Title: A Game of Masques

Chapter: 7/?

Author: Lee-Ann Shadowdancer (AKA Silvershadowfire)

Rating: This chapter – PG-13.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own YuGiOh, - the story is mine.

Chapter 7 – Assembling the Pieces

Yami woke suddenly, emerging from some dream that faded swiftly beyond recall. Pulling aside the curtains, he glanced at the clock on the wall – nearly ten in the morning. The apartment was eerily quiet as Yami stood, stretching the kinks out of his body.

Stomach growling, Yami walked to the kitchen, listening curiously for any sign of Yugi. He question was answered when he found a note on the counter next to a bowl of rice and fried eggs under a metal dish.

Yami:

Gone to get groceries – we're running short. I should be gone for a few hours. I hope you don't mind. There's a bento box in the fridge for lunch, and I promise I'll bring us something home for dinner. Anyway, if you get lonely, there's a list of phone numbers by the telephone if you want to call anyone – my cell will be on as well. See you later!

Love, Yugi.

Yami blinked at the final salutation, feeling a blush rising in his cheeks. His stomach rumbled again, reminding him that it needed to be fed; he finished the meal quickly, placing the dishes in the sink before going to Yugi's closet for a change of clothes.

The closet, next to the bathroom, was a clever affair – the door was hidden in the wall paneling. He'd found it himself yesterday, impressing his housemate.

Pressing the hidden switch, Yami watched the door slide aside and walked into the huge space. Maybe it was simply the wings, but Yugi seemed to have a need for all the spaces in his house to be open. This walk-in closet was no exception.

Yugi must have rearranged things this morning before he had gone out; one half of the racks and hangers held Yugi's clothes; on the other hung his own new clothes, mostly jeans of various shades and sweaters or sweatshirts. He had bought a few silk dress shirts at Yugi's insistence, and a pair of tight-fitting leather pants, but he didn't think he'd ever have the ability to wear them in public without blushing bright red.

Grabbing a change of clothes, Yami left the closet and headed to the bathroom. On the way he heard the telephone ring.

I wonder if that's Yugi. he thought as he answered it. "Moshi moshi?"

"Hey, Yami!" Jounouchi's voice sounded cheerful. "Listen, I was wondering if you and Yugi wanted to go to the arcade this afternoon, after school."

"Um." Yami had no idea what to say. He'd never gotten such an invitation before, and if he'd had, he wouldn't have had the freedom to say yes. "I…don't know. Yugi isn't home right now…"

"Well, you wanna come?"

"Yes, but…"

"Great! We'll pick you up at the apartment about 3:30, kay? Later!" And the call was lost as Jounouchi hung up. Yami stared at the receiver for a long moment, wondering what he was supposed to do now. Maybe… He glanced over at the list of number and dialed the one for Yugi's cell.

"Moshi moshi." He heard on the other end after a couple rings.

"Hello, Yugi." Yami started. "Um…Jounouchi invited us out to the arcade after school."

"Cool!" Yugi replied. "I don't think I can make it – but go ahead if you want to. Have fun! There's some money in the cupboard inside the coffee can. Help yourself."

"Are you sure?" Yami really couldn't believe his ears.

"Yeah. I'm not gonna hold you prisoner in my apartment, Yami. Have fun; the guys are great company, so don't worry."

"Alright… What time should I be home?"

"Dinner's at six, so anytime before then. If you get delayed, give me a call, 'kay?"

"Sure..."

"Bye!"

"Goodbye…" Yami blinked again as the phone line buzzed at him. He hung it up and turned away, back towards his initial destination, an odd feeling in the pit of his stomach.

It took him a moment to realize the sensation was excitement.

----- ----- ----- ----- ---- --- ---- ---

Yugi hung up the phone and flapped his wings faster, taking some solace in the feeling of the wind through his hair. He was almost at his destination, and just as glad Yami hadn't asked where he was.

The note hadn't been a lie – they did need food, but it didn't take him all day to shop for groceries. No, he had another plan. He needed to know what Yami's father had been doing for the last few days. The last thing he and his love needed was an unpleasant surprise.

Swooping down on the house where Yami's parents lived, he landed quietly in the tree outside Yami's old window, slipping inside. He used his powers to make himself invisible and intangible to mortals before heading through the house to the study.

