BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS at the end of the chapter! K?
Sagira98: -hisses- Stupid fucking website! -tacklglomps- You poor tihng! (Minkah: Hey! What about me?) Ah, you'll live for now. "You're evil Ferris very evil. You can't leave an ending like that." -blinks innocently- But I just did!
Asano Akane: Le gasp! Is this a new reviewer? I think so! -tackleglomps- Yay! The initiation is complete! (Asano: O.o...ow) You're wonderin' why Mr. Baku's so mean? -snorts- Honey, there's a very simple answer for that: he's a complete BASTARD. (Minkah: Wow! That was simple!) "Minkah: "Uh..Afika? I just just shot by the target.."Afika: "WTF?! You're supposed to KILL the witnesses! Not the OTHER WAY around!!" -cackles- Awesome! (Afika: -sigh-) "It seems that Minkah hadn't intended to kill anybody from the start and decided to warn everybody to leave by "tomorrow's" deadline." -nods- Yes, he's a veryveryvery complex character, ain't he? "Hehe, I wonder how Minkah will react to Mr. Bakura's attack, seeing as how he tried to save everyone, including his father...I think." -snort- Now now, let's not jump to conclusions or anything! (Minkah: I'd never save that prat! He fucking SHOT me!) "Unless there are still some 'things' that Mr. Bakura hasn't told us" Exactly! Just remember this one thing: Mr. Baku's a BASTARD. (Yami: Umm...haven't we already gone over this?) (Minkah: Hey, I just got shot in the chest while trying to perform a selfless act of mercy! Kill the bitch!) (Yami: Good point. -jumps Mr. Baku- Dieeeee!) heh
Under Finger and Thumb: "sobbing MINKAH! tackles Mr.Jackass and begins beating him with his own gun. DIE! DIE YOU KFLSDH NEKEUEHL AKJLHN#(PSAJKL N! DIE!DX" O.O...whoa. Quite...passionate. (minkah: coughunderstatementcough) Listen to The Reader, sweetie. Minkah can't die off yet! Who else would I have horrible things happen to? (Yami: She has a point there.) (Minkah: I hate ALL of you. -.-)
The Reader: -glances out from under table- You think she's calmed down yet?...Thanks for keeping UFAT under control...wellll...to a certain extent anyway. -kowtows- I bow in gratitude. A doll? A doll of Minkah? For moi? SQUEEEE! -tackleglomps-
cgflower: "NO! You cannot end it here!" -cackles insanely- I did I did I really Did! "AND THEY WERE SO HAPPY! WHY?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!" To spike your blood pressure and leave you with many a sleepless night due to agonizing over Mink. -shrugs- Why else?
IM NOT GOTH: "I.Will. JUMP YOU! AND YOUR LITTLE DOG TOO!" -hisses while blocking Goth from dog. My puppy was abused! You touch him and I'll skin you alive and feed your rotting flesh to my hermit crabs!...(Minkah: O.o...and yet she doesn't protect ME like this...)
DayDreamer23182: "why would Mr. Bakura shoot him!?" (Minkah: Because he's a fucking BASTARD! Why doesn't anyone listen to me!) Ferris: O.o...perhaps we should leave him alone for a while, eh? -tugs Day away-
Silver Mirror: "I take it the next chapter will end in the same way?" Actually...No. (readers: Le gasp!) I know. I mean it doesn't end at the greatest point, but it won't be such a horrible wait as it was for the past two cliffies. -grins- I'm so sweet! (minkah: That could be argued...)
queen of golden sands: "I know he's not dead, but still! NO! why must you torrment all the characters so much!" Seriously? -looks around- It makes people review. (Minkah: That's your fucking Reason?) Nah. It's part of the storyline too. -smiles happily-
TheGodFish: "Why couldn't you just kill Yami off and be happy?" -winces- Ouch. Poor Yami. (Yami: -sobbing-) "Or leave it at the everyone-glomping-Minkah part and let the shooting happen next chapter?" -blinks- But then there's no evil cliffie! (readers: EXACTLY!)
Soki Chan the Great: "Malik: It wasn't me this time! Booyah! dances :D" -laughs- Ah you gotta love him! "Hope to hear from you soon! If it's okay, I could e-mail you an invite to Gaia so you can join me!" Eh? Sorry, I'm waaaaaay behind on all these things. What the hell is it exactly? (Minkah: Forgive her, she is slow in the mind and...well...mind) (Marik: Apparently she's not the only one...)
