Hi! This must be a miracle, I wrote the beginning of this chapter when the
last one wasn't even in the Net... *laughs* I somehow felt very productive!
And actually still do... Perhaps I should try writing chapter 13 in the
same row o.O
Big hugs and thanks to Silver Dragon (oh you missed them? That happens sometimes, and it's always as irritating...), Chibizoo (too fast? I think it is more like too infrequently. Enjoy the new chapter!), Lady Date (well well well, have I managed to infuriate one more person? ^.~ aah, I feel so evil...), firedraygon97 (yep, actual school ends then but it's more like a vacation for the rest of the semester that there would be enough time to read for the final exams... They happen to be in March... *tries not to panic*), Neko-chan (you still like it, I see!), highqueenofthegods (oh you just wait for what happens... ^-^) and Sailor Comet (*giggles* Nooo, I don't think he's gonna keel over. ..But could be very close ^^ Some more R/B in this chappie, and probably even more in the next...) ...I have a feeling there was much less reviews than before... What happened, people thought I wouldn't update so quick? Did it suck so bad? Oh well, there's a long (~5 days) wait for the next one...
Slaying the Dreamer, chapter 12: A Willing Victim
---Ryou POV---
I had closed my eyes before, and was now blindly being taken somewhere. I tried to find what comfort I could from the vampire's grip on me, he held me tightly.
Not long after, I felt ground under my feet again, and sighed in relief. His way of journeying made me dizzy.
"Now what were you doing with the pharaoh and his brat? You are _mine_ if you haven't noticed already!"
A small shiver went through me at those words. His? I didn't mind it as much as I would have thought before... I had had the whole past day to think about what happened, and had somewhat calmed down.
"What the heck do you think you're doing?!"
I looked towards the origin of the words, and sure enough, Jounouchi-kun was standing there. I wished he didn't always find the worst moment to show up.
"Don't interfere with the business of vampires, puppy. Even though the vampire happens to be an over-possessive thief."
The owner of the voice was a tall, brown-haired man, from the looks of it another vampire. I was shoved to the ground.
"Gods, what is this, a general meeting place? Can't an honest vampire have a moment of peace to talk with the one he's going to feed on?"
"If you lay a finger on him, you'll be sorry!" [1]
"I merely meant that he isn't exactly a thing you could own. The days of slavery are past, you know."
I was lifted roughly from the ground and pressed against my replica's chest. He was yelling at Jounouchi-kun and that other vampire.
"When I say he's mine, he's mine! You have no say in the matter!"
I flinched at the loud words, burying my face in his shirt, supporting myself up by wrapping my arms around him. I whispered so silently I thought no one could hear me, at least not over the yelling.
"Please, not so loud. I'll come with you."
Suddenly the yelling stopped. I tensed, and decided to risk a glance upwards.
True enough, he was staring at me, and from the silence behind me I determined that the tall vampire was doing the same. Of course, Jounouchi- kun didn't have the keen senses of a vampire so he was ranting of something in the background, but I didn't listen. I was captured in those eyes that glowed a fiery red, those eyes that had haunted me all through the past day.
"What did you say?"
The low voice sent shivers down my spine, and as a helpless puppet I answered.
"I asked you not to yell at them. I'll come with you..."
I didn't fully comprehend the extent of my words, but from his expression the vampire holding me was very aware of the meaning behind them.
"You are willing, huh. Well that's a surprise. Let's go then!"
With that he lifted me up and moved again in that swift way that I knew was impossible. In a moment we were on the front door of my house. Nervous anticipation filled me.
"What? You want _me_ to open the door?"
I shook my head, and dug my keys from my pocket. Then I froze.
"What is it now?"
I nervously gestured to him.
"You are still holding me. I cannot get to the door."
We looked at each other for an agonizing moment, and then he set me down. I opened the door with shaking hands and held it open for him to enter.
He rolled his eyes and pushed me in, carefully closing the door after him. He looked out of the small window in it, as I stood next to him, wanting to bolt. I wasn't exactly sure if this had been such a good idea...
