Shadows That Bleed

by YamiYugiPuzzleshipper

Pure-Bloods are said to be myths, not even well-known within stories. "A specialized genetic coding of the moon and the dire," their spoken lore proclaims. They are creatures beyond the power of mortality, gifted by the gods themselves. Known as the Eternal Ones, their existence once extinguished, resurrection foretells a powerful omen.

91. Misery

Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh

Update schedule: Unknown due to limited time

Edit Schedule: Sporadic due to limited time

Chapter Warnings: Discussion of Death, Fear of Death, Innuendos, Symptoms of PTSD/Survivor's Guilt, Genophobia (fear of sex) Symptoms, Mentioned/Referenced Deaths, Referenced Peachshipping, Mild Self-Harm, Mild Puzzleshipping, Japanese Mythology

The mythology in question is a fable called "Tamamo, the Fox Maiden". Yugi tells the story as I could find it online and in a book I recently purchased. There are slight variances in all of them, of course, so there was wiggle room with some of the interpretation. For the sake of the story, Yugi always sees it as a tragic love story.

Seeing as I'm not religious, I don't know much as Buddhism aside from the fact that it's the most practiced religion in Japan. I found the basics to be able to put in Yugi's dialogue; it's not meant to be offensive or anything of that nature. But Yugi isn't religious in the story, either, and that's explained a little more in this chapter. As always, he (and Yami) attempt to be respectful of it even with limited understanding of its concepts.

Chapter XCI: Misery

Work Log Entry LXXIX: September, 2009

September 1

We have monitored Atem closely for any signs of problems with his last injection of hellhound blood. He still does not show any signs of illness despite the fact that saliva placed on skin wounds causes distinct reactions.

His flesh turns black where exposed and his body begins to rot rapidly. Cells die and replace themselves slower than usual. Blood loss becomes more significant if the wound is deeper than a quarter inch.

The saliva is an obvious anticoagulant, as we've determined using on various other animals. For lycanthropes it acts as an anticoagulant and causes gangrene when left in muscle tissue for more than an hour at most.

September 16

The boss is focused on the hellhound and her adaptability over Atem for the moment, though no one is quite certain as to why.

September 20

Our first hellhound in the labs has changed forms into a panther after consuming its heart and brain. We have renamed him as Project Genesis, as he is the first of the hellhounds to show the capability of being a Harbinger.

September 30

The she-wolf refuses to change shapes no matter the amount of experiments performed.

Work Log Entry LXXX: October, 2009

October 1

The hellhounds are growing more volatile by the day, though no one is sure as to what has begun their aggravation to this extent.

Some of the others are whispering about how it has to be exposure to Atem.

October 6

Genesis bit one of the guards when he got too close during feeding.

We have been instructed to watch the guard for any signs of infection.

October 20

It has been determined that the hellhounds do not have potent saliva. The guard did not change or show any signs of being infected.

We have to amputate his arm, however, because of the fact that the saliva rotted the limb form the inside out.

October 31

The limb has been kept for observational purposes.

If Yami had not chosen to bite and live with me, I still would have only had a year to live, he thought as they padded away from the den housing Lupa and Fenrir. He had just left her as she'd whispered he needed to swallow his hesitation and smother his doubt so he could fix many of the numerous wrongs done. He was unsure what she meant, although now he wondered rather boldly if it was more inclined toward his more shallow fears pertaining to the early formulation of his new plan. He shook his head, glancing at Yami sideways. But he triggered the chain reaction. That year is no more than six months now. And that was five months ago. I have a month left. And I don't know how to do this. How do I navigate this? What do I do? Do I let Yubel come to me? I could go to her, but we all know that's suicide. But then…

Yami did not look over. His head was lowered, hanging, his stride despondent and lame as if he were limping. He looked beaten, refusing any form of eye contact with him. Yugi wondered if it was guilt or fear.

I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask for any of this, he thought viciously. He slowed his pace, watching as Yami continued without him. He thought then of all the numerous apologies, the guilt Yami so often shouldered and drowned beneath. His heart hurt, but as Yami turned around, Yugi nearly snarled. They stared at each other.

Yami had been so drowned in the pain of his cage mate's death, so destroyed, that Yugi almost wondered what was truly left of him. If he were to die, he could not imagine Yami would have enough room to feel so devastated a second time. He himself had said he'd consider it a loss, but he'd force himself to continue on.

Yugi doubted he'd be able to do so. But he had meant to show him some kind of hope, to give him even the smallest inclination toward determination of some kind.

Yugi?

I've only got a month left, he announced, snarling despite himself. He trotted forward, meeting his eyes and narrowing his gaze. Some part of him ached with realization; there was so much he wished he could have done. But the majority circled Yami. And some part of him hardened with a new thought.

If there was nothing left for him, then maybe there was something still there for Yami. And there were others that deserved a chance. And maybe the world was cruel and harsh and terrible, but there were reasons to remain in it, to try to protect it despite the extremities and fear and pain.

And, if I've only a month left, I need your help. You'll have to do this for me, Yami, because I don't think anyone else will be willing.

The black wolf bristled slightly, puzzled. He backed up a step, looking away swiftly. Name it. If I can help you, I will.

You're going to train me. We'll spar as much as possible. And then we'll focus on my jaw power. I don't want to be her next victim just because I wasn't prepared. The pack won't train with Atem. And they're afraid of you turning on them in a rage. So, it has to be you. He narrowed his eyes, drawing his lips back. Do you understand?

Yami nodded slightly. Yes, he whispered, I understand.

Something raw ached in his gut. But it passed as he stepped forward. I still do not blame you, Yugi mumbled, ignoring the spiteful thought that perhaps he should. Everything would be easier if he could truly blame someone or something for it all. But blaming the gods hardly seemed a solution. They did not care in the slightest. If nothing else, it seemed they'd proved that much at the very least. It's not your fault. It's not my fault. It was just…bad luck—bad timing.

Yami did not answer him. But he did look at him skeptically for a moment before turning away just as quickly. He flattened his ears, staring at the ground. Yugi followed more slowly behind him, considering. And he almost wished he believed himself when he said them. Maybe Yami sensed his disbelief…

I feel like I never thanked you… Not…not really.

The black wolf turned his head, blinking. He turned away again, understanding blooming in his eyes. You don't have to, he answered cautiously. You really don't have to.

Yugi would have smiled if he wasn't aware of how uncomfortable Yami was. No, but I want to.

You don't owe me anything.

No?

Yami snorted, voice quiet. I owe you far more than you do me.

You don't owe me anything, he repeated firmly. I did all those things for you. I didn't want to see you hurt. I knew I could prevent you getting hurt, so I did. I did everything for you. So, no, you don't owe me anything, aibou.

Yami looked at him sideways, red eyes tired but not desolate as Yugi had assumed. What I told you earlier, about that day in the woods… I recognized what I was doing. And I was afraid that if I wasn't the one to kill you someone else would, and I didn't want it to be some random wolf crossing paths with you. I wanted to… I gave you a second life when I bit you, so part of me rationalized I should be the one to take it as well.

Yugi faltered a step. But the words no longer surprised him. He nodded his head, studying his ashamed expression. I would have let you. Even Obelisk knew. I didn't want to fight you.

Yami flicked an ear. Yes. I am aware. He turned to him now, stopping. But I also know I would have regretted it immediately. You deserve to live.

He stiffened. Yami…

Being here…in Paradise, it changes you. You don't have the same smell and your heartbeat is gone. He shook his head. You lose some of what makes you, you. Even my cage mate… He no longer smells like he used to. He smells more like the earth where he used to be like sunlight and autumn leaves and newly grown moss. I…I don't want that to happen to you. I want… You need to live, Yugi.

He blinked, shuddering. A thought occurred to him abruptly, from long ago, a conversation he'd since forgotten. But now it came back. He'd been so infuriated when Yugi had announced himself as Atem. He'd seemed almost to hate him. Yugi realized now it wasn't scorn toward his foolishness. It had been devastation. He'd been heartbroken, torn because he'd never once thought of Yugi as someone else…

What would you have done if I had been a wolf when Ushio had attacked me in the alley that day?

Yami narrowed his eyes. You wouldn't have needed me. Tomoya would have been able to help you. I would have left you there. He tilted his head, staring pointedly. That is not to say I would not be curious as to whether you survived, but I would not have taken responsibility for you in the slightest.

Why do you think I couldn't change before you bit me?

It was dormant in your body. The lycanthropy was dormant and you were unable to properly harness it in order to change. Yami flicked his ears back and forth, staring. Why do you ask?

Yugi hesitated for a handful of seconds. Because…if I'm descended from Ra, and she's a Pure-Blood, but my blood was so diluted I could not change, then does that mean she is the one who made it this way? Lupa said the gods took different paths than they were supposed to when we were created. Ra could have easily influenced me being unable to change. Slifer said she'd almost changed things three times in order to prevent this. If that's true, then she probably had a larger hand in it than even Ra. I was born with five siblings, right? And they all died.

Yami pricked his ears. Yes.

She's the goddess of the dead. Did she kill them and I survived just because, or was it something else entirely? He stared at him blankly, shaking his head slightly. His blue-violet eyes became puzzled. Does that mean there were three wolves before us that could have been Atem? Or does that mean that she just almost prevented us being born three times altogether?

Yami hesitantly mumbled, Does it matter?

No, not really. Yugi tilted his head, wagging his tail. But I'm curious. I want to know more. Do you think Lupa and Fenrir originally planned for that to happen—you killing me, me and Tomoya as alpha and beta—and the other three chose not to do it that way? If that's the case…there's still a chance I won't end up dying…right?

He stiffened, eyes widening. Yugi sounded so hopeful it scraped his insides until they bled. Yami looked away quickly. Some part of him wished he could answer. He wanted more than ever to leap at the opportunity. He wanted to say yes, to hope with everything in him. But he'd always refused the belief of stories and fables, and realism had always been something that smothered his hopes when he was younger. Life in the labs had been monotonous, days counted by experiments and solitude.

By the time Yami had met his cage mate, he'd been in a monotonous bubble for what seemed months. He'd thought for a time he'd die of the boredom and misery brought about by his isolation. And he'd felt like he'd been stunted in growth, older than was written on the paperwork he'd seen Ryou carrying so often when he checked on him. When his cage mate had said he looked as if he were twelve or thirteen rather than fifteen as Ryou said, he'd genuinely believed himself to be somewhere in his twenties. It had been only then that Yami had begun to focus on telling time, from seconds to minutes to hours. When his birthday had been coming up, he'd known down to the minute.

I'll do anything I can, he finally mumbled, to help you, Yugi.

If he was upset, Yugi did not show it. Thanks.

They continued in silence for a while longer. And then, as Yami felt the stirrings of consciousness, his shoulder beginning to stiffen and ache, Yugi murmured, I want to ask you something, aibou. And I want you to be honest. I don't care if it hurts one of us. I need to know.

Yami faltered, legs weak and the cold making him feel heavy and weary. He almost thought his limbs might snap if he put too much weight on them. But it came second to unease as Yugi's eyes bore into his intently, refusing to lower even as Yami bristled.
I need to know this before we do anything else. Yugi seemed to draw strength from the fact that Yami was paying such keen attention. He lifted his head, pricking his ears forward, and stepped closer. You don't want to be involved in this. You never have. You never will. Is that still true?

Yami blinked. It changes nothing. I will still help.

Yugi shook his head. There's a reason there are two of us. There's a reason there's not just one Code Name Atem. And, if that's the case, why should you have to fight?

He froze. Yugi, that's not—

They didn't make one of us for the sake of the other having a friend. They didn't make one for the sake of a mating bond. They did it because they knew one of us might fail. They did it because that can't happen. So, if it comes down to it, if this war becomes too much, I want you to go.

I'm not going anywhere, he spat, curling his lips back.

But you could. You could leave here and now if you wanted. Yugi looked away, eyes softening and voice quiet. I don't want you to. Don't think that. I'm not trying to get rid of you. But if it comes down to it, I want you to choose yourself. Please. I don't care. I can handle this. Just…help me where I need it and leave when you have the chance.

And abandon you to this?

It's not abandonment if you're doing it with permission, he said softly. His eyes were warm when he looked over again. And one of us… Yami, it doesn't matter. We'll see how you feel when the time comes. I'm going to give everyone the option. Anyone who doesn't want to do this will be able to leave. I won't just…force them to follow me to their deaths.

Yami couldn't help the snarl that escaped him. You will give them the option of leaving when their presence is most important?

I'm not some kind of monster. I don't want to die, Yugi whispered. And if they go into this fight thinking that same thought, I'm sure half of them will die anyways. And who knows? Maybe it won't save anyone. Maybe they'll all die no matter my efforts. But I need to make sure everyone understands the risks. I can't protect them. I can try, but I know I'll fail. The most… The most I can do is protect myself. I can't protect you or Jonouchi or Yusei, or anyone else. So I… I need everyone to understand what is at stake when they choose to follow me.

Yami opened his mouth to snap at him. But something pressed on him. His shoulder ached, throbbing with pain. He lunged forward. Yugi startled, but it wasn't him his teeth connected with. Someone screamed. The black wolf snarled, biting down harder. He'd gotten halfway to his feet, crouched on his haunches. He tasted blood like metal on his tongue.

Ow, ow, ow! a voice cried, no longer screaming.

They'd ceased struggling. Yami blinked once, then twice. Snow covered his face, obscuring his vision. He strained his eyes. His mind reeled with confusion, anxiety sweeping through him. Where was the threat? An odd sense of clarity came over him. He blinked, looking again.

The other wolf had taken a seat, head turned toward him but ducked in a submissive manner. Yami shifted his weight, leaning forward heavily and rising to a stand as he released. His jaws ached for a split second. And then he turned away, sniffing to hide his embarrassment.

The other wolf sprang to his paws. I'm so glad you're okay! I was trying to check on you but you were almost impossible to find. You really weren't even moving, so I budged your shoulder. I wasn't expecting you to attack me, but still! he chirped, sounding ecstatic and relieved. He quivered, wagging his tail almost hopefully. Are you okay? I almost thought you were dead or something. You didn't respond to your name. You didn't answer when I nipped you. And then I remembered this shoulder is the one you got hurt recently so if you weren't dead from frostbite, you'd respond.

Yami blinked, looking over curiously. The little silver yearling seemed proud and fearful all at once. Yami turned away from the green-eyed wolf, narrowing his gaze. He flicked his ears with a yawn. Yugi budged his nose through the top layer of snow, wriggling the muscle, and then pushed his head through and slipped out as if he were made of liquid. He got up, shaking himself out, and turned with confusion.

Uh, Syrus, why is your shoulder bleeding?

The yearling wagged his tail. I was checking on Yami!

Yugi turned to him with wide eyes. He checks on you and you tear a hole in his shoulder? he mumbled, bewildered. Remind me never to check on you again.

When might you ever heed such advice?

The white wolf gave him a sloppy grin, wagging his tail. Good point!

Yami snorted, rolling his shoulders to get rid of the stiffness. He thought I was dead, apparently. I guess I wasn't breathing enough for him. He tried to wake me, I didn't answer, so he eventually touched my shoulder. He craned his neck back until the bones popped, looking at Syrus a moment later. Is it broken? I'm going to assume not, seeing as you're still standing.

The omega wagged his tail. Nope, it's okay! he laughed.

Yami noticed now there was an audience. Others had come to investigate the screaming, no doubt. There was a small group, the others having long since wandered away upon seeing Syrus was okay. Zane was staring at them curiously, Chazz was trying his hardest not to laugh at his friend, Yuya looked confused and alarmed, and Aki appeared unsurprised. Yami shook himself out and glanced sideways toward Yugi.

Their conversation was forefront in his mind again, but now was not the time to bring it up. He'd need to find a place and time, and now wasn't it.

Stepped too close? Zane asked, sounding exasperated. Syrus whined and wagged his tail as he lowered his head and flattened his ears. He has a habit of sometimes stepping on other people when they're asleep under the snow like that.

Yami snorted, shaking his head. He came to check on me.

Yugi snickered, about to speak, when Syrus blurted, I thought he was dead! which made Yugi dissolve into laughter. Yami glanced over at the omega and chuckled, wagging his tail lazily as he considered him. Syrus grinned again, quivering with excitement.

He'd come back even if he was, Aki dismissed, turning and moving away from them. What does it matter if he dies when he just comes back after?

Yugi stiffened in the corner of his eye, fur rising into a bristle and tail coming up slightly as if he might snap his teeth at her. Yami yawned and stretched, ignoring the barb. Syrus took off toward Zane who gave him an unimpressed but amused look. Yami turned immediately to Yugi again, but the white wolf was still watching where Aki had gone. His stance had relaxed but his eyes were troubled now. Yami hesitated, thinking to speak, and then turned away to circle and plop down in a tight ball once more.

Yugi was watching him now, he noted, but he didn't join him. Instead he stepped over him and headed toward the center of the camp. Yami watched him, then sprang to his paws despite the violent jab that went through his shoulder. The white wolf never glanced back, letting out a loud and sharp bark that boomed through the camp. Yami faltered, startled by the alarm cry, and hesitantly picked his way closer as Yugi took a seat and waited for the others to gather.

I'm not sure how much you all know about things going on in the city. Jounouchi may or may not have explained everything going on. I don't know. Yugi tilted his head, looking them all over. He didn't seem to be searching for anything in particular, more just doing a head count. Anyways, soon enough, Domino is going to close and evacuate. That's both good and bad news for us. That means there won't be much discretion in coming back and forth between the camp and the hotel. Yubel will know to come after us here when that happens. That extra layer of security in being able to lead her away will be lost. She won't be going after me at school or home. She'll come here again next.

