Usagi sat quietly in his hutch, munching on a lettuce leaf and watching Lee-Ann finish her homework. Suddenly a slight tapping on the top caught his attention and he looked up to see a squirrel with brightly rainbow-coloured fur, spiked up and covered in sparkles.
:who are you?:
:got something for you.: The squirrel giggled and dropped a nut in the hutch. :eat that before she takes you out again. And you don't know who I am…in fact, you're not even sure I exist:
Usagi eyed the treat speculatively before munching it down. The plotbunny shivered as new ideas began to bloom.
Title: A Game of Masques
Chapter: 6/?
Author: Silvershadowfire
Rating: This chapter – PG-13.R for later lemons and violence.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own YuGiOh, - the story is mine.
Note: They're both psycho is this one, but just to keep them straight, Malik is the violent psychotic 'yami' and Marik is the sociopathic 'hikari'.
Note 2: Remember that Ludus in Yugi's given name in this fic. It means "Game" in Latin.
Note 3: Review replies and special thanks are at the bottom.
Chapter 6 – Shopping Trip!
Motou Kyoshori paced in the antechamber of his boss' office, silently fuming. Four days. It had been four days since Yami had vanished; where the hell had the boy gone? He'd turned over every stone in Domino, but to no effect. All of Yami's schoolmates said they hadn't seen him – nor did they know of any friends the boy might have gone to. Damned ungrateful brat – how dare he defy his punishment!
But he had gone as far as he dared alone without bringing the police in on the matter – and that would not do. People today had no idea of how to properly discipline a child – if the media got hold of this, or some bleeding-heart liberal group, his reputation would be smeared. But he still needed help, someone with influence beyond Domino.
His company - KameMototu Industries – was a subsidiary to Kaiba Corp, one of the largest companies in Japan. And much as Kyoshori personally disliked the boy who had taken over the company after Kaiba Gozoboro had stepped down, he couldn't deny that Kaiba Seto was one of the greatest and most powerful men in Japan right now. He had been raised correctly – Gozoboro was not the sort to allow for any of this mamby-pambyshit – and would, if approached correctly, no doubt help with finding Kyoshori's wayward son.
"You may go in now." The secretary informed him – Kyoshori nodded curtly and took a deep breath before entering. Businessmen were never ruffled or upset.
As soon as he stepped in the room, Kaiba Seto snapped "What do you want, Motou-san?"
Inwardly snarling at the lack of repect in this whelp's tone, Kyoshori approached the heavy oak desk calmly. "I am sorry to disturb you, Kaiba-sama, but I have a problem that I require your assistance with."
"Really." Kaiba sounded bored. "I haven't got the time to help you find your brat, you know. I have a company to run, and so do you."
Kyoshori growled silently. He should have known Kaiba would have his ear to the ground. "I understand. I simply wished to humbly request you to send word to your people around Japan, and maybe a description, so that if anyone sees him…after all, he has no street sense. The boy cannot survive on his own."
"It is not my fault you raised him to be weak." Kaiba snapped. "If you've got a picture, leave it with me and I'll see what I can do – when I have the time."
"Thank you, Kaiba-sama." Kyoshori slid a picture of Yami across the desk and bowed before leaving the room, keeping his urge to snarl under control. As soon as he left the room, he spat to one side to get the taste of groveling off his tongue.
---------- ------- ----------
Seto had no time to react to the sudden appearance of two people in his office, both dressed in robes of dark indigo. One held up a golden rod, the Eye on the artifact glowing brightly. Seto's eyes became blank blue orbs as his mind was overcome by the power of the Sennen Rod. Marik stalked over to the desk, ignoring the mortal completely.
"That him?" Malik lowered the Rod now that control had been established. He glanced over at his twin.
"Yes and no." Marik answered, glancing at the picture he had taken from Seto's desk. "He kind of looks like Ludus, but…
"How 'kind of?'"
"Well, short hair and brown eyes rather than amethyst; sharper features, not quite so soft…but those are cosmetic changes. I find it hard to believe he would actually be living undercover as the child of a business man."
"You never can tell. After all, if he thought that someone might come after him… And if he was the son of someone important, it would be easier to get laid."
"Have you ever met him? Trust me, Ludus needs no help in that department." Marik smirked at the photo. "At any rate, it is a lead. Shall we go check out his house?"
"Hold on." Malik held out the Rod, focusing its power on Seto. "You will use all your resources to find 'Motou Yami.' Understand?"
"Yes." Seto's voice was flat.
"Good." Malik smirked at his twin, an evil glint in his eye. "Let's go."
----------- ------- ----------- --------- ---------
"Come on, Yami!" Yugi laughed as they left the train station at the Tokyo Megamall.
