Nyah! It's been forever!...again. Sorry sweeties! We got a new computer and I had to wait for it to be set up before I could work on my stories more and THEN my meds weren't working so I'm currently on detox and have an attention span of about two minutes.
Memnoch's Heart: "my friends are all like 'you COPIED FERRIS!" LOL That is amusing, no? Poor you. -pats head- (Kana: -sob-) More fanpeeps than Harry Potter? -laughs- Well, I seriously doubt That. S'pecially because there's homosexuality in this story. That's sure to attract a nasty mob of haters. -hisses- Stupid homophobes! "Ryou is acting like a PMSing woman, isn't he? Like a bipolar PMSing woman without happy pills." ROFL!! (Ryou: I resent that!)
Kit-Cat Caitlin: -rubs hands together- Yes yes, you must email me a copy of the drawing once you're done. I've actually been working on more sketches of Niu. -tackles Niu- I luffles you!! (Niu: Can't...breathe...) XDXDXDXD
Isaya831: The site was being weirdish for me too! -growls at site- Stupid computer. Stupid internet. "I so totally LOVE that scene between Minkah and Ryou with the little fight over Afika (Sigh and faints)" LOL Well, I'm glad you luffed it so. (Afika: -grins coyly- Who WOULDN'T fight over me?) -.-; He's a bit of an egotist. (Afika: With good reason!) -drools- Mmmmnnn...so hard to argue...
Nayades18: "what are you going to do with malik? he's so misunderstood" Hmm...indeed. (nayades: you're not going to give me an answer, are you?) -grins- Nope. (Nayades: -.-;) "Ryou's scene was very emotional for me, it actually made me feel very sad and depressed, i loved it!" O.o You loved being sad and depressed? (Minkah: Oh you know what she meant!) -grins- Had to rub it in. Have I sent the drawings to you yet, sweetie? -blinks- Some people I had to do it twice in order for it to get through. Were you one of those people or do you need them? If so, you might have to wait a while, as we haven't uploaded the photo programs to this new computer yet. -mutters string of swearwords- Or maybe one of the other reviewers could send them...? Ah, you saw "Malik's Council of Doom"? I know, wasn't it a hoot? XD
Kitsu-cha: Ah! You've returned to me! XD -tackles- I missed you! "SO MUCH ANGST!!" LOL That pretty much sums it up, doesn't it? Your fanart made you...angry? Oh I know how that is. My drawings often make me angry too. Esp the ones of Afika. -growls- They never turn out right! (Afika: It's hard to portray this hotness) -swoon-
Sagira98: "Jeez Ferris, what the hell is with you and emotional rollercoasters?" -grins wryly- Well, my life right now IS an emotional rollercoaster, so I'm making the characters suffer too. (Minkah: -shaking fist- Damn you! DAMN YOU!) lol "So Niu's a semi-good guy? cool I like him" -smiles- So do I! -tackles Niu- (Niu: for the love of crap! This is like the fourth time today!) -snuggles him- But I luffles you! (Niu: -.-) They pyro girl? Yes Niu mentions her name and Minkah doesn't. It's Severa. She actually speaks for, I believe, the first time ever in this story and its prequel in this chapter. (everyone: Le gasp!) Ja. Momentous moment.
Night Rain Illusion: Yes Ryou was wrong to take his emotional traumas out on poor Minkah, but yet you can understand where our little white-haired Ry is coming from. I mean, we're talking about Afika here...(Afika: -grins smugly-) -drools-
MarshmellowPeepGod: Hey sweetie! So I can't get to the pictures of the Apophis members right now. Could you (or Kana, if you didn't save them) send them to Nayades18? I'd give whoever does it a chapter dedication. -waves chapter dedication in front of face- (Peeps: Eieee! -dives at it-) LOL
bakura240: "I feel sorry for Ryou. It's always bad enough feeling like everyone's lying to you but taking it out on others and realizing you were wrong...its nasty feeling" -nods somberly- Ya. I totally hear you on that one. Felt it was something everybody can relate to. I like to put such "experiences" in so the readers can connect even more with the characters...even if it was SAD!
HieiWannabe: "I've noticed you've started updating a lot faster than you had been" LOL Well, not anymore, as you can see. No, it wasn't that I was doing better. It was due to the fact that I can't drive a car at the moment so I've been home alone all day with no where to go and no peers to talk with. Yeah, so I was writing a bit more. But now, due to meds not working, my attention span has been shot, so--once again--the updating process is going to turtle speed again. -sigh- "Do I sense Minkah running out into the snow to get away from Ryou and getting into a much worse situation?" -grinning madly- Oh you do you do you DO!...only, not just from Ryou. There's one other person he Really wants to get away from too...
