-frowns- What's with the less reviewsies? That's the least amount for this story yet! (and I'm noticing nearly a quarter of them are new reviewers!--of whom I love and adore, mind you--but where'd the hell did the rest of you go?!)

Minkah: Maybe they're finally realizing it sucks...

BAM!!!!

Minkah: X.x

Ferris: -ish troubled- Seriously, what was wrong with it? I accept criticism (as long as you're not knit-picking or flaming, in which cases I'll ignore you and erase your review...and then hate you. -smiles pleasantly-) Really though: what the fuck?!

Malik: -thoughtful- Maybe THAT'S what they're waiting for.

Ferris: -blink- What?

Malik: The hot sex! Duhhhhh! -looking Minkah up and down eagerly-

Minkah: -squirming uncomfortably- Stop molesting me with your eyes!

Ferris: Nmmmmm... -drools-

Minkah: I said knock it off!!!

BlueBunny2: Just got through detox? Well this calls for a celebration! -tosses handfuls of orange tic tacs in the air- Weeeeee!XD Glad you liked the chapter. And thanks for the sympathy. -snuggles- Ack! This is your first review for this half of the story! -grins- You know what that means! (blue: -sigh-) -points- New reviewer! -tackleglomps- XDXDXD

Night Rain Illusion: LOL!!! I loveloveLOVED your review! It was just so...perfect. -grins madly- (Ryou: -teary eyed- He...he luffs me now?) (Minkah: No! Ack! No! -ish being snuggled by Ryou- I never said I cared, dammit! I never said I cared!) ROFL XD...Oh! It's your first time reviewing for this half of the story! -tackleglomps- New reviewer! YAY!!!

katie: new reviewer! -tackleglomps!- Daaaaaaaaawwww! Somebody luffles me! -tackleglomps again- (Minkah: Ferris, stop smothering the readers!) Sorry sorry! You're just so Cute!XD Like SOS and BTBT best, eh? -grins- Actually, although my writing style for the first half sucked (it was my first fic I'd ever posted and I was still learning the best ways to write fanfics) I'm really proud of the plot line--especially for the second half! Seriously, me thinks it's my best thought out story out of them all...though it might not be obvious yet. (Baku: O.o) And yes, I actually declared English as my major...before I dropped out of the college due to my depression. -sigh- I'm hoping to attend a small (i need a small atmosphere. It's what I've always had) local college this fall...and we'll see what happens from there. -perks- I believe they even have a Japanese animation course, which I'd LOVE to take. I've taught myself the basics and have some announcements concerning that at the end of this chapter. -winks- Email buddy? Oh I'd LOVE that!XD I lost touch with all but two of my friends after highschool, and one of them is also clinically depressed. I need some more upbeatness in my life! (Minkah: For once, we agree on something.)

Satra: YOU!!! -tackleglomps- You've returnethed to me! (Minkah: I don't think that's a word...) (Yami: Yes, but half of the things that come out of her mouth--fingers--aren't real words) (Minkah: True true...) -holds up hands in peace- I'm doing better! Seriously! I have unipolar aka clinical depression in which I get these really BAD mood swings from "Yay! Let's frolic in the snow!" to "I think I'll go for a drive and ram into a tree" like five minutes apart. Very unpredictable. O.o Not fun...or safe, for that matter. -beams- But I'm on a new med (AGAIN) and it seems to be working (knock on wood); I'm not at the dosage they want me at yet...have to work your way up to it...but we're already seeing improvements, so keep your fingers crossed! XD

bakura240: -blinks- Are you crying because of the story or my depressing end notes? (please say the former please say the former) You've started reading my other fics, haven't you? -sighs in frustration- My mind's all messed up 'cause of detox and new meds,but I swear I've seen you at another story or two. "I'm glad Minkah's finally warming up to Ryou" -grins- Yeah, he's in denial of it though...which only makes it all the cuter! (Minkah: feh!) XD See?

keiko-keket: -blinks- ANOTHER new reviewer?!--not that I'm not pleased, but where the hell did all the old reviewers go?!--Yeesh. -.- Oh well.-tackleglomps- Hi Honey!XD Hmm...you think Minkah is the only one that will need convincing to become a smexy hot threesome? Interesting...(Minkah: Here she goes with her "mysterious" crap again) -grins- So true!XD Love As I Fall? Good! I'm currently working on the next chapter as we "speak". It's tough, I'm trying to figure out the cutest--and funniest--way for Kura and Jou to break the news to Ryou about them smexing all over the place. lol (Ryou: They WHAT?!) -whistles innocently-

Reijin Hakumei: "Hopefully it will be uphill from here, for both you and your characters" Wellll, me: yes, hopefully. The charactersssss...Nope. Nuh-uh. They're going to be thrown up and down emotional-wise. Mostly down in this chapter, but fear not! They'll go back up by and by. XD (Yami: yay) Was that sarcasm? (Yami: You know it.) feh!

nayades18: -tackleglomps- I saw your review that informed me I missed you in my replies in BTBT! -hands bag of orange tic tacs while kowtowing- I apologize profusely! It wasn't intentional! You shall be getting the next chapter of that story dedicated to you, k? "Malik should be on top of Minkah!!!while Yami watches..." (Yami: -angry at being left out- HEY!!!) (Minkah: -angry at being on the bottom- HEY!!!) (Malik: -ecstatic- Woohoo, baby, YEAH!!!!) LOL

