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.

85. Preparations

Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh

Update schedule: Hopefully biweekly

Chapter Warnings: Referenced Self-Harm, Symptoms of PTSD, Mentions of Experiments/Torture, Mild Puzzleshipping, Introductions, Referenced Character Deaths

The self-harm is Yugi's habit of choking himself when he gets anxious (pulling on his choker until he almost blacks out as he's done before).

The accelerated Change goes like this. Yami's heart rate at resting is 20. During the regular Change, the heart rate rises to 6 times its usual rate. Yami's heart rate becomes 120. Then the accelerated Change brings it to another 10 times that rate. So it becomes 1200 beats per minute. In order for Yami to cut the accelerated Change from an average of 5 minutes to 30 seconds, the heart rate kicks up to a rate about 4.5 times faster. So then it becomes 5400 beats per minute. (Tell me if my math is wrong cause I'm not so amazing with it haha)

Okay, so this chapter is definitely longer. There are a few reasons for it. One is that Honda gets to change, and the pack introductions, and also because Yugi puts a few things into motion here that will become EXTREMELY important soon enough.

There WERE more wolves that were going to be introduced. But they weren't important to the plot at this point so they'll be mentioned later. And some of the wolves would have been confusing to have written together at any point in the story. Because some of the names were far too similar (Anna, Jaeger, etc), I decided against including them as well. So the packs are actually a little smaller than they would have been otherwise. And their storylines weren't huge, so it was worth cutting them.

I don't THINK I wound up reintroducing characters that I've always previously described. But I didn't have the time I wanted to be able to go through the older chapters and see if I had definitively described the characters as I would have otherwise. Things are going to get super busy again in August so I decided it would be easier/smarter to go ahead and just edit and get this posted now instead.

Chapter LXXXV: Preparations

Work Log Entry LXXV: May, 2009

May 1

My lookalike and Atem almost came to blows. But they stopped at the last second.

Both of them are comfortable for the moment.

May 12

My lookalike has healed enough from the run-in with the hellhound to be returned. Atem is still recovering in the clinic until his vital signs completely stabilize.

May 16

Atem has made a startling recovery. He is perfectly healed now and has been returned to his cell.

"You think that would be a good idea?" he asked after a long moment. He was tugging on the front of his shirt, waiting for Yami to look away from the television and answer him. But the red-eyed teen kept his gaze glued to the bright screen. The arson investigation had gone nowhere. They were saying their leads had dried up but that they were still looking. Yami wondered how it counted as a lead when it was only one officer who believed it and refused to look elsewhere even when he'd been told to. He wondered why they were even going to continue to waste the time and resources to continue looking into it. "Yami?"

"It would be fine for us to bring him to the camp so that he could meet everyone there. I'm more curious about how they will react to him when they realize I am the one who bit him. I cannot see them doing well with that knowledge."

"And they'll have to grow up. If they try to fight you, I'll deal with them." Yugi shot him a look that left no room for argument. Yami stared back at him, considering him and feeling disinclined to respond to him any further. They watched one another for a handful of seconds. And then Yami turned away again, his lip curled faintly. "I'm not having this bullshit start up again. Aki can have her throat ripped out if she doesn't knock it off. You'd think she'd take what I did to Joy as a warning. But gods forbid she do that."

Yami shook his head. "You take everything far too personally," he mumbled after a moment. He sighed and ignored it when Yugi scowled at him in turn. Yami refused to look over at him again. "I suppose I am thankful that you are so willing to fight to help me should something happen. But you need to remember the promise you made me before. I get to choose when it's necessary to physically deal with a problem presented me."

Yugi tilted his head. "And when do you plan to do that exactly? Because, honestly, so far you haven't done it since before Yubel led that attack on the camp. I haven't seen you stand up for yourself since Jonouchi sent me that video of you facing off with Aki when she kept challenging you when you were trying to eat. Actually, no, I think the last time was after that, when that other pack came into the camp and the alpha kept calling you Atem."

Yami grimaced, narrowing his eyes. "I see we're keeping tally of how many times I mess up in your opinion," he drawled, voice scathing. Yugi lost his anger, startled, and blinked wide eyes. Remorse colored his eyes a second later, and Yami swore he saw the slightest touch of guilt as well. The smaller teen looked away quickly and Yami huffed as he turned away, curling his lip back again. He sighed and glared at the floor for a moment. It was a simple tan color, one which made the white walls almost blinding in their sterile design. He missed the indigo carpet of Yugi's room, the sky blue of the walls. "I can handle these things for myself, Yugi. If there is something that happens with the pack and myself, then I will fix it for myself. There is no need for you to come into the mix more than necessary. It does not make sense for your interference to be so constant. Do you understand?"

"I understand that you keep saying that," Yugi huffed loudly. But when Yami turned back to him, the other boy was not facing him. His fingernail was in his mouth, his teeth just slightly touching it. He wasn't chewing it off. He seemed to be messing with it mindlessly, failing to so much as slightly split the keratin. Yami had the sudden thought maybe he was scraping at his gums with his nails. He remembered doing that sometimes when his teeth had been forced to grow back. "But you don't listen. Yami, if I'm going to back off, I need you to do something to help yourself more than you do. You let them push you and—"

"The pack needs an omega," he spat, unable to stop himself from snarling. "It's necessary to keep them from killing and turning on each other. And Syrus has been beaten so badly that Zane has nearly killed over it more than once. You are forgetting that so many wolves in one place is stressful, not fun. And the paranoia about my being a hellhound and all of the other various frustrations within the pack are not doing well for them right now."

"You? You are not an omega," Yugi snarled, spinning on him now. Their eyes locked and he lowered his hand, fingers curling into a fist. "You are my beta. You are beta of the pack. You're not my omega. I don't know when you confused the two ranks, but that's not the truth of it, damn it. You. Are. Second. In. Command."

"And I'm also the only one who can fight them off when I've had enough. Syrus cannot do that for himself. Zane has to do it for him. And Zane won't turn his teeth on him. So, how does he take his frustration out? Tell me how you think he does it."

"By nearly killing the wolf that goes too far hurting his brother."

The statement was hesitant and Yugi frowned as soon as it was in the air between them. He seemed to realize what he was saying as well. He seemed to realize that he was proving Yami right.

"Exactly," Yami said slowly, struggling not to sneer at him. "And what do you think happens then?"

Yugi did not answer him. He shook his head, scowling, and lowered his chin slightly.

"You will not answer me because you know exactly what I am telling you. You understand what I've been saying now, don't you?" He smirked faintly, shaking his head and staring at him blankly. "You do. Or else you would not be looking at me like that."

"So, someone else gets involved and Zane fights them." Yugi turned to him with a furious expression. "And what happens when they take it too far with you? What happens when you're too hurt to move?"

"It will not get to that point." Yami spoke over him when Yugi opened his mouth to object. "I have never let them hurt me to the point that I am unable to move. And I have never let them truly harm me to begin with. It's not a painful rank. And it is necessary. Most wolves will knock the omega around. Blood is not normally drawn. And pain is not usually involved."

Yugi frowned at him, then sighed and shook his head. "I can't talk you out of this, can I?" he mumbled softly. "You'll do it regardless of what I say."

Yami nodded. "Now you understand."

The smaller teen grimaced, watching him for several long minutes. Then he closed his eyes, tilting his head, and murmured, "Right. So, no matter how much I object, you'll ignore me. And no matter how much I try otherwise, you'll ignore me some more. You're hopeless to argue against."

"Not usually," he mumbled. "But I am on this subject. It is necessary that I do this. The pack is unbalanced. They need more attention and effort than we have granted them so far. And I cannot let them suffer when it is easy enough to mold myself to their needs for the moment."

Yugi opened his eyes again. "It's not your responsibility to do that."

"No, but as their beta I am meant to solve problems for their discontent." He shook his head and frowned, weary as his eyes became hooded. "It is not permanent. And no one has been stupid enough to draw blood or even attempt it. Even Aki has minded her manners when she's snapped at me."

Yugi grimaced again, huffing out a breath and reaching up to toy with his choker. His fingers tapped against the clasp for a moment before he narrowed his eyes and scraped his nails against the fabric. When he tugged twice, Yami bristled and moved to get to his feet. The action made Yugi stiffen, confused by the sudden movement, and the red-eyed teen stared at him blankly, waiting for the slight haze to leave his eyes and focus to return. When he settled back again, Yugi was paying keen attention to him again.

"When did you begin doing this?" Yami said slowly. Yugi blinked in bewilderment, tilting his head, and Yami made a gesture towards the choker. "When did you begin fiddling with that so often? When did that become what you liked to do when you were upset? You did not used to do that. And now it seems every other time I am around you and you become frustrated, it is what you do."

Yugi looked away, chewing his cheek. "It…doesn't matter, Yami."

"No?" Yami snapped. "You don't think it matters? You could potentially choke yourself if you pulled hard enough—"

"I'm not going to choke myself," Yugi snarled, spinning on him with his teeth bared. "Contrary to what you might believe, I am not a fucking idiot, okay? I haven't choked myself before. And I won't choke myself now. So don't even bother worrying about it."

Yami narrowed his eyes, then shook his head. "Is that what I think of you now? That you're a fucking idiot?" he murmured. "I was not aware I had gone so far with my criticisms formerly. But perhaps you're right. Perhaps I do think you too damn stupid for your own good at times. Wouldn't you agree?"

He bristled, scowling. His fingers tugged on the choker. Yami huffed, moving as if to stand once more. And Yugi abruptly realized himself, pulling his hand away and glaring. "Go fuck yourself."

Yami snorted, ignoring the biting words. "When did you start doing this?" he asked in a quieter tone. He searched his face for a long handful of seconds. "You were just choking yourself on purpose a moment ago. You didn't even realize it. You only stopped because you saw me staring at you. Now, why did you start doing it? What caused it?"

Yugi fell silent for a long handful of minutes. He huffed, rolled and narrowed his eyes, and exhaled slowly. He was talking through his teeth when he spoke again. "You're not my father. I don't have to tell you anything."

"No, but I am your alpha."

"And when we're with the pack, I'm yours."

"You are here alone with me. The pack is not here."

The smaller teen crossed his arms. His fingers gripped at his arms, digging into the fabric of his jacket tightly. His eyes were full of defiance, yet the smallest glimmer of fear was apparent in them as well. "So, what? You plan to pull rank on me now?"

Yami considered him for a long handful of minutes. It would be so easy to do so. The Alpha Command made it simple enough. As long as his tone reflected his desire, the gene expression would trigger itself. He could force Yugi to explain. He could force him to follow his will.

And yet, he could not find it in himself to do it. He had only ever used it when it was truly necessary. Now was not one of those times. Telling him to run was different from demanding information from him now.

He pressed his lips into a thin line. "If it upsets you so much," he said softly, "then I will not mention it again. But if I am to turn a blind eye to this, you should agree to do the same about my choice of acting as omega for the pack."

"What? Is that an ultimatum?"

"No. It is merely a suggestion."

"It's a suggestion that sounds suspiciously like an ultimatum."

"Call it whatever you would like," he finally snorted, shaking his head and smirking. "But it remains the same regardless. If you wish for me not to ask about your newest form of self-harm then I will expect you to turn a blind eye to my actions as their omega."

Yugi scowled at him for a long moment. Then he looked away again, staring at the ground. And, for a moment, Yami thought he would simply open his mouth and tell him. Instead Yugi closed his eyes, breathing out heavily through his nose, and whispered, "Not today, Yami. I'll tell you another time. But not…not now."

The red-eyed teen shifted his weight, stomach burning for a moment. He looked away from him, guilt and shame enough to make his body feel as if it were being engulfed in fire. "You don't have to tell me," he finally mumbled. "You don't have to tell me today. You don't have to tell me tomorrow. You don't have to tell me. It's your choice, Yugi. If you don't want to, then don't."

There was a long moment of silence.

"No, I'll tell you. I just… Not today, okay? Maybe—maybe when this is all over. Maybe when everything has been dealt with… Maybe then I can tell you."

Yami stayed quiet, then nodded and looked over. Yugi was watching him now, a mixture of desperation and frustration coloring his eyes. "Whenever you feel ready," he said in as reassuring a voice as he could manage, "I will listen. Or, if you decide to never tell me, that's okay too. I shouldn't have…"

"It's okay. I was being a dick to you first."

He chuckled. "Not quite, but I'll pretend to agree." He turned away. Yugi's phone vibrated from where it rested on the nightstand beside the bed closest the door. He frowned when Yugi made no move towards it. Yami hesitated for a moment, waiting, but as the phone vibrated a third time he finally made his way over to it. Yugi made no objection when Yami grabbed it, though the red-eyed teen checked more than twice to make sure. He looked the phone over as the screen went black and then lit once more. "It says that Jonouchi called you. And he just texted."

"What did he say?"

Yami frowned. "I don't know how to access it," he said quietly. And something in his gut clenched as Yugi blinked in surprise and then came forward to show him. He tapped the icon, slid it to the right, and typed in four digits. Yami blinked. "Your birthday?"

"Our birthday," Yugi corrected him quietly, smiling not unkindly, and then read the text under his breath. He turned to him after a moment. "Honda is trying to contact you. Aibou, is your phone on?"

"Yes. I haven't turned it off or let the battery run out." Yami grabbed the little green device off the nightstand where it had been next to Yugi's. The screen was dark but a phone icon colored green with Honda's name across the top was glaring back at him. He frowned, puzzled, and looked over with his head tilted.

Yugi took a single second to understand, then snorted and smiled. "I should have shown you how to use this when I originally got it for you, shouldn't I have?" he laughed. He shook his head. "I showed you the apps but not how to answer your phone. I'm such a slacker. Here, let me answer. I'll show you later."

Yami handed it over without a second glance. Yugi immediately took it, then put it to his ear. He was still snickering about his own mistake, eyes warm with laughter.

"Sorry, Honda. I forgot to show him how to answer the phone when I got it for him." He laughed sheepishly and smiled faintly at Yami once more, winking. "I didn't even honestly think about it. So, what's up? You okay?"

"Uh, yeah, I'm fine," Honda said, "I just wanted to know the plans for today."

"Plans?"

"I mean, do we have any? Is there something we needed to do? Is there something we need to make sure not to do? I mean, I'm still really confused. And the full moon is later tonight…"

"Right, uh…" He turned to Yami with wide eyes. "Makes the whole pack idea an even better one now, huh?"

He was teasing but somehow Yami felt as if he had just been punched in the gut. "Yes," he mumbled softly, feeling almost breathless as he frowned. "It makes it all the more dire that we should introduce him. If the wolves find him alone, they might simply kill him without bothering to find out about the situation."

Yugi blinked wide eyes at him. "They wouldn't!" he objected, but his cheeks visibly flushed and Yami knew he realized he was wrong. He frowned and looked away, awkwardly scratching at his arm after a moment. Yami couldn't stop staring at the ribbons of raw red that sprang forth where his nails raked over his pale skin. "Right, okay, so I think it'd be best if you and Jonouchi met up with us in the woods. We won't go anywhere near the pack territory until we're sure there won't be a problem. Then we can take you to the camp and it'll be fine from there."

Honda was silent for a long moment. 'Okay, that sounds good to me. I'll text Jonouchi and tell him the plan."

"Ask him to meet up with you at your house and you can both go together," Yami blurted out. He still felt breathless, as if he had been punched in a trachea that had long since collapsed upon itself. He bristled when Yugi gave him a startled look. But he heard Honda let out a small noise of surprise, clearly waiting for him to continue. He drew in a deep breath and lowered his eyes, flustered. "There's safety in numbers. And Jonouchi is more experienced as a wolf than you are, so it should be obvious that he can protect you should something happen. I do not think anything will, but heed caution."

There was a small rustling noise on the other end. "Okay," Honda said quietly a heartbeat later. "I'll go ahead and call Jonouchi in a minute then."

"Right, okay." Yugi stared at Yami but the red-eyed teen refused to raise his gaze and turn his head to look at him again. Instead he remained staring at the comforter, the first knuckle of his index finger in his mouth as he closed his eyes and tilted his head. The phone was placed on the nightstand again. "You okay? You seem a little shaky."

"Shaky?" Yami repeated slowly. He opened his eyes into slits. "No, not at all, Yugi. Why might I be shaky?"

"I don't know," the small teen answered in a slightly curt tone. "I figured you would tell me, considering you're the one who seems upset, not me."

"Is that so? Then why might you be speaking through your teeth?" Yami sneered, spinning on him now.

Yugi blinked, startled. And then he opened and shut his mouth twice, clenching his jaw forcefully and shaking his head several times. "Whatever. Be as irritated and petulant as you want. Have fun with that."

Yami narrowed his eyes, curling his lip back slightly to show his canine. Yugi was struck by how oddly sharp it was, much like a feline's, needle-like in the way it was thinner and longer than it should have been. He wondered for a split second if he was seeing it wrong, furrowing his brows and leaning forward slightly. Yami startled, jerking back violently, and Yugi flinched as he reeled back in response.

Yami stared at him with huge eyes, pupils dilated and seemingly vibrating where they bore into his. For a split second he remained breathing hard. And then he blinked and his body relaxed as he reached up to run a hand through his hair.

"Sorry. I…" He frowned. He still felt and sounded breathless, however. "I thought you were going to try to pull my tooth out. I panicked."

Yugi shook his head immediately. "No, of course not." But he hesitated, then peeled his lips back to show his teeth to him. It was a weird cross between baring his teeth and smiling. Yami didn't know what to make of the expression, in truth. He furrowed his brows, looking down at the other boy's mouth. He tilted his head and after a long minute he awkwardly rubbed at his jaws and pulled back his upper lip with his index finger. Yugi blinked and kept his mouth open for him, then looked down at Yami's canine tooth curiously. He relaxed again after a moment, shaking his head, and smiled at him. "I saw your canine tooth wrong. It looked way sharper than usual. So, I thought there was something wrong."

Yami immediately rubbed his mouth, dropping his lip, and shivered. He felt as if he might flinch away at any moment. He licked his lips and looked down. Yugi wasn't looking hard enough. Yami knew it; he'd seen it in the mirror several times. His canines were larger, thicker around the bases, and stretched further than they were supposed to. They were crammed amongst human incisors and molars, out of place and dangerously arched to end at a rather fine point an inch beyond the gum line. They were almost like a cross between human and canine, sharp enough to rip through flesh at a moment's desire should he so try.

Being unhealthy had not helped to camouflage the degree of abnormality they possessed. Maybe they were better hidden now because Yugi had been looking for something else. Maybe it was that Yugi was trying not to make him even more uncomfortable. Or perhaps he was healing better than he'd originally assumed and so his mouth had shifted and his teeth had moved to accommodate a more human appearance.

Yami didn't know. He didn't truly think he cared, either. In truth, his mouth was beginning to feel crowded just at the thought of acknowledging the canines he possessed. He exhaled slowly, trying to reorganize his thoughts enough to answer him, and raised his eyes to his again.

"They are sharper. Part of the reason my teeth were pulled out was because they wanted to see if they'd come out sharper. And they eventually did. But they're not like a dog's like they thought they would become. They're just sharper. I can bite through flesh in this form without much effort using my canines. I bit a lion hard enough to puncture the jugular when I was eight."

He fell silent, ignoring the horrified look that crossed Yugi's face at the words. He lowered his eyes again when he saw the disgust and shock on his expression. He licked his lips, turning away from him. He swore his teeth scraped against his tongue hard enough to make it bleed.

"But doing that actually fractured my jaw for months. They pulled my teeth out the entire time. He…"

Yugi snarled low in his throat. "Why the fuck would Ryou do that to you? He tried to save us in the woods but he was doing that to you before then?!" he demanded harshly, bristling furiously. "Why the fuck would he do something like that?!"

Yami was quiet for a long moment, considering the question. Then he smiled wryly, turning to Yugi with an expression he knew wasn't friendly. "He was scared of dying," he said slowly. "And he knew that he would die if he did not do what was asked of him."

"So, he tortured a little kid?!"

"They never saw me as a person, Yugi. They only ever saw me as a dog that needed to be put down. They were deathly afraid of me. None of them knew how to interact with me. And Ryou realized eventually that I wasn't just some monster that needed to be destroyed." He narrowed his eyes, looking away with a shake of his head. He reached up to scratch at the column of his neck and closed his eyes, tilting his head the smallest degree to the side. "He was the only one that tended to treat me as more than a dog."

Yugi grimaced. "That doesn't excuse it. I don't care if he was afraid of what might happen. He had no right to do anything like that!" he snapped angrily. "He had no right and he should never have done it."

Yami shook his head. "It is over and done with, Yugi." He tugged at the end of his sleeves with his fingers, then closed his eyes and shook his head again. "He was scared. He chose to save himself. I cannot fault him for that. It happened and it is over with now. It has been for a very long time."

Yugi let out a loud scoffing noise. "A long time?" he echoed dubiously. "And what exactly is a long time to you? You once said six months should be long enough for you to no longer mourn someone you obviously loved! So what exactly is this long amount of time?"

Yugi turned to him with a startled, slightly hurt expression. His eyes were clouded, his lips drawn downward into a hideous grimace. "He quit truly doing as…he was asked almost a year or two before the escape. He is the only reason my cage mate was allowed to stay with me. Ryou is the only reason I had a friend. He'd stopped obeying orders and threw him into the cage with me." He looked away again, reaching up to scratch at his left shoulder. "It has been long enough."

"Long enough for what?"

Yami shrugged harshly. "Long enough," he snapped. "It was just…long enough, okay? Just…just stop. I don't… I can't…"

Yugi flushed, a deep and terrible shame coming over him. "I'm sorry," he said immediately. He tugged at his choker for a split second, then quickly dropped his hands away. His nails dug into his palms and he almost wondered if he'd split the skin if he pressed any harder. "I shouldn't have said that."

"No, you shouldn't have," Yami spat. But he sounded exhausted rather than angry any longer. He cast him an uncertain glance after a moment, studying, then sighed and shook his head. "It's okay, though. I think I'm going to lie down and rest until we have to meet up with Honda and Jonouchi."

Yugi flinched. "Okay."

---

Yami jerked awake, startled by the presence of a hand on his shoulder. He flinched and recoiled, scooting towards the headboard. His head swam, his sense of balance precarious enough he might fall over the side of the bed. He blinked, frantic, and looked at the hand where it lingered inches from his face, fingers curled inward from the shock of his movements. Yami groaned and rubbed his eyes until they hurt, shaking his head slowly, and breathed in roughly as he tried to steady his racing heart.

"I'm sorry."

"No, no," Yami hissed, voice hoarse with shock and grogginess, "it's not your fault. It's not your fault at all. I just… I wasn't sleeping well. You just startled me. It's okay."

Yugi stared at him as if he had grown a second head, then deflated visibly and shook his head, sighing softly. "I didn't mean to scare you," he mumbled. He pulled his hand to his side and swallowed hard. "I didn't mean to upset you earlier, either. I was really rude to you before and I'm so sorry for that, aibou."

Yami blinked and reached up to rub his eyes. He pressed the heels of his palms into his temples and shook his head slowly. His stomach lurched and he swallowed hard as he looked at him again. He had to swallow again to keep from heaving for a split second. "It's okay." He frowned. "It's really okay, Yugi. I promise. No harm, no foul. It's not like we broke into an all out war and fought with each other. It's okay."

Yugi sighed and frowned at him. "You really do have a lot of forgiveness in you, don't you?" he asked quietly, turning to him. "You're so willing to push this aside but I've been treating you like crap for a few days now."

"You're upset." Yami shook his head. "And I acted like that towards you before, too, when I originally recovered from the Fuwa incident. I've treated you just as badly before then as well. I can't blame you for being upset and lashing out like this. It's only natural and—"

"I don't like being like this," Yugi whispered. "I don't like hurting you."

Yami blinked, startled, and moved to shake his head; he looked away. "I…" He trailed off. He couldn't say that Yugi had never lashed out and hurt him. He remembered too fervently the incident in the woods. He remembered Yugi sneering at him about his cage mate. He remembered hitting him for it.

But it was not as if Yugi had done true harm to him beyond emotional ache. He was not incapacitated or hateful as he had been when Shizuka had spoken to him. He turned to Yugi once more.