He glanced at me and smirked arrogantly. Yes, now I knew it had been a bad idea. But somehow I wasn't scared anymore.
---Seto POV---
I looked at the spot the two nearly identical boys had occupied a moment ago. How long _had_ the Tomb Robber been awake? He wasn't exactly open to others, I hadn't managed to get anything out of him during our last meeting. But that level of strength couldn't be gained but with extensive blood-drinking along the centuries.
And that strength came with a price - the longer you stayed awake the greater the risk of losing your mind. Judging from his behavior it might already be too late for him to recover to his former self, whatever it was. He had always been something of an enigma to the rest of our little group, as long as it lasted. Our group... Too many memories were associated with those words.
"Where the hell did they go?"
Those words jolted me out of my moodiness. Trying not to grin, I remembered the reason I originally came here. I had followed the human called Jounouchi again.
"I think that it's none of your concern. They seem to be getting along just fine. Not that they'd have a choice in the matter."
My thoughts dwelled for a moment on those odd words the human boy had said. But it wasn't really anything I should worry about, so I cast it out of my mind.
"But that freak was -"
"None of your concern. Do not think of it if it bothers you so."
He looked angry - because of me? Could be just that the human boy was his friend, and he didn't like the way he was treated.
"Don't you care at all?"
I looked at him silently for a small moment.
"It doesn't matter what _I_ think of it, puppy. I cannot change their destiny."
"Stop calling me a puppy! ...What destiny?"
I grinned slightly, marveling at his courage.
"The one that was written in the old ages, back when we all were still human. It doesn't involve you, so be at ease."
I took a few steps to his general direction, and he stubbornly refused to move away even though I could sense he was very nervous. Perhaps even scared. And what reason would he have not to be?
"But he is my friend, I can't just leave him like that!"
"You'll have to. There's nothing to be done now. It was already too late when he was born."
He looked guiltily to the direction we had last seen the white-haired pair, and I took the opportunity to get closer to him. He gave a little start and looked up at me, his brown eyes capturing me in the smallest moment it took me to register this action.
"Do not worry, little human. I promised not to kill you..."
I lowered my head so that my lips were nearly touching his, trying not to let any of my emotions show on my face. I was loathe to admit it to myself, but this boy had made me fascinated of him, maybe I even cared of him. Perhaps this was the result of too many lonely centuries? To crave for the closeness of a warm body after so long?
"Should we move on to our own business?"
I laughed when his eyes widened at my words. This was truly entertaining, no matter what my garbled mind made me think I felt for him.
I drew him closer to me, savoring the scent of his blood overwhelming my senses. It would be so easy to kill him right now, but that was the challenge, wasn't it? To _not_ to kill for a change? Very much aware of how his heartbeat had quickened, I let my lips wander down his throat.
So tempting... Taking a deep breath, I marveled at his smooth skin.
"So you're not going to kill me? How odd, I thought vampires would suck the blood out from their victims' throats."
His voice had an edge of hysterics in it. I made myself release him, and he immediately stumbled backwards, nearly falling in his haste to get away from me.
"Oh, but you enjoyed that, didn't you."
Taking one last look at his blushing face, I laughed coldly and disappeared from his view. That's what it would look like to him, but I merely moved too fast for him to see. With that came a nagging thought that the Tomb Robber could do it better than me.
---Yami POV---
"Yugi, you do know where Ryou lives, don't you?"
He looked at me with teary, confused eyes.
"Of course. You don't think they would have gone there?"
"I don't know, but we should do everything we can."
He nodded, but didn't move.
"That vampire... You know him, don't you?"
"I think so. At least I used to, back when I was still a human. But we weren't very close."
Yugi looked down, thoughtful.
"You were a pharaoh, weren't you? How did you come to be a vampire?"
I was about to answer, when I realized that I didn't remember. But there was something there... It was just behind a frail curtain, if I could break it...
---Flashback---
I woke to darkness. It was cold, the stones beneath me radiated it. What had happened? The last thing I could remember was someone yelling, and a sharp pain in my head.
Raising a hand to touch the back of my head, I felt something wet. Blood. Fury filled me, who would dare to touch me like that? Those responsible for this would die a slow, painful death!