Suzukata: -points- It's ANOTHER new reviewer! -tackleglomps- Oh! And you've read some of my other stories? -grinning- Good good good...! (Minkah: -sigh- She's a bit hyper at the moment) "Holy Mowtown Jesus! I nearly passed out laughing!" lol I LOVE that line of your review. XD "-dies of cute-" Ack! No no no! -recessitates Suzukata- Damn that cute! Killing off my reviewers...-growling- (Minkah: O.o)

Isaya831: "I'm guessing 'she' is Minkah's mom" Oh, you guess right! XD ...ah yes, the curse of the stubborn computer...and sometimes FFN site itself. -growls at both- But you finally got to read it, so that's what matters. -nod nod- (Yami: Amazingly, she hasn't consumed any sugar yet today...) XDXDXDXD Fweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

dragonlady222: Nah, Minkah's always had a conscience...it's just blossoming more now. -grins- (Minkah: "Blossoming"? -.o) teehee! Oh yes, he cares...he's just going to try and fight it like mad! lol "I loved Malik's brilliant conclusion" Well, as you'll see, not everyone does..."I think it'll work great if Minkah agrees" -smirk- You think it'll be that simple, hmm? (Yami: -.- Well since you've said THAT...) -cackles-

Freak in the Shadows: Well I'm happy I've updated too! XD We agree on so much! -huggles- Ah, a sympathizer who's been through some of this shit! -tackleglomps- (Minkah: She's not going to let go now, you know. Kinda like a snapping turtle...)

Xellimech: "I'm curious to see how Yami will react to this Yami/Minkah/Malik thing". You know, you're the first one who's pondered what Yami's reaction will be. Everybody else that's mentioned the threesome skip ahead to whether Minkah will accept it. Orange tic tacs for your observation!XDXDXD

MarshmellowPeepGod:-cringes- Ouch. You've got a load of shit going on, don't you? -pats head- My poor peep! -tackleglomps- (Minkah: All this embracing...it's sickening me) Hope you're brother's doing all right and that you haven't been sent off to juvie...They probably wouldn't let you read violent disturbing fanfics...SAD!!!...and you're right: candy--more imporantly--ORANGE TIC TACS are the happy pills!!!!XDXDXD Fweeee! -tosses handfulls in the air-

Memnoch's Heart: So I hear you've been keeping MarshPeepGod's morale up. Good for you! -hands big bag of orange tic tacs- I know I know, I always sound so "chipper and upbeat" in my author's notes, but half the time I'm not really. -shrugs- It's easy to hide emotions when you're typing. (Yami: You little faker) -sticks out tongue- So sue me. Oh, and I don't cut. I--used to--gouge. DEEP. We'll end that explanation there...lol, everyone's teasing you about the name Minkah, eh? -cackles- I find this amusing. (my Minkah: -grumbling- Isn't even my REAL name...) (your Minkah: O.o I...I'm just confused here) lol

Sagira98: "I had no idea that Marik could be so stubborn" Ahhh, but do you remember he was the one who insisted on going for a long walk with Yugi in the first half when they'd just been told to stay in the house? (Minkah: Probably not, since you take so frikin' long to update nowadays) Ahem. -to Sagira- Could you 'scuse us for one sec?... BAM!!!! ...Now, where were we? (Minkah: X.x) Ah, the threesome! Well, as you'll see: not all parties are interested in this "proposition" of Malik's...(Malik: Damn it!)

Kit-Cat Caitlin: -grins- Daaaw! A picture of thems twos snuggling would be WONDERFUL. (Ryou: -delirious- Huh? Wha..?) (Minkah: No! I refuse to let you defile me further by making a picture of me touching him!) -rolls eyes- Oh pish, shut it, drama queen. (Minkah: -full blown tantrum for being called a "queen"-) LOL

This chapter (which is seventeen and a half pages, mind you!) will be dedicated to all our new reviewers: BlueBunny2, Night Rain Illusion, keiko-keket, Suzukata, and in a special way to katie! And praise to all you previous reviewers that have continued to do so! (Where the HELL did the rest of you go? -grumbles-)

Anyhoo, we get several flashbacks in this chapter from Afika, Minkah, and Ryou. That's right, we're gonna get into Afika's mind a bit more; he's the first narrator of this chap! XD (Yami: Should that be...reassuring?) -shrugs happily- I've got important announcements at the end of the chapter regarding sketches I've done of the Apophis survivors.But for now: Read on! (the song is by an Italian artist called Nek. I'm planning on using some of his other songs in my stories. I recommend him! He's got a great voice!XD)

The song itself is meant to be from Yami's POV. It fits the chapter so well it's SCARY.

We Speak in the Singular (translation from Italian)

Sooner or later I'll learn not to love like this

And to give earth and sea back to my fragile nerves

Sooner or later

I'll dry out my injuries with the heat of a bonfire

And I'll feel happy with the life that I've made

Sooner or later... not here

Not, unfortunately, with you

Not here, not now because

Because it's not enough just to be together

Or to say that everything's going fine

That someone else still belongs to us

Now that we speak in the singular

And it hurts me so much

Because you were part of me.

Sooner or later I'll have a house surrounded by trees

And a rose, that rose which isn't you

Not for me

Because it's not enough just to be together

Or to say that everything's going fine

That anything is left for us here

Now that we speak in the singular

And everything here is going wrong

You know that I don't feel the same way as you do

And you can't change it

Not here, unfortunately, not with you

Not here, not now because

Sooner or later I'll learn not to love like this.

