-On the Prowl-
"The time is almost at hand."
"I know, Master."
"Do you think they succeeded?"
"If not they will punished."
"You only have a week left to retrieve the Book of Shadow."
"You will have the book, Master. I swear it!"
"I will hold you to your promise. Fail me and the consequence will be dire."
The large screen faded into static before being shut off as a figure slammed a fist down on the large exquisite desk in front of them. Swiveling in the lush chair at the sound of the large doors opening, the figure looked down in the room as two other figures walked toward him.
Spotlights flickered on as both figures stepped onto a platform. One of the platforms having the surface etched with the pattern of a ring with a pyramid in the middle that had an eye in the center of it with five pointers dangling from the bottom of the ring. The other platform's surface was etched with a rod shaped pattern that seemed to have a sphere shaped head but smoothed out into the looks of an almost double edged ax that had an eye in the center of it as well.
"Welcome back, Viper, Jackal. Did you collect what was asked?"
Stepping up on the platform depicting the ring, Viper crossed his arms. "It was a failed attempt."
"Failed attempt, and what exactly caused you both to fail such a simple task?"
Taking his place on the last platform, Jackal mirrored Viper's gesture by crossing his arms. "Sphinx was there."
"How is it when it's two against one that the one standing alone should be victorious?"
Viper glared at the one behind the desk. "We don't have a guardian beast to save our hides," he growled.
"You have your own arsenal of creatures to fight with."
"You have no idea of the creature we speak of," Jackal snorted. "True we may have strong creatures, and powerful magic and deadly trap cards… but they don't hold a snow balls chance in hell of succeeding against a divine guardian."
"Not to mention that Sphinx has the God creatures at his disposal," Viper grumbled.
"Excuses, you two are making Sphinx sound unbeatable!"
"Then what do you suggest, Cyclops…" Viper growled before wincing as a current of electricity brought him down to his knees. Panting, he scrapped his claws against the floor while hissing at the stinging sensation that raced across his body.
"Don't test me, Viper. You know I hold what's precious to you."
"What would you have us do then?" Jackal asked, casting a glance over at Viper to watch him stumble to his feet.
"All heroes have a flaw. An Achilles heel if you want. You find his weakness and use it to your advantage."
"What of his… guardian then?" Viper managed out, his stance slumped from the still slight stinging sensations. "She is… always… close by."
"Use your skill, and make the best of your traps and magic cards. Guardian or not, I'm sure a few of the traps will be able to slow it down."
Nodding their heads, Viper and Jackal exchanged looks before turning and leaving the office once again. It was time to do a little spying on their old friend to find out just what would be the other's major weakness.
MEANWHILE…
Yugi was still blushing scarlet. He had woken up around thirty minutes ago to find himself cuddled up against Yami, who had been stroking his hair with loving caresses. The gestures had gave him a sudden sense of familiarity, as if they had been in that position many times before, causing his already rosy cheeks to go crimson.
Hearing a faint purr, he turned to see Miw-sher lounging behind him on the back of the couch, her head and front paws resting over one of the large back pillows. Smiling at the feline, his attention drifted over to the kitchen, watching Yami grab a few items out of the fridge.
Getting ready to get off the couch and help Yami in the kitchen, he came to a sudden halt at what had just been reported.
"… Museum has reported that its newest addition to its Ancient Egyptian exhibit has been stolen. Officers also report that all the glass cases in the room were shatter, but none of the valuable items enclosed in said cases were missing. The artifact stolen was said to be an ancient book that had only arrived a few days earlier…"
Watching the screen, Yugi gasped at the damage done to the room he had visited so many times. "So they only took that weird book," he whispered, before feeling a shadow looming over him and looking up to see Yami leaning over him with his crimson eyes trained on the news report.
"Looks like the museum had a busy night, ne?" Yami asked, looking down into amethyst eyes to watch as Yugi nodded.
"Someone trashed the place, but only one thing was stolen…" Yugi mused, turning in the couch to look up as Yami crossed his arms.
"Seems odd that only one thing is missing, especially in a room filled with treasures such as that," Yami stated.
"They probably would've taken everything, but He showed up and stopped them," Yugi smiled, not noticing the amused smirk that graced Yami's face.
"Oh, so you think the elusive stranger helped?" Yami asked, hiding his smirk while keeping his eyes on Yugi.