To his shock, the house seemed to be deserted; eerie silence reigned in the hallways. As he approached the study, sound finally met his ears – the sound of papers moving. Ducking his head in the half-open door, the incubus nearly had a heart attack on the spot.

Moving around in the room was not Motou Kyoshori, but Marik and Malik! The twin hunter-demons were searching through the human's personal effects, while Kyoshori himself sat at the desk, eyes blank and unseeing.

Yugi whipped back around the doorframe, trying not to breathe too loud as he fought down a panic attack. They hadn't seen him…oh Hell, what was he supposed to do now? He couldn't stay – they would smell his fear if he lingered here too long.

Idiot…you can control your bodily functions! He fought back raw panic, trying to concentrate. Gradually his breathing slowed; his heartbeat returned to normal. He fought his body's natural urge to sweat; they would pick that up for sure.

He closed his eyes and concentrated more; if they decided to speak, he had to know. Had they found him? Why were they looking though Yami's father's things?

"I don't see anything here." One of them said at last. Yugi peeked around the doorway.

A different voice came from the older brother, Malik, the one with the wilder hair and golden staff. Legend said that he had clawed his way out of his mother's womb, making way for his younger twin. "Alright, mortal…were you there at Yami's birth?"

"Yes." Kyoshori answered dully. Under different circumstances, Yugi might have taken satisfaction out of seeing Yami's father in that situation. He was obviously spellbound.

"Damn." Malik growled slightly as his hands fisted in frustration. "We know Ludus was here – I can smell his scent."

"Yes, but it's old, brother." Marik pointed out. "He might have been here, but not for long, and only once. It isn't near as strong as it was on the tree outside, nor even in the boy's room. No, I think that Yugi was here…and that he took a fancy to the mortal boy, and kidnapped him."

shitshitshit It wouldn't take them long to figure out where he had gone. Tokyo was the largest city near to Domino, and with their abilities to track…

Yami, I might be late for dinner… A gamble, but at this point he had no choice. He had to lay a false trail away from Tokyo – clear south to Okinawa if he had to – then hide his trail and double back north. Thanks be to the Nine Circles they couldn't track him by scent when he was in the air.

So he turned and headed for the front door. The thought of what he was about to do almost made him physically ill, but…

I'm not important…but I can't leave Yami unprotected. Then he quite deliberately opened the door, crept out and slammed it behind him.

His ears caught the sound of running feet – he was already in the air and accelerating when the door below crashed open.

"It's him!" Malik snarled and two wingbeats thundered to life behind him. Yugi looked over his shoulder; both demons were hot on his tail, and gaining. They were faster than he – he hadn't counted on that. But they might not be as agile.

Please don't let them be as agile. He waited until they were almost on him, then folded his wings and dived, spinning in the air to fly back the way he'd come. He heard cursing as they banked to come after him; Yugi dropped again, turning slowly east and south. He stretched his wings, flying low until he saw clouds dotting the clear blue sky. Now he strained upwards as fast as he could, his breathing harsh in the thinning air. The wingbeats were closing again – he couldn't win this race. His spine tingled – at the last moment he dodged. Marik's claws almost hit his wing as he rolled.

A flash of gold was all the warning he had – abruptly Malik was in front of him, pointing a golden scepter in his direction. He screamed in reflex, backwinging abruptly; the twins had him boxed between them. A stream of dark light gathered around the scepter, lashing out.

One option left; Yugi closed his wings and dropped like a rock.

The twin demons stared at him in shock for a moment; Yugi grinned as he fell, the wind rushing through his hair. Far, far below the sea glimmered like diamonds on an endless field of turquoise.

Come on, come after me… Yugi watched, eyes watering as the two hunter demons got over their surprise, diving after him. Inwardly he grinned as he gathered up his power and suddenly opened a portal to Hell – between himself and his pursuers. With a startled squawk, Marik and Malik vanished. Yugi turned the fall into a swoop – one wing flared with sudden pain - opening a second portal, this one to the island of Okinawa. They would be able to trace the magic – and have expected him to go through it.

Reorienting himself, the incubus flew hard towards the mainland. He had to get back to Tokyo – he had to get back to Yami.

