The Heart of Protection
Summary: Yugi has a pet dog named Yami. When Yugi becomes severely injured, Fate has it that Yami is transformed into a human to protect him. Falling in love...wasn't part of the plan. YxYY AU
A/N: WOW. I thank everyone who reviewed for the first chapter! 16 reviews is... um... (blushes) quite a lot for me, hehe. I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and If you are extremeley sensetive and loyal to animals, I advise you to skip over the flashback. Even I admit I had a hard time writing it...
And just a little heads up on this chapter, we finally get into some plot-based action! And some angst, tragic moments...you'll see. Keep reading.
Disclaimer: Close, but no cigar. Actually, not even close. Not mine.
Chapter Two:
"Umm, vanilla please." Yugi said, eyeing his black dog beside him. The clerk handed Yugi a vanilla cone of ice cream.
Bark!
Yugi smiled and walked away, watching Yami follow his every move. It was quite amusing.
Yugi tugged at the chain around his neck, trying to get used to the unfamiliar feeling. Hanging off of it, was a golden, upside-down pyramid. It was the same puzzle Yami had found. He had quite the hard time trying to piece it together, and finished it about 8 weeks. He smiled at his fine work, and mentally thanked Yami for finding the challenge in the first place.
"Chocolate please!" Jounouchi said proudly, slamming his hands on the table. The clerk jumped in surprise as he hurried off. Jou's eyes were full of hunger towards the cone that was a few inches away from his face. The clerk wrapped the cone in a napkin and handed the treat to Jounouchi. "Thank you!" Jounouchi waved, face already covered in the ice cream.
"Thanks for taking me out here, Jou." Yugi thanked as he softly licked the treat.
Yami whimpered. He tilted his head to the side as he saw his Master eat the delicious treat in front of him. Wagging his tail rapidly, Yami laid down full on the floor, tongue hanging from his mouth. His body moved with each breath he took.
Bark!
Both Yugi and Jou looked down at the canine. Jou laughed.
"Guess Yami's a fan of ice cream, huh?" Jou said, biting the cone. "Well then, he's my kind of dog!" Jou praised, patting Yami on the head. Yami didn't pay any attention to the touches, instead he lusted for that ice cream in Jou's hand.
"Now, now, Yami. You know you're not supposed to eat this junk." Yugi pointed out, shaking his index finger at his pet. Yami moaned. He walked up to Yugi and nudged his nose on his pant leg, lifting his paw in a begging motion. Time seemed to stop as the two stared at each other.
After a while of staring, Yugi's eyes watered. "I can't do it! He's so darn cute!" Yugi wailed, clutching his ice cream in his hands.
Jounouchi laughed. "Can't resist the puppy face, can ya' Yugi?" Jou teased like a mother to a baby as he widened his eyes and batted his eyelashes.
Bark!
Sighing in exasperation, Yugi dropped his hand lower, exposing the ice cream to the canine.
Bark!
Yami immediately responded, taking the whole ice cream in his mouth and chewing his thoroughly in a matter of seconds. Yugi and Jou stared in awe, amazed how he didn't get a brain freeze.
"Alright boy! Inside you go!" Yugi chirped as he opened the door to the game shop, letting Yami run free inside. Yami's paws echoed throughout the house as he jolted upstairs into Yugi's bedroom. Yugi mentally laughed and smiled. "Grandpa! I'm home!" He shouted.
"Yugi! Thank goodness you're here! Do you mind doing me a favor?" Grandpa Muto asked. He was dressed in his blue pajamas, a newspaper rolled under his arm.
"Sure, not a problem grandpa!" Yugi said as he took his shoes off.
"Wait! Don't take those off just yet!" Yugi stopped. "I need you to run to the corner store and pick up these items, we seem to be running low." Grandpa Muto said as he pulled a slip of paper off the refrigerator and handed it to his grandson.
Yugi took the paper and read it aloud as he pulled his jacket on.
"Bread. Milk. Eggs. Sugar?" Yugi asked about the last item. "You want me to get sugar?" Yugi raised an eyebrow at his grandfather's sheepish grin. "Okay then." Yugi slipped his shoes back on and wrapped the keys around his neck.
Bark!
Yugi spun around to face his furry dog who looked at him asking, 'where are you going?' He kneeled down and patted the dog on the head. Yami rubbed his nose on Yugi's neck in a loving manner. Yugi giggled as he was tickled. He rubbed his nose back, feeling the warm doggy-breath down his collarbone.
"Don't worry, buddy! I'll be back in a few minutes." Yugi stood up and opened the door, waltzing outside. He heard a bark call after him. "Stay with grandpa for me, Yami!" Yugi said as he waved behind his shoulder and ran around the corner.
Yami stood at the glass doorway, watching Yugi's retreating form before bounding back inside the warm house, doing as his master ordered.
