I managed to lose a favorite ring of mine yesterday -___- Damn. I should be
more careful... I took up a big task and read the whole fic I've written
thus far, and I was amazed. Did I really write all that? At least reading
it gave me a few ideas that have been forgotten for some time.
Many thanks to Lady Kaiba (Naah, it's all right! I hope this is quick enough for you!), Hotaru the Demon Goddess (Ryou shows up now, and there's a Ryou POV in the beginning of the next chapter), Naturi (yep, destiny! ^^ I just love to twist that word about!), highqueenofthegods (I think Mokuba will stay human... Much more fun that way!), tri (In one sitting? o.O now that is something...), Lady Geuna (actually the others haven't been asleep for a long time now... It will be explained further on. I put way too many explanations like that, don't you think?), Kou-Andrea (Do I see a little Mokuba-fan here? ^^), Dark Lady Setsuna (yep *rolls her eyes* school's a bitch), Seventh Sage (*sighs* depressive... I can't seem to turn this fic away from that direction...), MaidenoftheMoon (I love vampire fics too! They're just irresistible!), Renee the Rabid Squirrel (now you certainly put a lot of confidence in my abilities...), Sailor Comet (No more waiting, this chapter and the next one contain some R/B moments!), Jadesaber (^.^ Yes, it's kinda funny, isn't it? The big bad vampire getting all confused over a little kid), stupid kid 04 (so many people flatter me!) and Diamond (thank you!)
Slaying the Dreamer, chapter 11: Mad Laughter
---Marik POV---
My eyes were closed, I couldn't care enough to open them right now. I was too tired, despite having rested the whole day. Losing so much blood can do that to you, as I so well knew.
I was at home, blissfully surrounded by quiet, not having to do anything, not having to think of anything. So peaceful for once. I needed it, for the sake of my mind.
I don't know how long I had lain there, when I heard voices. They seemed familiar, but I couldn't make myself remember who they might be. I just listened, and waited for some kind of a sign - I don't know why.
"I already told you, he's in no condition to see anyone!"
"Trust me, he'll be well enough to see _me_. As I already told you, we go way back. Now let me through."
"I will not."
A short silence fell, during which I my mind started to slowly awaken. Wasn't the other my dear sister? But the other one... So familiar, but I couldn't place it.
"I see. Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Then you leave me no choice, Ishizu. You haven't changed at all, always doing what you think is best. I hope he'll not be too mad at me."
I more sensed than saw a bright flash, after which I could hear footsteps approaching me. Then they stopped, and the door opened. I still hadn't opened my eyes, so I couldn't see him, but somehow I could feel that he was the same person who had attacked me earlier. I didn't quite know when it had been, as I didn't know how long I had been out. But it couldn't be very long. Besides, he knew my sister? But he hadn't said the name quite right...
"Don't try to hide from me, you _are_ awake."
I decided to brave answering the guy as I struggled to be fully awake.
"Nice to see you too. What did you do to Isis?"
"Nothing serious, she'll be up tomorrow."
I could hear him walking, coming towards me. The footsteps stopped when he reached my bed. I could feel his gaze on me like an unseen caress. Slowly I turned my head and opened my eyes. He merely stood there, studying me from the shadows. It struck me as a miracle that I didn't feel nervous. I was calm, like nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
"What are you staring at?"
He laughed, and in that laugh I could hear an old madness, perhaps brought about by too many lonely nights, too much sorrow. A bit like me. But how good was I to judge those things?
"Why, at you of course. It seems that the old prophecies have come true finally. This probably means that the Tomb Robber and the Pharaoh are somewhere around too, finally awakened from their sleep."
His talk was complete gibberish to me. The words themselves were real words, but the things he talked about were a bit too much for me to handle right now. He seemed to sense this, and leaned over me.
"Aren't you the least bit scared?"
I stared at him. There was something odd about him...
"Oh, you noticed? I'm a vampire, you know. You _should_ be afraid."
A vampire? Now that I thought of it... To further mess up my mind, it seemed, he opened his mouth slightly and I could see his sharp fangs.
"I don't care. Why are you here?"
He seemed to be a bit annoyed.
"You don't care? Now why is that? I could suck the blood right out of you!"
"I just have this feeling you are not going to do that, otherwise you would have already."
"How would _you_ know, I might like playing with my victims."
