"Cloudy sky."
"Yep."
"Looks like it could rain."
"Yep."
Jou couldn't help but think that the cloudy sky outside represented an unheeded warning. An omen to run. Why? Who knew. He always believed that he had a bit of the superstitious qualities running through him, but this topped the cake.
Yuugi wasn't being much of a help. He seemed a bit preoccupied at the moment, shifting through Duel Monsters booster packs, sorting and shifting and measuring. Grandpa knew better, perched on his stool behind the cash register.
Damn spirit inside of him. Damn puzzle he gave him. Damn damn damn.
Sugoroku didn't like the darkness lurking within his grandson. Oh no, he didn't like him at all. He's the one that stole Yuugi's innocence, although at first look one wouldn't think anything was lost.
But it was.
Yuugi had been much stronger lately. Much more confident. And a little more snide to those offending him. It certainly wasn't like him at all. His gentle nature and tendency to always put others first forbid such actions.
Not anymore.
Yuugi wasn't preoccupied with the cards. They were merely a distraction. A facade to others who didn't know. Sugoroku knew. He was busy talking with Yami.
Yami liked staying inside of Yuugi's soul room. There, he wasn't distracted by those that he considered 'beneath' him and Yuugi. He could talk to his heart's content, or simply hold Yuugi's consciousness so close it was amazing he didn't suffocate.
Jou was trying to help his friend out with a bit of the work. Anything to get away from home and his drunkard father for a little while longer.
"Hey, I got a new card!"
"Hmm. . ."
"Yeah! It's a Blue Eyes!" Jou exclaimed, trying vainly to get his friend's attention.
"Hnn. . .that's nice Jou. I'm happy for you."
Sending a pleading look towards Mr. Motou, Jou only received an apologetic nod in response. Sighing, the blonde stood and walked over to the aged man, leaning in closely to whisper. "Gramps, this can't be healthy. I mean, closin' himself off from everybody like that? Ain't there anythi'n we can do?"
The elder man ran a tired hand through his grayed hair. "I'm afraid not, Jou. I've tried just about everything, short of breaking the puzzle. I think doing that might cause Yuugi's heart to stop. Never once have I seen it off, and the very thought of loosing it makes his blood run cold."
"You've asked him?"
"I've asked him what he'd do if he lost it. After the horrified look in his face, that spirit has been wary of me ever since. I think the only reason he tolerates me is because I'm Yuugi's grandfather, and his only living relative."
The blonde-haired teen shivered, despite the warm temperature in the store. "Scary."
The door to the Kame Game Shop opened and caused the bell above it to chime. Yuugi didn't notice the two figures that walked in, dressed in black and wearing large, reflective sunglasses.
"Welcome. How may I help you," Sugoroku inquired.
One man, the head of the duo that walked in, gave a curt nod, looking around at the merchandise next to him. Mr. Motou could not see where his partner had gone.
"Fine day, don't you think?"
Jou narrowed his honey-amber eyes to mere slits. Fine day indeed. He decided that he didn't like these guys. Couldn't they feel the almost violent, gloomy mood around them?
Before any of them could register what had happened, a bone chilling scream erupted in the tiny store, causing those passing by to look around in confusion and curiosity. Jou and Sugoroku turned around just in time to see the two men leaving, black coats billowing behind them, a gold, pyramid- shaped trinket lying forgotten on the floor.
"Oh no," Jou breathed. Mr. Motou tried vainly to swallow the lump in his throat.
Very slowly did the old man step up to the puzzle, watching in fear and fascination as it pulsated with an erie glow.
"If we don't let him find Yug', he's gonna kill us," Jou realized.
"That's what I'm afraid of."
"He needs a body to feed from, though, don't he?"
"Yes," swallow," he does."
Resigned and chanting over and over again in his mind that it was for the welfare of Yuugi, Sugoroku stooped down to pick up the item, and carefully put it over his head.
A blinding flash illuminated the area, and a fuming darkness stood before them, crimson eyes alighted with anger. The very air crackled around him, buzzing and hissing in rage. Never had either of the mortals before him seen so much anger, and such a threat not only to their life, but their soul.
Through his rage and the pain that was ripping through him at the separation, Yami only barely recognized that it was Yuugi's grandfather that had picked up the puzzle.
"Where is he," was his simple question and command at the same time. Confusion raged through his mind at what could have happened. The air about him vibrated with his voice, sending cold jolts down the spines of the mortals.
"I believe that I know," Sugoroku replied. "Follow me."
Seething at not being in control, Yami reluctantly followed the old man out the door. It wasn't long before Sugoroku led the dark spirit to a huge mansion, adorned with a huge fountain in the front with two entwining Blue- Eyes White Dragons. Yami snarled.
