Oi, minna! (Meaning: Yo, everyone!)
This chapter got seriously messed up in the notes when I was sending it to a friend. –Sighs- I kinda feel like crying right now, since that appears to be irreplaceable. Oh well...I guess this means...Freestyle!
Sarah: ...Scarier then any vampire fic in the whole world.
L.W.K: ...-Pouts- I'm trying to remember what I wrote! Mou...the chapter itself is perfectly intact.
The story is dedicated to: (I don't remember what I said, but...) DIVEY!!!!! That amazing and wonderful friend of mine who I like to make blush by writing this.
The chapter is dedicated to: Since I can't remember what it was originally dedicated to...it is RE-dedicated to...YUGI'S STARRY PAJAMAS! And character's blushing moments.
Sarah: -Blushes-
L.W.K: LIKE THAT!
Sarah: -Even redder-
L.W.K: Disclaimer please!
Spike: ...The lady winged knight doesn't own YGO, vampires, or me.
L.W.K: ...Darn. ROLL FIC!
'How did I find myself here again? Oh yeah...I remember. Conscious...evil little thing. And yet, I still have no idea just what I'm up against.' Sarah thought sighing.
She had helped Yugi clean up what was left of the mess, and was currently scanning the area for vampiric aura while Yugi got dressed for bed.
'Nope. Nothing...not a single vampire in this area. I sense some aura, but it's scattered. I figured that it would be like this. They're in the more populated areas...probably in alleys as usual.' She mused.
She had been waiting in Yugi's room. Finally she heard footsteps from down the hall. Yugi walked in the room wearing ice blue starry pjs. Sarah had a slightly hard time keep a straight face. It was a good thing that she had been able to be solemn in just about any situation, or else she might have actually been giggling.
Still...maybe...he looked kinda...
'Don't you DARE go there...' she growled mentally.
Sarah snapped out of her thoughts just in time to see Yugi blushing slightly. She soon figured out why, because she had been staring at him the whole time she was in thought.
Yugi saw her look away and mutter something like "nice pajamas." This of course, didn't help the slight tint of pink on his face to disappear any faster.
He went over to his bed and pulled back the covers, and slipped inside. Sarah watched him, and when he was finally settled in, she went over to his open window. She sat down on the window seat-like sill, with her back to the wall and left leg dangled lazily on the side. She crossed her arms and lowered her head. It was big enough for her to relax, but she still looked very aware.
"Are you sure you want to sleep like that?" Yugi asked while frowning.
"I'm fine." Sarah replied while looking out into the street.
"It doesn't look very comfortable..." Yugi said still a little unsure."Really, I'm fine. I've slept in places that were a lot less cozy. As far as I'm concerned, this is a four star hotel. So don't worry about it and get some sleep. Whether or not my sleeping area is perfect is the very last on my list of things to worry about. So it's not a big deal." With that being said, she closed her eyes.
Yugi still didn't feel that great about having her sleep on his window. I mean, wouldn't she like the couch better or something? He looked over at her sleeping form. She looked very relaxed, and yet it was kind of hard to tell if she was really sleeping.
"Go to sleep Yugi. Now." Sarah commanded without opening her eyes.
Yugi smiled sheepishly. 'Guess that answers that question.' He thought while drifting off into dreamland.
Sarah waited until Yugi's breathing became steady in sleep. She opened her eyes. She was eventually going to go to sleep, but not just now. Surprisingly, she didn't even feel tired. Which really was a surprise. After such a long night and two battles...even though the first one was more of a warm up...one would be expected to be exhausted.
Frankly, Yugi was right about the windowsill not being all that comfortable, even if it suited her. The reason she insisted on sleeping there is because that was the most likely place that a vampire would strike. In fact, she remembered vaguely leaving the window open to jump out and that was probably how the vampire got in.
Okay...now she REALLY couldn't sleep. Not only was she not tired, but also she was beginning to feel ever so slightly guilty.
Not a good mix.
Grunting in irritation, she quietly left her perch. But before going to the door, she looked over at Yugi. He was curled up slightly in his covers. His mouth curved up wards in a gentle smile that was both happy, and peaceful. His tri-colored hair rested on his pillow and his golden bangs lay gently across his face. No matter who you were, there was only one word to describe how Yugi looked right then.
