Oi all! Sorry tis been so long! Got some announcements about my other stories at the end of the chapter, k?
Soki-Chan the Great: "Mr. Bakura is a sck and twisted little bastard, I'm glad Malik shot him..." Amen to that! (Minkah: Whoot!) "Sorry you're so busy, hope you do good on your exams" -grins- Thanks! (and just for the record: me thinks I did quite well! Yippers!) (Minkah: O.o) "it'll suck when the other people from Apophis come though." -smirks- well sure it'll suck for the Yugi-tachi, but I luffles Afika and Niu so!...in a creepy, I'm-going-to-kill-you-slowly type of way...(Yami: -.o)
Spryte: "fangirl squeal Ryou/Kura moment. Sort of." Yeah. Sort of. (Minkah: Will all of you STOP TOUCHING ME!) Heh. He's so angelic, no? (Minkah: Feh!) "You don't update as often as you used to." Yeah well, now that I'm on tons of depression meds I'm not as anti-social...hence, I don't spend as much time cooping myself up with the computer to write dark violence. (Readers: Noooooo!) -sigh- Can't win, can I?
Sagira98: -nods happily- Yes yes it's high time Ryou stood up for himself! It only took the whole first half of the story for him to grow a spine! (Ryou: -glaring- Hey!) (Minkah: I'll bet he hits like a woman) (Ferris and female readers: Hey!) -grins- Yes you all wished Malik had killed Mr. Bastard B...and yes Mr. B will be back. (everyone: dammit ferris!) hehe. "And are you ever going to tell how Minkah got into Apophis?" -waves hand dismissively- All in good time, honey. We're only in the fourth chapter after all. "And whatever happened to Khalil?" -blinks- You mean Afika? Oh he's in this chapter.
Silver Mirror: "I'm also very glad that there was no evil cliff hanger!!" -smirks- Yeah well, I figured you all needed a little break from that. This chapter's cliffie isn't too horrible...not really. -shrugs-
Tanithe: "I hope his father dies in some slow and painful death." -laughs- Yes, everyone is growing very irked by the little bastard. (Minkah: Understatement!) "In which part of Spain has your brother been?" Well, he was staying in Santander. Then he saw Santiago de Compostela, Madrid, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Comillas, Santillana del Mar, Burgos, Barcelona, and Bausk (sp?) country. Probably went some other places too, but that's all I can remember at the moment.
Noir De Akane: "Mr. Bakura seems to have fooled me into thinking that he was an 'O-K' person earlier in the story... No wait, it must've been your overly well-written writing that convinced me to think so. Damn, you Ferris!" hehe. That was humorous and charming all at once! "I guess that's why Jou said she was hot when Ryou and the others were looking at Minkah's sketchbook." -nods- So true, so true. Sad, no? "well no as much as the fact that he gave her the money for MINKAH'S abortion)" -grins- Yeah. You were all ready to put his head on a stake for that one. (Minkah: With good reason!) I didn't say I disagreed! (Minkah: -mutters-) "What happened to Minkah's sketchbook anyway? I'm getting quite intrigued at how the other sketches in his book are tied to this story." Possibly. Ah yes, the massacre of the children. Well, it's not about Minkah's initiation, I'll tell you that much.
mistress-oblivion: "Poor Mr. Mouto. Now he has six people to look after." -grins- I know. Isn't it great? (Mr. Mutou: This is sure to spike my blood pressure...) "And Malik was kewl too with his amazing gun-wielding skills." Yessss! Malik with a gun! Passsssha! (Malik: Weeeee! -waving gun around) (Yami: Oh gods...)
inuyashapup: "I can't wait for the updates!! It'll be like a christmas gift, it shall." -nods enthusiastically- Yes yes! A christmas gift! I'm not sure I'll finish the next chapter of one of my other stories in time but I'm definately going to post it by next week!