Getting to his knees, Yugi leaned over the back of the couch to look up into Yami's eyes. "I have a hunch that he was there, and the cases were broken because he fought the thieves," he smiled, thinking back to watching Sphinx fight. "I bet he clobbered them."
Unconsciously rubbing his side where Viper had got him, Yami wouldn't exactly say that he managed to 'clobber' them as Yugi had put it.
"What's wrong, Yami?"
Snapping out of his daze, Yami shook his head. "Nothing, just had an itch," he lied, gently scratching the spot to at least be a bit believable.
Nodding, Yugi looked back at the television as a photo of the stolen book flashed on the screen. "Call me paranoid, but I hope no one evil gets a hold of that book. I saw it yesterday and it felt like there was something about it… something that seemed odd…" 'Yet familiar,' he finished the last thought to himself, not wanting Yami to think him completely insane.
Crimson eyes blinked curiously before casting a glance at the inky feline on the couch to get an 'I-told-you-so' look from gleaming gold eyes. "You're not being paranoid," Yami replied, reaching over to stroke the little one's cheek. "Call it a lucky guess, or Egyptian instinct, but I think that book was filled with very powerful magic."
"Not to mention that when I got a good look at it, it had at least 2 different locks on it," Yami smirked.
"Locks aren't that reassuring, Yami," Yugi sighed, reaching up to intertwine his fingers with the ones that were rubbing his cheek. "All locks can be broken, so what if a book that powerful is opened?"
"I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. Maybe the book is in good hands," Yami smiled, leaning down to be eye to eye with Yugi. "Did you ever think that maybe He took the book to keep it safe?"
Amethyst eyes widening at the thought, Yugi beamed. "You're right, Yami! I bet Sphinx is keeping the book safe."
"Sphinx… is that what he's called?" Yami asked fighting the urge to smirk as Yugi nodded.
Turning away from Yami, Yugi blushed remembering the encounters with the sexy leather clad vigilant. His cheek still seemed to tingle as he thought about it, from the time they first met when he was licked to the time when he had simply kissed his cheek.
"He came to my aid when I was cornered one night," he smiled, looking back at Yami with a smile on his face.
"Then I'll have to thank him personally sometime," Yami smirked, leaning over to brush his lips against Yugi's lightly. "For taking care of you when I wasn't there."
Yugi's mind fogged over at the last of Yami's words, his thoughts going back to his dream when the Pharaoh had said almost the same thing… Shaking the thought, he looked back up into warm crimson eyes before leaning up to give Yami a soft kiss in return.
Shaking his head, Yugi sighed as he walked down the sidewalk with his hands stuffed in his pockets. Time had gotten away from him, but then again he really didn't want to leave his spot in Yami's arms, sharing kissing and warm touches… Blushing, Yugi ran a hand through his hair as he continued walking down the street.
Yami had offered to take him home, but he had persuaded the other into letting him go alone, besides Yugi was hoping the cool air would cool him off and maybe clear his head from the undecipherable images that seemed to pop up in his thoughts.
Passing a familiar corner, Yugi came to a stop as he felt his cheek tingle. This had been the first place he had met Sphinx… and the place where the other had left him with a lick on the cheek as a parting gift.
Groaning, he turned and continued on his way home. His mind and heart were both jumbled as he thought about Yami and the elusive Sphinx. Both were gorgeous, and could make his heart skip a beat, which made it hard to breath. He knew that he loved Yami… but there was a part of him that couldn't resist the temptation that radiated from Sphinx.
'I'm so screwed…'
"What is someone like you doing all alone, little one?"
Stopping in his tracks, Yugi's heart fluttered at the familiar voice as he turned to see a pair of ruby eyes glowing in the shadows of the alley before Sphinx emerged from the inky depths. "Sphinx… what are you doing… here?"
Sauntering over to Yugi, Sphinx smiled. "I was in the neighborhood and seen you, so I thought I would pay you a visit."
Looking over the other, Yugi's eyes landed on the upside down pyramid and blinked, remembering the vision he had earlier about a golden pyramid. Subconsciously reaching out to touch the pyramid, his mind fogged over as he was blinded with a flash of light.
It was a brief memory, one that had him lying in his lover's arms while he idly traced his fingers across the gold upside down pyramid that rested on the other's chest. Shaking his head, he stopped his hand at only inches away from the pyramid before turning his hand away and running it through his hair nervously, missing the frown that had crossed across Sphinx's face.
