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.

48. Roles

Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh

Update schedule: Every other day (No updates through September)

Chapter Warnings: Mentions of Killing, Mild Self-Hatred, Character Death, Bloodshed, Cult Mentality, Mentions of Past Deaths, Depression, Mild Hints of Homosexuality, Mild Hints of Anxiety, Nightmares, GRAPHIC Wound Description, GRAPHIC Description of Death

ALL RIGHT GUYS! LOOK AT THAT! We are OFFICIALLY at the HALFWAY MARK! WHOO! *dances around* I was almost scared I'd never get to posting this part considering my apparent INABILITY to keep on track with my schedule.

Anyways, so yeah, halfway point!

Part four will pick up in a month. That gives me a BUNCH of time (gods help me; pray for my soul lmfao) to get back on track and finish a few things that needed to get done a LONG time ago that my lazy ass apparently decided to just neglect like nobody's business. Fuck me. But then if I can get back on track with it all, then maybe part four can be updated in a timely manner, as I originally said it would be. Unless I'm exhausted or don't have time to post, I should be able to manage it if all goes well! So, yeah, long story short: Wish. Me. LUCK!

Anyways, so, you're going to see Yugi tell his mom absolute LIES in this chapter. And he's going to do it again later on. But it's not just her he's going to be saying these lies to. And you'll get a clearer picture of it all as it's brought up again later.

Just a quick note: The werewolves have extremely strong noses. So they can catch someone's perfume or natural scent in mere seconds upon being exposed to someone. Anyone from Yami to Otogi can catch the lingering smell of another wolf or a random person on clothing or even skin or hair. So if Yugi were to step close to Anzu at some point, then interact with Yami Yami would still be able to smell her on him, even if they didn't directly touch. It's more pheromones and things of that nature, which the wolves can scent and their brain kind of catalogues and provides answers for. That's why Yami scented Valon on Yugi that chapter prior, and why Yami could smell that she-wolf on Yugi when he came back from the woods. It's never explicitly explained prior to here and it'll be addressed in a later chapter, but it is relevant for the last scene in this chapter.

Chapter XLVIII: Roles

Work Log Entry XLIV: March, 2004 (Part V)

March 31

The boss is allowing "Atem" to rest for the day. He does not permit him to have extra food or water despite how exhausted the Pure-Blood seems.

Whispers have begun that perhaps PB-A 26 is yet another failure.

The boss has begun punishing anyone to say it close enough for him to hear.

He says that "Atem" being alive now is just enough to prove the breeding was a success.

Yugi returned the next day to the wolves playing amongst themselves. The American wolves had been accepted with little argument upon his declaration that they were staying with them. But he had hated the way Obelisk had looked at him, as if he were waiting for Yugi to realize something more that the white wolf refused to consider. The silence he had granted the beta in turn had made many of his wolves curious but none of them had been brave enough to question him in any manner.

He could see Echo at the end of the group, watching some of her wolves as they began to wag their tails and paw at one another. Yugi flicked an ear, thinking of Yami pawing at his leg, dropping into a play bow before him in invitation. How long ago had that been? Months?

It felt like decades.

He felt as if he could not remember a time in which Yami had been with him in more than a sense of dreams. And it hurt to feel this in any manner. But dreams seemed more alive than his movements now and his breaths were too shallow and broken to even seemingly touch the air.

His ears flicked. He looked about himself for a moment. Then he pushed further into the camp. Collectively, the wolves looked up. Among them, surprisingly, was Slifer. The red she-wolf was lying nearest Obelisk, the two gods obviously conversing. But the wolves had given them a wide berth, as if afraid to approach, almost like they felt inferior by mere design.

The idea made Yugi bristle faintly before he shook himself out and trotted forward. There was no reason for him to show such unease. But his eyes flickered towards those American wolves and his heart ached just as it had before. They all seemed so young and all of them could have just hit puberty for all he could tell. His ears flicked and then flattened for a moment before he lowered his nose towards the snow to feign interest in scenting the tracks there.

He'd have to line the American wolves up and meet them as well soon. He'd do their names, their scents, and then focus upon them as a whole in order to save them to memory as solely as he was able. But for the moment, for this day, he did not care to.

Yugi glanced about them for a moment before turning away again. His ears flicked again and he hated how instinctive it was, but raised his head as one of the Americans came towards him. His eyes widened, head tilting, and he raised his head further in surprise. They were the average height of a wolf, perhaps four inches beneath him in size. But their fur was a brilliant dark gray that looked almost black, with a soft undertone of lighter silver and tawny along the shoulders. His muzzle was a little smaller than Yugi's own, smoother and softer in definition, more like the North American gray wolf he'd seen in pictures, but the nose was smaller and he wondered at the sight of it as it wiggled and the other breathed his scent in.

Hello, Yugi muttered, stepping closer and raising his chin the smallest degree. His tail had naturally risen to run parallel with his spine and he was amazed to realize it was wagging slowly back and forth. Bright, royal blue eyes peered at him in surprise for a moment before the darker wolf mimicked him, tail wagging faster than his own.

Slifer and Obelisk both were staring at the strange display before them. Yugi had not shown much care in days, yet this younger wolf had come forward and he was wagging his tail like a yearling. The thought stunned them both but Slifer found humor in the sight. Maybe, somehow, Yugi had found a sense of kinship in the younger male.

Yet, even as the thought passed through her mind, Yugi had slowed his tail and craned his neck to sniff more noticeably. But something in his eyes had changed and they looked both horrified and mystified. The larger wolf stepped forward again, tilting his head once more.

His eyes were so much like those of Ra, as if the she-wolf had taken another form. The intelligence and power and sheer energy within that gaze made Yugi feel as if he were standing before something much greater than even himself. He looked otherworldly, godly, and the sight was both amazing and horrifying all the same.

Yugi flicked an ear. What is your name? he asked quietly, projecting the words solely to this smaller wolf. The gray ears pricked forward, then flicked unconsciously as if someone had called his name. Then he stepped closer and an image began to form in Yugi's head, symbols and words which rapidly began to translate, piling upon each other until they all began to form the same statement. Yugi blinked. Yusei?

The wolf blinked and wagged his tail once as if to reward him. Yugi considered those symbols where they still lay within his mind as if burned there. And his mind rapidly worked to supply him an answer as to the meaning behind so many words for one simple answer.

But Yusei meant "planetary" and that was not something that could be translated directly into an image, after all. But all those languages… He tilted his head and wagged his tail again.

You're American? The name certainly wasn't American by any stretch of the imagination. The fact that Yusei had come to him through an American pack was bewildering as they looked at each other.

The smaller wolf tilted his head and wagged his tail. A small island appeared in his mind, stretched and elongated and so familiar to him that Yugi did not pause to consider.

Honshu?

Yusei nodded and watched him for a moment. Then he wagged his tail a little more, staring at him with deep blue eyes. Born in… He tilted his head further and considered him for a moment. Then he shook himself out and straightened a little more. Moved to…America…

Yugi could see the mental strain it took for him to focus entirely on the task of projecting the words forth. It was hard for him to truly speak as Yugi was. There was a shadow of hesitancy, as if he could not fathom forming more than these words, and the stress was obvious in the way his fur rose into a mild bristle.

Yusei dipped his head and flicked an ear towards where Echo and the others sat watching. The white wolf felt his stomach sink looking at him. He was so much leaner and smaller, with longer legs and disproportionate paws. He was almost exactly what a natural-born yearling would look like in the wild though somewhat more powerful, perhaps slightly more mature. The reality of it shook him to his core. How old was he? Yugi had yet to see him in his human form, but he imagined he had to be one of the youngest…

And all of them had just seemed to hit puberty. He thought only Echo herself and the beta possibly seemed to be older than fifteen. What had triggered them changing? Yami had mentioned puberty did it, as did near death experiences. He hoped to the gods it was the former…

It's nice to meet you, Yusei, he murmured, pricking his ears towards him and watching him with a bright gaze. The other wolf had such gorgeous blue eyes, even more royal than his school uniform. The effect of them was unlike anything he'd ever experienced before. He thought them almost as exotic and beautiful as even Yami's… I'm Atem, but you can call me Yugi if you'd like.

Yusei's ears flicked and then pricked and pointed at him. His dark tail wagged and he tilted his head in near bewilderment at the words. Then he opened his jaws slightly and the sight of his incisors made him look so much a yearling that Yugi's heart ached. He looked so damn young…

He wondered vaguely if Yami had ever had such thoughts. Had he looked at him and thought something similar, as if he were younger and held all the definition of a boy before puberty? Yami had not seemed overly surprised when he had claimed to have gone through puberty before, nor had he seemed as if he looked down on him in any manner. It made his skin crawl to think that perhaps, rather than potential, Yami had seen someone too young to die and had leaped to bite him instead of allow him to waste away.

It seemed to cheapen his action, but the concept was not one Yugi could ignore. It was easy to fall back into such a thought. He must have looked far younger than he actually was. He must have seemed smaller and all but helpless when Yami had stumbled across him. Yugi had no doubt that the taller teen had felt some small hint of protectiveness in response to the thought of his state of being and age. It was only natural to think to save someone younger than yourself, if only because their innocence beckoned them to do so.

Yugi looked away from him now and tilted his head as if to tip an ear towards the ground. Yusei had lowered his head in response, surprised and perhaps confused by the sudden change of direction he had taken. Yugi ignored this and began to trot forward again, sniffing the air only lightly and pretending that he did not notice the odd looks these wolves cast towards him for such an action.

His time spent with the pack was monotonous at best. The white wolf laid his head on his paws and watched for the majority of it. The wolves around him seemed to all behave in their separate small packs, as if ingrained to find only those which matched a certain criteria within their own minds. The Japanese wolves—or so he assumed them to be, as they had been within the mountains for so long—tended to drift further from the Americans. Every now and then one or the other would come closer. They would sniff, wag their tails cautiously, and then quickly turn away again.

Yugi couldn't help but notice that not once did Yusei make the effort to move away from his pack members now. Echo had lain down, her beta nearby snoozing in the shade, and Yusei remained only feet from them. The smaller gray wolf had grown unnerved for whatever reason, sitting up and watching rather than relaxing as the others seemed to be.

He only seemed to move away when Marik and Aki approached. The American wolf sniffed at the male, curled his lips, pricked his ears forward and got to his feet to shift a few paces away. He did not fully retreat, however, hovering, and soon took a seat again with a darkened gleam to his eyes. Marik ignored him now, sniffing at the she-wolf that served as Echo's beta. The female blinked, her head tilted, and then peeled her lips back to show off jagged white teeth.

Marik did not respond further than a mild bristle that began at his shoulders and trailed the length of his dorsal cape. Aki, having paused from where she'd initially been about to continue walking, sopped altogether and flicked her ears, considering them with a relatively unimpressed expression. Then she came closer, blinking lazily as she looked at the three wolves in the forefront and then towards the rest of the pack. Her ears flicked, in something that Yugi almost would have labeled as a suspicious movement. And, as if beckoned or perhaps as if she were capable of reading his mind, Echo rose to her paws.

The darker she-wolf's head came up, her ears pricked forward. Her gray eyes glittered fiercely and her lips curled back to bare her teeth. She came forward a few steps, slow and threatening. Aki blinked, turned her head in a slow gesture to look at her, and blinked in an exaggerated motion as if to taunt her.

Yugi blinked, stunned, as the wolves began to snarl and lunge at each other. Echo and Aki took a moment to size each other up, the dark-furred she-wolf snarling as Aki finally drew her lips back to expose her teeth. The other American wolves began to jump to their paws. Tails came in up unison, as many of the Japanese wolves began to take unkindly to the potential spat as well.

Within a heartbeat Yugi himself was on his feet, eyes wide and fur rising in a bristle of alarm. He faltered when he took a step, unsure, and then felt anxiety prickle at his insides. He wondered if they sensed it, because Aki and Echo were inches away from each other, ready to lunge. He hesitated, then moved forward again. Immediately Obelisk and Slifer responded to his action, on their paws and starting towards him.

The white wolf could think of no other means of distraction but to snarl and snap his teeth as he got closer. His fur rose into a bristle, his nose wrinkled from his curled lips. He stepped closer, tail rising. Both Echo and Aki seemed to freeze for a split second. And then their heads turned away. Both she-wolves lowered their muzzles and turned their faces from him, as if staring at the snow. Marik flattened his ears against his head and turned away with them. Yusei stared at him in bewilderment, as if unsure of why he might have interrupted.

Yugi finally allowed his bristle to drop, then huffed loudly through his nose. His tail fell immediately after and he flicked his ears uncomfortably. Everyone had begun to watch him now. Even Slifer and Obelisk seemed to be awaiting his reaction. They were staring, eyes seeming to glow as he glanced back at them minutely.

The white wolf glanced at Aki, at a loss now as to what to do. The she-wolf had long since raised her head and turned her attention to him, as had Marik himself. The two were watching him with cold expressions, studying. Yugi wondered if he looked as small as he felt at that moment.

What would Yami have done?

It would have been so much easier to know what to do if the black wolf were there. The thought made his fur ripple in a grieved bristle before it fell flat again. He blinked and looked at Marik as well, then glanced at Echo. Between the three of them, from what he could tell, Echo seemed the most sensible. And if she was sensible then perhaps she was like Yami in that way. He doubted their logic would be one hundred percent similar but he had to hope somewhat.

Yugi flicked an ear then pushed past the two wolves, between the females as if they were nothing more than decoration. The reaction was immediate. Both sides pulled away, lowering their heads, but Aki and Marik were the first to turn and move away completely.

Obelisk and Slifer stared as if they couldn't comprehend the action. The thought made his fur bristle slightly for a brief moment before he shook it off once more. The two gods watched for a second longer then flicked their ears as if to dismiss the sight before them. Yugi wondered if this kind of disruption would have been handled differently by anyone other than him.

Would a natural leader have launched themselves into the fray, pinned them in anger? Would they have snarled and snapped and tried to make them cower? Yugi felt smaller than before now, nearly flattening his ears against his skull as he turned away again. He looked at the snow, uncomfortable and dismayed.

Was anything he did ever right?

Echo, he announced, head snapping towards her. The she-wolf raised her head, startled, and then stepped closer only once. Her head was tilted, gray eyes puzzled, and her ears flattened against her skull in a submissive stance. Yugi stared at her for a moment, not the least bit surprised to see her eyes lowered and focused somewhere below his gaze. I want to ask you something.

The reassuring tone of his voice was enough to make her blink in bewilderment. Then she glanced at the two gods standing a few feet away. The sight of them seemed to make her bristle briefly and he could not help but remember the frosty reception she had gotten when she'd first stumbled upon the pack. They had been there when he'd spoken to her, but they'd also stood around and allowed her harassment. He could understand the apprehension in her eyes as she looked at them and back.

They won't be following.

Echo tilted her head and flicked an ear before slowly moving to follow him when he began to trot past the other wolves. With Marik and Aki gone they seemed to have lost their spark for any sort of antagonism. Yugi wondered if it was truly because they had moved away or if it was simply his intervention which had done so.

Regardless, the two of them moved towards the edge of the camp, where the trees grew more thickly and the sun seemed almost blocked by the branches even with as bare as they were. He turned to her only after glancing towards the stone cliffs that riddled the path higher towards the top of the mountain and the expanse of what had formerly been blue-gray beyond. But they were mostly white now, with silver flecks and twinkles of blue from the sun casting shadows and direct light.

It was always amazing to him how much the world could change between seasons. The earth was a canvas that constantly adapted, worn at to the point of breaking but somehow still incredibly persistent. He shivered and wondered, but his focal point of thought scared him so he shrugged it aside without true consideration.

Why were they fighting? he asked quietly. His ears flicked. His head tilted. He considered her, eyes cold and glittering, and pricked his ears forward almost curiously. What made them all so upset?

Echo blinked and her stare was at something over his shoulder, giving an impression of attention but showing as well the respect that came with limiting eye contact. Culture. The word was said so quietly that Yugi almost could not catch it. But then her eyes flickered briefly towards him, dark gray and flashing for a split second.

Culture? Yugi blinked. They had almost fought because one pack was American and the other was Japanese? What kind of stupidity was…?

That's ridiculous, he snapped. If he and Echo could stand in front of each other without losing their minds and trying to dig their teeth into each other, why could they not do the same? It seemed incredibly foolish, a waste of time and energy in every sense. He bristled faintly, then shook it off. That's not going to happen again.

Echo tilted her head, an ear flicking in something almost like bewilderment. Her gray eyes caught his now, for only a split second, but she seemed somewhat undone by the idea. He almost thought he saw perhaps dismay or distaste or maybe even the slightest hint of fear.

You don't think that I should step in? he inquired quietly, tilting his head and staring at her with a bewildered expression. Why not?

She stared at him with something almost cold in her eyes. Yugi wondered at it, curious as she remained deathly quiet for a long minute. Then, finally, with severity, her voice came to him in a cold chill of distaste.

Why are you asking me?