DayDreamer23182: "I'm so glad Mr. Bakura has no one liking him anymore. I cant believe he lied like that" (Minkah: I can!) -smiles while patting him on the head- I know it's hard sweetie. (Minkah: I told everyone he was a backstabbing bastard! But did they listen? Noooo)
nayades18: "Minkah is so vulnerable and emotional unstable.. i think he deserve a hug from two taned arms... and
Malik is so sexy and hot with a gun" -drools- Indeed. (Minkah: STOP TOUCHING ME!) (Malik: O.O...umm...perhaps I should hug him later...?) -smirks- Nah. Go ahead right now. I wanna see how this turns out. (Malik: -glare- You have it in for me again, don't you?)
shadowweaver666: "Stupid Charles, talk about pushing Minkah just that bit more over the edge." -laughs- You are very passionate about punishing Mr. B in some way, aren't you? (minkah: Aren't we all?) hmmm...true.
koinu27: "ROYUS DAD IS SO DEAD! I'm gonna KILL him!" -grins- Yes you're all VERY passionate about killing him...slowly and painfully. (Minkah: I get dibs!) "He deserves a giant cookie! And so does Malik and Yami and Ryou and Mr. Mutou and Jou" (Marik: -lip quivering- No cookie for me?) "And it definately has been a while since you updated BTS, but its not all your fault." -winces- Ah yes. BTBT. I have some announcements about that at the end of the chapter...No I'm not abandoning it. That'd just be cruel. (Minkah: But you are cruel, ferris) That's pushing the limit, even for me.
Kanashimi no Tenshi: Yay! Scary happy dances! (minkah: -.o) Now then...the song: wow...um...Wow. That was...that was something, wasn't it? (Kaiba: . Well I didn't like it) (Yami: I found it rather amusing.) (Kaiba: meh!)
HieiWannabe: "You're right about vests, though. They can stop low caliber bullets pretty easily, but the person can still get bruises and broken ribs, depending on the vest and weapon." -nods- I would've just given him a shirt of mithril, but I don't think any non-LOTR's fans would be too happy about that. -sighs- "He really is a stupid little censored, ain't he?" -snorts- Honey don't bother censoring it. Just say outloud that he's a fucking asshole of a bastard that will NOT HURT MY MINK AGAIN, DAMMIT! DO YOU HEAR ME CHARLES? DO YOU, YOU FUCKER? (Minkah: O.o...) -breathes- Hmm...I feel better now.
TheGodFish: "Glad to hear you haven't abandoned Beneath The Surface. It's one of my favorites..." Yeah, at the end of this chapter I'll be talking about the next updates for that one and BTBT. "I was glad that Ryou finally stood up to his dad, and that Malik kicked some ass! Go Malik and Ryou!" (Malik: Hear that? I'm an ass-kicker! Passsssha!) (Yami: Ferris, what have you done to my boyfriend?!) "Eh, I didn't think that the cliffie was that evil, Reswet. You're losing your touch wink" -snorts- Well then, if you WANT me to make an evil cliffie at the end of EVERY SINGLE chapter...(readers: nooooooooooo!)
Under Finger and Thumb: "Mr.HDDJKTBE$#1!2ACDEI got shot! That makes me very happy." -sighs wistfully- Tis a pity it wasn't fatal. "You have idiots, half-brothers, Ishtars, old people, Yami, and crazy fans to love on you, put you in odd pairings in stories, and then end up abusing the smex out of you!" (Minkah: Gosh that makes me feel soooo much better.) "we should love on Malik for all he's done." Agreed. (Malik: Aieeeeee!)
The Reader: Minkah doll! Minkah doll! (Minkah: stop putting that word in the same sentence as my name!) -beaming- Minkah doll Minkah doll! "Mr.Bakura doesn't DESERVE the name Bakura!" (Minkah: Yeah! Gimme my name back, dammit!) -cackles-
bakura240: "minkah's safe(ish) and ryou is being all brotherly and its just too cute and cool..." Emphasis on "CUTE!" (minkah: Feh) "you've made my day XDXDXD as you can tell it's sent me hyper" -grinning- Really? I couldn't tell. "hugs minkah GET BETTER!" (minkah: EVERYONE STOP TOUCHING ME!) -sweatdrop-
Street Trash: "I could NEVER hurt an animal in any way...except maybe birds." Hmm...I can hurt squirrels with ease...mostly I just spray them with the hose. -grins- They had it coming to them though. "your accuracy is on how these things CAN happen is amazing." -grins- Thank you! -tackleglomps-
dragonlady222: "I think the threesome idea is a good one." -currently drooling- Mmmm yes. It definately has some good qualities, no? "I know you are set on killing someone else off I can think of two that I would like to see gone forever and then the rest of Apophis."I know you are set on killing someone else off I can think of two that I would like to see gone forever and then the rest of Apophis." -quirks eyebrow- Really? Someone other than Apophis people, eh? (Malik: -sobbing hysterically- I knew it! They all have it in for me!) -sigh-
queen of golden sands: "is this the first review for the chapter!?" -laughs- It is, it is. (queen: Whoot whoot!) "you should become a proffesional((sp)) writer!" -blushes- Well, I've thought about it. I'm majoring in English at the moment. We'll see where it leads...
