Winding Road

***

 

With a stifled curse Jou tugged the sticky goop through the lock of hair. This stuff really hurt. Why people did it every day was beyond him. If he didn’t want to see Seto’s face when he arrived back from china to find a set of rainbow spikes adorning his lover’s head, he would throw the gel-dye away. But just the thought of Seto’s normally stoic expression fading into a jaw-dropped look was enough to keep Jou going.

 

Combing the purple stuff into a perfectly upright position, he used glove covered fingers to form the spike and hold it while it firmed and dried. Then all he’d have left was the neon yellow to apply to the sides and it would be perfect. Okay so not perfect, but it looked good, and this was only practice.

 

“Hey Dad, hurry up! Marik and Malik are here and they want to leave.” Vic called out, prodding him impatiently.

 

“Already? They aren’t due for another...” A quick look at the clock and he sighed. It had taken him almost an hour. “Never mind. I’ll be right down.” The spike was firm enough. With a few quick sprays of the ‘screaming yellow’ he peeled off his gloves and rushed out of the bathroom.

 

Marik saw him first. “Fuck man. That’s incredible.”

 

Vic was bouncing around, laughing at his dad’s spiked look.“Dad, Dad, you look like one of those guys from back home... one of the skater punks. You look great!”

 

“Thanks. I think.” Jou said dryly.

 

“Seto is going to flip.” Vic went on. “He loves your hair blond. He told me it was the most beautiful thing to wake up to – even if it smothers him- it makes him hungry for apples. They are his new favorite food.”

 

“Apples?” Jou was caught in that thought. It was so romantic, so unlike anything Seto said to him. “He said that?”

 

“Yep. Gimme a hug Dad. We’re going to go watch a movie and going to dinner. I’m spendin’ th’ night at Marik’s and Malik’s so don’t wait up.”

 

“Well hey, why don’t I come too?” For some reason Jou didn’t want to be alone. Without Vic or Seto this big place would be very empty.

 

“Sorry Jounouchi.” Marik shrugged. “But Vic needs a bit of time away. He’s becoming too clingy and dependent. He needs to... spend time with other people or the transition at school will be hard.

 

“What? But...”

 

“I’m his healer, I know best.” With an implosion of shadows they were gone.

 

“Well fuck.” Mindful of the new ‘do’ he didn’t try to tug at his hair, but he wanted to, so he reached up and grab the back of his neck in agitation.

 

Dinner was quiet and Jou picked at it desultorily. He missed Vic and Seto. Without them he didn’t know what to do. He could work out, but without Seto to spot him it wasn’t going to be fun. He couldn’t swim because it would ruin his hair. Movies were no fun without Seto and Vic. Damn it what did he used to do? He put his mind to it. When he was with Mai he was either racing, preparing for race, at a photo shoot or promo, signing autographed memorabilia, hanging with Vic, or running after Mai’s whims.

 

That brought up another thought. Vic said earlier that him and Mai hadn’t really talked much, that Mai complained and he jumped. With a frown he thought hard. He couldn’t bring to mind a single conversation that hadn’t been that way. Not one, not in the entire ten years of marriage. There must have been, but for the life of him he couldn’t remember one.

 

It was easy to think of a dozen or more conversations with Seto. In fact, he could recall more conversations with Seto in a day than he could ever remember having with Mai. Damn, why hadn’t he ever noticed, first that Seto really was a friend, and that Mai never really was a wife. He’d been her yes-man. It was galling to know that he’d been that way. But even as he thought of it realization dawned. Wasn’t that exactly what was going on now? Oh Seto wasn’t whining or manipulating, but Jou was tailoring himself to meet the needs of Seto. Hell he couldn’t even think of anything to do if Seto and Vic were not around. That was bull shit. He could go out, go see a friend, go see a movie. He could do anything he wanted. Neither Seto nor Vic would grudge him his freedom.

 

Another thought dawned. Marik had said ‘clingy and dependent’ and that could also be applied to him. He’d clung to the normalcy of being needed by Vic, depended on Seto’s strength, instead of using his own. He was an idiot and disgusted with himself. He had fallen into the same role with Seto that he’d taken in his relationship with Mai. The sad part is that he was only just now realizing it. Did Seto know what he’d done? Jou wanted to slap himself for his own stupidity. Of course the brunet genius knew. It was probably why Seto refused to take their relationship further.

