Angel Corrupted

Disclaimer: Well see…maybe I do own Yu-Gi-Oh, ya know? And just the evil editor peoples wouldn't let me show my great yaoi-y, and violent ideas on TV? Huh? Huh??

…yeah. I think not. Me no ownies.

A/N: The stuffs is still here. AU, possible OOC-ness (they did grow up differently, eh?), bloody stuffs, some swearing…shounen-ai! Yami/Yugi, slight Bakura/Ryou and possible Seto/Joey. Will be using American names (mostly…), as that's the version I get!

There is a high unlikely-ness that there will be lemons in this fic, unless I can sucker one of my friends, Sazza (the yaoi pimp!) and Kitsune Kitana into it. Said peoples are also my beta readers and should be thanked.

Yugi's school does not exist in Dartmouth and proly N.S., though I'm quite sure another school of the same name exists somewhere else. Please excuse Joey's accent, it comes and goes in my writing…-_-;

Thankies mucho to my wonderific reviewers Sarina Fannel, Skie de Fondu, cep, Niko, E, mistykasumi, Wolfspeaker, rox, starworks, Yugismpuzzle, ExBobble06, rindi, JuliTina, Firehedgehog, Angel Reaper, Ryasha (Do you have a scanner? Can I see your pictures?), Kit, archangemon and anyone else I missed! Apologies to anyone who's name I misspelled.
 
Y'know…Yugi's dream-sequence last chapter explains exactly who he is in relation to Yami/Hikari…its just kinda unclear. Oh well…motto is 'To be clearly irrational, rationally insane and to always speak simply in a roundabout way.'
 
…okay…I had somewhat planned this chapter…but then it totally wrote itself. O_o; Anyone think it's getting a bit overdramatic…?
 
Geez, this is getting long, innit? *coughs* Now for some self-advertisement! If you enjoy this story, you may also enjoy the other Yu-Gi-Oh fanfictions I have started! Yami is Life (AU, sci-fi), Banana Fest (AU, involving superpowers and mental institutes), and The Mummy: Yaoi Style (mutated version of the movie The Mummy). Please check out, read and review!

Chapter Five:

            Tea burst into Yugi's room, followed closely by her parent's. They had been torn from their sleep by a sudden scream, which they then realized was coming from the adopted boy. The teen was still shrieking painfully as he convulsed on his bed, hands grasping at his face.

            Rushing to her son's side, Mrs. Gardner tried to figure out what was wrong. It couldn't have been a nightmare, this was much worse; he seemed to be in actual, physical pain. Her husband joined her, trying to hold the boy still before he hurt himself.

            Yugi continued twitching in his adoptive father's grasp, but his screams faded into sobs and whimpers. He continued to clutch at his forehead, tears streaming down his cheeks.

            Tea sat on the edge of her brother's bed and stroked his hair. "Shh, calm down. It's all right."

            The violet-eyed boy slowly stilled, apart from occasional shudders caused by sobs. Slowly, Mr. Gardner pried the teen's hands from his brow, trying to see the assumed source of pain… and gasped.

            There was a large swollen blotch in the center of Yugi's forehead, practically glowing an angry red. It looked damn painful, and he reached out a tentative finger to touch it, only to recoil it as he found the mark to be burning hot.

            "Was is that?" Tea questioned, staring in mild disgust at the crimson welt.

            "I don't know," the girl's mother answered. "It almost looks like… a kiss."

            The other two blinked, then gawked at the raw sore. It did look rather like a pair of lips; in fact, it looked exactly like a kiss. It was like some horrible parody of a lipstick smear.

            Yugi's eyes blinked open, bleary with tears and pain. "What…happened…?"

            "We don't know, honey," Mrs. Gardner answered. "We woke up to find you screaming."

            "Where did you get that?" Mr. Gardner butted in, pointing at his adopted son's forehead.

            "Where I get wha-" The small teenager's eyes widened significantly, his hands slapping over his lightly throbbing forehead. "My mark!"

            "Your… mark?" Mr. Gardner's eyes narrowed. "Yugi, what is that thing?"

            "Ah… I-I dunno…" The young man stuttered. "I've had it as far back as I c-can remember. It must be a b-birth mark or something…" A lie. He remembered where it came from now, only one place it could have come from. That night when the killer, his savior, had kissed him on the forehead and left a bloody imprint. A mark that had never quite gone away.

