Hi there! *bows down low* I really got that over 300 reviews... Way much
more than that, to be honest. The amount of those reviews is plain amazing!
Arigatou!!! Kiitos!!! Merci!!! Danke!!! Tack!!! Gracias!!! Thank you!!! *is
getting a bit dizzy with all these languages* I just wonder how many I'll
have by the end of this fic... O.O
^^ 300 thanks to Hotaru the Demon Goddess (^^ I purposefully try to make those flashbacks a bit different than the rest of the story...), Slice (*giggle* Now that is good to hear!), Amethyst Sin (Oooh, great name! ^___^), Naturi (You dedicated your fics to me too? *happy little smile*), Lady Geuna (*evil grin* Not to worry, the night is not quite over yet, Seto and Jou have a little time in this chapter too...), MaidenoftheMoon (Glad you liked it! And as I said, some of you really weren't expecting that ^^), Diamond (Thank you so much...), Dark Lady Setsuna (It was cute? Not exactly my intention, but that goes fine too!), Seventh Sage (Chocolate! *bounces around* Doesn't it make us all hyper? *has just finished a big chocolate bar...), Yamis Girlfriend (Oh I will ^^), BOOM BOOM ACHOOM (I'm glad you liked it...), Difinity (Oh a lot of things are going to happen *evil maniacal grin 'cause she knows she will have to keep the readers in suspense for some time yet*), Betrayal (Yep, poor Kaiba... He's totally confused now...), Silver Dragon (It didn't work? Did you try saving it first and then trying? I cannot much say anything to that, other people seemed to get it...), Lady Kaiba (You really think it was the longest? I'm not so sure...), Shade Azuna (Oh, I'm intending to...), Neko-chan (I'm sorry... Yami and Yugi do seem to be a bit neglected in this story nowadays... I'll try to make up for it sometime in the future, but really, I'm kind of out of ideas *sad, brooding thoughts*), Renee the Rabid Squirrel (*sighs in relief* It's good that I didn't... But anyway, a touch more M/I in this chapter too...), Siobhan (You really like the way I write B/R? *incredulous stare*), firedraygon97 (B/R is cute in my fic? *another incredulous stare*), SilverLily (*sweatdrop* I'm sorry, I'm a bit out of ideas on Y/Y... I'll try to make up for it sometime in the distant future...), C.h.i.b.i. Angel (^.^), Chibizoo (Oh, that was such a cute picture! *smiles widely*), Fuzzy05 (The first yaoi fic? Well, you must be new to FF.Net then... Or just good at avoiding them...), Yana (*maniacal laughter* They're going to get into _big_ trouble...) and PanDora (I know, many people agreed with you on that...) Lets see... 27 reviews since I last answered them? That's pretty good, actually *surprised look*
You should be aware that the offer to send you mail every time StD is updated is still open, just leave a note and your e-mail address... Plus I should mention, remember the offer in the first chapter? It's still open too. If you have an idea you absolutely want to read in this fic, write it to me and I'll see if it fits to the plot. At least it would probably make me write faster, it's sometimes a real pain to figure out what the characters would do next... Yep. It's the writer's block speaking...
Slaying the Dreamer, chapter 18: The Hot Night
---Yami POV---
I felt...empty. All the memories, good and bad, were out in the open now, irreversably. The little human knew it all now... Was it for the good? I didn't know... All I knew was that I couldn't have kept it all inside forever.
He had been silent since I finished my tale - at least what I knew of it. There were still pretty big holes in my memory... Those intensely colored eyes were half closed now, looking somewhere to the distance. It unnerved me... Couldn't he say something? What was he thinking? Did he hate me now?
I certainly hated myself. Told like that, it all made me look worse than it really was. And I certainly had done nothing to prevent that from happening... What did it matter, anyway? Everything would end some day, no matter what he thought of me.
"Yami...? Could you tell me right now that it is all going to be all right? That you really had a good reason to behave like that, that you have really changed? That no vengeful ancient people are out to get you?"
Yugi held on tightly to my shirt - the shirt of that human I had robbed it from when I woke up - and I could hear the pain in his voice. What could I do? I had no soothing words for him, I needed such words myself. This world sucked, why hadn't I stayed asleep...
When I didn't answer, the smaller version of me gave a little sob and leaned his head against my chest. I held him tightly, wanting to sooth his fears but not able to do it.
"Yugi... I'm a vampire. I'm not sure if you've realized what it really means... The world isn't the same place for normal humans and the creatures of the night. All I have is my pain, and hope of a better tomorrow..."
I could feel my shirt get wet from his tears. I felt like crying myself... Perhaps I was a bit depsessed, but I had reason to be.
I had hurt the boy more than I should have, I had hurt myself, and I had hurt all the others around me. What had made me behave that way? What made me behave like that now? Was I eternally doomed to hurt everyone, struggle on with only my guilt for a companion?
