To Guest: Yep. From bad to worse pretty much sums it up. Lol. Tbh, I'd probably do the exact same thing lmao. Haha! I'll update ASAP don't you worry! :)
To JudeStarkeyMcCartney: Yeah, Ryou is always at the sharp end of the stick when I'm writing a fanfic (Sorry, Ryou… hehe~). Lol, you'll find out indeed. ;) ;) Thanks for reviewing!
To Neko-May Resha: Haha~! Rambling buddies forever! Lmao~ You'll definitely enjoy this chapter. :)
Chapter 10: Reunion (3,042 Words)
Yuugi found himself standing near the perimeter of the grounds the surrounded Yami's mansion. The trees provided cool shade from the morning sun and more importantly a hiding place away from the building. A dark aura seemed to surround it, and it made Yuugi uneasy. The mansion was intimidating with its gleaming white stone walls, and it seemed to illuminate the entire field that it rested in. Yuugi really didn't want to go in there.
He hadn't called Joey to tell him where he was going or even if he was out of the house yet. Nobody knew where he was except Ra, and the fiery deity wouldn't say anything if Yuugi did something to get himself hurt or worse. Yami may or may not be angry with him, and Ryou may or may not be kept captive there. He may or may not live to see the end of the day.
He took a deep breath to steady his turbulent thoughts. Remember, he chided himself. This is for Ryou. You dragged him into the business of the Shadow Realm by telling him about Yami, and now you have to fix it. March in there, and get answers from that blasted vampire prince! Yuugi nodded to himself as his thoughts halted. He stepped from the security of the forest and marched with purpose and determination up to the front doors.
Yuugi stopped in front of the golden wood doors that served as an entrance and raised his tiny fist to knock loudly on the frame. The sound didn't resound about the mansion as he had hoped that it would, but he knew that the vampire's advanced hearing would pick up the sound loud and clear. Hopefully.
After a minute, Yuugi was beginning to lose hope that Yami, or at least one of the servants, would answer. It was one thing to go knocking on an angry vampire's door, and it was another thing entirely to go snooping around on the inside of a vampire infested mansion. Especially when Ryou could be in danger anywhere inside said mansion.
He was actually contemplating sneaking into the building when a gruff and familiar voice came from behind him. It sounded as if Kaiba was speaking, but Yuugi knew better. "I never expected to see you here, little Yuugi." Yuugi whipped around to see Seth standing there. He was still wearing his armour from before, and Yuugi wondered briefly if he ever changed his clothes. "Shouldn't you be in school or something?"
"No," Yuugi replied calmly. Seth wouldn't hurt him, right? "It's the weekend, so the school's out."
"Prince Yami doesn't want any visitors right now, so I'd have to ask you to leave." Seth's voice darkened a bit, but Yuugi picked up the difference. Kaiba would do the same thing when he was about to play a very powerful monster in Duel Monsters that he thought would bring him the win. Yuugi stood strong against Seth, seeing him no different than a dueling Kaiba.
"I can't do that. I need to talk to Yami about something important." He skillfully withheld the information about Ryou being kidnapped. Seth didn't need to know about it.
"I hate repeating myself, brat," Seth growled. His eyes turned from a vibrant blue to a bloody red, and his fangs and claws grew long. "Leave before I make you," he hissed. "The Council has ordered it."
"The Council?" Yuugi asked alarmed. "Don't tell me you take orders from them now." He took a nervous step back as he realised his mistake. He wandered into enemy territory where not Yami but the Council themselves held reign. He didn't even tell anyone where he was! It wasn't like Joey would magically find the mansion that was hidden in the woods even if he knew that Yuugi was there! Then another thought occurred to him. Could Seth be under the Council's control and not Yami's? Yuugi couldn't decide whether or not that was better or worse from him. Probably worse since he doubted he could persuade the Council to allow him to live.
"Yes," he hissed again, and he sounded as if he were getting impatient. "Lord Yami has fallen from his pedestal, and the Council wishes to regain control. Their blood is much sweeter after all." Seth licked his pale lips hungrily. "I bet you would taste even better. The Council would give me the first drink if I brought you in."
Yuugi gulped and took another step back but found his back was pressed against the door. The situation was dangerous, and he knew that the mace, knife, and self-defense classes weren't about to help. He didn't have the element of surprise with him as he did when he was attacked by Griffin and Gilfred on the first night. This is bad, he thought as he tried to look for an opening that he could use for an escape. It would be pointless of course because Seth was much faster than he would ever be. Seth took another menacing step forward. I have to do something! He thought frantically but knew he could only pray for someone to save him. He didn't know that his prayer was about to be answered.
