Here is a small Christmas present for all of you who like my fic! I don't
know how many of you is on a vacation already, so I probably shouldn't
expect so many reviews... Oh well. *shakes her head* I was going to write
Birth of Phoenix for once, but for some reason the saved file wouldn't open
*grumbles* Why did the computer have to start acting all bitchy now? And if
you necessarily want to see the disclaimer, look in the previous chapters.
Not to worry, anyone, the title will make sense. Sometime in the distant future. I'm not exactly sure when. So many of you thought the person in the tomb to be either Seto or Bakura... Well, either one is clearly right, but which one? I'm not sure myself, yet. I'll have to see what I manage to write... (YS: now that is disturbing.) My my, look who's here! I noticed you didn't show up in the last chapter. (YS: what can I say, I was busy. Stop pestering me about it . . .) ~_~
And as already traditional, it's time to thank my reviewers! This time Jadej.j (read onward and you'll know!), Chisa and Neko (*grins* I think it will be S/J too...), Yami Yugi Gal (^_^ Me just loves Anne Rice! *glomps back*), Jealous Vampiress (*blinks* lemon? ehhh... I don't think it needs to be lemon to be rated R, but now that you mentioned it... Naah. It would probably suck anyway!), Renee the Rabid Squirrel (thank you!), dilanda (*blushes* I don't think it is that much better than the other vampire fics... And the plot part is questionable... Although I seem to be making something interesting with all the little hints. We'll see!), Silver Dragon (I'm not really familiar with this rating thing, do you think it is too low? I have just noticed that people seem to be extremely careful with that, or then it's just different cultures... And yep, it will have Y/YY.), Neko-chan (you'll just have to read the chapter to find out! Yes, there is a high possibility on this being B/R too... The scene seems interesting - kawaii! - but considering this is Yami POV, I'll have to change that part... And make it a little longer, you know, make it sound more like me. I hope you'll be satisfied with the result, I worried over it for a good part of two hours!) Jadesaber (thank you! So many people love my fic!), Silverdrake (arigatou gozaimasu! ^^), Neko Oni (it's addicting? I never knew I could write like that o.O And whoa, how do you have time to go to two martial arts? Could be just that I'm addicted to aikido and go there every chance I get, in other words nearly every day... And the jo - wooden stick - really is cool, but I always manage to trip myself on it... Thus I like bokken - the wooden sword - more!), firedraygon97 (I don't know, read the chappie so you'll find out... And yet another person who loves my fic! ^^), Cyberkat (what plot? *gets an innocent chibi face* I don't see any plot lying around somewhere. Do you? *giggles* Really, it's not that clear for me yet, I only have a general idea of what's going to happen. Mostly I'm just winging it!), Amy (thank you so much!), Chibizoo (you wrote YGO that early? *claps her hands* A real veteran! Enjoy your vacation, and I hope this chapter is long enough...) and Kirei Tsuki (you're so right!) remembered me! Thank you! (YS: Have you noticed how this section seems to grow rapidly?)
Slaying the Dreamer, chapter 4: Son of a Pharaoh
The tomb I stepped in wasn't so unlike the one I had come from. Dusty, dim, full of ancient coffins in which the bodies of those once-living humans laid. And all I could think of was the sweetness of the small boy's scent, his large eyes looking at me with so much confusion, his frail body so close to mine.
I stopped and took a deep breath. No use thinking about it. Now concentrate on this new twist in the wake of events. Who could this familiar person be? The knowledge was there, I merely couldn't access it. As in so many other things. I couldn't remember why the Puzzle was so important, I couldn't remember why I had stopped drinking blood from humans, not why I had gone to my long sleep, or even who I was. I was floating in this new world with no place to attach to...
Shrugging off the depressive thoughts I stepped forward. Perhaps this other vampire here could help me. I could feel him very near. Nodding my head I headed to a particularly fancy looking coffin. Here. Grabbing the edge of the black marble I threw the top away.
With a loud clatter it landed to the floor, raising a cloud of dust. I backed a little bit. The dust shrouded the inside of the long box so I couldn't immediately see what was lying there. Impatiently I waited for the dust to settle.
