HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! And now that it's no longer December, I have more time for stories. This make people happy yes? And because I'm at my favorite part of the story, I'm gonna be working on it more! Whoohoo!
Marik: Midnight!
Ahem, right, you guys want to read this 30 page chapter. I do not own Yugioh, enjoy reading! I know I did writing it!
Chapter 36
Yugi turned to walk back inside when he doubled over in pain. It was quick and brief, not long enough to be called real pain, but real enough to still know that it wasn't part of his imagination. He straightened up, rubbing the lower part of his belly in wonderment.
Are you okay? What was that we just felt?
Lie. It was a tiny whisper, in the far back part of his mind. He knew it though. It was associated with that same feeling that he associated with his instincts when it came to his mates. Lie? Lie.
Nothing, just stubbed my toe. Wow, you've only been gone thirty seconds and already I'm injuring myself.
That's not funny, Yugi.
I don't know. I kind of find it a little amusing.
Well, at least it wasn't anything serious. We should at least be thankful for that.
I guess, oh, Ryou looks annoyed. I better go back inside.
Have fun.
Not nearly as much as I would have if you guys had been here.
Yugi, please, don't do that. This is hard enough as it is.
You're right, I'm sorry, oh shoot!
What's wrong?
Ryou's missing from the window. I gotta go!
Have fun.
"YUGI MUTOU YOU GET IN HERE BEFORE I DRAG YOU IN HERE!"
"Coming, Ryou!" Yugi said as he made his way in for real this time.
"It's about time." Ryou complained as he grabbed his arm and helped him inside.
"Ryou, I can walk just fine." Yugi complained as he was forced to sit on the floor. Looking around he noticed Isis in the room, Mahad had to be still stalking his sister. He really needed to do something about that, despite not liking her at the present time, he still felt the need to help her out. Kami, he confused himself sometimes. Dialing his mate's number, he waited until they answered before giving Ryou thumbs up to start.
"Okay, another year is done, and we have a slideshow of the best pictures from the best and worst times of the year in this hour long show tonight, starting with the party last year. Malik and Marik, to share a New Year's kiss or not? Well Marik solved that dispute quickly by forcing a kiss on Malik, and Malik taking off his boot and hitting the vampire over the head with it, ended it." Ryou started dimming the lights and hitting the space bar on his laptop. Everybody laughed at the pictures on the wall.
"Next we have Akeifa and Bakura deciding if waking me up is a good idea. It wasn't." the picture showed Akeifa poking Ryou, and then Ryou chasing him and Bakura with a carving knife.
That picture was out of context. The one that's missing in the middle is Bakura dumping a bucket of ice cold water on Ryou.
Noted.
"Next we have Yugi being admitted to the Hospital, again, after he overdosed on sleeping pills."
"I used to love and be addicted to sleeping pills."
The thought passed through his mind, but it wasn't him who was remembering it. He looked away from the picture of him being connected to a bunch of tubes and wires in a Hospital bed. The next picture showed his Grandpa talking on the phone to someone, and the next Yugi sitting in a room with a bunch of couches.
"And last we have Yugi going to his first session of therapy with his new therapist. He wanted nothing to do with her." Ryou continued as he clicked to the next picture of Yugi holding onto a table that had been bolted to the floor as two different people tried to pull him off of it. He glanced at the picture out of the corner of his eye. You could barely see Malik laughing in the background, and his face was a mask of horror as he clung to the table leg, his knuckles white. He shook his head, a smile creeping up onto his face.
"Into February we start off with Malik dumping a large pitcher of some kind of liquid over Kaiba's head. Then Kaiba, using his connections to get him suspended…for two hours. Not even the school is willing to go up against Ishizu's anger." The school officials had nervous grins on their faces they told Malik he should get back to class now as Ishizu stared them down.
"Next is Yugi going to therapy against his will again." four people had a hold of him as he was flung into a room.
"I didn't want to talk about my issues and Dilan experience to a vampire!" Yugi complained.
"WHAT?!" two voices screamed over the phone in his hand.
Nothing.
"Anyway, next we have Akeifa being punished because he failed to pick me up from school on time." Akeifa's ears and tail were down as he looked up at a Ryou who was ignoring him. Everyone laughed at this because they all knew that two seconds after the picture was taken Ryou caved and hugged Akeifa. He just couldn't resist their whining.
"Yugi being forced into therapy again." he was once again being tossed into the therapist's room.
"How many of those pictures do you have?" Yugi asked him throwing some popcorn at him.
"Enough." Ryou relied grinning.
"Well, skip over them will you?"
"Nope! Next we have the Valentine's mishaps. Let's start with Malik's and Marik's, shall we?" Marik was holding a box of chocolates and Malik was looking at him expectantly. Next picture showed Marik freaking out as Malik started to cry. The last was Malik running away from a completely and utterly confused Marik.
"That wasn't my fault! Nobody told me about Valentine's Day!" Marik exclaimed.
"Lucky you don't have the same excuse this year, huh?" Malik asked him in a super sweet voice.
"Uh huh." Marik said a nervous look crossing his face.
"Kaiba and Jou." Kaiba handed Jou an expensive looking box. Jou's face looked affronted as he stared at the contents of the box. Kaiba was running for his life as Jou had transformed and was chasing him. The box contained dog toys and bones.
"Otogi and Rebecca, of course had a perfect one." Otogi was presenting Rebecca with a diamond necklace. Then they share a kiss.
"At least Akeifa and Bakura actually remembered the holiday this year." Akeifa and Bakura were dragging Ryou, literally dragging him, into an all werewolf restaurant. There weren't any more pictures of them after that. Only they knew how the night ended.
"Yugi and Penny spent the holiday together as she had of yet to be introduced to Silver. At least for two more minutes." The picture showed Penny and Yugi climbing off a bus and Penny just stopping as she came face to face with another girl. There was instant chemistry between the two. You could see in the next picture, barely, but you could still see it Yugi sneaking off and two shadows slipping after him.
