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.

93. Purpose

Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh

Update schedule: Unknown due to limited time

Edit Schedule: Sporadic due to limited time

Chapter Warnings: Referenced Violence, Referenced Character Death, Wound Description, Referenced Survivor's Guilt, Mild Possessiveness, Hunting/Training, Referenced Depression/Self-Loathing, Referenced Trauma, COPIOUS Bloodshed/Violence

I'm not entirely sure I'm satisfied with this chapter, but fiddling around with it some more won't fix it for me. So, I'm going to go ahead and post it before I convince myself otherwise.

Anyways, so, updates on 94-96 are that 94 and 95 have their first drafts written and I'll be working on edits for them in my free time. 96 is still being written because there's a lot to unpack in that chapter. Beyond that, though, thankfully the chapters are remaining pretty similar in length so far. 96 might change that but I'm not sure. So, that in mind, hoping to finish this story by the first of the year (at the latest).

Chapter XCIII: Purpose

Work Log Entry LXXXII: June, 2010

June 4

Atem has become violent and volatile again. No one knows what has triggered the change in his behavior.

He's bitten four people and murdered one.

He's been sedated and put into a more docile state.

June 14

Atem has not attacked or hurt anyone since the fourth, when he had his random fit.

We do not know what caused it, but the boss is not worried about it.

June 20

The boss is back to being obsessed with Atem over the hellhounds again.

He visits the cage more often again and refuses to let anyone near him when he does so.

June 26

Atem looks as if he's dying again.

He's pale and sickly at times, and he occasionally breathes like he's suffocating.

Yugi glanced over, the smile on his face strained as his brows furrowed and his eyes darkened. "And I couldn't just…interest you in supplying me this?" he mumbled. He sounded like he was trying to make a joke but struggling not to scream. Valon raised a brow and cocked his head, considering just how thin the thread was that held Yugi together.

"You may be annoying, but I'm not going to be the one to kill you," he snickered. He turned away again and tapped his nails against the metal table, eyes sharpening and slight bitterness bleeding into his voice. "Yami would destroy me for sure."

Yugi grunted, clearly unwilling to lie and say otherwise. "So, then…this is what I have to work with." He shot him a sideways look full of restless pleading. "Any ideas?"

Valon snorted and folded his arms, putting his chin on his elbow. "You're the nutcase, not me. All I can say is that I hope you know what the fuck you're doing," he answered. His mouth felt oddly dry and stuffy as he looked over. "Does Yami understand what you're doing for him?"

Yugi pressed his lips into a thin line. "He does," he mumbled with a certainty that made Valon bristle for a single second. He tilted his head, considering the smaller boy as Yugi turned away and refused to face him again. His blue-violet eyes seemed almost pained for a single second. "He knows. He's…always known."

The hellhound felt the smallest spark of resentment and confusion come through him. Did he? Or was Yugi simply trying to convince himself? Why go to such huge lengths for a wolf blind to his sacrifices? Did he not understand the stakes of what might happen if he failed? And, yet, even as he thought it, he knew otherwise. Yugi was far from stupid. He might need help to rally himself to the lengths necessary to do half of what he'd done, but it was not with blind recklessness. He'd always planned it out, it seemed, even if it appeared otherwise. Foolish and hopeful as he was at times, Yugi seemed to have the most level head on his shoulders.

Valon could say that without debate.

Yami was the one who seemed to have lost interest in his own wellbeing. He was in some small dark corner of his mind where he refused to dig himself out. He was exhausted; anyone could see whatever haunted him had finally come fully to the surface. He might have been trying to force it away, but it held sway over him all the same. How he was even going to make it to the final fight was beyond him. It seemed almost impossible to consider.

"Does Yami know about this little exercise you're doing?"

Yugi froze from where he'd been scraping at Amelda's teeth with a glass slide. His eyes widened a single moment before he turned his head to look at him in alarm. His entire body spoke of a fight-or-flight instinct for a single heartbeat. And then he blinked it away again. He looked down and shook his head.

"Not yet. But if this leads to nowhere, why should I bother telling him?"

Valon shook his head. "And what if you just drop dead?"

Yugi bore his teeth, growling through them irritably. "Let's hope that doesn't happen," he sneered, "because that's going to be when he loses it."

The hellhound watched him a moment longer, then nodded and looked away. Amelda's gums had turned brilliant white like bones and his teeth were still thawing. But he didn't know that they'd offer much for Yugi as it was. He looked at the blank and glassy eyes and then turned his head. Yugi had scraped some liquid from the teeth and onto the slide but it didn't look like enough to actually study beneath a microscope. But then, Valon had never been amazing at science. He couldn't quite remember the marks he'd gotten, but he knew math had been by far easier.

Being a hellhound helped, however. When he'd first changed, everything had seemed suddenly to click. He'd understood then what he'd been missing in his studies. Every grade he'd gotten since had been high marks, with a low A as the weakest. He didn't know enough on the surface, however. His mind retained everything, but he didn't care enough to sort through it.

"Valon."

He blinked and raised his eyes. Yugi was staring at him, slightly amused but perhaps mildly flustered as well. "What?"

The lycanthrope eyed him a moment before looking away again. "This was a bust." Valon hadn't even realized he'd grabbed the microscope and inspected the slide. Yugi pushed it away and tapped his fingers against the table. "I need to go talk to Yami in a few minutes. I need to check on his side again."

He snorted. "And the head?"

Yugi looked over at him after a moment, then leaned forward and snatched the hybrid's head by its ear closest him. He shoved it towards him. "Keep it as a trophy. I don't care. You do something with it or I'll bury it out in the woods somewhere."

The hellhound considered him, then glanced down. A trophy did sound kind of nice. But he wasn't sure that was one he truly needed. He raised a brow, then wrinkled his nose. "I'll get rid of it. Go see Yami."

He furrowed his brows. "What? No, I was kidding; I'll do it."

"You have a new plan to come up with," he murmured, grabbing the head and holding it towards himself as if it were a soccer ball. The frozen muscles looked as if they might relax at some point, the face fall and lose its horrified expression. "And his side needs mending, remember? I'll get rid of the head."

Yugi was quiet for a long minute. "Why do you think this didn't work?"

Valon glanced at him, startled by the crestfallen expression he wore now. "Maybe it was the cold. Or maybe he never had the gene. I don't know. I… Sorry." He shrugged when Yugi glanced at him. "I can't do anything for you."

Yugi eyed him for a moment as if he might argue, then straightened abruptly. "Can I expect to see you at the camp tomorrow?"

"If not, then the day after. Saiko is pretty determined to get us up and out of Hokkaido in the next handful of days. We're packing even while I'm running off to the camp like this." He sighed, a small ember of amusement warming his belly. "She's convinced we can outrun this disaster."

Yugi smiled slightly, tight-lipped and tired. "Maybe she can."

And wasn't that the worst of it all? Yugi himself had no choice. He was trapped in it. He was ensnared, putting himself in the very center of it all. If he'd been smarter, he would have tried sooner. He'd always understood it would come upon him eventually, but he'd hoped in the smallest bit of himself he could avoid the carnage and bloodshed somehow, that he could outrun it like Saiko was still capable. Somehow he'd been so damn hopeful. And utterly pathetic for believing it.

He exhaled slowly. "And you're going to follow her?"

"I'm going for Kris," Valon answered immediately, almost callous in tone.

"You're a good big brother."

Valon stared at him as if he'd grown an extra head. His golden eyes widened faintly, peering at him skeptically for what felt a long handful of minutes. Then he blinked and looked away. "I guess so."

Yugi watched him as he snatched the head from the table. The hellhound turned on his heel, making his way to the door. Yugi followed a moment later, swallowing a curse as he opened it for him and locked it behind them both. Valon still blamed him for Yami and Obelisk kidnapping his sister, he knew. And he knew Valon would have rather sometimes fought Yami, the aggression clear and focused when they were alone for more than a few seconds. Valon did not always show it, but when Yami drifted too close, he'd sometimes stop and turn his head in a slow and deliberate movement. They'd locked eyes more than once, holding as if with challenge, before Valon would seemingly remember himself and abandon the potential fight. He sometimes stiffened minutely, bristling faintly, when Yami got within a yard or so of him. His entire stance changed in a matter of milliseconds. It was gone before it was able to be acknowledged, however. But it was there.

And he knew Yami saw it. There were times in which he stopped short or pointedly ignored the hellhound's existence. He didn't press on it. He never spoke of it. But when their eyes had locked those few times, Yugi had seen the intent to fight—or even kill—in his gaze. Yami would not take a beating lying down. He wouldn't let Valon turn on him without potentially ripping him to pieces as well.

Yugi was just thankful neither of them were so foolish. He didn't know what he'd do if they came to blows. If they turned on one another Yugi was sure they'd kill each other. Yami might come back, but it wouldn't be without damage. And he had a feeling Valon could deal a more permanent infliction if he were to try.

He opened his mouth to thank him, then shut it again. Valon didn't call him out on the motion, and they separated a few minutes later. The hellhound nodded at him, turning on his heel and carrying their former schoolmate's head in the opposing direction. Yugi watched him until he couldn't anymore, wondering briefly if Yubel truly was smart enough to be afraid of him.

It almost seemed amazing that she had any sense of self-preservation whatsoever. She'd come into a fight with the two of them, knowing full well just how strong a Pure-Blood was rumored to be. And she must have heard the rumors of what Atem had gone through. And yet she'd rushed into a fight with them without a care in the world.

If Yami had not hallucinated it all, if she truly had run from Valon, they'd lose their biggest edge when he left. Yugi would have to lead them to the labs before the hellhound noticed his absence.

The moment they lost their edge, it was over.

He turned on his heel, heading the opposite direction and toward the woods. A patrol of perhaps ten wolves was nearby. Yugi waited at the edge of the trees, stripped, and changed. He trotted past them without a second look—Mana, Shay, Yuya, Ute were the only ones visible to him when he left them there—and listened as they whispered about whether to follow. Eventually he heard them head further away, abandoning the idea of checking on him, and he ignored the various others he crossed paths with as he made his way to the camp. The silence was a welcome companion as he glanced around.

Chazz was sunbathing in a tiny patch of light scattered between the dense clouds, eyes half-closed with pleasure and chin on his paws. He looked up, startled, and turned away with a glance at the others. Jonouchi sat nearby, head snapped around to look at him with a mildly surprised expression that quickly turned relieved, as if he'd been afraid he had run off to do something stupid. Yugi almost laughed and asked him if he guess at the newest stupid thing he'd planned for this war. But it passed as he looked away. Mai was passed out a few feet away, and yards away, was Yami. The black wolf was curled up so tightly he looked shrunken, his wounded side hidden entirely from view as his body was wracked with hideous tremors.

Yugi sighed softly and picked his way forward slowly, cautious as he made his steps light. He didn't want to startle him. Yami might be unable to catch himself and sink his teeth in before he realized what he was doing.

Don't wake him, Jonouchi growled, sounding flustered. He just managed to fall asleep.

The wound is festering, Yugi argued, turning to face him with his ears flattened. Jonouchi froze from where he'd gotten up to stretch, eyes growing wide with alarm. Yugi tilted his head. You couldn't smell it? Even curled up so tightly like this I can smell it on him. His side is rotting from Sartorius's saliva.

Jonouchi blinked, visibly shaken, and then hurried over. He shook himself out when he got a yard away, watching him with wide eyes. He wouldn't let me do anything else with it. He came back from wherever he went and I packed it with ice and he groomed it a little bit. But then he curled up again and wouldn't do anything else when I tried to get him to talk.

Yami had left at some point? Where would he have gone? He hadn't tried to follow him, so why would he have bothered leaving the camp? Yugi shook his head to dismiss the thought and turned away. He's going to have to wake up. I need to look at it. I don't want it getting any worse than it already is. He paused and studied the black wolf. I need to train. So, he's got to be awake for that.

Yami was still breathing, though somewhat labored. Yugi hesitated a moment, then came forward and nudged at his hip with his nose. Yami snarled, snapping his teeth as he lunged forward. His fangs were a mere millimeter from Yugi's nose when he stopped short. His eyes were wild, startled and fearful, and his pupils were mere pinpricks. But it faded a split second later. He blinked, lips drawn back to show his teeth, and then huffed angrily, his exhale bathing Yugi's nose with heat.

He would have killed me, Jonouchi grumbled. But, of course, he stops for you.

The sound of his complaints made Yami's eyes flicker over. His entire body fluffed up with a bristle for a single moment. Then he blinked once, long and slow, and looked down. He shifted his weight once, his side shuddering with pain, and lowered his head again to bury beneath his tail. Yugi snorted and leaned forward, nudging his hip and chuckling when Yami snarled and glared in turn.

Don't you grumble at me, he teased, nipping his ear. Yami glared and raised his head, baring his teeth. Yugi wagged his tail, tilting his head and opening his mouth into a wide sloppy grin. Yami opened his mouth as if he might lunge and Yugi flicked his tongue over the black wolf's nose. Yami blinked, startled, and huffed. I'm going to look at your side.

Yami seemed to understand the phrasing well enough to know Yugi would force it on him to be able to clean it. His ears flicked, eyes almost glowing with rage, and then turned away. He huffed, but it sounded almost breathless, and threw himself backward to expose the marred flesh. Be gentle. It hurts.

Yugi could tell just by looking at it. It was inflamed, bright red like blood where the flesh wasn't completely stripped away. Under his fur the pale skin was bright and sore-looking. It was swollen where his back leg met his flank, the muscle pulled and chafed from having curled up so tightly. If Sartorius had managed but half an inch further back he'd have gotten a major artery. But even with that blind luck, it did nothing to obscure just how bad the wound truly was.

Yugi sighed softly, sniffing. Yami shivered at each exhale, as if he were in pain just at the touch. Yugi wondered then if maybe he'd be better off taking him to the clinic. He could give him an IV with painkillers and then work on stitching him together and—

Yami couldn't walk that far. Yugi couldn't drag him without risking hurting him further. But carrying him he knew would simply make Yami panic. And he didn't think Yami would want the painkillers to begin with. He seemed rather determined to simply suffer through it.

And, as he looked it over a second time, he realized the skin was so torn apart he likely couldn't have stitched it back together regardless.

He'd have to settle for cleaning it, checking as he did so to make sure the tissue wasn't dead. None of it had blackened at the moment, but that didn't mean it wouldn't if he didn't keep watch of it. Yugi couldn't tell if it had been groomed or shed. But he didn't think Yami was so terribly unhealthy he couldn't heal from it without further outside intervention beyond cleaning.

Yugi barely suppressed the instinct to recoil. The blood on his tongue caked atop his taste buds, threatening to suffocate him as it seemingly thickened. The rancid taste made his entire body stiffen with displeasure and he fought the urge to scrub his tongue against the ice. His nose was clogged, nerves tingling as he breathed and continued cleaning the wound.

Yami was asleep when he finished. The wound was slightly red with new blood, the flesh around no longer swollen or hideously pink. The irritation seemed long gone again. The pale shade was almost entirely uniform as it should have been. His breathing was even and steady and he no longer twitched.

Yugi exhaled softly, comforted by the sight. His tongue felt swollen and tasted almost of metal. His skin shuddered along his spine and his nose was running. He shook himself out, pricking his ears forward, and sighed softly as he looked over his shoulder.

Jonouchi had curled up again. Mai had come over to his side, snuggled against him with her head across his shoulders. They looked comfortable and happy, and Yugi was almost amazed they didn't wag their tails in their sleep. But he also wondered how long it would last.

Mai had a clear attraction to Valon. No one spoke about it, but everyone noticed it. Yugi himself was simply waiting. He had no doubt in his mind. Mai may have felt strongly towards Jonouchi—and Yugi didn't know if they were mates or not, despite what was sometimes said—but Yugi also knew she was a runner. She was like Yami in that manner. Neither of them knew how to accept happiness or good thing in their lives. They reacted like startled cats and lashed out against it.

And Mai was obviously happy. It may not have been as apparent as it had been with Otogi when he'd been alive, but it was there all the same. Someone just had to look and they'd see it. But she was scared. And she was going to run. She was self-sabotaging like Yami did. If Yami were in her place and Yugi in Jonouchi's, he wouldn't have been surprised to find Yami wandering off to be with someone else as well. He'd have liked to believe otherwise, but Yami tended to find guilt and panic where he experienced happiness. He felt wrong for even feeling the smallest trace of comfort. Yugi knew that.

There was so much survivor's guilt that the entire pack as a whole possessed. They'd watched friends or family get murdered. They'd found broken bodies lying around, gotten their time with them before they were buried. And all of them either showed their anxiety in sabotage or they buried it within themselves so far that Yugi was waiting for it to burst forth at the exact wrong moment.

Yugi hoped she wouldn't do it, but it seemed inevitable. Mai would likely run off to be with Valon at some point. And Jonouchi would be devastated…

He looked over at Yami slowly. In truth, had Yugi found out Yami were with someone as well as him, he'd likely rip his competition's throat out. It made his skin crawl to admit. He didn't like to think he was so petty. But wolves didn't seem to like sharing. Otogi had been mildly possessive of Mai, though he felt that was brought on more by Jonouchi's blatant stares and possible drooling. And Jack had refused most often to leave Carly's side. Marik hadn't been committed to anyone, but then no one had seemed all too eager to spend time with him for the most part regardless.

It didn't matter.

He'd have turned on someone—anyone—else over Yami. It didn't matter if it was Anzu, Jonouchi, Honda, Otogi, Mai, Valon; he'd have readily turned on them. He might not have killed them, but he would have definitely beaten them until they couldn't walk properly any longer. And he might not have liked to think that way, but it was true. The bloodbath would have been immense.

Unless Yami truly came to him and said he wanted to be with someone who wasn't him, that they made him happier, Yugi would have gone after them. It was a shallow thought, and it didn't make him happy to realize, but that was how it would have gone all the same.

He took the spot next to the black wolf a few moments later, stretching out to lay his chin on his paws and stare at the trees a little further ahead. His tongue was numb, almost frozen, and he vaguely wondered if it was even still there. It felt oddly detached, long gone. Trying to remain comfortable like this was almost impossible.

Hours later, when Yami finally stirred again, Yugi found himself still awake and watching a small snowflake drift along in front of his nose. He watched from his peripheral as Yami blinked his eyes open, red gaze still groggy and darkened with something Yugi couldn't quite read. His toes wriggled along his front paws, the fur rising briefly along his scruff and slowly down his back. And then, suddenly, he lurched forward and upright. His legs almost didn't bend from the abrupt movement and Yugi found himself unable to keep from turning his head to stare with wide eyes. Yami shuffled his weight, as if testing to make sure each limb still worked, and slowly took a seat. His back popped so loudly Yugi flinched and Jonouchi startled awake with a panicked snarl.

Yami looked tired and small when he bunched his limbs together and lowered his head a portion. He turned to Jonouchi, mumbled a vague, Apologies, and then faced Yugi. Yugi.

He sat up immediately, fur rising into a bristle as he looked at him in alarm. What? he demanded, flustered. He scrambled to his feet and gave him what he was sure seemed an anxious look. What happened?

Have you rested any?

Yugi nodded slightly, though he doubted Yami would believe him. Yeah, I did. He shook himself out and exhaled a long, slow breath. Yami had sounded so urgent a moment ago, and yet he seemed rather relaxed now. Yugi flicked his ears and ignored the skeptical look Yami peered at him with. Why? Are you hungry?

Yami stared at him as if he had two heads for a moment. Then he glanced around with his head tilted and his eyes narrowed slightly. When he turned back, his voice was quiet and tired. Yes. I am hungry. His ears flicked every which way before he abruptly got to his feet. And we can go hunt later. But are you truly rested? I had…hoped to train.

Yugi blinked and grinned. Training it is!