"It's okay, Yugi. It's perfectly fine. I'm okay. It is not as if I do not know how to handle a few hurtful words. And it is not as if I can claim I am not aggressive towards you as well."

Yugi shook his head and refused to look at him. Yami could see his mouth working, but it was not with the intent to speak. Yugi was chewing the inside of his cheek. And, when Yugi opened his mouth again, his lips did move to form the shape of words but he did not speak them. Yami didn't recognize them at first. And then he stiffened and flinched, turning away as his chest tightened and his heart squeezed behind his ribs.

"You would have to say much worse to truly hurt me," he finally mumbled. He swallowed hard. When he risked a glance from the corner of his eye, Yugi was studying him more pointedly now. He had clearly seen his reaction and the horror on his face said he knew why Yami had responded in such a way. "I've heard much worse anyways."

Yugi stared for a long moment. Then he sighed, the relief in his eyes nearly tangible. Yami suppressed a shiver at the sight of it, stomach lurching as Yugi continued, "We, uh, we need to go meet up with Honda and Jonouchi. They texted me to say that they'll meet us in the woods near the festival grounds."

Yami blinked and nodded, stumbling to his feet. He stretched his arms, ignoring the startled look on Yugi's face at his near miscalculation. He smiled at him slightly, one that didn't reach his eyes even mildly, and narrowed his gaze. "We do not need anything, right? I know that I am teaching him to change now that the full moon will be present tonight, but I do not know if there is anything else?"

Yugi shook his head. "Aside from being ready to meet the pack," he said quietly. He looked uncomfortable when Yami blinked at him. "Honda is probably going to be driven crazy when he meets all of them. He's never been too great with names unless they give him their birthdays or something like that, too."

"Oh," Yami mumbled, nodding, and then stared at him for a long moment. They considered each other for a single second before he tilted his head. "And all three of us will be doing this, yes?"

Yugi nodded slightly. "You, me, and Honda. We're really the only ones who haven't gotten around to doing it. Jonouchi has met all of them in the time he's been around them at the camp." He frowned slightly and awkwardly wiped his hands on his pants. Yami couldn't tell if he was fidgeting or if his hands were truly sweating with nerves. "So, truly, it's just as much for us as it is for them, right?"

Yami nodded and wondered for a moment what Honda might look like as a wolf. It seemed alarming to consider he'd bitten a second person and for a moment he almost wished he was lying about such a thing. And what if he had bitten him and the lycanthropy had not taken? Honda had not been in a life or death situation when he'd been bitten, so the disease wouldn't have swarmed his cells as rapidly as it had with Yugi himself. With that as the truth of the situation, he could not say whether it had taken properly. He could not hear Yami when he spoke as a wolf, after all, though Yami was not sure Yugi might have been able to immediately after, either. After all, he'd had to heal from the copious wounds. But Honda had no wounds. He had nothing to hold him back from…

If the bite had failed to take to Honda's bloodstream, then not only did Yami need to worry there was something wrong with himself, but he had to do it again. And, should the latter be the solution, Yami was sure that he would not be able to change until the next full moon. Otherwise he would have to try to force him to change from scratch. And he did not know what he was meant to do. The only idea he had, he did not want to attempt to work with.

"Why do you look so upset?" Yugi demanded, turning to him with a confused, anxious expression. "Aibou? You look like you're going to vomit any second from now. Are you all right? Do I need to grab a trashcan? I—"

"I'm fine," he grunted. He gave him a smile that was rather insincere. The stress was enough to keep his gut churning; it must have been because the full moon was so close. He usually did not feel such influence but for days where the Change was so imminent. Usually he could force it away and play at nonchalant. But he also wondered if it was his health which made things so hard. The combination was not a good one; he knew that much all too well. "I was just lost in my thoughts. I'm okay. I'm not going to puke. Don't worry."

Yugi nodded uncertainly. "Okay. If you say so."

They left the hotel a few minutes later, Yami trailing him by a few steps. Yugi was navigating using his phone as Jonouchi and Honda were just arriving as well. Yugi hurried his pace abruptly and Yami chased him when he began to sprint. They came to a stop right next to Jonouchi who spun around with a snarl and Honda who yelped and jumped like a startled cat. Yami frowned minutely, surprised by the lack of greeting Yugi offered for a long second.

"Well, I guess those senses of yours aren't as great as you said, huh?" Honda scoffed, clearly flustered but smirking at Jonouchi. The brunet snickered at the blond's glare. "Yugi just scared you like a little bitch."

"Shut up!" Jonouchi shook his head, scowling. "It's not like you realized he was coming, either!"

"Okay, but I'm not the one who was saying I have the best senses in the pack and I use them to quote, 'kick ass left and right'."

Yami snorted so hard he sneezed. Jonouchi flushed, snapping, "You're a fucking traitor, Honda. You're supposed to have my back!"

The brunet shrugged, grinning slyly. "My bad. I wasn't aware," he snickered. Yugi burst out laughing at the affronted look Jonouchi gave the brunet and Yami smirked as he turned away with a shake of his head. "I'll be sure to remember that later."

The blond huffed, but he was smirking after a moment as well. He turned to Yugi, opening his mouth, and Yami ignored him altogether. He turned to Honda, voice quiet.

"We have a lot of work to do to get you up to par," he said. Jonouchi grimaced, looking at Honda with a flustered expression. Yugi frowned and looked to Yami again, curious and perhaps startled by the declaration. The red-eyed teen almost wished he'd waited until Yugi and Jonouchi were talking so that he could speak to Honda alone. He exhaled softly. "We have a lot to get done before this fight reaches a head. Of course, it cannot be done all tonight, but we can at least get it started."

Yugi looked at him for a long moment. Yami swore he could sense jealousy coming from him. The thought startled him enough to make him stiffen. But he could not tell what would have caused it. Was it because he was addressing Honda instead of him? Or was it because Honda was getting the chance to learn now rather than later as Yugi had been forced to do? Either way, the emotion was there. And though it seemed unfounded to Yami himself, it was clearly felt all the same.

Yami wondered if he had truly failed Yugi in more manners than one. And his stomach lurched with unease as he thought of that.

But he was not responsible for Yugi's own innate personality. He refused to take the blame for his dependency upon him, though he knew he himself should never have been similarly attached as he was. He could take responsibility for a great many things, from his own shortcomings to Yugi's as well at times. But he had not bred that dependency into Yugi.

He might have done so to himself, but he had not similarly bred such in Yugi. No matter what anyone said of it, he would not pretend that he agreed to such a thing.

If anything, he had bred it into himself in order to cope for his lack of friends and family underground. He had ruined himself, but he'd tried his hardest to keep Yugi from such a fate as well. Regardless, if Yugi was not the one to blame him for such a thing, then he hardly felt that it might matter in any manner.

The truth of it was simple.

Yugi would have to decide whether it was his fault. It was only he who was concerned in that matter. No one else truly had the right to judge.

"Uh, aibou?"

Yami blinked, startled by the hesitance in the quiet voice. His head snapped around. The smaller boy was staring at him with a concerned, troubled expression. His eyes were softer than usual, however, but his lips were pulled into something of a small frown. "What?" he asked uncertainly, blinking wide eyes. "What happened?"

The smaller teen studied him. He tilted his head, raised a brow, and then smiled slightly as he searched his face. "We were just asking when you wanted to start."

He frowned, blinking once more, and nodded slightly. "Best to start now, yes?" he mumbled. But he turned to Yugi after a moment, raising a brow. "How did you teach Jonouchi to change on his own? Yours was easy since you'd already changed twice before. But I don't know how someone changes their first time without…"

Yugi blinked wide eyes, startled by the admission, then smiled at him awkwardly. "Otogi actually taught him more with that than I did, but I still remember how we coached him, so whatever." He turned to Honda with a small grin. "So, first things first! Basically, get used to not wearing clothes half the time."

Honda's brows shot so far up they almost touched his hairline. He shot a horrified glance at Jonouchi. Yugi grinned wider. Yami blinked, snorted, and looked over at the other boy with a small smirk.

"I always wanted to be a nudist," Yugi teased, turning to him with a widening smirk. He rolled his eyes when Yami raised a brow and tilted his head. They locked eyes for a long moment and Yugi searched his face for a single second. "I can't really imagine you being part of a nudist colony, though. You're always in layers."

"I'd be a damn fine nudist," he argued, raising a brow.

Yugi snorted, smiling at him brilliantly. "I can't picture it," he mumbled, blushing slightly when Yami shot him an amused look, brow raised. He turned back to Honda pointedly now, clasping his hands in a steeple formation in what Yami recognized to be an effort to keep from fidgeting. "Okay, so, anyways! Otogi told Jonouchi that he needed to basically focus on a wolf and then think of the transformations you've seen in movies and TV shows."

Honda wrinkled his nose. "I don't watch werewolf or vampire shows, remember?" he mumbled. But he looked at Yami for a moment and his lips twisted into a grimace. "I still remember you in the warehouse, though. I don't think I'll ever forget that. That shit was horrifying."

Yami nodded slightly. "Yeah, well, you should try it later on and tell me how easy it is," he scoffed. He shook his head after a moment. "Focus on that then. Just remember you're supposed to be the one changing. Don't focus on me right now unless you actually have to."

Yugi glanced at him from the corner of his eye. "Just stay focused on changing into a wolf, okay? It's not going to be immediate and it's pretty painful the first few times, so just remember that pain. It helps with muscle memory and improves the Change later as you keep going with it." He opened and closed his mouth twice, then shook his head. His eyes remained on Yami, however, and the taller teen finally turned his head to look at him with a bewildered expression. "It gets a lot easier. So, don't worry about it, okay?"

He wondered suddenly if Yugi was remembering them in the woods that day in the forest. He wondered if he remembered him trying to coach him through it, how he'd told him just earlier that he'd been around the wrong humans his entire life. And he wondered how much of that Yugi was focusing on. No doubt he was remembering Yami's earlier actions and his flinches when he'd thought he was looking at his teeth. No doubt he was recalling his reaction from just minutes before when he'd woken him. A wave of shame and disgust swept through him as he forced away the memories that threatened to overwhelm him.

He grimaced, looking away, and thought briefly of how grateful he was that Yugi did not press on such things so often as others might have. His stomach lulled and his mouth was dry as he closed his eyes halfway and frowned minutely.

"So, then… What do we do first?"

"Get undressed." Yugi tilted his head the smallest degree and smiled at him now. "Maybe make sure that Jonouchi doesn't sniff your butt when he turns into a retriever."

Yami burst out laughing, covering his face with a hand and shaking. He watched Yugi flash the blond the brightest of grins, all teeth and glowing eyes. The red-eyed teen glanced back, still laughing, and Jonouchi huffed as he crossed his arms and glared. He shook his head, glaring at them both, and threw his hands up after a long moment. Yami was nearly on his knees from laughing so hard.

"Okay, I'm sorry, dude," Yugi teased, laughing. Jonouchi scowled at him, rolling his eyes. "It was perfect timing for a dog joke. Besides, it's still not as bad as when you told everyone I piss my pants when I'm scared."

Yami almost collapsed. His chest hurt. "That's terrible," he croaked, looking at Jonouchi. "But, holy fuck, that's awesome!"

Yugi shot him a sideways glance. "Oh? Well, then, how about the next time you need food during recovery, I leave you on your own?"

Yami scoffed, still snickering. "That's fine," he exhaled, forcing himself to straighten and catch his breath somewhat. "I can catch prey on my own. I'm self-sufficient."

Yugi raised a brow. "Oh, yeah? I'll remember that," he teased, smirking at him, "especially since I don't remember you being so self-sufficient when you were asking Jonouchi to feed you and he wouldn't."

Yami let out a small strangled noise. "That's not even slightly fair!" he objected. But what he meant to say died on his tongue as he realized how loaded a statement his next words would have been. He huffed out a breath instead, shaking his head and narrowing his eyes. "Fine. And the next time you need help with anything, I'm going to just look at you and laugh."

"Jackass." Yugi turned to Honda who was watching them with an extremely amused expression. "You know what, forget about him. Remember what he said, but forget about him. I'll teach you the things you'll need to know for tonight and he can kiss my ass later for being such a dick."

Jonouchi burst out laughing. "Oh shit, Yug."

"That's fine. He's just butt-hurt because he knows he'll need help again later."

"Oh?" Yami demanded, turning to him with a glare. "With what?"

"Finding your clothes when I hide them," Yugi snapped. Jonouchi snorted loudly and Honda burst out laughing. Yami huffed again, startled, then tried to glare but ended up snickering. Yugi grinned, bumping shoulders with him and turning back. "Anyways, though, we really do need to get undressed before the moon comes up. It'll trigger the Change and it won't be pleasant. Trust me on that one."

Honda nodded. But his eyes drifted to Yami again. "Can I ask you a question?"

Yami blinked, nodding slightly. "Feel free," he answered after a moment. But Honda didn't speak for a moment, seeming to struggle with how to phrase it. Yami glanced uncertainly towards Yugi but the smaller teen was watching Honda with a confused expression. He turned back to the brunet again. "What is it you wished to ask of me?"

Jonouchi gave him a sidelong glance. "Why do you always talk like that?"

Yugi shot the blond a furious look. Honda rolled his eyes, sighing. Yami glanced at the blond, studying him, but kept his mouth shut.

"What about the, uh, Alpha Command—is that what it's called?" Honda asked. Yami blinked, turning to him with a slight frown of puzzlement. Honda couldn't tell if he was trying to understand where he'd heard the term or if he was confused about why he was asking the question. "I mean, what does it do?"

Yami didn't blink. His eyes remained focused entirely on Honda, but it was clear that his attention was oddly divided. There was a flicker as if his pupils had shifted slightly, and Honda could see the faintest shadow against his left, a perfect outline of Jonouchi beside him.

"It's a gene expression between the alpha and beta. I'm your alpha since I bit you and you're my beta since you were bitten. It's classified by the one who bit and the bitten and doesn't go beyond that, by the way. So, if you infected someone, they would be considered your beta and nothing to me. It's not a truly ranking classification. It only involves two wolves, not multiple." And then Yami's eyes shot to Jonouchi, cold as his voice became icy. "I thought Jonouchi had expressed his concerns enough to you that night regarding its power. What was it that you said, Jonouchi? Oh, yes, I remember now."

Yugi blinked wide eyes, turning to stare at Jonouchi in surprise. His expression was flustered rather than upset. He blinked and Honda cringed as Yami altered his voice to take on a different pitch, one which sounded disturbingly like Jonouchi himself.

"'He can get you to do anything and everything he wants. And you'll be forced to do because of the Alpha Command'," he parroted, making Honda queasy for a moment. Jonouchi froze in place, mouth falling open and eyes stretching as wide as saucers. "'You don't know how he might treat you. He might just turn around and make you do everything he doesn't want to himself'. Did I forget anything?"

Honda barely fought away a flinch, an intense creeping fear overcoming him for a split second. He swallowed hard and his stomach twisted into knots. There was nothing aggressive in Yami's stance but there was a terrible mocking quality in his eyes, one that threatened Jonouchi to open his mouth. He clearly remembered Jonouchi speaking about Yugi as well, but he was also holding it back for whatever reason. He couldn't tell if it was to keep Yugi from growing upset or if it was simply to test Jonouchi and see what might happen. Because surely Yami realized just mentioning that Jonouchi thought such a thing to begin with would upset Yugi.

He grimaced and awkwardly scratched the back of his head. "Okay, but he doesn't know much about it," Honda said, before Yugi or Jonouchi could say anything. Yami's attention slid over to him, a tilt of his head almost like a raptor's as it listened for prey. And Honda was abruptly reminded that Yami was not a human in the slightest, that he was a creature that could snap their bones like twigs and chew their insides into paste if he so wanted. He thought of the tigress, how he'd dug his way through her gut and leaped out of her back. He thought of the bone and grizzle clinging to his muzzle, of the heart he'd dropped when he'd stalked towards Aileen. "So, what, uh, what is it?"

"You get out of line or panicked or anything like that, and I can force my will upon you to either calm down or ensure your safety," Yami answered in a low voice. He seemed visibly distracted now. But the threatening look did not leave his eyes as he continued staring at Jonouchi. "It's a gene expression. A certain tone in an alpha's voice triggers obedience in their beta, regardless of situation or context."

Honda glanced at Yugi. The smaller teen was looking at Yami with a simple tilt of his head. "Has he ever used it on you?"

"Once, maybe twice?" Yugi mumbled. He shrugged. "We were running from a hunter, I started to panic, and he forced me to keep running. I'm not sure if I've ever experienced it past that, though, honestly. He doesn't usually use it. And I don't remember if he ever had to besides that."

Yami didn't bother to answer beside him.

Honda glanced at Jonouchi, but his friend was busy glaring at the snow. He frowned and turned back, studying Yami and Yugi. "Can you use it at any time?"

Yami's eyes flickered to his. "It's a tone in our voice. As long as you can speak, you can trigger it."

He tilted his head towards Yugi. "And you can use it on Jonouchi?"

"Yami can use it on me. I can use it on Jonouchi."

He looked at Yami for a moment. The red-eyed teen slowly glanced over at him in turn. The expression on his face was full of askance and Yugi stared at him for what seemed a lifetime. Then he tilted his head and nodded at him.

Yami stared at him. Then he pursed his lips, considering again. After a few seconds he seemed satisfied with whatever command it was he'd come up with. "Touch your nose," he demanded. The tone was low, almost guttural, and Honda felt as if his legs were about to buckle beneath the force of it. His stomach flipped. Yugi reached up and touched his nose almost immediately. His eyes had glazed slightly but he didn't look as if he wasn't aware of what he was doing, rather that he knew the tone and understood it enough that he could not disobey it in any manner.

"It took you that long to come up with that?" Yugi quipped immediately after, dropping his hands and raising a brow. He smirked when Yami rolled his eyes and turned to him with his nose wrinkled.

"It was that or you calling Jonouchi a bad dog."

Yugi snickered and gently swatted him on the shoulder. Honda felt the tension in his own body leave him and he nearly shivered. His blond best friend gave them both irritable looks and rubbed his face after a moment. Honda really hoped Yami never truly had to use that on him.

"So…that's it?"

"That's it." Yami turned to him. "It's nothing too terrible or scary."

Yugi nodded. "He's only ever used it when I was too scared to do something. It's not like he's ever forced me to do anything humiliating or stupid." He paused and then raised a brow at Jonouchi, huffing. "And, as soon as it's done, it's over with. There's nothing terrible about it."

"Oh, please," Jonouchi sneered, "that's because it's him telling you what to do."

Yami turned his head with a slightly interested but annoyed expression. "Can we please not have this argument right now?"

"You say that like we've argued about it before."

"I was awake when you argued with Honda over it," he said quietly, making the blond stiffen considerably. "I would have assumed you'd realize such from the fact that I was perfectly quoting you not even a full five minutes ago. But if you would rather remain petulant and sneer like this, we can tell Yugi about the second half of that conversation."

The blond stiffened considerably, shooting him a horrified and hateful look. Honda squirmed uncomfortably, fidgeting and wishing the ground would open up and swallow him. He looked between them and Yami turned away again with a small shake of his head. The bewildered and curious expression didn't leave Yugi's face when he focused on Yami again but the taller teen studiously ignored him.

"So…you can't control Jonouchi using the Alpha Command then?"

"I don't know. I have never tried. But I do not think so. I think it would be easier for him to shake it off than it would be for Yugi." He glanced Jonouchi curiously for a long moment, red eyes considerate. "I never even considered using it on him before."

Honda blinked.

Jonouchi scowled.

"Let's test it another time," Yugi said, glancing up at the sky. "We have about thirty minutes before moonrise and we still haven't even gotten remotely ready to change."

Yami nodded and turned to Honda. "Do you feel all right to try on your own? Or do you want one of us to change first and you can try to follow from there?"

He shot a quick glance towards Yugi and then back. "Who changes the fastest?"

"I do," Yami answered, voice calm and soft. "But I don't think that will benefit anyone right now. It's taxing changing faster than necessary when there isn't any danger around. I think Yugi manages to change faster than me when it's a normal Change."

Honda frowned, raising a brow. "Wait, so, then how are you faster?"

"There's the regular Change which takes anywhere from five to ten minutes depending on how healthy and how often one does it and then there's the accelerated Change. The accelerated, depending, can be anywhere from seconds to minutes." He looked at Yugi. His eyes were cold but Honda thought it was more his default expression rather than being upset. "Yugi is smaller than me as a wolf. It takes a little less time for him to change than it does me. But I can accelerate the Change to thirty seconds."

Yugi cast him a sharp look, shaking his head. "If anyone is going to do that, it's going to be me." He scowled and curled his lip when Yami rolled his eyes. "I need you at your strongest. You're not going to do that and set us back further."

Yami nodded, but his face was murderous for a split second. Then he shook it off and blinked lazily. "Agreed," he grumbled, repeating it quietly in almost a whisper. "Agreed."

"So, the accelerated one is what you did at the warehouse, right?"

Yami nodded. "Yes. It took only a minute and a half to complete rather than the usual ten," he answered. "And now I only need a few seconds to do it."

"You just said thirty," Jonouchi sounded unsure, perhaps slightly flustered. When Honda turned to look at him, he swore he seemed almost terrified by the concept. "So, I mean… How fast is it? Does it have thirty or does it take a few?"

"The last time I accelerated it took all of ten seconds." Yami turned and fixed Jonouchi with a stare that was full of predatory strength. "And I was slowed down because of a drug, Jonouchi. Now imagine what I can do when I'm sober."

"Wait…what?" Yugi muttered, turning to him with a raised brow. He looked mildly skeptical, but Honda also thought a part of it was also clear admiration. "How did you do that math? That doesn't really…"

"Wolves have an average heart rate of anywhere from forty-four to two hundred and twenty heartbeats a minute. Mine is on the lower side as a human due to the constant Changes and the speed of my metabolism. That puts it at about an average of twenty beats per minute resting. When the Change happens, it usually triggers the heart to beat at a rate anywhere from four to six times faster than usual. It's basically at a speed that should make someone's heart burst. During the accelerated Change it can trigger it to beat anywhere from eight to ten times faster. For me, it's on the higher side, so we'll go with ten to be safe."

Yugi's face screwed up and Honda nearly snickered. Jonouchi looked as if he had a headache. Yami merely continued, a small smirk forming on his face.

"At the pace of a regular Change, my heart rate becomes one hundred and twenty beats per minute. That's two beats per second. The stress of the accelerated Change on the body amplifies this to ten times this rate. That becomes twenty beats per second. From there it becomes twelve hundred beats per minute."

Yugi blinked, trying to follow the math, and Honda nearly burst out laughing at his bewildered expression. The smaller teen shot him a flustered but amused glance when he heard him snort, grinning after a moment or two.

"From there, the heart rate picks up again. It becomes almost five times the rate again in order to speed up as necessary. And from there, it became fifty-four hundred beats per minute."

Yugi stared at him for a long minute. Then he reached up to scratch at the back of his head, blinking at him in surprise. "Okay, so—how? How the hell did your heart beat that fast?" he blurted out, cheeks slightly flushed and eyes widening drastically.

Yami shrugged again, looking away. "The Etruscan shrew's heart beats up to fifteen hundred and eleven times per minute," he mumbled, "and that's about twenty-five times a second. I don't know why this is so alarming to you."

"Maybe because it should have made your heart stop!" Yugi blurted out, cheeks flushed. Honda couldn't tell if it was concern or indignation that caused it. He shook his head and lowered his eyes when Yami raised a brow dismissively. "For the shrew to even get to that same amount would take at least four minutes. Your heart was beating four times as fast as the shrew's!"

Yami refused to look up. "The Change pushes you to extremes. You know that." He shrugged after a moment, narrowing his eyes and shaking his head. "And adrenaline is nothing to scoff at when it comes to your heart rate."

Yugi scowled at him. "You should have dropped dead at three hundred," he snapped. "Five thousand is a lot more than three hundred! Fuck, the fastest heart rate was at four hundred something. But that's still a small amount compared to—"

Yami abruptly lifted his head, eyes sharp and glittering. "You say that as if I am human. Our disease alters us enough to support this. You know that."