He blinked, eyes widening, and his ears flicked, threatening to flatten against his skull with dismay. She had said it with such disdain that it amazed him. The white wolf tilted his head. Is there a reason I shouldn't? he asked slowly. She had been directly involved, hadn't she? So why would he have asked someone else? The thought was flabbergasting to him. You were—

You should ask your beta, she snapped in a tone that spoke of no room for argument. Then she shook her head and in his mind was a flash of blue-gray fur and dark golden eyes with flecks of amber that looked almost red. He is the one directly beneath you.

He could see the way her eyes flickered, growing somewhat unfocused. Clearly her energy was being robbed in the effort it took to get the words across to him. He shivered, wondering at this disconnection between himself and these other wolves. Was it truly something that only the Pure-Bloods could perform? Or was it something else entirely?

Marik had been able to talk to him for a lengthy amount of time. Was it so impossible for the others to truly do so?

Obelisk was not involved—

But he is your beta. This time the words were frosty, her eyes sharp with disdain. Then her ears flicked for a moment with nervous tension and Yugi shivered slightly at the sight of it. The words were frayed around the edges when she spoke again. You should ask him an opinion of your actions. I am a subordinate now.

A subordinate?

Yugi stared at her, stunned and visibly shocked by the idea. She was the alpha of the American wolves, wasn't she? So why was she…?

His heart sank. She meant that he was leader.

Because he was Atem.

The hole in his chest opened anew, raw and jagged along the edges. The ache made his heart hurt more and his body felt as if it were on fire with shame and disbelief. Were they truly all so mindless? How could such a thing be possible? It should have been impossible by any means…

Yugi stared at her, a furrow of ice beginning to crystallize within his belly. His eyes were sharp, daggers of gleaming frustration and hatred. He watched her and, for the briefest of moments, wished to lash out and catch her throat between his teeth. She had it so much easier than he did, knowing her place in life far better than he ever could. She was a warrior in the war, not the leader of an army of wolves. And her decisions banked more on personal gain and duty than the lives of other wolves. His decisions held what could be an entire species' destruction altogether. The magnitude of their differences was so terrible that he did not even think it right to compare them. She was what he had been formerly, a gnat, where others were krakens and monsters of mythological degree.

His stomach sank further, that ice growing further and further pronounced. The hatred billowed through his blood like dam water and he swore his teeth seemed to itch with desire to tear into her flesh. He felt his fur lift and fall, shuddering with rage, and then he breathed out hard enough that his entire body trembled.

Echo seemed to have realized her misstep. Her ears were folded back, eyes on the snow. Her fur was perfectly flat along her back, but her shoulders seemed almost to quiver. Yugi didn't have to check to know that her tail was between her legs in a show of open submission.

He blinked, the rage beginning to slowly die away in his veins. And then he flicked an ear, eyes scanning the area he had last seen Obelisk and Slifer. The two of them had seemingly vanished into thin air. Or perhaps he was too far to see them any longer.

He supposed it didn't matter. He'd find them easily enough. It was not as if they ever hid from him. Yugi sniffed loudly and shouldered past her without a second glance. But he could hear her when she shifted her weight, moving to look back and following after several long moments of hesitation.

Yugi flicked an ear and shook himself out for a moment, then quickened his pace.

A few feet away the two gods were sitting with a bone between them, one that had been cracked open and the marrow stripped of it. Occasionally Slifer would take a bite of it, splintering the bone further as if to ease some kind of pressure that lay in her lean frame. On the other hand, Obelisk simply yawned and shifted his weight, once or twice batting at the piece of skeleton as if it might make a good game of hockey or ball.

The white wolf stopped a few steps back and narrowed his eyes, considering them for a moment before trotting forward. Obelisk—

The gray wolf was on his feet immediately, so fast in movement that Yugi flinched and Slifer looked up with something like annoyance on her sharper face. A look passed between them and Slifer followed her brother, getting to her feet and trailing him when Yugi began to lead the way. Where he would have stopped at the edge of the camp, the two gods merely continued forward. The white wolf hesitated, startled by the suddenness, and then finally flicked his ears and followed, bewildered.

They stopped several miles into the trees. The winter had given the white a deathly silence and the shadows around them seemed miniscule where the sun reached through the trees and their scarce limbs. The bare twigs that made their ends looked like skeletal fingers and broken bones, joints that were too shattered to repair. He shivered and a tree crackled, the bark forcefully expelling itself with a hideous cry. He startled but the other two merely turned to him now. Against the snow, the two gods looked like fire and soot, and he wondered if he was still capable of blending in so well as was formerly claimed.

He tilted his head and considered them both for a long moment. Cautiously Yugi came a step closer, mumbling, Did I do the right thing in stopping them from fighting? but his voice sounded too small and he was not sure he wished to have that question answered. He faltered but neither answered him regardless and his stomach tossed as they peered at one another.

Obelisk charged him. The abrupt action made Yugi jerk back, snarling and wide-eyed. The gray wolf spun on him without a moment of hesitation, snapping his teeth at his scruff. Yugi had a moment of remembrance. Dogs were rushing at him through the snow. Yami was snarling beside him. His jaws clamped into his scruff. His head jerked. Yugi rolled…

He squared his muscles now, however, bristling. The teeth sunk almost uselessly into his scruff, his hold tenuous at best. And then Obelisk tossed his head. Yugi growled but the movement did nothing more than pull lightly on his fur. He flicked his ears and glanced at Slifer, bewildered.

What was this even about?

Are we training or something?

Slifer was chortling when she answered. I should think so. He's not drawing blood and I'm sure he has not lost his touch in battle.

Yugi huffed and shifted his weight as Obelisk pulled away from him with a dismissive expression. Why? That's not what I wanted to talk about, he objected in annoyance. He shot the gray wolf an irate look when the other did not respond besides pressing closer to him. When he lunged this time, the white wolf snapped his teeth in frustration. Instantly Obelisk raised a paw and aimed at his muzzle. He backed up, white ears pricked.

We have more important things which require discussion, the god of war commented with a dismissive sniff. Such as your lack of control of your abilities. You can change now, yes, but you still lack the ability to do half of what you are capable.

Yugi flicked an ear. I don't care to—

Then I'm sure Yami will understand why you're lacking any sense of yourself when you get killed in battle, he scoffed furiously. I'm sure he won't see you as weak and disgraceful.

He flattened his ears and then bit at his nose, snarling. Yami wouldn't think that of him. He knew that. He was bristling, growling, but he could not help but remember that day in the woods. Yami had said he hoped he lived long enough to grow up.

Yugi stared at the two of them for a long minute and a half. He had said that. He remembered that so well. And here these two wolves were, both threatening his life but offering to help him with it as well…

He blinked and looked away. What are you trying to teach me? You mentioned something about the adrenaline rush last time we spoke.

Obelisk snorted. And, as I told you formerly, it is not an adrenaline rush. It is the natural strength of the Pure-Blood. It is the natural advantage of every werewolf in existence. He sniffed disdainfully and watched him for a moment. Yugi seemed to have shrunk at the mere mention of his missing alpha, as if the thought of Yami alone was enough to break him in half. Perhaps it was. After all, he was still rather convinced that the black wolf was dead. And, if you wish to survive, you would do well to learn to utilize such a gift, Yugi.

He raised his head, turning blazing blue-violet eyes on him. You call it a gift? When it kills other wolves for no reason? Because you can't control it and—

If you were to embrace your heritage, you could most certainly learn to control it. It simply takes a solid mind and focus. Obelisk glanced at Slifer and back. How do you think we have survived? It is not through pure divinity in and of itself.

Yugi blinked and flattened his ears, considering him for a moment or two. You both are here. But Ra is not.

Slifer shook her fur out. She prefers to rest in Paradise rather than be forced to the realm of the living. It is her choice. Perhaps one day she shall come back to her physical body and wake from her rest. Perhaps not. She is the guardian of life, after all. She is the one who grants rebirth and special cases of birth such as your own.

But you both are here…

I prefer to see the wolves myself as they begin to pass into Paradise. And Obelisk likes the trials that life still presents us all. The she-wolf considered him for only a moment longer, then shook herself out once more with a flick of her ears. If you should truly survive this war, I am sure you will come to find that immortality can be rather…boring more than anything else.

Yugi tilted his head and considered her for a long moment. The words in his head were more depressing than he wanted to admit and the reality of them scared him for a moment. So, reluctantly, the white wolf turned to Obelisk now instead.

If I learn to control it…

The unspoken words hung between them and both deities eyed him with equal wonder for a moment. Then, the gray wolf seemed almost to smile, his eyes softer than Yugi had ever before seen them. Obelisk came a step closer, nudged his forehead with his nose, and calmly murmured, It will surely lessen casualties.

It was enough to make Yugi nod and sigh, the reassurance short and swift. But it left him just as quickly as he looked up again with what Slifer saw as defeated eyes. The thought was appealing but the reality of it seemed to shatter his mind altogether. The implications made his fur shudder and he felt sick as he considered the other two wolves.

Will it? he asked, but another part of him snarled with rage. It won't bring Yami back. The last words were not spoken but he could see that the deities understood such expression upon his face with little difficulty. They considered each other for a moment longer. Then Yugi looked away again. If embracing the innate strength that the lycanthropes possessed was a way of preventing more unnecessary death, then perhaps Obelisk was right in his idea.

Then teach me, he said so quietly that both wolves had to strain themselves to receive such a message. Yugi looked up a couple of minutes later, when the silence had stretched too thin and he wondered if perhaps Obelisk might deny him such opportunity.

The gray wolf tilted his head and then leaned forward. The movement seemed almost to cause his shoulders to roll in a human manner. Yugi tilted his head, pricking his ears forward. He remembered vaguely how human that had looked upon Slifer doing so. But on this giant male in from of him, it seemed more controlled and somehow chaotic as well. It was unnatural and somehow vicious all at once.

Naturally your instincts will warn you when another wolf comes to fight with you. Your body will brace itself and you will find yourself prepared if only for the initial impact. The gray wolf growled softly and then circled him once before pricking his ears forward. Slifer closed her eyes and tilted her head, almost as if she was listening and regarding them even with this sense blocked away entirely. He supposed it would not take much for her to make sense of these actions through her ears alone. It's what saved you at the greenhouse and what helped Yami to beat that tiger in the warehouse as well.

Yugi blinked, at first stunned he should know such a thing. And then he sniffed and flicked an ear. Slifer had said she knew every moment of his life as life brought him closer to death. Ra knew him because she had given him his first breath. And Obelisk had knowledge of war. It should not have been surprising that simple altercations and fights would fall beneath such a blanket of a domain.

It also saved you when Marik attempted to kill you for coming into the pack's territory. The white wolf remembered that. It was not hard to recall. He'd felt the adrenaline rush then too, just as he had when he'd killed Bakura… Like the Change, it is easy to call upon your ability to experience such strength.

Yugi flattened his ears against his skull, eyes darkening. And I'm sure we do it the exact same way, he drawled.

Yes. Or I might beat the insolence out of you in order to bring it forth. Obelisk's tone had grown spiteful and condescending and Yugi would have blushed were he human. As a wolf, his head lowered as did his eyes, and a sense of shame crept over him in waves. The deity calmed himself again, shaking himself out lazily. Now, try to bring it forth naturally and I will tell you how to embrace it fully.

The white wolf glanced at him sideways, pausing for a moment to consider it all. How had it felt when that had happened? He couldn't truly recall. It had been like a fog setting in, had it not? He remembered that much. The thought surprised him and he wondered vaguely how much of that feeling was truthful.

He flicked an ear and turned his head away, thinking harder about it. Had it been painful? No, he couldn't remember there being more than the wound Marik had inflicted. Beyond that it had been forced away and hidden beneath the mist that had crept through him.

But merely considering it seemed to make his body feel powerful, energetic, and it made him shiver with determination. He could feel it in his bones, tingling and warm, and it made his body almost tremble before he shoved it away. The sensation was lost for a split second, coming again only as the small wolf focused once more and glanced at Obelisk.

He could smell it in him. The power in his body was like a fever, harsh and terrible against the cold air. It was beautiful to behold, especially upon seeing how easily Yugi had so shunned it before. How he had turned away from such strength was something Obelisk would never understand.

Do you feel that? That is the true strength of the wolf, of the lycanthrope. Power at its truest core.

Yugi breathed hard, shaking and panting as his coat twitched and every fur on his pelt shifted uneasily. His heart was beating too fast now. The wet noise of its twisting and the harsh pump of blood made his legs feel weak as his ears rang painfully. His ribs strained, feeling shattered and bruised as he tried to catch his breath. He had known the force of his adrenaline rush but twice, how much faster and stronger he seemed to become, but it had never been something he cared to think about. He had always just calmed himself and tried to smother the consequences of what had come about upon using such power.

To have it hovering beneath his skin, impressing itself upon him like this, it made him more fearful than he thought he had ever known himself to be.

That is the gift of the werewolf. It is the potential of immortality. Many train to control it, Obelisk continued, looking at him with pure excitement and something akin pride in his sharp eyes. They wish to turn it on and off at their will.

Yugi flicked an ear. His body was shaking harder now, his breathing heavy and trembling. His eyes flickered about them and focused on Slifer more fully. They should learn to do that, he snapped bitterly. It's a weapon. I killed Bakura by accident because of it. I wouldn't have hurt him like that if not for—

It was his time. Had you not done it, Yami would have, the she-wolf answered simply. Yugi curled his lips back, snarling low in his throat. He was wounded but he surely would have ripped his throat out if he was capable of getting closer.

There is always a line that shouldn't be crossed, Yugi snapped spitefully, eyes furious. Otherwise you would soon become a monster.

Is that what you fear? Slifer murmured, ignoring the blatant declaration.

Do you want to know why so many lone wolves are likely to die so early, Yugi? It's because they are alone. It's because their wolf nature grows discontent and the loneliness is not a natural trait of the wolf. It's because it is always the wolf that has the strength of the pack, that gives it courage and keeps their minds healthy. But it is also because they always seem to try to find the power and stop it. It is because they fear the very thing that makes them strong, that gives them life and allows them to exist. They fear that it will take them over, turn them into the "beast" they believe exists there.

Yugi bristled, snapping his jaws in a moment of forgetfulness. It's not a beast! It's a wolf. It's an animal. No animal is some kind of beast!

Obelisk watched him with cold eyes, sizing him up and dismissing him as nothing more than a pest in comparison to a threat. You are correct. It is a wolf. Not a monster. Not some creature from the darkness. It is an animal, born of instinct and wilderness. But the humans paint us as creatures of destruction and bloodshed. So many werewolves foolishly try to "tame the beast". But in an attempt to muzzle it, they unintentionally kill themselves without thought, the god continued dismissively before slowly raising his head to look towards the white canine. Do not attempt to muzzle it, Yugi. You must learn to utilize this in battle.

He pawed at the ground, growing anxious at that brilliant power which continued through his veins. I do that. I do that every battle and every encounter I have with someone when my temper starts to snap, he stated immediately, a whine bubbling out of him as a brief, fleeting image of Bakura's broken body shone in his mind. And then he considered the way he and Yami had both glared at each other, snarling and breathing heavily, watching one another as their tempers frayed.

Yes, it is the natural defense of the werewolf. But it controls you, as your weakened mind allowed in the lab, Obelisk growled disdainfully. And you would run from it whenever you got the chance, would you not? You act as if it is the worst part of you. A rotten secret that only rears its head when you're at your most vulnerable.

I'm more concerned with what I have done with it already.

Yugi shook his head to scatter away the gruesome images of Bakura's broken body, of the humans he had attacked in the tunnels. He shivered and that power inside of him seemed to hum as if to reassure him, but all it did was make his stomach drop and his heart ache even more. He hadn't known it was possible to hurt as much as he did at the moment, ears flattening against his skull and body shaking with the force of such grief.

But if this strength was truly so great, why was it that it had not helped him to save Yami? Why had it not been enough to allow him shatter the ice so that he could pull him free? Or simply even find him? Why was it not enough to guide his way back to Yugi or him to Yami?

Why were his efforts never enough?

Let it move with you and it will not control you, or you control it. Soon you would be the most powerful creature there is to offer. Stop fighting the very thing that gives you life and you will find the strength to win any battle.

Yugi blinked slowly, that familiar ache inside of him beginning to fester with hatred. It begged for his attention, cutting into him with jagged teeth. And it was a focus he was not so keen to give it. But what was the use of this strength if it didn't bring Yami back to him? What was the use of being able to win these battles when none of them would give him what he sought?

A scornful snort escaped him, bathing the cold air in a soft white most in front of him. His ears flicked and his lips drew back slightly with disgust. An amused look was aimed his way.

You do not believe me?

I do. I just don't understand everything you've just told me, he admitted quietly, a sense of shame and resentment swelling inside of him for the briefest of moments. A part of him did not care to know either and the gift they dangled before his nose was useless to him. And the longer apart from Yami the more he felt the black wolf would slip away from him entirely, killed long before he could attempt to truly save or help him.

