine's report, it was very interesting." He more so informed the group rather than the child. "So, Malik you're living with Mr. Ishtar now? Do you like living with him?"
"Yes?" Malik nodded and added in his whisper tone. "He's my Dad and I also have two brothers."
"That sounds wonderful." Hawkins smiled. "I have a Grandson about your age." As the conversation went on Judge Hawkins got Malik talking more and more and soon got to the point of why the boy was here.
Malik talked about how he didn't really remember having a mother, only his father and how he had turned on Malik. The beatings weren't that often and when Majed had met Honda Hiroto for the first time and they became friends. The beatings got worse and even Honda had smacked him around a little threatening to kill him and then the women.
Honda whispered dark things in Majed's ear they brought home women, made them giggle and make funny sounds behind closed doors and then after a while, it was the screaming as Majed and Honda threw them down into the basement and days later drag them back up.
The women went down into the basement alive but they came back up dead and Malik never saw them again as Majed and Honda stuffed them into the trunk of the car or into the van and drove away into the night.
Malik also talked about the night were Majed and Honda had broken into the house kidnapped him and Bakura and how Isis was there too and how Majed shot him in the arm and how much it had hurt, even the struggle on the roof when Majed tried to kill Bakura and shot his Dad.
"Ok Malik, you did really well, thank you so much for talking to me." Hawkins again smiled in a kind way. Mai had been writing down notes, since Malik didn't really talk to her; she'd have something to work within her future sessions with the child.
Bakura glanced up when the door opened. "How did he go?" Ryou pulled free of his older brother's hand and rushed Malik giving him a big hug.
"Yous look upset." Ryou frowned a slight growl to his voice.
"Very well," Marik said, by this time Isis, Rashid and Kaiba were waiting for them along with Yami, Rebecca and their son Yugi.
"Ryou, Malik." Rebecca walked over and knelt down before the boys. "Let's go to the park and have an ice-cream."
"I wants to stay with Daddy." Ryou backed up.
"We can buy your Daddy an ice-cream too when he joins in a little while." She smiled not deterred by Ryou's refusal again.
"I'm not goings with yous." Ryou crossed his arm over his chest. Yugi looked ready to cry, the idea of not wanting ice-scream was just, just so sad.
Malik had had enough of this place and just wanted to leave before someone else wanted to him to talk about that man again. "I want ice-cream." Malik whispered and it was all it took, Ryou had his hand and was following Rebecca and Yugi.
The court hearing took most of the day; Malik's statement was read out to the court by Hawkins himself. Isis, Bakura and Marik took turns on the stand. Miss Archer did her best in defending her client Majed.
Majed plead with the court that he loved his only son and that they had the wrong person and that Marik had played Malik against him. Evidence, however proved otherwise.
That afternoon the court ruled. Majed was sentenced to death row.
Marik, Bakura, Isis, Rashid and Yami walked to the park were they found Rebecca watching over little Yugi, Ryou and Malik playing with a group of other small children, stopping for a moment to wave at their parents.
"It's finally done." Marik sighed, rubbing at his chest a little to ease the slight pain; it was truly over, even for Bakura.
"Majed is going to fry." Bakura grinned, looking down at the letter Shizuka handed him before they left the court house. The case and his involvement in the death of Roy McCrypt and Marcus Black was dropped due to their cause of death was unclear and lack of evidence and there was no case, just a few guys doing illegal stuff that turned bad.
"You dodged a bullet there." Marik said, knowing now that Bakura had his whole future to look forward too.
Bakura lent back enjoying the winter sun. "It's the good life from now on." He leapt to his feet and ran across the snow covered park to play with the little ones.
TBC
Last chapter coming real soon, it's already completed I'm just editing and making small touch ups before I post it, Review people.