The Ostiary

Kochou-hime

All characters belong to their respective owners.

A Thieving King

An eerie wind of stillness blew into the black night that had once been filled with the presence of war. The lingering sounds of roars and screams still rang within Serenity's ears even though dead silence now hung in the air. A hint of the faintest smell of iron floated around her as she aimed her crystalline blue stare toward a massive tower, purely white and shining like an enormous diamond under a sky littered with stars. Just as the golden blonde breathed a sigh of relief, she buckled under a surge of fatigue that went crashing into her like a ton of stones, for it had taken almost every ounce of her energy to seal the demon away. The fairy's exhausted body cared not if it fell as her wobbly legs gave way and her eyes fluttered close. But Serenity barely experienced the feeling of free fall because she was immediately swept into a pair of lightning fast arms. All the tension fled from her as she was brought against the warm and inviting form of another.

"Open your eyes," a masculine voice ordered softly of her. "A champion should reap all the glory of her victory; especially when she's just saved the world." Slowly forcing her heavy eyelids to open, her blurred vision focused on a man she had come to know well. Yami gazed upon her with a small smile as the gentle breeze ruffled his spiked locks of hair. His glinting crimson eyes were swollen with utter admiration as he met her sleepy blue orbs with reverence. An infuriated roar in the distance caught his attention as he sent his emblazoned stare toward the massive prison. Feeling too exhausted to move her head as she rested it against his arm; she looked up toward him fearfully.

"Is he still trapped?" Serenity asked in panic. Once again regarding her, his mouth pulled into a smirk she was all too familiar with.

"The tower hasn't budged though he pounds the walls," The vampire replied, "it appears as if you've defeated the world's most dangerous adversary. How ever can we repay you oh divine savior?" His voice rang deep as he flashed a teasing grin. The blonde quickly flushed a deep shade of red.

"It wasn't just me. There's no way he would have ever got here if it wasn't for you and the others." Serenity spoke groggily, "I doubt I'd even still be alive if it wasn't for you." Her blue eyes fell half lidded as the man who had, over such a long and arduous journey, become her friend, defender and lover leaned his face in closer to hers.

"Even so, allow me to be the first to show my appreciation." Yami spoke lusciously, and with a pleased sigh gently brushed his lips against her own. A wave of warmth spread across her feeling so pleasant that she unconsciously whimpered against his mouth. Always willing to give her more, he lifted the fairy closer to him so she could feel the urgency in his kiss, as if she was the only thing in the entire world that was important to him. Just as everything seemed to be finally right the unexpected sound of a blood curdling scream startled the two from lip lock.

"Bakura!" The sound of Mina's voice shrieked. Yami quickly whipped around, holding Serenity against him as he did so. Serenity's tired eyes fell on their group and felt the pit of her stomach drop when she saw the white haired vampire sprawled on his back upon the ground. The great golden dragon Ra, and his much smaller son Blue Eyes, a dragon with light blue skin that stood no taller than Seto standing beside him, hovered around the fallen. Mina was on her knees at Bakura's side, practically on top of him as she looked toward Serenity and Yami with tears flowing down her face.

"He's badly injured!" She sobbed. "Serenity, you have to heal him!" Her cousin begged. Yami quickly made his way over to them holding the fae's queen protectively.

"What in the hell happened? He was completely unharmed a few minutes ago." Seto grumbled, looking confoundedly upon the man.

"She hasn't even the energy to stand, let alone heal him." Yami spoke of Serenity as he gently laid her onto the grass. "I'll heal him with my own blood." He answered and was by the other vampire's side in a flash. Crouching down he brought his wrist to his sharp teeth and suddenly paused upon a noise.

"Stop." Bakura coughed as his brown eyes flashed open. Groaning he turned to Mina and smiled gently toward her just as a small trickle of blood escaped his mouth.

"Bakura," Mina whispered as she moved her hand into his wild white bangs. "You're badly injured. Yami's going to heal you." She explained choking back a sob. Weakly shifting his arm, the injured vampire moved his hand over the one she used to support herself on the ground.

"I think in the four thousand years I've terrorized this Earth with my existence, the thing I'll miss the most is seeing your perfect face every evening, my love." The man coughed, sputtering blood onto himself as he did so. Mina once again broke into sobs. Serenity watched on in utter confusion to why he had ordered Yami to stop, feeling utterly helpless as she lay completely without energy upon the cold grass. Shifting her gaze to the glint of something shiny, her eyes fell upon a silver dagger stained dark red near Bakura's opposite hand. Horror flowed through her veins as she noticed the blood pouring from the lying man's chest.

"Yami," Serenity whispered quietly. Looking toward the exhausted fairy, he followed her line of sight. His blood colored eyes blazed upon the sharp object. Snatching it up quickly, he held it above his long time companion's face.

"A silver dagger to the heart?" The proclaimed Vampire King snarled. "Really? I always knew you were mad, but trying to kill yourself? You're insane!" Mina's eyes grew wide as Yami chucked the weapon away.

"Is this true?" She muttered in disbelief. The blonde looked utterly crushed as she withdrew her hand from his head.

