Moons: Another story? Yes another!! Why? Because I have so much more typing time that I just had to. And I pissed at ff.net for being so damn retarded. It took me forever to get those two chapters of Unbroken out. I had to retype six because it wouldn't let me post it the original time.
Aurora: So what's with this story?
Moons: This is another AU fic that I thought up after watching this (horrible) movie called Gang Tapes. Now some of the characters may seem slightly out of place but that is the beauty of AU, I can get away with it.
Aurora: Or so you think.
Moons: Be quiet you. Please drop me a review to let me know what you think of this story. I'm working really hard on it (as do I all my other stories)
Aurora: You mean I work hard?
Moons:…whatever…
Pharaoh's Spirit
CHAPTER ONE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS
He walked down the busy street, head hung low. A thick chain strung around his neck and held a large gold pyramid, the symbol of his strength and power.
Yami stroked the gold necklace with a sense of pride and disgust. Pride that he was the strongest, disgust because of the life he had to live. For he was the leader, not of some community but of a gang. And one of the most well known around Domino City. They weren't a vicious gang and hardly had any problems with the police. But they were a gang nonetheless and had their own problems with other gangs. Life was far from perfect for this tri-colored haired gang leader.
With a heavy sigh Yami continued his dreary walk. This was the only way to escape what he called reality. It worried his friends and fellow gang members but Yami couldn't spend his entire life in that dingy warehouse they used as a hang out. He couldn't help but notice the people back away from him. Once they spotted his necklace they feared him, judged him with out knowing him. Again it all came with the territory. So he just kept walking, hoping these feelings would pass. In time he would return to the warehouse and his friends, resuming his role as the tough leader of Pharaoh's Spirit, his gang. But every time he left, his friends feared that their leader would fall victim to their rival gang, The High Priests. Yet it never happened and they always returned.
But Yami felt that today was different. He didn't fear this feeling but was further intrigued. Despite the fear he knew his friends would feel, Yami wandered aimlessly, finding nothing but frightened faces. Few people even offered him money in return for their safety. Yami had eyed the money in the outstretched, trembling hands snorting in disgust as he walked away. He had never resorted to bullying anyone, not even his enemies. Soon he was about to head home when a whimper from a nearby alley caught his attention. His curiosity got the better of him as Yami slipped into the shadows to watch what was happening in the darkened alley.
"Give it up runt!" A large teen ordered gruffly to a form that was still hidden from Yami's view. "We know that your grandfather has what we want in his shop and all you have to do is let us in!"
Two more tends flanked the one who stood as the ring leader. Yami bristled in immediate defense.
'Fucking bully.' Yami growled to himself. 'If they so much as raise another fist…'
"No!" A weak yet defiant voice rose to meet the teen's in refusal. "I don't what you do to me, I'm not letting you rob my Grandfather!"
The large teen growled and kicked out, electing a cry of pain from the person who lay prone on the ground. Yami snarled and untangled himself from his shadowy hiding place. The three teens turned and meet his glaring crimson eyes. Immediately the lackeys' eyes grew wide and their gaze drifted down to settle on the pyramid that hung from Yami's neck. Yami smirked, for the first time in a long while he was glad that his appearance frightened others.
"Pharaoh's Spirit!" One of the smaller teens shouted. "That necklace means-"
"I'm a member." Yami crossed his arms over his chest. "And not only a member, but the leader."
"Aww man!" The lackeys took two steps back. "I'm not fighting the leader of Pharaoh's Spirit, the others would kill you!"
With frightened eyes the two teens turned and ran. The ring leader growled and screamed after them.
"You cowards!" He barked. "There's only one of him and three of us. We could take him easily!"
Yami raised a brow. This guy was over confident, and it would cost him. Yami had a knack for finding one's weakness, and this guys was bravado. He chuckled deeply and took another step towards the larger teen.
"You're still bigger then me." He taunted. "If you're so brave why don't you come at me and leave the little one alone. Unless you too are a coward."
The other's eyes flashed in anger. He flexed a strong fist and advanced on Yami quickly.