-Nek-

Chapter 7: Shatter

(Afika's POV)

All of the grimy, shaggy-faced truck drivers sit around the musty room arranged specifically for them at the rest stop. I switched from the car to a semi-truck, now having collected multiple "cargo" along the way. A television that picture fuzzes every 6.8 seconds flickers some wrestling match. It's 2am; sleet coming down hard outside like the whips in my memories. It's made driving impossible for the moment—hence me being here. I scowl, taking a sip of bitter coffee that has without a doubt been sitting in the machine all day.

"Ain't you a bit young to be in the trucking business?" a buck-toothed bulky hick asks from the large lumpy yellow couch where a bunch of them are gathered.

"Yeah. What you do drive? Toy dump truck?"

"Aww...give it a rest, will ya?" a black man with weather-worn skin snaps. He turns, eyes with layers of wrinkles underneath focusing on me. "Sit down." He nods towards the splintered wooden chair near his against the wall.

I sit down laxly, the ancient lumber creaking under my weight, leaning back; eyes sweeping indifferently over a room that's watching me. The man next to me pulls out a cigar, lighting it.

All at once the men jump up, having become disconnected in their scrutiny of me for the moment, bellowing feverishly at the flickering television screen as if the two massive, inadequately clad wrestling dolts can hear them. I frown, sliding my tongue across my teeth as I watch the duo thrash about in an attempt to get their opponent in a vulnerable position. These sports, they call them, have never made sense to me. What's the point of fighting someone only to allow them to live at the end of the battle? That gives them the opportunity to train and get stronger...and come back for you.

Quite foolish.

When they educated us, if you lost—you were on your own. Very few of us survived the training sessions. Some, even though still in their young years, refused to fight, refused to learn. They were taken care of in multiple ways; often used as live dummies to practice our techniques on. Other times, depending on the severity of their opposition, the Apophis leaders dealt with the resistors themselves. On those occasions, it was never quick, and it was never silent...

Another petrified shriek comes through the thin wooden walls; shouting followed by more screams as something—someone—is thrown against the other side of the wall across the room from us. There are ten of us locked in here. It's a timber space; about 8' by 8'. No furniture. No windows. One door. And it's locked. Not that we don't have the skills to open it ourselves...we've just been ordered not to.

As another agonizing screech rips into our ears, he curls himself tighter against my chest until he's all but buried himself in my blood-laden shirt. A blonde boy across the way who is a year or two older than me, sneers at the way the small white-haired creature clutches to me.

"You should know better than to do that," he states, though he does so quietly, knowing full-well the punishment of redundant noise.

I gaze straight into his auburn eyes, simultaneously wrapping an arm around the shuddering form. "And that would be...?"

The blonde, I believe they call him Kek, snorts contemptuously. "They don't approve of us defending one another—of protecting or comforting. It creates emotional ties that we cannot afford to have—."

I sneer. "You dare lecture me on the rules of Apophis?" I cast a glare around the room at our other peers. "Anyone else have anything to say of the matter?"

They all avoid my gaze, knowing my position in the ranks of the assassins in training. Even if they don't know each others' names, everyone knows mine. The boy called Kek glowers at me, knowing to challenge me any further won't bode well. I don't hide my victorious smirk, turning my attention back to the quivering figure in my arms as another shriek of pain erupts from behind the wall, though it's weaker than before. The white-haired boy in my arms tries to muffle a sob in my shirt, petite fingers clutching the fabric that's stiff with blood from earlier in the day. I run my fingers through the dirty white locks of my little recruit who hasn't grown accustomed to the ways of our world yet.

"It won't last much longer," I say softly in his ear, knowing my words to be true by the way the screams are weakening; there is much internal damage now. They're weaker than others of before. Still, I'm surprised this individual has lasted as long as they have.

Without warning, I swiftly move my hands over the warm shells of his ears as the final death rattle comes. It's not like he hasn't heard it before; he was present for his own mother's final moments. Kek sneers, teeth glinting when he notes my merciful move.

"You think you can shield him from this? Doing so will only make it all the more easy for them to break him."

I give the younger child in my arms a confident glance. "He won't break."—I'll make sure of that.—"I myself was the one who brought him here. I saw his former life." My eyes lift to pierce Kek's. "You're more likely to break than he is."

The other boy scoffs, a sardonic smirk on his lips as the others watch on mutely. "You're joking. You've seen me in training. My strength and skill grow every day. Now look at that little wimp—cowering against you at the very sound of a scream. What makes you believe he's less likely to be broken than me?"

My lips curl into a caustic grin. "Because if anyone's going to break you, it'll be me. And your attitude inclines me to desire such." Focusing all my attention on the older boy now, who, despite himself, has a flicker of qualm in his eyes, I hiss: "And when I want to break someone, they don't just crack— they shatter."

"Just 'gnore them, son," the black man mutters, as the eyes have all returned to me; his lips moving oddly with his yellowed teeth locked around the cigar; a film of blue smoke feathering from the end, adding to the room's already hazy atmosphere.

"I'm used to their type," I shrug, taking another sip of the revolting drink, face blank.

He chuckles. "Headed East like the lot of us? Watch your back, if you are. One or two of 'em will be sure to cause you trouble on the road."

"Not sure of the exact location yet," I answer simply. "But I'm driving somewhere up North."

His large, wrinkled brow furrows. "North? What's up North?"

"Now that—," I say, downing the last lumpy grimy end of my drink, "—is the real question."

(Ryou's POV)

There's ringing. So much ringing.

And sirens.

I hurt all over. My eyes are burning. It's like they're on fire; molten liquid tears. The sounds of shrieking metal and frantic unintelligible shouting...I can barely hear these things above the piercing ringing though.

Mother?

Amane?

