Once Upon a Moonlit Tale
The Luna hair donned a wild grin as Selene expertly dodged yet another ball of light rocketing their way. Silver Lunar soil was kicked up behind them by glimmering hooves, spraying whatever faeries that were behind them out of their way.
Endymion was nothing but an apparition as he moved swiftly through the trees, not but a shadow gliding along a long-forgotten path.
The wind combed through the prince's hair with the same fervent glee as that of the shades ever dancing about the Beast of the Shadows.
Butterflies tumbled about in his stomach when Selene began her descent down a particularly large slope of the mountain side, her speed now tripled of what it had been but moments before.
The wicked laughter of the Shadow Prince drifted his way, a hearty neigh of a horse quickly following it.
Yuugi prepared himself for the abrupt stop ahead of him, leaning to the side as Selene skidded to a stop.
Yami and Endymion followed suite, rocks and debris falling off the cliff-side to the ground far below.
A glimmering ocean blue lake sparkled and glittered before them, nestled in the heart of the rigorous mountain range. Large boulders scattered about the lake pulsed with an almost translucent aura, silvers and blues imitating the night sky above.
Yuugi noticed that the darkness next to him looked almost speechless. "Beautiful, isn't it?"
Yami nodded, allowing Endymion to walk up closer to Selene. "This makes me want to show you our sunrise back home," he stated somewhat forlornly.
"Come," the moon prince stated, gently guiding Selene to the left. "There is a small path that will take us down the mountain side. There are some creatures here that I want you to meet."
Mind concocting all of the different things that could possibly be down there, Yami followed suite, grateful that the creatures they were riding were more sure-footed than a mountain goat, as the path ahead looked steep and slippery.
The moon was radiating light beneath the horses hooves as they picked their way through the narrow path, glowing white wild flowers dotting the hillside. Everything here seemed to pulse with a life of it's own, warm and alive. The Shadow Prince had a hunch that the life emitted by the moon bent to the every whim of the Moon Royalty. In fact, he was almost positive, seeing the wisps of light reach up in greeting of Yuugi and Selene as they walked on ahead of him.
Gods, but wasn't he beautiful…
It did not take as long as he thought it would have to reach the edge of the lake, Selene and Endymion stopping behind a particularly large tree as their riders dismounted.
Yuugi looked over at the Shadow Prince, beckoning him over. "Quiet now, less you scare them away." The Luna heir looked back at the lake, then turned to Yami again. "Wait here a moment."
Crossing his arms, the darkness set his chin and leaned against the tree, slightly disgruntled at the strange position he had now been placed in. Since when did he have to wait to find anything?
He watched intrigued none the less as Yuugi precariously stepped closer to the lake, bending down at the water's edge.
"Asahiineh lyaseh Miihalla," Yuugi half sang, half whispered into the still night air.
Something below the water's surface rippled slightly, a large glimmer of white beginning to protrude. The darkness's eyes grew wide when two large wings unfolded, the water dripping off like drops of dew. It was even more surprising when a blue-silver head followed, beads of crystals strung expertly in fine strands of hair.
And then the fin was visible as the figure advanced along the ground. Of course, he knew what these were! Fabled were they in his own native land, rumored to not even exist. The keepers of the sea and sky…
The mermaid with wings greeted the moon prince with a playful wink, welcoming his presence with a warm smile. "Prince Yuugi! It's been nearly two moons since you've last come to see us. Why the wait?"
"I apologize, Melu. I had not intended to stay away for so long. However, I have not truly come for idle chit-chat tonight. There is someone that I want you to meet." Yuugi turned back to the darkness still behind the trees.
Yami stepped forth, doing a rather good job of hiding his fascination with the fabled creature in front of him. Stopping next to Yuugi, he bowed graciously.
"This is the heir of the Kage House, Prince Yami. He is Shadow Royalty."
The Miihalla practically squealed with delight. "My dear, isn't he a gorgeous thing?"
Yami sat down next to Yuugi, wrapping an arm around the prince's waist. "You approve," he asked light-hearted.
Yuugi stiffened when she winked. "Just a moment, the others need to see this."
Yami watched curiously as she delved back into the water. "You feel nervous."
Yuugi shook his head. "This is going to turn into a bigger frenzy that I originally intended."
"These creatures mean a lot to you," Yami stated.
Yuugi fell further into the Shadow Royalty's offered embrace. "They have been good friends to me, and have often supplied the only place for me to get away from the palace for a little while. It seems that here, anything to do with one's privacy is no longer sacred."
