The Little Sprite

Chapter 9

Anything for a Bit of Love

"So what did he do then?" Otogi questioned, leaning across the cafeteria table towards him companion. His face wore an interested expression and his mouth revealed a wide grin.

"He blushed a cute pink and smiled more sweetly than a five-year-old girl", Seto replied before taking a sip of his green tea. He was leaning backwards ever so slightly, not liking the way Otogi came so close. He still had not forgotten it when the other boy had tried to hit on him on their first year. Seto had easily shown the raven-haired teen his place but still the brunet could not help but feel that Otogi was still checking him out every time his back was turned.

"I would think one of you would have gotten cavities from such sweetness", Otogi commented as he twirled a black lock around his finger. "Did you kiss him or anything?"

"Of course not", Seto replied curtly before taking another sip of his tea. "It would be stupid of me to rush him when I'm already certain that I have an effect of him. I can't rush this, just in case I have read the signs wrong."

Otogi leaned back in his seat with a heavy sigh. He ran a hand through his hair as he commented: "And if you take it too slowly someone else is going to sweep in and take him." Otogi gave a lecherous grin to the taller teen. "I might even try my chances with him. He's awfully adorable." The glare Seto gave the other boy was pure murder and Otogi immediately released a nervous cough. "But I would never step on a friend's toes, you know that Kaiba."

"You'd better not..." Seto spoke in a venomous tone. "Or you will find yourself in the most...unpleasant situation imaginable."

"Hi there, Kaiba", a voice came suddenly from right behind the brunet. "Mind if I sit here?"

Seto quickly whirled around to see Jou looking at him expectantly. The blond looked somewhat uncomfortable, like he did not want to be there. Seto frowned before grunting: "Actually, I do. I don't need you to crowd me simply because the teacher paired us up." And with the he took another gulp from his cup.

"Oh...okay then..." Jou mumbled in a put out tone of voice, looking really confused with his widened eyes. He did not say more as he turned around and walked across the cafeteria towards the table he usually sat at. Seto looked after him, silently appreciating the way the blond's hips swayed ever so slightly while his hands and arms were busy holding up his tray.

"What was that all about?" Otogi suddenly exclaimed, bringing Seto out of his nice small daydream. "You had him!"

Looking back at Otogi's frowning face Seto shrugged before muttering: "I don't want him to sit with me simply because he thinks it's compulsory for him to get along with me."

"You idiot!" Otogi took a swing at Seto but the brunet easily dodged it. He was about to shoot an angry insult back when Otogi continued: "That was only an excuse!"

"What are you talking about?" Seto snapped angrily. He hated it when Otogi started ranting and never bothered to explain his reasoning. The raven-haired teen in question only gave him an incredulous look before sighing and grumbling: "Jou wanted to sit with you. He assumed that since you two were paired up you would allow it."

Arching one perfect eyebrow at his companion Seto drawled: "...So, let me get this straight." A frown came across his face as he spoke out everything he had been told. "You're saying that the puppy used us being teamed up as an excuse to try to sit with me, believing that I would think it was expected and allow it?" At Otogi's quick nod and an amused: "Exactly", Seto asked in a slightly miffed manner: "Then why didn't he just say so?"

"Kaiba..." Otogi started in a manner that indicated that the other teen was going to give Seto a lecture on his so-called 'brilliant deductions'. "You and Jou are different. Jou never says what he wants in the same way you don't say what you feel. Jou shows his feelings so they aren't difficult to read while you take what you want, no questions asked. See?" Otogi grinned widely, like he had just discovered the meaning of life. "You're complete opposites yet exactly the same." A small chuckle escaped from the green-eyed boy. "Man, I'm a genius."

Ignoring Otogi praising of himself Seto spoke in a low growl: "You say he's easy to read? Then why did he have that troubled look on his face when he spoke to me?"

"...Kaiba", Otogi started again and Seto refused the sudden urge to lean across the table and strangle the annoying she-male before him. "That look wasn't troubled, it was Jou trying to cover up his nervousness! And when does another person make an individual nervous?" Otogi lifted a finger, like pointing out something as simple as why night was dark. "When they have a crush on that particular person!"

"You're saying that Jou actually has a crush on me?" Seto questioned with a blink. "A real crush? Really?"

"Yes, really."

Quickly whirling around in his seat Seto sought out Jou, who had just reached the table where Bakura was sitting, along with a lost-looking Ryou. The poor albino looked like he had no idea what he was doing there. But Seto ignored the pair already sitting down and called to Jou: "Hey, Jounouchi!" The blond turned around to look at him. "You're free to sit with us if you're still willing!"