A pair of rough hands grab onto me, and I yelp as an arm snakes around my broken ribs. Someone murmurs in a comforting tone, though I can tell they're frightened, as if trying to soothe me as well as themselves. I can't hear their words over the ringing however. Where is it coming from? Somebody make it stop...

"Hey!"

Mother!

Amane!

I throw back my head and scream their names, but there's no answering call; just the unfamiliar voices and that shrill ringing that's trying to make my head implode.

"Wake up!"

...Wait. Who was that? That voice...

"Ryou, damn it! Wake up!"

"Mother—!" My quavering call ends in a gasp as the pain is suddenly gone and I'm staring into two familiar grey eyes. "M-minkah?"

"Hn," he sits back, having been leaning over me grasping my shoulders tightly.

"That was some nightmare you were having there, man," another recognizable voice states.

I blink, trying to clear my head. Sitting up slowly, I find everyone—save Yami and Malik—crowded around...a couch. I'm on a couch near a big fireplace, wrapped in a heavy quilt. I turn to the owner of the last comment: Jounouchi.

"I...I'm fine," I mumble, dazed. "Where...are we?"

"Otogi's place. Remember?" Honda puts in tiredly, unable to keep from yawning.

I start when my fingers touch a slippery fabric that's hidden under the quilt. The coat. Gulping, I look over at my brother who's watching me with an imperceptible expression in his eyes.

Minkah...

He stayed. He didn't leave. I remember following him outside...begging him not to abandon me...leave me like the rest of my family...

And he stayed.

Mr. Mutou seems to realize something and suddenly states: "Well, since we're all up, what say you boys to making a nice hearty breakfast?"

This suggestion is met by cheers from Jounouchi and Honda. Yugi and Marik remain silent, looking on with concern. It's obvious they're unnerved by my nightmare. They don't know that much about before—only what they needed to. They don't know how often my mind—my soul—goes back to that horrid afternoon...

As Mr. Mutou begins to lead his ecstatic procession off to the kitchen, he calls: "Yugi! Marik! You two as well!" It's not a suggestion. The two do as they're told, but not without great discomfort, watching me anxiously over their shoulders as they're led away. As soon as they're gone, I turn back to my brother who's sitting quietly next to me.

"You...you called me Ryou earlier," I say without even realizing this beforehand.

Minkah quirks an eyebrow at me. "What?"

I give him a tentative smile. "It's just...you've never called me by my name before."

The Egyptian snorts, shuffling uncomfortably like a falcon that's had its feathers ruffled. "Well you were screaming loud enough to cause an avalanche; nearly burst my eardrums when you started. Had to say something to get through to you."

My smile doesn't waver. "So...are you gonna keep calling me by my name now? Or was this a one-time thing?"

He looks over at me; behind these words I'm asking a different question: 'Are you going to stay? Or did you just turn back last night to save me?'

After a brief moment of studying me, Minkah leans back into the couch languidly feigning ennui.

"We'll see if it sticks or not."

For now, that answer's good enough for me.

(Malik's POV)

I'm alone in my own bed at the other side of the room, a dark cloud hanging above me. Yami's asleep across the way, his back to me. No, we haven't made up.

And no, he didn't like my idea one bit...

"Malik, that's crazy! A threesome?! That's your brilliant answer to this problem?" he exclaims, leaning against the wall as the two of us sit on his bed.

"Of course!" I grin, confused by his obvious dislike to it. "I thought you'd be pleased by the idea!"

"So let me see if I get this straight: you love both Minkah and I, so you want me to help you get in Minkah's pants and charm him into becoming a threesome?!"

"Well when you put it like that..."

"Malik, I don't feel for Minkah like that! What I mean is: I like the guy sure, but love him...? I admitted to you that I am attracted to him, but to bring him into a relationship—our relationship?!"

Uh oh. Things are tumbling down.

"But just because you aren't that close to Minkah now, doesn't mean that you won't come to love him in a relati..."

"You're sick." This is hissed at me while those dark violet eyes are ablaze in the shadows of the room. "It's all about you and what you want, isn't it, Malik? You don't want to lose me yet you can't stand the thought of Minkah in someone else's arms. You just have to have both."

"No! That's not what I...!"

"Get off my bed."

"W-wha...?"

"I want to sleep. Go on: Get off!" he shouts, violently shoving me to the floor in one fluid motion.

I lay on my back on the carpeted ground in shock, listening to the blankets shuffle as he gets under the covers.

W-what...What just happened here?

I bury my face in my pillow, groaning morosely. Looking back: once again, I was a complete ass-hole of a boyfriend. Damn. Now will Yami even consider taking me back? After the way he reacted—the way he spoke to me—last night, I'm seriously beginning to doubt it. And to up and start a relationship with Minkah in front of him would only be the worst thing I could possibly do. Besides, I don't want to lose Yami.

I just don't want to lose Minkah either...

'You don't have Minkah.'

But he likes me! I saw it back in that dressing room stall and I saw it again on the bus...!

'And Yami likes him; but likes doesn't make a romantic relationship.'

I growl. Are you my inner voice or Yami's?

'Take your pick. The fact of the matter is: you've got to choose between the two of them. It might already be too late with Yami after what you said last night to him. And Minkah...well, as you said: he likes you. There's no promise of a relationship there.'

My breath cuts off at this horrifying realization. So either way...

'It might already be too late.'

(Yugi's POV)

When I went downstairs to release Yami and Malik from their room and ask if they'd made up yet, my heart dropped. They were in separate beds, backs to one another. From the doorway I could see Malik's face; it seems he'd just recently slipped off to sleep. Under both of his eyes was red and puffy. He's been crying. A lot.

