Yugi: PhantomBrat? PhantomBrat, are you alright?
…
Ryou: No response. I think she's still out.
Malik: I hate this chapter.
Yugi: But things always work out somehow. Right?
A few miles away from Bobby's, Yugi came to and moaned in pain. This gained Atemu's attention. "Muzzle," Yugi gasped out in pain.
Atemu knew that their animal forms were slightly easier to carry. He laid the Hikari on the ground so that he could Shift. Seconds after Yugi gained full animal form; Atemu pulled out the small cat muzzle and slid it over Yugi's feline face. "Does that help," he asked the small Supernatural.
Yugi nodded weakly. *Want Yami. Go back. Please?*
Atemu nodded, knowing that Yugi needed his brother close by. He requested that Ryou and Malik Shift and get muzzled or covered. Minutes later, the six headed back the way they came.
"Dad, Yugi is my brother," Atem pointed out. He had been trying to tell everyone the good points of the Hikaris. "Ryou and Malik helped us escape the Vampire Lord's Keep when I told them to go home and help watch Yugi when he was injured. They had originally stowed away to be part of the rescue mission. Yugi captured Bandit Keith alone and then kidnapped in the process. There were many opportunities for them to cause us harm, but they don't because they still have their morals."
A knock interrupted them. Bobby answered it. The three men were back with much smaller bundles. "Yugi wanted his brother," Atemu stated. "He needs him desperately. Atem, Yugi is in pain and we cannot make the journey with either Young One in agony."
"Dad, may they come in? They're on our side," Atem said.
Bobby stepped away from the door, "Don't even think about doing anything."
Atemu nodded, "Very well. May I place Yugi somewhere?"
"The couch," Bobby grumbled.
Atemu went to the indicated furniture and placed his small bundle on the couch. He uncovered it revealing a silver-colored spotted cat wearing a small muzzle. Dean smirked as he approached the cat, "Hey kitty."
Its eyes snapped open, revealing amethyst-colored eyes as it weakly barred its teeth and let out a faint hiss of irritation. *Go away Dean. I am muzzled for a reason. Do not make me have to ask for a carrier too.*
Everyone heard Yugi's mental 'voice', but Bobby and John were shocked to hear that he had threatened to have himself locked up. "Yugi hates having to go under lock-and-key, but he will do it to protect everyone," Atem pointed out. "Now can we please try to find out what happened to the Hikaris and get them better?"
There was a chorus of muttered 'fines'.
The Angel felt where his Blood-ties were located and headed to their location. He was upset when the 'pull' drew him to Bobby Singer's place. He a handful with the Winchesters and Bobby alone, but if they used his blood for foolish reasons, they were going to pay dearly.
An uninvited 'guest' appeared in the living room as everyone had muttered their agreements, gaining their attention. "Cas! What are you doing here," Dean questioned him.
Castiel looked around the room stonefaced, "I was drawn here. Someone has used blood that was stolen from me. Where is the one who used my blood?"
Yugi cracked his now nearly crimson eyes open and weakly got to his legs. *You did this to us?! Please stop whatever it is you did. I don't want to suffer like this again…none of us does.*
Just then, his paws gave out and he collapsed to the cushion, panting hard. Atem gently picked him up from the couch, "Yugi, you should be resting."
*Don't wanna suffer…Yami…It hurts…Don't wanna…lose myself…don't wanna be…like the Others.*
~Yugi's right. I can't think straight and…I can't take this anymore.~
{Malik's right…Sorry Kura…Everyone…}
Blood-red eyes glared at them as the Mau and Jackal pushed themselves up. They growled in unison and crept towards the group. The Falcon shrieked and tried to free itself from its bonds. "This is not good," the Angel muttered.
Bobby glared at him, "Ya think?!"
"Your blood was the only thing keeping them from going full vampire," Atem yelled at Castiel as Yugi prepared to attack. "Release the Block NOW! Before they do something that they'll regret when they come to their senses!"
Atemu and Akiefa blocked the attack and barred their fangs at what used to be their favorite descendants. Ryou and Yugi focused their attacks on the assumed threats instead of the Humans. Akiefa looked over his shoulder, "Better return them to their former status before I throw you to them myself, you filthy Angel!"
"Hikaris are not killers," Atemu stated. "But if any one of them kills a Human, regardless of their protected status, they will all be sent to the Arctic and Frozen. They are normally calm and caring innocents. What you have done will condemn them all!"
Yugi jumped at Atemu with claws out, scratching the Daywalker's arm and drawing blood. Atemu reacted and swung his arms out, catching Yugi in the ribs by accident. The ancient vampire was relieved that Yugi had been muzzled before he lost himself. But that relief was short-lived when the smaller was enveloped in Shadows. Glowing red eyes snapped opened and focused on him. The feline Shadow-Wraith hissed at him once more before attacking.
Castiel snapped his fingers and the 'monster' fell to the ground in mid-leap. Glowing amethyst eyes watered in pain and remorse. The canine and falcon settled down and were silent. Ryou whimpered as he approached Yugi's form and nuzzled him. Shadows faded away and the Mau didn't move from where he lay.
Atem looked at Atemu, who nodded, understanding that Yugi needed his brother. "He needs to understand that it was not his fault," he informed Atem. "As for you, Angel, this trespass will not be easily forgiven. Those boys were given your blood to save their lives when they were newborn babies. You should be grateful that they were the ones it was given to as they remained innocent despite being Turned. You'd better hope that this incident doesn't scar them. Otherwise, I will personally end you."
Atem and Bobby carefully approached Yugi, who still didn't get up. Ryou whimpered and whined softly. Atem patted him on his head, "It'll be alright, Ryou. Go see your brother." Ryou obeyed and limped over to Bakura and lay at his feet, whining. "Yugi?" Sad eyes looked up at him. Atem held his hands out as he knelt down, "Come here Yugi. I'm not mad at you. This was not your fault."
Yugi glanced at Bobby, still depressed. The man gently reached out, "I'm sorry kid. I judged you before I got to know you. Forgive an old man?"
Yugi let out a weak meow and tried to get up. He collapsed and lay there panting. *I think I'm hurt, Yami. It hurts to breathe.*
"Shift back so that I can look at your injuries," Atem told Yugi.
Yugi weakly shook his head. *Hurts too much.*
Atemu knelt down, muttered a low incantation, and tapped the middle of Yugi's forehead as Atem removed the muzzle. Moments later, Yugi was in his human form, breathing hard through his pain. Between Bobby, Atem, and Atemu; they discovered that Yugi had bruised and fractured ribs from the fight. They carefully bound his chest and put him on the couch. By the time the three finished, Yugi was unconscious but breathing slightly better.
Castiel was glaring daggers at Akiefa. The Daywalker had placed a Binding on him until they were sure there was no damage to the Hikaris' mentality and self-worth. The Angel was stuck in his Human form and unable to use his powers without the ancient thief's permission.
Malik: I wish I had an ancestor like yours, Ryou. Mine is insane like Marik.
Ryou: At least mine watches out for us. He doesn't want any of us hurt.
Malik: Stupid Angel. I vote we throw it into a volcano and call it incinerated.
Yugi: You hang out with Marik and Bakura wa-a-a-y too much.
Castiel: …