"No way!" Jou snapped back heatedly. "You can't just toss me around and then yank me back!" The blond paused and then continued in a gentle tone: "I'll sit with you later at dinner, though, so save a seat for me." Then Jou turned his attention back to Ryou and Bakura as he sat down. Seto watched the blond intently, noticing that he looked a lot happier now.

"Score", Otogi said with a wide grin, once again interrupting Seto's Jou-gazing. The brunet turned to his companion again and gave him a cold glare as he grunted: "Otogi...do the world a favour and shut up for once."

&&&&&&&

"Yugi! Please wake up, Yugi!"

Yugi frowned when his consciousness started to return. It was so odd, it was like he heard Malik's voice calling him but that could not be possible. Malik had not known that Yugi ended up in the Dark Section, so there would be no way for the blond sprite to be there trying to wake him up. Yugi remembered clearly what had happened, all the way to Mai's laughter that seemed to still echo in the back of his skull.

"Come on now, Yugi! I know you aren't dead!"

No, he was not dead, Yugi knew this himself. It hurt too much for him to be dead. But he also felt like he was not present in his own body. He could not feel his arms or legs, not even his tail. There was only that overwhelming throbbing pain in his chest and head.

"Get up, Yugi. This is no place for a nap."

Yugi frowned. That had been a completely new voice. It sounded vaguely familiar but Yugi could not place it at the moment. It was not his grandfather's, that much was certain.

"Saw that, Malik? I told you he was still alive." A chuckle followed. "And the rising of his chest was not enough to convince you."

That second voice was so familiar... There was a name; Yugi knew the name behind the voice, the face that he saw every time that voice was heard. But still he could not remember what they were. A hand grasped his shoulder and suddenly he could feel his body again. He immediately wished that he could go back to feeling nonexistent, though, when he felt his body ache all over. He forced his eyes to open and the first thing he noticed was that night had fallen. The starry night sky spread high above him. There were two exclamations from his side and Yugi turned his eyes to two familiar faces.

"Thank goodness, Yugi!" Malik said with relief evident on his face. His cheeks looked like they had tear streaks on them but it could have just been a trick of the light. The person beside Malik also gave a relieved smile. He had deep brown eyes and hair and round ears. He was wearing a light brown tunic and his arms were covered in brown fur. He had slightly longer arms and normal and a long, slim tail swung beside him. The monkey sprite leaning over him with Malik was called Hiroto. He was very strong physically, but lacked in magical abilities. He was still one of Yugi's good friends. Yugi opened his mouth and spoke a greeting to his friends. No sound came out.

"Yugi?" Malik questioned, his eyes widening. "Yugi, have you lost your voice?" At Yugi's voice Malik released a horrified gasp. Hiroto immediately frowned as he ordered Yugi: "Stand up."

That was when Yugi noticed that he was lying on the floor, not levitating in mid-air like his two companions. The small boy rose up to his feet and stood before his friends in a wobbly manner. Hiroto glared at his legs in a judging manner while Malik started speaking: "You're human now, Yugi... Only really strong magic could have caused such a transformation. And you're missing your voice." Malik reached out and ran a hand through Yugi's hair. "Did you run into a sprite called Mai by any chance?" At Yugi's nod Hiroto released a colorful curse while Malik said: "I thought so. Only Mai had this kind of a power. She was banned into the Dark Section ages ago."

A thoughtful frown came across Yugi's face. Mai did not look like she had spent ages anywhere. She was not old enough. Not by a long shot.

"We need to figure out the details of Yugi's pact with that witch", Hiroto spoke. "And with Yugi's voice gone he can't possibly tell us himself."

Yugi's eyes widened at Hiroto's words. The brunet was exactly right! How could he tell his friends that he only had a week to get Yami to kiss him or he would become Mai's slave? The blonde woman had fooled him. She had tricked him in a devious manner.

"Maybe I can be of some assistance in that area", a voice commented suddenly. The voice was familiar to Yugi and the boy immediately jumped at Hiroto, wrapping his arms around the hovering monkey sprite. Malik glanced up to look at the other sprite hovering right above a nearby rock, looking like he was sitting on it.

"Who are you?" the blond questioned. The new sprite grinned widely and Yugi buried himself further into Hiroto's tunic, keeping a vary eye on the wolf sprite.

"I'm Marik", the wolf said in an amused manner. "And who might you two be? Friend's of little Yugi?"

"You bet", Hiroto snapped heatedly. "So you'd better not think about trying anything. We've got you outnumbered."

"Do you now..." Marik muttered, sounding even more amused at the resistance. "I'll tell you what you want to know if you tell me what I want to know." The wolf revealed his fangs in a smirk. "We don't have to fight."

"Alright then", Malik said finally. "Ask your question then."

"Who are you?"

