Chibi-Malik:....

WSJ: *chuckles* Okay, here's the scoop. For the last year I've been writing almost constantly on my Tales of the Child of Fate, punctored only here and there by song-fics, one-shots, and the occational chapter of Void Behind My Eyes. I think, for now, I'm just entirely wiped out on telepaths and mortal yamis. ^^ Don't get me wrong, there's no way I've giving my Tales up, but for now I'm putting them on the back burner to work on this. Sometimes a change is necessary.

Chibi-Malik: ^o^

WSJ: *whacks him gently on the back of the head* Quiet you. ^~ Anyway, chapter 8 of HSH will eventually get done, I swear. But is it my fault the muses keep telling me to work on this? ^-^

Nope, this isn't connected to my Tales in any way. ^~ For one thing, there's just a few major age differences that don't exist in my Tales...

*blancs at Indigo-san's review* Isis as Malik's mother?! *twitch* Noooo... *glances over chapter 3* What Isis said was she remembered when her mother was pregnant with Malik. Nope, they're sibs and nothing more. *^^* Really all I changed about the Ishtars' past was the age difference between Isis and Malik, the fact that Malik's mother didn't die in childbirth, and the reason for Mr Ishtar's obsession with tradition. *^^* And no back carvings. That is always good. :p

Disclaimer: Own none of it.

Vocabulary:
urusai - Japanese - literally 'shut up'
sitt - Arabic - lady

()()()()()

Hot Sands, Warm Arms

Chapter 4 -- Camel Spit and Fountains

The rest of the evening was pretty uneventful, at least compared to Malik's little streak show. Angeline and Isis took him up stairs and dumped him back into the bathtub, where the water had become quite cold. After the first shock wore off, Malik began to bawl.

"Just a moment Malik, be patient..." Isis muttered as she turned the tap, letting hot water into the tub. Malik's cries were reduced to sniffles, and the two women set about re-scrubbing him. Only one other incident is of note. Malik somehow managed to yawn just as Angeline was pouring a bucket of water over his head.

"He must be tired," Angeline commented as Malik rubbed at his eyes. "I suppose that merry chase around the hotel he led Croquet on tired him out."

Isis nodded as she pulled her brother out of the water and began to dry him off. He was almost limp, and his eyes kept drifting closed. "Are you ready for bed Malik?"

Malik nodded and yawned again, leaning his head, damp hair and all, against Isis's shoulder. Chuckling they took him to bed, and then sat talking until everyone else came upstairs.

The next morning at around ten o'clock everyone gathered in the lobby with their luggage. Many of the Egyptian locals stopped to look at them curiously, and one or two who'd met the Bakuras or Sugoroku or Arthur before stopped to talk with them. Another family, who was getting ready to leave at the same time, had a little boy about five, and two little girls about seven and two, respectively. It was the little boy who approached Malik first, but soon enough all four of the children were tearing around the lobby in a hearty game of tag.

"It's a circus..." Pegasus murmered in English, sweatdropping a little. Then he raised his voice in Japanese. "Let's get a move on! We only have an hour to catch the train!"

The train ride to Luxor would take about an hour and a half, and from there they had to hire a boat to take them across the Nile to the fabled West Bank, where they would pitch their tents just south of the Valley of the Kings. Sugoroku and Arthur had worked there once, a long time ago, and were looking forward to going back.

After almost forty-five minutes more of yelling orders, Pegasus managed to get everyone to the station, just as the train pulled in. Cynthia was laughing silently at him as everyone began to haul their luggage on board. Angeline got away with only carrying Malik, but that was expected. "Don't yell yourself hoarse," Cynthia cautioned him, her eyes sparkling. "If you must bellow let Rashiid do the bellowing for you."

Pegasus smiled sheepishly at his wife as they took seats together near the front of the car. "I can't bellow well enough for you my dear?"

"No, you can't bellow at all." Cynthia said, though she grinned at him. "Your voice is too high. You don't bellow, you squeak."

