THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WONDERFUL REVIEWS! :)

As you've made me so happy, here's a quick update, and the two plots (finally?) colliding..

Anyway, as they say in the wonderous world of theatre, "on with the show!" (.. apart from this is a fic.. haha.. Ok Scarlett, be quiet..)

Enjoy ;D

Warnings: sexaul references, strong violence & a large dose of angst..


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Out of the Ashes – Chapter 9

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"Will you please restrain yourself… Malik."

"What? Oh, sorry."

Malik removed himself from Marik's lap and embrace under the piercing blue stare of Seto.

"Shall we?" The tall brunette asked, and there was a flurry of movement in which sheets and rolls of paper were spread out over the vast expanse of mahogany coffee table.

Malik settled on the sofa next to Marik, who entwined their fingers together out of sight.

The last week had really been hectic. Malik had learned a great deal about vampires, combat and methods of their destruction. Marik's friend, Seto, codename Scorpio, owned a large mansion on the outskirts of town with much land. Seto owned a company, and part of his riches were spent on his passion, shared by the other four in the room – and now Malik. The money was poured into the development of weapons, protection and research into the whereabouts of their targets.

Malik couldn't believe tonight was actually the night, the anticipation and grim excitement was clearly tangible. He squeezed Marik's fingers slightly as Seto began his briefing of the evening's activities.

"Welcome, fellow hunters." He began, "We are all here tonight in the cause of the prevention of evil parasites spreading through the world of man. There is considerable evidence that there are two demons residing in this very town; however they are not free to roam the streets… yet. The drug-and-arms dealing gang, more commonly known as the Royals, have acquired two vampires and are using them as a "punishment" to any person that does not meet their ways. They keep them in squalor, half-emaciated and bound in chains. This does not make them any less of a threat."

Malik swallowed thickly. The idea of facing a blood-starved vampire if he stepped out of line seemed pretty drastic, and not something he would like to try. He breifly spared a thought for those who had been unfortunate enough to die at their hands. He tried to shake off these fears when he realised he would probably be meeting them tonight anyway.

"We will conduct a raid: search and destroy. As our aim is to preserve human life, all guns will be loaded with tranquilisers that have instantaneous effect, though if worst comes to worst, remember one life may save hundreds. Direct all offence to the demons' head."

Seto paused, looking around at the hard gazes of the others in the room. He pointed down at a well studied map.

"Taurus and I will enter at the main entrance, here."

The man with long crimson hair sitting on the opposite sofa nodded at Seto. His name was Thabit.

"Gemini, you will cover this back entrance, used by King and other important members of the gang, they may see this as an escape route with their cargo."

Malik felt excitement mixed with anxiety bubble in his stomach slightly as Gemini, whose real name was Yami, scrutinised the map that he already knew off by heart. Malik had got on with Yami the best out of Marik's friends. Interesting hair in three different shades and an attitude that could even keep Seto's under raps, the time spent with him, learning how to shoot, had been very enjoyable for both of them.

"That leaves Capricorn Major, Pisces and... Capricorn Minor, who will take this entrance here, frequented by lower-class members of the Royals, and the least guarded… So as you all can see, the gang has an extensive underground network, with the main hall located here," a thin finger jabbed down on the table, "and the vampire's location thought to be any one of these cells. We know that tonight is not an event of any kind for the Royals, so the security will be slack. I won't go over entry techniques, as I'm sure most of us are well practiced."

Seto shot a cool glance to Malik, who stared him out evenly.

The multimillionaire hadn't struck Malik's fancy at all, and the two had never really spoken at length, but Malik wasn't too bothered by the issue. The choice of code name had reflected Seto's disapproval of having another member of their group, he dismissed Malik as a "fling" of Marik's, not believing he was truly serious about their aim.

Either way, he was in too deep now to go back.

-

"Capricorn Major to Scorpio, we are at location, ready to go. Over."

Malik listened to Marik's hushed voice speak into the walkie-talkie and felt another rush of excitement run through him. He shifted slightly in their crouched position behind a pile of crates in a moonlit alley.

His fingers ghosted over the two cool guns as his hips and the various knives that were strapped to his person. All were dressed in black, close-fitting clothes that were pretty resistant against blades, but not, to Malik's apprehension, vampiric teeth and nails. His hair was twisted under a black woollen hat that was pulled low over his eyes. The tranquiliser bullets felt heavy in his pocket, the reassuring weight of the more deadly type easily accessible and strapped to his back.

"Scorpio giving the command to go. Be as safe as you can, kill the scum. Over."

Marik flicked the walkie-talkie off and laid it on the floor, along with their other supplies that they would come back for. He turned to give Malik a half worried half encouraging look, the moonlight glinting off his bright, eager eyes. He glanced at Pisces (real name Jabari), the slight, dark haired man, whose demeanour was shy but pleasant enough.

