Juni: They're back.
KT: (gets up) Oh. (straightens clothes) Good. I sincerely apologize for the long wait. But I have been in the hospital. But anyway, thanks togdsdg, aquastar-bluemoon, Abby -WCD, redchibipuff, Hyper Robot, S'Star, DarkGatomon, kingleby, Queen-Raiden, Master Elora Dannan, Zeo-Hunnoru, Masami Mistress Of Fire, harleydbabe222, MikosWish, w/e, DaakuKitsune, Blue Autumn Sky, bakurasprincess, Moondust Angel, Innocent Rain, chibikuro rose-sama, Wolf and Dragon, zodiacalsign, Wren Truesong, Yami Kkwy, yaminakathy, Ilikeyaoi, Dpearl and nutsy, BloodRose16, luvingYAMI, Yugi's Little MoonAngel, Zaleone, Koseta, Ann, StolenDreamer, Ravenwing, pharohs-slave, Secret Agent Crimson, i love athrun, Angel's Charm, Mizu, LilAznSp0nge, ailisa d. frieson, xamosy, Darkwitch17, pyromaniacgrl, AgniDragon, Dark Angel Of Fire Ice, Yami Neferbre, Atemu Yugi Lover34, chibi neko doll, Yami Yuugi, ruby-sama aura-chan the neko-jin,Yana5 and tish? for reviewing and waiting patiently,and a giant hug to those who added me to your favorites list. (I'll list you next time)
Taku: (less nasal) And now we move on, to the oh-so-exciting conclusion, blah, blah, blah...
(last time)
"You dirty crossbreed." Yami's voice came out as a snarl. "Let him go now."
"And give up the only hold I have over you?" Kaiba said, seeming to enjoy torturing Yami. "I think not. But if you want him back so badly..." He tilted his head so he could look down his nose at Yami. "I'll offer you a deal. Meet me where we first made each other's acquaintance, on the rooftop, at 5:00 tomorrow morning. I'll happily set little Yugi free...if you trade yourself in return."
"What?" Yami spat.
"And if you don't come," Kaiba went on, clearly enjoying the moment, "then I'll be throwing this little punk over the edge of the building and watching him go splat on the asphalt below."
9: Return Of The Slayer pt2
Yugi returned to reality slowly. Something rough was bound tightly around his neck, mouth, wrists and ankles, and his head felt a little sore. He groaned softly as he opened his eyes.
He appeared to be sitting on the rooftop of a tall building. Whatever he was tied against felt like cold steel. His arms were tied behind him and currently felt very uncomfortable. Yugi tried to loosen the rope around his wrists to give his arms more mobility, but he was rewarded only with the harsh rope biting into his soft skin. Yugi bit down on the rope in his mouth to keep from crying out in pain.
"Ah, I see you're awake."
Yugi's head snapped up when he heard the voice, and he glared at Seto Kaiba, who was looming over him with a satisfied smirk. "Good. It's almost 5:00, and Yami should be arriving any minute to 'save' you." He chuckled evilly. "He's become so weak that he's willing to give himself up to save your sorry hide."
Yami isn't that stupid, Yugi thought. Most likely he's only pretending to go along with whatever deal Kaiba made so he could come here and kill him. He didn't say that to Kaiba, though.
Seto let out another evil chuckle as he walked behind the steel pillar Yugi was tied to. "Now I'll simply wait for him to make his appearance," he said.
Yugi wished he could turn around and glare at the bastard, but he knew that the ropes would hurt him if he moved too much. Kaiba seemed to have used the roughest, coarsest ropes he could find, as if making Yugi suffer was something he enjoyed.
Then again, it probably is, Yugi thought grimly. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted as something behind him jerked rather hard on the rope around his neck, slamming the back of his head against the metal pillar and momentarily cutting off his air supply. Yugi squeezed his eyes shut as a burning pain circled his neck where the rope rubbed against his skin.
"That was more fun than I had thought," Kaiba said from behind the metal pillar. "Let's do it again."
Yugi leaned his head up against the pillar, bracing himself. The next tug on the rope caused it to cut deeply into his neck. Yugi tried not to cry out but couldn't suppress a whimper. He felt something run slowly down his neck from where the rope was hurting his skin.
"Ah, here he comes now," Seto commented from behind the pillar. "I can smell him on his way. I'll be downwind if you need me, runt."
Then, silence, as if Seto had magically disappeared. Yugi knew that he was still behind the pillar, though, waiting for Yami to show up. He wished the ropes restraining him were a little looser. He could feel them rubbing his skin raw. Only his ankles were protected from the rough ropes, by the legs of his pants.