"No one calls me a coward!" He screamed. He raised a fist to punch but Yami was quicker. He buried his fist in his attacker's stomach. The man doubled over and Yami slammed his elbows down into his back, knocking the man flat. Yami grunted in victory and slowly turned towards the reason for his battle. When he saw the boy laying there he froze. It was like looking into a mirror, only slightly distorted. He had the same tri-colored hair but Yami could tell he was a head shorter even though he was lying prone on the ground. He looked up slowly and set a pair of large purple eyes on Yami. The overall innocent look image of him was shocking.
"P-please." He suddenly whimpered, scooting away from Yami. "Don't hurt me."
Yami took a step back away from him, shock registering in his system. This boy was afraid of him, even after he wasted that other guy for him. His shock was soon replaced by anger.
"I'm not going to hurt you, you ass." He growled. He let his face soften and kneeled down beside the boy. "If I was going to do anything I wouldn't have bothered wasting my energy on that other jerk. Now get up and get out of here. When that guy wakes up he won't be happy. And I'd rather I be the target then you."
The boy glanced at the unconscious form of his attacker and suddenly realized that Yami had saved him. His frightened eyes lit up and he pushed himself to his knees.
"Thank you!" He chirped. "I'm Yugi. W-what's your name?"
Yami's eyes grew wide. This boy wasn't worried at all. Here he sat, in a deserted alleyway with a gang leader, and he was being polite. He was introducing himself. Yami gave a slight smile and decided to go along with the game. Yugi was thankful, which was more then Yami could say for most he came across. He gave Yugi one of his rare smiles.
"I'm Yami." His smile disappeared. "Tell anyone I'm being this nice side and you won't see this side of me again."
Yugi's grin faded as well and was replaced with that mask of horror. The look was something that usually upset Yami, but the way it made Yugi's face shift was actually humorous. For the first time and a long time Yami burst out into laughter. The look of confusion that now crossed Yugi's face caused Yami to laugh even harder. Tears brimmed in his eyes as he placed a hand on the ground to steady himself.
"Yami?" Yugi asked hesitantly.
Yami wiped at a stray tear and looked at Yugi with the grin returned. Yugi felt some what safer when he saw the lighter side of the gang leader. He felt his own grin tug on his lips.
"I-I'm sorry." Yami finally choked out. "It's just, fear looks funny on your face. I didn't mean it. I really am sorry."
Yugi went to say something when he saw a form rise up behind Yami. It was the guy from before. His fists were knotted together high over his head. Completely oblivious to this, Yami kneeled there, still chuckling.
"Yami!" Yugi cried as the boy began to bring his fists down in a fast arch.
Yami tried to jump out of the way, but he wasn't fast enough. The boy's fist slammed in the back of the head. Yami groaned as his eyes rolled back in his head. He pitched forward and collapsed on the ground in front of Yugi. Yugi gasped and rolled the gang leader over. His eyes were half opened but he was to out of it to defend himself. Suddenly Yami was ripped out of his grasp as the boy grabbed a fistful of his shirt. He raised another fist and was about to send a fist flying into Yami's face when Yugi jumped to his feet.
"No!" He screamed. "Please don't!"
The boy stopped and turned his steely gaze on Yugi. He dropped Yami who crumpled to the ground. He moaned and shifted slightly but still couldn't find the strength to get up.
"What are you going to do about it runt?" The boy gritted his teeth in an ugly sneer. "Ray doesn't back down to anyone. Gang leader or a little runt…like…you."
The boy, Ray, poked Yugi in the chest to emphasis his last two words. Yugi fumbled backwards with a frightened gasp. He knew he was asking for this beating. But Yami had risked himself to save him and Yugi was ready to return the favor.
Yami weakly rolled his head to the side. He hadn't felt this way in long time. He saw Ray standing over Yugi, cracking his knuckles. Yugi looked terrified and this time it wasn't funny. He couldn't let that bastard touch Yugi. Weakly finding his knees, Yami tried to push himself up but ended falling on his face with an ungraceful 'umph'. Ray cast him a quick glance and smirked.
"Looks like your buddy won't be much help." He laughed. "That's good. Then I can finish you off quick and then pay your buddy back for that minor beating he gave me before."
