Chapter 6
Yugi woke up to sunlight on Yami's face. He didn't remember much of the night before, except he was sick. Smiling up at Yami gently, he placed a gentle kiss on Yami's cheek after looking over and seeing Miya asleep in the crib.
"Sleep well?" he asked quietly, giving Yugi a peck in return.
"Yea...was I really sick?" Yugi asked.
"You almost died," Yami said softly, worry evident in his eyes.
Yugi looked up. "But I didn't." He kissed him softly.
"I know," he hugged Yugi, glad he was still there.
Yugi looked up, biting his lip. "Um, Yami..." Amethyst was worried.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I'd like to have a baby with you...have Miya have a brother or sister." Yugi looked up.
"Sure, I'd like that," he smiled softly, kissing him gently and passionately.
Yugi mewled, whimpering, kissing him back. Panting as he pulled back, he looked at Yami. "When would you like to? How old should Miya be, I mean." Yugi blushed as it sounded like he wanted to jump Yami then. He did, but that seemed a bit fast.
"Hmm, three or four?" he asked.
Yugi nodded, smiling. Laying his head down on Yami's chest, he sighed happily. Hearing a knock downstairs, he frowned, sniffing. His eyes narrowed and he jumped up, heading downstairs.
Ryou had gotten up, hearing the knock. He let Malik sleep in. He hesitantly opened the door, uncertain of who it could be at this hour.
Aria was standing there. Yugi stopped, eyes wide at seeing her. Smiling at Yugi, she came in. "Hi Ryou." Coming over, she hugged Yugi tight. "Where is Sheila?"
Yugi was pale. "Y...you're dead. You died giving birth to Miya." He whispered. "Aron told me so."
Aria smiled softly. "Aron was mistaken. I was almost dead, but they were able to resurrect me."
Yami came down, holding Miya gently and secure in his arms, "Who is it, love?"
"Miya's mother." Yugi whispered, face white. He knew what this meant. He knew he was going to lose Miya. He had already been told that nekos were unfit parents if a "normal" parent was alive. The "normal" (read: human) parent had the rights to the child...the neko had nothing.
"Oh?" Yami asked, holding Miya protectively. "Is she here for a visit?"
Yugi bowed his head. "I don't know." He whispered. "What is your intention, Aria?"
"I wanted to see my daughter. I did give birth to her," Aria said simply. "I also want to make sure she's in safe hands. I trust you, Yugi, but your partner I'm not sure about."
Yugi shot her a glare. "You know I don't sleep around. Yami is the most amazing person I've ever met."
"Alright," she nodded, trusting Yugi's word. "I would like to schedule times when I can see her."
Yugi sighed a tiny sigh of relief. He was worried Aria was going to take her from him. Smiling, he nodded. "I named her Miya...Aron didn't mention a name. Would you like to make her middle name Sheila?"
Aria smiled, "Yeah, that works. Thanks, Yugi."
He smiled. "So, would you like her every other weekend? Maybe every Thursday, and then every other Friday through Sunday?"
"Every other weekend will work," Aria assured.
Yugi smiled. Gently taking Miya from Yami, he offered her to Aria.
"Thanks," Aria said, holding Miya in her arms, smiling gently at the baby girl she had given birth to.
Yugi put an arm around Yami, leaning on him.
Yami wrapped his arm around him, holding Yugi close.
While this happy scene was taking place, Marik woke, eyes red, puffy, and sore.
"Are you ok?" Bakura asked softly.
Marik tensed at Bakura's voice. "Yes Master." He said quietly, turning his head away from Bakura.
"Marik, I'm-oh shit," he shot up, darting into the bathroom and threw up into the sink.
Marik just sat up, eyes dead. "You're pregnant." Marik said lifelessly.
"Yeah, so?" he muttered. "It's the price I pay for keeping you and the others safe."
Marik stood, gathering his things. "Goodbye Bakura. Not only did you enjoy fucking Dartz, but now you are pregnant with his child. If this is keeping me safe, I'd rather be dead."
