EXPOSED SHADOWS

A/N: Hello all...I'm so sorry this has taken so long…I have re-written this chapter at least three times (my imagination is an asshole). So, hopefully this finalized edition is good and worth the wait. And, I'm sorry for any type-o's…I figured it was better to get this posted considering how long it had taken me to write. This is also alot shorter than I had planned...some of the next chapter was supposed to be in this one...but my guilty conscience told me to post it as is before I lose all of you...

Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh, or any of its characters, clearly…or it would have gone significantly more different.
Warning: This story contains graphic violent and sexual content, yaoi, along with profanities. If you don't like, don't read; and if you read and cannot handle it, don't complain to me, you've been warned. Also, please note that this story takes place in the Yugioh Universe, or Canon, approximately 17 years after the end of the show.

CHAPTER TEN

Friday – April 18th
2100 – The House

"Dammit Hannibal," Yami cursed vehemently; standing in the doorway of the bathroom he watched his partner slide in escape across the hardwood floors. Expression sour he glared at the soaking wet canine, who matched his expression with as much animosity. Hannibal hated baths, and if Yami wasn't fast enough, he exacted his revenge by running around the house drenched and rubbing against everything he could, and shaking as much as possible. Tightly gripping a towel in one hand Yami pointed at his side with the other. "Get back here right now."

Hannibal stared back, appearing almost crazed before he tucked tail and –while slipping around – careened around the kitchen island and began his revenge.

Seto watched from the couch, briefly transfixed and distracted by the sight of Yami covered only with soaking wet black boxers, then terrified when Hannibal sprinted ungracefully towards him and dive bombed his lap. Flinching he protected his eyes from the onslaught of Hannibal barking daringly at Yami before shaking. Almost spurred on by Yami's less than thrilled expression, Hannibal used Seto's stomach as a launch pad and began running in slippery circles around the house.

Yami simply watched him, briefly sending Seto – who was curled up and cradling his stomach – an apologetic look. He knew Hannibal well, especially the little escapade routes he took. Sliding to a halt in front of the stairs Hannibal stared back at him, huffing and ready, bolting down the stairs the instant Yami pretended to move towards him. Frown deeply set he headed over towards the top of the stairs and waited. Hannibal came bounding up a few minutes later, significantly drier via the intense rolling around he did on Bakura's bed. Ready, Yami chucked the towel over the dogs face, causing Hannibal to fall over and slide with all four legs spread. Straddling himself over the dogs back Yami kept him still while vigorously rubbing him down with the towel, Hannibal playfully nipping at him and whining, unhappy that he was taken down this fast.

Finally recovered from his stomach being abused Seto let loose the burst of laughter he had been holding in. Yami looked up at him, along with Hannibal, both in shock; though Yami immediately smiled with mirth and chuckled as the hilarity of the situation took over his annoyance. Hearing the sound Seto lifted his head and took in the image of Yami blissfully smiling and laughing, his own laughter reducing he grinned, said grin creating a bright red hue on Yami's cheeks. Again, the rosiness of Yami's face and the gleam of bath water still covering him, Seto was vastly distracted.

Less than thrilled at being mocked, Hannibal wriggled out from underneath his partner and dramatically trounced towards the fireplace and dramatically plopped down in front of it, huffing in aggravation.

When Yami collected himself and stared back at Seto he swallowed hard, shyly dipped his head and pitifully tried to cover himself; just now realizing the state he was in. He moved to rise up and go finish cleaning himself up or at least put more clothing on. A twinge flashed through his left thigh the moment he engaged the muscles, tensing up and cringing in reaction he covered the sharp pain with his hand. Internally cursing he put pressure over the extensive scar on his thigh; trying to calm the muscles he exhaled a shaky breath with knowing ease.

Seeing Yami flinch Seto's brow furrowed, concerned he rose from the couch and moved to kneel down beside him, "What happened?"

"Just an old annoyance," Yami answered, still cringing, though his now balled fist was rubbing up and down his quadriceps. "It always becomes really sore when it snows or rains. All the shit earlier didn't help."

"Why does it do that?"

Tensing in surprise as Seto pulled his hand away and replaced it with his long fingers kneading the enraged thigh. "I've broken the damn thing three times, twice rather messily. It's fairly normal in severe joint or large bone injuries to be affected by cold weather."

"Wait three; once was the avalanche the other was the IED when was the last?"

"It was the second time. Yevgeny – he and Arik hit it constantly, the continued impact caused hairline fractures."

Seto encouraged Yami to lie back, assisting him to straighten the inflamed leg before continuing to massage it. He scowled, even without extensive medical knowledge he could feel the heat residing in the limb, along with seeing and feeling the swelling spanning from Yami's knee to hip. Adjusting his hand he put more pressure behind his fingers, expecting the jerking reaction it caused he held Yami's knee steady with his other hand. Briefly glancing up at him he gauged Yami's tolerance and continued kneading.

As he kneaded into tense muscles, his fingers mapped out the scars. Now that he was truly looking at it he could see that there were multiple surgical incisions within and around the extensive scarring from the IED, along with the new still red line from the bullet graze a few weeks earlier. The surgical ones were calmed, already faded to a few shades lighter than Yami's natural soft bronze hue. The one from the IED was the opposite. It started at the base of the patella and widened the further it went up his thigh till it encompassed the entire front side of Yami's iliac crest then wrapped around his back, abruptly ending below his shoulder blade. The skin was still angry and dark, a purplish hue in areas, some spots faded. It was uneven, the darkest areas at the center of his thigh and his hip. He could tell those areas had been graphed, they were indented where there had been no skin or much muscle left to mend, and some of it had the waved marks of a burn. Ghosting his other hand over the patella he felt small healed scars in small pot marks down his calf and shin, the entire top of his left foot was covered in the same burned scars and several white surgical incisions. Feeling the scrutiny of Yami's eyes he glanced up, digits still massaging the rock-hard muscles.

"How close were you?"

"To the IED?" Receiving a nod for answer Yami propped himself up, attention drifting over the scar. "Two feet. Ryker had located it and we were moving to mark it. But the fucking hostages got loose and ran towards it. The explosion flung the Humvee that was driving to us; it landed on two other IED's. The vehicle was shredded along with everyone in it and the two that had been holding the hostages. Ryker and I landed about ten feet away. He died instantly, the impact snapped his neck. Kevin and Brett had minor injuries; shrapnel punctures and burst eardrums, scrapes, and bruises from being flung back by the shock wave."

