Of Love and War: Divisions
Author's note: Well, you caught me ^_^ Here's the sequel to Of Mages and Elves. I hope you enjoy!
Pairings: Yami Yugi/ Yugi, Bakura (Yami Bakura)/Ryou, Seto/Joey Ishtal (Yami Malik)/ Malik, and a few others I'm still deciding on.
Warning: This fic contains Yaoi kiddies… don't like, don't read. Also beware of some OOCness on the part of a few people and cussing, and some other things I probably forgot…
Disclaimer: *off in dream world* Ah, Yu-Gi-Oh is all mine *starry eyes*
Malik: *rolls eyes* Baka…
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Prince Yami buried his head in his hands; his back slumped against the stonewall of his personal chambers. Once again, as they seemed to every day, his council had made a plea to speak to him about certain 'issues' facing the kingdom. Yami had outright ignored the 'request'. Ha, request. It was a demand really. Yami knew exactly what they wanted, and he knew that he would never allow it.
To make matters worse, Yami's father, king of Malanash, the elven kingdom, had been taken to his deathbed. The elderly elven king only had a few nights to live by the healers count. A soft patter of feet caught the prince's attention and he looked up to find himself staring into a pair of innocent violet eyes, eyes he had come to love more than life itself. Yugi looked down at him, eyes full of worry.
"They're at it again aren't they," he asked, voice tinged with sadness. Yami nodded, crimson eyes locking with his young *human* lover's. That was what the council was in a rage about. That he, Yami, Prince and heir of the elven kingdom had taken a human as his mate. They were livid.
"They've hated humans for so long that they can no longer see past their own prejudices," the prince murmured. Yugi nodded, kneeling on the floor beside his elven lover. He placed a small kiss on Yami's soft, crimson lips.
"We can handle it Yami. No matter what," he murmured. Yami sighed. He wasn't quite as hopeful as his innocent lover. He knew what the council was capable of. They had never liked him, never accepted him as the true heir.
And for what? Because Yami actually cared about their relations with the human kingdom of Damar? Because he specifically funded and then led the rescue of the Tower of Illusions? Why? Yugi leaned his head on Yami's shoulder, offering the prince what comfort he could.
"They'll have to accept it someday won't they Yami? You're the prince after all," he murmured. Yami nodded, but inwardly he felt lost. The council didn't have to accept anything. Whether or not he was the prince, the royal line had never had complete control over the elven kingdom as the human king did. Malanash was ruled cooperatively between the king and the council. And with the council against him, it was only a matter of time before the people turned as well.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Not like that Joey, focus!" Seto snarled, facing the young blond. Since the Tower's revival about two months ago, the half-blood mage had taken it upon himself to train this young human elemental. Sadly, things were not going exactly as planned.
"Come on Joey, you can do it!" To the side of the ancient training ring, Shizuka watched her brother with excitement in her eyes. Honda had brought her to the Tower, per her brother's request, soon after Yami and Yugi had left for the elven kingdom. She had adapted to life in the Tower quickly and happily, all too proud that her brother was being trained as an elemental mage.
Joey himself, at least at the moment, was extremely frustrated. No matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't get his fire magic to obey him on command. The power within him only seemed to awaken either when he didn't want it too, or when he was in some sort of danger.
Seto sighed, rubbing his forehead. What with being part the high mage Isis' personal council and training Joey his patience was on an extremely short string. Being one of only three half bloods in the Tower didn't help either, as he constantly had to rescue his younger brother from being harassed by the younger apprentice mages. He himself didn't come across much in the realm of harassment, only occasional offensive glances and things said behind his back. Most of the mages in the Tower readily accepted the fact that incurring his wrath directly would not be in their best interest.
"Joey," he said calmly. "You have to be patient with it. Your powers aren't going to come if you force them." Joey nodded, slumping his shoulders. Learning to control his fire magic was proving to be far more difficult than he had expected. Seto placed a hand on the blonde's shoulder, patting it gently in apology.
"You're doing fine Joey, take a break. It will come eventually. I didn't mean to get frustrated with you," he told the boy. Joey nodded with a deep sigh.
"I know, I just thought this would be easier," he grumbled. Seto chuckled.
"No, it shouldn't be easy Joey. You should have started training years ago. It's going to be harder to learn now that your powers are more settled," he answered. Joey humped, his honey-brown eyes lighting up when Shizuka climbed over the mid-sized fence that blocked the training arena from the main courtyard and ran over to him. She glanced up at Seto with a bright smile.