A body slowly came visible, unmoving and to my senses feeling like death. I looked as the dust slowly settled back, revealing a body slightly shriveled with blood loss, result from his long sleep. But he wasn't as bad off as I had been, meaning he had slept for a shorter time. Something in me moved as I watched his still form.
His brown hair fell to his face, concealing most of his forehead. His hands were resting on his chest, his dusty clothes were seemingly of a fine material. I reached out a hand and touched his face gently. A small shiver went through him and he turned his head to face me. His eyes slowly opened and focused on me. Then they filled with cold determination and hatred.
//Pharaoh!//
"Seto..."
Long-lost memories flooded my mind.
---Flashback---
I walked in the dimly lit hallway, my bodyguards silently trailing behind. The hot air filled my lungs and the dry wind from the desert burned my skin. Some bird chirped in the distance. It was getting late, but I couldn't sleep yet. No rest for the young son of the pharaoh tonight, it seemed. And why had I been summoned to the throne room? Father didn't like me around there, except on very formal occasions.
I arrived to the doors and they were opened for me. I barely noticed, as this was a common occurrence. What I _did_ notice was a small crowd of the most powerful persons in the whole of Egypt. I searched them, surprised, but didn't find my father. Stepping closer to them, I noticed the young High Priest [1] and addressed him.
"Where is the Pharaoh? I thought the summons were from him."
The priest looked the most uncomfortable that I had ever seen him to be. His emotionless blue eyes fastened on me, managing to unnerve me somewhat.
"Your father the Pharaoh is...not in a condition to issue such orders at the moment. His authority currently is above a mortal's demands. Our most revered regent has become a god."
I looked at him, not believing my ears. My father...
Suddenly I had an insane urge to laugh. Carefully keeping my face blank, I looked at the next speaker, the High Priestess Ishizu.
"When shall we keep the coronation?"
I couldn't answer the question. Too many emotions were going through me that I could make myself care about something like that. Turning on my heels I retreated to a smaller room next to the throne room, to a balcony overlooking one of the numerous gardens.
I could hear someone coming after me.
"I don't recall giving you permission to follow."
"I know, Pharaoh. I just thought you might need some words of advice."
It was the High Priest Seto Kaiba. I turned to face him.
"This must be a terrible loss to you."
I couldn't control my face at such a claim and my mouth twisted to a small grin.
"...I see. Your father wasn't very popular even with the commoners, come to think of it. But right now you need to be the grieving son."
"And why do you think I wouldn't be aware of that? I _have_ been living in this palace for all my life, you know."
"Let me be frank. There are too many plots for getting power shifted from one hands to others for me to feel comfortable."
"Don't play that game with me, Seto. I know you enjoy the game for power, you always have. Nothing else could have brought you so far while still so young. Except your father's influence on the other High Priests..."
The man standing before me didn't like what that implied. He looked away briefly, but to his credit he composed himself quickly and looked back, deciding to ignore the last sentence.
"Exactly. And now I'm determined to establish my good position in the reign of the new Pharaoh."
I smiled, a genuine smile this time, not one born out of hate and a feeling of victory.
"I like your style. What have you got to offer me?"
---End of flashback---
Confused, I backed away from the other vampire as he agonizingly slowly rose from the black coffin. What could have caused that hate in him, we had been friends... Well, at least somewhat friendly.
"Seto, what...?"
"Don't claim to be innocent, Pharaoh. I know what you did and for that I'll hate you for eternity."
"But I cannot remember! Didn't your memories fade while you were asleep?"
"Should they have?"
I looked at him in fascination as he drew closer. His voice sounded so dry, like two stones grinding together, and he still managed to sound so commanding.
"I don't know if it is what usually happens... But all I remember about you is that we made some kind of alliance at the time of my father's death."
He staggered closer to me, looking at me intensely.
"Are you really telling the truth..?"
I backed against another coffin in my desire to get farther from him. He seemed so menacing, and the human I once knew was nowhere visible. He walked to me, finally grabbing my shoulders for support. His gaze seemed to want to burrow into my mind.
Then he burst to laughter.
"The great Pharaoh has truly lost his memory! This must be the joke of the millennium..."
I could do nothing but look at him in weird fascination. Then I took a step forward and punched him in the stomach. His laughter was changed to a fit of coughing.