 

With a groan he started to pace. Seto had enough yes-men. He didn’t want a lover to agree with everything he said. How many times had Seto challenged him and he’d given way, only to receive a searching look, almost as if Seto were expecting something, only to turn away, not finding it. Jou had caught the look several times and written it off. Now he knew, understood exactly what was going on. Seto enjoyed conflict, fire, sparks. It was what he thrived on. He had enough people relying on him, enough yes-men. He needed... he needed someone to be his equal, not his subject. Hell yes, long live King Seto, but Seto needed someone to stand beside him, not cower in his shadow. Of course Jou was healing, so Seto was cutting him slack, would cut him slack forever if need be, but...

 

But...

 

The realization was the largest. It hit Jou with the resounding crash of a gong. He didn’t hurt any more. He’d thought of his past with Mai and hadn’t been crushed by the pain. He’d felt anger, bitterness, sure. But not the crippling, mind destroying pain of loss. It was done and he’d moved on. At some point the pain had left him. He had something here and now with Seto and Vic that was real and true. His son and a loving friend. The lie he’d lived before was gone; part of him forever scarred but over.

 

Feeling lighter than he had in recent memory Jou decided to do something he hadn’t done in ten years. Picking up the phone he called his best bud in the whole world – Moutou Yugi. If anyone could help him with his hair it would be the starfish-headed, king of games.

 

Atemu and Seto both jumped when the phone beside them shrilled. They’d been caught up in staring at the mess Jou had made of his hair. In the next room they could hear Yugi answer the phone. “Moshi Moshi.”

 

In the viewing globe Jou replied. “Uh hey Yugi, it’s me. I was wonderin’ if yer busy tonight. I’m kid free and wantin’ ta party. Thought we could hit a club. Anzu can probably still dance like a pro.”

 

“Uh hey Jou. It’s great to hear from you. Actually Anzu is resting. Twins are tiring. Atemu has a guest and that leaves me with Genmi. But we can do it tomorrow?”

 

“Oh.” Jou was deflated. “Well okay. Do ya have time ta talk? I gotta tell ya somethin’ – ya mentioned Genmi and it concerns her.”

 

“Always. What’s up? Did she propose to Vic again?”

 

“Nah, but I think she’s gonna have competition soon. His mentor is a cute girl and Vic’s already gotten wood around her. Kinda young but with Marik messin’ with his brain it’s possible something got activated early. Nah, Honda spoke ta me today when Vic was gettin’ his hair cut.”

 

“Oh?” Wary curiosity poked it’s head up. “What did he have to say?”

 

“A lot of bull shit. Basically the reason Otogi went nuts is because Honda was denyin’ their relationship an’ tellin’ everyone he was with Anzu. Anzu didn’t know, but Otogi found out and kicked him to the curb. But that’s not the whole of it. Honda wants to talk to you, to get you to talk to Anzu, about bein’ part of Genmi’s life.”

 

“It’s too late for that. We... we have taken care of the issue. Replaced Honda’s images with ours in Genmi’s memories. It was best for her to think of us as her fathers, and it relieved her pain and feelings of abandonment. It will help her with the other children we have as well. She will be their sister – not half sister. The modifications have been made to the koseki”

 

“Fuck, you did that? How...” But Jou broke off. “Never mind. So ya got that covered. Now gimme some tips about hair gel and colors ‘cause it took me too damn long and it looks like shit.”

 

“Not using the Udjat Jou. What did?”

 

“Huh... I thought... oh well. I have spikes in my hair, colors of the rainbow, with glitter goop on the sides. Thought I’d put yellow gel there too but it’s... well it looks bad. I got colors spotted together from the gloves. Polka dots.”

 

“Use one pair of gloves per color. And use a hair dryer, don’t air dry. Dry upside down so that you aren’t fighting gravity.” Yugi rattled off the instructions by rote. It was common to him.

 

“Gee, thanks. Makes sense.” There was a faint ‘ding’ and Genmi’s voice came “I’ll get it Dads.” Jou blinked at the plural then shrugged. “Ya got company so I’ll let ya go. See ya later Yugi. Thanks again.”