"Is he done yet?" she asked. Seto nodded, a light smile on his lips. These two siblings just seemed to have that effect on him. It hadn't taken him long at all to see Shizuka somewhat as he saw his own brother, an innocent that he should protect. Shizuka grinned. "Great! Ryou-san asked if you two could join him and the others for lunch," she told the half-blood. Now there was another thing that was interesting about this girl. The moment she had learned he was a half-blood she had done nothing but tilt her head and ask him if it was true. No accusations, no snickering, no fearful glances, nothing. She had just accepted it. Joey grinned at his sister.
"Sure, tell him we'll be there as soon as we can," he answered. Shizuka nodded and smiled, then dashed across the arena and climbed back over the fence. Joey smiled after her, glancing up at Seto.
"So, let's go," he said.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Anzu was livid. She stood in front of the council room, eyes blazing with hidden anger and loathing for the elderly elves that sat before her, waiting for their prince.
"I told you he's not coming!" she exclaimed. The spokesman for the council, an elderly being with grayed hair and dangerously narrowed emerald eyes stood before her, a sneer on his face.
"The prince can not continue to deny the council. There are many things we have to attend to, including his current… infatuation. He cannot continue to hide from his duty. As you well know, the king is nearing his death and it is time for his son to ascend the throne," he replied, voice demanding. Anzu glared back at the elf.
"How can you keep trying to rule his life!" she exclaimed. "It's Yami-sama's choice of who he loves, not the choice of the council!" The elder smirked.
"When he deliberately flouts a strict taboo and takes a human as his lover, then it becomes our choice Anzu. Now tell him we are waiting," he answered smoothly. Anzu glared back but said nothing, only turned and left the room. There was nothing else she could do. In the few weeks since Yami had returned home she had become somewhat attached to his young love. Yugi was a kind young man, and very innocent. Anzu couldn't help but try and protect him as she had been trying to protect Yami for most of her life.
Her feelings for Yami, which once went far beyond friendship, had in later years become a sense of sisterly protection towards the prince. She cared for him, at one time had loved him, but she knew now that it had been nothing more than a child hood crush. How could the council accuse Yami of being mealy infatuated with Yugi? Anzu could see that the prince's feelings went far deeper, though how deep even she didn't know.
Anzu glanced back once at the council door, a scowl gracing her face. There was nothing she could do but tell Yami of the council's wish. Even so, she vowed to help the prince and his human love in whatever way she could.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ryou glanced up, a smile on his delicate face, as Seto and Joey entered the small courtyard garden. The young healer had arranged for a small picnic in one of the Tower's small courtyards as a little break from their various duties. Joey grinned and walked up to the pale elf, nodding to the pale haired thief who watched from nearby. Bakura smirked an acknowledgement, not bothering to move from where he leaned comfortably against the stonewall of the enclosed garden.
"So, what's all this about Ryou?" Joey asked the elf. Ryou smiled and shrugged.
"Ishtal's been complaining about how he never gets a break, what with keeping the Tower in line and acting as one of Isis' advisors so I thought a small picnic would help," he answered, a smile on his face. His bond-mage, Bakura, walked over to him and draped an arm around the healer's shoulders.
"You just wanted to do something other than teach for the afternoon and you know it," he stated, smirking as he kissed the young elf's cheek. Ryou blushed, a sheepish expression on his face.
"They needed a break too Bakura," he answered.
"Sure." Seto smirked at their antics. Both had readily settled into life in the Tower, Ryou taking over as head healer and training those apprentices that had survived the attack two months ago.
Seto frowned at that memory. The way Pegasus had used his younger brother to force him to obey… The half-blood mage shook his head. Pegasus was gone, dead, and he would never harm Mokuba again. Nor would he harm any of the others that had once gathered to stop him. He looked up to see Bakura watching him intently.
The thief understood his frown without any explanation, as he had been in a similar situation for a time. Pegasus had literally kidnapped him off the streets and forced him to do his bidding. Of course, Bakura's compliance had completely backfired on Pegasus when the thief kidnapped the elven kingdom's most powerful healer.