Oh gods...

I'd left the door open a crack so they'd know they were free to come upstairs for breakfast when they awoke. I'm afraid to think of what the consequences of keeping them in there together any longer against their will would be.

Hurrying back up the stairs, I'd gone back to the kitchen, assisting Marik in making scrambled eggs and omelets with cheese in it. In a hushed voice, I explained to my friend what I'd seen downstairs. Violet eyes had become saddened by this but he didn't say any more than ask if I'd left the door unlocked. When I told him 'yes', he'd only nodded and continued moving the spoon back and forth across the pan silently.

So it's true then: our brother's are through.

I glance over at Grandpa who is scolding Jounouchi and Honda who are supposed to be adding chocolate chips to the pancake batter; he can't seem to keep the smile from his face though, chuckling whenever either of them attempts to sneak a handful into their mouth. My heart wrenches; gods, how are we going to tell him?

"We're not going to tell him," Marik's soft voice states firmly. I look over at him almost in surprise; should have realized he knew what I was thinking.

"B-but Marik, we can't just let him keep assuming...!"

"Grandpa's no fool, Yugi," my friend replies as he scrapes the finished golden eggs into a casserole dish sitting on the counter next to one of the three large ovens. "He'll pick up on it. Besides, if anyone should break the news to him: it should be Yami and Malik. And that goes for everyone else too. It's not our relationship, so we should respect the way they choose to go about ending it."

I nod miserably, eyes downcast; pondering how Marik can be so strong about this and I can't. "I know. I just...I just wish..."

A warm comforting hand rests on my shoulder as Grandpa lets out a shout for Jounouchi to stop tasting the batter.

"I know," is the empathetic reply.

(Minkah's POV)

They'd made a humongous breakfast, given the number of people present; eggs, overstuffed omelets, pancakes, bananas, grapes, milk, toast with butter and a variety of preserves...Damn, it looks like they did quite a bit of shopping when we'd stopped at that small store about three hours from here—the closest point of civilization.

By the end of the meal, which we ate sitting around the fire in the front room, Ryou's head kept lolling onto my shoulder as he struggled to stay awake.

Ack! I just said 'Ryou'! I meant 'the bastard's son'. Yes. There. That's better.

The fever is nearly gone now, but the sickness itself has taken a heavy toll on his lithe body. The kid really should put some muscle on those bones; build an immune system. The old man instructs the two loudmouths to assist Ry—the bastard's son back to his room to rest.

By this point, I'm wholly overheated, wearing several layers of clothing, seeing as how I'm still dressed in the attire I'd donned when preparing to leave last night. The roaring blaze in the gigantic fireplace isn't exactly helping either. Ra, I'm going to be roasted alive...

"Marik."

The two younger ones and I turn to the old man who's sitting directly across from me in a large leather chair. Yami's brother and Marik are huddled together on the chair beside him; having been chattering under their breaths continuously throughout breakfast. It was really quite annoying; sort of reminded me of pesky squirrels that never can it.

"Would you take Minkah downstairs and help him find something else to wear for today?" I narrow my eyes when the elderly man's meet mine; a twinkle in the light violet orbs that so resemble Yami and his brother's. I give him a scowl in response to show him I don't appreciate his 'subtleness' or 'charity'.

I've still yet to find out what he wants from me.

"Sure," Marik nods, standing up and waiting for me to rise. I do so, following him silently down the spiral staircase to the level below. It's quiet. Too quiet. I listen intently as we pass the large television set and other electronic equipment but don't pick up any voices or movement beyond.

"Where are Yami and Malik?" I ask, noting the way Marik's back tenses slightly at the mention of the pair.

"They...decided to sleep in," is his halting reply.

I smirk. So, Marik can't always lie, can he? To think one who can read others' minds so well...

"You can drop the story, Marik. It's not going to work," I snort as we reach the hallway where the bedrooms are.

The blonde shuffles slightly as he peers into the first door on the right. "I don't know what you're talking about. And please keep your voice down. They're both still asleep."

He motions for me to follow him in after a moment of hesitation on his part. I glance around the darkened room, curtains drawn tightly. Well what have we here? Not only are they in separate beds—the beds are across the room from one another. One would think they'd push the beds together...

"Over here!" Marik's voice hisses urgently, as if frightened the duo will wake up and skin us alive or something.

I trudge over nonchalantly, enjoying toying with the boy's nerves just a bit after the guilt-trip he played on me last night, to where he's stooped over a large open suitcase. The kid, seeing I'm not going to make this speedy, starts digging through the clothing himself, tossing a tee-shirt, sweatshirt, jeans, socks, and boxers at me faster than I can catch them; which is saying something.

"All right, you've got clothes, now come on!" the blonde orders, all but shoving me out of the room whilst casting nervous glances from one bed to the other. It's not until we're in the hallway and he's carefully closed the door that Marik seems to realize just how he acted; turning to find me with a jumble of garments in my arms; a pant leg lopped over one shoulder.

"Oh Minkah, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to...t-that is...!" he tries helplessly, still casting nervous glances at the door out of the corner of his eye.

"Just what the hell was that?" I ask incredulously. "Don't tell me those two are still brawling?" A somber gloom appears in the boy's eyes and his lower lip begins to quiver.

Oh no.

Just for precaution's sake, I fumble awkwardly to get the pile of clothes into one arm; reaching over and grabbing Marik by the collar of his light blue flannel pajamas, yanking him into the room across the hall that I'm assuming is his and Yugi's; closing the door with the back of my foot. Immediately, two arms are locked around my waist and there's a hissing sound like that of a drowning snake. It's only when I look down that I realize what the noise is; the pile of clothing dropping from my arm, tumbling into a cluttered pile on the carpet.