Suddenly, there was the sound of wind, as if a breeze had blown upwards. Yugi looked up and saw Yami's glowing crimson eyes first. They looked darker than normal, though. Yami saw him, and his eyes lit up, but his face registered distress. "Yugi!" he exclaimed, coming forward quickly.
Yami was so overjoyed so see Yugi alive that he had forgotten of the imminent danger. He stopped abruptly when he saw Yugi shaking his head. "What is it?" he asked.
Yugi had to recover for a few seconds, as shaking his head had caused the ropes to grind against his flesh again. He looked back up at Yami, who had seen the blood running down Yugi's neck and had started forward again. "Yugi, where is he?" he asked, not slowing down for a second.
The tension grew in the air. Yugi tried to point behind the metal pillar with his eyes. Yami's eyes turned to the pillar Yugi was tied against, and then they narrowed. "Come out of there, you son of a bitch," he growled.
Seto came out from behind the pillar, holding the end of a rope in one fist. The other end of the rope was wrapped around Yugi's neck. "Testy, aren't we?" he said almost pleasantly. "I'm glad to see you could make it, Yami."
"That's right, I'm here," Yami said, his eyes narrowed dangerously. "Now let Yugi go."
"Gladly," Seto said. He jerked the rope in his hands, tightening it around Yugi's neck. Yugi couldn't suppress another whimper that floated out. Yami's eyes narrowed. "But first," Seto went on, raising the gun and pointing it at Yami, "I get to kill you." Another smirk showed up. "You don't know how long I've been waiting for this moment."
"I would have thought you'd want to take me down while I was fighting back at you," Yami remarked casually.
Seto blinked. "What?"
"This way," Yami said, stretching his arms, "I'm simply standing here waiting for my execution. You used to say you'd love to take me down when I was fighting as hard as I could. Apparently your goal has changed."
Seto's ice blue eyes narrowed, and he cocked the gun. "I would have preferred taking you down in the old fashion, but I'd rather have you dead than anything else," he said, "no matter how it's done."
Yami sighed and looked down at his shoes, putting his arms behind his back. "That's too bad. If you had proposed a last fight between us, to the death, I would have thought you were still the famed slayer you claim to be. But like this...it's obvious you doubt your skills as a fighter."
"My fighting skills are fine," Seto snapped. "And they'll be better than yours will ever be."
"Then prove it, bastard," Yami shot back, staring him in the eye. "If you're so great, you wouldn't have to resort to using my 'weakness' as you call it. You would storm in my forest and kill me. But you obviously don't have what it takes to defeat me in battle; otherwise this would be a very different scenario."
Seto actually seemed unnerved by Yami's words. "I could take you on any day," he said slowly. After a moment, he lowered his gun. "And I'll prove it to you right now. You'll wish you hadn't chosen death this way, bloodsucker."
Yami smirked. "We'll see."
Yugi looked from one to the other.
Was this a part of Yami's plan?
Taku: Maruka, you are so asking for it.
KT: SILENCE.
Juni: Don't worry, folks; Taku-chan and I will make sure she updates soon.
Yana5: Oh, you sound so concerned. You'll see who dies...heh heh heh.
ruby-sama aura-chan the neko-jin: I like them too. And there's no bashing in the story, simply because I don't feel like it, and I'm not telling you who died. Oh, whoops, now you know somebody dies. Oh well...
Yami Yuugi: You'll see what happens. The fight scene is next chapter. And thank you for adding me to your favorites list.
chibi neko doll: Your name is so cute I just want to squeeze you. You'll see what happens to outr friends, heheheh...
Atemu Yugi Lover34: Yep, another cliffie. And another one. It's even harder to work with doctors in the way. But I managed.
Yami Nefebre: I'm glad you are too, otherwise you might not survive this cliffie.
Dark Angel of Fire Ice: Thank you. I'm glad you love it.
AgniDragon: Thank you. I never really liked bashing anyway, so there won't be any. I don't think Tea deserves as much bashing as she gets./
pyromaniacgrl: Hah, fooled you.
Darkwitch17: Thanks. Bloody sounds like a good deal. But don't kill each other first.
xamosy: Yes, poor Yugi. I rather liked Yami's comment too. He's so protective in an abrasive way. Hope the waiting didn't kil you.
ailisa d. frieson: Hah, too bad. There's another one. But I'll try to dissolve the cliffie sooner than last time.
