Taku: They came back.
KT: Good. Then let's continue.
Juni: Now we dispel the evil cliffhanger which had people threatening and cursing us.
KT: (sweatdrop) All in a day's work. Thanks to Yana5, Pharaoh Atemu's Angel, ladywolfTerri, UsagiLovesDuochan, harleydbabe222, xamosy, Mizu, Shire, Masami Mistress Of Fire, Angel's Charm, Atemu Yugi Lover34, pharaohs-slave, pyromaniacgrl, Triana2, LilAznSp0nge, and Dark Angel Of Fire Ice for reviewing, and a giant sugar cookie to Dark Angel Of Fire Ice, pharaohs-slave, harleydbabe222, and Triana2 for adding me to your favorites list.
Taku: Can we move on to the chapter already?
KT: Shut up, Harley Boy.


(last time)

Yugi considered. "If you didn't want to hurt me, then why did you bite me?" he asked, still not looking up.

"That was a necessity," Yami replied. "I would have preferred doing it painlessly, but it was too soon for that. I can prove to you now, that I don't wish to hurt you."

"How?" Yugi asked.

"Let me bite you again."


6: Kiss And Tell

Yugi stiffened. Willingly stand there and let Yami sink his fangs into him again? His first thought was to say no. But if Yami really wanted to bite him again, how well did he think he could resist? Yami was incredibly strong. Maybe if he went along with it, Yami would be nicer about it.

You know that isn't the only reason you're going to let him bite you, Yugi's mind told him.

Shut up! Yugi snapped back.

"Well...I...guess so," Yugi finally agreed, still reluctant about it. He didn't feel like he had much of a choice anyway. I don't see what difference it'll make, whether I agree to it or not.

He heard a sigh of what sounded like relief from Yami. The arms around him loosened slightly, and one fell away. "Then just remain still and let me do everything," Yami instructed. Yugi felt the vampire's fingers underneath his chin, which tilted it up, forcing him to look into Yami's eyes.

Yami actually felt a little excitement about being able to taste Yugi's blood again. After Yugi had run off, he had abandoned the trespassing human's body to go after him and ensure that he didn't get himself hurt. This meant that he was still thirsty. The fact that Yugi had agreed to it was good news, he felt, for them both.

Yugi watched Yami's eyes warily. I wonder what he could be thinking? he thought. He found himself thinking that Yami had gorgeous eyes. And the few times he had seen Yami in the light, he had to admit, he looked good. Okay, so why am I thinking these thoughts now? he thought. Maybe because I've stopped trying to convince myself that being attracted to Yami isn't possible. But if it is, what happens then?

If Yugi tried hard enough, he thought he could almost see Yami's face in the minimal light. The crimson-colored eyes seemed to hypnotize him, and draw him nearer. Yami's chilling voice stating "the alternative is death" was becoming more and more distant in Yugi's mind. Yugi felt like he was in a dream, a dream where he had no control over his own body. Yami's hand was still under his chin, and it tilted it slightly higher.

It was strange. Yami's eyes seemed as though they were coming closer to his face. Yugi found himself going to meet them halfway. Wait...meet what? He was confused, but apparently his body didn't care and kept acting on its own. What am I doing? Do I need to try and stop whatever it is?

And then...

Yugi realized what was happening when he felt lips touch his own. He thought he was going to pass out. Oh my God...is he actually kissing me? He didn't know what to think, or how to react. All he knew was that he liked it. To perhaps an unhealthy extent.

Yami's arm tightened slightly around his waist, as if to keep Yugi from getting away. But escape was the last thing on Yugi's mind. He was too busy enjoying their current activity. His eyes closed as he savored the feeling. He had no idea Yami was enjoying it just as much. Yugi almost sighed with disappointment when he felt Yami finally break the kiss. He heard Yami exhale, but it seemed like a distant noise.

I...I can't believe...he kissed me... Yugi was in a daze. He didn't know what to think. Should I have pushed him away? Should I have enjoyed it as much as I did? Oh, man, I actually enjoyed it! What was I thinking?

But...how could I not enjoy it? I mean, well, I don't know. I know he likes me, but I don't now if I like him back. If I liked the kiss, does that mean...I like him? Is it true? Am I attracted to him?

Yugi was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't even notice that Yami had lowered his head towards Yugi's neck. Yugi felt hot breath on his neck, and it pulled him from his thoughts. A sudden wave of fear rushed over him, and he felt that he really didn't want to participate. He placed his hands on Yami's chest and tried to push them apart.

"Yugi, please," Yami said, still poised to sink his fangs in Yugi's neck. "Don't struggle with me."

The very tone of his voice somehow managed to calm Yugi down. He stopped resisting and tried to relax, even though his heart was still beating wildly. Just take your mind off of it. Find something else to think about. Anything. The weather, what time it is, how long you've gone without a bath-anything! He could feel panic rising in his throat again. His fingers unconsciously tightened around the fabric of Yami's shirt.