 

Jou put down the phone and sighed. Now what? Then an idea, sneaky and perverted crossed his mind. Movies, arcade and dancing sure, they used to do that. But something else he and Yugi had shared was a love of porn. And given the sex drive of a certain brunet he’d bet there was a stash around somewhere. In fact he had a good idea where to look. He’d caught Seto putting something in a trunk in his closet just a few days before – something that looked remarkably like a DVD. So, he’d just go see what tripped his lover’s trigger – and maybe get a few pointers on how to show Seto exactly how glad he is to have him home. Feeling gleefully naught he hotfooted his way up to their bedroom.

 

***

 

Seto watched Jou practically run up the stairs. “Hmmm. I think I should go home. He practically grew horns, he looked so...” Hot, horny, devilishly sexy despite the disastrous hair.

 

“Deliciously wicked. But no. You need to st –“

 

“Dads! Mom!” Genmi’s sudden shriek made the Udjat wink out of existence as Seto and Atemu bolted from the room. The girl sounded terrified.

 

Genmi was cowering behind Yugi, Anzu wrapping her in protective arms. Honda just inside the door staring in shock. “I... I won’t hurt you honey. It... It’s me. Honda Hiroto, your father. I just wanted to give you a hug. That’s all.”

 

The girl sobbed harder, cringing away. Yugi turned and knelt down to her level, whispering. In a moment the sobbing calmed. Without looking at Seto, Yugi ordered. “Seto take her up to her room and stay with her. If he comes in kill him.” It was the first time Yugi had ever given Seto an order, but as promised Seto knew when to follow - now. He crossed and scooped the girl up. “Hey. Let’s get out of here so your mom and dads can take care of the pervy bastard.” He grinned down at her tears. “Lets talk about you and Vic’s wedding.” Perfect distraction. The tears dried and stars lit her eyes.

 

“Yeah.” She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his broad shoulder as he carried her princess style up to her room.

 

Anzu stepped forward and closed the door. “Come into the parlor. This is not the place for this conversation.”

 

Once in the parlor Anzu sat on the sofa. Yugi and Atemu immediately sat next to her, taking each of her hands. Yugi opened. “Jou called and said you spoke to him today. He told me you might come here. We’d just hung up when you came in. He said you want to be part of Genmi’s life.” Anzu’s breath caught and her body swayed slightly. Instantly two arms wrapped around her, one from each side.

 

“I... yeah. I want to know my daughter.” Honda lowered his head slightly. “If you will allow it.”

 

“You are under a misapprehension Honda.” Atemu said softly. “Genmi is our daughter, not yours. I have taken all steps, legal and otherwise, to make it so. You have no place in her life.”

 

“That’s... you lie.”

 

“Not at all. All documentation is legally filed and stamped. She is our daughter.”

 

“I... but she is mine. I made her. She... she looks like my mom. She even has her dimple.”

 

“Passing coincidence I assure you. And any genetic testing would show the same.” Atemu smiled coldly and allowed his power to show in his eyes. “She is our daughter.”

 

“Damn it I broke up with Otogi to be with her. I... I want my daughter.”

 

“You have no child here. Your personal life is not our issue. You once were a trusted friend. You abused that trust and will never be called friend again. Leave here now and never return, never try to contact us or Genmi. Your life will be forfeit.” This wasn’t Kinnou the lawyer, or even Atemu, the ancient pharaoh. This was the Son of Rah speaking.

 

With eyes swirling crimson fire he sent a blast of dark red energy out to envelop Honda. There was an instant of screaming denial in the tall brunet before the world went dark. When he woke he found himself outside the home he’d shared with Otogi, the one he’d left earlier vowing never to return. Out of habit he went inside. Otogi was all he had left now. Atemu was a power beyond his scope and he was not going to fight. Genmi was protected and safe. He would put that above his own needs. Perhaps he could learn to forgive Otogi and move on. He would have to speak to him now.

 

Otogi was where he’d left him, silent and still, no breath in his body. Beside him on the floor empty bottles of what used to be sleeping pills and whiskey told the sad story. Heart shattered, soul screaming, knowing it was too late, he dialed the emergency number.