"It will never go away." Bakura groaned as he turned his dark brown eyes to the man who had always been his king whether he liked it or not. "That blasted demon made sure he'd always be a part of me. He's forever merged with my soul." The red-eyed vampire narrowed his gaze.

"All of that is over! Zorc is sealed away forever, not even the Millennium items have the power to release him now." Yami barked. "So take my goddamn blood and appreciate it as I never thought the day would come that I'd slash my hide to save yours!" He finished with a growl and once again moved to spill blood for him.

"Don't tell me you never wondered how Zorc returned to our world, again." Bakura spoke lowly, the man was fading fast as the blood continued to pour from him. "Or who placed the items upon the Millennium Stone to release him, even your precious puzzle, Pharaoh?" He drawled Yami's long forgotten title scathingly as the once human King pursed his lips. Serenity's blue orbs flew open wide as she realized what the bloodied man was suggesting.

"Oh my…" Ra whispered, horrified as he took a step back. Mina could do nothing but cry as she gripped on to the man's blood stained shirt.

"I barely remember it," Bakura spoke shamefully, "when that wretched creature would take over my body; my mind." The cold wind blew like ice across Serenity's skin as she fought hopelessly to lift herself from the ground. Her gut wrenched upon understanding the man's sacrificial intentions. "I forgive you; for what your family did to mine." He coughed. Yami opened his mouth to speak, but promptly clicked it shut as he looked in shock upon the man he knew longer than any other.

"Let me make sure he can never escape again," Bakura's voice was barely audible now as he faded in and out of consciousness. "Let me do this for the only woman I've ever loved, the world, and for you." The frosty haired man uttered. Yami's eyes lit up in fire and grit his teeth down toward the dying.

"And so you lived your life as a king and now you choose to die like a cowardly peasant!" The once Pharaoh roared angrily, "Why in the Gods' name would you do anything for me?" Giving Mina one last glance, the man who proclaimed himself the Thief King settled his eyes securely upon Yami.

"Because you were my friend," he replied in a whisper upon the night's soft breeze, "when there was no one else." A solitary tear trickled down Bakura's face as his eyes slowly closed.

"No!" Mina howled, floods of tears trailing down her face as she threw herself upon him. "Take my blood! You cannot die, no, not like this!" She cried out hysterically as Yami remained frozen.

Serenity watched on powerlessly, as she truly hadn't the energy to even try to intervene. The streams of liquid that escaped her eyes felt icy cold against her skin while she watched Seto forcefully pull her convulsing cousin away from her lover's body, screaming in pain as she fought against him. And as she moved her attention upon Yami, Serenity knew that she would never forget the look in his eyes; one that told of the loss of a friend.


"You are not Bakura," Serenity's voice rang coldly.

Blue irises clouded stormily with silver as Serenity narrowed her gaze. While gripping firmly onto the sword she held before her she glowered toward the vampire who stood grinning at the opposite end of the room.

"Why Serenity, I'm hurt," Bakura's face defied his words as it shone in absolute delight. "How can you be so sure?" He taunted with a soft chuckle.

"Because I watched him die for the ones he loved," The Queen responded passionately, "I was there when he was buried in the desert sands; the place he always called home." The wild haired man broke into a fit of stifled snickers as his brown eyes glittered toward the petite fairy.

"I find that one of the best things about being a tomb robber," The crazed man announced as he flashed his fangs, "is that you become very good at digging yourself out of sticky situations." He demonstrated expressively as he curled the fingers on his hands before him. Quickly tossing his attention upon the Queen's sibling, he tilted his head in interest.

"Another fairy? Ooh!" The crazed man spoke excitedly as Jou grit his teeth. "And what exactly do you keep looking at behind me?" The vampire trailed as he casually shifted his gaze. His brown eyes lit up as they filled with a great golden object that hung on the wall just beyond the throne. The two fairies' eyes widened in horror as the impossibly fast figure easily snatched the great axe from the wall and returned to his previous position in a flash. Twirling the gigantic specimen in his hands, he returned his manic stare toward the throne room's most recent guests.

"Deadly weapons and gold are my absolute favorite," Bakura cackled, "How did you know?"

"Hand the axe over creep and no one gets hurt!" Jou suddenly barked earning a horrified look from his sister. Bakura's mouth curved into an ill-intending smile.

"As lovely as it is to see you again, Serenity, I'm afraid you aren't the person I was waiting for." Bakura spoke sinisterly, "In fact, I've grown rather tired of dining on dirty dwarfs, so the prospect of a delicious fairy is hardly one I'm able to resist!" He bellowed and made a fast lunge toward Jou, swinging the golden talisman to his side.

Time seemed to grow sluggish as Serenity's body was thrust into action acting only on instinct. As she leapt before her startled brother, the Queen let her arms fly and the sword in her hands slashed deep into flesh. The horrifying sound of the man's howl and the feeling of cutting into another made Serenity's arms quiver as she stared into the gaping wound across Bakura's chest. Dropping the axe, the white haired man grabbed on to the golden ring that still hung around his neck and groaned.