"And you?"

Sighing Yami shifted, turning so his shoulder was visible he also lifted the back of his hair, showing more scarring from what appeared to be deep gouging on the top of his shoulder and nape of his neck. "I hit the ground shoulder and head first, knocked me out. My leg took the brunt of the explosion, shattered every bone up to my hip, the surgeons almost amputated it. My skull was fractured as well. It was pretty touch-and-go for a couple of weeks. I wasn't stable enough to be transported home for 23 days, spent the next two months in Toronto General."

Adding the second hand to his ministrations Seto pushed down on a few pressure points with his thumbs, Yami flinched and dropped his head back, breathing through tight lips to bear through the pain. "How many were involved?"

"Four in the Humvee; six on the ground, myself and Ryker included. Two hostages. Lost three back at the bunker we stormed."

Gaging Yami's reactions, Seto moved his one hand over the front of Yami's hip and over his stomach, fingers resting over the small circular scar below an equally faded surgical one, both a few inches below the recent one. "And this?"

Cheeks heating up Yami murmured, the pleasure from those deft fingers moving over him distracting him from the agony being kneaded out of his leg. "Gunshot, hit right below my vest."

"Military or Police?"

"Military, first tour. They don't like K9's and their handlers. We caused them too many problems, so we were targets."

Tenderly Seto drifted his fingertips over similar wounds on Yami's right shoulder and arm. "And these?"

"Gun. Shoulder was in Afghanistan. Forearm was here, burglar that we cornered in an alley."

"Is that why you have that tattoo?"

Shivering as Seto's fingers examined the ECG tattoo on the inside of his forearm and the word fighter below it, he bit his lip and shook his head, "No. Kevin, Brett and I have the same tattoo; we got it together to signify surviving the war, especially the IED. Our backs match too; we all put the coordinates of the incident at the top and then had our friend's names in their dog tags below it. I've also got Ryker's paw prints tattooed below with his dog tag. The other dog tags on my right shoulder are other friends that didn't make it."

"What about this one," Seto murmured, fingers drifting to Yami's left forearm. A paw print was just below his elbow and what looked like a poem written small and neat. Stopping massaging he took hold of Yami's wrist and pulled it straight, smiling mischievously at seeing Yami's cheeks match the color of his eyes, then tenderly kissed the soft skin of Yami's wrist and over the tattoo.

Gasping Yami's eyes closed, shuddering under the pleasurable ministrations, "It's the K-9 prayer, or their oath, for police, and Hannibal's paw print." Gasping again he felt his back arch as Seto's lips continued up towards his shoulder. "I will lay down my life for you and expect nothing but love in return. I protect my officer with my life, and would gladly take a bullet in his place. I am sent in to find lost children and fight fugitives. I find drugs and weapons and even bombs. I am the first sent in and sometimes the last to leave. I am the nose and ears of my officer. I protect and serve him. I would die for him and for you. I ask only for your love and care."

Grin widening as he listened to the tremor in Yami's voice he shuffled, pulling Yami into his lap with a gasp from the young man. Supporting him with one arm, the other reached up to tenderly run his fingers over Yami's trembling jaw. Leaning forward he laid small kisses along his cheek before hovering over his lips, teasing them by barely touching them. He hadn't been able to resist, his arousal had been raging even through his concern. Now that Yami was sufficiently distracted, he planned on keeping him that way.

Trembling from the waves of pleasure burning through him, Yami was barely able to murmur out; surprised to hear the words come from him. "Bedroom, please, if Bakura comes home…"

Agreeing Seto stood them both up, purposefully encompassing Yami's lips in a passionate kiss, keeping the young man's euphoria from dwindling with the change of scenery.

His room was closer. Gently, though keeping up their kiss, Seto guided Yami into his room. As soon as they were in, he closed the door and pressed Yami against it. Breaking from their kiss he drifting his hands down from their place on Yami's shoulders and rested them softly on his hips, kneading at them and eliciting a small moan from parted lips, shaky hands gliding up his chest. Chastely kissing him Seto diverted his attention away and began to lick and nip down Yami's throat, thumbs still rubbing against sensitive muscles on the inside of Yami's hips. The height difference was a problem, one he needed to eradicate. Carefully, and slow so Yami could react, he adjusted his hands so he was gripping under Yami's legs then lifted him, allowing him to stand flush between them and use his own hips to pin Yami against the door.

At first, Yami felt panic run through him. His safe area was exposed, and the sensation of Seto's hard erection pressing against him made him stiffen. Arms wrapping around Seto's neck he held tight, seeking out the comfort he knew was there, fighting down the fear. Relief flooded him when Seto stopped moving and merely held him, massaging the outside of his thighs comfortingly and patiently waiting for him to relax.

It did not take long for his mind to ease and for his body to recognize that is was someone different straddling him, someone wanted and trusted. Savouring the fact that he was trusting Seto far faster than he believed he would he breathed deeply and rested his head on Seto's broad shoulder. As his nerves continued to settle he trembled at the rightness of it, not only was the sensation euphoric but their bodies seemed to fit perfectly together.

Seto sensed him calm and shifted so one arm was holding his hip possessively before pressing him firmly against the door, his other hand drifting up Yami's side. Reflexively, Yami wrapped his legs tightly around Seto's trim waist. The action caused friction and for both of their needs to rub against each other, Seto's deep voice mingled with his own in a pleasured moan. Spurred on by the sound, Yami tentatively ran his hands down Seto's chest, inexperienced hands rubbing over gradually hardening nipples through the soft material of his dress shirt. The soft panting and barely audible moans leaving Seto's lips encouraged him. Shakily, feeling hungry cobalt eyes watching him, he unfastened the buttons on Seto's shirt till he could part it, accidentally rubbing the tip of Seto's erection through his clothes as he did so, shivering at the deep purr Seto emitted. His own breath quickened, his fingers traveled over supple pale skin and hardened muscles flexing in pleasure, warm beneath his fingertips. Digits tenderly returning to rub over Seto's nipples he lifted his gaze, body going slack from the possessive and lustful darkened cerulean eyes watching him.

"Seto?"

Bracing a hand against the door beside Yami's head, Seto dipped down and captured Yami's lips, heatedly nipping and sucking on his bottom lip to ask for entry. He didn't have to wait. Yami's hands hooked behind his head and gasped, allowing Seto to plunder the recesses of his mouth. This time Yami responded with more confidence, legs tightening around Seto's waist he moved his tongue against his, not battling for dominance but enthusiastically responding. Pleasure overwhelming him Seto groaned deeply into the kiss, his hips grinding against Yami's, their bare chests rubbing delectably against each other from the movement.

