Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh
Update schedule: Every other day
Chapter Warnings: Mentions of Hypothermia, Nudity, Boys Being Pervs, Mentions of Forced Breeding, COPIOUS Amounts of Blood, Torture/Being Eaten Alive, Night Terrors
I've never done CPR before so I didn't want to try to do more than the chest compressions and resuscitation by way of breathing into the victim's mouth.
I also just realized that I need to probably put up a warning for this. For a few chapters the dream/night terror sequences (and hallucinations) will fall back into other scenes without much warning. Case in point the last scene of this chapter where Yugi wakes up from his night terror and there's no prior warning of it. But it should be more obvious when this is happening later (if I remember right...). Anyways, so yeah, there you go. Enjoy the chapter~!
Chapter LII: Connections
Work Log Entry XLVIII: April, 2005
April 2
Everyone worries that Atem will not survive the tests that we are to perform on him.
We will pit him first again one of the newer wolves, then an elder, and finally the boss has a plan to put him inside of a cage with a live lynx. Atem has not shown any signs of undergoing the Change once more and so everyone worries for him.
Especially since all of the hard work put into bringing him into existence shall be wasted.
April 3
Atem has shown that his mind works at almost three times the rate of that of a normal lycanthrope. He has managed to beat off both of the werewolves and the lynx was slain when he managed to use his teeth to cut the vein in its neck.
We are now attempting to determine if the Pure-Blood's teeth will grow while in battle.
April 15
We keep him separated from the rest of the wolves, but it is causing backlash among some of them. They have grown jealous of the attention he is being fed. I don't understand why.
Not when all it does is lead to more tests.
Yugi was shaking as Mai followed his instructions for the fifteenth time. She breathed into his mouth, pumped on his chest, and the white wolf bit once more into his skin along his shoulder. Wolves went for the throat when they had rabies. Rabies could travel almost immediately to the brain afterwards. And so he felt dizzy as he looked towards the throat he'd already bitten into twice. The blood was already frozen but it was a sign, was it not? If he was bleeding the cells had to be moving again, right? They had to be circulating from the heart and outwardly…
Perhaps bite while she is breathing into his mouth, Yusei suggested, his voice oddly crystalline and sure in its tone. He looked at Yugi closely, royal blue eyes sharp as they bore into his. It might help?
Yugi was not sure he could do much more than what he already was. But any little bit of advice would help him now, he felt. Because he did not think he could find a better answer than what he was trying to offer now.
The white wolf, still drenched and shivering every once in a while, nodded and turned back. Mai drew in a deep breath then leaned forward to try again. She pressed on his chest, breathed into his mouth, and Yugi bit Jonouchi once more.
The effort continued for another few minutes. Yugi was shaking now, anxious and fearful, and Mai was trying her hardest not to show him a pitying look. Yusei had begun pacing, pausing and digging. Otogi was watching with his head tilted and Echo was studying each of them with something of shock in her eyes.
Yugi was almost ready to give up. Jonouchi was not responding in the slightest. He could not hear even the smallest noise coming from him. And his lips were blue, his fingers almost purple, his body all but frozen.
And then there was a stuttering noise. The white wolf pricked his ears forward. His eyes widened drastically. And his head snapped downwards. Jonouchi twitched. Mai jerked back with wide eyes. Yusei and Echo stared with gazes as round as the sun. Only Otogi seemed to more or less appear okay with it all.
Yugi whined softly, then looked to Mai. Roll him onto his side so he doesn't choke, he pleaded, trembling. The blonde blinked dark violet eyes, then did as instructed. In an instant Jonouchi began to cough and shake, sputtering. Water came out in a rush, his entire body trembling furiously. And it was only then that the white wolf realized that perhaps he should have told her to strip Jonouchi as well…
We have to get him back to the camp. I have to get him somewhere drier and warmer. Yugi faltered. The cavern behind the waterfall was where they would have to take him. He'd have to hide him there. And then he could… We're putting him in the camp. And I want you four, Obelisk and Slifer to watch him. I don't need any of the other wolves to pay him any mind. And I want only you six to be anywhere near him when I am not there.
Understood, Otogi stated with a simple nod. He looked between his alpha and the human boy who was just barely regaining his consciousness in front of them.
Yugi flicked an ear and tipped his head upward. He could sense the oncoming snow now as well and his heart skipped a beat at the realization. The white wolf turned to them quickly. I'll lay with him for a few hours. But I'm going to have to get back. When I leave, Mai, take my spot. Someone had to stay with him throughout the night and probably until tomorrow afternoon as well.
Mai considered him for a moment. "Okay," she muttered, holding Jonouchi's shoulder to keep him from rolling into the puke he'd just expelled. She glanced at Otogi, a mirroring expression of shock crossing the wolf's face as well.