"Everything had changed... I cannot go back to being what I was, not anymore. I cannot, I don't even want to. How can you tell me all that and say not a single word of comfort?"
I closed my eyes and held his sobbing body close to mine.
"I do not have words to comfort you. All I have is myself, wrapped up in the darkness that ultimately is my own fault. Perhaps I can offer you kisses, but I daren't go much further, because I might give up the the craving for blood that always lurks within me. I know something of you now, after last night, when I drank your blood. And it is that you never truly give up, no matter how bad the odds. This story shouldn't be enough to shatter that determination, and besides, I am here, watching over you. I might not be able to say anything, but I am here, providing all the comfort you might otherwise need..."
All through this silent speech, I held him, drew little circles on his back with my right hand. Would it be enough? I was afraid it wouldn't be, that he would abandon me like the horrid creature I was, to find my own fate in the cruel world. But I knew something else besides his strong will to go on. I had also seen the depth of his feelings for me, and they ran deep. This only served to deepen my guilt about feeding from him.
How could I have? He forgave me, but did he truly know how much a vampire could get out of that blood? Did he know that I knew how he felt, did he know how I felt about him? Did he know that every single second the pain of not sucking all the sweet blood out of his frail body grew? Did he know how much I truly wanted him?
I doubted it. For now now I was doomed to blunder in the dark with him, never knowing what might came up.
"But Yami, can't you see...? That was all I needed. You will be there for me..."
His voice, so full of love and trust, brought me back from the darkness, to bask in the light that was him. I felt like I was burning with it, he was the sun I hadn't been able to see in such a long time. He was mine, he was my life, he was the hope of salvation I didn't dare to have.
I heard his heart beat silently in his chest, assuring me that everything indeed was fine with my little mortal, soothing my fears of rejection and death, of eternal night. I pressed him gently down on the bed, and placed my head on his chest, directly over his heart. The steady beat nearly lulled me to sleep, and I fell to a kind of stupor. I felt fine now, all my doubts and fears were forgotten.
I didn't know how long I had lain there, my head on the boy's chest, but I could feel the dawn approaching. Yugi was asleep, one of his hands tangled in my hair.
I could also feel something else approaching. The doom was so much closer now, nearly upon us. I couldn't do anything about it now, I needed to go somewhere safe that the rays of the morning sun wouldn't burn me to dust.
When I was rising from my comfortable resting place, Yugi opened his eyes.
"Is it morning already?"
His sleepy voice penetrated my senses, the softness of it had a lonely ring to it.
"Yes. I will see you again in the evening. Be careful during the day, will you? I don't want you to get hurt..."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Despite his words, I could see him glance to the east, where the doom was coming. I kissed his forehead, and went on my way to find back to the basement of his house. The dawn was nearly upon us. So was the doom.
---Seto POV---
"Sooo... How long have you two been together?"
The little brat who was now my responsibility was way too nosy. This was none of his business...
"We are _not_ together!"
"Suuuureeee..."
I could but sit there, under the tree, when the two humans quarreled. How had this happened? Usually I was so careful... Sighing deeply, I rose.
"Why don't we go somewhere else, Jou? Mokuba can find his way home, he did come here, after all..."
Now they were both glaring at me... What had I done to deserve this?
"Niisan, you wouldn't let a little kid walk the streets after dark all by himself, would you? That would be so cruel..."
"In your dreams! I'm not going anywhere with you, you filthy bloodsucker!"
Mokuba looked at Jounouchi curiously. Perfect. Just what I needed... What exactly gave the human the right to spread my secrets around? I very nearly growled at him.
Jou glanced at the boy.
"...He doesn't know? One big happy family you are..."
"What exactly is this thing I don't know?"
"That he's a vampire. Sheeesh, Kaiba, your own brother... How could you not tell him?"
"Well excuse me, I don't exactly feel like spreading the word to every single mortal I happen to meet. He is not exactly my brother, that would be impossible. I was born in Egypt thousands of years ago, after all..."
"...Oh"
For once I was blessed with silence. The short brat stared at me with his mouth hanging open, and the blond had folded his arms and seemed to glare at the tree we had been sitting under a short while ago. This didn't last for long, however...
"So cool!! Do you really feed on humans? Can you fly? What about sunlight? Crucifixes? Garlic? Do you have a coffin? Tell me!!!"
I very nearly took a few steps back from the overenthusiastic child. Jou took one glance at my face and fell down laughing. I spared him one glare, but didn't dare take my eyes off the brat for long. He was now unnervingly close, those bright eyes gleaming with obsession...
"Why don't you say anything? I want to know! How did you become a vampire? You cannot go to the sunlight, right? That must be why I haven't seen you during the day, you're asleep. Where is your coffin, you must have one! Every vampire with a little style has one!"