Some of the wolves glanced at Yami, eyeing him as if they expected input. And then he remembered that Yugi had not gotten far in his explanation of what had happened with Yubel prior. He hadn't told them about the various injuries, though he knew they smelled and recognized them. And he realized as well that they expected him to protect them from her. They had seen him fight her before and they knew he could at least hold her off…

It wasn't much of a security blanket, in truth, but it was there nonetheless. It kept her from coming here. It kept her on her toes in finding us. She's not as familiar with the city as she is the mountains. It doesn't matter, though, because she's adaptive. But it still offered the smallest home advantage against her. When it's lost, it's lost. It won't matter anymore. Yugi fell quiet for a moment. But that's beside the point. We're going to lose ground. So, we need to gain some again. With the city closing, nothing is going to stop them from coming after us. Nothing is going to hold her back from another ambush. We need to prepare for that. That's why Valon is here. He's going to help us learn the best techniques for this fight.

But he's leaving when the city shuts down, isn't he? Jonouchi mumbled.

Yami flicked an ear as Yugi turned to his best friend. Yeah, he will. He'll be leaving with his family. Which is why we'll be utilizing him as much as possible. I know no one can train twenty-four hours, but we're going to build endurance by trying, if nothing else. His eyes shot to Yami for a single moment, unreadable and expressionless, and then away again. When the city shuts down, we're going to be prepared. I don't care what happens between. I don't care about after. Before it's evacuated entirely and everyone is forced out, we have to do this.

We're…training against Valon? Yusei piped up uncertainly. Yami looked over to where he was facing. The hellhound had crept closer at some point. He'd moved between Yami and Jonouchi, close enough that Yami was almost startled by the proximity. When had he even gotten there? And why had he not noticed before? But wouldn't that he a little overwhelming for him? There's still a considerable amount of us and he's only one person.

Yugi shook his head. We'll have smaller groups, as well as me and Yami demonstrating. Eventually, the goal is to have each of the yearlings face him and win. But before that, you will break into groups and practice what you see Yami and I and Valon do. Like you said, there are far too many of us and only one of him. It'll be like when Obelisk was helping to train us. He turned his head. And, in the meantime, Valon can also help us learn the weaker points on hellhounds and how to deal with some of their tricks.

The golden-eyed wolf-dog wagged his tail once in affirmation. Yami felt his stare acutely, ignoring the way he studied him from his peripheral. Whatever he was looking for, Yami wasn't sure but he didn't seem to find him lacking, either.

When we break into core groups, it'll be by packs. You all used to be a unified front at one point. You can do it again. Yugi caught his eye now, gaze darker than before and expression somewhat tumultuous. Omegas will train with me and Yami at first. The rest of you will work as pack mates. But I want to be sure even the omegas are prepared for this. I don't want unnecessary deaths because we failed to offer proper guidance.

Yami almost objected, feeling uneasy and discontent. But it passed a moment later when he looked away. The other wolves were swapping looks and watching them with interest now.

At minimum, I expect you all to train at least six hours. If anyone can go longer, you're welcome to join Yami and me. He glanced over at him now. We're going to keep going until we drop.

The pack erupted with laughter and Yami ignored the various amused and concerned looks cast his way. Zane snorted, Well, I hope he can keep up and Aki guffawed, Now that's a show I'd like to see!

The rest of the wolves started howling now, ducking their heads and wagging their tails or grinning with their incisors showing when Yami glanced at them.

You guys are such assholes, Yugi laughed, shaking his head and wagging his tail. But Yami was acutely aware that he had not looked away since he'd spoken. Yami risked a small sideways glance at him, nodding slightly when Yugi wagged his tail again. We'll start in an hour.

Doggy style! Chazz laughed.

Well, it does get you deeper, Aki snickered.

I'll bet one of you is a screamer!

I'll bet it's Yugi.

No way; it's totally Yami.

Nah, Yami is the badass one. He has to top.

You guys have a window at the hotel?

Holy. Fuck, Jonouchi mumbled, this is worse than finding out a family member starred in a porn. Can we not make jokes about my best friend getting boned? Fuck. I don't ever want to have to think about that.

You're missing out, someone else teased.

Okay, okay, Yugi laughed, still watching him. But when Yami looked over he didn't seem nearly as amused, eyes slightly darker before he blinked it away. Enough with the jokes. I also wanted to say that when the city shuts down, Yami and I will be here with you all. It's more likely to draw Yubel here, but it also means we'll have a better chance at protecting you. I can't promise I can save you all, but I can promise that if one of us is still breathing, the casualties will be lower.

Immediately the pack turned to him. A series of images flashed about; he fought away a flinch.

His teeth were in Yubel's scruff. She knocked him flying. He clung to her face as she tried to shake him. Her claws raked his shoulders. Blood stained the snow. He shook himself out while she watched. He healed from his disembowelment as she foamed at the mouth with rage. He took blow after blow. She screamed, seething—

Right, Yugi said slowly, cutting their attention back to him. He sounded as if he might lunge. Yami kept his eyes on the snow but Yugi was staring at him again, so intently it made his blood heat. You've all seen what Yami can do. Now that we've rehashed it, let's get back to the point.

The lingering images dissipated immediately. Yami suppressed a shiver, something cold and disheveled lurching inside of him. He couldn't identify it, and his mind recoiled from it. But he wondered for a single second as it faded, then shook himself out forcefully and took a seat.

Until school closes, we're staying at the hotel. If there's an emergency, Jonouchi knows how to get in touch. He sounded tired now, his eyes suddenly sad. Yami couldn't understand where that came from, but his stomach lurched and rolled as he studied him in turn. Past that, everything should remain the same. Training will take priority and we will likely end up hunting larger game for a while. But you all were used to that before we came into the picture anyways. So, that shouldn't be too big a change for any of you.

A few of the wolves swapped looks, but none spoke again.

Is there anything you would like to add, Yami?

He hated it when everyone turned to him now. No, he said quietly, refusing to raise his eyes toward them. I have nothing to say.

Then I'll wrap this up. Yugi turned away from him entirely. As it is, the hellhounds likely outnumber us anywhere from two or three to one of us. At the more likely end it's three to one. And that doesn't even count the humans in the tunnels. We need to change that if they ever come back to the camp.

---

Yugi was quiet the majority of the walk. After the first training between Yugi and Valon, Yami had settled for a nap in the alpha's den—with express permission from the white wolf—and he'd announced he needed to get home. Yugi had volunteered to walk him back. He'd relayed the info to Yami who had promised to meet him at the hotel. They'd spent the last thirty minutes just strolling at a lazy pace. Neither of them felt any urgency in leaving. The most training they had done was in teaching weaker parts of the body and basic lunging techniques to get to them, as Yugi had seen how unstable Yami's legs were while he was instructing them.

Valon had remembered he was supposed to help his "mother" with the café for a couple of hours. Considering he'd spent the night there before and it was early into the afternoon, he considered it amazing timing. Of course, he'd never tell her why he spent the night out—not that it was truly her business to begin with—but all the same he supposed it was worth an excuse of some kind. She already thought he was running around fucking anyone who showed interest. He had never corrected her, and the assumption had always been his fallback. She thought it had to do with the lack of knowing his parents and being told he was adopted, and Valon didn't care enough to say otherwise.

She could think what she wanted, just like all his classmates tried to figure out his preferences and whether he'd steal their significant others. It wasn't a baseless worry; he'd stolen a few of the girls away from their boyfriends just for the fun of it. When he'd gotten challenged for it, he'd watched them flinch away soon after remembering who it was they were messing with and upon realizing how little their anger fazed him.

"You were there when Yubel and Yami faced off that day in the woods," Yugi commented without preamble. Valon nearly stumbled at the sudden intrusion on his thoughts. His head snapped around and he blinked, confused and startled. Yugi wasn't facing him. His eyes were still on the snow and he hadn't even slowed his stride. "I know better than to just think you came in at the end of that fight. I also know better than to believe it was just because of Kris or Morrigan that you were close by."

Valon furrowed his brows. This was important why? He doubted Yugi was trying to pin it all on him as Aki had. She'd tried her hardest just before training. Yami had intervened then, pinning her a split second after the words were spoken. No one else had been stupid enough to say anything. But they'd all noticed the way Yami had quivered, how dilated his eyes had become in the midst of it. And even Valon had known not to push the issue then. Whatever Yami had experienced in his latest visit to Paradise had not been good for his mental health. And what strength he possessed in that moment had been backed by a feral quality, his anger immense and searing.

"Yeah," he finally mumbled, looking away. He wondered how close Yami was to actually breaking now, what it would take to push him over the edge. "I was nearby. Kris told me Hati said to be near the camp, but I was in the tunnels hunting. Slifer was nearby and Morrigan came soon after. I heard Yami chasing the hellhound patrol out of the woods. I killed the three of them before I went to check on the camp. Morrigan told me when to find Yami and stop Yubel, so it was a coordinated effort."

"Is she afraid of you?"

"Didn't we just have this conversation recently?"

"Treat me like I'm stupid and repeat it for me."

Valon chuckled at the dry remark, but found his laughter dissolving as Yugi turned to stare at him. His eyes were cold and hard and his mouth was set in a firm line. Everything about his posture was cold and reserved, as if he were withdrawing into himself. Valon looked away and kept walking.

"She's not afraid of me. It's not me she's actually scared of. She's not afraid of anyone. She just came after two immortal wolves for the fun of it. Why be afraid of little old me? No, she'd probably try to kill the gods if she could." He risked a sideways glance toward Yugi now. "She's afraid of the power she can't harness."

"Is that it?" His eyes were glued to the trees ahead of them now, narrowing briefly. He didn't seem to care that he was steps behind Valon or that they'd both slowed monumentally. "She's afraid of the one thing she doesn't have?"

"It's her disadvantage. She knows that. Another hellhound having that ability scares her. But I'm sure if she chose to fight me, she could channel that into rage." Valon hesitated, then looked away again. Yugi looked so lost in his own thoughts he almost felt bad for speaking. "Here's the funny thing about blood drinking."

"I didn't know there was a funny part with this situation."

If he'd said it in any other tone Valon would have sneered at him. But Yugi only sounded quiet and distant.

"Even Sartorius couldn't drink your or Yami's blood and survive for long. It's not the blood that actually gives us strength in fights like that. It's the infection itself. Our saliva is an anticoagulant so it makes the blood unable to clot and from there it begins to rapidly infect each of the cells until the blood multiplies astronomically. And what we end up getting energy from is the disease itself. It triggers healing because it's entering the body again." He frowned, narrowing his eyes. "It's almost like adding a probiotic to someone's diet when they're already healthy. It just gives them a boost."

Yugi nodded slightly. "That makes more sense, considering saliva and blood mixing doesn't end well between the two subspecies." He tilted his head, studying him now. "Have you ever done it?"

"I've never had to. I stick to my own and try to avoid fighting unnecessarily. There's no reason to if I can get out of the territory without provocation." He snorted. "Why are you so upset right now? You look like someone just stole and mutilated your puppy."

Yugi's brows shot up. "That's a pretty specific thing to say."

He grinned wolfishly. "I love my mutilation," he snickered. But he shrugged it off and looked away. "Does it have to do with Yami then? You look pretty miserable."

"Huh? Yami?" Yugi stared at him in bewilderment, then blinked. "No, not really. It doesn't have anything to do with him—or anyone else, really. I'm just…thinking about everything."

"It's easier if you live in the moment instead of debating the future." He shrugged. "But then, part of my problem is I don't know how to stress about the future. It doesn't even occur to me most of the time that I probably should. You regular people are frustrating; you worry too much for no reason."

Yugi grinned. "You're stupid."

"Thanks. I try."

They walked in silence a few minutes longer.

"I'm just thinking of the multiple times Yubel has managed to outdo us. She beat Yami to a pulp in the camp. Then she handed him his ass a second time at the parking deck. And I don't even think she broke a sweat when she did it." He fell quiet, shivering. "And with Yami still recovering, I'm wondering how far we can even get with this training regimen I'm trying to employ."

Valon raised a brow; was he afraid of dying? Was that why he was so caught up in those thoughts? He almost snickered. Then he pressed his lips into a thin line. "Maybe you should give him some blood," he finally said quietly. Yugi was staring ahead again, but the words made his attention snap to him. "You've got the highest concentration of lycanthropy running through your veins. And we regenerate blood like it's nothing. At most you'd probably just need a cup of orange juice or something and you'd be good a second or two later. It would be faster than him eating and sleeping."

"I don't think he'd go for it."

"So, don't give him the option."

"What?"

"You're the vet. I'm sure you could make an IV for him or something." He grinned, shaking his head with a snicker. "Or just give him some coffee and use your blood as creamer."

Yugi visibly faltered. His eyes stretched wide and his breath caught for a single moment. "Could you do that? If I gave you some of my blood, would you do that?" he demanded. "I didn't even think of that before…"

"If you really want me to," he mumbled, staring at the relieved expression on his face and wondering. "But I'm not sure he'll drink it. You're forgetting how sharp our noses are. He'd smell it. Or he'd recognize it after a sip or two if he just went ahead and drank it."

"Then I'll shove it down his throat."

Valon stiffened, startled by the hostility in his tone. Yugi stared at him, eyes cold and vicious. And then he blinked and looked away, visibly flushed as he wrapped his arms around himself tightly.

"I need him to get better."

The hellhound stayed quiet for a while longer. Then he nodded, looking away. "Yeah, sure; we can do that. I never thought I'd see the day you'd try to go behind Yami's back like this, though."

"You have no idea," Yugi breathed, tightening his arms around his midsection. He closed his eyes for a moment and sighed loudly, shakily. Valon had the odd and startling thought that Yugi had done something much, much worse prior to this conversation. He didn't want details, however, considering the stormy expression to cross his face immediately after. "It doesn't matter."

"When are we doing this?"

"The sooner, the better."

It took another thirty minutes to reach the café. Seiko thanked him profusely for coming—he'd almost forgotten why he was supposed to be there; she was going to go check hotels in Sapporo—and fled as quickly as she could. Kris hugged him, waved at Yugi, and followed obediently after her. Yugi watched them go, wishing them a safe trip, and Valon ignored him in favor of finding the strongest smelling creamer he could. The lycanthrope hovered by the counter, watching him with a mixture of trepidation and relief and anticipation. Valon just thanked the gods he wasn't talking about it at the moment; the clientele was slim enough anyone would hear them over the stupid background pop music playing overhead. But, truthfully, he just didn't want to bother talking about it for the moment. He hardly cared if anyone heard them; they likely wouldn't have understood what they were talking about even if they caught a few phrases that were potentially alarming.

He turned to him, considering. "The bathroom is the door on the left," he announced, handing him a small vial from behind the counter. Yugi left obediently, taking it and trotting off in the indicated direction. Valon turned away, picking at his nails.

Yami would probably cringe when he smelled the creamer alone. It was too sweet and the blood would probably make it bitter. He wondered if Yugi would mention where he got the idea; he didn't went to deal with an angry Pure-Blood anytime soon, regardless of how level-headed Yami usually was.

Yugi came back a few minutes later. The vial was almost spotless and clean on the outside but for the smallest smear where his finger had run over it while still somewhat bloodied. The contents were oddly bright, darkening before his eyes. It was almost as if it were congealing as he watched.

He'd never seen anything like it before. Usually it took more than minute for his own to do that.

"I hope you realize he's going to be pissed when he finds out." Valon shot him an annoyed look when Yugi snorted. "I mean, I'm sure you know already, but if you ever did something that fucking stupid with me, I'd punch your teeth out and make you choke on them."

Yugi hummed, dismissive as he shrugged and turned away, but Valon realized he smelled something like anxiety coming from him. He was biting his lip now, staring at the menu over his head as if he might order something for himself.

"How do you plan to give this to him?" he finally asked, voice so low he could barely hear himself. Yugi immediately perked up as if he'd spoken at normal volume, turning and shaking his head.

"He'll be at the hotel by the time I get back. He's not going to want to stay with them training like that so constantly." He paused, eyes falling on the coffee. "Do you think I'll need to stir it or something to prevent it separating?"

Valon rolled his eyes, exasperated. Everyone seemed more involved in their own discussions than listening to them, thankfully, though some small part of him wished someone would look over so he could sneer at them. "How would I know? It's not like I've ever drank a Pure-Blood's blood. I don't have a death wish. Although, considering how quickly your blood started congealing, I'd say yes."

Yugi rolled his eyes and offered him a small smile. "I wasn't expecting you to have. Honestly, blood cells either explode or shrink while in water. If anything, I'm more worried it'll clump at the bottom like sugar or something."

"That sounds more like it. This is werewolf blood we're talking about, after all."

Yugi snickered but didn't comment. Valon ignored the urge to sneer at him for staring. Instead he swirled the blood inside the vial lazily. He put it aside, capping it, and shook the creamer violently; Yugi flinched as if he expected it to go flying. Valon rolled his eyes, pouring the creamer and dumping the blood next; it seemed to foam and froth for a single second before mixing as he grabbed a straw to stir it. When it became a strange unsettling bright red color that made even him want to vomit, he poured the coffee and stirred rigorously. It took a deep silky color, like a satin ribbon, and he thought briefly of red velvet batter.

He stirred until his hand started hurting. Then he capped it again, sniffing. It smelled mostly of creamer, but the undertone was something sickeningly sweet and hideously bitter. If Yami was the suspicious type—and Valon was almost sure he was—he would take one sniff and know something was wrong.

Whether he recognized it as Yugi's blood was another question altogether. But it didn't smell like an animal in the slightest. And he was sure Yami would have some suspicions the moment he caught the scent.

He wondered if Yami would lash out at him for this.

But then, if he refused the coffee he was sure Yugi wouldn't really force it down his throat. He didn't think he had the gall. Although, now that he considered, Yugi did tend to have a pair on him at times. If it involved Yami he was merciless. He could almost picture him pinning him and pouring it down his throat.