Yugi felt something sharp pressed against his flesh, and he squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself for the pain. He felt a prick and could feel Yami's fangs pushing through his flesh. He could feel himself starting to shake and he tightened his grip on Yami's shirt. I can't feel the pain yet. Oh, God, I must be too delirious to feel it. He was expecting the worst.

Yami's fangs sank down into Yugi's skin until the vampire's lips were against Yugi's neck. Yugi could actually feel Yami sucking blood out. He was confused. He still didn't feel any pain at all. Why not? It was scaring him somewhat. Is it all going to come rushing down on me at once? he wondered.

Strangely, his mind wandered back to the kiss. What if that had something to do with it? He could almost relive it second by second. Somehow, he knew, Yami had done something to stop the pain from arriving, but he just didn't know what. Yugi's death grip on Yami's shirt loosened slightly.

I can prove to you now, that I don't want to hurt you, Yami had said. And he had truly meant it. He hadn't just been trying to trick Yugi so he could have another meal. He had been sincere. But that still doesn't mean I can trust him completely, Yugi reminded himself. He's a vampire, after all. It's his instinct to kill and feed off of humans. Just because you think he likes you doesn't mean he won't end up killing you later. But he had a small feeling that Yami wouldn't kill him.

Yami finally released Yugi, cleaning his lips with his tongue. Yugi reached up a hand to touch the spot where Yami had bitten him, and his fingers passed over the two small puncture marks in his neck. A wave of dizziness suddenly washed over him, and he found himself falling forward. He expected to hit the ground, but Yami caught him.

"I feel weak," Yugi observed aloud, touching his forehead.

"That's to be expected. You just lost blood," Yami said. "Come. You must rest and regain your strength." He took Yugi's free hand and led him away.

Yugi felt a blush rising up at holding hands with Yami. He mentally sighed. Maybe I am lovesick. He was jarred from his thoughts as he suddenly stumbled and fell to his knees. He couldn't find it in him to get up. He felt like he had been spinning around for several long minutes, and the world was now tilting accordingly.

"Can you stand?" he heard Yami ask.

"I...I don't think so," Yugi said, trying not to topple over.

Yami let go of his hand. Moments later, Yugi felt arms encircle him, and he was lifted into the air. Yami, with Yugi now safely in his arms, continued walking. Yugi ended up with his head on Yami's shoulder. He sighed and closed his eyes. I could fall asleep.


Yugi felt himself being pulled from dreamland. Nooo, I'm too sleepy, leave me alone real world, he thought, turning on his side and hugging his pillow. ...Pillow...?

Yugi frowned, even with his eyes closed.Pillow? Where did a pillow come from? Wait... he realized that he was lying on a bed, covered by a blanket, and was indeed hugging a pillow. A bed...what does that mean? He was still too sleepy to bother opening his eyes. A pillow and a bed. And covers. Then...no, it can't be. Was that all a dream?

That's impossible. It was too real. It couldn't have all been a dream. But then how do I explain this bed? Yugi realized he wasn't going back to sleep, and irritably cracked an eye open.

Sunlight greeted him. He opened both eyes and sat up. What he discovered nearly made him fall off the bed.

He was still in the clearing. But he was sleeping in a bed, for goodness' sake! He looked down just to make sure it was real. Sure enough, he was sleeping on a real mattress, underneath a real blanket, with a real pillow in his lap. There was a box spring keeping the mattress out of contact with the ground.

Yugi blinked once, twice, and then rubbed his eyes. "How did this bed get here?" he wondered aloud.

"Yugi."

Yugi turned towards the sound of the familiar voice, and saw Yami's familiar red eyes watching him safely outside the clearing. Yugi was shocked to see that he could see more than just Yami's eyes. He could actually see Yami's face. Some of it was still hidden in shadow, but some of it was visible to Yugi.

"Come here," Yami said. Yugi rolled out of bed, got to his feet, and walked barefoot to Yami's side. "Where'd this bed come from?" he blurted the moment he got there.

Yami smiled, and Yugi actually saw it. "I went on a little errand after you fell asleep last night," he said.

"You got me a bed?" Yugi exclaimed in disbelief, as if expecting the bed to disappear.

"It's more preferable than the ground, wouldn't you agree?" Yami said, raising an eyebrow.

Yugi nodded. "Of course," he said, "but, I mean, you didn't have...thank you."

Yami seemed surprised that Yugi had thanked him. He blinked, then smiled a genuine smile. It seemed to light up his face. "You're welcome," he said.

Yugi found himself smiling back, for the first time since he had been in the Forbidden Forest. "By the way," he said, "I was wondering, why did you kiss me last night? Did that somehow keep you from hurting me when you bit me?"