            "Birthmarks don't just look like lip-prints," the man of the household stated. "That thing is more like a tattoo…or a brand of some sort. Are you doing something we don't know about, Yugi?"

            "Wh-what?" The violet-eyed boy stammered in surprise.

            "Yugi Gardner, are you in a gang?"

            "What?! No!"

            "Really, dear!" Mrs. Gardner said, also shocked.

            "I'm serious! Don't lie to me Yugi. Are you in a gang? Or… or some sort of cult?" The man's eyes expanded in sudden comprehension. "Are you a part of that Sennen cult?"

            "Eh??" Yugi couldn't believe what he was hearing. Where was his father coming from? The teenager didn't understand what was going on with his dad, the man had always been kind to him, treated him like his own son, even when the secret about his possible insanity had come out.

            The sixteen-year-old whimpered, backing away from his adoptive parent. Tea was behind him and he curled into her protective embrace, as she too looked put-off by her dad's uncharacteristic behavior.

            "Stop that right now!" Mrs. Gardner shouted. "Can't you see you're scaring our children?! I am appalled by your behavior, out of this room. Now!"

            Mr. Gardner blinked, startled. "I-I… I'm sorry Yugi, I don't know… I…"

            "Out. Now," the teenager's mother repeated firmly. "I am going to comfort our son."

            The man shuffled dejectedly out of the room, looking distressed by his own behavior. Mrs. Gardner turned to her children and pulled them into a hug.

            "Don't worry about your father, darlings. It's late, and we're all under a little stress because of certain… things. None of us are really thinking clearly."

            Certain things, Yugi thought, tears coming to his eyes. Certain things like my little 'problem'. He was a burden on his family as it was, and now this… Was he going to break up his family?

Don't go that far…But he couldn't really help it. With this, his problem coupled with his resurfacing memories, he just couldn't handle it. And so he buried his face in his mother's shoulder and wrapped in the arms of his family he began to cry again, but this time it was out of sorrow.

The glass in Seto's hand cracked under the force of his fisted appendage, spilling its contents over the table. The warrior angel snarled loudly, it was so damn frustrating! He couldn't find anything on a male going by the name of 'Hikari' that would have any relation to the fallen one.

Well actually, he hadn't been able to find any living males by the name of Hikari (he had even asked his little brother Mokuba if he knew anyone by that name. "Only a girl a few years older than me, Seto."), and he hadn't really been looking for long… but that was completely beside the point! And he was sure that his superiors were keeping information from him, the bloody liars.

Kaiba began cleaning up the fragments of glass, scowl deepening as he thought back to his confrontation with his leaders.

The three head warrior angels glanced up from their meeting as the fighter known as Seto Kaiba burst in. The boy really took too many liberties just because he was more powerful than most…

"I thought you had gone to get your ass kicked by the fallen one," one of the three spoke.

"I did," Seto replied, bristling at the insult.

Eyebrows were raised in surprise. "And you came out of the encounter unscathed? Usually you're stuck at the Healers' for weeks."

"Well, this time it made an interesting…request and fled," the blue-eyed angel continued on quickly, before he could be questioned. "What do you know of a man or boy named Hikari?"

Kaiba noted the stiffening of the leaders' wings, feathers fluffing up. It was a nervous reaction, strange for such an innocent sounding question…unless they knew something important.

"Can't say I know anything," a head angel replied. "I have a granddaughter called Hikari, but I don't believe I've ever met a male of that name."

"I didn't ask if you'd met a male Hikari, I asked what you knew of one."

"Mr. Kaiba, you seem to forget your place. You are in no position to make demands of us, your leaders. We know nothing of this 'Hikari' you speak of, so drop the subject and leave."

Glaring icily at the three old angels, Seto turned on his heal and left.

They were definitely holding back information, but there wasn't anything he could do about it. The head warriors may be weaker than him, but relatively speaking they still had more power. Fucking politics…

Strumming his fingers irritably on the table, the tall brunette pondered his next move. What could he do? Where could he find something on some guy named Hikari? Who the hell names their son Hikari anyway? It was a girly name…

Maybe there was something about a Hikari in the history books, though he doubted it. Seto's eyes widened suddenly. Books. Books of records… Of course! The angel nearly smacked himself in the head at the obviousness.

Grabbing his trench coat, he darted out the door. He was headed to the capital to consult the Book of Lives.

The letters on the side of the large building read Mic Mac Mall, and this was where Yugi would be spending most of his day. The fact that he'd be away from his family, who were all on edge, was just an unexpected plus to the previously planned venture.