Oooo, Ryou caught you on camera.
Barely.
But he still got you.
"Ryou, how did you get half of these pictures?" Malik asked.
"Look, if the City didn't want people hacking into their City Security System, they would have a better Security System for their City Security System."
"And you're supposed to be the good one of the group." Jou said shaking his head.
"I am the good one of the group!"
"Cough-detention-cough." Yugi coughed.
"That was one time!"
"That was the rest of the year." Otogi added.
"Next, we have the snowstorm of the year. The one where we didn't have to attend school for two weeks." There was a picture that looked like it had been taken out of an apartment window. You couldn't see cars, or doors to buildings. Yugi smiled, he hadn't been able to get to his therapist those two weeks either. What a shame that had been.
"Onto March, Not much happened in this month expect Yugi complaining about how he thought he was being stalked. And Ushio beating him up constantly." The picture was of Yugi with a black eye and swollen lip waving off his friend's worries. He still remembered the excuse that he had tried feeding them, that they hadn't bought. I fell down the stairs. Pathetic. He felt anger coursing over the link.
"April, Yugi finishes up his therapy sessions with his therapist, and she declares him good as new, as long as he doesn't try to bottle up his emotions anymore. That's pretty much it that happened this month." It showed a picture of Yugi shaking the hand of a dark haired woman who had her back to the camera.
"May was way more exciting!"
"Maybe for you." Yugi grumbled.
"Anyway, at the beginning of the month, Yugi went missing. He never made it home from school and his Grandpa nearly went into cardiac arrest from the frantic way he was calling everyone on the phone." It showed a picture of a phone with the screen saying Yugi's Grandpa.
"I did not!" Grandpa shouted from the other room.
"Don't lie old man! He showed back up a couple of days later safe and sound, to an extent, but with company." The picture showed Yugi walking onto the school grounds with two offended vampires behind him. It must have been taken after he cast them off.
"You don't have all the pictures for what happened in this and the rest of the months, do you Ryou?" Yugi asked.
"No! I kind of skipped around. Next we have the day Yami decided it was okay to break Yugi's wrist. And Kaiba killed Pegasus and Rebecca wounded Dartz." There was a picture of him cradling his wrist. The next showed Rebecca and Kaiba in a change of clothes as they returned to school.
"Malik acting as if Yugi had died, as he lay resting on his bed." the picture showed Malik all teary eyed as he held an armful of different flowers. Yugi laughed at the picture, that was so like Malik.
"Us stealing Yugi, and his vampires none too happy about it." Yami and Atem were a perfect portrait of fury as they stared a nervous Yugi down.
"Next the date, and Yugi being as unwilling to enter an all vampire establishment as I was to enter an all werewolf one." the picture showed Yugi gripping the railing for dear life, as some vampires passed in the background laughing, as Atem tried to pry his fingers loose.
"Ryou!"
"Like I said, they would have a better Security System."
"Onto June! Of course we start out with the party where both Marik and Yami wanted to see what would happen if they got Yugi and Malik drunk together. Bakas." Yugi and Malik were curled around one another as they made out rather aggressively.
"Hmm, we've gotten more aggressive, Malik." Yugi commented like he was talking about the weather.
"We have, haven't we? We should try to control that the next time we get drunk together." Malik said back in the same tone.
Don't even think about it.
"Okay, but we should wait until my mates get back so they can fix the burning sensation of my lips right away."
"Understandable."
Yugi!
Yami!
No!
Fine, I'll do it when you guys aren't here.
No, that's not what I meant.
"Then we have Yugi disappearing for a couple of days, before he reappears the same day we go to the beach." Yugi was running across the beach in his swim trunks with Kuribohs printed on them. The rest of the pictures in June consisted of a collage of them all going to the beach, Kaiba's amusement park, the arcade, the camping trip, and a visit to Tokyo.
"In July, we have Yugi's birthday, where he and I terrorized Domino city for a good portion of it. Then the party where he was horrible at acting surprised." The pictures showed were of Ryou vandalizing Akeifa's cave, them messing with the power switches, and him showing what had to be the worst surprised look in the history of faked surprised looks, no wonder Atem had smacked him. Yugi laughed as he remembered it.
"Next, is the trip Yugi won for four V.I.P. tickets to a concert that had the band Ancient Egyptians playing." The picture was of Yugi, Ryou, Jou, and Malik getting their picture taken with four people who had their arms wrapped around them.
"I still think they wanted to rape us." Jou said shuddering.
"They did not, they were just being friendly." Yugi defended. All three threw him a disbelieving look.
"Which was probably the reason for why we called it quits on the night early, and paged some super naturals to come get us."
"Uh huh." Malik nodded.
"Onto August with the Vampire Gala. Yugi, Malik and Jou were not happy with their outfits." It showed three different pictures of each of them not smiling while wearing their different yet similar dresses.
"Enter Penny's Father and Yugi's sister, and the whole night just turned into one big flop." It showed one picture of Penny's Mother standing up to her Husband, and Yugi running away from Atem, Yami, and Sakura.
"Onto September, where school started out as a drag because there weren't any vampires there to entertain us."
"Hey!"Yami's voice shouted over the phone.
"The sleepover, which made up for it, especially the graceful moment the next morning." The picture showed Seth on bottom, Marik, Yami and then Atem on the very top.
"Not to mention the side effects that Malik and I faced." Yugi said snickering into his hand.
"What sid-oh, I forgot about those. They're not in here!"
"Oh, what a shame." Malik said sarcastically.
"Anyway, we have the try and catch Mana game in here, so I guess that makes up for it." everyone laughed as the picture showed Mana hopping up from a bench, dodging Otogi's hands, being seated, running off, getting distracted by a vending machine and pressing every button, going into an elevator and pressing every button and then getting off as soon as Otogi and Rebecca joined her. There were at least a dozen others like it too, it was clear to see who Ryou had followed around that day.