The sour look Yami shot him alerted Yugi to the fact that his failure to answer his question had not gone unnoticed. Yugi ducked his head and wagged his tail sheepishly. Yami stared at him, studying for a long time, and then finally sighed and turned away.

---

If Yami were at his healthiest and his weight where it should have been, Yugi would have made jokes about him looking fat as a wolf. As it was, the wolf only seemed half of what he was meant to be, all fur and muscle and grizzle. He didn't have the extra padding of thicker skin or fur that looked glossy and warm to the touch. And his back legs seemed small and lean and gangly where they'd once been well muscled and the strength so apparent it was almost shocking.

In truth, Yugi was just relieved at this point that he didn't have to argue with Yami to eat. He'd been so reluctant when Yugi had originally killed the boar and taken a few bites that he'd almost expected Yami to simply starve. He didn't know what had triggered his reluctance. He assumed it was because he was so unstable, but he didn't know for sure. And he wished Yami would have just gone for the food. But the black wolf had hesitated, staring at the carcass for so long Yugi was scared he'd simply turn and run. But his stomach had growled and Yami had lost the anxiety that gripped him, wandering forward to eat. Yugi had watched him as he'd eaten for the better part of the hour, waiting for him to get his fill before he tried to coax him along again.

How there was still any meat left was a mystery to him. He didn't think it should have had any, considering every other breath Yami seemed to gulp food down. How he hadn't inhaled three hundred pounds of meat was bewildering. How he still managed to breathe and not choke on blood was yet another question.

The black wolf pulled away abruptly, shaking himself out. Yugi got to his feet and Yami froze in place. His eyes shot to him first. Then his head turned slowly, as if his neck were too stiff to move. Grizzle hung from his lips, bright red against his dark fur. His eyes shone, cold and glittering like gems. His ears pricked further forward for a single second. And then he blinked and Yugi could see something in his eyes slowly shifting and working its way to the surface.

Yugi blinked and wondered what had happened, if he hadn't recognized him at first. And then he shook himself out. Yami came forward a step, making Yugi turn immediately back.

Did you…want to train some more?

Yugi tilted his head and wagged his tail hesitantly. Shouldn't you rest for thirty minutes or something? I mean, you need to let it digest or whatever, right?

Yami snorted and wagged his tail. It is not as if we will be hunting live prey again. And I did not plan to fight you. He looked around for a long handful of minutes, as if surveying their surroundings for something he hadn't seen formerly. If it is necessary for me to wait thirty minutes for what I have planned, then I am far worse off than either of us assumed.

Yugi grimaced as Yami made his way over to one of the neighboring trees. Your side wasn't so bad when I left, Yugi said softly, getting to his paws and wandering forward. Yami froze in place, as if the words had taken the energy from him entirely. He stared into the trees as if he were possessed for a single moment, eyes darkening minutely as Yugi moved to his side and peered at him. What happened while I was gone?

Yami stayed silent, eyes slowly flickering to his face. His entire body was stiff before he leaned forward and placed his paws onto the trunk of the tree. His eyes were glued to his claws for a moment before he finally turned his head to watch him. I suppose it does not matter. It wasn't meant to be a secret, he mumbled, then dug his claws further into the bark. I went to speak with Slifer and Obelisk.

Yugi flinched before he could stop himself. Oh? He was unable to speak louder than a whisper. His stomach churned and his ears flattened briefly. What for, aibou?

It is of no importance, Yami dismissed. And Yugi felt he might have been telling the truth, that it was not important to him, but could have made an entire world of difference to Yugi himself. But something passed over Yami's eyes, a hideous shadow which crept forth and swallowed what little light remained. Yugi bristled with alarm, startled by the ferocity that crackled in the air for a single moment, a billowing heat that threatened to smother him entirely. Yami blinked again, voice low and almost guttural. You needn't worry yourself about it.

Yugi went to argue, but whatever had passed over Yami made his heart squeeze in his chest and he could not imagine pressing against it. He nodded slightly, wagging his tail and snickering, Needn't? You sound so old! He gave him a sloppy grin when Yami turned to stare at him in surprise. Yugi wagged his tail harder. You sound like you stepped out of some old time novel or something.

Yami wagged his tail in turn, eyes softening with laughter as he turned away. If I were not immortal, I'd be offended.

Yugi guffawed. You're only sixteen! You should be offended!

Yami turned away, chuckling as he pricked his ears forward. How would you know? I could be super old and just have retained my… preternatural beauty.

Yugi would have rolled his eyes if he'd been human. Instead he shook himself out. He highly doubted he'd have gotten so aroused so often by someone so much older than him, though, then again, it was Yami. And Yami was ridiculously hot. Maybe he'd have overlooked the age gap for that. Although if he were the same personality wise, he knew he'd have been a goner. Yami might have been hard around the edges, but when he trusted someone he was the sweetest wolf in existence.

But he wasn't going to tell him that.

We have the same birthday, he decided to say, grinning when Yami glanced at him, and I'm sure the gods wouldn't have let the experiments go on for that long, you know?

The experiments have gone on for a long time. He turned away, voice bitter and resentful. He shook himself out, bristling, and Yugi felt as if the air were heating up again. The kidnappings were happening before your mother heard rumors, I'm sure. And even if you are right and the experiments are only twenty to thirty years old rather than a hundred or so, the wolves have been suffering since long before. The werewolf witch trials happened a hundred or so years before.

Yugi tipped his head to the side, watching for a long handful of seconds. They suffered in the Ice Age and that suffering followed them long after. I understand that. I just… He faltered, shaking his head. I just wish it wasn't…like that.

Yami stayed silent a long while. Then he turned away, pricking his ears forward to stare at the snow. His nose twitched once and Yugi saw him shift his weight. Yes, well, that's the way of life. You are born, you suffer, you die. Or, if you're me, you're born, you suffer, you suffer some more, and you still can't die.

You said you don't want to die.

His eyes flashed, burning with caution as he turned to him. I do not want to die, he said spitefully, but it happens. And I come back. And the more I come back, the less I care about dying. What is the point of fearing it when I come back mere minutes later?

Yugi bristled, unable to stop himself snarling. How about the fact I don't want to see you hurt and I especially don't want to see you dead? What about that? Do you even care?

The black wolf stared at him blankly for a long moment. His eyes glittered with something Yugi couldn't quite name, but the silence made his chest feel tight and his lungs ached as if he'd been punched. Why must you always pick such terrible topics to discuss? Yami dismissed abruptly, turning away. It is rather morbid.

So, does that mean you don't care?

Yami snorted and craned his head back to look up at the branches once more. Perhaps, if you are so inclined to continue this conversation when I am not. When he remained quiet a few minutes longer, Yugi nearly snapped his teeth at him. But the black wolf mumbled, I care more for you than myself.

Yugi almost flinched at the quiet declaration. Yami trembled for a single brief moment, then exhaled slowly and turned away. His eyes shut tight and Yugi studied his almost pained stance. But it passed a moment later. The black wolf raised his head to look up at the tree branches overhead. He put his paws on the trunk, leaning upward and staring at a limb near his reach. His claws scraped and shredded the bark, the loud noise making Yugi flinch back, and chomped his teeth. The ferocity made Yugi back up a step with wide eyes. The wood snapped, splintering before the top half of the branch fell to the ground.

Yugi hesitated, watching Yami for a moment or so, and then exhaled slowly and came forward. If you wanted to play fetch, all you had to do was ask. He meant for the words to sound teasing, but he swore he sounded almost like he'd swallowed the squeaker from a dog toy.

And he couldn't understand why. He knew just how powerful Yami actually was, just how terrible his jaws. But something about his stance had sent alarms through him and he'd been unable to shake his fear for that single split second.

Yami dropped to all fours again, blinking and looking down at the fallen branch. He grabbed it in his mouth, pulling it up, and gave him a bland look as his ears flattened. Oh, you are the funniest wolf I have ever met. Surely you will tell me more jokes.

Yugi snorted and wagged his tail. Yami tilted his head, the branch tipping high over their heads. The twigs tapered off in the air like fingers and the snow left a dark gray shadow across the surface of the branch. The wood was still sturdy, rather healthy despite the winter air and frost that had likely caused some rotting.

Are we…practicing with that?

Yami nodded slightly, the branch swaying where it hit the snow. Ice flew through the air, crystals falling away so that it hit and covered half his face. Yami startled visibly and Yugi burst out laughing, leaning forward to lick his nose and wag his tail. Yami bore his teeth in something of a snarl that looked almost like a grin, and wagged his tail in turn.

I would usually suggest we hunt, Yami finally mumbled, but I am not inclined to do so. I am tired, and my side is still sore. I would rather not open it again. And I would like to keep my involvement minimal beyond holding the branch. And it will help your jaw power regardless.

You could have told me you were so tired and I would have left you alone to rest. He hesitated, then flattened his ears and tilted his head. Yami had requested he come out with him to train more, but… You didn't have to come help me like this. It would have been okay if I was on my own to hunt.

Yami shook his head and looked sidelong at the branch in his jaws. I did not want to leave you to the possibility of getting hurt, he answered softly, almost awkwardly. He shifted his weight, eyes on the snow beneath his paws. At least if I was here, then you would have a second person to help should something go wrong.

Yugi studied him, then came forward to nuzzle him. Yami's whiskers tickled his cheek where they brushed against it. And he shivered, satisfied even as the darker-furred canine stepped back and turned his face aside. It wasn't a move to get away; it was to keep him from getting hit with the branch he held. Yugi almost laughed but wagged his tail in acknowledgment instead.

How are we going to do this?

You'll start from the other end, the smaller one, and work your way down. Do it in increments of about six inches. The branch is about four feet long. It should work for a while. Yami looked hesitant as he considered it once more. Yugi wondered at his expression. I will hold the branch and you will have to jump up with your mouth open. The more you do it, the better your aim, your jaw power, and your leg muscles.

Yugi nodded slightly and considered the branch curiously. I'm aiming using increments of six inches, he mumbled to reaffirm the words to himself. He stepped forward and eyed the limb more pointedly, studying the twigs. He wondered if they'd splinter and bury themselves in his flesh when he clamped his maw shut. Right…

We'll kill three birds with one stone.

Yugi snorted before he could stop himself. Three birds instead of two; that sounded good, he supposed. Yami shot him an amused look and straightened, raising his head and holding the branch high above Yugi. The white wolf angled his head up, studying it and wondering at where to lunge first. His ears flicked once and he glanced at the muscles in Yami's neck, observing with relief the lack of strain he seemed to experience from the movement.

Yugi took four steps back, ran forward two, and sprang with so much force he almost cleared the branch.

The twigs snapped loudly in his mouth. Each small extension sounded like gunshots where it echoed in his ears. When he landed, his mouth was bleeding. The twigs were like splinters in his gums, scraping and itching. His teeth ached from the onslaught of wood. But the pain faded almost instantly.

Yami eyed him critically for a moment, guilt making his eyes darken as he flattened his ears. I should have shaved it, he mumbled, sounding almost breathless with shame as he lowered his head and dropped the branch.

Yugi wiggled a splinter loose with his tongue and spat it out on the snow. The twigs were soaked, darkened and smeared with blood where'd they lodged into his flesh. His mouth tingled for only a second and he could no longer feel the holes they'd formerly inhabited. He shook himself out, looking over. You don't say, he teased, wagging his tail to show all was forgiven. Was it the sound of them breaking or the smell of blood?

Yami flattened his ears impossibly further. I seem to lack forethought today. My apologies, he mumbled. He lowered his eyes and Yugi licked his nose and grinned sloppily. I didn't think this through.

Yugi licked his nose again and wagged his tail until his body was shaking with the movement. It's okay. No harm done!

I should have thought it through, Yami said again, shaking his head. He shuffled his paws in an almost bashful manner and sighed. Yugi went to reassure him once more but was cut off. Are you ready to try again?

Yugi decided not to press. Okay.

Yugi practiced another handful of hours, late into the night. His paws ached, tired from the cold, when they finally stopped. His claws were covered in frost, his tongue blistered from splinters. His gums had long since become resistant to it, pushing them out again mere seconds after impact. He didn't tell Yami this was the case, but he was sure the other wolf had noticed. The lack of blood when he spat them out had likely hinted at the change of pace in his healing. And Yami never said a word, simply holding the branch as high as he could and even rising onto his back legs to make Yugi try for a longer jump. Yugi's back legs stung from the constant exercise, leaping high and twisting to land heavily on his paws.

Yugi ran his tongue over his nose, his skin twitching along his shoulders. The snow had soaked through from the constant movement and the heat his body produced, chilling him and almost wracking him with tremors. He panted and looked at Yami in askance.

Surely his neck was sore. He'd been holding those branches over their heads for so long. And, as Yugi went to ask him, Yami suddenly fell forward. He tottered on his back legs until the limbs abruptly buckled. And then he hit the snow muzzle-first, collapsing as the branch fell to the ground as well. His side rippled, back legs trembling. He slowly pulled himself up, unsteady and visibly exhausted.

Shit, Yugi blurted, you okay?

Yami dropped the branch and shook himself out, pricking his ears and staring at the spot he'd landed moments before. He yawned, mouth gaping wide as Yugi thought of the pictures at the café—

I don't want to train like this anymore.

Yami snapped his jaws shut with an audible click. His eyes narrowed and he stayed quiet for a long minute. Okay. He was winded; Yugi could hear it in the way his exhale whistled. We can go home if you would like.

And Yugi wished with everything in him that he could agree to that. He wished he could go home and lay in their makeshift bed and snuggle against him as Yami hummed or mumbled something about how he was improving his fighting skills or anything. He just wanted to hear him talk, because the further away Yami got from him and the more he began to recognize him as Atem rather than Yugi, the less he spoke. And Yugi always wondered if he'd wake up one day to Yami silent, refusing again to speak but rather than mourning he'd be wallowing in his anger before he turned on him. It was always there, somewhere in the back of his mind. Sometimes waking with him felt like a guessing game. He felt the way Yami stiffened and the stare he sometimes gave the back of his head if Yugi wasn't immediately up and moving around. He felt it when his fingers tightened around his shoulders or his jaw clenched so forcefully that his teeth ground together from pressure. He heard the way his heart sometimes either slowed drastically, as if he were trying to quiet it so as to not let Yugi know he was there, or speed and rocket to new heights as if with the adrenaline needed to end his life.

Yugi couldn't afford to agree to go home, however. He knew that. Yami would retreat. He could see it in his eyes. He'd run and the distance he'd make would take Yugi months to recover. And he didn't have months. He had moments, minutes, hours, days. It was no longer a matter of weeks. It was days.

And Lupa only knew how many.

Yugi flattened his ears and came forward a step. We can't, he said simply, and he saw Yami's expression twist with frustration and guilt at the suggestion, as if ashamed for the very mention. He wagged his tail and tilted his head, giving him a small smile. I thought we'd do something else, though. If you're interested… I could use a good run.

Yami hesitated, then cast a slightly bewildered glance at his side. Yugi licked his cheek and pressed his muzzle into his shoulder, reveling in just how utterly warm the other boy truly was. We won't get separated. I won't let anything happen. And if it hurts too much, we'll…go back to the camp. Because they couldn't go home yet. He couldn't let Yami hide right now. The other wolf was struggling just to keep his head above water now. If he gave him the chance to truly run, they would be ruined. But I need to move faster. Running will help with that.

You already run faster than me, Yami pointed out, voice mixed with frustration and bewilderment. You proved as much when Yubel attacked the camp.

And I haven't run that fast since.

Yami eyed him for what felt a lifetime, as if he were unsure. Then he looked away and flicked his ears every which way, as if praying for some kind of excuse, before finally sighing. Okay. He lowered his head and shot him a sideways glance. We'll need to start slow. My legs are not the best at the moment.

A wave of guilt crashed through him. He had just watched him collapse mere moments ago and now he was pressing for him to run. No wonder Yami looked so worn out. He was obviously nervous about his legs collapsing beneath him at some point.

We can wait—

No, we will do it now. It's the best time. We are alone. The hellhounds won't be in the area just yet. Yami shook himself out and Yugi watched him test his weight discreetly on his paws, shifting and pressing them more prominently in the snow. His ears pricked forward, mouth opening slightly as he started past him. Yugi quickly gained the spot at his side, moving to fall in step with him, in stride so completely that their legs were in sync.

How far should we go?

Yugi didn't quite have an answer to the question, flattening his ears slightly. He considered for a long handful of minutes, debating what to say.

We will head for the river. Once we make it to the banks should I still be standing, we'll head for the camp, Yami said abruptly, disturbing his thoughts entirely. He turned to Yugi with his head tilted and his eyes slightly narrowed. I don't think I can change and go to the house. If it is okay with you, I'd rather rest at the camp.

Yugi faltered, startled by the declaration, and watched his face. He looked away, pricking his ears forward and resisting the urge for a single second to tease him that he needed him to repeat that statement. Okay, aibou. Then we'll go to the river and we can rest for a little while before we go back to camp.

Yami shook his head. I can't afford to rest. I won't be able to get up again. We can slow down when we get to the river, but I cannot take time to rest. And I do not know that I could run from there after.

He nodded again. Okay, aibou. He wanted to lick his cheek, but he knew Yami would flinch away. He could not fault him should he be so exhausted he failed to start again. He kept moving instead, Yami matching his steps. They began to pick up speed towards the end of the hill they'd been at the crest of. Yami was trotting when they reached the flatter slope of forest floor. And then he was running as they neared the lake's edge. Yugi was relieved to see he was not limping, but he took a noticeably longer time to pick up speed.

They neared the edge of the copse when Yami finally broke out into a full sprint. He wasn't going as fast as usual, but he picked up speed rapidly all the same. Yugi hurried after him, feeling his muscles burn as they strained from the pressure of moving so quickly. He was in sync with him now, legs stretched and moving just as swiftly as Yami's own. Yami was panting when they reached the river minutes later. He was trembling when he stopped at the bank, head lowered and tongue lolling.

Yugi heard something dripping and landing on the snow. He pricked his ears and turned his head, bewildered for only a moment. The metallic scent that hit his nose made the fur rise along his scruff. He blinked, then faltered; Yami was panting and shivering and Yugi couldn't help but notice the blood across the snow. Yugi flattened his ears and pressed his nose into the other wolf's shoulder.

Does it hurt?

It stings, Yami grumbled. He looked down again, running his tongue over the wound. The black wolf took a seat and shivered. Yugi circled him, ignoring the growl and bared teeth Yami displayed immediately after. The wound looked swollen again, bleeding copiously toward the center but not the edges, and he could see where it had cycled through healing and tearing more than a few times. The flesh was mottled with black where the tissue had died, but his fur was soaked and plastered to his side in several areas as well.

We'll clean it when we get back to camp. Yugi froze when Yami fixed him with a frozen stare, one so blank he almost thought the black wolf might lunge. We'll go to the alpha den and lay down in there. It'll be warm and isolated and we'll be undisturbed for a little while.

But it wouldn't last long. Both of them knew that.

No doubt Yami was the pack's biggest talking point again. If they rested in the den, he was sure the others would become curious and spy on them every now and then. The smell of blood would peak their interest, if nothing else. And Yugi didn't have a plan to distract them.

He shook himself out, pricking his ears forward. I suppose. Yami licked his side again, closing his eyes halfway before he finally seemed to relax. But we need to get back to the camp. My legs are threatening to give out.

Yugi nodded slightly, moving to his side. Yami snapped his teeth and bristled but didn't make further noise. Yugi hovered a moment, then sighed and stepped back. And there's no chance you'll let me pack the wound?

It's bleeding because it's healing. I just shouldn't have run that fast, Yami grumbled, flicking his ears and shaking himself out again. I was trying to keep up and I'm not made for that kind of speed.

What? I was trying to keep pace with you!