Saffire Blade: The tragedy of love triangles. Gotta love them." -grins- Oh but there's sooo much more than a love triangle going on here! Malik likes Yami and Minkah. Minkah likes Malik and Afika and soon another person. Ryou likes Afika. Afika...well, we'll get to him and his twisted hot little mind later...Yami likes Malik but not so much at the moment and he's about to start liking someone else too. (Minkah: Three guesses who That's gonna be) -cackles-
dragonlady222: "I really hope Ryou can apologize to Minkah and Malik can apologize to Yami. I guess we will see." -rubs hands together in anticipation- Oh we shall! We shall! (Yami: I'm finding I hate you more with each passing chapter) -cackles-
Satra: Oooh! -tries on red glowing eyes- Ehehehehe! I feel like a robot or some sci-fie monster! -cackles- (Yami: Lord save us.) "Seems the excitement is about to start up again!" Indeed it shall! (Minkah: In other words: You're going to make us all miserable.) Exactly!! XD (minkah: -SIGH-)
yeyavailability: "I love how your OCs are less of an OC than all other OCs...?" LOL That sentence was just...-laughs again- Ah pyromaniac girl: Severa. Yes, she talks in this chapter. Excitement abound! "You're making me respect your characters even though I used to have zero thoughts about them before this chapter. Amazing on that." -grins- Well thank you! And I'm glad you've begun thinking about them! (Afika: -gazing in mirror- How could they NOT?) -rolls eyes- He's a bit of an egotist. (Yami: A BIT?)
Lessee...This chapter is 18 1/2 pages...a little shorter than I wanted it to be...but hey, it works. There's a horrible cliffie. -grins evilly- Umm...geez, it seems like there was something else I was gonna say...-shrugs- Ah well. See, this is how bad my attention span is. I can't even write two lines without forgetting something! I shalt dedicate this chapter to HieiWannabe! Oh, and umm...it's not letting me do the line thingie, so no end notes this time! (readers: Aaaaah!) -nods morosely- Blame the website for that! Onward! (the song's supposed to be mostly from Malik's POV)
"Forget Me Not" (Lucie Silvas)
Forget me not, I ask of you
Wherever your life takes you to
And if we never meet again
Think of me every now and then
We had just one day to recall
Now all I want is something more
Than just a fading memory
Left wondering what could have been.
Isn't it a shame, that when timing's all wrong
You're doing what you never meant to,
There's always something that prevents you.
Well I believe in fate, it had to happen this way
But it always leaves me wondering whether...
In another life we'd be together.
We should feel lucky we can say
We've always got yesterday.
And as I leave it all behind
You're still emblazoned in my mind
And for that very special day
Nobody loved me in that way
Forget me not, I ask of you
Wherever your life takes you to
And if we never meet again
Think of me every now and then
Forget me not, I ask...
I ask of you.
Chapter 9: Caring Too Much
(Yami's POV)
"It sure is quiet in there..." Jou's statement is cut off as Ryou starts shouting. "I stand corrected."
Grandpa shakes his head sadly. "Those poor boys. Neither of them deserves this."
As Ryou begins yelling some more I stand up, wandering over to the lone chair pulled up by the fire. The sketchbook is laying there. Forgotten. Picking it up, I sit down slowly, all the while staring at the picture to which Minkah left it open. The realism is uncanny.
Two all too familiar brown eyes gaze back at me. I can almost see the edges of his mouth twitching upward as if trying to contain his amusement at his deceitfulness. Midnight black hair falls around his shoulders.
Afika.
I note how much more detail has been given to the sketch of him than to the other four Apophis survivors. The whole portrait is so detailed it's frightening—like the black-haired teen is in the room with us. A shiver runs down my spine as if sensing his presence before me.
Why put such care into Afika over the others? Well, Minkah couldn't hide his affection towards that back-stabbing bastard. I gaze into Afika's eyes, seeing the true him, not the cheery disposition of the friend we knew as Khalil.
"Get out of here!"
We all jump, twisting in surprise to the closed door.
"What did...he just say?" my brother whispers in horror.
"I've...never heard Ry yell like that. He sounded so...so..." Jounouchi falters.
"Angry?" Honda finishes sardonically; an eerie silence having continued after the livid command.
No one makes any further comments as the door opens, a pale-faced Egyptian quickly emerging and shutting the door behind him. He stands there, eyes wide and full of shock and pain. We're all next to the couch and chairs, just watching him.
"Minkah?" I ask quietly, figuring someone needs to say something instead of leaving the white-haired teen frozen there in a shocked daze while we all gawk at him.
Grey eyes shoot to us immediately, his entire body tense, wide eyes filled with anguish. With all of us gaping at him he's like a deer caught in the headlights of a car. There are so many emotions twisted into his features.
And even worse in his mind: he can't hide any of them.
"What happened?" Grandpa questions gently. "Are you...?"
"Just stay the hell away from me!" the Egyptian snaps, hurrying around us to the spiral stairs and ascending them three at a time in order to escape us—escape whatever happened between Ryou and him.
"W-what should we do?" Jou asks after heavy a drawn out silence.
"I'm going to check on Ryou...find out what happened," Grandpa states decidedly. "I want you boys to stay out here or go downstairs..."
"What about Minkah?" Yugi asks nervously, casting a concerned glance towards the stairs.
