So the chapter isn't as lengthy as I would have liked. I cut it down a bit because it's been so long since I last updated. Not as much humor as I'd wanted, but still cuteness. :D There will be more later on. This isn't BTS. It can't be all light-hearted at any time.
enigmaecstatic: I thinks you're new. Just in case: -tackles- Howdy! Yes yes, Niu's alive. (Yami: And shirtless!) lol Ryou is taking it pretty well, isn't he? Poor kid. I love how you described Afika as "a wolf in sheep's clothing he is, and Minks the only one that can't see the seams and buttons". (Afika: Damn buttons!)
Eleirah: Yes, finally they have someone who knows how to take care of Minkah besides drugging him. (Minkah: grrrr...) "Not that I was objecting to a shirtless Niu, of course!" -grins- I don't think any of you guys were. (Niu: -.-)
XxYourXxDisasterXx: lol yes, the snake ate. Actually, he just shed and ate about two days ago. He looks gorgeous! All plump with brand new skin! (Yami: Off topic!) Oops! "I've already got that hole dug for him. Took a hell of a lot of effort. It had to be VERY deep you see. So know one would find the evidence." -grins- I see. (Afika: Bring it, bitch!) -smacks him over the head- That is no way to talk to the readers! Now apologize before I agree to throw you in that hole! (Afika: You can't. I'm an essential character to the plot! -sticks out tongue-) Little bastard...
JuniorsObligatory: New one! -tackles- I've finally updated! It's only taken me...-doesn't even want to think about it-
cgflower: Yes Niu is stuck with them. -grins- Much to my amusement. Ah, yes. I think you were the only one who mentioned afika's, as you put it, "I'm not quite right in the head" moment. -mysterious music- (Malik: -sigh-) There is still quite a bit of sad/gloom-ness to this chapter with spoonfuls of luff! XD (Minkah: And she hasn't even taken her mood stabilzers yet) (Yami: That explains a lot.) Humph! You are right: If anyone can make squirming cool, Afika would be the person.
Memnoch's Heart: You want to beat the army with the shirtless fetish eh? Funny, all the other readers secretly were pleased by it. lol (Niu: Why me?) You want Niu as your psychiatrist? O.o Ummm...I'm not sure I'd go that far. There'd be the communication problem...which is fun in this chapter. XD
Dragon Tooth: LOL You like Niu, eh? (Niu: -being embraced by Dragon Tooth- Uh...Hi?) "I'm kinda thanking him for getting Niu's shirt off" You and pretty much every other reviewer. "One thing I've come to notice with yoai fanfics though is that never seems to be a straight person in sight." -cackles- It's so true! And it's funny you should mention that. I have a great scene in this chapter! XD (Niu: I'm not going to like this, am I?)
Chrys: Glad you liked it. Not so much action in this chapter. Time to settle down a bit before the fire ignites and goes BOOM. (Niu: O.o) (Yami: I'm scared...even more than before.) You should be! XD
Peepz: "NIU! SHIRT! **sends pedobear shirt** He can borrow this for now." Awww...what'd you give him a shirt for? -droool- (Niu: -glare-) Anyway, here it is. -tosses shirt to Peepz-
Sagira98: You called it! Ryou kept Niu's picture! Orange tic tac time! XD You'll find out if Kek is dead or not. "Why haven't you killed Afika yet?!" -gasps- Because he holds so many secrets to everything! He's an essential character! (Afika: Ha! Booya!) Keep your ego in check, mister. (Afika: Feh!)
xsnagglepusx: Malik with a gun and a loud angry Ryou always spells fun, doesn't it? Glad you loved the tension. This one eases out of that overwhelming violence threatening to make the monitors explode. -sweatdrop-
RyouLoverForever: "I did not see ANY of that coming" Excellent! That makes it all the more fun, doesn't it? Also bigger chances for heart attacks, but the population of readers is in general fairly young, so we won't worry about that one. -grins- Niu is your new fav character? Yesss! I've found this is the least popular of my four stories I'm working on (what was I thinking?!) Partially due to how long it's been going on and the gaps between updates but also how much spotlight I've given my own characters.
