This is the last part! Be proud!

~*~

"He doesn't have to do anything. If you remember, Joey, the innocenti must be willing. If we tarnish the innocence then we die instantly." Yami says, calm as could be.

"Joey...what's going on?" Joey looks at Yugi and breaks down completely, sitting down on the grass and pulling the boy into his lap. "Joey...?" The blond can't answer, only hold Yugi tighter and sob into his hair. "Malik...can you explain this to me?"

"I can try...you see Yugi...we are the seekers of the one we call the innocenti, the innocent chosen one. If we are to harness their power we shall become immortal and will have the power to do so much more than we already have. However, in order to get to that power...the power is... only achieved through intercourse." Yugi is silent for the moment, stroking Joey's arm in an attempt to calm him down.

"So, in order for any of you to access this 'power' I supposedly have...I have to sleep with you willingly?" I nod solemnly, unsure of what Yugi would make of this. "I...I can't just go around and sleep with all of you, there's no way that's going to happen."

"You don't have to sleep with anyone." I kick myself internally for soothing him this way, and I can feel Bakura's anger rise. It's the one part of him that's so powerful and erotic...I really have to stop thinking about him like that.

"So this is it? We do all this work and searching only to have to wait?" he snarls, his fury travelling along the ground in invisible criss-crosses.

"You fucking touch him and I'll kill you." Joey seethes, and I instantly wish I was the one who said that.

"Please. I don't have a death wish. I'll have him sooner or later, make no mistake." Bakura crosses his arms and I want to skewer his over-confident, arrogant ass on a hot metal pole. Disturbing? Well, keep in mind who you're talking to.

"Can I join you though? Even though I don't...I can't..." Yugi falters, his head hanging low and his fingers interlacing with Joey's bootlaces. Otogi glances at Yugi sympathetically, but doesn't speak, having next to no authority. Everyone knows Seto's word is law. How that came to be I do not know...but we haven't been doing too badly so far. The brunette in question sat down beside Yugi and held out a hand.

"Of course. You are the one we've been waiting for; there is no reason you should not be part of the circle."

"Yug, no. You shouldn't-" Yugi obviously didn't listen, as I can gather from the way he's kissing his blond friend. It shuts him up pretty effectively...and Christ...those two look so hot - get a grip, Malik. Yugi pulls away and looks Joey straight in the eye.

"I have to. I need to Joey, I can't...I can't go on without this, I..." He sighs, nuzzling the taller boy's neck. "You wouldn't understand." Yugi takes the hand offered by Seto and joins us inside the circle for the closing. If you're wondering, the closing is the same as the opening. A cycle, never stopping, always flowing. The knife is passed around, and each person cuts their symbol once again. Mine is a daisy. Stop laughing, I mean it.

When the knife comes to Yugi, though, it's as if he's been planning this. He draws a halo on his palm, wincing as the blade cuts through his pale flesh...oh, how intoxicatingly sweet his blood must taste, if only I could have a little... . Our palms press together and I start the sound this time, concentrating my energy. The others join in...but it's different this time. It's gloriously different. As our power rises, I can feel my soul rocketing higher and higher in bliss, and I bite down on my lip to keep myself from moaning aloud. That didn't last too long. I keep raising my voice, higher and louder until I'm screaming, we're all screaming and it's all white energy, sparkling with colour all around...

We slowly come down, exhausted from the mental climax we experienced. Not one ceremony had ever been like that. I open my eyes and they meet Yugi's violet ones, sparkling with awe and passion. "Is...is it always like this?"

I smirk. "You MADE it like this. Consider yourself a very lucky person. Welcome aboard." He smiles at me, and I once again have the unexplainable urge to just hold him in my arms. Judging by the way Joey is glaring at me...I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon. I suppose my history as a psychotic doesn't help. Oh well. Tomorrow is another day...

END INNOCENTI

~*~

Did you like it? I hope so. Please let me know what you think in a review. I plan to have two more parts in this trilogy, one called 'Thief', and one called 'Memoirs'. Those are the tentative titles for now. I have no idea when I'll write them.

I really hope I win the contest! Oh, and if you wish to enter the contest yourself, go to my profile page - the link to the contest website is there. Be sure you read the rules before you submit!

Have a great day!