"Are you really planning to train as much as possible with him every day? Past the six hour mark you wanted for the pack?"

"I have every intention to; hence why Yami needs to be healthier."

Valon raised a brow. "And if he refuses?"

"I'll shove it down his throat if I have to." He fell silent for a long moment, then looked to the hellhound with his head tilted. "Let's just hope it doesn't get that far. I'd hate to have to do that. I will if I'm forced to, but I'd really rather not."

Yugi took the cup when it was offered, handing him a few bills in exchange, and looked it over for a moment. He really hoped this would help. It'd been nearly impossible to fill the stupid vial; it wasn't as if he'd been given a needle to draw blood. He'd had to puncture his finger using his teeth, squeeze, and repeat when his healing kicked in and closed the wound seconds later. Each new cut he'd gone deeper, until his finger was soaked and his nail stained a brilliant red.

"Thanks for this," he murmured, looking up again. Valon was staring at him, blatantly curious. And then he turned away, nodding slightly and mumbling something about how long he'd be stuck at the café before Seiko and Kris got back. Yugi turned on his heel, checking his phone to find nothing new. Either Yami was still asleep or Jonouchi had run off with Mai for fun time again.

He was actually grateful she'd taken on a relationship with him finally. Jonouchi was more relaxed about her now than he had been before. There wasn't as much jealousy or frustration anymore, even if he was possessive and anxious.

Yugi shook his head, pocketing his phone again, and wandered mindlessly back to the hotel. He got halfway to the doors before he noticed someone standing at the entrance, playing on his phone or something or other. Yugi stopped short, watching him closely for a long minute.

He was dressed in a police uniform, stance casual and untroubled. And Yugi couldn't tell if he should be wary of the idea he might be attempting to lure him over. However, as he got closer, he recognized him. He didn't remember his name. He'd met him only twice in his life and he'd memorized him when he was younger. But now he had no idea. With all the stress that had accumulated in the last handful of months, he didn't even care to try to remember.

He was—or, he amended, had been—Mazaki's partner.

The man looked up when Yugi continued and stopped a few feet away from him. His brown eyes widened as his head snapped in his direction. He stood at attention now, oddly tense and appearing every bit as young as Yugi himself did. He offered an awkward, small smile. "Hello, officer," he murmured, voice polite but quiet, just loud enough to carry. "How are you today?"

He blinked as if surprised, considering him almost as if Yugi might be a snake coiled to lunge. He frowned, glancing around awkwardly, and turned to him slowly. "You're not cold?"

Yugi didn't bother looking at his clothing. He'd thrown on his school uniform—the first thing he'd found that morning to stuff into his backpack—and had not cared beyond that. He held up the coffee cup in his hand, tipping it slightly towards him. "I've been drinking this since I woke up. And then I figured a walk wouldn't kill me. So, here I am, walking in the cold because I'm full of coffee," he joked. He lowered the cup and studied him. Some small part of him lingered on the thought of whether Yami was back or not. "Did you come here to speak with me or is there someone else you're looking for?"

"Uh, n-no, I came to talk to you." The man looked every bit a piece of prey before a predator. Yugi wondered at the sight, curious, but didn't say anything to argue the expression. Telling him to calm down was condescending and saying he wouldn't bite could seem hostile. So, he decided to wait, glancing around slowly but surely.

There was a long minute of silence.

When Yugi turned back, the man blurted, "I never thought you did it."

He blinked. "Did what?"

He said it as innocently as he could, trying not to snap. He would have narrowed his eyes were it not for the fact it might make him appear suspicious. Instead he watched as the officer struggled for words. And he wondered how he could be so awkward when he was part of the police force. He wondered if anyone ever took advantage of him for it. Yugi fought away a shiver, feigning taking a sip of coffee and hoping his demeanor seemed friendly enough that he would speak again.

"The fires…" He trailed off. Yugi only remembered him being Mazaki's partner for a few months. Maybe if he was still so new, that would explain his hesitance. He could imagine it being something he'd never experienced before. And he was sure Mazaki had drilled into him not to show weakness like this, but he supposed even this guy had to sense how unnatural Yugi was. Even he had to understand how preternatural he truly was. "In the woods, and at the restaurant…"

Yugi nodded slightly, feigning another sip. "Right. Well, I'm glad to hear not everyone was against me," he said quietly. He shifted his weight. "I was just relieved even Mazaki knew there wasn't evidence to arrest me."

"Yeah… The only DNA found at the scene was Fuwa and Aileen's and some fingerprints that matched Anzu, weirdly enough. Your DNA was nowhere to be found. Everything else was feline and canine. The feline was actually a species of extremely endangered tigers. And the canine was unidentifiable." The officer sounded almost relieved to be able to talk about it. Yugi almost smiled with encouragement. "We haven't been able to determine whether he was housing illegal exotic animals or if the restaurant was a front for poaching. There are a lot of illegal operations like that."

Yugi tilted his head, wondering how long he could keep him talking. "The restaurant was in Fuwa's name?"

"Aileen's," he corrected, waving a hand as if to dismiss the notion. "No, Fuwa loathed Hokkaido. It was a wonder he even came here with his wife to see how the restaurant was doing. But he absolutely despised Hokkaido and loved Honshu because of its heavy tourism. He conned a lot of tourists who didn't know him for his gambling reputation."

Yugi nodded slightly, feigning another sip. He hoped the coffee would still be warm when he got into the room. And then he hoped Yami would come back sooner rather than later. Maybe he should have grabbed a thermos while he was with Valon…

"Mazaki was just suspicious because you weren't with your friends when the call was made. And then Fuwa was missing and you were out of school for a couple of days. He thought the timing was suspicious. And none of your friends could give you an alibi because they were already at the station and Anzu insisted she didn't know where you were and Jonouchi said it had just been the three of them at the restaurant. He didn't believe it because you four were almost never apart."

Yugi nodded slightly. That made more sense than he cared to admit. "I had nothing to do with either fire."

"We realized you didn't have anything to do with the second one a few hours into the investigation," the officer said. He was babbling now, as if he were afraid to stop talking. "It was caused by two well-known criminals from the states. Both were illegal poachers. One of them brought their most vicious pack of prized hunting dogs. And the other brought his brothers to help him catch whatever it was he came for."

"No idea what it might be?"

He shook his head. "Nothing that seems consistent enough." He hesitated. "The bodies were all found heavily mutilated. But they were found in a completely different place than the forest or the restaurant. They were all recovered in a warehouse with Aileen and what appeared to be her pet tiger. They were almost perfectly preserved from the cold."

Yugi nodded slightly.

"We found all of it just recently. Tetsu uncovered it when he said he got a lead about someone saying they'd heard noises in the abandoned warehouse. And then an anonymous tip came through about a greenhouse in the woods, a couple of miles from the river. It had apparently caught on fire as well and it had been housing a bunch of bodies—mostly animal. Fuwa's bones were found there."

Yugi almost said he hoped someone had spat on them. He wondered if the body had been picked clean at some point. Had Yami eaten him? For whatever reason he could not remember if he'd said so. He nodded when the officer looked at him.

"I really wasn't supposed to tell you any of that."

Now he realized that? Yugi smiled at him. "It's okay. I won't tell," he promised. Then he looked away again, feigning sipping his beverage and considering the way the man stared at him. "Really, though, it's okay. I won't say anything."

He looked grateful for a split second, then increasingly uncomfortable and sympathetic. It took Yugi only a second to realize why. The small teen pressed his lips into a thin line. The officer scratched the back of his head awkwardly, then mumbled, "I'm sorry about your mother and grandfather. They were great people."

Yugi nodded slightly. "Thanks." He drummed his nails on the side of the Styrofoam cup for a moment. He really didn't want to discuss this right now, but he doubted he'd ever have another chance. "I know Mazaki said he didn't think I was involved in the entire thing, but has anyone else been implemented or investigated for it or anything?"

The officer hesitated for a long minute. "I really shouldn't be talking to you about this." He looked flustered, grimacing. "But I… You're a good kid. Or, at least that's what everyone says. I don't think you're a bad kid. So, I… You're not a suspect. And we… I actually looked for you at your house first. And then I remembered you weren't allowed back yet, so I had to figure out which hotel you went to. You're…uh, officially allowed back to the house, by the way. We're releasing it from quarantine. Everyone is ruling it as an animal attack. There's no other explanation for it."

Yugi swallowed hard. "Oh, okay…" He opened and closed his mouth twice. "I don't… I don't think I'll be able to go back there for a little while."

"O-of course! There's no rush or anything for you to return. I just…wanted to notify you."

He nodded slightly. "Thanks."

The officer was quiet for a long handful of minutes. Then he grimaced and rubbed the back of his head again. "You know, the funniest thing happened recently."

Yugi wasn't really in the mood to hear it, but he looked up at him again with a small nod. "Oh, yeah?"

"Tomoya confessed."

He blinked, confused. Tomoya was dead. What was he—?

"He confessed…? To…what?" Yugi asked quietly, shaking his head. He'd confessed to something? Why would he do that? Why would he even consider confessing to something? What was there to—? Oh gods. "When did he confess?"

"He confessed to the fires a few days ago."

A few days ago—when Yugi had told him about his son, he realized with a churning stomach. That was when he had told him about what had happened to Hanasaki. That was when he had apologized, told him how sorry he was that he had been unable to save him, and then left when Tomoya had stared at him so blindly and retreated back inside. Yugi was relatively sure he'd heard him crying when he'd left…

"He said he'd found out about the illegal poaching they were involved in and decided to burn down the establishment. And then when the forest caught on fire it was just because he knew they were there. He'd decided to try to ruin their hunt by doing that." He shook his head. "We don't know whether to take him seriously or not at this point. He's saying these things, but it doesn't seem like he honestly knows enough about the incidents to make the story believable."

Yugi nodded slightly. That was because Tomoya had no idea whatsoever what had happened during those two incidents. He squeezed his eyes shut tightly and drew in a deep, heavy breath. "That's… I wasn't expecting something like that. Why would he even…? If he's lying, why would he want to…?"

"Everyone thinks he's just doing it because he misses his son and doesn't have much else to live for. His wife abandoned him soon after their son died. So, he's all alone." He fell quiet for a long time, cheeks turning bright red. "Oh gods, I really shouldn't be telling you this."

But why stop now?

Yugi almost grinned at him. Instead he nodded and looked away. "Okay," he mumbled, trying to sound the apologetic teenager he currently wasn't. He wondered if there was a better way to do it. But he wasn't sure. It felt like his manners had gone out the window at some point. It felt as if he'd forgotten them a long time ago. "Any leads about who might have had those dogs or where they came from or anything like that?"

"D—? Oh! No. We don't have a lead on that just yet." He was quiet again for a few seconds. "For the most part there's honestly not much we can look into with that. The dogs have no registry or anything like that. For all we know, they could just be dogs that managed to get away from those two poachers Fuwa was friends with."

Yugi nodded slightly, studying him curiously for a moment. "Well, that's not really all too great to hear."

"I'm sorry. I… I wish there was more we could do."

He nodded again. "Do you think it was random or premeditated?"

"I don't know of a single person who didn't like your family. I doubt it was premeditated." The officer frowned thoughtfully, pursing his lips a moment later. "I don't even think anyone dislikes your dad. And he's the businessman who goes back and forth from the states. If anyone didn't like someone, it'd probably be him…"

"Bad timing if that was the case," Yugi said wryly. But some part of him was extremely relieved. They had no leads. They had no idea. That meant less of a possible casualty down the road, didn't it? He was almost sure Anzu and her family's death had been heavily orchestrated by someone who hadn't wanted Mazaki so close to whatever they were trying to hide.

It didn't make sense for Yubel to attack her otherwise. It made sense for her to strike Honda, however. She had to have known Yami had bitten him and gone after him because of it. But he hadn't even had feelings for Anzu anymore by that point. Yubel even understood he was in love with Yami by the time she'd attacked the house. And he doubted she knew a thing about their potential relationship before then.

It had to have been Tetsu. He had to be involved with the labs. He had to have been the one who orchestrated the attack on the Mazaki family. There was no other explanation. Yugi's connection with Anzu wasn't strong enough by that point for her to care to attack her on her own.

"Well, regardless…the dogs involved in your mom and grandpa's attack also attacked Mazaki and Honda. As far as we're concerned at the station, the only evidence there is the dog attacks. And we can't identify the canine in question." He was quiet again. "So, it's not anything we can pin on you. You're not even a person of interest anymore with everything going on."

Yugi almost choked on the sob that threatened to come up. He nodded slightly, smiling after a moment. "Thanks for telling me," he finally mumbled, about to say something else, and then stopped. He didn't want to incriminate himself by saying something stupid. So, he feigned sipping his coffee again and the officer eventually excused himself. Yugi thanked him again and wandered into the hotel after the man walked away.

He opened the door, leaning against the wood for a moment to catch his breath and come to terms with the conversation he'd just had. And then he raised his eyes. Yami was seated on the bed nearest the door, watching him. Yugi wanted to speak, but faltered, blinking at him and feeling something sour yet relieved crash through him.

He was right there, sitting in front of him. And he looked okay.

"I heard the conversation. I'm glad you're not under investigation any longer."

"Yeah, being a suspect was a drag," Yugi teased. He closed the door behind him and swallowed hard. He wanted to sob, both relieved and sad as he peered back at him. He smothered the impulse, looking down at the cup in his hand. "I got you some coffee. I figured you'd like some."

"From Valon?"

Yugi wanted to snap at him for the way he stared at him, brow raised and eyes narrowed. He swallowed hard, shuffling forward to hand him the beverage. "Full disclosure; it has blood in it." He watched Yami glance down at it. "And it's mine."

Yami looked at him as if he had three heads now. "Why?" he snapped, voice cold as he took it just long enough to set the cup aside on the nightstand. "I wasn't aware I was so terribly damaged."

"Well, I was, and so was Valon." He hadn't meant to sound so spiteful, and yet he couldn't stop himself. He swallowed away another surge of bitterness and closed his eyes, rubbing at his temples as if to ward off a headache. He didn't want to fight. He didn't want to fight again. Yami hardly deserved that. "And we all know my blood will heal you. So why not?"

"Because I do not want this."

He opened his eyes. "I need your help. I need it sooner than you'll heal. Do you understand?"

"I can still train you like this!" he spat. "It is not as if I am useless, even wounded."

Yugi huffed. "I never called you useless. Not once in the time I've known you have I ever called you useless. But that's not the point. The point is that I need you at your best. I need you at your peak. I need your help learning to fight and I can't have you exhausted or hurt by accident during training."

"And how likely is—?"

"You were winded when Syrus accidentally landed on you during training! Don't even."

Yami fell silent, then scowled. "You want me to drink your blood and then train you. But I can do it now even without." He paused. "It's not as if I am invalid."

Yugi searched his face. "I'll make a deal with you, Yami. If I can pin you for even a second then you have to drink the coffee. If you can pin me for a full ten seconds, you don't have to."

The other lycanthrope eyed him awkwardly for a few moments. Then he scowled and got to his feet. He dusted himself off as if he thought he saw some kind of lint attached to his tank top. But Yugi knew he was just fidgeting and some part of him ached when he saw just how baggy the clothing was on him all over again. And for the first time Yugi truly wondered if it was his self-hatred that pushed Yami past the point of caring for himself properly. Was it his loathing which forced him to disregard the various clues that he needed to take care of himself?

Yami stepped forward, studying him. When he feinted, Yugi sidestepped. Yami grabbed at him. Yugi dodged back. Yugi moved to swing at him. And Yami ducked. He dropped to the ground and kicked his legs out from beneath him. Yugi yelped. But Yami was breathing hard. And, when he went to grab him, he missed.

Yugi took advantage of the situation. He grabbed his wrist and tugged. Yami hit the ground so hard there was a popping noise. Yami grunted, rolling over onto his back. He was huffing for air now. Yugi grinned and plopped down on his stomach. "One Mississippi," he teased, looking down at him. Yami yelped and glared but Yugi simply settled. He wriggled and Yugi shifted his position, sitting on his thighs and catching his arms with his.

Yami thrashed violently beneath him. Yugi stretched himself out, pinning his wrists over his head and raising a brow.

"Okay, I can't get up."

"Doesn't look like it," Yugi teased.

Yami twisted and bucked. "I'd be dead."

"Probably, yeah."

Yugi shifted his position again. His grip grew firmer. His hands locked around his wrists. His thighs trapped his.

Yami attempted to kick him off. Yugi pressed his weight down harder. Yami squirmed, bucking again, but soon grew exhausted. He went limp after a moment, sighing loudly. Yugi grinned at him widely, teeth bright and sparkling.

"So, now what?"

"Now I concede and drink the damn coffee."

"Perfect! I knew I could train you." Yugi made no move to get up. Yami blinked and looked at him in confusion, tilting his head. The smaller teen peered down at him, expression unreadable but for his grin. "This is probably the time where someone else might beg to be let up."

"Or, you could just get the hell up."

"I don't know if I'm feeling it. That attitude might be a little too much right now, don't you think?"

"Well, I'm uncomfortable and bored. So, unless my annoying little beta wants to do—"

He yelped. Yugi had his nails in his leg. But his grin had only grown wider. And the light in his eyes had gotten darker. Yami swore he felt something touching his inner thigh…

"You know, aibou," Yugi said coyly, grinning wider, "we could do this every time we train! The winner gets to have sex with the loser."

He stiffened for a brief second. Then he thrashed. But Yugi still didn't move. Yami bristled for a single second, then closed his eyes tightly and tilted his head back. "I'll win after this."

"I'm willing to lose!" Yugi agreed.

