A/N

Note: Okay then! Out of the sadness and into the intriguing! And those of you who might have an idea as to how Jou comes back..Well, he has to die first! (Heh...heh) Aw, poor Jou! Oh, and when Yami called Yuugi 'little', it's not as in physically (For Yuugi's grown quite a bit, and isn't the shorty that he used to be xD), but that Yami thinks himself superior, and more powerful than Yuugi.

And I'm kind of in a writer's block. Actually, it's more of a lethargy that keeps me from writing all the parts of the chapter. So, if you're reading this and want more, BITCH ME BACK TO WORK! Sorry, this is a bit shorter than usual. And I'm currently working on a visual of the Mark (explained in this chapter). It should be up by next chapter!

One last thing: I want to send out a quick shout-out to Polarstern. Wow, I've never had an actual German reviewer before! I'm honored to be the only English writer on your faves list! Thank you!

Note2: Please review and tell me if you enjoyed it!

DARK PASSIONS

Ch10: Hit the Mark

Yuugi awoke feeling incredibly relaxed and sated for the first time in what felt like years. Who cared that he'd slept on the couch? Who cared that he was still wearing his clothes? Who cared that there was a vampire in his house- wait a minute.

'Where's Yami?'

"And the human awakes..." Yami's voice was melodious and amused as he spoke into Yuugi's ear. In truth, the vampire had only woken up only an hour ago to the shock of finding himself using the human as a pillow, but Yuugi didn't need to know that.

"What prophecies is he going to speak today?" Yami mused jokingly, "Did you know that you've slept even longer than me? Let me put it simply: You've slept the entire day; the sun's gone up...And now it's gone down again."

Still no reply, he turned slightly serious. "You aren't going to tell me to shove off again, are you?"

At that moment, Yuugi let out a huge cat-like yawn, and slowly opened his eyes to stare into those of the vampire who surprisingly, hadn't left his home yet. The human opened his mouth, "I'm hungry."

An hour, five bowls of cereal, two full glasses of orange juice, and three pieces of toast later, Yuugi was ready to greet the world and Yami was contemplating leaving it. He sat in the kitchen chair with shock displayed clearly across his face while Yuugi tried to hold back the grin that was worming its way out.

'How can one human eat so much?' Yami's mind was whirring, trying to figure out the logistics of such a thought. 'It's not even technically his breakfast time.'

"-right Yami?...Yami?"

Said vampire realized that Yuugi had been trying to get his attention for the past minute, and so shifted his attention accordingly. "Hmmm?"

"You do know you owe me an explanation, right?" Yuugi was skeptical, and it seeped into his voice. "For the 'power' I seem to possess, which you didn't get to yesterday before you gave out on me- which, by the way, I think also deserves an explanation- and the fact that you haven't left yet."

"Do you want me to leave?" Yami teased, knowing full-well what Yuugi's reaction would be.

"No!" Yuugi steamed, his frustration overlapping everything else. "Not until you tell me what is going on."

"Well, what should I explain first?" Yami continued to push the limits of Yuugi's patience. He couldn't help it; it was just too fun. "You've given me so much to choose from!"

Yuugi let out a low growl before he abruptly shifted moods and the vampire found himself staring into eyes that glinted dangerously. 'Uh-oh, I think he put two and two together.'

"As I remember, I can call you into my mind when I actually 'call' you. And last night, you gave out because you...over-extended your mind, for lack of a better word." Yuugi grinned ferally. "Care to try an experiment?"

'Well, he put half and half together...But that's good, for a human.' Yami sighed inwardly in relief. He quickly schooled his expression into one of amused compliance so Yuugi wouldn't get the wrong idea, and continued.

"You want to know why you possess such power as that of Eclipse?" He leaned back even as Yuugi moved forward, suddenly all ears. "Well, to tell the truth, I don't know."

Yuugi deflated, but before that snappy attitude could assert itself, Yami continued. "What I do know is that without the proper spells and protections of a Spell Witch, you'll probably be dead in only a couple of days' time."

"W-w...What?" Yuugi blinked, processing the information. "I don't believe it. It's not true."

"But it is, little human," Yami grinned lazily, his eyes glinting in the light. "Accept it."

"Why would I be dead? I haven't done anything!"

"Oh, but you have," Yami paused as he tried to recall the specific circumstances of the only other time he'd witnessed such power, his brow furrowing. "With that blast that you performed yesterday, you not only sent those thugs to the other side of the world- oh dear, what a nasty shock to them when they realize it- but you also called yourself to attention to every single creature of the night in a twenty-mile radius."

"...What?" Yuugi asked again, but this time, it was more a general response to the vampire's answers than anything else.

"That's right. And power is coveted by even the highest in the underground anarchy. Power such as yours." He eyed Yuugi as the human began to fiddle with the silver bands on his wrists that he'd put on before breakfast. "You will be hunted."