"What sort of weapon could leave such a scorching injury upon me?" The white haired man roared as the wound produced a quiet sizzle and a burning scent. Serenity narrowed her eyes and gripped onto the hilt of her now bloodied sword.

"One you should be familiar with," she spoke lowly, "a blade blessed beneath the sun." Jou gaped at his sister's boldness and quickly moved out from behind her to her side as he brandished his own weapon.

"The Holy Blade." Bakura's eyes lit up as a malevolent smirk replaced his pained features. "That doesn't belong to you." The vampire sang. Serenity watched in horror as her inflicted injury was quickly shrinking as it began to heal itself.

"No, it does not. Minako lent it to me." The fairy replied through pursed lips. A sudden subtle change washed over Bakura as he paused upon the sound of the name. His threatening brown eyes clouded over, becoming glossy in memory. A beam of hope surfaced within Serenity as she studied the dangerous man. Perhaps the remembrance of the woman Bakura loved would bring sense to his blood thirsty madness. But just as the wound fully healed, a laughing smirk returned to his face.

"How is she doing, nowadays?" Bakura asked in sarcastic endearment, "Now, that one was a lot of fun, delicious too!" The man announced amusedly. Jou let out an audible growl as he stared down the recovered man.

"Stop this!" Serenity ordered as she eyed the one she previously thought to be an imposter. But was he Bakura? He recognized the sword and made that terribly callous statement about her cousin, the one he had supposedly sworn his devotion. The man merely chuckled at her protest.

"Fine. If I can't have your little friend for dinner," the vampire spoke as he licked his lips, "I'll just have you!"

Before anyone had the chance to even flinch a flash caught Serenity's peripheral vision and Bakura went flying into the wall with a thunderous crash that shook the entire cavern. Wide crimson eyes looked in surprise upon the person before them just before they clouded over blackly with contempt. The snowy haired vampire let out a grunt as a small stream of blood leaked from his mouth. His dark brown eyes lit up as he looked at the one who held him into the crumbling rock wall.

"Well if it isn't the man of the hour," Bakura's raspy voice rang, "I was wondering how long it would take you to find my message and come looking for me."

"What?" Yami roared as he revealed his fangs in a snarl. The other released a pained chuckle.

"The map, idiot! Who else in this goddamned world can pen Egyptian?" Bakura cackled, in a maddened voice that made Serenity shiver as she looked on in complete astonishment. Yami growled lowly as he forcibly pushed Bakura's body deeper into the wall, causing fragments of rocks to tumble to the floor.

"I don't know how you're alive, and frankly I don't care," Yami's voice rumbled darkly as he pushed his forearm into the trapped man's neck. His death promising eyes glowed ferociously as he stared into thief with pure hatred. "You bare your fangs and threaten them on Serenity?" His voice cracked accusingly, "I'll put you back in your grave!" The once Pharaoh shrieked smoldering in fury.

"Still her loyal guard dog? What a surprise." Bakura voiced laboriously against his constricted neck. "Doesn't anything ever change around here?" A sudden flash of light caught the Vampire King's eyes as he glanced down toward the item around the other man's neck and balked. "Did you really think offing me would be that easy?" In a flicker of movement Yami's back smashed into the ground with Bakura on top of him.

"Yami!" Serenity wailed as she rushed forward and quickly halted as the men were viciously grappling on the ground. Thinking fast, Jou seized the Golden Axe from the floor and wrapped his free hand around the Queen's wrist.

"C'mon we gotta get out of here and inform the others!" Jou commanded. The shorter fairy whipped her blue eyes toward him.

"No, I'm not leaving Yami alone with him!" She argued and snapped back her hand. Jou grit his teeth.

"They're going to tear this place to the ground!" The hazel eyed blonde barked.

True to his words, the two vampires destroyed everything they came in contact with, with exception of the other. Thrown and dodged blows sounded like thunder as they shattered into the solid rock floor as each tried to gain the upper hand. Snarls and growls ripping through their throats, the disturbing scent of iron spewed into the air from shared injuries. Scrambling to his feet, Bakura lunged away with Yami quickly following in hot pursuit. Grabbing onto what was the now the deceased Noah's throne, the white haired vampire flung it into the other man savagely. Yami fell backwards with a loud groan and Bakura was on top of him once more in a matter of seconds. Serenity felt helpless as the two tore at each other, unable to think of how to stop them.

Quite suddenly, the Eye of Horus lit up on Yami's forehead and Bakura relinquished his clawing hands to grip his head; howling in pain. In a swift movement the mind crushing vampire rolled to pin Bakura beneath him and fiercely plunged his fangs into his throat. Unexpectedly, the famed thief flailed his hands and pushed Yami away from his vulnerable neck, seemingly now unaffected by the other's power. The King displayed a bloody snarl as he looked upon the other who covered his wound with his non restraining hand.