"What is wrong with you?! I go through all the trouble to wake you, and this is what I get? Has the long sleep garbled your mind somehow? I need answers, not jokes on my current situation!"
I fumed over his strong form. He was half coughing half laughing now. I was beginning to seriously get ticked off by his behavior. I couldn't see the joke in this situation.
As Seto slowly calmed down I walked towards the open doorway.
"Be quiet already. If some human walks by they would surely hear you."
I could hear him suddenly go all quiet and get up. Then he walked to me, stopping near my shoulder. I refused to look at him. Then he whispered to me.
"If you don't remember, it's because you don't want to. Think really hard if your memories are worth retrieving."
What did he mean by that? Before I could get the thought to words he was already walking away.
"Now that I'm awake, I might as well feed. Good night to you, have a good eternity."
I could hear his amusement. Leaning against the doorway, I thought on what to do to the broken door. Seto might not want to think of these things, but I certainly didn't want to be exposed.
So I had been a Pharaoh when I was still human... Then I noticed that I still didn't have a name.
"Sheesh . . . Seto, wait! Wait for me!"
I couldn't see him, but luckily I could still sense him. He wasn't that far away, and he had stopped. I ran, guided by that sensation, and couldn't but hope that Yugi was nowhere around as this was the same direction he had been when I last saw him. It would be too embarrassing to meet him again.
Blast it, there were those confusing thoughts about him again. What a bother, I had thought I got over them already. No such luck. That little human -
My mind froze. Human . . . And Seto would very probably have no qualms about feeding off of mortals. Thankfully I didn't have to worry about that for long, as I arrived to the scene he made quickly.
He _was_ feeding on a human, but it wasn't Yugi. I was relieved for a moment, until the whole scene hit in fully. My gaze involuntarily shifted to him, and stayed there.
Seto's mouth was resting on the throat of a woman, her whole body was frigid with the shock of a vampire's kiss. His hands kept her tightly against his body, digging into her soft flesh with inhuman strength. I could smell fresh blood in the air so clearly, I could almost taste it. One more reminder that I hadn't drank enough yet... My whole body yearned for the sweet taste of blood, to the extent that I began to shake slightly.
Then he dropped her, I could see small droplets of crimson blood on his lips. She was dead, abandoned, a mere corpse lying on the cool ground, a victim to the hunter in the night.
He turned to me, annoyed.
"Now what."
I woke from the slight trance I had fallen into, and looked at him. He was more alive now, nearly passing for a human. His skin glowed with the living blood flowing through him, giving him strength and power, helping him adjust to the new surroundings. And no doubt he already knew more of this time than I did. The blood was the store of all the information the individual had, and while one couldn't take all of it a small part always filtered through, though it might take some time to settle in.
Slowly I exhaled to keep those thoughts out, and concentrated.
"I want to know my name."
He looked at me strangely.
"You can't remember even that? ...Very well. One could call you the darkness of the Land, the plague that swept through the Lower and the Upper Egypt. The reaper out to get all the souls and gather them to the land of the dead."
That didn't help much. And what had gotten him to call me those things, had I really been that bad? Why? I looked at Seto in confusion. He snorted.
"That doesn't ring a bell, does it. You might not remember all that, but I most certainly do. Don't expect any sympathy from me...Yami."
He looked down and bowed over the corpse on the street, to gather any valuables.
"You might want to feed too, you look as white as a sheet. Some pretty girl would do you good. Or would it be pretty boy?"
That was the last drop I could take. I turned and walked down the street. Behind me I could hear his mocking laughter. What was up with this guy? Couldn't he take a vampire with a non-human diet?
At least I got to know a name, although I wasn't sure if it really was mine. It didn't bring any new memories. But it was kind of fitting, so I decided to use it.
Trying to leave Seto Kaiba out of my thoughts, they turned to the sweet human I met earlier this night. Yugi... How could a single mortal affect me so?
The street glistened in the lamplight, although it wasn't wet. I just stared at it, walking onwards and onwards, thinking of eternity, death, and salvation, birth, rebirth and the damnation being a vampire was. And thinking of Yugi.
I saw houses after houses, one looking like the other. I saw clouds quickly gather in the dark sky and the smell of rain fill the air. As I walked, my strength failing, my innards screaming with the lust for blood, I came upon a house not so different from the others. But this one had a familiar scent coming from the inside.
