Shadows That Bleed

by YamiYugiPuzzleshipper

Pure-Bloods are said to be myths, not even well-known within stories. "A specialized genetic coding of the moon and the dire," their spoken lore proclaims. They are creatures beyond the power of mortality, gifted by the gods themselves. Known as the Eternal Ones, their existence once extinguished, resurrection foretells a powerful omen.

40. Answers

Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh

Update schedule: Every other day

Chapter Warnings: Pack Mentality, Slight Innuendo, Yami Being an Adorable Fluffball, HEAVY Puzzleshipping, Cult Mentality, Mentions of Death, Sexual Tension, Peachshipping

There is a mention of cult-like mentality, including a kind of religious cult kind of mentality. It's mostly horror movie kind of stuff that does happen in real life, but it's used as a way of explaining the way that some people view themselves and their purposes in life. And it works in comparison to the pack's mentality. It's a lot more the horror story kind of side of things where that applies, so no offense is meant but this kind of stuff does happen, so that's why Yugi mentions it to Yami.

Okay, so I think I should be able to keep my updates consistent for a couple of chapters. But I can't promise it don't quote it on me. Anyways, so! I think I got all of the warnings necessary for this chapter, but I've been away from the chapter for a while, so I'm sorry if I missed anything. Feel free to tell me if you think I should have put something else there.

Chapter XL: Answers

Work Log Entry XL: September, 2003

September 1

More wolves are being captured and imported as subjects. The boss has decided to attempt to breed more Pure-Bloods into existence. But "Atem" has been the only one that has survived this entire time. And all of the she-wolves being forced into copulation die shortly after pregnancy is announced.

September 20

It is more or less clear that the Pure-Bloods cannot be bred again. Each female chosen to be put through deevolution has died hours after the first experiment.

The boss has decided that efforts need to be doubled and breeding is to commence for the Half-Bloods to produce Full-Bloods capable of withstanding the procedures.

September 30

None of the she-wolves will bear pups.

The boss is furious.

Some of the others see this as an omen.

I cannot decide if "Atem" was a freak mistake in being born.

The she-wolf studied him for a long handful of minutes. Yami almost felt as if the air were being swallowed from the tunnels altogether. The stench of death wreathed his nose, shuddering in his lungs. He bristled faintly again, a tremor running through him. His paws itched and he shuffled his weight just enough to press his long claws into the stone beneath him. The sound was oddly stabilizing to him, echoing faintly in his ears and making him feel safer than he had moments before. It was as if the noise had drawn her from her own state of mind, making her blink and tilt her head.

Her lips pulled upwards into a smile, her expression gentle and soft. Her eyes were full of thanks and mild disbelief. Yes. I would appreciate that a lot, Yami, she whispered in his mind, voice soft and trailing. He thought of mist and currents of it against the shadows of trees and shivering with the pounding of the crashing roar of the river beyond. His skin crawled faintly. They looked at each other for a few more moments.

Consider it done, the black wolf growled, turning away and starting back the direction which he had come. But he halted when she called his name again, a gentle whisper of sound in his ears. Against the river, had her voice been projected outwardly, it would have been altogether nonexistent.

Your kindness to the dead is astounding.

Yami faltered. Alarm made his pelt ripple with a bristle. He bore his teeth and his legs quivered for a split second. Then he turned away again, pelting for the exit. It was terrifying of her to mention such a thing. But the words would not leave him. They echoed dutifully in his head, his ears hurting with the ring of them.

How could she have…?

She's the goddess of the dead, you moron, he berated himself angrily. Of course she knows! Of course she knows what you did…

He threw himself up into the tunnel he had originally descended from. The task of snaking his way upwards and out of the narrow slip of an exit was exhausting. When he got to the top, he had to unfold his forelimbs and press his paws into the cold earth to pull himself up and out.

The small handful of minutes underground rendered him shocked upon coming to the surface once more. The snow had picked up. It was heavy, dense. The flakes were almost large clumps of ice. He blinked and the chill of the air pressed into his fur. The underground had been warmer, he realized, if only by a few small degrees.

He shook himself out and the snow crunched only the softest degree beneath his paws. Had it not been for his heightened senses, he doubted he would have ever heard it. He flicked an ear. They were still howling for the moment, no doubt continuing their unwanted celebration of Yugi taking command of their pack.

Yami turned towards the camp, paws carrying him there effortlessly. Memory allowed him easy enough travel to get to the clearing. The wolves did not bother to glance at him around their noise but Yugi did not seem to be there. He blinked and tilted his head. Yugi? he called out, looking about himself with his shoulders squared. Realization struck him that the small teen was his only cushion should they decide to turn their teeth on him. He bristled faintly and looked at them.

He could hold his own if they attacked him. But, by the gods, it would be so much easier if they weren't given the chance. He flicked an ear, eyes flickering about nervously.

And then he heard it.

There was a single thumping, wet and rhythmic, and he turned immediately towards it. Yugi was a few yards away, rapidly racing towards him. He wagged his tail slightly, relieved to see him there. But the white wolf curled his lips back, stopping a few inches away from him.

Where did you go? Yugi spat, bristling and tossing his head angrily. He moved, twitching, his legs rising and falling on the ground in distinct frustration. His anxiety made his shoulders shake faintly. He flashed his teeth again and the whites of his eyes showed as he glanced at the pack beyond them. The noise was finally falling away.

I had to speak to Slifer.

Yugi froze and blinked at him now, eyes wide and head tilted in confusion. Slifer? About the alpha? he inquired quietly, though he knew as well as Yami that there would have been no other reason to do so. They considered each other for a moment. What did she have to say?

That she would like us to bring the body down to her. The black wolf blinked. There was no real reason to tell Yugi that the alpha had been her daughter. He would come to the conclusion on his own. And he was not willing to be the one to answer every question he desired to ask. I thought the offer would do us better than to wait and see what the pack wanted to do.

Okay. He hesitated for a moment. Then when do you want to take her down there?

The sooner the better, yes? That leaves no room for them to question your acceptance of her offering to lead the pack.

Yugi flicked his ears, then flattened them against his skull uncomfortably.

Did it truly matter how he reacted to it?

They seemed so wrapped up in their praises that they did not even appear to notice that he had moved away and was standing with Yami now.

Would they even notice?

At this rate he suspected the contrary. But he wasn't about to question Yami so thoroughly.

Should the pack even know that we're moving her or do you think they'll want to see her before and know what we're doing with her otherwise?

Yami wondered at this for a moment. They would most likely care more that Yugi was absent when they had been crying his praise for so long. But if he were to move the female by himself he was sure one of them might declare that he had done the killing himself. More likely than not he'd be cornered and have to fight them off before Yugi even got the chance to interfere. As much as they might listen to him, the excitement of the excuse to attack the wolf they perceived as a traitor would be much more powerful.

But if Yugi was the one to help him move her, not only would it be more symbolic to them, but it would be less likely to draw confrontation. It was more a matter of whether one of them might leap up and try to chase them to the tunnels. He bristled faintly, then shook it away.

I suggest that we allow them to finish their celebration for the moment and then announce that we will be moving her to a burial site of our choosing.

You don't want to tell them about Slifer? I mean, don't you think they probably already know?

Yami wrinkled his nose and bore his teeth minutely in a nervous gesture. Then he shook his body out and every fur seemed to fall back in place perfectly once more. His expression was calm again, his ears pricked towards him. His eyes were sharp, somewhat cold and distant. I do not think they do. I think they expect someone is here. But I do not think they know it is her by name. And I will not be the one to tell them such a thing either.

What's the wrong in telling them?

He leveled him with a look of disdain and slight annoyance. Yugi, I do not know if you are joking with me or being serious right now. His eyes glinted fiercely and his lips curled back, his fur rising along his shoulders. But I am not allured by the idea of these wolves connecting me to an ancient deity of death. Not only does that seem to symbolize more to come but I would also assume it might make them think one of us is marked for death. Humans believed that one didn't see an omen of death unless they or their family was meant to die. These wolves are shells of fur and teeth over a human brain.

Yugi flicked an ear unhappily, then nodded slightly. Okay. I'm sorry. You're right. I was just curious. Don't get so mad at me, he grumbled in annoyance.

I'm not mad. I just don't… You're smarter than this!

He didn't want to admit that while the pack worshipping him as they did was unnerving, it also thoroughly excited him somewhere deep in his bones. It was horrifying and he hated it, but at the same time a part of him seemed to nurture it. He could feel a small and swift pain beginning to toss his stomach and he blinked at the other wolf. Yami was still watching him, his expression more irritable than ever. Yugi tilted his head, flicking an ear.

I'm just kind of freaked out…

He felt sick for lying.

He was also elated.

He should have said so.

But what if Yami saw him differently?

What if he assumed he was no better than the rest of the pack?

He was being worshipped, his human mind seemed to recoil, but his instincts embraced it and nurtured it and drew it higher than he thought possible.

Yami eyed him for what felt like hours. Then his red gaze flickered away. He shook himself out again, allowing his fur to fall back in place, and blinked lazily towards him. You're still smarter than this. The compliment was harsh enough, the tone so biting, that he cringed at the note of it. Yugi flattened his ears against his head and Yami shot him an annoyed look once again. Then his ears flicked, his eyes grew softer, and the black wolf leaned forward to run his tongue over his forehead. You can't make mistakes here, Yugi.