I couldn't stop myself anymore, and started backing away from Mokuba. I had never seen anything of the kind before... Unfortunately, I backed straight to the laughing Jou, and tripped over him.
"Hey, watch it!"
"Can I see you suck blood? How about your fangs? Can I become a vampire too?"
I very nearly screamed then. How could he actually want this? Jou nearly choked. He sobered and sat up.
"Hey, Mokuba! That was your name, right? Calm down a bit..."
He only succeeded in changing the topic...
"And you! Are _you_ a vampire? Or are you going to become one? How long have you known niisan? Are you really together?"
We glanced at eachother. Jou seemed to agree with me that his questioning was going a bit too far... I stood up, managing to regain some of my calm. Jou quickly followed.
But what could one say to a kid? I was left standing there, speechless. The human by my side hesitated, but then took over the situation. For once I was glad someone helped me...
"Not here, kid. Why don't we go someplace else..."
Mokuba seemed to consider this for a while. Then he nodded.
"Why don't we go back home, niisan? I bet you haven't shown your lover our home yet... "
Jou blushed, and I wanted the earth to open and swallow me. Mokuba grabbed my hand and Jou's, and started to drag us away.
The way to my mansion was uneventful, Mokuba had fallen to blessed silence - perhaps to invent ways how to torture me once we got home. I felt dizzy. Way too soon we were there.
"Come on, you two. Can't you walk a bit faster?!"
He opened the door and dragged us in.
"What do you think, Jou? This is our home, feel free to look around..."
I sighed. Perhaps it was time to get rid of the little brat? This thought had just crossed my mind, when something unexpected happened.
"Well, good night you two! Have fun! I'm way too tired to hear of the mess your love life must be, but I'll get to that later, don't think you're off the hook yet..."
He went upstairs, leaving me alone with the other mortal, feeling slightly embarrassed, and at loss for words. Generally, what did you do with people? Besides sucking their blood, that is...
---Bakura POV---
I held the frail mortal close to my undying body. I felt all warm and comfortable, and had this weird urge to cover his sad face with gentle kisses... This night had been way too odd for me to comprehend, so I just didn't think on it.
Like when the boy had kissed me. What was I supposed to do then? I didn't know, but evidently I had done the right thing in responding to it. He was too confusing... Right then I noticed that he had tears in his eyes.
"What's wrong?"
He only shook his head and held on to me tighter. Had I done something to make him cry? I was contemplating this possibility when we arrived to his house. Once again. Had I not only a little while ago left him here, after he told that I was his? That's how it seemed anyway. And while I hadn't been with him it had felt like an eternity since I last laid eyes on him. Weird how time twisted around...
Perhaps he was cold? I didn't see how it could make him cry, but anxious and willing to try anything to make him stop I opened the door with the abilities of my mind and went in. Closing the door behind me absentmindedly, I wondered where he would be the warmest. Finally deciding on the couch, since I felt like I shouldn't go to his bedroom, I walked in to the living room and laid him down. To my surprise he wouldn't let go of me, so I had to sit down beside him.
His silent tears hadn't stopped, and I could only hold him.
"I know that I'm not exactly the best with this kind of stuff. Just tell me... Tell me what's wrong and I'll do something about it..."
The boy's tears didn't stop flowing, instead I was sure he cried harder. He moved closer to me, and I was glad to hold him. It seemed to sooth him somehow. Looking around, I suddenly noticed how everything around us seemed unreal. Unreal, cold, without any kind of meaning. Dark.
But the mortal in my arms was warm, he was my world. I could almost feel the light he radiated. He was mine and I was his. How fitting it seemed right now. We were here, in our own bubble of emotions, alone.
I looked down at the boy, feeling like crying myself. How could he always make me cry? He had that first night, and I hadn't understood it. In fact, I didn't understand it now.
"Please don't cry... Think of something happy, alright?"
I was getting desperate. This just wasn't good, how had I let myself change this much?
He smiled at me through his tears.
"I know it sounds weird, but I am thinking of something happy... It is too much for me, I can't believe anything like this has happened... You actually do care!"
I was speechless. He cried because he was happy? ...Because of me? I was the reason for these tears? I suddenly felt really guilty. I didn't want him to cry anymore, I wanted him to smile, to be happy.
"You don't need to cry because of me... Please, smile"
He smiled radiantly, tears staining his brown eyes. I lowered my head and kissed some of the tears away. They were salty, but not like blood was salty. A different taste, invading my senses. He looked at me, eyes widened in a sweet way he had. How come I had never noticed how enticing mortals could be? Every single little thing seemed to catch my attention about him, the beat of his heart and the smell of his blood foremost, but also other things. The way he tilted his head, how the sweater he wore folded in some places, the glistening tears sliding down his face, it all was beautiful to me.