Yami hesitated for a moment, heart hammering in his chest. His belly clenched and burned. Some part of him hated the very idea. Yet, the other wondered. If Yugi were to die, the least he could do was offer this, right? It wasn't exactly a fair trade. But he could do it, and—

He realized then Yugi no longer had him pinned. His hands were gone, flat next to his head on the carpet. His hips only slightly touched his. And he could have easily wriggled out from beneath him.

Yami blinked and studied him.

Awkwardly he shifted his weight. The smaller teen blinked, moving from straddling him to settle into a crouched position. Yami shifted his weight and sat up slightly, propping himself up by his elbows. Yugi was nestled between his legs.

And he had the strangest expression on his face. Yami bristled again, unsure what to make of it. He was watching him as if he were amazed, perhaps breathless even—almost like he couldn't understand how he existed.

And then Yugi abruptly got up and went to the nightstand. The smallest part of him was startled and relieved but the other felt an all too familiar pang of disappointment. Yami watched him as he grabbed the coffee and made his way over again. "I'm just kidding about the sex thing," Yugi murmured dismissively, waving it off with a small grin. He sounded almost exhausted, but his tone said he really wished otherwise. And that wasn't entirely a surprise, but it still made Yami's gut churn all the same. He didn't know what it was he should do with such tumultuous emotions.

Yami took the cup from him, sniffing and grimacing. "This smells terrible."

"I think Valon tried to use the sweetest creamer to try to cover the scent. But, clearly, it didn't work." He paused and Yami looked up at him in bewilderment after a moment. The smaller teen was studying his face. Then he abruptly turned away again. "I was going to just try to get you to drink it originally, without telling you about the blood. But I…I couldn't do that to you again. I was prepared to have to pin you down and force it down your throat if you argued, but I'm really glad that wasn't necessary. So, just…drink up, okay?"

Yami studied him in turn. Then he took a sip and wrinkled his nose. The taste was hardly what he'd been expecting. But it wasn't bad in any way. He tilted his head and took another sip. His stomach churned with hunger and he licked his lips. Some small part of him was thankful, the other too tired to care. He closed his eyes, drawing in a deep breath.

"You know I was kidding, right?"

Yami blinked. "About what?"

"The sex thing."

"Hmm? Oh, yes, I'm aware."

Yugi frowned. "You're shaking and you didn't even realize it, did you?"

Was he? Yami blinked and looked down. That was interesting. His hands really were shaking, even if it was only slight. He pursed his lips and glanced at him but didn't respond. He took another gulp of his coffee and ignored the odd feeling of disdain that came through him. He couldn't think of any other way to describe it. He felt almost ill drinking the creamer concoction.

Yugi's blood wasn't something he would have taken voluntarily. It just struck him as odd and gross. Yugi was his friend and ingesting his blood didn't quite make him feel good. But he could already tell it was starting to help. The pain had lessened in his ribs and his lungs felt as if they could expand to twice their usual size. His shoulder did not hurt any longer. His gurgling stomach did not ache as violently.

He drummed his fingers against the Styrofoam. "Yugi, I… I'd be willing to do this with… Did you want—?"

"Don't even finish that question," Yugi mumbled, rubbing his eyes and taking a seat on the other bed. Yami had the strangest impulse to curl in on himself and try to disappear into the carpet. His lungs felt too tight now and his heart had begun racing again. "I don't even want to hear it."

Yami looked at the cup in his hand, fidgeting. His mouth had gone dry and his stomach was in knots once more. If he pushed, how much would Yugi hate him for it? In truth, at this point it was all he had to offer him. He'd ruined his life and bitten him, and he'd failed to stop Yubel getting to his family and he couldn't even keep himself together without terrible repercussions. He couldn't hold Yubel off or even help with training.

What more did he have to offer him?

"Aibou."

Yami's head snapped up, eyes locking on his face. Yugi was staring at him now, propped up on his elbows and studying him. He didn't know how to respond. And Yugi peered at him curiously with something like amusement and sadness in his smile.

"I mean, yes, I… You know I'd have sex with you. But not… Fuck, definitely not like this, Yami. You're petrified. You're shaking and I can see the gears turning in your eyes, and you look like you want to disappear." Yugi shook his head. "I don't want you to feel that way. And I'm not even thinking straight half the time anymore, aibou. The two of us… Do you know how miserable we would both be?"

Yami fell silent for a moment. Then he sipped his coffee again, looking at the carpet and bunching his limbs together. "I don't remember…anyone being particularly happy to breed in the labs," he finally mumbled, shrugging and wrapping an arm around his knees. His heart was in his throat now. The self-loathing and shame came in waves. "I…I would trust you to do this with me if you really wanted to."

Yugi sighed softly, then rolled over onto his back. "You do realize you are shaking like a leaf, don't you? Yami, relax, okay? I…I'm honored. I… It's not going to happen. I don't plan to sleep with you."

The words made Yami's heart ache and his mouth felt like it was layered with cotton. The way Yugi said it made his skin crawl, itching and writhing. He couldn't understand why, in truth, seeing as he'd known for so long just how much Yugi had fantasized about this very thing formerly.

He knew. He'd smelled his arousal more than once. He'd watched his eyes dilate, his breathing deepen, his lips quiver when he leaned too close. He wasn't blind to the sideways glances, or the smallest smirks where his eyes darkened and his jaw noticeably clenched to keep from trying to kiss him.

"Neither of us are in a good place for that. If I wanted to be with you, I want you on the same page as me. I want you to want to be with me like that. I don't want you to be so scared that you're trembling and wincing like you do when you hear innuendos." Yugi searched his face, smiling at him softly. "I don't want you to be lost in your head while I'm miles ahead, enjoying your misery. Do you…understand?"

Yami couldn't fathom the immense relief that swept through him. He wanted to sob, to cover his face and laugh, to simply curl in on himself and tremble until he was too exhausted to remain awake. He looked away, guilt surging through him for the pressure he felt lifted at the moment, and then swallowed hard. He understood what he was saying. But he was grateful, his throat threatening to close with relief.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Mm?"

"Do you think…it would be smarter and make more sense to go back to the house?" Yugi sounded hesitant as he spoke, and when Yami looked up again it was clear he was struggling to put it into words. He was staring at the wall past his shoulder now. "I mean, do you think either of us could do it or do you think this hotel would be better?"

"It shuts down the day after tomorrow," Yami answered, searching his face and swallowing away another surge of shame. He should have been able to offer without turning into a mess like this. "I overheard the manager and one of the workers talking. All tenants will be expected to vacate by midnight tomorrow. Remaining here is no longer an option."

"But is going back?"

Yami didn't know how to answer him. Part of him recoiled at the idea. But another was relieved to be back somewhere he was familiar with. But his heart hurt at the reminder and the sting of failure raged through him. He looked down at the ground, narrowing his eyes. "It is likely our best option if you want to train on our own. The city will shut down in a week. We would have the yard. Your neighbors appear to be long gone. It would…make sense to remain there."

"You think the yard would be a good place to train?"

"Better than the woods." He drummed his fingers against the Styrofoam again. His heart was slowing again, his anxiety beginning to leave him. He closed his eyes. His chest didn't feel nearly as tight as it had before. "It would give us more space to maneuver. The trees are too crowded in some places. And the pack is less likely to interrupt if we do it that way. It also gives us more room to work on things until you've mastered them without being seen. And if you get tired they won't know your stamina is not as great as it should be."

Yugi nodded slightly, eyes glazed with devastation at the reminder. The thought made Yami almost flinch away, peering down at his coffee and ignoring the urge to look toward him. He didn't know what he was supposed to say now.

"It also gives us more time. We can do it as often as possible and not have to worry about anyone else seeing or noticing. Almost everyone is gone from the city as it is. I cannot imagine anyone would notice us at this point." Yami gulped down the rest of the coffee and put it aside. He shook his head, wondering if he should perhaps lie down. But the impulse was gone again immediately. He wrapped his other arm around his legs and kept his knees against his chest. "Would it look suspicious?"

"Suspicious?"

"For you to return there; would it seem suspicious?"

Yugi faltered. Yami looked over to find his brows furrowed and his eyes boring into his. "Suspicious for me to go back? I don't think so, honestly, and it's not like they aren't expecting me to…eventually. I mean, he told me in person." He shook his head, voice mildly concerned. "None of them know about you, though."

"And they will continue to be ignorant as to my existence," Yami bit out. He turned away when Yugi raised a brow and considered him with an almost cold expression. "We will not draw attention. I would suspect if they told you about being able to return, they'd think you would go back, so I must be unfounded in my previous train of thought. It doesn't matter. If they become suspicious, they become suspicious."

Yugi stayed quiet for a long handful of seconds. Then he sighed and the bed squeaked as he threw himself backwards once more. Yugi offered him a small, fractured smile when Yami looked at him again. But he didn't speak. And Yami felt oddly cold when he turned away to stare at the carpet once more.

"Hanasaki's dad turned himself in for starting the fire at the restaurant, you know?" Yugi said awkwardly, trying to fill the uncomfortable silence lingering between them twenty minutes later. Yami had taken to lying on his back and staring up at the ceiling just as Yugi was. And the position was so uncomfortable that he almost thought somehow his discomfort had translated to voices in his head. Yami blinked, turned to look over in bewilderment, and Yugi flushed as he seemed to realize himself. But he kept going, voice slightly higher in pitch from embarrassment. "You know, Tomoya? His first name was Hanasaki. I just…realized I don't think I've ever told you that before."

"You have; I just hadn't expected you to mention him." Yami hesitated. "But…why would he do that? I heard the police officer speaking to you before. And I suppose if he were to lose his mate when she left him, then it might trigger it, but to claim he committed a crime… It is not as if the crime is one punishable by death, yes? So, then it makes little sense for him to do so. Wolves usually wish for death after the loss of a mate so his sudden admission makes no sense to me."

Yugi stayed quiet for a long handful of seconds.

"I told him…about Tomoya, a-about how he'd died trying to help me. And I think that's what triggered him to do it, you know? I mean, his wife left him after Hanasaki died, if the officer was right. I don't…" He wouldn't look at him now. Yami wondered how much guilt he carried because of his actions. "Either way, I think he did it because I mentioned that it was what was going on when he asked me why someone had asked him a while back about me being troublesome when I used to be at his house."

Yami hesitated for a second. "Is that something humans are prone to do?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, what you just said… Do humans so often spend time at other people's houses?"

Yugi abruptly sat up and turned to him, furrowing his brows and considering him for a moment. Then he sighed softly and fell backwards once more. Yami almost feared he was exasperated until he saw the thoughtful expression on Yugi's face. "Yeah. It's a common thing. I used to spend a bunch of time with Anzu and Honda at their houses. Once I went with Jonouchi to his apartment, but I didn't stay long and we never did that again after his dad had a fit when he thought we were screwing around or something."

"Why would he assume…?"

"Jonouchi's dad has problems." He kicked his feet lazily back and forth once or twice. Yami could tell it was a nervous fidget; Yugi was trying his hardest not to tug on his choker in front of him again. "I think I told you about him before."

"I remember it vaguely, yes."

Yugi nodded and turned to him again. "Well, he has a few prejudices and one of them has to do with the gay community." He seemed to pick his words for a few seconds. "Well, actually, I feel like it has to do with communities in general. His dad just seems to hate everyone and everything pretty equally, actually."

Yami tilted his head. "He sounds like a joy."

"He wasn't always like that. Jonouchi used to tell me all kinds of stories about how good he was before Shizuka got kidnapped." He fell silent, then looked away and shook his head. "It doesn't matter, I guess. I just… Hanasaki's dad turned around and said he did it. I think it was because I told him he'd been trying to save me and Ushio got to him. I know he knows it wasn't Ushio who killed him, but he has no idea who you are, so I guess he'd have to assume that, right?"

"I suppose so."

"You don't think so?"

"I'm not sure I believe it, no. If I was him and I smelled another wolf entirely in that mix, I would try to investigate and follow the scent."

"Okay, but I don't know if you've ever noticed this, but when it's your blood, it smells really…odd. I don't really know how to describe it so it makes sense, but you can kind of…feel how strong you are? I guess it's the lycanthropy, but either way."

Yami blinked and looked away. "That makes sense. The labs shouldn't have been able to figure out I'd infected you as it was."

"They didn't—at least not at first. I remember hearing Bakura and Pegasus talking one night. I had wandered off when my mom and grandpa were arguing and they thought I was you. They had never even considered you'd bitten someone. They hadn't tracked me through smell. They tracked me because I looked…'unique' is what they called me?"

Yami looked at a small spot of paint on the ceiling. The shadow it cast seemed longer and darker than the others. He stared at it for a long minute, then slowly turned away and narrowed his eyes. "That would make sense. You were rather…odd as a human when you were in the labs. It would make sense that they'd look for someone who seemed out of place as a human when they were hunting for you."

"Yeah."

They stayed quiet for a few seconds. Yugi abruptly sat up, getting to his feet and dusting himself off. "If they're closing the hotel, we don't have any choice but to get moved back into the house. It might only be a couple of days before the city closes, and then we'll have to go to the camp."

Yami didn't know how to answer him. He didn't think he could step foot in the kitchen where they'd grabbed them as he was losing consciousness from blood loss before the adrenaline had finally pushed past the sedatives. Yugi's room was a dismal mess. And he doubted either of them could stomach exposure to the reminder of loss…

He looked at the smaller teen for a long moment. Yugi had surprised him more than once. He could handle a lot of things Yami himself might not have been able to. He'd likely force himself through it. Yami couldn't imagine how suffocating and terrible it would be for him. But if Yugi continued to ignore it, he knew it would become that much worse.

"Yami?"

He blinked, confused as Yugi stared at him with an unreadable expression, lips drawn into a grimace. "Yes?" he asked uncertainly, studying him and wondering what he was looking for at the moment. Yugi shifted his weight and lowered his eyes after a handful of seconds. "Little one?"

The new nickname made his lips twitch into a slight smile. But he still didn't look over or speak. Whatever he'd been thinking about, he wasn't going to share now. Yami turned away and looked at his cup again as if it might hold some answers.

When the silence became too much, his thoughts muddled and painful, Yami found himself chewing his cheek and tapping his nails again. "I'm sorry about killing Tomoya," he mumbled when he couldn't think of anything else to say. He couldn't imagine the shame and disappointment his father had felt when he'd decided to confess to crimes he never would have committed. If his wife had truly left him after their son's passing, it was no wonder he'd gone that direction. What more was there to truly live for?

"You know," Yugi murmured, voice somewhat soft but somehow firm as well, "apologizing for it so many times doesn't lessen what happened. It doesn't bring him back. It doesn't make it any better. And beating yourself up over it so many times doesn't do anything but waste your energy."

Yami looked up again. "I'm not—"

"I know you're not just saying it to say it, but… Yami, it's over. It happened. You came into a situation without knowing what was happening and you…dealt with it. Maybe it wasn't the right way to do it. But you did what you thought best. That guilt doesn't need to be felt all the time like this anymore. I forgave you a long time ago. And his dad would probably forgive you if he'd known, too. Just…"

Yami faltered for a moment. "I didn't mean to. If I had known—"

He wondered, actually, now, what it might have prevented. Would it have saved Hanasaki's father from doing this? Would it have helped Yugi in the long run? If Fenrir and Lupa were telling the truth, Yami would have ended up killing Yugi instead when they crossed paths. Surely this was better? Surely he wasn't so useless or—

"I know you didn't. And it…it still matters, but it's…no longer relevant."

Yami blinked, startled by the defeated tone to accompany the words. But he knew Yugi was also right. It was no longer a matter of relevance. It was sad, yes, and perhaps someone might shed tears for him again, but Tomoya was dead. He had no bearing on anything any longer. Tears would do nothing. Guilt did nothing.

Even if Yami cried over Yugi one day, it wouldn't change anything. If this war took the turning point he felt it would, he'd end up similarly broken—if he could survive so long to mourn him. But it was possible he wouldn't. The gods hadn't promised they'd survive. And he still suspected they might kill them when the war was over.

Mourning was nothing he was unfamiliar with, but it seemed so often to waste time. His anger would only grow, his resentment intensify, his fear rise to strenuous heights, and his inability to forgive would become a thousand times more potent. His cage mate had done enough permanent damage. There were still pieces of him which stung and burned. There were still wounds rubbed raw, edges pulsing with crippling pain.

Yami couldn't imagine the devastation losing Yugi would bring.

"I won't say it again."

Yugi sounded relieved when he mumbled, "That's probably best."

Yami looked away now, wondering if his attitude had rubbed off on him or if Yugi were learning on his own which problems required acknowledgment and which were more easily pushed aside. He didn't discount the fact that Yugi was good at prioritizing, but he was also emotional at times. And, because of this, his priorities changed. But Yami couldn't think to tell him that. He didn't have the energy to fight should he say it.

"Has Jounouchi ever asked you about what happened to him?"

Yugi turned his head, startled, and frowned. "No, not really. He was a friend, but he wasn't around us all that often, so we never really spent all that much time with him and Jonouchi was never all that close to him to begin with. He was sad. We all were, but it wasn't like…losing Honda was for him or Anzu for me."

"Did you love her?"

Yugi considered him for a long moment, then grimaced and turned away. "It wasn't quite…love. I mean, it was probably the closest I've ever been before, but…it wasn't anything like how I feel…now."

Yami nodded slightly, looking away. She was the closest he'd gotten to when he thought he was still human. His priorities may have changed before she'd been killed, but he didn't remember it so fondly that he'd turned it into a star-crossed romance. Some part of him wondered why. And the other was simply sad Yugi hadn't brought it to such a point. Either way he looked at it, it seemed he was doomed between the two of them—

"Yami?"

His head snapped around, eyes wide. Yugi had gotten off his bed, crouching in front of him. Yami wasn't sure when he'd moved. And the smallest part of him didn't even truly recognize that he was there. He forced his mouth to open just enough to breathe, "What?"

