Hey y'all! Welcome back for the next chappie of Shadowed Hearts. Hopefully this will progress nicely enough. We'll see how things go I suppose. Though at least I have some sort of plan from what will occur from here on out. Hehes

I hope you all enjoy what happens this time. Please remember to favorite, follow, etc. along with leaving some nice reviews. Enjoy loves!

Chapter 2: Thorn

Ryou

When the invasion happened, I tried to hide, protecting my little sister as well. She and I both have water and ice magic. We live on the other side of the village that Yugi lives in. Hopefully he's alright and made it out safely. Somehow, a few of the raiders had found where Amane and I had been hiding. I had tried my best to protect her, but we were separated. Trying to remain strong, I vowed that I would rescue her unless she got out of it on her own. Apparently I'm not being taken to the auction house. That's odd considering that's normally where they take any captives. How am I any different than all the rest? Without another moment to think over it all, I'm tossed in front of the feet of whom seems to be the leader of this nefarious group. When I look up to see him made me blink a few times. He looks kind of like me except different of course.

"is this the prize you've given me?" Asked the gruff voice of the leader of this band of ruffians.

"Yes, sir," answered the subordinate, bowing in front of him, fear in his eyes behind the hardened gaze he has.

"Good…. Leave me for now," murmured the amber-eyed male, seeing the other male scurry off, shivering in a mix of fear and anticipation for what's soon to come if there's going to be any punishment given.

Looking up at him again through my lashes, I see him draw close. Gulping, I notice he's studying my face as if looking for something in particular. When he finishes up, I see him nod as if coming to a conclusion based on his findings. Grabbing my chin, I squeaked out in surprise of being pulled onto his lap. What would he want with someone like me? I'm no one special. There's nothing he could want from me, right? If he does then what would that be anyways? I had just been living my life until his idiotic comrades raided my home and separated me from my sister. Mustering up all of the courage I could, I glared daggers at him, trying to be defiant in the face of a lion.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here? Now, little dove, you cannot run nor hide from me… I've been waiting for when you would be caught to be right where you belong….with me."

()()()()()()

Marik

Ugh, where am I? Seriously, I have no idea. One minute I had been with Ishizu seeing to tomb keeper duties and the next I'm somewhere entirely different. soon, my focus returns, seeing flashes of memory whiz by in my mind. Eventually I remember what happened. The traders had ambushed that separated me from Ishizu and Odion. Hopefully my siblings are ok. If they had caught us then why am I on a bed instead of behind steel bars? Something didn't click here, causing me to be on edge.

"Don't fret, little birdie. You weren't taken by some asshole," reassured an all too familiar voice, hearing the person I had hoped to be with adverse any trader or master that would wish harm upon someone like me, seeing Malik come into view.

"Oh thank Ra it's you," I let out a sigh of relief, reaching out to hug him close, feeling him return the gesture.

"Yes, well, it would be shameful of me to let anyone take what's mine," giggled Malik, seeing his crazed violet eyes brought a sense of warmth and content to me, appreciating the fact that I wouldn't be given a fate that I would espies.

"What will happen now?" I wondered aloud, looking up at him thoughtfully as he returned the stare, causing lilac to be met by a darker shade.

"Hmm, good question…. You'll be here with me of course. It's not like where you've lived all your life, but I hope it will make you feel at home."

()()()()()

Akefia

Where the hell is Bakura? He said he would be back shortly from whatever he went off to do. Most likely he went to collect his destined one. That's understandable, but at least he would let me know of when he's gone and coming back. Pacing back and forth, I'm greeted to our Master instead of my twin brother. Raising a brow, I wonder what he needed to discuss with me that must be important. Either he's come to discuss such a matter or here for some idle chit chat. I don't mind whichever it may be considering it's him versus anyone else lower on the chopping block.

"I see you haven't found him yet," noted Zorc, lips twitching ever so slightly into a faint ghost of a smirk. "I also have left you a gift in your room. I think he'll be quite delectable pertaining to your….particular tastes…"

"Oh?" I raised a brow, intrigued about what this could possibly be. "Do you have any idea where Bakura is?"

"He went with some of the laces to attack some nameless villages," replied the demon dismissively.

"Oh," I sighed in annoyance, rubbing my temples to attempt alleviating an imminent headache. "Alright then… Thanks I guess."