You Must Love Me
Where do we go from here?
This isn't where we intended to be
We had it all. You believed in me
I believed in you.
Certainties disappear
What do we do for our dream to survive?
How do we keep all our passions alive
As we used to do?
Deep in my heart I'm concealing
Things that I'm longing to say
Scared to confess what I'm feeling,
Frightened you'll slip away...
You must love me.
You must love me.
Why are you at my side?
How can I be any use to you now?
Give me a chance and I'll let you see how
Nothing has changed.
Deep in my heart I'm concealing
Things that I'm longing to say
Scared to confess what I'm feeling
Frightened you'll slip away...
You must love me.
You must love me
You must...love...me.
(Evita)
Chapter 4: The Abduction
(Yami's POV)
"How's he doing?" Jou asks as he and my koi re-enter the room.
We're all gathered around the couch. Minkah's leaning forward, face pallid. Ryou's gently rubbing his brother's shoulders, eyes watching the other with concern. Honda and Marik are still out of the room. It might be best to keep it that way until we all calm down a bit. Grandpa looks up from where he's kneeling next to Minkah.
"Was that the gun we just heard?" he asks in a strained voice.
"He wouldn't leave...Don't worry," Malik adds at the panicked look on our faces. "I didn't kill the bastard. Just shot him in the shoulder. He's gone now."
We all breathe sighs of relief...well, almost all of us. Minkah's glaring at the floor, arms clutching his sides as he trembles slightly. Ryou notices, squeezing the other's shoulders soothingly.
"Minkah, have these episodes happened before?" Grandpa asks seriously turning back to the silent Egyptian. "When you hallucinate and such?"
"...Yes."
The rage is visible in those gray eyes as he states the syllable quietly, looking down loathingly at the ground. Malik and I share an uneasy glance. It's just like with Marik. The panic. The pain. The delirium. It's all the same. The doctors said it's the result of severe abuse; all it takes is something to ignite the memories and then the person is helpless in the grasp of illusions.
"Have you seen a psychiatrist about it?" our grandfather presses earnestly.
Minkah looks up, eyes angry. "Why does it matter to you? You're not in charge of me."
"We want to help," Grandpa continues firmly. "But if you're going to stay here..."
"Erm...Grandpa?" I cut in clearing my throat. "I don't think anyone's going to be staying here."
Everyone looks over at me curiously. I sigh, meeting my grandfather's eyes that are so much like my own and Yugi's.
"Minkah came back to...that is...Not all of Apophis are gone. They sent him to kill us," I state finally, deciding now is as good as any time for bluntness.
They all gawk in horror, eyes darting back and forth from me to Minkah, and back again. Ryou's fingers visibly curl around the material of his brother's shirt, face white.
"I...you..." Grandpa tries, unable to form a sentence.
"How long do we have to get away from here?" Malik asks, taking charge of the situation.
"Tomorrow afternoon...Right?" I ask turning to Minkah.
The Egyptian frowns. "Preferably before. Niu's supposed to arrive then."
"Niu?" Jou quirks an eyebrow.
"One of his companions no doubt," my koi states, beginning to pace. "But where do we go?"
"Otogi's cottage."
We all turn to Yugi who flushes when all eyes are on him.
"W-what?" Malik stutters anguish lacing his gorgeous features.
"You know it's our best chance. He gave it to us in his will," my brother presses. "It's in the wilderness, not likely to be discovered."