"Next is October, where Yugi went through a bout of depression. Jou shunned both Kaiba and Seth. I got into several fight with my werewolves. And poor Malik didn't know what to do. Overall it was just a bad month for everyone." Yugi looked forlorn and was staring off into space. Jou was sitting on the other side of the lunch room away from everyone. Ryou was running in tears down a random road. And Malik just looked so lost as he leaned into Marik's side.
"Let's not forget about the costumes this year. We all got creative this year, some of us more than others. Of course, Malik, Jou, Yugi and I dressed up as mock Vampire Hunters. Then there was Akeifa who was a House wife, Bakura as Mother Nature with his womb being Earth, Mahad as Dark Magician, Seth as a ballerina, Kaiba as Cinderella, Marik as Wonder Woman, and Yami as a sexy bunny, Elle as the same, and Atem one as well, but you know I think Elle is the only one who actually pulled it off Yugi."
"Whatever, I still think they were sexy." Yugi said turning his head away.
"In November, we have vampires and werewolves destroying our gym locker rooms." There was a picture of the demolished part of the building.
"What was supposed to be a friendly duel." Yugi snickered into his hand at Ryou's horrified look as he stared up at all three God cards.
How is this friendly?
I was annoyed at Atem at the time.
So you took it out on, Ryou?
Yep!
How friendly of you.
Wasn't it though?
"The trampoline, and game of keep of way." A picture of them avoiding Yami's capture.
"The dangers of eating marshmallows." Yugi's and Malik's noses bleeding.
"The pillow fight, and dares." Pictures of a room full of feathers, Yugi jerking away from Malik's kiss, Ryou dashing nude through the rooms, Jou begging for attention, Yugi serenading his mates with love songs, Atem and Yami blushing so dark Yugi was sure it could be seen from space, Malik dancing to each song he sang, Malik getting a whip cream bath, and Jou dancing to the song Everything is awesome.
"The beach party where I think we all were tempting our boyfriends into having sex with us on the beach." It showed several pictures of all of them making out with their respective lovers.
"Which isn't allowed." Yugi reminded him.
"Yeah, but I still think you needed to be reminded of this little fact the most, Yugi." Ryou said stopping for a second longer on a picture of him sandwiched between Atem and Yami with Yami's mouth on his and Atem's lips on his neck and steadily moving down.
"Hey, I grabbed Yami's hands when they started to move south."
"Uh huh. Onto December, stealing wheelchairs, the boat ride of false love depending on which one you go on, Kelly, Yugi's side effect, candy cane mishaps." There was a collage of pictures that were flipped through rather quickly.
"You know what would have been fun?" Yugi asked.
"What?" Ryou asked.
"If you had managed to get pictures of Atem and Yami clutching one another as they rode the roller coaster screaming. That was so amusing." Yugi said laughing.
No it wasn't.
Yes it was. Most entertainment you've ever given me.
Then you should have returned the favor.
Nah, you two were born to entertain at high heights. Oh! We should go sky diving some time!
NO!
Yugi laughed at the horror he felt over the link. He could already imagine it, Atem and Yami falling through the air screaming their lungs off as he just laughed at them. He could feel annoyance flow over the link as his imagination became very vivid images, making him bite his lip to hide his growing grin.
"Right, we have Christmas shopping, the Christmas Ball, and that's our year all wrapped up." Ryou flashed through a few more dozen pictures before the screen went to a blank blue.
Yugi, he forgot the Dilan incident.
No, that was in last year's slide show.
Last…year?
Yeah. I really don't want to talk about it.
Okay.
Ding-dong-ding! Ding-dong-ding!
"Happy New Year Everyone!" Ryou shouted.
"Perfect timing as always." Malik said rolling his eyes.
"Of course." Ryou responded.
"I send air kisses to you two. Mwah! Mwah!" Yugi said putting the phone to his ear and standing up.
"Why thank you, Yugi."
"You're supposed to send some back."
"Oh! Mwah! Mwah!"
"That's better."
"So what are you guys doing now?"
"Sharing New Year's kisses with our boyfriends and girlfriends if they're here."
"Oh."
"What are you doing?"
"Sitting at the airport." Atem said.
"That sounds like fun."
"Oh yes, it's loads of fun." Yami replied sarcastically.
"He he, you've only been gone and hour and already I miss you guys terribly."
"If it makes you feel any better we feel the same."
"A little."
"Oh, the plane is loading early, we've gotta go."
"Where are you heading first?"
"China." Yami said.
"Have fun, and don't forget to call every night, okay?"
"Wouldn't dream of it. Come on Seth." Atem said.
"Bye."
"Bye, Yugi."
Yugi hung up, a tear slipping down his face. He felt someone come up behind him and slip an arm around his shoulders. He leaned into the touch without question. Looking over slightly, he discovered it to be Ryou.
"Happy New Year." Yugi whispered.
"Yeah, happy New Year." He replied just as quietly.
[Time skip]
The excited chatter filled Yugi's ears as friends greeted each other as they met up in the hallways. Yugi was surrounded by his own; he couldn't believe it had already been two days since his mates left, it felt like a lifetime. Two down, twelve to go, two down, twelve to go he kept reminding himself.
"Hey, Yug', snap out of it will you?" Jou said nudging him.
"Sorry, what did you say?" Yugi asked turning to him.
"You made the field trip list. You know the one that tours colleges in America for five days." Jou said handing him a piece of paper.
"Really?" Yugi asked taking it from him.
"Yeah, right at top, Mr. Academic Overachiever."
"Oh, well it's not like I can go." Yugi said handing back the paper to him after briefly glancing at it.
"Uh, why not?"
"You really think my body guards are going to let me?" he asked looking over his shoulder at Isis, Mahad, and Heba. That had been a shock to him.
"Heba! Time to get up! You're due to leave on your flight at the airport in two hours!" Yugi yelled as he ran through the house.
"Actually, your mates have requested that I stay with you for the next two weeks." Heba replied with a suitcase in hand.