"Give him a little time to cool off. Besides, I doubt Minkah will open up to anyone. He's been trained to hide his emotions so intruding too soon will only make things worse. Give him some time by himself. Hopefully Ryou will tell me what happened."
Everyone nods morosely. Jou and Honda wander to the kitchen, no doubt to make something to eat to distract themselves. Yugi and Marik sit down on the couch, both staring absently into the flames. Malik remains where he is by one of the chairs, at a loss for what to do. Grandpa begins to walk towards the closed bedroom door. I hasten to catch up with him, placing a hand on his shoulder; both of us halting.
"Grandpa, let me come with you," I say softly.
He blinks at me in confusion before understanding sets in. We don't know what set Ryou off but I have a strong suspicion it had to do with Afika. After all, it was only when the conversation turned to the black-haired teen that Ryou fled to his room.
Grandpa hadn't met Afika until after Otogi's death. If this was about Afika—which I'm positive it was—then Grandpa is going to need someone else in there that'd spent time with Ryou and that two-faced ass. Someone who witnessed what went on between them. Someone who can understand clearer of what Ry must be going through.
Nodding just once, Grandpa replies wearily. "All right Yami. Let's go."
(Minkah's POV)
"You were never a brother of mine."
A lump lodges in my throat as I sit on the lone sofa in from of a dying fire, my legs pulled up against my chest.
Why? Why did it hurt so much to hear him say those words? Why does it still hurt now? If anything, the pain has only worsened since I left him there glaring and screaming at me...
...hating me.
It shouldn't matter to me how he views me. Hell, it's not like I was planning on staying much longer. Wait.
Was?
Since when did I change my mind about leaving?—have second thoughts? I must leave. It's the only way to protect them. I only came back to save them, not get close to them.
Not to him.
Gods, what would she say if she knew?...Knew I'd become so close to Ryou? Knew that I was actually beginning to see him almost like a brother? She'd curse me out. She'd never leave me in peace, torturing and haunting me all the more.
It's just...I never had a sibling. Afik is the closest thing I've had to a brother—a family. Really, he's been everything—is my everything. I can't just turn my back on him. I don't want to.
I love him too much.
Ryou doesn't understand that. Or maybe he does. And that's why he hates me. He loved Afik's fake character. It's only rational the kid would resent me for having the real person.
One thing's for sure: he won't forgive me. I saw it in his eyes. I heard it in his voice. I felt it in the air surrounding him.
"You were never a brother of mine."
I bury my face against my knees, those words cutting into my soul again and again. Gods, what do I do now?
"Minkah?"
I tense, looking up to find Malik standing before me, violet eyes the only clear feature in the dimness of the room. Quickly, I move my legs away from my torso; getting out of the posture that can only be described as vulnerable and weak. He wasn't meant to see that.
"What do you want?" I ask, struggling to keep my voice steady.
(Kasiya's POV)
"Our meeting place with Afika should only be about ten minutes away now," I comment as we drive through the billowing snow.
The road is vacant besides us; at least, it seems to be. Not that it'd be easy to spot another vehicle in this chaos the weather has concocted. It's sort of like the sandstorms back in Egypt—only frigid.
Severa sits in the passenger seat, staring ahead of us through the frenzied windshield wipers; her cerulean eyes narrow, hiding any emotions she might be experiencing—if she even has any.
I'm used to her company though, having been teamed with her by Apophis on countless assignments. Like Afika, she constantly bent the rules Apophis gave but always managed to get away with it. I can only wonder now: Will she attempt the same thing with Afika in charge?
It wouldn't bode well. The guy is an expert at all he does. It's hard to hide anything from him. There's a reason he was always number one in the outfit. I can only begin to imagine what his consequences for disloyalty from any of us would be.
"Kek's coming?" the girl asks in her quiet voice, ebony skin making her barely visible, as there are no streetlights on this wilderness road.
I nod. "Yes. I just hope we get there before he does, otherwise he and Afika will be at one another's throats."
She shifts in her seat, still gazing out the front. "Aren't they always?"
I snort, corners of my mouth lifting. Sarcasm is the closest thing to humor one can get out of Severa; and even that is rare. Still...
What she said about Afika and Kek is true. In my own opinion, which I'm keeping entirely to myself, our little group won't hold together much longer. Niu has no fighting spirit and is probably planning on ditching us even as I think this. Severa...she's as independent as she is erratic.
Kek remaining with us is the most disconcerting. He isn't going along with all of this for the fun of slaughtering people; that's just a bonus. No. He's after Afika's head. But Afika knows, which Kek is aware of. It's a ticking time bomb just waiting to detonate.
As for me, I'm just biding my time. After this drama with those freaks is over, if Afika continues this maddening killing spree it'll just be like another Apophis, only under the black-haired teen's rule. I won't be controlled like that again. If he's harboring the illusion that we'll bow to and obey his every whim he's sorely mistaken. He can only push me so far before I bring an end to our 'affiliation'. If he tries to impede my disconnection, then I'll turn on him.