Nearly hypnotized, I walked to the yard, looking for a sign of that mortal I knew was inside that building. After what seemed like an eternity, I arrived to an open window. The lights were out, but what kind of a vampire I would be to let that stop me? I could smell him. A rumble came from the skies above and a few drops of rain quickly became a flood.
I stood in the rain for a while, trying to resist the urge to go inside. But was it really worth it? How could one not be affected by that small creature? Giving in to my desire, I jumped with little effort to the second- story window, dropping to the floor with a cat-like grace. In absolute silence I went nearer to my small target.
Silently standing by his still figure, I admired his sleeping form, listening to his quiet breathing. He looked like an angel, a radiant, shining, _beautiful_ angel. How cute could one be without completely messing up someone's mind? I wouldn't know, he already had gotten into my mind, twisting my thoughts as easily as a kitten with a ball of string. The mortal who got through my mental shields... I wouldn't be surprised if I someday found out that the reason I woke up was him.
The said human shifted in his sleep, revealing a pale neck. I couldn't help myself and leaned slowly forward, hissing in frustration at my weakness. A small voice cried in my head not to do anything, not to get any closer, for I certainly didn't have enough strength of will in my current condition to avoid doing something I would sorely regret later. But it was so tempting...
Kneeling down, I laid my hands on either side of him, and lowered my face to that luring, glowing skin. Touching my lips to his skin right on the pulsing vein, I whimpered silently with the pain of the touch, all my vampiric senses screaming for the blood so close now. Trying to restrain myself, my mouth involuntarily slid lower on his throat. Raining little kisses down his throat, I was not feeling even remotely like myself. The lust for - his blood? His body? - was preventing me from thinking clearly, and I let my fangs touch his skin lightly.
In response the little one moved, and began to wake. Paralyzed, I looked in grave fascination as his eyes fluttered open. Waking from my frozen thoughts, I moved away from him as quickly as I could, concealing myself in the shadows of a dark corner. He mumbled something sleepily, the loneliness in his voice nearly making me go to him, to hold him in my arms just for this one time, forgetting about the world and the past, the shadows of my mind threatening to swallow me in the darkest moments of the night.
His head turned this way and that, searching for that something which had woken him, searching for me. Desperately I tried to control my breathing, as I was slightly panting from what I had done. And what _had_ I done? What had made me act in such a way, which I was sure I had never before acted? How could I lose myself so in that sweet scent of his, the rapture of being so close to that single person I cared in this era, the first one I had seen after waking up... I wasn't able to stop this, all these new feelings moving inside me.
Drops of rain fell inside from the open window, and the petite boy turned his attention to that. Rising from the bed, he walked barefoot to close it. I watched, restraining myself from swooping upon him like a bat on its prey from my dark corner. He turned around, yawning, and headed back to his bed. He didn't notice small puddles of water on the floor, leading to his bed. Or perhaps he thought the rain had reached his room.
I waited as Yugi fell back to sleep, snuggling close to his pillow. I couldn't use the window to get back outside, so I'd have to use the door... It would be less likely that the opening of a door would wake him. Soon the slow breathing of the boy revealed him to be back asleep.
As I was creeping silently across his room, I noticed a white rose on the table. The rose I gave him... He had kept it... Mystified, I picked it up and smelled its alluring fragrance. He had kept my gift for him... Smiling gently, I laid it back on the table. Perhaps this relatively insignificant memory would make me feel better once what I had done would hit in properly. To keep some of the guilt at bay...
I crept to the door and began to find my way out of this house.
---
[1] Does anyone know of which god? If I got it right every god had their own priesthood in Egypt (and other cultures with many gods)...
AN: must...write...more... *collapses from exhaustion* (YS: *shows up in a flash of light, shaking her head* She tries too much. *drags Shenya somewhere and returns to glare at the readers* Now you listen to me! Even though her flashback sucks, she still deserves reviews for writing this! And all her previous chapters were written in a few hours, when this one took at least seven...)