This chapter shall be dedicated to enigmaecstatic, JuniorsObligatory, Sagira98 (good job!) I have a lot of fun with my two semesters of arabic! XD I couldn't resist!
Wish that I could cry
Fall upon my knees
Find a way to lie
About a home I'll never see
It may sound absurd, but don't be naive
Even heroes have the right to bleed
I may be disturbed, but won't you concede
Even heroes have the right to dream
It's not easy to be me
Up, up and away, away from me
It's all right
You can all sleep sound tonight
I'm not crazy…or anything…
(Five for Fighting)
Chapter 15: Finally
(Niu's POV)
I sit hunched over on a chair, elbows on my knees, chin resting on my fist. The fire's brilliance has dwindled to nothing but a faint amber glow. Sprawled on the carpet is Jounouchi Katsuya who is mumbling to himself. Lying on the couch is Honda Hiroto who has been tossing and turning fitfully. Everyone else have gone elsewhere to rest, leaving the three of us in the entry room on the main floor.
Glancing at the drapes, I note the faint light shining between the cracks. Sighing, I go back to staring at the fireplace. This feels somewhat akin to what it was like under Apophis' control. In theory, I could make a break for it, but at what cost? My life? That wouldn't matter. But what about these people? It'd be of too great a risk to them. The isolation is of a different kind. I'm allowed to converse with these people without having to worry about being punished yet I have nothing to say to them. Why would I? I've told them everything they need to know. For example, that Minkah needs to sleep wrapped in someone's arms. That had been awkward when they were attempting to translate it to their friends.
A yawn to my right announces Honda is waking. I can feel his eyes upon me now but don't bother acknowledging him. There is not point.
"Didn't you sleep?" he asks.
I shake my head as an answer. Groaning in exhaustion, the leather of the sofa squeaks as he sits up.
"It's morning," he muses, having realized I'm not interested in talking. He plods across the room to no doubt look out one of the windows. "The snow has stopped!"
While I should be grateful he's speaking simple so I can understand him, I'm not. It's meaningless. Everything involving me is worthless now. I've done my share and there's nothing left for me.
I just want to die.
(Honda's POV)
It's uncanny the way he doesn't speak or look at me. I allow the curtain to fall back into place. Surprise hits me when I see the door that the soldiers bashed in last night. The lock is fixed! I turn to Niu who hasn't budged.
"Did you do this?" I point, vaguely wondering how well we can communicate.
Even though he doesn't look he nods sullenly. "Door downstairs too."
I walk back to the couch and chairs. "When?"
"You were all sleeping."
They're matter-of-fact responses. If I had miraculously managed to repair those doors I would be gloating. Doesn't he take pride in anything he does? I suppose this was nothing compared to building explosives and fancy guns.
Touching my split lip, I wince slightly. Looking down at Jou I find the bruise has already appeared on his face. I nudge Jou's head with my foot and he doesn't react in the slightest. I snort in amusement, catching Niu stealing a glance.
"He sleeps like the dead," I tell him while repeating the action. "And eats like a pig."
Eyes that appear completely black gaze at the snoozing blonde on the floor. "But he is a good friend?"
I smile. "Yeah. They're all good friends."
That stare is so blank. It's empty like there's no one inside of the body. Like someone dug his soul out of him, scraping away until he was completely hallow. A vessel, maybe abandoned by the owner itself. There's no life left in his eyes. Did he deprive himself of it or did someone else snatch it away?
"Were the assassins close?" I ask uncomfortably.
Niu looks at me expressionlessly. "Close?"
"Like Minkah and Afika," I say, internally wincing after saying that bastard's name; remembering that Niu had been mad about something Afika did. "Or just friends. Friends."
"Close," he repeats, understanding the meaning this time. "Leh. Not…" He struggles to find a word. "…permit?"
"Permitted? Not permitted?"
Niu nods. "Some people broke the rules. Most were caught."
"Did you?"
The technology expert hesitates. "I had friends…"
"Really?" I ask, sinking down onto the couch. "Where are they now?"