The darkness chuckled. "I know the feeling."
The water rippled again, five more pairs of wings flapping away the water that tried to cling to the delicate feathers.
There was a collective gasp from the women as they came closer. "You were right, Melu. He is handsome."
One of the Miihalla came within inches of the Shadow Royalty, her silver eyes looking at him closely. He had the sudden feeling that she was measuring him, making sure that he was fit to claim the Moon prince as his own. He gazed back at her, unwavering.
"Ylasheh Ehalyseh?" Yuugi asked.
She nodded slowly, her ivory skin glistening in the starlight. "Men-tu," she replied. "Men-tu."
Yami looked over at Yuugi, his eyes questioning. Yuugi smiled. "She said you'll do," he stated quietly.
Yami smiled as she scooted further back into the rest of the crowd, the other Miihalla gathering closer.
"Estehlah nah mealehsu, ehaleseh," one of the other Miihalla pleaded, taking hold of one of Yuugi's hands and pulling him towards the water.
"Yes," Melu agreed, "join us for a swim."
"I…I don't know," Yuugi wavered.
The Miihalla squealed again with delight when the darkness picked him up in one graceful movement, a sinister smirk on his face as he stepped into the water.
Yuugi looked up at him, an unreadable expression on his face. "You wouldn't…"
Seeing that smirk rise just a tad higher, Yuugi suddenly found himself falling downward.
The fabled creatures around them gave a disappointed moan when the water seemed to part for the Moon prince as he simply floated there, arms crossed and looking at the Shadow Royalty pointedly. Moonlight radiated around him as his powers prevented him from slipping into the lake. His look stated his thoughts quite clearly. Nice try…
Standing up and gliding across the water, Yuugi took the Shadow Royalty's hand and guided him further out onto the lake, a reminder of what they had done but only a few hours before suddenly floating to the front of their mind.
Yami moved in closer, wrapping his arms around Yuugi again, reveling in the feel of the Moon prince so close in his embrace. The Shadow prince nuzzled his nose affectionately, moving in closer to taste those sweet lips again…
And suddenly found him and the prince in his arms rocketing to the water's surface.
Three giggling Miihalla delved back into the lake.
"Oh, that was just plain mean," Yuugi replied.
Yami chuckled on top of him, thoroughly enjoying his position at the moment. Administering the kiss he had been denied a moment earlier, he held on to Yuugi tightly. The Moon prince mewled and sighed into that delectable mouth, wishing that their time together that night would never end. A few moments later they broke apart, breathless as before, and Yuugi nearly trembled with the fiery look cast his way. Yami cupped his cheek, his honeyed breath raining down the Moon prince's face. "I'm going to make love to you tonight," he whispered, barely above a breath of wind.
Yuugi heaved in a rattled breath, anticipation swirling around in the pit of his stomach.
Suddenly, the Luna heir smirked, and before the Shadow Royalty could concoct another thought he suddenly found himself immersed in water.
Yuugi looked at the bubble he had made around himself when he descended into the lake, the water parting as he floated back to the surface. Turn about is surely fair play, and if Yami couldn't prevent the water from touching him…well, that wasn't his fault.
Gazing at the water as it broke for him, the night sky above greeted his eyes and he stood, looking to see where the Shadow Royalty's head would emerge.
His eye grew wide when a tear seemed to spread open in the lake's surface, hues of green and crimson and purple energies licking out towards the stars above.
The Kage heir drifted up to him, his eyes dancing with mirth. "Anything that defies the laws of nature the Powers of Chaos are able to over rule. Water does not normally part for a body falling through."
The Moon prince gazed at him transfixed, noticing that Yami was not standing on the water like him, but he was actually floating just over it, shades and shadows of deep vibrant colors swirling in mesmerizing patterns. Yami's eyes said his thoughts precisely. Nice try…
Yuugi allowed himself to be swept us in another embrace, falling heavily into the passionate kiss the darkness gave him. Goddess, but did shadows taste so addicting…
His heart froze in his chest, remembering something he had been taught so very long ago.
Never set your self up for failure, my son. You can not trust a mermaid to walk on land with nothing but her fins, and you can not trust a bird to be able to swim like a fish through the ocean. Take caution and great care where your trust and vulnerability is concerned. When your rule of the Moon Kingdom comes, these are things that you will have to practice on a daily basis. It could save not only your life, but the lives of all others affected by your decisions.
Yuugi pulled back from the darkness, taking a hold of one of his hands with infinite care.
