The Sample Platter

Chapter 3

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Grass and leaf litter shuffled to the motions of a being walking through, said being making sounds of discomfort as he wandered the forest. A mussed head of hair popped out from the nearby brush, twigs and leaves caught in the wild mane as the boy sighed.

"How do they do this efficiently?"

The grumble came from none other than Motou Yugi. Human student at the prestigious yokai university hidden deep within his home city and proud companion to one Atemu Sennen, royal naga prince to Egypt's naga community. Now one would ask, why was he wandering the depths of a forest with nothing but a hunting knife attached to his belt? You see, Yugi was devoted to his stunning mate, overcoming a number of challenges to even have the physical right to be stationed at his side and call himself his partner.

In light of such a title, Yugi knew he would have to accommodate himself to many of Atemu's cultural expectations to become a part of the nest. He was told of his role, that he would be more invested with the nest, attending to the nesting naga women and preparing fertility rites and rituals. However, Yugi imagined if something were to happen to Atemu, whether on business outside the nest for diplomatic reasons or bedridden from sickness, he would have to take on the role of leading the hunting party.

Yugi needed to hone his skills, take what he learned from Hunting and apply it now. Of course, it was doing him a whole lotta good when he was stumbling and making more noise that even a bug would run before he caught sight of it. Yugi sighed, freeing himself from a stubborn bush that decided to dig its spindly branches into his pant leg, luckily not tearing a hole in them, and took a glance around his surroundings.

The man didn't want to remind himself of the jeers and taunting he had received as a mere human in a Hunting class. Unfit to actually commit to the task like other yokai. Atemu would never force him outside his element but Yugi didn't want to feel useless if he had to attend to things that Atemu couldn't. A glance around his surroundings was met with chirping birds and the chatter of small wildlife.

It was peaceful out here, Yugi couldn't deny that much, now if he could only find something worth presenting to his mate. A rustle further out had Yugi look forward, seeing the dark hide of something among the green of the forest. He hoped it was something promising and nothing that could bring harm to him.

He was out here, alone, with no one knowing exactly where he was or what he was doing. Last thing Yugi wanted to make of the day was a trip to the hospital with broken bones for his endeavor. He crept closer, doing his best to identify what hid away in the brush, freezing at the sound of a whistling snort.

It was too high to be a boar so that gave Yugi some relief that he wouldn't have to panic about failing to climb a tree and out of range of an angry boar. If he placed his vocalization currently, this must be a serow. Now, Yugi knew for sure what he was doing was clearly illegal if he got caught, the legal ramifications likely had a high margin for hunting without a permit in a domestic location but shoved that all aside.

His mind was set to the world of yokai, they do what they need to survive. Laws had no weight in the world for the wild and took that into consideration as he pulled the knife from his belt. Silently, Yugi stepped closer, keeping his feet light on the forest floor to make as little noise as possible. He dug deep into basic survival instinct trained from Hunting class, observing and calculating the movement of the prey.

Every lesson ingrained from those classes settled into his bones, prowling for the creature to linger right behind the curtain of green protecting it. Muscles tensed, eyes narrowed, grip tightened around the handle of the blade. This was his one shot to prove his capabilities. To prove he can hunt and provide just as easily as Atemu would for him. The reminder of the hunting contest, Atemu's prowess as he performed astoundingly.

Yugi wanted to be just like that, match up to Atemu and give him a meal worthy of his attention. That time was now! Yugi leapt forward, driving the blade home, the squeal of the ungulate echoing in his ears as steaming blood coursed over his fingers from the deep wound he caused. He would feel disgusted if not driven by the performance of the task at hand.

This was for Atemu, an offering to the pharaoh's son and living god of his heart. I must provide, provide for him and his nest. The serow tried valiantly to free itself but it was losing blood fast, Yugi never once letting up his grip on the knife or he'd lose his prey. When the serow stopped struggling, only dragging Yugi a short distance in the hopes to buck and run off in a desperate last attempt, the boy let out a breath. He was glad this was simple enough and with a small target that wouldn't give him much issue in comparison to something much larger.

Yugi will cross the bridge of larger prey when the time comes. For now, he stepped back from the body, whispering a prayer to the gods for this offering to Atemu, jumping only when he heard clapping from behind. He whirled to see Atemu there and squeaked.

"Atemu! When?! How?!"

"I went to visit you at your dwelling only to find you had left from your elderly grandfather." Atemu explained, slithering over to his mate with a look that was equal parts dangerous and seductive, tongue flicking out playfully. "So I came looking for you. Following your sweet signature trail~ Now look at you~" Yugi looked down at himself, embarrassed that he was unkempt with leaves and twigs in his hair, blood staining his hands and clothes that would take weeks to clean out the fabric.

The sibilant hiss of his partner had shivers crawling down his spine, knowing well enough by tone that Atemu had no complaints towards his appearance. In fact, the sight seemed to have aroused something primal in the serpent, pupils dilated to the point that there was nothing but a ring of scarlet eclipsed by it.

"N-now Atemu, wait. Let me explain myself..." Yugi started, pointing the blade toward the serow. He told the serpent how he wanted to better himself in the hunting field, preparing himself for a scenario where he would have to take part in hunting parties when Atemu could not. "And...I wanted to offer you a meal. Something fresh if you'll have it. I did all the proper prayers and everything."

Yugi knew better that he should've taken into account Atemu's movements while he spoke. He left himself open, caught in Atemu's coils as the serpent leaned close.

"Your offer of food warms my heart, darling~ But I'm in the mood for something a little different. Something a bit more savory to my palate~" Hands reached forward, cupping Yugi's face in between them, a thumb brushing a wayward drop of blood from the soft flesh. A blush met the gesture, Yugi stuttering a rebuttal yet Atemu had him beat.

A slick tongue lapped away a stray line of blood, a purr coming from the serpent before he swooped in to capture Yugi's lips in a kiss to reflect the hungry need of the sight that presented itself to him. Such a decadent treat he had, slathered richly in a sauce he favored outside of a well cooked meal. Who was Yugi to deny a better treat if Atemu requests it? Some can call it morbid, others can call it immoral. None of their words mattered to Yugi.

When you have a large, handsome naga prince as your partner, why change what is intrinsic behavior.

Unfortunately, with Atemu distracted with a far better meal, the serow was left forgotten.