Perhaps it was only this mortal that could affect me so? Only him for me, always and forever. What did that old prophecy speak of? I couldn't quite remember, but something about innocence and rebirth. If this was the case, wasn't he me? Thus it wouldn't be so odd for me to feel this way... In a warped way it was like loving yourself, a younger, human version of yourself. A new chance for you to live... To live truly, a mortal life. Not one such as mine was now, full of darkness, madness, and sweet blood flowing down your throat.
The little me climbed to my lap, his breathing calming down, no longer the silent sobbing of before.
"I do not understand it... All the things having to do with you manage to leave me confused, I never understand any of it. I feel so helpless, vulnerable. But you feel safe, despite everything..."
"I could try to explain, but I don't know everything myself. For now it is enough that I'm able to keep you safe... No one will touch you as long as I live"
He took a deep breath, I could feel the beat of his heart quicken slightly. I felt so odd, feeling these things, saying them aloud. But I felt, I knew, that it was the right thing to do.
I would protect him, keep him safe, be his. As he was mine... We belonged to each other, and I had no intention of letting anything come between us. If it took my life, I would keep him safe.
Gosh, when had I become so dramatic? Perhaps since I had first felt the doom approaching us. And it was disturbingly near now, when the night was about to turn into day. Soon I would have to leave, to find a safe place for the night. What would become of my innocent mortal during the day, when I couldn't be there to do anything for me?
The boy seemed to sense my concern, for he snuggled closer, if such a thing was possible, and buried his face in the hollow of my neck.
One more new emotion. I was sure I couldn't take this much longer, I already felt like bursting with it all. I very nearly wanted to scream, just to relieve some of the pressure building inside me. But did I truly want to get rid of it...? No, it was too precious to lose. I wanted it to continue forever, to be content holding my little human close, to feel his frail human body against mine, to smell the coppery smell of his blood, have my veins throb for it painfully. Such sweet torture, and he did this to me without even trying. I took a deep breath, trying to find enough control to leave his warm embrace, to go back to my cold grave.
---Ishtar POV (WARNING: Errrr... This is something of a lime, not recommended for younger readers... I think you know what you should do if you are...)---
I pressed my mouth firmly against the mortal's hot skin. Coppery blood flowed to my mouth, it tickled somewhat. Like a flow of pure life would. His blood was thick with his lust, I could taste it as clearly as I could see his violet eyes, half closed in bliss.
I coudn't help it, I let a grin come to my face. He looked so adorable like that... How long since I had done something like this? Way too long. Perhaps I never had. Who cared? Marik was here now, this was the fantastic present, there was no time for the past.
I slid my hands down his body, adoring every moment with him. I heard him gasp for breath, and it brought wicked memories of a few hours before, when I had first entered his house. He should have known I always get what I want...
Caressing him gently, I licked the last few droplets off his skin, as much as I would have wanted to drink more of that sweet liquid, mortals had their limits. And in fact, so did us, the vampires. Nothing could last forever. But this wasn't the time for that, this was a time for crimson blood and steamy nights with the one that was me.
I could feel the impact of his blood slowly settle in, and with it came a sweet feeling of fuzzy emotions, cold nights spent alone in the dark, of the same all-consuming madness that I myself held within. But it was all mixed, the overall feeling was lighter than me, bringing within me a craving for the light I hadn't felt in thousands of years.
I searched for his mouth with mine, and found it, covered it with my lips, which were still slightly tainted with his blood. I felt him moan, taste the blood, but of course it wouldn't be as tasty to him as it was for me. He was human after all, as if I had any trouble remembering that.
For one the body pressed against mine was warm, excruciatingly warm, at times I felt that surely the sun wouldn't be any hotter than his feverish skin against my cold body. I could nearly feel the blood still in him flow through his veins, carrying life, keeping him alive. I could hear his heart beat, the drumming sound a bit hollow, resounding against his ribcage.
His slender fingers dug into my skin, nearly breaking the skin. I cherished the feeling, the slight pain it brought. Regretting having to leave his mouth, I trailed down his throat, to place demanding kisses on his chest, licking the hard nipples with my tongue, letting my fangs graze his dark skin occasionally.
Pressing myself more firmly against him, I slid my other hand down his side to caress his firm bottom, feeling his human body shudder slightly under my touch. Really, what made him so interesting? It couldn't be only his body - more than enough to drive me crazy, if I already wasn't - or his mind, since at first I had known nothing about him. There had to be something else to this, too, something I hadn't noticed.
Oh, screw that, I'll be damned if I can't concentrate enough, especially when the subject was the sweaty mortal I so much wanted anyway.