More quiet still, a whisper to himself, "Just like we have been."

Yuugi glanced up at that, watching the vampire in confusion. "I see." He paused nervously. "What do I have to do to find a Spell Witch?"

"Ah, well that is simple!" Yami's good mood was back again, and he answered with humor. "Through the underground network, here in your city, you'll look for her using her name as your only clue. Traversing untrustworthy bars and almost criminal surroundings, you'll be in the throes of danger..."

Yuugi swallowed hard.

"But don't worry! I'll be going with you! It just so happens that I need to pay her a visit as well!"

Immediately, Yuugi felt his temper rise again. "And you didn't tell me this before, why?"

But the vampire was ready for him this time; all there previous arguments had taught him a lesson, if anything. Yuugi liked a good fight; underneath that temper, he just liked a good challenge, a good game in other words. 'Well, it just so happens that I like a good game, myself.'

"Because you didn't ask, of course," The vampire stated. "And how could anyone expect a scrawny, little human such as yourself to survive in my world?"

"Excuse me?" Yuugi interrupted indignantly. "I think I could do a better job than most people you'll ever meet! Oh hell, I'll pick this city apart brick by brick if it'll get me that Spell Witch and someplace safe!"

Yami paused, regarding the human behind eyes that laughed with an 'I win'. He suddenly grinned. "And that was the commitment I was looking for. Now, I shall have no doubts that you'll do just that."

"But," Yuugi sputtered, "What? I never said anything!"

Yami chuckled knowingly. "Say what you mean, and mean what you say, little human."

Yuugi just growled, knowing he had been outworded this time. But his anger was already beginning to ebb, and he reasoned with himself. 'Hey, it won't be too bad. I mean, Yami's not weak or anything, is he? I'll hopefully be safe. Besides, I really have no idea how to get to that Spell Witch. What is a Spell Witch anyway?'

"So, it's settled then," Yami said brightly, mirth dancing in his eyes.

"Eh, Yami?" Yuugi tilted his chin up and crossed his arms. "You do know that I have to work for a living, don't you?"

The vampire paused in thought, but his amused grin never left his face. "Well then, I guess I'll have to arrange something. By the way, what lovely company is blessed with your presence each and every day?"

Yuugi scowled but replied nevertheless. "Kaiba Corp."

Yami halted, and one side of his smile slipped, leaving a very lopsided expression. "You mean...You work for Seto?"

"The CEO? Who else?" Yuugi blinked and then it dawned on him. He groaned "Don't tell me he's a vampire too!"

Yami didn't reply, just gave a small snort and rolled his eyes.

'He really is enjoying this, isn't he?' Yuugi thought. 'Well, two can play at this game.'

"I hope you remember, Yami, that humans don't drink blood. If we were saying I'd go with you, I trust you know that we need proper food if we 'weak creatures' are to remain in good health." Yuugi remarked, seemingly lightly.

But Yami saw the insult hidden within its depths, and responded coolly. "Ah yes, I'd forgotten that humans are unreliable in most cases, and manage to get themselves killed in all the other ones. Isn't that right, Yuugi?"

"If you say so, Yami," He replied in kind. But he couldn't help thinking: 'Going in for the kill...' A corner of his mouth quirked upward. "I just hope you have a plan; we wouldn't want to be caught unawares."

Yami faltered, almost imperceptibly, but Yuugi had been waiting for it. "Ha! I knew it! You don't know where to start either!"

"As a matter of fact, I do," The vampire's eyes flashed, and then he put on his lazy grin again. "And it all starts with a certain white-haired thief I know."

"Ryou is not a thief," Yuugi said sharply, but then realizing what he had said, gasped and clamped a hand over his mouth.

"Well, well, well..." Yami drawled, his amusement dancing in his eyes. "Seems our favorite couple are even more alike than seems possible. Tell me, do either of them know that they both have a penchant for thievery?"

Yuugi replied, "I don't think so; Ryou would have mentioned it to me." And then he grinned. "It does get annoying, doesn't it? Searching for something for hours and hours only to realize that a certain someone must have stolen it while you weren't looking..."

"Or finding out at the last second that you don't have something because it was whisked away at a most crucial moment..."

"And then he plays that innocent act when you go confront him! 'What are you talking about?' He says."

"And all of your pleading and cajoling has no impact on him, and neither do your threats."

"So, finally all you have left is either to blackmail him or cry to get it back."

Both of them smiled at each other, eyes twinkling in increasing mirth until Yuugi couldn't hold it in anymore and burst out laughing. He couldn't help it; the image of Yami crying hysterically like a little boy who's had his favorite toy stolen kept going through his head like a broken record. And unawares, he had sent that thought out of his mind and Yami had picked up on it.