"What do you mean, with me?"
"They asked for me to stay in the tower with you. Said you might be more comfortable if it was me, rather than Isis or Mahad."
"Uh, it would have been nice if they had shared this information with me."
"I'll say. It would have saved us from this awkward situation."
"Ha, well, cool. I'll see you later tonight then."
"No, I think you'll be seeing me a lot sooner than that. I've been asked to follow you around."
"Well, let's get you settled in first."
"Yug', you've been looking forward to this since freshman year. You can't give it up now just because they won't be able to go with you."
"Yeah, but the minute they come back, you know they're going to tattle on me. Isis and Mahad I mean, Heba will probably encourage it."
"You're going." Jou said firmly.
"But-"
"No buts. Leave the vampires to me; you're going on the trip in two days."
"Thanks Jou, you're a really good friend, you know that?"
"Of course, you wouldn't have stuck around if I wasn't."
"Ha ha ha, no I probably would have tried to change you before giving you up as a friend."
"Yeah probably, ha ha ha."
"This sucks." Ryou said throwing his arms over their shoulders.
"What does?" Yugi asked.
"Jou isn't coming with us. He's still 11 on the list."
"Hey, I still consider that an accomplishment considering where I was last year at this time."
"How could we forget? Number 30, he's right, it is an accomplishment." Malik said.
"So, let's see, Yugi, me, Ryou, and Malik are all going on this trip. Well, at least I don't have to worry about the blood sucker cuddling up to you while I'm gone because he went with Yugi's blood suckers." Kaiba intruded.
"Oh yeah, that reminds me, did Isis take your blood before Atem and Yami left too?" Jou asked.
"Yeah, she did it on a feeding day which my mates weren't exactly pleased with. She took my blood, fed me broccoli, took my blood again, fed me more broccoli, and then let my mates drink from me. By that time it was late at night though."
"She did the same to us, only we weren't forced to eat any broccoli."
"I would have rather just let the blood sucker starve though." Kaiba said earning a smack upside the head from Jou.
"So, are they calling you every day, Yugi?" Ryou asked.
"Yeah, every night, so far."
"Are you going to tell them you're going to America?"
"No, I think I'll just keep that a secret until they get back. I'll be less likely to accidently bump into them that way on their world tour."
"What about America?" Isis asked.
"Uh, look, I made the top ten in my class. That means I get to take a five day trip to America to tour the Colleges there." Yugi said whipping around and handing her the piece of paper.
"Yugi…"
"It's really important to me, Isis."
"Then go." Mahad said.
"What?"
"If it's so important to you, go. But just remember, you're going to have to tell them that you're leaving the country."
"Actually, I thought I'd just wait until they got back. That way there wouldn't be any chance of us accidentally bumping into one another." Yugi said looking down at his shoes.
"You're afraid that if you tell them you'll be America that they'll arrange to be in the same state and city that you're in." Isis said slowly. Yugi nodded.
"I agree, you should wait until you come back at the very least."
"You guys are taking this so much better than I thought you would."
"Hey, we have no reason to be overbearingly protective of you. We'll leave that to the King and Queen." Heba interjected.
"Thanks." Yugi said giving them each a hug in turn.
"Just remember, you need to tell them." Mahad said sternly.
"I will, the same day I get back, I'll tell them. Not the exact areas I was, but that I was in America in general."
"Okay, come on, you have class, and we have a door to guard." Heba said giving his cousin a light push.
"Actually I have study hall; my classes didn't change from one semester to the next." Yugi said giving them a small grin before turning and waving to his friends and then walking off towards his first period.
[Time skip]
"No, the first day back was so boring, it's not even worth talking about." Yugi said into the phone.
"Good to know one of your days was uneventful." Yami replied.
"Why? What happened to you guys?"
"Same thing that happened in China. Where's the cute one? He's right here. No the human. At home, where he's safe. The crowd moans in disappointment before dispersing leaving only a few people who actually came out to see us." Atem explained.
"Ha ha ha, nobody cares about you, huh?"
"No, no one!"
"Poor vampires, well I still care about you."
"Well, that's good. You haven't found any vampires to replace us yet?"
"I don't think that's possible."
"Good."
"And what about you, can't find any humans as cute as me?"
"Never. What time is it there?"
"Uh, four a.m. What about you?"
"Six p.m."
"Oh, wow."
"The human needs sleep." Yami commented.
"No, the human is fine."
"Yugi, please get some for us?" Atem asked.
"Okay, but only because you said please, good night, err, morning." Yugi said before hanging up.
Go to sleep, Yugi.
Morning, 'Tem, and 'Ami…
[Time skip]
"Got everything?" Heba asked sitting on Yugi's bed.
"I think so." Yugi said shutting and zipping up his suitcase.
"Okay, see you in five days. Make sure you stay safe or they'll have all three of our necks."
"Of course, Cousin. See you in five days."
"Make sure you keep your watch on Japanese time so if they call in the middle of the night you sound tired waking up."
"I know."
"Okay, oh, and don't forget to call and tell us every time you move to a new city or state."
"Yes, Mother."
"Hey, I'm just trying to be cautious. If you end up disappearing, I want to be able to tell them where and when we last heard from you."
"I know."
"I think that's it."
"Bye, Heba. I'll see you on Tuesday."
"See you then, Yugi."
"Whoo, America, look out, here I come." Yugi said grabbing his suitcase off the bed and heading off to school. Heba snickered behind him, but Yugi didn't pay him any mind as he kept walking forward. No one knew how much courage this was taking him to even do this.
[Time skip]
"Can you believe it? We're here, in America!" Ryou shouted joyfully.
"Okay kids, remember, stay with your buddy and don't lose them. New York is a very big city and I don't want to lose anyone." Karu Sensei said as she led them through the airport towards where their bus was waiting to take them to the hotel.
"Hey Sensei, can we tour New York while we're here?" Marcy Mack asked.