His eyes avert to the floor. "Dead."
"Oh…Sorry," I murmur, bashing myself for asking stupid questions like that. Geez, I'm acting as oblivious as Jou!
Niu shrugs it off but I can see he's hurting. I just don't know how to help. There isn't anything I can think of that would cheer someone in his situation up. He's different from Minkah. His life has been drastically different from anyone I know. There's no one to compare him to; no experience I could use as a form of comfort. I can tell cheesy sentimental phrases won't work with him. All I want to do now is stop talking and leave the room but that could make things worse. But if I keep talking I could upset him even more.
"Are you hungry?" I change subjects. "I could make us something to eat."
His features contort in indecision before he says, "Do not bother…"
"It's no bother," I wave this off. "The others are going to need food also."
(Jounouchi's POV)
My nostrils widen at the detection of food. The aromas of scrambled eggs, toast, bacon…In a heavenly dream I rise off the floor. Blankets falling into a puddle around my feet are forgotten as I float to the kitchen. I land back on earth abruptly when I reach the doorway.
"What the heck?"
The two of them halt. Honda is at the large stove where bacon is sizzling. The Niu dude is stirring a thick beige mixture that I can only guess is pancake batter. The island already has piles of buttered toast, jam, glasses, plates, and utensils.
"Good, you're up. We could use the help," Honda greets as he turns over a tantalizing piece of bacon.
"Uh huh." I move over to my friend. "But what's he doin' here?"
"Cooking. What does it look like?"
"But he can't even talk with us!"
Honda sends me a solemn look. "Yes he can if you put a little effort into it. Besides, he's really depressed about something. I was hoping to take his mind off it," he adds jadedly.
At this both of us glance at the dark-skinned teen slowly moving a wooden spoon with his good hand; his wounded hand bandaged and clasping the metal bowl. Niu isn't paying attention to us. In fact, I don't think he's paying attention to anything. That batter is as smooth as cream.
"Niu, that should be ready," Honda passes me the tongs and goes over to the assassin.
Niu nods, silently giving my friend the bowl and stepping to the side. As soon as his task is done he returns to his own world. Clearing my throat, I look out the window above the sink to find sunshine peeping through the trees.
"What time is it?"
"Why not check the clock, genius?" Honda suggests sarcastically as he pours the mixture onto a pan.
2 pm. Really? I suppose it's plausible. That was a crazy night. Plopping the perfectly cooked bacon on a plate to cool a bit, I place it on the island with the other finished food.
"Anybody else awake yet?" I ask.
"Nope."
Damn. I was hopin' someone who speaks Arabic would get in here and talk with Niu. Although, judging by the state he's in, I'm not sure he's up for much conversation. What's wrong with him? Ever since we met him his face has become more blank and he talks less. Does he blame us for getting him stuck here? For stopping him from turning himself in? Honda's been trying to cheer the guy up a bit. I have to give props to my friend for that even though Niu's condition does show any improvement whatsoever.
"Jou, why don't you brew some coffee?"
I walk around the other side of the island just to avoid passing the assassin. He gives me the heebie-jeebies. Setting everything up, I push the button. Nothing happens.
"Damn it!"
"What is it?"
"The coffee maker is busted or something!" I growl pushing the button two more times just in case.
Honda sighs. "Shit. I could use some caffeine too."
Wait a second.
"Niu, do you think you could…?"
Honda shakes his head at me not to push the quiet teen any further. Scowling, I'm about to put everything away when I sense a presence beside me.
"Something is wrong?" he inquires.
"Uhh…it won't work," I answer slowly, glancing unsurely at Honda. "You don't have to…"
Without further ado Niu's unplugged the machine and turned it around. Nimble fingers begin taking apart the appliance.
"Jou, could you give me a hand?"
Leaving the Egyptian to his work, I scurry over to Honda. Arms crossed over his chest, spatula in one hand, Honda is sending me a hard look.
"Didn't you catch my hint to let him be?" he demands under his breath.