He wagged his tail slowly, then nodded again. I know. I just… It's so…crazy, I guess.

Yami was not looking forward to seeing Slifer again. The tension in his body was not only towards Yugi in regards of frustration. He didn't want to hear what she might say to the question he had desired to ask her. But he also would not ask it in front of Yugi. He didn't need to know more about the circumstances in the lab than he had already told him.

You do not have room to become overwhelmed here, the black wolf urged, shaking his head at him and glancing sideways towards where the wolves seemed to be coming closer. He glanced at the one who have formerly solicited herself to Yugi and his fur bristled faintly in a shiver of disgust. These she-wolves were unnatural to him, almost shameful in their degree of such display. He flexed his claws and wished for a moment that his blood might freeze beneath the dark layers of keratin.

I know, Yugi replied, feeling small and tired for a moment as he looked back at the other. It was odd to see the height difference in the two of them so apparent now, as if Yami stood meters higher than him. He seemed so much smarter at the moment, older and wiser. It was almost otherworldly and disturbing to him. Yugi looked away again, kneading at the ground in his growing anxiety before he shook it off once more. He raised his head, eyes on him again. Okay, so when do you want to do this?

As soon as possible, no doubt, the black wolf replied in a distracted tone. It did not matter in all actuality. But he did have to ask Slifer that question and he supposed it was better to do so sooner, before his nerves were lost to him. I suppose now would not be a bad time.

Yugi nodded, then glanced at the wolves. They looked like ghosts, most of them with paler fur rather than dark. They were mostly of silvers instead of grays, and not one of them possessed a pelt that was only one solid shade of color. He supposed that was because they were not Pure-Bloods…

He flicked an ear uncomfortably at his own train of thought. Had he truly just assumed that without effort? He usually had to stop and rethink his own words when he thought of the wolves. He didn't even truly want to consider himself one unless he was forced to. It was undeniable that he changed into a fluffy white canine, at will or on the night of a full moon, but he didn't want to think of it more than was absolutely necessary. He shook his pelt out some, blinking against the snowflakes for a moment.

Yami gave him only a single glance. Then he began to trot forward and away from the other wolves which seemed to be gathering around them. He moved without effort, like a seamless shadow, and drifted into the den without a second look. Yugi faltered, glancing at them, and then took off after him as he realized they were all watching him expectantly. But the look in their eyes was different from what he had assumed they would be.

They look like they think I'm about to punish you for coming in here.

Most likely because they assume that you have not been in here before I set paw here.

Yugi blinked in the darkness. Yami was a large black definition of dark fur that made the den look like an abyss of which no light could touch the inside. He shivered slightly, then stepped closer to his side. He was looking at the alpha once more, but now his eyes seemed darker than before, somehow distracted.

It might do you well to be the one to take her, Yugi. I am not sure if they might see it as mutiny should I do it instead.

His skin jerked under his pelt, crawling with disgust. What? You can't be serious!

Why not? Yami asked, flicking his ears and tilting his head towards him. His nose was glistening somehow in the dark, though Yugi knew it had to be his eyes and the advanced heights of his vision more than anything. He licked his lips and the black wolf eyed him curiously, their gazes locking for only a split second. I am rather sure you will not like the attack that might come about should it be me to drag her body from her den, Yugi.

The white wolf flattened his ears against his skull. All of them are just ready to fight all the time, aren't they? he snapped in a bitter tone. The words startled Yami who looked up and stared at him curiously. I hate it.

Yami was not sure he had any sympathy to offer him, but he nodded all the same and tried to keep the irritated bitterness from his tone when he said, I know, Yugi. But he must have failed, for the smaller canine turned his head more fully towards him and his eyes appeared wide and startled. Yami ignored him and instead sniffed at the alpha's cheek for a split second.

What's wrong? the smaller wolf demanded. He bristled faintly, then flicked his ears again and leaned his muzzle towards Yami. He wanted to bury his nose in his fur, though he could not tell if it was from the desire to smell his scent more closely for its calming quality or because he was just worried for him. He was not sure which was more likely either. He licked his lips and his instinct was to ask forgiveness for something he was not sure he had done.

Nothing.

You can say that to people who don't know you, but not me, Yugi objected, watching him with sharp blue-violet eyes. He pricked his ears forward. What's wrong?

Allow me to rephrase. It is nothing that you must worry about. The black wolf snorted, then glanced at him sideways once more. It does not concern you in the slightest, Yugi.

He blinked at him, then flattened his ears against his head. Yami truly did have a lot of secrets, didn't he? He had a lot of problems with admitting to things. And he was fearful of many of them coming out at some point. Yugi felt small and sick at the idea. Yami was defensive when they threatened to come to the surface. He was violent when he was backed into a corner. He was aggressive when he got scared.

His gruff response did well to remind him of this.

Yugi drew in a small breath and turned to the she-wolf. Oh gods, he did not want to have to pull her from the darkness of the den and drag her into the clearing. The pack would be anything but welcome to the sight, no matter what Yami said. He shivered. The concept that they might very well be relieved to see their former alpha dead scared him.

How horrifying the idea was. He could not understand how someone could possibly think that it was okay such a thing could happen. Their own alpha was dead. She was cold, lying on the ground with her throat split open. Someone had bitten into her jugular. And what were they doing?

Celebrating his newfound leadership.

Not only that, but Yami said he assumed they would take it well only if he were to be the one to drag her body out. The entire concept was horrifying. What kind of twisted reality did all these wolves live in?

Yami was right.

This was a rather sick, dark world he had set foot in.

He wished he had never opened his mouth and said he was Atem. Things would have been so much easier. But he had stumbled across the pack in the woods before and even if he had denied it, they probably might not have listened. Worse yet, maybe they would have and might have actually killed him for being misleading.

But then, life was better than death, was it not?

It was always better.

He shivered slightly. If he had not been bitten then he would never have had to deal with it in the first place. He would never have come across them because he would not have smelled the blood.

He would never have gotten…

…to meet Yami either.

Yugi sobered at the thought. His anger came crashing around him, shattering like splintered glass. He swallowed hard, looking at the red-eyed canine and feeling sick. Maybe he was foolish in thinking so, but he considered Yami to be worth it. All of the stress and the anger and the great, many issues he had come across, all of it seemed to pale in comparison. He was the best friend Jonouchi could not be. And that made him one of the most important, powerful forces Yugi had in his life.

Yet, regardless, despite the frustration that seemed to trail Yami like death did himself, he found it comforting. Yami was the first person he had ever known to be willing to do so much and ask so little in return. When it came down to it, Yugi had offered him a place to live. Yami had not assumed to gain one. And when he paid attention to this, he also noted that not once had the other seemed to take it for granted. Even sleeping beside him was something that Yami seemed to treat with great care.

It was almost humbling.

Yugi flicked an ear, warmth coiling somewhere inside his chest, deep in his bones and pulsing with his heart. He was honored to have Yami there, to have him as a friend.

The small canine wagged his tail when the other wolf glanced at him. Okay, so let's get this done. Slifer will probably want the body before next year, right? he commented in a matter-of-fact tone.

I would assume so considering that her flesh would be eaten from her bones by then, Yami replied dryly. He watched him with a thoughtful expression and Yugi wagged his tail again before looking down. The act of grabbing her was disturbing to him, something that would make his skin crawl later he was sure. But he still found himself moving forward to grab at the scruff of her neck. He had to. Yami needed him to. The wolves might turn on him otherwise.

But what was he meant to say when he got her out there? He furrowed his brows and his ears flicked back for a moment. Were they near the den's entrance yet? Were they waiting on them? He looked at Yami sideways, then began to gently tug at her scruff. The body was weighted so heavily he nearly fell backwards.

He blinked, startled, and looked at Yami more fully. How had he managed to move Ryota so easily when he could hardly move this female? Then again, Yami was much more used to being a wolf than he was.

Was it possible that he had more of an idea how much pressure and muscle strength was needed? He said muscle memory was almost instantaneous for a werewolf. He bristled faintly. If that was true, how many times had Yami been forced to shrug a dead body away with his teeth like that?

Had he done it on more than one occasion? Was that how he knew what to do with it? Was that why he had managed so easily that day?

He looked at him closely. He had torn Tomoya's throat out. He had killed Ushio by caving his skull in with his teeth. Then he had dragged him to his door and propped him up. Had he learned to do that from dragging him to the door like that?

He dragged her a step, the muscles in his neck aching with the task. He bristled, then jerked his head violently once more. A second later he backed up, tugging again. His throat felt tight and corded and his stomach tossed painfully. He shot Yami a somewhat lost look.

The black wolf chuckled softly, then stepped forward. You need to open your mouth more, take in a larger portion of her scruff, then back up steadily. Don't bother with shaking your neck out. You'll only waste more energy doing so, he murmured, wagging his tail, and then opened his jaws wide in front of him to show each tooth. Brace your shoulders and square your muscles in your legs. It's easier when you are tugging something.