"As long as you're in groups of four or more. And if you're back in the hotel by no later than 11 p.m."
"Alright."
They loaded the bus, and made their way to the Hotel. Their buddy became their roommate. Malik and Yugi, and Kaiba and Ryou. They put their stuff in their rooms before making their way out of the Hotel to explore. They came across a bookstore called Barnes 'N' Noble and immediately made their way inside. Splitting up in groups of two, they made their way to different sections. Ryou and Kaiba to the werewolf one, and Malik and Yugi to the vampire section where they came across an interesting book called Vampires and their deeper most inner dark secrets.
Feeling as if they were handling a forbidden fruit they opened it to the first chapter, skipping over the index section. The first chapter wasn't really a secret to either of them though; it just talked about how purebloods were born, not made. They flipped to the second to see that it talked about how a vampire could drink from more than one person if they were both bit in the same hour. The same went if two vampires were feeding from the same human. The third talked about how only the King of vampires could heal the bite mark wounds inflicted by another vampire on a human.
"I didn't know that." Malik said frowning looking down at the bite marks on his arms.
"Of course, I don't know why it didn't occur to me before, but Atem healed the marks on Grandpa's neck after Pegasus inflicted them." Yugi said in wonder.
"Huh, let's read the next chapter." Malik said flipping to it.
The next chapter talked about a humans hearing the heartbeats of vampires sometimes. This only occurred when they were holding their soul mate. A soul mate was the only one a vampire could mate with. If they tried with any normal person, it would only cause the vampire to feel empty and incomplete. So they used the sign of their heart beating to help them detect when they had their soul mate in their arms. After all, a vampire's heart will only beat for their soul mate and no one else. Once the soul mate is claimed through the Vampire's Marriage Mating, the hearts will cease to beat for that person because there is no reason to alert the vampire that they have found their soul mate. They already know.
"Have you…?" Yugi asked trailing off staring at the words on the page.
"Several times. You?"
"Once, for each of them."
"Onto the next chapter?"
"Sure." Yugi said starting to flip to the next one.
"Yugi! Malik! There you are! We have 20 minutes to get back before we'll be in trouble." Ryou said appearing around the corner. They had half flipped to the chapter before Yugi slammed the book shut and shoved it back on the shelf as another caught his eye. FBR-18's every side effect. He grabbed two and headed to the checkout to pay for them.
It could be considered a cruel twist of fate, or perhaps luck but there had to be a higher power at play just then. Something that prevented them from even seeing the title of the next chapter. Pregnancy, vampires, and how it just doesn't apply to women. They never saw the title, never read the chapter, and therefore never found out an even deeper secret that Atem, Yami, and even Marik was hiding from them than the heartbeat one. Yugi simply paid for the books about the drug and they all ran back to the Hotel making it a minute before they would have been late.
[Time skip]
They laughed as they sat down to eat their food. They had toured two College campuses, and had two more to do before they were being moved in the night to Illinois. Five states five days and already Yugi was having so much fun. The busy schedule made him forget all about his heartache for his mates, temporarily. They looked over the book that he had bought the night previously marking off the ones that they had already gotten.
"We are so going to have one up on them." Malik said laughing as they read about one that made them oversensitive to touches.
"That's going to be so much fun to use." Yugi said as he gave Malik a high five.
"Now we just have to convince Eliza to give us chocolate milk."
"Shouldn't be too hard."
"But Yugi, you guys have eaten chocolate before." Ryou said slowly as if confused.
"Yeah, but that's the downfall of the drug. Once the food changes so can the possibility of you getting the side effect." Malik explained.
"Huh?" Kaiba asked.
"Okay, we'll use the same example as the book to explain it. Say like you had a peanut butter sandwich and nothing happened. And then you ate some peanuts and you broke out in an itchy rash. The peanut had changed from being hard and crunchy to soft and smooth in the sandwich. Same food, different ways of eating it, therefore different possibilities of a side effect." Yugi explained smiling.
"Do you think they know that?" Ryou asked. Malik and Yugi looked at one another before shrugging.
"If they don't, we finally have something over them. And if they do, well, they sure are good at acting surprised." Malik said frowning.
"Come on you four, we need to keep to our tight schedule." Karu Sensei called towards them. They all looked down at their food which they hadn't even touched. They burst out laughing.
"Guess we're going to be eating a good dinner." Ryou said laughing.
"Yeah." The rest agreed.
[Time skip]
"Right, and then Ryou said well, I guess we'll be eating a good dinner." Yugi talked excitedly into the phone as most of the other students ate.
"And did you?" Yami asked.
"Of course! Oh, they're keeping me so busy; I don't even have time to miss you guys as much as I should be."
"That's good. Do you want to know where we're going tomorrow?"
"Sure!"
"London."
"Ooh, Ryou's hometown."
"Really?" Atem asked.
"Yeah, he's originally from Britain."
"That's cool."
"Uh huh."
"Anything else happen today?"
"Nothing worth mentioning."
"Okay, then we'll let you get some sleep."
"Thanks, but Malik and I were going to stay up to watch a movie."
"Alright, well have fun."
"You too, bye!"
"Bye, Yugi."
Yugi hung up and turned back to his food sighing. He pushed his peas around for a second before scooping some up and shoveling them into his mouth. Ryou rubbed his back, and Malik gave him a nudge in the ribs. He let out a heavy breath before finishing his food and calling Heba.
"Hello?"
"We're going to Illinois next, Chicago, Illinois."
"Okay, so if you disappear, you were on your way from New York to Chicago, got it."
"Bye, Heba."
"Bye, Yugi."
Yugi hung up and got up with the rest of his classmates before heading towards the bus. They would be riding all night, and even though the teacher knew it would be uncomfortable; they should try to get some sleep. The class laughed half heartedly before boarding and trying to get some sleep.
[Time skip]
Ryou took a picture of the four of them grinning at their reflection in The Bean, the skyline of the city right behind them. Then they ran underneath it, marveling in their distorted images, as they looked up at themselves. Soon their teacher was calling them away though, saying they still had one more school to tour before they went to find one of those hot dog carts that they all really wanted to try.
