Spoiler Alert!

It goes without saying that I don't own rights to either YuGiOh! or the animated series "Gargoyles".

Halloween 2021 FanFic Yu-Gi-Oh! X Gargoyles


When a Gargoyle Falls

Chapter 5:

Control

"MrKaiba."

The luxurious chair pivoted away from the window as a suited security assistant approached the desk. "I thought I told you not to disturb me tonight. The festivities are underway and it is nearly time for my appearance." His hands smoothed out a minor wrinkle within his otherwise pristine suite that had been specially tailored to mimic the style of a popular yet iconic black and white striped figure from a film labeled "Halloween classic". Honestly he could care less about the costumes the public raged over, that was why he had hired a personal dresser just for this month so he wouldn't have to waste his precious time on this sort of matter. "Unless it has something to do with our missing gargoyle or dancer, I do not want to hear it."

"But, sir, that's just it. The head of the clan has returned but is currently engaged with she who led you on how to break their curse."

Kaiba's hand swiped through the air, causing every screen at his disposal to show footage of the courtyard.

. . . .

"And you expect me to simply believe all that you have said?"

"What reason would I have to lie?" The violet gargoyle carefully watched as the female circled him from behind. Sticking to the blind spot was one of her favorite methods of hunting and intimidation but he would not give her that satisfaction. He was leader for good reason. His tail lashed out, wrapping around her left leg then gave a tug that caused her to slide across the ground until she was at his feet. "All that I have spoken to you has been truth, Valentine, there would be nothing to gain otherwise."

She glared up at him with narrowed eyes then blinked, stroking her chin once freeing herself from his tail and rose to stand. "How odd that the name sounds quite lovely when used to address me." One of her hands rose to her hair. "You are not planning of allowing that girl to be removed from here without a fight and none of us are powerful enough to overthrow your decisions."

Suspicion filled him. The gargoyle warrior was not one who was known to simply accept a choice like this without protest. What was she up to? "So it is agreed that you will do no harm nor forcibly exert your petty games to compel her into something Anzu does not wish to?" He bristled when she suddenly pressed the entirety of her front against his, even the tail behind him grew stiff as her arms wrapped around his waist and her tail snaked around his own. Physical affections were not his strong suit, any physical interaction would actually cause him to seize up like this, and counted down the seconds until she released him with a sigh.

"I see you haven't changed one bit," the rose hued gargoyle purred, one of her claws trailing down his chest. "But I am positive that beneath that calm exterior is plenty of energy to spare-"

He reacted so fast that even the elder was left speechless when they found their leader several feet away from the female. "I will be spending my personal times alone from this point and I am certain that I will find other ways of entertaining myself." Atem suppressed a shiver while turning away from her to face his elder. "It must be upsetting to see the ways of the clan change before your very eyes and for that I apologize."

"The way I see it, leader, is that we older folk have had a good run. That girl has made several valid points just within the short time of her being here amongst us that it would be foolish for any to ignore her wisdom." The horned gargoyle bowed his head. "Forgive this foolish elder, Atem, for not considering what you may have wanted."

"Raise your head, for it does not sit well with me to see it bent." Amethyst met weathered heather as his hand rested upon the elder's shoulder. "Sometimes it is the viewpoint from an outsider that brings to light a truth that has been patiently awaiting to be brought forth."

Mauve rolled. "I could barely stand your philosophical nonsense a millennium ago and lo it appears that I cannot now." With a wave of her hand, she hopped up onto the fountain's main pedestal, expanding her wings in preparation to take flight. Her full lips lifted into a knowing smirk when he reached out as if to stop her. "Do not worry yourself, Atem, I shall be back by sunrise and will not harm the human girl..." The breeze kicked up and carried her up to disappear into the night sky. "…for now."

His shoulders rose and fell in a heavy sigh. At least she had used his new name. "Why do her words only fuel my worry?"

"Tis best not to dwell on matters out of one's control, especially when it comes to that one."

"Perhaps you are right."