Shenya: Don't expect me to add more until I get tired of all my Christmas presents... This time I'm serious too, no update for a while! And sorry to all the people who wished/thought it to be Bakura. I already had a great idea on what would happen between them, but then I changed it and...Well, lets just say that he makes and interesting appearance - most likely in the next chapter, so this fic won't stretch to be endless. And you can all thank Neko-chan for the fluffiness in this chapter! ^.^ Review please!!! (YS: Where did you come from O_O)
Not to worry, anyone, the title will make sense. Sometime in the distant future. I'm not exactly sure when. So many of you thought the person in the tomb to be either Seto or Bakura... Well, either one is clearly right, but which one? I'm not sure myself, yet. I'll have to see what I manage to write... (YS: now that is disturbing.) My my, look who's here! I noticed you didn't show up in the last chapter. (YS: what can I say, I was busy. Stop pestering me about it . . .) ~_~
And as already traditional, it's time to thank my reviewers! This time Jadej.j (read onward and you'll know!), Chisa and Neko (*grins* I think it will be S/J too...), Yami Yugi Gal (^_^ Me just loves Anne Rice! *glomps back*), Jealous Vampiress (*blinks* lemon? ehhh... I don't think it needs to be lemon to be rated R, but now that you mentioned it... Naah. It would probably suck anyway!), Renee the Rabid Squirrel (thank you!), dilanda (*blushes* I don't think it is that much better than the other vampire fics... And the plot part is questionable... Although I seem to be making something interesting with all the little hints. We'll see!), Silver Dragon (I'm not really familiar with this rating thing, do you think it is too low? I have just noticed that people seem to be extremely careful with that, or then it's just different cultures... And yep, it will have Y/YY.), Neko-chan (you'll just have to read the chapter to find out! Yes, there is a high possibility on this being B/R too... The scene seems interesting - kawaii! - but considering this is Yami POV, I'll have to change that part... And make it a little longer, you know, make it sound more like me. I hope you'll be satisfied with the result, I worried over it for a good part of two hours!) Jadesaber (thank you! So many people love my fic!), Silverdrake (arigatou gozaimasu! ^^), Neko Oni (it's addicting? I never knew I could write like that o.O And whoa, how do you have time to go to two martial arts? Could be just that I'm addicted to aikido and go there every chance I get, in other words nearly every day... And the jo - wooden stick - really is cool, but I always manage to trip myself on it... Thus I like bokken - the wooden sword - more!), firedraygon97 (I don't know, read the chappie so you'll find out... And yet another person who loves my fic! ^^), Cyberkat (what plot? *gets an innocent chibi face* I don't see any plot lying around somewhere. Do you? *giggles* Really, it's not that clear for me yet, I only have a general idea of what's going to happen. Mostly I'm just winging it!), Amy (thank you so much!), Chibizoo (you wrote YGO that early? *claps her hands* A real veteran! Enjoy your vacation, and I hope this chapter is long enough...) and Kirei Tsuki (you're so right!) remembered me! Thank you! (YS: Have you noticed how this section seems to grow rapidly?)
Slaying the Dreamer, chapter 4: Son of a Pharaoh
The tomb I stepped in wasn't so unlike the one I had come from. Dusty, dim, full of ancient coffins in which the bodies of those once-living humans laid. And all I could think of was the sweetness of the small boy's scent, his large eyes looking at me with so much confusion, his frail body so close to mine.
I stopped and took a deep breath. No use thinking about it. Now concentrate on this new twist in the wake of events. Who could this familiar person be? The knowledge was there, I merely couldn't access it. As in so many other things. I couldn't remember why the Puzzle was so important, I couldn't remember why I had stopped drinking blood from humans, not why I had gone to my long sleep, or even who I was. I was floating in this new world with no place to attach to...
Shrugging off the depressive thoughts I stepped forward. Perhaps this other vampire here could help me. I could feel him very near. Nodding my head I headed to a particularly fancy looking coffin. Here. Grabbing the edge of the black marble I threw the top away.
With a loud clatter it landed to the floor, raising a cloud of dust. I backed a little bit. The dust shrouded the inside of the long box so I couldn't immediately see what was lying there. Impatiently I waited for the dust to settle.
A body slowly came visible, unmoving and to my senses feeling like death. I looked as the dust slowly settled back, revealing a body slightly shriveled with blood loss, result from his long sleep. But he wasn't as bad off as I had been, meaning he had slept for a shorter time. Something in me moved as I watched his still form.