There was an excited amount of chatter at this last bit. They all really did want to try the famous Chicago Dogs that they had heard many of the locals talking about. They had heard someone telling another person about how it wasn't a Chicago Dog unless it had everything including sauerkraut on it. They had listened in, as they waited for the light to change so they could cross the street, as it turned into a big debate between the two people about how it didn't necessarily have to have it.
Therefore after listening to such a heavy debate about a food found only in this city, they had bugged and pestered their teacher until she agreed they would try to find some place that sold them for dinner. This had brought on cheers and hollers gaining the attention of many of the locals, who turned away muttering something about foreigners. That was fair though, they were foreigners, but Yugi didn't know why they had to point this out to everyone. Anyone could plainly see that they were foreigners.
They toured the school and then scoured the city for one of these Chicago Dogs. They found out that they were actually a food that they had back home. A hot dog, but with tons of condiments piled on. To say they were disappointed would be an understatement. They were devastated, until they tried the food, then their moods lifted again. This may be a food they have at home, but it sure didn't taste the same. It tasted even better.
The sour taste of the relish, the exquisite taste of the sauerkraut, as well as the mild tastes of the ketchup and mustard, and whatever else the vendor had put on there. It created a party of flavors in their mouths. And the vendor was happy to see his food being enjoyed, but was even more pleased when he was paid. After they walked away he closed his vendor. He had made more than his quota called for from just their order alone.
[Time skip]
"Yep, we'll be in Orlando, Florida today." Yugi said.
"Okay. So, are they still calling every day?" Heba asked.
"So far they have."
"They haven't called yet today?"
"No, not yet, but I'm sure they will soon."
"Yugi, it's almost seven a.m. here."
"They'll call, they promised, they'll call."
"Okay, bye."
"Bye."
Yugi hung up the phone, and looked at his watch which showed Japanese time. Heba did have a point in a way. But still they had promised to call every day. They wouldn't beak this promise, would they? Maybe their airplane was delayed, or it had crashed. Could they have died in a plane crash? What if they had died in a plane crash? He started to imagine their mangled bodies strewn over the airplane seats. Their hands almost touching but never having the chance to grasp one another before death took them. He started to rock back and forth as a panic attack started to overtake him.
Yugi! Yugi, wake up!
But I am awake…
Oh, then what are doing?
You're alive, both of you, you're alive!
Yes, we're alive, you had doubts about this?
Why didn't you call?
Oh boy. Because it was five a.m., and there really didn't seem to be a point in waking you up when you were going to be waking up in just a short couple of hours. We figured we'd call you on your way to school.
I thought you died!
Yeah, we got that from the images flowing through our mind from yours.
You promised!
You really don't care about the time?
No.
Fine, then we'll call as soon as we have a spare moment, regardless of the time.
Kay.
Promise not to send us anymore frightening vivid images of our dead bodies?
No.
Why not?
It seems to gain your attention no matter what you're doing.
Ha ha ha, alright, but try to be a little more creative next time. A plane crash? Really?
It could happen.
Nah, we'd jump from the plane right before it crashed. It'll take more than that to kill us.
Good.
So how was your day yesterday?
It was a day.
Nothing happened?
Not really.
Okay, well, we're getting odd looks, so we'll call you around ten tonight, okay?
I look forward to it!
Have fun at school.
And you guys with your crowds.
They're still asking where you are.
Ha ha, oh, I have to get to school.
Talk to you later, Little One.
Talk to you later 'Tem and 'Ami!
"Yu-gi!"
"What?"
"Welcome back to the land of the living. We're getting off the bus now." Karu Sensei said walking away.
"Oops." Yugi said biting his lip as he got up and followed his teacher off the bus. Dang, this place was bright!
[Time skip]
It was so hot. That seemed to be the biggest complaint shared by the students. So when they turned into the Orlando Science Center, it was in blissful relief. The place had air conditioning. They still enjoyed it for the attractions though. It didn't matter to them that they were the biggest and oldest group there, they enjoyed it all the same, before they were taken back out into the blazing heat so they could tour the last two schools.
Some people wanted to tour the Epcot Center too, but they didn't have the time or money for that. Karu Sensei suggested that if they wanted to see it that badly, then to come back during Spring break or Summer vacation. Or better yet, go to one of the schools they toured.
A few people laughed, before shutting up at the looks that they were getting from their classmates. They ate a restaurant called the Cheesecake Factory. It had amazing food, and the dessert melted in their mouths. Full and happy they boarded the bus just as Yugi's phone rang. Somehow, Yugi still didn't know how, Kaiba got everyone to be quiet so it wouldn't raise suspicion for Atem and Yami as to why there was so much noise in the background.
"Hello!"
"Hey, sorry we're an hour late." Yami apologized.
"You are?"
"You didn't notice?"
"What part of my friends are keeping me busy didn't you get?"
"The part where they were keeping you busy?"
"Ha ha, and the homework is helping to keep my eyes off the time too."
"Homework always takes your eyes away from the time."
"Isn't that a good thing though? Especially for the two weeks that you're away?"
"Yeah, I guess it is." Atem said.
"So, where are you today?"
"Resting in a New York Hotel."
"New York?" Yugi asked his pitch rising an octave or two. Malik's wide eyes flashed to him in fear.
"Yeah, we're spending tonight and tomorrow here, then two days in California and then we're leaving America. We were actually thinking about bringing you back here during the Summer." Atem said.
"That sounds like fun!" Yugi said as Malik mouthed here. Yugi nodded. Malik's hands flew to his mouth.
"We thought you might feel that way."
"So, did anyone ask for me today?"
"Actually, that's something we wanted to talk to you about. A few vampires, as unbelievable as it sounds, thought they saw you here in the flesh a couple of days ago."
"What?" Yugi asked laughing.
"Unbelievable, right?" Yami asked laughing.