Yami was surprised when he felt Yuugi's muscles tense momentarily, and the next thing he knew Yuugi had flipped him onto his back on the water's surface, straddled him, and kept his arms held firmly above the his head. He looked at the Moon prince questioningly.
" I have a question for you," Yuugi whispered seriously. "I want you to answer it truthfully."
"Ask," Yami stated.
Yuugi was silent for a moment as he stared at Yami almost harshly. "How many other beds have you ever shared?"
Yami was expressionless as he stared up at the Luna heir. "Honestly?" Yuugi said nothing as he waited for an answer.
"I couldn't tell you for sure, perhaps one other."
Yuugi's eyes betrayed his hurt, his heart feeling as though it might shatter. Yami felt his hands tighten around his wrists. "You…couldn't tell.." the Moon prince asked dangerously.
"No," Yami stated, unaffected by the sudden mood change. "You see, I do not know if we have ever met in a past life. If we have, the only bed I would share is yours. If we haven't, then I remained chaste, waiting for your arrival."
Yuugi's eyes softened again, his grip going a little more lax. "And you would never seek consolation in another's arms?"
"No," Yami stated firmly. "And if I catch any other with you I will not hesitate to kill them, slowly if I deem it necessary. You belong to me now." Conviction swirled in crimson and bloodied depths.
Yuugi released his hold, allowing the Shadow prince to sit up fully again. Yuugi accepted the next kiss without hesitation, allowing his emotions to flow freely. His fingers intertwined with the Shadow prince's as they caressed his face, the darkness now in complete control of the situation.
Yami faintly heard their horses neigh and whiney next to the shore line, and the faint splash of the water as the Miihalla traversed about. Everything but Yuugi was in the back of his mind-
Until Yuugi broke the kiss and gave out a heart-wrenching scream, clutching at his chest as he doubled over in pain.
Yuugi didn't hear as Yami began to yell at him, frantic for an answer that he was not receiving. Could Yuugi even hear him?
It felt as though an ice cold dagger had been lodged in his chest, and a sudden fear gripped at his consciousness. He couldn't bear too much more of the agony-
Then instantly it was gone.
"Yuugi, what happened?" Yami was looking at him with concern and worry etched in his glowing red eyes. The Moon prince struggled to recapture his breath.
"Trouble…to the far south. We…"
Selene suddenly splashed up next to them, able to walk as freely across the water as the Moon prince was. Her eyes looked frantic, her stance ever moving.
"Prince Yuugi, you must go!" The Miihalla Melu was at their side in the water, tugging at him to mount Selene. Yami felt the other mythical creatures around him, pushing for him to stand. "Hurry!" They shouted.
Helping Yuugi to stand, he felt something soft brush against his back, and upon turning around, saw Endymion's glowing amber eyes as frazzled as Selene's.
Yuugi grabbed a shaky fistful of silky translucent silver-white hair once he was fully on the Beast of the Moonlight's back, still bending over slightly from the violent pain he had just experienced. Yami mounted Endymion with much more ease.
"Run," Yuugi whispered to Selene. "You know the meaning of haste."
Selene bolted, her prancing hooves ready to run.
"kkwy," on of the Miihalla called before Endymion could take flight. The Shadow prince turned, slightly annoyed at being held up, yet surprised that she would know his name. The one that had measured him so critically faced him, green-silver hair dropping beads of moister. "Take care of him," she stated. "Now leave! Quickly!"
"Show the Light the speed of the Shadows," Yami whispered to Endymion, and soon he was off and running as well into the night.
~ * ~
Yami starred with wide eyes as Endymion came to a stop, the large city they had just entered nearly devoid of any life. Banners and ribbons lay scattered about the ground, crystal and diamond paths scratched and dull.
Yuugi was gazing transfixed, almost in a trance, as fear permeated his eyes at the sight. Selene was unmoving.
Yami saw that there were, indeed, a few people visible, hiding in the crevices of the large city hall. A woman with sugar pink hair was holding her hands high, struggling to maintain a shield around her and the rest of the people inside. The Shadow prince recognized her almost translucent pink garb, a blue trim adorning her attire. She was what one would call a Moon Angel. Guardians of the distant cities of the Moon, hand selected by the Queen herself to keep order established and protection ever constant. But what she was protecting all of the people from, he thought he'd never see…
"Luna's bane," he whispered quietly.
