Everyone, I am so sorry for this chapter being hideously late. My beta was on vacation, then I was on vacation, then school started, then my internet died, etc. Enough excuses. Here is chapter 16. Due to me not being able to contact my beta (if you're out there, e-mail me please: ( I still want you as my beta…), this chapter might be a bit more error-ridden. Again, I apologize. It's longer, at least! Don't hurt me…too much….

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE MY SECOND BETA FOR THIS FIC, say so in your review. Bear in mind that I would like a detailed, thorough beta who is not just interested in seeing the chapter first.

This chapter is action-oriented, but it sets up a bunch of things necessary for the good romantic/lemony/fluffy bits. It was hard to get started writing it…nothing seemed to fall into place. But enough of me babbling. Read it. :)

On With The Fic Already:

Last time…

"I'm full," said Yami quietly, licking the blood off his slowly shrinking fangs.

"Good," I replied, catching my breath. Yami wasn't the only one satisfied with the last few minutes. I pulled my shirt back on and scooted close to Yami again. With our backs to the fountain, we sat in peaceful silence, all awkwardness gone.

I decided I liked this rooftop after all.

Dead & Dying

Sixteenth

Rino's View

"Twice in one day, Auru," I half-complained, half-complimented. "You're insatiable."

"That's your fault," Auru replied instantly. "You insist on looking sexy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 or possibly 366 days out of every year." He was trailing my blanketed body with a hand and smiling devilishly.

"Thank you…I think," I said jokingly. Lying back on my pillow, having vacated the Sunrise Alcove a few hours ago, I glanced at the clock. It was almost ten o'clock. I snuggled deeper into the warm coziness of the large bed. Auru shifted closer and wrapped his arms around me.

"Good night, Auru."

"'night," said Auru sleepily. Finally, I thought, but with a small smile hidden in the darkness. I closed my eyes.

Kaiba's View

To be frank, I was shocked. Since that so rarely happens to a Kaiba, I was quite annoyed when I realized that I was shocked.

I also realized that I didn't close the diary in horror.

No…in fact, quite the opposite: I'd left it open.

I slowly looked back at the book. It wasn't as if I was looking at nude pictures of anyone else. That was me in the picture, for Kami-sama's sake. And nobody else (well, besides that idiotic bastard Auru) even knew I had the diary. Katsuya would realize it was missing, and then look through his mess of a room for hours to find it. I had plenty of time to look at it.

I reached out and flipped to the next page. I was sitting at this very desk, again naked. Apparently Katsuya had taken a bit of creative license with this picture, because my hair was untidy and there was a vanilla frappuccino in my hand. I was sucking on the straw.

A highly perverted part of my mind that I didn't even know I had suddenly presented me with other, closely related images. Sucking on…! Kami-sama, why did I think of that!

Oddly enough I wasn't too disgusted. I only realized that later, however. I turned to the next page, almost as if that sexual part of my mind was controlling my hand on its own.

The next picture spread over both pages—it was a large party scene. I recognized it as one of the more extravagant business parties I'd been to. Thankfully, I had clothes on here: a rather sexily tailored tuxedo, which I actually owned but had only worn this one time. I didn't like it much—it was uncomfortable (I preferred my trench coat and turtleneck ensemble) but apparently Katsuya liked it enough to draw me in it.

There were lots of couples in the picture, all of them looking much more in love than they'd ever had that cold night last year. I'd taken Seisheima-san as my 'date'. That was not because I'd been even remotely attracted to her. It was a convenience thing: looking like an eligible bachelor at a party like that sent a telepathic message to every female in a fifty foot radius to latch onto me like a money-sucking leech. I looked carefully, but Seisheima-san wasn't in the picture. Strange. In fact, there was a blank space beside me that looked like it had been erased quite a few times.

I flipped the page. This drawing wasn't as big as any of the others; it was a slice across the page spread. It was from an odd angle as well—sort of sideways, as if Katsuya had been looking through a door slightly ajar. What the—! Apparently he'd tossed off a quick sketch of me through my bedroom door. I was wearing a towel that was…erm…awfully low around the waist. My face was partially obscured by the other towel I was using to dry off my hair.