"We're here," Severa states in dully as I nearly drive straight past the meeting point where a semi-truck is parked at the side of the road. What the hell? Afika brought that thing?
I pull over in front of it, gawking at the gigantic vehicle. As Severa and I step out into the blistering elements Afika appears through the whirlwinds of snow; hands buried in the thick coat he's wearing.
"Ah good. You made it."
"Yes," I say slowly, still staring at the 18-wheeler. "Afika?"
"Hn?" he grunts, already opening the trunk of the car to see that we brought everything.
"Don't you think this thing's a bit...overkill?"
The other turns, black ebony hair whipping about wildly. I note the iniquitous glint in those brown eyes as we stand in the blaring headlights of the truck.
"Oh don't worry. It's only temporary until Kek brings the van and trailer."
I clear my throat, the cold air seeping into my lungs. "And...why a semi truck?"
Afika gets one of those bloodthirsty smirks of his. "Why, for the cargo, of course."
Great. What's he planning now? I try to hide my apprehension but Afika sees through me.
"Why not ease your nerves and take a look for yourself, Kasiya?" he asks smoothly, trekking off through the snow that's over his knees towards the rear of the semi. Severa follows him nonchalantly. Sighing in defeat, I trail the pair. I swear, if he brought missiles along...
There's the sound of sharp snapping as the ice that had burrowed between the door and ramp breaks. Afika lifts the door, the metal screeching in objection. To my surprise, a blast of warm air hits my face. He's keeping the cargo hold heated. But why...?
The black-haired teen pulls a flashlight from his coat, casting its narrow beam into the darkened truck. My breath intakes sharply as the light travels over the large space. I can hear the amusement in Afika's voice but am too stunned to look at him when he speaks; eyes glued to the sight before me.
"So? What do you think?"
Holy shit.
(Ryou's POV)
"How could I...I say those things t-to him?" I sob against Mr. Mutou's chest as he and Yami sit on the bed with me; my friend gently rubbing my back.
"You were angry and confused," Yami states softly.
"It d-doesn't excuse it," I reply, tears heedlessly coming forth. "He believed what I said. He b-believed it all."
Mr. Mutou inhales, and I can feel the air gathering in his abdomen against my cheek. He runs his fingers through my hair in an attempt to soothe me but it doesn't. Nothing will.
"Ryou, this can all be set right. We just need to bring Minkah back in here..."
I shake my head ruefully, another sob threatening to escape my trembling lips. "N-no. It's not that simple. I treated him l-like Otousan treated him. I even accused him of acting like our f-father."
At this memory I break down, weeping bitterly against the elderly man's chest as he holds me against him securely. Yami's hand has stilled on the middle of my back, fingers and palm flat against my spine. Neither he nor his grandfather speak for what feels like a long while. Hell, it already seems like years have gone by since Minkah came in here to try and comfort me.
"Ry," Yami finally says quietly. "You have to talk to him. He needs to know how much you do care about him. Until he hears it from you he'll continue to believe you hate him." Warm fingers tenderly grasp my shoulder. "I saw the way the two of you have begun to bond. He cares about you. You know that. Don't let it fall apart now. You've yearned for his love and affection for so long. It can't end like this. Only you can keep that from happening."
I nod, hiccupping, knowing Yami's right. Nothing any of the others say will convince Minkah otherwise. It has to be me. It's just...the way he looked at me. All that anguish...that betrayed hurt in his eyes.
"W-what if...it's already too late? What if he won't listen to me?" I whisper, eyes downcast.
"It's not too late," Mr. Mutou replies kindly. "You're both here. He hasn't run. I think Minkah's still trying to convince himself of what happened. He's bewildered." The man cups my face in his hands, lifting my head so I'm looking into those wise eyes. "More than ever now, he needs his brother."
(Marik's POV)
Yugi and I sit mutely on the sofa, both of us too confused and frightened to say anything about what's going on. Why is that? Shouldn't we be discussing how worried we are about Ryou? I mean, the three of us have been best friends for so long we're practically brothers.
I start when Malik moves from where he's been standing with a helpless gloom about him, walking towards the stairs. Now where does he think he's going? My heart leaps to my throat as he begins to go up, not down.
"Malik? What are you doing?" Yugi calls out warily. "Grandpa told us not to go up there."
"I'm going to talk to Minkah..."
"Malik!" I rise, hurrying over to him partially because he can't hear me from across the room but also because I don't want to get Yugi involved. I reach my brother, grasping the sleeve of his blue sweatshirt. Our eyes meet.
"Malik," I repeat. "Malik, this isn't the time to talk to Minkah about...about that."
My sibling smiles sadly. "I know. Nice to see my little brother has so much confidence in my competence."
I roll my eyes. "Hey, you were the one who said you've been fucking everything up again and again with Yami and Minkah."
Malik raises his eyebrows in amusement. "Marik! Language!"
I can't hold back a grin. "Must've picked it up from my angelic older brother."
He snorts, messing up my hair with his hand. "Must be. You know, I hear he's quite attractive." Malik's hand moves to my shoulder, squeezing it. "I'm just going to make sure Minkah's all right."