 

***

 

Jou, disastrous spikes forgotten, watched Seto’s private collection of movies in stunned awe. He would never have guessed... He was so caught up in what he was watching, discovering that at first he didn’t hear the chime from the guard. The third time it caught his attention. With a distracted “What?” He continued to watch.

 

“Sir, you have a guest at the gates insisting to see you. Says you called them to come.”

 

“What?” Then he remembered the call to Yugi about his hair. Okay so Yugi decided to come visit. Regretfully he paused the movie. “Send ‘em up.” He padded down to meet Yugi. He’d thank his bud and send him packing. He wanted to watch more movies.

 

He was pulled from his distraction by the woman standing in the doorway. “Mai!” He gasped, shocked to his toes.

 

“Jounouchi.” She smiled softly. “I expected a servant to answer the door.”

 

Wary, the back of his neck prickling a warning he stayed frozen in the doorway. “I’m th’ chauffeur. What do you want?”

 

“I... can I come in Jou? I need to talk to you.” When he started to shake his head she pleaded. “Please, it’s about Vic and... and what’s happened.”

 

“I ain’t lettin’ ya in dis house. It ain’t mine an’ I don’t want ya ta spoil it. We can talk out here.”

 

“But it’s cold Jou. Let me in?”

 

“If yer cold ya shoulda worn more than that.” He gestured to the long black silk dress that covered her from chin to ankles. “Though it looks warm enough.” He stepped onto the lit porch and closed the door behind him. “Say what ya came here for an’ then get lost.”

 

“Jou, I... I came to ask you to say a prayer with me, for his soul. I... I’ve spent the last months in rehab and a mental health clinic. I... I’m not cured but I’m better. I know I can never make up for what I did, but I... I want to heal, I want to help you heal. I’ve found a strong faith in god and I need to do a simple prayer. Will you do that with me? Will you say a prayer for Vic’s soul with me? I swear, I will do whatever you ask after that. If you tell me to go and never return I will. But just do this one little thing for me? Say a prayer for the soul of Vic.”

 

“I thought I was already rid of you. Why do ya do shit like this? Ain’t ya hurt me enough?” Jou wanted her gone. There was something weird about her. The black gown should have made her look older, ugly, but somehow it was making her look beyond beautiful. She was emanating sexuality. Jou could feel it pulling at him, tugging his senses, but for some reason he was completely repulsed. There was a part of her that appealed to him but it wasn’t his body, his heart or his mind. It was as if she was tugging at his soul.

 

“Just this one prayer. Please Jou?”

 

“Damn if I do the prayer will you go the hell away? Forever?” His eyes were suddenly caught by a large round stone suspended from a chain between her breasts. It was black, blacker than the dress she wore, blacker than anything he’d ever seen. It gleamed and glowed richly in the light.

 

“If that’s what you want Jou.” She smiled sweetly, and her strange beauty tugged at him again. Without thinking he shifted towards her, the unusual tug inside growing stronger. “Lets go inside where we can do this comfortably.”

 

“Nah, the world is god’s cathedral. Let’s do it out here.”

 

A frown rippled across the beautiful face, for a moment it slipped and Mai looked old, haggard, worn. Then the frown smoothed away and the beauty was back. “All right Jou.” Pathos tinged her voice. “We will say our prayer here.” From a voluminous black bag that seemed to appear from nowhere she pulled out two candles, both pitch black. “Hold this Jou. Wrap both hands around it and clasp it as if in prayer. Kneel down and face me. I’ll do the same and light the candles.” Mai removed her talisman as she knelt and placed it between them. With a reassuring smile she lit the candles with a small lighter. Catching his wide-eyed, ready to bolt look she explained. “It is candlelight to reach him, guide him to safety.”

 

Still distrusting, his danger sensors going off all over the place he nodded slightly, but scooted back. This was too freaky. Mai bowed her head and began to pray. Jou lowered his head slightly but kept his eyes wide open. This was freaky and he was not going to let his guard down for a second. The tug on him was getting worse, he could feel it almost like ropes pulling him towards Mai, dragging him into some weird web that he could only feel, not see.