He's crying.

The lithe frame wracking with hissing and gurgling noises is trembling violently as he buries his face in the front of my shirt. So this is what he and Yugi were prattling on and on about under their breaths this morning. It's amazing really he was able to keep face as long as he did. I sigh, looking down pityingly at the despairing teen clutching to me desperately, crying his heart out.

Shit.

I hesitantly reach an arm around his heaving shoulders, speaking gently now. "They really broke up?"

"Mn...nnhhssss!" is the closest thing I get to a verbal response as the boy gives one rigid nod before letting loose another voiceless sob, clinging to me like I'm the last being on earth.

At a loss for what to do, I bend over, reaching under his knees and collecting the boy into my arms. His arms without delay fly from my waist to my neck, burying his face against my throat, tears seeping down into the crevice above my collarbone. I glance around the room, studying the two beds. On one of them the blankets are pulled tighter towards the top. That must be Yugi's. I carry him over to the other bed, trying my best to sit down without jolting him about too much.

I've never had to comfort someone in such a state before. Ryou last night was practically unconscious, so that didn't really count. What am I supposed to do? Should I go and get the old man? I wince at this thought; not wanting to carry Marik upstairs when he's like this... or ask for help for that matter.

But what am I supposed to...?

"No! No more! No more!" I plead, sobbing as the hands won't leave all the places that hurt. "P-please no more!"

Two arms hold me on my side against a solid chest; a chest sculpted with familiar muscles and scents. But what if it's another trap? Kaiba keeps tricking me. I reach a bandaged hand down and slip it under the material of the shirt; my nerves settle as my hand slithers upwards, feeling those long, distinctive deep scars running the entire length of his torso. Then he speaks, and I can feel the vibrations through my hand resting on his firm stomach and my head against his chest.

"Minkah."

I'm able to pick his voice out from the other voices now. His is soft while theirs are quiet. There's a difference.

Emotion is the difference.

"Shhh...don't try to speak. We butchered that bastard and his guards. They'll never touch you again," he whispers, warm breath on my ear proving to me all the more that he's real and that this isn't another hallucination. "Just lie still now and let these doctors treat your wounds. I'll stay right here. Rest now. Just rest."

His fingers run through my hair soothingly; hands that are rough from the elements of a harsh life; hands that have killed. Yet they can protect.

They can comfort.

"Shhh...It's all right, Marik," I say softly, before I realize what I'm doing; coming out of my own memories. I tenderly run my fingers through the golden blonde locks of hair, repeating the actions that had comforted me so well after the incident with Kaiba.

I don't know how long I sit here rocking the younger teen back and forth in slow, placid motions. The sobs die off, turning into snivels as his arms slip from around my neck and he seems to have found contentment in sitting on my lap, curling into my torso. I exhale in relief as his breathing evens, lilac eyes slipping closed as I continue to sway lightly, my hand still stroking his silky hair tenderly.

My body tenses at the sound of footfall in the hallway followed by an unsure knock on the door.

"Marik? Minkah?" the old man's voice calls worriedly.

I scowl but know he's not going to go away. "Come in," I state as loudly as I dare, not wanting to wake the sleeping teen in my arms. The door opens and the man looks at the two of us confusedly for but a moment before he notes the condition Marik's in.

"Minkah, what happened?!" he asks frantically, hurrying over and carefully placing a hand against the boy's reddened cheek.

I don't want to talk with this man, but he can give Marik better care than I can. "Had a break down."

"Yes, I can see that," the old man breathes, carefully taking one of Marik's arms in his hands, placing two fingers to the blonde's wrist to check the rate of his pulse. "But what brought it on?"

"That—" I say darkly, glaring and nodding towards the closed door across the hall. "—is an explanation that should be left for Malik and Yami to give."

(Yugi's POV)

"I think I'll go see what's taking Marik and Minkah so long," Grandpa announces, rising from his chair and descending the stairs towards the back of the room. "Goodness knows what's keeping them."

It's around this time that Jounouchi and Honda re-appear, obviously having been conversing between themselves. I'm sitting enveloped in a shelter of blankets in front of the fireplace that still has a strong blaze alive within.

"Hey Yug," Jounouchi says slowly, he and Honda sinking down onto the couch near my chair. "Can we ask you somethin'?"

Noting how obviously troubled they are, I nod, straightening up a bit. "Sure guys. Does this...have to do with Ryou?"

They both nod simultaneously.

"Just...what was that earlier?—that nightmare?" Honda asks with a shudder, obviously shaken by that scene. "He was screaming for his mother and someone else..."

"His sister," I answer quietly with a nod.

It figures Honda and Jounouchi wouldn't know about them; I myself didn't know Honda and Jou until around Minkah showed up at our school. Yami and Malik only started getting closer to the loud-mouthed duo then, much to Otogi's distaste. It was only after that even that the two began hanging out with us, so they really haven't been filled in on a lot—mostly things about Ryou. Gods, how Otogi would be twitching and cussing if he knew these two would be sitting on his sofa in his cabin.

I sigh wistfully.Otogi...

"That bad, huh?" Jounouchi's voice asks, drawing me back to the present conversation.

I shrug helplessly. "I don't know too much about it. When Ryou was ten years old he, his mother, and younger sister Amane were in some freak automobile accident..."

"...and they both died," Honda finishes somberly.