That's so… Yugi flicked his ears and glanced at Yami uncomfortably. Then he quickly looked away again and stepped back, pulling his teeth away from her body. For a moment he hesitated, then he opened his jaws more completely, the muscles popping from the unusual treatment. He leaned forward, then grasped gently at the scruff there, closing his jaws as tightly as he could without harming her in the slightest. She was dead, he knew, but it was impossible to think that that meant he was supposed to treat her as nothing.

I know. It's not very desirable. But it is necessary. Especially if you should ever be on your own and need to hunt and later move your meal for burial. It will definitely help for larger prey like serows or boars, Yami stated almost distractedly. He tilted his head and studied him for a moment, eyes flickering about Yugi's for the briefest of seconds. Not that you ever will be. It simply… It is a good skill to have.

Had he seen something in his eyes? Yugi thought he almost seemed ashamed to have even spoken about the entire thing. The small wolf wanted to reach out, to press his nose against his ear or perhaps to brush against his side in reassurance. He flicked an ear. How strange was it that he had so easily picked up on wolf body language almost without pause?

He braced his legs, squaring his shoulders as if he were being faced with snarling teeth in challenge, and then backed up a step. This time her body was less resistant, though still heavy, and he felt his legs quiver faintly for the briefest of moments. He was not exhausted, but his right forelimb still ached with residual pain from the wound it had formerly harbored.

When do you think my leg will stop hurting? he asked to deter the shameful expression on the other wolf's face. His brows were up, his ears moved to the side, his eyes lowered towards Yugi's muzzle. He blinked now, however, then flicked his ears forward and tilted his head, eyes bewildered.

It has not already?

Don't sound so worried. I mean that it hurts when I have to use it like this. I just… It stings. It's not nearly as bad as it was before—at all. He tugged again and his back legs bunched and rippled with his weight as he followed the movement steadily a moment later. He was inching towards the entrance when he felt the trembling coming through his leg more painfully. It shook him and he nearly collapsed before regaining his footing at the last second.

Give yourself a moment to rest, Yami commented, stepping a little closer. He considered him for a moment, his eyes on his leg more than anything else, and then tilted his head. I did not consider that your leg might still ache. You were using your hand so well again…

Yugi thought for a moment it sounded oddly almost sexual the way he said it. He would have flushed had he been human. But as a wolf, his coat shuddered faintly and his breath came out a little heavier. He shook it off. I didn't think about it.

Yami bristled slightly and Yugi wondered if it was in response to his reaction or his words. You shouldn't ever fail to consider wounds like that. His voice was more chastising than the smaller wolf recognized ever being directed towards him. He blinked, startled, but the other wolf seemed distracted, as if he were speaking to himself rather than Yugi. It was odd to see the glazed glittering in his eyes or the way he blinked down at the ground and tilted his head again. His ears flicked. Slowly, as if he were digging himself from some pit he had fallen in, he raised his head again and studied him. I suppose I can push her by the neck to make it—

And make them think you did this? Nice try, Yami, he snapped angrily, bristling in response to his words. He curled his lips back and bore his teeth even where they were buried in her fur. You can't just do that. They'd either think you did it or consider me too weak to drag her out.

Yami flicked an ear. Do you know for sure that I didn't do it? he asked slowly.

Yugi eyed him in frustration, bristling further. Um, yes, I do, actually, but thanks for asking, he spat.

How?

Because you've been with me all night. And why would you come to the camp without me when you know they might attack you?

I offered earlier.

Yugi snarled and raised his tail, anger making his skin jerk under his pelt. Yami, what the hell is your point right now? The den doesn't smell enough like you to make me think it was you who killed her, okay? So just knock it off. He trembled slightly, then shook himself out once more. Look, Yami, I know it wasn't you. So why are you even bothering asking me right now?

He tilted his head. How funny, he commented thoughtfully, flicking an ear, that you're defending me now when usually you tend to think the worst of me when it comes to life and death.

Yugi faltered, tail dropping, eyes widening drastically. He blinked at him, horrified, and then bristled faintly. I don't have a worst to think of you, he said quietly. Yami blinked at him and the smaller teen lowered his ears to his head, shame burning through his veins. Yami, I don't think the worst of you. I never had. I just... I don't always understand. And that makes it hard to recognize your motivations when it comes to these things. You kill or attack someone and I don't know why you do it. And I try to come up with reasons but they're never right and I just…

Yami flicked an ear again, then shuffled a little closer. Yugi noticed he was taking measures to avoid stepping foot in any of the blood smeared on the hard-packed earth.

What would my reasoning be for killing her?

Yugi blinked, then looked up. Their eyes locked, but there was not aggression to be stirred in either of them for the moment. He blinked again. I don't know… You hate the pack, so maybe…

I do not hate them. I hate what they stand for. No one should so gladly take another's life nor offer their own with such lack of care. He paused. Another reason?

Well, after the way that they've all been reacting to me taking over the pack…

Yami shook his head. No.

Then I don't know, Yami, he said quietly. He backed up a step, then dragged her forward with him. His neck corded painfully for a moment, then relaxed once more. Why would you?

Well, seeing as she's been alpha for what must have been years, I would assume to think that she would be the pivotal point of the pack. Seeing as that would be truth to an outsider happening upon the pack, killing her would gain them the spot in the hierarchy. Or it would cause the pack to crumble should their teachings be dropped due to her death. Strategically, an enemy would use it to weaken the pack and attempt to usurp the newcomer.

Yugi froze. You think someone might have…?

I think it is possible. I would not be surprised. Not every wolf within this pack would be able to boast of contentment. One or two wolves have to be unsettled and restless. They may even consider themselves better leaders than you. But I do not know. I am merely speculating, Yugi.

But that's why you would have done it…

I would surely have had the opportunity presented itself and I was thinking such a thing, he said without much care. His tone had become somewhat bored and disinterested. But seeing as you are correct and I have no place in this sacrifice, it is not hard to think objectively on the subject.

Yugi blinked at him again. So who do you think is the one who would do that? Any ideas?

Yami wrinkled his muzzle. No. I do not know.

He frowned and stared at him, eyes burning into his. Then he looked down again, and began to drag her out of the den once more. Okay, he murmured, his back legs sinking further into the earth as he flexed his muscles to tug her again. The dirt shifted faintly beneath his pads and his claws sank into the earth. He tugged, backing up another step and feeling a fresh pull of cold air pouring through his fur along his tail and hindquarters. He jerked, startled, and then nearly groaned mentally.

Is someone sniffing your butt? You could tell them not to, Yami suggested, voice smug with laughter. Yugi looked up at him, wrinkling his nose back, but snorted out a snicker and glared at him despite himself.

The wind is sniffing my butt.

Yami exhaled so loudly it bordered on a bark. He was shaking, tail wagging, his eyes glowing with laughter. Yugi shot him an annoyed look, but his exuberance was hard to dismiss and the small teen found himself wagging his tail in turn. Yami looked so happy, standing those few inches away, body trembling finely, tongue lolling as he panted. His head tipped to the side and his ears, pricked forward as they were, made him look almost like Blankey when she waited for someone to pet her.

He could feel the smallest heat of affection seeping into his blood, uncoiling in his chest and unraveling beautifully. He trembled in response, his eyes soft as they bore into Yami's.

That's awesome, Yami finally laughed, wagging his tail again before trotting forward a few more steps. The wind is interested in your butt.

Yugi couldn't help the snort that left him. Don't be jealous that I can get suitors and you can't, he teased, tugging on her again. He bristled faintly when the breeze sliced through his fur again. He sensed it more than he felt it, his thick coat taking most of the sensation away.

Abruptly his good humor fled him.

Yami dropped his tail, closed his mouth, and flicked his ears. I've had plenty of suitors, he said quietly in dismissal of the subject, challenging him with his eyes to question him further.

The smaller wolf turned his eyes towards the wall beyond his shoulder. Then he tugged again, backing up several more steps until he was almost inside the clearing again. He shivered faintly, then dropped back another step, wondering if the other wolves were closer, if they might come near them. Yami came a few seconds after he stepped out into the colder air. The snow was drifting in heavy currents, sheets of bright white with a gentle touch against the earthy background. He blinked slowly, looking up and away from it all before dragging her that final step into the clearing. The snow was almost an inch thick already.

How long had he been in there with Yami?

Was the snowstorm supposed to be so bad?

He kind of hoped it was going to simply drift. He didn't want too much snow at one time. Blizzards were always so terrible in this area. Hokkaido had huge amounts of snow at any given winter, and the temperatures year round were always relatively cold for the most part. What it came down to was whether the power would go out from the force of the storm or if the blizzard would immobilize them completely. He had heard of that happening when he was a baby, how the snow had piled too high and the power had gone out for weeks on end.

He didn't want to have to experience that.

And, should it happen, what would he do about Yami in the meantime? Would the wolf run off on his own? Would he remain in his room with him, waiting it out? What would happen with food and water?

He didn't remember hearing it would be bad, though. They had said something about it being colder than usual, that the temperature was dropping more than average this winter. They had even said that it would be wise to have backup generators just in case. But he mostly recalled that they had said it would be flurries rather than one immense storm.