 

Mai was lost in the ritual. She didn’t see Jou scooting back several yards, she was too intent on calling the one who had the power to make this right. Oblivious to Jou’s horrified, terrified, gaze she took out a small athame and slashed her palm, laying it over the glowing black stone. In an instant the wind howled, black clouds descended from the sky, boiling into a cyclone, as the candles flames flared.

 

Jou was no dummy. He threw the weird candle into the heart of the storm and scrambled to the door. Wind slammed into him, holding him in place even as he reached for the knob.

 

A low laugh, musical and sweet cleared the ringing in his ears and told him the shrieking of the wind had stopped. He glanced up toward the sound and lost his breath. Mai, still holding her candle, stood beside the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Hair so black it seemed to blend with the night, eyes as blue as the ocean, skin that glowed white in the moonlight, and a body that was the embodiment of every male fantasy. He was looking at a god – goddess – there was no doubt in his mind. Humans didn’t come that perfect.

 

“Leaving so soon?” The voice was low and gentle, but Jou felt the lash of power behind it.

 

Shaking off the strange hypnosis caused by the goddess’s beauty he nodded. “Yeah. This ain’t m’scene. Mai wanted ta say a prayer so I agreed. But I ain’t inta callin’ goddesses down ta party with.”

 

“Party? Well it can be a celebration when two souls are merged, which is why my daughter called me here. But the act is not complete.” The goddess smiled, and Jou caught his breath. The perfect woman had fangs. Okay not so perfect after all.

 

“Uh, I dunno about joinin’ souls with nobody. I wasn’t even prayin’. I was just pretendin’ so dat she would get lost for good.”

 

“That’s too bad.” The fanged goddess purred. “But a deal was made, the child she carries in exchange for the binding of your two souls. It was never stated that you had to be willing. Of course it would be less painful.” She paused and smiled again. “For you.”

 

“Damn, more of this soul joining shit. I’m fucking tired of it.” Then it hit Jou. Child she carries. It had been months since Valon had died, over a year since they’d been intimate. “She’s pregnant? By who?”

 

Mai shifted slightly. She hadn’t wanted Jou to know she was almost five weeks pregnant with the child of the priest she’d stolen the amulet from. “Lets get this done.” She said tersely. “I don’t have all day to wait.”

 

“True.” Hard winds yanked Jou away from the door, drawing his resisting body closer to the two women. “Give me your hand, Daughter.” Without hesitation Mai held out her bleeding hand.

 

The wind forced Jou’s hand up, scoring a deep cut across it as it lifted. Blood gushed out to dance on the wind. The goddess called the talisman to her, suspending it between their two upraised hands. “When your hands touch, your souls will be joined for all time. This I will as Goddess of the Dark Storm. Celaeno, Daughter of Gaia, holder of darkness blacker than the night. With the joining I will take the child carried within My Daughter to raise as my own, to birth in blood and raised in darkness.”

 

Jounouchi was struggling against the bonds of wind holding him, shaking his head frantically, even as his hand was forced closer and closer to the stone and Mai’s. “Wait – stop – I don’t want dis. I... I gotta soul mate. What happens to them? Stop...!” He shrieked at the top of his lungs. Amazingly, with less than a hairsbreadth from the stone his hand froze.

 

“You are... sure?” Celaeno asked, her voice thick with consideration. “I’ve never joined a soul already paired. It could be interesting. Threesomes are always fun.”

 

“Yeah I’m sure. According to Atemu, ya know, son of Rah? I’m... uh My soul is half of an Elemental, th’ Soul of Air. I have ta...”

 

Celaeno paled and stepped back. “Elemental? Oh fuck I’m in trouble now.” Light exploded from behind her, and Rah, the sun god himself stepped through a radiant portal.

 

“Celaeno.” He greeted coldly. He didn’t glance at the mortals involved.

 

“I... I can explain. I... I didn’t know.” She scrambled to speak, her words tripping over themselves in her hurry.

 

“Did you bother to look?”

 

“C’mon, what are the odds? There’s only a few of them. How was I to know.”

 

“You are lazy and stupid with your bargains. You should always know who you are dealing with. My son contacted me as soon as you started your attack. I waited until it became obvious that you would destroy the world with your lazy stupidity. Even when he told you he was joined you didn’t look.” He glared at the lesser goddess. “He is free. Don’t bother him ever again or you will face more than what awaits you back home. Gaia is most displeased.”

