I just couldn't find a good way to end this, I don't know if it'll be the happy ending you all wanted, but it's going to be a satisfying ending all the same. I'm having to break it up into two chapters as it ranged well in the twenty something pages and I've skimmed over a lot but hoping to have given enough to see how life is for this odd little family, well I'm more than happy with it anyway and I hope you are too, enjoy.

This chapter has been edited to the best of my ability.

Warnings: 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! However, the plot belongs to me.

Chapter 34: Part 1: The Last Man Standing.

Malik awoke jolting upright in bed, trembling, sweating and holding back tears as he frantically searched his room to make sure his nightmare wasn't real. Posters on the walls, heavy drapes to block out the sun, clothes he wore all week spilled and dropped about his bedroom, over his desk, chair, floor and even the end of his bed. "Damn it," Malik hissed and flopped back down on his bed, placed his arms over his eyes and grits his teeth together and tried to calm himself down. A soft whine was heard before a heavy body jumped onto the bed and slumped itself right on top of Malik practically crushing him. "Milly," Malik groaned as the adult golden retriever went for his face for a good licking in her way to see if he was ok. "No," Malik pushed her nose away and got up.

Milly rolled into the warm spot that Malik left behind on the bed and went right to sleep. He left his room and walked to the bathroom. He searched the cabinet and found all his medications lined up. Malik stared at the simple made-up labels with bold letters. He had quiet often forgot which ones he needed to take and ended up getting so worked up about it that Ryou had made the labels himself for easier reading, (I'm for nights take two) (I'm for mornings take one) and (Take one of me if upset) Malik reached for the aspirin instead to be rid of the dull headache. He hated taking them they made him feel even more detached from reality and slightly more insane. He washed them down and then washed his face with cold water.

It was only a dream. Malik took a few deeper breathes as he lent against the basin with his eyes closed, pushing away the horrifying images and feelings from his nightmare. It didn't work, his chest constricted and his breathing became laboured. He reached for the prescribed medication labelled for mornings and the other for when he was like this, popped the caps and took them. He sighed and stepped back from the basin closing the mirror door and there in the refection looming over him was Honda, Malik whipped about with a gasp and fell against the basin knocking items down onto the floor.

"Are you ok?" Marik asked worriedly as he slowly approached, "Heard you from all the way downstairs."

Malik rubbed his eyes with a sigh and taking another deep breath, 'yeah," he muttered crouching down and picked up the toothpaste, plastic cup and razor and placed them all back on the counter.

"The medication isn't helping, is it?" There are far too many bottles, too many pills for a kid Malik's age to be taking, Marik it didn't like it, but it was necessary according to Mai and Tucker, they were all meant to help Malik function like any normal teenager.

Malik shook his head no. The side effects are mild, but a few made him crash at night and sleep heavier than the dead and prevented him from waking and they intensified his dreams, like this morning. He hated taking them. Malik was engulfed in Marik's arms and hugged tightly for a moment before he was let go. "Better get downstairs before Ryou eats everyone's breakfast." Malik raised an eyebrow, surprised that Ryou wasn't up here; usually he was the first one at his side at moments like this... then again, being pancake morning; a Zombie Apocalypse wouldn't pull Ryou away from the table.

"Dad," Malik reached out and stopped his father from leaving the bathroom, "Honda is. I mean I've been..." Malik had tried so hard lately to tell his father that he had been seeing Honda from time to time in their street, standing out front of their house, in town when walking to school, driving by in a van.

"Hey," Marik cupped one side of Malik's face, the conversation was an old one and to be expected according to Mai and Malik's condition, Marik could never say the words it's all your head kid. Marik did what he knew best on how to deal with this old situation. "I can get Bakura to drive you to and from school he won't mind." However it didn't make things any better, but it always worked putting some ease to Malik's paranoia.

"It's not that, I just wanted to know if there was any news about him?" Malik hated making Marik worry and maybe it was all in his head a side effect of the meds. Marik looked unconvinced, "I'll talk about it with Mai today," Malik added as a reassurance.