The logical part of my brain finally got back into gear. Of course Katsuya draws most of his subjects nude. Practicing human anatomy is one of the most basic artistic skills. Obviously he's just sketching for practice. I made to close the diary.

So why are you the subject of every picture? Hm?

That sexual part of my mind now made a comeback, now comrades-in-arms with my ego. My hand stopped.

Why is that relevant? The logical part of my brain struck back.

You'd like to know, wouldn't you? Wouldn't you love to know what he thinks of you?

Of course not—that's absurd. This whole situation is absurd! I refuse to deal with this any longer.

I stood up, resolve firm. Taking the diary in hand, I strode across my office's plush navy blue carpet to the impressive double doors. I had one hand on the door handle; I twisted it and pushed the door open, striding away—.

A paper fluttered out from between the pages of Katsuya's diary, landing face down on the landing at the top of the stairs. I looked at it, my resolve wilting.

I picked the piece of paper up reluctantly, irked by my own uncertainty.

"Seto?"

I contained my surprise. "Yes, MOKI?"

"The official that controls our American stock market connections will be calling in two minutes. You asked me to remind you."

"Thank you, MOKI; could you shut down for the night now?"

"Sure. Good night, Seto." A click followed. I was fairly rattled, but I turned my attention back to the paper in my hand. I have things to do here! Just look at the damn thing already! I unfolded the paper.

If I'd thought a nude picture of me was bad, this was much, much worse. I was still naked in this picture, but I was very much not alone. In fact, I was engaging in a rather obscene activity with none other than my blonde security guard.

Kaibas don't blush, but on extremely rare occasions, their faces may turn a shade of red that would rival a firetruck's paintjob.

Yugi's View

I was grinning like an idiot. Luckily, it was dark and I was alone. Sunken deep into my blankets and ensconced in my room, I kept smiling in that idiotic fashion.

He said he's falling in love with me.

I'm worth something to him.

He kissed me.

He bit me, too.

I twitched my fingers under the covers. Yami and I had, after a time, walked back to the elevator and returned to the Sunrise Alcove. He squeezed my hand before we parted ways. Still disproportionably ecstatic over the whole thing, I curled up, tugged my pillow into the right place, and closed my eyes. It would be a little while yet before I calmed down enough to sleep, but eventually, pleasant blackness drew me in.

Katsuya's View

The elevator ride up the North Tower was unbearable. I paced the confines of the stupid glass elevator, panic threatening to rise to the surface.

Come on Katsuya, get it together. You don't even know he's looked at it.

He has, I know it—oh Kami-sama, I just remembered that last drawing I stuck in there—damnit damnit damnit!

I dashed across the foyer on the floor below Kaiba's office, vaulting onto the stairs and taking them two at a time. I skidded on the carpet on the landing, flipping a good three feet of it over and stumbling spectacularly. Stifling an expletive, I managed not to wipe the floor with my face and came to an abrupt halt in front of the double doors at the top of the stairs.

Now I felt incredibly stupid. I reached for the doorknob, but let my hand fall lamely.

Yeah, what are you going to say to him? Idiot.

I clenched my fists in frustration and took a step back. Abruptly, the doorknob in front of me clacked. Panicked, I dashed to the side, trapped. The door swung open, hiding me behind it in the corner. Thank Kami-sama. I cursed my heavy breathing and tried to quiet it. Shit! The carpet! I hadn't flattened it. Kaiba would know someone was here—damn! But there was only a pause as Kaiba stopped near the top of the stairs, and then a fluttering sound. I listened with bated breath, sure I was going hear his deadly, sexy voice—.

"Seto?" It was the mansion's computer. What is WRONG with me! I slapped myself mentally.

Kaiba answered from barely four feet away. "Yes, MOKI?"

"The official that controls our American stock market connections will be calling in two minutes. You asked me to remind you."

"Thank you, MOKI; could you shut down for the night now?"

"Sure. Good night, Seto." There was a click.