Slifer tilted her head, watching the way his eyes darkened briefly and the shadows seemed to writhe as if in malcontent chaos. She flicked an ear, then sniffed lightly. You will need this strength soon, Yugi, she warned quietly, a soft and melodious note coming to her voice and startling him from his own thoughts rather violently. For nothing is given without a price and your debt will some to you.

He blinked. Yami…

Neither wolf responded but the way her eyes glinted confirmed it.

The third time Yugi was knocked off his feet was the last. The white wolf huffed, then turned his face away and rested his chin on his paws. Behind him Obelisk was laughing. In front of him Slifer was watching with that contemplative expression she seemed to so often wear. The white wolf ignored them both, though his fur continued to rise into a bristle, however, provoked by the noise of the laughter the gray wolf continued to expel. The other deity watched him a moment longer, then turned to Obelisk with a contemptuous look and flicking ears.

Instead of simply knocking him around for the fun of it, why don't you just go ahead and teach him how you have done it? she huffed, as if she shared Yugi's exasperation. The white wolf glanced at her sideways, all but ashamed that she should feel such need to run interference. It cut into his thoughts like a razor blade and he felt sick as he considered. But she was not looking at him and it caused the smallest edge of his wounded pride to mend itself. You have not taught him a single thing.

I've taught him not assume me his friend. His pride is bruised enough not to fall under such a misconception.

Ego is not what makes a warrior. Slifer turned to him now, golden eyes almost glowing with something akin hatred. Ego gets a warrior killed before they set foot upon a battlefield. To be humble, however, is to be destroyed as well. One must keep a clear head in war. Any change to such a mindset will bring destruction.

He could have shrugged at her for all he cared. It was not as if he thought much of himself as it was. But that was not to match much else in the case of how shattered Yami's own self-esteem had seemed at times. The thought made his belly ache again.

Get to your feet. I'll show you what I've been doing.

Was it worth it? The white wolf hardly considered it so. His thoughts were fragmented and scattered and he could only gather collapsed fragments of such things. So he simply considered the weight it would take to get to his paws, how much pressure he might feel to sway beneath the force of the other's will. And, finally, reluctantly, Yugi forced himself to his feet. Slifer looked almost relieved. And when he glanced at Obelisk sideways as the wolf circled him slightly, he could see something almost akin pride.

The two deities seemed surprised by his will to rise to his feet. And it both surprised and disappointed him as well. Yugi shrugged such feeling away, however.

He supposed he did complain enough to make them second guess his willingness to deal with such things.

Now raise yourself onto your hindquarters. Yugi hesitated for a long moment, then slowly rose as instructed. The simplicity of the action made his skin crawl for a moment but to over think it seemed childish. Obelisk studied him for a moment, then backed up a step. You can see the way a wolf balances themselves more prominently by the way their muscles bunch in their legs. You justify your weight on the right side. I do the same. But you have to be able to swap at a moment's notice. You do not do this. When a wolf goes for your right leg, you'll be struck down easily because of your lack of judgment. You must rectify this.

Yugi blinked but to look down would have made him fall back to all fours. And standing like this was incredibly awkward as it was. He flicked an ear and his back right leg quivered faintly. And I would do that how?

By learning to use your weight enough to block such a blow. If you can change your balance, you can find your own ability to block an attack like that. Obelisk paused and then sprang forward. Yugi immediately flinched back but not in time to avoid the way that the gray wolf tapped his right leg with his nose. The touch was enough to make him flinch again and he toppled over onto his side, huffing in annoyance, and wished he could roll his eyes as he scrambled for his paws again. When you shift your balance, however, doing so too soon or too late is a problem. And if you are obvious, they will know to go for that leg. Your muscles tell when you do such a thing. That is what you want to avoid.

Yugi huffed and shook himself out for a moment. The snow that fell from his coat surprised him. He could have made a whole new wolf out of it. The white canine looked at Obelisk a moment longer, then moved to take a seat.

Stay standing. I'm going to instruct you on exactly what it is I did.

Yugi flicked an ear, tempted to say otherwise. All right, he muttered, straightening and tilting his head. He wanted to tell him to be quick about it, that it was closer to curfew now than ever. But the reality of it was he still had an hour to get home. And when he got there, he thought maybe he'd sit with his mom and grandpa, maybe watch television or just make mild conversation instead.

So what you are going to do is aim for the leg you see my weight balanced on. Then you're going to aim for it. If you can move fast enough, you can knock me off balance. He considered him for a moment longer, eyes flickering for the briefest of seconds. Yugi thought the way his eyes glimmered that second time was more like a shark than anything else. When your opponent is on their back feet and they're wounded, naturally they will try to keep their weight on their more capable leg. When you see this, you can manipulate it if you force them to balance on their wounded leg. Most often they'll buckle. When they do, even for a second, it's an opening. Go for the throat. When you knock them off balance by going for their leg, go for the throat.

Yugi flicked an ear. I don't want to kill anyone all over again.

You wouldn't be killing them. It's just an easy way to warn a potential threat away, Yugi. And it keeps the fight from escalating further.

He wanted to ask why Yami had not done that instead of killing. But he doubted Obelisk would answer him and he dreaded hearing Slifer speak his name again. Every time she spoke it he felt his heart crack just the slightest bit more, with the fear that perhaps this time she would tell him he had died.

Wolves in the wild hardly kill one another over something as simple as rank beneath the alpha. And even then sometimes they're simply punished as the omega and free to follow the pack about regardless. It is territory disputes and abuse of the hierarchy which can cause such immense problems.

Yugi shook his head.

But most often they'll force another to their back and bare their teeth at their throats. That's the point of this conversation. Obelisk sniffed at him for a moment, then turned away and looked at him more pointedly. Go for the leg and then the throat.

The smaller wolf tilted his head, bristling in surprise when the other rose calmly to his back legs. The action made him bristle further and his stomach lurched as he considered him. He truly wanted him to practice such a move on him? Why? The thought was amazing to him but the other wolf remained as he was. And Yugi could see the strength which lay in those legs, tight and corded and taut as he stayed crouched there upon his haunches.

With the weight of the potential attack, Yugi found himself almost winded by the very idea. But a part of him was buzzing with excitement and he sprang before he could think it through. He had not judged which leg or even where he should leap. And so, Obelisk simply pivoted his weight, moved to land on all fours, and knocked Yugi flat on his belly beneath him.

The instantaneous reaction was laughter from both deities. They were shaking and roaring with the noise and Yugi found himself bristling as Obelisk rose from atop him once more. The movement made Yugi rise to his feet again, winded but unharmed beyond that. He shook himself out and glanced at them angrily.

You didn't think before you leaped, Obelisk guffawed, undeterred by Yugi's anger. He flicked his ears and sniffed loudly once or twice, trying to calm himself. You did not even pay attention to which leg it was I had put more of my weight on.

How would you know? he snapped bitterly. I could have just gotten distracted!

I have only two back legs and you aimed for the one I didn't put my weight on.

I was trying to use the element of surprise.

Slifer snorted, looking away again immediately when Yugi glared at her furiously. The red she-wolf ignored them and sniffed at her paws, licking at her dewclaw in order to shake their attention. Her golden eyes remained dutifully focused and Yugi huffed as he spun on Obelisk once more.

Okay so now what? he spat.

We practice until you perfect it.

Yugi bristled. That's not happening tonight. I have to get home by curfew. I'm spending the night with my family instead of staying out like I always do. His head was swimming and he wondered for a moment how Yami would have responded to him making such a statement. Where Obelisk blinked and his eyes darkened, he imagined Yami would have tilted his head in consideration and then nodded slowly around agreement. I have my mom and grandpa to worry about, not just some pack of wolves in the woods.

Slifer raised her eyes to him now, ears flicking. Very well. Then I suggest you practice as much as you can in the meantime, yes?

He grunted and Obelisk curled his lip back in disgust for a moment. Yugi turned his head and licked his nose, slightly chastised by his response to such a simple noise. Then he flicked an ear once more and huffed as he looked between the two deities.

Fine.

---

"Yugi."

He looked up in surprise, eyes widening slightly as he put his backpack on the floor and tilted his head towards the figure in the hallway. Sugoroku was seated in one of the chairs at the table and his mom was in the doorway, watching him with keen blue eyes. He glanced between them for a moment, then turned to face them completely.

"What's up?" he asked cautiously, tilting his head a little more when he saw that neither of them seemed even remotely relaxed. Had something happened? Yugi nearly cursed. Those stupid fucking gods. What if someone had died and he didn't—?

"Anzu's father came by. He asked to speak to you about the arson incidents."

Kasumi pressed her lips into a thin line, considering him for a long minute. Then she sighed loudly and closed her eyes. She looked as if she hadn't been sleeping and Yugi wondered abruptly if she knew he was sneaking out of the house and returning at such odd hours. He was struck by such clarity that he was not the most skillful at hiding such a thing. And he wondered if she had even heard Yami's voice at some point, if that had been why she had not been daunted by his declaration that he was screwing around with a guy in his hotel room.

Yugi blinked when she did not speak again. "The arson incidents?" he repeated, curious. "What do I have to do with them?"

Now it was Sugoroku to awkwardly clear his throat and reply, looking away as if ashamed of himself. "We don't know where you were when either of them happened."

The small teen floundered for a moment, heart in his throat before his stomach churned. She knew. She absolutely knew that he had not been in his room that night, that he had stayed out into the day as well. He was frozen, stomach knotted, and looked away for a long moment.

"I was with Yami."

The half-truth was comforting but it broke his heart as well. He glanced at them from beneath his lashes.

"I was with Yami when the forest was caught on fire. And I was with Yami again when the restaurant was caught on fire."

Sugoroku seemed to instantly brighten, as if the words were a silver lining to something he couldn't fathom. But it was his mom who shook her head and murmured, "And where is Yami?"

The simple question was enough to nearly knock him from his feet. His shoulders nearly fell, but somehow he managed to hold them upright and his lungs felt tight with pain.

His voice broke.

"I don't know."

Both of his family members halted at the tone of his words. He nearly cringed at the thought and his stomach churned as they faced each other. But he couldn't think to cover himself in any way and his mom's face seemed to fall from its frustration to bewilderment and mild hurt.

"You've been sneaking off to see Yami?"

Yugi bit his lip and reached up a hand to run through his hair. "He needed help," he whispered, trying not to let it show just how much he wished he could have answered that Yami was still within the house, sleeping on the couch as per their agreement. But his absence was obvious and he wondered if they had noted how defeated he seemed at times. "He needed help so I…I helped him."

"Helped with what?"

"He was…hurt. He'd cut himself by accident. He was gushing blood and he was in a panic. He knew I knew medical aid and he couldn't pay for a hospital visit so I… I snuck out and met him at the hotel." He fell quiet. She didn't know about the bloodied clothing and the towels. He'd made sure of that much at the very least. He'd cleaned and scrubbed and gotten rid of stains. He'd probably even gotten rid of every bit of fingerprints and DNA that existed in the room as it was. "I helped him bandage it and disinfect it and I stitched him up. I was at his hotel when the forest was caught on fire."

Kasumi studied him for a moment, something inside of her pleading to simply reach out and pull him closer. The maternal part of her wanted nothing more than to help him with his obvious pain. But the other part of her, more logical and quick to lose her temper, flared with indignation. Yugi truly had run off that night.

She'd been hopeful. She'd wanted to believe that he had simply left for school before she'd woken up. His bag had been missing and he was long gone, after all.

But the anger quickly left her as she considered him. She had never seen such a miserable expression on his face before, not even when things had gotten to the point of bitter fights and night terrors beyond what he had suffered before. He had always had some kind of brightness in his eyes, a soft albeit forced smile upon his face. Now he looked exhausted, defeated, as if the world was consuming him bit by bit and he had no idea how to stop it.

"I went to his hotel after school the day the restaurant caught on fire. I never even had any idea about it until that news cast mentioned it. But I don't know where Yami is right now. His parents…called him late that night and he ran off. I guess they…" He shrugged and looked at the tiles with darkened eyes. "I don't know. I have no idea. He won't answer his phone and he won't email me when I try to contact him. He could be halfway across the world and I would have no idea."

"His hand looked fine when he was at dinner."

Yugi shrugged. "I'd been sanitizing and cleaning it for days before that. After we all went to the arcade, I'd usually sneak off and go to see about him. And then I'd come back."

He looked at his shoes for a moment. Maybe he should invest in better sneakers. If Mazaki truly had his eyes on him, then he'd probably need to run as fast he could when he got the chance.

A hysterical bubble of laughter almost left him. Why run as a human? He could turn into a wolf, for fuck's sake.

"You know how bad this is going to look, right?" his mother pressed, not accusatory but far from friendly either. "You realize that, when he questions you, if you're not one hundred percent certain of your answers, he's going to be able to pin this on you."

He looked up, their eyes locking, and his lips nearly pulled back into a furious snarl. "I know where I was both nights. It's not that big a deal. What I don't know is where Yami is. And I have no idea how to contact him. He's my alibi."

"What about the hotel?" Sugoroku commented, hoping to keep them from snapping at each other anymore. Yugi blinked and his eyes flickered over, something disturbed and puzzled and almost vaguely horrified crossing his gaze. Kasumi merely blinked, staring at her dad in slight bewilderment. He looked at Yugi for a moment, then cleared his throat. "There had to have been someone who saw you. The person behind the desk, the cameras…"

The smaller teen shook his head. "It was the motel near the nature preserve. They went out of business a couple of days ago, remember?"

"That doesn't mean they wouldn't remember seeing the two of you—"

"Motel?" his mom cut in, making them both fall silent. She eyed Yugi with a sharp, darkened gaze, and tilted her head with a frustrated expression. "You told us before that it was a hotel."

"Hotel, motel, whatever. It doesn't matter. Either way, he didn't have a house and his parents weren't living with him and he was paying out of his pocket for a living place. It's all basically the same."

"Motels are where people are most likely to hide when they don't want to be found," his mom snapped, glaring now. "And you went there without a care in the world."

Yugi rolled his eyes. "I'm not helpless."

"You'd also rather get hurt than have someone else end up in that state," she spat. "You're a martyr. We all know that. You'd rather suffer than have someone else go through it. You'd probably let someone beat you to a pulp before you would hurt someone else, even in self-defense."

The smaller teen tilted his head, considering the words, and then glanced away. He'd killed Bakura to save Yami. He'd killed Ryota because he was a threat to Yami. He'd killed Espa's siblings in the woods, as well as the dogs that they'd brought with them. He'd punished Marik for even speaking negatively towards him. And he'd do it again if the wolf was brave enough to open his trap a second time.

But his mom didn't know that.

And Yugi had no plans to tell her otherwise.

"It wasn't dangerous. Yami is a smart guy. He wouldn't have stayed there if he wasn't sure it was safe. Besides, the weirdest person I met there was a tourist and she was perfectly harmless. She just liked to give Yami soda every now and then." He wondered at the intricacy of his own lies now, nearly rolling his eyes up in the back of his head with frustration. But if he made it seem harmless, then it was all but harmless. And then if he could force her worries aside, Yugi could potentially call it a day and not worry any longer. He could at least stall. But then he'd have to refine his details until he was absolutely sure of every small instance that might be overlooked. "Anyways, they were going under and Yami mentioned it to me beforehand. That's why I thought he could stay with us for a little while. Of course… Then his parents got in contact with him and he ran off and I haven't been able to get a hold of him since, but…"

"That's just great, Yugi."

He shrugged, both careless and unperturbed. "It happened. It's over with. It's over with, okay? The motel went under. Yami is gone. I have no idea what will happen beyond now. And if Anzu's dad really wants to pin it on me, I'm sure he won't find any actual evidence to support it."

They hadn't even found evidence to determine the one who had killed Shizuka. And it had happened long enough ago that it drove him wild to realize such a thing. How was it possible that they were so far behind? How was it possible that no one had spoken about her and investigated further? Jonouchi had to be going crazy. Yugi knew he still asked Anzu whether they had made any discoveries, whether her dad had told her how they'd killed her or who might have done it.

And when she would say they were still investigating, hesitant towards the idea of leaking any information, he would deflate further. And then he would grow angrier than he had been previously. Yugi had watched it happen more than once. And his pain atop Jonouchi's, his anger towards all of what was happening, was more toxic than he could possibly put into words.

"There's nothing to link me to anything. You're worrying about nothing." He snatched the bag off the floor, glancing at them for a moment longer. He wished for a single second that he had not left the wolves at this rate. But the thought deflated immediately. How much worry had he caused them previously? How much worse was it now that they were asking him about his whereabouts? How much worse had it become for them now that Anzu's father had spoken to them?

"Yugi, this is a lot more serious than—"

"I understand that, Mom. But I have to worry about other things as well." He faltered, breathing out a soft sigh, and shook his head. And all of those things were in a realm of possibilities that she would never come to accept. He wondered at the thought. He could just change in front of her, become the little white wolf he saw so often in everyone's thoughts. But the idea made his skin crawl. She didn't need to see that. Maybe one day he would be brave enough, but now wasn't it. "I have school, grades, college entrance exams. I have friends and my dad who I only ever speak to over the phone anymore. I have to find a new major since apparently animals just loathe me for whatever reason now. And midterms are coming up soon too. So…"

"And your freedom is on the line. These things aren't so easily fixed. They might not find proof for now, but if they really want to pin it on you—"

"Okay, Mom, but here's the thing. They will have no reason to suspect me in the first place."