"It's sad someone so young would even think to make out a will," I hear Grandpa murmur softly to himself. That's how our friend was. Otogi the pessimist.
"Then do we have a decision?" Jou asks crossing his arms over his chest while casting nervous glances at the windows as if someone will lunge through the glass at any second and attack us.
We all share looks of hesitancy even though we know it has truly already been determined. Otogi took us up to his cabin on a number of occasions before; mostly for skiing. It's out of the way. No one about save for a few other lodges strewn throughout the rustic hills. It's our best option.
"Well then, we'd better start packing so we can leave by morning," Malik sighs tiredly. "I'll go fill Honda and Mare in."
"What about you and Honda's parents?" I ask turning to Jou as my koi strides from the room. "You two can't just up and leave...especially with school and all."
Jou waves his hand as if the movement breaks apart these words. "Not to worry, man. We'll just say we're goin' on a trip with you guys to help Mare on his way to recovery. That should convince Honda's family. An' my dad's never around so it doesn't really matter."
"I don't know," Yugi mutters, face lined with doubt. "Shouldn't we inform your families of what's going on?"
"That only makes them targets themselves," I point out somberly casting a glance at Minkah who's yet to say anything of the matter. "Am I right?"
He shrugs.
"You'd better call your families now," Grandpa states resolutely. "Only don't mention where we're going. I want to leave before it's light out so as from having the neighbors see us depart."
"Hey it's not like we've anything to worry 'bout!" Jou laughs with a wide grin. "We've got Mink here!"
The Egyptian doesn't respond, just staring unreceptively at the blonde. The smile slowly slips from our friend's face at this lack of reassurance from Minkah.
"Wat? Don't try an' be modest, Mink!" Jou presses though his eyes now hold a nervous gleam. "We've seen the way you can fight! The bastards don't stand a chance." Still no reply. "Right?"
The Egyptian snorts. "What do you take me for? I'm not going with you."
"Minkah...!" Ryou whispers, fingers tensing on his sibling's shoulders.
"Whaddaya mean yer not coming? We're not letting you stay with Apophis after the way they sold you to Kaiba!" Jou shouts angrily, eyes widening when he realizes just what he's said.
Minkah's own eyes darken. "Yes Apophis did do so. But those that remain are the ones that got me out of that situation."
"Khalil?" I ask, watching Ryou's expression harden.
"Bastard," Jou snarls.
"To you maybe," Minkah snaps harshly.
"All right everyone calm down," Grandpa states. "This is not the time to be arguing about such things. We have to prepare to leave. Jou, go get Honda. Both of you call your families, for goodness' sake. Yugi, go upstairs and start packing for the four of you boys. They'll be up to help you in just a moment. Get as much as possible of Malik and Yami's clothing since Jou and Honda are around their size. I think Ryou might fit Marik's clothing also." The two both nod, hurrying from the room as if the morning light was already threatening us through the drapes. Grandpa then turns to Minkah who's stiffened as if preparing to stand. "You just stay here on the couch and relax. You're in no shape to be moving around yet."
Minkah glares. "You're not..."
"Minkah please. Just stay here for the night," Ryou whispers beseechingly. "You can...leave in the morning, if that's what you want." I inwardly wince, hearing the pain in the boy's voice as he says this.
"I decline," his brother replies coldly.
"You need to rest!" I protest, keeping Ryou from having to continue. "Minkah, you're exhausted. It's obvious so don't bother denying it!"
He stares at me so powerlessly with tired gray eyes as if begging me to understand. I study him for a moment in silence. Grandpa and Ryou watch this soundless interaction between the two of us. Something's amiss here. The Egyptian sighs heavily, shifting uncomfortably under our gazes. I reach forward tentatively, touching the side of his face—the side without the scar. He flinches involuntarily at this and my heart melts.
"Minkah, we're not going to hurt you," I say softly in Arabic, my hand stilling on his cheek. "You can trust us."
He shivers at the contact, eyes remaining locked with mine nonetheless. Ryou sits by his side, hand reaching over and timidly squeezing his sibling's. Minkah looks in surprise at his younger brother at this, searching. Ryou smiles, leaning in and wrapping his arms around the other's waist, eyes closing happily.