The next sound, though it could have been totally innocent, was practically painful to hear—the rustling of papers. Then—

Silence.

The phone rang suddenly, shocking me. Kaiba turned and made to dash back into his office, but caught his foot on the edge of the carpet I'd flipped up. He swore under his breath and stumbled. There was a snapping sound and a flapping noise—he swept back into his office, slamming the door shut behind him. I stood paralyzed for a moment more in my hiding place, transfixed by a dropped piece of paper.

I didn't need to look at the drawing upon the paper too closely to recognize it.

Yugi's View

I woke up the next morning, blankets still wrapped around me. The first thing I felt was refreshment. I'd gotten a very good night's sleep. I rolled over, content to stay in bed for awhile—.

I remembered what was happening today and felt a small curl of bitterness. I wasn't needed this morning. I leaned over to my pants, still on the floor next to the bed, and fished in the pockets. My mouth felt sticky. There were a few jawbreakers left, and I popped one in my mouth. Free of morning breath, I rolled over, wadded my pillow back into a satisfactory lump, and tried to go back to sleep.

The next thing I remembered, though, was last night's events, and after that, I didn't feel so useless after all.

Yami's View

Kaiba had roused Auru, Rino, and I shortly after dawn. Of course, he hadn't come to our rooms personally—the phone rang. After picking it up, we were informed our presence was requested on the front porch.

I dressed quickly, tossing on a black turtleneck with red embroidery and deep blue jeans. Stepping into the bathroom, I splashed my face with water.

When all the glittery droplets slid away from my eyes and I could see properly, something in the mirror caught my eye. Instantly alert, I spun around to see who my attacker was. Then, I mentally slapped myself.

Yugi smiled back at me from the mirror.

Comforted, I brushed my teeth and exited my room. Predictably, I beat Auru and Rino to the Alcove.

Quietly, I went to Yugi's door and knocked twice. There was no answer. I lifted the ward I'd placed on his door before falling asleep last night and opened it, peering in.

It was dark. Yugi's breathing was even and shallow. That wasn't his normal breathing—was he faking? I came closer to the bed, unhindered by the darkness. Yugi was facing away from me.

"Yugi?" I whispered. If he was asleep, I didn't want to wake him.

He rolled over, though. "I guess there's no fooling you," Yugi said quietly. Something about someone whispering automatically makes you whisper too.

"I wasn't quite sure," I admitted. I sat down on the bed and instantly had second thoughts. Yugi moved away. I stood up awkwardly. "Sorry, I shouldn't have—."

"I was just…giving you more room. If you…wanted it," said Yugi, equally awkward. His face was red.

"What I said last night still holds, Yugi. If you don't like it, it stops. It's completely your choice." I was determined not to screw this up by dictating our relationship. It had to be voluntary.

Yugi sat up in the bed, stuffing two pillows behind him. He looked at me again, and I saw that he had a challenge in his eyes that I had only seen a few times before. "Yami…in our agreement, we never covered 'suggestions' on my part."

True, we did not. I thought that it was pretty clear here who the dominant one was. Or was that going too far? How far was this going to go? Or was I totally over-thinking that comment?

"So…if I 'suggest' a good morning kiss…would you mind?" Yugi held his arms out and I sat down again. He was smiling. I leaned in to lick his bottom lip, and then placed my lips over his, slipping my arms behind his back and drawing him closer. I realized that I shouldn't have had any qualms about dominance—Yugi parted his lips for me and I slipped my tongue inside his mouth. He tasted—fruity?

I broke the kiss, leaving our embrace where it was—Yugi's hands on my waist and mine linked around the small of his back. "Are you eating candy?"

Yugi did not blush. "Jawbreaker. Want some?" He grinned. I knew exactly where I'd have to go to get that jawbreaker…and it wasn't an unpleasant thought.

"Why, yes. I would like some," I said, playing along. Then I swooped back in, claiming Yugi's parted lips. His tongue was already playing with the jawbreaker, and I stole it with mine. I licked it a few times, and then simply tasted Yugi until he needed air. Such a bothersome concept: breathing….