"And that's why Mazaki is already looking at you as a suspect, right?" she said dryly, staring at him with darkened eyes. She shook her head furiously when Yugi blinked lazily and raised a brow slowly. "You need to take this seriously, Yugi. I don't know why you have this misconception that you're untouchable right now, but—"

"Untouchable?" he repeated quietly, shaking his head. "I don't think that. Not at all. I just think that if there's really evidence that points towards me, he's going to have to confront me with it, isn't he? And I can explain it away if I have to."

Kasumi rubbed at her temples and shook her head slowly once more. "And if you can't explain it away?"

"There isn't going to be anything he's going to dig up, Mom. He's not going to find something that pins me on either of those two things. Because I had nothing to do with either of them. And if they do find something, I'll have an answer for it. It doesn't matter what it is. I'll have an answer for it."

"How can you be sure about—?"

Yugi shook his head and glanced at the wall for a moment, considering for a brief second what to say to her before tilting his head away. "I will figure it out. There's no reason for me to freak out over it right now. I can figure it out as I go along."

And, before his mom could open her mouth again, Yugi turned and wandered into his room. The resounding click of the door made her falter and Sugoroku sighed softly from his place at the table. When she glanced at him, he refused to meet her eyes, and she got the strangest feeling that he understood something that she was possibly overlooking.

---

The white wolf flicked an ear as his nose twitched to pick up the scent of their query. The laziness of the action struck Obelisk as amusing, but Aki found it irritable. The she-wolf bristled with displeasure at the sight, baring her teeth for the smallest of moments, and then turned away again. Her own nose worked more diligently for any hint of serow, while, beside her, Marik and Otogi worked to do the same.

It was Mai, several yards away, sniffing and shoveling some of the fresher snow aside with her nose, who caught the first hint of something. Her ears pricked, her tail wagged, and she let out a deep huff of a noise, projecting the image of a large male serow with a darker soot-colored coat.

Yugi turned his head, curious, but did not make a comment beyond, Stick in pairs, remember that. And, just like that, the wolves took off. The white wolf flicked his ears as the snow crunched under each of their paws and sighed softly as he loped after them with his head down. Obelisk came back to his side, flanking him as he had been instructed prior, and the two fell in line in the trails of snow the other wolves had left behind.

You seem troubled.

I have human things going on.

Human things? Such as what?

Yugi glanced at him with bright blue-violet eyes and slowed his pace just enough to lag further behind the wolves. They stayed in his line of sight for the most part, but they did not make up the most of his attention in any sense. My mother told me that the police are looking into me being connected with various illegal activities, he announced quietly, flicking his ears and wondering if perhaps somehow the wolves might hear him even with his concentration solely on Obelisk and the distance between all of them. My best friend's father has the idea that I'm involved with the forest fire and the restaurant that was burned down when Fuwa cornered and ambushed me.

Obelisk tilted his head, considering the words, and then nodded slowly as the events played within his own mind once more. Ah, yes, I remember now. You mean the moment that you and Yami were chased in the woods by Espa and Panik and then Fuwa and his wife at the restaurant. He blinked a few times, then turned to him with darkened eyes. Why trouble yourself with worries about such a thing? You are perfectly capable of simply killing him should it come down to it.

Why would I do that? He's like family.

For the sake of your own survival, you would not do that for yourself?

I could, but he's… Anzu would be heartbroken if I ever did something like that.

And she would know it was you how exactly?

I'm not the best liar the world has to offer, Obelisk.

The gray wolf snorted softly, slowing a little further. His ears flickered, turning his head to look about them, and considered him a moment or so longer. The two of them stared at one another, eyes catching for only seconds, and then he flicked an ear again. The wolves were all circling; Yugi could hear them now as well. There were soft growls and he thought he could just barely catch Aki telling them how to corner and lead the ambush on the animal in question. Yugi flicked an ear again, sniffing lightly. Let her bloody her muzzle. He couldn't care less.

No, Yugi is not the best liar. But Atem is. The wolf shook his head when Yugi glanced at him more curiously now. The two of them stared at one another for a moment, though now Obelisk seemed to have a much older and profoundly wise gleam within his odd eyes. He moved forward a little faster, as if beckoned by something, and Yugi chased to follow him. It will be taken care of.

He blinked. Taken care of? What does that mean exactly?

Obelisk did not answer him until they were within sight of the ledge that the serow was cornered on. The ungulate was backed towards the cliff wall, eyes wide and seeking an escape route. Yugi thought for a moment that it shared his worries, his panic at the face of such a danger.

I promise to you that it will be handled.

You don't plan to kill him or anything—

I am a god, Yugi. Trust at least a little in the things I am capable of, the gray wolf bit back in an amused tone, though now he slowed as they approached the pack as well. They were lithe ghosts of various shades, darker and lighter and silver like shadows. The wolves circled around where they could find room on the ledge. But the space was tighter than they could manage in more than singular units.

The snow slid beneath their paws where the stone was too icy. And the rocks would slip and fall down into the space beneath. Yugi glanced downwards, uneasy at the way the stone wall seemed to be specked with tall spears of stone that rose from the darker shadows beneath. He shivered and his paws felt too cold to move for a moment. Obelisk, on the other hand, had braved moving closer, though his steps were far too slow for him to get ground on the animal in question.

Yugi flicked an ear. He sniffed rapidly, wondering at the sight of those stone spires beneath, lingering beneath the snow like large broken teeth. His fur bristled and fell in rapid waves before he shook it away, fearful and cold for a moment. And then his eyes turned back towards the wolves in front of him. Obelisk snarled low in his throat. Aki wagged her tail. Marik watched expressionlessly. Mai backed away and pushed closer to Otogi. Otogi simply stepped nearer the wall, giving them more room to maneuver around him.

What now? was passed uncertainly among the wolves. Some of them swapped looks. Yugi noticed Yusei in the far back, closest him, his royal blue eyes caught on the serow. He did not look ready to leap forward for an ambush, however, and the realization made Yugi feel better. He was not foolish enough to go running forward.

The dark gray wolf blinked towards Yugi curiously, wagged his tail only slightly, and then looked away again. The wolf glanced at the others surrounding them. Echo was further up front, behind Otogi, near where Marik was simply staring forward as if the serow might drop dead before his eyes simply by his own will of mind. The two packs were spread evenly amongst each other, as Yugi had requested upon leading them to hunt. The suggestion had been taken with confused and uncomfortable glances before they had all broken into pairs. Only Slifer had remained at the camp, and Yugi was sure that by now she had wandered back into the tunnels once more.

He wondered briefly at what had happened to Morrigan, if she was still nearby, if she might still be watching over them. He shivered and the movement made Yusei look over curiously, but he ignored his expression with keen disinterest. The two of them stared at one another for only a moment before Yusei submissively lowered his head and flattened his ears against his head. His tail wagged only slightly before he looked away again.

Now we leave it. The ledge is too thin and there is no room to make it safely there to attack, he announced in a carefully measured tone. He blinked as the wolves turned to glance at him as one. The singular unit of movement made his fur bristle with discomfort. Yugi shivered but the wind seemed to tug at his fur at the same time, a small dusting of snow coming forth as well, and it did just enough to shelter his tremble from their eyes. He pricked his ears forward when Obelisk and Aki turned to stare at them with mirroring looks of calm and disappointment. There is no safe way to get to it. We're done here. We can find something else to eat.

Echo nodded her consent towards such a statement, though she seemed noticeably distracted. Obelisk tilted his head and flicked his ears once more. Aki growled at him in disbelief and then flattened her ears against her skull in disappointment. Marik did not so much as glance towards him, his eyes still caught on the serow. The other wolves swapped mirroring looks of something between disappointment and relief and began to turn to face Yugi as if he were to lead them off the cliff. But he didn't care enough to at the moment, instead considering the dark gray fur of the serow and the way the ungulate peered at them with beady black eyes.

He thought he saw his reflection there and his fur rose into an uneasy bristle as they looked at each other. If he were foolhardy he would have charged for it. But the smaller wolf had always prided himself in something of a realistic, safer point of view in his ideas and decisions. The sight of this small animal excited him, but it did not push him to rush forward either.

Remain in pairs, watch each other and make sure to move slowly. Yugi ignored the way that they all blinked wide eyes. The wolves flicked their ears, glanced at one another curiously, and then began to slip forward. Yugi moved closer to the cliff wall, aware of how sharp the stones seemed to be where they brushed against his fur. The snow drifting in the air had become a little faster in its flurry. Many of the wolves took his word as if it were law. Without a second glance they began to follow his instruction.

Yusei passed him with another small tail wag and dip of his head. Following him was Echo's beta, Eurea, who glanced at him only slightly before raising her chin and trotting behind the younger wolf. Serena, Echo's delta, cast him a curious glance before tilting her head and dipping her chin respectfully upon walking past. Olga and Rin—he was sure that was their names; by the gods, he truly needed to spend more time with the American wolves and come to identify them as he could the wolves in the original pack—came next. They glanced at him and away again, eyes lowered, and trotted past him.

He did not bother for recognition of the others, shivering as the wind stroked his fur lightly, and then tilted his head slightly to the side. Mai and Otogi passed him and Obelisk followed a few moments later, Aki at his heels. Only Marik hesitated any longer, ears flicking, eyes on the serow for a second or two more. Then, finally, dismissive, the tan and gray wolf bristled and snapped his jaws. He turned on his heel, cast a somewhat irritable look towards Yugi, and followed the wolves further from the cliff.

Yugi glanced at the serow again. The gray ungulate stood feet away, breathing in a whistling tone that spoke of fear. But it was capable of leaping to the cliff up over their heads, too thin for the wolves themselves. It could flee upwards, could dash off the moment the ground was clear again. He thought of that ability and wished for a moment that he himself could do that.

When we get back further towards the trees, we can search again for something else, he instructed lazily, almost nodding to himself as if in agreement with his own words. He turned to them, Obelisk waiting nearest as his partner for the hunt. Yugi felt the smallest twinge of bitterness upon noting this, thinking that perhaps it should have been Yami there instead. He pricked his ears forward before he could stop himself, nearly snarling with dismay at the sting of pain that crept through him at such a thought. We'll split into groups of eight and search that way. When one of us finds something—

Mikiyo Naname, he realized a second too late.

The she-wolf sped past him abruptly. She was a small, lithe form of gold and light red fur with bright eyes. Yugi spun on her in confusion, at first thinking to lunge forward. But then the serow sprang overhead of them. The goat-antelope struggled for a grip on the frozen stone but caught itself. Yugi blinked and considered the shower of snow which came downwards. He was hit in seconds, startled. But the force of it was weak due to the length of the ledge it had climbed to. He blinked again, considering it, but then froze. A realization had struck him now. His head snapped towards the end of the cliff.

Was she still…?

He didn't look back at the others. His steps were quick but sure, eyes searching the snow for firm footing before he moved forward. He could see where the snow sagged, a light slant which pronounced unsteady ground. There were small pebbles buried under the snow as well, the ice crystals slightly raised from it. He could just barely see it beneath the snow and the falling flakes that nearly obscured his vision. Had he been human again, solely and surely, he did not think he would have ever seen or noticed such a thing before.

Yugi slowed himself towards the edge of the cliff. The snow was somewhat mushy there, displaced by the serow and the slant of the stone beneath. His fur bristled faintly as he crept closer. The snow was slick beneath his paws, as if it had melted and refrozen again. He moved his paws outwards, pushing away the slicker melt with the stretch of his forelimbs. His eyes flickered forward and back again.

Mikiyo was lying across one of the ledges beneath. Her head was tipped up towards him, her eyes wide and fearful. Her fur was in a bristle and she looked so tiny against the snow that Yugi felt small and weak for the briefest of moments. His fur rose and fell in a rippling bristle as he tried to think of a way to get to her.

The ledges were so thin and he could see her trembling was not doing well for her own placement in the snow. Yugi glanced about the snow and stone beneath, ears flicking uncomfortably back and forth. The white wolf could name the number of ledges further beneath, far too thin and small for him to travel. He paced back and forth in front of the lip of stone, the snow crumbling and moving forward beneath his paws. His ears flicked and his eyes scanned further along once more.

Can you stand? he asked quietly, pricking his ears forward. She was not tall enough for him to be able to grab her by the scruff and he doubted he had the strength to pull her up all the way as Yami might have been capable. But he was willing to try, if nothing else. Yugi shivered again, pacing once more. She was staring up at him with fearful, blank eyes, as if she were too afraid to understand what it was he was saying to her. Mikiyo, can you stand?

She blinked up at him. Her ears flicked and flattened against her skull. I think…my leg…is broken, she finally answered, looking about them for a moment. She had tried to rise moments before, when Yugi was still further back. She had tried to get up and climb before and had collapsed on her back leg once more. Her focus was splintering with the pain but she tried to replay that moment to the other wolf, shivering.

Whether it translated properly to the other wolf or not was beyond her. And she did not know that she truly cared. But Atem began to pace a little faster, eyes working rapidly for an answer of some kind. His ears flicked and perked forward. His body tensed and his shoulders rolled beneath his pelt like rippling water.

I think I can come to you. Her eyes widened drastically, head snapping up in shock at the idea. Yugi furrowed his brows and narrowed his gaze as he continued to look about. The ledges were too small to fully traverse. But he could possibly leap if she were to pull herself to one corner and huddle.

But that was dangerous. He had no idea if that was possible for them to do so. She might fall over the edge simply doing that should her leg truly be broken. Yugi wondered if changing back might do him well but the idea of this did not help him either. He could not do much as a human either. He did not think he was tall enough to push her over the side of the ledge. Nor did he think he could truly keep his grip on her for too long.

Leave her, a new voice commented dismissively.

Yugi blinked, at first confused by the words. Had he thought them himself? It was not the first time he had considered it, even if he had tried so hard to suppress such a thought. It was not entirely possible for him to attempt to come down there to find a solution to the problem at hand. His ears flicked now, however, as a new realization came over him.

Someone else had come forward.

The white wolf turned his head, glancing over his shoulder in confusion. A few feet away was Marik, lavender eyes burning into his. The two of them stared at each other for a moment. Yugi flicked an ear and turned back, though instinct said never to turn his back on a wolf standing so close and behind him.

She cannot walk on a broken limb.

He blinked. I've walked when my leg was broken, he retorted, flicking an ear and shaking his head slightly. I had to do it when I was in my human form as well. She can do it.

She disobeyed your direct orders. It does not matter if she can walk to begin with.

Yugi raised his head and turned to him, eyes sharpening furiously. You're suggesting leaving her here to starve or freeze to death because she didn't listen to me? he demanded in a fierce voice. His lips curled back and he bore his teeth as his eyes glowed hatefully. You cannot truly believe that's what needs to happen.

It would do well to remind the others that you are the alpha, would it not? Besides, not a day goes by in which at least one person in some part of the world does not die. She should have known better. Actions have consequences. She disobeyed and now she is being reminded of why the gods are considered as such.

Yugi snarled, ears pricked forward and hackles rising. Perhaps I should throw you over the cliff and then we'll see just how well that holds up. Did I not just tell each of you to remain there? Or to go hunting in groups of eight? Is that not what I told you all to do?

Marik flicked an ear and glanced towards the wolves gathered at the end of the ledge. His dark gray and black ears pricked forward as he turned back to Yugi with dark eyes. None of them are going to move until they are sure that you are safe. I came here to ensure that.

And you plan to do that by leaving your packmate.

We all make sacrifices in life. She chose to do such a foolish thing on her own. It is not my fault nor yours that she did not listen to you and heed your words. Yugi bristled and raised his tail, face wrinkling hideously with hatred. Marik tilted his head and lowered his chin slightly, flattening his ears in a more respectful position. It is not your responsibility to ensure her life now.

Yugi snapped his teeth at him when he stepped closer, slinking towards the white wolf. Step away from me before I throw you over the ledge as well. You can rot there in her place.

I never disobeyed—

You disobey me now by being here. He wagged his tail, chomping his teeth again when Marik still crawled forward a step. The gray and tan wolf finally settled onto his belly completely before him, panting to show his mounting stress. Yugi glared at him for a moment, then flicked his ears and quickly glanced towards the other wolves. Obelisk?

The gray wolf tilted his head, then turned his head to speak first to Aki and then to Echo. Both females raised their heads, nodded in unison, and turned back to the deity with respectful bows of their heads. Echo glanced at Yugi, sent a question of, Hunt? and flattened her ears against her skull.

Yugi blinked. Yes, please, lead them for me.

She hesitated, then nodded, and turned back to the other wolves. Mai and Otogi both shot Yugi curious looks before turning to follow the black-and-tawny-coated she-wolf as she began to trot forward.