"You felt drawn to it, didn't you?" Sphinx asked, his gold claws clinking against the pyramid as he looked into amethyst eyes that looked so confused at the moment.
Amethyst eyes widened at question. "H.. how did you know?" Yugi asked, looking up to watch those alluring crimson eyes close briefly before opening back up to look at him. "I mean… well I'm not sure why I felt drawn to it. Ever since I took this bracelet from around the neck of my love… er friend's cat, I've been having weird visions and I remember seeing your pyramid in one of them."
Sphinx inwardly chuckled at the flustered look on Yugi's face. His heart swelled at Yugi refereeing to him as a lover, and it was adorable that he was covering it up by calling him a friend instead. Miw-sher had mentioned to him earlier that the little one had a large crush on this identity of his.
"I see," he smirked, stepping over to lean against the streetlamp and crossing his arms. "Tell me about it."
Blinking, Yugi swallowed the lump that had lodged in his throat. His eyes roaming over the casual yet seductive stance that Sphinx was displaying. Turning away from the other, he took a step closer before stuffing his hands back into his pockets. "It's a beautiful piece of jewelry, with golden ankh charms but the biggest charm is the most eye-catching, it looks like a stylized cat eye."
Cat like crimson eyes roamed over the shorter figure. "The Eye of Bast, a very special charm," Sphinx smiled, before arching an eyebrow as he noticed amethyst eyes widen and the other tense lightly. "What is it?"
"It's nothing, just something you said," Yugi sighed, looking back to stare into cat like crimson before turning away.
Nodding lightly, Sphinx stepped away from the streetlamp before standing right in front of Yugi. "That bracelet must have been meant for you, little one," he said while lifting up a hand to stop Yugi from interrupting him. "Trust me on this. The Eye of Bast is a charm of protection for loved ones, and can only be worn by the one it's meant for. It has been a key to many things, so it'd be wise to keep it safe."
"Key to many things…" Yugi mused, looking over Sphinx again to notice 5 faint welts across the dusky taunt stomach. Thinking back to the news report, Yugi couldn't help but ask. "Sphinx you were at the museum last night weren't you? You stopped everything from being stolen… but there was still one book that had been taken, a special and rare book."
Sphinx nodded. "That's right, and I took the book to keep it safe," he smirked, looking to see Yugi give an 'I-knew-it' cheer to himself. "However, Viper and Jackal are still after the book, and they are also looking for the key."
"The bracelet… it's the key, isn't it?" Yugi asked hesitantly, feeling a chill race up his spine at Sphinx's small nod.
Seeing the fear, Sphinx wrapped his arms around Yugi and gently pulled him into a comforting embrace while nuzzling Yugi's neck before pulling back to look into a blushing face and those amethyst eyes that made him melt. "Don't worry little one, as long as you have the bracelet I will watch over you," he smiled before blinking in surprise as Yugi wrapped his arms around him and hugged him in return while burying his face into his buckled leather shirt.
Gently combing his claws through the silky locks, Sphinx breathed in Yugi's scent before pulling away from the other enough to cup the other's chin and lift it to his gaze. "Keep the bracelet with you at all times, and it should help protect you as well," he smiled before leaning over and placing a gentle kiss on the corner of Yugi's mouth before pulling away completely. "I'll be watching, little one."
Yugi blushed and let out a heavy sigh as he watched Sphinx walk back to the alley and fade into the darkness once again. Thinking about the other's words, he shook his head. It appeared that Sphinx knew exactly what was going on, and that he was the soul owner of that puzzle… which would mean that… Sphinx had been his dream lover.
Entering the game shop after finishing up his walk, he was still utterly confused. There was no way that he would give up this feeling he had with Yami, he felt so drawn to the other… but with Sphinx there was something there as well.
Groaning, Yugi entered his room to walk over to his dresser before opening up the jewelry box to peer at the beautiful bracelet that shimmered in greeting. Picking the item up, he twisted it around before finding the delicate latch and fastened it around his wrist.
Watching the charms move with his movements, he smiled lightly before walking over to his desk and pulling out the homework that he had put off earlier. Hefting the large Physics book onto his desk, he grumbled while flipping through the pages.
'Someone remind me again why in the world I took this class…' he sighed, looking over the text carefully, not noticing an inky head with golden eyes watching him through his sky light, or that the cat eye charm on his bracelet had started to glow.