A door opened near me, and I could see the light of torches reach the dark room I was in.
"So the little brat has awakened. Good, you shall be taken to our queen now."
"I demand you to release me right now!"
"Oh, so you have a voice too. Get real, there's no way you will get away alive."
The man laughed cruelly, and ordered some other men to make sure I followed. Of course I tried to resist them, but to no avail. Our way took us through dim corridors, lighted with only the occasional torch. I could see glimpses of people, somehow odd people... Very pale ones... The whole place reeked of old death. Where had they taken me?
Finally we reached huge doors, and the leading man opened them with a respectful knock. I was shoved in, and the doors closed, leaving me to the big room. Was that a throne in the other end of it?
"Welcome, young pharaoh. I am Amenhotep, the queen of this dark realm."
I could see a female figure walking slowly towards me, appearing from amidst luxurious curtains. I didn't see her clearly, her face was shrouded in shadows.
"I'm sorry for the way we must have treated you. But that was necessary, you would never agree to our goals."
"What goals? I am the pharaoh of Egypt, I demand to be returned to my palace!"
"It is not that easy. We need something from you, and this is the easiest way. You can never go back to your old life. Forgive me, but at least you have the honor of being Turned by me, not some commoner. This will be your only solace in the nights to come, I fear."
I blinked, and she disappeared. Before I had time to completely comprehend what I had seen - or rather, not seen - I felt arms wrap around me from behind. Slender, female arms, somewhat pale and very cold.
"Be at ease, this will not hurt much."
Then the skin of my throat was pierced by sharp fangs, and I could feel my blood flow out, only to be captured by the tender mouth of who I now realized was the queen of these creatures.
Strength left my limbs and I would have collapsed if not for her supporting hands on me. As she drank my life away I couldn't think, and the only thing I could feel was her warm mouth on my throat.
It didn't feel so unpleasant, merely foreign. It didn't hurt but in the beginning when I first felt her fangs, now I was numb. Slowly my consciousness started drifting away, and soon I was engulfed in sweet darkness again.
---End of flashback---
I collapsed to the ground as the memories of my transformation hit in. I could hear Yugi's voice in the distance, but it was so far I couldn't make out the words he was saying.
Gods, this was like being Turned all over again! Horrible coldness came, and then it started ebbing away again. I could feel the ground beneath me again, and the normal sounds of the night came to my ears instead of the last beats of my mortal heart. I gulped in the chill air, glad that I still could do that despite all that had happened. Holding my head in my hands, I opened my eyes to the new time, where Yugi was worried about me.
"Yami! What happened?"
My first attempt to speak failed completely, but then I could answer him.
"Nothing serious. Just memories. Everything is fine."
"No mere memories could do _that_!"
"Oh trust me, they can."
He looked at me with a concerned expression.
"You are not fit to face that vampire that looks like Ryou-kun. You are obviously too weak."
I felt like I had betrayed Yugi with my behavior. I tried to claim otherwise, but he cut my protests short.
"And you still haven't fed."
He looked around, suddenly uncertain.
"What _do_ you eat...?"
"No, Yugi. You don't have to. Go home, I can hunt by myself."
He sighed deeply and shook his head. I was surprised when he came closer to me and gave me a hug. Burying his face in my chest timidly, I heard him mumble.
"But I need to accept _you_. And being a vampire is just one part you, it needs to be accepted too! How could I ever be with you if I only lied to myself of what you are? How could I ever survive with you if I turn away every time you have to feed?"
I closed my eyes when I heard those words. Two emotions were battling inside me, one saying I should let him do what he wished, he obviously cared for me enough to do something like that, the other saying I shouldn't let him come, he was too innocent and pure for me to taint like that.
"Yugi..."
I guess he heard my hesitation, because he got up and dragged me to my feet, too.
"Don't you dare to say no, I'm coming with you!"
I nodded hesitantly. How could I do this...?
---
[1] Am I the only one who's reminded of Hikaru from Rayearth by that line?