"He'll be caught sooner or later." Malik frowned; Marik always said that, but what he really wanted to hear was that Honda is dead and to see his rotting corpse. Malik nodded his head like usual and followed his father downstairs.

"Bakura! I'll stab you with my fork if you do it again!" Malik entered the kitchen to see Bakura grinning as he held a pancake out of reach, most likely it came from off Ryou's plate, "that's it!" Ryou stood up wanting blood and justice for his loss, "you're going to die!" Before he could do anything Marik put his hand on his shoulder and forced Ryou back into his chair.

"Dad he's stealing all the pancakes, including mine," Ryou sent his deadly glare at Bakura and seethed, "you're such a pig." Rishid ignored them, kept his nose in the morning's newspaper hoping it would act as a shield and he'd remain unnoticed.

"Look who's talking porky, that uniform is looking rather tight lately." Bakura's grin a pure evil one as he started eating the stolen pancake.

Ryou huffed and flipped him off mouthing a fuck you. Bakura just laughed. "I'll make more," Marik said to end their squabbling, which ended almost instantly when Malik sat down between his brothers.

"I saved you some," Bakura said pushing the plate towards Malik and giving him a meaningful look. Bakura knowing all too well since he too suffered from nightmares as well, but he rebuffed the medication Mai prescribed him, telling her nothing she could give him would help any more or any less and that he had been a screw-up from the moment he drew his first breath. That comment got him just as many visits to Mai's office as Malik. Malik had told him he should have taken the medication, but Bakura was happy to just talk out his emotions and just deal with it like he had always done.

Malik glanced at Ryou, who gave him a concerned look. "I'm fine honestly," Malik reassured Ryou, who would now undoubtedly go into overdrive and watch him like a hawk for the weeks to come, not that Ryou really ever stopped keeping an eye on him anyway. A new stack of pancakes soothed Ryou's inner beast as he munched them down happily one after another.

"Bakura, I want you to pick them both up after school," Marik informed them while sipping his hot coffee.

"No," Ryou shook his head finally done eating, "we're doing a little Christmas shopping after school, speaking of which." Ryou smiled so innocently and sweetly holding his hand out, "Daddy I need..."

"Not happening," Marik shut him down instantly, "you have a part-time job Ryou buy them yourself. You earn enough." Marik would cave though giving them all extra cash the closer Christmas got.

Bakura laughed kicking his younger brother's chair, "You're such a suck up, Ryou."

"That goes for you too Bakura," Marik added, this time Ryou laughed at Bakura's annoyed look.

Malik silently listened and watched the banter between his brothers as another argument erupted and insults flew across the table. It was always best to keep out of their little spats. Malik took his fill and was the first to leave the kitchen to get ready. "A girl called for you Ryou," Marik placed the small note with said girl's number on it before the teen. "She wants you to call her back."

"Not likely," Ryou muttered eyeing the number and pushing the note away after recognizing the name and added, "She only wants one thing."

Marik spat his coffee back into his cup an unexpected blow that Ryou knew of such adult matters already, when only yesterday it seemed Ryou only knew of cartoons, colouring books, toys and nightly tuck-ins. They grow-up so fast, Marik thought and he really enjoyed seeing them grow each day. Rishid confused spoke up, "I always thought that was a good thing, that girls are interested in you like that."

"No, no it's not," Ryou said firmly a slight frown on his face, "I'm saving myself."

"Really," Rishid leant forward, "and who pray-tell are you saving yourself for?"

"Don't ask," Bakura rolled his eyes.

Ryou gave his uncle a serious look. "Malik," he stated as if it should have been obvious. He left the room leaving behind a bewildered uncle.

Marik said nothing. He took a sip of his coffee ignoring the shocked look Rishid was giving him.

"Told you," Bakura said as he too got to his feet and left the room.

"You want to tell me about it?" Mai asked setting in her chair across from Malik. He shook his head not wanting to come off crazier than he already was. "Malik these sessions with me are to help you cope." Mai lent forward. "Your father is worried; he told me that you aren't sleeping well, you're stressed out, and you are barely talking and you're seeing things, seeing him."