"Your heart wasn't even pumping blood at that point! What the fuck was it even doing?"

He blinked, confused and surprised by the outburst. "What do you mean? Of course it was pumping blood."

"There couldn't have been any oxygen in it!" the smaller teen said, throwing his hands up. "You can't honestly tell me—"

"Do you really think that I am the first wolf to ever have done this? Yugi, don't be foolish. You know as well as I that this is not the first it's happened, nor will it be the last." He huffed out a breath, dismissive and annoyed. Honda could see a visible strain in his jaw, as if he were fighting the urge to snarl at him for a long moment or two. "Our cells aren't the same anymore. Our blood cells do not work as a normal human's any longer. They store oxygen. It's like fat or sugar from food."

Yugi was quiet for a second. "They…what?"

"We don't have time for me to explain all of this. Honda needs to change before the moon comes up." He turned to him, staring with darkened red eyes for a long moment. "You are the top priority right now. We have less than ten minutes and if your Change is triggered by the moon, it will be one of the most painful experiences of your life."

Honda nodded. "Okay. So, what do we do?"

Yami gestured at him. "Undress as quickly as possible, then get on your hands and knees. It helps your spine when it comes to the elongation process if you brace yourself about shoulder width apart with both hands and feet."

"Oh, uh, okay." His eyes shot briefly to Yugi and then Jonouchi. Both of them seemed to look away immediately after and he noticed Yugi seemed slightly flustered. And Honda watched, surprised, as Yugi reached towards Yami to touch his arm. Immediately the red-eyed teen's head snapped around, mouth opened slightly as if with surprise.

"I don't think he wants us watching him, aibou," Yugi said quietly. Yami blinked, glancing at him uncertainly before turning back almost instantly. "Just, uh, you know, tell us when we can turn around again, okay?"

Honda grunted quietly. Yami could hear him shuffling around before he heard the zipper and pants being pulled down. He ignored it when Yugi shifted his weight awkwardly, though he did lock eyes with him for a moment. The smaller teen looked surprised, mildly puzzled, but smiled at him warmly. Yami smiled back, though he thought it felt tight on his lips and his stomach lurched.

Was he still mad at him?

Yugi so often hid behind his smiles that Yami could never truly tell.

"Okay, you can turn around now."
Yami was so busy studying Yugi's face for falsities that he almost missed the words. When he turned back, Jonouchi was picking at his clothes in clear discomfort. Honda was on his hands and knees, head down as he breathed hard. Yugi reached up to scratch at the back of his neck, sympathy in his blue-violet eyes.

"So, it's your choice what you would like to focus on. I can change now or Yugi or Jonouchi can and you can watch and focus on us or you can try to remember what I did at the warehouse and attempt to emulate it from there. But you need to picture it, focus on it, and your body will begin to do the rest for you." He cast a quick glance overhead. "The moon is almost up. It'll be easier if you start now."

"No pressure," Honda scoffed.

Yugi frowned, narrowing his eyes. "Do you want me to change first? I can."

He cast an uncertain glance at Yami. He could see the questions in the smaller boy's eyes, whether he would be okay if he did not change soon as well. Yami nodded at him curtly, turning away quickly. The moon would press on him and push on his skin until his muscles felt weary, but he could survive that easily enough. He'd done so many times before.

"Uh, yeah, that might be helpful."

Yugi started pulling his clothes off without even the smallest hint of argument. He cast a slight sideways glance at Yami, cheeks mildly dusted red. He must have known that Yami could still watch him clearly in his peripheral. And Yami might have turned his head away entirely had it not been for Yugi keeping silent. The small teen shifted his weight, got on his hands and knees, and shook himself out.

"I feel like we should have brought a couple of bags for us to put our clothes in," Yugi grumbled. Yami turned his head, curious, and watched his back arch. His mouth opened, his shoulders shifted, his body shuddered, and Yami listened as his bones popped in rapid succession and his breathing began to quicken. And then Yugi shook himself out, looking up at him with bright almond-shaped blue-violet eyes lined in black like kohl. Yami watched him for a moment and Yugi's nose wriggled with each breath.

And for the smallest of moments Yami thought to reach out and run his hand through his fur, to stroke his skin beneath his pelt. It was as comforting to him as it was to Yugi, he was sure. But part of him felt reluctant to even consider it for more than a moment. And so he turned back to face Honda. The brunet was frowning, hazel eyes slightly troubled as he tried to focus on what he had just watched.

"Don't focus too hard. Your mind tends to drift when you do that," Yami mumbled. "And it's not as hard as you might think. Your body just needs some direction. If you picture the Change as you have seen it, it will normally trigger itself."

Aibou, Yugi said. His nose was cold against his hand, wriggling against his palm with each breath. Yami turned to him as Yugi peered up at him and wagged his tail slightly. You need to change soon, too.

He frowned. Yugi wasn't wrong.

His stomach had begun to twist. And he could feel the smallest pressure in his bones. His heart had skipped a beat or two. His skin felt as if it were on fire, crawling. The moon was a mere handful of minutes from its zenith. He'd be exhausted if the moon were to trigger the Change for him. It would all but ruin him, especially with how weak he was at the moment. But his eyes shot immediately to Honda as well. And he had to wonder if perhaps he had not bitten far enough into the skin, if he had not slathered enough saliva into the wound, if somehow he had truly failed to infect him.

"I'm going to go ahead and change too," Jonouchi said quietly. But his eyes were on Honda now, too, and Yami almost hated him for the concern on his face. If he had failed to infect him, he did not know what they might be able to do to help him with that. He'd have to try again and they'd have to wait it out until the next full moon and—

Yami, please change!

Yami's head snapped around. Yugi was bristling slightly, but his tail wasn't up. And he wasn't growling. His ears were flattened against his skull and he was looking up at him uncomfortably.

Please, aibou, I need you to change. We can't risk your health.

Yami blinked, frowning and staring at him for a moment. Then he reached down, unzipping his hoodie. He did so slowly, uncertainly, glancing at Honda. What was he supposed to do if he had failed to infect him? Did he bite him immediately again now? Did Yugi or Jonouchi do it then?

He wanted to hold off, to make sure that Honda would be okay.

But he could no longer ignore the pressure on his insides. His organs were slithering and rearranging themselves, working in a fury to settle as needed for the Change. He lost his caution, his attention split in two with instinct and dread on either side. He slipped the tank top over his head a second later, dropped it off to the side, undid his pants, kicked his shoes off into a pile, paused a moment to let his stomach settle, and got on his hands and knees immediately after.

The pressure built until his blood felt as if it were on fire. And then he heard bones popping and snapping. His jaw ached, elongating, and his shoulders rose and slid out of place, his collarbone snapping into two. He felt his skin break, fur pushing through the pores roughly, and then he shook himself out.

By some miracle he didn't stumble as he recovered his balance. He flicked an ear and listened as Honda's heart began to hammer in his chest. Yami tilted his head, turning to him with something of a bewildered expression. He could smell the heat from his body even as steam rolled against the cold air as if his body were rippling from the effort.

He thought of rivers beneath ice and briefly he remembered himself in the grips of the current when Yugi had gotten himself caught in that net. And he thought briefly of Fuwa, of Marik as he'd stood and sneered and watched him with those familiar disgusted eyes.

He blinked, narrowing his eyes, and looked to Honda once more. He wondered briefly if the brunet would even be able to change. Was it possible he wouldn't? But Yami could see and smell the higher body temperature the other boy possessed. And such a feverish temperature like what he was displaying usually only came from the Change.

But Yami had to wonder, as the taller teen just looked tired. He didn't look as if he'd change. He scented the air and pricked his ears forward. Honda's heart rate had gotten faster. But it was not so quick as to assume he would change immediately.

He could have asked if he could even hear him in this form. But then he stopped short, instinct prickling at his insides. He could break Honda's concentration. And if he did so, he might get him stuck. And if he were to get stuck, Yami was not sure what he was supposed to do.

He had gotten stuck before. He didn't remember how it was that it had happened. He remembered mostly just bloodshed and snarling. But that did not help him in the slightest. All he remembered was that he'd fallen into a seizure of some kind. But he didn't remember what had caused it. And he did not know what had stopped it either. He remembered only that he'd woken again, exhausted and unable to move for what had seemed hours.

The pain had been excruciating. And his senses had been dulled because of it. He'd been nauseous for hours. And he'd laid there in the fetal position until he felt he would never be able to move again. Hunger had been the only reason he'd thought to so much as pull himself out of the hole he'd mentally fallen into.

Yami watched Honda for a moment. And then he turned abruptly to Yugi. The white wolf was watching his friend with a frantic expression. The air around him seemed to quiver for a brief moment, his fear pulsating as if to hit Yami forcefully like wind whipping through his fur. He studied him a moment longer, flicked his ears back and forth twice, and then turned away slowly with his ears pricked towards Honda again.

Do you think he's going to get stuck?

Yami glanced over. Yugi was digging at the snow anxiously. Jonouchi had turned to him as well, as if he had spoken the question instead. Yami looked between them both and turned slowly back to Honda. He peeled his lips back further, unsure how to assuage their fears.

He stalked forward a step. When his nose worked, he could not smell any hint of sickness or wound. He could not smell blood, nor pain of any kind.

So it was neither an internal wound or infection or anything of that kind to prevent him.

I don't believe so, he answered quietly. He felt useless; he didn't know how he was meant to reassure them. And he didn't know if he was supposed to lie or tell them that he truthfully had no idea. He frowned and turned to Yugi. Take Jonouchi. Both of you are to go further into the woods. Put at least a few miles between us and you.

What? Yugi blurted out, turning on him with a bristle. You want us to ditch him here?

He'll be fine. I'm going to get him through this. Yami wrinkled his lips back to show his teeth to the other wolf. When he snapped his jaws, Yugi flinched and backed up a step. Now go. I do not want either of you interfering.

Yugi hesitated a moment, then turned to Jonouchi. Hear that? We're leaving, he announced. His voice was short and curt and he narrowed his eyes, curling his lip slightly. Let's go. Yami will handle this.

No way! Jonouchi objected hotly, snarling. I'm not leaving him.

I have only a minute to do this, Yami spat, spinning on him. I have that long to get this done. Go!

Yugi rushed at his friend, nipped him hard on the shoulder, snarled a command, and the two of them took off running into the trees. When they reached an upward slope, Yugi slowed down and Jonouchi began to lose speed from where he'd been inches behind him. He turned around to look at the blond wolf, flinching at the hatred in his brown eyes.

He isn't going to hurt him. He won't let him get hurt or killed, Jonouchi. And he can't afford to deal with us when he's trying to help Honda. You know how emotional you are. You're hot-headed. You'd leap at him if you thought it would protect him.

But you didn't even ask him what he was planning to do! You just went with it! He snarled the words hatefully, bristling and glaring. You act like just because you want to hop on his dick that he's some kind of fucking god.

Are you really going to do this right now? Yugi snapped in turn, ears pricked and eyes blazing. He drew his lips back. He stepped forward a moment later, flicking his tongue over his nose. You really want to fight me right about now? That's what you honestly want to do, Jonouchi? You don't think for even a second that maybe fighting me isn't something you should do?

And what exactly can you do if I did? I already know about how you would get your ass kicked if I did, he snarled, raising his tail. You honestly don't think that I know about the phantom pain you'd go through? Mai told me all about it! You couldn't hurt me if you tried.

Why should you assume he'd be the one to do it? Yami's voice cut in smoothly, cold like ice but soft like silk. Yugi spun around, eyes wide and hopeful. The black wolf was mere feet away, eyes burning into Jonouchi's with cold indifference. You realize that if you should be so foolish as to turn your teeth on him, your life is forfeit when the pack murders you for your disloyalty, yes? Even Mai would be forced to participate, as it would be mutiny otherwise. Do you understand what it means to turn your teeth on him? He is not Yugi to them. He is Atem here. And Atem is worth every life, every breath, every sacrifice. He is the beginning and end for these wolves. They will kill anyone who thinks otherwise.

Yugi looked past him, nearly collapsing with relief. Honda was the same height as Jonouchi, with a leaner frame but broader shoulders by perhaps an inch. His muzzle was slightly larger, his nose wider and his jowls a little heavier. His face was white and brown, the undercoat clearly tawny, and his chest had a blaze of white fur that ran from muzzle to tail. The fronts of his legs were grayish, his back streaked with random dark hairs that shimmered like spilled oil beneath the moonlight.

You're okay!

Yeah, I'm fine. Yami just had to help me a little. The brown wolf shook himself out and looked over to Jonouchi. The Alpha Command works wonders when you're struggling.

Alpha Command? Jonouchi spat, turning on Yami now with his ears pricked and eyes locked on his face. You had us leave just so that you could use the fucking Alpha Command?

You are the one who shows such disdain towards it. You are most certainly to be removed from the equation should it be utilized in any manner, Yami said quietly, though the fur along his back began to rise and his lips curled back slightly. It was dangerous if you were to try to stop me or if the Alpha Command had failed. I did not want either of you to witness what would have happened.

What would you have done then?

Yami abruptly glanced over his shoulder to look at Honda. Then he turned back to Yugi. It is better left unsaid, he said instead. He turned to move past him and Jonouchi sprang forward with a snarl. The black wolf tipped his head to the side and Yugi bristled as he looked between them, unsure.

Yami was lethal. He was every part a killer if he was forced to be. And Yugi could not imagine what he would have been forced to do had it come to such a turn of events.

If he was forced to kill Honda, Yugi was aware he would have.

Thankfully it had taken nothing more than the Alpha Command, but had it been worse…

Yugi felt dizzy. He could not imagine the consequences of what might have happened had it not been as simple a solution as that.

What the fuck does that mean?

Yami wrinkled his nose. Yugi could see him struggling not to bite at him. Jonouchi was inches from his face, snarling, and no doubt the other wolf's instincts were to do just that. And if he lashed out, he was not sure it would be a warning tap. It could have turned into a violent reprimand for all he knew.

What are the two ways a wolf changes the first time? Do you know? Yami asked. His voice was quiet, cautious, and somewhat clipped. His ears pricked forward and his shoulders squared for a moment. He and Jonouchi locked eyes for a long second. And then the blond frowned and tilted his head, the aggression momentarily lost.

Full moons… He shook his head after a moment, puzzled. He glanced at Yugi but the white wolf did not want to provide the answer to this question. Yami would have forced the Change to continue. He would have had to put Honda's life in danger to push him through that final step of the Change.

He would have turned around and attacked him to trigger the response. And, had that failed, Yami likely would have been forced to kill him. He didn't know what else it was Yami truly could have done.

Do you know or not?

Honda flicked an ear, his face uneasy and wary in the corner of Yugi's eye. The white wolf nearly flinched when his hazel eyes bore into Yugi's face. He was looking to him for an answer now as well, studying and sensing his unease. And Yugi refused to give him the answer either.

I will tell you then, Yami announced. His voice held a snide hint, something almost like a sneer but mostly frustrated at the truth of the situation. There are two absolute ways to trigger the Change. One is the full moon, though that will only work once and then the rest will be by will or emotional trauma or force building beneath the surface and forcing the body to change as necessary. The second is by way of near death experiences.

Jonouchi stared at him as if he had to have heard wrong. Huh? he breathed, sounding as if his lungs were collapsing in on themselves. Near death experiences…?

And that would have meant what for me? Honda asked nervously. His ears flattened against his head and Yami glanced at him sideways with the same cold indifference he'd shown the blond. You would have nearly killed me to make me change?

It is either that or you would suffer excruciating pain until your own body would manage to push through the trauma and eventually force you itself, Yami said, voice smooth and quiet. And Yugi wasn't sure if he was being truthful in that answer or not. You seem surprised, but it is not considered such a dangerous disease for no other reason than what it can do to those around you.

Please, just…stop, Yugi mumbled. He shook his head slowly and refused to look up when Yami stared at him pointedly. I don't want to hear anymore. And I'm sure they don't, either. It's over and done with. Honda is okay. You're okay. I'm okay. Jonouchi is okay. None of us are hurt. None of us need to keep fighting. And it's stupid to nitpick and flash our teeth at each other right now, okay?

Jonouchi stared at him for a moment. Then he turned to Yami again slowly. You would have attacked him? he said slowly. He looked unsure of himself for a moment, as if the accusation was too much. Yami tilted his head and eyed him curiously for a single second. And then he turned away and shook his head, ears pricked and eyes cold. Can you at least say it? I want to hear you say it.

For what reason? Yami growled, flicking an ear. What will it do for you to hear me say it? Do you think it will magically make you feel better should I truly admit that I had planned to harm your friend?

No. I just wanted to hear you say it. It just reminds me of how much of a person you really aren't, Jonouchi snapped. He huffed out a breath, turning away and trotting ahead of them. Yugi breathed out a sigh, looking guiltily to Yami again, but the black wolf did not care in the slightest. He didn't look at him in any manner, sniffing at the air and walking past him to follow Jonouchi.

He's just trying to justify his attitude, Honda said quietly, voice soft. Yugi glanced over his shoulder in surprise and the brown wolf took to matching his pace with him. You know that. He doesn't want to hate Yami, but then he says or does something and it just upsets him even more. It's kind of like Yami is alienating himself for Jonouchi, but then he keeps trying to fix it because he wants to believe that you're not…beta to a monster.

Yugi nodded slightly. He meant that Jonouchi was trying to give Yami a chance to prove that it wasn't some kind of manipulation or abusive pressure which made him love Yami. He didn't want to think that Yugi was in love with some creature. He didn't want to think that Yugi was so obsessed with riding Yami's dick that he would excuse everything for him.

Jonouchi was trying to like Yami for his sake. He was trying in order to make Yugi happy. But he was losing an uphill battle. He was trying to keep his mind open, but when Yami acted against what he thought was normal behavior and failed to show the emotions Jonouchi thought were standard for situations, it painted Yami into a corner in his mind. It made it nearly impossible for Jonouchi to shrug it off.

Yugi turned his head to look at him. He doesn't need to justify it. If he hates Yami, then he hates Yami. If he can work around it, then I can forget that fact in order for them to coexist. He hesitated, shaking his head and looking forward again. Yami was yards away. Jonouchi was ahead of him by the same distance, twice as far from them as Yami was. But it's not fair of him to hold him to standards like that. Yami doesn't know what they are, so he can never meet them. And, worse than that, Yami cannot know how he is supposed to act if Jonouchi doesn't try to explain what he—

You honestly want Yami to conform to some idea of what Jonouchi wants him to be?

Fuck no! Of course not! Yami is Yami! He doesn't have to work around anyone else's expectations. That includes mine. What I meant was more that he can't judge him based on disappointments when Yami doesn't know what it is that makes him feel that way.

No, but do you really think it would matter if he did know? I don't know about you, but I see Yami as that one person who takes a lot of shit and then waits until it becomes too much. Then he might lash out, be it physically or verbally. But I don't know. I can also see him as someone who could wait for years before he might lose his temper.

He's…pretty patient like that, Yugi admitted quietly. He's definitely a lot quieter when he's angry. It's actually kind of terrifying.

Wait, are you afraid of him?

Yugi shook his head sharply, turning to him with cold eyes. I couldn't love someone I was afraid of, Honda. No, I'm not afraid of him at all. Not in the way that you're thinking, anyways. I mean, I'm afraid sometimes of the way his mind works and how unpredictable he can be. Sometimes I think he'll up and attack prematurely against the hellhounds. And others I remember he doesn't go into a fight usually unless he knows he can get out of it alive.

Usually? When does he not follow that rule?

Yugi flicked an ear. When it involves me, he admitted softly. If I'm involved he tends to rush headfirst into fights and not truly consider the consequences. That's scary. He scares me with some of the choices he makes. I always feel like he disregards himself more than anything. That scares me. Yami himself? I could never be afraid of him.

Honda nodded, but he looked tired. I guess that makes sense. His eyes shot to their alpha and then to Jonouchi. I have a feeling no matter what happens Yami is never going to end up being Jonouchi's favorite person.

And that's okay, Yugi answered calmly. I don't need him to be. I don't need Jonouchi to think he has to be, either. I need Jonouchi to understand that I don't take Yami's side on everything because I don't always understand his reasoning. But I do take it against the wolves in the pack because they might kill him for going against me otherwise. And if he can't understand, then that's fine, too. It's his choice whether he believes me or not. And if he doesn't, then it's not my problem any longer. He's not my slave.

Honda tilted his head. He's really offended whenever you use the Alpha Command on him, you know? he said with a small shake of his head. It's kind of a betrayal of trust to him. I mean, he never had much of a choice when his dad was abusing him and he grew up being overpowered and screamed at…

I understand that. And it's not like I use it a lot. I've only ever done it when it's necessary. And he keeps fighting me, Honda. It becomes necessary sometimes. He won't leave Yami alone about Anzu, blaming everything on him. Then he turns on me for it. Then he turns around and attacks Yami for doing what Anzu asked of him and—

You said that wolves can send each other pictures of things, right? Honda interrupted abruptly, startling Yugi with how sharp his voice was. The white wolf turned on him immediately, eyes wide. Does that include sequences?

Yeah, Yusei has done it a few times for me, Yugi answered, somewhat dismissive. He tilted his head, studying him in confusion. And then he blinked and flicked his ears. It occurred to him only then what it was Honda was looking for in asking such a question. I'm sorry about Anzu. I know you loved her, too, even if you never said anything about it before. You were always supportive of us, even when I knew it made you miserable at times. And then you guys finally got your chance and it…was destroyed because of my carelessness soon after.

It had nothing to do with you, Honda said quietly, shaking his head. Yubel might have been targeting you, but she might have also been told to kill her dad just as well. You don't really know. If we're right and Tetsu is part of the whole thing…

You honestly think that? Yugi asked softly. He shook his head, looking away. I can't imagine it. I mean, he's a police officer. He… He was Jonouchi's dad's partner for a long time. He trained Mazaki for a while as well.

That doesn't mean anything, Yugi. You know people do that kind of thing all the time. Even Disney movies know that happens! Lion King, dude! Think about it.

Yugi snorted softly, shaking his head and looking to Yami and Jonouchi again. Both of them were still yards ahead, and neither of them bothered to look towards him. But you're right. It happens a lot. And I can't say otherwise. Hell, even Yami has done something to horrify me on more than one occasion. He ignored the way that Honda turned to him with curious hazel eyes. He would not speak of Shizuka to Honda. He didn't know what might happen if he were to; Honda might try to protect the secret, or he might become too horrified to keep himself quiet. So Yugi shrugged it off and turned away. Either way, I'm still really sorry that it happened like that.

He wondered how soon Honda would ask Jonouchi to share the sequence of events that had happened that night. He wondered how soon the brunet would ask Jonouchi for the sequence so that he could play judge of the situation better than he had before.

Did you decide that Yami had to be the one to do it so that you could keep from feeling like it was your fault or…? Honda shook his head when Yugi turned to him with a startled, horrified expression. Jonouchi wouldn't tell me much of anything, Yugi. All he said was that Anzu was dead and he needed help with you guys.

What, uh, what happened that night, by the way? Yugi glanced at Yami and Jonouchi again. I mean, I know what happened, but… How did he even manage to get us both back there? You guys said Yami was so frantic that he was in a feral state or something close to…

Honda visibly grimaced when Yugi turned back. His eyes lowered to the snow, narrowing slightly, and he flicked his ears uncomfortably. Yeah, he, uh, had to carry you over his shoulder and Yami had to be dragged along by the scruff. When he managed to get you guys into the room, he had to shut the door and come find me. When we got back in, Yami was trying really hard to wake you up. He was…pretty panicked. He was pawing at your shoulder and licking your face constantly. He wound up tearing a hole into your shoulder with how hard he was trying to wake you. When we came in, he rushed at Jonouchi and nearly managed to decapitate him. I didn't know a dog could open their mouth that wide. It was almost like a crocodile, dude. It was horrifying. I thought for sure he'd kill him. But he'd miscalculated. He hit Jonouchi hard enough to knock him down, but he didn't manage to actually bite him.

Yugi nodded slightly. Okay.