Yugi moved away just long enough to shake himself out and not soak Jonouchi in the meantime. Crystals had formed in his fur, tugging them into clumps. The white wolf turned back to them now. He flattened his ears against his skull and tilted his head. How was he meant to move him now?
Mai, do you think you can carry him? Yugi narrowed his eyes slightly. I'll change back if you can't. We just have to get him to the camp before the snow starts.
"No, I can definitely carry him on my own."
The wolf nodded and glanced at the small group of four. I'll catch up with you at the camp. I need to do something before then, however…
There were several things he needed to do, not at the least check to make sure that Jonouchi's phone was working. Then he needed to scout the area around them…
Yugi watched them go, then rushed forward to check amongst the snow for the slim cellular device. It was feet away from the bank, the screen broken and shattered. Puncture marks littered the top half of the case where the wolf had clamped their teeth down. The realization startled him to come upon, but as he tried to catch a scent there was none. But when he looked at the blood there and the crushed snow, he did not believe he could find even the smallest hint of pawprints anywhere. In fact… The most he could find was human footprints there. There was no hint of wolf prints anywhere but where the group of four had come to find him.
If that were true, that meant this werewolf had been human even as they'd tried to destroy his phone. Most likely they'd grabbed it only because he'd called it. And Yugi was suddenly very aware of the words Slifer had spoken before, of one of the pack being a traitor and aiming to potentially usurp him.
But the pack had already had over twenty wolves within it. And then there was the addition of the American wolves and their pack. Yugi could not remember their exact numbers now, though he was not sure he could have ever boasted otherwise to begin with.
But the reality was as Slifer had told him. There truly was a wolf who considered themselves to be greater than him. And they were willing to kill those they deemed unworthy in order to weaken his support amongst them. And then what would Yugi do? The wolves knew well enough that he would not lash out at them in turn. And this realization made it abundantly clear to him that it would be easy to lay blame on his lack of discipline should things grow further unraveled.
But Yugi could not truly name a wolf that he suspected of doing so. It seemed incredibly strange to even consider them to begin with.
The wolf grabbed the broken phone delicately, then headed towards the banks again. He put the device down, then catalogued the location of his clothes before grabbing them to bring up the small slope as well. He put the two of them beside each other, phone covered by the clothes. The incoming snow hopefully wouldn't destroy the cell…
It didn't matter. He'd buy Jonouchi a new one if it was destroyed.
Yugi hurried to race for the camp, following quickly after the small patrol. It was surprising to him to find the wolves gathered within that small cave system. When he stepped into the cavern, drenched and tired, Mai looked up with wide eyes. Jonouchi had been stripped of his clothes, Otogi laying on one side and Mai draped across the unconscious blond. Echo had gone above to the camp itself, no doubt to find Slifer or Obelisk to explain to them in that begrudging manner of hers, and Yusei lay close by with his eyes on the trio.
"I hope he doesn't mind?" Mai commented without much shame, though she did seem mildly uncomfortable as she tilted her head and raised a brow.
Yugi shook his head and wagged his tail. It will probably be his best memory when he recovers, he answered easily. You've probably just singlehandedly made his entire life with this one decision.
Otogi snorted and covered his face with his paw, shaking his head. Yusei wagged his tail in amusement and Mai laughed out loud at the statement. Yugi wagged his tail again and looked back at his best friend with a feeling of dread coating his insides.
I want to know the moment he wakes. I don't care if I'm at school or my house or what. I want to be told. I don't even care if it's only for a few seconds. Someone will be expected to tell me, understood?
"Of course," the blonde stated simply, nodding. "We'll alert you immediately."
Yugi almost wished she would have argued with him just for the sake of having a reason to lash out and let loose some of the tension in his body. But now he settled for flicking an ear and listening as Echo approached once more.
Slifer was behind her, red fur glistening with a soft layer of snow. Her golden eyes were darkened for a moment as she considered the human boy in front of her. Then her head turned to Yugi and her eyes glittered. You wished for Obelisk and myself to take care of him in the meantime while you are not here within the pack? she verified. A human you've bitten and will be leaving within this cavern for the night?
I cannot bring him home with me just yet. Yugi did not bother with further explanation. But yes, I want the six of you to watch him whenever I am not around.
What of Ishizu? the goddess asked with a tilt of her head. Her eyes had darkened now as they considered one another.
Yugi flicked an ear. What about her?
She is capable of helping to take care of him. She tilted her head further and Yugi thought she looked mildly fox-like for a moment. Or perhaps she looked like a maned wolf, stealthy and curious. She was used as a veterinarian for the wolves within the labs before she was infected as well.
Yugi blinked. She was in the labs?
She was. And she might know some about the human side of the equation that the rest of us might lack.
The thought made Yugi bristle faintly. I know about the human side of things! he snapped. I'm not stupid, Slifer.