The elder's eyes narrowed playfully. "Which reminds me, leader, even this one has not seen you wear anything but a thin line so I have been curious as to why it is only with her that your lips rise into what I dare to call a smile?"

"Is it really that strange or odd that I should be allowing my expressions to show?" Atem tilted his head. "I understand that it must seem odd but surely it is not wrong so express one's emotions."

"You misunderstood me. I was merely observing that the calm exterior you have created does not hold true when that young woman is near." The elder's tail poked the young clan leader's side to accentuate his jest. "One can't help but wonder if you have something to hide."

Heat erupted across Atem at the hidden assumption and cleared his throat loudly. "I should probably go check on them to make sure that they are not overwhelming our guest." Even the tips of his ears grew warm as the elder took to the sky after saying something about patrol duties. His tail lashed slightly behind him as he entered the palace passageways, the faint echoes that only their kind's ears could hear guiding him when the scent of peaches was overrun by those of sand or gargoyle. However his search was interrupted by one he had not expected. He came to a stop at the junction where one path would lead below to the mansion while the other farther into the palace structure's heart when a figure stepped forth. "To what do I owe this pleasure, Kaiba?"

. . . .

"Would you guys give her some space already?" The lilac gargoyle, though smaller in size than any other she'd seen so far, was surprisingly capable of pulling the two who had been invading her personal space by their shoulders as easily as if he were removing a pair of puppies. He offered her an apologetic smile. "Sorry about this, guess you've caught their interest too."

She smiled, curiously peeking around him when the pair peeked through the doorway. They had honestly surprised her with their scrutinizing looks but there was no hint that they meant harm. Another wave of exhaustion crashed over her as the room spun. "Wish I could say that it really didn't bother me, I feel bad that this is the second meet we've had and I still can't provide a good impression."

A flick of his tail caused the door to slam closed, earning twin exclamations from the pair outside, his gaze locking on its wooden surface. "They will be fine and should learn some patience anyway." He quickly placed his hands upon her shoulders when she swayed. "Easy, there, I can still smell that there's a lot of whatever was injected within your body is still lingering within your bloodstream."

If Anzu had been coherent enough to form a clear thought, she probably would have chosen a different course of action. There were no other clothes that she could see that were meant for her to change into but Atem clearly trusted this gargoyle. And she trusted him. "Would you mind turning around or closing your eyes for a minute?" No question was asked as he not only tilted his being in the opposite direction of her but he also closed his eyes. What Atem had said about their clan's view on family relations was simplistic yet it was sad. Then again it was probably what they needed for the safety of their members. Still she couldn't help but see a few of a certain violet gargoyle's qualities within this younger, smaller, male. She slipped out of the articles of clothing, leaving both undergarments upon her form, taking care to tuck the wad of discarded clothing amongst the bundle of sheets upon what she guessed was supposed to be a bed, then used one of the loose sheets and tied it around her form like she had seen in several films. "Always wanted to try toga style."

"As in the Romans or Greeks?"

Her brows rose while checking that the ties were secure before telling him he could look. He had kept a gentle yet firm enough hold that would adjust depending upon her motions and movements even when not looking. Impressive instinct and one of the most respectable beings she's ever come across. "Yeah, exactly. I'm guessing you guys must have run into a few back in your time since Egypt had decent relations with them."

His smile was almost too bright for her to look at as he made a few adjustments to the makeshift toga, telling her any and everything about what he himself had learned from the pale visitors whenever they came to the palace. To see such passion in someone else besides herself was refreshing and she didn't want to miss a single word but as the minutes ticked by it was harder and harder for her to keep track of what he was saying. "The foods that they would bring with them…" his words faded to silence as her head hung slightly, the long lashes fluttering slightly as if she were trying to stay awake. "I must have been rambling when I should have been helping. Sorry."