Malik was aware that his family worried and he thought he talked enough. His father gave those silent looks from time to time wanting to know what was bothering him, perhaps his dad saw through the smiles he flashed in false hope to come off happy and normal. On the other hand, Ryou saw through them each time, though he wasn't as pushy these days, but he was still very demanding in some ways and when Malik shutdown, Ryou would go into overdrive. Bakura was there most of the time to keep Ryou in line. Malik gave a sigh glancing at the woman across from him knowing that what he was about to say wouldn't leave this room.

"I thought I saw him," Malik whispered taking in a shaking breath. "Last week outside a store with a young girl, and again yesterday outside a coffee shop that Ryou and I always stop at after school."

"Who?" Mai frowned, putting pen to paper scribbling it all down without looking at him.

"Honda," Malik said in a shaky voice, "I think he may be following me."

"Malik," She stopped writing and moved to sit on the edge of her chair. "He left the state that night and hasn't returned, and if he tried to he would have been arrested." She sighed, "I think you are stressed. How are things at school? At home? How are your brother's treating you?"

"I swear that it's him! I've even seen him in the hallways at school. I haven't told Dad that it's getting worse." Malik knew she wouldn't believe him Mai had so much faith in the system that it could never fail.

"I think a stronger dose for your medication, will help." Mai paused flipping back through her notes. "You are taking you're... Malik?" She gasped as he got up grabbed his backpack and walked out the door. "We aren't done yet!" She rushed after him, "We have to still talk about Majed and what's happening today." She followed him to the elevator looking upset and worried, "Malik I'll have to call your father about this." Hands on her hips as she scolded him, he just wanted to flip her off.

Malik stepped out into the street putting in his headphones into his ears and upped the volume to full drowning everything out but for the music and headed for school. Why did Mai always make him feel crazier? He took his medication to her orders even though she upped the dosage every month and he saw Tucker on weekly bases for checkups and still going through all that, it wasn't helping. The restless nights filled with nightmares, seeing Honda wherever he went. Was he crazy? Malik rubbed at his eyes, maybe he is and the best steps to take would be to admit it.

Malik stopped at a traffic light, sighing he turned his face skyward for a moment closing his eyes and tried to calm his mind, only for it to drift in Majed's direction. The man sent him letters every week for the past eleven years to which Marik tore up without reading to Malik's requests. He really didn't want anything to do with that man; however, registered mail arrived one morning last week, containing the date and time and other details of Majed's execution and his final request to see Malik most likely to seek forgiveness before biting the big one. The execution is today, Malik refused again to see the man. He can die with his guilt and rot in hell. Malik felt no guilt at having his hand on the man's death. He had stood in court more than once during Majed's trial and blamed everything on him since the women he had murdered couldn't speak for themselves, so Malik did it for them. At least, all ties to that man would be forever severed come nightfall.

Honda, however, was still free. Perhaps, he was recruiting some young easily influenced man to join him in his twisted need for killing. Malik took a deep breath as scenarios played out in his mind; Honda was dead already, killed years go by bikers in a drunken fight at some backwater bar or maybe Honda bit off more than he could chew and was killed by one of his victims, and his body dumped in the woods, a desert or the bottom of a river or ocean wearing cement shoes, either way Malik hoped for each death he imagined Honda going through, he suffered greatly and his body never found.

Malik opened his eyes and suddenly he felt a whole lot better. The traffic lights gave the signal and he crossed the road with the rest of the crowd. Malik stumbled on his feet as he was bumped into rather hard. "Sorry," The man said, shoulders hunched and he glanced back with an unsettling smile and the unmistakable hair style and brown eyes. A chill run up Malik's spine and he froze on the spot, Honda.

"Hey kid!" Malik yelped as he was grabbed onto and yanked backwards; a truck's horn blew as Malik fell onto the sidewalk. "Trying to get yourself killed?!" Malik rose to his feet swiftly and searched every face he could... none of them were him.