AN: So, I managed to finish it after all... I didn't think it would be possible, surely my inspiration would leave me at some point! But no, I have written 17 pages during three days now. What's up with that? Please review people!!!
Big hugs and thanks to Silver Dragon (oh you missed them? That happens sometimes, and it's always as irritating...), Chibizoo (too fast? I think it is more like too infrequently. Enjoy the new chapter!), Lady Date (well well well, have I managed to infuriate one more person? ^.~ aah, I feel so evil...), firedraygon97 (yep, actual school ends then but it's more like a vacation for the rest of the semester that there would be enough time to read for the final exams... They happen to be in March... *tries not to panic*), Neko-chan (you still like it, I see!), highqueenofthegods (oh you just wait for what happens... ^-^) and Sailor Comet (*giggles* Nooo, I don't think he's gonna keel over. ..But could be very close ^^ Some more R/B in this chappie, and probably even more in the next...) ...I have a feeling there was much less reviews than before... What happened, people thought I wouldn't update so quick? Did it suck so bad? Oh well, there's a long (~5 days) wait for the next one...
Slaying the Dreamer, chapter 12: A Willing Victim
---Ryou POV---
I had closed my eyes before, and was now blindly being taken somewhere. I tried to find what comfort I could from the vampire's grip on me, he held me tightly.
Not long after, I felt ground under my feet again, and sighed in relief. His way of journeying made me dizzy.
"Now what were you doing with the pharaoh and his brat? You are _mine_ if you haven't noticed already!"
A small shiver went through me at those words. His? I didn't mind it as much as I would have thought before... I had had the whole past day to think about what happened, and had somewhat calmed down.
"What the heck do you think you're doing?!"
I looked towards the origin of the words, and sure enough, Jounouchi-kun was standing there. I wished he didn't always find the worst moment to show up.
"Don't interfere with the business of vampires, puppy. Even though the vampire happens to be an over-possessive thief."
The owner of the voice was a tall, brown-haired man, from the looks of it another vampire. I was shoved to the ground.
"Gods, what is this, a general meeting place? Can't an honest vampire have a moment of peace to talk with the one he's going to feed on?"
"If you lay a finger on him, you'll be sorry!" [1]
"I merely meant that he isn't exactly a thing you could own. The days of slavery are past, you know."
I was lifted roughly from the ground and pressed against my replica's chest. He was yelling at Jounouchi-kun and that other vampire.
"When I say he's mine, he's mine! You have no say in the matter!"
I flinched at the loud words, burying my face in his shirt, supporting myself up by wrapping my arms around him. I whispered so silently I thought no one could hear me, at least not over the yelling.
"Please, not so loud. I'll come with you."
Suddenly the yelling stopped. I tensed, and decided to risk a glance upwards.
True enough, he was staring at me, and from the silence behind me I determined that the tall vampire was doing the same. Of course, Jounouchi- kun didn't have the keen senses of a vampire so he was ranting of something in the background, but I didn't listen. I was captured in those eyes that glowed a fiery red, those eyes that had haunted me all through the past day.
"What did you say?"
The low voice sent shivers down my spine, and as a helpless puppet I answered.
"I asked you not to yell at them. I'll come with you..."
I didn't fully comprehend the extent of my words, but from his expression the vampire holding me was very aware of the meaning behind them.
"You are willing, huh. Well that's a surprise. Let's go then!"
With that he lifted me up and moved again in that swift way that I knew was impossible. In a moment we were on the front door of my house. Nervous anticipation filled me.
"What? You want _me_ to open the door?"
I shook my head, and dug my keys from my pocket. Then I froze.
"What is it now?"
I nervously gestured to him.
"You are still holding me. I cannot get to the door."
We looked at each other for an agonizing moment, and then he set me down. I opened the door with shaking hands and held it open for him to enter.
He rolled his eyes and pushed me in, carefully closing the door after him. He looked out of the small window in it, as I stood next to him, wanting to bolt. I wasn't exactly sure if this had been such a good idea...
He glanced at me and smirked arrogantly. Yes, now I knew it had been a bad idea. But somehow I wasn't scared anymore.