I gaze into those violet eyes, searching for the truth and finding it. Nodding, I reluctantly let go of him. Malik gives me a smile but it's forced.
"Don't' worry, Mare. We're going to figure this out. Both Minkah and Ry will be okay. You'll see."
I watch him turn and ascend the steps, staring at his back all the while, wishing with all my heart I could believe him.
(Malik's POV)
"What do you want?"
'You', I automatically think, internally smacking myself.
He was sitting with his legs against his chest, but as soon as he became aware of my presence he straightened up and planted his feet on the floor. Grey eyes are watching me warily, obviously hoping he's hiding his emotions from me.
"Just came to see if you are all right," I reply instead, hands in my pockets.
He sneers. "And what do you think?"
I grimace. "Can I...sit down?"
Minkah turns, staring at the red dying coals in the fireplace. After several seconds of waiting for a reply, I cautiously sink down on the couch beside him. The lack of light is casting different shades of reddened hues over his features. It makes him look all the more gorgeous...I sigh heavily, leaning forward and resting my elbows on my knees.
"Minkah, about Ryou..."
"I don't want to talk about him!" he snaps. "If you're so enamored at what happened go and ask him yourself."
Cringing, I don't budge. "Because I'm worried about you."
"You've known him much longer than you've known me. Hell, the kid's practically your family. Shouldn't that be enough of a reason to be checking on him not me?"
"I...some of the others are doing that already. I just...I don't want you to be up here all alone."
Minkah's head turns so slowly at this as if time is threatening to stand still. I refuse to look away as stormy eyes fix on mine. He regards me for a long moment; an expression on his face I've seen before...back when he had been trying to decide whether to trust me or not; trying to figure me out. Friendship was, and perhaps still is a foreign thing to him that he cannot quite fathom. And I'd wanted even more with him...and I think he wanted it too. Minkah seems to be reading my thoughts, turning back to the dimming fireplace.
"Malik, do you remember the dressing room?" he asks quietly.
Lord, how could I forget? I've dreamt about it so many times since that day...
I press my mouth against his, my hands on his lean, firm hips. He groans, giving in immediately. I'm surprised at his surrender but am pleased by it all the same, reaching up and ripping the front of his shirt open. He stares at me with narrow eyes, panting as I run my hands over him. I notice with a pang that his chest is covered in bruises and cuts, staining his skin in an ugly shade of mauve. He leans his head back allowing my lips access to his throat, fingers fisting in my hair. Smiling, I allow my tongue to travel along his defined collar bone, sucking the skin there, emitting a shiver from him...
Wait! This isn't where I wanted the conversation to go! I'm supposed to be consoling him about Ryou. I told Marik I'd stay off this topic until later; wait for a more appropriate time before having this discussion with Minkah.
"You said some things...said you cared about me more than a mere friend," he continues dispassionately, the scarlet embers reflecting in his eyes.
I clear my throat. "W-why are you bringing this up now...?"
"I told you to back off," he continues. "That both of us already had someone."
"Kaiba was using you!" I cut in before I can stop myself, the very remembrance of that bastard suddenly making my blood boil. "Both you and I know he could hardly count as a significant other. You were only with him because..."
"Malik."
Those grey eyes are upon me again.
"What?" I ask tentatively, unsure of where he's taking this and not liking it.
"When I said that: I wasn't referring to Kaiba."
It's like he's torn my heart out and pounded it into an anvil with a hammer, crushing all life and feeling from it. I've stopped breathing, all my senses threatening to shut down. I open my mouth but close it again, letting his words truly sink in, trying to believe them even though I don't want to.
"You don't mean...?"
I don't say "Afika"—don't need to. It all makes sense now: Ryou becoming so furious with his brother...Ra knows the kid is still harboring feelings for the black-haired monster despite his vainest efforts to fight those emotions. To find out his own sibling is the true boyfriend of his hate-love obsession must've sent Ry overboard.
"You can see why Ryou hates me now?" Minkah says humorlessly.
I blink, trying to collect my jumble of thoughts enough to speak.
"He...he doesn't hate you..."
A sad smile forms on those lips I've kissed several incidents. "That's simple for you to say. You weren't there."
I crave to argue that and comfort him, but I can't. I just...can't.
"Malik?" There's a different tone to his voice; fear-filled yet foreboding.
"...Yeah?"
"Why did you break up with Yami?"
Oh gods, not that question! Anything but that question!
"I..."
"Yami told me," he states solemnly, "when I first came back, that he felt you were slipping away from him." There's mounting panic in the pit of my stomach as I listen. Grey eyes pierce me, stabbing my soul. "He believed it was because you...still had feelings for me."
'Please stop talking. Please stop talking. Please stop talking,' I beg him silently, but he plows on.
"Malik, is this true?"
'No! It's not! Me being completely and utterly infatuated with you even though I thought you were dead had absolutely nothing to do with my crumbling relationship with Yami!' I want to exclaim. It's always been hard to lie to Minkah though. He wouldn't believe a word of that bullshit.