---
AN: ... ... ... I don't know what came over me... But anyway... Behold, It's the end of the fourth night! Three more to go ^^ That means about 12 more chapters, plus a possible epilogue... Aaaaargh! I'll never get this finished! Please review...
^^ 300 thanks to Hotaru the Demon Goddess (^^ I purposefully try to make those flashbacks a bit different than the rest of the story...), Slice (*giggle* Now that is good to hear!), Amethyst Sin (Oooh, great name! ^___^), Naturi (You dedicated your fics to me too? *happy little smile*), Lady Geuna (*evil grin* Not to worry, the night is not quite over yet, Seto and Jou have a little time in this chapter too...), MaidenoftheMoon (Glad you liked it! And as I said, some of you really weren't expecting that ^^), Diamond (Thank you so much...), Dark Lady Setsuna (It was cute? Not exactly my intention, but that goes fine too!), Seventh Sage (Chocolate! *bounces around* Doesn't it make us all hyper? *has just finished a big chocolate bar...), Yamis Girlfriend (Oh I will ^^), BOOM BOOM ACHOOM (I'm glad you liked it...), Difinity (Oh a lot of things are going to happen *evil maniacal grin 'cause she knows she will have to keep the readers in suspense for some time yet*), Betrayal (Yep, poor Kaiba... He's totally confused now...), Silver Dragon (It didn't work? Did you try saving it first and then trying? I cannot much say anything to that, other people seemed to get it...), Lady Kaiba (You really think it was the longest? I'm not so sure...), Shade Azuna (Oh, I'm intending to...), Neko-chan (I'm sorry... Yami and Yugi do seem to be a bit neglected in this story nowadays... I'll try to make up for it sometime in the future, but really, I'm kind of out of ideas *sad, brooding thoughts*), Renee the Rabid Squirrel (*sighs in relief* It's good that I didn't... But anyway, a touch more M/I in this chapter too...), Siobhan (You really like the way I write B/R? *incredulous stare*), firedraygon97 (B/R is cute in my fic? *another incredulous stare*), SilverLily (*sweatdrop* I'm sorry, I'm a bit out of ideas on Y/Y... I'll try to make up for it sometime in the distant future...), C.h.i.b.i. Angel (^.^), Chibizoo (Oh, that was such a cute picture! *smiles widely*), Fuzzy05 (The first yaoi fic? Well, you must be new to FF.Net then... Or just good at avoiding them...), Yana (*maniacal laughter* They're going to get into _big_ trouble...) and PanDora (I know, many people agreed with you on that...) Lets see... 27 reviews since I last answered them? That's pretty good, actually *surprised look*
You should be aware that the offer to send you mail every time StD is updated is still open, just leave a note and your e-mail address... Plus I should mention, remember the offer in the first chapter? It's still open too. If you have an idea you absolutely want to read in this fic, write it to me and I'll see if it fits to the plot. At least it would probably make me write faster, it's sometimes a real pain to figure out what the characters would do next... Yep. It's the writer's block speaking...
Slaying the Dreamer, chapter 18: The Hot Night
---Yami POV---
I felt...empty. All the memories, good and bad, were out in the open now, irreversably. The little human knew it all now... Was it for the good? I didn't know... All I knew was that I couldn't have kept it all inside forever.
He had been silent since I finished my tale - at least what I knew of it. There were still pretty big holes in my memory... Those intensely colored eyes were half closed now, looking somewhere to the distance. It unnerved me... Couldn't he say something? What was he thinking? Did he hate me now?
I certainly hated myself. Told like that, it all made me look worse than it really was. And I certainly had done nothing to prevent that from happening... What did it matter, anyway? Everything would end some day, no matter what he thought of me.
"Yami...? Could you tell me right now that it is all going to be all right? That you really had a good reason to behave like that, that you have really changed? That no vengeful ancient people are out to get you?"
Yugi held on tightly to my shirt - the shirt of that human I had robbed it from when I woke up - and I could hear the pain in his voice. What could I do? I had no soothing words for him, I needed such words myself. This world sucked, why hadn't I stayed asleep...
When I didn't answer, the smaller version of me gave a little sob and leaned his head against my chest. I held him tightly, wanting to sooth his fears but not able to do it.
"Yugi... I'm a vampire. I'm not sure if you've realized what it really means... The world isn't the same place for normal humans and the creatures of the night. All I have is my pain, and hope of a better tomorrow..."
I could feel my shirt get wet from his tears. I felt like crying myself... Perhaps I was a bit depsessed, but I had reason to be.
I had hurt the boy more than I should have, I had hurt myself, and I had hurt all the others around me. What had made me behave that way? What made me behave like that now? Was I eternally doomed to hurt everyone, struggle on with only my guilt for a companion?
"Everything had changed... I cannot go back to being what I was, not anymore. I cannot, I don't even want to. How can you tell me all that and say not a single word of comfort?"