Several rows back Shen sat down next to Shaadi as Angeline and Isis chattered away as women do behind them. "So," Shen said after a moment of contemplative silence. "Angel told me that you took in the Ishtars after they had to leave home. That was very noble of you."

Shaadi shook his head, a small, enigmatic smile on his face. "No, it was no noble act, it was an honor. I knew my friends were in need and that I, with my large house, could meet that need. I would have been shamed if I had not taken them in. Rashiid has always been a good friend, and Malik is a joy to have in my - our - house."

"Isis too?" Shen asked, amused at the turbaned Egyptian's exclusion.

Shaadi's lips moved for a moment as if going over what to say before he said carefully "Yes, of course Isis too. Where once my house was silent, now there is a child's laughter and the touch only a woman can give. I am glad they decided to stay, although Malik can be quite trying over long periods of time."

Shen laughed out loud at the enigmatic man's admission, but it was cut short by a loud hiss from behind them. "Malik! Get down from there this instant!"

Shaadi and Shen looked up. Literally. Malik was sitting quite happily on top of the netting near the ceiling where luggage was supposed to be placed. No telling how he had gotten up there, but there he sat, his bare feet (having been rid of shoes at first possible convienience) dangling over the side. When he observed everyone looking at him, he smiled cutely and waved. "Hewwo."

"Malik..." Isis was working hard to control her temper. "Come down right now!"

"Yes Malik," Rashiid added his two cents. "It could be dangerous. Come down before you get hurt."

Malik let out a high-pitched giggle and shook his head, sending his light-blond hair tumbling around his shoulders. "No!"

Without warning the train put on its breaks with a squeal, sending everyone tumbling forward. Including Malik. Isis's face changed from angry to horrified in an instant as she observed her dear little brother attempting to fly like Horus. "Malik!!"

"I've got him!" Jumping out of his seat and vaulting over Cynthia with all the grace of a trained dancer, Pegasus jogged backward down the isle, his arms stretched over his head. The entire collective of archaeologists and passengers alike held their breath until Malik landed neatly on Pegasus's head, sending them both tumbling to the ground, dusty but unhurt.

Seeing that her brother was no longer in danger, Isis went back to being angry. "MALIK!"

Contrary to what most would do, Malik just giggled. He was still sitting on top of Pegasus, who was on his back on the floor. Well, now he'd raised himself onto his elbows, his long silver hair trailing on the floor. "Are you okay Malik?"

The little Egyptian nodded happily and threw his arms around the millionaire's neck, giving him a sloppy six year old kiss on the cheek. "Wuv you!" he announced cheerily before getting up to run off and get into some other form of mischief.

(@_@;; Now that I think of it, he is starting to remind me of Ramses... :p Non-Peters-sama fans ignore that.)

Cynthia was laughing when Pegasus finished dusting himself off and plopped back into his seat. "That was so cute!" she gushed. "Absolutely adorable!"

Pegasus blushed as he smoothed his hair back, deftly tying it into a thick braid down his back. "I'm - er - sure it was..." he murmered.

Still giggling to herself, Cynthia went back to talk with Angeline and Isis, the latter of which had just finished giving Malik a stern lecture that had had no visible effect on the boy. The absence of Cynthia allowed Shen, Sugoroku, and Arthur to pounce.

"That was so cute!" Shen cooed, mimicking Cynthia.

"Urusai..." Pegasus muttered, still blushing a little. The men snickered, but backed off.

Fortunately nothing else of great consequence happened for the rest of the train ride. The archaeologists disembarked, luggage and chibi hauled with them. "Ah Thebes..." Arthur mused, using the ancient name for the modern city. "Been awhile, hasn't it Sugoroku?"

Sugoroku nodded and chuckled, adjusting the strap of his bag over one shoulder. "It has. I wonder if old Abdullah is still in business?"

