YUGIOH

Eternal Darkness

Chapter 4.

Yami and the others had made it to the mansion, immediately ringing the doorbell. The guards were off for tonight, and the gate was wide open since Kaiba had gone for a walk. Mokuba saw who was there from the surveillance camera, and opened the door, saying, "Hi Yugi, hi guys! What's up?"

Yami was all business, as he said, "Mokuba....we need to talk to your brother, right now!"

Mokuba blinked, "Seto? But....how come?"

"It's....about something I've recently learned that he's going through. We may be able to help him. Please Mokuba, we must see him now....there's no time to lose!" Yami exclaimed.

"But....he went out for a walk." Mokuba said. "Why don't you wait inside, he'll be back."

"A walk?" Yami said, turning pale.

He could hear Bakura's ghost form laughing, overhearing the news, as he said like a whisper in the wind, "I told you Pharaoh, you are too late...."

"No, we can't be too late." He muttered. Yami grabbed Mokuba by both shoulders, saying, "Where did Kaiba go, Mokuba? We can't wait, we need to find him now!"

"What....what's wrong?" Mokuba asked. "Is something wrong with my brother?"

"Mokuba, please! There's no time! Where did he go?" Yami asked again.

Mokuba pointed, "He went that way....I think he went to the park. Once in a while, he likes to take a walk at night, when there isn't anyone around to bother him."

'Let's hope that's the case this time.' Yami though. "Thank you, Mokuba. Let's go!" He said to the others, as he started to head away.

"Wait! Let me come, too!" Mokuba said.

Yami stopped, and turned. No....Kaiba would never forgive them if Mokuba was placed into danger. "I'm sorry Mokuba, you can't come. It's too dangerous."

"If Seto's in danger, then I'm coming!" Mokuba said.

Yami shook his head though, saying, "I'm sorry, not this time. Your brother would never forgive us." He turned to the others, saying, "Why don't the rest of you stay with Mokuba. I'll go myself. This is dangerous for any of us."

"I'm going with ya, Yugi....like it or not." Joey said. "But, Yugi's got a point. Why don't you guys stay with Mokuba, till we bring moneybags back here. The less there are, the better."

Tristan didn't like it, but he nodded, "Okay. We'll keep an eye on Mokuba."

"I don't need a babysitter!" Mokuba said. But, since Yami said he'd be bringing his brother back, he couldn't complain. "Well, come on, then...." He pouted, going inside.

Tristan, Tea, and Ryou stayed with Mokuba, while Yami and Joey headed quickly in the direction Mokuba told them to go.

They made it to the park before long, and began to look around. "Uh, Yug....you realize if Kaiba's here looking for a meal, and we're the only one's here at the park....well, we might be his target, which aint a good thing. I don't really wanna be Kaiba's lunch."

"You can always go back." Yami smiled.

Joey retorted, "Uh-uh....no way I'm leaving your side. Besides, this way by having the two of us, it will help prevent anyone from sneaking up on us."

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Kaiba's scent trail had led him to a young teenage girl, perhaps a bit younger in age then him. She was calling for her dog, who seemed to be lost. Somehow, Kaiba had walked up behind her so quietly, he couldn't even hear his own footsteps. And that smell....it was becoming overwhelming. Whatever it was, he had to have it.

She bumped into him, and whirled around, startled. He gave a weak smile, saying, "I'm sorry if I startled you."

"Oh....you scared me." She giggled. "I'm looking for my dog Casey, have you seen him? He's a golden lab...."

Her last sentence seemed to fade as she looked into Kaiba's eyes, entranced by the deep blue eyes that almost seemed to glow, as he stared deeply into hers.

"I'm afraid I haven't." He said, approaching her. "That's a lovely perfume your wearing. Do you mind if I smell it?"

"Not at all." She said, frozen by his gaze.

For the moment....the woman's fear, caution, even strength of will seemed to have all flown away by his stare. She voluntarily tilted her head, to allow him to smell, or....basically do whatever he wanted to.

Kaiba approached, smelling that sweet scent. His mouth opened as his fangs neared her neck....he immediately sunk them into her throat, drinking the warm liquid he so desperately hungered for.

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As Yami and Joey were searching, they heard a blood-curdling scream. "This way!" Yami cried out, and both ran immediately towards the sound they heard.

They quickly made it, only to find Kaiba hunched over in the grass, holding a woman limp in his arms, still having his mouth attached to her throat.

Yami gasped, "No....we're too late...."

Joey shouted loudly, "Kaiba!! What the hell are ya doing??!"

It was enough to snap Kaiba from his intoxicating buzz, and he immediately pulled away.

What Kaiba witnessed was him holding this woman limp in his arms, which had a horrible wound on her neck. And Kaiba instantly became fully aware it was an injury that he had just caused. His eyes widened in horror, absorbing the fact that he had just murdered someone.

Immediately, Kaiba dropped the woman and backed away in shock and horror. Yami and Joey ran over to her, checking her out.

"Wh....what have I done?" Kaiba whispered to himself, but enough for them to hear.

Yami checked her pulse, and lowered his head in mourning. "She's dead...."

