Calli: Bev's not here at the moment... But yeah. This is chapter one, enjoy it!
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A long finger skimmed from book to dusty, musty book, a short quiet hum rising from the boy's throat. He dragged his feet between the badly lit shelves, eyes searching. A loud call brought him to attention and he followed the sound. Slender hands slid into low pockets clasped in a pair of comfy drawstring, pale-gray pants. A crisp white tee sagged from the thin frame, a shade lighter than the adolescent's hair. He lightly scolded the taller teen for yelling in a library, receiving a short, gruff reply that 'there isn't anyone in this old broken-down shack anyway.' The pale boy shrugged it off, glancing towards what the blonde was pointing to. Soon they were joined by their shorter friend, who tilted his head questioningly. "What about it?"
The blonde took the book of its shelf, dusting it off and blowing on it before opening its pages. "Jackpot!" Jou grinned, showing Ryou a page of the book. The paper was yellow and bad smelling, but the ink was still readable, even though faded. Yugi looked over Jou's bent arm to look at the page.
On the pages a skeleton was drawn, more focusing on the skull. The canines on the human skull were longer, and an arrow pointed to it, writings next to the line. He couldn't make out the writing; it was in a different language.
"Do you know what language it's in?" Yugi looked over to Ryou, who frowned and took the fragile book from Jou to look at it more closely. The boy tilted his head to either side, brows furrowing. He tried turning the book upside down. After a while of him peering intently at the strange script while the other two blinked at his strange behavior, confused, Ryou plopped to book back in Katsuya's arms.
He shut his eyes and massaged his head, huffing and nodding his head understandingly. "Yes, yes."
"Well?" Yugi peered at him questioningly.
One chocolate brow opened "Well what?"
"What does it say? What language is it?"
A long silence filled the dusty air, Jou and Yugi both watching the youngest of them intently. "...............I don't know. Never seen it."
"ITAI!"
"…"
"Well, what language do you think it is?" Yugi asked, having recovered. Jou was slamming his head on one of the desks. The blonde didn't seem to notice he was getting cobwebs and dust in his hair.
"Well..." Ryou set the book on the nearest table, pulling the chair back - it made a horrible creak and squeak as it ran across the floor - and sat down after dusting the seat off. "There's a chance it's some sort of language the vampires invented… But… I could be wrong."
Jou looked over the pages, blinking slowly. "You think they might have a Vampire-Japanese dictionary around here?" He joked, sighing. Yugi studied the signs.
"Well, it obviously isn't Japanese or Chinese, because the signs are shaped differently." A finger pointed to one of the figures, a triangle over three horizontal lines and two vertical lines on each side with a circle on the top of the triangle.
"...Nye." The tall blonde sighed, running his fingers through his hair impatiently. He groaned when a series of old webs stuck to his fingers, dust rising in a small cloud.
Yugi huffed, sitting cross-legged on the dusty tile, tracing cracks and wear lines. "Tell me if you learn anything."
The white-haired boy glanced at his forlorn expression, than at the other's bored, frustrated look. A sweet smile took his features, eyes creased shut. "Oh, come on guys!" he half-pleaded in his sweet honey-tones "This is an amazing discovery! Vampire writing, probably a medical book judging from the occasional Latin labeling."
Yugi's head snapped up. "Did you hear that?"
Ryou blinked. "Hear what?"
"I hope this place isn't HUMAN infested… FUCK! Rat! Eck!" The door to the old place was rattling. "What the hell? I thought you said it wasn't locked!" The three's eyes widened.
"Hide!" Jou hissed. Ryou and Yugi squeezed under a small table next to the bookcases, while Jou slid behind old drapes. The door broke open falling to the floor with a dead thud.
A blonde with violet eyes walked through, metal tipped boots clacking against the floor. "How nice." He commented, fisting a near cobweb and tearing it. A spiky, albino-haired male walked in second, standing next to the first.
"You sure they're here?" Cold brown eyes looked around the room in distain. The first shrugged.
"Who knows? Either way, it's a useful collection."