He glanced at Yami as the wolf managed to slip between the she-wolf's limp body and the wall of the stone den. Her head was tipped straight upwards, her eyes closed peacefully. Yugi had not realized until just that moment how desperate he was to see just that. It caused his legs to quiver faintly with relief as he glanced towards Yami once more.

You look oddly…exuberant, the black wolf noted, eyes flickering and ears pricked towards him. Yugi tugged her until her entire body was in the clearing, then he released her, licking at his lips. They felt numb and his teeth a little too large, maybe too thick and sharp. He flicked an ear again. Yami stepped closer, sniffing at the deceased alpha for only a moment. Should I ask?

Her eyes are closed, Yugi said simply.

Yami blinked, then raised his head, tilting it a fraction. Her eyes are closed and that causes you excitement? he inquired slowly, expression purely puzzled. His brows had drawn together and he was eyeing him curiously.

No. It's just easier to deal with the fact that she's dead if I'm not staring into her eyes while I'm moving her, Yugi admitted quietly, awkwardly. He felt almost shameful to consider the words, then looked away when he saw the way he was staring at him in such surprise. The white wolf flicked his ears and lowered them to his skull uncomfortably. I just… I think it makes it easier.

Yami blinked at him curiously. Then he closed his eyes in what Yugi thought must have been one of the most unnatural actions a wolf might ever perform. I suppose there could be some truth to that, he considered. He stood perfectly still, his exhales soft and small, white against the air. Then he opened his eyes again, but they were not on his face any longer. They were on the wolves surrounding them at that very moment. I have never truly thought of such a thing before.

Have you ever buried a body, Yami?

He jerked as if Yugi had snapped his teeth at him. Then he bristled and glared at him before looking at the she-wolf between them with a pained hateful expression. Not one like hers, he spat at him in answer. But there was a tremor beneath his words and Yugi felt sick for ever having asked such a stupid question.

I'm sorry…

Don't… Yami bore his teeth for a moment, then shook himself out. The movement seemed to make the other wolves drift closer and they collectively bowed their heads upon taking in the state of their former alpha. One she-wolf pressed herself so firmly into the ground that her belly was flat against it. Another whined and covered their face in the bowed position their body had taken on. Yugi watched them, startled, and then turned back to Yami who stared with a frosted gaze. He snorted derisively after a heartbeat, then looked away with a more frigid glare on his face.

An image sprang into his head. Yugi jerked, head snapping towards the wolves who now collectively watched him. They were all surrounding the body, howling, then burying her in the woods. The white wolf blinked, ears flicking.

I plan to bury her, Yugi said quietly, hoping that his voice traveled. It was telepathy, so he was not sure that they would fail to hear or not. It seemed inconsequential to him whether they did or not. If one failed to, the rest would surely fill them in on such details. He blinked again, then ran his tongue over his jaws. I wanted to oversee it myself.

The wolves all glanced at each other, then rapidly dipped their heads to him. And, as abruptly as they had come, they seemed to trot away without a second look. Yugi felt sick to his stomach. If he died, would they do the same to him?

Yami was bristling when he turned back to him. But he did not speak, instead leaning closer to the carcass, and wrinkled his nose slightly. His ears flicked sideways and then forward again, his eyes flashing coldly. His red gaze was glittering, reflective and strong.

You okay? He felt stupid even asking. He'd just made him think of things he obviously did not want to. And he'd just further insulted him by inquiring that. He tilted his head, watching Yami before looking away again. Never mind. Um… H-how are we going to get her there? The entrance to the tunnel is—

They just turned their back and left a virtual stranger to deal with the body of their alpha. They must have loved her at some point to follow her, yet they simply allowed you to stake a claim as the one to move her, Yami spat viciously, eyes sharp and burning. Yugi startled, eyes on him again, blinking stupidly at his rage. Atem or not, they have no true grounds to believe that you will do as you say. Why should they think that just because your name is Atem that they should leave a loved one to you for burial? It's pathetic.

Yugi flattened his ears against his skull, then pricked them again, nervous. I don't… They just…are…Yami… He looked away when Yami glared at him, his eyes immediately on the ground beneath them, watching the flakes gather and clump together. He didn't want to start a fight and wolf instinct said to hide away from his anger in order to prevent one. His lips drew back onto an almost human grimace as he stared at the snow. The flakes were glossy and individual shapes were glittering in front of his eyes. Small shadows traced borders of each of them, with silver tints and bluish gleams. He drew in a long, steady breath, and waited for the anger to pass from the other wolf.

I just… It's impossible to me, Yami snapped, voice losing its ferocity as the seconds passed. I don't understand how it is that someone can simply forget the meaning of another person in their life just because…

Yugi thought of religious cults and his skin crawled. He turned his head towards him again. Some people think that they've been chosen by the god of their religion. And they'll see it as a divine proclamation of some kind. They'll kidnap and rape and murder and sometimes even molest little kids because others believe that that's what their god would have wanted. They think that that person is who their god speaks through and that's why they would gladly do anything and everything that person said. He blinked and tilted his head, watching as Yami considered the words. Some people just need to be guided by the hand. They need someone who will lead them, believe in them, and make it okay when they feel it isn't. And others can't face death. So they try their hardest to turn their backs on it.

The black wolf blinked, then glanced at the she-wolf. They used to believe that she was that person. Now you are here and everything has changed. I do not understand how their minds work like that.

They used to believe that you were Atem.

He looked at him sideways, eyes just beneath his. There was a tension growing in his spine that made it hard to keep from snapping his teeth. Your point, Yugi? he demanded.

All I'm saying is that if you had pretended to be Atem, they would have followed you just as exactly as they are me. If you had said you were going to bury her had this happened before, they would have listened just like they are now. As far as they're concerned, I really am a god among mortal wolves. He flicked his ears and glanced back at where they were fading from the tree line. He bristled as the wind stirred his fur, then turned back to lock eyes with him. I'm terrified, Yami.

He raised his head now, startled by the horrified note in his voice. Hmm? Of what?

Of being Atem. I don't want to be.

Yami blinked at him. Then tell them you are not.

And then what? Yugi snapped. Then they attack and kill us? Good solution, Yami.

He stared at him, red eyes gleaming with something almost ethereal. You would not die but once, he said slowly. You are a descendant of Ra. And I am sure you are a Pure-Blood. As such, you would come back as you were before the death occurred.

Yugi bristled. I don't want to die! he barked back, ears against his skull, eyes seemingly vibrating within their sockets. I don't want to die, Yami.

I know, he said simply. So then do not tell them.

You say that like it's that simple.

That's because it is so simple, Yugi. We are backed into a corner now. There is no room for us to maneuver back from it. As far as they are concerned, you are their natural, all-powerful, godly leader and I am your second-in-command. You are Atem and I am Yami. You are the savior and I shall play the traitor. He looked at the alpha for a moment, then flattened his ears in open grief. I told you not to come here. I told you and you did not listen to me.

Yugi fell silent, then moved to press his nose into his ear, closing his eyes as he leaned closer. The black wolf smelled so much of pine and moonlight and stars that were blinking in and out of existence. He was ice and rivers and fresh water and shadows draped over blankets of snow, where the flakes were lined in silver and light blue and touches of gentle gray.

It'll be okay.

---

Yami released hold of her the moment they entered the clearing in the tunnel. Then he backed up a couple of steps and signaled restlessly with a flick of his ear that Yugi do the same. The smaller wolf seemed to recognize the necessity even before he fully finished moving, or perhaps he was so in tune with Yami that he quickly did the same. Either way, they both stood several steps away from the body as they waited the seconds out.

Yugi shifted his paws nervously. His claws made a long, low scraping noise on the stone. Yami bristled faintly at the disturbance, then lowered his head slightly in frustration. He resisted the urge to shake himself out, the stench of death burning in his nostrils for a moment.

Was it memory or was it fresh?

What was that heavy smell of decay?

Thank you, Slifer intoned, coming from somewhere deeper in the shadows. Yami blinked, then raised his head again. Beside him Yugi was watching her, eyes sharp, stomach knotted. His ears were pricked, his gaze burning into her face but not her eyes. He bristled faintly, then relaxed again. I am relieved to see my daughter put to rest.

Yugi startled, freezing in place. Then his head snapped towards Yami. Daughter? he sputtered, eyes the size of twin moons. He stared up at Yami as if he had just committed treason. You didn't tell me she was her daughter!

It was of no importance. The entire objective was to get her here for Slifer to receive her. That was all that mattered. That is what we have done. Her heritage is not important.

That's crap and you know it! How could you not tell me? he spat before glancing at the goddess once more. Her fur had risen faintly and she ignored him as she looked over her offspring's bloodied throat. Her golden eyes were glazed, somewhere between sorrow and acceptance. Yugi blinked at her, then flattened his ears again, watching as she licked her cheek once and took a seat beside her for a moment. There were several seconds in which she merely watched her, seated so close that they were almost touching. Then she lay down beside her, eyes glazing over before she closed them.

We should…go, Yugi commented, eyes widening once more. He glanced at Yami awkwardly, fur rising into a faint bristle. But the black wolf did not take his eyes from the scene in front of them. This is private, Yami! We shouldn't be watching them like this…

Yami turned his head. She is guiding her spirit back to Paradise. You've mistaken this for mourning. She will mourn when we are gone and not a moment sooner.