LilAznSp0nge: Aha! It's Ed! The one who makes Ru talk in third person!Ed better put those pom-poms away, or Ru'll take them and get you.
Mizu: Thank you, I will.
Angel's Charn: Yes, I know. Everyone calls me evil. Goes with the territory. If Yami dares to turn against me, I'll kill him. (shakes fist) You better stick to the script, you two.
i love athrun: Okay.
Secret Agent Crimson: Another hit list? Oh, great. I'm glad you like cliffies. I like them too.
pharohs-slave: You'll see what happens to Yami, eheh...
Ravenwing: Aw, thank you so much.
StolenDreamer: Yay for you! I'm glad to like. I live to please.
Ann: Thank you very much. I liked the traded insults too.
Koseta: Thank you. Aha, nice guesses, but you'll have to wait and see (waves finger) Thank you, I love hugs.
Zaleone: Another person calling me evil. (sigh) Now stop that poking. Oh, crap, the puppy dog eyes of death. (runs for the danger room)
Yugi's Little MoonAngel: Thank you. I don't know about hit lists, but I appreciate your enthusiasm. Oh, no, not more puppy dog eyes of death. (runs for the danger room again) Love waits for everyone, remember!
luvingYAMI: Yes, that's when the evil sets in, heheheh. I'm glad you like, and don't worry about the reviews. I'm just glad I held your short attention span. Thank you for the lovely compliments. (grin)
BloodRose16: Thank you, thank you. (bows)
Dpeal and nutsy: Um, I guess it's a good thing I bought that "demons of the shadow realm" net last week...
I'm glad you like. I don't know about Blade because I've never seen (or read or whatever) Yami is a vampire. Those are both good questions, but can answer kind of yes to the second one.
Ilikeyaoi: So do I. Whoops, oh, well, I'm a cliffaholic. Oooh, chocolate (snatches and eats) You got yourself a deal.
yaminakathy: I'm glad I could help. You're welcome, and thank you back.
Yami Kkwy: Go right ahead. I'll watch.
Wren Truesong: Oh, okay, I was about to say "that was before the long break!"
Yes, that has happened to me, too. I wish I hadn't landed in the hospital; I HATE long breaks in good stories. Thank you so much for your patience.
zodiacalsign: Yeah, I'll bet. Does it hurt to stop here?
Thank you very much. I didn't throw the brick.
Wolf and Dragon: I'm happy I was able to put Dragon in a trance. I will do as you ask.
But please snap Dragon out of it. I want you both to be able to read the rest.
tish: Are you unsure?
No need to cuss me out. I was in the hospital. IF YOU WANTED ME TO DROP DEAD YOU COULD HAVE COME TO THE HOSPITAL AND SWITCHED MY X-RAYS! But anyway, thanks for the...compliments?
chibikuro rose-sama: Yes, I am. (evil laugh) I hurried as fast as I couls. Girls Scout Promise.
Innocent Rain: Thanks. I will.
Moondust Angel: Okay, no prob. Hang in there.
bakuras-princess: Thanks. I'll do that. I think your E-mail address kicks ass.
Blue Autumn Sky: Hah, so I fooled you too. A lot of people thought that was it. But no, Seto is back.
DaakuKitsune: Thank you. But I love cliffhangers. (evil laugh) You will find out what happens to him...
w/e: Haha, sorry to make you wait. No, I won't stop there. We have more chapters.
MikosWish: I'm glad you did. I will, I promise.
harleydbabe222: Haha, suspense can do that to you. Don't worry, we're on our way.
Masami Mistress of Fire: I'm glad you did. Don't hug him, you'll tear the ropes.
Tell Damion I know where I've seen him, and I'm going to get him. (just kidding)
Zeo-Hunnoru: Right now. Go on, read.
Master Elora Dannan: Okay.
Queen-Raiden: Yes it is. Ready for more?
kingleby: Thank you. I can too, that's why I made him one.
DarkGatomon: Yes, cliffies are evil. I know.
Hope you're over your cold now (XP). I'm sure my reviewers would like that too, including you.
S'Star: Sounds like a plan.
Hyper Robot: Thanks very much.
redchibipuff: Don't die. Quick, here's the chapter. Eat it, I mean, read it.
Abby -WCD: Yes, me too. But bad-assed Yami is better. Lovely...hmmm, never heard yaoiness described like that.
aquastar-bluemoon: I don't know why, but you sound so cute saying that. Don't cry for Yugi...yet anyway...oh, whoops.
gdsdg: Glad you do. I will.