No, but you've also forgotten that perhaps her knowledge might offer more than you can by yourself. You forget that she would have seen more than you when it came to the experiments. They were done to you but she helped to heal others from them.
I thought Ryou was the sole vet at that place.
No. Not until your…benefactor chose to use her for breeding and forced Ryou into that position. Slifer flicked an ear. It was simply an inquiry, Atem. You can allow her to help with him or tell her no. It does not truly matter to me one way or another.
"Oh shit," Jonouchi sputtered, startled as the white wolf burst through the curtain of water. He looked visibly exhausted and the drenched state did not change as Yugi came rushing forward.
Are you all right? Mai told me you'd woken up! he demanded without pausing to shake himself out. His ears were flat against his skull and he looked half-drowned and pathetic as he looked at his friend with wide eyes. I told them to tell me the moment you woke up so I came running as soon as she'd told me. Well? Are you okay or not?
The blond stared at him with wide, horrified eyes. "Wait, wait, you're talking into my head," he managed to sputter, eyes wide. "How the fuck are you doing that?"
Yugi visibly faltered, then blinked and awkwardly looked away. I, um, you were half-dead when I pulled you out of the lake. I didn't know what else to do so I, uh…I bit you.
Jonouchi stared at him, struggling to process his statement. "You…bit me?" he echoed him, brown eyes widening further. His friend had bitten him? He was going to turn into a fluff ball once a month? Shit, with a tail and fangs and everything?
You would have died otherwise. Yugi wouldn't meet his eyes now. He flexed his toes and scraped a claw across the stone as he took a seat. And I didn't want you to… I'm sorry. I wouldn't have done it otherwise.
"It's… I need a minute."
Yugi nodded and took a seat. The water dripping from his pelt was inaudible beneath the roar of the fall. The white wolf thought to lick himself dry but he did not think he truly cared to do so. He was exhausted now that he'd gotten here. It had been hours of which he had hidden in his own house and avoided coming. But he'd spotted Mai in the trees and he'd gone racing to get an update from her as to what had happened with the blond.
"You know, I could be upset about it, but honestly, I just got to lay next to the hottest chick alive, dude. I can't really be that upset when I think about it like that. That wouldn't have happened if you hadn't bitten me."
Yugi snorted loudly and turned his head, eyes bright. And I didn't even have to pay her to do it! he commented with a loud laugh.
Jonouchi felt the grin slide off his face. "You stupid ass," he grumbled with a roll of his eyes. "You and Honda are such comedians."
Well, if it makes you feel better, Mai really likes to take a guy's virtue, so…
"Fuck you and everything you hold dear, Yugi."
The small wolf wagged his tail happily, eyes brighter than ever. And she does it for free! he teased again. And, as Jonouchi looked at him, he could see his best friend despite the white fur and the almond shape of his eyes or the black nose and long muzzle. He was as excitable now as he ever was as a human. I've heard she can rock a few worlds too.
"Oh yeah?" He raised a brow. "She did some cradle-robbing with you?"
The wolf flattened his ears against his skull immediately, eyes annoyed. She's not in my league. He looked away slyly when Jonouchi kicked a shoe at him and glared. What? You can put that in any context you want!
"You're an ass, Yugi."
No, I'm considered lupine in species.
"Oh dear god," the blond muttered, rolling his eyes once more. He sat up after a moment, leaning forward and running a hand through his bangs. When he looked up again, Yugi was watching him with dark, curious eyes. "How did you find me?"
Yugi pricked his ears forward. That GPS app on your phone. I used it to track you. He narrowed his eyes. What do you remember happening?
"Honestly, I don't think I remember much of anything. It was…late and I was taking a shortcut to your house and I don't remember past that. It's all basically one big blur after that." He studied the distress that had appeared on Yugi's face. "Sorry, man."
Yugi shook his head. I was more worried about if you were okay. Beyond that I just wanted to ask. I… The wolf repeated the gesture, then slowly got to his feet once more. But you're okay beyond that? No one has made you feel unwelcome or anything?
"Not that I know of?"
The wolf nodded again, turning away. Good. I, um… I was going to go hunting for a little while. I'll come back and see you in a little while, okay? he paused. If there's any issue, feel free to send one of them to find me. Slifer, Obelisk, Mai, Otogi, Yusei, Echo—I don't care who. Just do it.
"Wait, so is it true then? About you being in charge?"
The wolf flattened his ears against his head again. Unfortunately. He didn't leave any room for Jonouchi to ask why he'd said that before turning and heading for the back wall of the spacious cavern to pull himself atop a narrow ledge and towards what appeared to be an almost inconspicuous hole in the roof. He glanced at Jonouchi before he hooked his paws on the ledge overhead and pulled himself out of the cavern altogether.
Obelisk, he called loudly as he spotted the gray wolf and watched him with wide eyes as he began to approach. Can you keep watch for me? I'm going to go hunting.