Yugi stared at him, grimacing as his gaze grew more troubled. He looked him over twice, as if checking for wounds of some kind, and exhaled a relieved little noise. He considered him a moment longer, then fell forward into him. Yami thought for a second he'd fallen unconscious, shocked by the abrupt movement. But his weight wasn't quite as heavy as it should have been and he wasn't truly sagging into him. His arms wrapped tightly around him when he didn't object to the new position, and Yugi buried his nose into his neck.

"You scared me."

Yami didn't object even when his nails sank into his skin through his clothing, tugging. His nails were blunt but sharp, almost like talons in the way he hooked them there. He shook his head, apologetic but unable to breathe a word. Yugi's bangs tickled his cheeks where his face was pressed to his neck. And for a moment Yami remained frozen there. He couldn't think of a way to comfort him but to reach out and lightly lay his hand on his side.

It was a pseudo-hug. And it wasn't entirely comfortable to hold him like this.

But it was helping in some way.

Yugi was breathing evenly again, where formerly he'd seemed to stutter for air. His steady exhales were like fingers ghosting over his skin. He shivered, his voice quiet and whispering against his flesh. "You weren't responding for a second there. I thought you were lost."
Lost? Yami almost laughed at the notion. He was perfectly aware of his surroundings, who he was talking to and the subject of the conversation. And then he faltered, bristling, and a small sense of fear crawled through him as he considered. It would have been entirely too easy for him to crash and burn beneath the weight of memories and thoughts. He could have fallen under the pressure at any moment. And it wasn't as if thoughts of what might happen should Yugi die were comforting by any means. Thinking of how much Yugi should hate him didn't help, either.

He couldn't imagine that Yugi seeing him unresponsive, even for a second, could have been comforting, either. Yami pressed his lips into a thin line, leaning forward enough to wrap his other arm around him, and laid his chin on his head. He blinked at the wall, staring at the shadow they cast there, and struggled not to sob.

---

Yugi tore the crime scene tape down, looked about the wreckage of the house, and wondered briefly about taking the entire building apart. He cleaned for hours, scrubbing away blood and paw prints, looking at tile that had been ripped out of the floor entirely, and vacuumed and pulled up huge chunks of carpet that were caked black from dried blood. He finished what felt a lifetime later, checking the clock only to find it'd taken the majority of the eight hours he would have formerly spent on a normal day at school. He'd stripped the furniture, torn apart all of the stuff in his room to find what wasn't damaged or covered in blood, and picked his way through the house to fix the rest. When he was certain the only thing lingering was the smell of chemicals so harsh they made his nose burn, he settled for moving into his mom's room and curling up on the bed.

It still smelled of her, comforting despite how mind-numbing and terrible the reminder was. He curled up atop the sheets and dozed until he heard the sound of the door—he'd fixed that too, the simplest task by far—and slowly forced himself to sit upright. He recognized Yami's heartbeat before he did his steps, shivering, and chewed the inside of his cheek.

Yami stopped at the top of the stairs, looking around almost as if he didn't recognize the house altogether, and turned to him slowly. "You did this by yourself?"

He shrugged, looking down. "The doors were all easy to fix. They were all the same size and you can buy units at the department store and there's still one open in Domino, surprisingly enough. The guy was kind of nervous. I had to beg him to let me shop and get everything, because he was heading to Sapporo an hour from then. He did it, but he wasn't happy. And he was pretty confused about how I was going to get them to and from, but the main clinic has a wagon in it for transporting larger animals when they can't walk and it would be dangerous for us to just carry them, so I took that. It was easier getting them here than getting the wagon there since I just walked it the exact same way back as I did there. The carpet was harder, because I had to move all of the furniture out of the way. But I guess that's what werewolf strength is for, right?" He chewed harder at the inside of his cheek, flinching at the pain. "It was almost mindless."

Yami looked away. "You did this for the last eight hours?"

"Seven. I got everything done in seven. Cleaned top to bottom, redid the carpet, replaced the doors, vacuumed and finished it up." Yugi gestured around as if to prove himself. Yami watched him with something unreadable in his eyes. He nodded a moment later, lightly touching the banister with a shaking hand. The wood creaked; the only thing Yugi hadn't finished before he'd taken a break. "Uh, so what are you doing here? Did we have a plan for today? I thought you'd stay with the pack and I would fix up the house."

"Did you truly wish to be alone right now?"

Yugi flinched, tracing a pattern on the comforter. He didn't want to think about that. His stomach lurched and his heart hurt. He had been plagued with the images of their dead bodies from the moment he'd stepped into the house. He'd been struggling to hold it together long enough to see straight to complete his tasks. And he'd been unable to shake it for more than a handful of seconds at a time. He shivered, unable to look up.

"I wouldn't want to be alone, either."

Yugi felt the smallest ghost of a smile tugging his lips. "Thank you for checking on me."

There was a long moment of silence as Yami studied him. "You did a good job."

He wanted for a moment to burst into tears. Some small part of him swelled with disbelief and the other an impossible measurement of affection he didn't know how to put into words. He wanted to reach out and grab him, pull him into his arms and just press into him as he had the night before. He cleared his throat, but his voice still cracked. "Thank you."

Yami looked over, expression thoughtful before it became kind and warm. "Meet me outside?"

Yugi swallowed hard, opening and closing his mouth twice. Then he stiffly stretched his legs and got to his feet. "Yeah, let's…go ahead and do that," he mumbled. He hesitated at the staircase, hand hovering at the edge of the replaced door. "What are we doing outside?"

Yami looked at him for a long moment, silent and studious. "I thought maybe you'd like to start fighting today."

Yugi stiffened, heart skyrocketing with confusion. He wanted to fight him? Yami would destroy him if he were to fight him; even in his weakened state, Yugi knew better than to even hope he had a chance. He'd kick his ass hard enough he'd be limping for the next three years. The thought almost made him snicker, for a moment thinking he'd like to limp for another reason before he smothered it. And then he lowered his eyes to run his finger over one of the door hinges. "You mean sparring," he finally mumbled, realizing himself now and relaxing as he chuckled awkwardly. He felt so stupid now. Of course Yami wasn't truly going to hurt him. "Training."

Yami shrugged. "Yes."

"Oh, okay. Uh, yeah, I guess there's no time like the present…right?"

Yami nodded dismissively, opening the door to lead the way outside. Yugi followed him dutifully, glad for the company but also sad and tired. He closed the door, leaning back against it to steady himself. Yami stopped in the center of the backyard, turning around to face him with a tilt of his head.

Yugi finally peeled himself from the door when he looked up and found Yami watching him closely. His heart rattled in his chest, both shaken and comforted by his presence there.

The taller teen stretched his arms until one popped. "Okay, show me what you've got."

Yugi faltered. "…Wait, you don't just have some moves to teach me or something?" he asked, confused.

"You will learn as we go. That is what adapting means. You embrace the wolf, and you'll adapt you have to during any situation that calls for it."

Yugi frowned, circling him and watching as Yami mirrored him. "Okay…?"

"You'll fight me until you don't end up dead."

Yugi snorted and grinned at him, heart skipping a beat when he saw the mild smirk on Yami's face in turn. "And what about you? What about if you end up dead instead?" he teased, trying to hide his growing excitement.

"You hit me in your heart with your fist, we'll call it your round." Yami raised a brow. Then he smirked a little wider. His eyes shone with laughter. "That reminds me. Do you know where the heart is, Yugi?"

"Duh. Everyone does."

Yami smirked just wide enough to show his teeth and Yugi swore his heart stopped for a single second. "Show me, then." Yugi aimed, then lightly tapped him in the chest with his fingertip. He could feel and hear it when Yami's breath seemed to stutter. And then the taller teen snickered, swatting his hand aside. "That's too high—and now you're too low. Jesus, Yugi, you're too far to the right now. How did you ever plan to become a vet if you can't even figure out where the human heart is?"

Yugi burst out laughing. "Fuck, you're an asshole."

"I'll show you where it is after this. Just try to aim for my chest. If you make contact then you win." Yami looked him over. "You'll know when you're dead."

"How?"

"Don't worry. I'll make it obvious."

Yugi studied him. Yami hadn't moved much, but his right leg was bent slightly, his weight distributed as if he expected to dodge back. He swallowed hard; okay, so he was supposed to take the offensive then. He threw a series of punches that Yami easily stepped back from, blocked, and countered with jabs that landed inches from his nose several times.

Then he caught his arm. Yugi only had a second. Then he yelped. His arm bent backwards. It was so simple he almost screamed with frustration. Then he hit the ground. Yami's foot was at his throat. He looked down at him, brow raised.

"And you're dead."
He stepped back twice. Yugi sprang to his feet. He advanced quickly. A punch with his left hand connected. And he drove his right towards his chest. But Yami saw the line of his arm. He caught the punch. Then he pushed him back. Yugi was thrown several paces.

Yami took the initiative this time. He swung quickly, efficiently. Yugi narrowly dodged, stepping to the side.

He didn't give him the chance to recover. The punch grazed him. Yugi stumbled backwards. He backpedaled rapidly. Yami bore down on him. The next fist hit his shoulder. Yugi tried to kick him. The other wolf caught his leg. He yanked. Then he snatched his hair, tilting his head back painfully.

"Dead."

He spun his own body around once. And the momentum alone sent Yugi flying. He rolled several feet away. He came to a stop when he got the side of the house. He sat up, huffing a breath out.

Yami came towards him slowly.

It was the measured walk of a predator. It was confident. He was smoothly shifting his weight from one foot to the other, arms swaying slightly. He wasn't walking, Yugi realized. He was stalking towards him.

He crouched in front of him for a second. Then he shoved him down. In an instant Yami's foot landed on his chest. "You don't watch," he spat. "You get up. No one else is going to wait."

Yugi tried for his feet when Yami released the pressure. But a kick to his midsection sent him flying. He hit the ground with a yelp, breathing hard. Stars sprang through his vision.

"You're dead."

He jumped immediately to his feet now. Yami was still a yard away. His eyes were sharp and calculating. His lips were drawn back into a partial sneer.

"And now?"

He snorted, losing his aggressive stance. He strolled forward, watching him closely. "Now we do this until you don't die every few seconds."

Yugi huffed.

It took another four hours for Yugi not to die every few seconds. He managed—just barely—to dodge Yami's fingers and twist away from him entirely. Yami turned so quickly he could have caught him by the shoulder or the arm or even his leg if he just shifted his weight. And, yet, he stopped. Yugi didn't know what in his expression gave it away, but he wanted to sob with relief.

Yami shifted his weight and dusted himself off. "Let's go back inside." He didn't look even slightly winded. Yugi wondered how bad he himself had to look for Yami to call their training to an end.

"Okay," he agreed, feeling small for wanting to stop but tired from the stress of his earlier tasks. He hadn't realized the cleaning had taken so much out of him until then. And now, looking at the wall after he was last thrown into the house, he couldn't shake his exhaustion. He just wanted to lie down. "Thanks."

Yami grunted, noncommittal but still enough to say he was paying attention and acknowledged his words. He was watching him from his peripheral, Yugi realized curiously, as if he expected him to say something. But the moment passed. Yami turned away, shaking his head slightly and frowning, and headed for the door. He held it open for him and Yugi trudged past him into the house.

He froze at the staircase, heart in his throat. And then he forced himself to keep moving. He didn't touch the banister, refusing to move closer to either wall, mind recalling too sharply smears of red faded to black across the paint. Yugi swallowed hard and stopped at the top of the steps, at the entrance of the hall. For a moment be couldn't shake the images of blood, fur and bone or grizzle streaked across the carpet or walls or kitchen tile. His stomach lurched, heart pounding, and bristled for a single second before swallowing it away again.

He could do this.

He moved to his room. The bland gray carpet was at least springy beneath his shoes. It was soft and muffled their steps. Yugi half wondered if the snow had soaked it enough to cause mold to grow later. He'd probably need new carpet after Hokkaido was deemed habitable again.

But did it matter?

He didn't even know if he'd still be alive The gods could still turn around and kill them when this fight was over.

"Yugi?"

He blinked, then spun around with wide eyes. "What?" He didn't like how breathless he sounded, but Yami never made a comment. The red-eyed boy stared at him for a long time, then shook his head slightly and turned away. "Aibou?"

"Nothing. Never mind." Yami refused to look at him now. "Where are we sleeping tonight?"

Yugi blinked, flummoxed by the inquiry. Then he tilted his head, raising a brow and peering at him. "What do you mean?" he muttered. "We'll be in my room."

Yami nodded slightly and followed him diligently when Yugi led the way in. But Yugi felt his stomach twist and bile scorch up the back of his throat, chest straining for a single moment. The walls were too close together, pressing forcefully down on him, and the air stunk of rot and chemicals.

"I had assumed you would want to be in another room."

"Huh?" He felt slightly feverish when he looked over. "Oh, uh, no. I mean… It's…it's my room."

Yami finally looked over at him, expression unreadable and eyes oddly dilated. For a single second he searched his face and then his mouth pulled into something of a cynical smile as he nodded and looked aside again. Yugi watched him a moment longer, then turned away.

The bed had the sheets and comforter replaced at the very least. The mattress cover had absorbed the majority of the blood and disposing of that had left a mattress that looked mostly brand new but for a few faded brown spots in heavy pool formations. There had been no smell to them, thankfully, after he'd sprayed them down with some odor remover from the clinic.

Yugi looked around once, lowering his eyes, and forced himself over to the bed again. Yami was silent behind him, moving to his side and taking a seat only when Yugi himself did. The smaller teen drew a deep breath, trying to force himself to focus, and bunched his knees to his chest. Yami watched him silently from his peripheral. Yugi could feel his stare, constant and piercing, and his mouth grew dry and pasty.

"It's okay," Yami mumbled abruptly, "if you're not okay."

He stiffened, eyes widening slightly, and turned to look at him. Yami was watching him more pointedly now, eyes boring into his.

"We don't have to sleep here tonight."

Yugi swallowed hard. "I'm okay."

The red-eyed teen watched him for a long handful of minutes, then shook his head. "Okay." Yugi's chest felt constricted now. He couldn't breathe properly. He lowered his eyes and stared at the ugly gray of the carpet. Yami got up after a moment, looking at him. "Stay here. I'll be back in a few minutes."

The moment he left it felt as if his chest had been pummeled to nothingness. His mouth was too dry to even open to protest. His lungs felt as if they'd collapsed in on themselves. His heart skyrocketed, pulse making his ears ring. His hands were shaking when he looked at them. His entire body felt as if it were winding up for some kind of inevitable blow.

He struggled to breathe, unfolding his legs to hang over the side of the mattress. His fingers dug into his thighs, so hard and deep that he could feel blood welling up. For a single second the thought crossed his mind to get up and try to follow him, but his legs felt like lead and his brain wasn't quite putting forth enough of a command to even shuffle his feet.

He slid a finger around his choker, tugging slightly. If he could get the buckle undone, he'd breathe easier. He didn't know he believed it. But that small little whisper in the back of his mind was all-encompassing, and he didn't care to doubt it. If he could get the buckle undone he could get air into his lungs and—

Something warm and soft covered his hand, moving it away. He blinked and his vision seemed to focus again. Yami was staring at him, one hand holding his in something of a vice grip and the other braced at his hip on the mattress. The red-eyed boy stared at him a moment longer, then murmured, "Follow me."

Yugi almost couldn't think straight long enough to process the words. They were jumbled and messy in his head. And then they slowly sorted their way into a coherent statement. He blinked, surprised by how much weight had seemingly lifted from his frame. He shivered and got up, stunned when Yami didn't release his hand.

He wiggled his fingers for a moment, more than slightly shocked when Yami allowed him to twine them together. Yugi squeezed hard enough he was amazed it didn't break Yami's hand, but the other boy didn't even pause as he led him forward and down the stairs. There was a moment where Yami did stop at the bottom of the steps, as if he was remembering something he was trying to push aside, and for that single second his shoulders rose and he snarled quietly. But it passed when he shook his head violently and began moving faster toward one of the examination rooms.

Yugi faltered behind him. His stomach twisted painfully as he considered the room. He'd stitched him up in here the last time they'd been at the house. And Yugi wondered if Yami knew that. Did he recognize the room? Yugi could barely catch even the faintest smell of anything but the chemicals he'd used to sterilize the building before they'd left.

He remembered Yami seizing on the metal table and dropping over the side as his mother screamed for him to grab him. He remembered sobbing because Yami's organs hadn't started back up as quickly as he'd thought they would. He remembered holding him and thanking his mom and the gods that Yami was okay.

He felt it when the other boy squeezed his hand but it didn't encourage him to keep walking. His eyes flickered to his face when the squeeze turned painful, as if Yami were testing to see if his fingers worked any longer. The red-eyed boy studied him a moment, then turned away to lead him a little further.

"Go sit down. I'll be right back."

Yugi blinked. Sit down? Where was he…?

Oh.

His throat had a knot in it now, painful enough it made him almost choke on air. Yami had made a little bed out of blankets for him. There were a few pillows and a bunch of blankets, from spare comforters to sheets to fleeces. He'd tried to make it as appealing and comfortable as possible, the comforters layered at the bottom on the floor and the fleeces on top, sheets scattered about in the middle. He shivered, heart pounding with gratitude, and almost choked when he tried to smile at him.

But Yami had wandered off while he'd been surveying the little makeshift bed. Yugi looked towards the stairs where he could hear him moving about, and then turned back to make his way over and take a seat. He kicked his shoes off and ignored the squelching noise from the melted snow. He needed to change his clothes, he realized, moving away from the blankets altogether.

When he looked up, Yami was in the doorway again. He'd gotten some spare clothes and another couple of pillows. Yugi wasn't entirely sure what he recognized first, the colors of the pillowcases or the smells that came with them. His heart was racing when he saw them, however, and a small bit of discomfort knotted through his chest.