---Seto POV---
I looked at the spot the two nearly identical boys had occupied a moment ago. How long _had_ the Tomb Robber been awake? He wasn't exactly open to others, I hadn't managed to get anything out of him during our last meeting. But that level of strength couldn't be gained but with extensive blood-drinking along the centuries.
And that strength came with a price - the longer you stayed awake the greater the risk of losing your mind. Judging from his behavior it might already be too late for him to recover to his former self, whatever it was. He had always been something of an enigma to the rest of our little group, as long as it lasted. Our group... Too many memories were associated with those words.
"Where the hell did they go?"
Those words jolted me out of my moodiness. Trying not to grin, I remembered the reason I originally came here. I had followed the human called Jounouchi again.
"I think that it's none of your concern. They seem to be getting along just fine. Not that they'd have a choice in the matter."
My thoughts dwelled for a moment on those odd words the human boy had said. But it wasn't really anything I should worry about, so I cast it out of my mind.
"But that freak was -"
"None of your concern. Do not think of it if it bothers you so."
He looked angry - because of me? Could be just that the human boy was his friend, and he didn't like the way he was treated.
"Don't you care at all?"
I looked at him silently for a small moment.
"It doesn't matter what _I_ think of it, puppy. I cannot change their destiny."
"Stop calling me a puppy! ...What destiny?"
I grinned slightly, marveling at his courage.
"The one that was written in the old ages, back when we all were still human. It doesn't involve you, so be at ease."
I took a few steps to his general direction, and he stubbornly refused to move away even though I could sense he was very nervous. Perhaps even scared. And what reason would he have not to be?
"But he is my friend, I can't just leave him like that!"
"You'll have to. There's nothing to be done now. It was already too late when he was born."
He looked guiltily to the direction we had last seen the white-haired pair, and I took the opportunity to get closer to him. He gave a little start and looked up at me, his brown eyes capturing me in the smallest moment it took me to register this action.
"Do not worry, little human. I promised not to kill you..."
I lowered my head so that my lips were nearly touching his, trying not to let any of my emotions show on my face. I was loathe to admit it to myself, but this boy had made me fascinated of him, maybe I even cared of him. Perhaps this was the result of too many lonely centuries? To crave for the closeness of a warm body after so long?
"Should we move on to our own business?"
I laughed when his eyes widened at my words. This was truly entertaining, no matter what my garbled mind made me think I felt for him.
I drew him closer to me, savoring the scent of his blood overwhelming my senses. It would be so easy to kill him right now, but that was the challenge, wasn't it? To _not_ to kill for a change? Very much aware of how his heartbeat had quickened, I let my lips wander down his throat.
So tempting... Taking a deep breath, I marveled at his smooth skin.
"So you're not going to kill me? How odd, I thought vampires would suck the blood out from their victims' throats."
His voice had an edge of hysterics in it. I made myself release him, and he immediately stumbled backwards, nearly falling in his haste to get away from me.
"Oh, but you enjoyed that, didn't you."
Taking one last look at his blushing face, I laughed coldly and disappeared from his view. That's what it would look like to him, but I merely moved too fast for him to see. With that came a nagging thought that the Tomb Robber could do it better than me.
---Yami POV---
"Yugi, you do know where Ryou lives, don't you?"
He looked at me with teary, confused eyes.
"Of course. You don't think they would have gone there?"
"I don't know, but we should do everything we can."
He nodded, but didn't move.
"That vampire... You know him, don't you?"
"I think so. At least I used to, back when I was still a human. But we weren't very close."
Yugi looked down, thoughtful.
"You were a pharaoh, weren't you? How did you come to be a vampire?"
I was about to answer, when I realized that I didn't remember. But there was something there... It was just behind a frail curtain, if I could break it...
---Flashback---
I woke to darkness. It was cold, the stones beneath me radiated it. What had happened? The last thing I could remember was someone yelling, and a sharp pain in my head.
Raising a hand to touch the back of my head, I felt something wet. Blood. Fury filled me, who would dare to touch me like that? Those responsible for this would die a slow, painful death!
A door opened near me, and I could see the light of torches reach the dark room I was in.