I nod. "Ryou was injured really badly. Had some broken ribs and tons of stitches. They said it was astounding he'd survived; that if you looked at the car, by all laws of physics and whatnot, he should have been killed on impact." There's an eerie moment of silence as we all reflect on upon this.

No Ryou. No friend that's so close he's like a brother to me. A shudder runs through me.

I shake my head to clear these horrible thoughts away, not wanting to dwell upon them. "He's never spoken about it beyond those details, so I've never pressed. It's just..." I lean forward, lowering my voice, as if the sleeping teen in the room down the hallway from here might be listening. "It's just: why now? What brought those memories about?"

"S'what Honda an' I were thinking; though we didn't know exactly what he was dreaming about at the time," Jou concurs, his own voice quieter now. "You'd think he'd be having nightmares about the dice guy or about all the shit we went through with those Apophis bastards." He lets that sentence end where it is, not elaborating any further by picking specific memories as examples. None of us want to even think about those, let alone talk about them.

"Welllll," Honda yawns, stretching his limbs straight as he and Jou sit side by side on some thick comforter. "Doesn't look like we'll be getting any answers anytime...Ow!!"

"What?!" Jou and I both exclaim.

"Something jabbed me!" the brunette complains; Jou and I watching in confusion as the Honda's hand goes diving under the part of the quilt he's sitting on; coming up with...a coat?

"That's Malik's," I say in confusion, wondering why it's on the couch.

"What'd ya yell 'ow!' for? This thing's as soft as..." Jou's voice trails off as his hands dive into pocket after pocket, pulling out an assortment of nonperishable food stuffs. "Hell yeah! I've hit the jack pot!" he grins, eagerly pulling at the wrapper of one of the fruit energy bars.

I note in surprise that Honda doesn't make dive for the food, which is very unlike him. Whenever anything edible's around, these two are always the first ones to it—if anyone else gets so much as a crumb at all. No, instead Honda's shuffling the coat in his hands, feeling every inch of the material carefully. Brown eyes suddenly lighten up and he turns the coat inside-out, revealing a large pocket lined with a zipper at the top.

"In here's whatever jabbed me," he mutters as I wander over curiously and plop down next to him as Jou sits on his other side, already downing his third energy bar. The zipper glides open with ease. Honda reaches in, frowning when his hands meet whatever lies within.

"What is it?" I ask keenly, leaning closer as he pulls out...

Jounouchi does a double-take, coughing as he chokes on a piece of food. "It's...!"

"Minkah's sketchbook?" I ask uncertainly. Sure enough, Honda flips open the cover to find the charcoal drawing of Anubis with his feral, jackal-like qualities.

"Huh. Must've sat on one of the edges or something," he mumbles, already entranced by the artwork once again; turning the pages.

"B-but why's it in Malik's coat? And what's with all the foo...?" My question is cut off by a loud belch. Honda and I give Jounouchi exasperated looks to which the blonde merely shrugs innocently, glancing down at the pile of empty wrappers in his lap.

"What?—s'not like anyone else was eating them."

"Looks like our assassin was gonna high-tail it out of here," Honda mutters, my gut wrenching at this thought; which Honda's assumption does appear to be true.

"Lemme see that," Jounouchi states, wiping the crumbs from his lips while simultaneously snatching the sketchbook from the brunette. He flips several pages, grinning when he comes upon one of the pictures of the girl with the long dark brown hair and the intense livid grey eyes. "Ahhh. There you are."

I roll my eyes. "Jou, for heaven's sake...!"

"And what do you think you're doing?" a voice growls.

The three of us jump, craning our necks to find Minkah standing next to the staircase; Misa, the cat, purring in his arms. Honda's gone deathly pale; I find myself trembling. How's Minkah going to react to us going through his things? Jou just smirks, keeping the sketchbook open.

"You never told us what an artist you are, Mink. Or that you have a girlfriend."

The Egyptian blinks, narrowing his eyes. "Girlfriend? What girlfriend?"

The blonde holds up the sketchbook so Minkah can see the picture; the Egyptian visibly tensing when he spots it. "This one. The one you're obviously obsessed with! There are at least twelve different drawings of her in this thing...What—she's not your girlfriend?" Jounouchi asks, seeming pleased to find out he might have a shot with this girl who looks about our age. "Well she's hot, whoever she is...!"

"You mean my mother?" Minkah states in a low voice laced with vexation, coming forwards ominously slow.

The blood drains from Jou's face as he gapes at the Egyptian; looking back and forth between Minkah and the sketch. Honda hasn't made a sound, wide brown eyes nervously watching this play out. Misa's gone quiet, seeming to sense the impending fury boiling in the air around us; leaping swiftly from Minkah's arms and dashing out of the room. Noting the gleam of murder in those stormy eyes, I decide someone needs to say something—preferably not Jounouchi. Anything that comes out of his mouth will only likely worsen the situation.

"That's your mom?" I ask quietly; realizing suddenly why those enraged grey eyes in the pictures seemed so familiar. "But she seems so...so..."

"Young?" Minkah smirks humorlessly, scorn apparent in his tone. "Yeah well, apparently that's how that bastard Bakura liked them."

A stony silence follows this statement. What does one say to something like that?

"Well?" the white-haired teen grounds out between clenched teeth.

We all blink in confusion...and apprehension.

"Erm...what?" Jou asks nervously.

"Are you done gawking at her yet?" These words are spoken maliciously as a tanned hand is stretched out in front of the blonde.

Jou nods vigorously, hurriedly passing the open sketchbook to Minkah. The Egyptian doesn't even glance at her picture, promptly slamming the pages shut. Without another word, he begins to walk away.