A gangly looking creature, perhaps it had been part woman at one point in time, but now it was hard to tell. Tough leather hide was stretched over harshly angled bones. Pupil-less black eyes deep set in the face held no emotion, no thoughts, and no intelligence. Gouges in what one might call skin leaked a black liquid thinner than sweat, chunks of black…something…protruding in it's wake. An insane grin stretched across the creature's face, revealing a set of jaws that was too large to fit the skull. Row upon row of sharp, jagged teeth oozed rotting flesh, tangled blue hair dull and rusted. Ratty leather wings vibrated with it's anger, the creature clawing and scratching at the shield to get inside.
Luna's bane was always something that had been feared by all Houses. It was commonly known that every House had a bane, the strongest families with the most feared. By far, Luna's was one of the worst. Even the Kage House had a bane, but it was more of an event where when the light ran out, so would their sanity, and thus leave the Powers of Chaos to destroy all in it's path.
That was why they worshipped the sun so heavily. If Ra ever left them, their main source of light and sanity, all would be lost for them.
Luna' bane, on the other hand, was indeed a creature, most likely not of their universe. One only reared its ugly head every five hundred years, and only the most adept Royalty could ever hope to relinquish it. It fed on energy, thus, always attacking the Royal family. After all, even he knew that Queen Tranquility had some abilities that would make any man or woman drool with envy.
"Not, here…not tonight," Yuugi pleaded. "Not this night."
The creature screeched harshly, and Yuugi shook his head, getting his bearings straight. He had to protect his home and kingdom.
Selene rushed forward, and Yami saw a blade of light magically extend from Yuugi's right hand. Standing tall on Selene's back, he readied himself, hurdling off when he was in striking range. Strangely enough, he managed to leave a deep welt in the creature's right shoulder, forcing another ear-splitting scream to erupt from its throat.
Yami watched frozen as a blade fight ensued, the Miihalla's words drifting back to him.
Take care of him…
Yuugi had not the strength to combat this thing alone. No matter how much of the Moon's powers bent to his whim, he could never hope to destroy Luna's bane at such a young age. His mother said that it had taken the first Queen of the Moon nearly three decades of merely holding the creature off before she could destroy it. And it was said that people of that time had a considerably larger amount of power…
Not only him, but Endymion as well snapped back to reality when they heard Yuugi hit the defense wall of the Moon Angel hard.
The Moon prince stood, fed up with the stale-mate match. "Enough," he declared, dropping his sword as he readied himself.
The people behind him starred awe-struck when the ground beneath them began to alight, wisps of silver and white circling up around the prince as he called the strengths of the Moon to his aid.
Luna's bane screeched again, angered that it could no longer see it the blinding light.
He uttered no words for this incantation, nor did he move. Invoking the Moon was a dangerous task, one that he was confident would not fail him.
In a blazing inferno of light and wind the beam of energy struck the creature head on, knocking it harshly against the ground.
Once the light dimmed, the people cheered when they saw Luna's bane limp on the ground, unmoving.
Selene was standing slightly next to it, acting as if she wanted to trample it and yet afraid to fully approach it. Curious, Yuugi walked up closely, gazing down at the slumped figure.
His cry was an anguished one when those huge jaws sank into his shoulder, feeling the toxic blood pour into his fresh wound. Claws of ice penetrated his arms, his life force slowly starting to drain from him. He collapsed on the ground hard, unable to fight the creature off.
The Moon Angel was horrified, unable to help and fully aware of her situation. Let down the shields to fight it off, and most likely lose the lives of all of the people in her city. Stay where she was, and the Heir to the Moon Throne would die tonight.
Something strange seemed to capture the attention of the creature eating away at the prince's life force, drawing its attention to somewhere behind it. Its jaws released the prince, and it turned around, seeing a shadow slowly edging its way over.
The Moon Angel was unable to tear her eyes away from what she saw next, the Shadow that had now encompassed Luna's bane slowly plucking at its leather hide like invisible needles. It swiveled its head from side to side looking for its attacker and found none.
Sounds of flesh and bone shredding ensued, and the Shadows became so dark nothing was visible of the carnage that followed. The scream of the creature turned into a gurgle, and that gurgle turned into the soft sound of blood drifting along a smooth worn path.
From that darkness emerged a tall figure garbed in glimmering black, his deep red eyes both angered and concerned.
Yami bent down next to Yuugi, hoping that his previous experience with healing would be enough to help the Moon prince.
The Moon Angel released her shields, Luna's bane no longer a threat, and rushed over to help. Healing was one of her specialties, after all.