"Those old tricks don't work on me, Pharaoh!" Bakura cackled as the Millennium Ring suddenly flashed and the white haired vampire vanished from under him. Before Yami could react he collapsed into the stone floor as Bakura came crashing from above and sent a sharp elbow into his back. A pained groan was forced from his throat upon impact, but the powerful man quickly rolled under Bakura and stopped his flurried punches by catching his fists with his two hands. The two rumbled as they struggled against the other's nearly equal strength.

"All I want is the Millennium Items, dear King," Bakura panted as he tried to gain dominance over the mighty vampire. "I've already obtained most of them, but I would appreciate you handing over your precious puzzle." Yami's eyes widened.

"You know where it is," The man with bloody eyes hissed, "why don't you go get it yourself!" He roared as he snapped his hand behind Bakura's head and slammed it into the ground. Bakura chuckled lightly as he pulled his head from the destroyed stone.

"Very funny," the proclaimed Thief King wheezed as both men kept their distance, huffing as they caught their breath. The two men sat with torn clothing, littered with the occasional scrapes and bite marks that quickly began to heal. "I want it put together, every piece in its proper place." Yami sat back on his hands and slung his head to one side with a malicious grin.

"What's a matter? Too dumb to figure it out yourself?" The tri-colored haired man taunted. Bakura scowled and grit his teeth toward the other man. "I suppose this answers our inquiry. You're trying to release Zorc," Yami accused with his narrowed gaze, "But it won't work, he cannot be liberated with the Millennium Stone, or did you forget?" Bakura immediately flashed his seething gaze toward Serenity who put on her most serious expression as she stood defensively beside her brother.

"Yes, I remember her majesty making sure of that," he grumbled and immediately moved his attention back to the other vampire when he released an infuriated growl.

"Look at her again and I'll tear your eyes out!" Yami thundered, "Serenity. Is. Mine." His voice rang lowly. Serenity flinched, she had learned a long time ago that vampires would explicitly defend their possessions from others if they felt they were threatened, yet she didn't particularly appreciate being considered spoken of as she was an object, especially not his. Jou's eyes widened upon such a statement, and he tossed his sibling a questioning glance to which she promptly ignored.

"Yes, yes I know." Bakura spoke, appearing as if he was gaining back his strength, "Relax, I don't need her as Lord Zorc is already free!" Serenity felt a harrowing twinge within her heart at the man's confirming words.

"I don't believe you," Yami growled blackly. Bakura revealed a victorious grin.

"Well, start believing. The Shadow Lord has escaped his imprisonment and used his unholy powers to revive me from the dead as his loyal servant," The maddened man explained, "Did you not hear of the display of his power? A massacre of four hundred men with just a single breath from his lungs, I was sure that fool Shimon would come running to you the minute he heard." Bakura grinned when Yami narrowed his eyes.

"If what you say is true why is he hiding? That demon may be a lot of things but I hadn't realized he was a coward also." Yami snarled.

"He wishes to call a truce, an alliance if you will," Bakura answered, "Lord Zorc has recognized you to be his most worthy opponent as you've bested him twice over the past few millennia and wishes to make you, oh dark Pharaoh, his right hand man, even over me. I figured instead of crawling the Earth looking for you, I'd lure you to me here."

"No," Yami rejected the offer immediately without any negotiation.

"Think about it old friend," Bakura whispered lowly, "We aren't all so different than him, you and I. Don't you remember how much fun we used to have before this fiasco a thousand years ago?" The thief chuckled in memory, "All those lives we destroyed, claiming their delicious blood as our victory. Even the bravest of men would wet themselves at the sound of either of our names, especially yours, because dare I say you were even more ruthless than I." The Vampire King appeared unresponsive as he glared into the nostalgic man.

"You've remained quiet over the past millennia, Yami. Only the old ones remember your fearsome reputation and all the others think you only to be a fairytale told to scare small children before bedtime." Bakura spoke distastefully. "Under Zorc you can have all of it back; everything that made you great and more. The Dark Lord encourages it. He loves death, blood, and pain. All he wants is the items to prove your allegiance, especially the completed puzzle." The man's words riled passion within Serenity as she made her attention known to the vampires.

"You cannot possibly believe that," The Queen glared into Bakura, "Zorc wishes for no one's happiness! He wishes to destroy the world!" She protested. Zorc's proclaimed servant turned to her in amusement.

"Don't worry little Queen, the way Yami favors you you'll be safe and sound as his pretty little pet." The vampire grinned.

"I told you not to look at her!" The Vampire King bellowed, once again earning Bakura's eyes. He slowly got to his feet as he loomed menacingly over the other who cautiously stood up. "I'd tell you to relay my polite decline to your master, but I'm afraid I'm going to destroy you here and now, traitor!" Yami roared.

"You know, I'm really not surprised," Bakura sneered, "I offer you the perfect existence and you decline. Are you really so afraid of being a subordinate, even to the most powerful creature in the world?"

"Most powerful creature in the world?" Yami repeated with a smirk, "If I recall I've defeated him twice, so what does that make me? The most powerful man in the universe?" Bakura's face lit up in fury upon his words.

"Have it your way. Its game over for you, Pharaoh!" The Thief King screeched.