Denial's a bitch.
I reach over, grasping his hand, which is freezing as if his blood flow has stopped. "Minkah, you have to understand..."
"I just have one question for you." His voice is icy like his skin. "Did you break up with Yami because of me?"
There's such pain in his eyes as he awaits my answer. My fingers curl tighter around his, afraid to let go. I don't want to let him go. I never did.
"Please leave, Malik." I barely hear these words so it takes me a long minute to comprehend what he's said.
"Don't do this," I say softly kneeling down in front of him and taking his hands.
"I...with Yami..." I stutter to clarify even as Minkah's words from that day echo inside of me.
"You'll lose your own relationship if you don't stop living in a fantasy world."
"Yami and I...it was a mutual feeling. We both decided it...just wasn't working anymore."
"I don't believe you," Minkah responds bitterly, turning away. "I heard him back at the Game Shop. He was distraught—desperate to win you back." The Egyptian looks me straight in the eye. "I told you! I told you to forget about me!"
"Well I couldn't!" I yell, now grasping onto his wrists with my hands. "Damn it, Minkah, I tried! Heaven knows I tried!" My voice is failing, weariness setting in. "I just...couldn't." I bow my head in disgrace. "Even now I can't."
He's trembling fiercely. One of my hands releases him, reaching up and gently touching the scar on the right side of his face. Before I know what I'm doing, I've leaned forward and crushed my lips against his; my other hand moving to run my fingers through those wild white locks.
I'm abruptly on my back on the floor, my cheek throbbing. Minkah's standing before me, wide eyes so lost and livid.
"You bastard! I told you to stop pursuing me or you'd lose Yami!—that I already had someone! Why didn't you listen to me?!" he screams.
"Minkah, please! I'm sorry for that just now...!" I struggle to my feet, moving forward.
He backs away, shaking his head, eyes crazed. "Don't touch me!" he shrieks, causing me to stop in mid-step out of caution. "Don't even come near me!...It's happening again," the white-haired teen mutters to himself in Arabic. "I did it again...!"
"Minkah?" I ask, noting the way he's shaking. Oh gods, is he having a meltdown? I quickly move towards him only to find a long deadly blade pointed at me, hindering my effort to calm him.
"Stay away from me! Just—just stay the hell away from me!" he all but sobs, turning and sprinting across the room and down the stairs.
"Minkah! Minkah wait!" I call desperately, racing after him; spiraling down the stairs as if being sucked into a whirlpool, unable to breathe or escape. "Minkah!"
(Niu's POV)
"Shit!" I growl as the car skids again on the ice, swerving off into the snowdrifts.
The wind is howling and screeching angrily, biting ruthlessly into the exposed flesh of my face as I get out of the vehicle to examine my plight. The front left wheel is sunken deep. Cautiously I step forward past the car to find myself up to my knees in snow.
Damn it! It's too soft, too fresh. There's no way I'll be able to get the car through this…not fast enough anyway. And Afika's counting on me.
Minkah…
The kid doesn't deserve what's about to happen to him. And if I'd gone with him to the Mutous' in the first place we wouldn't be in this situation. Gritting my teeth, I stomp through the cold back to the car, wrenching the door open with my gloved hand and slamming it shut behind me. Staring ahead into the white abyss, I know I'm not going to make it in time.
But I sure as hell am going to try!
(Marik's POV)
Yugi and I spring to our feet at the sound of shouting—this time from upstairs. Honda and Jou come jogging in from the kitchen, each holding a plateful of food.
"Waash go-eh ah?" the blonde pipes up, still chewing on something.
Honda rolls his eyes. "Oh, swallow already...Wait a second, who's up there with Minkah?"
"Malik," Yugi responds quietly. The duo turns to my friend in surprise.
Honda groans. "Oh that's just brilliant. Why'd he do a stupid thing like that?"
"He just wanted to check on him," I answer, badgering myself for letting my brother go up there by himself.
Jounouchi has swallowed by this point. " 'Check on him'? Oh come on! We all know he's got the hots for Mink! Please tell me Malik's not up there hitting on him..."
"I spoke with him before he went up there," I reply tersely, though doubt is now clouding my mind. "He said he wouldn't do anything like tha..."
"It's not a matter of what he says or doesn't," Honda counters morosely. "Obviously, he let something slip."
Yugi's brown creases. "That's a bit unfair to say. Minkah might just be fending off any sympathy or questions. He looked so confused and sad when he came out of Ryou's room."
"Don't touch me!" Minkah's voice screams hysterically. I can't catch what else he says after that, but it's enough.
Jou grimaces. "Oh shit. That's not good."
Honda stares with narrowed eyes at the stairs. "Just what exactly is Malik doing...?"
"Minkah! Minkah wait! Minkah!"
In seconds the white-haired Egyptian is in the room. Before any of us can speak he's thrown open the front closet, pulling out a coat, gloves, and pair of boots. Malik all but crashes down the stairs, panting, eyes frenzied when he spots the ex-assassin slamming the closet door, having collected what he was looking for.