You're playing a rather dangerous game, Obelisk said as he approached, though Yugi could tell that he was speaking only to him. The gray wolf glanced at Marik disdainfully, ignoring the way the other canine continued to pant as if he'd been prodded at and was growing further stressed by it. You cannot have the wolves believe that you value them over yourself.

Yugi pricked his ears, snarling. Isn't that what a good leader does?

A good leader is not what Atem is. A good leader is beneath his existence. Atem is meant to be a war leader.

He shook his head. It doesn't matter. Tell me how to get her back up here. I refuse to let her simply starve or freeze to death when there might be a way to save her, he demanded, ignoring the incredulous look the deity shot him in response. For a moment the gray wolf remained silent. Then, finally, reluctantly, he began to move forward to his side. From there he peered down at the she-wolf who stared up at him with a horrified expression.

You truly believe her to be worth such endeavors?

I think any life is worth saving, yes. He hesitated, for a moment thrown by his own words. Of course he considered that as a principle in his morals. But the realization struck him that perhaps the gods felt the same upon accepting their children into Paradise when they died. Perhaps that was why they accepted all of their souls rather than rejecting the ones he had formerly judged unworthy. He flattened his ears for a brief second, then steeled himself. What do we have to do?

Obelisk considered him for a long minute and a half. Then he looked to Mikiyo once more, eyes dark and glittering in the shadows. He flicked his ears, flattened them against his head, and then tilted his head as they looked at each other. He could name the way to go forward from their placement, but to get back…?

Yugi, even with all of your cunning, I do not expect you to be able to figure out a way to bring her up here again without either falling yourself or losing her in the process, he finally stated, turning back to him. But I do not imagine that it will matter for much longer.

What do you mean?

Obelisk hesitated for a moment, for the briefest of seconds galled by the very thought of the rage he knew such words would bring the white wolf. Damn Slifer for not warning him of this ahead of time. Perhaps Yugi would deal with her for him instead.

She has internal bleeding. If you smell her, you can scent it. And it is bad. She will not make it for more than a couple of hours. He flicked an ear and glanced at Marik where the other wolf had claimed his feet once more and moved forward if only slightly. Obelisk turned back to Yugi, but his eyes were on Marik as well, his peripheral locked on the wolf behind them both. I do not imagine that she would even be capable of surviving the Change, nor the strain it would take for us to move her as it is.

Yugi faltered at the idea, glancing at the she-wolf now as well. No wonder her eyes seemed so glazed. It was not only fear. He had been trying to ignore it before, but now that it had been given a name, he saw it more prominently. She was weak with strain, her consciousness on the brink of being lost. She was going to lose herself soon…

So what should I do? he finally whispered, shaken by the idea. I don't want to simply…

The gray wolf curled his lip when Marik stepped closer. The warning was heeded immediately and the tan and gray wolf backed up with his head lowered and turned away. But his eyes were on them even then, curious and watching with something almost akin surprise. As much as you might hate it, I think Marik is correct in his assumption that she should be left there. You cannot move her and she will not make it for long enough to see it through the night.

The white wolf glanced at Marik over his shoulder now, nearly snarling with outrage before turning back. Take Marik and go find one of the packs. Go hunting with them. I'll stay here with her until she's gone. He hesitated for a moment, then licked nervously at his own shoulder. There was something cold and jagged in his heart, festering and bleeding and he shivered against it. I will join you all perhaps later. Or I might find myself doing otherwise.

Obelisk watched him for a moment, at first wondering if perhaps he might try despite his words. But there was a sense of clarity in his gaze, one that spoke of years beyond his age, and the gray wolf relaxed at the sight of it. He nodded, turning to the other wolf, and growled, Come, we have a hunt to join.

Marik hesitated, looking between them uneasily. But he flinched away when Obelisk snapped his jaws at him and jerked his head as if he might tear a chunk from his flesh. Immediately the gray and tan wolf lowered his head and turned away from him, slinking when he began to hurriedly move away. Obelisk looked to Yugi one more time, considering and searching his eyes, and then leaned forward to lick his forehead, a gesture which shocked the white wolf. They stared at each other for only a moment longer before the gray wolf turned and hurried after Marik. Yugi watched only until the moment Obelisk nipped lightly at the other canine's fur and then hurried forward. Immediately the other wolf raced off, the two of them almost falling into a game of tag as they headed further from his sight.

Yugi turned back with a shiver, ears pricked forward. Mikiyo? he asked softly, wondering if she could still even respond to him any longer. Her eyes flickered to him and her ears pricked forward, her expression dismayed. Perhaps she had heard their argument. Perhaps she was sure of her impending death. Or perhaps she simply guessed at his inabilities to help her now.

Atem…

He nodded a little, though his first instinct was to say otherwise. His first instinct was to say that it was not his name, that she should know him as Yugi for the last hours she was alive. But it was beyond even him to say such words and so he simply lowered himself into a laying position and put his chin on his paws.

I'm sorry.

He shivered. For what?

I…disobeyed.

Yugi shook his head. It doesn't matter. You did as you thought was right at the moment.

It didn't truly justify anything, he knew, and perhaps it did nothing to ease her guilt, but it sounded sympathetic and soft all the same. He blinked and shivered. Did broken families ever come together like this at a death bed, unsure of what more to say and confused as to what they were meant to do to lessen the agony? Was the tension there just as awkward as it seemed here?

He had no words of comfort for her in truth. Because, despite himself, despite meeting her formally and knowing her features and scent and name, he had not known her well enough to say more.

And I'm sure Slifer will say similarly when you go to Paradise.

She seemed to tremble, though Yugi could not tell if it was his words or the cold which caused such a reaction. The snow was picking up. He wondered if she would freeze sooner rather than later. It was a small mercy, he supposed.

An image appeared in his mind, of a she-wolf with a cinnamon coat beneath brownish strands merged with black and slight silver. Tawny legs and a soft smudge of silver along the muzzle made up a more noticeable definition of identity. Yugi nodded slightly, closing his eyes for a split second before looking at the she-wolf who peered up at him with that glazed expression still within her eyes.

He wondered if he would always remember her like this rather than what she had been like before. He'd only interacted with her a few times outside of now, but he found himself wondering now, and he hated himself for the idea.

Mother…

Yugi pricked his ears, curious. That raw, decaying feeling in his chest was growing more now. His blood felt cold, icy, and something bitter clung to his insides. The white wolf shivered again, heart in his throat and that ache growing tenfold.

She'd had the chance to know her mother.

And he'd all but squandered his relationship with his own.

And Yami had never gotten the chance to know his.

Yugi closed his eyes for a moment, toes twitching and claws seeming to ache with his dismay and the growing bitterness. He shivered and opened his eyes again, watching the she-wolf with a broken expression. The fear crept over him and his fur shuddered softly as he licked his lips.

I didn't know her very well. He flattened his ears against his head. I don't even know what her name was.

He realized suddenly that he could have been speaking about both of their mothers. His in the lab was nothing more than the very faint impression of her heartbeat along with the six pups which had passed away before her. His faint memory of them was too broken to gather anything from. And he certainly had never come to know her name in any sense of the word.

Ann…ie…

Yugi blinked, confused at first. Had she read his thoughts? Had she known his mother? And then he remembered, abruptly, that she was thirteen. She and Patty, best friends, had been the youngest of the pack to begin with. Both girls were—or had been—thirteen. He had been born three and four years their senior. They had never had the chance to know his mother or father in any fashion.

Her name was Annie? he asked softly, voice low and coaxing. He could feel it. She would not be able to hold on for much longer. Yugi shivered and the cold seemed to rip beneath his fur and cut into his skin with claws that split his skin like daggers. That's a beautiful name.

Mikiyo twitched as if she had been touched with something. He wondered if it was the cold or a single small death throe. He had seen it in dogs when they were euthanized. They would jerk or twitch. Others would exhale so loudly it sounded as if they were choking. Their diaphragm would contract violently and they would jerk as if struck by lightning. It would last only a moment, but that one heartbeat was enough to burn itself into one's memory.

He strained his hearing for her exhales. He watched her with wide eyes. But her body was still and broken before him. On the ledge she looked like a small child being buried beneath the snow. Yugi shivered, got to his feet, and shook himself out.

---

You knew that this would happen, didn't you? he demanded without preamble, stopping in front of her with a furious expression. His fur had risen along his shoulders and his tail was raised only slightly. His ears pricked forward and his lips curled back. But he was not about to attack her, though every muscle in his body seemed poised to do so. He shook his head in a violent jerk of his neck, snarling. Why did you not tell me about this?

Slifer glanced at him curiously for a moment, then shook her head with something of a tired and exhausted expression. Her ears pricked forward and her sharp muzzle, though somehow still somewhat too broad for her face, wrinkled with displeasure. Have you not been told enough times, Yugi Motou, Code Name Atem? We have all told you more than once that we are gods. And gods do not walk the same path as mortals. You have free will. We have laws to abide by. Each of you is capable of changing what might be a destiny of little importance for something greater. But it does not always change their fate in its fullest.

That has nothing to do with—

Mikiyo is the victim of circumstances. She considered him a moment longer, then turned away and got to her feet. She shook herself out as if to shed the guilt of such a statement, and looked to him with glowing golden eyes. The sight of them made Yugi shiver, his anger shed like water from his coat. I hate it as much as you. But it is not my place to tell you how and when to prevent the death of other wolves. She did not deserve to die by any means. She was young. She was capable of a great many things. Yet she was not given the chance. Lupa and Fenrir called her to them early. And that is what is to be accepted.

Yugi blinked and looked away, undone by the grief in her tone. Perhaps it was only Ra who seemed so cold and callous. Yet she had helped him before. He knew that as well, despite how much he did not always wish to acknowledge it.

But her circumstances were different. It was not with simple ignorance or disobedience that she was killed. The choice of words made Yugi falter. His eyes widened and his fur rippled along his back in a shudder. Had she just implied…?

"Killed"? he finally repeated when she fell silent and merely stared at him. The golden eyes flickered away and back before burning into his eyes. What do you mean "killed"?

I mean as the word so implies, Yugi.

He blinked and shook his head slowly, eyes flickering about the tunnels for a brief moment before his lips curled back. That one of the wolves in the pack is trying to kill off the others? he spat. And what purpose does that serve?

You would have to find the culprit to understand their intent. The words were said so dismissively that Yugi visibly startled, raising his eyes back to hers. The red she-wolf stared towards the entrance the white wolf had come through, shaking her head slightly. And that is information too important to be given without a fight. You will find clarity when you make a sacrifice for it.

Yugi chomped his teeth, furious now. You assume to imply that I have not sacrificed anything? I gave my identity. I gave my relationship with my family. I gave my friendships. I gave my future. I gave Yami. And none of that is a worthy enough sacrifice to garner a trade of information? he demanded. You mean to tell me that I have given and let you take from me so much and none of it has amounted to a damn thing in any of your eyes?

Slifer studied him for a moment, then shook her head slowly. You have many trials and sacrifices that you shall come to know before the time of war comes. These are minor in the face of them. She watched him. And one of them is to be given back. The others are already being mended.

Mended? Really now?

Your friends know of your secret. They accept you even as you shun them and give them the cold shoulder. Your mother has not abandoned you to your various whims. She has not thrown you to the lions in proclaiming you a murderer or an arsonist. And your grandfather simply awaits your trust in him in order to mend your relationship with him. And you are well aware of our promise to you formerly. She fell silent for a long time and casually cast a glance about them, towards the skeletons which lined the inside of the tunnel formation about them. The gentle trickle of water beneath her paws gave an eerie shadow upon the walls about them. Yugi shivered and glanced at the bones that were scattered about. We shall return him to you. But it will take time and further sacrifice, further trial. You shall find him at the end of your worst. And you shall find him at the beginning of the best.

Yugi shivered. Slifer…

I have no more words for you regarding this subject, she bit out, turning to him now. I have lost as much as you, if not more. I am tired. And fighting with you does nothing for me. You, as well, know that this will exhaust you more than give you any closure. You do not need to fight with me any longer. I am not the one that wishes you harm.

I… He fell silent and then shook his head. I'm sorry about Annie and Mikiyo.

They are but two in a long list of wolves to pass.

Yugi looked up at her. Her golden eyes were wary now, boring into his, and she looked tense rather than grievous. She expected him to fight with her some more, he realized, and the thought stung with its truth. He looked away again, turning away towards the entrance, and then glanced at her over his shoulder again.

I would have brought her here if… I'm sorry I couldn't.

Slifer shook her head. The physical body affects nothing. It is her soul that matters.

I know. I just… He shook his head. I have to go find the pack. Make sure no one else is dead.

The comment brought an odd sparkle to her eyes, as if she were amused and disdainful at once. Her lips curled into something of a smile, or perhaps a hideous smirk, and she shook her head slowly at his words.

---

Echo looked up from the carcass with bloodied jaws and a face smeared slick. Her tongue swept out to lick some of the liquid away but Obelisk merely raised his head and rose to his paws. The other wolves, gorged and full, yawned and followed suit immediately. Marik was the only one to hesitate, mouth red and face covered in blood. He looked up, considered the rest of the pack, and finally rose to his feet as the others did the same.

Welcome back.

Echo dipped her head when Atem glanced at her, then backed away from the serow they'd caught. It was not quite as large as the other they'd been chasing. And the deer that Marik had chased and Mai had brought down had done far more to fill the others. But they'd picked the carcass dry and some of the Japanese wolves had even set about sharpening their teeth on the bones. Marik had broken the antler in half, brought it to the side, and begun gnawing on it minutes before…

Thanks. I feel like I was sorely missed, came the dry response. Atem glanced about them for a moment, looked at her, and offered a small shake of his head. She could feel it when the words came privately, to her alone, as if a dam had grown where there was once a wealthy river of information to greet her mind. You can keep eating. I am not hungry.

The she-wolf relaxed slightly, turning back to her meal. It felt odd, realizing that she had never once seen the white wolf truly rest with them to feed. She could not name a single time and the thought was somewhat alarming as she considered it.

Did I miss anything? the Pure-Blood questioned, disrupting her thoughts for a brief moment. She glanced around for a moment, a piece of meat in between her teeth now. Atem was not looking at her directly, nor did he seem to be regarding any of them in such a manner. Instead he had taken a seat and looked almost exhausted.

Nothing worth repetition, Obelisk assured him easily. The gray wolf stretched himself out lazily and moved to lie down beside him. There was a clear distance between them, inches of snow that looked almost like a chasm for a moment. It was almost like looking at two gods of different origins and timelines and it startled her how apparent it was now.

Worth repetition? Atem repeated, looking at him questioningly before following his lead to lay down beside him more comfortably, as if sitting there made him feel estranged. The white wolf considered his beta for a moment longer, then stretched his chin to his paws. Meaning what?

It was a simple dispute, and easily gotten rid of.

Gotten rid of or resolved?

It was discarded.

But not resolved.

Obelisk gave him a disdainful glance, nearly growling with frustration. No, it was not resolved, he admitted begrudgingly, shaking his head. There was no true way to resolve it without matters escalating.

Atem blinked. Escalating? he echoed, eyes somewhat blank as he peered off into the forest beyond them. What would have escalated?

It's unimportant—

Echo could hear a terrible gnawing noise again, a scraping of teeth against keratin, and her fur bristled even as she took another bite of the serow. Her eyes flickered towards Marik and the male twisted his head just enough to chomp more forcefully upon the antler in his mouth.

It was disobedience that led to her death. It was her own fault.

The white wolf pricked his ears forward, eyes flickering forward to the other laying there with the antler between his paws. He watched him for a long moment, eyes dark and head raised now. There was a sense of tension in his bones now, something that showed beneath his long fur as he considered Marik with cold eyes.

You never know when to keep your trap shut, do you? Obelisk spat, voice curled with hatred. Atem glanced at him sideways, more a curious look over than a serious consideration. The gray wolf curled his lips back and bore his teeth angrily. You must always open your mouth and say things that do not require repetition.

He wanted to know, Marik argued in a voice of nonchalance, digging into the antler once more. Echo bristled and looked at him, sensing the callousness which came forward as if he were perfumed with it. The gray and tan wolf pulled his mouth away and flexed his jaws in a yawn that was carefree and almost challenging. Obelisk did not seem to rise to such bait, however, though he bristled and glared at him hatefully. He has a right to know, does he not?

Atem flicked an ear and considered his beta for a moment with a sideways glance at Marik once more. I recall speaking to my beta rather than you. The words were soft-spoken, clipped and aggressive. The quiet edge of them unnerved Echo enough to back away from her food entirely. Her stomach was rolling now. Atem looked towards her now, surprised by her movements, and then turned back to Marik. His expression was frosty and his eyes were cold, glacial and freezing. But as it appears he will not speak, why don't you?

The tan and gray wolf did not bother to express his shame of such a reprimand. Instead he blinked and looked to Atem with a clear gaze of something almost akin smugness. Serena believes otherwise.

Atem blinked, at first with confusion and then with disdain. Does she now? he questioned without much care. She does not believe Mikiyo died as a punishment of disobedience towards me?