Another tongue war ensued, and it was only when I heard some noise outside in the Alcove that I broke off.

"That's your cue to leave?" Yugi asked, a touch of reluctance in his voice.

"Unfortunately," I replied, giving him one last kiss. "I hope I can make it up to you, though…." I grinned seductively. Yugi did blush this time.

"Sure," he said. A smile came to my face. I left, closing the door with a quiet click and replacing the shadow ward. I turned around at a smashing sound—what in the world was going on?

"Rino—really—do I—ack!" Auru and Rino were barging out of their bedroom clumsily: Rino was forcing a shirt over Auru's head as he backed away. Auru ran into the doorframe, causing another awful smashing sound, and tried to reach for his smacked arm, though only succeeded in twisting the shirt around him further.

"Auru, please—would you—stop—squirming!" Finally, Rino gave a mighty tug and Auru's tousled black curls popped through the collar of the shirt.

"Ugh…clothes…such a waste of time," muttered Auru sullenly. "Gotta take them off n' everything…." He was not a morning person. Sitting down heavily on the edge of the couch, the black-haired vampire closed his eyes and tipped dangerously sideways, falling asleep on the spot.

Rino suddenly seized Auru's face and gave him a rather passionate, shocking kiss.

I became totally engrossed in the window. Cold, iron-grey light filtered through the clouds that had scudded over the sky during the night. I saw someone dart through a gap in the trees, wearing the guard's uniform that I assumed all of Kaiba's security had.

That was odd. Why would one of Kaiba's security guards be sneaking around his own patrol area? Was there a trespasser? No, Kaiba would know if someone had trespassed. I'd only been on his grounds for all of two minutes before he was pointing a gun at me. Was it something to do with the shrine nearby? I watched the area closely again, though I didn't see another sign of the person.

The obsidian pillar that rose from the shrine in the corner of the grounds glinted strangely in the morning light. I squinted, trying to read the runes engraved on it from this distance, but they were impossible to make out. That kiss was definitely getting longer than it was supposed to—.

"Ouch!" Auru and Rino apparently broke apart abruptly. "Damn! What was that for!" Auru griped.

"It woke you up," said Rino matter-of-factly. Did he just bite Auru's lip? No, that wasn't worth thinking about…no, not at all…certainly not….

Auru glared. "I said I was corrupting you, not making you a friggin' tease!"

Rino smiled innocently. "Your bad. And in case you didn't notice, Yami-kun is waiting for us. Let's go." Rino headed for the elevator, engaging me in conversation. "Good morning, Yami-kun. I hope you slept well."

"I did, thank you." I knew well enough not to ask Rino how he slept. No doubt Auru would butt in with something…well, something I didn't want to know.

The ride down to the first floor of Kaiba's mansion was uneventful. We detoured into the foyer for our shoes. A maid showed up while we were there and handed us some warm, delicious-looking pastries for us to eat on the walk. "Kaiba-san is on the front porch, if you'll just go through those doors there."

I thanked her for all of us. We opened one of the huge double doors we had used the first day here. Outside were the terrace-like porch, the large stone staircase, and the forest beyond.

Kaiba stood frigidly a little to the side of the door. He was staring into space when I exited the mansion. Kaiba looked like he had quite a bit on his mind. He obviously had quite a bit on his body—the brunette was draped with ceremonial robes the like of which I hadn't seen since my reign in Egypt. They were deep blue and many-layered, with silver and white threads embroidered on the chest, back, and cuffs. Silver bands circled his fingers, wrists, neck, and ankles. Under the robe was a white shift with a crest of a dragon.

I coughed discreetly. Kaiba turned towards us, surveying us with eyes now cold and focused.

"Follow me in single file. Do not wander off." Without another word, Kaiba turned on his heel, robes billowing impressively around him, and strode off into the forest.

It was soon very dark and difficult to keep up with Kaiba's long strides. I finished my pastries quickly and concentrated on not losing Kaiba. There were several glass bottles in his robes, judging from the sounds coming from them.