Seto glanced at Ryou. It was pure luck that Bakura had found Ryou when he did, even if the initial idea hadn't been to help the healer. Bakura soon came to care for his delicate captive, noting the boy's determination and the fragility that resulted from being a healer. In order to save Ryou from an early death, the thief had become his bond-mage, and in turn, his life-mate. Now, as a result of finding his bond-mage, Ryou's powers had increased greatly and he looked healthier than he ever had.
"Come sit down," Ryou told them politely. In the center of the small garden a long mahogany table had been set out and was currently laden with food, most of which, Seto guessed, Ryou had cooked himself. The healer had an uncanny love for cooking. A yelp from the courtyard doorway signaled the arrival of Malik and Ishtal. The blond journey-mage walked up to the table with a devious light in his eyes while his Master Mage lover grumbled behind him.
"You're the one who was complaining Ishtal, get over it," Malik jibed, laughing at the older mage. Ishtal huffed.
"I still haven't completed those warding spells Isis asked me to look into Malik, I may be complaining but that doesn't mean I have time to waste," he snapped. Bakura rolled his eyes.
"Ishtal, shut up," the thief growled. "This whole idea was the result of your complaining anyway." Ishtal crossed his arms and glared at the thief, but said nothing. Bakura's eyes flickered to where Ryou sat at the table, looking slightly hurt. They flickered back to Ishtal, hardening to shards of blood-tainted ice. Ishtal glanced at Ryou, then back at Bakura and gulped. He slumped his shoulders in defeat. In an actual fight he could take out the half-blood thief without a second thought, but when Ryou was involved… he knew better than to push it.
"Alright, I guess a break would help," he muttered and sat down at the table. Ryou smiled at him, his eyes lightening.
"Good," he answered, and handed the mage a plate. Joey glanced at Malik and grinned, seeing that the journey-mage was smirking at Ishtal and Bakura.
"Ishtal being a pain again?" he asked. Malik gave him a mock-glare.
"Now where would you get an idea like that?" he asked sarcastically, a grin on his face. Joey shrugged and grinned. Malik turned to the table, looking over the spread of simple but delicious smelling food that graced it. With his telekinesis he lifted a plate from the pile on the end of the table into his hands and set about collecting his meal. Joey shook his head.
"I'll never get used to you doing that," he muttered. Malik grinned.
"You'll get it eventually," he answered. "How's your training coming?" Joey's groan was all he needed for an answer. "That bad?" he asked. Joey nodded, pouting. "Don't worry, it'll come eventually." Joey nodded and sighed.
"Onii-sama!" another shout echoed through the courtyard as Mokuba, Seto's younger brother, and Shizuka entered the garden. Seto smiled and stood to greet his little brother.
"How are you Mokuba?" he asked. The young half-blood boy grinned up at his brother through his long mop of midnight hair.
"I'm fine. Shizuka and I went to find Isis. She said she couldn't join us today. Honda's helping her with a few things," he answered. Seto nodded, glancing at Ryou.
"That's alright Mokuba," the healer answered. "We'll just have to bring her something later." Mokuba nodded.
"Alright," he said cheerfully. Seto glanced over at Shizuka, who had moved towards her own brother.
"Well, let's get started," he said. Ryou chuckled.
"I think it's a little late for that," he murmured, amusement in his voice. "They've already started without us." Seto chuckled. Everything here was perfect, with the exception of the occasional stress. Their lives had changed greatly over the last two months. All that was really missing were the two who had helped them through that battle. Seto couldn't help but think that their lives were at least a little less pleasant.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yugi brushed Yami's bangs back from his face, watching the prince's restless sleep. If anything, things were getting worse. The council still refused to acknowledge him as Yami's lover, much less anything else. Yami was exhausted and emotionally drained. There wasn't much more they could do. They had tried, tried to make the council see that this prejudice wasn't right, but they wouldn't listen. And Yugi feared that soon everything was going to take a turn for the worse…
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's note: Woo Hoo!!! There's the beginning! Happy little start ain't it ^_^
Yami: I hate you…
*grins* Well, I'm going to try to focus more on Yami and Yugi and Seto and Joey for a few chapters… they didn't get as much romantic development as I would have liked in the first story. Plus… Yami and Yugi are almost as fun to torment as Bakura and Ryou ^_^
Bakura: *growls*
Ryou: What is it about us that makes everyone want to torture us?
Angst value… you guys have way too much. Well, to tell you the truth, this story is going to be turned into a trilogy. I hope you've enjoyed the first part of segment two ^_^ Please review!