Dragon: Ok I've had several people ask me in reviews if I will be pairing Draco and Harry up. And the answer is yes and there will be a Bakura/Yugi pairing too. I think I mentioned this in an earlier chapter. Oh and no Ryou will not be showing up. I like the little guy but he's just not needed for my story.
And thanks so much for the reviews. I can't believe this story has over 160. Oh well on to the chapter!
The metal pen was placed quietly on the grand wooden desk, as Kaiba bundled up the papers that he had just finished signing. Scowling at the amount of work he had left to do, he placed them in to a file and picked up the next set of contracts. It had been a long day trying to catch up on missed work. The past few days he had kept close to home to make sure all went well between his family and the new hellion that Atemu felt the need to keep under his wing.
He shook he head and smiled. For the life of him he couldn't figure out Atemu's need to protect people that had no connection with him. Harry he could understand, after all the child's life was in danger and if Atemu hadn't intervened then the young wizard would most likely be dead. And after what he found out about Dumbledore, well he had a weird notion to keep the boy close also.
But Draco, well he was a different story.
The child was nothing more than a spoiled brat that seemed to have a knack for finding his last nerve and use it like a bungee cord, bringing it to the brink of snapping. But most importantly, Draco reminded him too much of himself in many ways.
What Atemu had said was true; even he could see the signs of a power hungry, status worshiping, control freak father. Even though he didn't know the boy that well, and had no intentions of getting to know him, he could tell the boys attitude was a side affect of his family.
Before the Pharaoh came into his life and he regained he memories of the High Priest, he too had acted much the same way. It was a defensive mechanism. Keep others at bay to keep them from seeing the truth that lied beneath. Taunt every one into hating you so they could never hurt you.
He could see as plain as day that this was part of Draco's problem but there was also something else that made him this way. And until they found that out, the kindness and advances of friendship that Atemu and Yugi wanted to give him would never work completely.
He thought back to what his love had said the other day about Draco being part of Harry's future. What exactly had he meant by that? Could the blonde wizard need Harry as much as he would need Draco?
Too many questions and not enough answers.
Sighing, he got up form his chair and stood before one of the many floor to ceiling length windows. Crossing his arms over his chest, he closed his eyes and magically probed the area where his mansion was located. Senses searching, checking to make sure all was well and no harm was coming to the ones living there. He smiled when he felt the unmistakable flow of Atemu's power. It pulsed in a set order, a sure sign that his love had sensed him and was reassuring him all was fine.
Chuckling to himself, he withdrew his 'magic probe' from his home and stretched it out into the city as far as it could reach. Even though he wasn't as powerful as the Pharaoh, he still could track things within most of the city.
Starting from the outskirts of his reach, he began 'raking' his power back towards him. Sensing nothing, he pulled it all the way back to the Kaiba Corp. building and as a precautionary measure, he probed every floor, office, and elevator within its walls.
All was clear until his magic hit a familiar 'bump' while searching his floor. Frowning, he turned away from the window just as his intercom came on.
"What?"
"Mr. Kaiba, there is a group of gentlemen here that wish to see you but they don't have an appointment."
Concentrating again, he searched them magically and he realized these were the ones he felt before. So what did they want with him? And most important, how did they know about him?
"Have them meet me on the roof."
"S-sir?"
"You heard me! Have them shown to the roof!" Growling, he shut off the intercom system, held his hand up letting a pale glow envelope it until the Sennen Rod was in it's place. Gritting his teeth, he tucked the Rod into his belt and headed out towards the roof.
Cold blue eyes scanned the group of Deatheaters that had waited for him on top the roof of Kaiba Corp. No less than twelve robed, hooded figures stood before him, seemingly undaunted as he approached them. Hands crossed over his chest, he stopped just a few feet away and raised an eyebrow, waiting for one of them to speak up.
Finally, one stepped slightly away from the others and pushed back his hood revealing long whitish-blonde hair, something Kaiba instantly recognized.
"Mr. Kaiba, it seems you have something or someone that belongs to me."
Narrowing his eyes, he replied; "It seems you have me at a loss. You know my name yet I don't know yours."
"Ah, forgive me," the Deatheater sneered, "My name is Lucius Malfoy and I believe you have my son."
"Hn, and what makes you think that?" His eyes unfocused for a second as he sent another magical probe towards his house, which was immediately answered by a questioning set of pulses.
"Your face is not unknown to even us in the wizarding world. There were reports of you and another talking to my son right before he disappeared. But a question of mine would be; why were you, a known muggle, walking around in our world?"
He smirked. For all their slowly gaining knowledge of the Shadow Realm they still couldn't sense it worth a damn. This just made things even more interesting to him. They wouldn't know what hit them until it was too late.
"What makes you think I'm a muggle? I could be a wizard like you." Carefully, not to set off a string of events too early, he reached behind him and pulled out the Sennen Rod.
"I doubt it." A pale eyebrow rose as Lucius spied the gleaming, golden object. "What do you think you are going to be able to do to us with that thing? Hit us over the head with it?" A round of hollow laughter was heard from the various Deatheaters.