His brown hair fell to his face, concealing most of his forehead. His hands were resting on his chest, his dusty clothes were seemingly of a fine material. I reached out a hand and touched his face gently. A small shiver went through him and he turned his head to face me. His eyes slowly opened and focused on me. Then they filled with cold determination and hatred.
//Pharaoh!//
"Seto..."
Long-lost memories flooded my mind.
---Flashback---
I walked in the dimly lit hallway, my bodyguards silently trailing behind. The hot air filled my lungs and the dry wind from the desert burned my skin. Some bird chirped in the distance. It was getting late, but I couldn't sleep yet. No rest for the young son of the pharaoh tonight, it seemed. And why had I been summoned to the throne room? Father didn't like me around there, except on very formal occasions.
I arrived to the doors and they were opened for me. I barely noticed, as this was a common occurrence. What I _did_ notice was a small crowd of the most powerful persons in the whole of Egypt. I searched them, surprised, but didn't find my father. Stepping closer to them, I noticed the young High Priest [1] and addressed him.
"Where is the Pharaoh? I thought the summons were from him."
The priest looked the most uncomfortable that I had ever seen him to be. His emotionless blue eyes fastened on me, managing to unnerve me somewhat.
"Your father the Pharaoh is...not in a condition to issue such orders at the moment. His authority currently is above a mortal's demands. Our most revered regent has become a god."
I looked at him, not believing my ears. My father...
Suddenly I had an insane urge to laugh. Carefully keeping my face blank, I looked at the next speaker, the High Priestess Ishizu.
"When shall we keep the coronation?"
I couldn't answer the question. Too many emotions were going through me that I could make myself care about something like that. Turning on my heels I retreated to a smaller room next to the throne room, to a balcony overlooking one of the numerous gardens.
I could hear someone coming after me.
"I don't recall giving you permission to follow."
"I know, Pharaoh. I just thought you might need some words of advice."
It was the High Priest Seto Kaiba. I turned to face him.
"This must be a terrible loss to you."
I couldn't control my face at such a claim and my mouth twisted to a small grin.
"...I see. Your father wasn't very popular even with the commoners, come to think of it. But right now you need to be the grieving son."
"And why do you think I wouldn't be aware of that? I _have_ been living in this palace for all my life, you know."
"Let me be frank. There are too many plots for getting power shifted from one hands to others for me to feel comfortable."
"Don't play that game with me, Seto. I know you enjoy the game for power, you always have. Nothing else could have brought you so far while still so young. Except your father's influence on the other High Priests..."
The man standing before me didn't like what that implied. He looked away briefly, but to his credit he composed himself quickly and looked back, deciding to ignore the last sentence.
"Exactly. And now I'm determined to establish my good position in the reign of the new Pharaoh."
I smiled, a genuine smile this time, not one born out of hate and a feeling of victory.
"I like your style. What have you got to offer me?"
---End of flashback---
Confused, I backed away from the other vampire as he agonizingly slowly rose from the black coffin. What could have caused that hate in him, we had been friends... Well, at least somewhat friendly.
"Seto, what...?"
"Don't claim to be innocent, Pharaoh. I know what you did and for that I'll hate you for eternity."
"But I cannot remember! Didn't your memories fade while you were asleep?"
"Should they have?"
I looked at him in fascination as he drew closer. His voice sounded so dry, like two stones grinding together, and he still managed to sound so commanding.
"I don't know if it is what usually happens... But all I remember about you is that we made some kind of alliance at the time of my father's death."
He staggered closer to me, looking at me intensely.
"Are you really telling the truth..?"
I backed against another coffin in my desire to get farther from him. He seemed so menacing, and the human I once knew was nowhere visible. He walked to me, finally grabbing my shoulders for support. His gaze seemed to want to burrow into my mind.
Then he burst to laughter.
"The great Pharaoh has truly lost his memory! This must be the joke of the millennium..."
I could do nothing but look at him in weird fascination. Then I took a step forward and punched him in the stomach. His laughter was changed to a fit of coughing.
"What is wrong with you?! I go through all the trouble to wake you, and this is what I get? Has the long sleep garbled your mind somehow? I need answers, not jokes on my current situation!"
I fumed over his strong form. He was half coughing half laughing now. I was beginning to seriously get ticked off by his behavior. I couldn't see the joke in this situation.