Kaiba was trembling at this time, as he whispered out, "I....I killed her, I...."

He was literally going into shock. He knew there were despicable things he had done in his life and were capable of doing....but this was not one of those things. He just murdered a woman in cold blood, and he couldn't even figure out why.

Joey looked up at him, not sure what to think or do. Kaiba had regained the healthy look in his skin after feasting, though the fangs were evident in his mouth, and it was quite sick to look at him seeing the blood still around his mouth and teeth....the blood that once belonged to the woman he just killed. But Joey also knew it wasn't his fault. Kaiba didn't know what he was doing....it was that insane hunger that drove him.

But now that Kaiba had done this, that meant he was an official vampire. So, would Kaiba still be himself, or be consumed by what he had become....and only now see humans as a source of food?

Joey swallowed, asking, "K-Kaiba....you okay?" He hoped Kaiba's answer would give him an idea of what they were now up against.

Kaiba looked at his trembling hands, then over at the woman. He muttered out, "She....she was looking for her dog. She did nothing wrong, absolutely nothing. I just murdered someone....what the hell is wrong with me....??"

Yami finally stood and approached Kaiba, saying, "We tried to find you in time, but it's too late. I'm not sure what to do for you, now."

Kaiba glanced blankly over at Yami, like he was looking at an alien. 'I just murdered a woman. What in the world is Yugi talking about?' Was the only thought that came to his head.

As if Yami could sense his question, Yami answered, "Bakura told me the killer that had attacked you was in fact a real vampire. He explained to me that somehow the one that attacked you forced some of his own blood in you, which caused you to start changing into one of them. Feeding on someone I'm afraid was the last part that was needed to make you an official vampire. Even if we find the vampire that did this to you and destroy it, it wont be enough to bring you back. I'm sorry, Kaiba....if I only knew sooner."

'Some of his own blood in me?' Kaiba thought, remembering the point when he so foolishly licked the guys blood from his hand....perhaps now one of the biggest mistakes he'd ever made. The guy seemed to know exactly what Kaiba did, and laughed, leaving shortly after. The man knew, and he was out there somewhere....waiting for him.

"That's ridiculous." Kaiba blankly muttered. "There's no such thing as a vampire."

"Kaiba, even 'you' can't be that dumb!!" Joey snapped. He grabbed a small hand mirror out of his pocket and tossed it to him, saying, "Take a look....take a good look at those fangs you got, and tell me there aint no such thing!"

Kaiba opened the mirror and looked in....he wasn't amused. He glared at Joey, which now his glare froze Joey to the bone, as he launched the mirror back at him in disdain. "Only someone as stupid as you could find humor in a moment like this! Take your trick mirrors somewhere else!"

"Trick....mirror?" Joey asked.

Yami sighed. "Joey....he can't see his reflection, anymore."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Kaiba asked.

Yami stated, "You're a vampire, Kaiba. You can't see your reflection, because you no longer have one."

Kaiba narrowed his now violet eyes at Yami, not liking the insinuation. But what could he say to retort their claims? After all, didn't he just kill a woman by drinking up her blood? But wait....the doctor said he was anemic. Maybe that was it. Maybe he was lacking in a certain blood count, causing an illness that made it look like vampirism. Could that be it?

As he considered that, his tongue unconsciously licked at the blood still on his face, and over his teeth, including the two sharp fangs he suddenly had....something he never had before. 'Gods....could they be right?'

"I hope I'm not disturbing anything." A voice suddenly echoed out like a whisper for all of them to hear.

Everyone turned to see a strange man dressed in odd black clothing. Strangely....none of them heard him coming.

"Who are you?" Yami asked.

"It's 'him'!" Kaiba suddenly blurted, then eyes narrowed. "You're the one that attacked me."

"That's correct." The man smiled, as the word 'Seto....' came into Kaiba's mind once again, like the whisper of a long-lost lover. "I knew it wouldn't be long before you felt the need for blood and became one of us, my new pet."

"What do you want!" Yami cried out in anger. "Haven't you done enough to him in one eternity....you have to torture him, now??"

The vampire smirked, amused from this one. "You misunderstand, mortal. Your friend here was supposed to be my lunch. I didn't actually intend to make him one of me. That seemed to be his choice in the matter...."

"What the hell are you talking about? Kaiba didn't 'want' to be some blood-thirsty vampire!" Joey argued.

"Oh? That's strange. After all....he was the one that managed to shed some of my blood and then drink it, himself." The vampire stated in amusement.

The other two immediately looked over at Kaiba in confusion, wondering if any of this was true. "Though I can perfectly understand his craving to be a predator of the night, instead of one of the cattle. His act had now made him immortal, his powers above any normal human. Yes....I'd say he made the smartest move of his entire eternal life."

"Kaiba...." Yami said. "Tell us that's not true...."

But Kaiba was silent, as if still absorbing the shocking news of him being a vampire, and said nothing.

"What do you want here?" Joey said.

"What would any vampire want, human? I see a delicious meal in front of me for two vampires to feast on. My new pet....how would you like to join me for the first time for dinner? After all, it's already served for us on a silver platter." He said, eyeing both Yami and Joey hungrily.