Ray swung fast, slamming a fist into Yugi's stomach. Yugi let out a tiny squeak and doubled over. He couldn't seem to draw in any air. Ray grabbed him by the collar and pulled his fist back to punch but someone grabbed his wrist. He turned to meet the panting face of Yami. His crimson eyes that had just minutes ago been sparkling were now narrowed in anger.
"Leave the little one out of this." He growled. "I'm your fight."
Ray growled and pulled his wrist out of Yami's grasp. This fight would be easy. Yami was already weak from that one blow. He dropped Yugi and turned his full attention on the gang leader.
"This will be easy." He taunted and swung out.
Yami ducked the swing and pulled something from his belt. Ray turned to punch again and felt something sharp poke him in the throat. He looked down and saw a knife pointed at him. Yami chuckled deeply.
"You're right." He slipped the tip of his blade into the soft skin of Ray's throat. A tiny river of blood dribbled down and stained his shirt collar. "That was easy."
Yami pulled the knife away and pushed Ray to the side. Ray stumbled and fell. He whimpered as he scooted back away from Yami.
"Get out of here." Yami snarled. "And if I catch you messing with him again I won't hesitate to use this knife for its original purpose."
Ray nodded dumbly before scrambling to his feet and scampering away. As soon as he was gone Yami sagged his weight against one of the buildings. What the hell had gotten into him? Why'd he risk his health for a kid that he had just met? That thought reminded Yami of that boy. He turned a little quickly and swayed as a wave of dizziness washed over him.
"God damn." He mumbled.
Yugi lay on the ground, his small body curled into a tight ball. His large eyes were closed and his breaths came in small pants. Yami winced. The kid had allowed this to happen to him for no kid gang member. Yami sighed and scooped the small frame into his arms. He had no choice but to bring him back to the warehouse until he woke up. Then he could find out where he lived.
The first half of the walk was easy, but soon it got harder. The blow must have seriously scrambled something in his head. His steps became shaky and every few minutes he had to stop and regain his composure. He rolled his eyes. His friends were going to kill him when he got back. That was if he got back before collapsing.
Finally he saw the warehouse. Yami knew we would make it. His hope grew more when he saw two boys standing outside the front door. A tall blond was looking around with worried creased in his face. The other, a shorter, white-haired boy, was trying to talk to him. Yami smiled and called out to them.
"Jonouchi!" He winced at how weak his voice sounded. "Ryou!"
Both teens' heads snapped up at the sound of his voice. When they spotted Yami staggering towards them, they feared the worst. Jonouchi ran towards him and stopped short when he saw the small body in his friend's arms. Ryou appeared at Jonouchi's side and had a similar reaction.
"Yami," Ryou's light British accent came out thick. "Who is that?"
"Yugi." Yami breathed heavily. "Take him. I can't hold him any longer."
Jonouchi grabbed the small boy just as Yami's knees gave out on him. He fell forward and would have fallen on his face if Ryou hadn't caught him.
"Shit." Yami chuckled a little breathlessly. "He only got one hit in, but it was a good one."
Jonouchi looked down at Yugi with wide eyes.
"This guy did this?" His voiced was amazed.
Ryou pulled Yami to his feet and allowed him to lean all his weight on his shoulder. Yami gave a tired smile and shook his head.
"No." He closed his eyes and paused for a moment. "I jumped some asshole that was beating on him. He got me when I put my guard down."
Yami's head slumped forward onto Ryou's shoulder. His eyes drifted shut and he felt sleep creeping up on him. Jonouchi smiled even though he felt a worry for his friend.
"You want to go in and get sleep?" He spoke softly knowing that Yami's head was probably pounding.
Yami shook his head again and pointed a finger at the bulge in Jonouchi's back pocket.
"I want a cigarette." He murmured.
Jonouchi laughed as he fished the pack out of his back pocket. He lit the slender cigarette and handed it to Yami. Yami took it gratefully and placed it between his lips. Taking a deep breath he revealed in the numbness that the nicotine caused to spread through his head. He peered at Yugi through the haze of smoke.
"Why the hell'd you do it kid?" He murmured.
He took another long drag and breathed the smoke in deeply. His body finally reached his limit and his rolled back in his head. All his weight collapsed on the startled Ryou, who quickly caught their falling leader.
"Shit!" He yelped. "He must have taken that hit straight to the head!"