Gasping loudly Yami snapped his head away, body arching and tightening against the onslaught of pleasure the friction had caused. A high moan left him as Seto's hips ground against him again, both of the man's hands coming down to cup his buttocks and hold him steady, the action only increased the stimulation.

Panting Seto nuzzled below Yami's jaw, adjusting back so he could peer into lust hazed crimson, "You're so sensitive," to prove this he returned to nuzzling and grazing his lips over Yami's neck, eliciting deep shivers and breathless gasps. "It's exhilarating."

Blushing deeply Yami guided Seto's head and ardently kissed him, groaning deeply as Seto ground their hips together, and intense sensations building within him causing his toes to curl. His head began to spin as Seto continued to gently grind against him and assault his neck. Overwhelmed he dug his nails into Seto's strong shoulders, holding on for dear life, all strength dissipating from him and leaving him at Seto's mercy. He felt the onslaught stop, Seto adjusting one arm to encircle his waist tightly, his back leaving the door as Seto turned them around. Briefly, the world returned to him, vision focusing he stared up at Seto, tensing when Seto bent over and laid him on the bed.

Seto remained at the edge, propping himself with one hand beside Yami's head. Seeing panic and trembling returning he tenderly caressed arched cheekbones, bending over to tease their lips together he murmured quietly in assurance. "Do not hesitate to stop me, I want you to enjoy this, not be afraid of it."

As the panic rose, he felt tears come to his eyes. Growling in frustration he leaned up and closed the distance between them, mouth pulling Seto's into a soft but wonton kiss then buried his head against his chest, fingers gripping his shirt. "I am…it's just…why can't my issues just fuck off?"

Sighing, Seto held Yami close with one arm, the other continuing to prop them up, "It takes time, especially with what you have been through."

"Please don't stop," came Yami's quiet voice, longing, and uncertainty laced through it. "I want to know what this is supposed to feel like, what it will be like with you and not him."

Jaw tightening at the sob he heard emit from Yami, Seto eased Yami back flush against the mattress. Still straddling him Seto cupped Yami's face with his hands, peering down into bewildered eyes, "You will, but on your time and no sooner. The last thing you need is to go too far and scare yourself. Don't force it." Eyes narrowing he could see Yami's eyes continue to well with tears and glaze over, along with the shaking increasing. Shuffling he knelt down on the floor, pulling Yami upright and embracing him tightly, hands soothingly rubbing his back and neck. "Breathe Yami, relax, I'll never hurt you."

Clinging to Seto, Yami breathed heavily to ward of the impending tears, "I'm sorry."

Tenderly Seto laid kisses atop Yami's head then down the side of his face, pulling back just enough that he could stare into his face, "Don't be."

"It's not fair to you," Yami gasped out, rubbing the brimming tears from his eyes, fists clenching and coming down to rest on his thighs. "The other day made sense, but today it feels wrong leaving you like this just because I'm scared."

"It's more than fair. I know how to handle this Yami, you don't," tenderly he ran his thumbs over arched cheekbones. "There are other ways that I can alleviate myself that are not at your expense."

"How is that fair?"

Smiling, albeit wryly, Seto exhaled deeply and wrapped his arms around Yami's waist, staring eye to eye with him. "It's this little thing called compromise."

"Won't it affect your want for me though," seeing Seto's quirked brow he faltered, closing his eyes and stiffening. "If I don't satisfy you…won't it turn you away?"

Incredulous Seto leaned forward, gently nipping at Yami's lips and nuzzling them with his own. "You have this all wrong. It makes me want it more. Your inexperience is thrilling; it's a completely different experience for me. I've always been with people that had multiple partners before me, guiding me through everything until I gained the confidence to dominate. I get to guide you through, drive you wild, overwhelm you with pleasure, show you how incredible this could be. And, even more so, I have never felt this way about anyone. The moment I saw you-you drew me in, it's taken my other partners a long time to turn on my interest enough to be with them never mind have sex with them."

Flinching, Yami felt the walls slam around him, eyes closing tightly. "I seem to have that negative effect on men; all I'm good for is satisfying their lust."

"I am not like them, don't you dare believe that for one minute," Seto stated, exasperated and desperate. "Your heart, fire and strength took hold of me; the fact that you are incredibly gorgeous just made me want you more. You have this immense intelligence that fascinates me, I've never been bored talking to you, in fact you are the smartest person I have ever met. There is this incredible strength within you, a determination and drive that I have never seen so strong in anyone else. Even with all the hell, you have been through your soul is so pure and bright. I'm scared of tainting it."

Eyes snapping open Yami stared at him, disconcerted, "How the hell is there anything pure about me."

Smiling Seto pressed a chaste kiss to trembling lips, "Only purity of soul could keep you so warm, giving, and strong after what he put you through. You may be hurt, you may be scared, there was a time where staying alive felt overwhelming; but you never lost who you were. Now that you have helping hands you are flourishing. All that bastard did was make you stronger."

"He tore me apart," voice cracking as he spoke, hands clenching till his knuckles turned white. "He ripped away everything that was pure and good about me. He made me worthless, a decrepit little boy who was too weak to defend himself. Even through the extensive training I have, I will never stand a chance against him. I couldn't stop him from…touching me again; there is no way I can stop him from taking back what's his."

"Stop it Yami, you do not belong to him. You were fifteen-years-old, he was a grown man, and through brutality he overpowered you. He was only able to touch you the other day because he had a gun to your head and his little henchmen pinning you down. He knows he will never be able to overpower you again; you're too strong and too skilled for him to even stand a chance. So tell me, what he did in his cowardice to pin down and force himself on a child."

Shaking, eyes still closed, shaking hands covering Seto's where they were holding his head, he barely spoke, "In my room, the first time he tried, Arik had a gun..."

"And what stopped him?"

"Anton, our personal chef, he came in to check on me."

Adjusting his hands so he was tightly holding Yami's he rested his brow against his, "And the first time he succeeded."

"Arik pinned me, and…and Yevgeny…he almost smashed my skull in."

Sighing, Seto quelled down the rage rising within him, rage that he desperately wanted to dish out on Yevgeny's smug face. "He's a coward Yami, he never would have been able to have you without nearly killing you or having someone help him."