"I'll say. Especially after you guys told me countless times to stay in Japan where I'll be safe. Saw me in New York. That's funny."
'They're gonna kill you.' Malik mouthed at him. Yugi made a hand gesture across his throat at him.
"Well, we'll let you get back to your schoolwork."
"You just want to go to sleep."
"Yeah, we're tired." Atem yawned.
"I wish I could sleep with you."
"Technically you can, if we all go to sleep at the same time."
"No, I meant I wish I could be snuggled between you two."
"We do too, Yugi, we do too." Atem said softly.
"Yeah, the bed is so empty without you between us." Yami added.
"Your beds empty, mine is missing 2/3 of its weight; yours is only missing 1/3 of it."
"Still isn't the same."
"Yeah, I'm starting to get tired too. I think I'll go to bed as well."
"Need some help getting to sleep?" Atem asked.
"Nah, I think I'll manage just fine."
"Okay, goodnight, Little One."
"Goodnight, vampires."
Yugi hung up before proceeding to beat his head softly against the window. Malik laughed, as the bus started to resume its normal chatter. He put up a one way shield around his mind so he could think in peace. They were going to Utah, and then California. But it was a big state right? So the chances of them ending up in the same area would be like a million in one chances right? Then again, they had ended up in the same city in New York as them. Oh Kami, this was going to be a disaster he thought as he brought down his shield, and slowly fell asleep to a very sweet, and yet sour, dream.
"Come here, Yugi." Atem said beckoning him with his hand.
"Yeah?" Yugi asked walking forward.
Atem kissed him softly, placing his hands on his hips pulling him closer still. He felt a presence coming up behind him. Felt hands start to massage his shoulders. It had to be Yami, though, he had never received a massage from Yami before, but there was no way it could be anyone else.
"Are you happy we're back?" Yami asked.
"More than you can possibly imagine." Yugi replied.
"So, what was it you wanted to tell us?" Atem asked resting his forehead against his.
"Well, while you were gone I was selected to go on a trip to America."
"Yeah?"
"I accepted."
"How long were you gone?"Yami asked.
"Just five days, five states, then we came back to Japan, and I stayed in Domino for the rest of the time you were gone."
"We see, when was this?" Atem asked.
"Um, when-"
"Yugi! Come on, we're here!" Ryou shouted.
Yugi jolted awake. Damn him and his dreams. He sure hoped they didn't take that too literally. Then again, if they did, it would make his problem easier. He could just bring up the dream, instead of bringing up the subject itself. Then just pick up where the dream left off. At least if they didn't bring it up sooner than that that was.
"Yugi! Come on!"
"Ah, coming, Ryou!"
[Time skip]
Apparently they complained too much about the blazing heat. Now they were in the frigid parts of Utah, it was snowing and it was cold. They rushed from one school to the next hoping to get out of the cold as quickly as possible. You know because they were all sensible and brought more than spring jackets with them. Even their Sensei had thought ahead and brought more than a spring jacket with her. And yes, it's called sarcasm people.
Freezing and shivering, they skipped touring the sites, and headed straight back onto the bus. They went through a McDonalds drive through and then straight onto California. There was no stopping in between. Sensei hoped if they got there early enough they would be able to check into the Hotel and get at least a little bit of a decent sleep. It was as she was saying this that Yugi remembered that he was supposed to call Heba and had forgotten.
"I know, I'm sorry!" Yugi said for the thousandth time.
"Sorry doesn't stop the worry. I was about ready to call them and tell them that I had lost you sometime when you were in Florida." Heba growled over the phone.
"Did you?"
"No."
"Oh, thank Kami. They would have been pissed. They're here you know. In America I mean, and we're going to be in California at the same time. Though, the chances of us actually being in the same area are highly unlikely considering how big the state is."
"And if they happen to be?"
"I sure hope I'm down wind."
"Your scent is that strong huh?"
"Heba, today is Sunday. Do you remember what Sundays are?"
"Feeding day?"
"And if we're in California tomorrow, how strong do you think my scent is going to be if they just fed the day before?"
"Very?"
"Like I said, I sure hope I'm down wind if that happens."
"Me too, or it will be all of our heads. Okay, well I'll see you in a couple of days. Try not to get into too much trouble, yeah?"
"I'll try my best too, bye!"
"Try your best to what? Yugi? Yugi?!"
Yugi didn't answer; he simply hung up, just as his phone rang. Looking at the phone he noticed that it was his mates. Looking at his watch, he noticed it was around three a.m. Bring on tired Yugi.
"'Lo?"
"Hey, did we wake you?" Yami asked in an apologetic voice.
"A little, but if it's you two, I don't mind."
"Glad to know you're making an exception for us." Atem said laughing slightly.
"A'ways."
"Should we let you get back to sleep?"
"Well, I do have school tomorrow."
"Speaking of, at what time did you realize it was Saturday there?"
"Mmmm, when I got to the school and found the gates closed. Heba found it amusing. I found it even more amusing though when a car drove by and splashed him with a big puddle of water. Justice." Yugi said letting off a real yawn.
"Hmm, well, what about that dream last night? Pretty weird." Atem commented.
"Yeah…weird."
"Yugi? Are you in America?"
"Well, it was a great opportunity, and I was going to give it up, but everyone said I shouldn't, because I had been working so hard for it, and so they all convinced me to go. Even Isis and Mahad and Heba were on board for it and Kaiba's here, so it's not like I came alone. And Malik and Ryou too were on the list of chosen students. Are you mad?" Yugi spoke very quickly in his nervousness.
"No. you told us the truth instead of lying when we asked you straight up this time. So where are you in the states?"
"Uh, I'm not sure it would be wise to share that information."
"Why not?"
"Uh, because you might take advantage of it."
"Yugi, come on, we just want to know."
"Promise not to divert from your schedule?"
"Though it will be hard, yes." Yami assured him.
"Okay, we're headed to Berkeley, California."