(Minkah's POV)
I stare down in shock at the boy snuggling against me. What in the hells is this about? No one's ever been so openly affectionate to me. There's also all the horrendous things he's heard and seen since I've come into his life. Why does he linger?
They all welcomed me back. It wasn't just a 'hi' either. They acted genuinely happy to see me. Are they really so blind? Don't they comprehend what's going on? Are they completely oblivious to reality?
Niu won't be here until tomorrow afternoon. I could go to the hotel alone. There's no way I'll be able to sleep by myself though. It'd be worth it to argue the morning away with the freaks if it means getting some rest tonight. I close my eyes, sighing wearily.
"Fine," I mutter quietly, detesting how pathetic I must appear right now.
(Malik's POV)
My heart's pounding in my rib cage. Ra, Minkah's alive. And not just that—he's here...in our house...saving us from his own comrades.
"I told you he wasn't dead," Yugi states with a grin as he scrounges around in Marik's drawer, throwing clothing into a gym bag.
I roll my eyes but am glad that he was right. "Yeah yeah, don't let it get to your head," I smirk tossing a pair of my boxers at his face.
"Ack! Maaaalik!" he whines with a look of disgust, picking up the offending material with two fingers and disdainfully throwing it back to me.
"What? They're clean!" I reply defensively, shoving them into a suitcase I'm packing for Yami and myself.
"Doesn't change the fact that they've touched your ass," the boy shoots back.
"So has Yami," I reply with a smug grin.
"Maaaalik!" he groans in repulsion, shuddering at the images I've no doubt implanted in his mind. I chuckle, turning when none other than my koi himself enters the room.
"What's all the arguing about?"
"Malik's trying to corrupt me!" Yugi exclaims in an excessive amount of hysterics.
"Like you can be corrupted any further, shrimp," I snort to which he sends me a playful glare.
Yami rolls his eyes. "Well whatever the reason, keep your voices down. Minkah's resting on the couch."
Yugi blinks in surprise. "He's staying?"
"For the moment," my koi nods.
"Well then we have to convince him otherwise," his younger brother replies with a determined look on his face. "We can't let him go back to those people."
"Yes I'm sure he'll appreciate that immensely," I grumble stuffing a pair of socks into the side pocket of the suitcase.
"Are you saying you want him to go back to Apophis?" Yugi presses insistently.
"I didn't say that," I reply softly, standing.
"From what I gather: Apophis no longer exists," my koi states in a quiet voice coming over and sinking down onto the bed.
"Khalil?" I ask nervously sitting beside him.
"That I don't know. There's more than one other person Minkah's working with though. So that means at least two or three of them annihilated the entire organization."
I let out a low whistle. "That's some serious power there. Did you ask Minkah just how dangerous his companions are?"
Yami shrugs. "I think that's fairly obvious. Besides, we didn't get to that before everyone came home."
"What it comes down to is this: Minkah's still being ordered to kill people," Yugi states defiantly. "We can't leave him behind!"
"There is no way in the nine hells we're going to be able to get him to come along," I reply somberly. "Willingly or not."
(Ryou's POV)
I stare down at the sleeping form resting against me. Minkah's mouth is barely open, scar nearly concealed by the pillow I placed on my lap. He's bony and exhausted. And after witnessing how Otousan's been treating him all along, I can't say I blame Minkah's condition.
I never want to see my father again. He can go to hell for all I care. To treat his own son that way...Tentatively my fingers glide through Minkah's hair to which he merely sighs deeply, snuggling closer. Grandpa made him take off the bulletproof vest, insisting that since Minkah will no doubt get bad bruises from the bullets it's best not to have such a stiff material against his skin. We had to give him one of Malik's shirts since Minkah's is pretty much destroyed. The knife is in its sheath at his side—as always. I'm not sure I've ever seen him without it. To be on guard constantly...I can't imagine what that'd be like to be taught that the entire world is against you.
"Hey Ryou."
I look up to find Marik standing before me with his arms wrapped around his sides. His violet eyes are studying my sibling with both curiosity and understanding. I shift slightly to make room for him on the couch. He cautiously slides next to me, eyes still locked on Minkah.