The doors behind him opened silently, and Yuugi gasped as he fell back. However, he didn't hit the floor as he had expected to, for something soft yet firm stopped his fall. A pair of clawed hands grasped gently at his upper arms, and a growl sounded from above him. Yuugi's blood ran cold then hot as it reverberated throughout his body. A familiar feeling of safety washed over him, and dark light danced around him. There was only one creature that Yuugi knew of who held that kind of aura. A silky smooth yet angered voice sounded from above him.
"Despite my direct orders you continue to disobey me," Yami said from behind Yuugi. Seth's red eyes widened, but he would offer no retort. His body was frozen in place as it had been before. Yami's dark light secured the high ranking vampire in place. "What am I to do with you, Seth?" As if to answer his own question, Yami stepped from behind Yuugi and approached Seth. He had adorned the armour that was similar to what Seth was wearing, and his purple cape swayed easily in the breeze. In one swift movement, Seth's neck was snapped, and he collapsed into a dust pile.
Yuugi stood stiffly from his position by the entranceway. He wasn't really surprised by the action, and he didn't want to admit that it only bothered him a little. In reality, he should be freaking out right about now, but for some reason, he was oddly calm. Yami remained still over the dust pile as Yuugi gazed silently at his back. He wondered briefly how many times Yami had saved him. Three or four sounded about right, but he was losing track of his heroic deeds. Heroic, Yuugi thought with a soft smile. If Yami was truly angry with him, he wouldn't have stopped Seth, and Yuugi probably wouldn't be standing where he was. How could I ever doubt you? He asked himself, but he found no answer. He allowed Joey's superstition to cloud his own judgement, but Yuugi couldn't fully put the blame on Joey. He had allowed it to get to him after all.
Yami turned slowly to face his smaller look-alike. Blood red eyes bore into light violet eyes, and the two simply stood there. Neither knew how to begin a conversation without being afraid of saying something that might set the other off. A tense minute passed before Yuugi realised that words weren't needed and that action would suffice just fine if not better. He took the couple steps that separated them and threw his arms around Yami's slim waist. The vampire prince's breath caught in his throat, and he hesitantly wrapped his arms around Yuugi. He didn't really touch the boy, for his arms hovered around his frame. He wanted nothing more than to sweep the boy off his feet and never let him go, but he was afraid of how Yuugi would react to such an action. Even if Yami explained about the sacrifice offering and how Yuugi had taken it out of context, he doubted that it would change anything, but he knew he would have to get it off his chest eventually.
"Yami…" Yuugi whined softly and took a small needy step forward to bring himself closer to the vampire. When Yami heard this, he couldn't do anything but return Yuugi's embrace completely. He buried his nose into Yuugi's sweet smelling hair, and he could feel Yuugi do the same to his tunic. Yami's grip on Yuugi got tighter and more possessive by the second. He had missed his lighter half much more than he thought possible, and he never wanted to let him go again.
Yuugi breathed in the cinnamon smoke scent that was Yami. He had missed Yami's strange undead warmth last night and was relishing in the feeling of it. After a couple more minutes of basking in the other's comfort, Yuugi remembered what he had gone there to do. Before he could ask Yami about Ryou, Yami said, "I would never sacrifice you, my little one. Please know that."
Yami's tone was so sorrowful and regretful that Yuugi caved beneath it. "It's okay, Yami," he mumbled and gripped the armour tighter. "I forgive you." Their eyes met again, but they never released the other from their grasp. "But, that's not why I came. Ryou's gone missing." Yami raised a perfect eyebrow at the statement. "His older brother thinks that he's been missing since he left the Game Shop last night," Yuugi continued. "I was…" He looked away sheepishly. He hadn't even come here to apologize and here he was trying to ask for Yami's assistance.
"Little one," Yami cooed softly, and he turned Yuugi's face so it faced his own. "There is no need for that now. All has been forgiven."
Yuugi offered a grateful smile before it fell somber. "I was wondering if you would help me and my friends search for him," he asked. Worried and nervous violet eyes gazed up at Yami.
"Of course," Yami replied without hesitation, and he suddenly swept Yuugi into his arms bridal style. Yuugi's face became as red as Yami's eyes at the action. He rested comfortably in the strong arms, and Yami's smirk returned to his face. "Ryou is the boy with white hair correct?"
"Yeah," Yuugi replied. "He was the one at the shop the day you dropped me off." He knew it was only yesterday that everything had happened, but Yuugi felt like it had been an eternity since he was cradled in Yami's comforting dark light.
He started walking away from his mansion towards the city. Yuugi was still blushing as he asked shyly, "W-Why are you carrying me? I can walk just fine."
Yami chuckled, and Yuugi was entranced by the rumble in the vampire lord's chest. He wanted to hear and feel more of it. "Can I not carry you if I wish, little one?
"N-No, that's not it," Yuugi stuttered helplessly. He hid his face in the crook of Yami's neck in the embarrassment of his next statement. "I'm kind of heavy."