And while he was doing that, I was going through your bags for the drugs you'd mentioned before. I got a couple of needles filled. And then he managed to scare Jonouchi off for a second and came after me when he realized what was happening. But he was so hurt that he missed and hit the wall. I injected him but he didn't react to the first dose. So I tried again, but the needle actually snapped in half in his neck when he went after Jonouchi again. Honda sounded amazed and horrified, partially disgusted as well. He shook his head and grimaced once more. His eyes shot to Yami briefly. He looked troubled. And then when Yami still didn't slow, Jonouchi had to grab him as tightly as he could and keep him in a headlock for me. I got him with the second half of the syringe and then I got him with a third dose. He kind of managed to fight for a few more minutes. And then he just kind of…staggered over to you and passed out next to you.

Yugi frowned and looked towards Yami as well. Did he think I was dead? he asked quietly, turning to Honda slowly. He couldn't imagine Yami losing his temper and trying so hard to revive him if he hadn't been thinking along those lines. His panic was only truly explained if he had assumed Yugi to be dead. Do you think that's why he went berserk like that?

I don't know… Honda frowned. I couldn't tell you. I hardly know him, Yugi. I can't say he didn't just lose his temper.

No, but I can. Yugi shook his head, sighing softly. To answer your question, she asked him. And I couldn't bear to do it when he argued with me. I convinced him to do it, but she was already asking him.

Okay.

There was a long uneasy silence between them. And then Yugi paused, turning to him. I was actually really happy to realize that you two were together. It felt like you were getting your perfect moment with her or something. I mean, I don't know if I'm making sense or not, but…

No, it does make sense. Honda flicked an ear. You just wanted her to be happy. But…I don't know if she liked me nearly as much as she did you.

Why do you say that?

I feel like every now and then she was just kind of waiting for you to look at us and tell us that you no longer loved Yami or something. I think she didn't notice it consciously but she sometimes looked up when your name was said, and she'd have this little split second where she looked hopeful before Yami would be mentioned after. And, sometimes, when you talked to her, she did that, too, right before Yami's name was brought up. You never noticed it?

Yugi shook his head. I didn't, he admitted quietly. I never even considered it. I figured it just… I mean, I was as close as I could be to being in love with her. And then I just…fell head over heels for Yami and I just… I never even considered it, truthfully. And I…I was so distracted by everything else on top of it…

Do you think you and Yami are ever going to…?

Yugi nearly stumbled. Then he shook himself out. His eyes fell on Yami again. The black wolf had his head lowered towards the snow and he had the faintest idea that Yami was tired and panting. He could see small puffs of air coming from the side of his mouth.

I want to hold out hope, he admitted quietly, but I just don't think so. I honestly don't think so at all. I don't…think there's any way whatsoever.

Honda flinched when Yugi looked at him in his peripheral. Then why…?

Yugi shook his head. Because I love him. I adore him, Honda. And he needs me. He studied his face for a moment. Then he turned away again, pricking his ears forward. And I'll do everything I can for him until the moment things become too much. This war isn't going to be a pretty one. And I think… I'm almost a hundred percent sure that Yubel will be the last face I ever see.

You…you really think that?

Yugi nodded. His head snapped up. Yami had veered off their path, wandering forward towards a nearby tree. He sniffed at it, looked it over, and then rose on his back paws. The bark splintered with loud popping noises. And then he dropped to all fours again, trailing lazily after Jonouchi.

Yeah. She's…she's a fucking monster, Honda. And I don't think that I can survive against her on my own.

Dude, the camp has the coolest entrance ever! Jonouchi said abruptly, cutting through the conversation. The brown wolf's head snapped up and he looked around them for a long moment. He could hear the crashing roar of water nearby. The river should have still been frozen, from what he understood, however. He glanced around, unsure of himself, and found his eyes locking briefly with Yami's. But the other male turned away immediately, scratching an ear and ignoring him entirely.

Entrance? Honda mumbled. He glanced at Yugi, confused. But the white wolf simply smiled at him and moved to Yami's side. Within inches of him, Yami spun on him, ears pricked and eyes boring into his face. Honda couldn't tell if it was hostility or curiosity. But Yugi didn't seem unnerved; he went to his side until they were almost brushing, plopped down, and looked at Jonouchi.

Yeah, man, it's great! You'll see! Jonouchi announced, wagging his tail. And then he turned and started trotting along. Honda hurried after him, though he glanced at their alphas as well. Yami must have said something, for Yugi nodded and hurried to overtake Jonouchi for the lead of their group. And then Yami moved at a more relaxed gait, taking a shadowing position behind Honda himself.

Oh… I thought you were leading us?

Yami didn't look up from where he'd been looking at the snow. No, he said quietly, that is for Atem to do, not me. And this single file formation is best for traveling with a group of four. Like this, Yugi is in the lead and can warn me of possible threats, but also protect you both and from here I can get a better view of what he might have missed. It's best for protecting weaker wolves in a small group.

Honda nodded slightly. He tried not to glance back again. But you're stronger than Yugi is…

And Yugi is Atem. Which means that he's considered more powerful than all of us. You are to watch his back and refrain from his real name at all times. If the pack addresses him as Atem and you refer to him as Yugi, it stirs up mistrust. They expected him to be only Atem and when he did not take to that, they became uneasy and hateful. I would keep an eye on phrasing and use of words and everything of the like, understand?

Honda nodded again. But what exactly is Atem?

Death, Yami answered in a tone of pure hatred. He is death, the most powerful wolf to ever exist and the most devastating force to have form in this world.

He almost stopped, tripping over his paws and hitting the ground in his shock. He slowed a few inches back from Jonouchi and risked an uneasy glance behind him. And, had Yami not been so much larger than him and had such piercing red eyes, Honda thought for sure he would have simply assumed him to be his shadow. He walked easily, with a steady gait, and he'd slowed for him as if he had been told to do so. His expression was as unreadable as a weathered gravestone. What the hell does that mean?

It means that Atem is the living, breathing force that could completely destroy this world and force it to its knees. Yami raised his eyes, locking gazes with him and staring. It means that you should do well to remember that. These wolves do not treat this as a game. And you have to realize that Yugi does not match their idea of Atem. Some think him a false prophet. Others assume he will grow into it. But you have to pretend that you understand this. It will not do you well to let your disbelief and naivety of the subject show, understand?

Honda was flustered, grumbling, It'd be easier if you guys didn't keep me in the dark, don't you think? I mean, you never directly told me that Yugi isn't well liked or that they think he isn't up to their standards.

Yami was quiet for so long that Honda almost assumed he'd disappeared at some point. Had he not been staring at him so intently, Honda would have assumed nothing less. Something about the black wolf made him feel as if he were nothing more than a shadow or a shape in the snow that might disappear at any moment.

Why might I waste my breath and do so when it would have done no good for us regardless? Yami shook his head, voice full of distaste. Honda wasn't sure when he'd stopped walking, but he must have because the black wolf did the same seconds later. It would have done nothing but slow us down. It is not your fault. It is mine. I am guilty of failing to explain it all to you. But I do not have the words. And it is sometimes exhausting for me to try. I apologize.

Honda blinked, startled by the quiet admission. He frowned and forced himself not to flinch. No, no, you're fine. I mean… I guess just better prepare me before we do something like this again, okay?

Yami was silent for another handful of seconds. Yes, I can do that, he said finally. Honda turned around again, feeling somewhat shaken. Jonouchi had slowed down. Yugi was barely visible in the dark but for the shadow he cast against the snow.

The roar of the water was immense and heavy in his ears. It was three times louder than he'd ever thought possible. It almost sounded like movie sound effects, in all actuality. It was almost like having his headphones set to their loudest drown out the noise beyond whatever song he was listening to.

He blinked and turned his head to look uncertainly towards Yami. The black wolf had stopped a few yards back. His nose worked as he looked around, ears flicking about.

More snow is coming, he announced. He came forward at a steady, leisurely pace now. And Honda could see Yami looking at a point over his shoulder. He glanced back. Yugi had circled around to come over to them, expression turning from concern to relief as he got within inches of them. I was just trying to figure out when. But I also thought I smelled boar. So I did not know if you wanted to call the hunt for them or serows or deer or what.

Serows would be easiest. I don't want anyone lagging behind, Yugi said quietly. His voice seemed to echo with authority despite the soft timbre. Honda was almost winded by the sound of it. He shivered and turned back to Yami after a long moment. I don't want o risk deer antlers or boars tearing someone to pieces.

Yami nodded in agreement. But his eyes were shadowed and Honda wondered abruptly if he was even listening to Yugi in the first place. Had it not been for his stare, he would have assumed Yami was simply nodding at the sound of his voice.

Very well. Yami turned to Honda now. When you enter the camp for the first time, be aware that not everyone will be friendly. Aki especially is less than likely to take to you in any way, shape or form. I want you to especially watch for her. If she shows an interest in you, it is usually for the means of her own entertainment. But be careful around her, especially with anything you say.

Honda stiffened, bristling slightly. Is she that bad?

She is not terrible, but she's sly and I think her a snake in the grass. I would watch every move I make around her. Make sure it is nothing that might make you look foolish in any manner.

He nodded awkwardly. Okay.

Yami turned away from him. How do you wish to do this?

There was a long moment of silence. Yugi came around to Honda's side. And Honda almost jumped; their fur had brushed, he realized in surprise. He hadn't noticed Yugi was so close before then. He had never even considered it. He was mere inches from him when he moved to stand beside Yami instead, head tilted as he stared back at him. Yugi wagged his tail hesitantly after a moment, turning to Yami with his ears slightly folded back.

I guess we could have Jonouchi jump with him? He said it hesitantly, pricking his ears forward again. I mean, you could go with him if you would rather, but Jonouchi is perfectly capable too, you know?

Yami nodded and turned to him. You can pick for yourself, he said after a moment. I don't see why not. Any of the three of us could help you across but you need to go ahead and pick for yourself.

Honda frowned, startled by the invitation. He turned around to look at Jonouchi. The blond wolf was staring down the edge of the incline they were on at the moment. He didn't even seem to notice that they were stopped and chatting amongst themselves.

Honda turned back. How much else do I need to know about the pack? he asked now, uncertain. He flicked his tongue over his nose in a nervous fidget, one that he was relatively sure would have been biting his lip if he was human. That was one of his worst fidgets, after all. I mean, if there's a lot…

Yami flicked an ear and turned to Yugi. Yugi frowned and tilted his head. The two of them collectively looked at Jonouchi but the other was still not turned towards them. And then he looked over after a moment. His brown eyes widened and he frowned, murmuring, What?

What do you think Honda needs to know about the pack before he goes into the camp? Yami prompted. His voice had grown cold and curt. What was it that we need to prepare him for?

The golden-furred wolf blinked, snorting and shaking his head. Honda doesn't need to worry about anything! he laughed. Honda is good at reading people and shit. He can get it all figured out on his own. And if he has questions, then we can answer. I don't think we have to do anything else as far as that goes.

Yugi frowned. Honda stared at his friend for a moment, then looked at the white wolf and Yami. But the black wolf had closed his eyes, his ears flicking about rapidly. Honda wondered what he was listening to because all he could hear was the throbbing roar of the water nearby.

You think he'd be okay? Yugi finally relented.

Absolutely! Why not?! He's good at that stuff. And he isn't easily manipulated. He'd be fine figuring out who he needs to avoid and who's cool to be around.

Yami's eyes opened after a moment. His ears were angled oddly towards Yugi. If that's what you agree to, then we'll do that, he said with a tilt of his head. But if you have questions, I recommend you ask them now, Honda. We will not have much more time to do so after.

Honda frowned and tilted his head. I don't know what questions I might have. We're going to meet them all, right?

Yes, every last one of them, Yami growled softly. You'll get to meet all of them. And then you can wonder why you wanted to get bitten to begin with.

Yugi huffed a breath. You're such a ray of sunshine.

More moonlight than anything, Yami returned in a quiet mumble. He turned away from them both, shaking himself out. By the time the pack ceases introductions I am sure it will be snowing again.

Honda frowned and tilted his head, confused as the two of them swapped looks. He turned his head to look over at Jonouchi again. His best friend was staring at him, though he looked unsure of himself and what might be the safest answer or way to approach the situation.

I think Jonouchi and I would be fine to go alone, right? he finally asked, turning to look at Yugi and Yami with an unsure expression. He wondered if they could see how nervous he truly was and his stomach clenched tightly with anxiety for a brief moment. Or at least he can get me to the camp before you guys come in, right?

It might be a good idea, Yami said quietly, abruptly, cutting through Honda's oncoming rambles, if we should have them pretend to be alpha and beta.

Yugi blinked. What? Why? You don't think they'd be able to smell it on him that you bit him?

They believe I am a hellhound, he said simply, and this way makes it easier for us to avoid the potential conflict that might come from it. If I am not said to be his alpha, they cannot turn on him as violently as they might should they realize it was me to bite him.

Hellhound? Honda mumbled. They think you're a hellhound? But you bit Yugi! How could they…?

Because we pretend that Yugi bit Yami, Jonouchi answered awkwardly. Because the pack hates Yami and the safest way to keep him there with them at any given time is to say that Yami is Yugi's beta. Which I guess that works well, because Yami acts as the pack's beta as it is.

I knew the second part, Honda said uncertainly, but I didn't realize that the pack thought Yugi had bitten Yami. That's…nuts.

It is safest, Yugi growled, voice tight with anger. It is safest that we do this. Yami has a history with the pack that isn't too favorable and—

He apparently was pretending to be Atem and then attacked the old alpha, Jonouchi interrupted with an excited tone. He wagged his tail and looked at Yugi and Yami with a slight smirk. He apparently was quiet and refused to talk to any of them and then he turned around and attacked her when she confronted him or something.

Yami didn't look up when Honda considered him with a curious expression. Yes, well, it is not as if I were the one who said I was Atem. The former alpha is the one who thought it a good idea to confront and attempt to force me to take on a role that wasn't mine.

Honda peered at him curiously for a moment or two. Okay, so then Jonouchi bit me? But can they smell it otherwise or what? I mean…Yugi just said…

We'll say I was helping you to familiarize yourself with the Change and leave it there, Yami interrupted. But his eyes shot to Yugi with a questioning expression and his head tilted as they looked at one another. I do not know that they should be able to smell it too strongly on me?

Valon told me he could smell it on me the moment that I said I thought my alpha was dead. And he's said before he thinks that you and I smell too much alike to be able to tell who bit who. But he knew just because I was bitten and all that. He said otherwise, though, he would never have known. Yugi flicked his ears and shook his head. But I don't know. Everyone in the pack is suspicious of it.

That's because none of them know what to make of you, Yami said quietly, and Honda almost would have assumed it to be accusatory had his voice not been so soft and friendly. The black wolf simply shook himself out after a moment, eyeing him curiously. I do not know how they might take to it if they knew that I bit you.

Why would they assume you're a hellhound? Honda asked in bewilderment. And why would it matter if Yugi bit you or not? I don't understand why that's a big deal.

Yami was silent for a long moment and Yugi refused to look at Honda now. Jonouchi huffed a breath, growling, Because Atem is supposed to be all-powerful and shit and he couldn't have been bitten to begin with. Then Yami looks like a hellhound so they think that. Plus it doesn't help with his shitty history with them already. That really kind of put the nail in the coffin for that one.

He looks like a…?

The red eyes and black coat, Yami supplied, ears pricked forward. He and Honda locked eyes for a moment and the light in his gaze was distant and dark, as if he were looking into a deep well. He could see his reflection there, but it was almost nonexistent against the darkness of his pupils. It makes me look as if I am a hellhound rather than a lycanthrope. It is unfortunate but nothing can be done for it.

You could always try contacts. Jonouchi tilted his head. I mean, it wouldn't do any good for the wolves, but you could try those for when you're walking around and all that. I mean, I don't know what color you could use, but…

Contacts burn my eyes, Yami dismissed him. My blood vessels are too close to the surface. It's why my irises are red.

Yugi stiffened, eyes wide. I didn't know that…

Yes, well, it's not important, the black wolf stated. He shook himself out and looked around for a moment. Now, let's get this done. The pack is probably already preparing for patrol by now. That's what they like to do at night. It keeps them busy.

Honda looked over to Jonouchi. I'll go with you, he announced. I'll say you bit me. It's safe that way, right?

If they ask why you smell more of Yami, we'll say it's because of the fact that I bit him and Jonouchi. Yugi looked at Honda now, eyes serious and determined. And if they question it, I'll kick their asses.

Honda faltered, startled by the harsh tone, and nodded slightly. His eyes shot to Jonouchi again. The golden-furred wolf wagged his tail and turned to lead him across the snow. Honda glanced back at Yami and the black male simply studied him a moment longer before turning away. He hesitated, turning to Yugi, but his friend was watching Jonouchi with a somewhat wary expression. He wagged his tail when he noticed Honda watching, but he did not look happy at the moment.

Okay, so this is one of the coolest things ever! Jonouchi announced, turning to him with wide eyes. He looked excited, beyond happy with the thought, his tail wagging slightly as he continued forward. Hear that? It's a waterfall! And it's huge!

The brown wolf tilted his head. I thought we were going to the camp…

You'll see! It's awesome!

When they came over the incline and began to pad forward, Honda found himself almost shaking. The water spray was so violent that it splashed across the nearest bed of stone and dirt on both sides. The snow was melted there, the dirt muddy and glossed over with the sheen of water. The fall was a lot bigger than he'd expected, as if the ice had made it swollen despite the cold temperatures. He shivered and looked at Jonouchi, but his friend was wagging his tail as he looked at it.

That's the entrance. You jump through and there's a cavern on the other side. And then you climb the ledge and there's a hole in the roof that lets you get into the camp.

Honda glanced over his shoulder. Yugi was a silver shadow against the ice, Yami a jarring black like oil or blood in the moonlight. He shivered again, eyes widening at the thought, as he considered Yami a moment longer. The black wolf's gaze was like fire. He looked like a large black monster, so deep in color that he seemed almost to absorb the moonlight and swallow it away completely. He thought briefly of Fenrir in Norse mythology, then turned immediately back to Jonouhi. His heart hammered in his chest and his friend turned to him with a confused expression.

You're scared of a waterfall? he asked quietly. He flattened his ears for a moment, then looked over his shoulder and towards the cliffs overhead. I mean, we could scale the cliffs and enter through the back if you wanted?

No, no, this is fine. He didn't know how to explain how small and weak and sick he felt at the moment. Instead he shook himself out and looked away from the water. But he couldn't bring himself to look over his shoulder. Something about Yami there truly scared him. I'll do this. It'll be easy enough after the first time, right?

Yeah, it hurts at first, but that's mostly from your muscles locking in place. Past that it's super easy! Actually it's almost kind of fun, too, but I don't think it's so great trying to use the fall as an exit? I've never really tried it.

He wondered if anyone had died trying.

Then he shook it off and turned to Jonouchi again. The waterfall was roaring in his ears even louder than before. Okay, let's do this. What do I do? He watched his best friend as he turned and paced a few yards back. Then he quickly moved to join him. Start here and run, then leap?

Exactly. His brown eyes glinted amber as they bore into his. He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. Look, Honda, I don't know if Yami told you this, but he's got a lot of shit on his plate right now. The pack kind of wants his blood. A lot of what happened before, when he was missing and then came back and then recent ambushes from the hellhounds, make him basically enemy number one for the pack. And I don't know how easily they're going to accept you now, either. The problem is that all of them are really kind of paranoid. And that's not going to be easy to get around. If you want to survive here, I think you're basically going to need to kind of agree and nod and keep your opinions of Yami locked up. It's the best way to avoid getting hurt.

Getting hurt? he repeated with wide eyes. He bristled slightly, a foreign feeling but one his brain hardly seemed to notice. He shivered, then shook his head. What the fuck, Jonouchi? They'd turn on me that fast?

They might. It's definitely not one big happy family here.

That's insane.

I know, but it's… They're kind of violent. And not all of them are happy with Yugi or Yami. So, just… I know you can handle yourself but I'd avoid a lot of them. Especially tonight. He cringed. Neither of them has properly met the newer members of the pack. So, you need to watch them particularly. They aren't going to be happy when they introduce themselves to you when they haven't even met Yugi or Yami properly yet.

This sounds like a nightmare.

Jonouchi turned to him, sneering, You asked for this. You're the one who let him bite you. You should have considered that before you let him do it, huh?

Honda snorted. Nothing I can't handle, he returned icily. I just wasn't expected so much hostility to be involved with all of this. How the hell did you even manage to make it this long? I mean, I haven't even gotten into the camp yet and I'm kind of overwhelmed already.

I think being bitten in front of them did a world of wonders for me. I mean, Aki absolutely despises me, but when Echo was alive she was always nice to me. Chazz and Zane can be kind of aggressive when you step on their toes, but Yusei is super nice. He also tends to be able to answer questions that the others can't. Mana is kind of hyperactive, Jim is a bit of a douche, Syrus is kind of a baby—oh, and he's Zane's little brother. And Zane will kill you if you aren't nice to him. Jonouchi fell silent for a long handful of minutes. Otogi is super smart and really nice too. He tends to be the one to go to for answers too. And Mai is…kind of perfect.

Honda burst out laughing. Wow. You're ridiculous.

I know, but like, she really is.

He glanced over his shoulder again. Yugi was in a play bow. Yami was standing a couple of feet away, staring at him as his tail wagged. He watched the black wolf spring at him, the two of them tumbling slightly in the snow. Yugi was laughing as Yami pretended to bite at him and wagged his tail more furiously. Yugi squirmed out from beneath him where Yami had pinned him and then they sprang about, playing a game of chase.

Do you ever regret being rude to him?

Jonouchi looked over, then turned away again almost immediately. His eyes had darkened slightly, though it was not with aggression or anger. Sometimes. But it's not like he doesn't ask for it sometimes. You've seen his attitude every now and then. And he gets extremely violent, too. I bet he has more blood on his hands than anyone else we've ever met.

Is that really his fault, though? I mean, if he did it to survive, can you really call him a murderer?

And how much of that can you prove was actually self-defense?

Honda shook his head. I don't think he just goes around killing people like you seem to. Otherwise the pack wouldn't be alive to begin with.

Maybe, he said begrudgingly. But whatever. I've spent enough time thinking about Yami today. Let's get you to the pack.

Honda nodded and turned back to the ledge. So, I'm going to jump from the edge and then through the water and to the other side? And then there's a hole in the roof that I climb through?

Probably better if I go first. They know me.

Honda blinked, looking at him in surprise. Yugi told you to, didn't he? He told you to go first.

Jonouchi huffed a breath. Yeah, okay. He did. He said it's better to keep you from getting hurt.

So, then…shouldn't you go first here, too?

Nope. If something happens I should be able to at least grab you at one of the lower levels of the cliff. Or, at least, that's the theory behind it.

Hate to break it to you, Jonouchi, but I think your neck would snap if you tried to catch me with a fall like that.

Okay, well, then I'm just saying it to make you feel better. You fall, you die.

Way more likely. He glanced around once, catching sight of Yami and Yugi watching them with slightly puzzled expressions. Jonouchi looked slightly flustered when he faced him. I guess I'll pray I don't wind up dead then.

Yeah, I don't know if Slifer would care.

Who?

Just jump. I'll explain when we get to the camp.

Honda huffed, backed up a step more, and ran for it. He was used to doing stupid things like this, even if it felt like a lifetime ago that he and Jonouchi had been part of that gang in middle school. He shrugged the thought off, hitting the water and feeling every muscle in his body scream with agony and shock. It was almost as bad as the Change itself had been, but the sheer force winded him. He hit the ground in a tumble, thrown by his own velocity, and lay there breathing heavily for a few moments. He struggled for his paws, legs quaking as they unlocked from their stiff almost frozen stance. And then he blinked as Jonouchi landed as well.

But it took the other wolf only a moment to recover. Then he was on his paws, shaking himself out and looking at him with a wag of his drenched tail. Isn't it cool? No one would ever know it was here!

He tried to speak but his body was trembling too hard. He couldn't focus on forming the words properly. So he simply opted for a shaky nod, breathing heavily and taking a seat. His legs were still shaking and his stomach rolled for a moment. He flicked his ears and watched as Yugi and Yami came seconds apart from each other. Yami landed perfectly on his paws, shook himself out, and trotted forward without a second glance. Yugi, however, took a heartbeat to recover, shaking himself out and hurrying after him.