Angelic.
'A defenseless human. My charge. The one I am forced to guard. That's all.' Sarah mused, frowning slightly.
She walked over to the door, and she scanned the area once more before she stepped through it.
'While I'm here I might as well investigate. I have a strange feeling about this house. And another thing...Yugi's grandpa. What did Yugi mean when he said his grandpa was "weird"?' She thought as she moved through the halls.
It wasn't too big of a house, but it was bigger then one would think from the outside. The one thing that really bothered Sarah was that there was this feeling about this house that was familiar and disturbing.
'I smell this...thing...like herbs.' Sarah thought while slightly sniffing the air.
"Well...I guess I'll let my nose guide me like last time...heh." She said quietly as she continued her walk.
She felt herself getting closer and the smell was a lot stronger. Plus that feeling was also stronger. There was one last hall...as she started to walk down it, something on the wall caught her eye.
'A...picture?' She thought as she stared at an oak wood framed picture that hung on the wall.
It was pretty nice picture, but it was also pretty old...maybe 12 or 13 years. A little boy with large eyes sat in the lap of an old man who was sitting in a chair. The man had suspiciously familiar spiked hair that was a silvery color. But what Sarah had actually noticed first was the boy. Large purple eyes that sparkled with innocence, a tri-colored crown of hair, blue clothes...?
There was no doubt. This was Yugi when he was a little kid and the man must have been his grandfather.
'Well, I'll agree with Yugi on the weird part. And yet, I get the strangest feeling of nostalgia.' With that thought, she continued down the hallway.
Sarah looked at the door and did a double take. There was a sign on the door. Not really unusual...except for one thing.
It wasn't written in any human writing. What was even weirder, was that the writing was familiar to Sarah. Far too familiar.
'Vampiric?!? This is vampiric writing...that...how? ...It says, "If you value your life, keep out." ...No normal human knows vampiric writing. Except for Malik, but I taught him, and he can barely spell our alphabet!' Sarah thought glaring at the door.
This really didn't make any sense. No normal human would study vampiric writing, not to mention most humans didn't even know that vampires had a different writing language.
So the only way for a human to know, is for a vampire to teach them. But according to what she knew from Yugi, vampires never visited him and his grandpa...so even in the VERY unlikely case that a vamp would...it still wasn't possible.
'Something really strange is going on. The scent is a lot stronger...and that feeling too. Only one way to figure this out. The answer to all this has got to be through that door. Well, what am I waiting for? A golden invitation?' Sarah mused.
She touched the door handle and felt an almost burning sensation. It stung, but she turned the doorknob as fast as she could. It opened a crack before Sarah had to pull her hand back.
She winced and shook her hand in the air from the slight pain. It went away after about a few seconds. Sarah turned back to the door.
"That was a surprise. If that was supposed to hurt me, then it really didn't work that well...actually, I was just caught off guard. It doesn't make sense. If it was supposed to keep intruders out, then why wasn't it stronger then that?" She muttered in curiosity with slight confusion playing on her face.
She pushed the door open, and revealed a small room with a large arm chair, very old books on one self, and on another there were all sorts of bottles filled with strange things, along with beakers, powders, and a few other items. The only other objects that were note worthy in the room was a peculiar staff and a big black pot.
Sarah smirked. It all made sense now.
'So that's it, old man? Yugi's grandfather was a wizard. Hn...so that's why no vampire ever dared to come near this place. That weird feeling was the remains of a vampire barrier. It must have just worn off today by the feel of it...and it was extra strong on the door because this is his study. And of course the herbs were all the stuff he used for material spells.'
She studied the things in the room. The books were spell books, information on vampires and werewolves, and even a book written by Yugi's grandpa himself. The black pot was a cauldron for the items on the shelves. And the carved staff was an enchanted wizard's staff for spells that weren't of the material kind.
'There's just one thing I don't get...how come the barrier spell only wore off today? It makes sense that it wore off because Yugi's grandfather died and spells usually wear off when the one who enchanted them dies...unless they are specific spells for that purpose. So why now?' Sarah thought furrowing her brow.
The recesses of her mind began to call back memories of times long past.