 

“Mother? She knows?” The beautiful, powerful woman was gone. In her place was a young girl afraid of her mother’s censure.

 

“Yes. She also knows what would have happened had you continued.”

 

“What? I mean besides... a threesome?”

 

“Don’t you ever pay attention to what we teach you? The Soul of Air would have destroyed the world.”

 

“You mean the abandoned half? But why? I mean...”

 

“Not the light half you fool, the dark half would have devoured it in shadows. The grief of the dark half can’t be contained by anything other than its light. You would have trapped him in darkness where the light couldn’t reach him.”

 

“Oh... Oh.” She gulped down hard. She did remember that. “You mean dark can’t exist without light.”

 

“Exactly. Child go see your mother. She has something to discuss with you.”

 

The goddess hesitated, glancing back at Mai. “I... If I am to be punished for fulfilling the request of a Daughter, I demand my payment.”

 

“The child?” Rah nodded thoughtfully. “It is fair to demand recompense but not at the cost of an innocent. Take the one who called you, keep it as your toy for eternity. She has no soul mate, she destroyed him to acquire his power in her last life. She is doomed to forever look for him, because she can feel him, his power inside her, yet not touch him.”

 

“Take her? But what of the innocent child? It will die...”

 

“I will take care of it.” With a nod he ordered. “Go now.”

 

The goddess stepped through the gleaming doorway Rah had left open. The amulet, still suspended in front of Mai, glowed with black luster. Then in a rush the blackness shot out from the orb, wrapping around the blonde like a cocoon. In less time than it took to scream the shadows withdrew and Mai dropped to the ground like a puppet with her strings cut. The talisman shot after it’s mistress through the golden door.

 

“Uh, not ta be rude but...” Jou began only to stop as the ancient God called “Come out!”

 

A transparent, wispy, floating form emerged from the light. It took Jou a few seconds to recognize him. “Otogi? What the fuck...?”

 

The spirit didn’t turn his head, didn’t acknowledge him in any way. He moved to hover over the sprawled body of Mai. Rah addressed the spirit deliberately. “Your punishment for what you did to my son, his soul mate, and his heart mate, is to care for the child within this body. You will become it’s mother, and the mother of any others this body carries. The body is yours until it’s days end. You will never seek to harm it, it’s children, or anyone else. From this moment until the end of your days you will be Kajuki Mai. Otogi Ryugi is dead.” A burst of light and the spirit disappeared, and after a few deep breaths, the blond lying on the ground stirred, sitting up dazedly. “Wha... Where am I?”

 

“Mai?” Jou asked softly. The lashes flickered and green eyes opened wide. “Otogi?”

 

“Jou? What’s going on?” It was Mai’s voice, but the tone, the inflection, were all wrong.

 

“Rise!” The god thundered.

 

Mai-Otogi scrambled to stand, tottering in the high heels before catching his balance. “Rah!”

 

“You have your instructions. Do not fail us.” Without a word he disappeared through the glowing doorway. It vanished in a blink.

 

“Jou?” Again Mai’s voice, but completely different inflections. The nasally accent was gone, in it’s place was a smooth rich alto. “I... I think I’m going to be sick.” Otogi rasped as she bent at the waist and heaving, getting her first taste of morning sickness.

 

Jou stared at the blond in shock. He didn’t know what to do. This wasn’t his problem, neither Mai nor Otogi were his problem. Taking a deep breath he pulled out his Udjat. Only one person would be able to tell him if it was Mai or Otogi, and if they were truly pregnant. Marik’s face appeared immediately in the floating ball. It was obvious he and Malik were home relaxing.

 

“Checking on him?” Marik teased. “He’s upstairs in bed sound asleep.”

 

“Good... great. Uh, Marik I need ya here. Somethin... somethin’s happened an’ I don’t know...”

 

“I’ll be right there.” Even as he said it Marik was disappearing in a burst of shadows, only to reappear a second later right next to him. Otogi looked up from where he was puking and punctuated his feelings for the strange arrival with another gut wrenching heave.

 

“Well...” Marik took in the feel of residual power, God-Power, and his quick eyes found the long black candles. “Who did you summon and what did they do?”