HieiWannabe: "I'm pretty sure Minkah doesn't die, since there wouldn't be much of a story without him" (Other characters: What are we? Chopped liver?) Ouch. Oh, but so true. "I didn't expect you to stop your Campaign Against Bakura's Happiness, or CABH, either" -grins- Well, have you ever seen him Really happy? (Minkah: Have You ever been really happy?) -sobs- Personal attack! "BTW, how about, instead of having Yami and Malik go all angsty over Minkah, you just throw them together in a nice little threesome? Yes, I'm a perv, but since everyone involved will no doubt enjoy it very much, what's the problem?" -grins- an excellent idea!...but there is one tiny problem...
Felynna: "So Minkah came back and then someone shot him? That isn't fair" Ah, life's never fair. (Minkah: -muttering- Especially life according to Ferris...) Don't worry. I ease up on you guys at the end of this chapter. Consider it a breather.
Spryte: -grins- Wish granted! -huggles tightly-
mistress-oblivion: "That is the most evil cliff hanger in existence!" Fweeeeeeeeeee! VICTORY IS MINE! (Minkah: -.-) "It was one huge pile of geeks(+ Minkah)!" -cackles- It was it was! "I liked the Yami Minkah interaction" Good! There shall be more to come later on!
nayades18: "So ,YAMI IS ALIVE THEN??!well this make it more interesting( Although, I still don't like him ·¬·)" -laughs- Yes yes, Yami's alive and kicking. (Yami: Why? Why do they hate me so?) (Minkah: Cause I'm just too damn hot!) -drools-
shadowweaver666: "Aw so cute Ryou." -grins- I know. Isn't he adorable? I 'specially loved the part where he tackled Minkah and was kissing him like crazy (not like that, you pervs!) (Pervs: Dammit!) "Hmm Charles is really begining to piss me off." -blinks- He's only STARTING to piss you off?
bakura240: Missed that chappie, did you? -pats head- You're so cute! "TT but yay ryous happy again and minkah ish back . " (Minkah: And Shot!) -smiles grimly- Yeah. And shot.
koinu27: "I am having a really hard time keeping this review PG." -blinks- Honey, the fic is rated M. I don't think keeping PG reviews is required. "I still have those vegetables you know." -grins- Yeah, and I have the power of deciding when to update. (koinu: Dammit!)
Tanithe: I really like your name, you know? Just had to say that. anyhoo...Ah! A Spaniard! -tackleglomps- My brother just got back from Spain a few months ago. (He's a Spanish major in college) Brought back Cds and tons of cool piccies! -gushes-
Aria-Kanika: "i cant believe mr bakura would want to kill his own son that bastard" (Minkah: Yes! That's what I keep telling people but they don't listen! -tackles-) Wow. He likes you...and he hardly likes anyone!...wait...are you a new reviewer? -tackleglomps- (aria: Must...breathe...too...squished..)
Kanashimi no Tenshi: " I should kill you... but i wont...cause I have...self. CONTROL... DAMNIT!" You're alivea again! Whoot whoot! (Kana: -grumbling- Barely...) Don't take the evil cliffies too personal...I just enjoy watching you all writhe and squirm. -evil smirk-
dragonlady222: "I'm so glad he didn't kill Yami. Even if Yami ends up alone it's better than being dead" (Yami: Why are over 80 percent of the readers against me?) -pats his head- There there. Poor thing. "This is going to set Marik back a bit" Mabye just a little. Don't worry! Honda keeps him safe! -fuzzles!-
This chapter shall be dedicated to Aria-Kanika, Asano Akane, and Spryte! -winks-
Lament
This is the world I meant.
Couldn't you listen?
Couldn't you stay content safe behind walls,
As I could not?
Now you know what's out there in the world.
No one stays untainted by the world.
Only I—only I who loved you as you were,
Only I who's frightened less of her
Than them.
No matter what you say
Children won't listen.
No matter what you do
Children refuse to learn.
Guide them along the way
Still they won't listen.
Children can only grow
From something you love
To something you lose.
(Into the Woods)
Chapter 3: Perspectives
(Ryou's POV)
"NO!" I scream as Yami and I make a dive for my half-brother who staggers backwards from the impact of the bullets, face white.