Yami snorted and shook his head. You never noticed you got ahead of me so many times? He glanced around and pressed his ears against his head. I barely caught up before we got to the river.

Yugi shook his head. I thought I was beside you the entire time. He could have sworn he had been. There were a couple of times he realized now that he hadn't seen Yami in his peripheral any longer, but he'd assumed it was from the direction they'd gone down the hill. He'd thought Yami had slowed down to keep from stumbling and falling over himself. He hadn't suspected for even a moment that he'd gotten ahead of him. It had not even occurred to him. Fuck, I'm sorry. I… I'll slow down next time. I thought…

That would defeat the purpose. Yami shook himself out again, then slowly padded up the hill, following the line of the river where it was buried beneath a thick sheen of ice. Yugi realized as he followed that there was no longer even the faintest of trickling to announce its presence. It must have gotten colder; it was still getting colder.

He remembered Valon saying it would be the worst winter since the Lunar Ascension. Winter had come a little earlier than usual, perhaps by a day or even as slight as an hour. But it had been snowing since. The river was frozen, which meant the dam near the preserve was as well. And if the river and the dam were frozen, it was only a matter of time before the water in the tunnels and the fall that guarded the camp did as well.

We were trying to get you used to running faster.

Yugi watched him pant, counting the seconds between each burst of white streaming across his face. He came to his side again, circling. I'm still sorry that I got ahead of you.

I did not ask you to slow, he reminded him, eyes brightening with amusement. It was my choice.

Yugi tilted his head and went to answer, then stopped. It didn't matter; he'd never gotten away from him entirely. Yami had always been close by, had been able to keep up with him for the most part. And he did not appear to be in any pain at the moment but for the reopened wound. His muscles were not screaming with agony and he didn't seem any worse off than he had when they'd left the clearing. He supposed all in all it was a success.

They continued to the camp in silence. Yugi kept to his side as close as possible without overcrowding him. Yami had his head lowered, sniffing occasionally but mostly panting and sometimes shivering as he looked around. Yugi went to speak several times, but stopped short. Yami seemed as if he were lost in his thoughts and he didn't want to interrupt or startle him from them. And, at times, he almost suspected Yami didn't realize he was there with him anymore. Yugi had the feeling if he startled him, Yami would turn on him in a moment of blind self-defense. And he didn't want to deal with the guilt he knew would come from the encounter.

Yugi slowed his steps and Yami jumped a thin, fallen log. He stumbled but caught himself, huffing as he panted. Yugi watched him intently for a moment, then flattened his ears as he turned away.

Oh, it's just you two, a bored voice scoffed as they neared the camp. Yugi looked up, but Yami merely flicked an ear. Aki was standing in the tree line, likely having rushed forward to attack before she'd recognized them. She snorted when Yami shook himself out and stretched. I almost thought it was important.

No, just little old us, Yugi answered. We were out for a run.

Smells like you managed to catch something.

Yami did, yeah. I wouldn't bother searching, though. He basically gorged himself.

Aki looked as if she might respond, but Yami raised his tail halfway and trotted past her. Yugi went to follow, then paused. Aki was staring after Yami with a slightly wary expression. Yugi considered her for a long handful of seconds, studying her countenance before he turned away again. He didn't want to try to talk to her. He didn't want to talk to anyone, in fact. And he knew she'd scorn him for his efforts regardless. He didn't want that argument, either.

Yami was a few yards into the camp. He had not turned his head or even flicked his ears to regard him. But he'd stopped there, clearly waiting for him. Yugi blinked and hurried forward, about to ask if he was okay, when Yami abruptly growled, If Sartorous was alone in his attack yesterday but for Amelda, then Yubel cannot be far behind, right?

Yugi stiffened. You think they'd try again so soon?

I think it was oddly lucky that I encountered only Sartorius and Amelda, Yami agreed. He was…having fun more than anything. He had come for me, but he wasn't going to try to kill me yet. Perhaps Yusei was his target from the beginning; I wouldn't know. But if he attacked so soon, it was out of boredom. And I'd wager his attention span and impatience is nothing compared to hers. She's stronger than him.

And if she comes to fight us, we'll be ready. That's what training is for, remember?

Yami remained silent, then abruptly turned back. I wish to speak to Mai. He flattened his ears and Yugi swore he saw guilt in his eyes. I wish to speak to her alone. Is that…okay?

His voice was soft and pleading, almost broken for a single split second. In truth, he would have preferred that Yami be condescending. He wished he'd been sarcastic. The very realization he was even asking permission made Yugi's chest feel oddly tight.

Of course, aibou. I… Do you want me to pack your wound now or later?

Yami blinked, visibly startled and perhaps confused. Then he nodded and looked away. Please. I'd rather not worry about bleeding everywhere while I'm speaking to her.

Yugi nodded minutely, digging into the snow and clumping it into a pile. He would have asked him to lie down if he'd thought Yami able to get up again after. He was sure Yami could have forced himself to his feet again if he had to, but he knew the ice would have also fallen from the wound. He dug until there were several inches of shoveled snow between them.

Come closer, he said gently, wagging his tail when Yami looked over curiously. I'll just pack it from this angle—start at the bottom and work my way up.

Yami nodded and moved over. Yugi packed the ice, covering his wound completely and pressing it far as he could into his skin. Yami grunted when he pushed too hard but did not pull away. Yugi stepped back when he was sure he could do no more for him. Already small specks of red had bled through the ice and Yugi found himself flustered as he considered.

I know I don't really have to worry about this, but please be gentle with Mai, he mumbled. He wagged his tail as Yami shot him a startled look. The puzzlement was almost instant upon his expression, making his eyes a shade darker. Yugi flicked his tongue over his nose and wagged his tail. She's still not quite past Otogi's death, you know? I know you won't give her any shit, but she's still hurting and tired. And some of the others aren't that…delicate about it.

Being delicate doesn't help much of anything, Yami growled in turn. He sighed when Yugi huffed a breath in reprimand. Otogi was not her mate. She's sad, but she won't deteriorate from it. And… honestly, considering she'll soon be getting it from Jonouchi and Valon now, I don't think she's so upset.

Yugi laughed before he could stop himself. He wagged his tail, then sighed. You're right, but we try to be nice about these things.

I am being nice. I could have said much worse. I could have pointed out she's likely to ask Jonouchi and Valon to a threesome soon enough.

He cackled, then scowled and shook his head. Jonouchi would be thrilled, he grumbled, then guffawed. He butted Yami in the shoulder. Valon wouldn't care. I know that much for sure.

Yami was silent for a while. I can't imagine sharing my mate with someone else. I can't even…fathom pursuing a relationship with someone else when I already know who my mate is. Yami flicked his ears and then closed his eyes. Mai is far more promiscuous than I could ever imagine being.

Yugi couldn't imagine ever wanting to share a lover. He could never have accepted a threesome with Anzu and he would kill the person to truly suggest one with Yami. He'd go for their face. He'd rip out their jugular. He still remembered bristling, horrified, when Mai had teased them formerly.

If she were ever to suggest it now he'd mutilate her.

He shook himself out, scattering the aggressive thought. I couldn't imagine it, either, he finally said. Yami was no longer paying him any mind. His eyes were glazed over and his head was slightly tilted. But he'd heard him, Yugi realized, for he blinked and turned to him with a stare.

My side is packed as well as it can be, yes?

Yeah. He licked his forehead. I can't do much else.

Yami leaned forward and butted him gently in the shoulder. Thank you. When he pulled back, it seemed as if he might say something else. But he looked away abruptly and turned to walk off before Yugi could protest.

He found her laying in a ball near the cavern entrance a few yards away. Her tail covered her nose and her ears flicked as he approached. Yami hesitated and glanced over his shoulder. Yugi was watching him intently from his peripheral, but he was paying attention to Chazz as well. His divided attention made Yami's fur rise and fall in a bristling shudder. He wasn't used to leaving Yugi like this. Somehow it felt as if he were clawing himself open.

Yugi wagged his tail and gave him a small grin, incisors showing and ears slightly turned to the sides. Chazz pawed his side and dashed off and Yugi tilted his head, murmuring, Chazz and I are going hunting.

Yami pricked his ears forward, the thought crossing his mind instantly to argue and try to dissuade him. Maybe he could have joined them, but the thought died a moment later.

Be safe.

Always, Yugi promised, eyes crinkling with a lazy grin as his tongue lolled. He turned away and headed off to chase Chazz. Zane and Jim had gotten up to join them at some point and Yami watched with relief. At least they would be in a bigger group than just the two of them. Numbers were always a good idea, even with how much Yami himself abhorred the attention and constant proximity.

He shook himself out and turned back. Mai had raised her head at some point, watching him with a scrutinizing expression. Hello.

Yami glanced around. Valon was chewing on a deer haunch a few feet away and Jonouchi was picking at a piece of prey from the kill pile. Yuya was sitting nearby, saying something to "Shark" and his twin as they stared at Valon with expressions Yami couldn't quite read.

I wished to speak to you.

Mai blinked, then rushed to sit up with a bristle. Is everything okay? Is Yugi okay? she demanded. She looked around rapidly. He's not hurt, is he?

Yami snorted, somehow delighted by her open concern. Yugi is fine. He's hunting with Chazz, Zane and Jim. I'm too tired to go with him. He studied her. She was much thinner than usual and her expression was tired. It was clear she was still grieving her best friend, and Yami wondered if anyone else had noticed. He wondered how long she would remain doing so.

She had both Jonouchi and Valon interested in her. She might not have acted on her attraction to Valon for the moment, but it was clear she was interested all the same. Yami wasn't stupid; he gave it a matter of days before she went behind Jonouchi's back and fucked him as well. He supposed it worked to help with the void she likely felt every day.

He was all too familiar with that ache. The fresh wave of raw pain when he considered his cage mate was always enough to wind him. It'd be a thousand times worse should it be Yugi to fall in this fight as well, but he couldn't do what Mai did. He couldn't turn his back on someone for the sake of self-indulgence to avoid confronting pain. He buried his head too far in the snow so often as it was. Turning his back actively on someone for the sake of fleeing reality was just another thing that could ruin him.

Yet, he couldn't pass judgment on her, either. Maybe if he'd had the chance, he would do the same.

He couldn't fathom it, but he also wouldn't put it past himself. He was no better when it came to confronting problems. He hid where he could and ignored where he couldn't.

Are you okay then? You look like you're going to be sick.

I should hope not. I'd rather gain energy than lose it. He turned away and closed his eyes. Nothing is wrong. I simply…wished to hold conversation with you.

Oh.

They fell into an uncomfortable silence for a handful of seconds. Yami watched Jonouchi finally pick a rabbit from the kill pile and look around to find a spot to eat. Yami glanced at Mai and then Valon and finally Jonouchi again. He wondered if Jonouchi had noticed Mai's attraction to the hellhound as well. He wondered just how badly this would blow up when she finally acted on it.

Valon didn't pay him any mind. He glanced at him, their eyes locked, and he bore his teeth in a sneering smile before going back to his haunch. Yami flicked an ear and saw movement in his peripheral. Jonouchi was rushing over, dropping the rabbit at his paws as if in offering as he bristled and stared at him in alarm.

Where's Yugi?

He's not attached at my hip, though I can understand why you'd assume so, Yami snorted. He shook his head and then looked down at the rabbit. Thanks for the food.

Jonouchi blinked, confused, then looked down and huffed. If he'd been human, Yami was sure he would have rolled his eyes. You can have it if you want. I'm not really that hungry.

Are you sick? He looked up with widened eyes, only partially teasing. Yugi says you're always hungry.

What can I say? I'm a growing boy. He flicked his ears and stared at him. Where's Yugi?

He went hunting.

Oh. Jonouchi tilted his head and eyed him a moment or so longer. Then he lowered his gaze and wrinkled his nose. So, what are you doing playing with us for the day?

I meant to speak to Mai.

Jonouchi raised his eyes, suspicious as he scrutinized him pointedly. I guess I'll leave you to it, then.

Why? It is not as if I had something important to say, Yami dismissed. He risked a glance at his wound. The ice was a disgusting pink color, bright red at its core. The pain was numbed to absolute nothingness and it occurred to him that it was healing but he did not feel the usual tingles that came with it. He turned back and startled slightly, baring his teeth. Jonouchi had gotten closer at some point, sniffing him pointedly as if he were trying to discreetly investigate the wound while Yami was distracted. He shifted his weight and shuffled his paws to block his line of sight.

You say that like you spend time with us often, Jonouchi murmured, turning to him again. Had Yami been in a foul enough mood he might have lunged and pinned him by the throat. He was staring into his eyes now, making every fur along his scruff rise with frustration. If he truly meant to challenge him, Yami could easily put an end to it. So, what's up?

He refused to lower his eyes. Just because he was a little bruised didn't mean he wouldn't throw him around like a toy. He curled his lips back slightly to show a canine and forced himself not to snap at his face. I came to ask Mai how she was doing.

As quickly as his bravado had come, it fled. Jonouchi lost his aggressive stance, muscles losing all tension and fur falling flat where it'd been partially raised. He looked away, flicking his ears. Oh. I thought it was…

Hmm? What had Jonouchi expected him to speak to her about? He blinked and turned his head toward her, puzzled, but found her simply watching the golden-furred male. She looked crestfallen, as if she were already feeling the pain of being unfaithful toward the wolf meant to be her mate.

Yami wondered then just how quickly it was she'd feel it, if it should be instant or come on slowly. He'd heard stories of both instances when his cage mate had spoken about it. He'd been far more integrated to other wolves than Yami could have ever hoped to be. He'd always had a better ability to read and understand emotional stances.

He remembered the wolves in the labs forced to breed with others were always some of the first to die. The depression set in almost immediately and the shame was enough to debilitate. Unless the bond was not fully formed between the wolf and their mate through mutual acknowledgment and emotional attachment, wolves failed to cheat for the simple sake of promiscuity. Yami wasn't sure what Mai would use as her reasoning—running away, depression, inability to deal with the loss of her other pack mates—but he could tell just by the way she looked at Jonouchi now that she'd act on it soon enough.

I'm tired. I'm tired and I miss him.

Yami blinked, ignoring the urge to look at her. He'd seen her move in his peripheral, laying her head on her paws and closing her eyes. He didn't think he needed to look at her more than that. Jonouchi began knocking the rabbit around with his paws and nose and Mai curled up tighter as if she were in physical pain. Valon cracked his deer haunch in half and began greedily digging into the marrow.

Is it true about Yusei?

Yami almost didn't hear her. He blinked and turned his head, bewildered by the sudden question. And then he remembered she'd been out hunting when he'd brought the broken body back. She had been nearby when Jonouchi had come running to see if he was okay. He assumed they'd split up to cover ground at some point, seeing as she had not followed him immediately after.

If you mean his passing, yes. He was killed.

Everyone is dying, Mai mumbled, shivering as she flattened her ears against her head. Yubel and Sartorius are picking us off like we're nothing but fleas.

Was she so afraid to die? He considered her for a long moment. She wasn't just depressed; she was scared. She was visibly terrified. And perhaps it was foolish of him to not realize before then. But she'd always seemed rather brave and cheerful. Perhaps Otogi had helped build her to that point and the loss had caused the decline in her stature.

She'd been born into this pack. She had been raised to believe in the cause of what Atem stood for. And she was afraid, whereas a wolf outside of her pack like Yusei had been simply grateful to know their purpose in life.

Somehow the realization made his skin crawl.

He'd been blind to it. He'd assumed they were all brainwashed like Aki, that they'd gladly lay their lives down just for the sake of someone calling themselves Atem.

He looked away. We're trying to prevent further casualties.

Like that'll ever happen, Jonouchi mumbled, flinching when Yami turned to him. He flattened his ears and wagged his tail awkwardly. My bad. I didn't mean to say that.

Explain.

I mean… It's Sartorius and Yubel who are after us. Unless you kill them, I can't see the number of deaths declining. Uh… I mean, you know… You'd have to kill them for this to stop. And I mean… You can't do that?

What makes you say that?

Because Sartorius kicks your ass just like Yubel. We're kind of screwed. As much as I'd love to say otherwise, Yugi isn't made to fight them to the death.

That's what we're training for.

Right. Because I can totally see Yugi taking on Sartorius, Jonouchi scoffed. Fuck. Even you can't fight them. How the fuck do you expect us to believe Yugi can?

Because he's faster. And he has the most reason to do it.

Jonouchi visibly froze at the words, blinking wide eyes and pricking his ears forward. He tilted his head and stared blankly, then looked away. He seemed more upset that she managed to hurt you than he did when he lost his mom and grandpa.

He didn't cry for me.

Maybe it was a lie. He was sure Yugi had spilled a few tears over him more than once. But it wasn't as if he had cried over his deaths. It wasn't as if he'd cried over his permanent departure. Yugi had never been forced to cry over one of his deaths. He came back. His family, however, were gone forever. There was no small moment of stillness and then a restart of the organs. The loss regarding Yami was nothing but temporary.

He was upset because I was the closest he had left to family.

Jonouchi bristled and bore his teeth. A month ago and he would have thought I was the closest thing left.

I was in the house living with them, Yami corrected him with a shake of his head, pricking his ears. You know he clings to things and tries his hardest to shun what makes him uncomfortable.

Jonouchi snarled under his breath and turned away. Right.

Yami stayed silent for a long moment. He wanted for a single second to challenge him, to pin him to the ground and remind him of why he should defer to him. And then it passed. He didn't want to dwell on fears or regrets or remorse or death. He wanted to rest. He wanted to escape and sleep it all away.

There's nowhere to hide.

Jonouchi looked up in confusion and Mai blinked wide eyes as she turned to him again. Even Valon had paused in gnawing on his deer haunch.

Yami got to his paws, turning to Jonouchi. I'll kill Sartorius.

Jonouchi blinked, bristling, and stared at him in open alarm. What? he snapped, looking anxious and bewildered. Wait, what the hell do you plan to do? Even you said you're at a stalemate when it comes to physical strength.

Yami peered at him in turn, meeting his eyes with an unimpressed look. I'm not stupid, though I'm sure my choices have often alluded otherwise. He didn't look back when he started walking away. I've never truly gone into a fight not thinking I had a way out or a victory in my grasp.

Against Yubel? Jonouchi snapped. You didn't think you could fight her and win!

I never needed to win, Yami answered, stopping just long enough to shake the packed ice from his flank. He snorted and chuckled, I needed only preoccupy her.

---

Yugi hated himself for the fact that his first instinct was to panic when he could not find Yami. The new snowfall had covered his prints and Mai had said she hadn't seen him in over an hour. His first thought had been the shameful one that Yami had simply fled and run to save himself. Then came the panic of the idea that Yami had turned and taken off after Sartorius again because of Yusei. He didn't know which was more likely—frankly, as he paced about and picked his way around some of the other wolves, he realized they were both incredibly unlikely—but they arose regardless. He bristled and rushed forward, ears pricked and strained to catch any hint of noise available. He pushed past a disgruntled and sleepy Valon who bore his teeth and bristled faintly when he saw the state he was in. Everyone said similarly to Mai; no one had seen him in over an hour, but there were little whispers that were held close and hushed when he came near some of the others. Jonouchi had refused to meet his eyes and even ducked his head and rolled over with his tail between his legs when he'd pushed for more information.

Yugi stopped towards the center of the camp, ignoring the way some of the others tossed about pictures. Some of them had seen Yami wandering off. Some of them had seen him last when he was asleep after the fight with the hellhounds. Someone pushed through an image of him nudging Yusei's corpse and likely whispering a prayer before he'd trotted off with a heavy limp. Between the lack of information and the sudden drizzle of fear that crept down his spine like ice, Yugi was unsure how to keep himself from truly panicking.

Surely Yami wasn't so stupid he'd turn and try to go after Sartorius.