"I figure we need to change clothes. And…I thought you might want these." Yami looked awkward, as if he were a small child about to face his parents' wrath if he didn't pick the right words. He lowered his eyes when Yugi didn't answer. "I just thought…um, when my cage mate died, I, uh, kept his jacket because it smelled like him so I thought you'd want these. But I can put them back if you don't."

Yugi smothered the choked sob that threatened to leave him. "Fuck," he mumbled instead, staring at him, "you're so damn sweet."

Yami blinked, looking confused for a moment. He eyed him as if he didn't understand why he might say that, and Yugi's heart hurt to see the momentary suspicion in his face. But it was gone immediately when he lowered his eyes.

"This is what you do, right?" he asked, sounding breathless. "When someone is hurting, you try to help them, right?"

Yugi almost choked again, then cleared his throat and nodded. "Yeah, when you care about that person, that's what you do," he managed to breathe out. He ignored it when Yami glanced at him from beneath his lashes and then turned away as if he'd been struck. "Thank you."

He nodded slightly, and Yugi could see his shoulders loosen the smallest degree. He wondered how nervous he'd been, how scared he was of stepping on his toes and hurting him somehow more. Yugi smiled slightly; he really was the sweetest. He was so scared and exhausted and, yet, he was trying so hard for him.

"Do you want me to leave while you change?" Yami asked abruptly, turning to him now. Yugi had almost forgotten he'd brought clothes in the first place, but now he was holding them out more pointedly. He really was scared, Yugi noted, because his hands were shaking slightly now. The smaller boy wondered what was going on in his head, reaching forward and collecting the items from him. Yami sorted through for a moment to grab his own outfit from the pile. "I'll go upstairs or something if you're uncomfortable."

"I'm not," Yugi answered, amazed his voice didn't tremble and break. He smiled at him again, suppressing the urge to cry. "If you don't mind, I'd really rather you stay here with me."

Yami nodded slightly, as if he'd expected that. "Okay," he exhaled, then sighed softly and nodded again. He gave him a strained little ghost of a smile and looked away. Yugi couldn't read his eyes, but he knew he had to be tired. "Go ahead and get changed then. I'd rather not sleep in a wet bed."

Yugi snorted and smiled at him. "I wouldn't want that, either."

Yami moved across the room to the examination table, putting his clothes atop it and looking around slowly. "You know, in my head, I realize this isn't the room Ryou used to bandage me up when I got hurt, but somehow I can't seem to…remember that," he mumbled, and Yugi turned to stare at him in surprise, new shirt pulled halfway over his head. He blinked, then tugged it down when Yami shot him an amused glance. "It's…really hard to differentiate sometimes."

Yugi wondered how hard it had to be for him to be there with him. "Yeah, I always kind of wondered if you had flashbacks whenever you were down here."

He grunted, turning away again. A finger tapped restlessly against the metal table, lending some noise to the otherwise quiet room. "No, not always. I… They're more abundant now." He shrugged and looked around once more. "I mostly just remember the pain."

"They say the brain doesn't remember how pain feels," Yugi mumbled, shrugging his jeans and boxers off. "But I've always remembered physical touches like that. So, I think scientists are full of shit."

Yami snickered, and Yugi grinned. "Yeah, well, maybe humans don't."

"That seems more like it." He pulled on his new clothes and looked over his shoulder now. Yami was studiously staring at a scalpel, eyes hooded and expression unreadable. He glanced at him in his peripheral after a moment, placing the tool down and turning away again. "I'll look away. You go ahead and get changed, okay?"

Yami was quiet for a moment, then shrugged. "I don't care if you look or not." He'd already started pulling his shirt off and Yugi turned away quickly, cheeks heating faintly. "It's not as if I wasn't watched constantly or naked more often than not during experiments."

He flinched. "That's not the same."

The other boy hummed but didn't answer. When he got dressed again, he came to the bed and instantly lay down. Yugi turned to him after a moment, hesitant, and then got beneath the blankets as well.

The words were heavy on his tongue when he whispered, "Can I hold you?"

Yami blinked, surprised by the request, but nodded. "Yeah, that's fine."

Yugi scooted closer, but didn't embrace him for a moment. When he still didn't move a few seconds later, Yami came to him, burrowing between his arms and exhaling roughly. Yugi could hear his heart in his ear, but it didn't sound shaky or rushed; he almost seemed relaxed and easygoing despite it all. Yugi didn't know whether to be relieved or suspicious.

"Thanks for…you know, all of this."

He didn't know why it was so hard to breathe or think. Was it shock from his permission to hold him? Was it because of Yami's admission about the examination room? Was it because Yami had pushed so much of his discomfort aside for the sake of making him feel better? He'd gotten him as many blankets as possible, a change of clothes, and his mom and grandpa's pillows. He'd done all of it for him, even pushing aside his own limited comfort zone for the sake of helping him.

Yami didn't respond for what felt a lifetime. Then, so quietly Yugi almost didn't hear him, he whispered, "I care about you."

He blinked, startled, and then smiled slightly. "I didn't doubt that."

For a long minute Yami was silent again. And then, finally, he murmured, "Tell me some stories."

"Stories?" Yugi echoed. And his fingers somehow found their way into his hair, stroking at the glossy red-tipped strands. It was amazing how silky and tangle free it still was. He didn't know how that worked. Maybe it was because wolf hair didn't tend to tangle. Maybe it was simply the way it seemed to defy gravity. Who knew? He didn't suppose it mattered. He closed his eyes. "What kind of stories?"

"I don't know, just…something. It can be anything you want to tell me. I don't have a preference."

Yugi opened his eyes halfway and looked at Yami curiously. The other boy seemed exhausted, and Yugi understood now just how much it truly was taking out of him. He had his eyes shut, face expressionless and smooth, and Yugi almost thought he might tremble; he seemed so unbalanced in that moment.

"Okay, then, I'll tell you about how Jonouchi and I met."

Yami cracked his left eye open to consider him. "I don't want to hear about Jonouchi."

Yugi snickered. "So, then you do have a preference."

He scoffed and closed his eyes again, but Yugi could see the smallest twitch of a grin on his lips. "I suppose so, then, yes."

The smaller teen offered him a wide smile, warmth blooming in his chest and making his entire body feel almost fuzzy. He searched his face for a moment, then sorted his fingers through his hair again. Yami didn't pull away, nor did he comment to tell him to stop, and Yugi wondered now how he could possibly care so much for him that he would push his comfort aside like this for his sake.

"How about how I met Anzu?"

Yami was silent for a moment. His voice came out quiet and almost broken. "No, I don't…want to think of anything else I already regret. Please, just…something else."

Yugi faltered, for a moment with the impulse to argue that Yami had nothing to regret where she was concerned. He hadn't done anything wrong; in fact, should anyone have done wrong by her, it was him. He hadn't even killed her, though he knew for a fact she wouldn't have wanted him to make that choice.

But he shouldn't have forced Yami to, either.

Jonouchi wasn't wrong in his anger towards him. He should have been the one to do it, even if Anzu had asked Yami specifically instead.

He exhaled slowly, then closed his eyes. "Do you know any Japanese mythology or local legends, aibou?"

Yami shifted in his grip for a single second, as if he were squirming. Yugi opened his eyes again to look down, finding the red gaze locked entirely on him now. Yami wordlessly shook his head and searched his face. "Tell me."

Yugi couldn't help the small smile that formed on his lips. Yami looked tired but curious, eyes burning with interest as they shot to his. "There once was a peddler who wandered a strip of road when he came upon a small girl who looked no more than the age of seven. She told him she'd been awaiting his arrival for over a hundred years and when he expressed confusion, she requested he bring her to Kyoto and eventually they made their way to the emperor's palace. There she danced for them."

Yami nodded when Yugi looked him over once more. The red-eyed teen didn't object even as Yugi shifted somehow closer to him, until he had nearly tangled their legs beneath the blankets.

"She was given audience with the emperor, who asked what favor he might give her in return for her dance. He thought it was so beautiful he would have offered her the palace. But she did not want that; she just wanted to stay with him there. She began to teach other women to perform the dance she'd won his favor with and soon she became known as the Jewel without Flaw, the emperor's favorite."

Yami blinked and exhaled softly, something drifting through his eyes for a single second. Yugi wondered if it was the title of being someone's favorite. He knew the other boy had never been sexually assaulted or harmed; he'd said so in no uncertain terms, but he had seen the worst of the breeding. He knew that much. And what he'd witnessed had obviously scarred him more than Yugi knew how to navigate at times.

He wondered now who had been called a "favorite" and by whom.

"As time passed, the emperor became slowly but surely unstable. He seemed listless most times but full of life others. The court became nervous due to his mood swings, unable to determine what temperament he would sport that day." Yugi fell quiet for a moment, then closed his eyes and shook his head slightly. "The emperor threw a huge banquet one day, where they all proceeded to dine and feast and drink wine cup after cup. And, at one point, the emperor said, 'Tamamo, there is not a woman in the world fit to touch your sleeve'."

Yami tilted his head. "Why would he say something like that?"

"It was meant to mean that she was beyond any other woman in the world and she far exceeded them in any manner. He loved her, so that's how he told her." Yugi smiled when Yami nodded with furrowed brows. "There was a clap of thunder so loud it shook the palace and the emperor collapsed soon after. The court was panic stricken and everyone fled. Tamamo's body emitted a ghostly fire and she was frozen in place with shock."

The red-eyed boy blinked and shifted his weight lazily in his embrace. Yugi would have let him go immediately if he'd pulled away in any manner. But he did nothing to express discomfort or remove himself from his arms.

"Eventually the wise men of the court went to speak to Abe Yasu, the Diviner. They begged and pleaded for her help. She promised to do so, but requested they return in three days after she fasted. The Diviner blessed the wise men and herself and led them to speak to Tamamo who had since retired to her chambers with her maidens." Yugi fell quiet for a long moment, then studied Yami's face once more. "They requested an audience, which she originally tried to deny them. Finally she relented when they refused to leave without her attention. And, so, when she came to see them, they told her to lean close and listen, for the wise man's voice was feeble and tired and he would not have the strength to say it again."

Yami blinked, then narrowed his eyes. "Then why did no one else speak instead?"

Yugi snickered and shrugged, gaining an eye roll from the other boy. "He recited a poem to her, 'Merry wine sinks with a leaden head. Bright fruit, bitter taste. The Peony disguises the Death Lily, confusion in its scent. Vices are illusion's web; deception wears desire's mask.'" He closed his eyes. "And then he touched her hand. She cried out in pain and the curtains that shielded Tamamo from their sight blew open and a gold fox with nine tails fled from the chamber."

"A fox?" Yami murmured, blinking wide eyes before tilting his head. "Oh! A kitsune?"

Yugi grinned. "Right, a kitsune; Tamamo, the fox maiden." He wrapped one of Yami's bangs around his finger, twisting it playfully. Yami watched the movement with a curious expression but didn't protest, and Yugi's chest felt warmer than ever. "The fox fled to the plain of Nasu, where it hid beneath a large black stone in the center. The emperor woke from his suspended state of sleep. Soon stories spread about the Black Stone of Nasu Plain. They said there was a poison stream flowing from it, that anything to drink from it would die. Anyone to sit in its shade would pass away; any birds flying overhead the stone would drop from the sky. It became the Black Stone of Death and kept the name for hundreds of years."

Yami peered up at him with a curious expression. "Was she mourning?"

Yugi blinked in bewilderment, then frowned. "Yeah, actually."

The red-eyed teen nodded and looked away.

"A High Priest named Genyo was making his way through Nasu on a pilgrimage. The villagers warned him not to approach the Black Stone of Death, but Genyo decided to do it anyways. When the sun was setting, Genyo picked up his holy staff and struck the Black Stone, telling the spirit to come out." Yugi watched Yami's face as the other boy stared at the wall for a long handful of seconds. "A fire came from the stone as it split through the middle. An old woman stood there, eyes full of tears. She said she was Tamamo, once called the Jewel without Flaw. She was the golden fox spirit, who had lived for over two thousand years. She told him of the magic she possessed and how she was worshipped by nations and men formerly. She said, 'But love has changed me and I have passed these hundred years weeping in bitter grief. Please, holy man, strike me down so that I may be eased of this terrible pain.'"

Yami blinked and shifted his eyes to look over at him now. "Does he kill her?"

Yugi shook his head. "No, he didn't kill her. He gave her his food and prayed for her soul and told her to find enlightenment instead. She disappeared soon after and was never seen again." The smaller teen sighed softly. "He…allowed her to pass into heaven when he gave her his blessing."

The red-eyed boy stared at him for a long handful of seconds. "Why that story?"

Yugi blinked. "I used to love that story as a kid," he finally mumbled, shrugging. "It was one of my favorite bedtime stories. My mom would tell it to me when I had my worst night terrors. I would request it as often as possible. Because I used to think that no matter what happened, it could be forgiven."

Yami raised a brow. "Forgiven?"

"Buddhism is based on the teachings that anyone can be liberated of suffering." Yugi could see the skepticism in his face as he grinned slightly and shook his head. "Honestly, Yami, I enjoyed the story more because it was a love story that went wrong. She was so in love with him that she bewitched him by remaining in the palace with him, despite not meaning to harm him. And after she was expelled from the palace and the emperor woke, she went into mourning because she did not want to hurt him even though she could have gone back. I thought it was…a sweet story, even if it didn't end with happiness between the two of them."

"But they made each other miserable."

"She didn't mean to. And he had no idea she mourned him. I don't think it was ever mentioned to the emperor what happened to her. I think they all acted as if she did not exist. They did not speak of her or what had happened when they blessed her." Yugi smiled at him now, shaking his head and narrowing his eyes. He glanced briefly toward the examination table. Yami's dirty, wet clothes were atop the surface there, and Yugi almost thought to offer to put them in the washer. But the impulse died immediately after and he lowered his eyes. "From what I understand of it, Buddhism is based off four noble truths, Yami. There's the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth to the end of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering."

Yami blinked in surprise, furrowing his brows. "What?"

"When you do this, you attain nirvana, which is an enlightened state where greed, hatred, and ignorance no longer exist." Yugi exhaled slowly and closed his eyes. "I don't really…practice religion, and I'm hardly an expert on the subject. But my mom practiced it when she was younger. She gave up any semblance of religion around the time I was born, though, because my dad didn't care much about it. He didn't tell her to give it up or anything, but I think she did because she was afraid he might abandon her otherwise."

"Would he have?"

Yugi shook his head. "No, he never would have. Once he…accepted that she was pregnant, he committed to her no matter what. He would never have turned his back on her in any way. That's why his paychecks always came to her or me. He keeps enough for food and rent and doesn't bother with anything else."

"That is rather…good of him, I suppose."

The smaller teen snorted. "You don't sound skeptical at all."

Yami opened and closed his mouth, then shook his head. "I just… I've never known humans to be so faithful. Usually with distance like that, a partner cheats on each other." He shrugged uncomfortably a moment later. "I just… It is refreshing but also…bewildering."

Yugi looked away from him. "Well, either way, aibou. That's my story. Do you have one?"

The other boy blinked and turned to him, startled and unsure for a long time. Then he tugged on the hem of his shirt and bunched the material loosely in his long fingers. For a moment he looked as if he were struggling to find words. And then, abruptly, he closed his eyes and shook his head jerkily.

"No…no, I don't have any."

Yugi could see his grip tightening to the point of his knuckles turning white. His mouth grew dry and a surge of shame crashed through him. Of course, Yami didn't have any stories. His cage mate had been the one to tell him any he might know. And he didn't want to relive those moments.

"In that case, I'll tell another. How about that?"

Yami glanced at him nervously, but his curiosity was peaked as well; Yugi could see it in his eyes that he wasn't quite comfortable, but he wasn't so lost in his memories that he didn't understand the offer. "Okay."
Yugi puzzled for a long moment about what to tell him. And then he grinned. "Have you ever heard of Red Riding Hood and the big bad wolf?"

The other boy rolled his eyes and snickered. "Yes. And the three little pigs as well."

"Well, you're no fun."

---

Valon stepped closer, tilting his head. Then he sighed and backed up, grunting with annoyance. "Jesus," he grumbled, rolling his eyes. There were a few small squeaks of relief and some mumbles of "Oh, thank Lupa" which made Yugi huff. Hadn't he explicitly said more than once that no one was going to get hurt? Why were they all acting like Valon might eat them?

"Shall we go over what Yuya did wrong here?" came Yami's quiet voice. The red-eyed teen was leaning back against a nearby tree, arms crossed and gaze downcast with something that Yugi thought looked suspiciously like disgust. Half of the pack shared his expression and others looked as if they were ashamed that they were companions with the omegas altogether. They all seemed almost physically hurt by the shame they shared; Yuya's screaming and flinching and ducking had caused quite a few of them to refuse even glancing in his direction.

Oh, can we list the ways? Aki sneered, eyes wild with frustration. For fuck's sake!

Did wrong? Did wrong?! Syrus burst out, jumping to his paws and glaring at Yami as if he were personally offended. Chazz turned his head, tipping his muzzle toward him and eyeing him with a warning expression. But the omega hardly seemed to care, snapping, Everything about this is wrong! Maybe if it weren't snowing again and we weren't all wet and miserable, Yuya would have stood a better chance!

Yami raised a brow. "So, Yuya is a victim of circumstance and did nothing wrong?" he clarified. Immediately the omegas chorused agreement. Yugi groaned and suppressed another eye roll. Yusei stared at them as if they'd all grown three heads. Chazz burst out laughing in a sharp, hideous noise like a choking dog. Zane looked too ashamed to even acknowledge what his brother had said.