"Hmm, well, he should be back right about…..now," reassured our Master, wondering if he has a motive here. "Be careful for what will soon come to pass, my dear. It's not going to become any easier…."

"Yeah, that's what you always say," I grumbled, waving him goodbye as he departed, supposing I should go see whatever he had left for me, not sure as to why he thought to give me a gift when I rarely asked for anything from him.

Walking towards it, I opened the door, peering inside to see a male with tricolored star shaped hair sitting there. It's almost as if he's been waiting for me. Hearing the door open, he turned his attention towards me. An unimpressed expression is plastered on his face, watching my movements with careful precision. Closing the door behind me, I step over until I am face to face with him. Grabbing his chin, I studied his face as if searching for something in particular. I'm not, but I enjoy seeing the flickers of emotions within those crimson flecked violet eyes. It shows me that he's not afraid to reveal his weaknesses, but tries his hardest to keep them hidden. It's not a difficult thing to unveil what lies behind one's iron walls, wondering as to why people do that in the first place unless they have experienced an immense amount of strife in their lives. When I finished my inspection, I removed my hand from him, opting to sit at the edge of my bed.

"So, it seems that Master has given you to me. Any reason why?" I asked casually, eyeing him with a warning that's not a threat, but a promise.

"I made a deal with him. My younger brother is out there finding what has been vowed to be his. I am only agreeing to the pact to ensure no further war spurs between our clans."

()()()()()

Zorc

It's interesting how Atem seemed so eager to make a deal with me. Does he know how tentative a ground it is making a deal with the devil himself? Clearly he's just another fool hoping to placate the issues striking up between their clans. What goes on in the mortal world amuses me so. What I have not expected is for someone of the celestial plain come visit me in my domain in the Underworld. My husbands that I have claimed thus far for my own are akefia and Bakura. They belong to me because of what ties they have forged from the day I saved them during that tragic event in their past. It's an open relationship. So, I don't mind them having a pet to play with during the time I'm not able to satiate their hungers.

Seeing a flash of luminescent light, I witness a guardian appear before me. What's different is that his wings are now torn instead of whole. The pristine white feathers have waned to a glossy black instead. Now, this is an interesting development we have here. Indeed I have heard of those of the fallen race. Never have I seen one myself before until this very moment. Why he's come to me is uncertain. There are others in the nine circles down here that he could've gone to instead of me.

"What's your business here? State it at once or leave my sight," I hissed, narrowing my hellfire depths at him ever so slightly.

"I need your help."

()()()()()

Yami

Having him here at last seems like a dream come true. Having rescued him from long ago, I doubt he even remembers. With how he's become so feisty is pleasing to see. If he had faltered in becoming this way then I would've been severely disappointed. No, I don't want his fire to be doused, but I want it to grow. Seeing him like this brings back memories. Yes, I have seen him progress from my place in the darkness. Very few know the true meaning of it aside from me and the others. That makes me recall that my older sibling doesn't seem to be here. Huh, well, I suppose he went off to fulfill that deal he made with Zorc. If so, then he's going on a fool's errand.

"What do you mean?" Asked Yugi, eyeing me suspiciously as if he doesn't quite believe me.

"Do you want to see for yourself?" I asked softly, receiving a nod, elongating my fangs while my eyes dilated. "Now, this is my true nature. Are you scared?"

Looking me straight in the eye, he replied without hesitation, "No, of course I'm not. Other humans are the ones that scare me, but not monsters themselves."

"Good answer," I murmured, moving over to let him feel the incisors, making sure he's careful not to accidentally prick a finger on them, retracting them back into my mouth when he's finished. "I hope you're satisfied now."

"It'll take me a little while to get used to this. I mean I didn't ask to be taken away from my home and only still living family. So, I do hate you, but I understand that it's for a good reason this happened. If you hurt me then you will have hell to pay. Do you understand?" Asked Yugi simply, glaring fiercely at me with the intensity I admire about him.

"Of course, Aibou. To hurt you is to harm someone I love. That is something you have my word for without a doubt."

Oks, that's the end of chappie two. I'm terribly sorry for the long wait. I've been trying to work on some other stuff along with updates. This still remains one of my favorites to be honest. I do have something in mind for another story. Besides, I need my plentiful helping of Laddershipping and Tendershipping. Hehes

I hope you all enjoyed what happened this time. The next chappie will be out shortly whenever I have it finished being written up. Until then, please remember to review, darlings!