For the first time, Kaiba blankly looked up at the other man, still hearing the strange alluring song from him in his head.... 'You belong to me, now'.

Yami immediately jumped in front of both Joey and Kaiba, snapping, "Forget it! You will not be doing any of the sort this day!"

"Oh?" The vampire said, transfixing his gaze at Yami.

But as he did, the Millennium Item came to life, as Yami's own scarlet eyes gazed back at him in strength and defiance, a third eye forming on his head. The vampire's eyes widened in surprise, not expecting a mortal to possess such powerful magic. The vampire was suddenly hesitant to face him this day, until he found out more on this unique human.

The gaze left Yami, and turned to Kaiba, saying, "Very well....I shall let you live this day. But I'm afraid your friend is coming with me."

"He's not going 'anywhere'!!" Yami snapped, still planning on battling this vampire with magic, if he had to. "Kaiba is our friend....he is staying with us."

"You cannot keep a vampire's pet from him, you fool. He is not the friend you once thought he was. He is one of us, now. I suggest you back away, mortal....you have no idea of the danger you are facing!" The vampire hissed.

"I don't care what danger I am facing, when it comes to the safety of my friends!" Yami exclaimed.

Before any more words could be said, Kaiba snapped, "Enough!" Silencing them all.

Kaiba glared over at Yami, spitting out, "I already told you more than enough times that I stand on my own, Yugi. I don't need your pathetic friendship group!"

"But....Kaiba." Yami said.

Kaiba then smirked, saying, "Besides....what makes you think I need you or anyone's protection?"

He turned away from Yami and Joey's confused silence, directing his vision to the vampire in front of him. Kaiba then approached the vampire himself, saying to him, "And you're right. I willingly took a part of you, knowing what it would do to me, making me what I am now. I have no intention on fighting you. I am yours....take me."

Kaiba held out his hand willingly to the vampire, who smiled back....pleased.

"Kaiba, no!!" Yami cried, as Joey just watched in shock and horror.

The vampire swept his arm around Kaiba, and in an instant they disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"I....I can't believe it. Kaiba willingly did this. He wanted to be a blood thirsty vampire...." Joey muttered, dropping to his knees. Then in frustration, he punched at the ground, snapping, "Why the hell should I even be surprised about it? He's always been a power-hungry prick, since the day we met him. The bastard! Did he ever consider how that might affect Mokuba???"

Yami looked off to the distant area ahead, where both Kaiba and the vampire were a moment ago.

He then said, "You're not alone, Joey. I too find it hard to believe....very hard to believe." Infact, Yami still found it too unbelievable, and refused to accept it.

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Yami and Joey returned to Kaiba's mansion, and was forced to disappoint Mokuba when he realized they made it back empty-handed. Mokuba was shocked to find them return with bits of blood on them, but was even more shocked to hear what they had to inform the younger Kaiba about, letting him know what happened to his brother.

Mokuba didn't want to believe it at first, but too many things Kaiba had been doing forced Kaiba's little brother to face the truth.

The police were called on the attack, from that woman who was murdered in the park. Yami and Joey explained they were witnesses that merely found the body after the murder. They didn't mention anything about Kaiba, incase he returned to the mansion before morning.

No one was blamed for what happened, pinning it on the serial killer. But after it was all over with, now they were left with trying to figure out what to do.

Yami knew this vampire had to be killed, before he became a threat to anyone else. As for Kaiba....they were still struggling with that dilemma. He was now a vampire. Did that mean he too had to be killed? Wouldn't he also feast on people like food, and kill them at night? If he did, then he would have to be stopped, as well. But the thought of killing someone Yami saw as one of his friends....this was a decision he could not take lightly. And what about Mokuba? He needed his brother....but what would become of him, now? For all they knew, Mokuba may also be in danger of his own brother, though he insisted that was not true.

Only time could tell what would happen. But for now, they had to prepare....to kill a vampire.

narr: Wow.....somehow I missed my Monday deadline. Sorry about that, but all hell broke loose over here. But now I'm back and sending the next update....I hope you all enjoyed it.

xXXkIkOkEnxXx and Jasmine Reinier - Yes, it seems there are a lot of writers complaining about the new changes that this websight made. I personally can't understand why they are going to such extremes. It's one thing to try and keep glitches from the storylines and make it as neat and understanding as possible. But it's another thing entirely, when they take it to the point where it effects and messes up everyone past fics. I'm afraid to go back to my other stories and see what it did to them all. But if they continue this, they're going to start chasing off the writers. (And I agree, Jasmine. Kaiba makes such a cool vampire....) ;)

cantdueldontaskme - Thanks for the praises. And yes.....there are certain words that always get me confused. I'll try to fix the error, sometime. For the longest time, I had trouble with the word naive, spelling it nieve all the time. The problem was my spell checker couldn't find the correct spelling.....so I had no choice to leave it that way. But I finally figured it out. But yes, I probably meant worse.....thanks.

And thank you everyone for your reviews, and comments. I'm glad to see so many people excited over my story.