The wolf flicked an ear, considering him for a long minute and a half. Then, slowly, the god of war nodded slightly and began to move past him. Shall I alert you to any thing he might want or need?
Yugi paused and pricked his ears forward. Yes, if you would, please. Then he hurried forward. A glance to the side said that the wolves were watching him curiously. He ignored the tilted heads and pricked ears and the way their eyes focused so entirely upon him.
The white wolf slipped out of the camp and towards the trees. He was tired and hungry, but another part of him was more anxious than even remotely eager for food. The canine slipped into the shadows and ignored the way that his belly growled softly with hunger.
The first animal he came upon was the rabbit that was hiding amongst the snow. It had him surprised to find it so easily, not only swift in its appearance but almost perfectly white as well. Yugi sprang at it without an intent to kill, hungry but part of him dismayed at the very idea in and of itself. The small wolf raced forward and launched himself into the snow. The powder flew upwards into his face and across some of the trunk of the tree he was nearest.
The rabbit tried immediately to rush away, but caught instead Yugi's paw on its shoulders. The wolf knocked it off its feet, sending it rolling for a moment, then pounced again. Its heartbeat was terrible and pounding, sounding almost like rain water hitting a pane of glass.
Yugi watched it for a moment, studying for as long as he could, before finally he released it. The rabbit ran again, faster than the wolf would have originally considered it possible. Then he sprang again, launching himself as if he were born with wings. The canine landed inches from the small animal, opening his jaws. He caught it easily around the midsection, his grip light and soft. Then he deposited it again even as it kicked desperately.
He let the rabbit run again.
He thought vaguely of the night Yugi had told Yami about having crossed paths with the pack. The wolf had not reacted well to such news. He'd turned and played this game of catch and release with the same animals, distracted and frustrated by Yugi's admittance.
Now he knocked the rabbit aside again. The animal rolled, landing hard and squealing now. But Yugi simply placed a paw on its belly. The rabbit's heart was so immensely loud that it made his skin crawl and the white canine ignored the urge to sink his teeth in instead.
Yami had been so upset that night. And he'd been clearly frustrated and unhappy and so terribly concerned about him regardless. And he wondered again if perhaps the black wolf might somehow be dead despite it all. The reality of it made his skin crawl and he shivered at the idea. But they'd promised him, hadn't they? Slifer and Ra and Obelisk had all pledged oath that he would come back…
But he wondered more now if it was Fuwa he should be more worried about. It was, after all, the hunter who played the biggest role now. He was the one that seemed to be coming nearer. Yugi had not dreamed about Yami in days now, and the separation seemed far more acute than he was willing to admit.
But Fuwa had left a dead body and whoever had come to work with him now had turned their strength on his best friend. There was no coincidence in such a thing. There couldn't be. There was far too much on the line to simply ignore or wave off.
And it was not circumstantial.
Yugi was not sure he could have hidden it all away in the manner of shielding himself from recognition. But he did think he'd done a rather good job of preventing it for the most part. Perhaps it was foolish to assume such a thing. But he had tried. And he didn't understand how someone might have noticed him and he not realize. Wasn't that what the paranoia helped to prevent in the first place?
He let the rabbit up again, dread making his fur ripple. Somehow someone had come to connect Yugi to Jonouchi. And so they'd come to target the blond. They'd found him. They'd cornered him. And they'd dragged him out to the lake…
They'd truly planned to kill him and leave the body for Yugi to find later. The realization was not surprising, he knew, but it still made his stomach ache to consider. Jonouchi was innocent in this entire situation. And it was disgusting that he was considered otherwise by mere acquaintance with him.
It was disgusting.
An image appeared in his mind. Yugi pricked and flicked his ears, then turned with wide eyes towards the source of it. The camp was full, he realized, but there was a question buzzing in all of their heads. The image was of Yugi biting the tall blond, confused and bewildered in the idea that Code Name Atem had two betas now.
But more pointedly was the image of a faceless, undefined wolf being guided about the camp for a tour. At first there was his own face there, his white fur and defined features cast about this faceless scepter. And then it changed, something that confused and bewildered him at first.
The white wolf became streaked with gray and tan and tawny.
His head snapped around and his fur rose into a bristle as he hurried back towards the camp. The wolves nearest the entrance looked up with shocked, confused expressions. Immediately Yugi shot them dismissive glances, though he realized only moments later that his tail had come up.
The white wolf nearly tumbled through the entrance of the cavern, the thicket covered in snow nearly winding him as he was snagged in the thorns. He shook himself, weaseled his way beneath it, and hurried to land on his paws in front of them.
Jonouchi looked up with wide eyes, nearly jumping backwards at the sudden appearance. Yugi looked at him only minutely. Then he hurried forward with dark eyes.