"Marik, I love you. I never say that to anyone. I've told you before I know I'm not a nice person," he said simply, still retching a bit. "Although I did tell you before you can leave if that's what you want."
Marik looked at Bakura. In a calm, but sad voice, he said simply, "I believe you...at least that you think you love me because I am probably the nicest person to have shown affection to you. But you don't really love me. If you really loved me...you wouldn't enjoy sex with someone else. I understand that you did what you did to protect us, and I am grateful for that. I wish I could turn the other cheek, but I can't. Because, if you enjoy sex with someone else, I don't really have your heart. Bakura, I love you. I adore you. I worship the ground you walk on. And I swear this is the hardest thing I have to do, but I have to leave. Because I can't love you with my whole heart and only get a portion of yours." A tear slid down Marik's cheek as he spoke. His voice held no anger, only raw emotion and sadness.
Bakura sighed, "I get it. I told you before you don't have to stay. I'll raise this brat on my own then. Thanks."
Those words stung more than anything. Marik turned his back to Bakura, confused, hurt, torn. He wanted to leave Bakura, because he couldn't be in an open relationship. He wanted to stay, because he loved Bakura, and he believed that Bakura loved him in the only way he knew how. But he wanted to be fought for, apologized to...and Bakura was incapable of either of those. Marik appreciated that Bakura did what he did for him...but as soon as that "chore" turned into pleasure...it lost a lot of its nobility.
Bakura finished retching into the sink. He grimaced, cleaning up the mess. He has told Marik multiple times he's not a nice person. He's not the type to take in other people's feelings. He knew he was making mistakes, but at least he was trying to only love Marik. He was confused as well since old feelings were sprouting up.
Marik let out a shaky sigh. This was it. Keeping his eyes trained on the floor, he asked the question that he had to know the answer to. "You say you love me. Do you love only me...at least romantically?"
"Yes," he rasped out, clearing his throat after drinking some water. "Marik, you're the first I've said I love you too."
Turning, Marik looked at Bakura. "But you are attracted and want to have sex with others?" His face held no judgment, just...the struggle to figure this out.
"Marik, I do have a past, you know. I used to be a slave to that...man," he said, growling angrily. "Having this happen is a complication, but it'll be worked out. I just don't want you or the others harmed by that bastard."
Marik took a tentative step forward, then stopped. Rubbing his face with both hands, he looked up. "I...I don't know what I feel right now. I'm not leaving you." He set his bag down. "But I do want to go take a walk by myself, to have time to think. I've never been able to do anything by myself. I've been a slave since I was born. I've been a sex toy for many people because of my attractiveness, I guess, though I do not believe I am anything more than average. I just...I don't see how you can enjoy having sex with someone who fucked their own kid then pimped them out, finally selling them into slavery." Marik looked down, wrapping his arms around himself, rubbing them as old memories bubbled forth.
Bakura finished cleaning the sink. He put stuff away and then walked over to Marik. He hugged him tightly.
"Then go take a walk, princess. Though take this," he said softly, handing him a sharpened knife. "For protection in case you run into trouble.'
Marik nodded, taking the knife, walking down and around the family scene with a polite "Excuse me."
"Marik, do you need me to go with you?" Ryou asked gently.
Marik looked up. "No. I really want to be alone right now. My stuff is still upstairs. I'm not leaving...at least not right now." He quietly slipped outside and walked around, lost in his own thoughts, but still wary enough to be paying attention for dangers.
\/\/\/
Atem held Akefia in his sleep, his head buried in Akefia's neck
Akefia opened his eyes, grey orbs gazing fondly at the sleeping demon. He noticed in amusement their limbs were in a tangled mess. He ran his fingers through Atem's tricolored hair gently, trying not to wake him.
Atem whimpered, but didn't wake up, squeezing Akefia tighter.
"Can't breathe, mind loosening your grip?" he whispered in Atem's ear.
Atem opened sleep filled eyes in confusion. "Huh? Oh...yea. Sorry." He blushed, loosening his grip.
"It's ok," he assured, a small smirk on his lips. "Sleep well?"
"Better than I have in years." He sheepishly admitted. "You?"
"Same here," he admitted.