Taking a hurt look on his face, he pouted. Pouted? That seemed weird coming from him.
"You do not want to kill me, that much I know. And stop making faces at me."
He leaned further and placed his hands on both sides of my head.
"Oh come on. I wanted to make sure you hadn't gone and killed yourself, and this is what I get? Petty insults and questioning! I'm truly offended now!"
He certainly didn't seem like it. I saw a smile tugging at the edges of his mouth, all the while threatening to get loose from his control.
"Yes, and I'm the pharaoh of Egypt..."
To my surprise he burst in to an uncontrolled laughter, nearly collapsing on top of me.
"You pervert, get away from me!"
I tried to fend him off, and managed after a little struggling to make him fall to the floor. He was laughing harder than before now, insanity becoming clearer in it.
"What's so funny."
He managed to stop laughing, instead of it he now giggled. Who was this guy?
"Believe me, you're nothing like that stuck-up brat! I used to work for his father, you know. The almighty guardian of his treasures. Well, not all of his treasures, just some of them."
The little speech was delivered in between bursts of giggles, which were slowly subsiding. Rising from the floor and leaning his elbows against my bead, he continued.
"Now _those_ were interesting times. The young pharaoh managed to get himself and a few others - including me - to a very bad situation. You see, it's kind of his fault that I am what I am. I should thank him some day."
He giggled again. Gods, did the guy never stop?
"But you know, we're not formally introduced yet. You are Marik, are you not? You can call me Ishtar, then."
I raised an eyebrow. He grinned in response.
"I like the name! So what if I happened to steal it from you? It might even be my real name, for all _you_ know!"
I was silent for a while.
"Don't you have anything better to do than bother innocent humans?"
"Innocent? I didn't think you'd have any innocence left."
"Fuck you!"
"No thanks, I'd rather fuck _you_"
He laughed again, and I watched him, feeling blood rush to heat my cheeks.
---Yami POV---
I walked a short distance after Yugi, not daring to approach him despite of how well he had took everything. We were walking through the cemetery, heading to Yugi's house, where he said this Ryou had promised to come. Suddenly I heard a small rustle coming from the nearby bushes.
I stopped, listening closely. Ah, they were birds. My hunger was fanned to a flame as I realized this. It had been too long since I fed. Taking silent steps towards the small creatures, I suddenly heard a human voice.
"Yami? Where are you going?"
The hunger had already consumed me so much that it took me a while to register who was talking. Then I quickly turned to him, trying to decide whether to tell him the truth or not. Remembering how he could feel if I told the truth, I blurted it out.
"There are birds in that bush. I'm hungry."
His eyes widened slightly and a nauseous expression came to his face.
"Oh."
Yet another uncomfortable silence fell between us.
"I can feed later, if you feel so disgusted by it."
Yugi looked at me, clearly unable to decide on the matter.
"No... It isn't that bad, right? At least you don't drink blood from humans. Go ahead."
I hesitated, his words were so full of indecision and even fear. Sighing deeply, I walked to him.
"Let us be on our way. I can do it later."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I wouldn't want for you to have to watch it."
"I can watch the other way..."
His big eyes filled my vision, I was on the brink of leaning down to better be able to gaze into them. Quickly turning to look away, I urged him to walk forward.
"It doesn't matter. What time did you say Ryou would be at your house?"
"Around about now... I don't know why I even left when he was coming. But I had to come to you!"
"I know the feeling. I know it very well, believe me."
We hadn't walked for very long, when I could see a white-haired figure walking ahead of us.
"Didn't that Ryou guy have white hair?"
"Excuse me?"
"I just think he's right there..."
Yugi looked, eyebrows drawn in confusion.
"What's he doing here, his house is in the other direction!"
He called for the boy, and the figure gave a little start. He stopped and turned to us. I could see a glad expression come over his face.
"Yugi-kun! I'm so glad to see you!"
As we walked nearer to him, I got somehow confused. Had he been that pale yesterday?
"Are you going over to my place now?"
"Yes, I thought to take a little walk before it. The fresh air is good to me."
His cheerfulness sounded forced, and he was wearing a bit too much clothes for such a warm weather. A turtleneck?
"It is. Do you remember Yami?"
"I do."
He glanced at me warily. Why would he be nervous?