----- ----- ---- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ---- ---- -----

Yami sat on the bed, fiddling with the puzzle Yugi had given him yesterday. The gold pieces seemed to slide and twist under his fingers, foxing his eyes and hands. They just didn't want to go together. Only one piece remained constant – a single golden plaque holding a strange Eye that seemed to stare at him, even following him around the room when he stopped to get his lunch. He'd been working on the puzzle since that morning, and at lunch had managed to fit together exactly two pieces.

Now it was nearly time for Jou to pick him up, and he had managed to fit in a third piece. Sighing, he sat back and put the puzzle back in the case, straightening the bedclothes. A knock on his door announced Jou as he was finishing up.

"Hold on!" he called. Grabbing his new jean jacket and the apartment key, Yami opened the door. He gave Jou and Honda a shy smile before following them out of the apartment.

"So you been to the arcade much before?" Jou asked.

"No…not since I was nine." The teenager admitted. "I used to be pretty good, but it's been such a long time…"

"Don't worry about it." Honda smirked. "I'm sure you can still beat Jounouchi here."

"Hey!"

Honda smirked. "You are SO easy, Jou."

"Very funny." The blond sulked.

Yami couldn't help it. He broke down in laughter.

----- ----- ----- ----- ------ ----- -----

Yugi slipped in the window to his apartment, carrying five bags of groceries and nursing a sprained wing. He winced as he put the bags down on the counter. Yami wasn't home from the arcade – it was barely past four. His wing twitched as he tried to tuck in behind his back; he hissed at the pain. Damn hunter demons…

Putting the groceries away, his eye fell on the note he had left for Yami. Damn. I forgot to pick up dinner for us. Well, I guess we'll just have to order out. He sighed. This would be the last night they dared spend in this apartment – the game he had played with the twins would only keep them confused for a little while. He had an apartment in Kyoto – he and Yami would have to move there and lay very low for a while.

Just when he and Yami had been settling down. Damn Malik and Marik anyway! He silently snarled, then hissed again as his wing twitched.

I hope Yami doesn't take this too badly – but I don't think we have a choice. I…I should tell him the truth and let him…leave…if he wants. After all, if Malik and Marik get hold of him… The very thought of the hunter demons with their claws in Yami made his guts churn with anger and terror. But if I keep him with me, that's just what might happen – it might be better if I give him some money, enough to keep him for a while, and vanish. I don't want to…but it might be the best for him. Until this wing of mine heals, I can't protect him against other demons…and I can't ask Otogi or Bakura and Ryou to stick their necks out for me. Damnit damnit damnit… Yugi growled, slamming his fist into the counter. He could feel the tears boiling up, threatening to blur his vision. His head and his heart pulled him in different directions; angrily he wiped the tears away, heading for the closet. At least he could pack their clothes.

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----

Yami's fingers flew over the controls, the delicate balance of strategy and speed consuming his concentration. His heart pumped adrenaline through his body, the whole world seeming to slow as he dodged and destroyed the enemy ships. Guiding his spaceship through mazes of flying asteroids and waves of enemies, he sought the mother ship and final victory.

There. Yami's hands twitched, lining up the shot with eerie accuracy. His violet-red eyes narrowed in concentration as he breathed out and squeezed the firing trigger. Red light blazed out, hitting the target on the enemy ship once, twice, three times. Dodge the return fire. Aim…fire. Three more hits on the enemy. Evade. Blast the wave of enemy ships from the left and right. Aim… Fire!

The explosion of light and noise nearly blinded him as the mothership dissolved in a ball of white fire. A second explosion of cheers came from outside, bringing his attention back to the real world as the simulator reset itself and the screen in front of him displayed "Congratulations, you have the number 1 high score." He hit the buttons to imput his name while he waited for his hearbeat to slow and his breathing to even out. Even so, a little part of his brain was gloating.

I've still got it! That was how it used to be – he had beaten every game in the arcade by the time he was nine, before Father had come. Just as he had beat his grandfather at Go, and Chess, and a dozen other games of chance and skill.

"WOW!" Jou practically jumped into the simulator with him, slapping him on the back. "I have NEVER seen that before! Your first time on the game and you beat it! Man, that was truly amazing!" A dozen other people he didn't know were still cheering, filling Yami with an odd, warm glow.