 

“I didn’t!” Jou reached up to tug at his hair only to grab a gel-stiff spike. “Mai showed up askin’ ta say a prayer for Vic’s soul. She promised ta go away for good if I did. So she lit the candles and we knelt ta pray. But Mai got freaky. She cut her hand an’ laid it on this weird black rock. Goddess Celaeno sorta came outta nowhere an’ was gonna make my soul bound to Mai’s. I was fightin’ it like crazy and I just yelled out that I was bonded, and then she was gonna do it anyway thinkin’ a threesome was okay so I kinda told her that elemental shit you guys told me. That made her really stop. Then Rah came through this big glowin’ gate and yelled at Celaeno, made her go home. Ta punish Mai he took Mai’s soul an’ gave it ta Celaeno, an’... an’ then Otogi, lookin’ like a cloud came out and went inta Mai. I... Is it true? Is Mai gone? Is Otogi in her body? What about his own body? What the fuck is goin’ on? An’ is she really pregnant? Fucking hell... My brain’s gonna explode.”

 

“Rah was here? And he brought Otogi’s spirit with him? Put it in Mai’s body after giving hers to the Harpy Goddess?”

 

“Yeah, yeah I guess. But I dunno. Can you look? I mean...”

 

“I will look. But we were just watching the news. Otogi Ryugi was found by Honda Hiroto in their home this evening, dead of an alcohol and pill overdose.” Marik stepped close to the heaving blond and laid a gentle hand on her head.

 

“Fuck! No way!” He watched in disbelief as the healer worked his magic on the blonde.

 

“It’s true.” Otogi, from inside Mai’s body, confirmed, standing straight thanks to the help from Marik. “Honda left me for... Honda left me. I wanted to sleep so I took some sleeping pills. I washed them down with a whiskey chaser. When I didn’t fall asleep right away I downed both bottles. I remember the world going dark and then standing in a huge hallway. I was there for what seems like days, I didn’t know where I was or what was going on, then Rah stepped out of a door and told me that I’d hurt several people dear to him and that my punishment would be severe, the most severe known to any man. Then he brought me here. I... I’m not sure what he meant about punishment though.”

 

Marik caught his breath as realization dawned. “You ever heard of childbirth? Of rearing a child? And this child... is not an ordinary child.” Marik turned to Jou, “What do you know of the father?”

 

“I... Mai said something about him being a priest and she stole the stone from him.”

 

“The talisman to summon a god is very powerful and heavily guarded. The guard himself is often the Avatar of a god. To get it away from him she had to kill him.”

 

“Avatar? What does that mean?” Jou wasn’t following, but then this magic shit was too confusing. He didn’t doubt Mai had killed the priest.

 

“A physical vessel for the god. The child she carries is a Demi-god. Because the stone summoned Celaeno, then it may very well have been Pontus himself, the first and oldest god of the sea.”

 

“Huh?” Jou was now more lost than ever.

 

“Celaeno is his daughter and his niece. The Harpy Goddesses are born of incest. He is a good father, protecting his daughters from the anger of the other gods as well as human summons. I will say no more as it angers the gods.” Marik turned to the woman standing next to him. “Otogi, do you understand the full import of what I’m saying? You are a mortal woman now, subject to everything a mortal woman feels, but you will be responsible for a demi-god, possibly a Proteus-originated demi-god. Some are born more powerful than full gods.”

 

“Proteus...”

 

“The originator gods – the first – the beginning. Pontus, Erebus or perhaps Gaia.” Marik sighed. “Otogi, you have to speak to Honda. He’s going out of his mind. He was on television, crying hysterically, refusing to leave your old body.” He held out his hand “I’ll take you to Bakura’s and Ryou’s and then bring him to you. You will need his help.” He nodded to Jou “Call Seto will you? He’ll probably be missing you about now.” In an implosion of shadows, they were gone.

 

With a growl Jou stomped into the house. Fucking Mai and Otogi. Ruining his night. He was going to wash his hair and get comfortable. He had movies to watch. Besides, he wanted to talk to Seto, tell him he’d been right years ago. This magic crap was messed up. He’d do what he had to, but he was done with people trying to own his soul.

 

***

 Thank you all so much and I hope you all had a merry Christmas.