"The Kaiba mansion."
* * * *
Seto Kaiba was a little uneasy, to put it mildly.
His hired goons had brought Yuugi to him, like he asked them to. Yuugi had put up a fuss, like he expected him to.
But he certainly wasn't expecting this kind of a fuss.
The two men that he had hired struggled to bring in the thrashing juvenile who seemed to have become temporarily insane. No one could speak to him, or get him to be calm. As it was, he was rolling on Seto's bed yelping in what was unmistakably exrutiating amounts of pain.
"What's wrong with him?" he all but screeched, pulling at the ends of his hair.
"I'm not sure, Seto. I've never seen him like this before," his little brother Mokuba replied, raven hair falling worriedly in his face.
Seto Kaiba, genius and billionaire, was even more surprised to see a demonic version of the Duel Monsters champion blow down his front doors with what must have been explosives.
It was explosives, right? That would explain the maroon tinge in the air, right?
"Where is he!" He yelled.
This person wasn't sane. He was dangerous. One could see it in his crazed eyes. As much as he disdained Yuugi, he wouldn't let a mad man get a hold of him. "What are you talking about," the arrogant teen spat.
This did not please Yami. Not one bit.
Yami knew about Seto Kaiba. How could he not? He also knew about another that went by that last name.
Mokuba screeched when invisible hands dragged him over to the fiery creature that stood in their doorway, choking on something he couldn't see.
Seto stood petrified as his little brother was lifted inches off the ground, untouched by this demon in his home, choking on a strange purple smoke that wafted around him.
"Tell me where he is, or the little one dies."
"My bedroom. He's in my bedroom."
With a snarl and a valid death threat, Yami ran upstairs as fast as he could, dropping Mokuba where he was.
"Mokuba, are you all right?"
Gasping and wheezing, the young child shook his head yes weakly. "Mm-fine."
* * * *
Yami was angry, and Yami was pissed. Someone was going to die, he would make sure of that. No one could hurt his light and get away with it.
Still clutching vainly at what little bond they had left, he followed it to the largest room at the end of the hall. Yuugi was inside, writhing on the bed, oblivious to the room's new occupant.
Rushing to his side, Yami tangled his hands in the soft hair that was now covered in perspiration. "Yuugi, shh, it's all right now. I'm here." Breathing down his neck, it provided a bit of comfort to the pale youth, and Yuugi began to relax a little. His breathing was still shallow.
Picking up his light, he left the overly large room, and headed back downstairs. Yuugi moaned in his arms, head moving from side to side every now and again. His pale eyes seemed to have been swollen shut. Yami could feel the gaze of everyone on him, but he didn't care. His only concern was Yuugi, and Yuugi needed the puzzle back on.
Walking up to Yuugi's grandfather, Yami held out his hand expectantly. Despite his better judgment, the old man put the puzzle back around Yuugi's neck.
Almost instantly the deathly pale skin retrieved a bit of its color, and his shallow breaths slowed to a normal pace. But he still looked sickly, and he still sounded like the air was knocked out of his lungs.
With a grunt, Yami walked out of the mansion, carrying his light who was now unconscious.
Seto Kaiba stepped up to Sugoroku. "What did I do?"
This shouldn't have been anything out of the ordinary. Seto pulled stunts like this all of the time. He would 'kidnap' Yuugi and challenge him to a duel, or Yuugi would storm into Seto's office during an important meeting and demand that he pay up on a bet that Seto almost invariably lost all of the time.
Making threats to each other and trying to annoy one another was just the way their relationship worked.
"You told those thugs to take off the puzzle, didn't you?"
"I didn't know that something like this would happen. I thought it was ugly, and would only pester Yuugi if it was left behind. I didn't want to hurt the little runt. Honestly."
"Tell that to his demon."
The Kaiba brothers followed out Jonouchi and the elder man to walk at least them to the sidewalk, a little behind Yami.
"Seto, why did he stop?" The elder Kaiba looked ahead, and saw Yami's intense red eyes swarming with rage. Within an instant, a great heat surfaced behind him, and he whirled around, his mansion in flames. He starred horrified as screams from the servant within filled his ears, some burning objects falling from the many windows to the earth below.
"I would have killed you, had Yuugi pleaded me not to. Never go near my light again. Ever."
Gods, all of those people dying needlessly. He clutched his little brother close to him, trying to mask out the almost inhuman cries of those dying filling his ears. The flames erupting from the top, an almost brilliant blue in their heat.
* * * *
Well, I guess that would explain Yami's extreme loathing of Seto Kaiba, now, wouldn't it? Hope this satiated your angsty souls, more fluff on the way between our favorite couple, and maybe a visit to the Ishtar house, hmm?