He was on a mission. What mission might you ask? Well, Yugi Gardner was out to concoct the Perfect Halloween Costume, and he knew exactly what he was looking for. Finding it would be the hard part…

But thing was first, he needed to visit a hair stylist. Not to get it cut or anything, he'd never do that to his wonderful hair (unless it got a little too long). He was simply going to have his hair tamed in the only way he knew how.

So, when Yugi stepped out of the hairdressers a few hours later his multicolored locks had been carefully plaited into many tiny braids. The braiding effectively negated his hair's gravity defying ability and it now hung down, bouncing against his shoulders.

It was lunchtime by the time the stylist had finished up and so he made a stop at the food court, going over the list of things he needed and didn't. He had already bought the footwear and clothing he needed, and he only needed to make a quick stop at some convenience store to get the eye makeup he needed. After that, the hard part would begin.

He had been searching for weeks for a source of authentic-looking Egyptian jewelry, and had had no luck so far. Most of it was cheap and often plastic, none of it seeming to suit his purposes. Maybe he was just being picky, but he wanted this costume to be perfect.

The violet-eyed teenager was hopeful today, he had heard that someone had opened an exotic jewelry store recently, and thought maybe they would have something worth buying.

After finishing his meal and purchasing his eye make-up, Yugi went to consult the map of the mall. Locating the store he wanted, Ishtar's Amulet (wasn't Ishtar Marik's last name…?), he headed for the escalator.

Reaching his destination, the short teen stared in awe at the small store. Walking into the shop his senses were caressed by the light, hypnotizing sound of some exotic music, soft lighting and the relaxing yet invigorating smell of an unidentified incense.

He was surrounded by jewelry, the likes of which in many cases he had never seen. Hanging from the walls, balanced on shelves, hooked on racks. There were bracelets and armlets and anklets, necklaces and chokers and pendants, headbands and tiaras, earrings and toe rings and simple rings for fingers, and much more. Staring at him from all corners were beads and crystals, gems and shells. The selection was astounding.

The sixteen-year-old was so caught up in examining the trinkets he didn't notice the woman who had approached him until she spoke.

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

Yugi yelped, then blushed, turning his attention to the woman. She had straight black hair, piercing blue eyes, and was wearing what appeared to be an Egyptian dress. The exotic lady was adorned with a large amount of seemingly authentic gold jewelry.

"Hi, I'm looking for some Ancient Egyptian style jewelry," the violet-eyed boy replied. "I've been looking around for some for quite awhile, but couldn't find any that I liked…"

The woman nodded. "I am Ishizu Ishtar, owner of this shop. I'm sure we can find something to your liking. Come with me." Beckoning with one hand, she moved to the rear of the store.

The back wall was covered with Egyptian jewelry, all of it of a fine quality Yugi had not previously seen. "This is our general selection of Egyptian ornaments. If you have anything specific in mind, just ask, and I'll see if I can find it for you."

"Thank you!" the teenager replied, eyes wide. Stepping closer to the wall he began to examine the jewelry more closely. Eyeing the pieces, he noticed that none of them had prices. Oh well, he'd just have to ask Ishizu if he picked anything.

Picking a couple wristbands, a matching set of armlets, a single anklet and a beautifully beaded wesekh, he couldn't see anything else he really wanted. Approaching Ishizu, who was now standing behind a counter that sported the cash register, he silently hoped he'd be able to afford all of it.

Placing his future purchases on the counter, Yugi asked tentatively, "How much are these?"

The Egyptian woman looked over each piece of jewelry, then rang up a number on the register. Sighing in relief, the teenager pulled out his wallet and fished out the money. Thankfully the trinkets had not been real gold.

"Is this all you would like to buy?" Ishizu inquired.

The spiky-haired youth chewed on his lip. "Actually, I was thinking of buying something to cover my forehead, but none of the tiaras or headbands appealed to me…"

"Is there anything you were looking to match it with?"

Yugi hesitated for a moment, could he trust this woman who he had just met? Yet… there was something about Ishizu that set him at ease. Making his decision, the short teen reached into the bag he had brought, and pulled out his puzzle.

"I wanted something to go with this."

The woman inhaled sharply. She knew what that was, what it represented. Snapping her eyes up to the seemingly innocent boy in front of her she scrutinized him. Surely this child couldn't be the feared darkling…?