No. Sartorius is in the labs. Yami wouldn't go there.

Yami surely wouldn't have gone there—especially on his own. Yugi knew better. Yami wasn't so stupid or foolhardy. He was willful, sure, but he was not so misled and damaged that he wouldn't understand just how terrible an idea it was.

He forced himself to focus, picturing Yami's face and discarding the various thoughts that crowded in his head. The wolves were still bouncing about ideas and input on where he might have gone. And Yugi had to breathe hard and smother a snarl to keep from turning on them in frustration.

He focused on Yami's heartbeat then, the quiet but steady rhythm that so often lulled him to sleep now. He grasped at it and enveloped himself in it and tried to sense if there was any hint of a tug of emotion he might harness.

His eyes snapped open.

There was none.

He drew in another deep breath, clenching his jaw. A picture of Yami lying in the snow, in some nondescript white space, came through his mind. They assumed he was asleep now, somewhere in the woods or maybe near the entrance of the camp. Speculation caught between some of them and Yugi heard the yearlings take off in search of the black wolf.

Yugi huffed and forced himself to focus again. His fur rose and fell in a shuddering bristle as he shoved aside his growing unease. The faintest hint of pine and moonlight reached him a minute later. From it immediately came the slight image, a flash, of a she-wolf that almost looked like Slifer peering back at him, but the features were different and it was gone again in a heartbeat.

And then he caught it.

Yami's heart was so slow in its rhythm now that it was almost undetectable. It tickled his ears, so faint it could have been mistaken for an exhale. Yugi relaxed, opening his eyes and angling his ears. He turned his head to pinpoint the sound as well, and blinked when he realized where Yami had to be.

He was in the alpha's den, resting as if he'd never hated the little hollow or avoided it as if death plagued its shadows.

Yugi relaxed, shook himself out, and moved toward the den. Within a foot of it, he knew Yami had woken. The difference was in his heartbeat as it sped up for a single second and his breathing sputtered unevenly before strengthening itself. Yugi waited a moment, listening once more, and heard the hard snap of his jaws as he yawned. When he got to the entrance, Yami was on his paws and circling to lay back down. His side was a hideous mess of dark maroon from what little light he got, his brain working to map together a brilliant splattering of colors to show intensity and shade.

Hi. He felt almost stupid for saying it. I, uh, wasn't expecting you to be in here.

Yami grunted dismissively. It was a rather spontaneous decision, he said distractedly, stretching once more and lowering his chin to his paws. He flicked an ear, eyes parted halfway to study him. But I thought it would be easier for you to find me if I stayed put here.

I didn't even consider it, he admitted, flattening his ears sheepishly when Yami shifted his chin to a more comfortable position. Can I ask you a question? And you don't have to answer, of course, but…

Yami raised and turned his head, red eyes dark with intensity. When he didn't speak to acknowledge him further, Yugi flinched and shuffled his paws as if he were being scolded by an irate parent.

I…saw an image—when I was trying to find you. I'm assuming you were asleep when it got projected, Yugi rambled, feeling small beneath the weight of Yami's unwavering stare. Why was it so hard to talk to him right now? But, uh… W-who was it?

Yami was silent for a long moment. His eyes flashed with a quiet, tempered rage, and he tensed a single second before relaxing again. When he exhaled, it was a sharp noise. The red she-wolf? he clarified, eyes sparkling with distant anger. The one with brown eyes and the peppering of black across the muzzle?

I didn't mean to upset—

That was my mother. The words were detached and clearly disinterested. He lowered his chin to his paws once more and closed his eyes. She came to speak with me.

Yugi stiffened, the hairs along his back rising slowly into a startled bristle. Your mother? he whispered. He took a small step forward, staring at him. I thought… Fuck, for some reason I thought you'd never met her.

I never…spoke to her while she was alive. Yami opened an eye, peering at him with a pupil that was oddly dilated as his iris cast an eerie glow as if with a well-contained fire. But I did meet her. My eyes were not open in the time we knew each other. She died in the labs.

I'm sorry.

For something that occurred sixteen years ago? Yami scoffed. He raised his head and stared at him blankly. Yugi couldn't shake the feeling he was looking at someone he didn't actually know, as if they were wearing the skin of someone familiar but with a completely different person inside. He drew a deep breath and slowly took a seat. Yami didn't blink, staring at him with an unreadable expression. It is not a fresh wound. I've since grown beyond it. I never knew her enough to miss her.

Yugi flinched. Yami—

What? Would you have me lie about it? I'm simply telling the truth. She has only ever once bothered to visit me and that was just before I woke. He sat up abruptly, spine popping from the sudden movement, and his teeth flashed when he yawned. And it was to tell me to stop hiding.

Hiding?

The word seemed almost to trigger something in the other wolf. Yami fixed him with a cold, blank stare, and bore his teeth as he narrowed his eyes and turned away. Is there such need for these games, Yugi? You know damn well what it pertains to.

Yugi was quiet for a single moment, then got to his paws and pressed his nose into his cheek. It's necessary, he said firmly, though something in his heart protested the statement. If things had played out differently, it would have still always come to this. And he remembered all the more what Lupa and Fenrir had spoken of, how different this was from what they were originally meant to do. He exhaled in a gust, forcing the thought and ensuing pain away, and stretched himself out to lay beside the darker canine. It's necessary. And…when this is over, it'll have been worth it.

It was not worth the life of my cage mate. And it will not be worth it should you die, either, Yami snarled, voice growing petulant and cold. Yugi thought he sounded despaired and tired and perhaps just absolutely sad. It could never be worth it.

Yugi just wished he had the words to explain why all of it was worth it. He just wished he could put it into perspective and Yami would accept it and understand it and just…

He rolled over to the side, stretching a paw to tap him on the nose. Yami bore his teeth and growled, but the anger vanished as quickly as it came. The black wolf eyed him for a moment, huffing, and then mouthed his paw lazily.

Yugi wagged his tail and opened his mouth into a wide grin. Yami was still visibly agitated, but he was willing to drop the argument for the moment. As long as Yami did not push the subject further, Yugi was sure they could get out of the den relatively unscathed.

Yami's canine glinted when he nipped his paw and licked at a chunk of snow nestled between his toes. And that little flash of color made Yugi's mind wander for a single second. He stopped short, rolling over and sitting up so quickly Yami startled and bore his teeth. Yugi shifted his weight and looked him over, studying his defensive position before the other wolf seemed to realize himself and relax again.

Aibou, I…I don't want to upset you.

The air seemed to freeze around them. Yami wasn't breathing for a long minute. Then he shifted. His ears pricked forward. His eyes glinted. His nose wrinkled. His muscles tensed.

Then don't.

He shook his head. It was hard to breathe. Yami looked as if he knew what he was going to ask. And he looked as if he were dying for it.

I kind of…have to, he whispered. Yami narrowed his eyes and stared, pupils dilating once more. His irises became mere rings of color. Their eyes locked. Yugi almost trembled. Yami didn't move but for eyeing him, scrutinizing him with an expression that visibly grew more uneasy and distressed. Yugi shifted forward, ignoring it when Yami bristled fearfully, and pressed his forehead into his shoulder. I need to ask you to do something and you're not going to like it.

Then don't ask it.

He wished it were that simple. He would have given the world to make it that simple.

It's important. He exhaled slowly. And I wouldn't ask you if it wasn't.

Yami didn't answer for what felt a lifetime. Then he shifted away, sitting up and eyeing him with a stare that spoke of pure malice for a single second. He nodded a moment later, beckoning he continue, and Yugi had to take a deep breath to make his lungs work again. It felt as if he'd been punched, his chest shattered on impact.

Do you…? He didn't want to ask. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to keep his focus. Yami wouldn't give him a second chance, he knew. He was scared as it was. He was anxious and he'd run if Yugi didn't get it out. He had one shot…

They locked eyes again.

Yami was peering at him, more expectant than angry now, and Yugi was amazed by the sheer amount of strength he seemed to gain from that simple action. He knew the other wolf had it in reserves, despite all of his reluctance towards facing things that scared him, but Yugi had never truly felt it before then.

Do you remember the tunnel you went through to escape the labs?

Yugi had expected to see horror or fear cross his face. Instead the black wolf peered at him, processing his words, and pricked his ears forward. His lips drew back to show his teeth when he growled, I remember. His eyes hardened, sharp like a newly whetted sword. Is this what you ask of me?

Yugi almost flinched at the hollow tone. Was that what he was asking of him? In truth he didn't want to know. In truth he knew better than to ask. He didn't want to remember the horrors from the lab. He didn't want to think of all the pain and misery and the way disease seemed to ravage them so easily. He didn't want to remember the depression or the despair.

Please, Yugi mumbled, resolving himself to see this to the end. Yami knew what he was asking of him. It was as simple as saying he remembered. He knew exactly what Yugi wanted from him. He knew what unspoken question floated between them, even as it threatened to tear him apart.

Yugi felt shaky, small, his stomach rolling painfully as Yami stared back at him. The black wolf's gait was somewhat wobbly, limbs popping with stiffness, as he moved past him with his eyes lowered to the ground. Yugi hurried after him, watching as he limped out of the den.

Mieru was sitting nearby, Yugi noted with wide eyes. The she-wolf was staring at them, smirking as she wagged her tail. Yugi bristled and bore his teeth, and Yami paused long enough to snap his incisors an inch from her throat. The yearling laughed softly, as if it were a game they played, and Yami turned without a word to trot past. Yugi followed faithfully, amazed by the smooth gait the other wolf had fallen into despite his limp.

They moved in silence but for their paws in the snow. The heavy crunching made his head ache. But they never paused. Yami never so much as glanced back to make sure he was still following. He seemed to know Yugi would be back there, never doubting that he was accompanying him like his shadow.

When they reached the foothills, Yami turned left. He led them further along the path through a strip of tall, gangly trees that seemed to stretch far overhead. The branches were like small pencil streaks against the coming darkness. The faintest sound of water trickling came to Yugi's ears as they continued. The smell of damp earth made him bristle faintly; he had almost forgotten the tunnels' scent. The earth dipped downward into a gaping maw of darkness, shielded rather brilliantly by a snow-laden bush of prickly branches and twigs that mirrored thorns. Yami paused here, staring at the small tunnel beyond the branches, seemed to resolve himself, and pushed past them into the entrance within a heartbeat. The bush hardly seemed to shed a crystal and Yugi realized it was frozen solid, in such a crisp state that when he brushed against it the twigs snapped and dropped amongst his coat. The bush would not shed ice until spring came and the sun melted it away.

The earth became a smooth stone-like cavern, heavily burdened with the scent of water and decay, like flesh rotting away from neglect and devoured by fungi. The trickle became a smooth, dull roar of noise and the tunnel around them, small and almost nonexistent as they were forced to crawl along on their bellies, seemed to become infinitesimal around them. It crept in like teeth, a large formation of stone poking downward like fangs. And then, as the walls squished upon his flanks and his heart pounded painfully against his ribs, Yugi whispered, Yami, stop. We can't keep going through here.

You're wrong. Yami hadn't paused. His voice was cold, despondent, and somehow breathless. He continued forward as if Yugi had never spoken, and Yugi tried to suppress the urge to simply stop there and refuse to move any further. It was too small and the earth was too closely packed around him. He shivered, flattening his ears against his head, and curled his lips back into a snarl.

Part of him wanted to beg Yami that they stop.

The other simply wanted to back out and run as far away as possible.

And then, to Yugi's sheer amazement, he stepped forward. The earth opened into a wide, gaping cavern. The roar of the river became a thousand times louder. The stone was smooth, glittering with faint water ripples that bounced across the walls. Yami's shadow was a hideous, stretched disfigurement across the rocky space. Yugi shivered and hurried to his side, exhaling a tight breath as he surveyed their surroundings.

It was not far from where he'd first come through the tunnels to find the labs on his own. He almost recognized this place. But it was farther from there, perhaps a mile or so back. The earth was unfamiliar where it seemed to stretch so infinitely into the darkness. Yugi listened as the noise bounced back and forth about the tunnels, his ears ringing. The stones seemed almost to shiver back, echoing different whispering intervals of his own breaths. Yami was panting beside him, breathing ragged and slithering about the stone walls like snakes hissing and squirming within a pit. Yugi swore he could lose his mind simply listening to the effort Yami put into just breathing. When he looked over, the black wolf was a void against the shadows, so dense a color it was impossible to mistake him for anything but a living, breathing, trembling form. In the dark his eyes had begun to glow, emitting a stark and intense white where his irises had shrunk to the tiniest of ringlets and his pupils were nothing but pinpricks.

Aibou…

The word did nothing. Yami shook his head sharply. His ears pricked as he picked his way forward and through the tunnel once more. Yugi hurried after him, startled by the onslaught of speed. A tremor coursed through him, losing a step that allowed Yami to gain almost a head of space between them.

He could hear his claws clicking and scraping against the stone, a harsh rasping noise that grew deafening as the tunnel became smaller. It narrowed, the cold of winter creeping in as if the ice had somehow claimed this place. The air splintered as if with frost, like glass breaking beneath a slow but steady pressure. Each breath Yami loosed made the still space echo and thump about. The panting had become heavier, rasping, and his fur shuddered as it brushed against the stone. The water sprayed upwards where it touched the first handful of inches of the ledges they traveled, blasting forth and against the wall of the path to soak their sides. Yami slowed his pace only as the tunnel grew small enough that the roof and floor seemed almost impossible to squeeze between, forcing them to slither through the small space and forward into the dark. Then the roof careened upward again, the path stretching outward to the size of at least twenty yards, and the ceiling was lined with rock formations dropping downward with heavy beads of water. Small pools had formed along the length of the path and both of them splashed through several, the water so cold it sent shivers through Yugi's legs. And, finally, as Yugi wondered if his heart could burst through his chest, Yami came to a stop.

Yami turned his head. His panting became a distressed yawn, each tooth a brilliant burst of white against the shadows. When he spoke, his voice was choked and desperate.

A few feet further, the path drops into the heart of the labs. There is a single ladder leading down into the plant they converted. We're above the incinerator now where we stand. And the tunnel behind the incinerator leads to the area we first met Slifer. Her branch of the tunnel then leads into several directions, all of which end in different parts of the mountains. Yami fell silent for a moment. His ears flattened, flicked once every which way, then pricked forward as he yawned and trembled, his teeth clicking shut violently. This is the tunnel I took when I first fled.

Yugi stiffened and blinked wide eyes. First fled?

Yami trembled visibly, bristling. I went back for something. He was rasping, the tremors growing tenfold before he turned on his heel and began to trot rapidly away, toward the entrance they'd just traveled. Yugi raced after him, sprinting when he saw how quickly Yami was moving. He'd almost left him completely behind by the time Yugi even got to the dipping slope of the ceiling.

Then he stopped short. Yugi slammed into his back, unable to stop himself. Yami spun on him, spitting and snapping his teeth. But he never made contact. Yugi flinched and backed away a step. Yami was not looking at him, however. Further along the path stood another wolf, ears angled toward them and golden eyes like beacons of melted sunlight.

I did not expect to see you both so soon.

Yami bore his teeth. I had hoped not to see you at all, Slifer.

My sincerest apologies, the she-wolf returned scathingly. Yugi bristled in surprise at the empathy he saw in her eyes, however. I came to check on you when I heard your paws on my floor and your breaths in my walls. I came to prevent it should you attempt to return to the labs rather than make an escape.

Yami growled low in his throat, the noise guttural and hideous. You think me so pathetic?

I remember the panic you felt when you escaped the labs that second time. I know your state of mind when you returned was not the best, she answered, her eyes falling on Yugi now. A repeat of that would be an unwise occurrence.

I was here with him. I wouldn't have let anything happen.

You believe he would have listened around all the fear and pain?

I know I have a far better chance than you.

I am aware.

Yami snarled, the noise gurgling forth like the sputter of a malfunctioning faucet. I am not so foolish that I cannot pick a proper path—

I have never doubted your intelligence, Yami, Slifer cut in sharply. It has nothing to do with your wit. Panic makes the mind blind. And what shall you do then should something happen to allow your capture?

Kill them all, Yami spat. I'll kill them all.

Yugi blinked, head snapping toward him in alarm. He almost couldn't tell he was afraid. The black wolf was staring at the goddess as if she were a piece of meat meant to be stripped from the bone. His tail had risen, the fur along his back a rigid bristle. His eyes glittered. And then he snarled, sniffing at the ground as if it might lend his temper better control.

You sure are brave when there is something to fight for.

Yami's head snapped around. Yugi stiffened. Slifer stared, eyes scornful and cold.

Enough, Yugi snapped, cutting in before they could further their fight. He didn't want to think of what might be said. He didn't want to think of the bloodbath that might ensue should Yami lose it. He didn't want to think of the trauma Slifer was undoubtedly trudging up in Yami's mind. I wouldn't have let him go down there.

Slifer tilted her head. Why don't you tell Yami why you wished to come here? Why don't you explain to him what it is you plan to do with this tunnel he used to escape?

Yami blinked and looked at him, fear slowly worming its way into his eyes as he searched his face. Yugi flattened his ears and turned away; had he been human he would have flushed brilliant red and squeezed his eyes shut. He probably would have begun pulling on his choker with distress.

This is the best entrance I can think of to get into the labs and attack without attracting attention.

Yami's eyes darkened and grew dull, voice laden with disbelief. When he snickered, he sounded livid. You're not really going to use this as the access point, right? Surely you wouldn't. When Yugi nodded slightly, the black wolf bristled and peeled his lips back. You wish to use this tunnel? Yugi, were you not listening? There is a ladder you would need to scale to get to the ground. How will you manage that as wolves? I would assume you smart enough to know you can't go as humans.

You're right. We can't. He tilted his head, wagging his tail. But I think we could survive a jump to the ground.

You're taking a large gamble on this ladder not being tall. You jump from high enough and all of you will be slowed down when you're recovering from broken bones.

Yugi searched his face. Is it tall?

Yami huffed. It seemed endless when I used it, but that was likely the trauma. I would assume not. He looked away and shook his head. But I can't be sure. And it would be suicide to check. The first and second time I used that access point, I ran on adrenaline. I don't remember clearly.

Yugi licked his cheek. That's okay, aibou. Don't worry. He turned to Slifer. You came to check on us. We're obviously okay. Why are you still here?

Keep your hostility in line, Atem, the she-wolf growled. She shook herself out, taking a seat with her eyes half-closed as if she were merely sunbathing. Her ears flicked twice before she stilled again, almost statuesque but for her breathing. I merely came to check on you, as I said before. We are both aware of just how volatile Yami's emotions can so easily become.

He's traumatized. Of course his emotions are fucking volatile, Yugi snapped, bristling as he shot her a scathing look. And you should know that better than anyone. You're a fucking god, aren't you? Just like your brothers and sisters? You're the goddess of the dead and you're over here trying to tell me you're here to check on us because Yami has trouble emotionally? Wow. Good for you, Slifer.

Yami looked between them, startled by the aggressive response. The she-wolf turned to him solely, as if Yugi had never been there to begin with. He always seems so brave when he tries my patience. Yet, you can always taste his fear in the air. He has more respect for the gods than you, and he is the one who is meant to save or destroy our entire species.

Yes, well… Yami glanced at him sideways. Yugi was watching in his peripheral, entirely focused on him and waiting for him to move or speak or do something. He turned back to Slifer and found her attention undivided and boring down on him. He felt cornered and almost claustrophobic, despite knowing all it took was a simple backwards step and Yugi would move aside to allow him more room. He is still more respectful than me. He's never killed a god.