"When you willingly submitted to being bitten, that made it possible for the experience to be painless," Yami explained.

"Then what was the kiss for?" Yugi asked, confused.

Yami smirked. "That was a bonus."

His words made Yugi blush.


Yugi walked down the path to the river. Yami had left him to "prepare for the new day" as the vampire put it. Yugi was glad he still got some measure of privacy from Yami.

When he made it to the river, he stopped and stared. Hanging on a low tree branch was a towel, and lying on a stump underneath it was a bar of soap. Yugi walked over to them and stared at them. "Wow," was all he could say.

He used them, though. The water was as cold as ever, but Yugi ignored the temperature and had a nice cheerful time bathing with soap. When he was finished, he dried himself off with the towel and went over to the stump where he had dropped his clothes. When he made it there, he saw something black folded into a neat pile. He lifted it up and found it was a black tank top and pants.

Yugi was surprised, again. The clothes felt like a fabric he had never felt before. In fact, they felt like they were made of the same fabric as Yami's shirt. Yugi didn't question it, however, and put the clean clothes on. He dunked his dirty clothes in the river and hung them up to dry.

That done, Yugi started down the path back to the clearing. He wasn't sure where else to go, so he just decided to get back to the most familiar place he knew and wait for Yami to show up. It was really nice of him to get all this stuff for me, Yugi thought as he walked.

Along the path back to the clearing was a very tall tree, the tallest Yugi had seen in the forest. He passed under it widely spreading branches. A rustling sound above made him turn his eyes upwards.

High up in the tree, relaxing on a branch, was none other than Yami himself. He seemed to sense Yugi looking up at him and looked down.

"I see you're finished bathing and dressing," Yami stated.

"Yeah," Yugi said. "Thanks for the clothes. And the towel. And the soap."

Yami stood up on the branch and jumped all the way down to the ground in one graceful leap. He landed on his feet in front of Yugi. "You don't have to thank me for every single thing I get for you," he said. "Now, come with me. I have something to show you." He headed down the path in the other direction, back to the river. Yugi followed him.

They went back to the river and walked along it until they came to a bridge across it. The bridge was solid black, and it looked like it was smoking. Yami crossed right over it, not seeming in the least perturbed. Yugi shrugged and followed him. The bridge didn't creak. It didn't even feel like wood under Yugi's feet. His sneakers didn't make a sound on it.

Yugi had just stepped onto the land on the other side when he heard a whooshing noise. He turned around and was shocked to see the bridge blowing away in wisps like some nonexistent wind had blown it. "Whoa, what just happened?"

"That is a bridge made of shadows," Yami said, continuing to walk without looking back. "From now on it will form whenever you approach the bank and wish to cross."

Yugi stared at the river. "Wow," he said, following Yami.

They traveled together down another path until they came to a place in the forest where the floor was clear of tree trunks. Branches stretched out over it above, letting only small strips of sunlight through. There was minimal light, but Yugi could see fine. Dotted all around the clearing were a bunch of different fruit trees.

"This is where you can come when you get hungry," Yami explained.

"This is amazing!" Yugi exclaimed. His eyes actually sparkled as he looked around.

Yami seemed pleased with his reaction. "I know you haven't eaten in a few days, so if you'd like you, you can eat now."

"Okay!" Yugi seemed almost like a hyper little kid as he went running from tree to tree picking fruit. He ate some along the way and dropped the minimal remains under their respective trees.

Yugi ate enough fruit for three people. When he was finished, he glanced back to see Yami still standing at the edge of the clearing, safely away from any sunlight, watching him. He went back over to Yami.

"I see that you enjoyed yourself," Yami said.

"Yeah," Yugi said with a blush. "I was just a little hungry. I ate like Joey," he said with a chuckle. Then suddenly he stopped abruptly, and the light faded from his eyes. He suddenly looked very sad.

Yami noticed the instant change. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Yugi looked away. "...I-I just...I miss my friends," he said. "They don't know what happened to me. They must be worried sick about me. They probably think I'm dead." Tears rose in his eyes and threatened to spill. "They might even be grieving."

Yami felt almost heartbroken. Of course. He should have known. Yugi had friends back in that town. Friends and probably family. He was going to miss them. Yami turned away. He should have known better than to get attached. Yugi would probably want to go see them now. He might even risk escaping to see them again. I should have stayed with my instincts and killed him, Yami thought miserably. Getting Yugi a bed and a towel wouldn't make up for the fact that he missed his old home. This wouldn't have been a problem if he were dead.

But the thought of Yugi simply being another lifeless corpse to join the field of bones was outlandish at this point. Yami knew now. He loved Yugi. He wanted to keep the boy forever. But Yugi wouldn't want to stay here. Given a choice, he would no doubt go back to where he belonged.

With humans.