The she-wolf in question bristled and lowered her head, twisting her head enough to show her neck in submission. But she did not fall to her side and show her belly with her tail between her legs. Echo watched her for a moment, then stepped forward, growling, It was not divine proclamation such as Marik keeps arguing. There was no lightning bolt. There was no earthquake. He is trying to scare the younger wolves.

Atem looked at her, blue-violet eyes burning into hers for a moment. It was startling how distant his expression was at the moment, clearing only for a split second as they stared at each other. And then it grew almost cloudy again, eyes flickering away and to Marik once more. Is that so? he finally murmured, and now Echo could hear the exhaustion there, some ragged undercurrent that she had not noticed before.

It is not my fault that she does not believe it to be what it is. Marik scoffed quietly and shook his head. Serena obviously does not believe in your status as a god nor as the leader of the pack.

One has nothing to do with the other, Echo spat, cutting him off at the heels. Marik turned to her with a snarl on his face, the two of them glaring at one another. Her hackles rose and her fur began to bristle as the seconds passed. She stepped forward and he began to rise to his paws. The two of them squared off, snarling softly. Her belief in Atem is not as clouded and faulty as your own.

Atem rose to his feet now, though he remained silent for the moment. His eyes flickered between them, his ears pricked forward. Beside him Obelisk was staring with wide eyes, curious and almost dumbstruck by their new positions.

You think my belief clouded? You have no understanding of the legends, do you?

Legends? You think that something living and breathing is still a legend? she spat furiously, bristling further and snapping her teeth. Marik stepped closer and she snapped at him again. Atem is here and now and he's not the beast that you seem so happy to spill blood for!

Beast? Marik repeated, stepping closer still. Atem blinked, considering them a moment longer. Now Serena had lost her submissive state and had come closer as well. She was awaiting instruction, her ears pricked forward, her shoulders squared. Is that what you once considered him? Have you no understanding of what it means to be a disciple of—?

Disciple? Atem questioned softly, stepping forward now as well. His tail was up but his fur was not in a bristle. He moved to shoulder past Serena, stepping between the two of them. Immediately Echo stepped back, startled by his appearance there, and Marik snarled low in his throat as he did the same. Is that what you consider yourself, Marik? You, who does not listen to begin with and argues mindlessly for attention? Do you truly think that you speak for me?

I—

Bite your tongue before I rip your throat out.

Echo flinched. Serena turned away and began to slink off. The wolves that had gathered due to the tension began to uneasily shift their weight and move away. Obelisk had risen to his paws now and had stalked closer, but he was in the fringe of the wolves, not quite close enough to interact but not far enough to be in the background either.

Atem was not looking at any of them, instead seeming to stare off into the distance even as he spoke now. Listen to me and do so well, Marik. I have warned you once and I do it a final time now. Do not overstep your boundaries. You are not Atem. I am. And I will kill you for stepping in my place whether it be verbal or physical.

Obelisk bristled faintly in her peripheral. But now Atem turned to her with frosted eyes.

How long has he been preaching like this? he demanded coldly. She shivered and glanced at Marik and then Obelisk and lowered her eyes quickly to the snow. Her concentration was fraying at the edges now and her exhaustion was growing. And you did not think to stop him?

It is not my…responsibility.

No? Then, as an alpha, you did not consider to protect Serena from his bullshit?

Enough, Atem, the gray deity said quietly, cutting into their argument. His head snapped around, white fur bristling as his ears pricked forward and his lips curled back. I will explain further if you should wish it, but Echo is obviously tired and Marik is not worthy of your contempt right now.

The white wolf raised his tail for only a moment. Then his anger seemed to melt, as if the fight had been just enough to give him energy. Echo stared at him in something that she felt was almost amazement. She could not fully recognize the sensation, only vaguely name it akin to its closest emotion. And so she stared at them, stunned, as Atem shook himself out and turned to his beta with a somewhat wearied expression. They conversed—she could tell they were doing so, silent as their words were to her—and finally Atem nodded and turned away to trot a few paces back towards his original spot.

Find a place to rest, Obelisk commented, giving her a look that bordered vaguely on concern. Then he turned and trotted after his alpha, settling beside him as Atem had surely bid him do so.

Marik shot her a furious look, as if the argument had not just ceased its own existence, and then began to move away to lie down as well. He went back to that hideous gnawing he had been doing and Echo hesitated for a moment before joining Serena and Mai where they seemed to be conversing rather peacefully.

Mai looked up with gentle violet eyes and wagged her tail as she approached. The invitation was clear in the action and she let out a soft sigh as she accepted it. Very clearly the golden and silver she-wolf did not care for the politics that had just been displayed. She was one of the few of the Japanese pack that seemed so disregarding of them and it unnerved her just as it helped to give her relief.

Echo settled beside them, laying her chin on her paws and closing her eyes. Her stomach was full but her belly was still twisting with tension. And her muscles ached where she'd pushed to run too fast in order to bring the serow down, a prize that seemed far less worth the energy now as she lay there.

Mai nudged her with her cold, soft nose. She breathed gently into the strands of her fur, moving to lick at her ear a moment or two later. Echo opened an eye to glance at her but the she-wolf ignored her. Her tongue began to stroke along her ear to her forehead and then the back of her neck. The grooming was soft and easy, gentle as it went from her neck to her shoulders and eventually her leg closest the other she-wolf.

An image appeared in Echo's mind, something which stunned her. She blinked wide eyes and raised her head, startled at the appearance. It was of two wolves, one with fur darker than the night and the other of snow and starlight. The two of them were trotting together, long legs and rippling muscle. She recognized Atem there, a couple of inches shorter than the other, with brighter eyes than the red ones that the black wolf saw through.

Mai watched her for a moment, then licked at her cheek to get some of the blood from her fur. Her tail wagged slightly. He misses Yami, she said simply, as if it might explain everything. And Echo supposed it did as she considered the statement. If they were mated, then the dismissal and the obvious lack of concern, it made sense. If Yami, as Mai had called him, was no longer at his side, then it would make sense for his closed off stature.

Serena tilted her head and nudged the golden and silver-furred she-wolf on the shoulder. Yami? she repeated in a soft, gentle voice. She had an easy, light tone to her voice whenever she spoke, and Echo was somewhat relieved to hear that she had not somehow lost it in the tension the pack produced.

His beta. Mai paused, seeming to consider something, and then sighed softly. The white exhale made Echo bristle faintly for a moment. But then the Japanese she-wolf seemed to shake off whatever worry she'd gained and shook her head. They're best friends.

Only best friends? Serena asked curiously, tilting her head.

They have not physically mated. Mai lay her chin on her paws and closed her eyes. But they do seem to be emotionally bonded.

Echo wanted to ask her for further explanation. But something had caused a reaction in Atem and now the white wolf was staring at them with burning blue-violet eyes. She shivered and flattened her ears against her head and Serena mimicked her as they both looked away immediately. Only Mai did not respond when she opened her eyes again. Instead they could both hear her tail wagging in the snow behind her and Echo nearly flinched.

For a moment the white wolf simply stared. And then he got up, heading straight for them. Echo's first instinct was to get up and flee. Her second was to simply roll over and cower. Neither of them were listened to, however. She simply lowered her head further, tightening her muscles in preparation for the potential oncoming attack.

Hi! Mai greeted in a chirp, friendly and warm in expression. Echo bristled and looked at her incredulously, stunned when Atem merely stopped a couple of steps away with a wag of his own tail. Tired of Obelisk?

He gets boring, Atem teased in a warm voice. But he seemed awkward and uncomfortable as well. Then he looked over his shoulder and back, plopping down in front of them. I will speak to him again later.

Echo considered him, fur still in a bristle of pure tension. She remembered the way Obelisk and Slifer had followed him out of the camp and into that small clearing. He remembered the way they had hovered and he'd saved her from the sacrificial intensions the pack harbored. She shivered and Atem glanced at her from the corner of his eye but did not turn to face her.

I wanted to ask you something, Mai.

The she-wolf pricked her ears in a manner that encouraged him to continue.

This argument that Marik started, he began simply, raising his chin slightly. How did it begin?

Mai hesitated for a moment, debating between speaking and sending him the visual. In the end, as Echo had guessed she might, she projected the sequence of events to him. Before her eyes played out one of the single most disgusting moment she had ever encountered another wolf in. Obelisk had come in the lead, Marik a few steps behind him. The two wolves had trotted out of the shadows and into the pack's line of sight within minutes of leaving Atem. And, as Mai had looked up, the tan and gray wolf had bluntly stated, He's going to stay with the dead one.

The statement had made Serena turn around with a confused look. Obelisk had shot the other wolf a warning glance, lips curling back in disdain. Dead one? the she-wolf had asked innocently, turning to Obelisk for clarity.

Mikiyo, the tan and gray wolf said dismissively. She's as good as dead. Atem couldn't reach her if he tried. And she's bleeding out internally. There's no way to save her. I give it an hour before she passes.

Echo bristled. You say that as if you do not care.

She did not listen. Marik turned a cold, calculated look on her. She did not listen and so she was punished. It was her own choice to ignore the instructions that were given her. As it was Patty's when she went after the boar on her own. If she if had listened, she would have been fine. If Mikiyo had listened, she would have survived as well. It is no thorn in my side to see them die if they cannot follow the simplest of instructions and abide by Atem's words. His word is law, after all.

You cannot truly believe that! Serena said, aghast. That's not true at all! Accidents happen all of the time. Hunting is not an easy thing to do, especially in terrain such as this and with heavy snow—

So you do not believe in the divine? Marik asked, ignoring her words and turning to Obelisk with something of a sly expression. And yet you have met three gods—

Three? Echo repeated incredulously. Atem is not a god. He is immortal, but he is not a god by any means. He's a simple Pure-Blood—

You dare to think otherwise? Atem is a god. He is the one meant to lead us to victory and purge the world of the human betrayals and the hellhounds as well. You are a fool to think otherwise, Echo.

You have no right to speak my name.

The image frayed, a jump forth in her memories to preserve her focus. Mai twitched her nose and wagged her tail when Atem considered her with a tilted head. Then the projection resumed, of the bloodied ungulates and the wolves digging into their feast. Obelisk was eating from the deer, Marik licking his lips hungrily as the seconds passed. Serena had settled back to allow Aki a place to eat her fill. Mai had taken a seat a few feet back, Otogi beside her, the two of them resting after having run so much.

Do you think he's still with the body?

The sudden question made Aki and Obelisk both pause in their meals. Their heads rose, drenched in blood, and their eyes focused in unison upon Marik. Both wolves swallowed their mouthfuls and flicked their ears.

Must you bring up such a thing now? the gray wolf snarled, baring his teeth and glaring at him. A bristle had begun to rise along his shoulders and his body was tensed with disgust. You cannot leave this alone?

He is right, Aki stated dismissively, turning back to her meal. She gulped down a mouthful of meat and ignored the way Obelisk glanced at her. Mikiyo was foolish. She leaped at the serow against command and got herself killed. It is no fault of anyone else. It was her own fault that this came to happen to her. If she had simply listened to Atem there would never have been such a risk.

You do not even care for Atem, a new voice interrupted in a sneer. Aki bristled and bore her teeth, snarling in disdain. Echo recognized Yusei there, the younger wolf glaring at her with disgust. That is one of the first things you said to each of us! That your old alpha made a better leader than he ever could.

Believing in something and the leadership style of another is not the same, Marik growled, spinning on the smaller wolf. It was obvious by the way he squared his shoulders and snapped his jaws that he had expected Yusei to back down but the other merely sniffed at him in disdain. Stay in your place, you stupid pup.

You do not speak to my packmate in such a manner, Echo snarled, chomping her teeth. He is my subordinate. And you are not to speak to him in any way that does not show respect. Do you understand me?

You are not my alpha.

But I am your beta, Obelisk snarled, cutting him off when he went to sneer at Yusei once more. The smaller wolf blinked wide blue eyes and stared at him as if in shock that he might intervene. Marik flattened his ears against his head, startled. And you do not open your mouth about such a thing when you have no understanding of any of the intricacies of what is happening, is not that true? Now shut your godforsaken mouth and do not speak a word more.

The image began to dissipate as Mai lost her focus. Echo blinked and studied Atem as the white wolf curled his lips back and breathed in roughly. Serena was frozen on Mai's other side, bristling with tension but clearly unnerved further by the white wolf's expression.

Perhaps I should teach Marik what it truly means to disobey Atem, the wolf snapped, though he made no move to get up and further settled with his chin on his paws. He looked tired, distanced from them once more. The thoughts swirled behind his eyes like water droplets from fresh rainstorms and he seemed disheartened by his own threat. His ears flicked back and forth and then flattened against his skull before he closed his eyes once more. No one was hurt?

When Mai did not answer right away, Atem looked at her with clear warning in his eyes, head tilted to the side dangerously. Echo hurried to amend the suspicions in his mind, voice strained even as she spoke the simplest of words.

No.

Atem looked at her in surprise, then nodded and sighed. His head was lowered to his legs again, eyes closed. If he does harm anyone, I want to be the first to know. He is not to lay a claw on anyone.

Mai wagged her tail and leaned forward. Echo was amazed when she licked his forehead and Atem merely grunted an exhale. He did not snarl. He did not recoil. He simply let her do as she wished. So, as she groomed him, Echo shivered and glanced at Serena. The shock was mirrored in her eyes, as if she too were too stunned to believe that a supposed god was truly capable of allowing a mortal to groom them.

Don't look so shocked, Atem teased, startling her enough to make her focus on him again. His blue-violet eyes were sparkling with laughter. I don't bite nearly as much as I bark.

Mai snorted and nipped at his ear. Atem wagged his tail lazily and closed his eyes again. The she-wolf settled her chin on her own paws again minutes later, when Echo realized Atem's breathing had evened out drastically. She stared at the two of them as Mai began to sync her breathing to his, and then swapped another look with Serena.

---

"Do you think—?" The words tumbled out of his mouth before he could stop himself. And then his stomach churned and his heart was in his throat. His throat tightened, constricting, and his hands trembled for a moment. Yugi kept the knob twisted behind him to keep himself from falling over as his legs shook. His heart was beating too fast and his lungs hurt. He looked down at the dark carpet, his mouth dry and pasty. His tongue was glued to the roof of his mouth. His eyes felt disturbingly flushed and prickled with pain. And his head felt dizzy as he tried to calm himself for a moment.

Fuck.

He couldn't believe that he'd done that.

Yugi let out a ragged breath, then released the doorknob as his legs grew steady again. He stepped forward, sighing loudly, and moved towards the bed. He had not considered it before he'd started talking. He'd been so distracted by the millions of thoughts that he'd been fussing over as he began to walk into the room.

Fuck.

Fuck.

Fuck.

Yugi didn't think he could hate himself anymore than he did at that moment. How the fuck had he been so stupid? How was it that he had been so foolish as to forget himself like that? He felt sick and childish as he took a seat on the bed. The mattress exhaled as harshly as he did himself.

Of course Yami was not there to answer.

Because he was gone.

Because Yugi had been so stupid.

Yami had gotten hurt because he had been stupid.

And now he was gone.

Yugi forced himself to draw in a deep breath, then to exhale long and slow. It wouldn't do him any good to have a panic attack. So he'd surprised himself and inflicted a lot more pain than he'd ever assumed a simple thought capable of. That didn't mean it was the end of the world. It was okay.

Slifer had, after all, told him only hours ago that he was going to find Yami again as it was.

He would come back.

And he would be okay after that.

Yami would be fine.

Yami would be…

Back.

With him.

He would be safe and sound.

Yugi nodded to himself as if to reinforce the thought. Then he nodded again in order to calm himself once more. He would come back soon enough—or so he hoped—and he would be okay. Slifer had promised this, Ra had promised this, Obelisk had promised this. If nothing else, he felt that the gods might hold themselves accountable to such a declaration as this.

Yami would come back and he would be okay and then they could discuss things like what he'd been wanting to ask and they'd rekindle their friendship after he apologized and—

His nose was running and his eyes stung. He reached up to wipe at his mouth with the back of his hand and the bile burned at his skin. When he looked down, the vomit was a bright liquid of neon yellow and darker orange edges. He shivered, glanced towards the bathroom, and slowly made his way to it with a heavy breath. His insides ached and his stomach rolled with discomfort and disgust. His mouth burned and the back of his throat remained on fire as he grabbed a few cleaners from beneath the sink.

When he came back to see it, his stomach tossed again. He wanted to puke again, but his skin was blistering with the pain of it. Yugi dropped the towel atop it, pressing his weight against the fibers until it absorbed the bile there beneath. Then he pulled it along the carpet for a few seconds, scrubbing it further into the fibers, and snatched it up to drop it aside a few inches. He crouched down, sprayed it, and wondered at how often he'd done this same thing for Yami.

But normally there was blood involved.

More often there seemed to be blood involved.

He'd puked up his meal when he'd hunted that day after killing Yoshimori. And he'd puked all over the mattress that day after his night terrors had scared him into nearly changing in his room.

