Jar of Greed
Four pale paws touch down lightly on sturdy steel; long, fine fur blocking out the crisp night air. The feline settles there on the lid of the closed dumpster, bushy tail curled around it. For all intents and purposes, it seems nothing more than an ordinary alley-cat. But its fur is too sleek and clean, and its eyes…
Sanguine eyes peer out of a dusky face, the thin, slit pupils lending it a slightly devilish appearance. But even more than the blood-tinted eyes, the deep, smoky shadows curling around its small form hint at the wild danger it contains.
It won't be long now.
Pointed ears twitch at the soft click of claws and the light tapping of footsteps. The sounds carry easily through the shadowed path between buildings, and sanguine eyes gleam in pleasure.
A tall, faintly handsome man with hair and eyes the color of pitch steps into the patch of illumination provided by the single light shining in the alley. Beside him, a big dog with ginger fur and cinnamon eyes twitches in anticipation. Every other night they pass through here on their walk. Easy targets.
In a sudden rush of movement and pale fur, the cat sinks its teeth into the dog's slender muzzle, paying only enough attention to the man to cast a longing glance at his hands. The man shouts in surprise, but the dog is oddly still. Neither notices the shadow that clings to the feline silently drift into the open bite wound.
The cat blinks blue eyes hazily, then, abruptly yowling in alarm, streaks away from the larger animal and into the night. Cursing softly the man drops the leash and examines the dog's muzzle, where drops of blood have stained the ginger fur a deeper red. It obediently allows the fuss, even when the man touches the sensitive break in its skin.
Sighing, he stands, rubbing the dog's head fondly. Together they head home, the dog no longer matching pace but subtly following slightly behind. It raises sanguine eyes calmly and learns the new path home.
A few weeks later and the man still notices nothing save for the calmer attitude of his pet. The dog, curled nearby on the soft carpet, glares enviously up at him. The man lives by himself, and the dog wonders if anyone will be able to tell if he goes through with it. It's been so long, after all, since he had a human body. Not since Yugi…
But none of these other humans can sense him, and he can only share a body with one who solves the Puzzle… could only share with Yugi. His light isn't here though, and so the Items remain carefully hidden, while he himself hides in the Shadows, possessing animals when remaining a formless specter becomes too much.
Possessing humans however, is a little different. With Yugi and Ryou as half-souls, Yami and Bakura had been capable of sharing with them. But an intelligent, human mind fights intruders with all it has, and Atem is positive that the struggle will result in one or both of them being destroyed.
He shouldn't risk it. He shouldn't want to risk it. But he knows now that it's only a matter of time before he can no longer stave off the urge.
He wants to be human again.
At the thought a soft whine pushes its way out of the dog's throat. The pitch-haired man leans down, gently rubbing the soft ginger fur in a comforting gesture.
And this man, with his quiet words and kind heart, won't stand a chance.