Getting a sudden drowsy sensation, Yugi's vision was blanketed in darkness as he slumped over his desk, the opened text book cushioning his forehead.
ELSEWHERE…
Ryou grumbled as Jou and Seto sat at the stool of the coffee house counter. The two had volunteered to try his special raspberry and chocolate crème cocoa and they had yet to give him their opinion, since they were either too busy tossing insults at each other or giving teasing kisses.
"I'm waiting," he ground out, twitching his right eye as the two continued to ignore him by drowning out his voice with their bickering.
"Take it back!"
"Keep it up, mutt, and there will be a muzzle in your future!"
"I mean it money bags!"
Wanting to beat his head against the counter or cash register, Ryou rolled his eyes. Jou and Seto had a very interesting relationship sometimes. Hearing the chime on the door, he perked up to notice the guy he had met a few nights before take a seat on one of the stools a bit down the counter.
Taking another look over at his now kissing companions, he snorted and walked toward his newest customer. Wiping his hands on his apron gently, he took a deep breath before stepping up closer to the counter. "What can I get for you?"
Narrowed russet brown eyes looked up into soft doe brown as Bakura smirked lightly. "So we met again, ne? I would've never guessed you worked at a coffee house."
"Nice to see you again," Ryou smiled. "As for working here, it wasn't by choice… its just a way to have some extra cash… not that this job pays all that well," he sighed, crossing his arms lightly.
"Then why stay, if the pay sucks?" Bakura asked, toying with the napkin dispenser on the counter.
"Because this was the only place that would hire me and work along with my schedule at college," Ryou replied.
"Oh," Bakura stated before looking down the counter at Jou and Seto who were back to tossing insults at each other. "Friends of yours?" he asked, looking over at Ryou to watch him sigh and grumble.
"Unfortunately," Ryou sighed, rolling his eyes. "Ignore them, their relationship is one that would cause your head to spin."
"That bad," Bakura smirked, chuckling to himself as Ryou nodded in reply.
"So what can I get you?" Ryou asked again, while gazing over the other from the corner of his eye. Malik and Ryou had both had little conversations about their doubles, admitting that they were very handsome and had some sense of allure that captivated them. Fighting down the blush that wanted to cover his cheeks, he bit down on his tongue to get his thoughts back in order to hear the desired drink.
"An Arabian Mocha Sanani," Ryou blinked as he looked over at Bakura who merely nodded with that same smirk on his face. That was a bold flavor of coffee that he absolutely loved the smell of. It was odd and exotic with a lot of added spices that sort of whisked you away to the Arabian Desert… meaning that Bakura probably had exotic taste.
"Oh and I'd also like a Sulawesi to go," Bakura added.
"Want them both Tall?" Ryou asked, looking over to receive a nod. "Coming right up then," he smiled, walking toward the brewer to pass by his friends.
"Ryou, dat stuff was great," Jou smiled, causing Ryou to smile at finally getting an opinion on his new cocoa flavor.
"Was the raspberry too strong in it?" he asked lightly while getting Bakura's drinks ready.
"No, it was just right," Seto offered. "Whether you like this job or not right, Ryou. You have a knack with coffee and cocoa flavors."
"Joy, so that means that my role in life was to serve Java till the end of my days… I want a refund on the ticket fate dealt me," he snorted, causing Seto to quirk and eyebrow and Jou to chuckle.
"Ah c'mon, Ryou, it's not dat bad," Jou smirked. "I mean ya could've ended up working at the movie rental store with Malik."
"At least Malik has a car to drive," Ryou sighed before turning back as the ding on the brewers signaled that the drinks were ready. Pouring the drinks in the insulated cups, he snapped a lid on them before heading back over to Bakura.
"Is it me… or did it seem like Ryou doesn't like his job?" Jou cocked his head before turning to see Seto roll his eyes.
"It's just you pup, can't ya just feel how much Ryou loves it here," Seto replied, his voice edged in complete sarcasm.
Growling, Jou whapped Seto on the arm, "Quit being a sarcastic bastard!"
"You are so getting a muzzle!"
And those two were at it again
Handing Bakura his change, Ryou sighed as he heard his friends arguing once again. Watching Bakura leave, he blinked as he noticed a silver jeep parked outside with a passenger that looked like Malik, which meant it was Marik. "I wonder where those two are heading?" he asked before taking a deep breath and going back to friends to hopefully end their little quarrel.