"Not soon enough," I mutter. "Besides, I tried to stop…"
Our argument ceases abruptly at the hissing and gurgling of the coffee maker. We both gape at the assassin who is staring at it with a simple satisfaction. I nudge Honda in the ribs. There is an almost imperceptible glimmer in those eyes that were like blank slates before. I decide some praise is worthy. Any encouragement that could bring life to him is worth it. Besides, I'm impressed.
"Whoa! You did that so fast!" I exclaim, hurrying back. "How'd you do that?"
He blinks several times and I realize I spoke too quickly for him to keep up. Niu catches on nevertheless.
"I do not know…how to explain," he says, readjusting the bandage around his left hand and wrist.
"What did you do?" I point at the injury.
I'd seen him hit Kek in the face with the back of his hand. Then that bastard was clutching his face and screaming. Whatever Niu had done resulted in him getting hurt as well. It looked like a burn of some kind.
Once again he struggles for a reply, mood dampening. "I use…in my watch…I do not know what you call it."
"It melted your skin," I observe curiously, wondering what kind of chemical it had been. "Did it kill Kek?"
"Leh."
"Huh?"
"Leh: no."
"Leh," I repeat. "No."
Honda rolls his eyes.
"Well I already know 'yes'. Aiywa," I recite puffing out my chest in pride.
The edges of Niu's mouth lift just a little. "You remember. Mumtaz." He notes my perplexed look. "Excellent."
"Mumtaz." I grin. "That's so cool!"
Honda's watching in disbelief at how Niu is not only conversing but actually responding. Grabbing several strips of bacon, I offer Niu a piece.
"Leh. I do not eat."
"Waddaya mean you don't eat?!"
"You're Muslim?" Honda smirks at my aghast expression.
"…I was."
The mysterious teen doesn't elaborate. What I'd give to ask him to explain what he means. Honda will clobber me though. It just is weird to cling to something you no longer believe. Maybe Islam is the only thing he had left from his former life while working for Apophis. Even if all faith has faded it had been precious to him. The sentimental value is still there.
I regard Niu intently. "Are you straight?"
"Jou!"
"Straight?" It's Niu's turn to be perplexed. "I do not understand this."
"Just forget it, Niu. Jounouchi is being stupid." Honda shoots me a 'what are you doing?' look.
"I just wanna know what our odds are—if we're still the majority," I smile innocently.
"There is another meaning for straight?" Niu asks expectantly as the scent of coffee drifts about us.
Honda sighs, pointing his finger at me. "This is all your fault." He turns to the assassin. "Jou was asking if you are heterosexual…or if you're homosexual, which means you like guys."
Niu remains confused and intrigued. "Like guys? Why? You hate guys?"
"No. I…geez, why do I have to…?"
"Sexually. Love them. Attracted to them," I interrupt. "Like Afika and Minkah. Yami and Malik. We call them 'gay' and 'homosexual'."
Niu quirks an eyebrow. "You flirt with me?"
"Hell no!" I exclaim backing away. "I'm not gay! Neither is Honda!"
This just complicates everything for Niu. "Then why you want to know?"
Honda laughs as he slaps a pancake down. "Try and enlighten him. Good luck."
I glower at my friend. "I was just curious."
"Not a normal question," Niu points out.
"Guess not. Sorry."
"Forgiven. But since you ask, I am, how do you say? Straight."
"Yessss!" I cheer causing the assassin to jump back in surprise. "That's one more for our side!"
(Mr. Mutou's POV)
I'm wakened by the chattering of several people. The smells of breakfast—if one can call it that—reaches my nose. I rise from the chair next to the bed where Yami and Malik sleep. In the next room Yugi, Marik, Minkah, and Ryou reside. While they are crammed in those two single beds, I insisted we all stay on the same floor of the mansion. The jolly voice I'm able to pick out is definitely Jounouchi's.
Wandering down the hallway I'm met with the most unusual of sights. Niu, Honda, and Jounouchi are sitting in a circle in the middle of the floor. Laying all around them are various appliances ranging from the blender to video games. There are empty plates in front of each teen as well.