They froze at the door and a long silence passed between them.
"Is it just me or..."
"...Do you smell humans?"
"You too?"
The first growled angrily, ready to tear whomever it was to shreds.
"Relax, it's just me." A tall figure emerged from the shadows, white trench billowing around his ankles, everything beneath clad in black, a pair of buckles at each arm and leg. Neat umber locks fell before stormy cerulean. The teen glanced to the humans' hiding places, glaring at it as if telepathically telling those who knew not what was happening that they owed him their lives. The white-haired demon sniffed disdainfully.
"You smell stronger than usual."
"I was... socializing."
The violet-eyed one smirked, tilting his head to the side and brushing his blonde strands from his face. "You whore!" He began to laugh, shaking his head. "How many did you let fuck you this time, eh? Anyway, we should start searching."
"No need to." The brunette picked up the book that Yugi, Ryou, and Jou had been studying. "It's already here."
"Everything? And the cure? Don't fuck with us." The white-haired one growled.
"Ah, don't worry Bakura, he wouldn't. He knows the consequences." The blonde snatched the book out of the other's hand. "Thanks, we owe you one." The blonde winked and turned, leaving the room.
Bakura stayed a bit longer, eyes going from side to side. They then concentrated on the brunette. "Well, Seto, we'll meet again soon, I believe. Your payment for finding this place for us will be sent to you within the two weeks." He walked out the broken down door, shouting at the blonde.
The blue-eyed teen stood still until he was sure the other two were out of hearing distance before spinning on his heals angrily, storming to the humans and throwing the old table that hid two huddled frightened friends against the wall, where the rotten wood shattered, and tore the old drape aside.
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?" He screamed angrily. "DO YOU KNOW HOW LUCKY YOU ARE I WAS HERE???"
Ryou and Yugi whimpered, curling into little balls. Ryou desperately tried to hide the tears of fright dripping down his face. Jou didn't miss them, however. He growled angrily. 'The nerve of that guy.'
"WE'RE SORRY, OK? WE DIDN'T FUCKING KNOW!!! WHERE DO YOU GET OFF SCARING PEOPLE SHITLESS FOR NO REASON???" Screeching indignantly, Jou continued. "WHAT MAKES YOU SO SPECIAL THAT THEY WON'T KILL YOU ANYWAY???"
"THAT is none of your business." 'Seto' growled angrily, before shaking his head and turning to the two curled up boys. "Humans... What the fuck are you humans doing here?" It was more of a demand then a question.
"R-research..." Ryou stuttered, standing upright and helping Yugi off the ground. "We're researching vampires..."
Cerulean eyes narrowed dangerously. "You're treading in places you shouldn't. Should HE find out… You wouldn't be alive for long."
"He? What are you talking about? And who are you?!" Jou shouted.
"Is he like… a god or something?" Yugi questioned.
"He thinks himself so… I… Never mind, I shouldn't even be talking to you. Get out, now."
"Now, wait a minute, I think dat you got some explainin' to do! We ain't leavin'!" Jou said, looking at Ryou and Yugi and finally back to the brunette.
The agitated brunette narrowed his eyes further, inwardly snapping several...'dog bones'... in two. Yugi gulped nervously, tugging shyly on the angered blonde boy's sleeve.
"Maybe we should go, Jou..."
Ryou bowed his head deeply; clinging to a book he had already been holding for a while. "Gomen nasai, demo... You speak as if you aren't human yourself. Why?"
A sharp slap echoed around the dusty room. The humans froze. A pale hand rose to a reddening cheek, shocked chocolate orbs hidden by limp snowy strands. The other teen's pupils were dilated; he breathed sharply.
"How dare you ask such a thing!"
"I… I'm sorry… It's just that your looks… You don't LOOK like the others… Don't… I'm sorry…" Ryou whispered, looking down at the floor, tears pooling in his eyes. Jou growled, taking the blue-eyed teen by the scruff of his neck and shaking him.
