Chapter 9 – To Kyoto

The darkness cleared, leaving Yugi blinking at Bakura and Ryou in shock, trying to figure out exactly what had happened. Yami was still out cold in his arms, but the twitching had stopped; he appeared to be in a more or less normal sleep.

"What happened?" the two white-haired demons demanded in unison.

"I don't know for sure." Yugi admitted as fatigue washed over him. "I…" The room spun for a moment before settling. "I don't feel so good…"

"Here." Ryou knelt beside Yugi, holding him in his cool grasp. "Bakura, take Yami please. It's dark enough to leave now – why don't you just close your eyes, Yugi, and take a little nap? Bakura and I will get you to Kyoto without a problem." Yugi nodded wordlessly – the fatigue and the dizziness were combining forces now. He managed to tug the address out of a pocket, handing it over to the storm-demon before falling into darkness with a sigh.

In the commotion, no one noticed two streaks of blood - one red, one black - which had ended up on the puzzle, only to be slowly absorbed into the shining gold.

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Twilight painted the skies as Ryou and Bakura flew from the porch of Yugi's apartment, wings pumping silently in the cooling air.

"We won't get to Kyoto tonight." Bakura called, balancing Yami on his back. He held the mortal by both arms over his shoulders, both to keep Yami from falling and to prevent him from sliding and fouling Bakura's wings. "We'll have to stop somewhere before day breaks."

"What about the hotel?" Ryou asked, Yugi cradled lightly in his arms. "It's about halfway, and we can stay there until night falls. Maybe Yugi can make a portal to Kyoto in the morning – after all, it's unlikely that Malik and Marik will be able to track us there."

"I'd rather be safe than sorry." Bakura grunted. "And it won't take us all that much longer if we hurry. Come on, slowpoke."

Ryou grinned and used a touch of his magic, summoning a tailwind to speed them through the deep night sky.

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Kaiba sat in his office, quietly going over documents that had been neglected in his search for Yami Motou.

Wind gusted suddenly; Marik and Malik landed in the office, Malik immediately holding up the Rod to affirm control over their pawn. Nothing happened for a long moment…then Kaiba looked up from his desk, not looking at either demon directly. Malik blinked at the mortal, then at the Rod. He could not feel the shape of Kaiba's mind. "Why isn't this thing working?" he demanded.

"Hello." Kaiba said calmly. "Just so you know I did find your quarry for you; the information is in my desk. However, you won't be able to take advantage of the fact." Suddenly the windows slammed shut and a steel plate slid over both windows and door. "Don't try and get out – the walls are electrified. You will be taken to the authorities, charged with trespassing…" Marik snarled and punched Kaiba, only to have his hand go through the businessman as though he were an illusion.

"What the hell?" the demon blinked as 'Kaiba' wavered and vanished, leaving behind only a small half-circle of metal. "It's a fucking hologram! He tricked us!"

"I am getting very, very tired of people doing that." Malik growled – he spun and punched right through the outside window, steel door and all. The electricity sparked and spat over his body, but he ignored it. "Grab the information, Marik, and let's get going."

Wordlessly Marik went through Kaiba's desk until he found the right report, then followed his brother out the window, throwing up his cloak of invisibility just as the human law enforcement people busted into the room.

"Where do we have to go?"

"According to this, Yami was spotted on Hokkaido." Marik answered. "Let's go."

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"Where is he?" With a crash that shook dust from the rafters, Kyoshori Motou's goons slammed Sugoroku Motou up against the wall of the Kame Game Shop. The older man gasped as the air was driven out of his lungs, glaring hatred at his middle, disowned son.

"Who?" Sugoroku managed at last. One of the goon made as if to punch him, but held off as Kyoshori lifted his hand.

"Yami. He's gone…he had no where else to go, except the street. You must have helped him get out of Domino to Hokkaido."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I haven't seen the boy since you took him out of here eight years ago."

Kyoshori nodded and the goon's fist slammed home in his stomach. Sugoroku tried to breathe through sudden shooting pain in his chest.

"Drop him." Kyoshori ordered curtly. "If you run across Yami, old man, tell him that I'm looking for him, and that he had better come home quickly."

Leaving his father gasping in pain, Kyoshori stormed out of the store and into his limo, snapping at his driver to get him to work.

Yami still hadn't been found. Kaiba-sama had sent him a report stating the boy was on Hokkaido – though how he'd gotten that far was a mystery – and that Kaiba Corp would be washing it's hands of the matter from this point on. He snarled, grinding his teeth. The boy was a valuable asset, and he didn't want to waste 8 years of investment for no return.

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Dawn had just broken when Ryou and Bakura landed on the top of a skyscraper. Ryou left his mate to care for the other two and slipped down the side of the building to the alley behind. He folded his wings and walked around to the front of the building, which turned out to be a rather upscale hotel.