I closed my eyes and held his sobbing body close to mine.
"I do not have words to comfort you. All I have is myself, wrapped up in the darkness that ultimately is my own fault. Perhaps I can offer you kisses, but I daren't go much further, because I might give up the the craving for blood that always lurks within me. I know something of you now, after last night, when I drank your blood. And it is that you never truly give up, no matter how bad the odds. This story shouldn't be enough to shatter that determination, and besides, I am here, watching over you. I might not be able to say anything, but I am here, providing all the comfort you might otherwise need..."
All through this silent speech, I held him, drew little circles on his back with my right hand. Would it be enough? I was afraid it wouldn't be, that he would abandon me like the horrid creature I was, to find my own fate in the cruel world. But I knew something else besides his strong will to go on. I had also seen the depth of his feelings for me, and they ran deep. This only served to deepen my guilt about feeding from him.
How could I have? He forgave me, but did he truly know how much a vampire could get out of that blood? Did he know that I knew how he felt, did he know how I felt about him? Did he know that every single second the pain of not sucking all the sweet blood out of his frail body grew? Did he know how much I truly wanted him?
I doubted it. For now now I was doomed to blunder in the dark with him, never knowing what might came up.
"But Yami, can't you see...? That was all I needed. You will be there for me..."
His voice, so full of love and trust, brought me back from the darkness, to bask in the light that was him. I felt like I was burning with it, he was the sun I hadn't been able to see in such a long time. He was mine, he was my life, he was the hope of salvation I didn't dare to have.
I heard his heart beat silently in his chest, assuring me that everything indeed was fine with my little mortal, soothing my fears of rejection and death, of eternal night. I pressed him gently down on the bed, and placed my head on his chest, directly over his heart. The steady beat nearly lulled me to sleep, and I fell to a kind of stupor. I felt fine now, all my doubts and fears were forgotten.
I didn't know how long I had lain there, my head on the boy's chest, but I could feel the dawn approaching. Yugi was asleep, one of his hands tangled in my hair.
I could also feel something else approaching. The doom was so much closer now, nearly upon us. I couldn't do anything about it now, I needed to go somewhere safe that the rays of the morning sun wouldn't burn me to dust.
When I was rising from my comfortable resting place, Yugi opened his eyes.
"Is it morning already?"
His sleepy voice penetrated my senses, the softness of it had a lonely ring to it.
"Yes. I will see you again in the evening. Be careful during the day, will you? I don't want you to get hurt..."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Despite his words, I could see him glance to the east, where the doom was coming. I kissed his forehead, and went on my way to find back to the basement of his house. The dawn was nearly upon us. So was the doom.
---Seto POV---
"Sooo... How long have you two been together?"
The little brat who was now my responsibility was way too nosy. This was none of his business...
"We are _not_ together!"
"Suuuureeee..."
I could but sit there, under the tree, when the two humans quarreled. How had this happened? Usually I was so careful... Sighing deeply, I rose.
"Why don't we go somewhere else, Jou? Mokuba can find his way home, he did come here, after all..."
Now they were both glaring at me... What had I done to deserve this?
"Niisan, you wouldn't let a little kid walk the streets after dark all by himself, would you? That would be so cruel..."
"In your dreams! I'm not going anywhere with you, you filthy bloodsucker!"
Mokuba looked at Jounouchi curiously. Perfect. Just what I needed... What exactly gave the human the right to spread my secrets around? I very nearly growled at him.
Jou glanced at the boy.
"...He doesn't know? One big happy family you are..."
"What exactly is this thing I don't know?"
"That he's a vampire. Sheeesh, Kaiba, your own brother... How could you not tell him?"
"Well excuse me, I don't exactly feel like spreading the word to every single mortal I happen to meet. He is not exactly my brother, that would be impossible. I was born in Egypt thousands of years ago, after all..."
"...Oh"
For once I was blessed with silence. The short brat stared at me with his mouth hanging open, and the blond had folded his arms and seemed to glare at the tree we had been sitting under a short while ago. This didn't last for long, however...
"So cool!! Do you really feed on humans? Can you fly? What about sunlight? Crucifixes? Garlic? Do you have a coffin? Tell me!!!"
I very nearly took a few steps back from the overenthusiastic child. Jou took one glance at my face and fell down laughing. I spared him one glare, but didn't dare take my eyes off the brat for long. He was now unnervingly close, those bright eyes gleaming with obsession...
"Why don't you say anything? I want to know! How did you become a vampire? You cannot go to the sunlight, right? That must be why I haven't seen you during the day, you're asleep. Where is your coffin, you must have one! Every vampire with a little style has one!"