"Right, we go in, shoot anyone that's around and make our way through the hall and to the cells. Any questions?" Marik stated, his voice sure and ready.

The two shook their heads in the negative.

"Right then, let's go."

They all stood up, still slightly crouched, and peered around the protective wood.

A single man stood by the metal door in the non-descript looking building, smoking a cigarette and scuffing the ground with his shoe. Marik un-holstered one of his guns and rested it on a protruding piece of wood, taking careful aim. The silencer did its job as the small tranquiliser bullet whistled through the air and struck the guard in the neck. A soft thump, and he was on the ground unconscious.

Marik signalled to the others and Jabari nodded, stepping around the crates, closer to the door. Malik was about to follow when Marik swiftly grabbed his hand. Malik looked round, from the hand to Marik's serious violet eyes.

"Please try not to get hurt," Marik said in a hushed voice, pulling the other closer, "and remember-" he drew Malik's face to his own, letting their lips brush slightly, hot breath lingering over the pinkness, "-that I love you."

Malik smiled into the quick, deep kiss the shared. It lasted way too soon for his liking, the cool night air skimming over the previously hot flesh in seconds, his legs following his lover obediently.

"I love you too." He whispered.

The three quietly made their way through the door with the surprisingly smooth hinges, and stepped into the gloomy staircase.

Breathing quickened along with the pace as the intruders carefully stepped down the stairs and into a long corridor with a single door at the end.

As if in slow motion, Malik crept along the concrete floor with his guns poised, his senses heightened by the adrenalin pumped through his body by his seemingly audible heartbeat.

A scraping noise, and the door suddenly opened, a man in a suit standing in the doorway, making to walk out of the room. Jabari was quick with his gun, and the man crumpled to ground between the two rooms. A shout was abruptly issued from the room as others obviously realised their friend's collapse.

Marik nodded at the other two and started running towards the door, guns clenched tightly in their hands.

-

"Shh... Did you hear that?" Bakura asked.

"Sorry, I'll be quieter," Ryou gasped, Bakura's hands grasping him firmly by the length.

"No, not you," Bakura smirked, pumping his hand and giving the swollen flesh a quick suck, "someone shouted about intruders…"

"Well I'm sure-" Ryou fell back onto the mattress and let another ragged gasp escape his lips as the vampire between his legs indulged him once more.

Bakura listened intently as his mouth worked slowly over Ryou's cock, his delectable taste drawing him back in.

There were footsteps everywhere now, definite shouts, and then, as if to confirm the situation, a gunshot.

At the sound, Bakura reluctantly lifted his head.

"As much as I would desperately love to finish you off, I think we may be included in this little drama." He said as he climbed over his Sire on all fours, looking down into the flushed face and disarrayed hair in appreciation. Ryou scowled, and then strained his hearing also. Unfortunately, he pulled himself out of his bliss as the shout of "vampire" echoed around the corridors outside.

"Later then?" he asked seductively.

"You honestly think I could restrain myself?" Bakura asked, leaning down to capture the mouth for a heated kiss. "Though later could be in an entirely different place." Ryou smiled wholeheartedly.

He had found all the new sensations Bakura provided an extremely welcome variation to their lives, giving his own love and actions back to Bakura, who was more than eager to comply.

Bakura slid off him, and fished around the pile of clothes in the corner for some old trousers for both of them. They exchanged a look as the shots became more frequent.

This could be a possible chance of escape, and they both knew it, but did not want to conjure false hope. In all the confusion, the Royals would be distracted, and the vampires did not have a large enough dose of Stockholm syndrome as to not attack their keepers.

They were dressed just in time as the clashing of keys was heard against their metal door and Baron and the other handler literally ran in waving their chains, mouth covers and blindfolds.

"Quickly, freaks, no misbehaving, or I will send a bullet into your brains." Baron yelled, gesturing at them avidly with his gun.

The two eyed the keepers sceptically; pretending to be compliant was all part of their well-discussed plan.

Perspiration was clearly visible on Baron's pink forehead, his eyes wild.

Bakura and Ryou stepped forwards and held out their hands, where the chains were shakily passed through the loops to much clinking of metal on metal. Dragged forwards roughly, to a combined growl as the wounds opened, the handlers roughly blindfolded them, Bakura swiping out as they pulled his hair sharply.

"Behave Joker!" Baron practically screamed at the blinded vampire.

All of a sudden, there was a commotion in the hall.

Someone screamed and the handlers dropped the mouth covers with a clatter, hastily making towards the cell door to get the vampires out. Ryou managed to reach for Bakura's hand and squeezed it, their vampiric sense of smell and hearing improving at a steady rate as their eyes were no longer of use.