I grab his arm, tears on the verge of falling down my cheeks as Yami and I gently lean him against the couch on the ground. Minkah's chest is rising in uneven gasps, eyes fixated on our father who's been reprimanded by Honda, Jou, and Malik.
"Minkah!" I sob squeezing his arm. "Don't die! Please don't die now!"
"Oh hush...I'm not...going to die," he pants erratically right as Yami rips open my half-brother's shirt to examine the wounds. He and I both stare at Minkah's chest in astonishment.
A bulletproof vest.
"You...You...!" Otousan growls vehemently, being held still by an enraged Jou and Honda. Malik stands next to them, the gun in his hand.
"Yes me," Minkah smirks standing shakily to his feet, his arms now free from Yami and my grasps. "I figured you'd try and pull this kind of shit. Too bad for you, no? Let me guess: you saw the news of the bases being destroyed on the television?" He glances down at the marks on the vest. "You've been practicing for this, haven't you?"
"W-why Otousan?" I whisper in shock.
His blue eyes meet mine, suddenly becoming panicked. Minkah chuckles, striding towards our father.
"Oh maybe it's the fact that he didn't want the truth to come out," he hisses, gray eyes ablaze. "After all, following that tale he told you about how he so valiantly tried to save a little demon how could you not hold him on a pedestal for his efforts?"
"Shut up!" Otousan shouts angrily, struggling futilely against the duo.
"You really are pathetic, aren't you?" Minkah scowls, eyes narrowed as he crosses his arms loosely over his chest.
"What's he talking about, Otousan?" I ask unsurely.
My father turns to me. "Don't listen to anything he says, Ryou! He's playing mind-games, can't you see?"
"And why not? You certainly seem to enjoy them," Minkah snarls savagely, sick amusement visible in his eyes when Otousan pales. "Oh yes, you forget your little pal Khalil was present when you told your heartbreaking tale of woe in which you so desperately tried to save me and my mother. What was that you called her again? A whore?"
My stomach jolts as Minkah slams a fist into my father's gut. Jou and Honda let go of Otousan in surprise, allowing him to fall backwards onto the ground. He struggles to his feet, coughing harshly.
"No one—especially you—is allowed to speak of her in such a way," Minkah snarls, eyes flashing.
"I spoke nothing but the truth to them. That you cannot accept reality..."
"Reality?" Minkah barks a laugh, cruel and mocking. "I'm surprised you can speak a word that you fear so much. Let's try some more? Can you say: Commitment? Betrayal? Bastard?"
"Enough! I don't have to listen to this!" Otousan screams, face beet red. He turns to the rest of us. "Do you see what I've had to put up with? I've tried so hard to reshape his ways...to make him see the truth..."
"Oh there's another word!" my half-brother snorts with a grim smile. "Perhaps it's time we let them know the truth of the situation? For example: that you knocked up a sixteen year old girl. Not, as you said before: a prostitute."
"...Charles?" Mr. Mutou asks with a strained voice.
My father's eyes dart, head whipping back and forth frantically. "Lies! Can't you see what he's doing? You can't believe what he's saying!"
"If it's not the truth then why are you sweating?" Minkah whispers scathingly. "Why so upset if I'm speaking nothing but nonsense?"
My throat tightens. Otousan's...been lying? All eyes are on Minkah who's glaring intensely at our father.
"Let's try telling the story again," my half-brother whispers with narrowed eyes. "You go out on a lovely quaint expedition leaving your little wife at home. A few months without any companionship can be a hard strain. An attractive sixteen year old local girl is helping your group make its way to the next excavation site. You pursue her—beginning not a one night stand, as you stated before to them, but a three month affair."
"Shut up!" Otousan shrieks in fury rushing at Minkah. He freezes in his tracks when Malik's standing before him, gun pointed at his head.
"Stay where you are," the blonde Egyptian states in a low voice. "I for one would like to hear this story."
"Malik..." Mr. Mutou begins in a shocked voice, though he doesn't move to stop him.
Otousan gapes helplessly. "You can't seriously believe I would...!"
"Yes being a backstabbing husband and father as well as a pedophile doesn't really give a very good impression of a person, does it?" Marik suddenly hisses with surprising ferocity, fists clenched at his sides.
