Jadira: Okay, first of all, a thank you to my reviewers, chibikuro rose-sama, Rockinmuffin, and natalie. You guys are so sweet! As usual, it's taken me a while to update because as cool as this chapter is, it took me a while to write. I was to busy reading other people's fics!
Tate: That is so sad. You won't update your own, but you'll read other people's.
Jadira: They inspire me shut up. On with the fic!
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-gi-oh. Geez, one would think you'd all have figured this out by now…
Chapter Four: IdiocyWhen Duke woke several hours after he'd gone to bed, it was nearly two o'clock in the morning. He already felt weak and dizzy. It had been nearly two weeks since he'd last managed to get blood, and now he needed more. Badly. A vampire usually 'ate' every few days. If they went too long without feeding, they could literally waste away. Duke ran a hand through his hair, tied it back in its usual ponytail, and went downstairs.
He'd nearly reached the front door when he suddenly noticed a small beam of light coming from a half-open door. Recognizing it as the library, Duke decided to investigate. Peeking around the thick mahogany door, he was vaguely surprised to see Jaide curled up in a chair with a heavy book settled in her lap.
After a slight glance around, Duke grinned with slight amusement. A candle sat on the table next to Jaide, casting its glow so her light chestnut hair seemed almost golden. A small stack of books also sat on the table, placed meticulously far enough from the candle so the dry pages wouldn't catch fire.
Duke stood in the doorway for another moment, doing nothing except watching Jaide. Her face had a look of total concentration. Her eyes were, for once, fixed on something other than the floor. For the first time since Duke had seen her several hours ago, she seemed…relaxed.
Duke gave a small, soft smile before he turned on his heel and left for the village, trying to ignore his suddenly racing heart.
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Duke licked his lips and smiled almost sadistically. For the last forty-five minutes, he'd been following his meal around the village. She was tall with dark skin and hair, a plump body, and plenty of blood flowing through her veins. She was scantily clad-probably a whore on her way home after a long night.
Not much longer now. They'd reached a remote, nearly deserted part of the village. Duke stood hidden within the shadows of an alley a few yards ahead of his unsuspecting prey.
Just as she strolled by his small alcove, a pale hand darted out and tugged her into the darkness with inhuman strength. She barely had the chance to scream before she was spun around to face her captor. Black eyes widened with fear and trepidation as she saw Duke's emerald eyes gleaming at her hungrily. Sharp, slender pointed canines glistened as he bent his head to her neck.
Duke's eyes closed as he felt the life giving blood leave her body. His fangs sank into the tender flesh, the woman's body slowly weakening as he drank her blood. Even as she grew weaker, Duke felt the strength returning to his limbs. Gods, he'd needed this.
Finally, he felt her go completely still. He lowered her body to the ground and casually licked his lips before leaving. Glancing at the horizon, Duke was slightly alarmed to see the beginning of pre-dawn's light showing. If he wanted to make it back to the manor before sunrise, he'd have to leave now and not stop for anything.
Unfortunately, luck was not on his side. He was stopped as he left the village by a surly guard who demanded to know who he was and what business he had being about so late.
"I am called Sayid. I was…" Duke paused and grinned, being careful not to show his fangs. "I was with a woman. Now I am going home." He smirked to himself. 'It's true enough I guess,' he thought wryly.
"Well, alright then. But be careful, you never know what kind of creeps are out at this time of night." The guard waved him on.
"Never know indeed." Duke chuckled and went on his way.
He was almost halfway home when the sun began to rise. Cursing in Egyptian, the worried vampire ran faster, trying to make it back before a ray of light hit his pale skin. It was almost five o'clock in the morning when the manor finally came into view. Unfortunately, so did the sun.
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Jaide was still in the library, dozing on the chair where Duke had seen her before he left. Her long chestnut braid lay across her shoulder. Suddenly, a noise woke her up. She sat bolt upright in the chair, the heavy book falling to the floor, forgotten. The sound came again, an unearthly howl filled with agony and fear. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest with the utter shock of the cry.
Jaide stepped gingerly to the window and moved the curtain aside an inch or two. Her eyes widened.
Outside stood Duke, back bent in anguish as the rays of sun hit his body. He screamed again, completely helpless. He was paralyzed with pain, he couldn't move to safety. He fell to his knees, pale skin blistering with painful-looking burns.
Making a split-second decision, Jaide backed up several steps. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and ran at the window. As she fell, the glass shattered with a most satisfying sound. Miraculously, none of it cut Jaide's skin. She landed nimbly, with the grace of a cat, on the sand several yards below.
Duke lay where he'd fallen, skin completely burnt where his clothes didn't cover it. His eyes were squeezed shut, pain contorting his aquiline features. Jaide grabbed his upper arms and he suddenly mumbled something incoherent. He grabbed her arm, and she looked down.
Even in his delirium, Duke's mind seemed to snap to attention for a moment. He found himself gazing up into eyes of a paler blue than winter's ice, a deeper cerulean than the ocean's waters. They were a myriad of varying shades of blue, all mingling together. He was drowning in their depths…
Jaide didn't know what to do when Duke suddenly went limp in her arms. Glancing frantically around, she realized the stables were closer than the front door of the house. Making up her mind, she started dragging the taller man towards the safety of shade.