Yugi rubbed his shoulders up and down. It had dropped a few more degrees than he originally intentioned. Shifting the weight of the bag of groceries to the other hand, Yugi licked his lips of the frost that bit at them. He used his empty hand to pull his blue jacket more over his shoulders, trying to find warmth.
Turning a corner, Yugi sighed. He saw the green glow of the Game Shop light just a few more blocks away.
Bam!
Yugi shot his head up in alarm. Not this again! Why'd this always happen to him! He heard shuffling coming from behind him, then in front of him. Taking a step back in slight fear, he stood still and tried to focus on the sound. It sounded like...footsteps? Or...more like...paws...
A low growl filled the air.
Darkness surrounded Yugi, the only source of light being a dim light post on the opposite end of the street, and the nearly setting sun on the horizon, hidden by a tall building. Not thinking of anything better, Yugi gulped and spoke.
"Who's there?" He said firmly, showing no fear. His eyes darted across the premises, landing on everything that seemed to move. The only sounds visible were the squeaking of a stop sign in the wind.
That was all broken in a moment, as another growl sounded.
A large wolf-like creature appeared from the shadows. Yugi gasped as he eyed the figure. It was a dog, about twice the size of Yami, and had about triple the muscle power.
Yugi's blood ran cold as he stared at It's heavy paws, nails as sharp as knives clawing at the concrete, scraping a few chunks off.
"N-Nice doggy...um..wolf." He tried to reason with the rabid creature. His face paled as the dog only growled louder. "...beast?" Yugi tried, flinching as the dog barked viciously. Saliva poured from it's mouth like a waterfall, in large white globs. It's teeth were white stained with a deep red, fresh as the night. Was that...blood? Yugi thought, now extremely convinced this creature was not from earth.
"Like my new pet?" Yugi gasped and held his breath as he looked up to the face hovering over the demon-like animal. Yugi instantly recognized him. "Hello there Yugi. I had to get a new pet, since you stole my pathetic old one..."
Yugi gulped. He knew exactly who this person was. He was the one who had lead him to Yami...or more Yami to him...
FLASH BACK
Yugi winced in pain as he felt his spine slam against the brick wall. Another punch was given to his stomach, making the urge to breathe increase.
"Come on, punk! You're no fun if you don't fight!" An older bully teased as he shoved Yugi's small frame to the ground. "This is only the first part of your birthday present!" He shouted, kicking Yugi in the ribs.
"I-It's not even my birthday!" Yugi retorted, gripping his sides. He would never back down against these guys! Even if he was extremely battered, grandpa always taught him to pick himself up and fight!
The bully laughed at Yugi's withering figure and aimed to kick him once more...
Until a small hand stopped him. Yugi's hand reached out toward the bully's ankle, twisting it and making the bully fall to the ground. He smirked at his accomplishment.
A black figure flashed before his eyes. Yugi blinked, wondering what...
Yugi jerked his fist back and hollered as he felt teeth sink into his fingers. Widened his eyes, he saw a small dog attached to his clenched fist. The animal was completely black, save for a few auburn patches and a white spot on his head. The puppy let out a muffled bark as he tugged on Yugi's fist with his small teeth.
The bully sat up and turned around. He growled as he spotted the black dog. His black dog.
"What the hell, you stupid mutt!" The bully yelled, pulling the dog's mouth of Yugi's fist with force. "Get out of here! Why'd you come here?" The bully shouted as he threw the poor puppy across the lot. The animal landed painfully on it's side, whimpering and staying in place.
Yugi's heart stopped. T-That dog...Yugi was at a loss for words. He just stared at the immobile creature, lying there with a small about of his blood on its nose. He looked down at his own hand, now cut up with minor scratches from the incident.
"Good for nothing dog! I don't know why mom bought you! You can't do anything right!" The bully shouted at the creature. The bully walked up to the hurt puppy. "Aww, too much for you?" He teased, picking up a stick in the corner and began poking the dog in the sides. The pup let out a muffled cry.
Yugi's heart tore in two. Just hearing those hollers, those yelps for help...Yugi closed his eyes as his fists clenched. He couldn't take it! Harming an innocent creature after it defended you! It was a puppy for crying out loud! Yugi's anger boiled to it's limits until overflowing with courage and fury.
"G-Get away from him!" Yugi shouted, charging forward to the bully and caught him off guard. Running with all his might, he slammed into the bully's body, knocking him unconscious as the bully knocked against the brick wall.
The commotion stopped.
For a few minutes, all was silent around them except for Yugi's ragged breathing.
Yugi stood there, his eyes widened in shock, and shaking all over. He didn't...kill the bully...did he? Yugi, now very scared, took a step back...and instantly regretted it.
A howl of pain.
