Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh.

Ok, I told you I would try and finish the story and update soon so here is the next chap. Hope you like it as much as the last one and please keep reviewing, I love reading what you all have to say. I swear the chapters are getting longer. Here's the next chapter.

Enjoy.

Chapter 7

Seto was getting frustrated, the bad feeling in his gut was building and despite calling loudly across the forest there had been no answer from either Serenity or Jou. To make it even worse he was still feeling mad at Jou for leaving and not thinking to say goodbye to him.

It was in this rage, and while he was scanning the forest canopy, that the white dragon spotted a small clearing with a stream running through the middle. Recognising it as a resting place he decided to check it out to see if Jou had used it one last time before he left. Circling down slowly, and landing, Seto saw what he hadn't been able to from the air. The ground was scuffed and several different claw marks scared the grass. Large foot prints from different sized dragons were left at the bottom of the stream, the silt preserving them perfectly. Seto moved closer, his nuzzle to the floor, and inspected the ground carefully. A few drops of red caught his eye, and examining it carefully the blue eyed dragon identified it as blood. A fight had taken place here.

Sudden fear gripped the white dragon as he thought about what that could implicate. There was more than one dragon, possibly four, and it seemed three of them were all attacking one larger dragon. Was it Jou? Had he been attacked? Why would they attack him?

Oh Gods, what have you gotten your self into Mutt. You better be alright. Thought Seto in panic.

Calming himself he sniffed the blood to see if he could identify the scent. It wasn't familiar.

Ok, calm down Seto. Think about this rationally. The blood is of some dragon you don't know. There's no proof that it was Jou who they were fighting, you should just tell the others and move on. Four dragons have been here so maybe they've seen the mutt.

The bad feeling in Seto's stomach just kept growing though, and he couldn't ignore the impression that it was Jou who was attacked in the clearing. The blood on the ground wasn't his so he wasn't killed but Jou hadn't returned to the valley or answered any of their calls which left just one other option.

He was captured.

Growling, the white dragon set about finding a trace of his red eyed friend. Sniffing the ground and surroundings he picked up on the scent of several unknown male dragons and one very faint trace of a familiar scent, Jou.

Fuelled by the growing feeling of urgency and dread, Seto made one almighty roar to call for the others but without waiting for them to arrive he launched himself into the air. Swiftly following the faint scent that was Jou's.

"I will be your mate Tyran"…

The sliver dragon smiled as he heard the dark dragon giving in and submitting. Soon he would have everything he wanted and be the Alpha of the strongest clan ever seen, ruling over the other dragons like a king. For now though, he should have some fun with his new mate and fully claim him as his property. A sadistic smile spread over his face as he licked up Jou's neck and to his face. The dark dragon shuddered in disgust but didn't move. Tyran noticed this.

"Don't worry my mate. You'll learn to like it." He said in a smooth voice as he led Jou into the middle of the cave. Once again coming face to face with the red eyed dragon his look turned predatory.

Jou felt a stab of rebellion and fear lace through him at the words 'my mate' coming from the other dragons mouth. His instinct to fight or flea the scene almost got the best of him but his considerable will power kept him grounded.

For Serenity, you've got to do this for Serenity. It's not that bad really, all you've life you've looked for and tried to keep her safe without thinking of your own wants. It shouldn't really matter who you have to mate with.

The dark dragon tried to convince himself, he knew he would sacrifice his life and future for his sister, but it did matter to him who he mated with. Despite his claims, as a young dragon he would dream of having a protective, kind, gentle mate to look after him. One he could really on and raise a family with. He should have known that his dreams wouldn't come true.

It still hurt though.

Growling with desire Tyran moved around to the back of the dark dragon and pinned him to the ground in one swift moment. Jou hadn't been expecting this and let out a surprised yelp and wriggled to get out.

"Don't try to escape. You agreed to this, remember?" Tyran hissed in his ear. The silver dragon's composure was fading and he was fuelled by his animal instinct and desires at almost having the thing he wanted. However, he did have time for one last sadistic thought.

Jou had gone still and closed his eyes, submitting to his fate. The other dragon was going to mate him and there was nothing he could do. A cry of pain escaped him as sharp, white teeth clamped down on his shoulder, pricing the hard scales and drawing blood. The other dragon used this hold as leverage and moved the dragon beneath him, now fully mounting the black dragon, his gender already out and ready.

Releasing his teeth, Tyran opened his mouth to speak one last time to Jou before claming him.

"Remember that Jou. That was the last thing you did before you left, sinking your teeth into my shoulder. I can still feel it tingling you know, so think of this" he licked the wound, lapping at the blood "as a mark that you belong to me"

He growled again and prepared to thrust into the dragon. Jou scrunched his eyes up tighter, not having opened them since the whole thing began. He wanted to cry, to shout that it wasn't fair, to escape. He wouldn't cry, though. It would only give Tyran satisfaction. He may have to be the dragons mate for his sister's safety, but he didn't have to enjoy it and provide anymore pleasure. He felt the silver dragon shift behind him and realised he was getting ready to mate him fully. Jou braced himself, he knew it would hurt.