As Seto slowly calmed down I walked towards the open doorway.
"Be quiet already. If some human walks by they would surely hear you."
I could hear him suddenly go all quiet and get up. Then he walked to me, stopping near my shoulder. I refused to look at him. Then he whispered to me.
"If you don't remember, it's because you don't want to. Think really hard if your memories are worth retrieving."
What did he mean by that? Before I could get the thought to words he was already walking away.
"Now that I'm awake, I might as well feed. Good night to you, have a good eternity."
I could hear his amusement. Leaning against the doorway, I thought on what to do to the broken door. Seto might not want to think of these things, but I certainly didn't want to be exposed.
So I had been a Pharaoh when I was still human... Then I noticed that I still didn't have a name.
"Sheesh . . . Seto, wait! Wait for me!"
I couldn't see him, but luckily I could still sense him. He wasn't that far away, and he had stopped. I ran, guided by that sensation, and couldn't but hope that Yugi was nowhere around as this was the same direction he had been when I last saw him. It would be too embarrassing to meet him again.
Blast it, there were those confusing thoughts about him again. What a bother, I had thought I got over them already. No such luck. That little human -
My mind froze. Human . . . And Seto would very probably have no qualms about feeding off of mortals. Thankfully I didn't have to worry about that for long, as I arrived to the scene he made quickly.
He _was_ feeding on a human, but it wasn't Yugi. I was relieved for a moment, until the whole scene hit in fully. My gaze involuntarily shifted to him, and stayed there.
Seto's mouth was resting on the throat of a woman, her whole body was frigid with the shock of a vampire's kiss. His hands kept her tightly against his body, digging into her soft flesh with inhuman strength. I could smell fresh blood in the air so clearly, I could almost taste it. One more reminder that I hadn't drank enough yet... My whole body yearned for the sweet taste of blood, to the extent that I began to shake slightly.
Then he dropped her, I could see small droplets of crimson blood on his lips. She was dead, abandoned, a mere corpse lying on the cool ground, a victim to the hunter in the night.
He turned to me, annoyed.
"Now what."
I woke from the slight trance I had fallen into, and looked at him. He was more alive now, nearly passing for a human. His skin glowed with the living blood flowing through him, giving him strength and power, helping him adjust to the new surroundings. And no doubt he already knew more of this time than I did. The blood was the store of all the information the individual had, and while one couldn't take all of it a small part always filtered through, though it might take some time to settle in.
Slowly I exhaled to keep those thoughts out, and concentrated.
"I want to know my name."
He looked at me strangely.
"You can't remember even that? ...Very well. One could call you the darkness of the Land, the plague that swept through the Lower and the Upper Egypt. The reaper out to get all the souls and gather them to the land of the dead."
That didn't help much. And what had gotten him to call me those things, had I really been that bad? Why? I looked at Seto in confusion. He snorted.
"That doesn't ring a bell, does it. You might not remember all that, but I most certainly do. Don't expect any sympathy from me...Yami."
He looked down and bowed over the corpse on the street, to gather any valuables.
"You might want to feed too, you look as white as a sheet. Some pretty girl would do you good. Or would it be pretty boy?"
That was the last drop I could take. I turned and walked down the street. Behind me I could hear his mocking laughter. What was up with this guy? Couldn't he take a vampire with a non-human diet?
At least I got to know a name, although I wasn't sure if it really was mine. It didn't bring any new memories. But it was kind of fitting, so I decided to use it.
Trying to leave Seto Kaiba out of my thoughts, they turned to the sweet human I met earlier this night. Yugi... How could a single mortal affect me so?
The street glistened in the lamplight, although it wasn't wet. I just stared at it, walking onwards and onwards, thinking of eternity, death, and salvation, birth, rebirth and the damnation being a vampire was. And thinking of Yugi.
I saw houses after houses, one looking like the other. I saw clouds quickly gather in the dark sky and the smell of rain fill the air. As I walked, my strength failing, my innards screaming with the lust for blood, I came upon a house not so different from the others. But this one had a familiar scent coming from the inside.
Nearly hypnotized, I walked to the yard, looking for a sign of that mortal I knew was inside that building. After what seemed like an eternity, I arrived to an open window. The lights were out, but what kind of a vampire I would be to let that stop me? I could smell him. A rumble came from the skies above and a few drops of rain quickly became a flood.
