Warnings: Blood/Violence
Prompt XIV: Stillness
Yugi heard a scream before they'd even truly gotten to the edge of the territory. Sugoroku had been lecturing him about his decisions when he became alpha, as his parents would be stepping down to allow his leadership the moment Sugoroku retired himself. He'd told him to remember his strength was in the pack, not just himself or Yami, and then he'd reminded him to watch his step when it came to politics and pushing Yami's rank forward as he was planning.
But all of his words went out the window. Yugi tensed and pricked his ears forward. Sugoroku and his parents froze and stared in turn. They listened a moment longer, then took off running.
Yugi sprinted.
He recognized the snarling.
That was Yami.
He'd memorized the pitch when he'd fought Bakura. He knew the sound now. He knew it and he couldn't shake it and his heart raced with panic.
They reached the edge of the territory.
And yet they weren't there.
Yugi didn't slow, however. He bolted straight past the old den Yami had waited in. It was the furthest he'd ever gone. His heart hammered in his chest. His breath came in quick puffs. His body felt cold and hot all at once.
And then he saw them.
Bakura had pinned one of the wolves. Yami was holding off three of them. The darker wolf was snapping rapidly, biting one and darting past another. He'd woven them around and attacked when they gave chase. He snapped at air and bristled. He snarled. He dodged. He lunged. He danced away.
Yugi hurried forward, slamming into the nearest one. They were almost twice his size. Their teeth almost snapped into his shoulder. It was Yami grabbing their face that made them miss.
Bakura joined them a moment later. His teeth snapped into another wolf's throat. Blood gushed and sprayed outward. Yami spun on him with gaping jaws. Yugi shoved a wolf away from him. Sugoroku and his parents were in the fray as well. More wolves had come running to aid their companions.
And then Yugi found himself faltering.
The wolf that had come forward was huge, with a pelt of pure black but for white paws and a streak of silver along his muzzle. Yugi panted and pricked his ears forward. Realization slammed through him. Yami!
The other wolf spun on him. He panted in turn and then looked over. For a moment he didn't react. And then he sprang forward, snarling and bristling. He snapped and bore his teeth and raised his tail. The larger male tilted his head, then growled low in its throat. The two of them considered one another pointedly. And then the larger wolf came forward again. It clamped its jaws into Yami's forehead, shoving him to the ground. Yami immediately straightened and returned the blow. For a few seconds they remained there, staring at each other.
And then Yami turned his head.
Bakura, if you don't release Mai, Atem is going to kill you.
Bakura stiffened and stopped. He abruptly released the wolf in his mouth. The female was on her paws instantly. She clipped him so hard Bakura hit the ground and rolled for a split second. Then he sprang up and snapped at her. Mai returned the gesture with such power he flinched as if he'd been struck. Bakura crouched down like a scorned pup. Then he snarled at her angrily.
She raised her tail and stalked past.
Yami.
The red-eyed male turned to him instantly, before he'd even finished the first syllable. His ears pricked, his head tilted, his eyes focused entirely on him. Yugi almost shivered with satisfaction.
Why the hell were they this far out?
Yugi ignored his grandpa, going to speak, but Yami answered, I insisted we went a little further. I didn't think we'd be attacked like this.
Yugi froze in place, startled. Bakura turned and stared. Sugoroku stiffened. His parents swapped looks. Yami glanced toward Atem slowly. Yugi didn't know what he was saying, but it hadn't pleased him in the slightest.
You chose to go further? Sugoroku growled slowly. You led Bakura into this situation?
Yami's eyes flickered over. Yes. I did this.
Yugi couldn't believe it. Something in the way Yami stared at them made him certain if wasn't his idea. There was no way. It didn't make sense. Yami wouldn't have done that. He wouldn't have risked someone else's—
Then we were right not to trust you to patrol with Yugi.
Yugi blinked and froze. I'm sorry, what? Surely he'd misheard. Because, for a second, it sounded almost like—
Yes, I suppose you were. Yami looked as if he'd been gutted for only a second. Then he raised his chin and glared at Sugoroku defiantly. I chose to lead us further than the badger set. I know the territory. I assumed it safe to do so. And it is not as if you didn't always suspect I would do something so stupid. Isn't that why you've been so diligent about watching me, Sugoroku? You thought I'd run off to find Atem and tell him all about the pack and betray Yugi.
Yugi turned to stare at his grandpa. What?
Sugoroku went to answer, but Yami abruptly murmured, Atem wants to initiate a conversation with you, Yugi.
The words were met with silence. Sugoroku bristled and bore his teeth, snarling, but Atem merely looked at Yugi. Yugi faltered, looking between them for a moment before glancing at his grandpa. When his grandpa looked as if he might speak, Yugi bore his teeth and turned to approach Atem. He hesitated a few feet away, turning to Yami.
I trust you.
The red-eyed boy blinked, then wagged his tail with his ears flattened against his head. He quivered once before ducking his head and licking his nose. Yugi watched him a moment before licking him in turn and facing Atem.
The other wolf ducked his head, waiting, and Yugi glanced at Mai first. The she-wolf had taken a seat, grooming at a small patch of fur that had been pulled on her hind leg. If she noticed him watching her she made no point of showing it. She purposefully ignored him as if he didn't exist.
It was comforting, because she could have very easily have turned on him.
He turned to Atem again. Red-flecked eyes peered back at him. Yugi glanced at Yami. The yearling had turned toward him, ears pricked forward and eyes studious. He seemed at ease, not the least bit concerned, and that was the most comforting Yugi could expect at the moment.
He exhaled and turned back, then bit Atem hard enough in the skull that it forced his chin to the ground. Yugi flattened his ears and ducked his head just as Atem did the same. He hit the ground hard enough that his jaw hurt but when he raised his head again, the other wolf watched him curiously.
Your pack mate, Atem said slowly, is extremely lucky Yami was with him. I was going to kill him for coming here so carelessly like that.