A roar ripped through the cave and shook the ceiling. The anger brought by it crashing around like waves as it echoed off the walls. At first Jou thought it was Tyran but then he realised that the silver dragon had no reason to be angry. He also realised that he had stopped moving. There was a sound to his right, coming from the entrance, and Jou was even more shocked to find the dragon above him flown off his back.

"MINE."

Another roar rippled through the cave. Jou opened his eyes and lifted his head to look around from his crouched position. Lying on the floor to the left of him was Tyran, the dragon was getting to his feet quickly but was obviously surprised by the attack. The white eyed dragon glared at something behind Jou, rage radiating off him. Turning his head more to look behind him, the black dragon was left speechless to find a very angry, very intimidating Seto standing just infront of him.

The white dragon's teeth were bared and his wide wings were spread, his claws were also flexing dangerously on the ends of his paws. Seto was standing on his hind legs, raising him to an impressive height, and his blue eyes were flashing with rage. A low growl emitted from his throat and he moved to stand another step in front of Jou as Tyran rose from his position on the ground.

The silver dragon glared heatedly at Seto while the white dragon growled back, taking an intimidating step forward, his razor like teeth still showing. Jou watched with wide eyes compleatly shocked.

That shock soon turned to dread however, when Tyran ceased glaring at Seto and instead narrowed his eyes at him. Rage, betrayal and cruelty shining in his eyes.

"You!" the accusation was given as a hiss as the silver dragon tried to withhold his anger. "You planned this. Well Jou I can tell you that you will regret sending for your friend and refusing to be my mate. Though you won't be the one feeling the pain" a sadistic grin spread over his fetures at the last statement.

Turning back to Seto, Tyran charged at him, letting out another roar that shook the cave. The white dragon dodged the apparent attack and spun to defend himself but the silver dragon charged past him and to the opening to the cave, the sound of his footsteps replaced with wing beats as he took to the air.

Jou looked at the entrance for a few second as an icy feeling of dread consumed him.

"No" it was little more than a whisper that escaped his lips as the black dragon realised what had just happened.

Serenity…he's going to hurt Serenity. I have to stop him.

The red eyed dragon rose to his legs quickly, with the intent to run out of the cave and give chase to the silver dragon, when he was pinned on his back once again. A head started nuzzling his flank and up to his shoulder, sniffing at the dark dragon. The white dragon growled a little when he found the bite, not liking Jou being marked by another dragon. His instinct told him to get it off and he started licking the bite in an effort to heal it.

Jou should have been surprised and shocked as he felt Seto nuzzling his back and shoulder, he should have been even more shocked when he felt a tongue gently soothing and caressing the bite on his shoulder but he was to filled with worry to notice. The only thing running through the black dragons mind was that Seto was stopping him from getting to his sister.

"Seto… Seto get off. I need to…" he was cut off as the white dragon rolled him onto his back and started nuzzling his upturned stomach, growling when Jou tried to wriggle away. After checking that the dark dragon wasn't injured anywhere else he rose and nuzzled his head, giving it as light lick before moving back to tend to the wound on Jou's shoulder.

"No" was growled out by the white dragon, commanding that the black dragon stayed with him.

"But Seto, I need to go after him."

"NO" the blue eyed dragon growled louder this time "not his mate" he demanded, pressing down and bring Jou closer to himself possessively.

"Seto stop it. I need to go after him. I chose to be his mate." The white dragon froze at the statement and loosened his grip slightly. Noticing what he was doing and how the other dragon was sprawled beneath him he backed up a bit and stopped pressing the other dragon to him. Turning his head away he was going to apologise but with the loser grip Jou turned to stand on his feet and fled the cave, opening his wings and following the scent Tyran left behind, desperate to catch the dragon before he got to Serenity.

Seto continued to stand in shock. Jou wanted to be the other dragon's mate? How could that be true?... And why had he reacted like that?

The white dragon had followed Jou's sent to the cave and had smelled another male dragon in the cave. Wanting to get Jou back and not caring if he was meeting with another dragon he had walked into the cave slightly angry with the black dragon. His slight anger had risen dramatically when he saw inside the cave, but it hadn't been for the red eyed dragon.

Inside he had seen a large silver and ebony dragon that was mounting Jou. The red eyed dragon's eyes were closed like he was trying not to cry. A few drops of red littered the floor where the blood had spilled from the bite mark on the black scaled dragon's shoulder. The other dragon was looking purely predatory and was about to thrust and claim Jou as a mate.

Only one thought had entered Seto's mind before his body moved on its own and attacked the silver dragon.

MY MATE!!!

After that he had moved to stand in front of Jou, his protective and possessiveness controlling him. He had stood and challenged the other dragon to attack. The silver dragon had turned to Jou and hissed something but the rage in Seto had muffled his words. The other dragon had eventually attacked, but then fled the cave. The black dragon had turned to follow but Seto had once again lost control of his body and had pinned him down to stop him.