Yugi risked a glance at Yami again. The red-eyed teen still hadn't raised his gaze from the ground. His expression had morphed into clear disdain and his shoulders had risen slightly as if to shield his throat. Yugi couldn't tell if he was simply so insulted or if it was something more. But it seemed to pass a moment later and Yugi could see him staring at him from his peripheral.

He wanted to ask if he was okay, as irritating as it was for the other boy, but fought such urge aside. Yami didn't look like he was physically in pain. He just seemed frustrated, as if he couldn't understand the way Syrus and the others were justifying Yuya cowering there with his arms over his head to shield his face.

It wasn't a fair setup! Syrus insisted boldly. If it was fair, he would have done okay!

It's blizzard weather!

The snow is too fresh to step in!

He didn't have the chance to even try!

The hellhound cornered him on purpose!

He's older than him!

Yeah! How could anyone expect him to beat—?

"I was not aware that we could control weather or the age of our opponents," Yami cut in, voice deadly calm as his eyes narrowed minutely with scathing disapproval. The red orbs glinted like knives, locked on Syrus with an expression that said he'd beat the insolence out of him if he kept speaking.

Yugi exhaled softly. "Yami."

His beta turned with a raised brow. "Am I wrong?"

He went to open his mouth and then stopped, considering. Yami was all too aware they were children; some of them were only twelve. Yami knew that. He lashed out because he was scared. He snarled and sneered because he could barely think straight. He didn't mean to turn on them. He was just trying to get them to understand. Age made no difference.

Yubel was eight years old and she'd kicked his ass. She'd kicked them both around like they were nothing but toys.

"You. Are. Fucking. Wolves!" Valon spat. "Why are you all acting like sheep?!"

Yami let out a long sigh of annoyance. "Yuya, get up and come back over here."

The boy didn't need a repeat. He turned and scurried as if Yami might protect him. The red-eyed teen shot him an annoyed look, then turned to Yugi with a bitter gleam in his gaze. Yugi didn't have words; he'd just watched a yearling drop to the ground with a scream, trying to flee and shield himself the moment Valon laid a hand on him. The hellhound had barely gotten his hands on his wrists to demonstrate the simple restraint Yusei had suggested as an easy beginning lesson. They'd done lunging practice and shown off weak points on hellhounds the day before. Getting out of restraints had seemed simple and easy, underwhelming before they started actually working on throwing punches and things of that nature.

In truth, it had seemed the perfect warm up exercise before they began working on something more serious. Yami had insisted they learn some attacks as humans, if only to help them gain more control as wolves. No one had argued and the older wolves had even agreed the omegas needed the training. They'd even agreed to it themselves, and the entire thing had been easy enough for them all to commit to.

Until the training had actually begun; then, everything had blown up. And now Yugi felt as if he were waiting for someone to leap out of the trees with a camera and tell him he was being pranked.

There was no way these wolves could fight like this as canines but be so damn afraid when they were human.

How the fuck did that make any sense?

"Jesus fuck. Is that it?" Valon scoffed.

Shame gnawed at Yugi's insides for wasting his time like this. He'd asked him to skip school with him for this. And it was proving to be an absolute disaster of epic proportions. Yugi ran a hand through his hair, tugging on his bangs painfully.

"No one else is going to even try to spar with me? Really? I literally skipped school and ruined my perfect attendance record for this?"

Jonouchi burst out laughing. "You skip school like it's prison!"

Valon turned to him with a scowl for a single moment, then snickered. "I can't even believe I said that with a straight face! Damn, I'm amazing at lying." The two of them snickered a moment longer, then abruptly stopped. Yugi blinked and turned his head, freezing in place. Yami stood a couple of feet away from the hellhound, position lazy and relaxed. But his eyes were harder than gemstones and it was clear why he'd gone over.

"Yami…"

Valon hesitated, frowning. When Yami leveled him a dismissive look, the hellhound murmured, "This is actually kind of exciting right about now. I didn't think I'd spar with you. This is going to be fun."

Yami nodded and stretched his arms until one popped. "We'll start where Yuya should have." He stepped closer, holding his wrists up. Valon blinked, grabbing them in a firm grip. Yami wriggled his fingers and Yugi could see that his wrists were white beneath Valon's hands. "We'll show them how to get out of this grip."

Valon nodded. "Okay."

Yami shifted his weight, testing his balance. And then he sprang. Yugi could barely track it. His sneakers slammed into Valon's gut. The hellhound yelped. And then Yami jerked back. Valon soared back a yard or two. Yami rolled to his feet. The snow in his hair looked like evergreen treetops. When he shook his head, the dark strands sprang back immediately.

"Holy shit," Valon grunted, getting up. He held his stomach, laughing. "I wasn't expecting that much force."

"And now you know I'm not hindered by my low energy. Feel free to catch your breath and do it again," Yami said cheekily, smirking. Valon rolled his eyes, straightened and dusted himself off, and sneered playfully. "Come on. Give me a challenge. I need to work on my muscle mass again."

Valon snorted. "Good with me."

Yami dodged the first set of punches. Then he swung. Valon grunted. His head snapped around. He wriggled his nose and rubbed his jaw. Yami watched him. Then he kicked, spinning with the momentum. Valon hit the ground, spitting. His eyes nearly popped out of his head. Then he got back up. He growled with annoyance.

Yami rammed his knee into his stomach. He caught him by the back of the shirt, throwing him over his arm. Valon landed on his stomach. Then he sat up, huffing. "Okay, so, then we're obviously not pulling punches. I'm going to kick your ass."

"I'm not giving you a fucking love tap," he scoffed. "So, come on. No blood doesn't mean we can't still have fun."

The hellhound straightened, dusting himself off. "Okay, well then." He arched a brow. "I'm really going to kick your ass."

"You'd have to squat to do it. I don't see a point."

Valon burst out laughing. "Oh, shit. You've got short jokes!"

Yami snickered, aiming for his face. Valon dodged the first punch, deflecting the second with his elbow. He used the other to hit him solidly in the chest. Yami grunted, startled. The hellhound caught him by the arm. Yami was thrown twenty feet through the air. Valon wrinkled his nose and watched him. Yami sat up and looked over his shoulder with a shocked expression on his face.

Valon smirked and crossed his arms. Yami peered at him for a moment as if in confusion.

He'd expected Valon to come over to him, Yugi realized. And the two of them were trying their hardest to move slowly enough for their audience. When Yami got up, it was only to dust himself off. He didn't even bother to turn and face Valon.

Finally the hellhound rushed him. Yami looked at him. Then he ran forward. One of the omegas squeaked with excitement. Another yipped. Yami was a couple of feet away when he jumped. He caught a lower hanging branch, spinning. His feet slammed into Valon's chest. The hellhound yelped, thrown backward. And Yami dangled, watching, before he kicked hard enough to be able to flip again. He crouched atop the branch, studying, and then sprang down. He landed inches from the other boy.

"Good shot."

Yami tilted his head. "I used to be faster with that." He frowned. "Then again, usually it was on metal poles."

Valon chuckled. "You make it sound like you were stripping."

Yami blinked, snickering, and shook his head. "Definitely not." He moved around him. Valon flipped to his feet. He dusted himself off, considering. Yami, however, simply stretched his arms and stared back blankly. For a moment neither moved. Then Valon snickered. He lunged. Yami sidestepped.

The Pure-Blood lunged. He caught Valon from behind. The hellhound scoffed. He jumped, kicking his feet and spinning. Yami didn't release. But he didn't flip, either. Instead his hands tangled. His arms were caught. His grip had held on Valon's clothes. And when Valon landed again, he punched him in the rib.

Yami yelped, releasing. Yugi tensed, startled by the sound. Valon grabbed Yami by the back of his shirt. He tossed him backwards. Yami hit the snow, rolled over, and sprang to his feet immediately. Valon's punch was deflected by his elbow. Yami dodged the second. He deflected the third. Then he swung. Valon deflected it. And then he snarled when Yami punched him in the gut hard enough to throw him back a few steps.

Yugi could see it now. Yami was getting impatient. He wasn't used to slower demonstrations. He was getting flustered. He wanted to go faster. He wanted to go all-out, even with the restraint necessary to prevent drawing blood.

Yugi cast an awkward glance towards Jonouchi. His friend was watching with widened eyes, head slightly tilted. The yearlings off to his other side were all excited, trembling with anticipation. The older wolves were curious but bored as well.

He turned back. Yami had his eyes half-closed, attention on some of the trees further along. His eyes flickered only when Yugi bit his lip. His red eyes opened fully and shot to him, as if he had spoken his name. Yugi swallowed hard, then nodded and waited. Valon had begun picking his nails when Yami lost interest. Yami stretched his arms, then sprang.

He swung at him. Valon dodged. Yami took a punch. He ducked from the second. Valon swung again. Yami punched him in the shoulder. Then he hit him in the face. Valon's head snapped to the side. Yami swung again. Valon caught his hand. He pulled his arm out. Then he punched him. Yami ducked away the first two times. But he didn't manage the third. His head snapped around. Then he pivoted on his left foot. His right leg slammed into Valon's side. The hellhound yelped, releasing him. Yami kicked him again. Valon went flying. He rolled, blinking in surprise. Then he got up again.

"Well shit," Valon grumbled. He dusted himself off. Yami came forward, stalking him. Valon chuckled, smirked, and let out a small breath. He met him halfway. Yami kicked him again. Valon backed up a step. Yami wrinkled his nose. Then he swung. Valon dodged. He used his speed to get behind him. His foot slammed into Yami's shoulder blade. Yami hit the snow on his knees. Valon caught him by the back of the head.

"I'm going to fucking kill you if you pull my hair out," Yami snarled.

Valon burst out laughing even as he kicked him in the chest. Yami fell. Then he rolled a few paces back, getting to his feet. He rubbed the back of his head. Valon burst out laughing again. And Yami took off. Valon didn't have time to stop him. Yami slammed into his stomach. They collided with a loud thud. And then they both landed in a flurry of ice.

"Damn. If you wanted the dick, you could have just asked," Valon quipped. Yami snickered from atop him. But it didn't hinder him punching him until Valon managed to kick him off. Yami backed away, dusting himself off. Valon sat up, shaking his head and getting to his feet. He gave him a wry look and Yami shot him a cheeky grin. Yugi felt his mouth pulling down before he even considered it. Valon dusted himself off after a moment, stretched his arms, and snickered, "You know, tackling someone like that really isn't a good idea."

"I'm aware. I just wanted to see your face when you got thrown over like that."

"Hilarious."

"Well, yes, I thought it was."

Valon snickered and shook his head, rolling his eyes. "You're such a jackass." He glanced sideways at Yugi and the grin on his face could only be described as shit-eating. But thankfully he never drew attention to the way he'd stiffened and was watching so intently. Instead he turned back to Yami. The red-eyed teen had begun stalking towards him, Yugi realized. And when he got within a couple of feet of him, he stopped again. "Are we still warming up or are we allowed to have some actual fun now?"

"Actual fun."

"Great." Valon sprang at him. Yami stepped back, pivoting. His leg came up. His foot hit Valon in the gut. The hellhound groaned and fell back. Yami snickered and grinned. Valon jumped to his feet, snorted, and smirked. "Okay, that was a good shot."

"I try." He swung at him and missed. Valon dodged the second one as well. He waited for the third swing. Then he caught Yami's arm, turned into the blow, and grabbed at his shoulder with his free hand. He pulled Yami towards him. Then he spun slightly. He threw Yami flat on his back. Yami blinked, then frowned up at him for a moment.

"Are you going to get up?"

Yami snorted. Yugi couldn't see it properly. But Valon yelped and was sent flying into the snow. Yami kicked himself back to his feet. Valon sat up and glared at him. And Yami grinned cheekily again. The hellhound hummed, getting up. Yami snickered as he dusted himself off. Yugi wondered at the caution Valon seemed to be exerting around him. He seemed unusually self-aware of every movement he made, as if he were nervous of what might happen should he move too fast.

He wondered if he was afraid of what Yami might do. Did he think he'd lash out? Was he worried the pack might turn on him because of rank? Was he simply just holding off because he thought Yami might get hurt?

Yugi would rather it have been the latter, if only because it made everything easier for him. If the pack was not assumed a threat between the three of them, that meant Valon had nothing to fear from them at the very least. That meant as long as blood was not drawn, the pack would not object.

Valon and Yami were watching each other now. And for a moment Yugi thought they might just circle. Instead Yami swung so fast Valon could barely dodge. The follow-up clipped him across the face. Valon snarled in surprise. And the next punch came for his arm. There was a sharp noise but the hellhound didn't seem hurt. Yami grabbed him, twisted, and threw him over his shoulder. He moved to grab him around the neck.

Valon pivoted and tossed him forward. Yami landed on his back with a grunt. Yami's legs came up. His ankles wrapped around Valon's knee. When he twisted, Valon hit the ground. Yami had him pinned, his other knee pressed into his ribs. The hellhound grunted, smirking, and grumbled a good-natured, "Okay, I think I'll concede this round."

The Pure-Blood didn't move, however. And Yugi realized then that he was struggling for air. Valon seemed to notice as well, because he did not move to throw Yami off. And all of them were aware he could. Valon might have played submissive, but he was quick to remind them of just who he was when he needed to.

They were fighting again a few seconds later. They rolled, hit the ground. Valon was thrown violently into a tree face first. And Yami was thrown so hard he landed with a snapping noise. But when he sprang up again, it was clear he was unhurt.

Jesus, Syrus whispered.

"But it's Yami," Yuya argued, sounding nonplussed and flustered. Yugi glanced at him in his peripheral as Yami and Valon separated again. Yuya looked increasingly agitated. "He's a Pure-blood…"

Look at that flip! Chazz blurted out, bristling with satisfaction and wagging his tail ecstatically. His ears were pricked forward, his entire body quivering. That was fucking awesome!

I can barely do a somersault without getting nauseous, Mana groaned with a dismayed tone. I really hope we don't have to flip in order to survive. I can't deal with that.

They don't actually expect us to… Syrus whispered.

"Kick his ass, Yami!" Jonouchi snickered, pumping a fist in the air. He glanced at Yugi sideways when the smaller teen turned abruptly back to the two wolves fighting again. The training session was growing faster, the two of them almost moving too quickly to track. Or, at least, that was what the yearlings were whining. Yugi was having no trouble tracking them. His eyes took note of every little movement, even the smallest twitch of fingers and the way one of them shifted their weight.

They looked as if they were slowing down twenty minutes later, but the assumption proved wrong a moment later. Where it had seemed they'd slowed, it was nothing but a pause. Yami got kicked hard enough to knock the wind out of him. And Valon was sent sprawling on his back a split second later.

Yami pinned him with a knee to his chest. He was panting, eyes slightly unfocused. He hadn't broken out into a sweat but he was clearly struggling for air. Valon glanced up at him, snickering. His hands fell from where he'd been gripping at his other leg. Yami straightened. His breathing evened out slightly.

He rubbed gently at his side. Valon got up, tilting his head. "You good?"

Yami nodded slightly. "I think I hit that tree a little harder than I originally thought." His eyes shot to Yugi and away again. "Nothing broken or punctured, though."

Yugi was quiet for a moment before wandering forward. Yami looked over with something almost sheepish in his eyes. Yugi couldn't smell blood or severed skin in any manner, so he wasn't entirely too concerned. But he still reached over to lift his shirt just enough to look at the bruising flesh.

I want to learn how to fight like that! Yusei cried. He'd come running from his position towards the back to stand a few feet away from the red-eyed teen. His eyes were burning with excitement, entire body quivering, ears pricked forward and tail wagging. Teach me first!

That kicked ass! Chazz agreed. He was wagging his tail from where he sat yards away from them. You need to teach all of us!

Yusei was babbling when Yugi looked over his bruise again. Yami didn't react even when Yugi ran his fingers atop it. Whatever the yearling was saying had his full attention, red eyes locked on him and head slightly tilted.

He wasn't wounded. Yugi could have trembled with relief.

"If it hurts enough, you could always change. You'll heal instantly."

Yami didn't look away from Yusei for a long moment. And then he turned to Valon. "Are you asking me to kick your ass as a wolf now, too?"

"Oh, fuck you. I took it easy on you."

"That's not my problem."

Yugi snorted at the wry response, dropping the hem of his shirt. He turned to the hellhound with a raised brow and smirk. "You going to take that?"

Valon scoffed and raised a brow, baring his teeth in a smirk at the red-eyed boy. "I'll have you begging for mercy in two minutes flat."

Yami raised a brow. "Guess it always serves to have some kind of dreams."

Yugi burst out laughing as Valon's brows rose and Yami offered him a wide smirk.

---

Yugi shook himself out, glancing sideways at Valon. Your dad told me something interesting last night, he murmured, tilting his head and looking over curiously. When Valon flicked an ear in his direction lazily, Yugi snorted and moved closer. The hellhound had his mouth buried under the roots of a tree, snapping his teeth and clawing at the snow and dirt beneath his paws. Yugi could hear the rabbit trying its hardest to get away, trapped a little further than Valon could reach with his teeth. He talked to me about this fight again.

The gods have nothing better to do. There's no better gossip.

Yugi laughed at the dismissal. You're right about that. But the point is, we were talking about how I need to change in order to weather this war.

Valon came up empty, huffing and blowing some snow off his muzzle. He shook himself out, turning to him with a tilt of his head. His long tail remained down, his eyes curious and burning as he considered him. I could have told you that.

Yugi would have rolled his eyes had he been human. Now, however, he merely turned away. He and Obelisk both tell me I have to embrace Atem and forget being Yugi entirely.

Valon studied him with something unreadable. Your thoughts?