The dull headache made its self known, he is crazy. Malik said nothing to his saviour as he turned and ran all the way to school.

The day went as normal classes rolled one after another in a blur and Malik felt himself struggle to cope with his mind's need to torment him and tried to convince himself of just that, his mind was a cruel thing. Malik wanted nothing more than to seek some comfort from Ryou. Sadly Ryou or Yugi were neither in Malik's classes he'd meet up with them in their breaks. Malik glanced at the clock lunch was forever away and he hoped to keep it together until then.

At lunch, Malik sat so close to Ryou that he was practically sitting on the other, nervously watching everyone that walked by. Ryou noticed he was distracted by something and Malik refused to say anything in fear of freaking out and making a scene, Malik's bullies had enough to torment him with, he didn't need to give them extra. Ryou as always said nothing and simply let Malik be, he knew they'd talk later when the other was ready. Yugi struck up a conversation and took away their focus. By the end of the break Malik was in a better mood. Ryou always knew what to say and put Malik at easy before they parted for class, Ryou jogged down the hallway meeting up with a few of his friends. Ryou had an abundance of friends being the social butterfly that he was and how people were just naturally drawn to him and the many after school clubs that Ryou was in also helped, but only a small few of Ryou's friends accepted Malik like Yugi, who accompanied him to class and often walked home with them after school. Yugi even came over and they'd walk to school together when Ryou was too sick go. "Is everything ok?" Yugi asked, he didn't know much of Malik's past only that it had been a hard one and all the same Yugi openly offered his friendship from the day they met all those years ago.

Malik only nodded his head and giving his short friend a slight smile. "You know that if you want to talk to someone other than an adults you can talk to me. You have my number." Yugi always offered, which Malik could never take his offer, someone like Yugi who had never known anything outside his loving family, caring nature and sheltered life. Malik felt that even if he spoke a word of what he went through, that Yugi couldn't handle the dark cruel horrors that he kept within him that only a select few adults could handle. "Ok," Yugi smiled faintly. "See you later," He waved and vanished in the sea of students.

Malik entered the class room the only lesson he had that day that he had one friend in, "Malik, over here." Yugi's cousin Mana waved her hand in the air while standing on tip toes as if Malik would have trouble spotting her among the few students that were already seated in the room. "Come sit next to me." The boy who was currently in said seat glanced up at her in confusion, there were no other seat next to her or him, "Move." Mana growled shoving him out of the chair to make room for Malik. "I kept you a spot." She grinned oblivious to the poor boy picking himself up off the floor and taking his things.

Malik muttered his apology to the boy, who replied by calling him a freak and took a seat on the other side of the room glaring at Malik as if he had been the one to shove him out of the chair, "let's share notes." She said excitedly moving everything into the middle of the desk as well as her chair closer to his. This was one class that Malik excelled at thanks to Mana's constant help.

It wasn't until the last class of the day that Malik dreaded the most and wished he had every class with Mana.

"Hey mute-boy." Malik sighed as he dropped down into a chair and placed his books on the desk. Takashi sat himself down beside him and pushed all of Malik's books onto the floor; his friends laughed. The insults started right away, worse and cruder than the day before. Malik let it go like he always did; Takashi was only trying to get a rise out of him, until one particular insult hit home. Malik in one swift move was on his feet and punched Takashi, knocking him out of his chair onto the floor and Malik was upon him, punch for punch they rolled about the classroom floor while the students cheered them on.

"Ryou!" He turned about seeing Yugi rushing towards him pushing his way through the throng of students. "It's Malik; you have to come now!" Yugi turned once he saw Ryou had started to follow him.

Ryou slowed when he saw Yugi stop outside a classroom door and asked. "What's going on?" Yugi waved him over to a classroom door and peeked in.

"Malik was in a fight," Yugi whispered. "He threw a fist just as the Teacher walked in, and he's getting busted for it."

"Takashi again," Ryou growled as he moved Yugi out of the way and took his place by the door to watch and listen.