They continued to discuss old aquaintences while Pegasus, Shaadi, and Shen held a quick conference. Finally they broke out of their loose huddle and Pegasus whistled for attention. Everyone stopped to look at him except Malik, who was cheerily running around and getting dusty. "We've decided," Pegasus said, motioning to himself and the other two, "That it would be worthless to try and get across the river, out to the site and set up camp tonight. Shaadi has kindly offered for all of us to stay in his and the Ishtars' house until tomorrow, when we finally will get to go out to the dig." Everyone agreed happily with this plan, and Rashiid left on some mysterious errand for Shaadi.

"Now where's..." Isis didn't even have to complete her question, as she spied her little brother some distance away. A flock of sheep had strayed across the railroad tracks, preventing the train from leaving. The shepherd of the errant flock and several officials were attempting to drive the flock away, and Malik was happily bouncing in and about among the sheep and generally terrifying them wool-less. "MALIK!"

Malik stopped and looked around, but due to his short stature couldn't see above the curly, baying forms of the sheep. Unhesitantly he grabbed a handful of wool and leaped on top of a sheep, then waved at Isis, a large smile on his tanned face. The shepherd frowned at the little boy and began shouting at him in Arabic, waving his staff around in a generally threatening way. Isis bristled and then rolled up her sleeves, stomping over and wading among the sheep. She plucked her brother off the back of the sheep and tucked him under one arm, dispite his squirming. She then promptly got into a fierce shouting match in Arabic with the disgruntled shepherd.

"Goodness..." Angeline muttered, blinking in surprise. "I didn't know Isis knew language like that..."

The shouting continued for several moments until Isis finally threw up the hand that wasn't holding Malik. She rattled off something exhasperated-sounding and then spun on one heel, making her way back toward the group. Malik was still under her arm, giggling and waving his arms. "'Sissy din't have ta' yeww at him! But it sure was funny!" He started giggling again and Isis sighed gustily.

"Malik, don't make me put you on a leash again..."

Thankfully Isis didn't have to make do on her threat, because at that moment Rashiid returned with several donkeys and a camel in tow, as well as two men nearly as tall as him in traditional Islamic garb, turbans and all. He and Shaadi conversed for a moment, and then Rashiid turned to the group in general. "This is Karim and Najíb, good friends of mine and Shaadi's. They will help us with our luggage, and help us tomorrow morning to get to the site as well. Karim has agreed to take us across the river in his boat. Unfortunately, neither speaks English, only Arabic." When he motioned to them, both men bowed respectfully.

Karim was the shorter and stouter of the two, with darker skin and a beard that was liberally speckled with grey. His eyes were blue, and they sparkled with a warmth and mischeif that defied even Malik's. Speaking of the boy, he laughed happily at the appearence of the two men, and Isis let him down from his arms. Running to them with a joyous shout in Arabic, Malik allowed himself to be swept up into Najíb's waiting arms.

Najíb was taller then Karim, and more muscular, and younger. His beard was not so long, his skin not so dark, but his eyes were the same laughing blue, which was what betrayed to the others (Cynthia, at least) that Karim and Najíb were father and son. This was confirmed that night at dinner, but I shall get to that later.

Once the two Egyptians were done tickling Malik's stomach and betraying how much they adored the little boy, Angeline stepped forward and bowed to them. They looked at her in surprise, their eyes round. When Cynthia stepped up beside her new friend and bowed as well, the men's eyes nearly popped out of their dark heads. They were used to seeing Isis walking around unveiled, of course, but they considered her a strange breed of man-woman anyway, since she went around doing a man's work and wearing (to their minds) man's clothes. But these new women were something else entirely! Skin as pale as milk, as soft as wool, and what hair...! Golden as the sun setting over Tutankhamen's tomb, and so long and curly!

Almost at once both men dropped to their knees and bowed low before Angeline and Cynthia, to the immence surprise of all present, especially Pegasus and Shen. Cynthia's eyes grew as round as saucers, and Angeline squeaked in surprise. "Please!" she said in Arabic without thinking. "There is no need! Get up, my friends, get up!"