Flash back
"Now Sarah, for your lesson on enchantments. Most of the time when wizards or witches die, their spells wear off unless enchanted otherwise. However, when a wizard or witch is powerful enough, the spell can take longer to wear off...like a month or so. Especially if it's used for defensive purposes." A wise figure told a smaller version of Sarah.
"Remember this, because the information may prove useful later." Her teacher warned her.
"Yes sir. I will." Sarah replied nodding to her teacher and smiling.
End flash back'That's right. I learned about this at the age of six...that was helpful.' Sarah mused, silently thanking her memory and her teacher.
'At least I know now...Yugi's grandfather probably didn't tell Yugi that he was a wizard...Which does make sense. It's not the wisest thing to do if you're trying to live as a normal human and co-exist with them.' She thought snorting.
"But something doesn't fit. I sense something else. Something...hazy...distant or faint...I can't tell..."
As she reflected on her musings, the night air drifted through the door bringing a scent that struck her nose. She cursed under her breath.
'Not again! Why me...?! Did I kick puppies in a past life or something?!' Sarah thought as she sped through the halls back to Yugi's room. Yugi had jolted up from his bed a few seconds ago and was sitting up with wide eyes.
"Is it...?" Yugi asked as quietly as he could.
Sarah clenched her teeth in anger. "I don't sense anything! I can smell it...but I can't feel a single wave of aura! What the heck is going on?!" She growled into the night air that slowly crept into the window.
A blood-curdling howl suddenly pierced the night air like an assassin's dagger.
Yugi's eyes widened. This was almost as bad as a horror movie..."What was that?"
Sarah sighed. "It's just a werewolf. Go back to sleep..." She muttered.
"Oh...okay..." Yugi said smiling as his tired mind began to process that statement fully.
"WHAT?! What do you mean, "JUST a werewolf"?!"
Sarah chuckled. "Relax Yugi...A werewolf isn't a big deal...trust me."
"Define YOUR version of "isn't a big deal" if you don't mind..." Yugi mumbled while looking at her as if she fell out of the sky. Then again...DIDN'T she?
"Yugi, werewolves travel in packs. Otherwise, they aren't a threat. A ten-year-old could beat one with a candlestick! This one probably isn't in a pack...or one of his friends would have answered him by now. And even IF they actually attack here, which they wouldn't, they'd never get this far in town. And even in the extremely off chance that they DID...they probably wouldn't be after you. FINALLY, even if they were, I could take 'em. My blade is made out of silver. Besides, they know that and they aren't that eager to die."
"You're sure about that?"
"Yes, because I know that they are right next to pond scum on the "danger" list. If I'm not worried, you don't have a reason to be. If I'm worried, then panic all you want." Sarah offered with an amused expression.
Yugi sweatdropped and nodded slowly.
Sarah was planning on going to sleep, when another sound pierced the air...the sound of maniacal laughter.
"If that was a wolf, then I'm a tie-dyed porcupine." Yugi muttered.
Sarah blinked. 'I CAN'T FEEL ANYTHING! AGAIN! ...That laugh didn't sound human. And it wasn't werewolf because tonight is a night where they can't turn back. Someone up there hates my guts.'
"You're human. Trust me." Sarah assured.
"That makes me feel so much better..." Yugi mumbled sarcastically.
"Aww...poor baby...are ya scared? Oh, I'll treat you right...unlike this foolish girl..."
Sarah glared. That wasn't her or Yugi...that's for sure. And it SURE wasn't human. The voice echoed from the roof. That meant it could only be one thing. Sarah stood closer to the window, guarding Yugi who was still in his bed at the far side of the room. A shadow dropped down to the window.
"A vampire..." Sarah muttered angrily. "I demand to know your business here. Now." Sarah commanded.
"Same as yours...isn't it?" The vampire cooed.
"What...? Is this a friend of yours Sarah...?" Yugi asked in confusion, his eyes glimmering in the dark.
Sarah grunted in amusement. "Hardly...And you. Shut up. You don't know my business here, nor is it something so vile."
"What's going on here?"
The vampire smirked. "Oh? So he doesn't KNOW?" He grinned in glee.
"State your business. Now. Or do I have to force it out of you?"