His instinct telling him to check for injuries Seto had nuzzled all along Jou's body. Finding the bite mark the only thing he managed to think was, 'ONLY HE SHOULD MARK HIS MATE.'

Jou had protested against him but the white dragon had paid no mind until he had uttered that one sentence.

I chose to be his mate…

Jou had wanted to be the other dragons mate. He had wanted to stay with him and leave Seto behind.

Well he didn't say goodbye…maybe he really doesn't care? An unwanted voice said in his mind.

No, no, NO. That can't be true. Jou wouldn't want a cruel dragon like that as his mate. Seto argued.

How do you know, do you think he would want you? You've only ever insulted him.

That doesn't matter. I know Jou enough to know he's honest and he said he didn't have a mate. He said he didn't expect to have one. So why would he mate with a random dragon all of a sudden. Seto mused.

Something's up, this isn't right. And what about Serenity?...I'm going after him to stop him doing anything stupid… and to find out what the hell is going on. Stupid Mutt causing all this trouble.

Seto too left the cave just like the black dragon a few minuets ago, opening his wings and taking to the air, another thought came into his head.

'My mate'…I thought that. Do I really want Jou to be my mate?

Jou was panting heavily and his wound stung horribly as the wind whipped against it. His speed had never lessened since he took off from the cave but he hadn't managed to catch up to the other dragon yet. His scent was still strong in the air though and the black dragon was determined to find Tyran. The forest was still spread out beneath him but the sent lead him to a hidden cave carved into the side of a hill covered in thick trees, the entrance was almost impossible to see but Jou had no trouble following the sent left by Tyran to the opening in the rock face.

"Tyran?" the black dragon called into the darkness as he walked through the threshold. There was no answer. Walking further into the cave Jou noticed the walls were damp and moss was growing along most of them. The ceiling was low and he almost had to crawl through, the tunnel was also narrow so he could only just walk through with a couple of inches left on each side. Being unable to move and feeling venerable was unsettling for Jou.

He didn't have to suffer long though, as the tunnel opened out into a reasonable sized cave. The ceiling was way above his head and he would have room to stand on his back legs if he wanted to but not enough room to fly. The cave was also wide, giving him room to move once again. It wasn't a second after Jou arrived at this wider part of the cave that he was grabbed around both his shoulders and pressed to the floor. His first instinct was to fight but he resisted once he saw who was in the cave.

Pinning him down was the orange-brown dragon and purple-gray dragon that he had fought earlier. Further in was the large blue dragon though he was half covered in shadow, but most importantly right in front of his nose, and staring down at him with narrowed eyes, was Tyran.

"Tyran…" Jou called, paying no mind to the dragons pushing him to the ground painfully "stop this."

"Stop what Jou? We made a deal and you broke it" hissed the silver dragon, though the colour of his scales was hard to see in the shadows. His narrowed white eyes gleamed ominously though.

"No! I didn't break it" a movement in the darkest corner of the cave caught the red eyed dragon's attention. The blue dragon was standing in front of something and holding it, but a flash of red revealed all Jou needed to know.

"Serenity!" he called to the hidden figure. The blue dragon growled to warn the young dragon behind him not to answer.

"Yes Jou, it is Serenity. Didn't I warn you that betraying me would lead to her being punished?" Tyran stated coldly.

Serenity? Serenity was here. Has he hurt her already? I need to do something. I need Tyran to listen. How can I get Tyran to believe me? Jou thought desperately.

"Tyran, listen to me. I didn't call for Seto. I didn't know he was at the cave, I don't even know how he got there. I didn't say goodbye and thought I had left without anyone noticing. I haven't broken your deal Tyran."

"Don't try that Jou. It's obvious the white dragon is your mate."

"Mate? Seto isn't my mate. I don't even want him to be my mate"

Yes, you do…a voice answered in his head

Not now…Jou answered back.

"Look, I'll be your mate. I don't break my deals, but please don't punish Serenity. Release her and I'll take the punishment. You know I don't go back on my word."

"Hmm, I'm not sure…Oh, I know you are honest Jou, but just how honest can a dragon like you really be. You have no one but yourself. No one has looked after or loved you since you were a kit. How could a dragon like that possibly have enough selflessness to give his life away for another?"

Jou was getting desperate, he could fully see Serenity now and she was looking at him with pleading green eyes. Tear tracks could be seen down her face, glistening in the darkness. He had to get her out.

"I promise" he whispered quietly, submitting to his supposed fate.

Tyran, for once, was surprised. He knew for sure that a promise made by Jou would be kept. For the black dragon they were binding. If Jou promised he would deliver no matter the cost.

"You promise? You promise to be my mate and to serve me, to help me create a new clan?"

"…Yes, I promise you Tyran that as long as Serenity is released and isn't harmed in anyway I will be your mate and serve you..."

Jou took a deep breath. Was it really worth it? Looking into Serenity's wide, disbelieving, sad eyes, he had his answer.

Yes.

"I promise."