Child Of Destiny And Darkness

Disclaimer Note: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! at all! Sorry!

A/N: Thanks to Yami Sango for her rev! No! Now, on with the story!

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Chapter 4: Kickball Follies

SLAM, CRASH!

"What in the name of Ra?" Shadi asked looking up from some of his paperwork. He stood up and walked in the main living area of his home to find his five-year-old daughter Laya playing in the sacred room again. He frowned deeply and sighed shaking his head. "This is when locks come in," he said seriously and lifted her in his arms. She glanced at him through her emerald eyes and frowned. "What did I do, Father?" she protested. "Something I said never to do at least five times a day," he said and plunked her down in a chair. "Sit there and don't move, understand?" She sighed and nodded.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

Laya bolted from her chair and ran to it. She was known to be more of a troublemaker than anything and was very hyperactive. Shadi figured it was a phase she was going through and didn't say much on the subject even to his superiors. Hell, those fools looked at her like she was the reincarnate of a demon. He frowned and shook his head as he walked to the door. "Laya, come here," he said and lifted her in his arms as he opened the door. "Well, this is a surprise!" he chuckled. Yami smiled and embraced his old friend. "My pharaoh," Shadi said and bowed. "So dis is Shadi?" Joey asked frowning. "Little freaky lookin' if you ask me." Kaiba shoved his elbow in Joey's ribs and frowned. "Find your manners," he hissed. "Sorry," Joey said wincing.

"Come in, everyone," Shadi said. "Forgive the mess." "Oh please," Bakura chuckled. "You should see our house." Ryou nodded seriously. "Toys, papers, books...you name it, it's probably on the floor," he s Mar Marik and Malik gave each other a nervous look suddenly. "I think we'll shut up now," Marik said. Kali was sleeping on Yugi's shoulder and Shadi chuckled. "It was a pretty good walk from Cairo," he said. "You can lay her on the couch for now." Yugi nodded and eased Kali gently and put Tomb Robber around her arm as she slept.

"Ryou, the last I heard of this girl, she was just a baby," Shadi said. "Now she's almost six and looks just like you." "She acts more likeura,ura," Ryou said seriously. Laya looked at Kali and poked her a moment before trying to look at the stuffed cat when Kali automatically woke up and snatched him bac"Min"Mine," she said narrowing her eyes angrily and ran to Bakura holding Tomb Robber close while hiding her head in his lap. "I see what you mean," Shadi sighed. "Laya acts more like she dominates things than actually obeys rules. I'm going to be getting firm with her to see if she'll understand what's wrong and what's right." Bakura nodded. "We had to do that with Kali when she was four and she shaped up pretty damn fast," he said lifting her in his arms. She rested her head in his chest glaring at Laya. Laya glared back and stuck her tongue out at Kali.

"Oh please, grow up," Kali growled suddenly her hair standing on end like Bakura's once did many years ago. Shadi chuckled at the scene. "Laya, leave Kali alone!" he said sternly. "She's already mad at you for trying to take her toy without asking." Laya sighed and nodded walking to her own toys and began playing. "Why don't you go play with her?" Bakura asked. e loe looks lonely." Kali shook her head. "She's mean," she said seriously. "I don't play with mean kids." "I guess she told you," Tristan chuckled. "Yeah, I noticed," Bakura said and rolled his chocolate brown eyes. Laya looked at them and sighed heavily as she continued playing alone. Kali watched her a moment and sighed since she was having second thoughts. She slid off Bakura's lap and walked to her. Bakura noticed Tomb Robber was now in his protection and he put it in Kali's bag.

"Whatcha doing?" Kali asked. Laya snorted. "None of your business," she said. Kali frownedt igt ignored the smart remark as she studied the toys looking a bit confused. She picked up a doll and studied it. "That's mine!" Laya shouted snatching it from her. Kali still remained calm and sat down in front of Laya. "Um, I know this ain't my place, but why do you act so mean to your daddy?" she asked suddenly. "He's only trying to help you because he s yos you." Laya looked at her a moment. "How did you get two daddies?" she asked. Kali sighed shrugging. "I don't know," she said. "That's weird," Laya said and Kali giggled. "I know," she said. Laya smiled. "Wanna play with me?" she asked. Kali grinned and nodded.

Shadi, Ryou, and Bakura looked at each other in shock. "Well, at least they resolved things peacefully," Shadi said seriously. "That's Kali," Yami said. "She sees anyone fight, she wants to be a little peacemaker." Shadi nodded and sat down watching the kids play a little. "What's your name?" Kali asked. "Laya," the raven haired girl said. "I'm Kali," the white haired girl said smiling. "I heard one of your daddies call you that," Laya said smiling. "Can you play kickball?" Kali nodded. "Father, can we play kickball?" Laya asked. "If someone goes outside with you," Shadi said seriously. "Same with you, Kali," Ryou said sternly. "I'll go," Joey said. "Me too!" Marik and Malik shouted together. Duke and Tristan raised their hands as well. "C'mon, ladies," Joey said and they walked outside. Duke lifted Kali in his arms again and Tristan lifted Laya. "I'm Tristan," he said. "You look funny with that spike in your hair," she said. Tristan looked at Duke then. Duke cracked up laughing.