"Yep."
"Looks like it could rain."
"Yep."
Jou couldn't help but think that the cloudy sky outside represented an unheeded warning. An omen to run. Why? Who knew. He always believed that he had a bit of the superstitious qualities running through him, but this topped the cake.
Yuugi wasn't being much of a help. He seemed a bit preoccupied at the moment, shifting through Duel Monsters booster packs, sorting and shifting and measuring. Grandpa knew better, perched on his stool behind the cash register.
Damn spirit inside of him. Damn puzzle he gave him. Damn damn damn.
Sugoroku didn't like the darkness lurking within his grandson. Oh no, he didn't like him at all. He's the one that stole Yuugi's innocence, although at first look one wouldn't think anything was lost.
But it was.
Yuugi had been much stronger lately. Much more confident. And a little more snide to those offending him. It certainly wasn't like him at all. His gentle nature and tendency to always put others first forbid such actions.
Not anymore.
Yuugi wasn't preoccupied with the cards. They were merely a distraction. A facade to others who didn't know. Sugoroku knew. He was busy talking with Yami.
Yami liked staying inside of Yuugi's soul room. There, he wasn't distracted by those that he considered 'beneath' him and Yuugi. He could talk to his heart's content, or simply hold Yuugi's consciousness so close it was amazing he didn't suffocate.
Jou was trying to help his friend out with a bit of the work. Anything to get away from home and his drunkard father for a little while longer.
"Hey, I got a new card!"
"Hmm. . ."
"Yeah! It's a Blue Eyes!" Jou exclaimed, trying vainly to get his friend's attention.
"Hnn. . .that's nice Jou. I'm happy for you."
Sending a pleading look towards Mr. Motou, Jou only received an apologetic nod in response. Sighing, the blonde stood and walked over to the aged man, leaning in closely to whisper. "Gramps, this can't be healthy. I mean, closin' himself off from everybody like that? Ain't there anythi'n we can do?"
The elder man ran a tired hand through his grayed hair. "I'm afraid not, Jou. I've tried just about everything, short of breaking the puzzle. I think doing that might cause Yuugi's heart to stop. Never once have I seen it off, and the very thought of loosing it makes his blood run cold."
"You've asked him?"
"I've asked him what he'd do if he lost it. After the horrified look in his face, that spirit has been wary of me ever since. I think the only reason he tolerates me is because I'm Yuugi's grandfather, and his only living relative."
The blonde-haired teen shivered, despite the warm temperature in the store. "Scary."
The door to the Kame Game Shop opened and caused the bell above it to chime. Yuugi didn't notice the two figures that walked in, dressed in black and wearing large, reflective sunglasses.
"Welcome. How may I help you," Sugoroku inquired.
One man, the head of the duo that walked in, gave a curt nod, looking around at the merchandise next to him. Mr. Motou could not see where his partner had gone.
"Fine day, don't you think?"
Jou narrowed his honey-amber eyes to mere slits. Fine day indeed. He decided that he didn't like these guys. Couldn't they feel the almost violent, gloomy mood around them?
Before any of them could register what had happened, a bone chilling scream erupted in the tiny store, causing those passing by to look around in confusion and curiosity. Jou and Sugoroku turned around just in time to see the two men leaving, black coats billowing behind them, a gold, pyramid- shaped trinket lying forgotten on the floor.
"Oh no," Jou breathed. Mr. Motou tried vainly to swallow the lump in his throat.
Very slowly did the old man step up to the puzzle, watching in fear and fascination as it pulsated with an erie glow.
"If we don't let him find Yug', he's gonna kill us," Jou realized.
"That's what I'm afraid of."
"He needs a body to feed from, though, don't he?"
"Yes," swallow," he does."
Resigned and chanting over and over again in his mind that it was for the welfare of Yuugi, Sugoroku stooped down to pick up the item, and carefully put it over his head.
A blinding flash illuminated the area, and a fuming darkness stood before them, crimson eyes alighted with anger. The very air crackled around him, buzzing and hissing in rage. Never had either of the mortals before him seen so much anger, and such a threat not only to their life, but their soul.
Through his rage and the pain that was ripping through him at the separation, Yami only barely recognized that it was Yuugi's grandfather that had picked up the puzzle.
"Where is he," was his simple question and command at the same time. Confusion raged through his mind at what could have happened. The air about him vibrated with his voice, sending cold jolts down the spines of the mortals.
"I believe that I know," Sugoroku replied. "Follow me."
Seething at not being in control, Yami reluctantly followed the old man out the door. It wasn't long before Sugoroku led the dark spirit to a huge mansion, adorned with a huge fountain in the front with two entwining Blue- Eyes White Dragons. Yami snarled.