"Try an' fix this one!" Jou is urging Niu, holding out a faulty watch.
"Boys, what do you think you are doing?" I order entering the main room. While Niu stiffens, Honda and Jou bear grins.
"Niu's fixing and improving stuff!" Jou beams, reaching for a small lamp. "Check this out, Gramps…!"
"Jounouchi, Honda, what were you thinking? He needs rest…!"
"But he couldn't sleep," Honda objects to my surprise. He's usually the rational one. "Instead he repaired the doors and locks those idiot soldiers broke."
I open my mouth to reprove them for taking advantage of his skills and making him feel obligated when I finally take a good look at Niu. There is life within those dark eyes that were so empty before. While there is uncertainty about me, there is less of a burden upon him. To some degree Jou and Honda have pulled him from the sorrow that had engulfed him.
"I was wondering how we would cope with those broken doors. Shokran, Niu."
"Afwan."
"Eh?" Jou looks back and forth between us. "Wazzat?"
"Jou, Honda, I see you have prepared breakfast. Take some to the other boys, will you?"
"Sure Mr. Mutou." Honda grabs Jou by the arm and yanks him to his feet. "Come on."
"I…but…!" the blonde stutters as he's dragged away. "What did you say? I gotta learn my Arabic!"
Niu hasn't moved from where he's kneeling on the floor surrounded by all of the restored household items.
"I am both thankful and impressed with all you have done for us," I vocalize my gratitude, overwhelmed by the lengths to which he's gone.
The young man picks up a previously faulty alarm clock. Gingerly holding the device in his hands there is a spark in his eyes.
"It's been six years since someone asked me to fix something so simple—so normal," he murmurs in a sort of wonder. "No, they never asked me. Always orders and threats." He looks up at me with the hint of a smile playing on his face. "This was the first time in six years somebody actually wanted to be around me."
Bless Jou and Honda.
I chuckle. "They can be a bit crazy but they have good hearts. Now what's this about you not sleeping?"
"I'm not like Minkah if that's where this is leading," he informs me, referring to Minkah's need to be cuddled up against someone in order to sleep.
"Is there perhaps another reason?"
His gaze averts from me. "Perhaps."
Niu is obviously full of secrets he is not willing to share with anyone yet. Maybe he would confide in Honda and Jou if they spoke Arabic or if he were more fluent in Japanese. As for his relationship to Minkah, I doubt the white-haired teen knows much about Niu's personal life.
"No one is going to harm you here."
"I know that."
I raise my eyebrows. "You're not afraid of being trapped in a house full of strangers? Some with whom you have difficulty communicating?"
"It's not so hard. Jou is the most difficult to understand," Niu tells me with a small smile. "And you have not only taken care of Minkah but defended me as well." He pushes himself to his feet. "This also beats being with Afika and the others. Even if this is only for a short while, I am enjoying the lack of plots of murder and torture."
This young man is astonishing. He has accepted the facts that the soldiers or his remaining ex-comrades could attack at any time. Instead, he's chosen to relish the new freedom while it's his. For the first time in years he's making decisions of his own accord.
"Even if we were not under house arrest you would be welcome here. It isn't about your talents either."
The smile widens slightly at my words and then even more at the sound of Jou and Honda arguing in the kitchen.
"Not again," I sigh, making to reprimand them.
"They remind me of my friends growing up…always pulling pranks, causing mischief, and getting themselves into trouble," Niu muses with a sad fondness.
"Those two have quite the knack for doing so," I reply, deciding to let them be as they are cheering him. "Niu, I'm not trying to tell you what to do…"
"I'll try to sleep," he interrupts knowingly, "if it will ease you."
(Honda's POV)
"Man, I had Niu all wrong," Jou confesses as we put together trays of food for each of our friends. "I thought he was a suicidal psycho who had pretty much no human feelings whatsoever."
"While I didn't think quite to those extremes, I have to agree," I admit.
Jou grins broadly. "And to think we have that bastard Hiroki to thank for this."
Scowling at the very mention of the pompous man, I ask, "How do you figure?"
"If he hadn't put us under house arrest then Niu would be long gone by now."