Jonouchi plucked the cigarette from Yami's limp hand and placed it between his own lips. He looked down at the boy in his arms and for the first time noticed his striking resemblance to Yami. He raised his brow but chose to ignore it for the time being.
"Let's get these two inside." He spoke to Ryou. "We can have Anzu clean them up. And maybe Otogi will stop making up a plan to attack the High Priests."
Ryou gave a short laugh as he muscled Yami up into a better position. He half dragged, half carried the unconscious teen into the warehouse.
"That's it." He puffed. "Nobody who's this skinny can way this much."
Jonouchi took another drag of Yami's discarded cigarette before throwing it down in the doorway to the warehouse and stomped it out.
"We're back!" He crowed. "And we've brought company!"
A brunette girl ran around out of a spare room and stopped short when she saw Yami leaning on Ryou's shoulder. Her eyes widened in horror and she ran up to her fallen friend.
"Yami!" She cried. She turned her crystal blue eyes on the two standing boys. "Jou, Ryou, what happened?"
"Relax Anzu." Jou (Jonouchi) rolled his eyes and shifted the body in his arms. "Yami's fine. Just took a hard blow to the head saving this guy."
Anzu's gaze drifted to Yugi who still lay in Jou's arms. She gasped and looked his little body over. The only visible mark was a light bruise forming over his left eye. Anzu touched it lightly and Yugi drew in a sharp hissing breath. Anzu jerked her hand back and motioned towards the room she just left.
"Go lay him down on Yami's bed." She ordered. "Let him stay there until he wakes up and then we can bring him home."
"What about him?" Ryou gave an exasperated cry and hitched Yami up. "I can't hold him until he wakes up."
Anzu let out groan and pointed after Jou. "Put them in the same bed. It's big enough."
Ryou gave a grateful nod and hobbled after Jou, grumbling something about a Yami going on a diet. Anzu rolled her eyes and made her way to a far corner of the large warehouse. She herself would only spend her days here. The place had a creepy feel to it. She didn't understand how Yami could spend his days and nights there. It was really no wonder he took so many walks. An angry shout broke her out of her thoughts.
"If those punks laid one hand on him I'll kill them all!"
Anzu rolled her eyes. In the corner was a tall rampaging, raven haired boy. Otogi punched the cinder block wall and Anzu winced. He'd feel that in the morning. She crept up behind the roaring boy and gently tapped his shoulder. He whirled around, ready to start swinging but stopped when he noticed his target was another of his fellow gang members.
"Damn Anzu!" He lowered his fist and relaxed. "Don't sneak up on me like that."
"I'm sorry." Anzu snapped. "I thought you just might like to know that Yami's back and the High Priests had nothing to do with his delay. He's lying down. Some thug really socked it to him."
Otogi's eyes grew wide. Had he heard her right? Yami had been jumped, but not by their rivals. No random of the street punk would dare attack a member of Pharaoh's Spirit. The necklaces they all wore showed were their alliances laid. Each of them wore a tiny gold pyramid around their necks. And Yami's was larger because he held the position of their leader, the toughest of all them. Who would jump him without being in a rival gang?
"Is he okay?" Otogi seemed really worried. "Do you know who it was?"
"No." Anzu shrugged. "All we know is that Yami was protecting some kid and the guy slammed him. He'll be all right once he wakes up. Him and then kid. Until then all we can do is wait."
~*~
Yugi moaned and shifted on the bed. The first this he was aware of was not being in that alleyway. He had jumped into save that guy, Yami, who had helped him. He had taken a hard hit for him. With that sudden thought he shot up bolt right in the bed. Quick blasts of pain flashed out from his chest. He groaned and rubbed at what must have been a rapidly forming bruise. Yugi was suddenly aware of a form lying in the bed next to him. He twisted his body and saw Yami sprawled out on the bed.
"He'll be fine."
Yugi's head snapped up at the sound of the new voice. He saw a tall blond standing over him. Directly behind that kid was another taller boy with long white hair. They both peered at him with soft brown eyes. Even though they seemed to be looking at him with kindness, Yugi couldn't bring himself to trust them. They were most likely gang members, and gang members couldn't be trusted.
"W-who are you?" He asked meekly. "And where am I?"