"N-no, no, I'm trying to listen, really…I want to hear what you have to say," she yawned but the truth made itself known as her hand rose to rub her temple when her balance faltered. "He…he said you're sense of smell was better than his." A sigh slipped up her throat as he rested her back against the makeshift bed of pillows they had scrounged from the mansion. "…said that he wanted you to check again…"

The smaller gargoyle patted her arm, ensuring that his smile remained as her eyes slid closed. "Go ahead and sleep, Anzu, I won't leave unless you or Atem tell me I should." His smile fell once her breathing had deepened, signaling her fall into slumber, and drug a hand down his face as the heavy scent that had been burning his nose became too much that he was forced to open the window. "How you stayed conscious I will never know," he coughed, turning to walk back towards to her side once his sinuses had been soothed by the cool night air. "Guess that just means you're a strong person. Most of the humans, and gargoyles, that I know would have been complaining all the live long day but not you. You really are something else." Weariness filled him when took a long inhale through his nose, finding the source to be a hole nearly the size of one of his spinal ridges within her neck. He didn't even want to guess what had left such a gruesome mark. There were two familiar puncture marks, neither as deep as the hole, that were nestled on either side of it. His gaze remained upon the sleeping girl even when the telltale sound of wings came through the open window as he carefully lifted her right leg. "She stumbled a bit on our way here so I'm guessing a few of her arteries are clotted from whatever entered her system. Seems like you got most of it out by creating a sort of pressure method, right?"

"Did I remove enough that her life is not in jeopardy?"

"Maybe, but we'll have to keep a close eye for a while." His claw slowly penetrated her skin, earning a gasp from the girl that caused his motions to pause as she shifted slightly, then continued when it appeared she wasn't going to wake. Dark crimson droplets formed when his claw retracted but it was much too slow. "This may not be pretty to watch," he warned, glancing over his shoulder to the taller violet gargoyle as he glanced down at the girl. "Maybe you should wait outside with the others." The head of the gargoyle clan's gaze was felt by the young male, who offered a sheepish shrug. "You're probably wondering where I learned this. Let's just say that television is full of interesting documentaries that would interest anyone. Just the other night I had a little extra time in checking out a human medical science series."

His head bobbed then tilted, lips twitching with the temptation to form a small smirk at the young gargoyle's obvious fascination. "Oh?"

"Yeah, it was about substance usage and the affects they could pose upon the body. They had fancy tools and assistants but I'm going to have to make do with what I got."

Fate truly was a mysterious mistress, to have had his comrade immerse himself within such an informative media when that knowledge would soon be needed. Though he listened intently as it was explained that there may be several clots to remove but there was hope when it was predicted that all that lingered were within her limbs. His instincts must have been quick enough to prevent any from forming within her chest. The fact remained that it still might not be good enough. Atem shook his head as he grew serious. "I shall stay."

"Suit yourself." The tip of his claw followed the vein, making occasional pricks to better locate the clots, and using his skills he managed to extract nearly a dozen clots from within her legs alone that were wrapped within tissues that were thrown away in the nearby waste basket. "There were that many within just her legs and was still not only capable of staying conscious but also of movement?!"

"Remarkable indeed." His arms crossed over his chest as their gazes met as the young gargoyle leaned back to take a quick break before setting to work on bandaging the weeping wounds. The precision and careful execution had surprised, and earned, Atem's nod of approval when the slumbering girl remained asleep. "Kaiba stopped me while I was on my way here. He seemed oddly interested in our new friend and expressed that he only wished to ensure that she was well taken care of since she now knows of our existence."

The younger gargoyle's motions of bandaging her legs slowed to a stop. "That doesn't sound suspicious at all. I told you from the beginning that the guy was shady."

"And I did not disagree with you." His lips formed a frown as the young woman whimpered softly, his hand for a moment brushing against her cheek as if to offer her comfort. "Until I am certain of his motives, her location is to remain a secret from him. Anzu kept watch over me during the day so it is the least I can do to repay her."

"What about Valentine?"

Atem's growl filled the air as he too realized the predicament at hand. "Honestly, I do not know of a way to earn her cooperation." He was nearly startled when a smooth hand grasped his own, his gaze shifting from the lavender hued gargoyle to the figure who had been sleeping just moments ago and dropped to a knee. "I did not mean to wake you," he whispered softly. "You can go back to sleep."