"Good day." Ryou greeted the desk clerk with his sunniest smile. The woman smiled back, blushing lightly. My name is Ryou Moudikku…I was wondering if my room is available?"

"Of course sir." The woman – her name tag said Hikado – immediately punched a few keys on her keyboard, registering him, before handing him two keycards. "How long will you be staying, sir?"

"Just for the day." The storm demon answered, placing the keycards in his jean pocket. "We'll…I'll be leaving about 6:30 tonight."

Ms. Hikado didn't even turn a hair at the change in phrasing. Ryou paid the hotel well for it's service. "Thank you for staying, sir."

Ryou thanked her politely, moving to the elevators. Bakura would already have gotten in through the window and taken Yami and Yugi to the room. Normally they weren't quite this paranoid about not being seen, but they didn't want to take a chance on any of the staff spotting their companions – Marik and Malik had their means of finding information, and were not pleasant about it.

As he suspected, Bakura was waiting for him when he opened the door; Yami and Yugi were curled up together on one of the two queen-sized beds and the delicious smell of coffee wafted from the kitchenette. "Any problems?" Bakura asked as he locked the door behind his mate.

"No." Ryou shook his head, stretching stiff arms. "Breakfast should be here in about three-quarters of an hour – we didn't give them any warning, after all. Have they woken up yet?"

"Not a peep." Bakura grabbed the coffeepot and poured Ryou a cup of the dark liquid, spooning in a dash of sugar and cocoa powder. "They curled up like that when I put them on the bed and that's it. I wasn't out this long, was I?"

Ryou shook his head. "But then you didn't have the mental difficulties that Yami does, and there is no way to predict what the magic of the mating bond is doing to either one of them. It changed you greatly and me only a small bit – we don't know if that will hold true, or what happened to them in that cloud of darkness earlier."

Bakura actually shivered. Ryou did too, wrapping his hands around the warm mug of coffee as a chill ran down his back. That darkness…it had not been the normal darkness of night or of the mortal world, nor even of the demon realms. Those shadows had been aware, in a primitive fashion – and that scared him. What had called them, and what had they done to Yami and Yugi? Until the pair woke from their sleep, it would be impossible to even speculate.

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Yami whimpered in the cold light, reliving his nightmare over and over. He saw the room, the merciless note from Father, the torturous waiting…the darkness pulling something from his soul, the utter helplessness… He would have screamed, but he couldn't find the breath. He would have fought, but fatigue weighed down his mind and soul.

:Yami.: A soft voice broke into the endless cycle of his nightmare. Yami blinked his crimson-violet eyes, breathing harsh and raspy. :Yami, please. Don't do this to yourself.:

He didn't have the strength to speak; he wished he could, just to be able to answer the concern in Yugi's beautiful voice. :I want to…I can't…:

Warm arms wrapped around his shoulders; night-dark wings circled around him, protective and gentle. The nightmares shredded and vanished under the feel of another presence with him and somehow within him, banishing his fear and pain.

:They're just memories, beloved.: Yugi whispered. Yami realized slowly that the demon wasn't talking to him…he could feel warm comforting kisses being rained on his shoulders and back. The voice of his love was somehow inside his head, bringing with it warmth and strength to fight the cold despair paralyzing his soul. :They can't hurt you – you need to learn from them, put them aside and carry on.:

:But…: How strange – this mental communication was so natural, easy as breathing. :The past…:

:Is past. It cannot be changed…only the Creator can move time. But lover…you control the future. Your choices…:

:But then, my choices made the past too.:

A pause. :Yes…: Yugi admitted reluctantly. Yami felt a renewed surge of despair. :But…: the demon continued, his hands soothing tense muscles, :You were a child, and a child has less to choose from. And beloved, sometimes there are no right choices – only the best ones under the circumstances.:

:But they are still my choices.: Yami admitted bitterly.

:Show me.: Yugi whispered softly. :Show me the nightmare that holds you in it's claws, my love.:

:No…you'll hate me, hate me for being so weak…:

:Weak or strong, good or evil, I love you forever and ever. There is nothing you have or will do that will change that, sweet one. We are together now – I am here for you and you for me. That is what this bond means.:

Yami closed his eyes and somehow opened his mind to his love…his mate. He opened his eyes again to see his nightmare played out one more time, only somehow he was detached, watching as though this hell had happened in a movie. He could feel the presence of Yugi in the back of his mind, soothing and supporting, a gentle light. When the darkness claimed him, ripped something from his soul, he felt a gasp of surprise and…understanding?...from Yugi.

The vision wound to a close, leaving the two floating in a soft twilight emptiness. Yami sighed, savouring the lack of turmoil, the warmth on his back and sides and in his mind from Yugi.