Yugi widened his eyes to saucers as he lifted his foot and spun around. Looking down, he forgot all about the puppy. He accidentally stepped on the poor creature's tail.
"I'm so sorry!" Yugi wailed as he fell on his knees, eyes watering with tears. Gently he reached his bloody hand out and pet the dog on the head. He sniffed as he saw the dog's eyes move toward the motion, but didn't make an effort to move its body. "D-Don't worry, puppy." Yugi sniffed as he took his jacket off himself and laid it on the floor. "I'm going to take care of you, don't worry. You didn't deserve to be treated like that. No creature does..."
Yugi couldn't hold back his sobs much longer as he held his head in his hands and cried.
He hurt all over, even in his heart. Almost just as much as the poor animal did. An extreme wave of guilt washed over him, making him collapse onto his knees as he stared at the pup.
He had to cry...cry for himself and for the injured dog. Clenching his fists on the concrete, he pounded his fists."Why do people get hurt around me? Why do I get hurt trying to save or love someone? Is it so wrong to love? To care? Why doesn't anyone understand that anymore?" Yugi continued to cry, body jerking with each sob.
Unnoticed by him, the small black dog began to move. It stumbled at first, but eventually and with a lot of energy, stood on all fours. Miracle was at work. It limped over to Yugi, and began slowly nudging its nose into Yugi's arm, gaining the thirteen year old's attention.
Yugi looked down with clouded eyes. He gasped as he saw the pup, trying to cradle his hand in a soothing motion. Yugi wiped his tears away. Gently lifting the puppy into his arms, he wrapped the jacket around the animal's small frame. Whimpering noises came from the injured animal as a small amount of pressure was applied to old and new wounds.
"It's okay, we're both going to make it together, alright?" Yugi said through sobs. He closed his eyes in pain. "I'll take care of you from now on. You'll never be treated like that again." The tears flowed down his face, and rolled off his chin, landing on the pup's face. Opening his eyes just in time, he finally saw the full extent of the small black dog's eyes.
They were pure crimson.
END FLASHBACK
"Instead of that weak, pathetic excuse for a dog, I got this boy." The bully said as he patted the top of the demon's head. The demon barked viciously at Yugi.
Yugi's blood boiled as he clenched his fists tight enough to draw blood. He lowered his chin to his chest, body shaking in frustration and rage. He gritted his teeth, and shut his eyes. How...just how? How could some be so...so! Opening his amethyst eyes, he glared intensely at the bully he met three years ago.
"I think it's time I introduce you two." The bully continued. "Rex, meet Yugi. Yugi...meet Rex." The bully said in a low tone of voice as his hand pointed to Yugi and smirked.
A roar.
The puzzle around his neck flashed.
Yugi couldn't think once before he felt himself being pushed to the hard ground by enormous, powerful claws.
Yami sneezed as he curled into the small corner of Yugi's room. Sniffing heavily at Yugi's furniture, he tried to grasp that comforting scent he ever so loved. Snuggling warmly into the old shirt Yugi gave to him, Yami closed his eyes. He would sit and wait here until his master returned to him like he always did. Just a few more minutes and he was sure that Master...
Yami!
Yami's head instantly snapped up. He looked around, searching for the one who had called him. He swore it sounded like Master...
Yami! Help!
It was Master! Yami jolted out of his position and ran down the stairs. Springing onto the couch, he gazed out the window. It had just began to lightly rain outside.
YAMI!
Yami lowered his head and emitted a low growl. Something was happening.
The triangle on Yami's forehead began to glow. Yami blinked in confusion, before tilting his head back allowing a golden glow surround his whole body, getting used to the familiar feeling.
His crimson eyes locked themselves on the entrance.
"Yami? Is that you?" Grandpa Muto said as he rubbed his sleepy eyes, slowly walking down the stairs. He had heard some noises and growls from downstairs and decided to take a look. He stopped dead in his tracks before he reached the last step.
In the blink of an eye the door of the Game Shop flew open, exploding into hundreds of wooden pieces in all directions. The noise was unbearable, a sound that could be heard from a mile away like a miniature bomb erupting. Grandpa Muto covered his ears and kneeled on the floor, trying to avoid getting hit with the flying particles.
Yami barked and ran through the debris, eyes full of determination and concern for Yugi. With his forehead still shining, his legs moved as fast as they could take him down the roads.
He knew something was wrong with his master...
To Be Continued...If you review!
A/N: WOOT! Go Yugi! (puppy eyes) he was so brave! I have a problem with seeing Yugi as a weak character...it just doesn't suit him! He's strong! Brave! Honest! No signs of being weak! Sure, he may get picked on a lot, but do you see him giving in? Never!
Yami: Bark!
A/N: (cuddles Yami) that's right! He saved you!
Yami: Bark!
A/N: Um...that's all you can say, right?
Yami: (nods) Bark!