After much deliberation...
Bakura: Meaning that PhantomBrat's to lazy and gives up easily...
*Glares at Bakura* Wrong, mummy-man. I asked the readers and left the poll open, but only got three responses.
Yugi: She's right. One vote for each option given. Sorry for the interruption.
It's alright Yugi. Anyways, I have just decided to leave this as a multi-chaptered story.
Six months after the incident with Raiden Takeshi, Yugi was still dealing with his frequent memory loss. He had gotten better at remembering things, but there were still a few holes in his short-term memories and still needed to be reminded of a few things now and then. Despite not remembering that Atem was his twin brother for the first few months, Yugi followed the elder boy like a shadow, refusing to leave his side. When one of the other team members tried to draw Yugi away, he clung to the leader of the team refusing to let go. Atem and Atemu had helped Yugi through the more difficult times and were pleased to see that things were getting better.
Currently, Yugi was watching Ryou and Malik plan out dinner. "I think we should do a stew," Ryou stated getting out the vegetables.
"What about the meat that Bakura and Marik bought the other day, saying that we don't cook enough for them," Malik countered pulling out the meat from the fridge. "They wanted a roast."
Yugi was tired of their indecision, "Why not do both?"
The two looked at each other and grinned, "That's a great idea, Yugi." They had done this on purpose to see how Yugi would react to their 'argument'. They received the desired reaction, his wanting to create a compromise that would please all sides.
"I'm going to go see if Yami can give me a packet," Yugi stated, sliding from his chair. "I'm thirsty. Do you guys want one?"
Ryou and Malik shook their heads. "We've already had one," Ryou pointed out. He was concerned that Yugi had been extremely 'thirsty' the past two weeks. He had been drinking a least a packet or two every other day when before it was one packet every three to four days. He had made up his mind to talk to Akefia to see if he knew what was happening to their friend.
Malik felt his friend's worry, "Why don't you go and see what you can find out? I'll take care of dinner."
"Thanks Malik," Ryou sighed. "I just hope that Akefia can help."
"Yami," Yugi called as he entered the lab. "Can I have another bag? I'm thirsty again."
Atemu stepped out of the storage room where he and Atem were taking inventory, "You've had a packet just this morning, Little One. Is there something the matter?"
"I'm just really thirsty," Yugi complained.
Atemu nodded and handed Yugi another packet, "Drink it slowly, perhaps then it'll help."
Yugi nodded and started sipping the contents as he sat on the bed that Atem kept in there for late nights.
Atemu turned to Atem, "I need to talk to Bakura and Ishizu, but before I do, you and I need to talk."
Atem nodded and followed him out of the storage room. "We'll be right back Yugi," he stated as he locked the supply room. "Stay put."
Still drinking, Yugi nodded.
"Do you know what's happening to Yugi," Atem asked his ancestor.
Atemu nodded, "He's 'becoming of age'. This hits every young vampire sometime during their tenth or eleventh year. After that they are fine."
"What do I need to watch for with him," he questioned.
Atemu sighed, "With some, it's a stronger thirst; with others it's violence. This passes after a few days to a couple of months. After this phase, the young vampire may gain certain 'gifts'."
"What kind of 'gifts'?"
Atemu replied, "Knowing in advance whether they have kin that have been Turned helps to determine their abilities beforehand. I have the ability to manipulate shadows and Yugi may have the same ability or the opposite. The other two can do the same. We are also what our kind called 'Day-walkers'. We didn't gain this until after we 'came of age."
"The Hikaris already have shown signs of being able to go out during the day," Atem pointed out. "In fact, they're most active during the day."
"As of late, Yugi has been sleeping during the day," Atemu replied. "It's the blood that he's getting. I've noticed that he sleeps after finishing off the packet. Do you object if I handle him for the remainder of his transition?"
Atem shook his head, "If it'll help my brother, then by all means. Just don't hurt him."
"I will treat him as I would have my own son," Atemu stated, turning into the lab to check on the Hikari.
Ryou located Akefia in his room, reading a book. "Um, Gramps? Can you help me with something?"
Akefia set the book down and looked at the Hikari, "What is it?"
"I'm worried about Yugi," he admitted. "He's been extremely thirsty as of late and falls asleep after draining an entire packet alone."
Akefia paled at this, "I want you to inform your brother and Ishizu that the two of you are coming with me for a while. I'm sure by now that Atemu has informed Yugi's brother of his condition. Go and pack some clothes and tell your friend to do the same."
"What's going on," Ryou whispered, scared.
Akefia stood up and looked at the boy, "You three are 'coming of age' and may be a danger to the others while this is going on. Go and pack for we are leaving tonight after dinner."
Ryou nodded and left the room to tell Malik what they were doing.
Atemu met up with Akefia, "We need to take the boys 'camping for a while, away from humans."
"I was just about to tell you the same thing, old friend," Akefia returned. "Ryou informed me of the Little One's condition. I'm having him inform his brother and Malik's sister that they're leaving with me for a while."
They heard noises in the kitchen and went to investigate.
"I TOLD YOU TO WAIT FOR DINNER," Malik screamed at his twin as he threw a few plates at the wall. "HOW DARE YOU RAID THE FRIDGE WHILE I'M COOKING!"
The pair split up and Atemu grabbed Malik's arms while Akefia led his brother from the room. "Let me go," Malik growled, struggling in the elder's grip. "He's going to pay for ruining his appetite."
Akefia returned, "Malik, calm down."
"DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN," the Hikari yelled.
Akefia shook his head, "We're leaving now. There's no other choice. I'll collect enough supplies and the other two right now."
Atemu nodded, still holding the struggling Hikari, "Inform Atem that we're leaving and that Mariku is staying behind. I really don't think that he can handle him if he has one of his 'spells'."
His friend nodded and left the kitchen.
Ryou had packed three suitcases and a large cooler by the time Akefia came to collect him. "We're leaving as soon as I collect Yugi. Load the stuff into the spare van and go help Atemu with Malik. Stop to see Atem first to get a tranq for your friend," he instructed Ryou.
The little vampire nodded and left to do as he was told. Akefia headed to Atem's lab and found Yugi sound asleep while his brother worked on some old notes. He looked up from his work, "Weren't you going to wait to take the boys until after dinner?"
"We were, but Malik's entered his time as well. He's become a bit violent and we need to leave while Ryou's still himself," Akefia replied. "We're taking the boys away from human contact until they are finished. Mariku's staying here while we're gone."
As Akefia picked up the sleeping Hikari, Atem spoke, "Please take good care of Yugi and the others."
"No worries there," he replied. "They are, after all, of our line."
He carried the smaller vampire to the van that Ryou had loaded and placed him on one of the bench seats. Atemu and Ryou had managed to sedate Malik and load him in. Once everyone was in the vehicle, Atem started it and left the mansion.
"How do you feel, Ryou," Atemu asked.
Ryou shrugged, "A bit tired right now, but worried about my friends. What's happening?"
"You three are coming of age. It usually happens when a vampire is in their tenth or eleventh year," Akefia explained. "Some vampires have an intense thirst, while others become quite violent. Your two friends are the perfect example of this. The transition may last from a few days to a couple of months."
"So how long was it for you," Ryou questioned them.
Atemu replied, "My transition lasted for three weeks. Mariku's was about two months if I remember correctly. He sort of knocked me out for a week straight because I 'offended him'."
"Atemu was just poking the fire with a stick and Mariku bashed him with a rather large branch," Akefia laughed. "Anyways, my transition lasted a couple of weeks."
Sorry about the wait. I hope that you enjoyed the chapter. I'll try to post sooner.