"Heh. Forceful for one so weak...I was led by the smell of light."
"Grr...I am no more weak then you are civilized." Sarah replied with an expression that dared him to test her statement.
"You wound me." He mockingly pretended to be hurt.
"That was the general idea..."
"You really don't know why I'm here do you? Well, allow me to make this perfectly clear then." He suggested and then lunged at Yugi.
Sarah jumped in front of him with her sword blocking him.
"I think I already guessed you were hungry. I mean, why him?" Sarah asked while pushing him back with her blade.
The vampire stepped back and licked his lips. "Wouldn't youlike to know?" He asked and made another dive at Yugi.
Sarah smiled and side stepped him, giving him full access to Yugi.
'You want him? You got him...'
He got about a foot from Yugi and then was hit by a flash of blue light. He fell backwards in shock.
"Curse...you...you horrid creature...! A cross..." He choked out as he tried to regain his strength and stand.
"What can I say? I have a few hobbies...and I'm generous. Besides, I think it looks great on him...wouldn't you agree?" Sarah asked with a smirk.
'Wow...it actually works...' Yugi thought, examining the silver necklace. A small spark still remained from the light.
Sarah grabbed him and shoved him, against Yugi's wall. HARD.
"Start talking." Sarah demanded, her hand poised on her sword.
"...Forget it." He growled, barely recovering from the blast. He glared into her eyes with his golden ones.
"Oh, of course...you're right...! I should just forget that the person I'm guarding has been attacked twice by some nutcase vampires, for reasons I don't know. I think I'll just have you fly off and tell whoever that I just let you go. And then I'll have a nice cup of tea and take a nap." Sarah suggested sarcastically with a fake smile that was cranked up a little too high.
She slammed him against the wall again.
"I might let you live if you tell me." Sarah emphasized her point with a silver one that was currently very close to his chest.
"I can never tell you his name..." He whispered darkly in an ominous tone.
"Never is such a horribly long time...and I'm afraid I'm just a little bit short on patience..." Sarah said tsking. Sarah thought about what he had said for a second longer.
"Wait...He? As in...no...Oh gods, no..." Sarah murmured, inwardly groaning. Then she smiled. That gave her an idea.
"I heard your boss really hates failure...doesn't he? Well, I guess I don't have to punish you after all...I'll just hand you over to him and he can take care of your...mistake..." Sarah trailed off.
His eyes widened like a deer in headlights.
"I'm sure he's told you the penalty for failing him." Sarah added grimly.
"...N-no..." He whispered in horror.
"Then let's make a deal. You tell me why you want him and I'll tell you where you can go..." Sarah proposed.
"There is no safe haven." He answered mournfully, "It would be better if I was just killed."
"Kirik no kage." Sarah spoke calmly. "I'll give you my entrance. But I want some answers."
His dark gold eyes brightened in hope. But then he frowned deeply.
"I came here because my master requested to bring light." He answered. "But that's...all I know."
"You're sure he's...?"
"Smell it for yourself...I'm sure." He answered nodding.
"...Do they know it's this house?" Sarah asked, almost dreading the answer to come.
"...Yes..." he replied solemnly.
Sarah sighed and dropped him. "When you get there, tell them that "The crimson raven requests forgiveness, and the shadows have granted their wish". Oh, and ask for Lithia." She muttered numbly.
He nodded, bowed, and left with a quiet thank you.
Sarah turned to Yugi and frowned sadly. "I'm afraid you might not be seeing your house again for a long time. Pack one bag. We're leaving tonight." Sarah announced as she stood by the window.
"...But...why?" Yugi whispered shocked and surprised. Leaving his only home?
"Because...They know you're here. They'll keep coming. They know you're in this house now. I have to get you out of here." Sarah informed him and shrugged. "There's nothing I can do."
Yugi nodded sadly and began grabbing things and putting them in a bag. Sarah waited calmly as he packed.
'I get it now...That vamp was sent by the vampire lord of the red clan. That's why I couldn't sense him. The emblem on his cape...stealth capes hide vampiric aura. If only from other vampires. He did that. Only HE knows how...' She thought slightly disturbed.
'The other vampire must have had its aura hidden because of the interference of the cloak. It didn't seem like a minion...'