"He's just like me," my friend whispers softly.
I smile sadly, nodding. We both stare down at the sleeping figure before us. There's the sound of voices and footsteps above us as the others stumble over one another in an attempt to get ready to leave.
"We can't let him go back to those people," Marik suddenly states finally turning from my brother.
I sigh, looking down at Minkah. "I know. But what can we do?"
(Niu's POV)
Friday, 4:22 pm.
The afternoon sun is ginger, casting a burgundy glow over the ritzy neighborhood. I adjust the dark glasses on my nose, peering over the top of them at the door to the Plaza. Men dressed up in black suites and woman with sheen slender legs stroll in and out of the revolving glass doors without so much glancing at one another. Taking out a cigarette I light it up, sitting back in the leather seat of the black car with tinted windows.
4:25 pm.
An elderly woman adorned in jewels and lace strides along the pavement, some sort of mini dog that looks more like a fur hat in her decorated arms. The thing has bulgy eyes, the only part of it that moves. Down the street a young boy—of whom I recognize effortlessly as a pick-pocket—surveys the people exiting the hotel, searching for an estimable target.
4:28 pm.
Perhaps it's best I let him go by himself. Maybe it will give him at least some closure. Although when we went to that small shop to retrieve Minkah the people there were adamant on keeping us from doing so. I'd never seen anything like it. The impending promise of death usually makes them fall to their knees and beg for mercy...which they never receive. Yet they did nothing of the sort, standing up to a room full of armed assassins. I still haven't decided if they were valiant or just idiotic.
4:30 pm.
I lean forward, eyes sweeping over the crowds of people bustling in and out of the building. He's never late. Minkah was raised by Apophis. His whole reality runs on schedules and obedience...
4:31 pm.
Damn it. I whip out my phone, hitting a single button. Turning away from the doors and starting the engine of the car I listen as the other end rings once. Twice.
"What is it?" the black-haired teen hisses.
"Afika," I state clearly, scowling at the building. "We have a problem."
(Minkah's POV)
"Nnnn," I moan wearily snuggling closer into the warmth against me.
A hand travels gently through my hair and I relax. It's him. The heartbeat against my ear is soothing, muffled and rhythmic. Elsewhere I become aware of the buzz of many human voices murmuring quietly. Unnerved and confused, I crack my eyes open slightly only to have my muscles go rigid in shock. The arms holding me instantly tighten, fingers digging into my sides.
"Minkah?"
I know that voice. Struggling to sit up whilst the hands grasp me firmly I find myself on Malik's lap in the back on some sort of public bus that's completely full. Eyes hastily sweeping over the vehicle I spot the rest of the friendship posse resting in nearby seats. It's dark outside.
"What the fuck--!" My exclamation of anger is cut short a hand goes flying over my mouth. Eyes whipping over to the owner of said limb I find Yami sitting next to us on the seat, blocking the aisle.
"Calm down, Minkah and let us explain," he states urgently in a hushed voice while keeping his hand clamped over my mouth, casting nervous glances at the people who've turned to look at us due to my outburst. I glare but find Malik's hold iron, preventing me from punching either of them. "Listen, we're in a bus heading for a safe place. We couldn't just leave you behind. Your companions from Apophis are still forcing you to kill peo...Aaah!"
He pulls his hand back when I jerk my head, sinking my teeth into his flesh. Blood dripping down my chin, I send Malik a look that clearly states: 'Let me go or I'll make you.' And as soon as he does I am going to kill the damn fuckers!
(Malik's POV)
"I really don't like this," I mutter as we all sit in the back of the bus. "I mean I really don't like this."
"We heard ya da first time, man," Jou mumbles tiredly as the vehicle travels through the utterly dark countryside.
I sigh heavily, glancing down nervously at the white-haired teen sleeping against my chest. Minkah trembles every so often, muttering incoherent sentences under his breath. Whenever this happens I run my hand through his hair; his reaction being to snuggle closer. Gods he's still so gorgeous. I feel like I'm cheating before Yami's very eyes for cuddling the Egyptian like this but there's no spare seat on the bus. Yugi's sitting on Jou's lap since there was no more room. My koi's resting next to me near the aisle, ready to assist me in reprimanding the former assassin when he wakes; a moment we're all dreading.
