A/N

Note: Hope everyone is enjoying themselves! Thanks for reading those oneshotters of mine, you guys. It meant a lot to me! I really regret not being able to answer your reviews most of the time, but there's something wrong with my laptop since it won't let me do that! Just know that I really appreciate your reviews. Oh, and that visual of Yuugi's mark can be found on my deviantart page; please check out the link in my bio!

What...O.O No one- except those of you who've been with me since the beginning, luv you guys- liked last chapter?...Where'd the reviews go? -sob-

Note2: Let's see if you like what you read this time, then. Please review and tell me what you thought!

DARK PASSIONS

Chapter 11: Marked Favors

Yami placed his hand on the rusty, metal door, and knocked once. A single knock which would have been questioned by Yuugi the next moment if the door had not begun to vibrate, emitting a low hum.

In surprise, Yuugi placed an arm on Yami's and glanced up at the vampire's face before restraining a pout at the blank expression. Another thing that he'd been warned about: vampires, especially High vampires-- those high up in the social rankings, a concept still vaguely understood by Yuugi at best-- is that emotion is regarded as weak and human-like.

Of course, that was all decorum. When not in formal situations, even the most unassuming vampire could become a nasty piece of work. And that, Yuugi could believe.

But he did find himself wondering why not knowing what Yami was thinking affected him. If it weren't for the circumstances, Yuugi would have tried that mind-connection again, but in this situation, he didn't dare break Yami's concentration.

He was abruptly shaken out of his reverie by the door opening and a lone figure overshadowing the doorway, blocking their path. He stepped behind the vampire and turned his eyes down as he'd been instructed, a sign of submission that he'd learned in his crash course on vampires, and waited. Something else to interrogate Yami about later.

"Marik," Yami spoke one word, but the name was as much of a warning as it was a greeting. Yuugi was suddenly glad he wasn't caught between these two; temperatures had just dropped considerably.

"Ah, I see Golden Boy has returned," Marik's mouth may have been smiling, but his eyes glinted with cold fury. A fury directed at the vampire before him, his arms crossed and a bitter expression in place.

Yami was not affected at all by Marik's greeting; he'd been greeted like this all his life. And Marik didn't differ from the rest of those vampires that wished him out of power. Although, the intensity of the hatred Marik sent his way was becoming increasingly irritating and cumbersome.

But Yami couldn't really say he didn't understand, for he did. Yami had been a Pharaoh. A King of the ancient world. And this gave him power in the world he now lived in. His status had afforded him many privileges both in this life and his previous one, things that other vampires desired and jealously guarded. With so few left for him to trust, it was easily explained why he held on to the ties to his past, Bakura and Seto.

Whatever he may have thought he was Yuugi was not prepared for this vampire. When Marik's eyes appraised him in one raking glance, Yuugi barely held himself together. For there for something so wild, so dark, and so predatory in that gaze, that Yuugi recoiled in fright and edged further into Yami before he knew what he was doing.

"New pet?" Marik remarked, and nodded towards the human.

"As a matter of fact, yes," Yami replied curtly, taking a step. "Very special."

"Very special indeed," Marik murmured and his stare returned to Yuugi's body. This time, the human couldn't help the shiver that escaped him under such a gaze. He felt so exposed and vulnerable; it was almost like being sick.

"I don't suppose you're willing to let the rest of us have a taste, are you?" Marik's question was of undeniable hunger. Hunger for the blood of the human, hunger for the body; inexplicably, he wanted this one. Something so unique and exquisite he hadn't seen in a long, long time.

"Special..." Marik said again, and Yuugi was horrified to see him step closer and lick his lips. "Is he for sale?"

On the inside, Yuugi was reduced to a knot of worry bordering on panic. What had he gotten himself into? How far could he trust Yami? After all, he was a vampire, just like them. What was keeping Yami from just selling him to the highest bidder? It was with an even bigger shock that Yuugi realized, 'I'm at his mercy. I can't go back now.'

The rest of his thoughts were lost as his mind went blank from overloading itself with worry.

Yami's negative answer was proceeded by his aura, contracting into one point and turning the air around them subzero. His eyes glinted sharply in the light and he placed a hand around Yuugi's neck, a vampiric sign of dominating ownership-- not that Yuugi knew that, of course.

"This one is mine, Marik. You haven't gotten too lazy to go out and hunt your own, now have you?" Yami's tone was condescending. He twisted his hold on the human's neck unconsciously and missed the human's wince. "Now, I'm sure I don't have to tell you that I don't like to share. So, I trust you'll spread the word."

And with that, they passed Marik, still staring after Yuugi hungrily, and into the depths of Domino's vampire stronghold.

"Everyday I ask myself the same question," Bakura said to himself, grinning as he raced down the hall and away from the enraged shouts of the kitchen, his pockets jingling slightly with their contents. "Why is this so damn amusing?"