Yami smiled slightly, infected by Yugi's enthusiasm. The demon - who looked fully human again, and a young, hyper human at that – ran ahead and bounced back, taking Yami's hand and pulling him along.
After his conversation with Yugi he hadn't quite fallen asleep again, but instead had drifted into a kind of relaxed half-daze, reveling in the fact that he was actually being held by his secret love. They had talked for a while longer, just about inconsequential things.
When Yami had let slip that he had not been out at a mall since he was nine – and in fact, hadn't gone shopping or to an arcade, or as Yugi so succinctly put it, done anything fun since then, Yugi had insisted they spend the day at the mall.
Yami had to admit he needed clothes – but he felt a little guilty using Yugi's money.
"NO BROODING!" Yugi grinned playfully to take the sting out of his words. The incubus waved his finger under Yami's nose in a mock-scolding manner. "This is a day of fun. And don't worry about money – you need a whole new wardrobe, and I have lots to spare. Come on!"
He steered them to what must be his favorite shop – the Leather Store. Yami shook his head as Yugi dragged him inside.
"Yugi…" he started. The demon ignored him, rushing from rack to rack in excitement. "Yugi!" he tried again, shocking himself when he actually raised his voice.
"What is it, Yami?" Yugi asked, looking at him with a confused expression. He was still holding onto a pair of black leather pants Yami knew he's never be able to squeeze into.
"I…don't think that leather is my thing," he stammered slightly.
"I'm sorry." Yugi blushed, lowering his eyes. "I just…never mind. What store do you want to go to?"
A decision. Yami blinked…other than his choice to stay with Yugi, he hadn't made one of those without Father's advice since…since he was twelve. And he had never been allowed to choose something as significant as his mode of dress.
Clothes are a weapon, boy. Never appear in pubic in inappropriate clothing.
"Earth to Yami." Yugi waved a hand in front of his face. He snapped out of his memory before it could overtake his mind completely.
"Sorry, Yugi. Um…I really don't know what I would like. I usually wear my school uniform or a suit."
"Hmm." Yugi dragged him out of the store and stood them in the middle of the hallway. Yami could make out at least a dozen stores that sold clothing.
"Pick one." Yugi gestured grandly. "And don't think about what I would like either." He added, as though he could read the teenager's mind. "Or what your father would like. This is about you."
Just like when he had chosen to stay with Yugi. Yami took a deep breath, looking at each store in turn. Finally he picked a place that sold clothing similar to what he had on now – jeans and a sweatshirt.
"You got it!" Yugi grinned.
Four hours of shopping later, they were carrying so many bags they needed to use a shopping cart – which was currently in danger of overflowing. Yugi seemed a little bit tired – Yami was exhausted, but happy. He didn't realize that such a simple thing as shopping for his own clothes could be so – exhilarating. He pushed the cart with one hand, a Rocky Road ice-cream cone in the other. He savored the cold treat, not losing a single drop; he couldn't remember the last time Mother had permitted him anything that could be considered 'bad' for you. And he hadn't had Rocky Road since he'd left Jii-chan's house.
"Gotta go use the boy's room." Yugi tapped the cart to get his attention. "Meet me at the food court, okay?"
"Sure." Yami nodded, watching the demon sprint off. He'd never thought of supernatural creatures having to do that…but then, if something went in…
He blushed slightly. That brought him around to other…biological thoughts. Another reason he didn't want tight leather pants was the fact that he had a hard-on three or four times a day now; usually when he started daydreaming about his new roommate. Watching Yugi walk was a turn on…and when he smiled, or when his lids drooped in a sexy expression, or…God. He was getting hard now. Frantically he willed his body to behave as he resolutely turned his attention to his destination.
Yami had time to find a table before Yugi showed up, grinning from ear to ear.
"Got something for you!" he proclaimed in a sing-song voice, hiding his hands behind his back.
"For me? But…"
"Saw this in the window, and I just had to get it for you." Suddenly his demeanor changed from teasing and mischievous to earnest and almost…nervous. "I hope you like it." Quickly he brought his hands around, holding out a box that appeared to be made from solid gold, with strange carvings on the outside – they almost looked Egyptian.
Yami stared at the gift, not knowing what to say. "Yugi…it's beautiful." He managed to stammer. Carefully he took it from the demon, who slid into the seat across from him as Yami placed the box on the table.
"Open it up." Yugi coaxed, watching him expectantly. "I remembered something you told me on the train, about how much you loved games and puzzles. I have a whole bunch of games at home – but I saw this and I thought that you had to have it."
Yami opened the box to reveal a jumble of golden pieces. Gently he reached in and pulled one out, admiring the glitter of the gold and the smooth coolness of the metal. The pieces seemed to glow with a pale aura under the florescent lights; it reminded him of Yugi dancing, and he felt his heart give a little flutter.