"Yami? Is something wrong, you're behaving so distantly..."
The pieces clicked in my head, and I reached to Ryou and pulled the concealing neck of the shirt down. The sight made me take a few steps back.
"He bit you, didn't he?"
Two pairs of big eyes looked at me, the other pair wide with confusion, the other with fear. Then there was a sudden feel of doom and the white-haired vampire stood behind his human version, wrapping his arms around him.
"So I did. Really tasty, you should try it sometimes."
He laughed, holding on to the frightened boy tightly. I stepped forward, and the demonic vampire held up a hand.
"Stop right there! Not one single step closer, or the boy's dead."
I could only grit my teeth in frustration, drawing Yugi closer to me that he wouldn't be so horribly vulnerable to the other vampire.
"Oh, how sweet! The pharaoh has found a boy to satisfy his desires!"
He cackled and disappeared, with Ryou in his arms. I was left standing there, trying to swallow my anger at him.
Yugi was at tears over his friend, and I could do nothing about it. The tomb robber was too powerful, he had human blood flowing in his veins. His powers had grown past mine... This could turn out to be very dangerous indeed.
---The Hunter [1] POV---
I sat at an airport, waiting for my next flight to be announced. I had already flown here last night, and now I had better determined the place where my prey was. I had a feeling of them, they were somewhere in the east from here, but the problem was that my ability didn't give me exact information.
I would just have to go with it, narrowing the space they could be in. My next stop would be in China, in some city I couldn't be bothered to remember without checking my tickets. They couldn't escape me for long.
But if I only had the rest of the sacrifices I had been given in the beginning of my true existence... But no, I had been foolish in my youth and shared them, and now they were lost to me. But no matter, I could get along with what I had. I sat and waited. I had time to find them, plenty of time.
---
[1] I decided to change 'unknown' to 'hunter'. It kinda describes what he's set to do - at least better than the previous 'name'. And not to worry, you'll get to know his identity in due time...
AN: ^^ Wow, nearly three pages of Marik! *giggles insanely* Aren't I good? I never thought the scene to turn out that long... If the next chapter isn't up by tomorrow, I think you'll have to wait until the end of the week. Not to worry, these long intervals between updates won't last long, just until I get out of school in the beginning of February. Then I'll have plenty of time to write! Please review!!
Many thanks to Lady Kaiba (Naah, it's all right! I hope this is quick enough for you!), Hotaru the Demon Goddess (Ryou shows up now, and there's a Ryou POV in the beginning of the next chapter), Naturi (yep, destiny! ^^ I just love to twist that word about!), highqueenofthegods (I think Mokuba will stay human... Much more fun that way!), tri (In one sitting? o.O now that is something...), Lady Geuna (actually the others haven't been asleep for a long time now... It will be explained further on. I put way too many explanations like that, don't you think?), Kou-Andrea (Do I see a little Mokuba-fan here? ^^), Dark Lady Setsuna (yep *rolls her eyes* school's a bitch), Seventh Sage (*sighs* depressive... I can't seem to turn this fic away from that direction...), MaidenoftheMoon (I love vampire fics too! They're just irresistible!), Renee the Rabid Squirrel (now you certainly put a lot of confidence in my abilities...), Sailor Comet (No more waiting, this chapter and the next one contain some R/B moments!), Jadesaber (^.^ Yes, it's kinda funny, isn't it? The big bad vampire getting all confused over a little kid), stupid kid 04 (so many people flatter me!) and Diamond (thank you!)
Slaying the Dreamer, chapter 11: Mad Laughter
---Marik POV---
My eyes were closed, I couldn't care enough to open them right now. I was too tired, despite having rested the whole day. Losing so much blood can do that to you, as I so well knew.
I was at home, blissfully surrounded by quiet, not having to do anything, not having to think of anything. So peaceful for once. I needed it, for the sake of my mind.
I don't know how long I had lain there, when I heard voices. They seemed familiar, but I couldn't make myself remember who they might be. I just listened, and waited for some kind of a sign - I don't know why.
"I already told you, he's in no condition to see anyone!"
"Trust me, he'll be well enough to see _me_. As I already told you, we go way back. Now let me through."
"I will not."
A short silence fell, during which I my mind started to slowly awaken. Wasn't the other my dear sister? But the other one... So familiar, but I couldn't place it.