"Thanks." He murmured. "What time is it, Jou?"

"Nearly five – Honda has to get home."

"Right…so do I, dinner's at six." Climbing out of the simulator, Yami grinned at the now dispersing crowd and followed his companions out of the arcade. The feeling of victory cascading through his body warmed him and made him shiver at the same time. He could feel a giggle trying to emerge from his throat as Jou, Honda and he walked down the street towards the train station.

Businessmen do not giggle, Yami. They do not laugh or smile, unless in a social situation where it is called for. You have to control your emotions if you ever want to be anything. The urge to giggle died as Father's words ran through his mind.

Caught in his thoughts, Yami didn't notice that Jou had stopped until he ran into the other teenager. He stared for a long moment at the back of Jou's green coat, then up at what the other was looking at, and felt panic rising in his mind.

Big men, three of them, with black sunglasses and suits, standing like a wall before the three teens. Yami didn't have to look back to know that three more had come up behind them.

"You are Yami Motou?" the one in the lead asked. Yami gulped, his eyes flickering to passers-by who sidled past the scene with gazes averted. No help would come from them, and he would have to go back to Father, and face his punishment.

Fear balanced with defiance for a long moment before suddenly Jou spoke up.

"What if he is? Out of my way, suit, before I mess you up."

"President Kaiba has asked us to bring in Mr. Motou. I understand his father is quite worried about him. Now get out of the way, punk."

"No." Honda said quietly. "What are you planning on doing? You pull any weapons, and people will panic. You lay a finger on any of us and we'll fight back. Anyway it goes, someone will call the cops. And I don't think that Kaiba's money will help you while they're arresting you for disturbing the peace." Honda paused. His tone lowered slightly. "Now you go back to your boss and tell him that Yami isn't going back to his father…he's quite happy away from the fucker, thank you very much. And if Kaiba knows what's what, he'll cut Motou Kyoshori's no good bastard ass loose to swing."

The suits paused for a moment, which was all the time that Jou and Honda needed to push past them, Yami trailing along behind.

"Come on." Jou grabbed Yami's hand at the wrist. "We have to lose them, or they'll follow us back to Yugi's apartment."

"You make it sound as though they won't already be there." Yami answered, surprised by the bitterness in his own voice. He had been free…

"They aren't." Honda stated. "If they did, they would have grabbed us there. I think that one of their snitches spotted you and phoned in, and they just waited until we left. Now come on!" He grabbed Yami's other arm, and the three turned a sharp corner down an alley.

"We know every back street of this part of town." Jou noted. "They won't be able to catch up unless we stand still. Are they still following us, Honda?"

"Yes…" the brunette answered sharply. "They are, and I don't think they'll give up soon. Plan 2?"

"Yeah, that should work." Jou grinned at Yami. "No matter what, don't lose track of us. Honda and I will get you back to Yugi's; that's a promise."

"Okay…" Yami forced his feet to move faster. He was shocked that Jou and Honda would go to such lengths to help him, but also grateful. I have to tell Yugi…I have to get out of here. I don't want him to get into trouble with Father, and if someone else found out that he's a demon, then he… Visions of Yugi stuck in a lab somewhere in Kaiba Corps labs ran through his head and he shuddered. No, he would get back in time to warn Yugi…

They emerged from another alley, Jou watching their surrounding closely while Honda drifted behind, evidently keeping an eye on their pursuers. Suddenly a group of kids in gang colours emerged from the sides, surrounding them. Jou grinned, while Yami tried not to look too conspicuous.

"Jou." Their leader smirked. "Long time no see. Didn't I tell you not to come back here unless you wanted to die?"

"Yeah, something like that, Higuna. Listen. I've got a bunch of thugs on my tail, and I want them off my tail, understand?"

"Let me get this straight – you want us to do you a favour?"

"Nah…I'm doing you a favour. The suits are from Kaiba Corp."

A strange light flared in Higuna's eyes at Jou words, and he grinned wildly. "Alright, Jou. You just got yourself a free pass through our territory…but you're still not forgiven, understand?"

"Yeah…got it. Honda, Yami, come on." The blond led them through the gang members and out the other side, emerging not far from the train station.