"Minkah, please...!" my brother begins, watching on in horror as the other has already laced up the ties of the boots and is now shrugging on the coat.
"Whoa Mink, I don't know what Malik said to you but...!"
"Shut up!" Minkah shrieks, Jou abruptly obeying. The white-haired teen is stepping away from us; the curved deadly blade in his hand ready should any of us come too close.
The bedroom door down the hallway flies open, Grandpa, Yami, and Ryou hurrying out; eyes widening in horror.
"Boys! What's...?"
"Minkah, where are you going?" Ryou cries, hurrying over to our group that's watching the Egyptian backing towards the stairs, knife glinting in the firelight.
"Away from you!" his brother screams, eyes feral. "Away from all of you people!"
Yami tries this time: "Minkah, please, tell us what's wrong so we can..."
"I'm what's wrong!" We all gawk at him. "So don't worry. I won't be ruining your precious little family anymore," the other finishes bitterly, turning to go down the stairs only to be blocked by Malik. "Get out of my way, Ishtar," Minkah hisses in Arabic.
"No, you..."
Malik yelps and Yugi screams as Minkah's arm with the knife whips through the air. Leaving all of us frozen in shock, the white-haired Egyptian shoves past my brother and rushes down the stairs. We hurry forward, Jou and Honda steadying Malik who'd staggered backward in order to avoid getting his torso cut in half. He didn't make it out unscathed though: a long slash cut through the front of his shirt, bloody wound following its straight line across his chest.
"Malik!" I cry, rushing over as I nearly topple over when a body goes propelling past me and down the stairs.
"Ryou! Ryou wait!" Yami shouts, he and Yugi taking off after our friend.
(Ryou's POV)
I pant heavily as I rush down the stairs, head whipping back and forth in search of my brother. My heart leaps to my throat at the sound of the automatic garage door going up.
Oh god no!
I rush through the lounge and down the hallway, pulse pounding like thunder in my head, loud and uneven. Reaching the door at the end of the hall, I grab the doorknob only to find...
"Locked!" I all but screech, opting for pounding on the door. "Minkah! Minkah, please listen to me!"
"Ryou!" Yami's voice as footfall approaches from behind me.
"Where's...?" Yugi begins only to halt at the sound of a motor growling. He blinks in confusion. "What's that...?"
There's no way he could drive one of the cars out right now. They're low to the ground and would get stuck in the snow immediately.
"The snowmobiles," I whisper.
"Shit!" Yami turning and racing for the stairs, realizing we're not going to get through this way; Yugi and I at his heels.
Malik's lying on the couch without his shirt, Mr. Mutou examining the wound, Marik kneeling next to his brother. Jou and Honda, who are standing, look over when we appear in the stairwell.
"Guys, wha...?"
"He's started a snowmobile!" Yami yells without stopping; the duo joining us to the front door.
Yami flings it open in time for us to hear the roar of the vehicle and see it disappear into the sheets of whirling snow.
"No!" I scream, tears streaming down my face as I stumble out onto the porch with Yami at my side, the engine already nothing more than a light hum in the distance. "Minkah! Minkah!"
(Minkah's POV)
First Ryou and now Malik.
I've ruined both of their lives and in turn wrecked the rest of the groups' lives as well, as they are all so close-knit. How could I not have seen this coming? Why did I allow myself to become attached? Hasn't Afik warned me before about doing so?—about what happens when you have too many attachments to other people? You become susceptible to the weakness that comes along with companionship.
And I let that weakness get to me.
Tears immediately turn cold as they leave my eyes in the whirlwind of snow hitting my face as I speed through the darkening forest without a clue as to where I'm going. The blizzard adds to the confusion in my mind. It's a mass of small particles jumbled together, being tossed back and forth recklessly.
It's your fault, you know. It always has been your fault, her voice hisses.
Sobbing, the bitter wind attacking the back of my throat, I only accelerate the vehicle. Visibility is horrible. Perhaps I'll hit a tree or something. Then it'll all be over.
…No.
I can't do that—not to Afik. He doesn't deserve that. As much as I may want to give up, I won't. I won't give up for his sake. He's done so much for me. I can't let that all be for nothing.
There's suddenly a freezing chill running through me that has nothing to do with the weather. It's that same feeling I got back at the bus station.
Someone's out there.
Should I stop or keep going and hope they'll leave me alone?
I slow down to a slower pace when I sense more than one being. Abruptly my mind is made up. I'm not going to let these people hurt Ryou and the others, if that is indeed what they're after. Just the fact that these people followed us here doesn't bode well for the others.
Skidding to a halt, the snowmobile causing wave of snow to fly up, I let go of the handles. Reaching to my side, I grip the blade hidden beneath my coat as my eyes and ears search for my hidden foes. The sound of heavy footfall alerts me to their presence and my heart drops when I realize:
They're all around me.