"I see. Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Then you leave me no choice, Ishizu. You haven't changed at all, always doing what you think is best. I hope he'll not be too mad at me."
I more sensed than saw a bright flash, after which I could hear footsteps approaching me. Then they stopped, and the door opened. I still hadn't opened my eyes, so I couldn't see him, but somehow I could feel that he was the same person who had attacked me earlier. I didn't quite know when it had been, as I didn't know how long I had been out. But it couldn't be very long. Besides, he knew my sister? But he hadn't said the name quite right...
"Don't try to hide from me, you _are_ awake."
I decided to brave answering the guy as I struggled to be fully awake.
"Nice to see you too. What did you do to Isis?"
"Nothing serious, she'll be up tomorrow."
I could hear him walking, coming towards me. The footsteps stopped when he reached my bed. I could feel his gaze on me like an unseen caress. Slowly I turned my head and opened my eyes. He merely stood there, studying me from the shadows. It struck me as a miracle that I didn't feel nervous. I was calm, like nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
"What are you staring at?"
He laughed, and in that laugh I could hear an old madness, perhaps brought about by too many lonely nights, too much sorrow. A bit like me. But how good was I to judge those things?
"Why, at you of course. It seems that the old prophecies have come true finally. This probably means that the Tomb Robber and the Pharaoh are somewhere around too, finally awakened from their sleep."
His talk was complete gibberish to me. The words themselves were real words, but the things he talked about were a bit too much for me to handle right now. He seemed to sense this, and leaned over me.
"Aren't you the least bit scared?"
I stared at him. There was something odd about him...
"Oh, you noticed? I'm a vampire, you know. You _should_ be afraid."
A vampire? Now that I thought of it... To further mess up my mind, it seemed, he opened his mouth slightly and I could see his sharp fangs.
"I don't care. Why are you here?"
He seemed to be a bit annoyed.
"You don't care? Now why is that? I could suck the blood right out of you!"
"I just have this feeling you are not going to do that, otherwise you would have already."
"How would _you_ know, I might like playing with my victims."
Taking a hurt look on his face, he pouted. Pouted? That seemed weird coming from him.
"You do not want to kill me, that much I know. And stop making faces at me."
He leaned further and placed his hands on both sides of my head.
"Oh come on. I wanted to make sure you hadn't gone and killed yourself, and this is what I get? Petty insults and questioning! I'm truly offended now!"
He certainly didn't seem like it. I saw a smile tugging at the edges of his mouth, all the while threatening to get loose from his control.
"Yes, and I'm the pharaoh of Egypt..."
To my surprise he burst in to an uncontrolled laughter, nearly collapsing on top of me.
"You pervert, get away from me!"
I tried to fend him off, and managed after a little struggling to make him fall to the floor. He was laughing harder than before now, insanity becoming clearer in it.
"What's so funny."
He managed to stop laughing, instead of it he now giggled. Who was this guy?
"Believe me, you're nothing like that stuck-up brat! I used to work for his father, you know. The almighty guardian of his treasures. Well, not all of his treasures, just some of them."
The little speech was delivered in between bursts of giggles, which were slowly subsiding. Rising from the floor and leaning his elbows against my bead, he continued.
"Now _those_ were interesting times. The young pharaoh managed to get himself and a few others - including me - to a very bad situation. You see, it's kind of his fault that I am what I am. I should thank him some day."
He giggled again. Gods, did the guy never stop?
"But you know, we're not formally introduced yet. You are Marik, are you not? You can call me Ishtar, then."
I raised an eyebrow. He grinned in response.
"I like the name! So what if I happened to steal it from you? It might even be my real name, for all _you_ know!"
I was silent for a while.
"Don't you have anything better to do than bother innocent humans?"
"Innocent? I didn't think you'd have any innocence left."
"Fuck you!"
"No thanks, I'd rather fuck _you_"
He laughed again, and I watched him, feeling blood rush to heat my cheeks.
---Yami POV---
I walked a short distance after Yugi, not daring to approach him despite of how well he had took everything. We were walking through the cemetery, heading to Yugi's house, where he said this Ryou had promised to come. Suddenly I heard a small rustle coming from the nearby bushes.
I stopped, listening closely. Ah, they were birds. My hunger was fanned to a flame as I realized this. It had been too long since I fed. Taking silent steps towards the small creatures, I suddenly heard a human voice.