It was nearly ten relatively silent minutes before the shrine loomed up before us. It was just as impressive as Kaiba's mansion, though smaller, comparatively. Obsidian walls eight feet high rose into the air, their smooth surface only punctuated by ten foot towers spaced evenly along the barrier.

The pillar visible from nearly anywhere on the grounds looked like it was in the center of the shrine. However, there was no visible door.

Kaiba strode up to the barricade confidently. He placed his hand on one section of the wall, and it simply vanished. Whether it was an extremely convincing illusion, or Kaiba had just managed to vaporize several tons of rock, was unclear. It was a remarkable piece of magic, either way.

We stepped through the hole in the wall and into a beautiful courtyard, the stone block materializing back into place behind us. The courtyard had been completely marbled over, but sunken into the ground and filled with water. Only a raised, circular platform in the middle and a walkway to it remained above the shallow, reflecting pool.

The obsidian pillar rested on an equally black box in the center of the circular platform. The black box was engraved with just as many runes as the pillar.

Kaiba was handing out bottles and instructions. "Suobanshu-san (Rino), you are in charge of lending me your power while I break the seal. Soikone-san (Auru), you are in charge of the double-circle shields. Mutou-san (Yami), you are in charge of dissipating all the magical energy that will backwash into this realm. You may stay the night if the enchantment drains you too much. Is that perfectly clear?"

Auru, Rino, and I nodded seriously. "Begin," said Kaiba simply. Auru walked off down the pathway to the circular platform in the middle of the pool. I followed. Kaiba and Rino stayed closer to the door.

Popping the cork out of a glass bottle, Auru summoned several shadows and began drawing the runes and lines necessary for the first circle shield. I strayed towards the black monolith in the center of the platform, as my part wouldn't come just yet.

I could understand and speak many languages, but the runes on the black stone box were a mystery to me. This was unsettling. I had a fleeting thought to refuse to participate in this spell. However, I had not forgotten that we were trapped. Comfortably so, but trapped all the same.

Rino had his hands on Kaiba's shoulders, Rino's eyes closed, Kaiba's unfocused but open. They moved as one to the circular platform. Auru closed the first shield, which encompassed the obsidian pillar. Once the four of us were outside the first shield, Auru closed the second.

It was deathly silent as Kaiba raised his hands. White sparks danced from his fingers. He stared intently at the black box in the center of the shields, and began to draw runes, saying their names quietly, but urgently.

Nothing happened for a full minute. I stood alert, waiting….

Both of Auru's shields suddenly flared with white light, blinding Auru and me. Magic had broken out of somewhere and flooded the shields. I braced myself, and then touched the one in front of me.

It was like touching a wire with the strongest electrical current possible. I cried out and tried desperately, gritting my teeth, to get the magic to flow away. I willed it fiercely into the ground, into the water, into the air—anywhere but inside me. I could feel Auru struggling to hold his shields together on the other side of the platform. Kaiba was still chanting softly, shuddering like a wind sock, Rino echoing his every tremor like a deformed mirror.

Wind came rushing by my ears continuously. A huge, terrible ripping noise assaulted my hearing next. At this, the amount of magic coursing through me surged; I nearly broke the connection. The magic surged again, again, and again, as if there were convulsions happening all around me; I was being squeezed and torn apart—.

Kaiba let the enchantment go as abruptly as if he'd dropped an anvil. He just stopped performing the magic. The last traces of power dissipated into the air and water. Steam hissed from the pool around us, coating everything in mist. Auru, Rino, and I fell to our knees, gulping air. No wonder Kaiba needed help with that enchantment. There was no shame in his request or in our collapses.

Kaiba, I realized, had not fallen to the ground. Instead, he had rushed forward on unsteady legs. He was bending over a dark shape which I couldn't make out on the ground in the middle of the now-spent circle shields.

I took several deep breaths as Kaiba tended to the thing he'd brought into this world. Slowly, Kaiba managed to pick it up.

Silent and ominous, ashen-faced and determined, Kaiba trudged out of the shrine, carrying the pale, motionless form of a child.