Huzzah. Anyway, time to answer some questions before this new chapter gets started.
Q: So Joey can control fire, and Yugi gets wind. Any more surprises?
A: There are a few more elements I'd like to toy with, but we'll have to see.
Q: Will there be any Yaoi?
A: Strongly doubt it; romance in general is not my strong point. There will be hints of a relationship, but it won't be one like that.
Q: We want more Bakura!
A: Don't worry, you'll get more Bakura. Also, that's not a question.
Q: What about the others? They popped up before, will they show up again?
A: Marik and Otogi will still be showing up. Mokuba's already appeared, so yes, Kaiba will show up as well. He has to.
Q: Any other cameos?
A: Yes, and I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Q: What's the deal about being "torn" that Yami keeps bringing up?
A: You'll find that out soon enough.
Q: Can we start the chapter already? These questions are stupid.
A: Alrighty. Here you go, chapter ten!
Shadow
Chapter Ten: The Messenger
A long and eerie silence followed as the trio sat in the construction lot. Unknown to them, a cloaked figure watched from nearby, eyeing them closely. He knew he had no choice in this. If his master ever found him trying to be…friendly with Yugi, he would be severely punished. He did not want to end up with the fate worse than death…
What caught the figure by surprise was when the linked boy…Jounouchi, was it?...summoned flame within the small twister that Yugi had created. Now another one of the Destined had awoken…this was not good news for his master's plan. Sighing, the figure began to leave. After hearing a certain phrase, however, he had a change of plan…
This'll be a bit risky, the stranger thought, but maybe…
"I know about the power of shadows," Yami said, "But I've never seen one display their power like this."
"What do you mean?" Yugi asked.
"For one, Jounouchi hasn't gone through his life setting things on fire."
"I set the stove on fire whenever I try to cook," Jounouchi said in slight protest, "But that doesn't count, does it?"
Yami shook his head, but couldn't help a small smile. "Not quite. What I'm wondering is how that latent power awoke now and not before. All I know is that after the tornado was summoned in the park, you were able to see me. I'm not sure about the flames, however…"
"Maybe it's connected?" Yugi suggested, feeling as though he were taking a shot in the dark.
Yami apparently thought otherwise, as his eyes lit up with a sort of inspiration. "That has to be it."
Both Yugi and Jounouchi swiveled their gaze to Yami. "What's it?" Jounouchi asked.
"The reason you could see me," Yami repeated. "Your own Shadow Power must have awakened some time in that battle in the park. How close were you to the tornado that Yugi created?"
Jounouchi seemed to dislike recalling the moment, but suddenly he seemed thoughtful. "I know I felt something when that tornado came up," he said. "Actually, that first gust of wind blew me back a few feet so I was stuck in the eye of the storm so to speak…"
"You were caught in the middle of the tornado?!" Yugi said, gawking.
The blonde nodded. "Yeah, I was. The eye of the storm is always calm, so I didn't get hurt or anything…" He looked at the sky for a moment. "I thought I saw some sort of dragon above me for a moment…"
"A dragon…" Yugi breathed. "How?"
"What did it look like?" Yami asked sternly.
"I don't clearly remember," Jounouchi replied, furrowing his eyebrows in thought. "It was black, I know that much…and its eyes were red…"
"A dragon with red eyes…" Yugi echoed.
"Hey, Yugi! That you?"
Sensing another person nearing them, Yami swiftly slunk into the ground before the source of the voice could come into eyeshot. The figure quickly made itself known, and Yugi blinked at whom it was. "Marik?" He said. "What're you doing here?"
Marik sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck as he walked over to the two (three, but thankfully he didn't seem to notice Yami's presence). "Long story short, I figured out you two were caught up in that tornado in the park. I wanted to make sure you guys were okay."
"I would hope so," Jounouchi said. "We're standing here, aren't we?"
Marik shrugged. "I guess so," he replied. "Otogi isn't far from here; he stopped by the shop to pick something up for his mom but he said he'd be right back."
"There some sort of occasion?" Jounouchi asked politely.