With another chuckle, he rounded another corner of the never-ending hallways and came to a window. In one swift motion, he flipped the lock open and jumped out into the night, trusting his senses to guide him safely to the ground below, a mere seven stories away.

As he landed, Bakura heard familiar voices in what sounded like a stand-off. Immediately, his mouth curved upwards and he edged closer to the sounds, clinging to the shadows. Hopefully, this would prove to be interesting.

...And interesting it was! 'My, my,' he thought to himself, 'Yami sure doesn't waste time in greeting old friends. What shall I find to amuse myself tonight then?'

Bakura wasn't so ignorant as to not notice the ravenous light in Marik's eyes, nor that it was directed towards Yami's newest plaything which could be easily explained after his absence from their keep. But he also knew that Marik was smart, smarter than he let on, and he wouldn't dare try to take something from a vampire more powerful physically and status-wise than him.

'He'll just taunt him a little,' Bakura smirked. 'And it wouldn't hurt Yami to stay alert. With a catch like that, he's bound to attract the attention of other Da'kana. Wait a minute...'

He squinted and shifted position to see the human's face. As he turned, the light fell on Yuugi and Bakura had to put a lid on his laughter before he brought any unwanted attention to himself.

'By Ra, it's that kid from the dance! Ryou's friend!' He searched for a name. 'Um...Yuugi, that's it. But what is Yami doing here still with him?'

"...This one is mine, Marik."

Bakura jerked in surprise and steadied himself against the wall he was currently leaning on. 'Marked? Yuugi's been marked'

"...don't like to share. So, I'll trust you to spread the word."

'My, my,' Bakura observed. 'This is proving to be very, very interesting.'

As Yami and Yuugi proceeded inside, Bakura turned and leapt back up to where he had jumped out, using the fire escape and surrounding walls as steps. As he made his way toward where he thought he'd see Yami next, he couldn't help the anticipating grin that spread across his face.

Anyone who passed him immediately turned tail and rushed back the way they had come for a grinning Bakura was one to be feared. But he took no notice, lost in the implications of the one event.

'What are the possibilities?'

"Stop fidgeting."

The voice came from seemingly nowhere. Yuugi almost gave himself whiplash with the speed at which he'd turned his neck, craning this way and that to see who had spoken.

A hand clamped down on his wrist and he almost screamed before he realized it was Yami. 'Oh...'

"The Marked do not fidget," Yami continued out of the corner of his mouth, his eyes looking straight forward and greeting other vampires with a nod. "They do not have sufficient personality after they've been fed on. You shouldn't either."

Yuugi immediately assumed what he thought was an appropriate expression devoid of emotion.

"Stop that. You look like you've swallowed a lemon."

Yuugi suddenly gave a small growl. He slowed down a little and used Yami's shadow to mask his answer. "I'm not you, Yami. How the hell am I supposed to know something I've never done before?"

"Well, you could damn well give an effort." Yami growled back, and sighed. Maybe an old vampire trick would help. "Try imagining a pyramid around your emotions."

"Pyramid?" Yuugi hissed. "Just what era are you from, vampire?"

Yami sighed in frustration but quickly put his mask back in place as he noticed a couple of glances come their way. Thankfully, his body hid the human's face, but if just one thing went wrong...

"Fine, imagine a wall around your petty human emotions."

"Oh, Mr. High-and-Mighty's back, is he? From what you told me, you vampires aren't above a little free-for-all yourself. Just what makes you think you're so special?"

Yami didn't reply right away and so they passed the next couple of hallways in silence, Yami still acknowledging others and Yuugi playing his part. Two flights of stairs and an elevator later, Yami was about to try again but Yuugi beat him to it.

"Since we're talking about walls in all..." He trailed off and looked up at Yami from the corner of his eye. "What kind?"

"What?" Yami blinked.

"What kind of wall are we talking about here?" Yuugi pushed. "Is it a dry wall? Because those aren't very sturdy. Trust me, I know." Yami was surprised to see Yuugi blush.

"Or maybe it's concrete?" Yuugi pressed, his voice rising from a whisper. "Because they're okay, as walls I mean. But I don't like them."

Yami couldn't seem to get in a word edge-wise and he was worried that they'd turn the next corner and be confronted by a suspicious vampire. 'Because let's face it,' he thought. 'Yuugi does not make a convincing pet.'

'Pet,' he spat. Just the thought of it made his skin crawl.

Yuugi was still spouting random nonsense, with each sentence his panic was becoming even more evident, and Yami was quickly losing his patience. With a muffled sigh, he turned on his heel and grabbed Yuugi's shoulders, bringing his mouth to the human's ear.

"Relax," He all but purred, but his voice had the effect. "No one will harm you while you are with me. I have more power than is healthy around here."

Yuugi didn't reply, his ragged breathing the only sound around them. Far off, someone shouted in exultation and several others groaned in despair.

From the other end, a cat screeched and something crunched sickeningly.

Several cars sounded in the distance.

Both vampire and human stood in the middle of it all and regarded each other solemnly.

