-And I still don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!
-Okay. I know updates after this might take a while, due to school. Thanks to all those who reviewed, you're the reason I continue to update!
Yami dashed in the direction of his aibou's scream, his heart racing, rage at whoever dared hurt his hikari pounding in his blood. Kaiba followed closely, along with Duke who'd been standing nearby and had heard the scream, and Joey who'd been right by the door when it happened.
The quartet burst out the main doors to see a tall man that looked much like Pegasus, only his hair was black and he appeared to be in his early twenties. He was dressed in a gothic style, his eyes roaming over the young boy he held with a certain amount of lust.
Yugi squirmed, trying his hardest to get free, when his head shot up as the doors burst open. His tear-filled eyes darted to Kaiba and Yami, who both had a look of pure murder on their faces. Yami rushed forward, disappeared and in a flash sped by Yugi's captor from behind, wrenching the young teen from the mans grasp.
Yami set Yugi on the ground-who immediately darted behind duke and Joey- and turned his attention back to the male who'd dared lay a paw on his aibou.
"Who the hell are you and what are you doing on my property?" Kaiba asked, his voice cold and warning.
The man chuckled as he eyed the group, his gaze resting on Yami, then flickering to the young boy hiding behind the two other males.
"I was in the neighborhood and dropped by to pick up an order…" his voice trailed off suspiciously, a wicked grin settling on his face.
Yami growled and rushed the man, slamming a fist into his face.
"Who the hell are you?!" Yami demanded as the man flew sprawling to the ground.
Laughing, the man sat himself up, his black eyes meeting Yami's crimson orbs.
"You may call me Akito" (A/N: Yes, I just got done reading fruits basket fics, give me a break.)
Kaiba stepped up beside Yami.
"Well Akito, you've dampened my doorstep long enough. It's time for you to get the hell of my property before I have you taken care of…"
Akito's maniac-like laughter filled the air as his deranged eyes settled on the young billionaire.
"I'm not scared of some rotten punk like you…"
Kaiba tsked and turned back towards the door, clapping a hand on Yami's shoulder.
"Alright, I tried to be reasonable, but apparently he wont hear of it, you may do as you see fit with him Yami." With that he walked back up to the group, placing a friendly, yet protective hand on Yugi's shoulder, looking around for any other shadows that might decide to jump to life.
Yami's gaze darkened as it settled on Akito. Pulling out a duel monsters card, he held it up for the man to see. Yugi's puzzle began to glow around his neck (A/N: yes. I still have Yami connected to the puzzle with his powers, though he is indeed a solid human now. It's my fic. Let it rest!) The cards picture burst forth as chains whipped from all directions, latching and wrapping themselves around Akito.
Kaiba smirked. "Shadow Spell"
Yami stalked closer to the demented henchman and punched him square in the jaw.
"What the hell do you want with my aibou?!" He demanded, rage still pounding in his blood. This man had assaulted the thing dearest to Yami…and the pharaoh was determined to make the man pay.
Akito glared up at Yami, as if to say 'Fuck You!'
Yami lashed out again, this time, kicking him square between the legs. Akito yelped as Yami's foot made contact, his eyes blazing.
"I'm under orders. It's nothing personal, though he does have a tempting body…" Akito trailed off, his eyes roaming over Yugi's figure. Yami punched him in the eye.
"The order was given to me, and I was promised a taste of the boy before I handed him over to my boss…though it appears he left out a few minor details when he gave me the assignment…" Akito trailed off, his eyes wandering over the gaggle of boys protecting poor Yugi. "He's key to something my boss wants terribly bad, though I'm not at liberty to say what…"
Yami fisted his hand, in a gesture warning the man to say what, or receive another blow. Akito struggled in the chains, though they had no give.
"My boss wants little Yugi's lover…" His eyes wandered to Yugi. "…ah, how innocent and light you are. Shido found himself a good one, it's rather humorous that he's bringing so much pain to the one person he swore he'd never hurt." Akito laughed "Did you know that you've….no…I'll let you figure it out…suffice to say, there's much you don't know about you're little fuck buddy."
Yugi's eyes went wide at the mention of Shido's name…So that's what this was about…but…
"Why do you want Shido?!" Yugi's voice yelled.