"The Kaiba mansion."
* * * *
Seto Kaiba was a little uneasy, to put it mildly.
His hired goons had brought Yuugi to him, like he asked them to. Yuugi had put up a fuss, like he expected him to.
But he certainly wasn't expecting this kind of a fuss.
The two men that he had hired struggled to bring in the thrashing juvenile who seemed to have become temporarily insane. No one could speak to him, or get him to be calm. As it was, he was rolling on Seto's bed yelping in what was unmistakably exrutiating amounts of pain.
"What's wrong with him?" he all but screeched, pulling at the ends of his hair.
"I'm not sure, Seto. I've never seen him like this before," his little brother Mokuba replied, raven hair falling worriedly in his face.
Seto Kaiba, genius and billionaire, was even more surprised to see a demonic version of the Duel Monsters champion blow down his front doors with what must have been explosives.
It was explosives, right? That would explain the maroon tinge in the air, right?
"Where is he!" He yelled.
This person wasn't sane. He was dangerous. One could see it in his crazed eyes. As much as he disdained Yuugi, he wouldn't let a mad man get a hold of him. "What are you talking about," the arrogant teen spat.
This did not please Yami. Not one bit.
Yami knew about Seto Kaiba. How could he not? He also knew about another that went by that last name.
Mokuba screeched when invisible hands dragged him over to the fiery creature that stood in their doorway, choking on something he couldn't see.
Seto stood petrified as his little brother was lifted inches off the ground, untouched by this demon in his home, choking on a strange purple smoke that wafted around him.
"Tell me where he is, or the little one dies."
"My bedroom. He's in my bedroom."
With a snarl and a valid death threat, Yami ran upstairs as fast as he could, dropping Mokuba where he was.
"Mokuba, are you all right?"
Gasping and wheezing, the young child shook his head yes weakly. "Mm-fine."
* * * *
Yami was angry, and Yami was pissed. Someone was going to die, he would make sure of that. No one could hurt his light and get away with it.
Still clutching vainly at what little bond they had left, he followed it to the largest room at the end of the hall. Yuugi was inside, writhing on the bed, oblivious to the room's new occupant.
Rushing to his side, Yami tangled his hands in the soft hair that was now covered in perspiration. "Yuugi, shh, it's all right now. I'm here." Breathing down his neck, it provided a bit of comfort to the pale youth, and Yuugi began to relax a little. His breathing was still shallow.
Picking up his light, he left the overly large room, and headed back downstairs. Yuugi moaned in his arms, head moving from side to side every now and again. His pale eyes seemed to have been swollen shut. Yami could feel the gaze of everyone on him, but he didn't care. His only concern was Yuugi, and Yuugi needed the puzzle back on.
Walking up to Yuugi's grandfather, Yami held out his hand expectantly. Despite his better judgment, the old man put the puzzle back around Yuugi's neck.
Almost instantly the deathly pale skin retrieved a bit of its color, and his shallow breaths slowed to a normal pace. But he still looked sickly, and he still sounded like the air was knocked out of his lungs.
With a grunt, Yami walked out of the mansion, carrying his light who was now unconscious.
Seto Kaiba stepped up to Sugoroku. "What did I do?"
This shouldn't have been anything out of the ordinary. Seto pulled stunts like this all of the time. He would 'kidnap' Yuugi and challenge him to a duel, or Yuugi would storm into Seto's office during an important meeting and demand that he pay up on a bet that Seto almost invariably lost all of the time.
Making threats to each other and trying to annoy one another was just the way their relationship worked.
"You told those thugs to take off the puzzle, didn't you?"
"I didn't know that something like this would happen. I thought it was ugly, and would only pester Yuugi if it was left behind. I didn't want to hurt the little runt. Honestly."
"Tell that to his demon."
The Kaiba brothers followed out Jonouchi and the elder man to walk at least them to the sidewalk, a little behind Yami.
"Seto, why did he stop?" The elder Kaiba looked ahead, and saw Yami's intense red eyes swarming with rage. Within an instant, a great heat surfaced behind him, and he whirled around, his mansion in flames. He starred horrified as screams from the servant within filled his ears, some burning objects falling from the many windows to the earth below.
"I would have killed you, had Yuugi pleaded me not to. Never go near my light again. Ever."
Gods, all of those people dying needlessly. He clutched his little brother close to him, trying to mask out the almost inhuman cries of those dying filling his ears. The flames erupting from the top, an almost brilliant blue in their heat.
* * * *
Well, I guess that would explain Yami's extreme loathing of Seto Kaiba, now, wouldn't it? Hope this satiated your angsty souls, more fluff on the way between our favorite couple, and maybe a visit to the Ishtar house, hmm?