"Thank you, Yugi." He glanced back at the demon. Yugi smiled that angelic smile of his, eyes dancing with delight. In that instant, Yami was sorely tempted to just lean over and kiss him.
But then someone knocked the buggy with his clothes in it, sending them cascading to the floor. Yami shrieked, dropping the piece back into the box in order to rescue the clothes.
----- ----- ----- -----
"SURPRISE!"
Yami just about jumped out of his skin when the door to Yugi's apartment opened and the wave of sound blasted out.
Yugi just grinned and bowed Yami into the apartment.
Someone had taken advantage of the fact they had been at the mall to redecorate – candles burned on nearly every flat surface, filling the air with scent. The kitchen counters almost groaned with food, and at least half-a-dozen people were watching him.
Yami gulped. He wasn't used to being the centre of attention like this, but at least none of it felt bad- just a little awkward.
The next few minutes passed in a blur as he was introduced to all the guests:
A tall blonde with messy hair in jeans, a white T-shirt and a contagious grin accosted him first.
"Hey, I'm Jounouchi Katsuya – you can call me Jou if you like. And this is my sister Shizuka. Nice to meet a new friend of Yugi's."
"Yes, it is nice to meet you." Shizuka added softly, bowing. Her hair was a darker shade than Jou's and her eyes a strange green-grey. She was in a short-jumpsuit, her hair reaching almost to her waist. Her Japanese was very formal.
Right behind the blond came a slightly taller man dressed in a white shirt and brown pants, his dark brown hair done in a single point. "Hey. Name's Honda – and this is my girlfriend Miho." A pretty blonde in a school uniform with a yellow ribbon tied in her hair smiled at him and waved.
"Yami!" Yugi called, towing two white-haired men who could be twins towards him. Jou and Honda backed off to give them room. They were dressed identically in skin-tight black jeans and midnight blue turtleneck sweaters.
"These are my good friends; Ryou and Bakura." The former gave Yami a friendly smile – the latter gave him a wicked grin. "And this" Yugi pointed a thumb over his shoulder – "is Otogi." The last turned out to be a black-haired man with vivid green eyes, dressed like a gamer-punk.
"Nice…to meet you all." Out of habit, Yami kept his eyes downcast and tried to smooth out his clothing. No one seemed to notice his nerves – Yugi took his hand and led him to middle of the room, where he grinned and put the stereo remote in Yami's hand. "It's your party – pick the music."
Pretty soon things were in full swing. Yami could see none of them were drinking, but no one seemed to mind – everyone was laughing, talking and generally enjoying themselves. They also – especially Otogi, Ryou and Yugi – took pains to make sure that the teen wasn't excluded.
As soon as he could, he slipped into the bathroom and sat on the toilet, trying to gather his whirling thoughts. They had all been so friendly – had it been just for Yugi's sake, or had they really meant it?
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
"He's lovely, Yugi." The demon turned from watching Jounouchi mock-fight with Honda to meet Otogi's eye. Other than Ryou and Bakura, Otogi was the only other demon in the group – andlike Yugi, he was an incubus.
"Yes, he is." The comment came out sharper than he had intended, but then he had noticed the way that Otogi had been eyeing the teenager most of the evening.
"I don't suppose you would consider sharing…"
Yugi growled. "Don't even THINK of that. He's mine, understand? No-one is touching him except me. You can just keep your hands to yourself!"
Otogi's eyes went huge. "Sorry. I didn't mean anything by it."
Yugi snapped his mouth closed, stomach clenching. "I'm sorry." He managed finally. "It's just…I can't bear the thought of anyone with him except me." He glanced up at his friend, slight shame making his cheeks turn pink. "I shouldn't have snapped."
"You…you're in love with him, aren't you?" Otogi sounded shocked.
"Yes."
"Well, I didn't expect that." The incubus grabbed him by an arm and tugged the smaller demon away from the ruckus and out onto the deck. "Okay…how much did your parents tell you?"
Yugi raised an eyebrow. "I am fairly familiar with the birds and the bees, Otogi."
"Not that. I mean about demon mating practices."
"Well…" Yugi paused. "They told me that the chances of falling in love with a mortal were practically nil…"
"Right." Otogi sighed and leaned against the banister. "Listen close, kiddo."
Yugi didn't take offence that the term. Compared to Otogi, who was nearly 1800, he was a kid.
"There is something demons do when they want to mate for life…it's a magical blood-bond. Something like the human's marriage, but…well, in manifests a little differently in everyone. And I have no idea how or if it will work with a mortal. But the important thing is that right now, any demon could claim Yami if they could get him away from you. With the bond, you could use your power to protect him no matter where in the multiverse you are. And if something happened to him, you would be able to track him down.
