Warnings: Hormones

Prompt XII: Light

The light made Yami's eyes glow as he settled next to him. Yugi thought he looked every bit the yearling but for his broader shoulders. Yugi had noticed it a while back that he'd lost some of his slenderness, his long legs not so tall he looked scrawny and disproportionate anymore. He'd filled out quite a bit, though his paws were still somewhat too large and he looked like a drowned rat when his coat was blown in summer. When he played in the rain he looked like a mongrel and Yugi always teased him for it. But he had to admit, when Yami turned on him and sprayed him with mud when it was raining, Yugi would squeak and enjoy just how much the other wolf laughed and dashed around with his tail wagging like crazy.

The pack had been split into patrols for the moment. His grandpa had said there was a small possibility Atem and his pack might be nearby. It was a scouting mission more than anything. He wanted to be able to see to it that the commotion of a possible war never made its way to them. In the case of Atem and his pack being nearby, they'd tighten and secure areas closer to the rendezvous point before they did anything else. It would minimize notice.

At worst, they would have to move further into the mountains and hide away.

Yami shifted his weight and pricked his ears forward, glancing at Yugi sideways. If he was so close to the border, wouldn't we have noticed by now? Ryou and Kisara have been stationed there for months now…

Yugi had to agree with him. But he didn't know how to explain without interrupting his grandpa and his speech at the moment. He looked over at Yami for a moment, then licked his cheek and turned away.

This is only a scouting procedure. I want groups of four. You'll split up and head the direction of the—He cast a glance at Yami now, plum purple eyes slightly sheepish—former Sapporo pack territory. Take about a mile between each group to cover more perimeter. If there are any issues, do not hesitate to signal.

Yami flicked an ear and glanced at Yugi. Are we—?

I want each team to be balanced. I want a faster team mate and a stronger one. Yugi will come with me and his parents. Sugoroku looked directly over to Yami now. Yami and Bakura will be partnered.

Yugi blinked and pricked his ears, then looked past Yami and over to the dark gray male in question. Bakura bore his teeth at them in annoyance but did not bristle or snarl. Yami tilted his head, glanced at Yugi uncertainly, and then slowly picked his way over to sit near him. The distance between them was clear, however, as Yami placed himself too far for Bakura to snap his teeth into his flesh if he turned his head. He was out of range of him altogether.

Yugi flattened his ears and huffed as he turned back to his grandpa. Sugoroku was still watching him. It seemed almost like he was trying to aggravate the situation. Bakura still held a grudge for the fight they'd gotten into and Yami was wary of Bakura. The two of them didn't get along well enough to truly be able to cooperate for more than a handful of minutes at a time. There was always an argument that threatened to break out at any moment when the two were in the same room together.

And he wished he could say it was all Bakura. But the truth was, Yami aggravated him just as much. It was usually spite that motivated him. He would say or look at Yugi the wrong way and Yami would parade past him with his tail and head up in the most provocative manner Yugi had ever seen. It got laughs from other wolves, but it made Yugi's insides tighten and his entire body hot. And more than half of his thoughts turned—predictably—to trying to mount him. Yugi hated that part of him, but hormones were often the worst for wolves. He knew that much. He'd heard the stories.

Some wolves turned promiscuous to satisfy their needs. Others turned hostile. Some took partners within the pack. Others took humans that were lost and easily taken advantage of. Hellhounds had it by far worse than lycanthropes, because their base instincts were run by manipulation and preying on the weaker humans. But Yugi sometimes found himself having to spend extra time in the bathroom at school or home in the shower.

It was impossible to stay completely sane at times around Yami, and he wondered if Yami was oblivious or not. He was physically filling out as a wolf, which meant puberty couldn't far away and—

Bad. Yugi, he thought scathingly at himself. He shook himself out and refused to look over at Bakura and Yami. Bad. Bad. Bad.

He knew Yami had looked over when he'd gotten up, however. He could feel him staring at him now. But he still refused to turn his head and see him. Instead he moved toward his grandfather, watching the wizened gray wolf with open bewilderment.

Why had he chosen to pair Bakura and Yami? It didn't make sense.

Yami, Bakura, you'll be taking ground closer to the badger set Yami used to frequent.

Yugi pricked his ears and looked over now, bristling uneasily along his scruff. Yami looked just as startled as he was, and Bakura appeared suspicious for a long moment. They looked at one another only for a heartbeat, as if they were discussing something privately between the two of them, and then turned away again.

Yugi wasn't sure he cared for the way Yami's eyes had darkened at whatever it was Bakura had said. Some small part of him wanted to rush forward and snap at him for taking the light from his eyes. He didn't want Yami upset. That was nothing he wanted in the slightest.

But the impulse faded.

Yugi, let's go.

He blinked, studying his parents and grandfather, then glanced to Yami again. His heart felt as if it were beating out of his chest for some reason, racing though Yugi didn't understand why. Yami was already watching him.

For a moment their eyes remained locked.

Yugi had the strangest impulse to tell him to be careful.

Yami wagged his tail slightly, dipping his head and flattening his ears.