Atem looked up, eyes troubled. "Akefia...I really am sorry, about everything."
"I know," he said, holding him gently.
"How can you even still be interested in me after everything I did to you?" Atem asked softly, looking up at Akefia with pure confusion and curiosity.
"I just do," he grinned, yawning before untangling himself to rush to the bathroom and throw up.
Atem sat up, concerned, and went in, holding Akefia's hair back.
"Thanks," he muttered, wiping his mouth with a piece of toilet paper, flushing the contents down the pipe as he straightened his stance. "I'm ok."
"Let me see if we have any medicine for the flu and colds." Atem stated, starting to rummage through the medicine cabinet. "I'm sure you aren't poisoned. Dartz is a jerk of his word, so we are safe." He found some aspirin and frowned. "Maybe Ryou can whip something up."
"Um, 'Tem, I hate to bring this up, but um maybe from our activities I might be pregnant," Akefia sheepishly mentioned.
Atem looked up, jaw slack. "'Keifa...I...I'm sorry...I wasn't trying to knock you up...I wasn't trying to trap you..." Atem looked flat out panicked.
"Trap me? Don't be stupid," he sneered. "This would've happened sooner or later."
Atem sighed. "I...I just don't want you to think I am trying to force you into anything." He rubbed the back of his neck.
"If you did that you'd be back to your old self," he teased, a wry smile on his lips.
Atem just blushed blood red, scuffing his toe. "You kinda liked me forcing something last night."
Akefia smirked, nipping Atem's lips, "Well, yes, we are mates after all."
Atem grinned. "Let's go get you some breakfast. You're too skinny." He frowned, poking Akefia.
"No, I'm not," he pouted.
"You're eating for two now. You are." He tugged Akefia.
"Oh, I know that, but I ain't skinny," he continued to pout, following Atem.
Atem ignored him, heading out and stopping in confusion at the family reunion. "Why the hell is our home becoming a hotel?" He grumbled.
Yami glared, "Be nice, brother. Aria was just here to see Miya for a bit and then leave."
"Yeah," she agreed, handing the baby girl back to Yami. "I'll pick her up next weekend for a visit. Be safe and take good care of her."
We will," Yami promised as she left.
Atem said nothing, just held Akefia protectively around the waist. After leaving, Atem looked at them all. "Don't fuck with Akefia. He's pregnant. You fuck with him, you fuck with me." Moving on, he took Akefia into the kitchen. Malik grinned, chasing after them, grabbing Ryou. "Wait...so we will have a little muffin demon running around...
Ryou nodded, "Yeah, though if Atem messes up he just better not. I care about my brother and I want him to be happy."
Akefia glared lightly, "I highly doubt people that live with us and know us will mess with me, 'Tem."
Atem grumbled. "I can't help that I've been kicked into hyper protective mode, Keifakins." Atem struggled to keep a straight face with the nickname. "Oh, don't worry, if Temmie Tem messes up, I'll kill him. It'll be fun to stabby stab!" Malik sang.
Ryou sighed, "Be careful, you crazy pineapple."
Akefia rolled his eyes, "So, you're getting me food?"
Malik grinned, a gleam to his eyes. "I'm always careful. Wanna go with me and stab someone?"
Atem was sitting down some fruit. "Already on it. You want bacon, ham, eggs...anything warm?" Yugi walked in with Miya. "Yea, that sounds good." He smirked cheekily as Atem snorted. "I'm not cooking for you, twerp. Get your boyfriend to do that." Atem had a smile on his face...Yugi looked at Akefia, making sure he was okay.
"Make him breakfast too," Akefia told him smoothly. "Yeah, eggs with bacon and ham with some toast would be great." He looked back at Yugi, smiling warily. "I'm ok, shrimp."
Ryou shook his head, "No, that's not nice and I don't like hurting people, Malik."
Atem huffed, but made enough breakfast for everyone. As he plated it, he obviously gave more to Akefia than anyone else. Yugi motioned for Yami to sit down, crawling in Yami's lap if he did so.
Malik frowned, shrugging. "Okay, stay here. I'm going to go out and be...not nice." He giggled, waving his hand and trotted out.