The blond threw his head back in gales of laughter. Yugi didn't understand what was so funny. Here he was petrified, and this guy was laughing. Then again, Yami had laughed at his fear too. Maybe gang leaders found fear to be humorous.
"God damn." The blond chuckled. "You'd think we'd kidnapped him or something."
Yugi immediately picked right up on the boy's Brooklyn accent. It was amazing how an accent could actually make someone feel safer, calmer. Some of the tension left his small body as the older boy talked.
"I'm Jonouchi." He grinned and reached out with a large hand. "But you can call me Jou. My buddy over there's Ryou."
"I'm Yugi." Yugi reached out and took hold of Jou's hand. "But I'd still like to know where I am."
"Oh, you're at our warehouse." Ryou answered this time and Yugi's smile grew when he heard his British accent. "This is actually Yami's room."
Yugi's eyes scanned the dreary room. The only thing that showed proof of any form of life was a large radio and CD collection in the far corner. Yugi's eyes widened. That radio must have cost a fortune. And then to buy all those CD's to match! No wonder he lived here, he didn't have any money left after buying that thing. Jou followed Yugi's gaze to the expensive piece of equipment and smiled.
"Yami's a music buff." He explained. "That boy sure loves his rock and roll. Don't know how he managed to get that and not get caught, but he's tough. A lot tougher then many give him credit for."
Yugi looked at Jou who seemed somewhat hurt by his own statement. He then redirected his gaze to the still unconscious Yami. In his sleep he looked innocent. Not like the kind of person who leads a gang. But then again, sleep had a way of masking that which truly lies inside. Yami may have saved him, but that didn't mean he was some sugary sweet guy caught up in the wrong crowd. Looking down at the peaceful face, he felt the worst confusion he had in his entire life.
"Oh he's up!" Yugi's attention snapped to the owner of the feminine voice. In the doorway stood a brunette girl with crystal blue eyes. Behind her stood a guy who had to be the tallest of the bunch.
"Anzu, Otogi, this is Yugi." Jou introduced the two new members.
Yugi gave a shy wave and prayed, for the first time in his life, that he could be smaller. Otogi scared him. His green eyes were fierce. Yugi could defiantly see how he would be in a gang. Anzu on the other hand looked sweet. Yugi guessed she was this gang's sensible side. She waved back while Otogi flicked two fingers in a minor salute.
"So it wasn't the High Priests?" Otogi asked, fiddling with the small gold pyramid that hung from his neck.
"No." Jou's face darkened and Yugi could finally see how this group was a gang. Just at the mention of the High Priests, they darkened, turning into a ruthless bunch. "If that asshole ever brought his mangy group of fuckers around here, I'd show them where they can shove it!"
Yugi flinched and drew back from Jou's outburst. This was more along the lines of what he'd suspect to see while sitting in a gang's hang out. Anzu sat down beside him, trying carefully to not stir Yami.
"Jou, calm down!" She barked. "You're scaring Yugi. Besides, it wasn't the High Priests so Yami's fine. We know nothing else happened to him."
Yami stirred in his sleep and let out a pitiful moan. His face tightened up into a mask of fear, before it loosened and he rolled over. Anzu cast him a worried glance before turning to Jou.
"I thought those were over." She whispered.
"They were." The angry mask had disappeared and been replaced by the same worried one that Anzu wore. "Maybe it's all of us sitting in here and talking about it that's getting him all worked up in his head. We should leave and let him get some sleep."
Anzu nodded as she ushered Jou, Ryou, and Otogi out the door. She turned to Yugi and motioned for him to follow. Yugi was apprehensive at first, but slowly crawled out of the bed.
"We'll take you home while Yami rests up." She told him. "Now where do you live?"
"The Game Shop." Yugi answered quickly feeling a sense of dread. Now this gang would know where he lived.
"Then it's off to the game shop." Anzu lead Yugi out into the main room where she gathered everyone and headed off.
Yugi looked up at his home, thankful to be seeing it again. It was starting to get dark and he knew that his grandfather would start to get worried, if he wasn't already. Anzu smiled when she looked up at the quaint little shop. This was exactly the kind of place she imagined a kid like Yugi would live.