How would you know? She could be grieving and—

No, she could not. He paused. Yugi, a god does not grieve where the mortals can see. If she grieves, it will be when she is alone and when there is no chance of another finding her. Gods do not grieve in front of a mortal because it gives the impression of a shared bond. The gods are not here to guide us. They guide everything else. Free will guides us.

But… He stared at him for a moment, then bristled, snapping his teeth in frustration. There's no such thing as free will where Atem is involved!

Yami froze in place for a moment. Then he narrowed his eyes. You took the name freely. You are the one who announced yourself as such. Had you not, none of them would be the wiser. He looked at him, tilting his head. Yugi was still bristling, growling low in his throat. He looked infuriated and it surprised the larger wolf if only mildly. You could have said you didn't know who they were. It was much more likely than ever stumbling across Atem as it was.

Yugi stared at him. He had already stumbled across Atem. He had stumbled across him by complete accident. He growled a little louder. Someone has to stop the experiments and the fighting. And the murders—they have to stop too!

And that's your decision? Yugi, the world is not going to be righted by one person with altruistic tendencies and a heart of gold, he objected, eyes sharp and glittering in the darkness. Yugi could see the way his pupils had grown slightly enlarged, anger seemingly making them somehow darker than ever before. The world runs on the actions of everyone within it. The wolves suffer greatly for family members and friends and each other and the choices they make. This pack is a miniscule amount of wolves that exist in the world. You have no idea how much good this will do them. You have no idea how much damage it may cause as well. You wish to stop the things happening here, yes, but what of other places?

The wolves will come for Atem.

Both of them jumped. They had been so caught up in their own conversation that the source of the voice made them bristle. Yugi bore his teeth and Yami snarled low in his throat. Then a heartbeat passed and both wolves faltered, relaxing once more immediately. Slifer watched them as if they were the most entertaining people she had ever come to know the existence of. She stared at them with sparkling eyes and her ears pricked forward, head cocked only slightly to the left.

What does that mean? Yugi asked, calm now. He blinked at her, ears flicking, and his eyes darted around the numerous cavernous tunnels where they seemed to stretch endlessly into the darkness. He considered them, the gaping maws of their openings, and the shadows seemed more immense than ever. You said the wolves would come for me…

All wolves respond to Atem, Slifer said simply, but her eyes seemed to be on Yami rather than him. Yugi bristled faintly and bore his teeth, the action causing her eyes to fall on him once more. All lycanthropes respond to the needs of their alpha. Atem is that alpha. He is the god among them. And so he shall have thousands within his legions, ready to spill blood during war for him.

Yugi bristled further. His eyes shot to Yami and then back. Thousands? he echoed. He was responsible for thousands of lives now? But if they don't know where I am…

Word has already spread elsewhere that Atem has been created. The wolves felt it the moment you were born; they just did not realize it was you brought into existence. And they will find their way to Japan soon enough. Each of them will be called upon to find their way here, to you.

Yami bristled faintly, then huffed out a breath which seemed to make his entire frame quiver slightly. He ignored the helpless look that Yugi cast him, pleading for him to tell him otherwise. But hadn't he mentioned it before? Hadn't he told him that all wolves sensed and responded to Atem as their leader? What did he expect him to say now? "Slifer and I are just kidding. There's no war and no wolves respond to Atem at all"? Was that what he wanted to hear?

But to allow him to stare at him like that and not bother to speak felt sickening to him. He looked to him, mimicking the words Yugi had attempted to comfort him with minutes before. It'll be okay.

Yugi stared at him as if he could not tell if he was mocking or genuine in his words. It caused Yami to feel as if someone were cutting into his skin with a scalpel and the sensation made him want to vomit once more. They stared at each other, however, seemingly frozen in place from it all, and Yami tilted his head towards him uncomfortably.

Do you honestly believe that?

Yami felt cornered. No, he didn't believe it would be okay. There was nothing okay about any of the situation in question. Yugi was playing the role of a god in which death and chaos would surely follow his paws every step of the way. And the gods themselves were coming to him, speaking to him one by one. First there had been Slifer, or perhaps Ra; who had contacted him first? He had heard him even mumbling the name of Morrigan in his sleep, pleading with her for whatever reason. That was three of them, half of the pantheon as it was. There were only two more hellhounds and one lycanthrope to find their ways into his life.

No, that was not okay. It left no room for the potential of something better, either. His skin crawled for a moment. He turned his head away immediately, refusing to speak to him any further. If he tried to answer his question, he would surely puke.

Yugi turned away as well, tail drooping and head lowering slightly. His eyes fell on the alpha, however, and his stomach twisted and knotted inside of him. Her face was so full of fur, immaculate in placement, almost otherworldly in design. Her eyes were shut but he remembered the golden hue of them, and her coat was one shade of red on top of a lighter one.

How had he failed to realize the resemblance?

How had he not noticed that she was the goddess's own daughter?

He raised his eyes to Slifer. Their muzzles were almost the same length, but the goddess possessed one larger, more powerful. Their coats were such similar shades or red, their legs longer and spindly, their tails mirror images in their bushiness. He blinked at her, undone by how she stared so calmly back at him.

But then, what did she have to feel unnerved about?

I, um, think that it's time for us to go, he muttered quietly, shuddering faintly. The air felt cold and suffocating, as if it were drowning him forcefully. He wondered if it could swallow him whole or travel down his throat and sever his brain from his body. All it would take would be one blow to the nerves there… Right, Yami?

I wish to speak to her about something. The black wolf turned to face him again now. Yugi blinked, looking towards him as well, expression questioning, head tilted curiously to the side. But his expression was troubled and not at all friendly or comforting. He was too lost in his own thoughts to even appear otherwise.

The smaller wolf flattened his ears against his skull for a moment; Yami wanted him to leave him there with her. This conversation wasn't for his ears. Okay. I…I'll be at the camp then.

Yami nodded distractedly. I will meet you there in a few minutes, he promised, now moving forward to nudge him in the shoulder with his muzzle. It was a friendly gesture, telling him to hurry up and not to worry, but it still unnerved Yugi how distracted the darker wolf seemed even now. The smaller canine didn't comment, instead turning and trotting towards the entrance. He cast a small glance back, startled when he saw that Yami was watching him, though he immediately turned back to the goddess upon their eyes locking. When his paw steps faded, the black wolf blinked and looked at her more pointedly.

Do you know what happened to him? he demanded, baring his teeth as a million thoughts began to race for his attention. The action made his head throb for a brief second and his tail bristled faintly.

She watched him, golden eyes cunning with memory that far surpassed his own. I know exactly what happened to him. I also know where he is in Paradise, she said in a level tone. There was something arrogant about her posture now that Yami had not noticed before. Do you want to know?

Yes. I… How soon after did they…? I…

They killed him only minutes after you turned back. He was knocked aside by one of the guards and managed to take a back route to cut them off from capturing you again. When he killed Pandora, Pegasus got to him.

Yami bristled. Pegasus killed him?

Does it matter who raised the blade, Yami? the goddess drawled. Surely you are not so lost without him as to not realize that knowing will not bring him back.

He snapped his teeth. Fuck you, Slifer.

She blinked at him lazily. Besides, unless I am wrong, you appear to be recovering fine, yes? Her eyes burned into his. A lover lost is another gained, no?

He was shaking. No! he snarled angrily. You're wrong.

Yes, I suppose I am. I had not noticed such scars marring your soul before this moment, Slifer continued in a somewhat bitter tone. Yes, his death still keeps you up at night and haunts the worst of your dreams. It guides your course of action in life even now, doesn't it? That is why you look so much…older than you truly are.

Yami trembled, heartbeat erratic and heavy in his ears. Damn you… He felt sick. Is he happy?

Slifer blinked at him, long and slow, and her eyes glittered almost disdainfully. He is. At least most often. Some of your choices trouble him. Her ears flicked back and forth rapidly for a moment. He wishes for me to tell you something.

Yami backed up, panting. His gums were bright white, his tongue pale. Tell him I'm sorry, he managed to choke out, turning away and racing rapidly for the entrance of the tunnel.

He saved your life and you will not listen to his message? Slifer called after him, tone mocking and distant. She sounded more malicious than he had initially thought her capable of in regards to him. He had never come across her in such a sadistic tone before. Yet her voice was fading as he barreled through the entrance of the tunnel.

The black wolf snapped his jaws as they collided. The impact was so painful it seemed to knock the wind from his lungs. He and the white wolf tumbled, snapping at each other in a state of confused panic. Yami could feel it festering inside of him. It made him twist as their legs knotted. He snapped his teeth and struggled. The other wolf bit at the air next to his ear. They snarled angrily. Then Yami was abruptly butted painfully in the shoulder. He tottered sideways, snarling. The other wolf wriggled beneath him. Then they broke apart again. He panted and scrambled to his paws.

Yugi was staring at him. Recognition had dawned on him before that moment. It was startling to Yami how easily he seemed to have snapped out of it. Had his panic been so encompassing? He blinked at him in confusion, then flattened his ears against his head. The white wolf merely watched him.