No, Marik, I will be the one to give him a tour of the camp and the territory after, he snapped, growling viciously and baring his teeth. He kept his tail up and Mai, Otogi, Slifer and Obelisk blinked at him in surprise. He is my beta.
The words were almost startling for the small group. Marik blinked and immediately lowered his head with his ears flattened against his skull. Yes, Atem.
Jonouchi raised a brow and gave him a confused look. He mouthed the name at him but Yugi ignored him pointedly. He would explain later.
Why are you even in here?
My sister mentioned it to me that he was here and I thought I would come and see him. I mean, I've already met him so…
He's never met you as a wolf! he snarled in response. All of you can leave me with him. Slifer, Obelisk, don't go far.
Yugi watched the four of them begin to move out. And for a moment he thought to tell Mai to remain, but part of him was too exhausted to even remotely fathom doing such a thing. So he simply turned to Jonouchi, somewhat undone by the very idea. His fur fell flat, his tail dropped from its raised position. He flicked his ears and tilted his head.
I'm sorry if we're all crowding you.
"Not going to lie, it's kind of claustrophobic when there're more than just a couple of wolves in here. Almost feels like volunteering at a dog kennel."
Yugi pulled his lips back into something of a grimace. You're so funny, he scoffed. But his eyes softened again as he considered him with his head tilted curiously. But it does get kind of overwhelming. If you decide to stay around here more often, though, it gets easier as you learn more about who they all are.
"How long have you…?"
I've known about them since a little while after I was infected. I ran across them at one point and now I'm their alpha… Of course that's not something I'm going to tell you without explaining later. But it might be a little while… Jonouchi blinked wide eyes at the statement but Yugi ignored it. It doesn't matter. I have a lot to tell you about this pack and everything else…
"Right," he answered easily. "But I'm sure it'll be more fun when you explain it to me and I call you fucking nuts cause I'm kind of thinking you are, honestly."
You probably wouldn't be wrong in saying that. I'm wondering right now what I'm doing with myself at this rate. Yugi fell silent for a moment, considering the idea of how much harder it seemed to say such a thing to him rather than it had been to Yami. He missed the black wolf again, a sense of frustration coming through him now. But it doesn't matter, I guess. Anyways, I'll explain everything when you're actually able to walk and move around again.
Jonouchi raised a brow. "Any particular reason?"
Yugi gave him a look somewhere between laughter and hatred. It was odd on his face and the cross of the two emotions altogether shocked him. I hate their habits of eavesdropping. He pricked his ears. I'll tell you when you come back to my house for a few days.
The blond blinked wide eyes. "Your…?"
Yugi stared at him, unblinking and intense. Why would you think otherwise? Your dad was getting abusive again and I don't know what happened the other night, but I'm not going to have it be repeated. You're going to stay with me for a few days at the least. And then we'll figure things out again later.
Jonouchi nodded, a small spark of warmth coming through him. It was good to know that, despite the changes, Yugi had not become unrecognizable in such a sense. The white wolf in front of him really was just his best friend in a different form…
So, now, here's what we're going to do. We're going to wait and then I'm going to tell you everything as far as the pack goes and why he called me "Atem". Then I'll give you a tour of the camp and eventually of the territory when you're better and can walk without stumbling.
"Okay."
Yugi searched his face for a moment. Then he sighed and looked away. Just stay calm and don't worry about anything. I'll get it figured out eventually. But don't be afraid to ask Slifer or Obelisk or any of them to clear the room for you. If they argue, tell them Atem gave you the privilege. They will fall into line after that.
"You're starting to sound like a mob boss."
The white wolf blinked at him but didn't answer. Instead he got to his feet and called out, Obelisk, Slifer, you're free to come back in here. Stay with him through the night. I'm going home.
Jonouchi opened his mouth to object but the white wolf was out of the cavern and gone before he could even draw a breath.
He did not think he'd ever known the taste of such blood in his throat. For surely it went further than his tongue. And the darkness threatened to swallow him as he tried to inhale. There was so much blood. It was everywhere. It was inside and outside of him. It was great and terrible and it burned him. It exhausted him.
When he tried to breathe the air seemed too tight. He swallowed and choked. And then he tried to cough and the blood sputtered through his throat. It was everywhere. How did one exist with so much shed?
He blinked.
In the dark the shadows measured upon his pupils. He could see the finest specks of dust before him. They drifted aimlessly. The light was so nonexistent he was shocked to see. The metal creaked and groaned. The earth seemed to teeter sideways.
He opened his mouth. His tongue fell forward. His eyes burned. He choked on a breath. The air burned. His lungs ached. His vision danced. He blinked. His eyes strained themselves to see through the shadows. His tongue was flat upon concrete. Stones lodged themselves there. He struggled to focus.