Jou pushed on shoulder lightly. Yugi turned and gave him a smile grin. For a gang, they sure were a nice group of people.
"Go home kid." He laughed. "Yami will be fine. We won't let anything happen to him."
"Thanks." Yugi turned and ran up the front steps. When he reached the door he stopped and turned back to the retreating gang. "Wait!"
They turned and gave him a quizzical look. It wasn't everyday they dealt with people outside a gang, so they weren't use to such open kindness. Especially from a young boy.
"Tell Yami I said thank you." Yugi whispered. "If it weren't for him I would be in far worse shape then he is now."
"We will." Ryou smiled. "Don't you worry. He'll know of your gratitude."
Yugi smiled and nodded. "Thank you again."
With that final thought he smiled and darted into his house. When the door was shut, he breathed a sigh of relief and leaned against the door. This day certainly had turned out different then he figured. Yami had saved him and intrigued him. Part of him was upset that he didn't get the chance to say goodbye.
Maybe I'll meet up with him again. Yugi thought before running up to his room.
Hopefully…
~*~
Yami groaned as his world come fumbling back to him. His entire head throbbed. He sure had taken a hit. That's when everything came falling back into place. That bully…the little boy Yugi…the fight. He shot up and his head screamed its protest. Drawing in a deep hissing breath, he rubbed his temples.
"Hey, take it easy there bud."
Yami turned to see Jou standing beside him. Looking around he realized he was in his own bed. He remembered reaching the warehouse before passing out. Ryou and Jou must have helped him to his own bed. But where was Yugi?
"W-where's Yugi?" He asked wincing at his own weak voice.
"We helped the little guy home." Jou shrugged. "He lives down at the Kame Game Shop. He's a nice kid, I can see why you helped him out."
Yami nodded. Yugi had been nice. After all, he had offered himself to that bully to keep him from beating Yami to nothing, even though they didn't know each other.
"Yes." He whispered. "He was being bullied. I can't stand bullies. I had to do something. But when that jerk gave me a cheap shot Yugi tried to help me. He's definitely a different person. Most would have taken the chance to run. But he stayed and helped me, a no good gang member."
Jou was stunned by Yami's negative talk. Yami had always been on the depressive side, but never like this. He never had been so harsh on himself. Jou's brow furrowed. He was mistaken. Yami had been like that once, a long time ago when they had first meet. But Jou thought he was over that…
"Yami you know that's a lie." He sounded angry then he meant to. Yami flinched away from him and rubbed at his sore temples. "If an innocent kid can see good in you, then you know it's there. Don't be so hard on yourself."
Yami didn't react at first but finally nodded slowly. Jou knew he really mean the action which meant the next thing he said probably wasn't for the best.
"Yami, it's getting late." He spoke softly. "Anzu, Ryou and Otogi already headed home. I stayed back to make sure you woke up, but I have to head home to my sister. With my father gone I really don't feel safe with her there by herself."
Yami glanced at him with shock registering in his system. He turned away from Jou with a sad smile.
"I know." He whispered. "You have to watch out for her safety. I understand. But I will see you tomorrow. Now go, don't let her be alone by herself for too long."
Jou nodded and stood up. He gave Yami a wave before dashing off. Yami sighed. Alone again. He was used to spending endless nights by himself. After all he had been alone for many years. Sighing he laid back down and pulled his covers up to his chin. At least he was used to this feeling. And he was glad Yugi was safe. Maybe they'd meet again.
Hopefully…
Moons: And here's the first chapter of my new story. I'm going to say this now as warning to readers who don't wish to read these kinds of things, there will be a romantic tie between Yugi and Yami. But it won't be a full out Yaoi. It's going to be more of a sweet romance.
Aurora: NO!! NOT ANOTHER ONE!!!
Moons: Oh hush up, it will be full of your dangerous action as well. The stuff that we both like so much. It's just I think a little romance will work for this story. So I hope this doesn't deter too many readers.
Aurora: You hope.
Moons: v_v and we're back to being unmuse like. Well it was good while it lasted. At least she still likes my story Unbroken. Any way…I hope you enjoy this story…I think I will enjoy writing it. Please review!!
Aurora: Yeah, yeah.
Moons: v_v *rolls eyes*