"Gotta love connections." Jou gloated. Honda grinned at Yami's questioning look.

"Jou used to be a member." He explained. "Then he quit, and beat up enough of them, that they let him go. Higuna's old man was fired by Kaiba's old man – he believes in the old ways, so frankly those suits will be lucky to get out of there alive."

"Nah, they'll live." Jou disagreed as they paid for their tickets. "Higuna's not a killer…but they might wish they were dead."

- - - - --- -- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

The clocks in the school nearby where chiming the hour when Yami slipped the key in the lock and let himself into Yugi's apartment. The first thing he noticed was the bags sitting by the door; the second thing was the music blaring from the sound system. He walked, glancing at the stereo in the living room.

Yugi was dancing again. Instead of his usual sensual, joyful style, a deep and aching pain came through the movements. Yami had to blink back tears at the sorrow and longing on the incubus' face.

You see in my dreams…

We climb, and climb, and at the top we fly

Let the world go on below us; we are lost in time…

And I don't know really what it means…

All I know is that you love me…in my dreams.

Instinct urged the teenager; he stepped up behind Yugi, placing his hands on the other's hips. Moving with him. Yugi sighed, shifting so his body pressed flush against Yami's, his head drooping back to nuzzle his dance partner. Yami had to smile – Yugi was just so innocently charming.

The dance continued. Yami licked his dry lips as he danced, remembering when Yugi had taught him at the school – it seemed a lifetime ago now. A shiver ran down his spine at the closeness, contrasting the warmth of Yugi's body against him. He wanted to do something…needed something that he knew Yugi could give him. But would he? Could this beautiful demon love a mere mortal? As the last notes faded, he gave into impulse and kissed Yugi's upturned lips. At least I will have this to remember…When the inevitable happens and Father finds me, at least I will have this to treasure.

Yugi stopped dead in his tracks, eyes snapping open. He broke the kiss, spinning in Yami's arms until he faced his erstwhile dance partner. And instead of hiding behind his walls of embarrassment and fear, Yami met Yugi's eyes levelly. I love you. And even if you never return that love, I will always love you.

One blink, two blinks – Yugi's expression turned from shock to pure joy which shone in his eyes; tears spilled down his cheeks as he literally squeezed the air out of Yami in a massive hug. Then he pulled back, grabbed Yami's face, and took his lips in a mind-blowing kiss.

The teenager almost fainted right there. Feelings he had been keeping under control for too long boiled up – he found himself enveloping Yugi in a massive hug of his own, his own tears pouring down his face. "I love you." He said aloud. "I love you, yami no tenshi."

"And I you." Yugi lifted his hand to Yami's cheek, stroking away the tears. "You are so beautiful."

"Really?"

"Really." Yugi leaned over and kissed him again, open-mouthed. The demon's breath tickled Yami's lips – he opened his mouth, a tightness in his chest making him gasp for air. Yugi pressed closer, his arms wrapping around Yami's waist. The teenager moaned at the contact.

"I can show you, beloved." Yugi broke the kiss – the words whisped into Yami's ear. "I can take you where you've never gone before, but…"

"But?"

"But…only if you want me to."

He won't force me into anything. Yami didn't even have to think. Yugi was leaving this decision up to him – nothing the incubus had or would say could prove his love more than that one thing.

Yugi…wants me for myself. As myself. Tomorrow I'll have to leave him, but tonight… "Yes." He breathed. The tightness in his chest dropped lower, gripping his stomach as butterflies danced with nerves. "I want you to…show me. Please. Show me I'm actually real…I want to feel…"

Warm lips touched the delicate skin of his neck – Yami shivered. "You will." Yugi's voice smoldered with desire. "I promise, love…you will feel everything."

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Okay, this is how it has to work. I can't post the lemon, thanks to FFnet's rules, because trust me, it's NC17. But…everyone who has (or will) reviewed and left me an e-mail address will get a copy emailed to them. If you would like to read it and don't want to review, e-mail me at leeann(underscore)shadowdancer at yahoo dot com. And if you have reviewed and don't want a copy, it will be quite clear in the re: section what it concerns, so just delete it and not harm done, ne?

Anyway, Happy New Year to all! Let me know what you think!