A/N: Damn it took me this long to finish the damn chapter! I just wanted to make it feel just right for me. Yay! the murder plot is revealed! Mwa hahahah! in other news...I think i'll take an even longer hiatus from this fic. I just gotta put everything together and see how it plays. And since a little self-promotion didn't kill anyone:

Visit my webpage (in my profile) to see a little painting I made of Syrus (it does not suck! I swear!) Just Copy-Paste this on the Browser address and enjoy!

All characters are (c) Kazuki Takahashi

Jaden Yuki just stood there…His whole body completely numbed, his blood cold and his eyes glazed with adrenaline. Syrus Truesdale, on the other hand, wasn't so strong. He fell into his already shaking knees and began to sob violently, blood tears dripping onto the dead floor.

"I was murdered…I was chosen to be killed…Why?" he kept saying between harsh yelps of inner pain and anguish.

Jaden quickly leapt from the bed and sat by his lover's side. "Shh…I don't know, Sy, but…" he whispered as he touched the envelope clutched in his hand, "I think we should go to this ball…"

That night, the moon shone just as brightly as that fateful date. It was an obscure location on the island, but not impossible to find. A small area with a large mansion in ruins strangely illuminated for the occasion.

"Jaden, I've changed my mind…I don't want to go!" Syrus whimpered as he turned around to leave.

Jaden gently held his hand and suppressed a laugh. "Is it because you're wearing a dress?"

"THE INVITATION CALLED FOR A HETERO COUPLE OR NO ENTRY" Syrus yelled as blushed and pulled down the frills. True, Syrus was wearing a sort of modern black kimono with a short skirt and frilly lace.

"You were the only one that could fit into Alexis's dress and actually look good," Jaden said, as he pulled on the little vampire softly forward.

"Jaden…" Syrus said as he rested on his chest, blood tears swelling up.

The cat demon then cupped his face and raised it up to his level. "This may be the only chance we'll get to solving your murder…"

"I know…but what if the truth isn't what I want…that I died for an honorable reason…or maybe it was because I was such a terrible duelist, y'know, since he is the King of games…" Syrus reasoned, only to be interrupted by Jaden's lips upon his own.

"Sy, trust me, we'll be fine," Jaden whispered to his beloved as they parted.

Inside the ruins was like a whole new world. Red curtains dangled upon richly decorated windows. The smell of blood was intense, but well hidden behind the luscious smell of rose and wine. Hundreds of creatures danced, drank and enjoyed themselves. Syrus was entranced with the classic music that the orchestra played while Jaden couldn't stop drooling over the delicacies on the tables. Just as he headed towards them, his beloved tugged him to stay.

"What's wrong, Sy?"

"I dunno…it's something in the air…"he answered as he held his hand tightly.

Jaden quickly put an arm around him and kissed his forehead to calm him down. "Everything will be all right…you'll see…"

The couple quickly noticed something…this was not a normal ball. Demons of every kind and every size ate flesh while the vampires drank the blood served in wine cups en masse. This wasn't the place for two young boys to be AT ALL….

Suddenly, a voice boomed throughout the mansion.

"Hey, you lazy asses! How are y'all doing this enticing night?" the voice said from the second floor. Every one turned to face a young blond boy with dangerous chocolate eyes and doglike features. The boy sat regally on the border of the veranda with a devilish grin on his face with street clothes from another school. Syrus quietly squeaked as he recognized the face while Jaden just stared with his jaw wide open.

"Yo, Wheeler, when are you bringing out the whores for us?" another voice said from the gate.

"When I introduce myself. Well, people, name's Joey Wheeler, and I'm the resident Demon King for those who're new here," the blonde said, with a hint of mischief in his voice.

Another person walked over to Joey and smacked his head. "One hundred years pass and you learn nothing, mutt," he said as he let his features take light, simultaneously bringing another squeak from little Syrus…

"My name's Seto Kaiba, and I am the Sorcerer King. Never cross my path unless you want to be dragon chow," he said as he walked down the grand staircase to the ball. Joey, rather annoyed, grumbled something and quickly followed suit. The creatures immediately parted ways to form a path leading to three empty thrones…

"Wait, if those are the kings of the Demon and Sorcerer tribes, where's the Vampire king?" Jaden quickly noted as Syrus began shaking uncontrollably…Rex Raptor was also going down the same stairs, with Leon by his side.

"My murderer…" he managed to say as his breath became icy.

Rex noticed the little one and smirked. "'Tis not I you search, child-killer. It is him…" he quickly whispered to Sy as he pointed to the next King.

True to his word, the Vampire king had made his appearance. With a shy grin and purple eyes glowing childishly, Yugi Mouto walked towards the stairs. The vampires regally bowed down to him as he continued down his path.

Jaden couldn't stand it…he was face to face with the thing that sent for his beloved's death and simultaneously brought upon his mortal demise. Just as he reached to grab Yugi's shirt, Syrus quickly held him down, shaking his head furiously with tears rolling down his face.

"No! You'll get killed…"

"I know…but dammit, he killed you!"

"And I am eternally sorry for that…" a little voice said from behind. They turned to face the Vampire king. He quickly held out his hand to his kin.

Suddenly the little vampire's eyes glazed over and his right eye turned red. He took Yugi's hand and followed him obediently, as if in a trance.

"Wait! Where are you taking---" Jaden said, but was cut off by Joey's bite on his neck's back, knocking him cold.

"Welcome one and all! Welcome to the Coronation ball!" Yugi announced as he raised a cup of blood up. Every sorcerer, demon and vampire turned to face the king and the two unconscious children. Syrus stood there, under a powerful spell, his new crimson eye stare upon the crowd. Some, most already grown men, even cringed and squirmed under his gaze. Jaden, on the hand, was recovering from one hell of a dog bite, and was half dazed and trembling.

"These two children are the new heirs to our forgotten kingdom!" Yugi said as he presented them with pride. The little blunette took a deep regal bow, his beloved cat demon followed although his knees couldn't hold up such force and fell onto the tile floor. He twitched and squirmed as the bite's venom took its toll. He couldn't breathe; it was as if the poison was tightening his grip on his very lungs. And the worst part was…Syrus just stood there…still under the spell Yugi had placed upon him…letting him die once again.

"Master, let me go," were the only words that escaped the vampire's mouth. "My lover is dying," he added, noticeably forcing it out from within.

Yugi smiled devilishly…his plan was working. His purple eyes shone violently, his primal instincts letting him undress Syrus as he could see the people's blood cover every corner of his little body.

Just as he reached to caress his heir's neck, the childkiller dropped onto the floor and rested on Jaden's back.

"Touch us and I will kill you like you have done so to me."

The multitude laughed as the boy made his claim. Syrus felt the rush of fear; these were people who were much stronger than him and Jaden combined and could rip them to shreds if ordered. But he stood his ground, glaring at the Vampire King and holding his demon close. He then bit gently on his neck, drawing the poison to his body instead. It was rather tasty…but then again…Death had always been inviting to him and his fate.

"Jaden…I love you…please hold on…"

A/N: Dan-dan-Dan! Semicliffhanger! Uwaa! Laters.