Then he tried to move again. As had happened formerly, he could not find a grip. Nor could he manage to breathe properly for more than a moment. His claws twitched. His toes flexed. Pain spliced through his paw.
For it had to be a paw.
It was clawed. There was fur. The toes were short. The flesh was hard, calloused. It had to be a paw. There was nothing else…
He was rasping. The noise was loud and anxious. His lungs stretched. They collapsed. He blinked. He tried to pull his tongue back. Blood was slick upon his teeth. The metallic touch of it was plastered to his taste buds. He blinked again.
"Looks like he's awake again."
"He doesn't look anything like he used to."
"Well, he is dehydrated, he's just woken again, and he hasn't been allowed to eat for weeks now. How his body regenerates still is beyond me but he should be dead permanently by now."
"Pure-Bloods don't die."
"No, not permanently, it would seem."
"It is dangerous to play with a feral wolf. You would do better to simply try to kill him more permanently while he's coming back."
"He's a weapon. I'm not going to dispose of him. I have plans. I have plans for him, so many of them. It would be stupid of me to ignore the fact that I have uses for him."
"He's only a weapon while he's feral." The voice paused. He blinked again, then flexed his claws again. Blood dribbled from paws. Blood dribbled from his tongue. Blood, blood, blood… "And there's a way to make it permanent."
"Is there now?"
"If you make him hate himself, he will lose that half of his brain that rationalizes his rebirth and state of being." There was another pause, then soft laughter. "It's like truly infecting one of us with rabies. It'll destroy any sense of reality he might possess. And it is brilliant how a wolf reacts."
"From what I know of you and your file, you were tortured similarly, were you not?" The voice sounded cruel and amused now. "You were rendered rabid for months on end, isn't that right?"
"I wasn't aware you thought we were friends to that degree. You weren't supposed to go through my file."
"I like to know what kind of wolves I'm dealing with."
"I almost believe you."
"Hey, look, he's playing dead!" There was a small bout of laughter. Then it trailed off and he could hear metal gears. The noise was almost exhausting to hear. But he recognized it and so he struggled for his paws once more. "Ah, and now he's awake."
"It won't do him much. He'll probably wish he was asleep again."
"He can wish that after he recovers again. But for now I'm going to watch him get picked apart again."
He was on his paws again slowly. The effort put into such action was overwhelming. He did not think he could breathe. His bones cracked as he braced his weight. And he panted harshly for breath. But it seemed simply to press upon his ribs and the touch was agonizing.
He'd gotten more time recovering now than he had for a while. But it still did not prepare him. Exhaustion clawed at his belly. Hunger clung to his throat. He could smell only blood again. And he seemed only able to see it as well now.
"So I'm guessing the idea that all the wolves flock for the Pure-Bloods is a lie, huh?"
"Not at all. But they don't know who the Pure-Blood is. There have been far too many pretending to be—"
"Don't start with that fucking fairytale again."
"Atem is a very real creature."
"Oh yeah? And you know this because you're a wolf?" the first voice sneered. There was a shuffling noise. The wolf snarled low in his throat but it was so strained it sounded as if he were choking. "It's all crap. There is no holier than thou wolf meant to save a race as pathetic as yours. Not when I already plan to destroy it."
"Believe what you want then."
The metal clicked and groaned. The wolf flattened his ears against his head. The sound was harsh and terrible. Feet moves against the concrete. The heavy stampeding noise made his ears quiver. His body almost dropped from sheer exhaustion. He opened his jaws, snarling.
But his lungs quaked in his chest. And his legs seemed to tremble. He was exhausted. And his teeth were bared furiously. And already he could feel the pain. It had not even begun yet…
Yet the first strike came head on. As he'd known it would. The wolf snapped his jaws immediately. He caught flesh. There was a loud squeal. A toss of a head brought teeth into his side. He clamped his jaw harder. The second toss came from the beast before him.
His paws left the ground.
He felt his body growing tired again.
The head tossed.
He dangled.
A blow landed upon his side.
His ribs cracked.
Blood came up his throat again.
Blood dripped to the floor.
Blood splattered through the air.
He dangled and shook.
The next hit came to his back leg.
He heard the skin split before he felt it.
Another toss made him flail.
And then the last sent him flying.
He careened into the metal wall.
It shook.
His vision grew darker around the edges.
He gasped and sputtered.
His legs wouldn't hold his weight when he tried to stand. The wound on his side was bleeding. His back leg was soaked. He blinked. He tried for his paws again. Exhaustion tore at his muscles. Weariness snapped at his heels.
He managed to raise his head.
And teeth dug immediately into his shoulder. Fur was tugged out. Muscle and gristle hit the floor. He spun on them. His teeth aimed blindly. Something crunched and popped under his jaws. The roaring became a scream.
Blood gushed down from his teeth.
Blood soaked his tongue.
Blood drenched the concrete.
The animal screamed.