Ryou kissed his cheek, "Be careful."
Akefia smiled, eating, "Thanks."
Yami sat down, cradling Miya in the crook of one of his arms.
Yugi fed himself and Yami, since he kinda took up most of the room for Yami's other hand. Malik scooted out, and Atem sat down as well. He wondered what was happening with Bakura, as he hadn't seen him. Looking around, not seeing Marik, he asked, "Has Bakura came back from Dartz's yet?"
"Yes, he did last night," Yami told him. "I'm not sure what's keeping him. He'll probably be down soon."
Indeed he did. Bakura eventually came downstairs after washing and getting dressed. He sat down in his usual seat, putting not much on his plate.
Atem nodded. Upon seeing Bakura come down, Atem just kept eating. Yugi sniffed, face scrunched. He looked at Bakura. "That's why Marik is upset?" He smelled the weird mixture of Bakura and Dartz...he had dubbed it Bartz.
"Yeah," he sighed, staring into his mug of coffee, absently mixing in what he needed to make it good enough to drink.
"Did you do it on purpose?" Yugi growled, trying to temper his anger.
"No, of course not," he growled back at him.
Yugi sat back, somewhat mollified. He was worried about Marik. Now he understood better. Going pale, he understood completely. Looking at Bakura, he uttered, "You're carrying his half brother."
"Yeah," he sighed, glowering into his coffee as he wasn't really happy about this and he didn't know if he really wanted to go back to see the son of a bitch although right now he didn't want to since he needed to try patching things up with Marik.
Yugi slid off of Yami's lap and walked over to Bakura. Frowning, he looked at Bakura. "You know Dartz got Marik pregnant as well, right? Marik got to within a week of delivering the little girl, and Dartz beat him so badly he lost her."
Yugi's tone was not accusatory, more just informational. He felt Bakura needed to hear this.
Bakura frowned, "I see. Thanks for telling me this.'
Yugi looked up. "Marik had to birth the baby...she was stillborn, never even cried. Dartz wouldn't let him hold her...wouldn't even let him bury her. Marik was never the same after that. He loved the baby...he had gotten her some clothes, and named her Lily. He was sold into slavery right after that. "
Bakura fumed. He got up, going to go look for Marik. He had a plan forming and he needed to ask Marik something.
Marik was sitting in front of a baby clothes store, looking at the display, face impassive.
"Hey phoenix," Bakura breathed in his ear. "Want to kill Dartz with me? It'll be fun."
Marik blinked, jumping up. Turning around to face at Bakura, his face was confused. "What?"
"You heard me," he said simply.
Marik looked at him in confusion. "Wait...first you want to fuck him, now you want to kill him?" He rubbed his head, feeling a headache coming on. "Patricide is not my cup of tea, but I believe he deserves it."
"I didn't want to fuck him in the first place," he told him smoothly. "It was a one time thing to ensure you got your memory back and Yugi didn't die."
Marik looked up. "He's evil." Unconsciously, he rubbed his stomach. Face hardening, he looked to Bakura. "Yes. I want to help you."
"Yugi told me about her," Bakura said softly. "If it's a girl do you want to name her Lilly?"
Marik looked down, tears falling at the name. "No. The idea is sweet, but my Lily is waiting in the afterlife for me. Thank you for the thought though." He smiled sadly, flinging his arms around Bakura's neck and hugging him tightly.
"You're welcome," he said softly, holding Marik tightly in his embrace.
"What do we need to do?" He looked up at Bakura.
"Planning is in order first," he said, glancing around. "Perhaps back at the home. It's not safe out here."
Marik nodded, following Bakura home. He tentatively took Bakura's hand.
Bakura held him gently, but firmly as he took him inside.
Everyone had cleared out. Yugi was doing dishes since Atem made breakfast. He was humming, and didn't pay attention to who came in.
Bakura took Marik upstairs. He decided getting some privacy to hash things out would be a good idea.
Marik sat on the bed, looking up at Bakura.
"Any ideas?" he asked, still pleased he managed to get Marik back to his normal self.