"But there is a down-side. Both sides must be willing. If you tried to establish the blood-bond on Yami unwilling, he would be nothing better than your mindless slave."
"Does that mean…"
"Yes. Ryou and Bakura told me that Malik and Marik are hunting you. If they catch him, they could bond him unwilling and use him against you…and vice versa."
Yugi swallowed. In the main apartment, he saw that Yami had emerged from the bathroom, and was now seated between Ryou and Shizuka, eating some crackers, occasionally giggling at something one or the other said. He looked- almost happy.
"Yugi." Otogi said, catching his attention again. "Think hard. Do you really love him? I know you want him…but is it really love?"
"Yes." Yugi answered, never taking his eyes from the teenager. "I haven't taken him that way, Otogi. I'm waiting until he's ready. But I don't want anyone to take him away from me." He glared up at the other demon, his voice firming. "No one will ever take him from me."
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Much later, the guests gone and the apartment cleaned, Yugi sat on the edge of his bed, watching Yami sleep. The teenager had collapsed after the party, exhausted from the day and emotional stress; he'd actually fallen asleep on the couch – Yugi had tucked him into the bed, taking the opportunity to touch the teen's soft skin and run his fingers through that silky hair. He could feel himself hardening as he listened to his love breathe.
I could make him mine. Yugi thought, fiddling with a sharp-pointed knife in one hand. Otogi had told him the ritual – it was stunningly simple. I could do it now, and he would never leave me, and we would be happy together – I know we would. A single drop of blood in Yami's mouth, a single drop of Yami's in his, a few words to focus the binding…So easy…and he would be mine, and I would keep him safe and loved for ever and ever.
Beside him, the teenager began to moan. Yugi's sensitive nose caught a whiff of pheromones… Yami was having a wet dream.
But…even if I love him, and even if he loves me, would he want to be bound to a demon? Would he be willing to take the chance that theremight be side-effects, because he is mortal?
Yami groaned louder. "Yugi…" he whispered, hands moving jerkily under the sheets as his body sought release. "God… yes… please."
But I would be able to keep him…and he would be happy, he would, I know he would…and his father would never be able to take him from me. The knife hovered over Yugi's fingers, waiting to draw his black demon blood, to draw Yami's.
"YUGI!" Yami screamed in the height of his ecstasy. The demon groaned, dropping the knife on the floor and burying his hands in his hair.
I can't. That would be worse than what his father did to him…at least then Yami still had his own thoughts. I want his love…not the mindless adoration of a spell-bound slave. Beside him, the teenager fell into deeper sleep again. Yugi shivered and rubbed his eyes, suddenly cold, trying to still the guilt at what he had been contemplating. I love you, Yami…
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End of chapter 6.
Special thanks to Cha Oseye Tempest Thrain, my beta, without whom this chapter (and every other chapter) would not be as good as it is.
Review Replies: Sixteen again! You guys seem to be liking this story or something.
Amber Eyes23: I'm glad you like. There will be a lemon, and don't worry. I have a few interesting things in mind…just be sure to read the whole thing!
Black Scarab: He does have great self-control, doesn't he? Too bad it driving the poor guy up the wall!
Shadow-lover: I hope you continue reading, and here's the next chapter!
Reshin: Thanks!
Soul Dreamer: (jumps from being poked) Okay, okay, stop poking, here's the next chapter!
Lisa: (waves hand in front of face) Hello? I'm glad you're enjoying the story, and part of the inspiration for this story was to make Yugi the powerful/supernatural/tougher one.
Sansi: (glomp) Tomodachi! Thanks so much for the support! (waves to audience and points to Sansi) She's my second beta!
Yugi and Mai: Marik is the hikari and Malik is the yami. I try to keep that consistant though all my fics. Glad you like the story and my descriptions!
Pillywiggin: Sorry, they didn't…yet. But they will!
Nekostar 2: Yeah, I'm having fun with Yami like this. It's nice to see Yugi as the support system.
Misoka: Thanks! And I'm glad you found my darkness theory interesting. I've always loved the shadows anyway, and the thought of them as the raw material of creation is actually the basis for a lot of creation myths around the world. (If you read between the lines)
xxhot-and-sexy-xx: Here you go!
ailisa d. frieson: Here's more!
Sarah Costa: Yep, as you can see, Yami's father isn't just sitting on his duff waiting for Yami to come home.
Ladywolf(Terri: Thanks (blush)
Eternal SailorM: Yeah, I want to cuddle Yami too…but there's this jealous demon I have to get past first…Anyway, here's the next chapter!
Thanks for all the support, and to all the people reading this! Please drop me a line and let me knowwhat you think.
Je ne!