Ah yes. The turn of events which caused Hati's rather pointless obsession with you. She looked disgusted as she turned away. When she shifted her weight and yawned, Yami wondered at how frail she appeared. She hadn't seemed so exhausted formerly when she'd helped him to train with Obelisk the day before. Obelisk still harbors anger over it. But he has never been inclined to harm you for it. It's almost shocking. You managed to kill Obelisk, you have shunned me when I've attempted contact during your deaths, and you've become somehow capable of forcing Ra's will to your own. You heal faster from death than any wolf before you. How you have learned such tricks is beyond all of us, seeing as we can no longer access your future but through small flashes when big events come to pass.

Morrigan watches us through Valon.

On occasion, she mumbled. Then she turned to Yugi, voice an odd mixture of scorn and amusement. Of course, you are quite the phenomenon in and of yourself as well.

Yugi blinked, startled. Huh?

Her eyes lit up with laughter. Oh, yes. You've become just as amazing in capabilities as he is. She flicked her ears, watching him with eyes that glinted like live flames. You've learned to change faster than your body should be able. You've conditioned your body for healing beyond what it should, at speeds impossible to others. You've managed to evade death on several occasions without intervention when you should have died.

Yugi looked over, staring, and Yami tilted his head in bewilderment. He seemed to be searching for some kind of answer by looking at him now. But Yami didn't have answers for his own problems, let alone whatever Yugi felt at the moment. He slowly glanced at the red she-wolf again, puzzled.

You evade death…yet, Yami has learned to embrace it. Oh, but evasion only lasts so long, right, Yugi Motou? she said softly, chuckling. Yami's head snapped back around, lips drawn back to show each of his sharp teeth. Yugi stiffened, bristling with unease. Eventually it must surge forth and overcome those escaping it and from there death conquers more and more. Ah, but I'm sure of that you're already aware.

Yami glanced sideways at him again. Yugi's eyes had never moved from Yami's face, as if somehow he were staring through him. He flattened his ears, panic making his belly twist and burn.

When we brought you both into existence, we had assumed it simple and easy to guide you. After all, we each touched your lives almost immediately upon birth. We should have had more control over you. And, yet, somehow you both managed to work your way out from beneath our paws.

Lupa said something similar.

Yami turned to stare at him now, a chill creeping down his spine. He had almost forgotten Lupa had spoken to Yugi in isolation. He'd been shaken after, but grimly determined by whatever resolve he'd made. Yugi had not spoken about what she'd said. He'd never even mentioned it again but to say she'd told him Yami had killed him in the original sequence of their lives.

But clearly Slifer knew. The lesser gods had an idea of their fate.

Yami looked between them rapidly. He'd been left completely in the dark. He had no idea what was being said about himself or Yugi or anything to do with their fates. His skin crawled, helplessness making his body ache.

Yugi was still watching him, but his eyes had softened upon hearing the increase of his heart rate. He licked his nose and wagged his tail slightly, voice low and soothing.

Don't worry, Yami. It'll be okay.

But something in the way he said it made Yami suppress a flinch. Alarms went off in his head, heart threatening to crash through his ribcage. He couldn't think straight, stunned and too scared to identify what had sent him so far over the edge. He shrugged it aside, forcing it into a crevice to be swallowed in the shadows of his mind.

It was too hard to keep his head on straight without piling on more worries to drain his energy. He would speak to him about it later. He would force Yugi to listen if it came to that.

Yami turned away. Is there a reason you have remained here?

The she-wolf laughed sharply. I need only remind Yugi to watch his steps. She paused, tilting her head. You'll need a clear mind when you challenge Yubel. That's the most advice I can give you, but it is something at the very least.

Yugi nodded. Thank you.

Yami eyed them both, chest tight and stomach coiled with tension. He exhaled loudly, sharply, and Yugi bristled. He turned his head, eyes wide with confusion. Then he relaxed as he looked Yami over again. Clearly he had forgotten he was standing beside him, lost in whatever memories Slifer's words had stirred.

You know…before I realized Fuwa was the one who'd caught you, I actually came down these tunnels looking for you. I thought you were trapped in the labs again. I came here to save you.

His fur rose into a violent bristle. Why would you come here? Surely you know you could have died down here if you'd managed to find me. It wouldn't matter you were a Pure-Blood. They would have killed you for it…or reclaimed you for experiments.

Yugi shook his head. Obelisk came and stopped me before I even got within a yard of the cages down there. He got to me right after I killed someone and was aiming for the second. He wagged his tail slightly, expression softening as he studied him. He handed me my ass on a platter and talked me down from coming here again.

How foolish of you.

Yugi barked a laugh, something spiteful and cold. No, what's foolish is I saw Yubel that day and I didn't recognize her when I saw her again that day in the woods. Yami's head snapped around, eyes widening. She was in one of the cages by the entrance I came in through. I'm almost a thousand percent sure the tunnel I used was a branch of this one but further along the way, because I feel like I was further down than this…

The way you entered the tunnel was further along the foothills, yes. But the end of the tunnel is almost exactly where Yami fled capture.

Yami watched Yugi's for a long moment, a brief and startling thought crossing his mind—Yugi wouldn't use the tunnel now, right? He didn't plan to go after Yubel now to settle their score, did he?

Yami bristled, stiffening as Yugi turned his head to regard the remainder of the tunnel. His ears pricked forward and the light in his eyes glittering, dangerous as it gleamed. Yugi shuffled forward a step. Yami lunged.

A blur of red fur came between them. Yami's teeth snapped shut an inch from her jugular. His momentum made his paws slip briefly. He slammed into her side and skittered an inch. Her shoulder touched Yugi's. The white wolf spun around. His eyes were wide, startled. His fur had fluffed up in a stunned bristle. He drew his lips back to show his teeth. Then he blinked and shook himself out, relaxing.

Aibou?

He went to answer but couldn't find the words. Instead he backed up a step. Slifer was laughing as she murmured, The time hasn't come yet for that, Yami. Yugi will know when it's time to use the tunnel.

Yami almost wished he hadn't stopped himself from ripping her throat out. He backed up a step again, snarling low in his throat. It sounds like a death sentence.

Slifer wagged her tail, eyes bright with laughter. He couldn't tell if she was mocking him or not. And when she didn't speak again, he noticed Yugi had come to his side. His head was tilted, eyes puzzled.

Aibou?

He shot him a look in his peripheral, but his eyes remained locked on Slifer. Yugi nudged him in the shoulder with his nose, wagging his tail slightly. But Yami couldn't shake the anger. And the more he watched the she-wolf, the more apparent it became that she was taunting him. He took a stiff step forward, showing his teeth in a furious snarl.

I don't think picking a fight with Slifer is going to help us, Yugi said gently at his side. But abruptly his eyes sharpened and his head snapped around. Yami was so startled he lost his aggression and faced Yugi instead. But the white wolf was staring at Slifer, eyes glittering with pure hatred and ferocity. Yugi raised his tail and lunged. The goddess burst out laughing and dodged away, trotting off without a second look. Yami watched Yugi tremble, teeth bared and breathing heavy.

Yugi huffed and turned to him, anger fading instantly upon eye contact. His tongue flicked out to run over Yami's nose as he mumbled, Can you do me another favor, aibou? There's still a handful of tunnels and I need to know if you have any ideas about the other entrances.

Yami blinked and felt the fur along his scruff rise in a shudder. His eyes flickered away to where Slifer had gone and he could hear her moving about when he tried to focus. He could even catch it when she began laughing again, as if the sound were echoing from the walls and burying itself in his ears. He almost took off after her, in one part fearful but the other spiteful of what humor she found in this situation. He didn't see the amusement; maybe she could show him when he ripped her to pieces.

His eyes flickered back to Yugi. The other wolf looked as if he had been slapped, startled more than anything. Yami let out a small huff and wondered for a single second what expression he wore that had caused such an effect on Yugi's demeanor.

Yes, I know of other tunnels. Is that what we shall be doing? Taking the tunnels along until we find an entrance you wish to use for the sake of ambush? Yami spat, heart squeezing painfully in his chest even as it began to race. He knew of the next tunnel and the place it led and just the thought of its destination made his legs quake.

But Yugi needed him to do this. He wouldn't have asked otherwise. He knew that. And who was he to deny Yugi his chance at victory? Who was he to potentially shorten his lifespan more than he already had?

Yami turned away, quickening his pace to lead them to the entrance they'd come through formerly.

If it's going to be too hard, then—

No, why should it ever be hard for me to do this? Yami snapped, keeping his pace brisk and his body rigid with impatience. He ducked down and slipped through the tighter enclosure of stone. He flicked his ears at the sound of his claws scrabbling against the rock floor. The water roared and crashed and a dull throbbing formed in his skull. I so enjoy this game we play.

Yugi was silent for a long minute. Game?

All this make-believe bullshit. I pretend I don't have night terrors and painful memories associated with everything. Yami slowed a step and glanced over his shoulder, eyeing him as he curled his lip. I grow so tired of it. Why don't we just clear the air? Why don't we tell the entire pack how thin a sheet of ice I'm walking on? I don't think any of them are fooled. And why not just confirm it for them? Why not just tell them w—?

He yelped. The smell of blood made his head spin. His muzzle stung.

Yugi had moved before he could even blink. His teeth had snapped shut over his snout. His jaws clicked where the enamel collided. Yami backed away instinctively. But Yugi refused to let go. Yami yelped again.

Yugi's eyes flashed and he clamped down harder. Yami squirmed violently, trying to pull away. Yugi tightened his grip. His head twisted with every thrash Yami used to shake him. He spat a curse and tried again. But Yugi slammed into his side. His paws scrambled. Yugi's front paw crashed into his shoulder. His legs wobbled and then slid from beneath him.

Yami landed on his back, stunned. Yugi had him pinned. His entire body was statuesque. His mouth was still clamped over his. His lips quivered when he breathed roughly. Yami kicked at his stomach but Yugi didn't budge. The white wolf eyed him a moment, then abruptly pulled away. His tongue ran over his nose as he stepped over him. When he lowered his mouth towards his throat, Yami froze.

Enough, Yugi spat. I understand how hard this is. I know it hurts. But turning on me won't help.

Yami scrambled for his feet when Yugi pulled away again. The black wolf lowered his head, giving him a sideways look. It shouldn't have been this surprising that Yugi had gotten so fast. He'd always known he was capable. He just hadn't displayed such raw strength and speed before without reason.

He felt the residual ache of the other's teeth on his muzzle. He could taste blood when he licked at the cuts lining his skin there. He flattened his ears and scowled but didn't turn on him. Yugi's chin was still raised, tail up as he peered at him headlong.

I won't hear anymore of this, understand? Yugi continued. His words dripped with venom as he drew his lips back. His eyes were glowing in the dark, anger and hatred making them a million times more intense than Yami was used to. I'll snap your legs off and rip your throat out first.

Yami blinked and then raised his head, turning on him. Yugi was quivering with rage despite the anguish he could see now in his eyes. The sheer determination he displayed was enough to cow his anger, however. Yami made no move to snap his teeth. He made no move to fight him.

It occurred to him that Yugi was being truthful.

He'd lash out if he so much as argued now.

And Yami wasn't sure what would happen then if he were to turn on him as well.

This is our secret, Yugi snapped. He eyed him only a moment longer, then turned and began trotting away without a second glance. And if you blab I'll drag your carcass from the tunnels to the camp.

Yami watched him as he started to disappear from sight. Then he looked over his shoulder. He could just barely make Slifer out, crouched low to the ground and watching with a cold look. But he almost thought she looked mournful as well. When she blinked, however, her expression became unreadable and Yami could no longer understand the charge in the air. He turned away again and bristled.

Yugi had stopped a few yards ahead, looking over his shoulder at him. When he saw Yami turned toward him, he wagged his tail hesitantly and flattened his ears. He looked almost sheepish and childish, but Yami could see the melancholy and exhaustion. His head was lowered slightly as he considered him, as if he had lost all willpower upon speaking the words and realizing Yami was not there behind him.

Yami felt his fur rise and fall in a shudder. His bones felt odd and wobbly beneath his skin and his muscles were somehow sore and tired. His side felt as if it had been scalded. He hesitated, then crept forward a few steps. Yugi stopped wagging his tail but didn't prick his ears and his stance never changed. He waited until Yami got a few feet from him and then turned away, leading them along. The red-eyed wolf followed, fur slightly raised and head lowered partially.

They traveled slowly. Yugi remained far ahead of him the majority of time. He glanced at him only once or twice, as if to ensure he was still there, but never spoke against the slow and cautious pace he'd adopted. When they got through the frozen bush blocking the entrance, Yugi lost his stiff stance and came to a complete stop a few feet away. His ears pricked forward, eyes fixed intently on the snow. Then he turned around, head down.

I'm sorry.

Yami laughed sharply, showing his teeth. You think I care for an apology? He shook himself out and eyed him. I don't care that you bit me. I don't care you threatened me. I don't even care that you attacked me in front of Slifer. I want to know what the two of you spoke about.

Yugi turned away immediately. It doesn't matter.

No? Yami spat, bristling. It doesn't matter? And yet you refuse to so much as look at me when you say it.

Yugi flinched. Aibou…

Oh, yes; calling me partner when you won't even tell me what she said to upset you.

Because it doesn't have anything to do with you! She was talking about Yusei and I lost my temper. It. Doesn't. Matter. But he was lying. Yami wasn't so gullible or stupid as to not know that immediately. He snorted loudly and Yugi turned to him with wide eyes. For a moment he was quiet, and then his voice came out soft and pleading. Look, I…I'm sorry. I don't want to talk about this. I can't talk about this with you. I wish more than anything that I could, but I…can't.

Yami scoffed, turning away and picking his way further into the copse of trees. Just keep up. I won't go into these tunnels again.

You won't need to, Yugi assured him softly. I would never ask you to.

Right, he drawled.

But he knew Yugi was being truthful. If he'd had the means, he would have shielded him from it all. He would have found a way to keep him from remembering everything he'd experienced underground. He would have tried to protect him from his terrors and depression. Yami had the thought Yugi would have even tried to make a deal with the devil if he'd been able.

If there had been anyone else he trusted to lead him around, he would have avoided bringing Yami into it altogether. He knew that.

Yami may have been desperate to keep Yugi from saying it, but he knew the depth of affection he felt all the same. He wouldn't pressure him, nor was he upset when Yami feigned obliviousness to it. He couldn't quite ignore it as he'd been able to when Yugi had first developed feelings, but he could pretend he didn't know when it came down to it.

Now, however, Yami took comfort in it. Yugi wouldn't have asked him to do this if he'd had an alternative. If he could have asked Slifer and trusted her with the task, he would have.

The reminder helped to calm his frayed nerves.

He circled forward, through the trees for a pace of about a hundred yards. Then he slowed down further, listening intently. The snow got deeper where he was, so much higher than the ground that he almost sank entirely to his head. He moved slowly, steadily, through snow that covered his dorsal cape. His fur was slicked, the ice refusing to melt where it lingered atop his coat. He felt as if he were swimming, an exercise that had always made him nearly panic. Had it been water he would have frozen with fear and likely sank for sheer inability to move.

But it passed as he continued. He stepped forward atop the slope that had risen noticeably beneath his paws. He got to the crest of the hill he'd been climbing, shook himself out, and watched his legs as they sank to his elbows when he approached the river.

There were several large bushes here, leafless and layered in branches that almost hid the entrance completely. At first glance, from any angle, the entrance was nearly invisible. It was only as he got closer that the narrow tunnel showed. The bushes were several feet back, but the entrance dipped downward, as if it had been dug into existence. It seemed almost man-made rather than borne from the earth itself. And, as Yami continued forward, he knew if he'd never used the tunnel himself he would have failed to notice it. When he got closer, the earth seemed to expand for a single second, stretching forth and threatening to swallow him whole.

Yami ducked down into the hole, the lip scraping against his scruff and shoulders as he dropped to his belly. The earth was packed and slick with snow, nearly dipping away into nothingness beneath his weight. He slipped slightly, belly quivering where the ice managed to penetrate his long fur. He dragged himself forward, claws scraping the dirt hard enough it nearly collapsed beneath his weight. The tunnel roof dipped, raking over his head, and a mound of hardened dirt dropped onto his neck. He crawled forward slowly, claws digging into the earth as he pulled himself further into the tunnel.

And then he saw where the entrance widened, shifted forward just enough to put his claws on the dirt over his head and dig them in. He shuffled again, dragging himself closer to the exit of the narrow trail. And then he pulled himself forward, bunching his back limbs beneath him and shoving upward. The momentum allowed him to throw himself forward and onto the stone floor that led more purposefully through the darkness. His claws clicked as he started walking and now he could not hear any water, even the cold rush of trapped liquid where it still traveled beneath the ice of the river behind him.

He shook himself out, scattering the dirt that clung to his pelt. Ears pricked for noise, he slowed his steps to a more cautious gait and continued with every sense geared toward locating neighboring threats. Yugi was behind him almost immediately, slowing to match his pace. They moved almost in sync, their breathing exact but for the occasional exhale longer than the other. He cast a single anxious glance around, bristling faintly.

There was a single long and low whine of noise. Yami hesitated as he caught it. He stopped short, pricking his ears and listening intently. Yugi was frozen behind him when he cast a glance over his shoulder. He had the swift, overwhelming urge to turn tail then and there. He could dodge aside him and flee the tunnels entirely. He could run and never come back and—

The impulse died when he saw the intense stare Yugi wore. The white wolf would not stop him. But he wouldn't join him, either. He'd continue without him. And Yami couldn't risk such a thing.

Yugi didn't know where they were. He had no idea how bad a place this tunnel led.

He turned back. The whine became guttural, the tunnel shivering around them for a long handful of seconds. Yugi had come to his side now, staring into the darkness with a horrified and curious expression. Yami could see him putting the pieces together. He had begun to suspect what he was hearing. He just didn't entirely have a name for it at that moment. All he knew was that a generator had started up and produced energy of some kind.

When the rumbling faded and the ground seemed no longer to shake, Yami began to move again. He kept his steps cautious, almost slow enough that he felt he was not making progress. He shook himself out. His stomach rolled. His claws clicked on the stone. His head pounded with noise. His heart rocketed in his chest.

Aibou…

Yami flicked an ear but Yugi did not speak again. He could not tell if he was trying to get his attention or if he was simply attempting to comfort him. He was sure Yugi could hear his heart just as thunderous as he himself could. No doubt he was alarmed but also felt he needed to know what lurked there at the end of the tunnel.

Yami closed his eyes, drawing in a deep breath that made his lungs ache. And then he crept forward again, just as slow and uneasy as he had been formerly. Every step was careful and measured, with a trepidation Yami could never hope to put into words. He was almost glad Yugi would see it for himself and he would not need to explain. It would save him the pain that came with the attempt of speaking about this terrible place.

The heavy stench of burning fur reached them several seconds later. Yami bristled, unable to stop himself snarling low in his throat. He exhaled roughly and pushed forward again. Yugi had stopped behind him, the stench of shock and fear crashing through the air. Yami was almost smothered by it even as the scent of burning flesh and disturbed ashes threatened to clog his lungs. He shivered, shaking himself out, and continued. His heart raced furiously before he could force it to settle again.

The wall that rose in front of them was made of a mixture of cement and red brick dusted black and gray with ash. The top and sides were a glistening black metal where they were not covered in remains. An archway of iron stood in the center of the formation, with a screen door that held back the remains of the burning bodies. The flames lapped hideously through the air, bursting forth with enough power it made him flinch back. His fur burned from close proximity and Yami backed away rapidly as Yugi got to his side again. The white wolf shivered, then began to visibly tremble with disbelief and open shock. And then he bristled and backed away as well.