"And what about the three months he had me," Yami yelled, voice shrill and ragged. "I could never fight him off. I let him have me…I let him win."

"And how malnourished were you, how severe were your injuries?"

"I lost almost 20lbs," Yami stammered, tears flowing from his eyes, his ability to fight them off gone. "They broke my legs, my arms multiple times, every rib. Damaged my femur. My skull had multiple fractures. I don't know how I lived through escaping, I was bleeding severely internally both from being beaten and his last…the last time he touched me. I almost bled out; I could never wrap my mind around how the paramedics managed to keep me alive."

"Think about it," he said gently, one hand relinquishing Yami's to tenderly rub the back of his neck. "Did he really overpower you, or did he have to use everything in his power just to pin you down."

Mind clicking Yami snapped his head up, the haze lifting from his eyes. Chest heaving he chewed his bottom lip as his mind violently spun, running through the multitudes of times Yevgeny had had his way with him. He could not remember a single time where he was either well enough to fight back or where Arik and Kuzma didn't help. Seto's statement hung heavy with him, and the truth in those words was epitomized by the intense veracity of those cobalt eyes. Feeling his jaw open he tried to formulate an argument, tried to dispute him and stay deeply caged within the hell Yevgeny had created in his mind. Wiping away the tears from his face he shakily ghosted his free hand over Seto's bare chest, using the warmth and welcoming shiver of the alluring pale skin to keep him within reality, his gaze staying locked with Seto's as his hand rested over the man's pounding heart. "I fought him each and every time and I never stopped, even when I was damn near dying I never stopped."

Seto smiled at seeing the determination growing within Yami, the flame bright in his ruby eyes, "And what does that tell you."

Heart beating wildly in his chest, breathing still rapid, Yami surged forward, strength spurring deep within him. Deeply he kissed Seto with a ferocity and dominance that made Seto's head swoon. Pulling back just as the desperate need to breathe became apparent, he stared deep into Seto's eyes, "That I do not belong to him."

Hearing those words Seto crushed his lips against Yami's, relishing the sharp gasp it created along with him rising up and pressing the cop back against the mattress. Arousal re-awoken he ground against Yami, internally grinning at the loud groan it caused and the noticeable stirring between the young man's legs. Breaking away he began to kiss along Yami's collarbone, one hand sneaking over a shaking thigh before pressing his palm flush against the inside and back down, his target obvious. Yami arched violently, head tossed back his body tensed and an audible moan fell from his lips, hands tightly gripping Seto's biceps in reaction as the questing hand cupped him between the legs.

Seto swallowed the sound, kissing him deeply again, barely quelling down the lustful hisses and moans Yami let out at each able breath, the weight and pressure of his hand driving the young man wild. Pulling back he stared down, absorbing the wonton crimson eyes and heaving breath of the man beneath his fingers, relishing Yami's body arching and letting out a breathless moan when he delved his hand beneath the boxers and gripped his aching flesh. "I want you."

Trying to think through the pleasure, Yami licked his lips and gasped out, "All of me?"

"I need your heart, your soul, and your body. I want it all," Seto hissed hungrily. "I need you."

"Then have me," mewling boisterously as deft fingers slowly glided with a tender grip on his member.

Then, the rest of the world sharpened around him. Through their ragged breathing, Hannibal's loud and insistent barking cut through the silence of the rest of the house, along with the slamming of vehicle doors and yelling voices outside. They exchanged mutual looks of confusion, then Yami stiffened at the expulsion of exhaust and cutting of the engine of a familiar vehicle. Shocked Yami glanced between the door and the window, scrambling to the head of the bed he peered out the window. Throat tightening he met Seto's confused face, "They're outside."

Immediately Seto went to pull his clothes back on while Yami dashed out of the room, limp obvious. Internally cursing shoved his pants back on then brushed aside the curtains aside, swallowing hard as he took in the scene. It was still pouring rain, through the darkness the street lights made visible the two dark SUV's blocking in the patrol car on protection duty, the headlights loosely illuminating the area around them. The two officers were out arms in the air in surrender and their backs to the vehicles. Five men surrounded them, all of them training shotguns or assault rifles directly at them

Seeing the lights outside Yami cursed. Quickly darting into his room he pulled on a pair of jeans Yugi had forced him to buy and a long-sleeved shirt. Shoving his phone in his pocket he dived over to the far side of the bed and pulled out the Glock he had stashed. Loading it with quick and precise movements he dashed back out into the living room. Barely catching a glance with Seto he barrelled for the door, "The second gun is loaded and in the cupboard with the pots."

Nodding Seto took the hint, sprinting across the living room to search the mentioned cupboard.

Taking hold of Hannibal's collar Yami wrenched open the front door, keeping the angered canine from running he peered out. Fear gripped him tightly, snapping his gun up and aiming it at the hulk of a man stalking down the front lawn.

Arik grinned at him, waving almost mockingly with the pistol in his hand, "Hello Yami, did I interrupt something, you seem out of sorts."

"What are you doing here?"

Seeing Seto move up behind Yami, the larger man pushing the door open and brandishing the gun in his hands, Arik's expression grew dark as he continued forward. "You need to be retaught that actions have consequences, and your little stunt this afternoon has a left a large quota to be filled."

"Back off Arik, take one more step and I will not hesitate," Seto threatened, boldly stepping around and shielding Yami. "Your master made the mistake of attacking him in a public place; he's the one that should be suffering the consequences from his own stupidity."

Head cocking to the side Arik gave a small shrug of acquiescence, "I won't deny that. However, Yami promised to stay silent and stay away, both of which he broke by having the Pakhan arrested. And, my best Brigadier is now dead along with virtually his entire squad, all because Yami opened his mouth."

Breathing stiffly Yami shoved his gun into his back pocket and tightly gripped Seto's shirt with his free hand, whispering in Japanese to avoid eavesdropping, "They will have no issues shooting you, get behind me and don't do anything stupid. Nothing about what you are doing is smart or heroic. Please, stand down."

"I won't stand back and let them hurt you."

"You'll hurt me a hell of a lot more by dying than they possibly could with their fists. They'll just kill you, nothing is stopping them."

Glancing back over his shoulder Seto frowned, logic overpowering the protective instinct within him, along with the pleading shining from garnet orbs. With a show of reluctance, he stood beside Yami, hand lowering the gun but not relinquishing it.

Sighing with relief Yami averted back to Arik, "You never answered my question. Why are you here?"