Almost as though his words cued it, a growl erupted from nearby. Out of the shadows crept a dark beast in the shape of a wolf, with the same rising mist and blood-red eyes. Jounouchi instinctively snatched up a plank of wood nearby and Yugi backed away a few steps. "Looks like we have an occasion now," he said nervously.
Marik stood in shock for a good two and a half seconds before gaining enough sense to snatch a nearby pipe to defend himself with. Yugi, meanwhile, stood back. Yami, you know anything about this one?
A bit, Yami replied. Shadow Jackals usually run around in packs, but it isn't uncommon to see one alone…
Anything else? Yugi asked as the creature stalked closer.
They hate fire.
At that, Yugi furrowed his eyebrows in thought. They had just now found that Jounouchi could somehow control flames and heat, but with Marik nearby they couldn't risk blowing the secret to him. What're we supposed to do?
Before Yami could answer the question, Jounouchi had already swung his plank at the beast, whom leapt back and snarled in return. The blonde didn't seem fazed. "You want a piece of me?" He taunted, narrowing his eyes.
The beast answered by leaping into the air and tackling Jounouchi. Frantic, Yugi rushed to his friend's side, but not before Marik was able to smack the monster on the skull with his own weapon, causing the beast to leap back.
"You alright, Katsuya?" Marik asked without sparing a glance to Jounouchi. The blonde nodded, staying silent and making sure Marik wasn't looking.
Yami, Yugi said, Is Jounouchi going to do what I think he's going to do?
Best to play it safe, Yami said with a mental nod. Distract Marik. Hurry!
With an oath, Yugi rushed toward his friend and tackled him to the ground. "Look out!" Marik was stunned, and winced as he hit the ground. Jounouchi promptly cook his cue and hurled his trusty plank of wood at the beast, causing it to stumble when it crunched against its side. The jackal promptly fled.
Then again, maybe not…
I doubt he even knows how yet, anyway…but that was a good shot.
Yugi gingerly rolled off of Marik, whom gave him an odd look and stood, brushing off his shirt and pants. "Is it gone?" he asked, somehow seeming more nervous than he should have been.
Jounouchi nodded. "It'd better be. Messing with us is a bad decision for anyone, monster or not."
But it ran off too quickly, Yami said. Something's fishy…
Yugi nodded subconsciously. I agree…I don't think Jounouchi's attack made it run off.
A new face promptly appeared above them, accompanied by an equally familiar voice. "Hey, Marik! What're you doing down here?"
Marik quickly waved at the newcomer. "Sorry, Seto. I thought I saw something over here and I had to check it out."
"Looks like you found a box of dominos to me," Kaiba grunted. Yugi could almost hear Jounouchi scowl; Seto Kaiba was one of the relay runners of Senet High, and was not exactly a friendly person.
"Can we help you?" Jounouchi growled, his hand clenched in a fist.
Kaiba took a quick look over Jounouchi, then Yugi. Yugi stiffened for a moment, expecting a fight.
"The police will probably wonder why you're all here," he said sternly. "You should leave before you're labeled delinquents…not that I care about it." With that, the boy walked off.
"Is he always like that?" Yugi asked when Kaiba seemed to be out of earshot.
Marik shook his head. "Not always," he replied. "He tends to be apathetic to most anyone around him, but he's got a soft spot for his little brother. I don't know why he wanted to warn us about the police…"
"He probably doesn't want to be associated with us if we get arrested or anything," Jounouchi mumbled under his breath.
Yugi simply stared blankly. Something…odd is going on here. Kaiba may seem like an unfriendly person, but I get the feeling that there's something behind that…
I don't doubt it, Yami replied. But I'm certain he's not an enemy…
Marik turned back to Yugi and Jounouchi. "I'd better head off," he said, grinning. "Otogi's probably waiting for me at the store. Take care!" With that, Marik quickly turned and left.
Just as he was about to wave goodbye, Yugi's eyes widened and he saw one very important feature about Marik…or rather, one that was missing.
Yami, Marik isn't casting a shadow.
THE PLOT THICKENS! Likey? I know I do. I wonder who the cloaked stranger was...and why isn't Marik casting a shadow? Could it be...?! COULD IT?!