Yami…

It holds over four hundred bodies at a time. And the device they use to remove the ashes and clean the incinerator has to be removed for the tunnel to be utilized to enter. They only ever use it if they have over two hundred bodies to burn. Yami turned away, picking a path quickly toward the exit once more. A billowing, hideous burst of smoke came crashing through the tunnel behind him. Yugi hurried after him, breathless as he whispered, I'm sorry, aibou and the black wolf dug his way out of the tunnel. He was panting when he got to the snow again, shivering as he dragged himself out and padded forward quickly.

Yami, aibou, wait…please.

He slowed his pace infinitesimally, bristling as he paced a few steps ahead again. Yugi got to his side almost immediately, breathing a ghost of a noise. The sound was so fearful it made Yami turn his head to glance at him. Yugi stayed silent for a long time, then came forward to lick his cheek and press his nose into his shoulder gently.

I'm sorry.

For what? What are you apologizing for?

For making you go back there. I'm sorry.

Yami narrowed his eyes. You swear to me this trip has a purpose?

I wouldn't have asked if it didn't.

He turned away again. Then there is nothing to be sorry about.

Yugi flattened his ears. Can I ask you something?

What is it?

Why did you go back through that entrance?

I went back for a body. Yami hesitated, then looked over his shoulder. I went late the night I escaped, found the incinerator, and pulled my cage mate out. I have not been back through there since. And never in the daylight.

Yugi halted behind him. Yami kept going for a moment, then spun around to snap his teeth impatiently. But the expression on Yugi's face as he stared at the ground made Yami falter. He looked as if he were trying to suppress tremors. Yami's anger evaporated immediately, stunned before he cautiously stepped forward.

Yugi? He crept forward another step, bristling faintly with unease. Little one?

Yugi flinched as if he'd been struck. His ears flattened against his head for a moment and he exhaled roughly. When his eyes rose to his again, Yami swore he would have been crying had he been human. His eyes were shiny and Yami was sure he'd have had tear tracks along his cheeks. As a wolf, his eyes shimmered and his body language was curled in on itself as if he expected Yami to lash out.

He tilted his head, flattening his ears and creeping forward another step. Are you all right? he mumbled, unsure how to comfort him in any other manner. If he were human he'd awkwardly fumble, perhaps try to offer a hug and seize up when Yugi took him up on it. His stomach coiled painfully as he considered him for a moment. It had to be a hindrance for Yugi to experience so many emotions and feel so much toward someone who couldn't allow themselves to share such sentiment. I didn't mean to—

I'm s—I'm just sorry. He lowered his head again. You went through so much and I always kind of…take it for granted that you'll help me even when you shouldn't have to. I constantly hurt you one way or another and we're always just…stuck knowing I'll do it again or that you'll get hurt in yet another misguided attempt to help me and—

Misguided attempt to help you? Yami echoed, startled. I've never made a misguided attempt to help you. I've always done it when I knew it to be necessary, when you could not make it out on your own. Whether I got hurt in the meantime was my own fault.

I don't want to see you hurt anymore.

You don't have a choice. Until you're up to par with her, I refuse to let you fight Yubel. I'll get my ass handed to me as I have before, but it is not your call whether I intervene. Yami curled his lips back and gave him a snarling smile. It is not as if I would listen to you anyways. I told you never to approach the pack and the next thing I know I'm leading you into the woods to do just that. I believe I owe you some disobedience in turn.

Yugi blinked, then laughed at the wry comment. His tail wagged rapidly as he raised his head and grinned, tongue lolling. Yami wagged his tail in turn, though it was not as exuberant and he found himself unable to truly smile. He couldn't help but notice that Yugi looked oddly relieved, as if he'd expected an entirely different response from him. Had he thought he'd lash out? Had he assumed he'd turn on him? Yami looked away, embittered by the suspicion cutting into his heart.

Yami…

He almost missed it. He blinked, pausing, and looked over. Yes? When Yugi didn't answer, he demanded, What is it?

He seemed to struggle for words. His eyes darted from his face to the snow and back. He then he shook his head and came to his side. They walked in silence from there, for what seemed like hours. Yami felt as if he were being smothered and losing his mind when Yugi abruptly looked over again.

I won't let anything happen to you. Not… Yugi looked as if he were struggling once more. I mean…

Things will always happen, Yami argued, peering at him in bewilderment. You can't stop them. I can't stop them. We will both end up hurt at some point. It's part of life.

If I can prevent it, Yugi argued, I will.

You shouldn't make promises like that.

Yugi shook his head and offered something that Yami could only describe as a broken smile. His ears flattened and his eyes lowered to the ground. I'd…I'd like to pretend I could, you know? It's crazy, but I'd like to pretend I have the power to do that. Then he barked a laugh and shook his head. I'd give anything to be able to do that.

I don't need you to save me.

And yet Yugi raised his eyes, locking them with his. The blue-violet irises swirled with something Yami couldn't quite read and he bristled faintly, stunned by the unfamiliar gleam. Yugi blinked and turned away again.

I just…wish that if…if things were different, that we… Yugi fell silent, then laughed and shook his head, the sound derisive and the action harsh. His voice was scathing for a single moment, then earnest. Fuck, Yami, I just… I just wish we could be together…forever.

Yami stiffened and faltered, stopping short of his next step. Forever? It seemed like so long, yet like nothing at all. The gods could kill them when it was all over. Or they might let them live. He didn't know. And, without knowledge, forever was nothing but a fairytale. He didn't even think he knew the word as more than a figment of desire, an idea that was too faraway at all times. Paradise was far more realistic, and forever was just a joke. It…meant nothing.

Yugi refused to look over, still walking ahead. Yami watched him, legs unsteady and heart squeezing.

Forever was Paradise. If they died permanently, they'd be together in Paradise. That was where wolves went when they died. But he didn't think they'd be so close all the time. Why should they need to be? It would no longer be life or death and—

That wasn't what Yugi wanted. That was far from what he meant.

Yami looked down, shaking himself out. Yugi wanted to live. He wanted to live and have Yami live with him. He didn't want to die and spend an eternity in Paradise with him. He wanted life.

Forever, he exhaled, breathless when he struggled to step forward. Yugi paused, turning his head to look over his shoulder in surprise. Forever…might be impossible. But I… As long as you will have me, I'll stay with you.

It wasn't a promise, and it wasn't as bold a statement as Yugi had made. And he was ashamed of himself for that. But he couldn't promise Yugi anything. He was useless in that regard. He was too afraid to break his promise and hurt him more than he already had. If Yugi wished for forever, Yami had nothing to offer. And if his time was cut short, then forever was a broken promise that never saw the smallest light of day.

He lowered his eyes, forcing himself to stumble forward. His limbs were stiff with cold with tension and his stomach rolled. His heart felt as if it might explode in his chest and adrenaline made his legs shake.

Yugi considered him, his eyes brightening with sorrow. Yeah, he mumbled, tired and despondent as he sighed. He seemed to consider talking again, then stopped short and wagged his tail as he dropped into a play bow. Race you to the camp!

Yami froze, paw half-raised from the snow. He tried to wag his tail in turn but failed despite his best efforts. But he didn't have the chance to answer, either. Yugi had turned and bolted up the hill without a second glance. Yami watched him, for a moment too upset to follow, and then took off after him. Yugi slowed enough for him to catch up, then kept a steady pace of a couple of yards between them, as if he were teasing him but also making sure he did not lose sight of him.

Yugi paused only when they reached the fall, looking over his shoulder and moving to scale the ledges of the gorge. Yami watched him for a moment, then looked toward the water, where he could see the smallest sheet of ice covering the top in a haphazard and jagged formation, as if it were struggling to keep from falling away. It was still a jump they could make, as the ice was perhaps only an inch thick at the most. The cold was slowly working to disable the rushing water, but for the moment Yami was sure they could have simply leaped.

He knew Yugi had chosen otherwise because of his side, however. He was not so stupid he didn't recognize that. He was thankful, but flustered as well. Yugi had chosen such an abrupt detour as if it had only occurred to him then. He was sure Yugi would have taken the other entrance if he'd thought it through more than this.

He listened to the roar of water, then slowly followed the white wolf. He stepped into each of his prints, careful to make sure he left what looked to be the movements of only one wolf. He knew better than to expect a human to be looking for them and he didn't expect a wolf to be distracted or even slightly surprised by the maneuver. But he was unsure of his footing, and though his paws were bigger, the fresh prints helped to keep his balance.

Yugi stood at the top, tail raised slightly as if he meant to wag it as he pressed closer to the rock wall at his side. The white wolf gave him a grin, going to speak, then froze. Yami heard the noise just as he did. They swapped a single look, then took off running for the camp. Yugi got ahead by a couple extra yards, then more, and did not bother to slow. Yami didn't blame him for it, though he was forced to slow himself due to the pain in his side.

He skid to a halt, but slammed into Yugi all the same. The white wolf didn't react but to look over, blinking, and then lick his nose as he got back up again. Yami flinched when his shoulder popped as he stood as well. Yugi looked over again, licked his nose as he had before, and narrowed his eyes.

That took longer than I was expecting, Yugi sighed. He flattened his ears as he turned to Yami. The black wolf frowned and looked past him and toward the center of the camp. Two wolves were visibly tearing into each other, blood and fur flying. Fuck, how do we do this?

It took Yami a long moment to understand who was fighting and what he was seeing of the two of them. He blinked and pricked his ears forward. I beat them both and you carry the battered bodies away. He wagged his tail when Yugi shot him an amused glare. I'll disengage Valon. You make sure Jonouchi doesn't come after him when I do.

Yugi snorted. Right! Give me the harder job, he teased. He wagged his tail and took off. Yami would have rolled his eyes had he been human; instead he sighed and followed faithfully.

Valon was visibly trying not to hurt him. He'd thrown him a few inches back. Fur hung from his mouth. His tail was raised. His eyes glinted. But he never made a move to lunge. Instead Jonouchi did. Valon dodged and snapped at him. They circled and Jonouchi sprang again.

Yami only noticed then just how much blood was scattered across the ice. It stank, the scent one that made his fur stand on end. Jonouchi had gotten the hellhound. At some point he'd landed a pretty bad blow. Yami wasn't sure where. And he didn't know how long ago. But he could tell that much by the scent.

Jonouchi was thrown back again. Valon bore his teeth and snarled. A couple of other wolves circled. Someone snickered. Someone else encouraged Jonouchi to go again. When the golden-furred wolf lunged, Yami sprang. He hit him in the shoulder and tossed him a foot aside. Jonouchi spat and turned on him.

Yugi hurtled forward. But Yami couldn't sidestep in time.

Jonouchi caught the entire right side of his face in his mouth. His teeth clamped hard enough Yami's molars clipped his tongue. Blood welled in his mouth. His eyes stung for a split second. Jonouchi clamped down harder. It felt as if his face were threatening to burst.

And then he screamed. Yami was abruptly released. His head snapped around. Yugi had tackled Jonouchi so hard he'd sent him flying. The golden-furred wolf hit the ground on his back. Yugi snapped his teeth at his neck and snarled. He was stiff and glaring. His pupils were almost nonexistent and rage made his eyes a disturbing blue.

Yami glanced sideways. Valon stood there, eyes locked on the other two. He was bleeding from a rather thin but long scratch in his neck. Jonouchi had clearly aimed to kill. Valon must have reacted just in time to avoid his jugular being torn open.

Did you finally fuck? Valon asked, never taking his eyes off Jonouchi. Is that what took you both so damn long?

Was he kicking your ass that bad? Yami dismissed. But the entire side of his face stung and his tongue was swollen from abuse. He was exhausted, the pain making his head spin. I thought you were capable of holding your own.

Yugi had let the other wolf up at some point. Yami wasn't entirely sure of when. And he didn't get the chance to ask. When Jonouchi paced a few steps away, Yami turned to address the hellhound. There was only a split second between Yugi's alarm cry and the sudden burst of pain.

Yami felt as if someone had stuck an ice pick through his side. He screamed, entire body searing with pain. Dots formed in the center of his vision. A rippling effect made his peripheral blacken. The pain came again, tenfold.

Yami blinked. Yugi had begun to say something. Someone had barked a comment at Jonouchi. Valon was snarling off to his left. Mai pleaded with him to stop.

And then Yami turned his head. His peripheral cleared. The noise fell away to nothingness. The shocked faces of the other wolves faded. He looked over and stared.

Jonouchi had clamped down on his side. He'd torn the muscle almost completely to ribbons, as if he were trying to disembowel him. Yami blinked once, then twice. And then he clamped his jaws. Jonouchi instantly released and tried to wheel back. Yami's teeth caught and held. Blood shot through the air and clogged his throat. Jonouchi snarled and squirmed. Yami felt something snap and shatter beneath his teeth. A scream tore through the air.

And then something slammed into his side.

Yami spun on it mindlessly. His teeth snapped a millimeter from flesh. A tuft of fur hung from his mouth. He snarled and stared. And the other wolf eyed him cautiously.

Jonouchi, on your belly, tail tucked. If he turns, you fucking roll over.

Yami flicked an ear. He could hear the other wolf moving to follow instructions. He tipped his head slightly and angled an ear to track his movements. When the wolf ceased action, he almost turned to regard them. But the white canine in front of him was peering at him relentlessly, clearly trying for his attention. Yami snarled low in his throat and thought to lunge. Then he blinked as the wolf behind him moved again.

Jonouchi, freeze!

Yami watched the other canine stop still. He was statuesque, completely frozen. His eyes were wide and the whites showed brilliantly. He was pressed into the snow completely. His ears were flat. His body was lowered to the ground and half-hidden there. He wasn't watching Yami headlong. He was studying him from his peripheral.

Don't move. Just…stay there.

Yami turned back to the white wolf. Behind him a golden-eyed male was staring at him intently. The white canine crept forward a step, slow and cautious. Yami tracked him for a moment. Then he turned back to the golden-furred one on the ground. He'd moved again, a mere couple of inches from where he'd been before. Yami almost wanted to grab him by the throat and shake him limp, throw him back, and dare him to try to run again. He lowered his mouth, opening his jaws, and felt drool thick as tree sap drip from his fangs.

Yami.

He glanced sideways toward the other wolf. He'd come closer again.

Enough. You're okay.

Okay? Yami nearly burst out laughing. He was okay? His side had been almost torn into nothingness and he was okay? He snapped his teeth when the other crept closer again. The one behind him tried to run. He spun on it, teeth nearly crushing its skull when he drove them to the ground. The other wolves began to pace, some snarling and others protesting loudly.

Katsuya, if you move again, I'll fucking kill you myself.

Fucking Fenrir, the golden-eyed wolf spat. He's going to kill him.

Why should you care? someone else growled, laughing. He was trying to kill you first.

And he couldn't.

Shut. Up. The white wolf lowered its head and wagged its tail slowly, almost bowing in front of him. When it dropped to its belly in the snow and stretched out lazily before him, Yami blinked in confusion. Its voice was low, guttural and furious, and made his entire belly feel hot with unexpected tension. Jonouchi, stay there. Don't move.

Yami blinked. The white wolf opened his mouth in a wide grin, panting, and then wiggled his rump in the air. Yami eyed him a moment, then slowly lessened his grip on the other canine. He raised his head a second later. And then he huffed as he faced Yugi completely.

Stay there, Yugi snarled without taking his eyes off Yami. His body had since grown relaxed from its forced playful stance. His ears flicked about and his shoulders lost all tension. He wagged his tail now as if he were trying to portray some sense of gratitude toward him. You may rise now. But you will not look at Yami or Valon and you'll keep your eyes on the snow rather than anyone else. Move slowly. Step carefully. And do not piss me off anymore than I already am.

Yami turned his head. Jonouchi slunk forward slowly, carefully, with such stiff movements it was clear the Alpha Command had taken hold. Yami watched him for a while, then shook himself out. Jonouchi stopped within a few feet of Mai, curling his lips back and glaring. The she-wolf looked more ashamed than furious, but she didn't seem afraid of him lunging forward at her.

What happened?

You went psycho for a second there, Yuya sputtered.

Yami shot him an irritable look and turned to Jonouchi. Well? What happened? he spat. I did not get my side torn open like this for nothing. Explain yourself before I snap your neck like a twig.

Aibou.

He flicked an ear but didn't turn his head. Yugi came forward, then circled around to look at the wound. Jonouchi scowled and Mai huffed, turning away, but Valon never took his eyes off Yami, as if he were afraid he might turn on him at any moment.

She's a fucking whore! Jonouchi snarled. She's fucking around with him now, too!

Yami blinked. And he had the overwhelming impulse to burst out laughing. He'd gotten his side mauled and nearly gutted for the sake of Mai's libido being satisfied? He felt a gust of air force its way through his nose in a snort. And then he looked over, about to give in to his desire to guffaw, and froze. Yugi was painstakingly licking at the wound, trying his hardest not to apply too much pressure.

And the sight made his amusement vanish entirely.

He looked away again. If it had been Yugi, he'd have done far worse than Jonouchi had managed. But then, he was also far more violent and likely to kill than the other wolf ever had been. And Jonouchi might have missed the jugular, but he also wasn't trained to change trajectory at the flip of a switch. Yami would have killed Valon where he stood if it'd been Yugi in place of Mai.

He flattened his ears briefly at the thought, risking a sideways glance at Yugi again. The white wolf was clearly listening but not paying them full attention. His efforts were still entirely focused on the task of cleaning his wound.

And Yami felt bad for even imagining Yugi would do that kind of thing. He wasn't like Mai. And he didn't use people for distraction or escape from harsh realities. He was afraid to die, but he didn't project it onto others as she did. And, beyond that, Yugi had to be the most reliable and loyal person he'd met, regardless of being a human or wolf.

He'd chosen Yami over his best friends far before he'd even acknowledged the mating bond. And Yami wasn't stupid enough to look at that and deny it further proved Yugi loyal to a fault.

Oh, fuck off, Jonouchi, Mai snapped. I never said—

Real loyalty, Jonouchi sneered, turning on Yami now. What was that about wolves being so loyal?

Usually we are, he answered despondently, looking over at Mai and wondering what had triggered her to seek Valon as a sexual partner. And why then? He could still smell it in the air; Jonouchi had likely actually interrupted midway, considering the freshness of the stench. He blinked and glanced at Valon, holding the unwavering stare the hellhound offered him in turn. Unless something happens.

Funny. I think I remember you saying always.

Yami turned back, pricking his ears forward. Are we going to argue about this? he hissed. Are we really?

Fuck you and the pedestal you think you stand on, Jonouchi barked, getting up and glaring at him fully now. Yugi stiffened at Yami's side but the black wolf merely tilted his head. You act like wolves are so much better than humans and yet she's clearly as worthless as the ones you made such snide remarks about. And where's your loyalty anyways? You've turned on Yugi quite a few times now. So, who the fuck are you to say a damn word about it?

Yami bristled faintly and Yugi paused mid-lick, eyes stretching wide where Yami could see him in his peripheral. He blinked and suppressed a shiver. I've never pretended I was perfect. And what happens between Yugi and me is none of—

Really? Because I'm pretty sure it's pack business.

Yami bristled and jerked away when Yugi tried to resume his cleaning. The white wolf looked rapidly between them, then pleaded, Yami, please. Stop entertaining him. I'll talk to him in a minute. But your side—

Why do you keep fighting his battles for him? Jonouchi all but roared, spinning on Yugi. He can handle himself. Isn't that what you told me just yesterday?

Yugi exhaled long and slow, then turned and raised his head. Yes, he can. And I can beat you into a pulp just as well. So, why don't you shut up and let me concentrate on this instead?

The golden-furred wolf snorted and turned on Yami again, ignoring the warning in Yugi's eyes. You turn on him constantly and yet here he is, defending you all over again. What the hell have you ever done to deserve that? You let Yubel and Sartorius kill his mom and grandpa!