"We're still uneven," Marik said seriously. "Not anymore," Kaiba said walking to the group. "Four on each team." Laya gri nod nodding. "Kali and Laya are team captains," Duke said seriously. The two girls stared at each other in confusion. "It means you get to pick who you want on your team," Kaiba explained. "Oh," they said together. "Kali, you choose first," Laya said. Kali nodded. "Uncle Marik," she said. The hikari grinned and ran to her side. "Joey," Laya said. Joey walked to Laya sticking his tongue out at Marik. "Um, Uncle Kaiba?" Kali asked. Kaiba chuckled then. "Malik," Laya said. "You guys are so dead," Malik chuckled giving his hikari an evil grin. "That leaves Tristan and Duke," Laya said. The girls nodded. "Uncle Duke," Kali said and Tristan trotted to his side and the game began.

Yami, Yugi, Shadi, Ryou, and Bakura sat nearby watching. Kaiba became pitcher for his team and rolled the ball to Tristan. Malik was on one base and Joey on third. Tristan kicked the ball hard and Marik ran to catch it and fell to the ground holding the ball in his arms. "Oh come on, guys!" Yami shouted laughing. "They're creaming your asses!" That was the third out and the groups changed positions. Joey noticed Kali was the first to go and moved forward a little. She watched the ball and kicked it hard. She tore off running to first base and slid between Tristan's legs to get there. "Go Kali!" Bakura shouted laughing at the sight. Yugi had his camcorder taping the entire thing. Marik was next and he kicked a home run of sorts since the ball had to be replaced after landing in the bushes. Kaiba was next and looked at Joey. "Bring it on, mutt," he said. "Oh, I'll bring it on all right," Joey said and Kaiba kicked it far as well laughing when Malik caught it. "Gotcha!" Joey laughed. Kaiba muttered about Joey sleeping on the couch that night.

Duke frowned and kicked it hard, but Tristan managed to snag that one and left Duke muttering the same thing. Kali was next again and she kicked it hard enough to hit Joey in the face and make it to first at the same time. Joey rubbed his chin and shook off the dazed feeling he had. Marik's next kick got caught and the group changed again. "Payback time, mutt," Kaiba said seriously. "Bring it on, moneybags!" Joey taunted. He kicked the ball and Kaiba took a flying leap and caught it. Kali stared at Kaiba in shock. "Wow!" she said blinking. Laya was next and she was about like Kali when it came to the game. Later that afternoon, the game ended and it was a tie score. "There's only one way to break this," Duke said. "We chose one player and they kick the ball. Whoever goes further wins." Kaiba nodded. "Marik's our best kicker, so he'll go," he said. "We chose Tristan," Malik said. Marik went first with his ball and kicked it pretty far. Tristan was next and Kaiba and Malik ran to check to see the distance. "WE WON!" Kaiba shouted. Marik grinned and tossed his blond hair over his shoulder. "And they say darkness powers over light?" he asked snorting. "I don't think so." Kali grinned and hugged him. She also hugged Laya as the good sport she was.

Later, Laya and Kali were eating ice cream and giggling together while the adults were getting ready to go. "We're planning to check out the sights while we're around," Kaiba said seriously. "Yugi's ready to throw a fit if he doesn't." Shadi chuckled. "You have my permission in the temples and everything as well," he said. "You're my honored guests and I know you guys wouldn't hurt anything." They grinned and nodded. "Kali, you about done?" Ryou asked. She shook her head and grabbed Tomb Robber from her bag and walked to Laya. "I can get another one," she said. "His name's Tomb Robber like my daddy once was. I know you'll take care of him." Laya took the stuffed cat in her arms and smiled. "Thank you," she said and hugged Kali close. "I hope to see you again soon." Kali grinned. "I hope to see you again soon too," she said and Joey lifted her in his arms. "Bye!" she shouted as he put her on his shoulders.

That night at the hotel after a bath, Bakura got Kali dressed and they walked in the bedroom to find Ryou reading in the bed. "I'm very proud of you, sweetheart," he said lifting her in his arms. "You made Laya very happy." She grinned and nodded. He kissed her cheek gently. "You ready to go to bed?" he asked. She nodded and Bakura slid in beside them smiling. "I'm proud of you too, baby," he said. "Thank you," Kali said happily. They kissed her cheeks and smiled as they went to bed together.

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To Be Continued...