Yugi turned to him now. He didn't know how to encompass his feelings towards the matter. Yami would destroy him. He knew that much. He'd do it as a mercy for him. But he'd kill him all the same for that purpose. And Yugi knew what would happen to him for those actions. It was instinctive he flinch away from such a thought. But then…

I won't destroy myself for the sake of someone else, he said slowly. And some part of him hissed with displeasure, feeling almost foolish for the words. He almost wanted to laugh, but he was too exhausted for that. Some small ripple of pain came through him and he wondered now about the steady ache in his belly. But it doesn't matter. I'm sure when it's all over, I'll either be this wolf the gods expected or I'll fall flat.

Is that what you believe? I can't imagine it.

Imagine what?

Failing like you just said. I mean, I can't picture you trying your hardest and failing.

He let out a sharp, bitter laugh. Tell that to Yubel, he spat. Tell that to my mother and grandfather.

Valon watched him, eyes sharp and boring into his. And then he blinked once, long and slow. His ears pricked forward. And then he snorted, turning away and shaking his head. Yugi thought he saw the faintest smirk on his lips. You have everything at your disposal to fix that. You have Yami. Yami—

Yeah, yeah, we started training yesterday, Yugi interrupted, surprised by the bitter tone in his voice, but I came to talk to you about something…different.

Oh? Valon turned back. His voice was more dismissive now, perhaps slightly disinterested and colder than usual. He turned just as Yugi heard a bit of movement beneath the snow. Yugi watched him consider the path the animal was taking, then glanced over his shoulder. Yami was standing yards away in the trees with Jonouchi and Yuya. The yearling was covered in ice, pouting, and Jonouchi was laughing loudly as Yami held his rabbit in the air with a lazy tail wag. Well, what is it you had to ask? I'm not waiting all day.

Yugi almost asked where else he might go, then shrugged the impulse off. Yami says Yubel is afraid of you. He's pretty insistent that's why she fled.

Valon was quiet for a moment, watching the snow before he leaned forward and focused more pointedly. His golden eyes narrowed faintly. Yeah, he grunted. Yeah, okay. I'm glad you decided to pester me about this again.

You're not denying it.

Valon snorted, still focused on the rabbit. Yes. You've finally annoyed me into a confession. He shot him a dirty sideways look. You can't rely on me for this, Yugi. You and Yami brought me here to help, and I know he understands, but I worry sometimes whether you do as well. You seem to believe I'll be here longer than I will. Yami knows it is temporary, that the moment this fight comes to its head my involvement will be null and void.

I only allowed him to bring you here because it gave Yami more of a chance, Yugi corrected him coldly. I let him ask you because if you're here, it might slow her down on her next attempt. And Yami is stronger but he's not fast enough. And I'm not at the same level as either of them. You being here buys us time. I never thought for a second you'd be here for long.

Valon lowered his head slightly, still staring intently at the rabbit hole. Is that so?

That's exactly what it is. I don't need you to kill her. I don't need Yami, either. I'll do it myself. The problem is I need something to stall her. Until I'm at tip-top, I'm a burden. And I can't have that. Yami can't continue carrying me like this. And I don't know how fast I'll manage everything. So it has to be you staying here until then.

My presence won't stop her.

No, but if it slows her down some, it's still helpful. If she's hesitant, she can't get to Yami.

Yami can hold his own. They've both done some significant damage to each other. You saw Yami rip her to pieces in everyone else's memories. If he can do that—as hurt as he was—I think he's got a better chance than you're giving him credit for. Valon paused, tail raised slightly with anticipation. Although, fighting as hard as he does and getting hurt like that doesn't help too much.

He does it for me. Now Valon stopped short, turning his head to stare at him in surprise. Yugi watched the rabbit bolt from the den just as Valon looked down and spat a curse, chasing it. Yugi snorted, wagging his tail. He knows it won't end well for me if we fight. So, he does it for me. He gets himself almost killed and I struggle to get him back to health.

Valon caught the rabbit by its back leg, throwing it in the air. It squeaked and then screamed for a single second when his teeth caught its throat. Its limp body dangled from his jaws as he turned back. Yugi couldn't help but laugh at how proud he looked.

So, then, what's holding you back? It's not a lack of time with Yami, and he's who you need to learn from. Valon tossed the rabbit again, catching it by the head this time. The hellhound looked over at him, studying his face. And then his jaws began to slowly but surely sink downward. Bones creaked and snapped. Blood swelled outward in a sludge and brain matter oozed from crevices. Yugi couldn't stop staring at it, wondering if it had been similar when Yami had crushed Ushio's skull like a grape that day. You have no reason to hide anymore. Your family is gone but for your father, you've lost your best friends, from what I understand you're no longer being investigated by the cops, and Yubel has kicked both of your asses multiple times from the states back. If you had an excuse before, I doubt it applies now.

Yugi had the urge to leap forward and bite him for the remark. And then came the instinct to back up and reconsider. Valon was stronger than him. And, Yugi realized, he wasn't goading him. Valon was stating facts, because he had no such emotional attachments. He didn't have an inkling of the feelings Yugi possessed. Loyalty was fickle but firm, happiness was fleeting but powerful, but it was indifference that truly fueled him. As far as he was concerned, the world was black and white and shades of gray were a myth.

You're right. I don't have one. That's why Yami is training me. I never asked before. But I am now.

How long do you think Yubel will give you?

Considering she always bounces back, I'm going to say not long. Yugi shook himself out and finally looked away from the crushed rabbit head. As you said, I just need to stick with it and I'll get it done.

Valon snorted. So, then was choosing Yami and I as your buddies for this little hunt a power play or so you could get me alone?

Yugi shot him an irritable look for the insinuation. You aren't my type, he scoffed. I wanted to ask you something, though.

Shoot.

Did you bite Amelda?

Valon visibly paused, eyes full of bewilderment before brimming with laughter. Then he wrinkled his nose. I forgot who that was! But why would I ever bite that loser? he sneered. He curled his lip and dropped the rabbit, looking at it. Yugi couldn't tell if he was hungry or simply bored. I don't mind him, but he's only an acquaintance. I don't even think of him as a friend. If he dropped dead I'd likely laugh. I sure as fuck wouldn't want to spend my life tied to him. I wouldn't care if he was struck down. Why are you asking me this?

I plan to kill him before I fight Sartorius or Yubel.

The wolf-dog turned his head. Oh?

I think he has the poison gene. That day you came to get Kris, I recognized the smell. But I don't know if I'm right. I think I remember smelling it when we were fighting in the woods and he killed one of my wolves. Yugi searched his face. I was hoping you had bitten him and the gene had passed to him.

It doesn't work like that. The hellhound strand is different and shape-shifting is the most prominent of Harbinger traits. But last I knew, he didn't. But he was only a couple of months into being able to change when I last saw him. So I have no idea. Abruptly his tail wagged and his head rose, ears pricked as he stared at him. This is almost exciting!

Almost?

Almost, Valon repeated, looking around. I'm too hungry to be excited.

Yugi laughed, shaking his head. Then he looked over his shoulder. Jonouchi had guts smeared across his face and paws. Yami was standing stiff, frozen, his red eyes wide and horrified. Yugi tensed, preparing himself to rush over. But it passed.

He burst out laughing again. Yami's cheek was covered in a mess of brown and green intestinal matter. One eye had the perfect imprint of a paw and his nose had the smallest bit of gray muscle clinging to it. Every hair on his body was puffed outward with shock and his ears were pricked forward with something almost offensive in expression. Yuya was darting around with the rabbit in his mouth and Jonouchi chased him as Yami stared after them, lips drawn back and entire face full of disbelief and disgust.

Looking good over there, aibou!

Yami flicked an ear, seeming to slowly process what he'd said, and turned to him. At first he was horrified and then his eyes grew wider and his ears flattened against his head. Yugi couldn't tell if he saw shame or embarrassment before the black wolf threw himself into the snow. He rubbed frantically against the ice to rid himself of the green coating.

When he got back up, Yugi hurried over, tail wagging and tongue lolling.

You looked like a Christmas tree! he teased. Yami grimaced at him, ears flicking to a sideways position as he huffed out a breath. Yugi licked his face, ignoring the taste in favor of embarrassing him further. When Yami gave him a slightly crestfallen but amused look, Yugi glanced over his shoulder again. Jonouchi and Yuya were playing catch with the carcass now. It landed across Jonouchi's face with a disgusting splat noise. Yugi cringed, wagging his tail, and Yuya screamed with laughter.

That is utterly disgusting, Aki said dryly from where her own patrol was coming through the trees toward them. The others were carrying some rabbits and squirrels but she was oddly empty handed. She stared at Jonouchi with a disgusted look and, beside her Mai wrinkled her nose and tilted her head slightly. Her sister turned on her, scoffing, And he's your newest lay?

Mai flicked an ear, scowled at her, and then hurried over to Jonouchi. She wagged her tail, laughing, That's so gross!

What can I say? I'm a messy eater!

I wonder if he does everything like he eats, Yami grumbled behind him. Mai barked and wagged her tail as she turned to them. Aki gave him a horrified look. Valon roared with laughter. Jonouchi shot him a slightly scornful look. Yuya seemed as if he wished he could sink into the floor. Shay eyed Jonouchi with disgust. Yusei flattened his ears and pawed at his muzzle. Yugi turned to him, laughing at Yami's horrified face as he realized he'd spoken out loud. Shit. That was supposed to be private.

You should work on your volume control then, aibou, Yugi teased, laughing.

Okay, yeah, well, shut up.

Yugi smiled at him, licking his cheek and panting as Yami shook himself out. When he looked past him Valon was playing catch with his rabbit again. Yugi hesitated for a long moment, then took off toward him. He felt Yami's stare on him as he left, but the black wolf made no move to follow and Yugi almost trembled with relief.

Valon caught the rabbit and scoffed, Oh, what now?

Just wanted to ask you something.

Again?

It's about Yubel.

Valon's eyes glinted. Go on then.

---

"And again."

Again? Yugi thought, frustrated and disbelieving. They'd been doing this for hours now, ever since Yugi had woken from his night terrors and Yami had groggily asked him if he'd wanted to train to take his mind off it. Whereas Yugi had been more alert initially, Yami had proven himself not to be underestimated. Tired as he was, he'd thrown Yugi flat on his ass several times in the span of a couple of minutes.

Everything had been practiced over and over and over, again and again and again.

Yugi had launched some terribly inaccurate, ineffective attacks against Yami more than once. And the red-eyed teen at first had seemed more amused than angry. And then he'd lost his temper entirely. When he'd thought Yugi was not paying attention enough—and, by the gods, Yugi would have argued with him if he'd had the breath to—he'd made him swear he would do everything until he finally got it right. He made Yugi come after him in a particular way every time, with not a single variation, until he successfully managed to beat him. And then he'd made it happen until Yugi could do it repeatedly.

Then he had attacked him in the exact same way every single time until Yugi could fend him off. He'd tackled him, pinned him by the throat, kicked him hard enough to throw him backwards, punched him in the chest, elbowed him violently in the shoulder, tossed him on his back, flipped him over his shoulder, and even simply thrown him like a rag doll and waited until he got up.
Putting all of this together into action was an entirely different story, however. Despite how well Yugi had done with one attack against the other, one defense to prevent the next, when Yami turned on him with a combination of each, he came up short every other time. It was more than just knowing the moves, he realized now. It was more than knowing how to block when a particular hit was thrown, he'd come to figure out.

It was learning to anticipate what was coming next. It was putting into action what he'd seen Yami do so many times before. It was all about gauging an opponent's movements and using them to his advantage.

But his experience seemed to be lacking.

And studying in the midst of a fight was hard.

His instincts were not as good a guide as he'd expected them to be.

Yami had gone easier on him the day before. Now he was teaching him some kind of cross between martial arts, street fighting, instinctive reactions, reflexes, and the brutality of survival being first and foremost in the mind. It was a kill-or-be-killed battle he was showing him now.

And the horrifying part was that Yami was good. He was terrifyingly good. He was better than Yugi had expected him to be. And that only made him all the more nervous about Yubel. She was faster than him. He was stronger, but she was faster. And the tempered violence in each move he displayed wasn't enough to combat that.

"You're not moving fast enough."

"You're too fast," he complained miserably. He swung half heartedly and missed by a mile. Yami didn't even have to dodge it. He simply blinked and stared. But he, thankfully, seemed to sense his exhaustion and didn't swing at his head as he would have earlier.

Yami tilted his head and studied him. "Remember your disadvantage then," he said quietly. And then he began to circle him lazily. "I'm faster. That means for right now I'm stronger."

"That about sums it up," Yugi agreed with a huff. He twisted around to keep track of him. "How does that help me, though?"

Yami grabbed him abruptly. His arms were pulled behind him. He was on his ass in a second. Yugi tipped his head backward. Yami was staring down at him, the smallest smirk on his face. "Don't get within range unless you're sure of yourself."

Yugi leaned backwards, collapsing against his legs and relishing the way Yami instinctively adjusted his grip. He was holding his hands, fingers almost completely twined together. His palms were warm against his. "Right. Well, I'm beat. And you've killed me like fifty times already. Can we call it a day for now?"

At first he looked as if he might argue. But instead he nodded. "Sure." He didn't release his hands, however, and Yugi wondered if he felt as lonely as he did. He wondered if the constant reminder of his failures haunted him just as much. If Yugi could not even manage to beat him in a mock fight, how was he supposed to stand up to the girl who had managed to nearly kill him more than once?

Yugi closed his eyes tightly. "What did you mean when you said that right now you're stronger?"

"Code Name Atem should be stronger than anyone else," Yami answered in a curt tone. He sounded faraway for a long moment and Yugi could see his eyes darkening with something like momentary irritation. And then his voice softened and his expression became easier. "There would never be much of a point otherwise, right?"

"No."

"You'll get there, though."

Yugi hesitated, then blurted, "You're avoiding my name again!"

Yami blinked and focused on him. He didn't talk for a long moment. Then he mumbled, voice barely above a whisper, "Sometimes, like this…I forget that you're Yugi, too. I can't always…remember."

"Well, try harder."

Yami was quiet again. Then he released him and stepped back. Yugi fell into the snow, blinking in confusion, and rolled over onto his stomach to consider him. The taller boy was a few feet back, eyes tired. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, voice coming out hollow and fractured. He wouldn't look at him. "I… Atem is meant to be a powerhouse and here I am…trying to train you to become him. And things just get blurred in my head and… I hate him so much."

"Right," Yugi growled, bristling. He forced himself to relax enough to soften his voice as he sat up on his knees and considered him. "And I hate him, too. I didn't want this. You didn't want this. But I hate it more when you act like that's all I am anymore. You forget who I am during training sometimes. And it's one of the most miserable things I've ever gone through. And what's worse is, if I were only Atem, don't you think you would have just gone ahead and put me out of my misery by now?"

Yami stiffened, eyes glittering as the pale ribbons of pink began to herald dawn. He looked so stunned by the declaration that Yugi felt almost winded. He shook his head, watching the taller boy and frowning.

"Lupa lied to you. She said you would have killed me in the labs after you'd been revived. She lied out of her ass to you. She told me the truth. She told me the way things were meant to actually happen. You killed me because I said I was Atem and I didn't know who else I was meant to be anymore. You killed me because of that. And then you went mad when you couldn't stand the pressure anymore."

Yami blinked at him, stunned and horrified. But the more closely Yugi looked, the more he could see something curious and bewildered in his eyes as well. He peered at him blankly, then closed his eyes and tilted his head the smallest fraction.

"And don't act as if it's not true," Yugi snarled, shivering as he considered how easily she'd shown him those events. He'd made the admission, and soon after Yami had done it. He'd ripped his throat out and left the corpse for the pack to find. "You're helping me because I'm Yugi. You're not helping because I'm Atem. You would kill me here and now if you thought I was becoming only Atem and no longer had any sense of who Yugi was anymore."

"Yes."

"Do you…do you realize how differently things would have gone if you hadn't known me?"

Yami was silent. When he opened his eyes again, Yugi could see it. He was picturing the destruction he had mentioned before. Or perhaps he was imagining simply that he would have found him beforehand. Maybe he was seeing himself hearing about Atem, finding him in the mountains or even possibly here in the city, tracking him down, fighting and killing him—

"You'd come out on top. You and I both know it."

"Maybe."

Yugi snorted. "Maybe?" he scoffed. "Where were you when we just sparred? You totally kicked my ass a million different times in just the last hour!"

It made him sick. He stared at him, studying. He could imagine it easily enough. Yugi was still inexperienced as a wolf. For only five months, however, he was not foolish. But he was not the smartest, nor the strongest. Had Yami been so far engulfed by his hatred and come for him, he would have been able to kill him easily. Yugi would never have been able to hold his own against him at his worst, no matter the things he might have done or learned before they crossed paths. His hatred ran too deep, his anger too persistent, and his strength was tightly intertwined with these emotions. He could have done it had they not known each other, never knowing what he could have—

"Don't play the what-if game. It never does anyone any good," he said bitterly. He turned away from him, glaring into the snow and narrowing his eyes. "I won't call you Atem. And I won't forget who you are."

Yugi stayed quiet, no doubt still lost in the grip of his morbid game of what-if. No doubt he was still remembering the words Lupa had shared with him but neglected to tell Yami himself.

"Besides, as I told you before," he murmured, turning to him and hoping more than ever that his voice might distract Yugi from his deeper thoughts, "it is not as if I wanted anything at all to do with Atem. If I had heard of you as Atem before I'd known you as Yugi, I would never have come to cross paths with you. I want nothing to do with him at all."

Yugi nodded slightly but Yami could tell that his words hardly sounded reassuring. Some small part of him went to apologize, but the other merely sneered with discomfort. He didn't know what he was supposed to tell him, nor how to say it. So he settled for looking away and wrapping his arms around his stomach tightly, feeling just as miserable as Yugi himself did.