Glad to see you are all right.

Yugi wagged his tail at him, tongue lolling for a moment. Honda thought he looked like a white shepherd for a second, if not for the softer ears and large jaw and eye color. He blinked and the white wolf shook himself out again. We thought something was wrong when you didn't go sooner, he admitted. The relief was tangible in his voice. I'm really happy to know otherwise!

It was a relief, Yami agreed quietly.

Honda finally got to his feet, forcing himself to shake the excess water from his coat as well. Jonouchi protested when it landed on him, but Yami merely wrinkled his nose and flicked his ears. Yeah, we were talking, that's all. He looked at Yami for a moment, curious as to what the black wolf might have suspected of their conversation. But his alpha hardly seemed to care in the slightest. His red eyes were on the hole in the ceiling, he realized as he turned his head to look as well. The thorns were layered in old snow and they looked worn and blackened from the winter frost. So, how are we going to do this?

Yugi will go first, I will go second, Jonouchi shall come after and you will be last. It will show rank between the four of us, Yami answered, turning to him with a tilt of his head. He watched him for a long handful of minutes, then pricked his ears forward and narrowed his gaze the smallest degree. It would serve us well to show rank before they might get the idea to interact with you.

Is that such a bad thing?

Yami grunted. Not if you are prepared adequately enough. Which I do not believe you have been in the slightest.

Jonouchi sighed loudly and shook his head. Okay, well, I don't know about you, but I kind of think it's useless for us to keep trying to warn him when he hasn't even met them yet. I mean, okay, caution is good, but come on! He has to meet them to understand, doesn't he?

Yami's eyes abruptly shot and locked on his. Honda felt his fur rise into a bristle just as Jonouchi stiffened, faltered, flattened his ears against his head, and slowly turned away. He did not have to consider it to know that his tail was between his legs now and the thought made Honda feel almost sick for a moment. But the seconds passed and Yami abruptly turned away, shaking himself out and looking to Yugi.

Let's go.

The white wolf stared, blinking at him, frowned, and then nodded slowly. He turned and began to quickly pick his way past him and to the ledge. Honda watched him jump atop the stone, pacing quickly towards the hole in the ceiling, then balance on his haunches and hook his paws on the stone outside of the thorn brambles. He was gone in a shower of snow and the slight noise of fur snagging and ripping against the bush. Yami glanced at him and Jonouchi, pricking his ears, and then hurriedly did the same. He was gone in seconds, though he seemed to slip out of the branches with little to no noise or even the slightest of snowfall.

Jonouchi turned his head. I'll wait for you at the entrance, okay? When you get out, just follow me.

Honda nodded slightly, confused, but watched as the golden-furred wolf quickly followed their alphas. He frowned and glanced back. The water was roaring dully about the stone den and the rock was soaked a few feet back. But the area was warm, as if the water itself were somehow heated and the lack of cold air in the cavern made him feel more relaxed than he had formerly. He looked around a moment longer, then moved to approach the ledge.

It was higher off the ground than he'd thought, strangely perfectly arching upwards as if to form a staircase to the entrance. He could see where it had been worn down by numerous paws and perhaps even a natural wind or water erosion of some kind. He shook himself out, ignoring the snow that was slightly melting in front of him at the top of the ledge, and slowly made his way to the top. He put both paws through, claws gripping at hard stone buried beneath the ice, and tugged himself up.

A thorn tugged fur away and sliced his cheek, the blood hot and burning against his skin. But he did not feel more than a split second sting before it seemed to somehow mend itself and dissipate into nothing more than a slight tingling itch.

The snow was blinding for a second as he got atop the stone and pulled himself entirely out of the thorn bush. He shook himself out, fur fluffing out from the water that had clung to it formerly, and he swore the remaining liquid froze into crystalline dewdrops at the ends of each hair. He blinked and looked around slowly.

The clearing was littered with unfamiliar faces, all of them bushy with winter fur and softly rounded triangular ears. Honda stiffened as what seemed to be a thousand pairs of eyes locked on him, as if summoned by his attention. He bristled slightly, flattening his ears against his head. Some instinct in the back of his head said to lower his head, turn his neck enough to expose the vein, arch his back and tuck his tail between his legs.

Stand still, Yami's voice growled in his head, cutting through the instinct so sharply that it seemed to make his blood burn. Remain relaxed. Do not exude fear. None of them will make a move towards you. All of them are curious, not interested in attacking. Keep on your paws, understand? Do you not show your throat or tuck your tail. You'll borrow unnecessary aggression should you do so.

Honda couldn't put into words how grateful he was that Yami had spoken. His voice was oddly calming and though he had not even turned to face him—he was further away than Jonouchi or Yugi, sniffing at the snow—Honda felt more relieved than ever by his presence there altogether.

Maybe that was the alpha-beta bond in action…

Uh, a smaller wolf with longer legs and dark blue eyes mumbled, who is this?

His name is Honda, Jonouchi announced, wagging his tail as he said the words, He's my beta.

The wolf was shorter than Jonouchi, smaller in stature than Yugi and had paws that looked too large for his frame when he came forward. He blinked, frowning, and looked between Yugi, Yami, Jonouchi and Honda himself. Honda could see the faintest streak of black across his muzzle from behind his nose to his eyes and his chest had the smallest white star in its center. He was smaller, leaner, with wider blue eyes and a cautious gait as he continued to approach them.

Hello, he finally mumbled. But he didn't come close enough to sniff him. Instead he stood a couple of yards away, raising his tail to a parallel stance with his back, wagging it slowly back and forth. His head tilted and he wriggled his nose as he sniffed furiously. He seemed puzzled as he continued to try to get a clear reading of him.

Honda struggled to think of a response and settled rather awkwardly for a quiet, Uh, hey.

The blue-eyed wolf shot Yugi and Yami a bewildered expression. Then he turned back and wagged his tail more pointedly now. I'm Yusei!

Overly friendly much?

Yusei huffed and shot the other wolf an annoyed glance. Honda, however, turned his head to look over at them with a surprised expression. The male was a dark gray as well, but with white and tawny and a muzzle that was oddly dark brown and gray, his ears a deep russet shade. His jaws were bigger than Yusei's, his eyes an odd gray color that reminded him of slate stones, and his shoulders were slightly broader than the other wolf's.

Chazz, a voice warned. The growl made Honda bristle, turning his head again. The wolf behind the newcomer was several inches taller, full of raw strength. His shoulders were broad, his fur a dark gray like granite and his eyes a striking dark brown like crushed bark. His ears were black, cheeks streaked with silver, and his body was majority darker than white where it covered the bottom half of his face and along his legs and underbelly. His tail was raised high, rigid and bristling, and his lips were pulled back into a mild snarl. Get back.

What? Why? He's not going to hurt anyone. Have you seen him? He looks like he's going to piss himself, the second wolf snorted, but he had lowered his head and backed up several steps. He lowered himself into the snow seconds later and Honda breathed a sigh of relief.

Another one? a she-wolf spat, turning on Yugi with a hateful stare. You bit the mutt and he went and bit someone else. Are you going to pretend that's not a liability?

Liability? Yami murmured, voice smooth and soft. He stalked forward, shoulders stiff and lips curled back. His tail wagged slowly over his back and his eyes glittered like bloodied knives. You wish to speak of liabilities? What of your poor choices regarding Joy and the pack turning in on itself? Care to pretend you know what's best?

Yugi flicked an ear. I don't see a problem with Jonouchi having bitten him. Honda asked to be bitten. I gave him permission. It's not a big deal to me at all that he did so.

Yusei looked uncertain for a moment, but his eyes seemed full of clarity. They shot immediately to Honda again, widening drastically, and his mouth opened and closed twice. He bristled for a split second, shook himself out, and trotted over to him. He was mere inches from him, touching noses to him and wagging his tail furiously now.

Aki is a bitch, he declared as if it were the simplest thing in the world. Don't mind her. She's just bitter that Yugi took Yami as his beta over her.

Honda blinked and nearly bristled with alarm. The way Yusei said the black wolf's name almost made it sound as if he understood the situation more than he'd originally pretended. And, when he met his eyes for a moment, Honda was struck with the oddest sense that Yusei truly did know.

The darker gray wolf was staring at him, Honda noted. He turned his head, lowering his eyes just enough to avoid his pupils, and watched him for a moment. The gray male blinked once, then twice, studied him a few minutes longer, and slowly began to pad over to him.

I am Zane Truesdale, he announced. His tail was raised in a rather aggressive manner and his eyes were sharp like glass fragments. I am the leader of the pack in Wisconsin, United States.

Jonouchi let out a huff of a breath. Jesus, he's such a blowhard, he grumbled. But apparently he spoke out loud, for Zane spun on him with a snap of his teeth. The golden-furred wolf flinched and awkwardly wagged his tail.

Moron, Chazz snickered. He wagged his tail rapidly for a moment, watching Zane as the larger gray wolf shook himself out and turned back. He had lost much of his aggression, but there was a light in his eyes that said he was not sure of him and would likely put him in his place if he were ever to step out of line.

Why must you always open your mouth? Yami snapped, turning on Jonouchi now. Why do you never know when to shut your trap?

Whoa, whoa, whoa, Yugi growled, moving between them and glaring at Yami. Knock it off. Zane handled it. Leave it alone.

Honda wondered at the aggressive stances they both took as they faced each other. But where he knew Yami was capable of all but killing Yugi, to his amazement the black wolf backed off with a lowered head and flattened ears. His tail did not tuck, however, and his eyes were blazing with anger. But Yugi simply turned away, positioning himself gracefully between Yami and Jonouchi.

And Honda was stricken with how cold and heavy the air felt around him. They had not been lying when they'd said the meeting would be stressful. All of the wolves were watching him, eyes wide and curious.

He struggled to think straight for a moment. Should he try to say something? Or was it wiser to stay as he was? He didn't move but to glance at the others for guidance. But Yami did not look over, nor did he speak. Instead he shook himself out, peeled his lips back, and lunged at the she-wolf as she stalked closer.

She jumped back, snarling in turn. Their tails rose high in the air, though her head lowered and she forced herself into a submissive stance before him. Her head was lowered, turned partially to expose the white of her throat, and her burgundy fur was dark like blood against the snow. She growled softly, ears against her head, and eventually she took a spot in the snow as Chazz had, lying down and looking towards Honda for a moment.

Honda, huh? a new voice commented. He turned his head immediately, startled, and nearly froze in place. The wolf in front of him had stunning teal eyes, a smaller frame and longer legs with black fur like an oil spill. But his ears were as white as the snow around them and he was almost as small in build as Yusei, though he was well-muscled and held himself with a strange sense of authority that Honda could not read. The male wagged his tail but did not come closer to him, instead tilting his head. Nice to finally meet you. Jonouchi has mentioned you quite a few times.

Oh, uh, thanks… He glanced awkwardly towards Jonouchi.

The golden-furred male looked as if he were struggling not to burst out laughing at his discomfort. That's Otogi, he explained. He's the only male from the original pack. He's the one I was telling you about.

Honda blinked. Oh, okay. Yeah, I know you then, he mumbled. He wagged his tail, the feeling odd but somehow comforting all the same for him. His brain was rationalizing and familiarizing him with the action, he realized, and it felt good to know that he would not require too much time to grow comfortable like this. It almost felt like a puzzle piece falling into place now, as if it was always there and he had just overlooked it more often than not. Nice to meet you, too!

But a part of him remembered Jonouchi spitefully complaining about Otogi and Mai being together, how he'd been with her for years now. And he wondered if it was considered disloyal to make friends with him now.

I've been wondering if anyone was going to end up biting you, Otogi continued. Glad to see that Jonouchi finally got around to it. I was wondering when he'd finally bite his mate.

Honda blinked, tail dropping and eyes widening drastically. Huh? he choked. His head snapped around and Jonouchi pawed at his snout, growling with irritation. He shot a glance at Yami as the black wolf turned his head with a confused expression. Yugi snorted so loudly that Yami's head snapped back to him with huge eyes.

Ignore him. He's trying—and failing—to be funny, a she-wolf cut in. She was stunning, her form sleek but powerful. Her fur was a gorgeous glowing gold even in the moonlight, the silver streaking her face and back almost radiating. Honda almost gaped, realization crossing his thoughts as he stared at her stupidly for a long minute. He's a failed comedian. I'm Mai, by the way.

He blinked and wagged his tail. Jonouchi talks about you a lot, he said before he could stop himself. But her violet eyes were warm and inviting and so soft and affectionate and—

Hey! Jonouchi spat. You weren't supposed to—

How flattering, Mai laughed, wagging her tail and shaking her head. You're almost as cute as Yugi when I told him we should have a foursome.

Yugi bristled, glaring at her. Oh, shut up, Mai, he grumbled. But Yami was silent beside him, staring with sharp eyes that burned into Mai's face for a long moment. And then he shook himself out and settled into a seated position. Honda watched him a moment longer, then looked at Yugi again. That wasn't funny to begin with.

On the contrary, I thought it was hilarious, she teased. She wagged her tail and trotted over to him now, licking his forehead and then darting towards Yami. The black canine growled as she dropped into a play bow, springing at her and making her dash away and come back immediately after. Yami wagged his tail and bit at her when she tapped him with her paw.

Honda wondered how a foursome would have gone between them for a split second. He was pretty sure that if Mai looked half as good as Jonouchi claimed she did, she could rock anyone's world. If they took her up on an offer like that, he was sure she could give someone the time of their life.

He nearly flinched.

Anzu hadn't even been dead a full month…

He shook himself out, looking around. Another of the smaller, younger wolves was creeping behind Yusei and making their way towards him. They were using Yusei as a barrier between themselves and him, eyes sharp and cautious and fearful. But they crept along behind his back leg, then around to his side. Yusei clearly knew they were there, but he was watching Yami and Mai play instead as well.

Chazz had gotten to his paws as well, but Honda was abruptly aware of the fact that he was running forward. And he reeled back just as the gray wolf cut the newcomer off with a snarl. The other male crouched low to the ground, whimpering, and Chazz turned to Honda with his tail raised and his eyes glittering.

So, why the hell are you here exactly? the younger wolf spat, startling Mai and Yami from their play. When he stalked forward, Honda could barely keep himself from backing up. Are you here to fight with us? Or are you just a waste of our time?

Every eye was on him again.

I wouldn't have let Jonouchi bring him here if it was for another reason other than training. Yami's voice was quiet, collected, and it cut through the various whispers that had begun to circulate. They all turned to the black wolf after a moment or so. Jonouchi asked me and I told him it was all right.

You? You're not Atem, the red she-wolf sneered. She was staring at Honda, lips drawn back to show her teeth. You don't have a say in such things, Yami.

I have more say than you will ever possess, Aki, Yami returned evenly. Atem was predisposed at the moment that he asked and I agreed that if he should bite him, he would have to meet the pack and come to know your names and scents before he might do anything else. He plans to fight for Atem, so what does it matter?

Is this his first Change? another voice asked curiously. Honda looked over to see the newcomer. His face was scarred, his right eye missing, and his remaining one was oddly dark and cold as it bore into his skin. His voice sounded abused and raspy, as if he had been smoking his entire life.

Yes.

Jesus, Mai mumbled, he's a real virgin, huh?

Plan to fuck him, too? Aki sneered.

If I ever plan to, I'll make sure you're the first to know, Mai said without missing a beat. She ignored it when Aki snarled, watching Honda again. Your first change and here you are, with us bloodthirsty beasts.

Sexually starved, more like, the one-eyed wolf growled. What, is Otogi not putting out enough for you?

Honda cringed. Jonouchi snarled in annoyance. Otogi sighed loudly. Mai simply wagged her tail.

I'm always open to the option of more, she said, voice sly. I mean, who am I to say no when he's not neutered?

Honda nearly flinched at the implication. His head snapped towards Yugi and Yami. Both of them blinked, then Yami shook his head and turned away as if he'd been burned. Yugi looked more amused but slightly flustered as well.

I think that's enough, he announced. Jim, leave her alone. Chazz, back up before I sic Yami on you. Syrus, what exactly are you doing?

The wolf hiding behind Yusei wagged his tail as Chazz backed up with wide eyes. I was going to say hi! But Chazz stopped me.

You're lucky it wasn't Zane, he snapped in turn, glaring at the other male. He'd leave you with a few bruises for disobeying him. I just snapped at you.

Syrus huffed. But his green eyes widened in alarm before shooting to his brother. Zane was watching him with cold eyes. He awkwardly wagged his tail, as if he were waiting for him to lunge, and slowly rolled over onto his back with his belly exposed.

Okay, you know the deal, Yugi said sharply now. He raised his tail and snapped his teeth. Each of the wolves turned to look at him, eyes wide or narrowed, expressions surprised or frustrated. Form a line. Rank is unnecessary to take into consideration for this. First come, first serve. Syrus is first since he's here and Yusei has already met him. Name, scent, continue to the next. Understand? Good.

It was amazing to Honda. The wolves all glanced at each other, seemingly sizing one another up for a split second. Then, slowly, almost cautiously, they began to break off into groups. They were not even numbers amongst each other, one as small as only six wolves. But they all took to each other, moved away to allow others more room, and then settled into some kind of unspoken hierarchy amongst themselves.

The first pack was Zane's, the large alpha stopping in front of him and wrinkling his nose back slightly to show his teeth. He smelled of bracken and clay. And, when they swapped scents, he snapped his teeth at him and glared. Something in his eyes was skeptical and cold and his expression was something of disgust. But it passed almost immediately afterwards. Zane ducked his head, snarling, when there was a mirroring noise of anger nearby. Honda glanced over in his peripheral to find Yami snarling, head held high and tail raised. Beside him Yugi was staring at Zane with a slightly flustered expression, and Jonouchi looked annoyed as well.

Chazz smelled of cinnamon and tree bark, sniffing him once and wagging his tail. He looked younger than Honda had thought he would, startled by how childish his frame truly was. He was a yearling, he realized in surprise; the power he'd exerted before had been enough to make him think he was far older. But then he turned and trotted off without a second glance. Honda watched him go over to Yusei who immediately leaped at him, both of them running around with small playful snarls and growls.

Syrus smelled of something like mint gum and warm river water. He wagged his tail, ducked his head, licked his chin, and darted off before he could say a word to him. Honda glanced over to see him dashed off to see his older brother. Zane shot him an irritable look, snapped his teeth, and then got up and walked away a few more feet to plop down in a seated position once more. Syrus sighed, dropped his tail for a moment, and then dashed off to play with Chazz and Yusei who immediately tackled him to the ground with a few loud laughs.

Mindy was a darker silver-gray she-wolf. She had a tan muzzle, the color spreading upward to the bridge of her eyes. The stops of her eyes were silver, her brows bright white, and her gaze was dusted with gray. Her cheeks were tipped black along the edges, fading into bright gray and silver all the way down her back to her hind legs. Her tail was brown and red, tipped black. Her ears were a bright brown color, matching her muzzle, and her undercoat was a pale shade of tan. She smelled of mud and water and stone as far as Honda could recognize. She wagged her tail once, greeted him quietly, and then turned and trotted away as well.

Bolt was taller than most of the other wolves, with broader shoulders and a longer tail. He was a slate gray shade along his face, around his eyes, and traced the line of his spine. His ears were colored black along the tops, brown and gray on the bottoms. His brows were white like snow, matching his underbelly and along his long limbs. Black covered his dorsal cape, peppering along his back to his long tail where it became tipped. The smallest touch of tawny shaded his back legs in a small swirl on both sides and faded into the slate color. His eyes were yellow, burning like sunlight, and his stare was oddly cold and distant. He smelled of something Honda couldn't identify in the time it took for the yearling to turn and trot off without a second glance.

Flip was a dark brown wolf the shade of melted chocolate, with long limbs that were stained black like ink spills. His eyes were a deep shade of brown that looked almost black, as if his pupils had bled into his irises. Along his front right paw was a small splash of white and on his chest was a tiny pale spot, his elbow specked with it, and behind his front left leg was the smallest line of silver. He wagged his tail once, studying him with curious eyes, and then turned away without a second glance. He was gone before Honda could even try to smell him.

Jagger was a broad-shouldered wolf of lean muscle and dark gray-blue eyes. He seemed to loom over him when he stepped closer, eyes sharpening as he considered him. He was dark gray, almost black in coloration, with a granite-like shade. His chest was white, the front of both forelimbs the color of ice, his neck dusted with in a long line to his chin. There it expanded to engulf much of his face, his cheeks colored white and gray, his brows a silver shade due to it. His dorsal cape and belly were the same silver shade and Honda was struck with a strange sense of familiarity as he stared at him blankly.

But he didn't get the chance to consider this, as the possibility faded when Jagger turned away and headed straight over to Zane. He seemed to speak to him about something or other, but Zane didn't seem to be listening. He was staring at his brother as he and Chazz and Yusei crashed about in the snow.

Slade was a dark gray-black wolf with brown and silver splashed about his frame. He was slightly taller, legs long and paws larger. He had the same darkened eyes, gray-blue like strips of granite. His legs were an intense gray color, his chest white along the front of both limbs, stretching the entirety to his tail where it faded into nonexistence. Brown was splashed along his shoulders and the sides of his neck. His face was white rather than gray, but black colored the upper half of his head. His ears were a deep, charcoal black color so dense it made his fur crawl for a split second. His tail was tri-colored, brown towards the base and along his undercoat, splashed with white and the tip deep black to match his ears.

Honda was struck with the same sense of familiarity then, but this time, as the other wolf wrinkled his nose and stared at him, he recognized it. Honda blinked, eyes shooting towards the three yearlings. Slade, Jagger and Chazz had to be siblings. That leering expression was identical in all three of them. There was no way they weren't related. He turned back when he heard a small snarl, bristling in surprise at the way Slade stared down at him so disdainfully.

What's the holdup?

The words were so cold Honda almost flinched. Yami had come forward from his spot beside Yugi and Jonouchi. He stood inches away, having come closer with his ears angled forward and red eyes sharp and glittering. Slade turned towards him with an expression of disbelief for a split second, disdain coloring his eyes. For a long moment they stared at each other.

Honda sprang backwards. Slade and Yami collided with a hideous snarl. Slade hit the ground on his back, snapping his teeth. Yami loomed over him, tail up. His teeth were bared. His shoulders were braced. He glared at him, lips drawn back hideously. Slade tried to kick him away. Yami shifted his weight, pulling away a step. He backed up a couple of paces. Slade kicked at his shoulder and back leg. And then he tried to get to his feet. Yami eyed him, snarling still. When he kicked again, Yami turned on him.

He lunged forward, catching his shoulder in his mouth. He shook him so violently that Honda was blinded by the snow. Slade was snarling again, kicking and writhing. He snapped his teeth at Yami's face and missed. Yami released him, throwing him a couple of inches with the force of his former tossing. He watched, statuesque and hateful, as Slade scrambled for his paws. The gray wolf snarled again, feinting at him. Yami curled his lips back and showed his teeth. His tail rose again. His ears pricked forward. His eyes glittered fiercely.

But Slade didn't get the chance to challenge him again.

Instead he was slammed into from the side. He was jostled, stumbling. When he spun around, Chazz snapped his teeth at his face. Slade backed up a step, lowering his head. His tongue flashed over his nose twice. He snarled, snapping his teeth. Chazz stared at him, glaring. He'd taken an almost identical stance to Yami. The two of them stared at one another. And then Slade lowered his head, tucking his tail, and flattened his ears against his head.

Yami dropped his tail. He shook himself out. You're all right?

Honda stiffened when he turned to him, startled by the expectant look on his face. He was waiting for an answer, he realized a second later. He blinked, surprised. Y-yeah, he stammered. Yami stared at him a moment, then snorted loudly. He turned and moved back to Yugi's side without a second look.

And Honda wondered if Slade might have truly hurt him or if it might have been a simple hierarchy display. His heart sank; had he been in danger? Had Yami interfered because he'd thought it would have become a serious fight? Or had it been because he'd been trying to make a point of making allegiances clear? If the wolves thought Yami had come to help him, there was no doubt the others would falter in their attempts to harm him.