I couldn't stop myself anymore, and started backing away from Mokuba. I had never seen anything of the kind before... Unfortunately, I backed straight to the laughing Jou, and tripped over him.
"Hey, watch it!"
"Can I see you suck blood? How about your fangs? Can I become a vampire too?"
I very nearly screamed then. How could he actually want this? Jou nearly choked. He sobered and sat up.
"Hey, Mokuba! That was your name, right? Calm down a bit..."
He only succeeded in changing the topic...
"And you! Are _you_ a vampire? Or are you going to become one? How long have you known niisan? Are you really together?"
We glanced at eachother. Jou seemed to agree with me that his questioning was going a bit too far... I stood up, managing to regain some of my calm. Jou quickly followed.
But what could one say to a kid? I was left standing there, speechless. The human by my side hesitated, but then took over the situation. For once I was glad someone helped me...
"Not here, kid. Why don't we go someplace else..."
Mokuba seemed to consider this for a while. Then he nodded.
"Why don't we go back home, niisan? I bet you haven't shown your lover our home yet... "
Jou blushed, and I wanted the earth to open and swallow me. Mokuba grabbed my hand and Jou's, and started to drag us away.
The way to my mansion was uneventful, Mokuba had fallen to blessed silence - perhaps to invent ways how to torture me once we got home. I felt dizzy. Way too soon we were there.
"Come on, you two. Can't you walk a bit faster?!"
He opened the door and dragged us in.
"What do you think, Jou? This is our home, feel free to look around..."
I sighed. Perhaps it was time to get rid of the little brat? This thought had just crossed my mind, when something unexpected happened.
"Well, good night you two! Have fun! I'm way too tired to hear of the mess your love life must be, but I'll get to that later, don't think you're off the hook yet..."
He went upstairs, leaving me alone with the other mortal, feeling slightly embarrassed, and at loss for words. Generally, what did you do with people? Besides sucking their blood, that is...
---Bakura POV---
I held the frail mortal close to my undying body. I felt all warm and comfortable, and had this weird urge to cover his sad face with gentle kisses... This night had been way too odd for me to comprehend, so I just didn't think on it.
Like when the boy had kissed me. What was I supposed to do then? I didn't know, but evidently I had done the right thing in responding to it. He was too confusing... Right then I noticed that he had tears in his eyes.
"What's wrong?"
He only shook his head and held on to me tighter. Had I done something to make him cry? I was contemplating this possibility when we arrived to his house. Once again. Had I not only a little while ago left him here, after he told that I was his? That's how it seemed anyway. And while I hadn't been with him it had felt like an eternity since I last laid eyes on him. Weird how time twisted around...
Perhaps he was cold? I didn't see how it could make him cry, but anxious and willing to try anything to make him stop I opened the door with the abilities of my mind and went in. Closing the door behind me absentmindedly, I wondered where he would be the warmest. Finally deciding on the couch, since I felt like I shouldn't go to his bedroom, I walked in to the living room and laid him down. To my surprise he wouldn't let go of me, so I had to sit down beside him.
His silent tears hadn't stopped, and I could only hold him.
"I know that I'm not exactly the best with this kind of stuff. Just tell me... Tell me what's wrong and I'll do something about it..."
The boy's tears didn't stop flowing, instead I was sure he cried harder. He moved closer to me, and I was glad to hold him. It seemed to sooth him somehow. Looking around, I suddenly noticed how everything around us seemed unreal. Unreal, cold, without any kind of meaning. Dark.
But the mortal in my arms was warm, he was my world. I could almost feel the light he radiated. He was mine and I was his. How fitting it seemed right now. We were here, in our own bubble of emotions, alone.
I looked down at the boy, feeling like crying myself. How could he always make me cry? He had that first night, and I hadn't understood it. In fact, I didn't understand it now.
"Please don't cry... Think of something happy, alright?"
I was getting desperate. This just wasn't good, how had I let myself change this much?
He smiled at me through his tears.
"I know it sounds weird, but I am thinking of something happy... It is too much for me, I can't believe anything like this has happened... You actually do care!"
I was speechless. He cried because he was happy? ...Because of me? I was the reason for these tears? I suddenly felt really guilty. I didn't want him to cry anymore, I wanted him to smile, to be happy.
"You don't need to cry because of me... Please, smile"
He smiled radiantly, tears staining his brown eyes. I lowered my head and kissed some of the tears away. They were salty, but not like blood was salty. A different taste, invading my senses. He looked at me, eyes widened in a sweet way he had. How come I had never noticed how enticing mortals could be? Every single little thing seemed to catch my attention about him, the beat of his heart and the smell of his blood foremost, but also other things. The way he tilted his head, how the sweater he wore folded in some places, the glistening tears sliding down his face, it all was beautiful to me.