"THE FUCK! You can't just slap him for a quest-"
"Shut up, puppy." Seto kneed him in the groin, then simply pushing him to the ground with a hand. Yugi gulped. The two stared at each other for a moment, before Seto blinked and shook his head before turning sharply, trench coat swishing. "I'm warning you. Get out."
The three lingered in silence for a moment, Katsuya seething on the floor, Ryou wallowing in apologetic misery and Yugi blinking confusedly at the strange emotions that had coursed through him when his eyes had met sapphire.
"So...maybe we should go now."
"...Yeah. Maybe."
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"You shouldn't be here, Otogi..." A harsh whisper ran through the shadows. A man stepped from the dark, strange brown hair coming to a point, and sharp - but soft - eyes stared at the other. Otogi looked to the ground, nodding stiffly.
"I know, but I had to see you, Honda!" The other played with his dice for comfort, emerald eyes staring at his feet.
"It's too dangerous! You know that... If He ever found out... You'd die! And I don't want that." Honda walked closer to the other, wrapping his arms around the shorter male.
The smaller one sniffed quietly, hugging the first around the neck tightly, burying his face in the suede jacket. His voice ran timidly in the small alley.
"I know, demo... Gomen, Honda-ch- …-kun."
The vampire sighed, rubbing a callused palm against the human's back. "Just don't do it again."
"But-"
He growled lightly. "I said don't. Do. It. Again! It's bad enough that you're human, you have to know the stupid half-breed too."
"Don't talk about Seto like that! It isn't his fault that he's like that..." Otogi murmured, rubbing his cheek against the other's chest.
"Hm…"
"Is something wrong, Honda-kun?" Otogi asked, pulling back to stare into his eyes.
"The Prince asked me to search for the rebels again. He has an idea where they are, and that the half breed is now working with them." Honda pulled Otogi closer.
"How long will you be gone this time?"
"At least a week. I have to check one of the clubs from head to toe without suspicion. Apparently, He thinks that they are hiding there. And recourses say that the half-breed is there too. He wants Seto alive."
"Please don't..."
"I have no choice, Otogi."
"But...why...?" "Heh." The vampire shrugged, sliding down the wall and bringing the raven-haired teen down with him, pulling the boy on his lap. "I don't know." The emerald-eyed human sighed softly, lids fluttering closed. Slowly, his breathing calmed; he fell into deep slumber safely within his lover's arms. The brunette combed his fingers through the other's long hair, undoing the ponytail. "Sorry, 'Togi."
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The brunette hummed to himself, sighing. 'I hate this place.' He glared at the mass of drunken old men drooling lustfully at the younger women and men that strolled to and from the dance floor, some a bit more 'active' than others. He ignored specifically the group of naïve people in their mid-twenties in the corner eyeing him lustfully. He rolled his eyes, handing someone or another a Bloody Mary.
'I HATE this pl-' He froze his thoughts, gaze flickering to the door. 'SHIT! Vampire aura!' Intense blue narrowed thoughtfully. 'He better not be here why I THINK he's here.'
"Hey baby, why don't you get me another drink and we can go have fun?" One of the men's eyes roamed his body. Seto smiled coyly, walking over to him - hips swaying - to grab his chin.
"Really?" He purred.
"Yep."
Seto grabbed a glass, turned and put some beer and ice in it. The guy looked at his friends and grinned, thinking he'd get some tonight. The black-haired man's eyes widened as Seto flung the drink over his shoulder, the liquid splashing on the guy's face.
"Sorry, I don't do that for guys like you." Seto said, rolling his eyes. "You. What do you want?" 'Fuck… the vampire's getting closer..' He turned to fix another drink, wincing at the unfamiliar strengthening aura. He stiffened when a hand dropped on his shoulder, swerving around. Intent brown fixed him with his gaze, smirking.
"Don't DO that," he hissed quietly to the white-haired demon. "There's one of YOU here, and I doubt he's just here for laughs."
Bakura's gaze hardened suddenly, eyes narrowed. "Is he looking this way?"
Seto glanced at the man he believed to be one of those. "No. Hide- now." He dragged the tall man into the back room, flung a hidden trapdoor open and shoved him in, where the blonde bloodsucker was already waiting. "And don't move. I'll be back."