She felt a gentle hand tap her lightly on the shoulder and turned to see Yugi standing there, fully dressed and packed.
"I'm ready." Yugi announced softly.
Sarah nodded and bent down on her knees.
Yugi blinked.
Sarah looked at him impatiently.
"What are you waiting for?" She asked.
"Uh...I don't know what I'm supposed to do..." He whispered meekly.
Sarah restrained herself from smacking her own face.
She sighed. "Get on."
"...On what?"
"On ME." She replied a little louder then she intended.
"Oh..."
Sarah chuckled. "Let me help..." She offered and hoisted him on her for a piggyback ride. His arms were secure around her neck and he gripped as hard as he could.
"The intention is to ride on me...not choke me to death..." She muttered in a raspy voice.
Yugi blushed and loosened his tight squeeze.
"I want you to hang on tight, but a little tighter and I'd be seeing stars. So just relax, but be careful. Like me, I'm calm...but aware. Got it?" Sarah asked.
Yugi nodded. "Alright."
"Fasten your seat belts...cause here we go!" Sarah said as she jumped out the window and ran through the yard. Her running start made it easier for her to leap onto a building's roof.
Yugi stared wide-eyed and Sarah stopped.
"You okay?" She asked, a little concerned.
Yugi blinked. "How did you DO that?"
Sarah laughed. "This is the first time you've noticed that I do things a little...differently?"
"...Well, no. I just...how?" Yugi asked, clearly amazed.
Sarah's muscles tensed, but she didn't let it show. She just smirked in a happy manner.
"Oh, I just...have a few talents for this kind of thing...it's more of something you're born with." 'More then he KNOWS...' she added mentally.
"So...do you think you can handle the ride? Because if you can't...I have other ways of getting around...but this is fastest and often easiest."
"I can handle it." Yugi assured, determined.
Sarah grinned. "Atta boy, let's go." She resumed her "flight" of glide like jumps from house to house.
"...Sarah? Why are they after me?" Yugi asked a few minutes later.
"...Apparently, whether you're what they think you are or not, you're a hikari." Sarah replied, keeping her eyes on the star sprinkled sky and luminous moon ahead.
"Hikari?" Yugi inquired.
"Hikari means light. You see, vampires drink blood for more then one reason. The other reason is because it can heal an injured vampire. Some peoples' blood is very...unclean as it were. Most normal people have blood that is mostly in between. And some people have blood that is very pure. Depending on how pure a person's blood is, a vampire can heal faster and even become more powerful." Sarah explained.
"But what does that have to do with me?"
"I'm getting there...finally, there are a select few people in this world that have blood that is very pure. They're called Hikaris. Which is what you are." Sarah finished.
"...I have very pure blood?" Yugi stated as more of a question.
"Yes...unfortunately, Vampires...rather like the taste of pure blood. If blood is unclean, it's very bitter. The more pure it is, the better is supposedly tastes."
"How does a person have blood that is more pure then normal?"
"I...never really knew the answer to that." Sarah shrugged, mindful not to let Yugi slip off. "Some people theorize that it has to do with the innocence of the person, others insist that it's just something you're born with."
"I see...one more thing."
"Yes?"
"...will I ever get to go back home?"
"...I...don't know Yugi...I just...don't know."
'But more then ever am I going to watch over you. At first this was charity work...now it's personal. First target: Second in command, Vampire master...Marik Kage Ribaru. '
Now you know why Sarah was so disgusted a few chapters back.
L.W.K: I think I remember saying that I was upset at how slow the plot was moving.
Sarah: Well, at least you're making me look cool.
L.W.K: ...WHY DO I KEEP WRITING ABOUT YOU??!?!?!?
Sarah: -Grins- 'Cause you're on a "me" kick and you can't seem to get off it...
LW.K: ...True...true...sad, but true.
Sarah: HEY!
Translations:
Kirik no kage: Kirik's shadow
Explanation: It's just a made up vampire haven that I created. Shrugs It sounded cool.
Ribaru: Rival.
Explanation: I know it's cheesy, OKAY? Gimme a break...names are freakin' hard to come up with. YOU try finding a Japanese last name that's cool AND fits, and THEN come back and tell me that it's lame.