Inside the house, Yami and Bakura sat up straight n the living room where they'd been lounging with their lovers when they heard the window shatter. "What in Ra's name was that?" asked Malik; Ryou curled up on his lap. Kaiba and Jou were in their bedroom, doing only the God's know what.
"I don't know," answered Yami. He glanced at Bakura. "But I think we should check it out." They all nodded and donned their sun-protective cloaks. Once they were all properly covered, they went outside.
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Jaide propped Duke against one of the rough wood walls, brushing a strand of raven colored hair out of his closed eyes. She felt helpless; she had no idea what to do to help the man. Her deep blue eyes suddenly found the knife he wore in a leather sheath at his belt. She wrapped her slender fingers around it and tugged it free.
The wide stable doors suddenly opened again. There stood Yami, Bakura, Malik, Marik, Ryou, and Yugi, all wrapped carefully in their black cloaks. Yami stepped forward nervously at the sight of Jaide holding the dagger, looking for all the world as though she was ready to stab Duke.
"You can't kill him like that you know," said Yami.
Jaide cast him a contemptuous glare, and they all realized she'd finally let them see her eyes. The icy blue they were made Kaiba's look like dull crayons.
Jaide suddenly lifted the dagger and took another deep breath. She dragged the shiny blade horizontally across her wrist, allowing only a slight gasp of pain as the blood welled. By now she'd realized that he was a vampire and needed blood to live, and although he'd just had a 'meal,' the sun's burns had sapped what little strength he had left after the long run home.
Jaide held her arm to Duke's lips and tilted his head back, urging him to drink. The scent of fresh blood seemed to have roused him, as he immediately grabbed her forearm and greedily lapped up her sweet blood. Jaide groaned, as she suddenly felt extremely dizzy. Her normally tan skin seemed paler somehow. All the while, Yami and the others stood at the doors in shock. They couldn't believe she was actually helping Duke.
Finally, the vampire had his fill, his wounds already beginning to heal. He fell backwards, completely unconscious. Jaide's breath came in short gasps. She leaned against the wall for a moment before she too collapsed.
Her fall jarred Bakura and the others into action. They gathered up Jaide and Duke's limp bodies and carried them inside after they'd covered Duke with his own cloak for protection.
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Eyes opened slowly, trying to bring the blurry vision into focus. He blinked and could suddenly see. The room was dark, save for several candles placed on various tables. Duke sat straight up in bed, suddenly remembering the earlier events. Gods, he didn't even know what time it was, or even the day.
A gentle but firm hand suddenly pushed him back down onto the bed. "Lay still," whispered Yami. "You're not yet fully healed."
"How long have I been out?" Duke asked, voice gone slightly hoarse. Yami chuckled.
"You have been unconscious for four days."
Duke was astonished. "Then why aren't I weak? I'd have needed more blood, especially with all the burns I have…" He felt his face with suddenly smooth hands. "My burns!" he exclaimed. "They're gone!"
Yami smiled. "Yes, your burns are gone. But you still need rest."
Duke rolled his eyes. "But tell me friend, how can I still feel this strong? If I've been out as long as you say, I should be much weaker."
Yami stepped gracefully to the side. "You're forgetting one thing, my brother." As he moved, Duke could see a small figure laid out beneath a blanket on the floor. With a start, he realized it was Jaide. She seemed paler than usual, but other than that seemed to be fine as far as he could see.
"What's she doing in my room?" Duke demanded. Yami wanted to slap him.
"What's she doing in here?" he hissed back. "She's saving your life you ungrateful bastard!" He suddenly strode over to her and lifted the girl easily from her makeshift bed.
"What are you doing?"
"Just shut up and hold on a minute," Yami replied, settling Jaide's slight frame on the edge of Duke's large bed. He gently lifted her arm turned it so Duke could see her wrist. The usually unshakable vampire recoiled in shock.
"What happened to her?" he asked, still staring. For on the teen's wrist was a deep horizontal cut. "Did she try to kill herself or something?"
"You idiot!" Yami exclaimed as he laid Jaide back onto the blanket. "She gave herself that cut when she dragged you out of the sun four days ago. She's been giving you her blood whenever she wakes up, and she doesn't stop until she passes out again."
Duke's emerald eyes were wide with surprise. "But…why would she do that?" he stammered.
"I have no idea," said Yami. "But you'll have to wait until she wakes up to ask her." He turned and left the room, calling back, "I'll be with Yugi. Give a yell if you need anything."
Duke nodded dumbly and sat back in the bed, pondering any possible reason why Jaide would have helped him, each more unlikely than the last.
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Jadira: Whew. Glad I finally got that finished. I really liked this chapter, so please don't flame me. I don't mind constructive criticism and helpful hints, but I detest flamers.
Tate: Je deteste vous.
Jadira: Oh shut the hell up. You probably don't even know what that means. Anywise, R&R please!