A few other wolves were watching them. When Honda glanced towards the others, Chazz was still glaring at Slade. Jagger had come forward with his nose wrinkled. But he didn't interfere and Chazz wandered off after a moment. The tension between the three of them was visible, however. Even as they put distance between themselves, Honda could see that they were not happy with each other. Chazz ignored it when Syrus and Yusei tried to engage him in play again. Instead he stormed up to Zane and the alpha turned to him with dark eyes.

I'm amazed Yami stepped in to help you, a voice commented wryly. Honda's head snapped around before he could stop himself. Standing in front of him was a wolf almost large enough to rival Yami in posture. He was several inches taller than Honda himself, bigger than Yugi and Jonouchi as well. He stood a few inches away from him, head tilted and eyes dark with consideration. He's not exactly known for playing an active role in stopping us when we have problems. He normally lets us take it out on him as if he's the omega. It was surprising to see him step in to protect you. What's your secret?

Honda knew he was joking, but some part of him felt as if it were suffocating at the words. He shivered, stiffening, and forced himself to suppress the fear coming through him. He shook himself out and raised his head. Jonouchi bit me. Yami sees me as his responsibility because he gave him permission to do it.

The wolf in front of him studied him for a moment. Then he chuckled, dark brown eyes sparkling with amusement. Then he turned away to glance around as well. He was almost solid brown, dark enough that his fur blended easily into the black strands that made up the majority of his back. His ears were pricked, focused on his two pack mates over everything else. The smallest specks of silver lined his dorsal cape and along the back of his hocks.

He looked at Honda skeptically for a moment. I doubt that's it, he snorted. But he didn't make a move to prod any further. It doesn't matter. My name is Czar. I'm the mu of Zane's pack.

At first the words made no sense to him. He stumbled over the meaning and then, somehow, to Honda's amazement, his brain seemed to translate it. To his shock, immediately, his brain supplied him an answer. The ranks went by the Greek alphabet, from alpha to omega. The mu was three ranks above the omega. He was far lower-ranking than Honda would have assumed. He looked as if he should have been the gamma or delta, far closer to beta or alpha.

He smelled of fresh mud and crushed bark, with the smallest hint of leaves. Honda almost answered him, but the brown wolf turned and wandered away without a second glance. To his surprise, Czar went straight to Zane and Chazz as if his rank were similar to theirs. Chazz turned on him with a snarl but calmed almost immediately after.

Honda turned back again. The next wolf to greet him was a small and slender. His eyes were dark brown, flecked with gray. He was shorter, leaner, with a dark coat of almost pure black. His chest was white, his dorsal cape similarly colored, his underbelly and back of his hind legs lightly dusted. Just beneath his chin was a brown shade, his neck colored in a small triangular patch as well. His eyes bore into Honda's pointedly, cold and glittering, and when he announced himself as Bob Banter, Honda had only a second before he turned away entirely and wandered off on his own.

Mana came next, wagging her tail and telling him she was pleased to meet him. She smelled of honeysuckle and warm spice and then she turned and wandered off to join Yusei and Chazz as they began to play again. He met Andre immediately after, in which he snorted, studied him, and then turned and wandered off.

Sylvio was a medium-sized wolf with bright blue eyes, red-brown legs and a body of mostly silver and gray. His undercoat was brownish-gold and his face was mostly dark brown and gray. The stops of both eyes were colored tawny and his brows a darker brown. His forehead was reddish in shade, his ears a deep chocolate brown. His cheeks were silver and white and his dorsal cape was a pale silver so light it was almost white. His neck had ringlets of dark brown to match his ears and his chest was the same pale silver. His tail was chocolate brown, tipped black, with a tawny undercoat that seemed to shimmer beneath the moonlight. He wagged his tail and greeted him, smelling of peppermint and pinecones, and then wandered away.

Julia was a somewhat smaller she-wolf with a more compact frame and longer legs. She didn't look like a yearling, just taller and leaner rather than muscular. Her coat was long and bushy and made her look almost shaggy. Her coat was almost jet black, but her undercoat was an odd steely gray shade and along her shoulders it shown visibly against her guard hairs. Her underbelly was a similar shade and along her tail was mostly silver. Had it not been for her shape, the silver in her fur, and the height she possessed, Honda almost would have assumed she was Yami, in truth. Her eyes were a glittering garnet red, burning into his, a uniform shade of color that further discredited her as Yami's female counterpart. But at first glance, from merely the front, Honda was sure someone could mistake them. It was only when she got closer, when she was visible from the side, that one could see the immense differences.

She was friendly enough, greeting him with a soft voice, and she smelled of sunlight and freshly cut grass. She smiled at him, showing her incisors when she panted, but she didn't remain there with him for longer than to speak and announce herself. Then she was gone, disappearing further into the camp without anyone else paying her attention.

Iggy had the strangest aquamarine eyes Honda had ever seen, a piercing shade of blue-green that burned into him and made his fur rise uncomfortably. He was mostly black, but with a steel-gray color that framed his eyes and cheeks, trailing in a sharp v-formation to the center of his chest. His legs were shaded gray rather than black, but his paws had the smallest hint of white along the tops of each toe. The majority of his body was deep black like oil, sparkling like blood under the moonlight. He smelled of saltwater and growing grass.

Reed was a smaller male, with a ginger muzzle and a face framed in white. The majority of his face from there was darker red and slightly browned. His ears were coated cinnamon in color, the majority of his body a russet color with a deep gray undercoat. His back legs were mostly reddish-brown, darkened along the insides of them. Black patches framed the back of both haunches and his tail was colored mostly gray. His eyes were half-closed, as if he was tired, and the brown of his pupils was a strange pale honey color like that of Jonouchi's own.

Then came Ute, Hugo, and Moon Shadow. They were friendly, yet standoffish as well. Ute said something about his pack coming in a few days' time for him to meet, and then turned and wandered off on his own.

Yoko was a taller, slender she-wolf with pale blonde and golden fur. She was pale enough to almost be white in shade, but her muzzle was a golden shade, her ears similarly colored. Her neck was mostly blonde, but her shoulders were touched with silver and dark gray along the dorsal cape. Her tail was mostly pale blonde, tipped black, with a small splotch of dark gray along the top of it. She had light green eyes, burning into his curiously. She seemed to be sizing him up for a long moment, then flicked an ear, wagged her tail, and wandered off.

Yusho was lean and full of muscle, with black and dark gray fur. He stood taller than Honda by an inch or two, with a face mostly black but peppered with gray and along his cheeks. His muzzle was tinted white along the bottom, fading into a small triangle beneath his chin. His chest was tinted white, stretching along the front of both limbs. His dorsal cape was colored silver and dark gray, his hind legs tinted dark gray and peppered silver and white along the back thigh. His golden eyes were dark, considerate as they studied his for a brief moment. Then he turned his head and wandered off to follow his mate.

Amanda was small, clearly a yearling. Her legs were long and gangly. Her fur was a deep red shade that bordered on burgundy in color. It reminded him of Aki in appearance, a deep red that made his skin crawl. Her snout was narrower and slim, coming to her eyes where it became lighter, almost russet, in shade. Her face was colored dark gray and red and the gray faded at the top of her skull. Her ears were dark red, fading into a slightly russet shade along her shoulders, darkening once more along her back and to her long tail. Her limbs were russet, but the fur above it was deep burgundy. Her eyes were an odd, sparkling blue like ocean water. She smelled of almonds and the smallest touch of vanilla before she turned and wandered off.

Mizuchi was a smaller, fluffier brown, gray and black she-wolf with long limbs and wider eyes. She stood taller, with glittering purple eyes like amethysts. She was mostly brownish, though the bottom of her neck was dark gray, with a small spot of white on her chest. Her legs were a deep black and her face was framed with dark gray and blue-black along her ears. Her dorsal cape was a deep gray color, her tail dark black like slate stone.

Edo was a smaller silver wolf with gray overtones. Along his face was pale silver, but along his back was a deeper gray shade. His muzzle was colored black along the top, his ears a deep black shade to match his nose. His tail was a deep gray shade, tipped black, his paws pale silver to match his face. His blue eyes peered at him curiously for a long moment before he turned and walked off without a second glance.

Kaito had light blue-gray eyes, a coat of pale blonde fur. Along her face was a deeper shade of golden, tawny along her muzzle and around her eyes. Silver colored the majority of the top of her face. Her dorsal cape was gray and silver with a few long black guard hairs. And along her back was simply golden to her tail. Her tail was tipped dark gold and her ears were a silver-gray shade.

Rio was a dark gray she-wolf that stood a few inches smaller than him, with dark pink eyes that reminded him of wine. Her fur looked like the surface of granite stones and river water and she peered at him curiously for a long moment. Then she snorted and wrinkled her nose, tilting her head and walking away without a second glance. Honda could see the smallest dot of black along her tail, her dorsal cape mirroring the color.

Her brother, Ryoga, had dark blue eyes to rival Yusei's, with dark gray fur like hers. His paws were white halfway to the top of his legs. There was a small touch of white behind his nose. He looked at him with a cold intensity. Then he wrinkled his nose and left him there.

Kotori was long-limbed, thin and small. She was mostly silver in color, with a face framed with black, her chest white in the center, and her paws black. Her ears were pricked forward, a startling white color, her eyes hazel and bright against her face. She wagged her tail at him, sniffing him curiously for a few seconds. She smelled of lake water and fresh flowers, with the smallest hint of honey and cinnamon and vanilla. She licked his nose, wagged her tail again, and wandered off to join Yusei and Syrus in their play.

Fubuki was dark brown. He was taller, broader-shouldered. His ears were pricked forward. His body was slightly longer. His tail was dark brown like chocolate. Light brown and tan ran as an undercoat. His dorsal cape was entirely light brown, his flanks ribbed with a mixture of the colors. His long legs were deep chocolate like his tail and his ears. His dark brown eyes were dark and cold as they bore into his, studying and wondering at the sight.

Haruto was a smaller male, a yearling that peered at him with curious green-yellow eyes. His face was colored black along the muzzle and halfway along his forehead. His ears were black, filled with pale gray hair. His face was mostly white but for along the soft gray along beneath the stops of his eyes. His dorsal cape was dark gray, beneath it and along the back of his body black like soot. His tail was tipped black, the bottom portion of his body white beneath the layer of black coloring his back. He blinked at him, smelling of bark and cinnamon and mud.

Yuya startled him. He had crimson eyes, far darker than Yami's own, and a more solid color, but they were red all the same. He blinked twice, startled visibly by the sight of them. The yearling was smaller than him by several inches, lean and long-limbed, and his expression was full of laughter when he noticed his surprised expression. He wagged his tail, flicking dark red-brown ears, and tilted his head at him.

You look shocked.

I didn't know anyone else had red eyes.

Yuya flicked an ear, opening his mouth into a small smile that showed off his incisors. It's not common. But my eyes aren't nearly as weird as Yami's, he said, though he sounded as if he were laughing. Still weird, but not as weird. His are nicer looking than mine are, though. He has that going for him.

Honda tilted his head. I guess.

Yuya didn't answer him for a long moment. His face was tri-colored, muzzle cinnamon brown in shade, halfway to the end of his cheeks and bottom jaw colored white. His brows were cinnamon brown, is stops similarly shaded. Along the bottom of them was a deep gray color that rose and spread along the remainder of his forehead. His undercoat was cinnamon brown, with gray peppered about; his dorsal cape was a tawny color, tracing his shoulders and down to his underbelly. His back was saddled extremely dark gray, to the point of seeming almost black, his limbs tawny and ginger. His tail was a bright red color to match his muzzle, just barely tipped in black. Each paw was white in color, though the back of his limbs was jet black.

Jonouchi told me about you a couple of times. He told me you're like the pack clown.

Yuya wagged his tail. I like making others happy. I'm the omega in my pack for a reason, even though my parents are the alphas. He tilted his head and watched him curiously for a moment. Then he glanced away from him and towards where Honda assumed Yami and Yugi and Jonouchi were still standing. Then Yuya turned back to him, tilting his head. It was a pleasure to meet you, Honda.

Yugi was the first to approach him after the remaining myriad of faces had passed. Honda was relieved and almost exhausted, overwhelmed by all the various smells and names he'd learned. He wondered how long they had been out like this, if it had been minutes or hours as it felt.

You okay? Yugi asked softly. He wagged his tail again, his eyes soft and kind. He looked proud and relieved, perhaps even mildly excited. We were going to take the pack for a hunt. But if you're tired, you don't have to join us.

No, no, that's fine. I'll come.

Are you sure?

Yeah, I'm fine.

He didn't want to waste time and opportunities. He needed to be able to get more used to the wolves in the pack, the size—he was almost stunned by the amount of wolves he'd met to begin with—and make a point of joining them now. He was relatively sure that if he backed out, he was going to be seen not only as the weak link between the four of them but also as a piece of prey to follow and snap their jaws at. He was almost convinced this had to be why it was that Slade had snarled at him as he had. He was almost certain that this had to be why it was that Yami had stepped in to protect him.

Yugi stared at him for a long handful of seconds, then nodded. When he turned his head to look over his shoulder, Yami threw his head back. A low and thunderous howl left his parted lips. The wolves in the pack, separated and lying about to discuss things amongst themselves, each collectively sprang to their paws and came forth to gather around. The black wolf shook himself out as his voice faded abruptly, the howl cut short mid-note. Honda wondered if it was because of the possibility of hellhounds nearby or because of the fact wolves' howls traveled so well. But it could have been as simple as the fact that Yugi was the leader and Yami was not. Maybe it was even just because most of the wolves were still there; those that weren't came rushing from further inside the camp to see what was happening.

Yami was facing the white wolf now. And Yugi hurried away from him, trotting immediately over to the group. When he got to the black wolf's side, he immediately turned to face the others. He did not even take a moment to speak to Yami as Honda had assumed he would.

Now that introductions are out of the way, let's get to the main event, shall we? Honda thought he sounded much colder and estranged than he'd even known him to before. He glanced at Yami, noticing that his red eyes had darkened as if he, too, agreed with such an assessment. We came here for a pack hunt after Honda met you all. Now that it's been seen to, it's time for us to go. You know the drill; buddy system. But this time it's going to be groups of four. If anything happens, you'll be stronger in a group than just a pair, understand? Let's go,

Yami turned to Honda with those same darkened eyes, pricking his ears forward. You and I are going alone, he said quietly, coming forward in slower, more measured steps. Honda blinked, startled by the declaration and the suddenness with which he proposed the arrangement. But, as he glanced towards Yugi for confirmation, he found the white wolf listing names off for the various groups. Honda turned back uncertainly.

Yami thankfully did not look upset. The black wolf flicked his ears, eyes sparkling with laughter as he tilted his head. Why are you so surprised? I told you that I would take to training you as soon as possible.

Honda nodded. I just…I thought we would be with them first. I mean, I just met them all and…

No, we need to do this tonight, Yami answered in a slightly curt tone. He exhaled loudly, flicking his ears, and seemed to listening for the other wolves' movements rather than voices. Honda wondered if he was afraid one of them might notice them alone, if they might make the connection that Jonouchi was not the one to have bitten him. They will be fine without our assistance. Yugi and Yusei and Jonouchi and Otogi will be the leaders for the hunt. Yusei will be a good temporary replacement for me as a beta for the hunt. He is very levelheaded and calm. He has enough sense to know what is best for the pack.

You guys always talk about him like he's our age or older. But he seems like he's barely even fourteen.

Likely, Yami agreed softly. And Honda swore he saw a flash of guilt and hatred in his eyes. But it was gone again immediately as he closed his eyes half-way and the shadows made his pupils stretch to swallow his irises almost entirely. But I do not know for sure. I have no idea how old he truly is. I have never bothered to ask him such details.

Okay…

Yami shook himself out after a moment, still watching him with his eyes half-shut and his ears pricked forward. His eyes flickered with red, glittering and seemingly glowing, as if a light had passed over his pupils and spread outward to his irises. Then he blinked, narrowed his eyes further, and cast a glance around.

Won't they be suspicious that you're bringing me hunting instead?

Yami turned to him again, eyes no longer narrowed and opened fully once more. His ears pricked forward, he shook his head. No. they will not waste a thought on this matter. They will be too distracted. The hunt is rather consuming when the pack is excited enough. And group activities are enough to excite them. And, regardless, I am still the beta of this pack. I told them that I allowed Jonouchi to bite you. That was not for the fun of pulling rank. It was because now they will assume this to be the reason I have decided to train you now.

You guys planned that far ahead?

Spending time with you now will seem more like I am asserting rank and assuring that you are not a waste of time and effort for the pack. This way it seems as if you are more important than they might have originally assumed. That assures you are not harmed for your lineage as one of Atem's wolves. Understand?

I get it.

Good. Yami sounded as if he had lost much of his patience and had grown weary within the last few seconds. But somehow he sounded full of life as well, an interesting contrast to the last Honda had seen of him prior to his change. The black wolf shook himself out and looked up as the first snowflake began to fall. His ears flicked and he shook his head, but his eyes were no longer on Honda. When the brown wolf glanced over as well, Yugi nodded in farewell and turned to trot away with the pack following him at a rapid pace. Yami was quiet for a long handful of seconds.

Let's go then. Before the snowfall becomes any worse.

Honda turned back to him. But Yami was still watching the other wolves.

Okay…

---

Yami took him far from where the pack had chosen to hunt. They had gone in the opposite direction, almost as if Yami were trying to hide away from them. They were so far into the woods that Honda was almost amazed that Yami was not lost. The snowfall had gotten significantly heavier, to the point of all but blinding the brown wolf. But Yami hardly seemed to notice, or to care in the slightest. He would occasionally lift his head from where it had been lowered to a parallel position with his spine and sniff at the air restlessly. Then he might sometimes search with his ears flicking rapidly about, mouth opened partially to draw in more of a taste. But he didn't seem satisfied with whatever it was he could smell.

Honda himself could smell nothing. He didn't know what he was supposed to do or how to scent anything, in truth. He didn't know if it worked easily with wolves, like breathing regularly as he was would bring him everything he needed. He also didn't know if he needed to hold his breath and try harder to catch something. But he also didn't know if he would recognize anything of it even if he were to catch something.

Yami had not offered explanations of any kind. And he did not want to sound stupid and ask, nor did he want to make Yami stop his search in order to answer him. He did not know how well he multitasked when it came to hunting. He had no idea how easily he might answer or how badly it might throw him off. He frowned as they picked their way through the snow once more.

He felt as if they had been traveling for hours now.

But Yami hardly seemed to so much as need to pause and regain his breath. Honda wondered at this, seeing as Yami clearly was not at his strongest and yet somehow his stamina had remained amazing all the same. He should have been just as exhausted as Honda himself was, right?

Yami finally slowed as they came upon the top of a small incline. I meant to ask you your thoughts on the pack, but you still seemed rather unsure. Do you think them scary and vicious? He was teasing him; he could hear it in his tone. But his eyes were faraway, so distant that it made him shiver as he got to his side finally. I'm surprised that it turned out as well as it did, to be truthful. I had assumed it to be a thousand times worse.

Honda stopped at his side now. Yami was sniffing again. What did you expect?

I was prepared for bloodshed. The words were spoken simply, eyes glittering like hardened gems. The wolves are not kind about newcomers of any kind. But I am glad it did not come to that. I had been prepared, however. I had thought they might lash out and I would have to step forward. The gods know Jonouchi is a scrapper, but I feel that he lacks precision when he fights.

Force usually makes up for that.

Perhaps against humans. But not against wolves. Most wolves are capable of shaking off a wound that might stun or incapacitate a human. Yami was quiet for a long minute. And briefly Honda saw something he couldn't entirely process. Yugi's cheek was swollen, red, a bright handprint formed upon his pale skin. The smaller teen had fallen back into the snow, eyes wide and horrified but shining more with regret than anything. Honda blinked, startled and confused.

He went to ask, but Yami didn't let him.

I struck him.

You what?

Yami turned his head slowly now. His ears pricked forward, his eyes cold and dark. I struck him. The handprint was mine. I backhanded him when he got too close to me. I could not hold back my temper.

You struck my friend? What the fuck is wrong with you?

Yami blinked at him once, long and slow, then chuckled and turned away. I am not above instinct, he said simply. He started forward without a second glance. He said something that I reacted to. And I hit him for it when he got too close and asked my forgiveness. It is not as if I enjoyed doing such a thing. I simply lashed out.

You hurt him!

Yami turned to look at him again now. The impact was minimal. In fact, it was so light a strike that it should have simply dazed him. He fell back because he was not prepared for it. I did not hit him hard enough to truly harm him in any manner. He paused, visibly hesitating and bristling faintly. I should not have lashed out against him, but I did. It happened. And I have not done so since. He is okay. And he has forgiven me. Whether or not you decide does not affect me, however. I am here with you now in order to help train you. It is not so that I might make myself feel better or earn forgiveness from Yugi's friend when he has already given such to me.

Honda bristled, unable to stop himself. I can't tell if it's because he's always so fucking forgiving all the time or…

He exhaled roughly, refusing to pursue the thought any further. He didn't know if Yugi would ever forgive him if he was the one to tell Yami that he was in love with him. He was sure he would do so on his own eventually, but Honda couldn't help the small thought in the back of his mind. He didn't know if he would even be alive when that time came.

Perhaps a mixture of both, Yami answered wryly. Honda stiffened, turning to stare in alarm. But Yami did not look to him, continuing forward in the snow. His gait was slow, easy enough for Honda to catch up to without having to struggle. But it does not matter. It is over and done with.

Honda felt sick but he followed him regardless. How long ago had it been? How badly had it hurt Yugi when Yami had hit him? How badly had he been harmed by such a callous response? And had he truly been attempting to apologize for whatever it was he'd said or done when Yami had lashed out at him? Was it as Yami had explained it, or was there something else entirely that he'd neglected to tell him?

He shivered, looking to the black wolf again.

Yami wasn't heartless, he knew, or else he would have hardly tried to be friendly toward them in any manner. He'd visibly put in effort, as awkward and lost as it had been. He'd tried to be nice to them, had held his tongue even at the warehouse before he'd pushed too hard and Yami had reflexively lost his temper at his inquiries. He'd tried to be nice when they'd asked him questions after they'd met up at the café. He'd tried when Yugi had brought him to the arcade, though his quiet nature had come off as angry and bitter rather than friendly.

That must have been what Yami had been speaking about then, that Yugi had said something to upset him. But he also remembered Yami admitting to having said something to set Yugi off as well.

The tension had been hideous, drenching them, as they'd snapped at each other numerous times. Even asking about food or water had seemed to incite arrogance between the two of them in one way or another.

Honda shivered.

What the hell had gone on between the two of them?

He did not even want to think about it any further.

But it was so hard to focus on anything else, he realized. The wolf—he assumed it had to be the wolf because usually he was able to ignore things when he decided it was necessary—seemed unable to let up. That part of him was curious, digging for answers, and almost refused to let up now that he had acknowledged it. He shivered, shaking his head, and then slowed a step as his mind raced, circling back and—

You actually struck him.

I have done far worse to others. Yami spoke the words quietly, never pausing his steps. I've killed for less.

And you think that makes it okay?

He couldn't help that he was snarling now. He bristled, body shaking with anger. But Yami did not so much as pause. A few seconds of silence passed and Honda almost snapped his teeth, demanding an answer from him.

But Yami obliged him without prompt. Of course not. I do not even think that it is okay after he has forgiven me. But you know nothing about me, the black wolf said slowly. He turned to face him now. He was oddly still and statuesque before him, a hideous shadow of such intense black that the snowfall seemed to dissipate before it. And I cannot tell you of the many things that have happened to bring me to this point. What I will tell you now is that I do not think it okay that it happened, or that he even forgave me for it. It is sometimes a shame to know the things he will let me get away with when I act out. But it is not my decision whether he does something like that or not. It is his.

Honda froze, eyes stretching wide with surprise. You…haven't forgiven yourself for it.

No, of course not. I don't like the fact that I hurt him. I do not like the fact that sometimes I pick fights with him, either. And he sometimes encourages it. He's told me that he would rather I take it out on him than someone else or let it stay bottled up inside. And I don't understand how his mind works to think that it is okay. Yami flicked an ear, then stopped short and turned away entirely. His nose twitched rapidly, head raised slightly before he took off in a rush. Serows!