Akito laughter filled the area around them. He appeared to be finding this all very humorous. Then, when Yami was about to punch him again, his face returned to the same arrogant smirk he'd been wearing earlier…Yami hit him anyways.
"He asked you a question…" Yami growled, daring the man to ignore his young look alike any longer.
Akito's eyes landed back on Yugi.
"Suffice his existence here…Is not natural. That is all I will tell you. Punch and hit me all you like, I'll enjoy watching this little squirt suffer greatly under his devotion to a man who's past and present are as one. Once Yugi finds the truth…that will be a sweet sight. He'll cry for days…months even. Oh, and that won't be the end of it. You can't escape forever, and once my boss has hold on you…he'll destroy your soul. I guarantee it."
Yami chose this moment to open the shadow realm and send Akito hurtling into the black nothingness, shutting the portal as the shadow spell returned to its card and he handed it back to Kaiba, his eyes drifting to a very shaken Yugi.
Yami walked to Yugi and pulled him into his embrace, a determined look settling on his features as he spoke in low, soothing tones to the boy.
"Don't worry aibou. I won't let anything happen to you. I'll protect you. I promise you. This will all be okay with time" Yami's voice was soothing, even as his mind screamed for him to murder Shido.
How dare he place Yugi in such danger and not even attempt to protect him!! This is his fault, at least I stayed with my aibou the times he was endangered due to our destiny! This…this boy can't even stand by the one he says he loves…If he knows ANYTHING about these attacks and remains silent, I will gut and fillet him personally!
Kaiba's hand remained on the young duelists shoulder.
"Not only him, but I will insure you that you have all the security that my company can provide. I won't allow any more failure to befall, there was supposed to be someone keeping an eye on you tonight…remind me to murder him when we get back inside…"
Joeys eyes swung to Kaiba, unable to believe what he was hearing…Kaiba….He knew he'd been protecting Yugi…but the tone of his voice sounded almost…brotherly…as if he were protecting Yugi out of genuine compassion rather than mere respect or gratitude for the help he'd provided in the past.
Joey walked over to Yugi, ruffling his best friends hair.
"Yeah Yug. You know all of us are gonna do everything we can to make sure nothin' else manages to get it's creepy hands on you."
Yugi smiled, grateful to his friends for their support.
"And Kaiba's not the only one with sufficient funds to ensure someone's watching your back twenty-four seven. I've already called up to my own company and had them hire some of the best to keep an eye on you. DDM is doing plenty well enough to ensure you're well being. After all, you did help me see the truth, and saved our asses a bunch of times. We owe you. Friend" Duke said, playfully swiping a light fist across Yugi's cheek.
Yugi nodded, his tears finally drying and Seto decided that perhaps it would be best to go inside.
The gang nodded and they all headed back in, enjoying the rest of the evening.
(Scene break!)
Shido's eyes widened as he saw the approaching figure the next day…Yugi had dropped by his apartment and the look in his eyes was almost…pain.
Shido immediately made his way to his young lover, taking him into his arms. He felt Yugi stiffen, then melt into the embrace, nuzzling the blondes strong chest. Pulling away, Yugi looked up at him and shook his head.
"We need to talk…"Yugi said.
Shido nodded and lead him inside and sat him down on the couch, going to get some tea, and came back, setting the tray down and taking a seat beside the young teen. Shido's eyes roamed over Yugi…some of the light in the boy seemed to be gone, and his usual hyper, happy attitude was no where in sight. Watching, Shido waited patiently for Yugi to say what he needed to say.
"Shido…I…" His eyes shined with tears he was determined to hold back. Yugi closed his eyes and rushed through all that had happened, with the attacks and what Akito had said the previous night. Yugi buried his face in his hands as he finished. "I don't…I-"
Shido's face had grown stern and shadowed at this point. Finally, he interrupted Yugi.
"Get out."
Yugi's eyes flew to him in surprise as Shido forced his eyes to remain emotionless…This was for the best.
"Get out! I don't want to see you anymore!" Shido yelled, standing up, glaring down at his former lover. "I want nothing further to do with you!"
Yugi's heart ached as he flinched under Shido's voice.
"But…Shido…why?" Yugi said getting up, his face now stained with tears.