"More like game over for you." A sultry feminine voice sounded from the back of the room. Serenity turned her head to the noise and felt relieved upon seeing Mai, Seto transformed with his two werewolf companions, flanked by Rei and Endymion, all poised to attack.

"Long time, no see, Bakura," Seto's low voice rumbled, "I've seen you joined the dark side this time. I'll admit I'm going to enjoy tearing you apart!" The man barked. Bakura narrowed his eyes toward the werewolf.

"I've always been on the dark side,dear friend," the vampire replied, "How have you been, mutt? I hear you've been in the business of murdering your own family. Kill anymore siblings in the past thousand years?" Bakura brandished a terrible smirk. Seto's eyes lit up in fury as he all but charged the white haired man. Shifting his gaze quickly back to Yami, a serious expression overtook his mirth.

"As much as I'd like to continue this, it appears the odds no longer bode well for me," The vampire assessed. "I imagine I'll be seeing you again, and if you change your mind, bring me the completed puzzle and our little arrangement will still stand, but I warn you, Zorc isn't very patient. He'll make his presence known, very soon." Bakura advised.

"The only way you're leaving this room is in pieces." Yami threatened as he took an ill-intending step toward the man. Bakura shook his head in a tsk'ing manner and pointed to the ring hanging around his neck. Realizing his mistake, Yami immediately lunged toward him but crashed to his hands and knees when the laughing man disappeared into thin air. The vampire froze for a moment glaring into his hands as the tatters of his shirt swept the floor. With a heave of anger he let out an infuriated howl and made the floor tremble as he struck it with his fist.


Serenity stood silently, wrapping Yami's long coat around her as she listened to the plethora of arguments flying amongst the group of peculiar company. They had relocated just outside the mountain city and Serenity did her best to not forfeit the contents within her stomach at the sight lingering smell of blood that covered the rocky ground. After informing Ra of who they had come across within the throne room, chaotic disagreement ensued ranging on whether or not Bakura had been lying about Zorc's liberation, or if he actually was the familiar vampire most of them had come to know well in the first place.

"Alright, alright. So no one knows if that he was lying or whatever," Jou redirected, "Maybe we should focus on what we should do next, do we keep on trying to get to Babylonia or do we go after those Millennium Item things that Bakura guy was going on about?" The Fae Prince paid no heed to the irritated glare he received from Seto. Yami, who had been unusually silent throughout the discussions suddenly turned on heel and began walking away.

"Where are you going?" Mai inquired with a raised eyebrow. Pausing in his steps, the vampire bothered not to turn around. Serenity cast her eyes upon his back and blinked. In all the time she had been away from him she was surprised at how much she had forgotten how perfect in appearance he truly was. The tears in his black shirt showed patches of glorious golden skin stretched across a molded physique so refined it seemed impossible. The contours and hard lines defining his stalwart muscles was a feverish reminder of just how mighty he had been even before he had become a terrifying vampire who commanded a liege of impressive and incredibly dark powers.

It was a question she had asked herself so many times: how could someone so regal and beautiful be capable of such monstrous things. Bakura's depiction of their lives before she had even been born was just a reminder of what she had already known about him. That magnificent man was gifted with the power of terror and the uncanny ability to bring misery and death upon anyone or anything he wished. Serenity couldn't even fathom the number lives he had destroyed in his lifetime, or the sheer amount of families he had ripped apart simply for his own amusement and she knew this to be fact as he had shared the information with her himself.

And what was most paradoxical about all of this is that to her he was something entirely different. Yami was the type of hero that could give you nightmares. Always there when danger loomed, that vigorous man defended her fearlessly, with such ferocity that the assailants usually gave up before he even laid a finger on them. He was like a knight in armor, only it wasn't all that shiny; it was black and covered in blood. If he wasn't protecting her from threatening monsters he spent every other moment loving her with every sense of the word. At first she had found this absurd, how could someone like him love anything? But it was undeniably true, and although he had never said the words aloud she knew it with all of her being. The fairy suspected he had refrained because he knew she could never honestly return the same feelings. And how could she devote herself to someone who loved everything she denounced?

Why hadn't he accepted Bakura's offer? If the vampire had been voicing the truth wouldn't it have been his ideal world? It seemed absolutely incredible to her that he was ready to annihilate the friend he had trusted longer than anyone for merely threatening her life. The red-eyed creature of the night was crazy about killing and hurting things and that's when it dawned upon her. Perhaps of all these unforgiving things this enigmatic man enjoyed, maybe he just simply loved her more. And that in itself made the lovely blonde feel horrid, because even though somewhere deep within she wanted him more than anything, she knew she could never accept him for the blood thirsty beast he was.

"I'm going to find Bakura." Yami spoke finitely not bothering to turn around.

"And do what?" Ra's heavy voice asked, "Destroy the entire world while the two of you try to kill each other?" The great dragon shook his mighty head. "I know you're angry Yami but going after him now is not the best course of action."

"Perhaps he's going to join forces," Seto's voice challenged snidely. "After all, Yami and Bakura have been such good friends for thousands of years." At this, the vampire turned his hardened red gaze upon the werewolf and snarled.