Her lips lifted into a small smile. "I thought I heard you…had to see…"

"You have," he nodded. "And now you must rest." The sheet that she had wrapped around herself was bunched a bit around her mid-thigh. If his comrade was to continue, it would need to be moved farther. "Anzu, how are you feeling now that you are awake?"

"Still sick…but at least now I can…I can feel my legs…" Her glazed cerulean eyes drifted away from Atem to fall upon the gargoyle watching in silence. "I think I have a name picked for you…I hope you like it…" He perked, moving to kneel on her other side as she smiled. "How does 'Yugi' sound? It's gentle yet holds a firm foundation with surprising knowledge even though it's a small package."

"Not you too," he groaned, unable to hide his teasing grin. "Everyone targets my shortcomings but just you wait. I'll be taller than a palm tree someday!" The lilac hued gargoyle gave her fingers a squeeze when she thanked him for his hard work. "I like it, the name, thank you."

Atem drew her attention by giving rubbing his thumb over her knuckles, ensuring that his voice remained soft and level so as to not fully pull her from the dazed state she was in. "He is capable of removing the clots caused by the toxins but we may have to adjust the sheet."

Her head bobbed as cerulean fluttered closed and he fixed his gaze upon the other gargoyle as she adjusted so that more of her body could be reached, save for the most feminine ones, and rested his forehead against her own briefly. "Nothing more...or you'll be sorry…"

"Of course." They chorused.

"Can I…"

He glanced downward as her fingers gave his a hesitant squeeze. "For as long as you wish, Anzu, so long as you rest."

"…party pooper…"

Not even ten seconds later she was softly snoring despite the tight hold she kept upon his fingers, his claws safely tucked within the palm of his hand so as not to accidentally nick her.

Amethyst met lilac when the sound of her slow heartbeat and deepened breathing relayed that she had fallen back asleep. "How long do you think the rest will take?"

The newly named gargoyle offered a confident smirk. "Bet you I can finish in an hour."

. . . .

"That loathsome- despicable-" A shrill near feline shriek slipped between her lips as she paced about the room, her mauve eyes blazing with anger when the door opened. "You! This is all your fault!"

Sapphire lazily drifted over her as a tall brunette man crossed the space to seat himself behind his desk. "I merely followed your instruction on how to break the curse over your clan, I made no promise or assumption that they would be as they were." His fingers laced together while regarding the rose hued gargoyle who stared down at him. "According to your earlier words, only when the palace was raised above the clouds and bathed within the light of a soar eclipse could your fellow species members awaken from their stone prisons."

"Obviously something went wrong or else my mate would not have rejected me!" She roared into his face.

"What happens now is no longer of my concern," he growled, reaching up and fixing a strand of his brown hair that had become misaligned from her breath. "It was agreed that we would not interfere in each other's affairs."

Mauve eyes narrowed. "I need the Book of Zorc if I am to regain the one whom my duty lies with. The clan will not survive if we do not reforge our union."

Kaiba knew that look in her eye all too well. Many of his competitors and false allies had the same glint when they were secretly scheming something, possibly one that would to either entertain for him or a better outcome for the one who created it; either way, his gut was telling him to stay close enough to observe but that didn't mean that he was going to be personally involved. Which brought up a topic he had meant to ask her about. "He referred to you by a name, as you did with him. Hadn't you told me yourself that your kind does not use them?"

The rose hued gargoyle's expression became one of coy, her hand rising to cup his chin within her palm. "Well, look who has suddenly taken an interest. Perhaps my feminine charm is effective towards humans as well as gargoyles." She released him with a smirk as he leaned backwards in his chair so as to put space between them. Toying with her clan members was always fun but it was with humans that she was finding newfound enjoyment. A purr rumbled up her throat as she sprawled out across the desk's cold surface, the plain white tunic that matched her "former" mate's now only serving as a reminder that he had rejected her. It needed to be put away, out of her sight, until she could reclaim the young clan leader. "The night is still young and I am restless. I am in desperate need of new attire, can you not simply have more suitable clothing than this to be made for me? Oh, something tight fitting that accentuates my whiles!"