"Nnnn..." he moans, shifting in my arms.
I unconsciously let my fingers trail through his silky hair, the continuous whispers that come humming from further up front giving a sort of eerie atmosphere. My arms tighten around Minkah when his whole body tenses up.
"Minkah?" I ask softly to which Yami's head snaps up. The Egyptian struggles to pull away from me, gray eyes snapping around the bus in a bewilderment that quickly morphs into rage.
"What the fuck--!"
Yami lunges, slapping his hand over the other's mouth as everyone that's awake turns around to stare. Minkah's trembling in fury but his body's still weak from the traumas he went through two months ago. He can't break away from me.
"Calm down, Minkah, and let us explain," Yami states in the calmest voice he can muster. "Listen, we're in a bus heading for a safe place. We couldn't just leave you behind. Your companions from Apophis are still forcing you to kill peo...Aaah!"
My koi lets out a yell and in an instant Minkah's eyes are boring into mine, a trickle of Yami's blood on his chin. Ooooh shit.
"Boys, what's going on?" Grandpa's voice asks groggily from across the aisle, eyes widening when he spots my koi clutching his bleeding hand and then widening even more at the sight of Minkah's enraged expression. Honda, who's sitting next to Grandpa, makes a move to stand but I shake my head, turning back to find myself being scalded by stormy gray eyes.
"Okay as soon as you calm down I'll let go," I state, sounding more confident than I'm feeling right now.
"Calm down!" Minkah hisses, eyes ablaze as he writhes helplessly. "You fucking kidnapped me!"
"It's for your own safety," I retort defensively, sweat beginning to line my brow, nonetheless, at the looks the people nearby are giving us.
"My own safety? Do you have any idea what you've done?" he all but shrieks at me.
"Hey, we just saved your ass. Try to show a little gratitude, huh?" Jou growls from the seat behind us where Yugi is perched on his lap watching this play out nervously. Ryou's asleep beside them huddled against Marik who's slumbering as well.
"There is no damn way they're going to let you get away with this. If you'd left me behind like you should have I might have been able to convince them you guys aren't worth the time of day. Now though..." He let's his harsh voice trail off, and I notice for the first time the fear in his eyes and tone.
"We're willing to risk it," Yami states solemnly from next to us now clutching Grandpa's cloth handkerchief against his hand.
"Well you're idiots for doing so," the former assassin snaps. "And did any of you ever ask me what I thought? That perhaps I wanted to stay with them?"
"You're confused right now due to all the hell you've gone through, man," Jou speaks up again, this time less callously. "You'll understand once..."
"Once you've given me some Ra-damned transformation? I gave you the chance to get away and this is how you repay me? By drugging and abducting me?"
"First of all: we didn't drug you...I swear!" I state as he narrows his eyes distrustfully. "Minkah..." Sighing heavily, I ignore everyone else around us, just staring straight at him. "Listen, I'm sorry we did this without your consent. It's not like we feel good about it. But after all you've gone through...We want to help."
"Help with what?" he sneers scornfully, muscles momentarily flexing under my hold.
I realize with a pang that these past two months he's been bottling up his emotions in a futile attempt to hide how immensely Apophis' and Kaiba's treatment of him is still affecting him. It's not his fault. It's what he's been taught to do. And it's slowly killing him from the inside out. Comprehending that talking about this subject any further right now will only worsen the situation, I change tactics.
"All right. Here's what's going on: It's around three o'clock in the morning. Even if we dropped you off somewhere you wouldn't be able to find your companions right now. Just sit back for the time being. When we get to our destination we'll get all this figured out. Okay?"
I stare into his eyes that have become drained again. His jaw clenches as it's obvious he doesn't like this offer, but seems to realize that jumping off a moving bus in the middle of nowhere isn't going to accomplish much. Hell, that might even be a few steps backward. Minkah breaks eyes contact, glancing out the window into utter darkness. I loosen my hold on his waist so I can gently move my hand up and down his back in slow tender motions in an effort to relax him. With my other hand I slide my fingers into his hair. Holding my palm against the back of his head, I press Minkah foreword to rest against my chest. His body tenses at first as he contemplates resisting before he gives in, sighing shakily and allowing sleep to envelope him again as I hold him close to my heart.