Yugi shivered. He remembered the red-eyed teen seated in the corner of his room, staring at him when he'd enter or exit, but silent as the grave. And he recalled how often he'd wished he'd speak to him formerly, because otherwise it seemed that Yami was not there to begin with. But it was so much worse now, so much lonelier. He could feel it in every ounce of his body, in his marrow and swimming in his blood.

The loneliness was a great and terrible ache and Yugi felt it as if a hand had clenched upon his throat and was pressing on him with the intent of suffocation. The strength of it was enough to break him half, he knew, even if he tried to deny such a thing. But it was impossible to him that he try to so much as acknowledge it long enough to do it. And Yugi felt dizzy at the very consideration.

He'd never equate silence with absence again.

Yami could be as quiet as he wanted to.

Fuck, he could choose never to talk to him again if it simply meant he was okay and there again. Yugi didn't care any longer. He could puke on the floor or have his wrist wounds reopen endlessly or ruin his carpet or his mattress as many times as he wanted. He couldn't give less of a shit about that.

But, by the gods, Yugi just wanted him back there again.

If Yami was only there again, he would thank any god in existence and play the role of Atem more than ever. He didn't care. He'd give the gods what he wanted—his life, his servitude, his entire existence. He didn't care.

He'd fall into as many other roles as he saw there amongst the other wolves within that pack and even within those of Echo's as well and he'd do as all of them wanted, no matter what it took, as they had seemed to do for him.

Yugi thought of Annie, the red-furred alpha who had perhaps sacrificed herself for the sake of giving him the pack. But then he thought of Patty, who had been stomped to death by the boars. He thought of Mikiyo, lying there within the snow too scared and hurt to move. And now he considered how Miho had died at the hands of whatever werewolf had crossed paths with her. Kokurano's statement, "the shadows are bleeding", crossed through his thoughts. Tomoya's throat was torn out, so viciously dispatched that the teeth had left grooves within his bones. There was Ushio, his skull crushed and his body on his doorstep. There were the two wolves that had come after him during his first Change—the Paradox brothers as Ryou had called them. There was Bakura, whose head he'd taken off with all of the rage of an animal beyond that of true physical understanding. He saw Haga and Ryuzaki and Ryota as he and Yami both ended their lives. And he saw those pups, scattered about in the snow, still within their placenta, with their mother's body lying broken and desecrated feet away. Ryou had died as well, throat slit as he had tried to save Atem…

All of them…

All of them had played some kind of role for the gods, hadn't they?

Miho had died as a test for a changing werewolf, had she not? And Kokurano had spoken to him in a manner that he had not understood then—and still did not now—but that he recognized somewhere deep inside of him was residual of Ra herself. Ushio had been the one to nearly kill him, to bring Yami in his direction and had thus been sacrificed as a means of healing him had he been starving and unhealthy enough to need such nourishment. Tomoya had tried to save a wolf he had not recognized as Atem, but rather as Yugi, who he'd thought was worth his life in one way or another.

The Paradox brothers had attacked him that night of the festival, drugged and set upon him like trained dogs at the request of whatever person had sent them and Yami had intervened, pushed to do so by his own connection with him. Bakura had been forced to fight them, to help ambush Yugi and hold him in place until Yami came and he'd tried his hardest—outside of human manipulation and electrical torture—to save Yami regardless. Shizuka had spoken to him for the first time about Atem, about what he was and his very existence and explained to him a meaning behind a name he'd only ever known vaguely. Kaoroku had died as a warning from the trio of male wolves waiting in the woods, looking to attack and kill any person foolish enough to wander through the trees.

Haga, Ryuzaki and Ryota had all been there as some kind of tests towards him, meant to warn him of trials to come. Ryou had died in order to save him and Yami, his loyalty to them beyond even that of obvious devotion he had shown and shared with Bakura. Annie had given him the pack, the forces of which he was meant to win a war. Patty had died, an innocent casualty which had been enough to remind him that war was a game of pawns rather which knew no mercy. And Mikiyo was the death that had enlightened him to the unnatural beliefs of which this pack Annie had bestowed him was not as tightly knit as one might have formerly believed.

But Yami's removal from his side…

That was more than he could put into words.

But, mostly, he felt it boiled down to Ra's very words in his dreams before.

Atem was meant to rely upon himself.

And so the gods had taken away the one that he had learned to lean upon too much. They had removed him, but they would return him. And that was only when he proved himself to be powerful enough to stand on his own four paws and fight within a war that overwhelmed every other event which existed for the werewolves.

Yugi shivered and scrubbed the carpet with the brush he'd used formerly to help remove the blood from the dark purple fibers weeks prior. He stared at it, remembering for a moment the way that the carpet had been crusted and then swelled bright red where the cleaner had taken to removing much of the discoloration. He shivered. The squelching noise had sounded almost like stepping too deeply into a puddle of mud that threatened to swallow one's shoes.

He shook it off, wiping it clean once more with the towel, and dropped the cleaner and brush back into the plastic bucket beside his hip. He got up again, stepped into the bathroom, and pushed the container back under the sink. When he glanced at the mirror, he couldn't find it in himself to do more than reach over and flip the light switch off.

He hesitated in the dark for a long moment, then turned and wandered back towards the cracked door he'd left partially open. When he stepped back into the dimmed sunlight, his stomach tossed painfully.

Annie had given him the pack.

Patty had died during their first hunt.

Mikiyo had died the second.

He had not gotten to speak to Patty before realizing that she had been crushed to death. But Mikiyo had told him her mother's name, had given him a vital slice of reality he had not realized he'd wanted formerly.

If Annie had been their mother, then was it possible that Patty and Mikiyo were born in the same litter? Had they been born as wolves as Yami himself had been? Yugi had never truly considered before then. And, if that were the case, did that mean as well that some of the other she-wolves were the same age?

Now that he considered it, the reality of it made sense in a way he had formerly noted. Yami had claimed there were things he knew about the pack that he himself did not. Yugi had been surprised back then, but now he wondered…

Had Yami known about this?

He had mentioned that Otogi and Marik were the only two males within the pack. And he had agreed about how often the she-wolves would proposition himself when they'd assumed him to be Atem formerly. Back then Yugi had been more interested in imagining the harem aspect of it, of how Marik basically had his pick of them, of how much fun he and Jonouchi probably would have had with that concept. Now he wondered if they were so closely—so tightly—related in such a manner as to be siblings.

Slifer had given birth to Annie. And Annie had given birth to the each of them beyond what few might have slipped in from the escape from the lab. And all of these wolves were female beyond Otogi and Marik.

And Yami had hinted at them not being birthed by Annie. He'd hinted at Otogi being a Half-Blood rather than a Full-Blood and that the wolves originally within the pack were nothing short of being Full-Blood werewolves. If that were the case, then Annie was unable to birth males for whatever reason. And that she had been with the same male in order to produce the same blood hierarchy within the pack. There had been no one outside of this male, keeping them all as Full-Blood wolves rather than Half-Bloods.

But Yugi wondered at why—when Marik was clearly sleeping with them—none of them had gotten pregnant as well. Were they barren? Was it something to do with the genetics that Annie had borne?

Or perhaps it was because they were descended from Slifer…

He pushed the thought away, curling up on top of the comforter and pulling the fleece closer to him. He knotted it in his fingers and bunched himself into the fetal position. His stomach knotted but it was without sickness and rather with mounting anxiety. He had not been able to find it in himself to put away the fleece even when Yami had gone missing. But he had not been able to find it in himself to sleep beneath it directly before then either.

And, as he closed his eyes, he smelled something soft yet pungent and his heart skipped beats for a moment. He could catch the faintest, most beautiful hint of pine needles and winter frost, of fallen straw and frozen silver moonlight. The way it coiled within his lungs made his heart pound faster and his mouth was dry as his blood began to race within his veins and his marrow warm. He trembled, his stomach knotting more tightly, and his body was wracked with tremors as he clenched his eyes shut tightly.

The comforter smelled of himself, but the blanket was warm and comfortable and the scent of Yami that came from it made his eyes sting. For a moment he tried to suppress it, but his breathing was too rough and his body was too tightly wound. The tremors came faster and his lungs tightened as a ball formed in the back of his throat.

The tears were hot against his skin and the exhaustion was overwhelming.

With the exhaustion came a heaviness upon his form, his energy lost as he kept his eyes tightly shut. He shivered, his breathing still somewhat labored, but the darkness behind his lids had brightened. And, when he thought to open his eyes again finally, it was to a landscape of white.

The trees were a shimmering, misty form of some kind. The snow which flickered and swirled in the air was like fallen leaves of pale shades. The branches were bare, stripped of color, dark gray rather than brown. The cores of them were oddly silver, blue in the very center in some. And the sky above was a deep and bottomless black where single ribbons of dark blue and purple and red-violet striped the area surrounding the immense moon which glowed in the blackness. The clouds were little wisps of color, silver and white and touched with the lightest shimmer of gold like the sun.

He shivered and moved to rise, knowing instinctively that it was paws beneath him rather than feet. He stepped forward, eyes searching the blankness of the darkened silver and gray shadows and the strange illumination of bright blue and cobalt. His ears flattened against his skull and the snow beneath his paws crunched heavily as he continued. He sniffed lightly in the dark, catching almost nothing before him.

But he could sense him.

He could sense several beings there, in fact.

But there was only one close to him.

And he felt that the others—he could sense at least four of them, though he was sure somehow that there were more there—would not come closer. They would hide away, beneath the shadows, like wraiths in the dark. And Yugi did not care to find them rather than the presence he could truly sense there.

He hesitated, licking his lips, and glanced about himself only once. The darkness seemed dead of noise, as if the very volume of it had been siphoned away beyond his own steps. And so Yugi turned away again, pacing forward as quickly as he could find it in himself to.

The trees seemed to open further than the few feet between each other. It was as if they had begun to part before him, shifting away in the dark to give him room. The snow fell in heavy flakes, drifting with such white and silver and blue shadows and glittering refractions that it almost blinded him. His footsteps were too loud, painful in his ears, and his breathing was a rasping as he managed to breach what looked to be a large clearing. But the river cut through the center of it and the length of it was so immense that it startled him for a moment to even consider crossing. The stones were large and bulky within the heavy current, however, the water laden with various ribbons of color cast from the sky overhead. He shivered, stomach knotted, and moved further forward. The water that splashed upon the stones unnerved him as he got to the bank and he wondered at the sensation of grains of sand beneath his paws despite the cold snow he'd tread upon moments before.

He hesitated, glanced about himself again.

Then, turning away once more, facing what looked to be a shimmering forest of white and silver mist and trees of skeletal shapes, he considered the water again. He didn't want to tread it. Something in his gut told him not to.

Was it possible to die in a dream?

Or perhaps it wasn't to be considered as such.

After all, despite his state of unconsciousness, this was Paradise. He knew the forest of frost surrounding him well enough. It was something that not once had he considered it to be miserable in any sense. But now he wondered at such a thought, unnerved by this river and the length of it, the roar it possessed.

He'd thought of it as a dream before, but now he wondered if death were really stalking his paws in a more literal sense. How often had he crossed paths with this forest? How many times had he come upon the shadows of these woods and the moonlight that drizzled through the branches? How many times had he looked upon the snow and heard the river in the distance? How many times had he conversed with Ra here?

And what of the wolf that had once been in the cage with Yami there within the lab?

How many times had he come to see him without knowing?

Yugi shivered.

Perhaps death stalked his paws because Slifer meant to claim him soon.

Perhaps his time was coming and the war would be the end of him.

When his purpose was fulfilled, his war won, would they simply kill him?

Surely if they had given him life, they could bestow upon him death as well?

Yet, where it should have upset him, now he simply looked about the trees again. If that were to happen, then fine. So be it. He could deal with this. He could figure it out. Let death stalk his paws. He didn't care any longer.

He froze as the thought finalized itself.

For a moment he felt doubt trickle through him, and then he experienced a sense of relief flush through his blood in a hideous flame. His head snapped up and to the right and his eyes widened as he searched the shadows and the moonlight where the beams were soft and easy and mute unlike the sunbeams the day had offered. And he felt his tail rise as he opened his mouth slightly, heart pounding in his chest as he finally took to his form there.

The red eyes peered at him in the darkness, glittering faintly in the center of his pupils. His shape was oddly healthy, full and unlike what he had seemed formerly when Yugi had seen him last. He did not look starved and half-dead, as if he were being eaten alive before his eyes. Yami looked as he had the first time he'd seen him in the woods and behind Burger World. He was larger than he'd thought possible of a wolf, inches taller than he knew the standard to be, with legs longer than he thought the wolfhounds had possessed when they'd chased them to the greenhouse. His jaw was immense, his skull narrow in slope, his eyes large and almond-shaped, his ears soft and pricked forward, his cheeks full and wide and fluffy. His coat was shiny, slick and weighted only slightly with pristine white snow. His paws were the size of one of his palms flattened as far as it would go. And his nose was moist, wiggling as he breathed in and out with a laziness that Yugi did not recognize fully.

Yami, he called, both delighted and fearful. He crept forward a step, wondering if the other might recognize him seeing as he had not the last time. The black wolf tilted his head in something between recognition and puzzlement, but did not approach him. Yugi felt a harsh rush of fear and embitterment coil inside of him and his head snapped towards the trees that rested behind him.

Why do you keep doing this to me? he demanded angrily. You keep bringing me here and he doesn't know who I am anymore! Why do you keep making us both suffer like this?

There was no answer but for Yami's breathing. It was not labored as it had been before, but its quickened pace made Yugi immediately turn back. His fur bristled in alarm, horrified by the very idea, but then relaxed only slightly as he realized that the other wolf was simply sniffing in the snow. But his red eyes were on him now, rather than downwards as they had been before. And Yugi could see the faintest spark of something like recognition or perhaps discontentment lingering there within his gaze.

Slowly the black wolf took a step forward, eyeing him as if he might lunge at him. Yugi wagged his tail and held it parallel to his back, keeping his head up and trying to make himself seem friendlier. He lowered his eyes just enough to look beneath Yami's own but the other wolf seemed hardly to care for such posturing. The black canine crept forward, began to step from the shadows and come toward him.

It was eerie the stance and speed he took to approach. But he did not seem even slightly to notice Yugi's friendly stature. He simply blinked, coming to a stop in front of him. His nose worked faster, his breaths angry white puffs against the dark, the cores of them glittering like dewdrops beneath direct sunlight. The colors bounced endlessly and the blue-violet-eyed wolf shivered with delight for a moment.

He was so close.

And he looked so healthy.

And Yugi could feel his heart breaking as they looked at one another.

Yami…

The wolf blinked at him almost lazily. For the smallest of moments Yugi almost thought that he seemed very clearly to understand his name and why Yugi said it in such a way. But then he yawned and his teeth flashed and it looked almost as if he were more stressed than tired and the sight made Yugi's fur bristle faintly. He could see it now, discomfort and frustration, in those darkened red eyes.

The smaller wolf began to lower himself to the snow again. He dropped his tail and flattened his ears against his head, putting his chin on his paws. His blue-violet eyes flickered across the other's face and he shivered as the snow fell from his fur. He could see Yami's breath coming in even little exhales now. The black canine sniffed at him again, but he did not yawn nor pant as he might have had he been further stressed.

Yami, he whispered, lifting his head just enough to watch him over his shoulder as Yami continued forward another step and flicked an ear towards him. The darker wolf sniffed again, circled him once, stopped in front of him, and considered. Do you remember me?

He blinked at him, red eyes glittering in the moonlight. Then, very slowly, he raised his head slightly and looked more closely. He considered him, studying, and then looked away again to sniff more pointedly at the snow. They could both scent it now, blood and something colder and yet somehow warm all the same as if they could smell the healing itself.

Yami poked at his flank with his nose and Yugi stiffened, startled by the sudden touch. The wolf did not seem to recognize his discomfort, but it was not forceful as he prodded once more. The two of them blinked at one another and Yugi thought to roll over onto his side. But it seemed to pass, the black wolf moving aside again to sniff at the snow with his nose inches from the powdery ice. The two of them watched one another for a moment and Yami slowed as he began to pace about, sniffing faster.

Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?

The red eyes flickered about his own. And then he blinked and flicked his ears. The black wolf shivered, shook his coat out, and then looked at Yugi closely for a moment. He seemed for a moment to try to perhaps speak to him. But then it fell away again and he licked his lips in an almost anxious manner.

But Yugi could see it now.

The wolf was losing his concentration and his eyes were becoming somewhat glazed. He could see the pain coming in little waves, staggering but not enough to make him lose himself altogether. The mist from the snow about them was sizzling as the wounds began to open slightly. Yugi sprang forward to run his tongue upon his skin beneath the fur where the blood had begun to drop into the snow beneath him.

Yami snarled and snapped his jaws but his eyes were glazing over quickly. Yugi could see the exhaustion more than he could anything else. And he realized, abruptly, that something was pushing Yami to awaken prematurely. Something was shoving upon him to force him to awareness again. Something was…

Forcing him awake.

Yugi nearly snarled with hatred at the very idea.

