Blood Stained Revised

Chapter 13: Dangerous Love

(_)(_)(_)Vampire(_)(_)(_)

One of the shadow creatures step forward and prove that he's the leader. He speaks to Atemu as if he's an ant. "Satsu is my name and if you know what is good for you then you'll move. That's Kirai and he'll kill you indefinitely."

"Leave, now!"

Kirai hisses at Atemu, "Then I'll make you move!"

Kirai launches toward Atemu and goes to claw him but Atemu blocks the attack.

Satsu's dissatisfied voice enrages Kirai, "Come on! Kill the damn human already."

Kirai, the ignorant shadow, isn't capable of replying. For when the creature dared to turn it's head and attention, Atemu simply took the opening and killed the unfortunate thing.

Outraged, Satsu glares at Atemu while my Pharaoh only smirks at his victory over the inferior one. In the pursuit for revenge for his comrade, Satsu sends an ebony colored energy ball that sails straight through Atemu's defenses.

Lying helplessly on the ground I watch in horror at what could inlay in Atemu's future thanks to my carelessness.

The black sphere of dark negative energy hits Atemu in the chest as if mystically dissipates. He's sent to his knees gasping for air as he chokes up small doses of crimson blood.

I desperately try to force my body to move but I just can't seem to make it respond to any command I force my brain to issue.

Satsu stalks over to Atemu and picks him up by his throat. Dropping his sword he uses both of his hands to attempt in vain to pry the single appendage from around his throat. Gasping for air he fails to remove so much as one of Satsu's fingers.

Satsu slowly lowers Atemu so that his feet graze the ground and he's released the second his shoes meet the sand.

Without fear or hesitation of being slaughtered by this form that he has no idea about, he reveals the hidden dagger and plunges it into Satsu's torso. Stunned and infuriated, Satsu claws out in a last trial to kill.

Atemu screams as claws dig into his left shoulder. He yanks his dagger away and Satsu drops dead to the earth. The five bleeding claw marks occupy my eyesight as he puts the knife away and bends to pick me up.

Wincing now and again at the pain in his shoulder, he begins to make his way to the lining of trees around the oasis so we have shelter for the night. I keep silent and think hard on why Atemu would dare save my life by risking his own.

Once in the clearing of trees Atemu lays me down against the trunk of one. He walks to the water's edge and sits. Just as my eyes begin to close and I welcome the much needed sleep I catch sight of Atemu passing out next to the simmering, crystal blue water.

The next morning, right before Ra begins his trip through the sky, Atemu and I awake to the sound of quickly approaching horse hooves. Standing and drawing his sword, Atemu awaits the danger that is shrouded in the new dawn mist. As the figures approach, Atemu grimaces at the sight.

Bakura and his gang of thieves halt and he leaps up off his horse before walking up to Atemu. The young king visibly tightens his grip on his sword.

"Calm down Atemu..." he peers over Atemu's shoulder and straight at me, "Who do we have here?"

"Stay away from him!"

Grinning evilly Bakura smirks, "This is going to be fun."

With the wave of Bakura's hand, the gang of thieves ride over to where I lay half-awake.

"Yugi! Move! Yugi please move!"

I throw myself to my feet but I'm grabbed by the arms as I'm forced to get a good look at the King of Thieves. Snow white hair falls gently down his back and magnifies the color of his dull purple eyes. The deep tan and scar underneath his eye only add to what I can imagine he has gone through his whole life.

"Boy, do you like blood?"

I remain silent, afraid of what the answer might lead up to."

"I'll just take that as a yes."

Pulling out his sword, Bakura performs a swift movement and slams the hilt of his sword against Atemu's head. As Atemu groans in pain, he releases his sword from his grip and falls to the ground with a thud.

"No!" I yell out at him.

Bakura laughs manically, "I suppose I hit a nerve?"

Silent tears roll down my pale face as I struggle against the men restraining me. But the thief on each side of me prevents me from going anywhere. Bakura motions for one of his men to come to him. The white haired devil mumbles something to the other man and the both nod in agreement.

The thief and Bakura, together, pick Atemu up and walk toward the water.

I try effortlessly to cease them from doing so, "Stop!"

Once up to their knees in water, they toss Atemu as close to the middle of the oasis as possible. Bakura whistles for his horse and leaps out of the water and onto his horse. While riding away quickly, Bakura's hysterical laughter fills the air.

I glare at the retreating group and I remember that he's drowning. I dive into the water and swim down...as far as I can go.

For just a moment the light hits the water just right and I catch sight of the slight glint of gold that can be seen. Spotting Atemu I grab his arm and with all my might I swim back to the surface. I break the surface of the still water and drag us both up onto the sand. Lying next to him I realize one blood chilling thing...Atemu's heart stopped beating.

(_)(_)(_)Cousin(_)(_)(_)

With Yugi having flown off with Atemu, I sprint straight into the main hall where I'm met by Mahado and Shada. "Wake the rest up at once!"

Shada looks at me funny, "What's going on?"

"I'll explain once everyone is here now hurry!"

I pace back and forth until each priest has arrived. Shada massages his temples, "Would you please stop pacing and tell us what this is all about?"

"Our Pharaoh is out in the desert with Prince Yugi and two shadow creatures. We must ride into the desert and find them at once!"

Isis sighs sadly, "We can't do anything till daybreak."

"But that isn't good enough!"

Mahado looks over worriedly at the young high priest, "Seto calm down...Atemu is strong willed. They will both be fine."

Akhendan doesn't look at me, "Go to bed Seto...there's nothing more we can do tonight."

"Hmpf...I'm ashamed, you do what you wish and think is right. But when he's found injured and, or, infected...I blame each and every one of you!"