"Maybe, you never can tell what I might do." Once again Seto's eyes went slightly unfocused as he felt another set of questioning pulses of magic reach him. Ignoring them, sapphire eyes once more came into focus. Atemu was getting restless and was going to figure out something was wrong if he didn't hurry up and put an end to this.
"Is that so? Well we'll have to see about that." With an unspoken command, every Deatheater reached into their robes and pulled out their wands, aiming them at Kaiba.
He snorted while his hand gripped the golden object tightly, calling on the magic that was incased within its golden shell and in his blood. While doing so, he suddenly felt a very weak shift in the Shadow Realm and realized that this idiots were calling on the Realm to help them. He grinned despite himself. "Go ahead, if you think you can defeat me with your weakened version of the Realm."
This time it was Lucius's turn to smirk. "Ah! So you know of the Realm and it's magic. I must say I'm surprised that you would. Then do you also know of its wonderful dark energy, the monsters that can not be defeated with mere regular magic?"
Laughing, Seto twirled the Sennen Rod in his fingers. "Oh yes I know all too well. But what you don't know is that you are standing before one of the guardian's of the Realm, one that has sworn to protect The True Shadow Master and all the monsters that inhabit it."
Swearing under his breath, Lucius growled and gave a curt nod of his head.
Game face on, Seto watched as several weak monsters materialize before him. He grounded himself as he reached for his magic just as the swarm of creatures began to attack.
"TRAP HOLE!"
Watching with amusement, Seto couldn't help but smirk at the sight of a massive hole opening up before him causing the monsters to fall into it thus ending their attack. But he noticed to late that one of the creatures had defied his trap and was heading straight for him. Instantly he recognized it.
Trap Master - a weak creature but able to bypass any and all traps. (ATK 500)
Gritting his teeth, he had no time to react magically as the clown–machine creature clamped around his waist with its pincher-like appendage. A loud buzzing rang in his ears. Turning his head, he saw the circular saw coming towards him, straight for his neck.
Willing the Rod to his command, he felt the magic respond to his call, aiming for the 'arm' that had him pinned, only for another blast of shadow magic to pass by just inches from his face, effectively severing the robotic arm from the creature.
The Trap Master howled in pain, dropping Kaiba to the ground. Scrambling to his feet, wide blue eyes looked on as Tarik, the Magician of Black Chaos, stood protectively in front of him, daring the wounded monster to attack again.
Growling, Seto looked at the Chaos Mage. "Why aren't you destroying it Tarik!" A deep, manic chuckle sounded throughout his head.
The Pharaoh is pissed. He will want to deal with this one himself.
Where is Atemu?
Tarik jerked his head off to the left just as Seto felt a massive amount of shadow energy coming from that area.
Portal open, Seto could only shiver at who walked out of it. Stepping out of the portal was Atemu, eyes ablaze with power, twin black sais that were laced with magic were in each hand, living shadows swarmed around his feet and legs making him look as if he had just stepped out of a massive fire. Behind him was Dracul, one of Seto's own Blue Eyes White Dragons.
Lucius couldn't do anything but stand there and watch as a creature dressed in black leather stood protectively over the CEO. He had never seen a monster that was as powerful as this one. There had been tales of such creatures but the Deatheaters had never been successful in capturing one and now one of those very monsters was standing there radiating with chaos energy. He couldn't figure out why it wasn't attacking just the same as Seto.
But then the portal opened.
Twelve pairs of wide eyes watched as a person that reeked of so much dark shadow magic that it made them nauseous, walked out. Hair the color of blood, shadows, and gold framed deadly red eyes that glowed in the darkness. Living Shadows wrapped themselves lovingly around the small lithe body, worshiping him as he walked along the rooftop. Following him was one of the biggest, whitest dragons any of them had ever seen, it's massive roar filled the still air, causing them to involuntarily tremble.
Lucius tried to move, to take advantage of the momentary distraction, only to find that some unknown force had paralyzed him and his fellow Deatheaters. All they could do was watch as events unfolded.
Weapons in hand, the black leather-clad man walked closer to Seto, never once looking back at the Deatheaters. It was as if he didn't care that they were standing there just a few feet away from him.
Atemu walked calmly towards Seto, never taking his eyes off his husband. But inside he was anything but calm; no he was downright livid. One of his monsters and these worthless mortals had dared to attack his Seto. It was inexcusable and they would all die.
Speaking of the monster…
Narrowed, cold eyes glanced away from Seto to look at the cowering creature that lay slumped in front of his Chaos Mage. Walking as silently as the shadows that lingered around his body, Atemu knelt down beside the frightened Trap Master. His eyes trailed down the length of the monster only to linger on its exposed wrists. If possible, Atemu's eyes became even colder, like frozen fire in appearance.
"You dare attack my love, my husband, my Priest!" he hissed out just inches away from the Trap Master's ear. "And I see you did it on your own freewill also, for there isn't any magic binding you to those filthy humans! Tell me…was it worth it?"