Honda raced after him, though his mind was burning. Yami's shame was deep-rooted where his lapse of temper was involved. It was more surprising to him than he was willing to admit. Yami had always come off as rather stoic and perhaps indifferent in the matters of others around him. And that made it almost impossible to believe that Yami had such grief for something like that. The fact that he had hit Yugi still infuriated him, but the realization he likely beat himself up over it more than anyone could shame him made Honda's skin crawl.

That amount of guilt had to be suffocating.

And suddenly Honda felt suspicion rush through him.

Yugi had to know that Yami suffered such emotional breaks and distress; it must have been one of the reasons he tried so hard with him so constantly.

Honda watched Yami as he sprang headlong at one of the prey animals. It whistled in alarm, springing through the snow in a panic. And he almost thought it might get away. Yami was yards away when it began to flee, the second turning tail instantly. But the black wolf cleared the distance in a heartbeat, as if he were merely floating across the snow rather than running through it. He had the animal by the throat a second later, jaws snapping shut and blood spraying the air from impact.

But the wolf abruptly released, pacing around to the other side of the wounded animal. Yami circled twice, bore his teeth and snapped at it, and then rounded it again. He bore his teeth, pricked his ears, kept one eye on the goat-antelope, and turned to him. His tongue, red with blood, flicked over his nose.

Come here. I have something I wish to show you.

Honda hesitated for a split second. But the smell of blood made his belly ache and growl. He hurried forward, trotting, but his eyes were locked on the fresh red lying upon the snow and along the animal's neck. He glanced at the smear across Yami's face, stunned for only a split second at the sight of it, and then reluctantly came to his side. He almost pressed himself to the ground when he saw how harsh Yami's eyes looked against his darkened fur.

What, uh…what did you want to show me?

I wanted to show you the weak spots on wolves. It's easy enough to demonstrate it now without having to bring it into battle for you to learn.

Honda felt as if his legs were made of lead now, faltering and slowing to a complete stop before him. The distance between them felt oddly safe, his stomach rolling as he looked him over for a long minute. He shook his head, shivering. You could just, you know…tell me instead.

Yami huffed, shaking his head. His teeth snapped at the animal when it tried to run. But the sound made the serow freeze. The effect was as if Yami had broken its legs. The black wolf turned back to him with a growl, ears pricked and eyes cold. You will watch me do this. I cannot teach you precision simply by telling you. You will have to witness it as well. I cannot afford for you to be unprepared when a fight might come. Do you understand?

Honda nodded unhappily, flattening his ears against his head. Yeah, okay, he said reluctantly. That makes sense. Go ahead and show it to me then, I guess.

For all wolves, your best bet is to cripple them. Yami came around the serow once more. He snapped at it as it swayed unevenly. One of the easiest ways to do so is to break the spine, which can be done in two ways. You can bite through the back, towards the tail, and hope you hit the bone. Or you can force them back onto their haunches and use your body weight to do so. Either way, it is extremely violent and is a swift way to cripple and easy to render them defenseless, but not easy in execution.

Honda shivered, wondering if Yami had done so before. He wondered how many times Yugi had witnessed him at his most violent, resourceful in his attacks and aiming for what he identified as the weakest spot. He wondered if Yugi had come upon doing such a thing, if he had stumbled across him killing an opponent.

And then he wondered how often it was that Yugi had aided him in doing so.

The second possibility is the shoulders. They will always be a safer bet to get to than the throat if you are untrained in puncturing the jugular. If you are capable of going for the throat, it is easier to go for it immediately at the beginning of a fight, or to lead into it. But you always have to be fast. And the choice has to be made and followed through. The problem is that most wolves lose their will to kill. And that opening leaves them likely to be struck down instead.

Honda watched him muzzle-punch the prey animal yet again. This time he hit its back leg. It stumbled, swaying once more, and Honda wondered at the blood loss it was clearly suffering at the moment.

The back leg is a simple one. You can cripple any opponent if you can break the bone there. Most wolves will not be prepared. So it can be a potential lifesaver if you can manage it. But they are also somewhat denser than the front legs, so it's usually harder. You have to train your jaw to do so properly.

Honda flinched as the serow fell to the ground, teeth to its face. The animal struggled a moment, kicking and flailing its back limbs. But the most it did was stir snow into the air. It was blinding, but it was not enough to shake Yami in the slightest. The wolf held it there, face forced into the snow, front limbs folded from his weight and naturally powerful neck.

This is something that does not usually work in a fight. The reason is, no wolf worthy of changing will leave themselves open to something like this. This does, however, work well with most shape-shifting wolves. If their form is larger than yours, it can usually pull them to a standstill. The problem from here is what animal they are. Most predators can strike out even while in a position like this. And most hellhounds will not utilize an herbivore as a form to fight in.

Honda nodded again. If it were the tigress from the warehouse, he was sure it would have been all too easy to eviscerate Yami entirely. The wolf was as incapacitated in this attack as the serow was, in truth. He was holding it there, at a complete standstill, and due to this, he could not move entirely out of range. Had it been a cat or a bear, the predator would have been able to lash out and hit him in some manner or another.

The scruff of the neck, Yami continued, leaning forward and snatching at the back of the serow's neck, should only be utilized when you are desperate and unsure of how to fight an opponent. It makes it easier to hold them in place. But it is ineffective as an attack itself. You cannot do true damage. But should they grab you by the scruff, if you are in the right position and go limp, you may be able to strain their neck and jaws. The pain might be intense enough that they will release you entirely.

Honda shivered. Did the other wolves all know this? Or was it something that Yami himself knew from experience? He wondered if he had taught Yami about this. And the thought made him bristle with alarm.

Had Yugi killed before? Had he been forced to kill in order to save himself?

Had he killed to save Yami?

Beyond this, the weak points are rather universal. You can break the shoulders. You can cut the throat. You can break limbs. You can disembowel. Yami released the serow now, titling his head and looking it over for a moment. He pricked his ears forward, studying the goat-antelope for a few seconds. And then he turned slowly to Honda. It is as easy as hunting for the most part. But you need to learn to do that if you wish to be able to fight properly later.

Honda felt almost queasy. I don't want to finish it off, if that's where this conversation is leading, he breathed out, feeling as if his chest were threatening to collapse. I really don't. Please, Yami…don't make me.

Yami stared at him. His eyes were dark, glittering, and burning into his. And then he huffed loudly, curling his lip back. He wagged his tail, opening his mouth wide. His fangs glittered with saliva, dripping from his jaws. Then he lunged forward.

The serow screamed for a split second, kicking and flailing.

Then it was silent.

Yami plopped down on his belly in front of it. His mouth was visibly watering, still. Drool seemed to dribble uncontrollably from his large jaws. Honda shivered, disgusted and stunned by the display. And, when Yami's head turned towards him, eyes burning with hunger, his skin crawled.

Are you hungry?

He shivered, backing up. I don't know if I could do that…

His patience snapped before his eyes. Yami's eyes turned cold, glittering, and his mouth opened wide with a snarl. He got to his paws, fur fluffed up with a hideous bristle. You and Yugi are both the same, he spat. He does not like to eat anything in this form. And it makes him a liability. Do you understand that you cannot afford to become one as well? It will make you look weak and stupid. The pack lives to destroy such traits. Both of you have to make everything so much more difficult when it comes to politics and rank and necessity!

Honda flinched at the snarl bubbling from the other's throat. But Yami's words were spoken so quietly that he almost thought they were nothing more than a harsh whisper, nothing more than a soft mumble. And he might have been able to convince himself it was merely a conversation Yami was making with him.

But the black wolf was trembling finely. His teeth were bared. His eyes were glowing. His ears were pricked forward. And then he abruptly tossed his head twice. He spun around, lowered his head, and took a violent bite from the carcass in front of him.

Fur was stripped away. Blood and grizzle were scattered about the snow. He could hear his teeth digging through its flesh violently. The prey animal shuddered with every movement.

Honda shivered, looking around awkwardly. But there was no relief from the snarling. And there was no blocking away the sound of skin splitting. He could hear Yami tugging at the intestines, pulling them out of place.

Yami had said he wasn't healthy when he'd been at the arcade. He'd said eating pizza would have made him ill. And Honda had watched him dig into those steaks as if they were nothing when Yugi had offered them. Honda considered, flicking his ears. Yami had seemingly thrived off the raw meat when they'd been feeding him at the house. He had seemingly healed faster. He'd turned and changed back sooner than they'd expected. And Honda remembered more than ever that Yami was still more imposing and seemed more powerful than Yugi as a wolf.

Did eating wild prey truly help to attribute to this?

Honda crept forward awkwardly. Realization made his gut churn. If he wanted to be strong and ready to fight, he needed to embrace everything that came with being a wolf, didn't he? He needed to be strong enough to help out, not so weak that he was just a hindrance to them all.

He had to accept that he would do better with raw meat than with human meals. It might be disgusting, but it was necessary. And, as Yami had insinuated, it might damn well become a matter of life or death among the other wolves.

He crept forward again. Yami turned his head just enough to give him a clear shot of the blood that stained his muzzle and made his fur shiny. His lips peeled back to show his teeth slightly, stained black in the dark.

Uh, I…I want to try it.

For a long minute Yami didn't answer him. Then he snorted dismissively. He hummed after a moment, rising to his paws. He turned his head to eye him over his shoulder for a long heartbeat.

Honda blinked, unsure of what to do.

And then Yami moved a few feet away. He stopped in front of the serow's nose, licking his mouth hungrily, and took a seat. Honda shivered, studying the blood he was cleaning from his maw. But his entire muzzle, to his cheeks, along half of the slope of his skull, was utterly soaked in blood.

---

Yugi came over the top of the hill as quickly as he could. The snowfall was so heavy he could no longer seen any of the tracks he'd been able to when he'd first started his tracking. Yami had truly taken Honda far away from their hunting site. He'd gone west where Yugi had led the pack south to get at one of the remaining deer herds. He'd left them with a comment about needing to converse with Yami, had ignored it when Aki had sneered and Zane had stared at him blankly. He'd told Zane and Chazz to watch the pack. And then he'd turned to follow Yami's prints the moment the snowfall had even gotten slightly heavier.

Now he relaxed.

Yami was seated a few feet away. His head was slightly lowered. His ears were pricked forward. His eyes glinted like shards of bloodied glass. His shadow was stretched long and dark across the snow. Yugi smiled as he came forward, relieved to see how comfortable he looked. His tongue ran over his mouth twice. And then he spotted Honda as well.

His friend had his face buried into the gaping hole of the belly of the serow they'd caught. He was munching away happily. Yugi found himself almost stumbling at the sight. Then he shook it off, surprise leaving him as he reconsidered it. He turned away again, wagging his tail.

Aibou, he greeted gently, coming closer.

Yami's head turned, snapping up, ears angled towards him. And, to Yugi's surprise, it was clear he did not truly recognize him for a split second. His eyes were darker than usual, sharp with alarm. And then he blinked, getting to his paws. Yugi hesitated, studying his face and wondering if Yami was okay or not. He shrugged it off, coming further forward.

Hey. I thought I would come and see if you guys were okay.

Absolutely, Yami said mildly, voice quiet. Honda is taking well to his lycanthropy so far.

Yugi nodded. But Yami looked distracted, as if he were reciting a statement he'd rehearsed several times already and still did not quite understand. And Yugi wondered for a brief moment what he should do about it. Was there a way to pull him out of this disconnect? He was not sure he'd ever managed to do it before then. Only ever during panic attacks had Yugi managed to draw him out of these moments. And Yugi was not sure what he would do if Yami reacted negatively at some point…

He shook his head, scattering the thought.

That's great.

Yugi wondered if it was the mentality of being part of a gang that made Honda and Jonouchi so easy with the idea of eating prey like this. He wondered if it was simply the fact that they were so close that might have done it. He couldn't imagine a reason otherwise. But he also wondered if Yami had talked him into it.

But he doubted that Honda would have been so at ease had Yami been forced to persuade him.

I wanted to talk to you about something, he said slowly, hesitant. He turned back to Yami pointedly. The black wolf seemed to blink away his daze, turning back to him. Yugi hesitated a moment longer, squared his shoulders, and nodded at him. I think we need to take the opportunity to use real prey for decapitation. I don't think the frozen chicken is going to do us nearly as well if we plan to use it in a fight, Yami. Frozen chicken doesn't move or fight back.

Yami stared back at him, blinking, and tilted his head slowly. That is a true statement, he agreed. Yugi did not like the way he seemed so surprised by his request. He didn't like the remorseful glimmer in his eyes when he looked away and back a second later. It would make sense to do so. There is no reason for us to keep playing with food like that when it is a better option to attempt to do so with animals.

Yugi nodded slightly. I think it is going to be our best option.

Yes. Yami turned back to look at the serow. And Yugi swore his mouth opened the smallest bit. Serows would be best for the first few times. They are not as violent and strong as deer. But the deer would be best afterwards. They have the best defense. They'll pose the biggest threat.

I don't want to mess with the boars. Yugi drew in a deep breath. He didn't want to have to think about how Yami had been tortured and eaten alive by them more often than not. He didn't want to picture it, unable to stop himself, and feel that same horror swelling in his veins as he had before. I think it would be best to avoid them altogether.

Perhaps. The noncommittal response nearly made Yugi snarl. But he made no move to argue and instead turned back to him. His ears flicked about, as if he were trying to listen for any other wolf nearby. But Yugi had the abrupt idea that perhaps it was a nervous tic. I can show you the best way to find the jugular and how easy it is to bite through when we do this. It will be a good lesson for you later, I'm sure.

Right. Yugi hesitated a moment. Then he wagged his tail and moved to lean closer until their noses touched. He smiled at him, searching his eyes a heartbeat, and nuzzled his cheek. Yami simply tilted his head, allowing him to tickle his cheek with his nose when he exhaled and wagged his tail.

The white wolf moved his head slightly. Then he laid his chin upon his shoulder, wagging his tail once more. Yami hardly let him touch him in either form, even going as far as to only play for a minute or two at the most.

He was nearly shaking with his enthusiasm.

So, do you think it would be possible to teach Honda and Jonouchi how to do that, too? he asked after a moment. He leaned forward to press more closely into him, ducking his head to gently tap him in the side with his nose. Yami shifted his weight and Yugi threw himself into the snow. His paws were in the air as he tapped his hip with his nose. I mean, it would be a good thing to teach them too, right?

It would, but I do not know how well they might do. Yami turned his head to look down at him. Yugi almost trembled, happy to see his face so relaxed and seemingly warm in appearance. He smiled at him, then leaned forward to press his nose into one of his paws. Yugi couldn't see it, but he hoped his tail was wagging. I do not know if they might have the jaw power necessary to do such a thing. I do not know if either of them might be able to do so.

Yugi nodded. He moved his other paw to press lightly into his cheek, wagging his tail happily. Yami opened his mouth, chewing his paw and watching his face. He smiled up at him, tongue lolling. And it occurred to him that he was not sure Yami had ever been in this position. He did not think he had ever seen him lie on his back and allow him to mouth his paws or nuzzle his chest or lick the underside of his leg.

Yami had always been shy about showing him his belly in any way, even when he'd been recovering. Yugi wondered if it was because of a trauma from the labs or if he was simply instinctively inclined to remain on his paws. He had been hurt so many times Yugi would have been amazed if it was not the latter. He hoped it wasn't from the labs, if only because he did not want to imagine what they might have done to him otherwise…

We can always try and see, though, right?

Yami nodded rather lazily. He mouthed his paw again, lifted one of his own to gently press into his flank, and pulled away to shake himself out. He pawed at Yugi's side, careful to hit his flank, his shoulders and his hip. Yugi was aware of just how hard he was working to keep from touching his stomach in any way.

Yes, that is always a possibility, he answered. But he glanced over his shoulder at Honda. Then he turned back. His red eyes were warm, but slightly troubled. His paw nudged his left shoulder again, then got to his paws, tail wagging. Who knows? Maybe Full-Bloods have jaws as strong as ours. I wouldn't know. I've never bothered to test it out before. And I don't usually pay other wolves attention. So, perhaps Honda and Jonouchi will have good teeth and strong jaws.

Yugi nipped at his paw, pushing lightly with his paws at his neck. They could. But he doubted it. There was a reason they were considered so powerful as Pure-Bloods and he was sure jaw power was one strength they possessed over the other blood types. He wondered if they should measure it at some point. They had to be stronger than they were in the labs, right? Yami had said Atem's jaw power had been over three thousand. Could they double that? Had it already doubled? He wondered if there was a way to strengthen it even further if it had. It could be a good thing to learn about. That would mean the wolves in the original pack, like Mai and Otogi, might be able to do it too.

Yami pulled his paw away, looking down at him curiously. Do you think that might be wise? he asked quietly, after what felt a lifetime. If they argue again, there could be a lot more death and bloodshed than there was originally.

Yugi flinched, pulling away and sitting up. Yami simply watched him a moment, then shook a seat as well. They considered each other for a few seconds, and Yugi looked away with his ears pricked and eyes narrowed. Do you think that might happen again? I mean, what's your honest opinion on it?

I don't know. I don't have one. I was simply asking if you'd thought of the possibility. Because then we have a problem if they turn around and end up killing each other because they know their jaw power to be stronger than the other. I know the yearlings would never stand a chance if Aki were to discover she could do something like that. Taking down prey like that with jaw power of our magnitude would likely simply give her a power trip.

Okay, but what if we excluded her?

Someone might mention it. She might beat someone into telling her. He fell silent. His eyes were glazed over. Yugi wasn't sure if he was even conscious of what he was saying at this point, or if he was simply saying something to make Yugi believe he was paying attention. Then again, if they are capable of doing so, then the odds are at least one of them will fight her before she gets too far with it, I'm sure.

I don't know now. It seems like a risk.

I'm just explaining that I don't know, Yugi. He blinked, red eyes focusing on his face once more. It is not as if everything might truly turn out as I am saying.

But you're good at reading situations like this.

It is only because I am so often suspicious and wary by nature, Yugi. Otherwise, I would hardly think much of any of it and you would be left on your own to struggle. He shook his head. Yugi turned to watch him for a few seconds, studying him more pointedly. If I were not so jaded in this manner, I would have been more likely to be as naïve and calm as you.

Yugi huffed. I'm not… Okay, so maybe I'm a little naïve. But I usually figure things out pretty quickly, you know! He said the words indignantly, but it was hard to keep this angry mood when Yami was simply watching him with such amusement in his eyes. If he could look at him with such warmth in his eyes, why should Yugi argue with his teasing? You don't need to be mean about it when you're teasing me. But you're right. I have completely different memories of my life than you do. I still don't remember the labs all that well. But I do remember a lot of the experiments themselves.

Yami's eyes sharpened, narrowing. That's a new development. How did that come about?

It's been a week or two, I guess. It was before Yubel attacked. He fell quiet for a long moment. He narrowed his eyes and wrinkled his nose. Slifer and Ra showed it to me. I couldn't watch all of it. But I got the general idea of it.

He snarled in disgust, getting to his feet. The sound made Honda turn his blood-soaked head towards them in surprise. And, to his shock, Honda came running over to take a position at his side. Yami blinked at him, snorting, and shook his head sharply.

Oh, fuck off, Honda, he snapped, chomping his teeth. I'm not going to hurt him.

Yugi blinked, confused. Hurt me?

I was thinking too hard about something and he got to see what happened. Yami snapped his teeth again, then got to his paws and peeled his lips back to show his canines. I am telling you now. Leave us. We're having a discussion.

What is he talking about? Why the hell does that mean? Yugi demanded sharply, spinning on his friend. Honda was glaring at Yami pointedly, though he was not brave enough to meet his eyes. He was simply looking at the stops beneath them. Explain what the hell that means.

When I backhanded you in the woods, Yami snapped at him. Yugi blinked, turning to him with wide eyes at the reminder. He stiffened, then blinked in confusion, and narrowed his eyes. I was thinking about it and I focused on it too hard. It led to me accidentally showing him and he became upset. So I explained it. And now I assume he is afraid of what might happen should I become upset now.

What? Why were you even thinking about that? Yugi huffed, a small drizzle of fear creeping through him. Yami clearly wasn't as stable as he'd pretended to be formerly. But Yugi didn't understand what this line of thought could have meant. He looked to Honda again, the fear turning into a blank fury, and bristled as he bore his teeth. Honda, I don't know what the hell he told you, but it's not as cut and dry as he lost his temper and hit me, all right? It's not. Now just leave it alone and let me talk to him.

The brown wolf seemed to hesitate at the sharpness in his tone. His eyes flickered between them. The snarl left his face and he tilted his head, flattening his ears as he considered them. You're sure? Yugi narrowed his eyes at the hesitant response. And, when Honda continued, the anger grew tenfold. I'm not going to leave you over there and then hear him attacking you seconds later, right?

He shook his head sharply, nearly spitting with anger. No, you're not. He turned to Yami. Right?

I have no plans to hurt you. He shot Honda an annoyed look. Although I am impressed that you came running so fast to see to it that I did not harm him. But I am not close to losing my temper. I was simply surprised by what he said to me. That's all.

Honda considered them both again. Then he nodded, exhaling with something like relief. Okay, he said slowly, turning immediately to Yugi again, but I'll come running if you guys start snarling again, just so you know.

I appreciate it, he said softly.

Yami snorted. I expect nothing less.

Honda turned and trotted back over to his meal, though he did glance over at them for a single second. Yugi waited until he was tucked back into the task of eating to turn to him with a huff.

You really just put your paw in your mouth there, huh? He was glaring, but his own joke almost made him snicker. He sighed, shaking his head, and looked Yami over. You told him you just lost your temper, didn't you?

I was not willing to repeat what you said to me that day.

I would never expect you to, aibou. But you really just painted yourself out to be the bad guy to him. You do realize that, right?

His perception of me does not matter. Yami was silent for a moment. Then he tilted his head, eyeing him. He was rather amazed when I told him that you have forgiven me.

Yugi nodded, turning away. Because it sounds more like I'm in an abusive relationship. That's how it normally goes. They get hit, forgive them, and then they stay. He hesitated for a long moment. He didn't understand relationships like that, not because he couldn't imagine loving someone enough to see past such things—he had done so numerous times in regards to Yami alone, in truth—but because he'd never experienced it. He couldn't picture being in one himself, and even thinking about it sometimes made him nervous. That's not at all what's going on here, however. But odds are he thinks it is more like that than anything, Yami.

I should not have hit you regardless. He was right to be upset.

Really? Because I was under the impression he didn't need to know.

I was not regulating my thoughts enough to isolate the incident in my mind alone. I projected it when I was not trying to. I'm sorry, Yugi. I never meant to tell him to begin with. The way he peered at him made his heart ache. Yugi almost trembled at the sight. However, we have both hurt each other quite a few times, be it physically or verbally.

He startled, blinking in surprise at the statement. Well, yeah. No one is perfect.

He neglected to say that no relationship would ever be so perfect that arguments would not be a somewhat common occurrence at one point or another.

But he also wished that he could say they'd never physically fought and hurt one another. But he was not stupid. Nor was he delusional. He remembered their fight in the woods, the day he had found Shizuka's body. He remembered Yami turning on him when he'd lashed out at him over his classmates' deaths. He remembered turning on him just a week or so prior, when he'd needed to relieve his own stress.

He could not blame him in his feral state for what he'd done, even if Yami admitted that he knew who he was at the time. He did not truly believe that Yami had meant to consciously destroy him as he thought the hunger and need to survive had driven him to such extreme actions.

Regardless, it was despairing to think that they'd turned on each other so often.

But it was also somehow invigorating.

It only proved they could hold their own against one another when things were at their worst. It proved that their bond was stronger than their stress and anger and various bickering.

And that was somehow comforting to him.

I don't like fighting with you, Yami said abruptly. Yugi blinked, turning to him in confusion; he didn't even remember looking away. Yami's ears were flat against his head, eyes on the snow and head lowered a fraction. I don't like myself when I fight with you.

I don't like fighting with you, either. He hesitated, drawing in a deep breath. But I…I don't want you to bottle it up when you're upset, either, Yami. I don't want you to suffer because you've chosen to ignore it when you're angry. I…I would rather you take it out on me than hate yourself that much more.