He shut it quickly, sliding back behind the bar without notice… or so he thought. The vampire had seen the movement out of the corner of his eyes, and stalked towards the bar.
"How much does a shot of red cost around here?" Seto looked at him warily, before blinking.
"Depends what kind of red." Honda smirked, fangs emerging just for Seto to see.
"I think you know what kind, half breed."
Seto stiffened, then nodded to a blonde woman. "Mai, take over for me."
Mai nodded. "Sure thing."
Seto slipped out of the bar, Honda following. After a while of carefully treading around deeper within the backrooms, stalking past the hidden door without hesitation or even a change in movement at all he managed after years of acting to remain in the shadows, the tall half-human spun on his heals.
He hissed quietly. "I don't know what the fuck you're trying to do walking into a human bar and asking for blood, but I swear if you cause any trouble-"
The shorter brunette rolled his eyes, cliquing his teeth together. "Ah, shut up half-breed." Seto clamped his mouth shut, crossing his arms and glaring. "I just want to search the club, that's all."
"I won't allo-"
"You WILL allow it." The vampire growled animalistically, stalking closer to the bartender. "You don't have any choice in the matter."
Seto snarled back. "No choice? Ha! I may be a half breed, but that only means I have the vampire's strength and weaknesses, and a human heart." He whipped out a gun that had been strapped to the inside of his legs.
"You think a gun is going to hurt me?" Honda began to laugh.
"Those bullets are tipped with garlic, dipped in holy water, and contain several crosses. Quite a fatal mix."
He backed up. Seto's finger was on the trigger, ready to pull. Honda's eyes caught someone sneaking behind the other, and smirked. "Seems that you have company."
"Wha-" A hand covered Seto's mouth and grabbed the arm that was holding the gun. He struggled, but couldn't get out of the hold.
The gun dropped to the ground with a faint click. The tall, blue-eyed brunette slumped over in the blonde's hold, who dropped his arms and let the body fall to the floor. Grinning idiotically, he tossed the chloroformed tissue away, grabbed some wire and coiled it around arms and legs, allowing his hands to roam while he was at it.
Honda scoffed, unamused. "Get off it already, Keith. You know how angry the prince'll get when he smells you on the half-breed." The American vampire grumbled, shuffling away. Honda sighed and left, leaving the unconscious, tied-up form behind. He still had to find the two rebels.
His eyes glanced from side to side, roaming the mass of bodies. Some were openly fucking in the open, so he averted his gaze. 'I doubt they'd be stupid enough to be out in the open...' Honda continued to walk around, then missed his footing as he suddenly stepped on some sort of difference in the flooring. He stepped back, then kicked it. The shelter's door shuddered.
"Well, well, well..."
He snickered and smashed the opening downward. "Sorry Seto, I tri-" Violet met brown. "SHIT!" Platinum strands were brushed aside hastily, and Malik ran towards the brunette, knocking him down. Smirking, Honda grabbed an ankle and tossed the blonde back within the alcove, pointing the barrel of a stolen weapon towards him. Lavender orbs widened.
Honda cooed, laughing. "Recognize it, don't you?" Suddenly, Malik smirked, confidently bursting into a hilarious cackle. Frowning confusedly, the enemy vampire stared.
"You might want to lower that." He spun around, pointing the barrel towards a white-haired man. Brown eyes glazed in shock at the creature being held in the rebel's grasp.
"...Otogi?"
"Now, put the gun down or your little friend here goes bye bye." Bakura repeated, grinning toothily. Honda slowly put it down, glaring at Otogi. Malik grabbed the gun out of the other vampire's hand.
"You should leave, too." Malik said.
"I'm sorry Honda..." Otogi lowered his gaze.
Honda didn't answer him, but glared at the white haired demon. "Let him go, and I'll leave."
Bakura's hold on Otogi lessened slightly, but didn't let go. "Get out, first."