"You left her," Minkah growls. "You left her to rot in the gutters."
"I did nothing of the sort!" Otousan shouts back defiantly. "And who are you to defend her after what she did to you?"
"I'm well aware of the grief I caused her...and have paid for it," Minkah murmurs with a distant look. His eyes change a moment later, fires of hatred burning intensely within them. "But you—it was easy enough to leave...to go home and start a real family, one that didn't shame you...to just forget about the teenager that you left to fend for herself..."
"It's not true!" Otousan shouts back wildly.
"She begged for you to stay and take care of us and what did you do?" my half-brother storms savagely. "You turned your back on her!"
"That's where you're wrong," our father states, suddenly smiling.
A shiver runs down my spine as I watch this play out. This has to be a dream. There's not way it could be real. My father isn't acting like the man I know...or thought I knew. Otousan...What have you done?
"What are you talking about?" Malik asks with an edge of ferociousness, still pointing the gun at my father.
Otousan straightens himself up as if to look as superior as possible. "I gave her money. Oh yes," he adds with a smirk when Minkah opens his mouth to argue. "I gave her enough money to take care of everything."
"Then why did we live in the slums? She wouldn't live the life we did unless there was no other option..." Minkah hisses, eyes glowing.
"Did I say I gave her money to live off of?" Otousan cuts him off abruptly. "No. I gave her money to set things right. To get out of the unfortunate situation we so haplessly had stumbled into. It wasn't obvious to an observer that she was pregnant when she informed me. Around forty-five dollars was all it would have taken to rid her of the...trouble."
Yami's eyes widen in shock. "You gave her money to have an abortion." All eyes go to Minkah who's trembling in rage.
"You knew she wouldn't take it. It was against her religion, her culture," he spits venomously. "She'd already been defiled enough. And because you left she became an outcast. Your offering her a meager amount doesn't change anything,"
"Oh but it does," Otousan snorts. "That she chose to keep you—I washed my hands of you both long ago. And since she chose to keep you, you became the sole reason her life turned out the way it did."
"Charles!" Mr. Mutou exclaims in horror, clutching a wide-eyed Marik against him.
"You spineless coward!" Jou shouts closing the space between himself and my father. "You never cared for Mink! The 'counseling' you spoke of...All the dramatic stories you told us of how hard you tried to save him...You never cared for him. Hell, I bet you didn't even go visit him!"
"Wrong."
We all turn to find Minkah with narrowed gray eyes penetrating our father to the very core. Otousan's blue eyes suddenly widen.
"Now wait...!"
"No," Minkah snap heatedly. "You came back. You came back when she continued to beg you to. You were terrified your oh-so-sweet little wife and children would get wind of the situation sooner or later. It would rid them of their vision of you."
"Enough!" Otousan shouts rushing forward and swinging a fist at Minkah's face.
My half-brother blocks it, slamming Otousan across the jaw. The room is dead silent save for Minkah's harsh breathing as he glares down murderously at the cringing form.
"You came back. You came back to..."
"Yes I came back! I tried to fix it all!" Otousan screams standing again, blood flowing from the side of his mouth. "And I nearly did too. The life she was living...she was suffering, miserable. I could change all that with one action." Minkah's wavering before him, face unreadable. "There was only one thing keeping her from being happy—of having a normal life." He leers closer to his eldest son. "You."
My heart stops. Oh gods no...!
"...You...You tried to k-kill Minkah before, Otousan?" I whisper in disbelief.
He ignores me, staring straight at Minkah. "She never gave a damn about you."
Our father moves closer, narrowed eyes never leaving his illegitimate son before him. Minkah backs away, gray eyes wide and fixated on Otousan.
"You are the cause of all her pain..."
"Charles!" Mr. Mutou shouts.
"...The entire reason she suffered..."
"That's enough!" Jou cuts in angrily.
"...The one reason she's dead."
(Yami's POV)
I watch on in horror as Mr. Bakura verbally cuts Minkah down. The Egyptian's eyes are large, body tremulous as his father hoists all the blame onto him. I'm standing beside Ryou, my own body immobile.
"I should have finished you off years ago. All those people who died in the assassinations...these teens' friend...your mother...It's all because of you."
"Stop it!" Minkah shrieks in Arabic, hands flying over his ears.
