AN: Ahem, now that there's a hit counting system, I've noticed a few people who either are boosting my confidence by hitting my page over and over (54 times) or have decided my fic shouldn't get those inspiration and confidence boosting (as well as the things that make me post faster) reviews. Out of 54 hits, I had 4 reviews. I don't like that. C'mon guys, I take the time to write this, take the time to COMMENT!
A special thanks for the FOUR dedicated thoughtful readers who gave me the time of day that last chapter.
O.S.Acious
Aphroditelove
V son sayian
Queenofgames2
Because you took the time of day for me, this chapter and the next four are dedicated to each of you.
Ryou nuzzled Marik as they ate something Ryou hadn't had before. A meal of small little white seaweed strands, which were covered in red topping, and littered with little white specks.
Marik chuckled softly as Ryou looked at it with curiosity hidden in his expression, but once again placed the forkful into his mouth. "Italian Ryou, it's called spaghetti with meatballs." Ryou blushed and looked down. "Was it...that easy to tell I was confused?" Marik chuckled, dipping a breadstick into the sauce and pressing it to Ryou's lips, the merboy complying immediately, nibbling the saucy end off.
Marik shook his head lovingly. "It's made with noodles and meat sauce." He added, as Ryou's blush darkened. "I'm so...awkward..." Ryou said softly, rubbing the fabric of his sleeve. "Not at all, you just haven't learned all there is to know." Marik said matter-of-factly. "I wouldn't want you to know more than me; I'd feel inadequate if my degrees went to waste because you already knew it all."
Ryou smiled warmly and nodded. "A-alright then..." He whispered, as they went back to their meal, unable to stop themselves from gazing lovingly at each other.
Xoxoxo
Yugi could feel his adrenaline pumping. Night, lights, music, dancing and booze. Somehow the other members of the band had managed to slide him past security, allowing him to have a bit of alcohol to take the edge off. Yugi though, didn't care for the aftertaste of alcohol and only had a single drink. Though, he did have to admit that it had calmed his nerves.
Latin music poured out of loud speakers, and Yugi danced with some of the other members of the band, after all, their show wasn't until the hot hour. Midnight. So far he'd found that dancing was much easier than it looked, and it was so sensual that every note flowed through his being as though it were liquid fire!
It was like a dance of desire between two people and which ever body burned hottest of all, was the one most praised and observed. Some wore clothes to accent their dancing in an eerily erotic way. Yugi however seemed to flow with the music like flames licking the air in an endlessly perfect show of absolute finesse. Time flowed faster than the waves of the ocean as Yugi enjoyed the music, sweat dancing down his lithe body, as of the bodies of others, in their heated dancing and celebration.
Yugi turned lazy eyes to a hand that had tapped him on the shoulder, and he nodded. Midnight, it must be near for the band had begun to gather and prepare for their hopeful career beginning concert.
Xoxoxo
Otogi sighed, walking once more along the road Yugi must have traveled. He blinked when something white flashed before his eyes. He gaped when he finally caught the flash of snowy hair again. A dance club! "Yes!" He shouted, hurrying in with little trouble. Inside the flash of white had seemingly vanished, but then he noticed something else.
Yugi held the microphone close to his mouth, singing the lyrics he'd practiced nearly all day to perfection, his voice filtering through the crowd and sending them all into a fury of dancing and cheering the likes of which he'd never seen before.
Xoxoxo
Ryou looked around confused. "Marik...where is that song coming from?" He asked calmly, sipping on the Bahama-mama Marik had given him. Marik smiled and pointed over his shoulder, at the band that had gathered on the stage not long after they'd entered the club. "There's a band tonight, playing live." He said as Ryou turned. "Marik! Th-that's my friend!" Ryou yelped, hands rushing to his mouth as he stared dumbly. "That's Yugi!"
Marik blinked, looking up at the stage with moderate disbelief. "Why is everyone still conscious?" He asked as Ryou shook his head in his own disbelief. "Our songs don't just put things to sleep!" Ryou stated frantically. "Mer-folk singing can be a very dangerous thing, but it can also be used for simple fun." He explained hopping from the stool, determined to make his way to the spike-headed teen. "That has to be Yugi, I recognize his voice anywhere!"
Yugi, despite being on stage hadn't noticed Ryou; his eyes were fixed on a different club-goer. "Ootogi..." he breathed. Eyes darkening in anger. The band was ready to put up their instruments for the evening, but Yugi turned and locked eyes with each of them. "Play one more song." He said calmly. The drummer blinked. "But we don't have any music for more songs." He said dumbly. Yugi smirked. "You won't need any."