Want to talk about it?

Yami wanted to die, was what he wanted. He looked away quickly. No, he answered in a clipped tone. Can we go home now?

I thought we were going to introduce ourselves.

It can wait…

Yugi watched him for a moment. Then he leaned over, running his tongue over his forehead. He seemed oddly at peace with such gestures, something that startled Yami. The two of them blinked at each other and the black wolf wondered what Yugi might think of him if he had heard the conversation he'd just had. Of course we can go now, he answered, ignoring the pleading desperation which had colored Yami's voice moments before. Give me a minute to tell them I'm leaving. We'll leave immediately after, okay?

He nodded in distraction, but watched as he took off in a trot towards the other side of the clearing. He did not throw his head back and howl, but rather approached Mai and Otogi where they were laying together lazily. Both wolves got immediately to their paws, though he was sure Yugi told them it was unnecessary and relayed his departure.

Yami flicked his ears.

It was strange not hearing his gentle voice in his head at the moment. He was so used to being close to him and capable of listening when he directed his words outwards. It was almost lonely in his own head without the touch of his friend's voice there.

Yugi wagged his tail at the two wolves as they split up and began to find other members. No doubt each of them would gather to see them off, but the white wolf started towards him abruptly. Yami faltered, realization coming over him. His eyes had changed slightly and it occurred to him that they would not be leaving as of that moment.

I need to speak to Slifer for a moment, Yugi revealed, stopping in front of him. Yami bristled faintly, unnerved, and cast a small glance over his shoulder towards the entrance once more. He felt as if he could still hear her, growling and snarling in his ear about lovers and promises he could not think to keep any longer. He turned back. The white wolf watched him with gentle eyes, hesitant as he licked at the tip of his muzzle, just beyond his nose. His eyes were soft, warm, and Yami felt winded just looking at them. She knows something that I need to ask her about.

Yami glanced at the entrance again, then turned back uncomfortably. Okay, he agreed reluctantly. Go ahead and see her.

I don't suppose you want to come?

If he had not said it in such a calm voice, Yami might have buckled and followed him. He would have pushed away his discomfort and anger and followed him without a second thought. As it was, Yugi was calm and collected, and it was clear he did not expect him to in even the slightest.

No.

Yugi nodded and his body brushed his as he stepped around him and towards the entrance. He glanced at him only once, more for reassurance, then began to make his way into the tunnel. He would make this quick. He trotted as quickly as he could without breaking into a run. And the clearing seemed to come to him in a swift heartbeat. He paused, stopping short in front of the gorge, where the water roared and splashed and foam sprayed from the immense flow.

He looked the river over for a long minute, eyes sharp, the darkness splashing with faint ribbons of white and silver across the stone. He looked up again and in front of him Slifer began to pick her way through the shadows and towards them. The golden-eyed she-wolf tilted her head, gaze full of cunning and something like soft affection which traced her irises more fully.

Yugi glanced down at the water again. It wasn't the same water. Yami was right. It would never be the same water again, either. He was right. He was absolutely right. He just had not considered it before that moment, at least not completely.

Slifer, I want an honest answer. And I'm going to ask this only once. I know you know where the lab is, he said slowly, turning to her now. His fur bristled finely and the roar of water made his body ache as it crashed fitfully against the stone. It would erode it further. It would completely shatter the stone, wouldn't it? Eventually the tunnels would cease existence, wouldn't they? Eventually, when the world began to change even more and the mammals were forced to extinction like the dinosaurs… He shook his musings off. I know that Yami knows the entrance. He won't tell me. And that's fine. But I want to know if you know where they are as well.

She studied him silently for what felt like hours. Then she, very slowly, took a seat. Her tail was long and curled sideways when she tucked it against her paws. The hair was long and fluffed outwards, covering her paws brilliantly. The uniform shade of her pelt made him think of shadows and darkness and it startled him somehow. I know the entrance. And I will show it to you when the time comes. But that is not now and I will not put you in harm's way for the sake of your curiosity.

Yugi exhaled and his breath came in a bright puff before his eyes. Okay, he said easily, nodding in response. He wagged his tail slightly before it abruptly dropped away again. Do you know what they are doing to them now?

I am aware of their suffering, yes. Just as I am the one who listens to the grievances of the dead, she said with cunning eyes, though the gleam of them faded a moment later. Why do you ask such questions?

Was your daughter one of their victims?

Slifer considered him for a moment, something dark and dangerous flickering in her eyes No, but she did help them to escape. If you mean to ask me the purpose of her sacrifices, I will tell you now that it was not of malicious intent.

No, I didn't… Yugi watched her with his head tilted. I never considered it. I think it was misguided but I didn't think she forced them or anything of that nature. I just… Who was experimented on within the pack? Are there survivors?

Those sacrificed did so of their own demand. They were mercy kills. Whether you see them as right or not is beyond my care. As for those others experimented on, there is a short supply of them among you now. She flicked her ears and watched him closely. They will come to you in time. You will notice the discontent and behavior which separates them from the majority.

Was Yami experimented on? he demanded, eyes glittering with rage. I don't want an evasive answer. Tell me now. I need to know.

You are Atem. Why should his suffering affect you?

He is my friend. I want to know.

Slifer flicked an ear and her eyes grew somewhat distant. Extensively, she said after a moment. His former mate says that he was experimented on to same extent that you yourself was.

Yugi could feel it. She knew something more. And she was withholding it from him for some reason. He bore his teeth for a moment. Okay.

You had other questions.

Is he a Pure-Blood or a Full-Blood? I don't… I'm confused on the difference. And I know he won't answer me if I ask him, he exhaled.

Does it matter? You will find in time that it does not matter the type of wolf one is. It matters where their loyalties lie. Some are only for themselves. Others live to please the next person. Another might have loyalty only for their mate and the next for everyone in their pack. Do not think ill of him for denying you answers at times. He struggles with much grief and pain. She looked mildly ashamed for the briefest of seconds. Then she closed her eyes and angled her head lower. You must forgive him for misguided attempts to help you and protect you from further damage. He tries hard. It just does not always work in his favor.

Yugi shook his head. No, I understand that. I don't mind that he does that. Considering that he himself was doing that with multiple things, not limited to his friends and what he had said to them, he didn't mind that at all. I just… He's gotten hurt a lot more since we've met. I just kind of worry about him. I…

He will be fine. I can guarantee you only that.

So you won't tell me which blood type he is.

It is not my place. He will tell you himself soon enough.

Yugi considered her, listening and tasting the words before tilting his head slightly. The white canine stared at the she-wolf for a long minute, then closed his eyes. What about the wolves in the lab?

Most are infected artificially by means of blood and saliva. Many of them are Half-Bloods. The Full-Bloods are used for breeding purposes and do not often escape. She watched him more closely. You know a secret, Yugi. And it is one you will have to guard as preciously as a heart.

He shivered, watching her. Will we make it?

Sacrifices are made in battle. Whether you can keep up with the demands of war are another question altogether. She studied him more closely for a long moment. Then her ears pricked forward and her eyes glowed as they flickered into his once more. You shall both have sacrifices to make. Survival is another matter.

He bristled faintly, glancing towards the entrance once more. Then he flicked an ear and turned back with a somewhat flustered expression. I said we would go back when I got my answers. I don't expect to get anything else out of you, he said, insides knotting painfully. Until we see each other next.

Slifer was silent as he began to trot to the entrance. In the darkness Yugi thought he could only hear his heart pounding more than anything else. His claws clicked against the stone and Yugi was almost a step out of the tunnel when she answered.

It shall be sooner rather than later.

He slowed a step, but Yami was watching him now and reality seemed to strike him violently in the face. He slipped out into the snow and the black wolf greeted him with an antsy shift of his weight. He couldn't meet his eyes for a moment, then forced himself to wag his tail.

Did you get answers?

Yugi nodded. I did. Let's go.

What did you talk about? he demanded, falling into step beside him. He blinked curiously at the other wolf and Yugi felt sick to his stomach for a moment. He wished he could have believed Yami when he said that he would tell him anything he wanted to know about him.

But he knew too well already.

Yami lied and fed him answers from the palm of his hand but did not give him all of the truth. He had to pick the pieces out and analyze them himself, draw them close and sort through them rapidly. He blinked and shook his fur out. To say that he felt terrible that he could not hold him at his word where such a thing was involved was an understatement of epic proportions.

Nothing you need to worry about. He wondered if Yami had heard his musing. But the curious, surprised glance he gave him suggested otherwise. He tilted his head, then pressed his head into his shoulder. He was not entirely sure where his mind came up with such casual actions to take. They were so animalistic that it was startling as he opened his eyes again and considered. I was offering her condolences for her loss. I didn't realize she was her daughter.

That's understandable. I did not realize either. But something in his voice was clipped as Yugi pulled away to begin walking again. Their shoulders were all but brushing as they began to continue towards the entrance of the camp. The thistles were large and immense, the thorns like razors in the snow, layered so brilliantly that he thought of crystal shards and broken glass. He flicked an ear and glanced at Yami sideways when he spoke again. She looked like her only when you thought to consider the two of the next to each other. Or you immediately saw one after the other as I had. It occurred to me only today.