Yami flinched so forcefully he knocked Yugi back a step. He blinked once, then twice, stunned for a single second. And then he burst out laughing. The harsh noise made everyone nearby flinch. Yugi flattened his ears and stared at Yami with a horrified expression. Chazz shivered. Mai turned to him with wide eyes. Zane bristled. Valon bore his teeth and backed away a step.

Are we going so far with this? Yami guffawed, coming forward and baring his teeth. Then let me tell you a secret.

Yami, no! Yugi snarled, spinning on him. It was just enough to make him flinch again. The white wolf moved between them and shook his head. Don't. Please. I'm begging you. Don't do this.

He faltered, caught between the impulse to sneer at him or back away. His eyes flicked over Yugi's head toward Jonouchi. The golden-furred wolf was staring at Yugi with a suspicious expression. But his eyes grew wide and dark with shame when he looked at Yami again. His ears flattened and he ducked his head, mumbling, Fuck.

There was a single moment where Yami wanted to snap at him again regardless. But Yugi wagged his tail and the movement made him turn his head to regard him once more. He huffed, backing up a step, and looked away.

Sorry.

Yugi licked his nose and then turned around. I don't know where exactly you get off hurling insults and casting judgment like this, Katsuya, but that's enough. He didn't bristle or even tense, but his voice came out guttural and low and almost ancient in sound. Go to the alpha's den. I'll meet you there.

He got up slowly, looking at Yami and ducking his head again. But when he turned around, he raised his tail and spat, Whatever. You're not worth this as he trotted past Mai without a second glance.

The she-wolf flinched violently. Valon snorted and turned away, absolutely laughing now. Mai shot him a flustered look and wandered off a few yards to be alone. Yugi sighed heavily and faced Yami with a tilt of his head. Let me finish cleaning your side and then I'll go speak to him.

He backed away a step. Deal with him instead. I'll take care of it myself.

Yami—

Go, he snapped, voice bordering a begging tone as he turned away with his ears folded back. Please, just…just go deal with him.

Yugi remained standing there for a long minute. And then he leaned forward. Yami flinched away again when his tongue darted out to lick his forehead. Yugi paused for a second, sighed softly, and turned away to follow Jonouchi.

Yami watched him go from the corner of his eye, then looked down at his side and shivered. Yugi had gotten at least the majority of it cleaned along the edges. But the rest of it was a sopping red mess of artery and muscle. Jonouchi had gotten about half an inch further toward his back leg than Sartorius had, as if he'd been aiming to try to rupture the blood vessel there.

He ignored the concerned or horrified looks he was given when he turned away to start walking the opposite direction. Syrus mumbled something that sounded oddly like a prayer, and Zane snapped at him to get a move on. Yuya asked if Yami was okay, to which he didn't answer, and then prompted Mai with the same question.

Why would you even bother asking her? Jim spat. Yami paused to look over his shoulder, surprised by the violent tone. She fucked the hellhound. And they're not even going to punish her?! She should be dead!

Yami stared at him for a long time. He'd kill her over something so trivial? Why even punish someone for something so stupid? He blinked, then laughed, Jim, let me make this clear. Her choices are her own. And if you lay a claw on her, I'll rip your heart from your chest.

Jim flinched back as if Yami had truly lunged for him. He stared at him a while longer, watching him as he backed away with his head down and shot him something akin a furious look. The black wolf glanced slowly at the ground and pricked his ears forward. He had the impulse to follow Yugi, but it faded a moment later. He didn't want to deal with Jonouchi and he had the feeling it would only escalate if he approached them.

And, after the reminder of his various mistakes, Yami wasn't sure he could bear to go near Yugi at the moment. Yugi may not have blamed him for his family's death and maybe he didn't hold him accountable for the few times he'd actively attacked him, but it didn't make it right regardless. He'd hurt him all the same. And he'd been unable to stop Sartorius and Yubel. It did add up to his inadequacies as the reason of loss.

He hadn't even been able to fight Amelda and Sartorius and protect Yusei.

It was yet another failure in a long list of them.

And it did not help that he'd been prepared to attack him yet again minutes before.

Yami flattened his ears and picked his way toward the kill pile. Everyone moved away, as if he'd lunged at them, and Syrus awkwardly lingered long enough to ask him if he was okay before fleeing when Yami glanced at him. The wolves further in the camp didn't look over. Some of them settled for lying down or seating themselves. A couple poked at Valon who seemed more amused than disgruntled by the attention.

He was a sociopath, Yami remembered as he licked at the wound. The blood had already clotted and the flesh had surprisingly almost sealed itself again. It didn't look nearly as bad as it had even an hour ago. He wasn't sure why it'd healed so quickly, but he wasn't going to question it for the moment. That was something he could puzzle over later.

Right now he just wanted to groom it and sleep a while.

But sleep wouldn't come, even fifteen minutes after he'd finished cleaning it and buried his nose under his tail. He'd been unable to get comfortable enough to rest and now he lay there with his eyes open, staring as a few scattered flakes of snow drifted in front of his face. He watched them lazily, studying every little intricate design he could, and then slowly got to his feet.

Some of the other wolves looked over as if with alarm. One or two seemed relieved. Yami ignored them, raising his head and looking at the branches overhead. A sharp, painful throbbing formed in his side. His ears pricked further forward and he felt the hair rising along the back of his neck. He blinked, tension making his muscles ache, and let loose a small growl.

Valon had risen now as well, golden eyes gleaming with something akin amusement. His tail rose and wagged and his head turned toward Yami with a knowing expression. Abruptly the rest of the wolves seemed to sense it as well. They all hurried forward, confused and startled for the most part. And then they all looked to Yami as if for answers.

The red-eyed wolf ignored them. His gaze shot toward Yugi as the white wolf jumped over a dune and landed a few feet away. Every hair on his body rose into a bristle and he looked around rapidly.

What the hell is that?

Yami flicked an ear and glanced up again, then slowly away. His eyes flickered about for a single moment before he padded forward a few steps. Everyone was staring at him now, as if they expected him to pluck an answer from thin air.

It was Yugi who laughed, Are you really going to hide, Yubel?

Just like that the entire pack was instantly alert. Fur rose, lips peeled, eyes narrowed, mouths parted with snarls. A few tails rose. Others tucked.

Yami turned his head to look at him sideways. Yugi…

What? Don't tell me you don't know that's her.

He shook his head and mumbled, Not just her.

All of them looked at one another. Some of the yearlings moved toward the center of the group, utilizing a herd mentality as if it might truly protect them. The alphas were closer toward the front, the betas flanking them. Yami eyed them for a moment, then padded along and strained his ears.

And then he turned his head.

Sartorius seemed almost to materialize from thin air. Yami didn't blink, instead coming forward to pace and study him. Someone whispered they were all going to die, only to be immediately bitten in the face and start yelping. Aki hissed something about how she'd love to sink her teeth into his corpse. And Yugi murmured something to Jonouchi about joining the circle.

Yami came a few yards from him, standing motionless. Sartorius stopped then, raising his tail high in the air. Yami watched him blankly, pricking his ears forward. Something was scraping at the bark of a tree a few feet away, off towards the circle the wolves had taken to forming.

What was that about changing fate? Yami finally asked. It almost seems like you want me to kill you.

Don't kill him… Yugi hissed the words at him. Yami risked a turn of his head to watch him from his peripheral. Don't kill him. Disable him. I might need him for something.

Need him for something? Yami eyed him and then turned back. Sartorius was watching Yugi with a somewhat crazed, intense look in his eyes. The black wolf flicked an ear. I'll leave you his broken body then.

Sartorius huffed a breath. You think you can do that to me?

I don't think you can stop me.

Look at your side.

Yes, why don't you look at it? I'd say it's healing rather nicely, actually. Yami trotted in a circle to show it off, facing him immediately again. I think it looks fantastic considering how much it's been festering.

The hellhound snorted. We'll see how fantastic it looks when you're dead.

Didn't you know? I come back.

Not without your head.

He barked a laugh. Do you even understand just how many times they tried to decapitate me in the labs?

The pack seemed to ripple with unease where they'd gathered together behind him. Yugi let out a strained noise, as if he were in agony, but didn't speak. Sartorius glanced at him but didn't turn away from Yami. His head tilted as he studied the white wolf a single moment, as if he were nothing more than a toy to be destroyed, and then looked to Yami again. His eyes narrowed and hardened like gems before he chuckled.

I remember hearing a story once, about how mating bonds were so strong you sometimes had to kill both wolves at the same time. His eyes flickered away for a single split second and then shot back to Yami's. I don't think that applies to you two, considering I've killed you before.

Yami didn't blink. You don't count that fight at the house as an actual victory, do you? You got me by surprise. And you had so much help.

Sartorius snorted and came forward now. His tail wagged as if he merely meant to play and Yami watched him expressionlessly. The hellhound cast a single small split second glance away as he had before, then turned back and lunged. He got within an inch of him and snapped his teeth, dodging back. Yami tilted his head slowly to the side and shifted his weight the smallest degree.

Had Sartorius expected him to flinch?

The hellhound seemed to have expected something. He blinked, backed up a few steps, and stared at him. Yami would have raised a brow if he'd been human. Now he tilted his head even further. Sartorius rushed him again. Yami turned his body slightly. The hellhound hit his shoulder. Yami's mouth gripped at his cheek. He thrust his shoulder forward into his flank and pulled down. Sartorius hit the ground on his side.

Yami released him and stood, hovering inches away. Sartorius rolled to his feet and stared. The black wolf tilted his head. The hound snarled low in his throat. Yami even let him strike once more. His teeth sunk into his cheek. Yami turned and ducked his head to prevent being flipped. Sartorius's paw came across his shoulders. Yami snorted and backed up a step. The single movement dislodged Sartorius's teeth.

He stepped back again. The hound stared at him, every hair on his back raised in what seemed to be alarm. Yami tilted his head and considered them as they quivered.

Sorry. Was I supposed to take this more seriously? Yami asked, pricking his ears. He tilted his head and studied him. Sartorius looked scared, actually. He looked genuinely fearful. Good. Yami shook himself out and stepped forward once, peeling his lips back into a hideous grin. What? Are you scared of little old me?

Sartorius sprang for him. His shoulder slammed into Yami's. His teeth dug into his face. Yami didn't budge, blinking. Teeth clamped harder into his skull. Yami shifted his weight to brace himself. Then he blinked again. He shoved his weight to the side. Sartorius stumbled slightly. His teeth scraped nearer Yami's right eye. The wolf blinked again.

Is it my turn yet?

Sartorius clamped down harder. Yami twisted his neck and pulled sharply. Bone grated. Fur pulled away. Blood dripped. Yami blinked but his eye was swollen from abuse. He clamped it shut and watched the other canine again. Sartorius rushed him. Yami counted a few seconds, then sprang to meet him. Teeth dug into his ear and tugged. The black wolf snorted and snarled. They were on their back feet, the hound bristling with his tail raised but Yami as relaxed in stance as he had been prior.

The cartilage tore when Yami jerked his head. He snapped his teeth and dug them into Sartorius's forehead, right above his eye. Then he shook him violently. They landed on all fours seconds later. Sartorius snarled. Yami simply breathed. His forelimb rose to hook around his shoulders. He held him there, waiting. Sartorius tried to shake him and failed. Yami blinked his useful eye once.

Sartorius squirmed and began backing up. Yami let him drag him several inches. But he refused to release. And the hound couldn't shake him. Yami kept his teeth clamped tighter than ever. The hound raised a paw, ducking his head. His foot scratched at Yami's cheek. His flesh stung. Blood dripped where his claws cut his skin. Yami held him there. The pressure on the side of his neck increased. Yami clamped his jaws tenfold.

Sartorius was seething. The smell of rage and panic and growing confusion was almost delicious against Yami's tongue. He ducked his head and twisted his neck enough to stay lodged there. The foot on his neck tried to push further down. He braced his shoulders. His back legs spread until they were shoulder width. He refused release a few minutes more.

Then he let go. Sartorius stumbled heavily. Yami blinked and watched him, considering. Yugi wanted him alive. And there were plenty of ways to hurt him enough to permanently disable him but not kill. In truth, this inability to decide a course of action was the only reason he was not fighting him as the others expected of him.

When he rushed forward again, Yami met him once more. The impact was minimal where it usually would have stunned him, if only slightly. Yami snapped his teeth. Sartorius flinched and missed his face. Yami lunged, every muscle tight. His mouth opened wide, aimed for his skull. Sartorius ducked and turned his head. His teeth angled toward his. Their jaws clicked from brute force. Sartorius threw himself closer to the ground. Snow flew upward. Yami smacked his face with a paw. The hound startled enough to release. Yami backed up.

Sartorius sprang for him. Yami opened his mouth, bracing himself. His teeth sunk into the loose skin of his neck. Sartorius pushed hard off his back feet. Yami tightened his muscles, bracing himself. His hind legs spread to shoulder width. His skin pulled loose from his teeth. Yami turned his head to avoid teeth aimed for his eye again. He shifted. And Sartorius caught his scruff.

Yami ducked his head but didn't move further. Sartorius tugged on his skin violently. Yami kept his shoulders squared. His eyes flickered toward Yugi and Jonouchi. The white wolf was studying him. Jonouchi looked flustered and livid. The rest of the pack seemed more confused than alarmed. But the omegas looked as if they thought he was going crazy.

Sartorius held his scruff even as Yami twisted abruptly. Fur tugged and skin split. But the blood was mild. And his skin merely stung. The hound sprang forward. He pulled Yami hard enough that he was forced to raise a paw and crane his head back. The wolf threw himself to his back legs. He used his leg to loop around Sartorius's shoulders once more. The hound snarled and bit down harder.

Sartorius shook him violently. Yami lost his stance but did not fall. Sartorius forced his head toward the snow. The black wolf blinked and wrinkled his nose. And then the hound shook him harder. Yami raised his back left leg and arched his spine. The movement kept him from falling. He shifted his weight when he placed his foot again. Sartorius was panting now, as if winded. His teeth clamped further into his skin. But it did nothing to stir a reaction.

Yami ducked and turned his head. His teeth snapped open. He caught his throat near the jugular. But he did not aim for such destruction. Yugi wanted him alive. And if Yugi wanted him alive, Yami would deliver him alive.

Sartorius shook him so violently his own forelimbs buckled. He fell forward but didn't release. Yami snorted and shook his head. Sartorius stumbled, catching himself on three legs. Yami pressed forward a few steps. The hound snarled, sounding almost panicked. He stumbled to catch himself. And then he began shaking him violently again. Yami didn't release his throat. And he found himself twisting just enough to keep from being knocked over.

Yami allowed him to shake him a moment longer. Then he sprang up and forward. The momentum sent Sartorius almost backwards. He sputtered and snapped at his face, missing. And when he sprang again, Yami sidestepped. The hound landed face-first in the snow. Yami backed away a few steps and considered him.

Sartorius snapped his teeth at his face. Yami dodged and moved back a step again. The hound mirrored his stance. He rushed him, flank to flank. Yami turned and paced, beginning to circle. Sartorius snapped his teeth and missed. Yami ignored it, continuing forward. The hound aimed for his eye. Yami sprang and twisted. The movement tossed Sartorius, who tried at the same time to lunge forward. He was thrown into the air about a foot or two. He twisted rapidly, but couldn't catch his paws. He landed halfway in a bow, snarling.

Yami blinked. The hound panted. Then he sprang forward. His teeth caught his lip and held tight. Yami's whiskers stung and burned. Yami wrinkled his nose again. Then he thrust forward. Sartorius rose to his back paws to meet him head on. But Yami pressed forth regardless. In an instant Sartorius fell backwards, spine bending unnaturally in an effort to catch himself. He released him and Yami landed lazily, blinking again. The hound rolled over rapidly to right himself.

Yami flicked an ear. Then he snapped his teeth in his head. He caught him as he was trying to rise. Sartorius snarled and tried to stand. Yami kept his head pinned. The hound struggled and tried to step backward. Yami refused to release for a few long minutes. And then he let go, stepping back and eyeing him.

Sartorius clearly didn't feel much pain when it came to the skin on his neck. Even holding it in an outstretched position had not slowed him. His scruff was likely the least advantageous place to sink his teeth in. And, if his neck was not a fragile spot, where else could he hurt him?

Yami eyed him, stepping back as he came forward. He flicked his tongue over his nose. His lip was bleeding where Sartorius had grabbed it before. And it stung when his tongue passed over it. The black wolf supposed it didn't matter, however. In the grand scheme of things it was nothing short of a minor inconvenience. He could shake it off at any moment. And it would likely heal enough to numbness soon.

Yami stepped past him, considering his stance. What was the most disabling attack he knew? Somehow the answer evaded him no matter how desperately he tried to remember. He paced a step. Then he turned as Sartorius rushed him.

What? Are you too cowardly to fight back? What happened to all that bravado?

Yami grunted, flicking an ear. I was told to keep you alive rather than kill you.

Kill me? Sartorius sneered the words, baring his teeth. Saliva dripped from his canines and every hair on his body rose. He stepped forward stiffly and Yami could see the smallest spot of blood on his chest. The black wolf studied the furious movements. You? You are missing an eye and you expect to kill me? You have no advantage.

Yami blinked, startled. Then he tilted his head. Missing an eye? He blinked again. Then he snorted and shook himself out. He opened both eyes now, ignoring the sheet of blood that came with the movement. The swollen flesh itched from the sudden movement. He pricked his ears forward. That eye?

Sartorius froze, eyes stretching to an owlish size. He bristled, freezing in place. His snarl fell for a single second, then returned as he became visibly infuriated.

You should really understand organ removal doesn't last long for a Pure-Blood. Even if you'd managed to crush my eye earlier, it would have grown back by now. He tilted his head. It wasn't entirely true, but as a wolf everything seemed to heal so much faster. When he was human it was likely the stress and fear that kept his body so unable to accommodate him. He had been born a wolf, so why wouldn't it have been easier for his body to accommodate the pain more quickly?

Maybe it was as simple as his discomfort when he was human. Perhaps it had stunted his healing.

It didn't matter.

His mind flashed with a single split second image. His blood heated with fury. His fur rose and fell once in a shudder. Then he pricked his ears forward. He blinked slowly. His stomach gurgled. His skin twitched.

Yami tilted his head and watched the hound for a moment. Sartorius sprang. Yami narrowed his eyes. Then he pushed forward. He shot downward, to a crouch. Then he lurched upward.

The hound had only a split second window to dodge.

He missed it.

Yami caught his throat. He bore down. Blood spurted through the air. He balanced on his back legs. Then he tossed his upper body backward. Sartorius was sent soaring through the air. Yami landed heavily on all fours. His shoulders popped. His legs buckled for a single second. Then he spun and sprang.

He hit him midair. His back limbs were straightened. His forelimbs caught Sartorius's flank. His teeth dug into his underbelly. Yami twisted his back legs. Then his spine followed. Blood fell rapidly. The wolf arched his back. His back legs bunched upward. His forelimbs tucked against his chest. He kept this stance only for a moment. His tail was raised and flailing. It ran in a continuous circle, rapid like a helicopter's blades. And then his legs extended. He landed heavily.

Yami sank into the snow and disappeared for a split second. Then he straightened, panting. His head snapped around. His mouth opened wide. Each of his canines was drenched red. His mouth was smeared to his eyes. Splattering covered every part of his body in some matter. His tongue flicked over his nose. He blinked and looked around once. Then he crept forward a step.

Sartorius lay a few feet away. He was on his side, struggling to breathe. A huge mass of gray, pulsing flesh lay between them. Yami studied it as it twitched violently, rapidly, as if with panic. The black wolf watched until it became still seconds later.

He came forward again, tail lowered and body relaxed as it had been throughout their entire fight. Not a hair was out of place as he stopped an inch from the trail of organs. When he looked over, Sartorius was gagging and struggling for air.