Marik grabbed Ryou's arm. "Ryou what are you doing? You can't just charge up to the stage and begin asking him questions! Wait until they're done, look they're getting ready to leave. Just wait until they're offstage." He explained in Ryou's ear, causing the youth to simmer down slightly. "Oh...I'm sorry." Ryou said, forcing himself to wait
Yugi glared at Ootogi. "Μάιος εσείς αισθάνεται την οργή Ποσειδώνα!" He sang softly, as the band began playing. They seemed in a trance as the music played, and the audience seemed to soak it in and party all the harder. "Marik! We have to stop him!" Ryou said with wide eyes, catching sight of Ootogi, whom seemed shocked.
Xoxoxo
Yugi began singing with his soul, the harshness of the tones and notes hitting Ootogi harder than fists, the sharpness of the pitch cutting through his skin like small shards of glass.
Ootogi hissed in pain as he felt the words cut him like knives.
'Never appreciated my hopes fall,
You who act so mighty and tall
Feel the pain within my soul!
You laugh you muse and most of all you abuse
My heart my mind my body you used
No more will I accept this bind of love!
Take your lies your hurtful words
Feel them inflict on your body those wounds'
Ootogi's eyes widened as he began to sing himself, trying to defend himself from the onslaught of a merman's duel.
Marik stared in awe between the two. "What's going on?" He breathed, watching Ootogi stagger backwards, suddenly bleeding from an arm and his cheek. Ryou shivered softly. "This...is a merman's duel...it...it happens when one becomes enraged...primarily at mating season. B-but it has been known to happen during fights. The...the loser dies."
Marik gaped for a moment. "Simply amazing..." He shook his head. "How do we stop them?" Ryou bit his lip and looked down. "We can't interfere...we would feel the wrath of the gods if we intervened physically. When one initiates a duel, he uses his soul and voice, to express feelings...in other words, if we were to stop them before they stopped themselves one would still die..."
Marik had to stop himself from admiring the brutal yet beautiful ritual. "So, has anyone ever come out of a duel with both parties still alive?" Ryou nodded slightly. "It...It is possible, but only if they can reconcile and make amends." Marik nodded. "Then...we wait..." Ryou hid his face in Marik's shirt, unable to watch his childhood friends sacrifice themselves. Marik however, watched in silent awe, comforting Ryou as Yugi tore into Ootogi, who seemed defenseless.
Marik blinked and watched the other merman when suddenly Yugi staggered, his song hitting a sour note when his arm and leg both began to bleed profusely.
'I'm sorry for the hurt I've caused,
Your song has given my heart pause.
Please my loving mate return to me,
And once we can we will retreat to the sea.
Yugi please understand, I didn't know I'd hurt you
It makes my heart sob when you are too.
Stop this madness I beg of you
If not for my sake...for Ryou's too...'
Yugi sang another hate-filled chorus, meant to be the end of Ootogi before spotting Ryou. He gasped as he immediately stammered "Ποσειδώνας ικετεύω σας για να σταματηθεί η οργή μου! Επιθυμώ να συμφιλιώσω!" The air seemed to ripple in front of Ootogi, who was barely able to stand at this point, bleeding profusely and battered beyond any tolerable level.
Yugi gasped as his body went rigid, his own hate and hurt back lashing upon his wish, striking him with enough hurtful force to send him to the ground unconscious.
"Ryou...it's over..." Marik said, noting that Ootogi as well, had fallen. Ryou choked back a sob as he looked between his two friends, worried. "Marik...please take them home with us, you can make them well again." He pleaded softly. Marik smiled and nuzzled his lover. "Of course Ryou, you don't need to beg, I love you."
AN: A merman's duel. For those of you who are thinking 'wtf'
It is a form of magic. The voice of a mermaid was often considered dangerous in ancient lore. Depending on the disposition of the mermaid, it could do good, or bad.
In Yugi's case, it's used for bad. He used the words as literal weapons cutting through the flesh of his opponent to the soul. Much like any weapon a human could use, but with deep feeling as well. No merperson however could commit any crime, but a crime of passion because it would take passion enough to perform such a ritual. (and yes, hurt and hatred are also considered passions)
Ootogi however in the duel used his voice mainly as a shield, and as his words hit Yugi they did do subsequent damage, but not as intent, as aftermath. So, in a nutshell Yugi was throwing punches and Ootogi was trying to get the hell out of his way. Heh.
Anyway, both ended up battered and bleeding profusely. I'll see you all next chapter.