It kind of amazes me. I didn't think that any of the wolves were related to the gods. She made such a big deal about me having their blood… Yugi paused and tilted his head. Why should she have been so excited about my existence and being related to Ra if she was already related to Slifer?

Because Atem is a Pure-Blood. And the fact that she is dead says that she was nothing more than a Full-Blood. She healed much faster than the average werewolf but was not able to revive herself after being mortally wounded. She wasn't like you. One can kill you and you'll come back to life again.

What about the head being taken off?

Yami blinked. Pure-Bloods heal too quickly. Their body rapidly rejuvenates and mends the wound before they can possibly cut through the spine or the muscles around the neck. And removing organs only causes the body to rapidly regenerate them. Or so the legends say. Considering there were only three wolves before with the ability to come back to life when dead…

So that's more of an idea, not a true thing?

It was tested in the labs. But I do not know to what extent. And I do not recall ever hearing about the results. If they were done successfully, Ryou was never told of them. And so he did not tell me or my cage mate. This caused his fur to shudder faintly and Yugi blinked in confusion at the rapid twitch. Many wolves were killed in the revival of Atem. And I am sure they were more extensively studied than he could ever be.

Yugi continued to walk slowly, lazily striding forward beside him as Yami did the same. They were moving in unison again, something that only mildly surprised the smaller wolf.

So, then that's the only thing between Pure-Bloods and Full-Bloods?

That and their pelts being solid colors. There is also their strength and the fact that the wolves are stronger mentally than the others. We can project thoughts. Mai can do so for a limited time. Otogi can get the spare word out. Then they both must resort to pictures to communicate. The red-eyed wolf blinked slowly, then pricked his ears forward lazily. The lycanthropy as a whole is more active and powerful than anything else. They heal more quickly. They can kill more easily. They're faster. They're stronger. The lycanthropy makes almost everything almost three times the rate of a regular human.

So then that means that the wolf is far more powerful than the other blood types.

Yami flicked an ear. They called them breeds at the labs. The Half-Bloods were the most common. The Full-Bloods were rarer. And the Pure-Bloods were extinct. He slowed a step and Yugi found himself mimicking him, uncomfortable and feeling sick. So they called them breeds A, B and C. Quarter-Bloods were not considered anything more than a watered down species. They basically considered them to be nothing more than just a mutt.

Oh…

That was disgusting. He looked at Yami for a moment. How could they possibly do that? But then…they had named Atem after the abbreviations of his own experimentation. In all reality, he should not have been so surprised.

---

Yugi closed his eyes tightly for a moment. Yami had settled himself on the bed a few inches away, picking at his nails. In his boredom he had not noticed the way the smaller teen had been staring at him for so long. Yugi was both thankful and driven mad by this reality. It was merciful yet somehow ruthless all the same. Yugi felt as if he were dying.

Something about the way his spine curved and the muscles in his arms flexed as he bit at his nails made his heart pound. Something about the tilt of his head and the cords in his neck made him shiver. And the way his heart sounded in his ears, soft and rhythmic, warm beyond his comprehension, made his nerves dance with fire. He kept his eyes closed tightly.

But the image behind his lids was far from what Yugi had thought it would be. But, there to greet him like the best of phantoms, was the brilliant vivid image of the wolf beside him. His lips were swollen, his eyes hooded and darker than ever. His lashes were splayed and his skin glistening. His collarbone was soaked in salty perspiration, a pool of which he wanted nothing more than to stick his tongue in. His hair was tangled, his bangs knotted thickly. His chest was heaving and his cheeks were flushed. The pillow was shaded dark with his long black hair and the tip of each strand was like a fiery burst of color against white.

But this image was not all which tore at his insides.

Beneath his clothing his skin was burning. Fingertips like silk, soft and warmth, trailed fire upon his flesh. His skin itched and tingled and danced beneath their golden touch. His heart rocketed and his breath caught in his throat. He gasped and nearly writhed. In his mind hands were touching along his pulse, tracing the curve of his neck. And oh gods, the things that just his fingers could do…

Yugi felt his eyes snap open before he could even recognize the action. He startled, sitting up much straighter than he had been initially, slumped against his headboard and looking at the television. Beside him Yami was stiff and frozen, as if he were able to see his thoughts or hear his racing heart.

He glanced at him from the corner of his eye. He had not thought for more than a second that the other could have sensed it. But it was rather clear from the way Yami peered at him sideways that he knew. And the stillness in his body was not arousal of any nature. In fact, as Yugi ran a hand through his hair, he caught the thick, bitter and sour pulse of fear which swelled upon his natural scent.

It was enough to knock his thoughts from his mind altogether.

His heart skipped, a sickness seeming to swell through him in response to this sensation.

Did he smell it?

Yugi nearly groaned with disgust. He could smell it. Of course Yami could if he could. His nose was so much better than his as it was. He shook his head and dropped back against the headboard again. What was he supposed to say? That he had been about to fall asleep and had dreamed of that?

Yami was still frozen next to him.

He fidgeted, closing his eyes tightly again. But the image was back and Yugi nearly spat at himself in dismay. Awkwardly, the small teen shook the idea off, then opened his eyes again into slits. Why was he suddenly so restless? Was it something to do with being a wolf? Had something triggered it? He was relatively sure he had handled this situation a thousand times better when he wasn't infected and only liked Anzu.

But did he even like Yami in any other way than friendship?

Yugi couldn't tell. Yes, he liked Yami. He liked him a lot. But it felt more…friendly…than it did anything else…didn't it? He tried to consider it more closely but it seemed to be shattering away in his head. His senses were more geared towards confusion and disbelief than a desire to truly analyze. So what was he meant to really do?

Yugi shook his head.

Yami turned his head now, the bones so tightly knotted together in his anxiety that they cracked loudly upon performing such an action. He blinked at him, eyes wide, and Yugi finally seemed to notice his movement a minute later. He blinked once, then twice, and turned his head. The stare they shared was so awkward Yugi felt as if he might puke at any moment.

Finally the taller teen relented, leaning away from him slightly. He settled a bit more on his haunches and for a moment he looked almost sultry. But there was something antagonistic and cold in his eyes that made Yugi feel sick. Then it was gone again and Yami was looking at the comforter.

"Sorry." It was clipped and tired and so forced that Yami blinked and turned his head with a startled expression. Yugi looked pissed, as if his silence had angered him somehow and the way they stared at each other made him anxious.

Was it really so bad to think of him as a partner? Yami acted as if it were the worst thing in the world. He looked at him as if he were going to be sick and the anxiety was clear in every line of his body. Yugi couldn't understand how it was that Yami could be so comfortable with him and even manage to go as far as helping him with a bath if he had no desire whatsoever for him Unless that was some part of the wolf instinct which proclaimed that one did anything and everything for a pack mate without a single pause.

But he didn't think there was someone else who could manage that.

And the way Yami looked at him now infuriated him further. How could he possibly do all of those things and not think more? Yugi wasn't sure that he wanted him to, but it was still annoying to think otherwise. Did Yami truly not think of him as anything beyond that of a beta or a friend? If he was suffering these emotions, why couldn't he as well?

He knew somewhere in the back of his mind that he was being considerably unfair. It was stupid to think that just because he felt something that Yami had to as well. But what about when they had almost kissed? That had been as much Yami as it was him. He couldn't deny that.

But Yami had said it was the connection between them because of the bite. He had said it had amplified his platonic relationship to something further. And it was solely because of this one bite. That had to be a lie, didn't it?

Yugi didn't like the idea that he might be unable to feel his own emotions without the bond stretching them into something else. And what of any other emotions he had? What of what he felt for Anzu? Admittedly it seemed to have fallen in second place with this recent onslaught of emotion for Yami, but it was still there. He knew and felt it…

He looked at Yami more closely. The taller lycanthrope seemed more shocked than unnerved now. And that was quickly changing as well. Yugi's frustration must have been fueling his or perhaps it was the eye contact. He was rigid and his lips were twitching with the instinct to pull back to bare his teeth. The enamel looked ironically brilliant, hideous to the eye, and he thought he might lunge at him any moment. But it was the low noise in his throat which unnerved Yugi further. He sounded as if he were struggling not to snap his teeth and attempt to shove him away from him.

Yugi blinked, then snorted and looked away. "Sorry," he muttered quietly now. He blinked again, tired as he reached up and ran a hand through his hair. He shook his head and struggled to keep from yawning in growing anxiety. "I think I'm getting restless."

It was the stupidest, simplest excuse he could use. And that made enough sense to him that it allowed Yami to nod in dismissal. He did not look at him as if he were mad or even mildly upset any longer. In the corner of his eye he actually appeared somehow crestfallen.

When he turned his head, however, that look was gone. Yami was all but expressionless, his eyes dark and thoughtful. But there was nothing beyond that. He was watching him calmly, carefully.

"I need to call Anzu later."

Yami didn't do anything but nod. But there was something harsh and shaded in his eyes and Yugi felt sick for a moment.