Three outsiders were coming down the stone corridor, to the shouts and blasts of guns of those who tried to stop them around the corner. The vampires allowed themselves to be pulled out into the hall and caught the scent of at least eight Royals in the surrounding area, all creating loud echoes that bounced off the walls and added to the confusion. Bakura felt excitement rise in his chest as his and Ryou's chains were dragged haphazardly through their palms from side to side, as though Baron didn't know which way to direct them.

Ryou suddenly elbowed him and Bakura knew exactly what to do. Both vampires wrapped their hands around the leading chains and pulled suddenly. Caught off guard, the keepers let go after being tugged into the demon's personal space. Bakura swiftly reached out, feeling the warm body and locating his neck. With a sharp movement, he grabbed the human's head and flicked it to one side. A gurgle and half scream issued from his mouth before he hit the ground. Ryou had blindly sought out Baron's gun hand and broken his wrist quickly. The handler was no match for the vengeful vampire, and he soon lay on the floor unconscious.

"Come on!" Ryou hissed in excitement, and they quickly pulled the long chains from their hand bearings and turned to run down the corridor, the echoes their feet guiding their path.

After a short way, they met a door, and the noise behind them was louder the ever.

Fumbling for the handle, Bakura tugged it down and dashed into the room, the shadows gratefully receiving him and his Sire.

Malik felt his gun recoil as he shot several bullets at the suited men flooding the corridors. The men fell to the ground and the offence continued.

Soon, the noise had died down, and it was him, Marik and Jabari among the unconscious, all unbelievably uninjured. Their heavy breathing was the only sound in the passage, permeated by the muffled noise elsewhere in the complex.

A flash of movement caught his attention.

"Down the corridor." He said in a hushed voice, and they were running once more.

Passing an open door to their left, and a quick glance inside made it clear to all that they had stumbled across the vampires' domain.

Malik felt a slight fear run through him like lightning as around the next bend there laid two bodies. Marik glanced down at the men and saw the long chains that lay uselessly at their sides, chains that were no longer being used as restraints. A quick look at the others, and then his eyes drew upwards, straight down the dim passage ahead; the doors on both walls were bolted up tight.

The one exception was facing them. A door partially open to complete darkness.

Marik nodded, his eyes set forwards, and signalled for the two to follow.

They ran quietly down the corridor, hopping over the motionless men and towards the open door. Marik entered the room first, followed by Malik, then Jarabi.

The space behind the door was surprisingly cavernous. The only source of light was from the small barred window high up one stone wall. The walls themselves were over thirty feet tall and the ceiling was lost in darkness, the moonlight illuminating the various old wooden furniture pieces that were piled high on the stone floor, some covered in dusty white sheets.

The vampires were nowhere to be seen.

Marik trod cautiously into the room, his ears pricked for any sound that might give the demons away.

Did he wish that they would have simply escaped?

His eyes flicked around the dim room that seemed to go on for miles in front of him, an expanse of unwanted furnishings. Malik's heart was racing, his hand trembling slightly as he moved with Marik towards the centre of the old hall, where a large space between the furniture could be made out in the gloom. Carefully they moved, their footsteps almost silent on the flagged floor, guns tracking around the darkness.

A sudden crack and a gasp made the two blondes turn around.

Malik let out a small whimper, covering his mouth in horror. Marik glanced around, swallowed hard and took a deep breath, nodding his head once more for just Malik to follow.

They left the body of Jarabi behind them, his head at an awkward angle to his body, the spark dying in his eyes.

Bakura watched the two humans from the shadows, Ryou creeping silently back to him. He threw him a sadistic smirk that could only be seen by his perfect vision. Bakura inhaled, eyes fixed on the two from over the sheeted chest of draws he was behind.

Something in his brain flickered… Their scent... It seemed somewhat familiar...

Bakura shook his head, he couldn't place it.

Though the smell was alluring, especially from the leader of the two, Ryou shared his thought and inclined his head towards them. Bakura smirked once more, their blood would be sweet.

Malik's gun shook a little more in his hand; maybe the vampires were around the next wardrobe?

Perhaps hiding behind its doors that hung open so uselessly?

Silence.

The abrupt speed and stealth of the demons took both off guard.

Malik let out a yell as he was knocked to the ground, his gun skitting away over the floor. As Marik turned to his lover's aid, a figure whipped in front of him and grasped his wrist with a dirty pale hand. He growled and tried to shake the other off, but instead felt a powerful blow connect with his face.

Dropping his weapon, Marik swiftly fought back, landing a kick on the shadowy figure. The vampire smirked, coming back for the fight, blocking and attacking with the tall human, listening in greed to the sound of his sweet blood pumping through his veins.

He knew that this one was a hunter, Ryou had told him about these, as his attacks were mostly aimed at his head.