Marik shrugged. "I don't know. I've never killed people." He stated quietly.
He fiddled with the blanket.
"Oh, there are many ways to kill someone," Bakura smirked, a glint of mischief in his twin coals. "Depends on which way you want him to go to hell."
"The most painful way possible." Marik said with certainty. "He's put me through hell over and over again. And..." he looked down, ashamed, "he almost cost me the love of my life." He started playing with the blanket again.
Bakura smirked, snapping his fingers, he summoned a powerful shadow monster, "Go kill Dartz for me. Don't care how it's done. Don't return until the job is finished. Make sure it's as painful as possible."
The monster left. Bakura stepped over, scooping his lover into his arms.
Marik held him tightly. "I'm so sorry, 'Kura. I'm sorry I hurt you."
"It's ok. I've dealt with worse things," he murmured quietly, holding him on the bed.
Marik just held him tightly. "I'm not leaving you, ever."
"Good, same with you," he said softly.
Marik just clung to him for dear life until he fell asleep again.
Bakura yawned, not wanting to fall asleep so he dozed.
\/\/\/
"Come on puppy, I do believe that this has been settled." Seto noted the shadow demon leaving, so he tugged on the leash.
"I'm not a puppy," he grumbled, following Seto's tugs.
"Fine, Mutt." Seto dragged Jonouchi back to his house.
He just let Seto drag him. He glared daggers at the brute.
Once back at the house, Seto looked at Jonouchi. "So...did you need to rest? I have plans for you." Seto looked bored.
"No, not really," he muttered. "What plans?"
Seto smirked. "I guess I am trying to decide if you need to be broken or not."
Jonouchi glared at him, "Go to hell."
"Already there. I'm a demon, remember?"
"Yeah, I know," he scowled.
Seto smirked. This dog was a spitfire. Jerking on the leash, he walked him over to the couch. "Sit." he commanded
Jonouchi sat. He wasn't sure what type of plans Seto had for him. He just remained wary.
"Stand." He said.
Jonouchi hesitantly stood up.
"Roll over." Seto was enjoying this.
Jonouchi rolled over for him, "What are you up to?"
"Play dead." Seto was just staring at him, smirking.
Jonouchi was confused, but just did as he was told, playing dead.
Seto jerked on his leash. "You're really sad, you know? Not even fighting this." Seto looked bored.
"Well, what the fuck do you want me to do?" he growled.
Seto just clucked his tongue. "You started out as such a spitfire. Now you are just behaving like a beat dog. I guess you really are a dog."
Jonouchi rolled his eyes, "Whatever, still hate you."
Seto smirked. "That's okay. Everyone does." His eyes hid the sadness he truly felt. He was terribly lonely, but no one ever wanted to get close to him.
"If you didn't have a nine inch pole shoved up your ass then maybe I would like you. But I'm just a slave. I know nothing," he spat angrily.
Seto smirked. Taking Jonouchi to Seto's bedroom, he took him in, locking the door. "Sleep by the fire." Seto slipped down to boxers and crawled into his bed, back to Jonouchi. He wouldn't tell Jonouchi what he was doing, he couldn't...he couldn't deal with the rejection he feared. How could he tell this man that he had been watching Jonouchi since Jonouchi was a child, protecting him as best he could, while letting him toughen up. Hell, the only reason he "enslaved" him was because he knew that Otchero was coming after Jonouchi to kill him.
Jonouchi sighed, lying down on his side on the floor. He didn't get much sleep.
Seto didn't sleep. Early morning, there was a knock on the door. Seto got up, slipping on pants. Grabbing Jonouchi's leash, he led him downstairs, opening the door. A slight man stood there. "It's done."
Seto nodded, a lump forming in his throat. Shutting the door, he turned to Jo.
"What?" he barked, uncertain of what was going on.
Unlocking the chains, Seto turned away. "You're free." Jonouchi felt a sting on his arm, a dark blue S with a light blue slash through it. Seto trudged back upstairs.
Jonouchi stood there, shocked. He was so confused. Why was he let free?