---

Yugi stepped a little closer to her, though he was trying more to keep on the edge of the curb than anything else. He felt precariously happy with the sensation of his balance being off as it seemed when his feet tilted sideways. She was standing so close to the edge as well, an inch or two from his shoulder. He was amazed, because he did not have to move his arms to stay balanced. He was completely able to simply maintain his balance with his slow stride and calmer stance. It was amazing to him and it made his heart pound a little faster, gleeful of this newfound ability.

"This is so fucking great," he muttered out loud before he could stop himself. Anzu cast him a sideways look, then smiled in a somewhat bemused, startled manner. He realized he hadn't said anything for a small measure of time and his sudden outburst probably seemed more out of place than even his surprising invitation to see if they could work out what seemed like a rapidly failing relationship. He glanced at her, then gestured lazily at his feet. "I'm doing it without having to try to balance myself."

"Oh." She nodded, smiling a little more. Then she rolled her eyes. "You always have been amazed by weird things like that."

He blushed slightly, then grinned at her like a schoolboy, but when she looked at him, the innocence she had once seen there was all but nonexistent. How much had he gone through since he had been infected? He had not opened up to them about it aside from being attacked by Ushio in the forest and Tomoya saving him. It seemed odd that she had never bothered to consider that it might have given him a harsher understanding of a world she did not know. The thought made her bite her bottom lip, feeling sick. What had he experienced in the time that he had been hiding this from them?

"Can all werewolves do that?"

Yugi startled and then blushed furiously as he stopped short on the sidewalk. It caused him to topple onto the street again and he quickly stepped back onto the concrete. This time the pleasure in his face was gone, stripped bare to seem uncomfortable and somewhat anxious. "Yami probably can," he admitted, but his eyes seemed distant for a split second. Then he grinned at her and his focus was on her alone once more. "I forgot you guys knew. I didn't even think about it."

She gave him a tight smile that felt weak and almost shaky. "Jonouchi and Honda are making a list of questions they wanted to ask you and Yami," she said slowly. He blinked and his expression became both startled and fierce, as if the mention of them interacting with Yami struck something defensive inside of him. She frowned faintly. "I'm sure none of it is inappropriate."

"Oh please, I'll bet half of them are." He rolled his eyes but he was smiling again and looked rather relieved at the idea. No doubt he was fond of his friends' antics when it came to such things. She thought it was amazing he had not been persuaded otherwise. It seemed so strange that his humor would remain when he himself seemed almost unrecognizable behind that familiar face and those wide, beautiful eyes. "One of them is guaranteed to be about whether we act like bunnies."

Anzu blinked, then blushed. At least he hadn't been crude, dodging the action as effectively as he usually could. It brought the smallest of smiles to her face. At least that hadn't changed either. "Well, yeah, there's no question about that one."

They both blinked, then laughed at the unintentional pun. Their eyes flickered away again, though he seemed more shy than unnerved and she was relieved for that.

"And another is going to be about doggy style. Then there's going to be something about multiple partners. All of the good stuff that Jonouchi always talks about." He was grinning so widely that his face lit up brilliantly. His eyes looked so beautiful against the pale pallid of his cheeks and his long lashes seemed to frame them even more fully than before. Were they longer? She hadn't noticed before but she thought they were a little bit lengthier. "But I don't even think I want to know more about what they might have written down. I'll bet it's stuff that will make me squirm."

She smiled widely. "You think so?" she asked playfully. "You're not too squeamish when it comes to kinks."

Yugi's entire face turned bright red and he stumbled a step, nearly falling flat on the pavement. His eyes nearly bugged out of his head as he opened and closed his mouth. He rubbed the back of his neck, then grumbled, "Jackass" under his breath. The word startled them both and she tilted his head as his face drained of color and he stared at her almost in panic.

Oh gods, had he just…?

He called Yami jackass. And he did it whenever he said something like she had. But he had always affectionately dubbed her crazy when she said something of that manner. The shift in his teasing was horrifying. Why had he called her by what he did Yami when he made lewd comments or jokes that made him blush?

He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Sorry, I call Yami a jackass when he says things like that," he explained in a tired tone. "I guess I've been around him more than I have you guys lately."

"A little bit," she admitted when the silence seemed to choke them both for those few seconds before she could answer. She swallowed hard.

That was what was different.

She could see it now.

She could sense it as well.

And it was both startling and heartbreaking to realize.

"I'm going to have to spend more time with you guys," he announced, ignoring her shocked look. "No one is supposed to take priority over anyone else when you're friends. That's not okay."

Anzu blinked, undone by his words, and considered him for a long second or two. "But he's helping you with being infected, isn't he? Isn't that what you said before?"

"That doesn't mean I'm supposed to ignore you guys in favor of him," he argued, eyes narrowing slightly. Something in his gaze was dark and dangerous and it made her skin crawl. He blinked and it was gone again but the shadow of it seemed to linger on his face. "Anyways, he can hang out with us too. It's not like he's some kind of pariah or something. He's different but he's not going to hurt anyone or anything. He's fine."

Anzu wondered if he was trying to tell her or convince himself at this rate. She tilted her head, searched his face, and frowned as she studied him. Her expression made something in his eyes sharpen and there was a cunning there she had never seen before. He looked animalistic now, with dark eyes and furrowed brows and a restlessness which made his face darken faintly.

"What? You don't think so?"

She might have answered if his tone didn't sound almost threatening. Instead she turned away and began to watch her steps on the pavement, walking with a sense of bewilderment in her movements. She blinked, glancing sideways at him, and then sighed softly.

"I'm sorry," he apologized awkwardly. "It's a lot harder to control myself constantly. I… Yami told me it gets easier as you change more often but it just seems to be getting worse, actually. Especially when someone makes eye contact with me. I tend to get angry sometimes. It's harder than I thought it would be."

She blinked. "Do wolves have problems with eye contact?" she asked in a startled voice. She turned her head towards him now but his eyes were on his feet as he balanced perfectly on the edge of the curb once more.

"They take it as a challenge of rank in the wild. It's no different for werewolves. Yami will barely ever make eye contact with me straight on when we're alone. I have to really surprise him if he's going to do it." He shrugged. "But then, I'm so used to making eye contact with people when I talk to them and he gets unnerved when I do that to him. I think he expects me to attack him or something."

Her heart was twisting painfully in her chest. "Do you think he's actually scared of you or of hurting you instead?"

Yugi snorted. "Oh, I'm not dangerous to him. He killed that tiger. He knows he can handle me, even if he's not as used to his human form. He could wipe the floor with me."

"So you think he's more afraid of hurting you then…?"

Anzu could feel it when he grew somewhat distant, distracted. The boy blinked, raised his head slightly, and his eyes were on the road ahead of them without a glance in her direction. He watched the gathering shadows as the sun set and didn't once look at her again for a long minute and a half.

The distance was physical to her.

It was startling to sense it and it was amazing to her how acutely it dug into her.

"Maybe," he said vaguely. Then he waved it off dismissively and turned to her with another grin. "I don't know that he isn't but I don't know that he is. So I guess it's all speculation, really. It doesn't matter though. All I meant was that he gets really nervous when we lock eyes. He tends to become really uncomfortable and restless after that. It's just awkward. And I guess it's happening with me now too. I didn't think about it before. I would have warned you ahead of time."

"That's okay."

But it really wasn't, was it? Because Yugi didn't even seem to be there with her. And there was a third, invisible person with them both. Her heart ached as they continued towards her house.

Their talk during dinner after the movie had been fun. But then they hadn't been completely beyond the most basic of topics. They had mostly talked about school and food and the movie itself.

And now she understood why he had made that the most they breached. Because now she could feel it and it was a jagged scar in her skin.

She felt sick.

Oh gods, how much longer was she supposed to let this go on…? Should she tell him…? What if he didn't know? What if he had no idea yet? What if she was looking too far into it? Her chest felt tighter than ever.

"No, it's really not," he argued, shaking his head. "I shouldn't have thought I was immune to it. It was pretty stupid of me considering I'm not immune to anything else."

She swallowed hard. "Yugi…"

They were at her door and she couldn't say anything more. The smaller teen was looking at her and the tenderness in his eyes was beautiful, but it was steps away from it had been formerly. He had not come to realize it. But she did.

She drew in a shaky breath. And he looked to be mirroring her for a moment. Their exhales were bright white puffs in the air and she shivered. It was perfect. It was gorgeous. It was all it should have been.

It was the perfect guy.

It was the perfect date.

And it should have been the perfect kiss.

But that did not happen.

Yugi leaned forward. And she let him, desperate and selfish. She wished for just a moment that it would work. She would have wished on a shooting star or prayed to an altar. But even as the other teen tilted his head and his eyes began to close, something seized him. Immediately, inches from her lips, he backed up.

The step was shaky. His legs looked ready to buckle. And, as he took in a breath, he exhaled what had been his dinner. He had missed the porch by mere inches. The flower bed was not so lucky. Anzu watched, heart pinched with white-hot pain. She closed her eyes, sighing softly, and looked away when she finally opened them again.

He was doubled over and the moan which left him was pathetic and heart wrenching. His eyes were dilated, full of confusion and anxiety. It burst through his gaze in ribbons of shock and pain. And when he looked up at her again, he was absolutely horrified.