"Sergeant, get out of here!" One of the police officers yelled through the rain, gaining a snarl of annoyance from Arik.

Concern filled Yami as Arik lifted his weapon, seeing where it leveled to he screamed out, voice pleading. "Arik don't!"

"Unload men," Arik commanded.

Yami bulked in shock, Seto's jaw dropping at the sight as the five men and Arik unloaded their weapons into the officers, filling them with bullets even after they hit the ground, bodies shredded. Wrenching his eyes away, body shaking from repulsion and fury, Yami glared hard at Arik as the man turned back to him, "They didn't do anything!"

"They're cops." Averting Arik stalked towards him, his five men coming up rapidly behind him, all of them reloading their weapons systematically. "Hand over your weapons. We wouldn't want him to suffer the consequences of needlessly fighting a losing battle."

"Fine," retorted the officer, pulling out his gun and snatching the one away from Seto, expression dark as Arik pocketed them.

Finally stopping barely an inch in front of him, Arik stared heatedly down at Yami, grin devilish as he extended his hand out. "Now, you two shall quietly go back inside with me for a little conversation, I'm sure your father is becoming rather impatient in his constraints."

Heart tightening Yami snapped out, "What did you do to him?"

"Ahh, so you do still care about him, good I'm glad this will not be a waste." Gun lifting to point over Yami's shoulder directly into the center of Seto's chest, Arik stated pointedly, emphasizing his extended hand. "Now, cooperate and I may just let your little bodyguards survive this night in one piece."

Stiffly, fury clear, Yami gave a small nod of compliance, hand reaching out to Arik's. He was not surprised when the man snatched his wrist, swiveled him around and pinned his arms. Just as quickly his arms were wrenched behind his back and bound with zip ties, Arik leaning down to chuckle in his ear.

"That's a good little boy," with both hands gripping tense shoulders, he guided Yami back into the house, commanding over his shoulder. "Tell Bakura it's time, and muzzle the mutt."

All the lights were being systematically turned off and two chairs were pulled away from the table and placed in the middle of the living room. The door was closed, shutting out any street lights as the curtains were drawn shut, leaving only the fire to light the house.

Quietly Seto lifted his hands in the air, putting up no resistance as he was spun around and cuffed by two burly men then lead inside. Internally he smirked, two other men tried to muzzle Hannibal, both being aggressively bitten before Yami quietly commanded the canine to be calm. His expression fell as he was led away from the two stationed chairs and was pushed down into one at the table, a laptop placed in front of him, then two guns pressed warningly from either side into his shoulders. Glancing at his two captors then to Yami, who was equally confused, flinching while Arik roughly tightened his zip ties and used more to fasten them to the chair. Scowling he felt his brown pinch.

"What's with the laptop?"

Arik grinned at him, hands returning to tightly encompassing Yami's shoulders. "You are going to play a very crucial role in tonight's events, Mr. Kaiba."

"And why is that?"

Cocking his head in mild amusement, Arik dug his fingers into Yami's shoulders, annoyance flickering through him when the young man made no reaction. "To be honest, you and Karel are the main reasons I am here. Being a tool is young Raske's entire purpose for tonight and in doing so he will endure a portion of his punishment."

"Arik, Bakura's out front," chimed in one of the men standing by the door, monitoring the outside through the narrow windows on either side of it. Gaining a grunt in acknowledgment from Arik the man twisted the doorknob and held the door aside so the newcomers could enter.

Drenched from the rain, Bakura entered, dark russet eyes less than thrilled. Removing his leather jacket and dumping it on the floor along with a duffle bag, he stepped aside to allow two men to bring Karel into the house.

Karel was disheveled; salt and pepper hair messy and wet, his shirt and pants were equally drenched. He seemed confused, glaring furiously at Bakura before glancing around, eyes falling on Yami and Seto. Muscles tightening he snapped out, panic dripping from his tone, "Why is my son and Seto here, this has nothing to do with them."

"That is inaccurate," Arik interjected, waving his hand dismissively, returning it to Yami's stiff shoulders as Karel was manhandled into the other chair across from them and secured to it. Chuckling as the two were forced to face each other, Arik mockingly rubbed Yami's shoulders. "I guess you have never been to your son's house. Well then, it's a good thing I love family reunions."

"Do you want the product," Bakura interjected, jaw locked.

Signalling for Bakura to bring it over, Arik continued. "Bring it here."

Gaze briefly locking with Yami's, Bakura's attempt at reassurance through it pitiful. His friend peered back at him calm and stoic, but his blazing crimson orbs gave away the fear. Trudging around, bag in hand, he dropped the duffle bag between the two chairs. Ignoring the panic in Karel's demeanor, he ground out. "Caught him trying to destroy it." Kneeling down he unzipped the duffle and revealed an IV bag, Smertnost Grey label clear.

Eyebrows raised Arik signaled for Bakura to hand it over, taking hold of it he rolled the bag around in his hands, peering intently at the label before averting across to Karel. "Did you really believe that just because he is in prison that you still didn't have to pay your quota. Even if the Pakhan couldn't enjoy playing with his toy, doesn't mean we would not have taken him. Besides, you know the Pakhan will not be there long."

"No judge will be stupid enough to take a bribe and release him with the evidence the police have against him," Karel disputed, a smug grin sneaking through the panic.

Chuckling Arik signaled to one of the men standing near him. Obediently the thug took the bag of medication from his hands and replaced it with a syringe. Removing his other hand from Yami's shoulders he prepped the syringe then drew out a large dose of the mediation. Flicking it expertly to filter out the bubbles he cocked his head and smiled, "Naive as always. When will you learn Karel; will he have to die before you figure it out."

Fearfully, skin going pale, Karel watched as the collar of his son's shirt was wrenched down to expose his bicep, tracking the syringe as it was readied against the muscle he swallowed in horror. In that instant he caught Yami staring at him, locking with him he absorbed the fury burning within red orbs, but also the fear and a glint of understanding. Those eyes, identical to his wife's, were a window; no matter how desperately Yami tried to hide his emotions they were always plain within them. He knew he had been naive in believing that Yevgeny would stay behind bars, but more of him desperately tried to cling to the belief that he would and that all the hell he had cause could finally be swept away. Clearly, wishful thinking didn't get him very far.

"I gave you the money and the original product, now you have the new batch. You have everything you demanded of me, everything that was agreed..."