But no, he couldn't. And she had heard rumor that the fallen angel had left up his Puzzle someplace or with someone. Though why would he leave it with a human child? In hope of answering her questions Ishizu reached out with her other senses, with the powers she had inherited from her father, those which made her a Seer.

This display took only moments, and went unnoticed by the woman's customer. But during those moments Ishizu knew, had learned things that she would never utter to another living being. Smiling secretly to herself, the Egyptian reached under the counter, reappearing with a golden headband. In the center of the band lay a depiction of an eye, not unlike the one on the Puzzle.

"Will this do?"

Yugi took a hold of the gold circlet, running his fingers over it. "Yeah! This is perfect." Then he frowned. "But this… it's real gold, isn't it?"

The raven-haired woman nodded. "Perhaps, but that does not matter. It is yours to keep."

"R-really?" the young man stammered. "I mean… wow! Thank you so much!"

"Just heed my words, little Yugi, and know that the shadows can be more your allies, than those who masquerade as light."

The teenager blinked his purple-hued eyes, then nodded and left. It wasn't until he had reached the mall exit that he realized he had never told Ishizu his name.

As he walked home Yugi decided to try on his jewelry. Clasping the arm- and wrist- bands over his bare flesh, he giggled at what everyone would think of his costume tomorrow night. There was going to be a big Halloween dance at the school, where everyone was expected to dress up.

Giving in to the urge that was plaguing him, the sixteen-year-old hung his puzzle around his neck. Smiling softly, he sighed at the feeling of contentment wearing it brought him. He felt more… complete, and safe.

            Giggling happily, he began to twirl, humming a nameless tune. His walk gained a bounce and he seemed to be almost floating along. All his troubles were being washed away. The tension in his family, the memories of his father, the trouble he might have with his teacher, his 'problem'… they were all swirling away to the back of his mind.

            The small teen's feeling of euphoria was all but destroyed by a sudden shout.

            "Hey shrimp!"

            Oh shit. It was one of his bullies. Quickly glancing over his shoulder, Yugi found there was not just one, but five bullies behind him. Oh no.

            As fear washed over him, the violet-eyed boy broke into an all out run. He could hear their feet pounding the pavement as they pursued him, jeering. Hot tears began filling his eyes, but he refused to let them cascade down his cheeks. This couldn't happen, he didn't want it! The day had been so perfect; he couldn't handle the pain now.

Taking a turn he suddenly found himself face to face with a wall. He had stumbled down a blind alley. Twisting around slowly, he watched as the five larger youths blocked the entrance, his only escape.

Yugi continued to fight back the tears, and blocked out their taunting. Make it go away, he pleaded, make it stop.

One of the boys stepped closer and slammed a fist into his cheek, causing him to fall back into a puddle. The water soaked into his pants and bag, which he had refused to drop throughout his flight.

Pain radiated through his cheek and hands, he must have skinned his palms when he fell. Gazing through tear-blurred eyes, he saw the five boys advance, and his heart beat faster. And then… warmth began to spread across his chest, from… the puzzle?

A wave of courage washed over him and the violet-eyed boy glared up at his attackers. Then watched in astonishment as they backed away, then ran in fear. Ran, from him.

Stunned, he began to slow his breathing, trying to catch his breath. Standing up, he bent over to pick up his soaked bag, noticing his reflection. Yugi froze. There, staring back at him were glowing red eyes, and fangs glinted from his mouth.

Recoiling with a yell, he stared at the puddle. Slowly he peered back into the pool of water, only to see purple eyes and a mouth full of regular old teeth. What in the world…?

Badly shaken, he made his way out of the alley.

"Hey, are you alright?" A kind voice with a British accent asked.

"Huh…?" Yugi looked up to see a boy about his age, with long white hair and brown eyes.

"I saw those guys chasing you, and was coming to see if you needed any help," the white-haired boy continued. "But you seem to have dealt with them on your own."

"Yeah…"

The chocolate-eyed teenager peered at the smaller boy. "You don't look so good. Where do you live? I'll escort you home."

The violet-eyed youth was too dazed to be suspicious, and gave his address freely, with some limited directions. His newfound companion glanced around, then draped Yugi's arm over his shoulder to help support him.

"Well, I'm sure I'll be able to find my way there eventually," he mused to the shorter teen. "By the way, I'm Ryou Bakura. I just moved here."

"Yugi Gardner."

Ryou continued to chatter as he helped his new acquaintance home, and Yugi was slowly calmed by the sound of his escort's voice.