Seto went, laying down in his bed. He allowed himself the luxury of a couple tears to fall from his eyes. He had played his part well. He was an ass, he kept being an ass, that way he didn't have to worry about rejection that couldn't happen.
Jonouchi didn't know where to go. He just padded back upstairs, lying by the fire.
Seto stiffened. "I told you you were free. You can leave."
"Got nowhere to go," he said simply. "Besides...while you are an ass I do kind of like you."
"Really?" He laughed a sharp, humorless laugh. "That's really funny, since you told me you hate me last night." He kept his back to Jo.
"Oh, I still do, just not as much," he said casually, getting warm by the fire.
Seto kept his back to Jonouchi. Well, nothing in his life was ever easy. Standing, he walked over to Jonouchi. Keeping his eyes cold, he looked at Jonouchi. "I freed you. That means you need to leave."
"I have nowhere to go so I'm not," he said, being a stubborn mutt.
Seto got pissed. He couldn't take it. He couldn't keep Jonouchi with him knowing that Jonouchi would never be with him. He grabbed Jonouchi's arm, pulling him up. "Get out." His voice choked.
"No," he jerked his arm away, flopping back onto his side, his back to Seto.
Seto glared. Coming behind Jonouchi, he picked him up, carrying him down the stairs. Seto was stubborn and strong.
"I'm not leaving," he grumbled.
"You couldn't fucking wait to leave before, now you won't leave. Get. Out. Before I make you get out." Seto snarled.
"Fine," he said, his gaze guarded to not show the sadness, getting out of Seto's embrace, wondering if Seto knew he was pregnant with a kid, being told it would toughen him up to be a dad.
"Goo..." Seto had started to turn around, then stopped. Turning back around, Seto's eyes widened. He looked at Jonouchi. He sniffed. "You're pregnant?" White hot rage blossomed inside him that someone had touched what was his...before reminding himself that Jonouchi wasn't "his".
"Yeah," Jonouchi looked away, a few tears falling down his face. "I'll just go."
"Wait." Seto gently grabbed Jonouchi's arm. "Can you stay with the father?" There was no way he was going to let Jonouchi sleep on the streets pregnant.
"No, it's the guy that's trying to kill me," he muttered, looking down.
Seto's face paled. "Oh, shit. I... He's dead. Just...shit, I feel torn...just...stay here."
"Ok," Jonouchi chewed on his bottom lip, nervous as he wasn't sure this was the best idea, but he didn't have any other options.
Seto took him to a guest bedroom. Looking at Jonouchi, he asked, "Was it consensual?"
"No," he looked down, ashamed as he wasn't tough enough to stop that from happening to him.
Seto lifted Jonouchi's chin, so those honey eyes were looking at him. "Don't ever be ashamed. It's not your fault." Seto swallowed hard. "I...I'm sorry I failed you."
"You haven't. It was my fault," he murmured, confused at what he felt for this strange man.
"No. It was mine." Bowing his head, he knew that Jonouchi would hate him now. It would hurt more. But Jo needed to know. "I have been watching over you, protecting you...but I could not protect you from this. I am sorry." A tear slipped out of Seto's eye as he bowed his head.
Jonouchi pushed his head back up. He wiped Seto's tears away. He guessed his hatred had waned away over the time he's spent with Seto. He's not sure what exactly he feels.
"It's ok," he said, wrapping his arms around him.
"I don't expect you to like me. I understand that. But this is your home now." Seto stood somewhat rigidly awkward.
"Thanks," he just needed to be close to someone right now, feeling vulnerable and he didn't like it.
Seto wrapped his arms around Jonouchi, taking in his scent, eyes sliding closed. He wouldn't get to do this again, so he would indulge this one time.
"Seto, I'm not sure what I feel about you now and I'm a little scared," he said quietly, struggling to admit this to him.
Seto jerked away, quickly. "Sorry." He mumbled, quickly excusing himself.
Jonouchi just curled on the bed, finally crying for once in his life. He's two months pregnant. His emotions are all over the place. He didn't want to do this alone. He needed to figure things out, first things first he needed to sort out what he truly felt for Seto.