Expression going dark Arik returned his one hand to encompass Yami's shoulder, with sudden voracity and eliciting a small gasp from his victim, he brutally clenched his fist. Bone audibly ground together, Yami's face scrunching up in discomfort and his body began to shake from holding back agonized breaths. "Wrong. You owed us a new batch of the product as well as the chemical composition of the drug. Neither of which we have received. So force seems to be the only way to get your ass moving."

Piping up from his position, Seto shouted out, wincing after from the stinging backhand he received. "We still have until the beginning of June!"

Annoyance increasing, along with his grip, Arik continued, "For Karel, that deadline no longer applies. With today's events, the old agreement and deadline are null and void. Now, that brings me to our first task of tonight for you Mr. Kaiba. You have ten minutes to externally log into Ridder Corporations system and retrieve the chemical composition of the drug. If by the end of that ten minutes you have refused or have not succeeded and need some encouragement, I will inject the young Raske with the drug. Am I in any way unclear?"

"That dose could kill him," Bakura snarled.

"Do I need to have you restrained," Arik snapped, tone dangerous. "Or can you behave. Remember, your actions have consequences."

Hands placating in the air, Bakura continued to glower. "Pretty sure the Pakhan will burn your ass if you recklessly kill him. Just a suggestion."

Sardonically, Arik adjusted the syringe and squirted out a small portion of its contents. Returning it he pursed his lips mockingly in thought, suddenly ramming the needle deeply into Yami's arm. Face scrunching in pain Yami tried to wrench away, Arik expected it and moved with him, injecting the full dose. Karel and Seto both cried out, even though neither could do anything but struggle and be reprimanded. Hannibal's attempts are baking rang out through his muzzle; two men continued to hold his collar and braced their legs to keep him still.

Handing off the needle, Arik leaned over and tightly wrapped his arm around Yami's neck, pressing against his trachea just enough to make his body relax and spots to appear behind his eyes. Annoyed with the growling and Hannibal's claw scraping the hardwood he snapped at the two holding him.

"Shut the mutt up."

Before either man could ready their pistol, never mind reach them, a gasping voice settled the dog, buttocks planting with a whine.

"Hanny, sit and stay quiet," with a weak grin at the canine Yami at up straight, vision correcting. "Good boy."

Signalling to one of his men, Arik monitored the man tightly tying Yami's ankles to the legs of the chairs with zip ties. Once that was finished, with Yami gasping, he pulled away; satisfied that the drug was working from the young man's already racing pulse. Calculating for the change in metabolism, and remembering how long it took before, he could estimate when the drugs true effect would start to show. Yami's silence was new. Before he would have been struggling and unable to refrain from at least small gasps of discomfort, especially with how roughly he had slammed the needle in. Never mind the fact that the drug burned going in, he remembered that from his own experience. They had hardened the young Raske, but it seems the war nestled in a resilience and defiance at an incredible level. Annoyed at the concept, as the boy's defiance took an unholy amount of torture to be broken before; now he imagined it would go beyond infuriating him. The fifteen-year-old had held out longer than most grown men with this drug, and all the grown men were not being viciously violated while it was in their systems. It's why he had injected nearly double the dosage as he used to; the half-life on the drug was long, but it's rise to full potency within the system was usually in less than five minutes.

Returning his hands to brutally take hold of Yami's shoulders he darkly smiled at Seto's aghast expression and relished in the fearful one Karel was emitting. Then, he met with Bakura's infuriated snarl, his own expression falling into a dark glower. "Restrain him, you've breached my trust. I really did hope that you would behave, but I should have known better. You care about him far too much."

Muscles tightening Bakura allowed his arms to be bound, steamy expression remaining even as he was forced to his knees by his own men. He could feel their reluctance, along with gentleness in how they handled him. But, they, like he did, knew that Arik was right. Swallowing hard he peered at Yami apologetically, internally cursing at the noticeable redness to his cheeks, his breathing increasing and that milky hue to his eyes. The drug was already starting to work.

Feeling Yami's chest begin to heave and a heaviness settling into his breathing, along with heat rising in his skin; Arik knelt down and rested his chin on his captives shoulder. Softly, in Russian, he whispered. "I know you are trying to resist, and that is commendable, I admire your strength. But, tonight I will not stop until I have you begging for death or surrendering yourself to the Pakhan. And believe me, I will enjoy every single way I will use to make you break."

The pain had already begun to burn within him, every single nerve humming at a low level of intolerance, much like a mild sunburn. His joints pulsated uncomfortably, but his leg was burning at the highest intensity, the agony that was already there amplified. Swallowing hard he turned his head just enough that he could peer into Arik's smug face, "You've got less than thirty minutes to do it. In ten they have to check in; and as soon as they don't respond, they will have units swarming the house. Better work fast."

Arik chuckled, but internally he was cursing. He hadn't calculated for that, he had forgotten about the unexpected police unit out front and their purpose. Dropping down his arm he balled his fist against Yami's left leg, noticing a slight squirm of discomfort he grinned.

"Correction, Mr. Kaiba. If, by the end of the allotted five minutes, you have not retrieved the chemical formula, I will begin breaking every single bone in his body."

With that and all his weight behind it, Arik drilled his balled fist into Yami's thigh.

Instantly Yami's toes curled and his head fell back, jaw tightly clenched and eyes closed he barely held in the pained scream that welled in his throat. White-hot agony burned through him, teeth gritting against it he tried to force out short breaths to manage it. But, the drug worked it's magic and continued to amplify it, creating layer upon layer of scalding nerve pain.

"Ahh, so you really did a number on it in the war. It's probably fairly sore from earlier too," crimson eyes blazed through him, the fury blatant, along with the fear. Winding up he did it again, garnering the same reaction, bringing immense satisfaction to him; especially with the cringes his other captives made, and the whine that emitted from Hannibal. "Your time starts now Mr. Kaiba. Every 30 seconds you waste getting me the information, he will suffer the consequence."

"You son of a bitch," Seto cursed through clenched teeth, resisting the urge to get up and lash out when his hands were released from their constraints.

"Four minutes and forty seconds."

Growling Seto yanked the laptop closer, fingers instantly flourishing over the keyboard like a well-loved instrument. By the end of the following ten seconds he had fully logged into the remote network and was starting to filter past all the fire walls he had created to be able to access Karel's office computer. His fingers flinched in their dance, Arik had dealt another blow and Yami's strained breaths filled his ears. Returning to his rhythm he snapped out, "Karel, tell me where the files are."

Karel made to answer, mouth open and the words formed, but a fist ramming into the back of his head silenced him.