"Make no mistake," he spoke promisingly, "No matter what is actually going on here. I will butcher him and ensure he won't be digging himself out of anymore tombs." Yami spoke firmly. Tension spread amongst everyone, but Serenity let out a breath of relief when the tan skinned vampire, still at some distance from the group, turned to lean against the mountain and let his eyes close.

"Honda, you're injured!" The quiet Hotaru suddenly interjected. Turning her eyes to the pointy haired werewolf he had a hand clamped over a wound at his shoulder.

"It's alright," the brunette shrugged and winced at the pain. "It should heal pretty quickly." But the young girl shook her head and gingerly reached her fingers up to the wound. Serenity's eyes lit up in wonder as at the girl's touch the wound magically healed.

"Whoa! Thanks Hotaru," Honda grinned. The flaxen haired fairy found herself smiling fondly toward the dark haired girl. She now had something to discuss with her as they shared a common ability.

"What do you think we should do, Serenity?" Endymion's soft voice asked of her. Being shocked at the question, Serenity's eyes went wide as she noticed everyone's, with the exception of Yami's, attention fall onto her.

"Well," the Ostiary to Zorc's prison spoke after a pause. "As Ra has said many times, since he has not revealed himself the only way to ensure Zorc has not been released is to check for ourselves." Ra gave a hearty nod.

"Then we continue on to Babylonia," The golden dragon announced.

"I agree," Seto chimed in also with a nod of approval toward Serenity. "I am however concerned about Bakura wanting the Millennium Items. Hey blood-sucker!" He called out to Yami but he didn't flinch, "Where did you stash the puzzle?"

"He knows where to find it. But it is impossible for him to put it together." The vampire spoke cryptically. Rei lifted a brow in scrutiny toward the man.

"Impossible or implausible? Maybe you're not giving him enough credit." The raven haired fairy pointed out. Yami suddenly left the wall and began walking away.

"Impossible." He replied with his back turned. Serenity watched him leave with a frown just as Anzu joined their group from where she had been out scouting with perfect timing.

"I found a small town with several inns not too far from here." The female werewolf informed, "Although I'd prefer to sleep in the woods I figured after a night like tonight we could all use some reprieve."

"I agree, Serenity and Endymion, you should allow Anzu to escort you and your parties there at least for the night while we gather our bearings." Ra suggested. Serenity nodded as a hand fell on her shoulder.

"Ready to go sis?" Jou asked with a soft smile. Looking back to where Yami had walked away from sight she turned to her brother.

"Yes, just give me a few minutes?" And with his nod she walked toward where the vampire had left their party.

Serenity walked the well trodden path slowly just around a corner of the mountain where she spotted the dark skinned vampire looking out into the night sky. Forcing her mind to forget the blood that stained the mountain's surface she looked toward him with a glossy and emotion heavy gaze. If his frayed shirt allowed his back to look wonderful it granted an extraordinary view of his marvelous torso. Yami was as solid as men come, unlike in more recent times where men became lazy and spent their days eating rather than using their God given bodies to perform incredible feats of athleticism and strength. But this man had been birthed in a different time, where Kings were not lazy but instead rode into battle and worked alongside the men they ruled. His bronze skin told of the days he once spent beneath the sun and the firm lines along his abdomen showed power and a body trained to do anything a capable man should. Feeling at once improper for ogling him as he still failed to acknowledge her, she reached for his coat that she wore so that he could at least attempt to properly clothe himself.

"Keep it." The vampire spoke, a small smile creeping on his face although he didn't take his eyes away from the great black and star filled sky. Serenity couldn't help but reveal a small smile.

"And how many jackets have I stolen from you?" She asked sounding playful as she looked upon him.

"Hundreds probably," he answered finally regarding her with his astounding crimson-eyed gaze. "But I wouldn't have it any other way." He admitted softly. Serenity let out a small puff of foggy breath but in this moment felt completely warm in the presence of the man she held a very conflicted torch for.

"I considered going after him anyway, even though it was against Ra's wishes," Yami spoke to her as she made her way closer to him, yet still maintaining a friendly distance. "But I found I couldn't fathom the idea of leaving you unprotected." Serenity let out a small sigh but smiled lightly.

"I'm not unprotected," she corrected him, "and I'm more capable than you think." He chuckled lightly.

"But you wouldn't be protected by me." The man clarified.

"Do you really think that was Bakura?" The Moon's Queen asked seriously. Turning his eyes back to the sky, he sighed.

"Yes, but how, and whether or not Zorc is free I'm not sure. Regardless, that demon is most certainly involved." Turning his reverent gaze back to her she met his eyes in agony.

"How could he of escaped? You know I would never have let him out." Serenity whispered. The vampire nodded.

"That's something I've been thinking about," Yami admitted, "In the tower, do you know if there are any shadows?" He asked. Serenity tilted her head in thought to which Yami could only crack a smile upon her.

"The tower is crafted completely from light, how is that possible?" She reminisced. Rolling his tongue in thought, the dark man turned to her once more.