"You're kidding?" Atem asked in disbelief.
"No, that's where we're headed right now."
"Us too."
"I'm touring colleges and you're not allowed to interfere. Malik is my buddy, I can't be removed from his side or Karu Sensei will get angry." Yugi said in a monotone voice free of any emotion.
"Well, we're visiting the main college there and one that is host to only vampires and humans because we promised we would visit it last year when we came back to America. Maybe we'll bump into each other." Yami said casually.
"If we're lucky. But I highly doubt it will be on our side."
"It's too bad you can't leave your group for even an hour. Daisy would be thrilled to show you her home here in Berkley."
"Oh, we're at the Hotel, I better go. Lo-lo-like you both." Yugi whispered before hanging up quickly. He needed to tell them in person, not over the phone that was just wrong.
We love you too, Yugi.
Yugi bit his lip, and didn't respond. Did they know, could they feel it, and were just waiting for him to say it? Why did they have to be so nice? Why couldn't they be demanding? It would certainly make this whole telling thing easier, that's for sure. Then again, they were pretty demanding everywhere else, maybe it was about time they were patient somewhere in their lives. Yugi shook his head; he was confusing himself with his thoughts. What he needed was a good distraction. Maybe a dream of his mates dressed up in embarrassing costumes. Like the Bunnies or Maids, no, no, something new. He had a sudden vision of them in the dress that he had made for Heba.
Yugi!
Ha ha ha ha ha ha!
Yugi burst out laughing, making Malik jump in front of him as Karu Sensei gave them their room keys. Malik gave him his, as well as a strange look. He just grinned, shaking his head before racing to the elevator and hopping inside before it closed.
He looked over at the other three occupants who were staring openly at him. Eyes wide, mouths dropped open in shock. He waved, before looking away and pressing the button for floor three. Glancing at them he saw that they were still staring at him, like they'd been star struck or something.
"Yes? Can I help you?" Yugi asked as the elevator seemed to take forever to start moving upwards.
"Prince?"
"Who?"
"Yugi? Yugi Mutou?"
"You mean my cousin?"
"No, you're the Prince. He has wide amethyst eyes, just like you, and is similar to our King and Queen in appearance." The one in the middle said firmly.
"You've lost it." Yugi said before darting out onto floor three and down the hallway.
"Wait! We just want a picture with you!" one of them yelled. He glanced behind to see them following, fast. He skidded to a stop outside his door, punched his key in, zipped inside and shut the door quickly. He breathed heavily with his back flat against the door, as Malik, who had somehow gotten up here before him, just gave him a raised eyebrow look.
"Awww! He really is cute!" a high pitched voice said outside the door.
"What was that?" Malik asked.
"They just had to be in this city." Yugi grumbled out.
"They're in Berkley?"
"Yeah!"
"You're my buddy and they can't have you!"
"Don't worry I already told them that."
"Good, oh and Kaiba, Ryou and I are going out to a club around the corner, wanna come?"
"Duh! But how are we going to get past the vampires in the hall?"
ROOOOOOAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRR!
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"
"I think Kaiba took care of it." Yugi said.
"Yep!" Malik agreed nodding. Yugi opened the door slightly and poked his head out, just catching the sight of a fluffy brown tail going around the corner. He laughed, as Ryou came to stand by him.
"I think we should just stay inside tonight."
"Why?" Malik asked.
"Because there were six of them when we came to get you guys."
"All the more reason to leave now." Yugi said grabbing Malik's and Ryou's wrists, kicking his bags further into the room, checking to make sure he had his key, and took off for the stairs.
"Yugi!" Malik and Ryou shouted as he dragged them down the stairs.
"Prince!" Someone shouted from above.
"Why did she have to pick one with vampires in it?" Yugi whined as he took a dive through the first floor door. He dragged them to the elevator and shoved them inside before hitting the close doors buttons quickly.
"We should have stayed in the room." Ryou whined.
"And let a bunch of blood suckers ruin our night of fun, no way." Kaiba said making them all jump.
"What? When did you?" Yugi asked.
"Right before the door closed." He said leaning against the wall arms crossed against his chest.
"Bloody supernatural speed." Ryou muttered.
"You'll be thankful for this speed in a second." Kaiba said transforming as the doors dinged open. Yugi, Ryou, and Malik climbed on without complaint, and Kaiba shot out of the elevator like a bullet and don to the club that they had seen coming in. however, upon arriving, they were denied access for being too young.
"But, we're all 17." Malik said again.
"And you need to be 21." The bouncer said again.
"Why? We can drink." Ryou put in.
"Maybe where you're from, but in America, you need to be 21."
"That's gotta suck." Yugi said.
"Ah, it's the last highlight, the last thing to look forward to growing up here. Look, there's a teen club just around the corner, they'll let you in there, and you can even experience some of their bizarre virgin drinks."
"Virgin drinks?" Kaiba asked.
"Yeah, what makes you think any of us are virgins?" Malik asked. Everyone looked at him.
"Uh, a virgin drink means it contains no alcohol." The bouncer said furrowing his eyebrows at him.
"Oh." Malik said.
"Thanks, we'll check it out." Kaiba said ushering them all in front of him.
"And Malik, you are a virgin." Yugi whispered to him.
"So?" he whispered back.
"We just thought you needed a little reminding." Ryou said nudging him in the ribs.
"Move faster." Kaiba whispered.
"What?" Yugi asked looking up at him.
"We're being stalked, move faster."
I'll give you guys two guesses as to who it is. Get it right and you get a treat, get it wrong and you need to go back and read the story better. And you can only guess one person, not two or more. Oops, I think I just gave it away. :s Oh well, thank you everyone for your wonderful and lovely reviews! I've enjoyed reading them all. So review! Review! Review! Review! Also thanks to everyone who have/are favorited/following this story. I'm in such a happy mood today, nothing can bring me down, not even the imminent snow storm we're supposed to get tomorrow. See you soon in cfy! Midnight ;p