Arik simply chuckled, gaze flicking to his watch, "Next time he opens his mouth to help you it won't be as gentle. Four minutes and five seconds."

Seto really didn't need to ask, it just would have saved him the next twenty seconds in searching and waiting for the system to catch up. His eyes darted sideways while one of his hacking programs loaded. He flinched as another vicious hit was dealt to Yami's leg, causing the cop to hunch forward as far as his restraints would let him before Arik yanked him back. His eyes were closed, jaw locked, breaths coming out in short gasps, cheeks flushed along with his neck and what was visible of his upper chest. Arik winked at him, snarling he snapped back to the laptop, digits in a flurry.

"Three minutes and thirty-five seconds."

Arik's voice was becoming cocky, mocking even; grating on his ear drums and concentration. He could hear Karel fidgeting in his chair, clearly fighting to say nothing, the man's intense concern bizarre but not un-welcomed. Counting down the seconds on his head he was able to keep his fingers moving and eyes focused at the next blow; the strain in Yami's withheld voice was apparent, a pitchy tone entering it.

"Three minutes and ten seconds."

Finally, his program found the folder. He cursed, it was heavily encrypted. Apparently, the previous IT techs weren't as useless as he thought. Whipping open an encryption decoder he set about starting to dismantle the protection around the folder.

The world was spinning. Yami felt feverish; hot and perspiring heavily, joints throbbing with intense pain as if his ligaments were being slowly cut, and everything touching him turn his skin on fire. Just his clothing made it feel as if his skin was burning off. Every breath stretched his intercostals, slicing pain ripped through them mimicking the sensation of them tearing; his lungs seared as if he was inhaling scalding hot air. His leg was unbearable, the muscles pulsated sharply and bled with each strike, the bone was barely remaining intact. A property of the drug was vasodilation, his blood vessels opening wide and his blood thinned, increasing blood loss. With every strike the bone was beginning to cave and the muscles and tendons tore and bled, taking a normal bruise to terrifying levels. This was worse than he remembered; it must be the double douse. He was also recognizing signs of an impending overdose, his blood pressure was causing his head to pound and spin, and his kidneys spasming in protest as the drug burned through it in higher doses than it could process. His entire body was trembling, adrenaline rushing through his system as it tried to correct the damage, typical fight or flight response, but it was worsening everything. If pride and fear were not an issue he would be in the fetal position crying.

The next three hits blended together, he could barely tell that there was a time gape in between them. With the last one he had stopped being able to keep his jaw locked, his own ragged breathing filled his ears and echoed with the sound of Seto's typing, along with Karel and Bakura's winces in sympathetic panic. His heartbeat was just as loud, deafening him and swelling his eardrums.

"Two minutes and forty seconds."

Seto cursed, this time part of it slipping from his lips. The laptop was as slow as pouring molasses. It didn't help that each of the ten files within the folder were also encrypted. He had hacked five so far, none of them were the ones he wanted, though they were all documents with connection to the bratva. Hearing the chime that the sixth file was decoded he continued to wait as his program did its work. If this had been done with one of his computers he would have been done by now, but of course the bastards brought their own useless piece of shit. His body tightened at the familiar stressing sound of an iron fist hitting stationary meat, though this time the audible crunch of bone and a restrained scream mixed with it for a potent cocktail.

"This is insane Arik," Bakura bellowed, tone pitchy with distress. "His femur is too unstable for this, you'll puncture an artery!"

Arik cocked his head to the side, darkness filling his face along with a devilish smile. Signalling to one of his men he knelt down beside Yami, one hand taking hold of the cops left knee to hold it steady. Stepping behind Yami the thug gripped his jaw and held him against the back of the chair, his other arm tightly going around his shoulders as if to bear hug him. Almost affectionately, with his free hand, Arik tested out the stability of the limb, gauging every pained wince Yami emitted. He figured as much, but with how little time he had remaining, it was sounding like a logical next step. It's not like he hadn't done it before. He knew exactly where the breaks had been and what directional force would cause it to cave. With a wink at Bakura, he would up and pummelled the thigh closer down to the knee, using his weight to not only hit it but pull the limb towards him. The barely withheld scream and the louder crack of crepitus were sweet to his ears.

"You see Bakura," Arik stated, his attention holding Yami's blurred vision. "In relation to our conversation earlier, I have made a decision about tonight. And one way or another, the Pakhan's disgusting obsession with this brat will be remediated."

"Nothing is ready; you hate rashness why would you do this!"

"One minute and fifteen seconds."

"There has to be a better alternative," Karel chimed in, guessing what Arik was hinting towards. "What do we have to do for you to just let him go?"

Another hit, another audible crack and a louder grimace, Arik shrugging after callously. "I cannot say anything about the Pakhan, his sick obsession was the reason he targeted Ridder Corp in the first place. However, for myself," reaching behind he stood up and removed his pistol from his belt, impatiently tapping it against his leg he leveled with Bakura. "I want everything tied up. Give me the chemical formula, along with the irradiation of a certain thorn in my side, and I will be satisfied. Fifty seconds."

In realization Bakura paled, Karel's eyes widened and Seto's fingers stuttered on the keyboard. He was the leak, the hated cop amongst thieves. Arik liked him, but only kept him around because he was useful. With his insubordination tonight, along with Arik wanting a clean slate; that meant that he was no longer needed.

"Kura', don't you dare," Yami's barely audible voice protested, pale garnet staring sideways at him.

Jaw popping, Bakura peered at Arik. "On three conditions. You stop the countdown and allow Seto the extra time, you let Yami go, and let me say good-bye."

Head cocking, Arik peered at Bakura thoughtfully, weighing the pros and cons. "Thirty-five seconds," he murmured, getting ready to deal another blow. "The countdown stays, the rest I can agree to. Also, you must go retrieve everything you have on the Bratva."

"It's all in the basement. Every file and document."

Arik chuckled, reaching into his pocket he exposed a pair of brass knuckles, slipping them on he adjusted his fingers dramatically, gaze never leaving Bakura. Winding up he pelted his fist again into Yami's thigh, a deep grin spreading across his face at the barely withheld scream and the intensified crunch of breaking bone. "So close. Thirty seconds."

Like a bat out of hell Bakura wrenched away from his captors and bolted down the stairs. The countdown continued in his head, stumbling to his knees beside the bed he scrounged underneath, grabbing hold of the boxes underneath. Piling the three of them he hoisted himself up with the heavy load, mentally reaching ten. Crashing up the stairs he scrambled across the house and dropped the folders beside the fire, flinching in his head as the countdown concluded.