"Oh my god."
Jou looks at me worriedly. "What?"
"You're actually…right."
"Shaddup!"
I smirk, pouring coffee into several mugs. "If last night was proof of the army's actual capabilities, you'll be speaking fluent Arabic before we get out of here."
"I'm a quick learner!" Jou counters completely missing my point, as usual.
"And what shall you be using the Arabic for?" I ask idly.
Jounouchi's brow furrows. "I'll be able to talk with other people who speak Arabic. Duh!"
I roll my eyes. "Brilliant. And who, pray tell, do you know of that speaks Arabic?"
"Well there's Mink, Niu, Marik, Malik, Yami, Yugi, Gramps…" Jou's face falls as his voice trails off.
I nod apathetically. "Basically everyone close to you. All, excluding Niu, speak perfect Japanese. There won't be anyone new to meet unless you'd like to have a chat with the other Apophis survivors. If you haven't noticed, the Arabic-speaking population in Japan is a bit short."
"How are things coming along in here?" Mr. Mutou comes into the kitchen seeming in better spirits than before.
"Almost ready, Gramps!" Jou brightens.
"I've changed my mind, boys," he continues apologetically. "I think it might be better to just let the others continue resting. We can re-heat their food when they awaken."
"It's a good thing the refrigerator is gigantic," I mutter tiredly surveying the trays of prepared food. "Come on, Jou. We'd better get all of this wrapped and in the fridge before it spoils."
"Actually," Mr. Mutou touches Jou's arm when he makes to pick up a plate. "I'd rather do it."
Jou gapes at him. I, too, am bewildered.
"But Gramps…"
"Niu said he'd try and sleep," the man explains with a serious air. "While I no longer perceive him as a threat to himself, I do feel the two of you contributed to his improvement in mind-set. I'd like you to remain nearby and keep him company."
"I don't know," I scratch the back of my neck. "Are you sure he even wants us around…?"
Mr. Mutou smiles but it's sad. "He said you two remind him of friends he used to have…before Apophis," he clarifies at Jou's dubious look.
"But we were just bein' ourselves," said blonde protests, fidgeting. "What are we supposed to do now?"
The old man laughs lightly. "Keep being yourself, Jou. Don't cautious and guarded around Niu. He understands the concept of what it's like to be a regular person. The two of you are helping him remember."
Well having him return to who he was would be excellent. And his brilliant mind is definitely an advantage on our part. Plus he was with the Apophis members and might know what they're plotting to do next. Besides, Niu seems like a fairly decent guy. Jou gives Mr. Mutou the thumbs up.
"Leave it to me an' Honda! You can count on us, Gramps!"
(Marik's POV)
"Afternoon Ryou," I smile from the bed I'm sharing with a slumbering Yugi.
Ryou blinks the sleep from his eyes. Minkah is snuggled as close as possible to his brother. He's suffered multiple emotional traumas the past few days. But we've made a lot of breakthroughs. I'm am concerned about my friend though.
"How're you holding up?"
"Pretty well, surprisingly," I reply. "You?"
He tries to shift but Minkah's grip on him is firm. "Guess I'm not going anywhere soon," Ryou says wryly.
"Minkah slept soundly. Niu was right."
"Yeah…" Ryou stares at his brother sadly. "Marik?"
"Yes?"
"Minkah—do you think he'll ever be…?"
"He won't fully recover," I interrupt, touching my fingers to my scar-covered throat. I of all people understand this. There's only so much a person can bear; only so much they can put behind them. "There is so much more he still needs to come to terms with."
Ryou lowers his gaze. "Like Afika?"
I fix my eyes on him, sitting up slightly. "Why didn't you save his picture? We thought…"
"Marik, while I may not have come to terms with the truth, I'm trying," he mumbles somberly. Our eyes meet. "I have to fight the lies and see through them."
I'm impressed. He's not going to let any lingering feelings for 'Khalil' to fool him. Khalil does not exist, he never did. If only convincing Minkah about his mother would be that simple. The problem is we know virtually nothing about her. That makes it difficult to begin the healing process. Doubt will fill him until he knows the truth.