The vampire seethed, fists clenching. He glared intensely at the quietly crying human, before scoffing and spinning on his heels and stomping off. Otogi whimpered, dropping to his knees when the other's hold fell. "...Sorry."
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Mokuba walked along the sidewalk, clutching three thick paperback books to his chest. He had ditched the limo and walked by himself, looking at all the buildings.
The first book was about the myth of vampires, giving information about what people thought vampires originated from. The second was a normal Stephen King book, and the third was a book going a medical diary. He sighed haggardly, running his fingers through long raven locks. A group of people caught his eye. A tall blonde was ranting angrily about some 'selfish bastard,' glancing every now and then at a shy boy who was clutching another Latin vampire book with one hand and a reddened cheek with the other. The third boy, short, was staring thoughtfully at the floor, carrying an open backpack that displayed several vampire titles. Intrigued, the boy ran to them.
"Excuse me!" Yugi looked up to see a small boy run up to him, holding three books. "I'm sorry if I'm bothering you or anything, but…"
"You're not." Ryou smiled softly, still holding his cheek. "What is it?"
"Well, I couldn't help but notice the books you were holding... But, do you guys believe in that kind of stuff?" The three boys looked at each other, than the raven-haired child. Mokuba averted his gaze, he knew he was being too forward, but maybe they could help him find his brother!
Though the blonde continued to watch him rather blankly, not used to being suddenly disturbed from his angry ranting, the other two nodded their heads. The shorter boy, adorned with a crown of tri-colored hair, sighed slightly. "You can't help but believe when you accidentally run into some."
Suddenly, the blonde reanimated. "Yeah, what was that third one anyway?? He's definitely not a vamp. After all, he got all pissed when Ryou asked him. Ya know, since vamps are generally all proud of it. 'Sides, he didn't rip us to shreds or anything, unlike what the other two woulda done."
Mokuba's head shot up; he stared at the blonde, interest peaked. "What did he look like?" Jou blinked.
"Well, brown hair... Prep-like cut, I guess. Blue eyes, pretty tall. Selfish bastard..."
"Why?" Ryou asked. Mokuba suddenly smiled widely.
"That's my brother!"
"WHAAAT!?" Jou fell over. "My brother was bitten by a vampire, back at the orphanage, so everyone thought he was dead and threw him in the dumpster, but I know he wasn't, so that's him! It has to be!" Mokuba let out in a rush.
"Wait, backtrack a second. That guy… Is your brother? Orphanage? What?" Yugi massaged his temples.
"My brother's name was Seto, if that helps any. And yeah, the orphanage. When our mother and father died, we were sent there." Mokuba looked around the street. "Maybe we shouldn't discuss it here, come with me?"
Yugi shrugged, and treaded after the younger, but taller, boy. Jou followed. After a few steps, he realized someone was missing and looked back to notice the white-haired teen had not moved a muscle. "...Ryou?"
Milk chocolate lay hidden behind a cloak of snow. "…Yes?"
The tall adolescent called out softly. "Coming?"
"...I guess."
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Jou looked around the large house, wide eyed. "Holy shit..."
Ryou sat down on the couch, accepting the ice Mokuba had gotten for him. "Now, explain to us exactly who you are?" Yugi looked to the raven child, who nodded.
"My name is Mokuba Sekiton. Now I'm a Kaiba, though. My brother is Seto. Our parents died a long time ago, mother from a birthing defect and father from suicide. We were sent to the orphanage, my brother got bitten and supposedly 'died', and I got adopted."
"And you want us to help you find him?"
"You believe in this kind of stuff, and have had dealings with him. I was hoping you'd help me search for him."
Yugi spoke up gently. "Well, the thing is... I don't think he likes us very much." He glanced at his quieter friend, who was still nursing his cheek. "Or at all, for that matter."
Ryou sighed softly, frowning. "We can't truly help you, but I can give you the address to the old place we met them at."
Mokuba sighed, shrugging his shoulders and yawning. "That's good enough for me."
As Ryou wrote down the paper and gave it to the raven-haired child, red eyes glowed eerily in the shadows, growling darkly.
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