The Teacher lent against her desk with a bit of paper in her hand as she ranted about school rules. Malik stood before her, head down while holding a cold-press to his eye and cheek gnawing his bottom lip. Takashi looked far too smug for Ryou's liking. "For such a well-mannered student I'm rather surprised at you." She said to Malik, who flinched and whispered an apology that the Teacher took no notice of.

"It's not the only time he's hit me." Takashi spoke up with tears in his eyes. "He's always picking on me."

The Teacher held up her hand to silence him. "I know you two have been in a constant personal war with each from the moment you both started here at this school. We have tried everything so far and nothing is working, this time; I think its best that I call your parents."

Malik gave a worried look; he didn't want to see that look of disappointment on Marik's face. "Takashi and I can get along, right?" Malik whispered, Takashi just snorted and glared at Malik that he didn't agree and his payback would come later.

The Teacher gave in. "If this happens again I'll suspend you both for a week. Now go home."

Ryou and Yugi ducked back as the Teacher walked out followed by Takashi and soon after Malik. "What have you gotten yourself into now?" Ryou asked stopping Malik and reached up and removed the cold-press and tilted Malik's chin up to see a nice black-eye, bloody nose and a cut lip.

Malik's eyes widened; he could see the rage build-up in Ryou. Malik was about to explain that it didn't hurt, until Ryou growled under his breath and turned about. "Hey Takashi! You asshole!" Ryou approached the guy fast, ducked between Takashi's two friends; the taller boy threw a punch first. Ryou caught his wrist and turned Takashi about and slammed him into the lockers face first and twisting his arm about so that Ryou had the teen on his knees with a cry of pain. Takashi's friends ran in fear that they would be next. "Whatever grudge you have with my brother is over with, NOW!" Ryou twisted his arm again to the point of almost breaking it. "Promise," Ryou demanded.

"Promise!" Takashi cried out in pain when his arm was twisted further.

"Ryou stop!" Malik pleaded and Yugi simply watched without a word. "You'll break his arm!"

"I didn't hear you," Ryou growled adding more pressure.

"I won't go near him again!" Takashi cried out.

"Be sure that you do, because if Malik comes home with another bruise because of you, I'll finish what I've started and more." Ryou lent down and whispered in his ear. "You won't get a second warning." Ryou shoved him and walked off, picking up his backpack and slung an arm around Malik's shoulders and lead him away.

They left the school grounds and walked side by side down the path and headed towards the cafe. Ryou's sombre look that matched Bakura's rather well was getting to be a little too much for Malik that he couldn't help but think Ryou's bad mood was because of him and didn't know what to say. "Are you alright?" Ryou asked his expression softened. Malik hung his head, biting his lip and kicking at small pebbles that were in his path; Ryou stopped him with a sigh. He hated when Malik went silent on him, reminded him of the old days when Malik refused to talk, lifting Malik's chin up to better look him in the eyes. "There is no one else here but me." He glanced over Malik's shoulder to see Yugi kept his distance while waiting for them.

"He just doesn't like me." Malik whispered, and Ryou had to strain to hear above the traffic. "Because I'm not running my mouth-off every second like he does." Malik bowed his head; his eyes focused on their shoes; his shoulders slumped. Malik still found it hard to talk at times. "I'm sorry Ryou." Malik again apologized for the countless of times Ryou had come running in to save him despite that there was always going to be people like Majed, Honda and Takashi in the world.

Malik's chin was lifted, and warm lips pressed to his for a brief moment, and Ryou said with a grin. "I like being your hero." The grin fell as instantly as it came. "What a bastard." Ryou growled again taking yet another look at Malik's new black-eye that was really starting to show. "Dad is going to have kittens over this, and most likely you'll spend the next month talking about this with Mai."

"It's not that bad, Ryou." Malik muttered, he was so used to Ryou's rare brief kisses that it didn't shock him at all like it used to. "Please don't fuss."