"Alright," Yuugi finally said and nodded. Yami nodded back and let his hold loosen, straightening back into the tall, imposing vampire he'd been when they had entered.

They had gone no more than a few minutes when Yami inexplicably stopped and stiffened, Yuugi glancing about nervously at yet another empty corridor. Briefly, he wondered just why there were so many of them and why they seemed to be going in circles, but he filed the thought away for later.

"Yami?" His voice was thick with worry and his gaze kept darting about the shadows before and behind them.

Yami didn't reply.

Just then, a very self-assured and amused chuckle sounded from behind them and Yuugi swung around so fast his head spun. Yami turned around too, but at a more sedate pace, and grimaced.

'Ah, Tomb Robber," He said as way of a greeting. "Just who I wanted to see. I was heading over to your hole, in any case."

Bakura stepped into the light and gave one of his infamous grins. "Pleasure to see you again, Pharaoh, as always. And nice to see you again too, Yuugi."

Yuugi's marked arm involuntarily jerked at the sound of his name from the vampire's lips.

Then Bakura faked a hurt expression which looked almost comical on his face, unusually distorted by such a show. "Now, now. Don't be insulting my living space, Yami. I happen to like this 'hole' I live in."

Yami raised an eyebrow. "And what does Ryou have to say about it?"

Bakura looked unnaturally sheepish. "Well, he doesn't know where I live." He gave a glare. "Yet. So don't be telling him anything, you hear?"

Yuugi glanced back and forth, aware of something going on between the lines, but he didn't know what. Yami had his arms crossed now and Bakura had leant back against the opposite wall, his face half-shadowed.

"I know you want something from me, Yami," Bakura finally said. "Tell me what it is."

The other vampire pressed his lips together, suddenly reluctant to continue the conversation. Oh, how Yami hated to be dependant on someone else; it just wasn't in his nature. But then he caught sight of Yuugi, standing to the side and looking confusedly between the two.

And all his misgivings disappeared. Yami told himself that he needed to see the Spell-Witch just as much as Yuugi did, but something in his head shot that off as untrue and he didn't bother changing it.

"We seek the Spell-Witch, Bakura." Yami finally replied and instantly saw Yuugi sag in relief out of the corner of his eye.

Then, their attention was all on Bakura, who'd remained silent. His brow furrowed and he glanced between the two, shifting back and forth. "Witch..." He murmured under his breath, too quiet for even Yami to hear.

His lip twitched, then his other one. Bakura's eyes suddenly turned unnaturally bright and Yami frowned in apprehension. Then Bakura burst out laughing, giving up all control on maintaining a straight face. They stood like that for a good five minutes before he got himself under control and was able to look back at them.

They were obviously waiting to be clued in on some private joke, but Bakura just couldn't get it out. "With all your power, Pharaoh," He said between breaths. "And no one told you."

"Told me what, Bakura?" Yami demanded irritably. Bakura just shook his head.

"I'll tell you how to find..." His face threatened to succumb to the amusement within again but Bakura controlled the urge. "But only because this is the best laugh I've had in a while."

"What, haven't done your daily mayhem dosage in the kitchens yet?" Yami rolled his eyes. "I don't know why he hasn't had a heart attack yet. Or complained to me. Did you threaten him, Bakura?"

"Me?" Bakura put on an air of innocence and Yuugi grinned widely at the sight. "Of course not! I did bribe him though...Never mind," He added hastily at Yami's pointed look.

"Bakura..." He said warningly.

"Okay, okay!"

Ten minutes later, Yami and Yuugi bid good bye to Bakura, with a plea from Yami to not cause too much damage, and left to find the nearest window.

"But Yami," Yuugi finally found his voice now that they were alone. "Why do we need a window?-- There's one, by the way-- I thought we needed to leave to find the Spell-Witch-- you never did explain that properly, either...Shouldn't we be heading back?"

Yami concentrated on pushing at the appropriate points to un-jam the large balcony window and open it. He said, in between grunts of exertion, "We are leaving. I always did like getting away better than coming back. Less of a hassle...Now, come here."

"Why?" Yuugi questioned but did as he was told.

Without warning, Yami grabbed him around the waist and hoisted him against his own hip, his other hand finally un-sticking the window and urging Yuugi to step onto the large, stone railing. He stepped up next to him as well, and they gazed down at the city before them, a mass of glowing neon lights and abrupt sound.

"Wow," Yuugi murmured and Yami smirked, pleased at the reaction he'd received. "It's not fair that you, vampires, are the only ones that get to enjoy this view."

Yami leaned down and brought his mouth to Yuugi's ear again. "It's much better in real life."

Without pause, he swept Yuugi up into his hold and jumped off the railing and into the night.

The last that could be heard was Yuugi shouting first in terror, and then delight as the vampire touched down on the neighboring building's fire escape and back up, proceeding in graceful leaps and bounds towards the heart of the booming city.

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