"Well, if that isn't a new development."
"I'm surprised he managed it." The second voice was scornful and annoyed. "I wasn't expecting him to do that."
The blood trailed down his tongue and into his throat. And then it settled into his belly. He could feel it like hot fire. And it made him thirsty for more. His jaws opened further and snapped shut. Bone crunched now. The animal squealed and tossed its head. But the wolf used the leverage to get to his pass. And then he stumbled a step and a second.
"He's adapting. That's a bad sign."
"No, it's a great one." The first voice began laughing now. "That's a great sign. It means he can still work to entertain me. And that means maybe he's unpredictable to deal with my little…pest."
There was silence for a moment. The animal before the wolf was breathing hard. But the tossing had stopped and it was slowing. And the beast looked ready to simply lay upon the floor and—
The second animal came for his face. He opened his jaws wide and turned his head. The angle was just right. When he snapped his teeth shut again, the blood filled his mouth instantly. And he felt twice more something burst and pop within his teeth. Bones fractured and split, breaking beneath the pressure.
"What do you plan to do with the bodies?"
"Let him feed on them. I'll let him fill up. And then he can rest for a day or two. What he doesn't eat I'll feed to the others."
"You have more wolves?"
"Just one. But I meant the pigs."
There was a moment of quiet between the two voices. The animals screamed and thrashed. Some of them surged forward. The wolf was backed up into a corner. Blood coated his mouth and almost to his eyes. He snarled and snapped and pressed back further.
They collided viciously. The wolf snapped at another of the animals. And it screamed as it charged him. The wolf pushed one back. Another came closer. Teeth snapped in warning. A restless surge of noise came from the pigs.
And then there was a wet tearing noise.
One of them had torn through another's hide. Blood was dripping…
He could not maintain his footing when one slammed into his shoulder. He twisted, hitting the floor on his side. And teeth came instantly for his soft underbelly. His back legs kicked desperately. And he tried for his paws again.
But the initial bite made him scream.
The pigs came in a rush now.
The wolf snapped his jaws and struggled.
But the energy it took to do so was exhausting.
And the pigs didn't slow—
There was a loud shout overhead.
The pigs screamed in annoyance.
The wolf blinked sluggish eyes.
Something sharp and splintering crackled in the air.
The screaming escalated. Then the pigs turned tail. The wolf shuddered, surprised by the slow encroachment of shadows in his vision. Usually it was faster. The pain was vibrant and overwhelming. The wolf blinked again. Then closed his eyes tightly. The pain ricocheted from one bone to the next.
He flexed a paw. Then he snarled low in his throat. The metal was rattling. He could hear it…
"Get up."
The wolf ignored his words.
"Get up."
The canine didn't blink.
"Get up, you stupid mutt." There was a loud, concentrated crackling. The noise was underlined by wheezing and hissing. The wolf opened his eyes into slits but it was too much to try to turn his head or tilt his head to look towards them. "Get up."
He snarled when the human approached. The smell of metal and electricity touched his sense. The wolf wished he could open his jaws. But the pain was too acute. And his body was laden with exhaustion. The canine closed his eyes again.
The sharp prod to his side made him scream. The wolf jerked viciously. The canine threw his head back. His body thrashed. The wolf's tongue fell forward. Blood drizzled from the wounds. The body convulsed again. Another sharp prod caused the body to thrash. A third made only the muscle and fur quiver.
The prodding became a harsh, continuous sting. There was a smell of burning fur and charring meat. The scent was suffocating. His lungs were singed with each breath. And then the wolf gasped and sputtered. Blood came in a gurgling noise.
And then the pain lanced through him furiously. He thrashed. His legs ached. His blood gurgled again. He choked. He thrashed again. Then he snarled and snapped his teeth.
And the crackling resounded. The touch was enough to make him scream.
Yugi went over the edge of the bed again. His head slammed into the leg of the nightstand. The air was heavy in his lungs. It pressed on him furiously. And the lycanthrope reached up to rub at his itching throat. He folded his nails and clawed at the soft skin. In an instant his skin grew hot, cut beneath the keratin. The blood was hot and sticky and slick like oil.
"Yugi?" The voice was alarmed on the other side of the door. The small teen's head snapped towards the board of wood. His eyes were wide, dilated. The panic made him shake. "Yugi!"
He blinked, confused, as the door opened and his mom stepped into the room. She took one look at him, gaped, and hurried forward. The small teen blinked again, shaking, as she crouched at his side.
"What the hell happened?" she sputtered, eyes wide with shock. The boy blinked at her again, something misplaced and confused lingering in his eyes. He looked stunned. He looked…like he didn't truly recognize her. "Yugi?"
She could see the thoughts racing behind his irises. They turned dark and tumultuous. And he peered at her with something blind and confused. The blue-violet eyes searched her face for a long moment. The small teen moved his hands slowly, and at first she thought he might lash out. But instead he lowered his head and his hands wiped against his pajama legs.