But his tongue worked relentlessly at the wounds that were rapidly appearing. And his stomach knotted as his heart quickened in his chest. His paws were trembling, his legs threatening to give out beneath him. His breathing was heavy and hideous and pitiful and Yugi trembled.

You'll be okay. I promise. He faltered and licked more persistently, but part of him was too mentally shaken to truly take to the task of focus. He tried to stem the blood along a wound that looked heavily infected at the base of his neck and stretching downwards as if his throat had been slit. But the muscles had healed and mended themselves there, inches beneath the first layer of skin but stemmed of bloodshed any longer.

He hesitated and Yami shuddered, a harsh twitch of his body that almost caused Yugi to flinch backwards from the impact of his shiver. The white wolf snapped his teeth and panted as he tried harder to clean the wound there beneath his dark fur.

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for getting you into this mess.

Maybe if he had never said that he was Atem…

Maybe if he had never told Yami to stay as long as he found necessary…

Maybe if he had pushed for Yami to stay with the pack instead…

I'll find you, okay? And when I do, you'll be okay again.

If he had ever been okay since they'd met.

Had he?

Yugi wanted to puke, because all of the sudden he could not recall if he ever had.

And now he wondered if Yami had ever been safe with him begin with.

The black wolf twitched and shuddered again. His eyes nearly rolled up in the back of his head. His body shook. His tongue lolled from his mouth. His teeth glittered with red, bloody foam beginning to rise from the back of his throat. Bile surged forward, stinking of rot and organ meat. He shook again, shuddered, and then choked and gagged and sputtered. Spittle sprayed across the snow.

I promise I'll help you and…and then you'll be okay again. He licked at a wound that had developed on his abdomen, where his gut seemed almost to be expelled with each cough and gasp he released. His legs were wounded, cut along the insides in layers of muscles and sinews. The tendons were split in certain areas, bleeding furiously, and the snow was steaming with the heat of it. A bone was showing along his left hock and his tail was cut and bleeding and the fur was patchy in several areas. I promise I'll fix this. I'm so sorry. But I'll fix this. I promise I will.

For a moment Yami simply shook and sputtered again. Then he spat a mouthful of bloodied foam and his teeth flashed against the snow. He shuddered, breathing furiously, his flanks shaking with the ferocity of his exhales. Then, slowly, his eyes seemed to roll forward again. He snarled and spat and spittle flecked forward again. His abdomen heaved. His body shook. His tongue bled where his teeth clipped it. Bile spread forward in a pool of deep crimson. The smell of rot came in hideous waves.

Yugi.

He licked harder at the wound on his side. The ribs were showing there, where the blood was smeared and the skin pulled too taut. He shivered and snapped and heaved and the foaming saliva slid from his gaping jaws once more.

Yugi.

Now he recognized his name. He halted, his eyes snapping forward, his head rising slightly. He blinked, horrified, and turned to face Yami more directly. The darker canine shook, his eyes flickering and falling on him. The red of his irises was wild, splattered and dizzy like blood being spilled. He heaved and panted again, gasping. His sides shook, his body trembled. His eyes were glazed. His pupils were vibrating within his sockets.

Yami, I—

F— He choked and forcefully expelled bile so thick it clumped into a frozen heap. He shuddered and spat and his entire body twitched once more. His eyes were glazed, unfocused now. The wild light in them began to press outwards, to encompass his gaze completely. His irises seemed almost to bleed forth, the veins prominent now. The whites of his eyes were almost drowned away by rivers of red. He choked again, sides heaving. His paws flexed, claws scrabbling at dead, cold air. His toes spread outwards. His legs grew taut with tension. He couldn't move for a single second. Then he exhaled and fell into a heap again, all but boneless and limp.

H-hold on. I can—

F—fu— He couldn't breathe long enough to focus. Yugi could see it in his eyes. He couldn't get the words out. He couldn't think straight. The white wolf trembled and licked furiously at the wound on his ribs.

Please, Yami, hold on. I can fix this—I can…

But he knew he couldn't and the way Yami sputtered and choked and shook like a leaf told him the same. The white wolf wanted to puke again, shaking as he continued to try to mend such a gaping hole in his side. But it did nothing more than apply pressure Yami could not handle. The scream was a gurgling mess of a whimper and his eyes nearly popped out of his head as he puked once more.

And then Yugi could feel him fading again, a shadow of black turning dark gray and then an unholy silver shade. His very existence seemed wiped away into nothingness now, swept away by the agony Yugi knew Yami to be in. The white wolf stared at the snow, at the remnants of blood and bile and fur that had been shed.

The chasm of pain that split through him was enough to knock the breath from him. He shuddered and trembled, panting pathetically. The rotting smell burned his nose. His eyes watered. He nearly screamed. Yet, some part of him recoiled at the thought. And he could find nothing in him but the gaping hole of emptiness that had greeted him the first time he had seen Yami fade from before his very eyes.

Yugi looked forward, towards the shadows in the trees, then glanced over his shoulder. In the dark, a pair of sea-green eyes rimmed with emerald and teal gazed back at him. The sight of them made him tremble. The wolves stared at one another blankly and then the white wolf stepped forward hesitantly.

Why do you all keep bringing me here? he whispered in dismay, watching as the gray wolf flicked bright red-brown ears and flattened them against his skull. The brown splashed upon his muzzle wrinkled faintly as his lips pulled back into a grimace of pure despair.

He wished for you to be present, the wolf answered quietly, looking away almost submissively. He shook himself out and closed his eyes tightly, the snow shed from his long coat. Yami wished for you to be here. And when a wolf is dying, many times their dearest are forced to be there amongst the wolves to receive them.

But he's not dead. Yugi bristled and snapped his jaws. He's hurt, but he's not dead.

The gray wolf flicked an ear again, then glanced over his shoulder and back. He is wounded to such a point that death is more likely than survival. But he heals because of your persistence. His eyes were agonized for a moment.

The white canine hesitated, then stepped forward again, a sense of desperation coming over him. Do you know where he is? he asked softly, shivering. I-if you do, you can tell me. I-I can find him and I can—

I am unable to tell you such a thing, the wolf answered with a small shake of his head. His eyes flickered to the snow where Yami had once been lying and his ears flattened further. He shivered, shaking the snow away where it was rapidly clumping upon his fur once more. Yugi wondered at the realization of his solidness within this place, how he did not seem spiritual rather than physical as they stood before each other. I would give anything to be able to tell you, but I do not know.

Yugi shivered and then looked back over his shoulder as well, eyes locked on the wolf in his peripheral as he licked his lips and turned back with a harsh pant. Why are you here? If he wanted me here…

The wolf stepped forward, this time more arrogant than he had been before. His fur rose along his spine. His shoulders were squared. His ears were pricked forward. His eyes were full of challenge. His tail rose faintly. His lips curled back slightly. His eyes flashed with hatred. His brows furrowed.

Despite what you may think, Yugi—Atem, whatever you may damn well so prefer—he has more people in his heart than just you, the wolf snarled angrily, disdain coloring his infuriated voice. You are not the only one who knows him, despite what you might think. I knew him before you ever came into his life. The bond we share might not be the same as which you two possess, but it is there and I will kill you before I let you discount it.

Yugi flinched and backed up a step, startled. And then his ears flicked and his eyes lowered to the snow. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to… He faltered and shook his head slowly, looking up again to see that the gray wolf was still glaring at him with clear hatred in his gaze. I don't want to be the only one in Yami's heart. I never did. I just…I was surprised and…

The wolf stared at him coldly for a moment longer, then dropped his tail though his body remained tense. For a few heartbeats they stared at one another, then Yugi looked away and the gray canine sighed softly as he hung his head. I do not wish to squabble with you.

The statement made Yugi look up, startled. And, abruptly, he remembered arguments with Yami, where the other wolf had looked away and spoken similar words. Or when he had told him he was too uncomfortable to speak any longer. And he wondered if he had picked up such phrasing and submissive habits from this wolf before him. Or if, somehow, perhaps this wolf had learned them from Yami himself.

Did…did he spend a lot of time with you in the labs?

The wolf blinked, turning to him, but his ears were flicking furiously now and his eyes widened as he looked over his shoulder. When he turned back, he looked startled rather than angry or dismayed, and then shook his head. I cannot tell you, he stated softly, shaking his head more pointedly now. I am forbidden to broach such topics. Please do not ask me about those times.

He bristled. Ra?

The glance away told him all he needed to know. The wolf flicked an ear, glanced over his shoulder again, and then turned back with a look of something almost kind in his eyes now. You cannot remain here any longer. When you awaken, you might feel sick, young one, he stated softly, stepping forward and moving towards him. Yugi blinked at him, surprised by the change in his demeanor, and realized abruptly now that he again seemed much alike Yami in this aspect. Were they that close? Had they rubbed off on each other so easily?

Had they been so truly bonded?

Had they…?

Yugi stared at him blankly, startled by the very line of thought and so shaken that he could not truly find it in himself to complete it. He opened and shut his mouth once, his teeth clicking from the force of it, and it was such a human gesture that he almost wondered if he had changed once again.

Take care, young one. I will see you again.

The touch to his nose was of fire and ice. He collapsed immediately, yelping and shaking. He sputtered and jerked, backwards from the wolf, but upwards from the bed as his eyes snapped open again. In the dark his head felt light and fuzzy and his stomach twisted and churned for a moment. But it was not enough to make him puke. Yugi blinked lazily, shivering, and looked about the small room for a moment.

He almost expected the wolf to have followed him somehow.

And he was oddly disappointed and crushed that he hadn't.

Yugi rubbed at his eyes, closing them tightly and shaking his head. He wondered at the slight sickness to wrap itself around his belly, but it did not hurt enough to make him head for the bathroom. And it began to settle again beyond slight churning after a few minutes or so. The small teen reached up and ran his hands through his hair, preparing to settle for some more sleep.

But his alarm croaked suddenly, startling him. He spat and turned, snarling, and his body shook for a moment with shock. He gaped at it, startled. The little digital clock shook where it vibrated and crowed on his nightstand. He huffed and pressed the power button to turn the alarm off. Then he got to his feet and wandered about the room.

Yugi slowed his steps, startled, and his eyes flickered about his friends' faces. Each of them looked confused, all but unnerved, and he considered them as he stepped closer. It was not as if he knew Marik's human form well, but it was not as if it were not distinctive in and of itself as it was. He slowed his steps, looked around again, and then approached them with one hand on his backpack strap and the other in his jacket pocket. He thought briefly of the pistol he'd once hidden in it, of silver bullets and the sound of gunshots. And he wondered if Marik had ever known that fear, that possibility of being struck down.

Somehow, some part of him seriously doubted that he ever had.

"Hey guys, what's up?" he asked quietly, watching his friends first. When none of them seemed particularly distressed, Yugi turned to Marik with darkened eyes. Jonouchi and Honda swapped looks, clearly unnerved by the expression on his face. And Yugi wondered how long it was that Marik had been there to begin with.

"Just waiting on you so we could get to school," Anzu finally commented, breaking the tension just enough to make Yugi glance over at her in surprise. His eyes flickered quickly back to the blond werewolf, gaze sharpening further before looking towards his friends again. The brunette shivered at the frost in his eyes.

He knows where I go to school, Yugi realized abruptly, feeling sick to his stomach. He knows who my friends are.

"Is there something going on?"

It was nicer than demanding to know what he was doing there. He was trying harder than ever not to display how easily he wanted to snarl at him to back off. But the way the blond looked at him with wide eyes, as if startled by the question, made him wonder if perhaps he had simply wandered there…

"I was just exploring some of Domino." Marik shrugged casually, but he seemed slightly hurt by the way Yugi was scrutinizing him and the small teen wondered how badly he was coming across to him. He wondered if his friends were shocked by his words or his apparent frustration. "I've never been here before, especially not human. I mean, the mountains are the only place I've ever been so I figured I should explore at some point. I just happened to cross paths with them and I smelled you on them and I got curious."

Yugi blinked. Anzu flushed faintly. Jonouchi and Honda both pressed their lips into thin lines and grimaced at each other. Their eyes flickered about for a moment. And then they stared at Yugi with unnerved expressions.

"You got curious?" he echoed, muttering the words. But a more prominent part of him was alarmed by the fact that he'd so easily said he was in the mountains. And that he had never come to the city in his human form. The fact that he had said it so simply made him want to snarl in frustration. How could he compromise himself and the pack so easily?

"I just wanted to know where you were from."

Yugi cut him off now, shutting him down before he might let something else out that he shouldn't. He'd be damned before he let him call him Atem in front of his friends. By the gods, he had no words to explain such a thing to them.

"That's nice but you could have just asked me."

"But you're obviously busy with your human life and I didn't want to encroach."

Anzu shivered and rubbed at her arm. If he hadn't wanted to encroach, then why had he stopped and started talking to them like he had? Why would he have bothered to do that instead of simply waiting for them near the school or something like that? All of it was creepy in reality, but the blond could have waited instead for Yugi to come out of the house or something. She couldn't understand the reason he'd chosen to find Yugi in the first place.

And his comment about being able to smell him on them was unnerving.

At least Yami had been discreet about being a werewolf.

This boy seemed just to flaunt it, as if he were simply gay and looking for attention rather than a creature that shouldn't exist altogether.

Her cheeks burned at the thought, scratching her arm again a little harder than before. Oh gods, what if that was it? What if this boy was just gay for her friend and that was why he was there hovering like this?

Surely he understood how awkward this entire situation was?

"I can give you a tour some other time if you want." Yugi was curt in his words and Anzu remembered, blushing even more, that he had already made a rather bold claim upon Yami as it was. He'd said that he wasn't sure how long either of them would last, that they were on borrowed time and there was some kind of war, but her lack of understanding made the reality of it fuzzy. And so she had not thought much of it before now. She wondered if perhaps the two of them were at war in the sense of mating.

But then she recalled as well that wolves did not fight for mating privileges like common dogs did. They had a hierarchy and only the alphas had pups.

Was that the same thing for werewolves?

If it was, Yugi was clearly with the wrong gender.

Or perhaps the lower-ranking males all tended to bond together sexually because of the hierarchy? Wouldn't that be something?

A small blush colored her cheeks and she shook the thought off. It was probably not the best thing to think about when it came to a former potential boyfriend. And the thought of Yugi and Yami still made her heart hurt a little so she definitely did not consider that a wise choice of thoughts at the moment.

"Really?"

He narrowed his bright blue-violet eyes. "Yeah," he said quietly, studying him with a flustered expression. He looked almost as unnerved as Jonouchi and Honda beside her. The two other teens looked flustered and confused, but extremely nervous now, as if they thought a fight might break out between the two wolves at any moment. "If you want, I'll take you around Domino some other time. But right now I have school and my friends and I are going to be busy with that for the next few hours."

Marik nodded slightly, something glinting in his eyes. Yugi couldn't tell if it was amusement or some kind of cunning and it unnerved him for the smallest of seconds. But it was gone in a flash and he wondered at the sight of it, if it was even there or he was projecting his frustrations and trying to give himself a reason to snap at the other boy.

"Okay. That sounds great, Yugi!"

His stomach tossed.

Had he ever told him his name…?

He blinked.

Did it matter though?

Marik officially knew what school he went to. He knew who his friends were. He had probably had enough time to memorize every aspect of them and the school that they attended if he'd been so bold as to follow his scent trail there. If he had been brave enough, he would have been able to track Yugi to his own home as well…

"Thank you so much."

The smaller teen blinked again, nodding slightly. "You're welcome. Just ask me when you want to do it and we'll make plans."

Jonouchi wasn't sure he liked how dismissive and anxious Yugi sounded at the moment. And there was something in his eyes that made the smaller teen seem almost frantic for a split second. The blond nodded, flashed them a smile, said something about it being nice to meet them, and then wandered off quickly in the opposite direction. He was moving further into the city rather than towards the trees as he would have expected.

Yugi watched him go, then turned to them. "How long had he been here?" he asked in a rather demanding tone, something sharp and cold in his voice.

The taller blond frowned and considered him for a moment. "Only a few minutes before you got here," he finally answered, raising a brow. The smaller teen looked thoughtful now, though it wasn't friendly in any manner. The blue-violet eyes flickered towards where Marik had disappeared again and then he turned back with a slight frown. "He just said he was a friend of yours and introduced himself."

Yugi quirked an eyebrow. "You guys seemed kind of nervous."

"He sniffed me," Honda muttered, rolling his eyes dismissively. Jonouchi had initially cracked up, teasing him that he must have smelled like sewage. But Marik had disagreed, saying instead that he smelled like a dog of some kind and all three of them had stared at him quietly in shock. How they had missed the fact that he was a werewolf was beyond him now. Yami had projected a certain kind of aura, of power and stature and cunning of an animalistic trait. But Marik had seemed wild, perhaps not as strong, but definitely with some touch of wilderness that shook him to the core the longer they'd been near each other. "And then we kind of realized after that that he was a werewolf and yeah…"

The smaller teen nodded slightly. "Okay."

But Honda noticed he hardly looked satisfied with that answer.