"I'm Malik and that's Hiroto", Malik replied curtly. Marik smiled before asking: "Malik... It has such a soft ring to it." A hungry look came into the dark eyes. "Are you seeing someone right now, Malik?" The name rolled from Marik's lips like a soft purr. Malik shivered visibly before responding: "No, I'm not." Yugi thought he even saw the blond blush ever so slightly.

"Good", Marik said with a pleased nod. Then he levitated down from above the rock to be more on eye-level with the group. "Mai made a deal with Yugi to change him into a human in exchange for his voice. He now had exactly one week to make Yami kiss him or the spell will be undone and he will become Mai's slave. The contract was made by blood. It's an ancient blood pact that can not be broken."

"Damn", Malik hissed. "Yami has never seen Yugi. He will never know it's him."

"But we will have to at least try", Hiroto put in. "For Yugi. We can't just abandon him."

"Of course we have to try", Malik hissed heatedly. "I owe Yugi that much for causing him so much grieve. I have to help him."

"Don't worry Malik", Hiroto said with a small smile. "You're not alone. I'll help too."

Yugi smiled when he realized that his friends would help him get through this. It did not seem like such an obstacle anymore, the fact that he was now mute. Now that he was not alone, he felt like everything looked a hundred times better. He hugged Hiroto tighter and the brunet ruffled his hair in a fond gesture.

"What should we do, then?" Malik questioned. "We can't show ourselves or make contact with humans." Yugi gave him a wide grin. "You want to try by yourself first Yugi?" The star-haired boy nodded. "Alright then. We will support you the whole way. We will get you to that school in no time. Otherwise you would have spent the whole week walking around aimlessly like a helpless human." Malik laughed at Yugi's angered expression. "Sorry, Yugi. You know I didn't mean to offend. It's just an expression."

"But", Hiroto cut in, the look on his face grave. "If it comes down to either revealing ourselves or watching Yugi become Mai's property, we will save Yugi."

"Of course", Malik said with a curt nod. Their expressions were so serious that Yugi had a distinct feeling that he was missing something vital. He looked back at Marik to see that the wolf was looking at him as well.

"How about I come along as well, little Yugi?" Marik questioned with a grin. When Yugi shook his head furiously the wolf looked disappointed. "Why not?"

"Well, why would we take you?" Malik snapped, noticing Yugi's reaction to the tall sprite. "Why would you even want to come?"

Marik looked at Malik then, his expression hungry, as he seemed to be focused on the curve of Malik's neck and shoulders. When Marik replied, he was purring once more: "To keep an eye on you, of course."

"That's not needed, or wanted at that matter", Malik hissed, apparently not liking the way the wolf eyed him like he was a promising lunch. "So you just go crawl back into the cave you came from, you primitive creep."

"Did you just call me primitive?" Marik growled, moving closer to Malik. Hiroto let go Yugi and was between the two in an instant. Marik froze and tilted his head to the side as he eyed the new obstacle in his way. Then, surprisingly enough, the wolf backed down. The tall blond backed away until he was at what could have been considered a safe distance. His eyes were locked on Malik again, though.

Clearly uncomfortable with the other sprite's staring Malik turned to the rest of their trio.

"Lets go then", he spoke. "We'll do a joined teleport, is that okay with the two of you?" He received two nods in response. "Alright. I know where to school is so let me affect the direction. Alright, Hiroto?" There was a single nod this time. "Okay then, grab Yugi's hand and then mine."

Yugi soon had Hiroto grabbing his left hand and Malik holding his left one. Hiroto and Malik also joined hands and then the world around them shimmered and then turned into a sea of pale blue.

When the world came back around them it was still night time, but the grey stone circle had turned into a sea of green trees, grass and bushes. Yugi looked around and soon noticed the straight line of trees, which separated the magic school from the forest. They had made it.

"Wow", Hiroto spoke. "Great job, Malik. I can feel from the teleport channel that we have moved quite the distance. Yugi wondered a bit about the brunet's words, not sure what the teleport channel was. He looked at the brunet in question, hoping that the tall sprite would notice it. Hiroto's eyes soon met his own questioning gaze.

"Sorry about not making sense, Yugi", the brunet laughed as he scratched the back of his head. "While you were busy dreaming about that human of yours I was tested because of the strange fuzzy magic I've had since birth." Another laugh escaped from the monkey sprite. "It seems that I'm the first channel watcher to be born in over three hundred years."

"It means he's in direct contact with the channels we use to teleport across the forest", Malik put in helpfully. "He knows whenever someone teleports and wherever they teleport from and to."

Yugi nodded his head in understanding and felt ashamed. He had been so focused in Yami that he had neglected his friends completely. And still they had come when he had needed them most, even when it was that same obsession that had caused him to end up in danger. He really wished that he had his voice so that he could thank his friends right now.

To be continued...

Ending Notes: Oh, lookie! I put Honda in this story too! And he's a monkey sprite, how cute!