"In the corners on the ground and at the pillar at the top, there could be small places of darkness." The man assessed, "Though it would be very difficult for him to access the shadow realm from such a small opening."

"Perhaps if he was able to reach into the shadows a little bit over a thousand years he may have accomplished something." Serenity sighed as her companion's eyes widened upon her statement. "I guess my design failed." The Queen spoke forlornly to which Yami vehemently shook his head.

"No, it was my lack of foresight. I should have better informed you. Even the slightest patch of darkness that demon can manipulate." The vampire graciously held any blame on his own shoulders. Silence befell the two as they both considered their new discovery.

"I didn't kill them all," Yami suddenly spoke earning the petite woman's gaze. "For what it's worth, you really pissed me off when I saw you in that blasted cave." The vampire admitted with a lopsided smile.

"And you really angered me when you fooled me, so I suppose we're even then?" She asked feeling somewhat better despite the massive loss of life that had occurred this evening. Even though Yami nodded an unsettling thought rolled around her mind.

"Actually, we're not even," Serenity spoke again and caught his inquisitive stare. "You saved Jou's life tonight and I can never be more grateful. Thank you." She spoke genuinely holding her left hand upon her heart. Yami's eyes glowed upon her, as if he was worshipping her with his gaze.

"Your brother being alive pleases you, does it not?" The vampire asked simply.

"Of course," Serenity replied immediately, as if it were a silly question. He smirked.

"Then no thanks are required, because that's why I'm here. To please you, that is." He raised his eyebrow suggestively as he caught Serenity off guard with a blush. She laughed at herself inwardly feeling like a young girl all over again. But nevertheless, regardless of his reasons she couldn't help but be eternally thankful for protecting a person that meant so much for her. Meeting his eyes with her own blue orbs again she gave him a half smile.

"Promise me you won't move, for just a minute." She requested suddenly. Although his eyes lit up wearily he grinned.

"Alright," he reverberated lowly.

Counting down the slow seconds in her head she closed the space between them with languid steps. Standing just before him, she shrugged off the jacket and reached around him to gently settle it around his shoulders. His warm skin burned pleasantly upon her fingertips as she softly retracted her hands.

"You should take the jacket. I know you're not cold but your shirt may cause some poor woman a heart attack if she should see you." Serenity laughed. Yami's eyes melted upon her, but he obeyed his promise, neither flinching nor speaking. Drawing in a quick breath the slender woman lifted herself up on her toes and placed a gentle kiss upon his cheek. His fiery skin excited her once cool lips as she dropped down and away from his face with a small smile.

"Thank you for looking after my brother and I tonight," She spoke softly as it appeared like he was struggling to stay still. "Now, we're even. Goodnight." And with that farewell she turned to rejoin her companions, but as soon as those ungodly slow sixty seconds had passed a dark chuckle flitted by her ears. Turning back to look at him she almost crumbled at the sight of his red-hot eyes with a wide and fanged grin adorning his face.

"For someone who is supposed to be nothing but kind you are so terribly wicked." His voice rolled in a seductive growl. Serenity found herself speechless, thinking her act nothing but innocent she couldn't move her attention away from those crazed and desirous eyes. Grabbing the collar of the jacket, the vampire pulled it to his nose and inhaled her scent deeply with a pleasant sigh.

"There's a saying from long ago we had for foreigners who made aggressive moves at the borders of Egypt." Yami smirked coyly as he stared down the surprised fairy. "Those who attack first should be prepared for war." He slid his tongue across his teeth as Serenity looked toward him confoundedly. It took her a few moments but her blue eyes widened in realization.

"You've made the first move Serenity, so I sincerely hope you're prepared for retaliation." He could hardly contain his wicked grin as he quickly winked at her. "Good night." He bid her as the flustered woman could do nothing more but hurriedly make way back to her brother and the others. What had she gotten herself into?

As Yami amusedly watched the fairy round the mountain's bend, the sudden sound of a labored moan caught his ears. Appearing confused at first, the man quickly replaced the expression with a mirthful smirk. Stepping over to a pile of rocks, he easily pushed away the large boulders and his eyes beamed down toward the person within them. A dwarf with teal hair cried as he attempted to crawl away on his arms over the sharp rocks that pulled into his once pristine mauve jacket.

"And to think I had almost forgotten about you. It's a good thing you didn't get away," The red-eyed vampire taunted as the man could only wail in pain. "But then again that would have been rather difficult with two broken legs." Yami snarled and plucked the man from the rock pile by one of the shattered appendages with ease and dropped him to the ground unceremoniously.

The short man howled in torment and looked up toward his captor with terrified and tear stricken eyes. Humming as he darted his gaze around, Yami focused on a particular object and revealed a grin. Plucking the man's iron pickaxe from the pile of rocks he twirled it in his hands, and looked back to the dwarf with a raised brow, as if he was sizing him up. The pained man's mouth dropped in absolute horror, clearly recalling the vampire's vow to him earlier than evening.