I stood in the rain for a while, trying to resist the urge to go inside. But was it really worth it? How could one not be affected by that small creature? Giving in to my desire, I jumped with little effort to the second- story window, dropping to the floor with a cat-like grace. In absolute silence I went nearer to my small target.
Silently standing by his still figure, I admired his sleeping form, listening to his quiet breathing. He looked like an angel, a radiant, shining, _beautiful_ angel. How cute could one be without completely messing up someone's mind? I wouldn't know, he already had gotten into my mind, twisting my thoughts as easily as a kitten with a ball of string. The mortal who got through my mental shields... I wouldn't be surprised if I someday found out that the reason I woke up was him.
The said human shifted in his sleep, revealing a pale neck. I couldn't help myself and leaned slowly forward, hissing in frustration at my weakness. A small voice cried in my head not to do anything, not to get any closer, for I certainly didn't have enough strength of will in my current condition to avoid doing something I would sorely regret later. But it was so tempting...
Kneeling down, I laid my hands on either side of him, and lowered my face to that luring, glowing skin. Touching my lips to his skin right on the pulsing vein, I whimpered silently with the pain of the touch, all my vampiric senses screaming for the blood so close now. Trying to restrain myself, my mouth involuntarily slid lower on his throat. Raining little kisses down his throat, I was not feeling even remotely like myself. The lust for - his blood? His body? - was preventing me from thinking clearly, and I let my fangs touch his skin lightly.
In response the little one moved, and began to wake. Paralyzed, I looked in grave fascination as his eyes fluttered open. Waking from my frozen thoughts, I moved away from him as quickly as I could, concealing myself in the shadows of a dark corner. He mumbled something sleepily, the loneliness in his voice nearly making me go to him, to hold him in my arms just for this one time, forgetting about the world and the past, the shadows of my mind threatening to swallow me in the darkest moments of the night.
His head turned this way and that, searching for that something which had woken him, searching for me. Desperately I tried to control my breathing, as I was slightly panting from what I had done. And what _had_ I done? What had made me act in such a way, which I was sure I had never before acted? How could I lose myself so in that sweet scent of his, the rapture of being so close to that single person I cared in this era, the first one I had seen after waking up... I wasn't able to stop this, all these new feelings moving inside me.
Drops of rain fell inside from the open window, and the petite boy turned his attention to that. Rising from the bed, he walked barefoot to close it. I watched, restraining myself from swooping upon him like a bat on its prey from my dark corner. He turned around, yawning, and headed back to his bed. He didn't notice small puddles of water on the floor, leading to his bed. Or perhaps he thought the rain had reached his room.
I waited as Yugi fell back to sleep, snuggling close to his pillow. I couldn't use the window to get back outside, so I'd have to use the door... It would be less likely that the opening of a door would wake him. Soon the slow breathing of the boy revealed him to be back asleep.
As I was creeping silently across his room, I noticed a white rose on the table. The rose I gave him... He had kept it... Mystified, I picked it up and smelled its alluring fragrance. He had kept my gift for him... Smiling gently, I laid it back on the table. Perhaps this relatively insignificant memory would make me feel better once what I had done would hit in properly. To keep some of the guilt at bay...
I crept to the door and began to find my way out of this house.
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[1] Does anyone know of which god? If I got it right every god had their own priesthood in Egypt (and other cultures with many gods)...
AN: must...write...more... *collapses from exhaustion* (YS: *shows up in a flash of light, shaking her head* She tries too much. *drags Shenya somewhere and returns to glare at the readers* Now you listen to me! Even though her flashback sucks, she still deserves reviews for writing this! And all her previous chapters were written in a few hours, when this one took at least seven...)
Shenya: Don't expect me to add more until I get tired of all my Christmas presents... This time I'm serious too, no update for a while! And sorry to all the people who wished/thought it to be Bakura. I already had a great idea on what would happen between them, but then I changed it and...Well, lets just say that he makes and interesting appearance - most likely in the next chapter, so this fic won't stretch to be endless. And you can all thank Neko-chan for the fluffiness in this chapter! ^.^ Review please!!! (YS: Where did you come from O_O)