Ryou rolled his eyes, "I wish you'd stop thinking that everything that happens isn't such a big deal. I don't want to see you lapse under stress or have a breakdown and stop..." Ryou closed his mouth at the look Malik gave him. Ryou knew he couldn't help it and that the breakdowns Malik so frequently lapsed into took months to get him out of it and speaking again. "I don't know why you didn't take that offer at the school." Ryou puffed into his hands.

Malik glared at him, "I don't need a special school, I'm not..."

"I'm not saying that and it's not like that and you know it," Ryou cut in crossing his arms over his chest. The school was for kids like Malik who suffered traumatically in their early years of life. "I just think you wouldn't have such a hard time going to that school."

Malik looked close to tears, "I don't want to be on my own." And he would be, no Ryou, Yugi or Mana to hang with, just to be surrounded with strangers with the same disorders as him. He'd be too lonely and feel out of place, Malik craved some normality in his life and being with Ryou, Yugi and Mana at school gave him that.

"Malik," Ryou wrapped his arms about him and hugged him tightly as Malik cried on his shoulder and it seemed that everything caught up with him all at once, Majed's death, seeing Honda all the time, sleepless nights and the fight. Ryou didn't mind and he stood there as long as Malik needed to calm himself. "No one is going to make you do anything you don't want to do, and if they do I'll just beat them up." Malik gave a small laugh and soon pulled back wiping at his face.

"C'mon I'm getting frostbite standing here, I'll shout you a treat." Ryou took his hand and together they started walking.

Yugi was the first to enter the cafe; Ryou stopped on the steps at hearing a familiar ring tone, glancing over his shoulder, he saw Malik dig into his pocket. He glanced at the ID. "Doctor Tucker." Malik answered with grimace; Mai called her already.

"I'll met you inside," Ryou smiled going ahead.

Tucker got to the point and told Malik of his scheduled appointment later that week. 'I've texted the appointment through to your father as well.' She said voice muffled for a moment, 'I'd like to see you both.' Malik sighed, it meant new medication that would either make him too tried to function as a person and spend all his time sleeping or he'd be more agitated and paranoid than usual. 'How have you been?' She asked the question that was related to any break-downs and panic attacks.

"Ok." Malik muttered not wanting to give details over the phone, why she always insisted on calling him personally and telling him about his appointments rather than texting it through to him, he'll still show up all the same. She chatted for a few more moments and Malik agreeing with whatever she wanted. He finally got too hang up, glancing through the windows of the cafe to see Ryou setting at a table with all his friends. Malik entered the cafe and was greeted with warm air, robust scent of coffee and cakes and didn't have to wait long when Ryou stood and approached him, handing him a hot chocolate.

"Everything ok?" Ryou asked.

"Yeah," Malik noticed the whispering and giggles and stares from Ryou's friends, he wasn't welcome to sit with them by the telltale signs of their actions and he wasn't going to indulge them by sitting through the witty-no-insult-intended comments towards him today. "I'm tired and going to head home." Malik rubbed the back of his neck feeling his headache building and becoming more intense.

"Ok." Ryou turned to get his bag and say goodbye to his friends and they tried to convince him to stay while glaring at Malik behind Ryou's back for taking him away from them.

"Stay," Malik grabbed his arm not wanting to pull Ryou away from his friends and pay for it later, it wasn't only Takashi that made his high school experience hell, at least Takashi was open and upfront about it, Ryou's friends were nastier and sneaky about it. "I can walk home on my own." He looked when one of Ryou's friends called out and waved his brother over. "You have plans with Yugi anyway." Ryou hesitated for a moment. "I'm fine really, I'm going to do nothing but die on my bed or the couch until Dad gets home or someone turns up with dinner." Malik shifted nervously when Ryou stared. "It's not like I've never walked home on my own before and most likely Bakura will be home by now."

Ryou nodded putting his bag down. "Be careful, don't talk to strangers, don't take candy from them and walk straight home and lock all the doors before you go to sleep."

"Yes mum." Malik mocked as he turned on his heels and left the cafe heading home.

TBC

The next chapter is going through editing as I post this and will be up shortly, this story is coming to a close and the last chapter will be up fast, R&R (love and cookies)