He cleared his throat loudly and turned his head to the side as she sensually ran her hands across her form. She hadn't answered his question but that did not mean that he was wrong. A clenched fist nearly pounded the button that summoned his assistant, who hurried into the room within seconds. "Roland, take Valentine here to one of the leftover rooms and find a blind tailor."

"Oooooh, my own personal dresser?" Her head tilted to the side after a moment of thought, mauve growing hard as she realized the reason for the strict criteria. "For one to be blind and a cloth maker is a feat but I understand your caution. Not many humans would welcome one such as myself."

"Are you still here?"

The female gargoyle's eye twitched with annoyance but allowed herself to be led from the room, casting a quick glance over her shoulder at the young man before the door closed to find him staring up at several screens. So that was how he was keeping watch and knew of the private conversation. Interesting indeed. There would be plenty of time later to address that along with how she would locate the book. For now, a new wardrobe was in order. "Let's pick up the pace. A gargoyle's gotta keep her appearance fresh if to accomplish anything."

. . . .

A hand rose to comb through chocolate locks as cerulean eyes cracked open. "My head is spinning…" Anzu groaned, struggling to sit up as immense thirst burned her throat. The haze disappeared with each squinted blink until her eyes widened to nearly match the size of ping pong balls. This wasn't her studio!

Chiffon curtains the color of sea foam were draped throughout the room, almost as if they were being used as decoration along with a few pieces that she was sure would fetch a hefty price at any auction. The canopy above her head was elegant, near identical to the same one above her childhood bed, a pristine white that reminded her of snow were clustered together by pendants or pins that looked like water lilies. Beneath her was a mess of various pillows that had been thrown together as if to make a bed.

A hiss slipped between her lips as she stood, eyes widening further when she found herself wrapped in a sheet held together by similar brooches that were upon the canopy and each limb wrapped with gauze. "W-what the heck? Why do I look like a mummy meets Rome?!" Pain seared through her temple as events rushed past like a movie reel on fast forward; Kokurano breaking into her studio, being found by a pair of gargoyles, flying, lots of pain, a rooftop where one of the creatures turned to stone right before her very eyes as the sun rose, the same gargoyle carrying her amongst the stars then proceeding to save her from another. "This isn't happening, this can't all be nothing more than a dream." Each step Anzu took as she paced about the room earned a flinch but she proceeded after checking beneath the sheet that her undergarments were still present. "Okay, at least I'm not naked, so that's one thing going for me. But that means that there's gotta be clothes stashed somewhere in this room."

"Anzu!"

Her feet became planted as a shadow entered the open window that quickly entered the room, the call of her name with a deep rich baritone farther causing the young woman to question her sanity. The panic and growing uncertainty were replaced by embarrassment when the memory of what had happened between them upon the rooftop surfaced within her head when he came to a stop in front of her.

He had felt her hesitation and quickly reined in his relief at seeing her conscious as she took a slight step backwards. Yugi had said she may not recall everything that had happened since the incident due to the toxins. What did that mean for them then? "You stayed watch over me," he began, smoothly tucking his wings away so as to not intimidate her farther and met her gaze with sincerity when her head tilted to the side. "Upon the rooftop during the daytime. It was only natural that I returned the favor, Anzu."

A smile slowly lifted her lips as clarity entered her cerulean eyes. "Guess I shouldn't expect anything less from a gargoyle," she took a step towards him, the smile raising her lips increasing that a warning bell rang within his mind, "but I think some explanations are in order."

"Where should I start then: finding you within the destroyed dwelling you called home or when you lashed out against the possibly sole female survivor of my clan?" He couldn't hold back a chuckle when the young woman's jaw dropped the memories flashing within her gaze signifying that any questions she may have had were in the process of being answered. What he wasn't prepared for were the tears that spilled down her cheeks as her head hung. "What is it? Are in you pain?"

"No…"

He blinked. "Do you require the window to be closed?"

"No…"

"Could it be that you are 'hangry'? Yugi did warn me earlier that it might be possible once you regained consciousness."