(Yami's POV)
I watch the silent interaction between my koi and Minkah as Malik tries to convince the other Egyptian from fighting us for the time being. My fists clench as Malik's tan hands begin massaging the other's back and scalp gently, pressing Minkah affectionately against his chest. Mouth dry, I quickly avert my gaze, body trembling. Most certainly Grandpa and the others are watching their soundless communication as well. Good thing Marik isn't awake. He'd sense my resentment in the blink of an eye. What am I opposing though? Is it so bad that they're close to one another? Yes, if it's more than just friendship. Malik's my boyfriend and I'm going to make sure it stays that way.
Then why do I want to touch the white-haired Egyptian's face as I did earlier in the evening?—the skin rough, no doubt from harsh environments and conditions he's lived through. It seems Minkah has this affect not just on me but on my boyfriend as well. But what of it? Are we going to break up with each other only to find him leaving us for Apophis? It's not like either of us know Minkah that well...
So it's true then. Our relationship is falling apart: both of us intently eyeing someone who doesn't seem all that interested in a bond of any kind. Perhaps he'd be willing to be something more with Malik though. They did spend quite a bit of time together...more than anyone else in the group did with Minkah.
I sigh heavily, closing my eyes and concentrating on the jolting of the bus as it flies over bumps and turns in the road, just wanting to get the image of my boyfriend cuddling the white-haired Egyptian out of my head.
Malik, what's happening to us?
(Afika's POV)
"So he's run off with his new companions, eh?" Kek's voice chuckles over the intercom.
"What should we do? Do you want us to come right away?" Kasiya cuts in, aware of what my response would be to the brunette's statement.
"No," I reply firmly. "I've already finished my own mission and am flying over to Japan as we speak. Complete your own assignments then contact me."
The jet slices through the thunderheads, all the radars on the control board urging me to land the craft. A smirk slithers onto my lips at the electrical energies coursing through the atmosphere.
"What of Niu?" Sevara asks inquiringly in her scarcely audible voice.
"He's tracking them down."
"Why'd he let Minkah go off by himself in the first place?" Kek growls in frustration. "Wasn't the point of him accompanying Minkah to make sure nothing like this would happen?"
"Well what's done is done," Kasiya interjects, always one keen on keeping the peace between the two of us.
"No, actually it's not done. Minkah's run off with our targets, no doubt plotting against us..."
"Does that frighten you, Kek?" I sneer as a bolt of lighting ignites the blackened heavens.
"I could ask you the same question!" he counters fiercely. "Aren't you the least bit worried about...?"
"I'll deal with my own personal issues, Kek," I hiss warningly into the mike of my headphone. "Just get those bases destroyed."
This said, I sever the connection, blood boiling as it streams like molten lava through my veins. So much for Niu's reliability. I must admit to myself that I'm not too surprised. He didn't join Apophis until a later age; the outside world having already molded many of his beliefs and views. If necessary, he will be eliminated. That goes for the rest of them as well. I've never been one to be tolerant of disobedience to me.
This brings me to Minkah. He's the youngest of our group—also the most emotionally unsound. It's not startling after his childhood years. All his life he's been obsessively devoted to the wishes of his mother. Fate would have it that her last request coincides with our work. If I could, I'd thank the bitch for that. Kek was wrong about one thing: Minkah will not turn traitor on me. No matter how fond he's become of those freaks from Domino, he knows where his loyalty lies. Heh. Those poor fools have no idea to what length her deranged child has gone—and will go—to fulfill his pledge to her.
-twighlight zone music- Gotta love Afika, no?
readers (excluding UFAT): NO!
Afika: heh
About my other stories: I've got about three pages to go in the next chapter for Beneath the Surface. The next few days are going to be busy as hell so I might not get it up until after Christmas. Definately by next week though! Promise! As for BTBT, well, I've got a long ways to go on that chapter yet. I'll keep you updated though!
And just incase this is the last time I update before Christmas: Happy holdiays! (whatever it is you celebrate)
Ferris