Trap Master could do nothing as the True Master glared at him with more hatred then he had ever experience before. It wasn't till then that he had even known who he was attacking, all he knew that those humans had freed him and he had been very grateful, willing to do whatever they asked of him. But if he had known that it was the Priest, the one that served the Pharaoh of Old then he would have never attacked. He had committed one of the most deadly of crimes and he would be punished. There wouldn't be a simple sealing for him, to be locked away and wait till judgment, no his very essence would be scattered throughout the realm, never to be seen again.
The creature was brought out of his final musing when his wide eyes caught sight of blackened metal poised above his head.
Crimson eyes flashed dangerously as Atemu drew one of his sais over the head of the Trap Master. "You have crossed the line creature and you will pay!"
Seto and the Deatheaters barely had time to blink at the tri-tipped weapon was impaled into the monsters skull, buried to the hilt.
Stunned, Seto gaped at what his husband had just done. Never before had Atemu ever killed one of his monsters. The worse punishment he had ever seen was eternal sealing, to be locked away forever, but never this.
Soon the lifeless creature shattered into a thousand pieces, causing the murder weapon to clatter to the ground. Picking it up, Atemu stood up and walked back over to Seto.
Standing before the taller man, Atemu shifted one of the sais into the other, only to bring his now free hand up to Seto's face. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine baby, but why are you here?"
Crimson eyes glanced over towards the curious, stunned Deatheaters before they shifted back to meet sapphire. "You didn't return my message, so I called Dracul to ask his if you were alright. He told me that you were against a dozen of those mortal fools."
"So you sent Tarik."
Nodding his head, Atemu stood on his tiptoes and began to kiss his husband.
Whether by some accident or not, the Deatheaters suddenly found themselves able to move again. "Crucio!"
Shadows leapt and curled protectively around the two men that seemed to be oblivious to all that was going on around them. Swirling with colors ranging from crimson to a deep purple that was almost black, they wrapped their Master and his lover in a tight cocoon, blocking out the painful curses that had been aimed at them.
Dracul roared in anger as the shadows greedily swallowed up the magic that had been sent their way.
Kill. Destroy. Blood. Death, the shadows whispered into Atemu's mind, as they swirled around him, fueled off of his anger. Blood shed!
Breaking the kiss, a deadly smirk played on Atemu's lips as he surveyed the shadows around them. Agreed, he replied. Leave the leader, kill the others. Make them pay for their foolishness! Leaning into his husband's chest, blood colored eyes watched with the shadows pulled away from them with a feral smile on his face.
With an unholy, unearthly scream, the shadows raced forward towards the frightened robed figures, picking them up and tossing them around like rag dolls.
Human screams made Atemu shiver with pleasure as he glanced up into Seto's stunned and shocked face. Feeling slightly guilty for upsetting his husband, he grabbed Seto's attention by capturing his lips in a fierce, demanding kiss.
Lucius slowly backed up as the shadows one by one ripped each Deatheater apart, limb-by-limb. Blood and bodies bathed the rooftop all around him as the screams finally stopped. Gulping, eyes wide, he watched fearfully as the shadows swirled around the carnage, till they seemed to be satisfied that they had killed every last one of them.
Pulling back from Seto, Atemu licked his lips before turning his gaze to look at the damage done by the shadows. With an unholy gleam, crimson eyes spied the one that he had demanded to be left alive. Grabbing Seto's hand, he pulled the slightly shocked CEO with him, stepping over shredded body parts till they were standing in front of a very pale Lucius Malfoy.
Sennen Eye glowed brilliantly on Atemu's forehead, making Lucius gasp.
"It's you! You're the one who marked Thomas!"
Atemu smirked, "Oh? Was that his name? Hmm, I don't think we had the time to be introduced. Yes you are correct, I was the one who marked him. I, along with my family and friends are the ones that have been defeating your murderous kind. You and your Dark Lord," he said mockingly, "are the ones taking my monsters and my Realm and using them for his fucked up purposes!"
"You have my son! I want him back!"
A cruel laugh spilled from the Pharaoh's lips. "Draco will be going no where! You don't deserved to be called a father!" In the blink of an eye, Atemu grabbed the taller man by his throat, pulling him down till he was just inches away from the enraged spirit's face.
"Take this message back to your Lord; Stay away from my family, friends, Draco and Harry. Tell him to watch his cowardly back for I have seen his death! And incase you forget…" Taking the sai in his free hand, he brought it up to Lucius' forehead. "…I'll leave this as a reminder."
Lucius' screams could be heard for miles as Atemu began carving the Eye into his flesh.
Tarik (Magician of Black Chaos) is the name of an Egyptian warrior
Dracul (Blue Eyes White Dragon) is a male Romanian name meaning 'devil' or 'dragon'
Dragon: I've been getting a lot of questions about different things in this story. If you have any, feel free to email me so I can answer them. There are too many to answer here so that will be better. But I won't answer any that give away part of the plot. Thanks!