Disclaimer: Last night…I had a dream. In the dream there was a towering, flaming pyre…OF DISCLAIMERS! I HATE THESE THINGS! Nonetheless, I don't own the characters.

Yoru: Hello! I wrote this once with an OC, but when my computer broke, it got deleted. I like the idea now of using Ryuoji (Duke, if you're unfamiliar with the Japanese names) better.

Kuronue: Newfound love of shounen-ai.

Yoru: Well, not really new, but newer than this story. So on to it!

The hooded figure peered out of the bushes, watching the squadron of demon soldiers laugh and drink. Green eyes narrowed in disgust.

Lazy, stupid creatures, the figure thought bitterly, and turned to go. But at that moment, something caught the figure's eye. A young Elf, bound to a pole, was at that moment being tormented by the demons. One demon was holding his hair and the other was pouring some disgusting drink into his mouth.

As the figure in the bushes watched, they let go of him and laughed as he coughed it all back up. He was bruised and bleeding; he had obviously been severely beaten. His shoulder-length platinum hair was neglected and tangled, and his lavender eyes, when they opened, showed exhaustion. The demons grabbed his hair again, pulling his head up until he cried out in pain; when he did, they hit him across the face.

"We told you to stay silent!" one chided mockingly as the other laughed. The prisoner glared up at them, to be hit again.

Strange. Demons never take prisoners. Who is he? The figure watched as the captain of the soldiers approached and glared at his squad.

"Lord Bakura has arrived. Bring him."

The figure followed as the demons dragged their prisoner, hands firmly bound, in front of a huge carriage that had seemingly come from nowhere and threw him to his knees. Out of the carriage stepped a man.

He was tall, with very pale skin, long silver hair, and deep crimson eyes. One glance told the figure immediately that this man was of that rare race known only as vampires.

"Lord Bakura, the Elvin Prince Mariku, as you requested," the demon captain barked, then saluted. Bakura smiled, showing his fangs.

"How lovely to meet you, Prince Mariku. I trust my people have shown you the best hospitality?" This comment invited large guffaws from the demons. Prince Mariku only glared at his captor, open defiance in his eyes. Bakura leaned down and planted a mocking kiss on his lips. The Prince's eyes widened, and he jerked away.

"How mean," Bakura pouted, drawing more laughter, "We shall just have to beat that attitude out. Now, Captain, I assume we can proceed?"

"Yes, my Lord."

"Good. You will all be rewarded once we reach the castle. Follow the carriage." He climbed back into his carriage, and the black horses drawing it began to move as though there was a driver. The demons pulled the Prince up and dragged him along after it, sometimes tripping him or hitting him down, only to pull him up again. The figure hesitated.

I could save him, but Elves are no friends to my kind. Still, to leave him would be a crime in itself… The figure sighed, and followed silently.

As the sun rose over the trees, the demons and the carriage stopped. The figure in the shadows noticed that there was no opening for the sun to enter the carriage. The Prince, exhausted, was thrown to the ground, where he curled up on his side. The demons began making camp, sometimes kicking the prisoner as they passed. The figure's lip curled.

Disgusting creatures. Never happy unless they're hurting someone. Still in shadows, the hooded figure slipped close to the Prince. Before a move could be made, however, two demons grabbed the Prince's arms and dragged him to the carriage. The figure snarled, and followed as they threw him in.

Quickly slipping inside the cottage-sized carriage, the figure was shocked and angry to see Bakura pinning the struggling Prince down and kissing his neck.

"I can't seem to sleep, Mariku. Let me make myself tired."

"Let me go! Stop it! Let GO!" Mariku was panicking as Bakura moved up to his lips, claiming them gently but firmly. The vampire Lord was about to touch areas below when a knife touched his throat.

"Get off of him." The figure backed up slowly as Bakura stood. Mariku stared at his rescuer, the beginnings of tears in his eyes. Bakura arched an eyebrow.

"You think your little butter knife will kill me?" he asked sardonically. The figure laughed humorlessly.