Yami smirked at how adorably cute Yuugi was being. He enjoyed the feeling of Yuugi's warm breath as it fanned across his neck. "I can assure you that you're not heavy, but even if you were, I'd carry you to the ends of the Earth if only to stay by your side, my Hikari."
Yuugi's face darkened as his blush worsened, but only one phrase came to his mind as he stared up into Yami's enticingly beautiful red eyes. "You're always welcome by my side, Mou Hitori No Boku."
The rest of the walk to the Kame Game Shop was quiet but not uncomfortable. Yami only needed to catch Ryou's scent in order for him to track him, and he had called Gilfred and Griffin to help out upon Yuugi's request. The two vampires were found standing in front of the Game Shop when Yami and Yuugi arrived. They were both wearing casual clothes that contrasted greatly against Yami's crown and armour. Yuugi wondered why nobody had questioned Yami's appearance, but he then decided that it wasn't important.
Griffin, who resembled Joey, was the first to speak. "I'm glad that you two finally got back together."
Gilfred snorted in a very Tristan-like way, but a smirk came upon his face nonetheless. "Yeah, things at the mansion were pretty dark for the hours you were away, Lord Yuugi. Please don't do it again."
Yuugi smiled sheepishly. He didn't know what went on while Yami was angry, but he knew that it wouldn't happen again. "It won't, I promise." The two vampires nodded in approval before turning their attention to their prince.
"One of Yuugi's friends has gone missing," Yami filled them in, and their eyes flashed with suspicion. "Indeed, the Council very well may be at fault." Yuugi looked between the three vampires as he tried to figure out how they were communicating. He figured that it had to be some sort of telepathic ability that he didn't know of.
"We'll keep an eye out for danger as you get his scent, Lord Yami," Gilfred said suddenly. Griffin nodded in agreement as they stood on either side of the door in a sentry-like position.
Yuugi was set down gently, and he went to unlock the door. The lock clicked, and the door swung open with an eerie creak. The hairs on the back of his neck tingled at the sound. The door had never squeaked before, and he couldn't help but think that the Shop was trying to tell him something. He brushed off the feeling and stepped into the main area of the store.
The lights were off, so the interior was darker than he was used to it being. The blinds and curtains were drawn over the windows, and Yuugi wondered where Grandpa was. It was well past ten o'clock, and the Game Shop should've long been open. He walked unwaveringly to the back of the store and switched on the lights. They flickered on quickly and allowed Yuugi to look around the store for something Ryou might have left behind.
Not seeing anything, he went into the kitchen and living area. Ryou wasn't a forgetful person, so Yuugi doubted they would find something here. Yet, he knew that he had to try. A creaking sound came from the floorboards above him, and he knew his Grandpa had to of finally gotten up. Yami trailed behind Yuugi sniffing things here and there but not getting anything worthwhile.
"Grandpa!" Yuugi called up the stairs as he continued to search. He knew his voice would carry throughout his home, so he didn't bother going up them. After a moment of silence, he called again. "Grandpa?!" When no reply came Yuugi thought aloud, "Where could he be without leaving me a note?"
"Maybe he has gone to the store?" Yami offered.
"Maybe, but if I'm not here, he'll leave a note or something."
Yami's eyes narrowed at Yuugi's obvious distress, and he brought Yuugi into a hug. His clawed fingers gently combed through the younger's hair. "He is old, so is it not plausible that he might have forgotten?"
"I guess you're right, but I know he wouldn't have left the lights off in the shop. They're always on if neither of us is here," Yuugi said as he slowly stepped away from Yami's embrace with the intent of going upstairs to check on him. "Maybe he overslept his alarm this morning. I wasn't here to get him up after all."
"Go check while I continue looking down here," Yami said, and he turned to sniff the couch and chair. Yuugi nodded despite Yami not being able to see him, and he dashed up the stairs. Time was of the essence when someone's life could be in danger, and it was then that he realised that he hadn't called Joey. Whoops… he thought as he walked down the hallway towards Grandpa's room. He gripped the door handle and opened the door. I'll give him a call when- his thought was interrupted by the scene that unfolded before him.
The first thing that caught his eye were the curtains that were flapping haphazardly in the morning breeze. The sunlight invaded the room and seemed to dance around the messy bed where Yuugi's absolute worst nightmare was coming true. Lying in his pajamas was a very pale Solomon Motou, and he looked as if he were dead.
So, this wasn't the ending that I wanted. Tbh, I wanted the Game Shop to burn down, but in English today this flowed out from my fingertips. Enjoy~ Lmao. Please REVIEW~ I need to know your thoughts~! (Like, I shit you not, I live for this stuff outside of NJROTC) ;) Laterz~!