That's the problem. I hate myself when we fight. I hate myself more than ever for it.

Yugi fought back a flinch. I…I don't know how to fix that.

It is not your responsibility to fix it. It's mine.

But you don't have to do it alone. I'm here. I'll help in any way I can.

I know. Thank you.

Yugi sighed softly, leaning forward to lick his forehead. When Yami still did not move away, he shifted closer to lay his chin on his head. I'll help you with anything I can. You know that.

The words he wanted to say so badly were on the tip of his tongue, but he forced them away. He couldn't say them. Yami would likely panic and flee. And Yugi couldn't afford for something like that to happen. The loneliness would have destroyed him; he couldn't take being abandoned after so much had happened. He'd lost his family. He'd lost one of his best friends from childhood. His father was in the states again. Jonouchi was upset with him and so had distanced himself. Honda was trying, but it was not all in an effort to remain close to Yugi; it had been more for Jonouchi than anything, Yugi knew. He'd lost Anzu and he'd felt the chasm between himself and Jonouchi and he'd attempted to bridge his differences with his best friend.

Yugi was, essentially, beyond Yami himself, alone.

But, beyond this, Yugi knew he could not afford to lose the one wolf that was perhaps his strongest, most resilient fighter in the pack. If he scared him off just because he wished he could tell him he loved him, he was sure the pack would be all but desecrated when the fight came to a head. And he could not afford to think with his heart over his head.

He would have put all his own progress in jeopardy. It was a slow process, but he was making the transition all the same. He was working out his options as a leader, puzzling through the various situations he knew he needed to consider. He needed Yami to stay, from a sheer power aspect rather than anything else.

He, as his beta, was more important than even he was as the alpha. Yami was willing to make sacrifices to shatter the tension. He was willing to play at two roles among the wolves for other reason than to help them find balance. Yami could help him no matter what, simply because he was powerful and more accustomed to it all than Yugi himself was.

Yes. Yami was quiet for a long moment, looking up at him with a somehow hollow expression. I am aware. Thank you. I might need your help more often.

Yugi pricked his ears, the declaration making his bones cold. Why do you say that?

Because I… Yami abruptly raised and turned his head, got to his paws, and shook himself out. Whatever admission he might have made was long gone as he looked at the snow, red eyes dull with a pain Yugi couldn't recognize. It doesn't matter. Never mind.

Aibou—

No. It doesn't matter. It's okay. It's fine. I don't… Yami turned his head to look over his shoulder. Yugi saw the smallest rise of fur along his shoulders, as if he were upset by the mere presence of the other male. Honda, are you finished eating? You've gone rather quiet over there.

Yugi blinked. When he turned his head, he realized Honda was pretending to groom his paws. No doubt he'd been trying to listen in on their conversation. No doubt he'd heard Yami apologize and so had grown curious.

But to be called out as he was made the brown wolf freeze. For a moment he didn't move. Then his eyes widened and he looked over with his ears flattened against his head. He knew he'd been caught. And he was sheepish, horrified, and visibly ashamed. Yeah, yeah, I'm good, he said quietly, getting to his feet and coming over to them. He wouldn't look up from the snow as he stopped a few feet away from them. Are we going somewhere?

We will return to the camp.

The words made Honda turn to Yugi with wide eyes. The white wolf studied Yami for a moment, then nodded slightly. Yami ignored them both, tilting his head, and stretched lazily in front of them. When he turned to Yugi again, his red eyes were slightly troubled.

Are you hungry?

Yugi narrowed his eyes the smallest degree. How likely was it that Yami would eat the rest? If he planned to, Yugi didn't want to cut into his meal. But if he planned to simply leave the rest, then it would be a good idea for him to eat some, right?

He wasn't stupid. He knew that the raw meat from their hunts was far better for him than human food ever could have been. He was aware of the fact that he should not turn his nose up as he so often had before. He was weak for it. He knew that Yami resented him for it as well, as much as the other wolf would deny it. He had never missed the anger in his eyes when he argued that he wasn't hungry or said that he'd eat at home.

And he knew he would need as much strength as possible to be able to fight and win against Yubel. He was too weak to face her in this state. And he planned to lay waste to her eventually.

And, if there was food there to be eaten, why should he be so foolish as to deny it?

Yeah, a little bit, he answered. Yami blinked, visibly surprised, and tilted his head. Yugi snorted, wagging his tail, and trotted past him to the serow. Yami followed him a few steps behind, visibly still startled. You weren't expecting that, huh?

Yami hummed in confirmation. His ears were pricked forward, eyes wide and puzzled for a split second as they watched each other. Then he looked away. Help yourself, he mumbled. But Yugi could see his lips quivering, his nose wriggling, and his cheeks twitched. He wasn't blind to the buildup of saliva slowly working its way past his teeth and down his jaws, either.

Yugi felt his heart breaking in his chest at the sight. Yami had let Honda eat first, allowing him a better chance to gain some strength from the meal. And no doubt, had Yugi not shown up, he would have eaten as much as he could before they'd left the carcass.

Honda had eaten most of the organs, no doubt driven by instinct to devour the most viable and essential parts of the body. But there was still muscle and warm flesh and he could smell bone marrow and he was rather sure the organ he was staring at in the center of the animal's chest was its heart.

Why don't you eat with me? He turned to him with a wag of his tail. Yami blinked, startled, and where he'd been trying not to drool before, now he slathered with his open bewilderment. Yugi almost shivered with the growing pain in his chest. Wolves eat together all the time, right?

The alpha pair, yes.

So, then come on. You're my beta. And we all know I'm not going to be taking on a mate anytime soon, so why don't you go ahead and eat with me? Yugi continued, wagging his tail once more. Yami stared at him with a stupefied expression. I mean, you're the closest I'll ever get, so why not?

The statement was bold enough that it made him nervous. An overwhelming sense of fear swept through him. The thought of rejection made his entire body almost quiver.

Because it… Yami fell silent for a long second. Then he slowly glanced over his shoulder towards Honda before turning back. I forgot that no one is here but us and Honda.

What would it matter if the pack was here, either? It doesn't matter what they think or say about it. I invited you. You're my beta. If they have a problem with it, they can fight me over it. Yugi looked at him, wagging his tail rapidly. He wasn't rejecting him; the elation at this fact alone was enough to make him tremble with excitement. Now come on. I know you're starving. I know you let Honda eat first. And you've been drooling since I got here.

The larger canine hesitated a moment longer. Then he glanced around cautiously, and finally came over to his side. He lowered his nose almost next to Yugi's, the white wolf leaned forward and licked his muzzle, and then they both dug into the meal.

---

Honda was walked home by Jonouchi after Yugi led them back to the camp. The pack was mostly resting when Yugi and Yami had left; Jack and Jim and Aki had taken up vigil to watch and ensure the camp was guarded. Yami had led him for a long time silently through the woods, quiet and calm, and they'd spent much of the time merely swapping glances and wondering at the idea of their newest decision. Yugi had suggested it, Yami had agreed, and they'd gone off looking for prey to practice on as they'd discussed before.

Now they'd been traveling for more than two hours at a simple trot.

They'd caught a few serows, Yami performing the first attacks in order to stun them long enough for Yugi to try to attack them as well. He'd caught them by the throat, shaking them until they were too dizzy to walk properly. Yugi would lunge, crushing the throat of one when he'd snapped his jaws, missing another entirely, slamming into the third's shoulder by accident, and catching the fourth and fifth around the necks. But he had not lunged so hard or fast that the adrenaline had aided in decapitation.

And so they had continued moving around, searching for more prey.

Yugi had kept pace with him the entire time, but now he slowed and pricked his ears forward. Yami, he called softly. The black wolf faltered ahead of him, slowing a step, and turned his head to blink at him over his shoulder. They considered each other for a long moment. Then Yugi stopped entirely and watched as Yami did the same. I'm tired. This isn't working so well. Maybe we should call it a night for now and try again tomorrow.

You wish to call it quits and do it again tomorrow? Yami echoed, voice surprised but disdainful as well. I was not aware we had such a choice. I was under the impression this was a matter to be taken seriously rather than disregarded for the sake of rest.

Yugi shook his head. It's important. It is. But we've been traveling for along two hours now and the prey we've crossed paths with has not helped all that much. We're wasting time just tracking them like this. I mean… Don't you get it?

Yami snarled in response, pricking his ears forward and glaring. I get that you are giving up, as I should have known you would.

Don't, Yugi snapped, shaking his head again. He exhaled roughly. I don't want to fight with you, Yami. It's not worth arguing like that. I'm tired. And it's not as if I'm telling you that I refuse to do this again and—

I should not have snapped at you, Yami cut in quietly, sounding almost despaired. I'm sorry, Yugi. I just… I don't know what I'm doing anymore.

Yugi wondered briefly if Yami had ever truly known. He always seemed so lost and broken at times. And his heart ached, feeling helpless to so much as aid him in any manner. That's okay, he said gently. I'm not upset. Don't worry about it.

Yami flattened his ears against his head, sighing loudly. Yugi watched him turn his head away, looking at him in his peripheral as he took a seat. He looked crestfallen and exhausted. I shouldn't have snapped. Regardless of whether it upset you or not, it is something I regret doing. He hesitated, then sighed softly and pricked his ears forward, shaking his head once more. I should not have done that to you. You are a good person and I do not mean to treat you so badly like this.

Yugi went to deny it, to argue that he had never truly treated him badly. But then he stopped short. Yami looked so worn out, as if the multiple thoughts in his head had ruined what little remained of his resolve. He did not look as if he might move at any point. He wished he could have helped him in some way, offered him some kind of encouragement or moved forward to nuzzle him.

But he knew better. Yami would simply curl in on himself once more. He would not be comforted in the slightest. And he would feel weaker than ever, useless and estranged to himself, and would put up his usual barriers.

Do we need to go back to the hotel? Yami asked, looking at him now. His eyes looked almost like ink wells in the darkness, deep shadows with bottomless pits. He did not seem inclined to speak for a long moment. And then he shook himself out again, studying him. It is so late at night and I do not see the reason to return when they most likely would not wish for us to disturb them…

We don't have to go back. And he wished that applied to everything, from the pack to fighting Yubel to everything else. If you would rather stay at the camp, we can do that. There's no reason for us to back if you don't want to.

It's a waste of money.

Money isn't a concern, he dismissed quietly. He came forward a few steps and tilted his head, studying him. My dad gave me almost three times as much as usual after the funeral when he transferred money to my account. I don't understand… Why are you always so worried about that, aibou?

Yami was silent for a long handful of seconds. Then he looked away and seemed to shiver, shaking his head. I don't like to waste things. You know I have had little since I escaped the labs. And it makes me feel as if I am being burdensome when I do not use what I have to its fullest. That goes from you offering to pay for something of mine to eating and…everything else.

Yugi sighed softly, unsure of how to assuage the guilt Yami felt in this matter. You're sweet to be concerned about it. But you don't have to be. Remember I wouldn't ask you if I wasn't sure I could afford it. He paused. And it is not like I'm going to blame you for something like that when it's also my choice.

Your choice?

I can go by myself at anytime, Yami. I could use the room without you if I wanted. I don't have to have you there with me. I choose to stay with you. I choose to pay for food for you. I choose to buy you clothes. Just like you choose to stay with me rather than simply turn and leave on your own. He tilted his head, wagging his tail. You know I would do anything for you, from picking a place to stay for the night to killing someone. You know I would do it if it was necessary. And it is not necessary for you to worry about expenses or anything like that. Do you understand? I promise it's okay.

I do not like the idea of leaving you to worry on your own like this. I do not like the fact that I cause so many problems—

That's half the fun of having you around, Yugi teased, wagging his tail rapidly and opening his mouth into a full grin. Because you bring excitement everywhere you go.

Yami was not nearly as amused as he was. He tilted his head, studying him with a slightly annoyed expression. Then he turned away abruptly. Do you ever wonder how much better off you might be if we had not crossed paths?

Do you always have to be so depressing? Yugi asked, voice breaking with despair. Yami startled, turning to him at the shattered tone. His red eyes were wide, stunned. I mean… I… Yami, I… You always seem so insecure and then you get upset because of it. And then you become depressed. And then you become violent. And you become more broken from there. And I… Is it really so hard for you try to find something to like about yourself?

Yami flinched, almost falling from the force of it. Yugi watched him as he staggered and regained his footing. Every fur on his body rose in a bristle, shuddering. There isn't anything to admire or like.

You kill me when you say things like that.

I'm sorry.

No, it's… But it wasn't okay. He couldn't pretend it was, either. But it wasn't something he could fix, either. He wished there was a way, but time was slipping through his fingers, and he was not sure he could help him regarding his depression and self-hatred. He couldn't divide his time further than he already had. And his focus had to remain more or less on Yubel and the hellhounds than anything else. Yugi moved forward, nuzzling him, and lay his chin on his shoulder. I want to ask you something, Yami.

Yami blinked once, waiting for him to speak as Yugi pulled away.

Are you willing to…? But he couldn't force the words out. Realization clawed at his gut and his blood felt as if it had turned to ice. He studied him, pain lancing through him. He turned away. Never mind, aibou. Maybe I'll ask another time. Now really isn't right for this.

If you say so…

Yugi turned to him, forcing himself to wag his tail. I do. I'll ask you another time.

---

Is something wrong? Jonouchi demanded, getting to his paws and hurrying over. He tilted his head, studying them with his ears pricked forward. His eyes narrowed and his fur rose slightly into a mild bristle of alarm, watching him with a flustered expression. What happened?

"Nothing," Yugi answered dismissively. His voice stirred Zane, Chazz, and Otogi from their naps. Otogi grunted and stretched, Chazz got to his paws and shook himself out before hurrying forward to investigate, and Zane curled back up as he stared at them with a somewhat suspicious expression. "Nothing is wrong. I just wanted to speak to everyone."

Everyone? Jonouchi mumbled uncertainly. He glanced around and flicked his ears before turning back. I think everyone is here except for Honda and Ute and Yuya. I think everyone else is here, though…

Mai was watching Yami, Yugi noticed. Her violet eyes were troubled, visibly alarmed by whatever it was she'd seen on his face. But when Yugi glanced at him, the red-eyed teen was watching him with an expressionless countenance. Yugi turned back as the she-wolf murmured, Yusei, Ute, Honda, Moon Shadow, and Andre would be missing, but we can fill them in when they get back from patrol.

"That's fine. Honda already knows and so does Yusei. And you can all tell everyone else when it's necessary," Yugi answered quietly. He waved it off when a couple of the other wolves shot them curious, alarmed looks. Yami, however, moved past him and picked his way through the snow to find a spot he felt was comfortable enough to sit down in. Yugi's first instinct was to tell him to come back, to say he needed to come back to his side. It was stupid of him. And the weakness made him almost laugh with disgust at himself. Yami quirked a brow, as if he could read his mind. Yugi turned away again. "I want you all to listen and consider what I'm about to tell you. Because it's not a fun story and if you don't think you can handle it, then I want you to consider leaving. It doesn't matter that I'm Atem. It doesn't matter that you all were raised knowing that you'd eventually have to help me with this problem. You were all given the gift of free will and now would be the time to exercise it."

Some of the wolves raised their heads, peering at him in confusion. Others sat up, shifting their weight and staring at him in alarm.

Aki even rose to her feet, staring at him in shock. Chazz had stopped approaching, bristling in alarm. Jack stared at him with cold, startled purple eyes. Jonouchi was frozen in place. Mai was sitting up, startled. Syrus and Yuya both stared at him with huge, horrified eyes. And Otogi tilted his head, blinking in shock.

"Look, odds are, half of you aren't going to make it out of this fight alive. And I don't even know if I won't end up coming back to life a few times. I don't know if this war will be the thing that destroys everything or not. I don't know if it will kill each and every one of us at one point or another. And I don't want you to go into this not realizing that."

Yami had closed his eyes partially, watching him in his peripheral just as Yugi was him. The taller teen had taken to leaning back on his hands, a leg bent as if to shield his stomach slightly, head turned slightly towards the snow.

"So, you have a choice to make at the end of this story I tell you. And it's going to be a matter of life or death what you decide you want to do." Yugi fell quiet for a long moment. "About two weeks ago, I'm sure you all heard the sound coming from my house. There were a lot screams and death cries and fighting. If I could hear it from school when my teacher was talking and everyone in class was goofing off, I know you all could hear it as well. Some of you even came to help out."

Aki's eyes narrowed in surprise. Her gaze swept over some of the wolves, clearly trying to judge who these words were aimed at. But then her eyes fell on Yami and she bristled visibly, alarmed and confused. Yugi glanced at Yami again, but the red-eyed teen had not shifted his position in the slightest. His lashes had made his eyes considerably darker and his pupils were visibly blown.

"I don't think I need to tell you that the end result was not a good one. The hellhounds managed to overpower myself and Yami. We didn't stand a chance. They're fast, they're violent, and the two I encountered were Harbingers and likely psychopaths. The female, Yubel, is likely capable of all three powers and I believe Sartorius, the male, is capable of at least two. I know for sure that Yubel can change shape and has the ability to poison. I don't know if she can heal by drinking blood. But I doubt she can't. Sartorius is… I don't know what he's capable of. I didn't see if he could do the same…"

Aki sat up now, eyes wide. She stared at him with an expression of sheer disbelief, but she made no move to speak. Instead she looked quickly away when their eyes briefly locked. Mai was stiff next to Jonouchi, violet eyes clouded with fear and despair. Chazz bristled and stared at him blankly. Zane closed his eyes, pricking his ears forward. Jack simply stared back at him, narrowing his eyes.

"I want you to understand what Yubel and Sartorius managed to do. Yubel is the alpha. And I know for a fact it's by sheer force. She's a monster. She's fast and terrible. I watched her kill in a matter of seconds." He exhaled slowly, forcefully. "She overpowered Yami and myself quickly. And the best part? She doesn't give a fuck. Yubel doesn't care. She's younger than all of you. And she's more violent than all of you combined. She's willing to kill as easily as she breathes. If you get in her way, your life is over."

Yami stretched his leg back out. Yugi looked over impulsively, reacting to the sight of movement in the corner of his eye. But Yami didn't move to speak, eyes closed completely now. For a moment he didn't move, then his eyes snapped open and bore into his.

Yugi turned away, exhaling long and slow. "Jonouchi and I ditched school when we heard Yami. And when I got there, a smaller patrol had gotten to the house ahead of me. The door was hanging off the hinges and blood was splattered all across the walls in the staircase. The door at the top of the stairs was broken in a similar manner to the front one. There were a few bodies lying around. And when I made it to my room, Yubel and Sartorius were waiting for me. Yami was wounded and cornered. And Yubel was just delighted to see me."

The statement made the other wolves swap uncertain looks. A few looks were cast towards Yami, stunned and curious. Yugi swallowed hard, glancing at him as well. Yami was no longer looking at him, head tilted away and eyes unfocused as he seemingly stared at the snow. Yugi wondered if he was flustered or embarrassed by the fact that the other wolves now knew of what he no doubt considered a devastating failure on his behalf.

"Yubel knew she would win. She knew she could and she knew she would." Yugi fell silent again. Then he exhaled, shaking his head and grimacing. "She had found my mother and grandfather and she'd bled them and thrown them onto my bed to wait for me to get there. I'm assuming Sartorius managed to hold Yami off long enough to let her do it. She told me I could save them or I could save Yami. And I didn't manage to do both when I tried. She disemboweled my mother and tore my grandfather's throat out."

The words sparked horrified looks. They swapped looks and he was sure there were a few whispers scattered about, but he heard nothing. The wolves were too stunned to protest.

"I won't tell you all of the details. That wasn't the point of this discussion. I came here to tell you that if you want to run, you're free to. The point is, you're likely going to die. It's not going to be fun. It's not going to be easy. And if you're unlucky enough to run into Yubel, you won't make it. So, my point is this. If you think you'd rather run, then do it. I don't have time to play games trying to make you all feel confident about following me. You either will or you won't."

Yami blinked. His head turned, eyes glinting like knife blades. His lip curled faintly to show a canine.

How did she manage to overpower you? Yuya asked, horrified. His ears were pricked, legs quivering as he stared up at him with huge eyes. He looked as if he might collapse at any moment. You… you're Atem!

Yugi shook his head. "I couldn't stop her from injecting me with silver."

Then you would have won otherwise! Syrus guessed, sounding hopeful.

Yugi burst out laughing. "No," he scoffed. "No, I wouldn't have. I can't win like this."

Yami let out a rough breath, one that sounded infuriated.

Will you stay and fight then? a voice commented. Yugi turned his head, eyes wide. His head turned, eyes wide, to see who had spoken. And then his stomach dropped. Yusei and the others had come back from patrol at some point. And the blue-eyed male was staring at Yami with a pointed stare, somewhere between determination and ferocity. I mean, if we're all free to leave, what will you do?

Yami was silent for a long handful of seconds. The wolves all stared, tense with curiosity and fear, as if they believed that Yami might simply up and flee at that moment. But the red-eyed teen simply turned his head, staring at Yugi for a long minute. Yugi wanted to flinch away from his attention. He wanted him to promise he wouldn't abandon him. And then he wanted more than ever to tell him to run. He wanted him to flee just as much as he wished he would stay.

"I will be here." Yami turned to Yusei, voice cold and calculated. "I am not going anywhere."

Yugi hated himself for the relief he felt. His legs nearly gave beneath his weight. He felt sick, dizzy, and pathetic. And he hated himself more than ever a second later.

He should have encouraged him to run. He should have encouraged him to take off, to never turn back. He wished he could have said he needed him to listen to his cage mate and remember to flee and live his life.

But he was selfish. His heart hurt to realize it, but he could not be sure he'd survive on his own, either. And the thought almost broke him for a split second.

But Yami turned back to him a second later. His eyes were hard with warning, as if he could sense his fear and relief. And perhaps he hated him for it, he realized, but the red-eyed teen hardly seemed to be angry. He was merely telling him not to speak, was trying his hardest to portray to him that he could not say anything to him for the moment.

Yugi didn't speak to him again until they were halfway back to the hotel. They had left the pack, Yugi again telling them to choose if they could willingly give their lives, and they had been walking in silence since. He had kept himself from speaking since then, had swallowed away his relief and fear almost immediately.

Yami had never once even said anything to the pack beyond answering Yusei's question. His words had invoked the smallest sense of comfort in the pack. The wolves had swapped looks, flicked ears, wagged their tails hesitantly. They, like Yugi, must have realized that Yami was their strongest bet. As long as he remained in the pack, there was a far better chance of survival for all of them.

Yugi slowed his steps and exhaled slowly.

"Yami…"

The red-eyed teen remained silent for a long handful of seconds. Then he slowly turned his head just enough to look at him sidelong, eyes sharp and curious. Yugi studied his face, then smiled widely as he recognized the suspicion glimmering in his red gaze.

"I have something I need to do," he said softly. Yami peered back at him blankly, confused. He shook his head, narrowing his eyes, and Yugi wanted for a moment to reach out and touch him. Something about the way he stared at him made his heart hurt. "I need to speak to someone about something. And I didn't know if you would want to come with me for that. I mean, you didn't know Tomoya…"

Yami froze in place, eyes widening, and then blinked. His eyes shot away to the sidewalk for a long handful of seconds. Then he drew in a deep breath, closing his mouth into a tight line, before slowly raising his eyes again. His jaw had a slight nervous tic for a single second. And then his eyes narrowed slightly as he shook his head.

"I do not suppose his father would wish to meet his son's murderer. I think it would be wiser of me not to…darken his doorstep." Yami wrinkled his nose. "I believe that's the expression?"

Yugi smiled wider. "Yeah, that's it."

Yami nodded again, narrowing his eyes. "Then I assume it will be better that I do not meet him."

"I'll…" He hesitated, reaching up to bite at his fingernails for a moment. Then he shook his head and frowned at him for a long handful of seconds. "I'll meet you at the hotel. Is that okay? Or do you want to wait in the woods? Hunt or something? I can come back and—"

"No," Yami interrupted softly, and he sounded absolutely exhausted. He wouldn't look at him now, moving to tuck his hands into the pockets of his hoodie. His lips twisted into something of a grimace and his eyes were half-closed as he shook his head slowly. "I'll wait at the hotel."