Shido grabbed Yugi by the arm and walked him to the door, opening it and flinging him out into the hallway, slamming his door. Inside, Shido leaned against the door, his own eyes pouring water as he slid down into a sitting position.
I…I'm sorry Yugi…but this is for the best. I don't want you to be hurt because of me…I won't give you to them…and…maybe, if you hate me, you won't hurt so much either.
Shido's heart ached. Yugi…He'd known him much longer than Yugi had realized…for the longest time, he had watched the boy go to tournaments, his love growing each day, though the boy never noticed him. He'd fantasized and dreamed of being with him…And he'd gotten that dream…albeit briefly.
Yugi…I know you'll meet someone who will make you happier than I ever could…I watched you change, and become more sure of yourself…for years I loved you in secret, and for a blissful time…you were mind…but, no longer.
Shido forced himself up away from the door and dragged himself to get ready for work, all the while figuring out what to do about Korin.
Yugi's POV.
Yugi picked himself off the ground slowly, his heart slowly breaking in two as he realized Shido wasn't going to open the door and apologize. For the life of him, he couldn't figure out what he'd done wrong…what had made Shido so upset with him…
Walking out of the building he made his way slowly down the street, back to his house. His mind relived everything. Yami leaving, Shido helping him, The first time Shido had made love to him…And Yami…Yugi felt guilty. Here, so soon after one love had left him, his mind drifted to another…He missed Shido, and loved him. Shido had been his light for a time. Shido had been the one to pull him out of darkness, back to basking in the sun.
At the same time, he'd always loved his Yami…who'd also always been there for him…and who he knew would never reject him…he sighed as he realized he had reached the shop, which connected to his house. Pulling open the door, he looked up, suddenly remembering that Yami was running the shop these days, since grandpa was taking a vacation in Egypt with his former archeologist friends.
Yugi bit in a breath as he saw the pharaoh level a look at him.
Yami's POV
Yami's mood soured the instant he saw the tears streaming down Yugi's cheeks. His rage meter soared, immediately pinning the blame on Shido, who Yugi had mentioned he was planning to talk to today. Yami left his post behind the counter, rushing to his aibou, wrapping him in a comforting hug. Yami rested his chin on Yugi's head as Yugi snuggled into Yami's arms, still shaking from sobbing.
"Aibou…What happened?" Yami's voice was soft as a caress as it settled on Yugi's ears, coaxing him to reveal his heartbreak to Yami. Between sobs Yugi managed to tell Yami what had happened back at the apartment.
Yami's features darkened with each word, though he hid it as soon as Yugi pulled back to look at him.
Yugi looked up at him with shining eyes. His emotions confused between gratitude, love and sorrow. Yami could feel the war between these emotions within his aibou, and couldn't help the shiver of joy that his aibou loved him. He knew that Shido was never any good for his pour hikari, who was far to fragile to be treated as Shido had. Yami made a mental note to have a word with Shido once he and Yugi had figured out what should be done next.
Yami led Yugi to the house, putting up a "lunch break" sign on the shop door as he passed it. Right now all he cared about was Yugi's emotional well-being.
Yugi followed him wordlessly, resting his head on Yami's shoulder.
Smiling Yami led him upstairs, determined to have the couch downstairs replaced, and into Yami's room. They sat on the bed and Yugi wrapped his arms around Yami's waist, seeking the warm comfort of him. Yami wrapped his arms around his aibou, pulling his mirror self closer to him. He stroked Yugi's hair, whispering promises that he would keep him safe, no mater what.
After a bit, Yugi got up, mentioning that grandpa would be upset at them leaving the store for so long. Reluctantly, Yami got up and went back to the shop, removing the sign and resuming sales. Yugi soon bounced in, forcing a happy expression to assist Yami in running the store.
Yami smiled, watching his aibou, then turned his attention back to the customers at the register.
(Scene Break. Yugi POV later on.)
Yugi sighed as he walked into the living room, tears welling in his eyes as he came face to cushion with the couch. Yugi bit his lip, holding in the tears, closing his eyes when he felt a pair of strong arms wrap around him from behind.
"Aibou. Don't torture yourself. It's not your fault. He didn't deserve you to begin with. It hurts me to see you like this…" Yami's voice was soft.