:I think…: Yugi said finally, absently kissing Yami's shoulder. :I think that this…darkness, whatever it was, took your will to resist from you. I don't think it's a coincidence that you gave up fighting your father after this. Did you ever really disobey any of his rules after that?:

:Yes.: Yami said firmly, then paused, casting his mind back through the last five years of his life. :Wait…I never intentionally disobeyed his rules. Sometime I messed up, but not deliberately.:

:That's what I thought.: Yugi murmured, nuzzling into his hair. :These shadows took your will from you. Now…they have given that back to you, beloved. And asked me to help you find it again.: A mental smirk. :That should be fun…I can do all kinds of exploring.:

Yami caught a spill of mental images with that sentence that made him blush. :Yugi! I don't think my will to resist anything is there!:

Yugi laughed, the sound rippling like bells through his soul. :I love you, Yami.:

:I love you too.: Yami gasped as Yugi's fingers toyed with the skin of his chest. :Yugi, what…?"

:Hmmm?: Yugi nipped gently at the soft skin of Yami's collarbone. The teenager didn't even try to fight back the moans as Yugi's hands drove all thought from his mind. The feel of Yugi's mind strengthened with the rise in Yami's passions, but he felt no fear, only a strange wonder as that mental light glowed brighter and brighter. His head fell back on Yugi's shoulder as he relaxed utterly into the feeling of being loved and wanted and needed.

Yugi's hands slowed their roaming; Yami felt the demon's shock as their minds began to intermingle. :What is this?: Yugi gasped. With the words came emotional overtones of discomfort and fear – he knew how to show his emotions through physical expression, but this…to have someone so close… Automatically Yami projected love and warmth and welcome, soothing his lover.

:Mmm…: Yami felt Yugi's muscles suddenly slacken until he was draped bonelessly over Yami's form. :…feels so good…:

And Yami closed his eyes and saw in that gentle glow the whole of Yugi's soul; not perfect, not even human, but full of peace and love, and a wisdom beyond words or price. No desire to harm an innocent lived there…but an implacable hatred of Yami's father lingered to stain the perfect light.

And Yami knew too that Yugi saw his own weak essence. His flawed, broken soul. He wept, knowing he could never be worthy of this angel in demon's form.

Felt acceptance, and a wash of love.

:See yourself through me: Yugi's mind voice, full of compassion.

Saw for an instant his own soul in the light of Yugi's, a tapestry of a thousand purples and midnight blues and more shades of black that the human eye could see…torn, sloppily repaired, but whole. Saw the shadows that wove themselves into the tears, into the pattern, strengthening it.

:I told you…so beautiful.:

Felt light warming him, drying his tears.

Drew it to himself.

:Wonderful light…:

Two minds danced in communion beyond words, restless shadows and warm light weaving into one, whole perfect pattern of love, joy and desire.

Forever.

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Yugi woke first, reluctantly emerging from a vague, wonderful dream at the urgings of his body. He lay spooned up against Yami, gently breathing in the scent of the teenager's hair. Bleary eyes blinked, slowly realizing that they were in a hotel room – the generic décor could belong to nothing else. He managed to prop himself up on one elbow despite the dead feeling in his arms and upper body.

On the next bed over, two patches of white hair sticking out from under the covers told him where Ryou and Bakura were – from the sunlight streaming into the room, it was sometime in the late afternoon.

His bladder quivered again; Yugi sighed and reluctantly left Yami's warmth for the bathroom.

After his business was done, Yugi stretched and sighed. He felt well-rested, and almost keyed up – and different somehow in a way he couldn't place.

Idly he flapped his wing, pleased to see that the damage had healed over nicely. Incubi didn't heal as fast as some demons, but at least they never scarred either. Sitting down on the bed, he ran his hands through his mate's hair gently. The teenager sighed and leaned into the touch.

:That's nice.: Yami murmured before settling into sleep again. Yugi smiled and repeated the gesture before he realized Yami's lips hadn't moved.

The 'dream' came rushing back – Yugi blinked as his brain processed the information. He and Yami…was it possible?

Closing his eyes, he sought for the part of himself that felt 'different'. Gently he projected a single one-word thought at that part…:Yami.:

:Mmm: Yami rolled over in his sleep, curling into a ball. :Five more minutes.:

:Yami?: Yugi giggled and poked his mate with a finger. Yami made a little squeaky sound of protest, so Yugi poked him again, to the same effect. This was kind of fun!

:Go away…sleepy…: Yami rolled over again, grabbing Yugi around his waist and hauling the demon down beside him. :Teddy.:

Yugi was almost convulsing with laughter. :Yami…wake up…:

Yami hugged him tighter. :Hush, teddy.: He snuggled his face against Yugi's back. Yugi wiggled around and poked him between the eyes.

:Huh?: Yami blinked at him, half-asleep. Suddenly an image appeared in Yugi's mind; a picture of the demon dressed in a teddy-bear suit with little fluffy bat wings. His giggling surfaced again…had that been Yami's dream?