~ * ~
Yuugi tried to blink his eyes open, unable to focus clearly enough to see. His pain was gone, of this he was truly grateful, but he felt unable to move at the moment. Where had he experiences this before? "Am I dead," he rasped out to no one in particular.
"No," a voice chuckled. "You're not dead."
He suddenly realized. His body was trying to adapt to foreign energies that had been placed inside of him, usually occurring with magical healing. Suddenly, a flash of sugar pink caught his eye, warm soft eyes looking down at him. Perhaps he was dreaming. "Rena, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in Selesheh City?"
Another voice chuckled. A feminine one. "I am, silly."
Yuugi's eyes suddenly focused, and he soon realized that he wasn't dead, nor was he dreaming. Yami was holding him tightly, a woman with sugar pink hair greeting him with laughing eyes. "Oh, goddess…I'm… I'm so sorry. I almost…"
"Shh," The Shadow Royalty soothed. "You did what any Royalty should do when their home is in danger." He looked over at the woman next to them. "You know each other well?"
Yuugi chuckled. "She was basically my nanny when I was young. I suggested her placement here when I was of age."
"And I love it here, too." Her head turned to look behind her, her eyes upon her return nervous. "Please, we need a bit more help."
Standing rather shakily, Yuugi began to walk with the others further into the city hall. A young girl was being cradled by an elder woman, her opaque silver-white hair falling carelessly into her eyes. Wounds spread across from her shoulders to her waist, Luna's bane leaving a definite mark.
Yuugi kneeled down next to her, by far the best healer in the group. "Where are her parents," he asked.
"Dead," Rena spoke miserably. "This child is all that the creature wanted."
Yuugi cursed. "Moon Nobility, no doubt. After she's healed, we'll take her back to the palace. She can't be any more than three years old, I know mother always wanted a daughter, if we can't find any other relatives who want to claim her."
~ * ~
Yuugi stood rigidly in front of his mother, her gaze both proud and harsh. "You took on Luna's bane alone, expecting to defeat it?"
"No," Yuugi stated. "I took on a Luna's bane, attempting to defend all of the people in that city."
"You didn't even call for aid," she asked.
"You knew it was there, too. I know you felt it, just like all others who have Moon Royalty blood flowing in their veins."
She stood tall, regal in her flowing white gown. "And now you bring an orphaned child who was a target of that wretched creature, without even an explanation of its demise?"
Yuugi bit his lip. He really didn't know how it was defeated. He'd been passed out, and didn't have time to ask Yami.
"I destroyed it, your highness. Shadow powers did not get locked in a stale-mate like the powers of Moonlight did so readily did with that…thing."
Yuugi looked back at Yami standing next to him, attempting to comprehend the sheer power that the Shadow prince must have exerted.
Queen Tranquility was silent as she stared at them. "You leave the Suisho Ball all night, traipse through dangerous ruins, travel through a village celebration, mingle with the protected Miihalla, ignore you Royal duties, and put not only yourselves, but the prized Seeasha horses in danger of their lives, and expect to come back home at four a.m. without punishment?"
Yuugi bit his lip harder.
"Is there any thing else you wish to tell me, my son?" She asked lowly.
Don't choke, he told himself sternly. Don't choke… "I have made my decision for a partner in my upcoming rule of the Moon Kingdom."
She crossed her arms, waiting. Yami remained perfectly silent.
"He is standing before you."
Her silver-blue eyes snapped on to Yami, energies simply flowing about her with ease. Gods, if she became angry…perhaps she could destroy five or six Luna's bane creatures if she truly wanted to…
Suddenly, she sighed. "You realize that your father's going to kill you."
Smiling, Yuugi allowed to tension to leave him, accepting Yami's offered embrace gratefully. The Shadow prince nuzzled the side of his face with affection.
"You two best be off," she stated, heading back into the archives where her husband was looking up the retrieved young girl's parents and relatives.
"Why," Yuugi asked.
She turned and looked at him, another one of those looks crossing her eyes that stated she knew much more than she should have. "Because there is only a couple of hours left in the night."
Yami smirked into his shoulder, squeezing around Yuugi's waist. Blushing, Yuugi felt himself herded off somewhere down the hall, most likely to an empty bedroom.
"How does she do that?!," he complained, the darkness clinging to him laughing all the way.
"With practice, love. With practice."
~ * ~
*wipes forehead* Wow. That sure was a lot. I hope that it was satisfactory. And who knows, I just might continue it with another arc a little later. I apologize for not getting to Ryou and Bakura-kun, I simply ran out of time. Review? Please?