She blinked. "Actually something to eat, and drink, sounds pretty-" Heat flushed her cheeks as she crossed the rest of the space to lightly flick his nose. "Wait, no! That's not it either! Give me a second to just…"

Understanding filled him as she gasped softly when their skins brushed. She possibly needed something to prove that it had all been more than just a dream or figment of her imagination. Sometimes the human mind was a tricky thing that often altered its own sense of truth. His hands rose to rest upon her shoulders, their added weight slightly causing them to slightly sag as he brought her closer, amethyst bearing into cerulean. "I am real, Anzu, as is this room within our palace." One hand separated from her shoulder to slide down to her wrist, lifting it so that the bandages would be within her peripheral vision. "My second in command, the one you named Yugi, was capable of removing the clots within your veins that I could not then cleaned your wounds before dressing them in this era's strange fabric. You have been asleep since then." He could have released a sigh of relief when her expression became relaxed, free of the confusion and tension that had been causing a wrinkle to form between her brows. "Now, I believe you were in search of your clothes from earlier?" This time he didn't bother to hide his chuckle as she hurriedly retreated to the makeshift bed but did turn his back as she sent him a warning glare. The seriousness of her situation came back at him full force like a stone wall as he patiently waited for her to finish dressing. "You understand that you cannot go back there."

"I won't hide."

Astonishment filled him, almost compelling him to turn to face her if not for the reminder of what was occurring behind. "He is obviously dangerous, Anzu, returning there would only earn you another attack. Why not stay where it is safest-" 'at my side'. His words halted when the sentence had been completed internally. "-far from his reach." Where had that come from?

"If I run, he will simply find me again. If I go back, he will only come after me with a bigger vengeance."

"You are referring to the crimes you had exposed," he crossed his arms, "though it was honorable, it earned you his anger and suffered for it though from my understanding it has been quite sometime since then."

She froze in mid motion of slipping the shirt over her head. "How did you know that?"

The cold tone she used was not missed by the gargoyle as his eyes slid closed. "I did not mean to see."

"Answer me, right now, what are you talking about?" Her hand grabbed his arm, forcing him to turn with a sharp yank that caused his eyes to open and amethyst met furious cerulean. "Who told you about what happened between Kokurano and I back in high school?"

"It was in your blood."

"You keep saying that and that you didn't mean to see. I don't understand-"

Atem's hand rose, clasping her hand that still had a tight hold upon his arm and instead raised it so her fingers brushed against the still healing wound within her neck. "On the rooftop, when your health took a turn, had no choice but make an attempt to save you." Sincerity entered his voice as the hostility within her gaze wavered. "I did not wish to harm you farther but you bestowed upon me your trust. With your consent," he brought her closer while bending his neck so that his fangs brushed against the two holes on either side of the much larger one. She didn't fight him nor did she deter him as his warm breath wafted against her skin. "I did my upmost to filter the toxins from your bloodstream in hopes that it would allow me enough time to bring you back to the palace. What I did not expect was that answers to my unvoiced questions would be exposed to me." Self loathe filled him with each passing second that she remained silent and unresponsive. "I understand that you are upset, Anzu, but it will not happen again."

"How much did you see?"

A sigh slipped between his lips. "When he broke into your home up to when he stabbed you in the neck."

So he didn't know all of it. She took a step back, allowing their gazes to meet again as his hold loosened enough so that her wrist slid from his grasp until their fingers met. "I'm sure not all of your questions were answered but in exchange for saving my life I guess I owe you that much." Her fingers gave his a squeeze as her lips lifted what she hoped was an assuring smile. "I want to go back to the studio."

Amethyst widened. "Anzu-"

"Not to stay, just to get a few things that he hopefully missed. Gah, this is going to hurt. Not physically, emotionally, I mean," she hurriedly explained when his eyes flashed with concern. "But I guess the first step of healing is ripping off the bandaid and letting the wound breathe." Her head tilted towards the widow. "Up for a flight? I could use some fresh air."


See you next time!