"No. But it'll shut you up for a minute." With that, he cut Bakura's throat. The vampire gagged and clutched his wound, glaring as the figure threw the Prince over his shoulder and ran out the door. With the element of surprise on their side, the quick figure easily got away with the Prince. Once in a clearing, the figure set the Prince down.

"Who are you?" Mariku asked as the figure cut the rope from his wrists.

"No one. Get moving or they'll catch you again." The figure turned to go.

"Please. Tell me who you are. Bakura was going to…to…you saved me. I want to reward you."

"Staying invisible is reward enough," the figure snapped, and hurried away. Mariku stood immobile, still in shock, when he was grabbed from behind.

"Got you! Not so hard," chuckled the demon as Mariku struggled frantically.

"Let go!" Mariku hooked his foot around the demon's ankle and pulled him down. The figure watched from the trees.

So he does know how to take care of himself. Interesting. The figure pulled out his knife again and threw it into the demon's throat. Mariku, slightly trembling, fainted.

He woke some time later to a fire. The person that had rescued him had finally removed the hood. Mariku blinked. A very handsome man.

The man's unruly black hair, falling out of a ponytail, framed a lovely rather than handsome face. His eyes were electric green, a beautiful color. Mariku watched him until he turned around.

Underneath his right eye was a long black birthmark.

A half-breed. No wonder he hadn't wanted to help Mariku again. Elves were not kind to half-breeds. Mariku felt his lip curl. A creature born of a noble Elf and a disgusting demon. A travesty.

"If you're awake, you might as well get up." The half-breed said without looking at Mariku. The Elf sat up, snarling at his rescuer.

"If I'd known what you were…"

"I'm sure you would have kicked, screamed, and never have let me rescue you. Why do you think I kept my hood up? Anyway, you should be grateful." He turned away from Mariku, fixing a meal. Mariku snorted.

"I am. I mean, you saved my innocence, possibly my life. But you are…"

"An abomination. I know. I've spent my whole life being told that. So don't bother." His electric eyes met Mariku's softer ones, crackling behind the calm façade of his lovely face. Mariku turned away first.

"Well, you are."

"I didn't ask to be born like this." The half-breed got up and started to walk away.

"Hey! Don't leave! If you leave me…"

"They'll find you and capture you again. I'm just getting more wood."

"What's your name? I assume you know mine. I can't just call you half-breed." Mariku sighed. He might as well know his rescuer's name…half-breed or not, he was a person.

"Most people do. Go ahead." With that, he left Mariku alone.

The half-breed man watched Prince Mariku sleep.

Can't call me half-breed. Stupid Elf. He makes me sick. Why can't I just leave him to fend for himself?

Mariku murmured in his sleep. His companion snorted.

A child. He is a mere child. Why would demons, a vampire no less, want him? He is the Prince of the realm, yes, but why would they need him? To take over? They could do that without him.

The half-breed sighed and threw another stick on the fire. Mariku woke with a jolt at the resulting flash.

"Wha…are they here?" He sat up and looked around. The half-breed snorted.

"No."

"Oh. Good." He pulled his knees up to his chest. His companion watched him for a moment.

"I'm leaving at dawn. If you're coming, you'll have to keep up."

"Coming?"

"With me. I'll protect you from them. But not if you lag behind." The half-breed stood and straightened his cloak. Mariku stared up at him.

"After what I said…"

"I'm used to it. I told you that."

"But not your name." Mariku felt snappish. He was sick of not being talked to.

"Why do you want to know?" The half-breed's eyes met his.

"Because you saved my fucking life!" Mariku shouted. His rescuer's eyes widened, just enough to be barely perceptive.

"I don't give a damn what you are! I just…the vampire was going to rape me and you saved me and then I was so cruel…I'm just like the rest of my kind…" He looked like he was about to cry, "Please forgive me and take me with you."

"Ryuoji."

"What?"

"My name. Ryuoji. If you're coming, come now." He pulled up his hood and started stamping out the fire. Mariku leapt to his feet and started packing the supplies.

"Right. I'm coming, Ryu."

"Ryuoji. Don't think I'm getting friendly with you."

"Right."