Sighing that Bakura succeeded satisfied that Seto was still furiously typing away, Arik adjusted his fist and rammed it home.

The sound of bone snapping filled the room, along with the dry scream that ripped from Yami's throat, shrill and agonized. Dry heaving Yami felt his body spasm around the injury, increasing the pain tenfold. From the intensity of his spasming the bone moved, wrenching another scream from him as it snapped fully to the side, the shattered ends of the femur grinding against each other. Muscles tore, and the distinct sucking and then audible pop of an artery being severed resonated through the room. A familiar pain had reached new levels, bringing tears to his eyes he felt the hold around him released him and he slumped as far forward as the restraints would let him. He could hear yelling, Seto's voice specifically, calling out that he was done. Ten seconds too late. As the world began to violently spin and darken he felt arms enclose him tightly, recognizing Bakura's steely frame he allowed himself to go slack, his head held against his friends pounding chest as calloused hands rubbed his back and neck. Fighting through the intense pain filled fog, he whispered weakly.

"Don't you dare Kura', not for me."

Sad russet eyes watched the exchange between Seto and Arik, Seto showing that the files were found and getting Arik to tell him where to send them, then Arik swiveled the laptop around to confirm that the files had been sent. Exhaling a ragged breath he answered softly, "I have nothing to live for, except you, and gaining your freedom. If this will grant your freedom, then to me it's worth it."

"It's not worth it, I'm not worth it," Yami gasped out, blood loss rapidly fading his vision and his ability to remain conscious.

"You're my best friend Yami, and the only person I have ever loved aside from my Mother. You are worth everything to me. I don't care if you agree, you have never understood your worth to people, you're too self-loathing to understand just how much you are loved."

"Dammit Kura'," Yami tried to growl, but it came out ragged with agony and exhaustion. Hands cupped his face and lifted his hazy vision to rest on Bakura's sad but smiling face. "Please don't do this…"

Smiling Bakura pressed a kiss to his brow then hugged him again, stiffening when two sets of arms grabbed his shoulders, readying to pull him away. "I love you Yami…my little brother."

Knowing that protesting would not change his mind Yami faltered, cold tears of grief mixed with the scorching pained ones. Composure shot he felt a sob leave him, "I love you too."

They were pulled apart, Bakura backward till he was nearly in front of the fireplace, and Yami was held against the back of the chair by Arik's burly arm.

Feeling a pistol pressed against his temple Bakura calmly exhaled, eyes locking with Seto's across the room. "Take care of him, or I'll haunt your ass." Shakily Seto nodded; jaw tight with fury, blue eyes raging; all of that was answer enough for him. Relaxing fully, he prepared for the click of the trigger. "Close your eyes Yami."

Biting his lip, Yami closed his eyes, unprepared to watch just as Bakura knew. He heard the resounding click of the trigger, the deafening roar of the bullet disengaging, and the eerie thump of a body hitting the ground. Then, a voice whispered in his ear.

"Your leg is containing the bleeding. I'd say you have about ten to fifteen minutes before you fully bleed out," with a chuckled Arik tightly squeezed the damaged thigh, shuddering in bliss as Yami screamed. "I missed that sound. It was always more satisfying with you, you took so long to draw it out that it became sweet and delectable, addictive. Even though what the Pakhan did to you was deplorable, I always enjoyed your screams. Stay alive, I want to hear that sound again."

Rising up Arik headed towards the door. Throwing a knife over his shoulder he heard Seto nimbly catch it where he sat with two pistols pointing to him. Glancing between his men he smiled, "Burn it down."

"On it," a few murmured, disappearing outside and returning a few minutes later, Molotov cocktails in their hands.

In horror, Seto and Karel watched them throw the incendiary bottles into each room and corner of the house. As the flames spread the heat began to rise, and the smoke billowed out. From the door, Seto could see Arik exiting, along with the men that had been holding him captive. Coughing he dashed forwards; seeing that Hannibal was already struggling to get his muzzle off he slid down to his knees in front of Karel. Using the knife he quickly sliced through each of the zip ties, satisfied with his work he shuffled over to Yami. He had no time to be gentle, and for that, he contracted his muscles in preparation for the discomfort he was about to cause. Karel was beside him, one arm supporting Yami's front while the other wrapped around his back. Quickly he snapped off each of the zip ties, Yami crying out against the strain before his body went slack. He wasn't given time to react or protest, and the flames were not helping. Karel forced Yami to fasten his arms around his neck, then with strength, he did not expect from the older man, Karel hefted his son into his arms and hurriedly carried him towards the door and away from the inferno.

Coughing, Seto caught sight of Hannibal freeing himself and bolting after Karel. The smoke was suffocating, coating his lungs thickly. He needed one more thing before leaving. Gingerly, and saying a small internal prayer and a statement of thanks, he stepped over Bakura's discarded body to receive his cell phone. Snatching it up he avoided looking down, not wanting to see Bakura's caved in skull. He didn't have time to pull him out; the flames had already spread to the kitchen and was encroaching on the living room. Scrambling outside he punched in the numbers on his phone, breathing a sigh of relief when the 911 dispatcher answered almost immediately. "I need fire, police and an ambulance."

"Stay awake Yami."

A familiar voice murmured to him, the Dutch words falling fluid and soft, gentle fingers cupping his face to keep the rainwater off. Blearily he cracked his eyes open just enough to see Karel peering down at him with concern. Feeling dampness beneath him he realized he was on the grass. Heaviness covered him, Karel removing his outer shirt and draping it over him. Confusion filled him, this gentleness was foreign, those hands trying to comfort and keep him awake had not touched him like this in years. Groaning he made to turn away, but his leg contorted with pain and a scream left his lips.

"Stay still, you'll bleed out," the voice soothed, a voice he knew, but it did not match the face in front of him. Grey within his hair was new and the wrinkles around his eyes. "I'm so sorry, I did this to you, I did all of this, I've caused you so much pain. Please don't die."

Warmth pressed against him, fur and a soft tongue. Glancing to the side he could see Hannibal curling up next to him, using his burly head to protect his face from the rain. Reaching up, pain pulsating through him; he gripped the canine's collar. "Good boy Hanny, good boy."

As the world began to go black, the pain too much and the cold overwhelming, he could hear that same voice pleading.

"Please don't die."