And somebody out there knows it.
"Why Niu?"
Ryou clears his throat uncomfortably. "While we never knew Niu, the way Minkah described him, that Niu didn't want to kill, I decided to give him a chance."
"But that was based on Minkah's point of view. Just look at his perception of Afika. Ryou, we were extremely fortunate Niiu turned out to be what Minkah said." There is abject horror in those brown eyes as he listens. "From now on you need to be more careful. Both Minkah and Niu will have clouded views of people and the world. While we can't blame them for that, we can't trust them completely either."
"Right." Ryou bites down hard on his lower lip, brushing Minkah's white locks back.
I grimace as I watch the subtle action. If he doesn't listen to me then we could all be in serious danger. It's not that I blame Niu or Minkah for their outlooks on the world, but we can't afford to trust them when it comes to their relationships with the other Apophis members. The personal information could prove our demise if they pull us into their reality. That's the last place I want to be.
(Malik's POV)
"Whoa, what happened in here? It looks like a tornado went through," I exclaim, Grandpa picking up a mess of electronics and appliances littering the floor.
He chuckles, wincing as he straightens up. "Honda and Jou were bringing Niu things to fix."
"That's awful!" I'm surprised by his calm manner. "You don't seem upset."
"Well I was at first," he admits with a twinkle in his eyes. "But for whatever reason, Niu responded quite positively. He was smiling, talking…"
"You're joking!" That extremely depressed assassin?
"Should we really be shocked?" Grandpa muses, walking towards the kitchen with the toaster and blender. "Those two have a knack for cheering others up and bringing out the best in people."
I crouch down and begin counting the items. "So where are they now?"
"I sent them off to rest. Niu hadn't slept," Grandpa answers from the next room. "He was kind enough to repair the doors and locks while we were asleep."
Sitting down on a chair, I push my bangs out of my eyes. I really need a shower. "That won't keep the army or the assassins out."
"No, it won't," Grandpa concurs as he reappears. "Yet it makes me feel more secure. I know that it isn't rational, but…"
"I get it."
But I can't share this sense of safety. Those soldiers bashed through so easily last night. And the assassins won't need to break anything to get inside. Minkah and Niu might be able to detest their former comrades' presence but by then it will already be too late for an escape.
"Malik."
My grandfather places a hand on my shoulder. "We are going to get through this. How many horrible situations have we been through together over the years?"
"This is different!" I pull away. "Grandpa, they've backed us into a corner!"
"Hmm…so they have." He scoops up another armload of appliances. "We'll just have to make do with this little corner then."
I shake my head after he's gone. This 'little corner' has too make limits. How are we supposed to defend ourselves when everyone out there recognizes us as enemies? We're bait for the army. I don't know what exactly we are to the assassins. We have Minkah—Afika's boyfriend. At least, that's the impression Minkah is under. I'm inclined to believe otherwise. To worsen the circumstances, we also have their deserter. Niu is brilliant but will he be able to predict his ex-comrades' next move?
(Honda's POV)
"…an' so we grabbed Mink and made a run for it!" Jou finishes with excitement.
We're on the third level, the fireplace lighted. There are large windows and a balcony as well. I'm not so sure how safe I feel up here, but it's where we found Niu. He'd been staring at the quiet forest. Now the three of us are sitting on the single couch facing the fire. Niu is in between us. Utter confusion is covering his features due to Jou's fast speech and slang. I wonder if he caught any of that.
"So you tracked us here by yourself?" I ask, changing subjects.
Niu nods, the gloom returning. "Afika told me to."
Damn. Every time we talk, Afika somehow ends up in the conversation. We're supposed to be cheering Niu up but are depressing him instead. Actually, we're supposed to be keeping him company. He's supposed to be sleeping.
"Are you tired?"
"Very."
"Then why not go to sleep? We'll protect you, man!" Jou reassures with a grin.
Dark eyes remain on the fire. "I am not afraid."
"How about a lullaby then?" Jou teases lightly.
I glower. "Jou, you can't sing to save your life."