The next moment, both of them were doubled over laughing and grasping each other's shoulders as other absurd thoughts bubbled to the surface and sent them into more laughing fits.

"Yami! I can't walk that fast; wait up!" Yuugi called to the figure ahead of him drenched in shadow. "Ya-mi!"

The next second, the shadow descended upon him and covered his mouth with one hand while he brought his lips to Yuugi's ear. "We are in Da'kana territory now. You will not speak unless called upon, you will not move unless told to, you will not even breathe unless you have my permission."

He paused, and the only sound around them was Yuugi's ragged breathing. A siren sounded somewhere far off in the city. "You are my slave, as of this moment. We've gone over this. Do you know your part?"

Yuugi nodded slightly, counting on the vampire's eyesight to see him. "I," He swallowed and continued in a whisper. "I'm to go see Seto and your other friend's while you talk to the other members of the grand council. On no account am I to draw attention to myself as it will bring my death and/or difficulties for you." He'd gained back a bit of his composure by now and his words were laced with dry amusement.

"And if you should be caught?" Yami prompted, almost gleeful at the way his instructions were being followed. This did so remind him of his days as a Pharaoh.

"I show the marks on my wrist that mark me as your personal possession and therefore, off limits to all other vampires save those whom you give permission to- Hey Yami, what marks? You haven't done anything to my wrist; it looks normal."

"Ah yes, I'd almost forgotten," Yami muttered, and his hand shot out to pluck Yuugi's wrist from where he'd held it up to his face to see.

"Yami, is this going to hur- Ow!" Yuugi exclaimed as the vampire's fangs found their mark and sank into the soft skin above his veins.

And Yuugi would have continued to protest if not the next moment, the pain became pleasure. As he slowly began to sink into a bottomless euphoria that left his shaking, his knees became weak. Before he could collapse though, Yami snaked out his other arm and wrapped it around his waist, drawing him closer.

Of course, Yuugi would have protested even that treatment, as it came from Yami, but the waves of pleasure had finally come to shore and now washed over him relentlessly, leaving him in an ecstasy that was quickly becoming addictive. He couldn't help it; he moaned in pleasure, and the mouth on his wrist grinned wickedly.

But of course, all good things don't last forever, and it became time for Yami to complete the mark. He shifted his grip on Yuugi's wrist and then jerked it around in a half-circle as his fangs sunk in deeper into his skin. The result was a crescent reminiscent of the moon, with a star-like puncture between its points.

But curiously, what should have been excruciating pain to Yuugi only felt like a completion to the pleasurable waves that had been swooping through his body. When the human continued to display no outward reaction to the pain, Yami let go of his wrist and tilted his head to the side, perplexed, watching as Yuugi's eyes fluttered open. A moment passed in silence.

"Yami?" He spoke hesitantly as the last traces of the high left his system. When the vampire didn't respond, he looked down at the newly formed mark on his wrist, and turned it this way and that, staring at it from different angles.

"Not bad," He muttered to himself. Yuugi was surprised to find that he actually liked it, and didn't hate it as he'd imagined. Of course, he hadn't really thought what a Vampire's Mark would look like, let alone what he'd have to do to get one, but it wasn't all that horrible in the least! He cast a quick glance up to Yami, but found his eyes scanning their surroundings and essentially, ignoring him.

Another moment past while he chased after a thought that kept going around in his head, oblivious to all else. Then, he caught it. "Goddamnit! I knew he'd lied to me!"

This was such an abrupt reaction, to Yami it seemed about receiving the mark, that all he could do to respond was blink. "What?"

"Ryou," He muttered darkly. "He's got one of these too, or at least one that looks like it. But when I asked him about it, he told me he'd just scratched himself with a kitchen knife. 'The shape is purely coincidental' he said!"

Yami couldn't help it; he laughed at Yuugi's mimicry of the British boy's accent. He almost sounded like Bakura when he changed his accent to better suit Ryou. The result was just totally comical.

Yuugi stared up at him with a wry expression on his face. "Think it's funny, do you?"

Yami let out a breath and replied. "As a matter of fact, I do. Although, I'm not laughing at you, Yuugi," He grinned. "Rather, I'm laughing at Ryou's expression when he realizes you've found out that he lied to you. Why, what a lovely surprise he'll be in for then!"

Yuugi set his jaw and tilted his chin up. "Damn straight."

The vampire heaved another sigh and shook the last traces of humor from his mind. It wouldn't do to lose control of his emotions, especially at such a crucial time as this, when he was to see the rest of his the vampires of his rank. 'The Council...'

Although, it really was obvious why he'd turned down a position as the head of such a backwards organization, the Council had never taken the fact lightly, and thus, tensions had been rather increasing of late. He could only hope that things didn't get too out of hand. 'Although, with Yuugi, there's no telling what we're in for.'

Special thankies to JK Fie'r for beta-ing this chapter