Yami turned to walk away, no longer wanting to be around Yugi. He was just living a normal life, and I messed it up, he thought. I should never have kidnapped him. I should have...just...I don't know.

"Yami?"

Yami flinched when he heard Yugi's voice, sad and soft. He glanced back to see Yugi looking up at him, tears freely streaming down his cheeks.

"Please don't leave me here."

Yami could hardly believe his ears. Why did Yugi want him to stay? He turned and slowly walked back to the boy, who stood there, trying to control his tears. Yami, acting almost on autopilot, reached out with a hand and wiped Yugi's fallen tears from his face. Then he leaned over and gave Yugi a gentle kiss.

"Yugi," he said, his face still mere inches away from Yugi's, "I don't want to hurt you anymore. I told you that."

Yugi nodded. "You did."

Yami sighed and pulled away. He extended a hand to Yugi. "Come with me," he said, resignation in his tone. Yugi took his offered hand, and was surprised when he was pulled forward suddenly. Yami wrapped an arm around his waist and leaped up to the nearest tree branch. He traveled through the treetops without hindrance, Yugi safely in his arms. Finally he landed on the ground and released Yugi.

"Where is this?" Yugi asked, looking around. Yami took him by the shoulder and pointed in a specific direction. Yugi turned to look that way, and nearly passed out when he saw, through the trees, the road that led back to Domino Town. "Wh-what's going...?"

Yami wordlessly lifted Yugi's left hand. Clasped around the wrist was the silver bracelet Yami had given to Yugi. The former undid the clasp, and removed the bracelet.

Yugi looked up into Yami's eyes. "Yami?"

"I said I wouldn't hurt you anymore," Yami told him. "That didn't just mean physically. It meant in every sense possible. I do want you to be happy, Yugi, and I believe you are happier where you truly belong."

"What?" Yugi's eyes widened. "You mean..."

Yami nodded, and then looked down. "You don't belong to me any longer, Yugi. I'm setting you free. You can go home."


Juni: Wow. What a cliffhanger.
Taku: It sounds like Ru is in for some more reviewer complaints.
KT: If cliffs didn't exist, stories wouldn't be as great. That's my motto.
Taku: But will it be enough of an incentive for them to come back?
KT: I'd like to think so. You know the drill, you fine people.
Yana5: You bet he would (grin) Possessive sexy thing.

Pharaoh Atemu's Angel: I knew you'd all want some yaoiness eventually. I live to please.

ladywolfTerri: (laughs) I see we agree on Duke. He's very expendable in my book. He's such a girl XP

My pen pal's name is Tony. I'll tell him you said hi (grin)

UsagiLovesDuochan: I was thinking the same thing about biting. No lemon after biting this time, but who says that won't happen next time? (hinthintwinkwinkcoughcough)

Yes, cliffhangers are evil. Which is why I use them. Apparently I'm evil too (evil grin) See? Even my grin gives me away...

Patience, young lemon-and-vamp-fic-loving grasshopper. It's a virtue. (Patience, not lemon XP)

harleydbabe222: (bows) Thank you so much. Compliments like that are what made me update this story three days in advance.

xamosy: Yeah, but see, when Yami is damn ruthless, it's even damn sexier (feral grin) Just imagine him with blood on his face, grinning at someone...turns me on.

Yep, I joined that group XD. Those people are just like me, loving the Yaoiness.

You know, don't you wish Yami was a vampire in the story? Getcha turned on just before dinner...I'm so evil X3

Shire: You know I couldn't keep you waiting (grin)

Mizu: Of course I'll write more.

Masami Mistress Of Fire: You guys are very hyper (grin) but I don't mind.

I think I have seen you guys in someone's author's notes before...but I really don't remember where. All I do remember is there was some girl in love with Damion...damn memory. It's leaving me in my old age XP

Thanks for the kiss and hug and punch to the face. Lucky for you, I am an expert on treating punches to my face. So you're off the hook (grin)

Angel's Charm: Hope I didn't make you fall off your chair (grin)

Atemu Yugi Lover34: Oh no, that wouldn't have been Tea or Joey, you should've known the minute he showed up that the girly-boy was going to die (snorts)

pharaohs-slave: If you're really his slave, ever kissed him?

Yes, I know, I'm quite evil. Several other people have told me that over the course of my life. Lucky for you I'm a necessary evil, which means I won't tear your head off.

pyromaniacgrl: If you insist, I'll go read Hellsing.

Triana2: Aha, so you noticed. Yugi gets fed this chapter though, so no worries. Too bad Yami didn't feed him himself though... (grin)

LilAznSp0nge: Ru is glad Ed wuvs the story. Ed makes Ru's day with such cheery reviews. Ru is suddenly talking in third person (eyebrow raises) Goes with the territory.

Dark Angel Of Fire Ice: Hail him? I personally would rather do him...but that's just my sick opinion (grin) I'll hail him for the time being, though.