"Enough!" Grandpa shouts at Mr. Bakura, striding in between him and Minkah. "Charles, how dare you come in here and say such! You can't just...!"
"Stop it! STOP!"
We all turn in shock. My blood runs cold when my eyes fall on Minkah. His body's trembling violently, eyes wide and glazed over. His breathing is coming in deep, painful gasps. He's hyperventilating... My jaw clenches in realization.
"Yugi, get Marik's medication and a needle!" I shout, rushing over to the white-haired Egyptian who's continuing to beg with some unseen being, body lurching in agony as if his torso's on fire.
"Stop it! Stop it!"
Honda grabs a terrified Marik, hurrying him out of the room.
"Ryou, get on the couch!" I order as I grasp Minkah firmly by the wrists and drag his fraught form over to his sibling who's now sitting stiffly on the sofa. "Hold him," I instruct settling Minkah down next Ryou.
The boy takes hold of his half-brother gently, pressing the delirious Egyptian's head against his chest. I kneel on the couch behind Minkah, firmly grinding my knuckles up and down his back. He sobs, curling up and continuing to plead. Jou watches on in disbelief from where he's standing in front of Mr. Bakura. My koi's still holding the gun, daring the man to move.
"Stop! Please stop! Stop it!" Minkah whimpers desperately.
"Minkah. Can you hear me?" Grandpa states determinedly kneeling before the couch and taking one of the quivering hands.
"It's an act! Don't tell me you're going to fall for this shit he's pulling!" Mr. Bakura scoffs.
"Shut up!" Malik hisses dangerously low. "Not another word out of you unless you want us all to find out what the inside of your pompous head looks like."
Yugi dashes back into the room, syringe in hand. Grandpa grabs it from him; taking Minkah's quaking arm and inserting the needle. A strained whine comes from the back of the Egyptian's throat, body shuddering uncontrollably. Ryou runs his fingers continuously through his sibling's hair in slow gentle motions as I persist to rub Minkah's back in an effort to loosen his muscles.
"I'm here now," I hear the boy whisper softly to the other. "Shhh...It's okay. You're safe."
Grandpa breathes in relief as Minkah begins to relax, body becoming less tense as Ryou continues to speak comfortingly to him; the drug no doubt taking affect as well. Grandpa sets the syringe on the coffee table, turning to Mr. Bakura.
"Get out."
The white-haired man blinks in shock. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me. Get out of my house," Grandpa repeats vehemently. "You've caused enough grief here."
"Solomon, wait a minute...!"
"No. I've heard and seen enough." Grandpa casts a somber eye at Minkah who's now lying still against Ryou's chest, breathing beginning to even. "He's your son, Charles. How could you act like you're bloody innocent? How could you speak to and treat him like this?"
"You don't understand. He's a devil, Solomon!" Mr. Bakura states fervently. "What he's done to all those people...!"
"Was out of his control," Grandpa states evenly. "If you'd done the right thing and supported him and his mother in the first place none of this would have happened. I've heard enough from you. Don't worry. You won't have to do anything else for him. I'll be taking care of Minkah from here on out."
We all gape at him. My heart swells with pride for my grandfather as he stares down a man more than twice his size. Malik is sending him an equally admiring look, gun still in hand. Mr. Bakura seems to have realized he's lost, turning instead to his two sons on the sofa.
"Come Ryou. We're leaving."
(Ryou's POV)
"Ryou," Otousan presses urgently, sending a look of disgust at Minkah who's now stilled. "Come on. Let's go."
My body stiffens. I glance down at my half-sibling: The person who's been mistreated and rejected by everyone who has ever supposed to care about him. Now I've learned some of the truth...about a lot of things...about our father. Minkah's hand is holding onto mine like a vice, shaking ever so slightly. My eyes narrow.
I look up at our father. "No."
Minkah's body goes rigid when he hears this word. The room becomes dead quiet. Otousan gapes at me, what I've said taking a moment to register in his mind.
"W-what did you say?" he whispers in disbelief.
I move my fingers so they entwine with Minkah's, feeling his pulse racing. I can tell he's watching me in confusion...
"You look down all the time like some goddamn animal too afraid to stare anyone in the eye," Minkah snorts. "It's really pathetic."