Perhaps it was only this mortal that could affect me so? Only him for me, always and forever. What did that old prophecy speak of? I couldn't quite remember, but something about innocence and rebirth. If this was the case, wasn't he me? Thus it wouldn't be so odd for me to feel this way... In a warped way it was like loving yourself, a younger, human version of yourself. A new chance for you to live... To live truly, a mortal life. Not one such as mine was now, full of darkness, madness, and sweet blood flowing down your throat.
The little me climbed to my lap, his breathing calming down, no longer the silent sobbing of before.
"I do not understand it... All the things having to do with you manage to leave me confused, I never understand any of it. I feel so helpless, vulnerable. But you feel safe, despite everything..."
"I could try to explain, but I don't know everything myself. For now it is enough that I'm able to keep you safe... No one will touch you as long as I live"
He took a deep breath, I could feel the beat of his heart quicken slightly. I felt so odd, feeling these things, saying them aloud. But I felt, I knew, that it was the right thing to do.
I would protect him, keep him safe, be his. As he was mine... We belonged to each other, and I had no intention of letting anything come between us. If it took my life, I would keep him safe.
Gosh, when had I become so dramatic? Perhaps since I had first felt the doom approaching us. And it was disturbingly near now, when the night was about to turn into day. Soon I would have to leave, to find a safe place for the night. What would become of my innocent mortal during the day, when I couldn't be there to do anything for me?
The boy seemed to sense my concern, for he snuggled closer, if such a thing was possible, and buried his face in the hollow of my neck.
One more new emotion. I was sure I couldn't take this much longer, I already felt like bursting with it all. I very nearly wanted to scream, just to relieve some of the pressure building inside me. But did I truly want to get rid of it...? No, it was too precious to lose. I wanted it to continue forever, to be content holding my little human close, to feel his frail human body against mine, to smell the coppery smell of his blood, have my veins throb for it painfully. Such sweet torture, and he did this to me without even trying. I took a deep breath, trying to find enough control to leave his warm embrace, to go back to my cold grave.
---Ishtar POV (WARNING: Errrr... This is something of a lime, not recommended for younger readers... I think you know what you should do if you are...)---
I pressed my mouth firmly against the mortal's hot skin. Coppery blood flowed to my mouth, it tickled somewhat. Like a flow of pure life would. His blood was thick with his lust, I could taste it as clearly as I could see his violet eyes, half closed in bliss.
I coudn't help it, I let a grin come to my face. He looked so adorable like that... How long since I had done something like this? Way too long. Perhaps I never had. Who cared? Marik was here now, this was the fantastic present, there was no time for the past.
I slid my hands down his body, adoring every moment with him. I heard him gasp for breath, and it brought wicked memories of a few hours before, when I had first entered his house. He should have known I always get what I want...
Caressing him gently, I licked the last few droplets off his skin, as much as I would have wanted to drink more of that sweet liquid, mortals had their limits. And in fact, so did us, the vampires. Nothing could last forever. But this wasn't the time for that, this was a time for crimson blood and steamy nights with the one that was me.
I could feel the impact of his blood slowly settle in, and with it came a sweet feeling of fuzzy emotions, cold nights spent alone in the dark, of the same all-consuming madness that I myself held within. But it was all mixed, the overall feeling was lighter than me, bringing within me a craving for the light I hadn't felt in thousands of years.
I searched for his mouth with mine, and found it, covered it with my lips, which were still slightly tainted with his blood. I felt him moan, taste the blood, but of course it wouldn't be as tasty to him as it was for me. He was human after all, as if I had any trouble remembering that.
For one the body pressed against mine was warm, excruciatingly warm, at times I felt that surely the sun wouldn't be any hotter than his feverish skin against my cold body. I could nearly feel the blood still in him flow through his veins, carrying life, keeping him alive. I could hear his heart beat, the drumming sound a bit hollow, resounding against his ribcage.
His slender fingers dug into my skin, nearly breaking the skin. I cherished the feeling, the slight pain it brought. Regretting having to leave his mouth, I trailed down his throat, to place demanding kisses on his chest, licking the hard nipples with my tongue, letting my fangs graze his dark skin occasionally.
Pressing myself more firmly against him, I slid my other hand down his side to caress his firm bottom, feeling his human body shudder slightly under my touch. Really, what made him so interesting? It couldn't be only his body - more than enough to drive me crazy, if I already wasn't - or his mind, since at first I had known nothing about him. There had to be something else to this, too, something I hadn't noticed.
Oh, screw that, I'll be damned if I can't concentrate enough, especially when the subject was the sweaty mortal I so much wanted anyway.
---
AN: ... ... ... I don't know what came over me... But anyway... Behold, It's the end of the fourth night! Three more to go ^^ That means about 12 more chapters, plus a possible epilogue... Aaaaargh! I'll never get this finished! Please review...