Suddenly, Marik got the advantage, his hand diving into his pocket to whip out a knife, swiping the vampire's bare stomach. Bakura let out a snarl and charged forwards, grasping the human by arm and snapping it back easily. Marik let out a cry of pain that shot up his injury, using his good hand to try and defend himself.

The vampire smirked, the small amount of light glinting off his fangs.

Knocking the defenceless hand out of his way, he kicked the human to the ground, his hearing picking up the slight crack of bones, his sight showing him the bruised face that would soon cease to live. Perhaps it was because he was picky, but Bakura liked his blood hot, so with a last blow, he kicked the human's temple, watching him slump sideways from his kneeling position, sprawling onto the floor: out cold.

Bakura took a moment to stretch his body, clarifying that the various bruises, cuts and broken fingers were fixed, before turning to see what his Sire was up to.

Ryou was knelt on the floor, the moonlight from the high window falling over his white head of hair that was bent over his prey.

Bakura smiled, taking a step towards Ryou, he stopped suddenly.

There was that smell again... Strong. Very strong this time.

The memory was stirring inside him as he began to walk once more. Ryou looked up at him, the slim hunter's body in his grasp, the sweet blood trickling down his chin; he smiled a victorious smile at Bakura.

Bakura stopped.

The moonlight illuminated the tanned face hanging awkwardly over Ryou's forearm. His black hat had slipped off to reveal tangled blonde. The smell of blood encircled him, and his stomach clenched suddenly.

His eyes widened as he took a tentative step forwards.

"…Malik?" he whispered.

Ryou frowned and looked Bakura up and down before letting his eyes gaze upon his prey. Bakura stood over them, coming into the moonlight, blood still glistening on his stomach.

"What the hell did you do?!" He shouted suddenly at Ryou.

A flicker of impossible realisation dawned on the pale vampire as he roughly shoved the bloody and broken body off his lap and drew himself up to meet Bakura.

He growled into the angry eyes and opened his mouth to speak.

Bakura snarled and grabbed his Sire by the wings, viciously throwing him into a pile of furniture. The wooden objects crashed over the smaller vampire, sending pieces of broken wood flying through the air, impaling themselves in the pale skin.

Ryou growled, disentangling himself quickly, his own blood trickling from already healing wounds, he flew at Bakura, summoning all of his might; he drew his fist back and slammed it as hard as he could into the other's jaw. Bakura was sent reeling onto the floor, one side of his head in absolute agony, the splinters of tooth and bone in his mouth mingling with blood.

The vision in his left eye had gone. Ryou advanced over to him; his body defensively crouched, haphazardly ripping the wood splinters from his skin.

"How was I supposed to know?" he hissed, venom in his voice, directed at the grounded vampire. "I would hate to kill you now, when we're so close to escape… But if you do that again, I will have no choice."

Bakura breathed heavily, his hands shifting his jaw around, feeling his body only just start healing things in the right place.

He looked up into Ryou's shadowy face, sight returning to his eye, and felt all of his anger being replaced by hopelessness and guilt. His eyes sought the body sprawled out on the floor in the moonlight.

The vampire tried to calm his breathing, but it was no use.

The air came in gasps, his chest constricting, causing him a pain that his body simply couldn't heal.

Clenching his hands, he squeezed his eyes shut, letting a cry of anguish burst forth from his body. An animalistic snarl filled with pain echoed around the hall, bouncing off the stone for what seemed to be hours.

Ryou stood resolute, watching his creation slump to his knees, his head bowed, the sound dying, only to be replaced by a soft sob.

Malik dancing, his fluid body moving like water. Malik's face when he was happy... Malik's smile... His face when they made love. Malik's knowledge of his mood, that was so utterly precise, to know when to laugh... Or when to cry.

These images flashed through the pale demon's mind, slowing horribly to be replaced by the still features that had rested in his Sire's grip.

He raised his head to look at the one that was the source of this pain. Ryou gazed back, his face expressionless, his brown eyes hard.

A low growl started in his throat, his lips curling back to reveal his fangs. Slowly he got to his feet and felt anger burn brightly within his soul.

Ironic really...

The freedom that is so close to our vampires... Unfortunately now so unfairly tainted.

-


Well.. There you have it..

This is not the end my friends! Just a mean old cliffhanger..

A few notes:

Marik - Capricorn (Birthday 23rd December)

Seto - Scorpio (Birthday 25th October)

Yami - Gemini (Birthday 4th June)

Jabari - Pisces (I haven't got a birthday for him, but his name means valliant or brave in Swahili)

Thabit - Taurus (Shares his name with a mandean physician, means strong though..)

All this research for you guys ;)

Thank you for reading!!!

I hope you liked it - remember: more reviews = happy Scarlett = you get to find out what happens to our YGO hotties :)

Much love.