I frown. "No. That's not what I…"
"It's not so bad to admit you're weak," he continues darkly as if I haven't spoken. "But to give in to that admission is just fucking stupid. Where's that going to get you?"...
No. I won't be that way anymore. Holding my chin up I stare back adamantly into my father's eyes.
"I'm not going with you, Otousan," I state, certain that my voice is shaking. My fingers tighten with Minkah's.
"Ryou, this is your father speaking to you. We've always looked out for one another..."
"No, actually we haven't," I shoot back heatedly. "You've never been there for me. In the past few months I really thought we'd gotten to know one another. Now I see that we're still complete strangers."
"Ryou Bakura...!"
"I'm not leaving Minkah," I continue unwaveringly.
"You can't save the world, Ry," my father continues in a softer tone, intent on luring me back into his web of falsehoods.
"It's not the world. He's my brother."
My words cut deep into me. My brother. Minkah's my brother. I'm not going to be added to the list of people who've turned their backs on him.
Otousan sighs heavily. "Ryou, he's not your brother. He's your half-..."
"Don't use word-play to try and dissuade me," I snarl, angrier than I ever have been before in my life. "You can leave now, Otousan. We don't need you anymore."
"Ryou," he whispers weakly with wide eyes.
Jou and Malik both grab him roughly by the arms, forcing him backwards toward the door. He stares at us all the while, face suddenly twitching in rage.
"Minkah you bastard! This is all your fault! Do you hear me?"
I pull Minkah closer, using my arm to block his vision of our enraged father. "Don't listen to him," I say firmly in his ear, intent on drowning out the frantic shouts. "He's wrong. Just ignore him. I'm here now. We're all here for you."
(Malik's POV)
Mr. Bakura lets out a yelp as Jou and I violently shove him out the door onto the muddy pavement. I hold the gun in my hand, my fingers itching to use it. I've done so before. It wouldn't be anything new. This guy deserves worse than death though. He needs to live. It'll make him suffer more. The man struggles to his feet, back and legs covered in muck.
"Let me in there! Ryou...!" he states frenetically starting for the door again.
I block him, grasping him by the front of his shirt and pressing the barrel of the gun into his gut. Jou stands guard in front of the door should he make any sudden moves.
"I would kill you right here and now," I hiss pulling the sweating face mere inches from mine. "But that'd be too easy, wouldn't it? I want you to live—to live and know that you've lost everything and that it's your own damn fault."
"No! You can't believe...!"
I shove the gun deeper into his rib cage causing him to cringe. "I've had plenty of experience with my own father than to be naïve enough to fall for your shit," I snarl with a sneer. "Now go!"
I whip him viciously backwards. He stumbles, face now enraged. He starts forward again and I fire. He lets out a scream of agony, clutching his right shoulder, blood seeping between trembling fingers.
"That was your warning shot. You're lucky I gave you one since I usually just blasted people straight out," I hiss quietly in Arabic. "Next time it will be in the same place...only on your left side where an extremely vital organ resides. Now get out of here before I change my mind on letting you off."
Blue eyes widen in fear just as I knew they would. Yes, the coward's too scared to think of anyone but himself. Most parents wouldn't flee. They would stand their ground, demanding the return of their child. Not him. He turns, racing off down the block like a thousand cannibals are at his heels, hand clutching his bleeding shoulder. Jou comes up beside me, large eyes watching the figure as it disappears down the block.
"Whoa. Malik man, what'd you say to 'im?" he asks in shock after a moment.
I smirk humorlessly, turning to go back inside. "Oh nothing. Just put things into perspective for him, is all."
There. It's not such an evil cliffie. Happy?
Readers: no!
ferris: -.-; Ingrates.
Oh, about the bullet proof vest: I did some research to see if this would be believable or not. Depending on how high class the vest is, the worst one might receive with the top of the line stuff is bruises and maybe some internal injuries (not as serious as it Could have been!) He did not get out of that unscathed, k? That would just be too good to be true (Minkah: Damn you, ferris!) -sigh-
ABOUT ALL MY STORIES: No no, I'm not abandoning anything. I've got my first college finals coming up though so I haven't had much time to work on the stories. (I'm sending my most sincere apologies to the fans of Beneath the Surface on account of it having been so long since I've updated!) My last exams are on Dec 12th. After that I'll be all ready to rumble! Promise! Until later!