(Yami's POV)
"There's no way Minkah's going to be able to navigate in that storm. He'll freeze to death out there," Grandpa state as he dons a thick coat and boots. "Yugi, Marik, I want you boys to look after Malik. Try to stop the bleeding while I'm gone."
Malik, who's lying on the couch, Marik pressing a towel along the long wound, frowns. "No! I want to come too…!"
"Not with that injury you're not," Grandpa replies firmly, cutting him off. "Besides, I think you've said quite enough to Minkah already. Now, I'll need someone to come with…"
"Don't look at me!" Jounouchi states, holding up his hands. "I'm not goin' near Mink when he's like this!"
"Ditto," Honda nods resolutely.
"I…I could…" Marik begins tentatively.
Grandpa shakes his head. "We don't know what state he's in, Mare. I can't risk your own condition worsening as well."
Ryou's staring at the floor from where he's standing between Honda and Jounouchi. I can tell by the wretched look on the white-haired teen's face that he wouldn't be able to handle a hysterical Minkah either. Not right now. I sigh heavily, shoulders heaving.
"I'll come with you."
They all turn to me. Grandpa assesses my offer. I really am one of the better candidates. I haven't set Minkah off nor have I been 'involved' with him or Afika like Malik and Ryou have, so there's less likely of a chance Minkah's holding a grudge against me. He'll be all the more hysterical if his brother came along after Ryou claimed so unfalteringly that he hated Minkah.
"All right, Yami. Let's go."
I follow Grandpa downstairs as Jou hollers "Good luck", heading for the end of the hallway. Grandpa takes out a key that I wish I'd had on my person when we came down here earlier. Unlocking the door to the garage, we step inside. The door's still up, allowing the storm access inside making it all the more cold. I tighten my coat around my
neck as I lean down to check one of the snowmobiles. Grandpa stands off to the side, having no idea how to work these vehicles.
"This one looks ready. Honda and Jou put the oil and gas in all of them earlier today," I announce after a moment, straightening up and running my hand over the blue machine.
"Too bad they did," Grandpa replies dryly. "Otherwise Minkah wouldn't have gotten away."
I snort at the irony, heaving the vehicle to the edge of the garage where the snow is already flooding in. Hoisting myself on, I pull Grandpa up behind me, his arms wrapping tighter around my waist as I start the engine. I bite my lip, glancing out at the snow ahead.
"There's no trail to follow. His tracks have already been covered!" I yell above the engine, easing the snowmobile outside while looking around for any sign of which way the Egyptian went.
"He probably tried to stick to the road as much as possible. He'd have to. The trees are too thick. It'd be nearly impossible for him to travel on anything but the road!" Grandpa shouts back.
I nod, the snowmobiles lunging forward into the elements. I follow what I assume is the road, as it's the only way clear of trees. Even as we speed along I can't help but feel disheartened, knowing we're not going to catch up with Minkah.
(Kek's POV)
I'm looking forward to this immensely.
Sure killing Minkah's new little friends will be pleasurable, but that's not what's making my heart pound with anticipation. What is?—Afika's impending downfall. And I shall be the one to bring it about.
The fool's made it so simple. What's more, it'll break Minkah too—his little lover. The ironic part is that they will be the cause of the destruction of the other. Minkah, by the hatred he will feel for the black-haired teen; Afika, by having Minkah turn on him when the truth is revealed to the young one.
Drumming my fingers idly on the steering wheel, I can't keep the smirk from my lips as I drive through the billowing snow to the meeting point. I wonder if I'll get there before Kasiya and the girl. Probably not. Kasiya will make extra sure to get there ahead of me to help impede any outright clash between Afika and I. That's fine. I can wait. My patience will be worth it in the end.
Oh how I will relish in this greatly. To watch the two of them—the two individuals I've despised more than anyone else I've encountered—shatter because they care too much.
That will be my victory.
And Afika can't stop me. No one can. Things have already been put into motion. It just needs a little extra push from me and their world as they know it will crumble before their waking eyes. And with Afika weakened, I'll finally get my chance to exterminate him. Slowly.
Excruciatingly slowly.
The worm has given himself illusions that he's in control of us now that Apophis is gone. How tragic to watch my one rival fall by my hand. It's so poetic. I knew the day would come.
Finally, it's almost here.
(Yami's POV)
I don't know how long we've been driving. Maybe fifteen minutes…maybe an hour? The snow attacking my face has clouded all sense of time. Even with my ski mask on everything is a blur. There's nothing to look at. It's all white. Nothing but white. Nothing but…
Grandpa lets out a yell of surprise and fright as I turn the snowmobile swiftly, sliding to an undignified stop in a wave of snow. Panting, the arms around me loosen slightly.
"Yami, you have to warn me before you go and…!"
"Look." I point to the left, up a ways off the trail. Grandpa's breath catches in his throat.
There's a dark red snowmobile lying on its side. A few feet away there are a pair of boots and a glove; tossed there carelessly. All the muscles in my body constrict as I notice the crimson stains on the ground matching the color of the vehicle, contrasting with the snow that's already beginning to cover it.
Blood.