"Yami? Where are you going?"
The hunger had already consumed me so much that it took me a while to register who was talking. Then I quickly turned to him, trying to decide whether to tell him the truth or not. Remembering how he could feel if I told the truth, I blurted it out.
"There are birds in that bush. I'm hungry."
His eyes widened slightly and a nauseous expression came to his face.
"Oh."
Yet another uncomfortable silence fell between us.
"I can feed later, if you feel so disgusted by it."
Yugi looked at me, clearly unable to decide on the matter.
"No... It isn't that bad, right? At least you don't drink blood from humans. Go ahead."
I hesitated, his words were so full of indecision and even fear. Sighing deeply, I walked to him.
"Let us be on our way. I can do it later."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I wouldn't want for you to have to watch it."
"I can watch the other way..."
His big eyes filled my vision, I was on the brink of leaning down to better be able to gaze into them. Quickly turning to look away, I urged him to walk forward.
"It doesn't matter. What time did you say Ryou would be at your house?"
"Around about now... I don't know why I even left when he was coming. But I had to come to you!"
"I know the feeling. I know it very well, believe me."
We hadn't walked for very long, when I could see a white-haired figure walking ahead of us.
"Didn't that Ryou guy have white hair?"
"Excuse me?"
"I just think he's right there..."
Yugi looked, eyebrows drawn in confusion.
"What's he doing here, his house is in the other direction!"
He called for the boy, and the figure gave a little start. He stopped and turned to us. I could see a glad expression come over his face.
"Yugi-kun! I'm so glad to see you!"
As we walked nearer to him, I got somehow confused. Had he been that pale yesterday?
"Are you going over to my place now?"
"Yes, I thought to take a little walk before it. The fresh air is good to me."
His cheerfulness sounded forced, and he was wearing a bit too much clothes for such a warm weather. A turtleneck?
"It is. Do you remember Yami?"
"I do."
He glanced at me warily. Why would he be nervous?
"Yami? Is something wrong, you're behaving so distantly..."
The pieces clicked in my head, and I reached to Ryou and pulled the concealing neck of the shirt down. The sight made me take a few steps back.
"He bit you, didn't he?"
Two pairs of big eyes looked at me, the other pair wide with confusion, the other with fear. Then there was a sudden feel of doom and the white-haired vampire stood behind his human version, wrapping his arms around him.
"So I did. Really tasty, you should try it sometimes."
He laughed, holding on to the frightened boy tightly. I stepped forward, and the demonic vampire held up a hand.
"Stop right there! Not one single step closer, or the boy's dead."
I could only grit my teeth in frustration, drawing Yugi closer to me that he wouldn't be so horribly vulnerable to the other vampire.
"Oh, how sweet! The pharaoh has found a boy to satisfy his desires!"
He cackled and disappeared, with Ryou in his arms. I was left standing there, trying to swallow my anger at him.
Yugi was at tears over his friend, and I could do nothing about it. The tomb robber was too powerful, he had human blood flowing in his veins. His powers had grown past mine... This could turn out to be very dangerous indeed.
---The Hunter [1] POV---
I sat at an airport, waiting for my next flight to be announced. I had already flown here last night, and now I had better determined the place where my prey was. I had a feeling of them, they were somewhere in the east from here, but the problem was that my ability didn't give me exact information.
I would just have to go with it, narrowing the space they could be in. My next stop would be in China, in some city I couldn't be bothered to remember without checking my tickets. They couldn't escape me for long.
But if I only had the rest of the sacrifices I had been given in the beginning of my true existence... But no, I had been foolish in my youth and shared them, and now they were lost to me. But no matter, I could get along with what I had. I sat and waited. I had time to find them, plenty of time.
---
[1] I decided to change 'unknown' to 'hunter'. It kinda describes what he's set to do - at least better than the previous 'name'. And not to worry, you'll get to know his identity in due time...
AN: ^^ Wow, nearly three pages of Marik! *giggles insanely* Aren't I good? I never thought the scene to turn out that long... If the next chapter isn't up by tomorrow, I think you'll have to wait until the end of the week. Not to worry, these long intervals between updates won't last long, just until I get out of school in the beginning of February. Then I'll have plenty of time to write! Please review!!