"So the little brat has awakened. Good, you shall be taken to our queen now."
"I demand you to release me right now!"
"Oh, so you have a voice too. Get real, there's no way you will get away alive."
The man laughed cruelly, and ordered some other men to make sure I followed. Of course I tried to resist them, but to no avail. Our way took us through dim corridors, lighted with only the occasional torch. I could see glimpses of people, somehow odd people... Very pale ones... The whole place reeked of old death. Where had they taken me?
Finally we reached huge doors, and the leading man opened them with a respectful knock. I was shoved in, and the doors closed, leaving me to the big room. Was that a throne in the other end of it?
"Welcome, young pharaoh. I am Amenhotep, the queen of this dark realm."
I could see a female figure walking slowly towards me, appearing from amidst luxurious curtains. I didn't see her clearly, her face was shrouded in shadows.
"I'm sorry for the way we must have treated you. But that was necessary, you would never agree to our goals."
"What goals? I am the pharaoh of Egypt, I demand to be returned to my palace!"
"It is not that easy. We need something from you, and this is the easiest way. You can never go back to your old life. Forgive me, but at least you have the honor of being Turned by me, not some commoner. This will be your only solace in the nights to come, I fear."
I blinked, and she disappeared. Before I had time to completely comprehend what I had seen - or rather, not seen - I felt arms wrap around me from behind. Slender, female arms, somewhat pale and very cold.
"Be at ease, this will not hurt much."
Then the skin of my throat was pierced by sharp fangs, and I could feel my blood flow out, only to be captured by the tender mouth of who I now realized was the queen of these creatures.
Strength left my limbs and I would have collapsed if not for her supporting hands on me. As she drank my life away I couldn't think, and the only thing I could feel was her warm mouth on my throat.
It didn't feel so unpleasant, merely foreign. It didn't hurt but in the beginning when I first felt her fangs, now I was numb. Slowly my consciousness started drifting away, and soon I was engulfed in sweet darkness again.
---End of flashback---
I collapsed to the ground as the memories of my transformation hit in. I could hear Yugi's voice in the distance, but it was so far I couldn't make out the words he was saying.
Gods, this was like being Turned all over again! Horrible coldness came, and then it started ebbing away again. I could feel the ground beneath me again, and the normal sounds of the night came to my ears instead of the last beats of my mortal heart. I gulped in the chill air, glad that I still could do that despite all that had happened. Holding my head in my hands, I opened my eyes to the new time, where Yugi was worried about me.
"Yami! What happened?"
My first attempt to speak failed completely, but then I could answer him.
"Nothing serious. Just memories. Everything is fine."
"No mere memories could do _that_!"
"Oh trust me, they can."
He looked at me with a concerned expression.
"You are not fit to face that vampire that looks like Ryou-kun. You are obviously too weak."
I felt like I had betrayed Yugi with my behavior. I tried to claim otherwise, but he cut my protests short.
"And you still haven't fed."
He looked around, suddenly uncertain.
"What _do_ you eat...?"
"No, Yugi. You don't have to. Go home, I can hunt by myself."
He sighed deeply and shook his head. I was surprised when he came closer to me and gave me a hug. Burying his face in my chest timidly, I heard him mumble.
"But I need to accept _you_. And being a vampire is just one part you, it needs to be accepted too! How could I ever be with you if I only lied to myself of what you are? How could I ever survive with you if I turn away every time you have to feed?"
I closed my eyes when I heard those words. Two emotions were battling inside me, one saying I should let him do what he wished, he obviously cared for me enough to do something like that, the other saying I shouldn't let him come, he was too innocent and pure for me to taint like that.
"Yugi..."
I guess he heard my hesitation, because he got up and dragged me to my feet, too.
"Don't you dare to say no, I'm coming with you!"
I nodded hesitantly. How could I do this...?
---
[1] Am I the only one who's reminded of Hikaru from Rayearth by that line?
AN: So, I managed to finish it after all... I didn't think it would be possible, surely my inspiration would leave me at some point! But no, I have written 17 pages during three days now. What's up with that? Please review people!!!