Yugi leaned back into Yami, needing to feel accepted and loved by someone he loved in return…Shido had loved him…or at least he had said so…but had he really? The only person he had known loved him for sure was Yami, and that was only because he could feel Yami's emotional waves through the connection.
Yugi turned around, nuzzling up to Yami, not being able to control his need to be near his darker half. He felt rotten, this soon after things with Shido and he wanted Yami already…but it wasn't a new development. He'd always wanted Yami, even before Yami had left. Even when he'd loved Shido, his feelings for Yami had never changed.
He began to wonder if he'd ever truly loved Shido, or had just been grateful that someone had loved him, without passing judgment on his personality. With a mental shrug, Yugi decided that it didn't matter anymore. Shido had forced him out of his life, there was no use wondering what might have been, when something was right here with him. He felt stupid for ignoring it for so long.
Yami's POV
Nothing else in the world mattered to him as much as the small teen in his arms. He knew Yugi had just lost Shido, and he was sorry for his pain, but he was glad to have Yugi back…He'd realized shortly after loosing him what the strange emotion he'd always felt around Yugi was, and he was determined not to lose it again.
He'd always taken it for granted that Yugi would always be around, he'd never imagined that when he left, he would come back to find his aibou claimed by another male. Another male that didn't deserve someone so wonderful. Yami had hated Shido the first day he'd met him, though at the time, he was to arrogant to believe himself capable of such petty things as jealousy, but he'd quickly discovered that he was not immune to the emotion. It had burned within him once he found out it had been nearly 5 months when he'd arrived that his aibou had been claimed by another.
Yami had been surprised to find that he was…well, homosexual, before he'd left, he'd fancied himself in love with Tea, he'd never guessed that she would turn out to be such a hypocrite over the time he was away. He'd been disgusted with her ever since he'd found out what had happened, and blamed mostly her for the loss of his aibou. She was, after all, the only one of the group who'd not yet apologized to Yugi.
But, surprised or not, he was glad to have Yugi back. The kiss the other day had driven the pharaoh nearly crazy for the next day. Yugi's lips had been soft, and Yugi's skill was amazing. Though it pissed Yami off that he hadn't been the one to teach him.
Yugi was now nuzzling him and Yami felt his heart speed up. His eyes filled with emotion and words couldn't express the extent of joy and contentment he was feeling at this moment, with the one he loved most in his arms.
Yugi pulled away as he looked at the clock, Yami's gaze followed, it was nearly 11 and they had school tomorrow. Reluctantly Yami removed himself from his aibou.
"We should be getting to bed…it's late"
Together they trudged up the stairs and as Yami was about to head for his room, Yugi took hold of his shirt and tugged lightly. Yami turned with a question in his eyes as the smaller opened his mouth.
"Yami…would you stay with me tonight…please?" Yugi asked, sounding as though his life depended on it.
Yami's eyes softened as he nodded and followed Yugi into his room. Yugi undressed, remaining only in his boxers and climbed into bed, looking up at Yami as he shut the door. Yami followed suit and was going to settle on the floor when Yugi shook his head and indicated for Yami to climb up on the bed.
Not one to turn down his hikari's companionship he climbed in, smiling as Yugi snuggled into his chest. Wrapping his arms around Yugi, he kissed him on the forehead.
"Sweet dreams, my angel."
Kizna: That's that for this chapter!
Yami: ::looks up from contented state:: Wait a minute, you mean there's more?!
Kizna: ::laughs:: but of course, You didn't think I could leave at this uneventful state do ya?
Joey: ::nods:: yeah! I haven't even… ::Looks around:: I haven't had any intimate time with Kaiba yet.
Kaiba: ::emerges from the shadows, nipping at Joeys ear:: I'm sure we can arrange for that.
Joey: ::blushes and glares at Kizna:: ya just had to do that, didn't ya?
Yugi: ::snuggle::
Yami: ::growls:: woman, you do anything to my aibou…
Kizna: ::glares:: and you'll put up with this. Remember, I can put you in women's clothing…or worse, I can pair you up with Pegasus.
Yami: ::goes all white. sweat drop:: no need for that…
Kizna: ::smile:: I love it when I win
Kaiba: ::grabbing Joey:: me too.