Reluctantly they did so, exchanging owlish glances. "You speak our language, sitt! Trully you must be sent from Allah!" Karim exclaimed, lifting his hands heavenward.

Angeline sweatdropped slightly. "Oh my, no. Please, stop that silly talk."

"And the other?" Najíb asked eagerly, nodding at Cynthia.

"No," Angeline said, casting a regretful glance at the bewildered Cynthia. Hmm... She'd have to see about teaching her some basic Arabic... "She does not speak Arabic, and is most assuredly not from God." Behind her she heard Pegasus mumble something in English, probably soething along the lines of "Cynthia" and "angel", but she didn't speak much English, so she couldn't be sure.

"Ah, sitt, trully it will be an honor to work with you." Karim said, bowing before her once again. When his head was about waist level he stopped, and quickly straightened again. Backing away as if he'd been stung he mumbled apologeticly "I am sorry sitt. I did not know you had a lover already."

Absently Angeline rubbed her belly and smiled reassuringly at the two Arabs. "I am married and so is Cynthia, but that will not stop us from being friends, I hope. After all, you are friends with Isis, are you not?"

Both men brightened considerably and nodded, and then they began to load the luggage on to the donkeys and camel with help from Shaadi and Rashiid, and more hiderance then help from Malik, who was again bouncing about in his usual way, ecstatic at the appearance of his two friends. He was rambling away in rapid-fire Arabic that Angeline was pretty sure no one was listening to.

"What was that about?" Cynthia asked, scratching her head.

Pegasus laughed and put an arm around her. "I think our guides have fallen in love. If not with you, then with Angeline!"

"It doesn't surprise me." Shen noted, shrugging a little. "They've never seen a woman with blond hair before, and probably never a woman unveiled except for Isis-san."

A high-pitched giggle from the direction of the animals drew their attention. Malik was standing in front of the camel, which had bent its long neck to peer at him. Malik poked it, causing it to snort, and he giggled again. He then promptly began pulling it's ears and trying to stick his hands up its nostrils until the camel calmly reared back and spit in his hair. Malik looked vaguely disgusted for a moment, then broke into wild laughter. Isis's face turned purple under her tan, and she stomped over to give him a stern yelling-at that would, of course, have no effect whatsoever.

(v_v; Yup, definately Ramses...)

Angeline sighed, then chuckled. "Can we get in out of the heat? Baby's telling me she's too hot."

Shen started, and quickly began to lead Angeline in the direction that Shaadi-tachi were beginning to bring the animals. "Yes yes, of course. But how do you know it's a she?"

"I just know, okay?!" she snarled, rounding suddenly on him. Then all at once she broke down and clutched at Shen's shirt. "Oh Shen, Shen! Don't let her hear you call her 'it'!"

Shen just sighed in husbandly tolerance.

The walk to the Abdul-Ishtar house wasn't far, and they all understood right away why it hadn't been a problem for Shaadi to take in the three Ishtar siblings. He probably could have housed all of a village in his house. It was large and square, two stories tall and arranged around a courtyard and garden in the center. In the very middle of this courtyard was a tall fountain, around which trees and short, flowering shrubs grew. Seeing them staring, Shaadi smiled sheepishly. "My father left me quite a bit of money, and a very big house. The garden is all Isis's, she's the one who got them to grow."

"It's wonderful..." Angeline said, sinking gratefully onto a bench by the fountain and letting her hand trail in the cool water. "Absolutely amazing."

All at once a small tanned form barreled past her, and with a happy shriek flung himself into the fountain, spraying water in every direction. Angeline giggled a little dispite her now soaking condition as Isis's voice rang across the courtyard.

"MALIK!!!!"

()()()()()

WSJ: O_o; Oi vey, Isis has a temper...

Chibi-Malik: *giggles*

WSJ: *eyes him* Yes, and you are the cause... Anyway, reviews please!! ^^\\//

God bless minna-san!