I killed a god once, Yami murmured, just loudly enough for the pack to hear. Alarm swept through the wolves as if they'd been bitten. A few images shot back and forth, of Slifer or Obelisk or Morrigan. Yami didn't react and he didn't hear Yugi answering, either. A few seconds of silence passed. The black canine closed his eyes halfway. I snapped his neck. Because it would have been stupid to try to decapitate a Pure-Blood.

He raised his tail and turned to Yugi, trotting forward. Disembowelment alone will not kill, he mumbled. He shook himself out and pricked his ears, catching his eyes and holding them. Yugi blinked and raised his head slightly, startled rather than angry. Organs will grow back the longer they're given. He's in shock and a lot of pain. But he won't die.

Yugi blinked and looked past him toward Sartorius. A couple of other wolves had wandered over, curious and horrified. He snapped his teeth when one looked as if they might lunge and tear into him further. Then he turned back to Yami, amazed. He'd done it. He'd not only caught a hellhound for him. He'd disabled Yubel where he could.

And he'd made it impossible for the hound to escape.

He laughed, stunned, and slowly turned and raised his head. What do you think, Yubel? he called, opening his mouth and wagging his tail. His eyes locked on the mountain lion crouched atop the thickest branch of the tree feet from her beta's broken body. She didn't blink, golden eye burning into his as she flicked her tail lazily. Should we keep his corpse?

Abruptly she burst out laughing. Why might I care about his body? She got to her paws, balancing perfectly atop the gray branch. Her tail flicked back and forth once in that same lazy manner. But a corpse for a corpse is a fair trade, don't you think, Yugi?

Yugi snorted and peeled his lips back into a snarl, raising his tail into a wag. She eyed him for a moment. Then she sprang. Yugi braced every muscle in his body. He prepared himself to lunge forward and meet her. And then he blinked.

She was not aiming for him in the slightest. She'd chosen an entirely different target altogether. And Yugi realized a split second too late.

She'd sprung straight downward.

Chazz screamed for Syrus to move. Zane rushed forward to intercept.

And then she spit with rage, huge front paws held off the ground from impact. She was caught in place for a single second. Then her front right paw slammed into the side of her attacker's head. Yami wheeled back a step, then snarled. His teeth snapped an inch from her face as she rolled rapidly to her paws.

Yugi growled low in his throat. He'd expected to fight her this time. And he didn't even understand why he'd assumed such a thing. It should have been obvious. Yami would have stopped him every chance he got. They both knew he wasn't ready. And Yugi needed Sartorius for the training he planned to endure now.

Instead he watched. Yami had gotten her by the throat before she'd dislodged him. The blood was smeared across her neck, slicking her dark pelt. She had gotten to her paws again, glaring at him. Yami began pacing, every hair on his body raised in alarm. He snapped his teeth a foot away from her. He was out of range of her huge paws. And she was out of range of his glimmering teeth.

Yugi pricked his ears. The rest of the pack had moved further back again. Zane had snatched his brother up by the scruff and thrown him aside. Chazz paced restlessly, snarling. Jonouchi was standing near Mai, eyes wide. Valon had taken a seat at the far edge of the group, watching Yami intently.

And finally, driven by impatience no doubt, Yami rushed forward. He and Yubel collided violently. It sounded as if two cars had hit. The full body assault sent the hellhound backwards. All four legs were thrown off the ground. Yami had slammed into her side. He used the momentum of impact to turn slightly. She landed on her hind legs, spitting. And he dodged back a step with his mouth opened and gaping wide. Her paw came for his head but he ducked and quickly paced out of range.

Yami growled and lunged forward again. Yubel backed up, entire body rigid and mouth opened in a roar. She swatted him in the head and Yami stepped back. He was out of range when she tried again. She matched him step for step then, lunging. Yami danced back a few steps, raising his tail and salivating with anger. When he rushed her again, she rose on her back legs. Her paw struck at his head but missed. Yami circled her.

His entire frame was wired, steps preternatural and larger than usual.

Yugi watched as they continued circling one another. Yami's teeth snapped every other moment. Yubel snarled and swiped but missed each time.

It was only when Yubel charged him that things changed.

Yami lunged forward in turn. They slammed into each other once more. And Yubel was thrown backwards. She rolled a single time, then swiped. Yami's jaw struck the ground. And she sprang on him. Her paws caught his shoulders. She rolled. Yami struggled to keep his footing. And then he snapped at her face as they were both pulled off their paws. Her teeth dug into his scruff but could not sink in further. Yami snarled and opened his jaws wide but didn't move beyond this.

For a long minute he simply lay there, all but crushed within her grip. Her heavier weight and sharp claws kept him immobile. Yami blinked twice. Then he closed his eyes for a single moment. Abruptly the lycanthrope tossed himself violently. They rolled from the force. And then Yami sprang forward and out of her grip. A huge clump of hair hung from her mouth. Her claws held tufts of dark black. She rolled to her feet, clearly surprised. And Yami shook himself out as he turned back to her.

She sprang at him again. Her claws nearly hooked into his shoulders. But the black wolf dodged backwards, just a millimeter out of her range. He bristled, eyes almost glowing with anger.

She raced forward again. Yami met her. The cougar's claws sank into his back, just inches from his spine. Yami's gaping teeth closed on her skull. Skin peeled and tore. Blood sprayed. She hissed and spat. He snarled and seethed.

She twisted to the side. Yami was thrown sideways, but not off his paws. Somehow he'd kept his footing. His teeth were still in her skull. His shoulders were braced and squared. His head was lowered. Claws dug and tore further into his pelt and skin. And, finally, as she shook her head violently, Yami lost his footing. They rolled a couple of times. Yami twisted and squirmed in her grip. His back legs kicked. His forelimbs tossed in the opposite direction. He released her just as she did him.

But it was only for a single second.

She rolled over, grabbing him again. Her forepaws gripped his shoulders. Her back legs tore at his hindquarters. Yami snapped his jaws at her, twisting and struggling to shake her. For a minute she kept her grip. And then he tossed so violently that patches of skin and fur shed from his body. He scrambled a few steps away and got up again, shaking himself out. And Yugi watched, stunned, as the bleeding halted and skin grew anew and long black guard hairs sprouted in a mere second.

Yubel snarled and sprang again. Yami paced a step back. Then he rose on his back legs to meet her. But her momentum sent him backwards. Her mouth clamped on his skull. His face was swallowed. His eyes were no longer visible. His ears were covered. His cheeks were devoured. Her paws wrapped around his neck, holding. Blood sprayed the air again. Fur tangled with her claws.

And yet, as Yugi himself almost panicked, Yami burst into laughter. She released him where her paws encompassed him. Yami's front paws reached out and slammed into her throat. His back legs kicked rapidly to right himself.

He slipped out of her grip as if he were made of oil.

Blood dripped hideously from his face. He blinked it from his eyes. His ears were torn and tattered. His neck was bruised and red. His fur was stripped in more than one area. His muzzle looked as if it had been cut with a series of knives. It was hideous, the bone exposed and flesh shredded. His lip was swollen on one side. His cheeks were puffy. His shoulders looked ragged. At some point she'd struck his elbows. They were torn to pieces, with huge gashes across the tops.

Yugi could see the bone along his elbows, gouged deeply beneath all the blood.

Yami tilted his head and wagged his tail slowly. Everything about his body language was still relaxed and lazy. And Yugi couldn't understand why. What had happened to make him disregard this fight so much? He'd been dismissive of Sartorius in their fight as well, but he'd hardly expected such a thing when it came to Yubel.

Jonouchi had said Yami had seemed resolved to kill Sartorius. And he'd actually believed him when he'd said it. The simple conviction in his voice had shaken Jonouchi enough to believe him.

When Yami moved an inch to the right, pacing, she sprang for him. He dodged aside, but snapped his teeth into her skull. He tossed himself abruptly forward and rolled. And the puma was thrown through the air. She twisted and snarled. Her paws reached for his throat. Her back extended to its fullest. Her tail flew straight out. And she caught herself. One paw crushed his shoulder. The sound was hideous and loud. The bones ground together and grated. And then she twisted enough to straighten herself to land on her feet. But Yami abruptly pulled backwards. She jerked and her legs collapsed. She sank into the snow for a single second, then rushed to straighten.

Yami released her then, backing up several steps once more.

He wasn't fighting her, Yugi realized abruptly. He was testing her stamina. He'd been able to relax and take Sartorius as he came. The beta had been wounded previously. But Yubel was not. She was in what Yugi assumed to be perfect health but for her missing eye. She was lethal and Yami was measuring just how long it took her to recover. If he could pinpoint the time necessary, he could…hold her off.

He could hold her off.

Because they all knew he couldn't kill her.

Her speed was his disadvantage.

His weight and jaw power were hers.

But he couldn't kill her with that.

She could gut him as he tried to bite through her jugular.

When she raised herself from the ice, her entire face was slicked with blood. Her nose was especially dripping. Every exhale granted the sight of a tiny red bubble. She straightened and snarled, shaking herself out. There were scratches along her shoulder. And Yugi spotted a puncture on her back leg, near the hock.

When he charged her, she sprang forward again. Yami dodged to the side, then dove for her neck. His teeth clamped down. She spun around and twisted to roll on her back. Claws dug into Yami's shoulders. The other caught his elbow almost exactly in the line of the grooves he sported already.

Yami turned his body. He shifted just enough to pin her as he would have another wolf. Her back legs kicked at his. Blood gushed from the wound Jonouchi had worsened previously. Yugi almost expected her to gut him.

And yet Yami did not pause. He shook her violently. She lost her grip on his back legs. She snarled and spat. Her front claws dug more forcefully into his flesh. He shook her hard enough her back legs flailed uselessly in an effort to keep herself from being flipped. He kept his grip and shook her again. The hellhound tried to clamp her teeth in his face and missed. He shook her until he couldn't anymore. His eyes were half-closed with anger. His cheeks were puffed out as he panted. His nose bled and wriggled desperately for air. Yugi could see his tongue rapidly pulling and pushing against her skin. He snarled and shook her again a second later.

And then he jerked backwards. Fur flew. Blood spewed. And Yugi watched, horrified and fascinated, as Yami tore a chunk of flesh from her body. The hound snarled, rolling over rapidly, and backed up. Her spine arched, her tail thumped. She lowered her head, shocked just as the rest of them appeared to be.

Yami dropped the muscle in his mouth and peered at her.

Maybe you should run, he announced quietly, before I lose my temper.

Yubel stared at him for a single moment. And then she burst out laughing. Oh, is that it? I should be afraid of you?

Yami snorted and strode a step closer. I seem to remember you coming out of our last fight just as fucked as I did, he sneered. So, yes, actually, I would be a little worried if I were you.

Ah, I see. So that's why you're so afraid to actually make contact with me for more than a few seconds. She shot forward. When she sprang, Yami had only a moment to move. He didn't dodge away. Yugi knew she'd get his vitals if he tried. The black wolf ducked. She caught him on the back and the two of them rolled violently. His only saving grace was that he had been facing her. She could not get to his jugular. But she could crush his spine.

And Yugi heard it when she did. The resounding crunch made the entire pack scramble. They flinched and darted away, then turned back. They rippled like a pool of water being hit with rain drops. Yugi himself flinched, flattening his ears and stepping back once. And then he heard Yami's enraged snarl.

There was a rapid popping noise. And abruptly Yubel sprang away and back. Her entire face was shocked. Her eye was wide, horrified. Each paw was spread to catch herself. Her spine had arched fearfully. Her mouth opened in a hiss. And Yugi himself froze, fur rising in a hideous bristle.

Yami had gotten to his feet. His back was slightly hunched for only a moment. And then he straightened again. Blood dripped from various spots on his body. Bone was visible beneath severed skin. And yet, as Yugi watched, it began to heal. Blood clotted. Skin pulled together. Bones ground and shifted and jerked and stretched to their natural position again.

And, all the while, Yami simply stared.

Yugi found himself terrified.

Yami's eyes were almost glowing. His pupils had turned to pinpricks. His fur was missing still in patches. But guard hairs sprang forth in rapid bursts. His lip mended itself. His cheek lost its swollen appearance. His bleeding side had fully healed. And Yami stared straight at her.

He barely moved but for breathing. And she quivered, visibly startled. There was a tension in the air that made the entire pack uneasy. Yugi felt his heart pound in his chest. The increase in rhythm made Yami's ear flick. It focused in on him. But he did not move from his unbothered stance.

When she rushed him again, Yami met her head on once more. The black wolf was halfway off his back feet. Yubel snarled and reeled back. Her front paw slammed into his face. Yami sputtered mid-snarl. His eyes darkened, flashing. Yubel rushed to strike him again. Bones cracked as she repeated the assault. Yugi heard one splinter and creak. And Yami's snarling stopped short entirely. Yugi could hear where his ribs had punctured.

And then he heard her scream.

She was thrown violently into the air. She twisted and tossed her limbs to catch herself. Yami, however, merely raised his head. His bottom jaw was opened, bleeding. A premolar dangled by the smallest of roots. His eyes were glittering, calculating her trajectory. Yugi could see where she'd almost taken his eye out. Gouge marks were bloody and thickly cut through his cheek and eyebrow. His muzzle was bleeding profusely. His nose was split down the middle.

Yami watched her drop. Then he rushed her.

She sprang up. Her paw flew for his head. Yami dodged aside and snapped his teeth on the limb. She screamed again. Then she slammed her paw into his head. The crunching noise made Yugi bristle. Yami was thrown to the snow in an instant. Blood flew from the air. Then something gray in color. And she never stopped. Her paw kept flailing. Something white and fragmented shot through the air.

Yami never ceased snarling. The bubbling noise of his punctured lung made Yugi flinch. The wolf grew louder, until it was almost a roar. And then she was forced backwards. She startled, snarling. And Yami foamed at the mouth. Blood and drool and something like bile dripped from his broken jaw. He latched onto his neck, however. And he held. Yugi wasn't sure how. He wasn't sure what strength he had in reserve to deliver such an attack. But he still held her throat in his mouth.

And, even when he was struck loose, it wasn't without a chunk of flesh and skin.

She struck him violently once more. He hit the ground face-first. And her paw slammed into his throat. She moved as if to deliver a death-blow. But her mouth hovered above his throat for a moment. Yugi couldn't hear what he was saying. But the way she stared at him made Yugi realize he had a single moment of opportunity.

He shot forward. And he slammed into her side. She careened, spinning on him violently. But the move dislodged her from atop the black wolf. Yami tried to snap at her face but missed. Yugi could see blood and grizzle and organ covering his right eye now. When he blinked furiously, his left eye seemed almost not to have a pupil any longer. Yubel hissed and snarled, looking at Yugi.

She struck at the black wolf again. And the splintering noise to greet the action made Yugi bristle. He paced a couple of steps, staring at her coldly. Yami had landed so hard Yugi was almost sure his neck had snapped. But when he risked a sideways glance, he could see it was his teeth. They'd chipped from the impact. His right canine wiggled horrifically. His eyes burned into hers. His lips drew back to show bleeding gums. Another incisor shook with each breath. His tongue flicked. His top right canine fell from his broken jaw.

Yugi narrowed his eyes. She followed his every movement. So, what now then, Yubel?

Now? She opened her mouth in a gaping snarl. But Yugi could see she was exhausted just as Yami himself was. Now I kill him.

The white wolf guffawed. That's it? That's all you plan to do? He snickered. Then he stalked forward, wagging his tail and lowering his head with a snarl. He paced a step closer to Yami, but kept out of range of his teeth. Then I hope you know damn well how to run.

She blinked at him, clearly startled. Yami snarled, slavering hideously. Yugi could hear his saliva dripping to the snow and melting the ice on contact. It sounded almost like butter on a skillet. Or what? You plan to avenge him? She laughed out loud and revealed her teeth again. Her canines were tipped with red. You can hardly carry yourself around, let alone fight me.

Yugi flicked an ear. It's not my turn to fight you, he answered. If it had been, he would have done more than just throw her off Yami. But when it is, you'll understand why you never should have messed with me.

Yubel narrowed her eye. Her lips peeled back further. Her tail thumped. Her fur rose and fell in a slight bristle. He could see her flexing her claws as if she might lunge forward to sink them into his flesh. Yugi wagged his tail slowly.

No, Yubel, you'll need to run as fast as your paws can carry you when you kill him. Because he's going to come after you again immediately. He gestured with a small jerk of his muzzle. Look at him. Do you see him? Do you actually see him, Yubel?

She didn't lower her gaze. He laughed.

Don't worry. I won't hurt you. Go ahead and look.

For a long moment she ignored him. Then she jerked her head to lower her eye toward Yami. Yugi risked a sideways glance once more. The black wolf was glaring up at her. His right eye oozed blood and pus. His skull was bright and shiny with blood and brain matter. His gums were now a stark white around his teeth. His canine and incisor had grown back. And, to Yugi's amazement, they were longer and sharper. He could see just they were almost half an inch bigger.

But he was focused on her. And, despite the obvious pain, his mouth tried to work. He tried to squirm and pull himself to his feet. Yugi wasn't sure which limb was broken in the front. But it was obvious all the same. The wolf snarled and bore his teeth. His breath whistled. His heart thumped heavily in his chest. And he tried to lunge. He tried to so much as snap his teeth. He could barely move.

But he still tried.

And, if Yugi had truly wanted, he could have merely waited a few more seconds. Yami would have found some iota of strength by then. And he was sure he would have taken Yubel on again.

You kill him. And he'll heal instantly from those wounds, Yugi continued, turning back. Yubel snarled, obviously frustrated. And it didn't take Yugi more than a second to understand. She'd been so intent on studying Yami that she'd forgotten Yugi's presence in front of her. You end his life and he comes back. He comes back stronger. He comes back angrier. He comes back wilder. He. Comes. Back.

She slammed her tail into the snow. Is that so?

You have one chance to run. And it's now, Yubel.

She hesitated for a moment. Then she glanced at the pack. All of them were staring, studying, awaiting an opportunity. But they were also fearful. And she was tired and bloodied. Taking them all on would be suicide. He knew that. She knew that. Yugi was almost sure even Yami knew that, wherever he was lost in his head.

And maybe she didn't value life of any kind, hers or anyone else's, but she'd die when she was ready and not before. She was wild and reckless because she knew she had that strength. She knew she had speed and cunning and power. She knew her abilities. She could easily kill them all at her top health. Now, however, they could easily overpower her.

Yugi laughed harder. You have my word, Yubel. None of them will give chase. Run now. You'll only have a few seconds to decide.

But she didn't need the offer. Yugi barely got the chance to blink. In an instant she'd sprinted full speed toward the entrance. The white wolf watched her, snapping his teeth when Aki moved as if to follow. But she ignored him. She passed him and stopped inches away from Yami. Yugi immediately turned his head, eyes wide as he saw her trembling.

Yami had closed his eyes. His breathing was deep and even. His entire body shook with each inhale. He twitched and sputtered for air every other breath. And then he shivered as if with a spasm.

Yugi gently shouldered past her. The shock on her face reminded him she was cold, but not heartless. He shook his head when she turned to him. Then he looked back.

Aibou.

Yami's right eye snapped open. His gaze was glassy and unfocused. His breathing bubbled up in a snarl. But Yugi noticed he wasn't paying attention to him. He had responded to the close proximity. He hadn't recognized the word. He didn't even know who was speaking. The pain was too intense. His senses were still reeling.

Yugi flattened his ears, wishing for a moment he could have trusted the other wolves to help. But they would have gotten killed. And he couldn't afford that. He couldn't afford for his numbers to diminish any further. And he knew for a fact that he could not have taken her on alone as Yami just had.

He was fast, but his jaw power still wasn't as great as Yami's.

He turned to Aki. Go find something to eat. Catch something larger. Take Chazz and Zane with you. Go quickly.