"So what's with the coat and food then?" Honda unexpectedly asks, adding another layer to the hostile atmosphere.

Minkah turns, sketchbook clutched tightly in one hand by his side. "What about them?"

Honda stands, taking a step towards the assassin. "You were running out on us, weren't you?"

The other doesn't deny anything. "And if I was?"

Jou's standing too now. "Waddaya mean 'if I was'? Mink, you can't go back to those people! An' Ry needs you—you're the only family he's got left...well, besides your ass of a dad...Anyway, we don't wanna see any more bad stuff happen to ya!"

"Like it's not already," the Egyptian mutters, sending the duo a frustrated glare.

"So you're still planning on leaving?" Honda puts in, ignoring that last comment.

"...In time, yes."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jounouchi presses, hands balled into fists.

Whatever Minkah's answer would have been, we don't get a chance to hear it, as the conversation is abruptly cut off when Grandpa comes stalking up the stairs. There's an unreadable expression on his face: Anger. Pain. Sadness. That's when I realize something:

Marik isn't with him...And my blonde friend didn't return with Minkah either.

Jou and Honda freeze when they notice the look on Grandpa's face.

"All right, everyone. I don't know what's going on here, nor do I want to know. We have enough on our plates with the assassins after us. Now let me make something quite clear: I'm will not—I repeat—I will not tolerate any quarreling. Marik's already in a state, thanks to other people fighting." My heart clenches at this, and I turn to Minkah who ignores my inquiring look. "Have I made myself clear?"

"Yep!" Jou squeaks; Honda nodding hastily.

Grandpa turns to Minkah and me. I nod hurriedly, motions akin to Honda's. The Egyptian gazes back unreceptively into those firm violet eyes unwaveringly. To our surprise, Grandpa doesn't force an answer from him, turning and storming off to check on Ryou.

"What the hell was that about?" Jou whispers under his breath; wide eyes staring down the hallway towards Ryou's room.

Minkah snorts, spinning on his heel and striding for the staircase. "Oh don't worry. I'm sure Yami and Ishtar will fill you all in soon enough."

While Honda and Jounouchi send one another somber looks, I watch the Egyptian ascend the spiraling stairs noiselessly to the third floor; leaving the room in a cold silence. I bite down on my lip, knowing what must have set Marik off. Maybe I should go check on him; although if Grandpa's left him alone, he's most likely asleep.

Instead I turn my attention to our two friends beside me who've yet to say anything since Minkah's departure. Perhaps I should tell them...

"They broke up, didn't they?" Honda asks quietly; his words surprising me for but an instant. It's not like Yami and Malik have been hiding the tension of their relationship from the rest of us. Two pairs of russet eyes gaze at me, as if they're able to see that I know more than I've said. I sigh heavily, bowing my head in defeat.

"...Yes."

(Yami's POV)

I awaken with a groan, not used to sleeping on my left side; yet I'd slept on it all night so my back would be to Malik...so, even if I was asleep, I wouldn't have to face him in my dreams. Damn, now I'm all achy.

Rolling as quietly as I can onto my stomach, I glance over at the still form lying on the bed across the room. For several minutes I lie still, listening to the sound of his breathing and watching his frame for any hints that he's awake.

He's not.

Exhaling softly in relief, I carefully push the covers off my body; feet hesitantly touching the carpet. When the floor boards don't creak, I push off the bed, wincing at the shifting sound the mattress makes when my weight is lifted from it.

Malik doesn't move.

I should have known. After last night's fight, he most likely wore himself out with all his internal emotional battles. My fists clench unintentionally as I recall his 'proposition'. The threesome. I was saddened to witness how desperate he's become for both my and Minkah's affections. He'd beseeched me, fraught with convincing me it was the only way to save our relationship.

I shake my head at this. That's not saving anything; it's adding on so he can be satisfied. Apparently, my love isn't enough anymore.

Apparently, I'm not enough anymore.

Refusing to shed any more tears, I make my way across the room. Pausing at the door, I look down at his face. His eyes are puffy, skin slightly reddened from crying. Even as my heart melts at this sight and tells me to comfort him—to forgive everything and continue our routine as a couple—I turn away.

...Because saying everything's all right isn't going to make it so. I can't change what he feels. I can only follow my own emotions. And no matter how much he fights it, Malik won't be content without Minkah at his side.

This thought ending all contemplations of waking Malik and reassuring him, I step out of the room, closing the door behind me with a soft click that's deafening to me.

-silence-

Wow. Utter tension, ya?

Yami: -wearily- Why do I have a feeling I'm going to get bashed for this?

ferris: -sigh- yeah. Oh, and just as a note: it isn't very flattering to have your significant other adamantly request that a third party join in your relationship.

Malik: Oh, NOW she tells me...

ferris: -rolls eyes- Anyway, I've actually sketched out drawings of the Apophis group. Still have to put the finishing touches on them. But they'll be ready for next chapter. (Yes yes, ferris can draw anime, thank you very much) And I don't own a scanner but I can take pictures and email them to anyone who wants to see what they looks like in ferris' mind. -grins- Afika's HOT. XDXD...oh, and Niu is too.

Malik: -sobbing- I see your plan! You make your own hot characters, turn everyone against me, and then KILL me!!!!

Ferris: O.o Uhhh...no. No, that wasn't my plan.

Malik: -not listening- ...Just like in ALL of your stories involving me...!!!

Ferris: Malik, will you just listen...

Malik: Always! ALWAYSSSSSS!!!! -twitching fit on the ground-

Ferris: O.O Ummm...review, please. I'll try to calm him down before next chappie. -sweatdrop-