Was that blood?
The small teen drummed his fingers along his thighs for a moment. "It was just a night terror," he stated quietly. "It was just a really bad night terror."
She considered him for a moment. He sounded utterly defeated and exhausted. "Raise your head," she instructed after a moment. Yugi slowly did as she said, turning to her with a somewhat defiant look despite his visible exhaustion. The skin on his neck was smeared red, the paler flesh around it turned bright pink from his clawing. "Jesus."
The small teen looked away again. "They're shallow." He wouldn't look at her again. "And I just panicked. It's fine. I'm okay."
"You're still shaking."
Yugi blinked, staring at the carpet. "It'll go away in a few minutes," he muttered dismissively. But he didn't stop shaking and his eyes still looked visibly disturbed, dilated drastically. "I promise it's fine, Mom."
Kasumi stared at him as he raised his head and turned to her again. There was a gleam of bewilderment and then a look as if she had never seen him before in her life. She seemed visibly shaken as they looked at one another and Yugi wished more than ever that he could have said he was the same boy she'd raised. But the longer he looked at her, the more apparent it became that such a statement wasn't true in the slightest. And the reality made his skin crawl even as he considered her patiently.
They stared at one another, until finally Yugi shifted his weight and moved to stand up. He dusted himself off and hoped to the gods that his skin did not heal itself entirely until she left the room. He'd bandage it just to make it seem as if he'd had to take care of it, however. And then he would take the gauze off and dispose of it as he normally did. She would never be the wiser…
But in a game of wits Yugi wondered how much stronger she was than him. She was a lot smarter than she bothered to show and Yugi had inherited a lot of her intelligence. But he was not sure he could match her toe for toe if they were to go head to head. She was older, she had more experience, and she was so much more suspicious by nature as it was…
"I'm going to take a shower and then I'll come out and eat," Yugi muttered, looking away again. He could feel the shaking coming in waves along his fingers. He wondered if Yami had been under the lull of similar distress when he had come to hide beneath the bed that night. He wondered if that was what had made him lash out before hiding as he had. Had he been so alarmed as to have to hide to keep from attacking him?
Because he knew Yami was not afraid of him. He was too strong to be afraid of Yugi of all things. It did not matter in the least if he was wounded. He did not fear Yugi in the slightest from what he knew. There was no reason for him to worry about Yugi as a threat in any manner.
He left her there with a small, strained smile. Then he went and headed for the bathroom before she could object any further. The small teen shut the door, locking it behind him, and leaned against the wood. More than anything he wanted to simply lie down on his side and curl up into a ball of some kind. He was tired and the reality of it was almost overwhelming.
His first instinct had been to lash out. He'd thought first to cower and then to snarl and snap and try to push her aside. And now he was so tired that he could barely feel the pain that laced through his nerves. Yugi shuddered and his side twitched where he could already feel the blood clinging to his shirt. Thank the gods it was layered mildly, the fibers thicker than the usual pajama shirt. His mom would have seen it otherwise.
But he could feel blood in his mouth, coating his tongue. It caked the muscle to the roof of his mouth and pasted it there. And his fingers could not stop shaking for the tremors that rested there. And, as he opened his eyes again, the room was strained and blurred around the edges. The shadows seemed to multiply and he shook a little harder as he clenched his eyes shut a few moments later.
Spots had formed behind his eyes. And his breathing was a little harder, shallow. In moments he'd drawn in a rough breath to hold in his lungs. Yugi reached up to run his fingers through his hair and the strands were tugged where they tangled. The small teen suppressed the urge to simply sob around the labor if keeping breath in his lungs.
Yugi could feel his shirt slicking, sticking hideously to his skin. All of his side was hot and clammy with the blood that pasted the material to his flesh.
His stomach seemed to clench and burn and his mouth felt dry but for the blood that still clung to his tongue. In an instant he shook his head, annoyed and exhausted. Then he clenched his eyes more tightly. But he swore his skin was still shaking and shuddering beneath all of the blood on his flank. He swore it still danced and tossed beneath the soft weight.
Because he could still feel that terrible shock of electricity cutting through his nerves. They danced and spiraled outwards and tore upon his senses altogether. And so he swallowed thickly and drew in a deep breath, slowly reaching down to pull at his pajama shirt.
Despite the stray hair that clung to the blood there, the wolf could see the fresh wound. It was torn in a strange way, as if he'd been bitten and flayed there. But the wound was not incredibly large, nor was it terrible.
And now he noticed as well the way the edges seemed charred. When he looked at his hands, the centers were raw and chapped red. And the nail beds were broken and splintered where the keratin was a white half-moon. He shivered, watching the shaking of his fingers, and then tipped his head back and tried not to sob out loud.