"Oh good, you remember!" Yami spoke revealing a malicious smirk. "Then you'll understand why I can't be lenient with you. You see, even though this night put me, surprisingly, in a better mood than I had hoped I'm afraid I cannot forgive you." The vampire wagged a finger before him in scolding. "If only you hadn't of threatened her; I keep a rather strict policy about that, unfortunately for you." Yami seemed to recall the event clearly as he pulled his upper lip into a snarl.

"Please, please no! Just let me go!" The man blubbered. Yami shook his head as he loomed over the crushed man, continually examining the weapon in his hand.

"Your name is Espa, isn't it?" The dangerous man asked. Espa responded only with moans and tears. "Well Espa, I have a feeling it's going to be a long night so we might as well get to know each other better." The vampire said with a shrug.

"So tell me, Espa, what's your opinion on games?"


Serenity released an exhausted sigh as she collapsed on the bed, only momentarily considering not changing clothes as she was truly that exhausted. With the confusing night's events still fresh on her mind she was shocked from her thoughts when a soft rapping was heard at her door. Standing from the bed, she cautiously cracked the door and sighed with relief when she saw her brother.

"Hey Jou," the fairy greeted.

"Hey Bunny," Jou said somewhat uncomfortably, "I was wondering if I could talk to you for a few minutes?" Serenity nodded and allowed her sibling to enter the room; shutting the door behind him. The hazel eyed blonde sat on the edge of the bed where the Moon's Queen immediately joined him.

"Are you feeling ok Jou? I know what happened in the mountain was terrible-" Serenity began but was quickly cut off.

"Look," her brother interrupted. "You know I would never nose into your business. I respect your privacy…" he trailed. Serenity felt her stomach drop, as she knew immediately where this conversation was going.

"And you also know I'm not one to judge, and even though I've never asked ya before or ever really cared- I even remember I'm not supposed to talk about it here but, I just gotta know…"

"What is it Jou?" Serenity asked carefully, her heart beating a mile a minute. Sucking in a deep breath, the lightning wielding fairy locked his eyes with hers.

"Who is Rini's father?" The question sliced through the tense air like a sharp sword cutting into a tree. Serenity leveled her stare evenly with his as she took a deep breath of her own.

"When I last came to the Old Land to seal away Zorc, Yami and I-" Serenity paused. "Were close." She finished as her brother replied with a slow nod of understanding. "But not only is it impossible for he to be Rini's father as his kind does not reproduce through offspring; I truly have not been in his company for a thousand years." Serenity explained carefully as Jou released a sigh of relief.

"Seiya, the Grand Duke of Starlight is Rini's father." The Moon's Queen spilled the beans tactfully. "And he has been sworn to silence on this parentage." Jou gave a victorious fist pump into the air.

"I knew it!" He laughed excitedly, "He's been acting so cocky over the past few years! And that brand new Palace and all that stuff you gave him? I knew it!" Jou wiped his forehead with relief. Serenity tried to look happy but bit onto her bottom lip instead.

"Sorry to bother you about this sis, after what I heard in the mountain-"Jou paused as the Queen held up her hand.

"Its fine Jou, I should have told you earlier." She explained as the male fairy merely shrugged.

"Look Bunny," Jou gave his sister a sly smile as he stood from the bed, "I think you should love whoever you love and if you love that guy, even though he's scary as hell, I think you should be with him." Her sibling grinned as Serenity's mouth fell open dumbfoundedly. "Even if Rini was his, I wouldn't mind. It wouldn't make me her love her any less! But you know how some of those jerks are up there. They talk so badly about fairy halflings and I don't even want to imagine how'd they react to someone who was half vampire!" Jou sighed, "I'm just glad we won't have to worry about it. Thanks sis, you really put my mind at ease!" He gave her a thumbs up as he nearly skipped outside the door and closed it behind him.

Serenity sat in silence for a few minutes staring at the closed door. As she promptly picked up her jaw from the floor, she was overcome with remorse as she flopped down upon the bed. She really hated lying, especially to her family, but she had learned a long time ago that, like a ferocious vampire, she would do just about anything to protect what she loved: her precious daughter.


Gaaaaah! Super Super thanks to: dark-wolf-howl, Serena-hime, Cosmic-lover, Anexya, Artemis Day, Yami Nocturna, Krissy, Sara, Sesshy's Mistress, anonymous, SailorVMoon131185, and EnuNR-zero for reviewing last time! Thank you so much! Your comments really motivate me to work really hard on these chapters! I get like…review highs I think!

For those of you who haven't seen it: Check out "The Ostiary's" second side story "Guilty of Being Innocent" It's pretty much all Serenity/Yami and gives a lot of back-plot so check it out if you're interested!

Hopefully this chapter was exciting…it was definitely very informative, and I'm assuming that bomb I dropped at the end was at least exciting XD. All I'm gonna say is be careful what you assume…and that's all I'm gonna say!

Next time (just a little preview): The map reveals a very interesting task, Jou gets challenged into behaving very differently, Yami wishes to visit a person he trusts, and Bakura reveals more to what is actually going on.

'Til next time! Please read and review! I'd love to know what you think (good or bad!)

~Kochou-hime