"Lull-a-by?" Niu pronounces slowly.
"Songs people sing to kids to help them sleep," I explain in the simplest way I can.
"Oh."
"So…are you from Egypt like Minkah?"
"I always live there. I go to school there."
I can tell he's speaking in past tense. Once again we're treading on thin ice. We don't know what happened to him—how he became part of the Apophis organization. He already told me his friends are dead. I'm not sure about his family but am afraid to ask lest it cause him more misery. Luckily, Jou is here.
"You guys get such cool names," he complains casually.
Niu's expression hardens. Okay, so maybe having Jou here isn't helping. "Every place has own names."
"But Arabic names are so cool!"
"Niu is not Arabic name."
This is unexpected. "Sorry. We should not assume all people in Egypt are Arabic…"
"Forgiven."
"So what is it?" Jou asks.
"It is from…how to say it?...Egypt before?"
Egypt before? What the hell does that mean…?
"Oh, you mean ancient Egypt," I supply.
He nods, not looking at us. Did we miss something? Jou shrugs at me helplessly. I don't know what to do either.
"Niu, we didn't mean to upset you…"
"I said forgiven," he repeats in a slightly menacing tone.
"Calm down, man!" Jou pleads. We saw when he lost his temper with Minkah how frightening this guy can get when he's mad.
(Niu's POV)
Damn. The Apophis reputation precedes me. They're getting wary of me. I don't want them to leave or be afraid of me. I've been alone for so long. I can't blame them for any of this. They just want to help. The fact someone is making an effort to befriend me is something I never imagined happening. There just doesn't seem to be a subject that doesn't upset me. Is that so strange though? After being locked away for six years and just recently learning the fate of my family…It's pathetic that I can't even talk of the origins of my name without getting distressed.
I lower my head. "I did not mean to…temper." This is so hard to explain as it is, let alone in a language I am not very educated in. "It is…" What's a word I could use?
"You have gone through a lot," Honda puts in kindly, noting the difficulty I'm having. "It's okay."
"Leh. Not okay. Not to you." I wonder if I'm phrasing this correctly. "You are not…" Cruel. Evil. Vicious. How do I translate that? They don't deserve my anger. I cannot take out my hatred on them. But I cannot correspond this to them. I have to figure out a different approach.
"Let's just forget it," Jounouchi beams. "We understand."
"Leh, you do not understand."
They both still. I grip the bandage around my other hand, internally wincing at the pain this action brings. I want to tell them. How though?
"You're right," Honda says quietly before I can continue. "We don't understand. We never could understand what you have been through."
"But that's over now, man!" the blonde chortles joyously and I cannot help but smile weakly.
Honda bops him on the head. "Idiot! We're trapped in this house!"
I close my eyes and lean back into the cushions as they argue on either side of me. Their speech is too fast for me to catch. That's all right. I'm exhausted. Explanations can come later. Just having them here eases me. I'm not alone anymore.
Afika, Kek, you took my family from me. Apophis killed my friends in the raid. I'll be damned if you so much as touch these people. I can see why Minkah is protective of them. They are so accepting despite a person's past. They are not judgmental, try to ease us and make us feel at home. That is something I have not felt for so very long.
"…Niu's our buddy now!"
A smile forms on my lips even though I do quite not grasp the meaning of the word 'buddy'. It was said with conviction and affection. Finally. After so long, at last…
…I have friends.
Dawwww! Isn't he adorable?
Anywhoosle, I thoroughly enjoyed bringing some of the Arabic into the story. After dropping out of college (twice) I have really missed that class. It's challenging but is so awesome if you have the patience to learn it! I'm hoping to take it up again once all this medical shit is figured out.
Aiywa: Yes (colloquial Egyptian)
Leh or Leh-eh! for more conviction: No (colloquial Egyptian)
Shokran: Thank you
Afwan: You're welcome
I had a scene from Kek's POV written out, but it didn't really fit with the rest of the chapter so I decided to hold off on that one. Anyway, hope you enjoyed this "breather" chapter! I know I did!
Reviewsies!