:Hello?: The communicating without words bit was getting second-nature by now – he didn't have to think about it. He waved his hand in front of Yami's drowsy crimson-violet eyes. :Do hear me?:

:Yes, I hear you.: Yami tried to slump back down on the bed. :Now can I go back to sleep?:

:Lazy. No, you can't – you need food. And have you noticed that my mouth isn't moving? And neither is yours for that matter?:

:What are you…: Yami blinked and the last of the sleep faded from his expression. :Are…are we talking in our heads? Like in that dream last night?:

:Yes…: Yugi giggled at the sudden flood of excitement in Yami's mind. :I think because of the mating bond…erf!: The breath left his lungs as Yami tackled him.

:COOL!: Yami laughed, squeezing and kissing him breathless. :This is wild!:

Yugi blinked, trying to wrap his mind around the concept of Yami being so…exuberant. Then he mentally shrugged – he certainly couldn't complain about his mate laughing and wriggling on his lap. He wrapped his arms around Yami and kissed him back, light playful kisses on the nose and cheeks. It became a game, as Yami tried to kiss his mouth, while Yugi kept getting him on other parts of the face. They were both giggling fit to wake the dead.

"Get a room, you two." Bakura growled from the other bed. "Some of us were up all night!"

"Sorry, Bakura." They answered in perfect tandem, then grinned at each other and added, "But we are in a room!"

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Later, fed and cleaned, three demons and one human left with the dusk, heading along the last leg to Kyoto, Yami cradled in Yugi's arms. They had amused themselves by answering every question in perfect tandem all afternoon, driving Bakura up the wall and sending Ryou into hysterical giggles.

Yami snuggled tight up against his mate, lost in thought. He'd been wondering all afternoon what else the mating ritual might have done to him besides the link with Yugi. Who knows…he might be immortal now, like Bakura. But he knew two things had changed, on a purely mental level; for one, he was almost deliriously happy. He couldn't remember feeling like this, ever.

For another, his memories had changed. They were still there, of course, but not so close, nor so obsessive… as though he had left Father behind years ago rather than a few days. A shadow veiled them, thought it didn't touch his recent memory with Yugi or his time before living with Father and Mother.

:Are you alright, Yami?: Yugi's voice touched his mind, worry and love colouring the thoughts. He smiled. He loved the feel of Yugi's mind in his, the love and the presence chasing away the loneliness and depression that had dogged him nearly half of his life.

:I'm fine. Just thinking.:

:Don't think too hard, beloved…I don't want you too tired when we get to Kyoto.:

:Why not?:

Yugi sent him a mental image that made him blush bright red even as it stirred his libido. :Yugi! Is that all you ever think about?:

:No…but I don't think you're quite ready for the rest of it.:

Yami blinked…then swallowed. :You're probably right…:

He half-slept most of the rest of the flight, not thinking or pondering, just letting his mind drift.

It was in the darkest part of the night that he heard it…the sound of his name being called.

:Yugi? What is it?:

:Hmm? I didn't say anything, lover.:

:I thought I heard someone call my name…:

:Well, it wasn't me, and I didn't hear Ryou or Bakura say it, so you must have been dreaming.:

:Strange…: Yami shook his head. Weird dream…

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False dawn had spread across the land when they arrived at Yugi's apartment in Kyoto. Yami sighed and stretched – who knew that sitting still for so long could be so fatiguing? He watched as the demons also stretched, then flipped their wings closed in the silvery half-light, the limbs vanishing from mortal sight.

"What floor is the apartment on?" Yami asked as they walked into the building, towards the elevator.

"Top floor." Yugi answered, pressing the button. "It's actually larger than the one in Tokyo, but not as nice – it's a standard apartment, not a studio suite." He explained as the elevator rose to the top floor. "Still, there's a guest room you and Bakura can use, Ryou."

"Thank you, Yugi." The storm demon smiled. Bakura grunted, which Yami by now was guessing meant thanks.

The doors opened – they left the tiny room and followed Yugi down the hall, turning a corner to find a pile of boxes outside the door – with a teenager sitting on them, dressed in a long trenchcoat over a suit, typing away at a laptop. He looked up as they froze in the hall, and Yami got a good look at the dark brown hair and icy blue eyes.

"Oh, Gods." He whispered. "Kaiba."

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AN:

Notice: Missing Plotbunny. If anyone has seen a plotbunny with big purple chibi eyes and fangs, answering to the name Usagi, could you please e-mail me? Thanks.

I'm sorry, minna! My plotbunny ran away; that's why I've been so long with this update. And I don't think he likes school…Anyway, I'll try to find him, so I can have the next chapter up more quickly!

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, and everyone who read this! Review replies next chapter, k?