Chapter 4-
Heba awakened due to a loud crash outside of his bedroom window. He shot up, eyes darting across his room in hopes to find the source but to no avail. He glanced at his clock, taking note of the time which read 7:15pm. He groaned, his arm dangling off the side of the bed for a few moments before a similar noise startled him out of his somnolent stupor, arousing him from his bed. Kicking the covers off his body, he sleepily rose and stumbled towards the window at hearing the sound project in that particular direction. As he grew near, sounds became more pronounced and audible as faint whispers could be heard behind the barrier that is his window.
Growing curious as to who it is and just what is transpiring, he ignored the fact that it's still too early to be awake, and opened up his window, slowly and quietly as not to alert anyone to his presence. As the night breeze danced around his messy locks, he peered over the edge to get a closer look at the scene, only to raise an eyebrow in astonishment.
"Mum?" He whispered, knowing she would be able to hear him. And as soon as those words parted his lips, Yugi immediately snapped her head to the sound of her son's voice, her expression hardly amused. "What are you doing out there?"
"What are you doing up?" Heba noticed a black blur move behind her, but he wasn't completely sure. He was still tired to really process his surroundings completely.
"Well, you are partly the reason for that. I heard a crash outside my window and figured I'd go and check to see what it was.. Again, why are you outside and where is dad?"
She seemed to ponder his question briefly before sighing in defeat. "He's asleep and as for what I'm doing down here, well.." She paused as she sidestepped to her left, revealing a black fluffy looking animal.. What is that..
".."
He watched in awe as the creature nuzzled Yugi's thigh, purring once said person brushed her hands along its fur gently. He broke out into a smile, his elbows on his window sill and head on his palm as he stares dreamily at the beautiful creature. "It's so beautiful.." He whispered, still in awe.
"Indeed. He is my creation, after all. Isn't that right boy?" She cooed, briefly losing balance when she was playfully shoved into in an attempt to get more affection. Yugi obliged, leaning down to brush her lips against fur.
Heba stared at his mother in confusion "Your creation?"
"Meaning I created him using shadow magic. Yes, my creation."
Heba leaped from his open window, gracefully landing on the ground despite his mother's protests to stay put. He tentatively walked forward, hand outstretched towards the animal who sniffed his hand with little hesitation "What is he?"
"A wolf." Yugi watched as said wolf gave her son another sniff, before discarding him as a threat. He rubbed up against Heba who sat crossed legs on the grass, happily stroking his hands through his thick coat of fur.
"I love him! Can I keep him, please?" Heba asked, admiring his golden tipped tail and highlighted mane. He also noticed a scar under his eye, but immediately smiled when he realized it's not authentic and indeed simply another marking.
"To reject would be a waste of time. He is yours anyway. Think of it as a late birthday present."
"REALLY?" Heba cried, shooting up and wrapping his mother in a crushing embrace "Thank you so much, I love it!"
Yugi chuckled, amused at his enthusiasm "I'm assured you'll treat him well. But if I see otherwise, I will take matters into my own hands, understood?"
"Understood!" Heba beamed, hugging his new pet tightly "So what's his name?"
"Originally I chose the name Yusei, but if you wish to change then that's fine."
"No! Yusei is excellent!" Heba nuzzled his face in Yusei's mane, smiling brightly. He's always wanted a pet of his own, and now he has one.. It's like a dream come true. He will need to thank his father because no doubt, he had something to do with it as well.
"Very well." A smile bloomed at the corner of her lip, happy to see Heba so attached to Yusei.
"This is awesome, I just-..wow.."
"Heba." Her voice was calm, gaining her son's attention. She nodded her head in Yusei's direction "He is a very special wolf. Not only is he protective and loyal, he is also capable of vocal communication." When her son watched her in perplexity, she smiled "I don't mean howling, I mean actual speech that we as vampires are able to understand. He's also able to speak to us mentally. However, I have him on mute at this very moment. He was being very disobedient and loud so I punished him in a light way.." She trailed off, hoping Heba understood. Which he did if his shocked expression was anything to go by.
"THAT..IS..SO..COOL!" Heba slapped a hand over his mouth, fully aware that his enthusiasm is causing him to be extremely loud. He's surprised no one else has woken up due to his yell. They may have already and decided to hide in the shadows, who knows..
Yugi flinched at the screech like sound, wondering if Heba is actually a girl and they were mistaken all along. It was damn right hilarious watching someone who is normally calm and collected lose his cool when presented with a new pet. His voice heightened in a pitch Yugi has never heard before, and if she's honest, she rather not hear it again. Vampiric hearing can be a nuisance, especially when excited teenagers express their happiness in a way that could make one's ears bleed.
"Can you unmute him?" He asked, toning his voice down to a more appropriate volume.
Yugi sighed in relief and gave a small nod of her head. She pointed towards Yusei's throat as dark mist shot out of her finger where it later disappeared behind fur. She let her hand drop, grinning when a new deep voice penetrated the gathered silence.
Finally, I thought you would never give me my voice back.
Heba was once again in awe, his eyes never leaving Yusei's ocean blue orbs. He could feel his throat go dry, from nerves or excitement he's clueless, but he has a feeling it's the latter. He did have the urge to run his fingers through Yusei's silky locks after all. He shuffled closer, hand outstretched over fur.
I don't bite master, not unless you want me to that is.
Heba jumped back, startled. He didn't expect Yusei to talk, however, gained his composure and ran his fingers gently through ebony fur. He smiled when his hand was nuzzled, only just realizing Yusei changed position for his own liking and leaned his head into Heba's palm. "Who's a good boy?" Heba asked, starting to become braver around the wolf.
Depends if you're referring that question to me.
Yugi rolled her eyes, watching the scene go on "He can be sarcastic, you'll get used to him. He's really a softy who means no harm." She smiled, patting Yusei on the head "I want you to take him to school with you, I know it's an odd sort of request, but he will become quite attached so be prepared to always be joined at the hip. He will also protect you when he smells danger."
Heba frowned. He didn't mind that idea at all, apart from the fact that school is school. They don't allow pets. At least he thought so. "But isn't that against the rules? Does Bloodlust High even welcome pets?"
"No."
"No?" Heba frowned "Then how do you expect me to get away with it? He isn't exactly tiny.. He's HUGE." Yusei comes up to Heba's waist, stopping just over. Heba would probably be amazed at how tall Yusei was if he were ever to stand on his hind legs. He would be much taller than himself, that's for sure.
Yugi held a hand to her chin, deep in thought. Now that Heba mentions it, it does sound absurd. Plus how is she able to sneak Yusei in without getting caught? It's clearly impossible.. She could always bribe the teachers, she did have some kind of influence on them and they just love to kiss her ass it seems. Who would deny their 'Queen' of anything she desired? Hell, if she asked a teacher to submit to her every selfish demands, one would fall at her feet and bow down to her. As much as it boosts her ego and gives her ideas, it would be such a childish and a foolish idea.
"Maybe you could make him invisible?"
Yugi was snapped out of her thoughts by a familiar voice as well as Heba who had previously tried to seek out his own solution to their problem. Yugi watched while Yami, clad in just his boxers sauntered towards them, hair disheveled. She eyed him up and down, raising a slender eyebrow "Are you delusional? That's a ridiculous idea."
Yami frowned, hands automatically crossing over his chest while he leaned his body against the mansion wall "Oh please tell, how is that ridiculous? Explain, because what I can gather from your thoughts little one, you were thinking about bribing teachers so you could have your way."
"Was not."
"Yes, you were."
"Only because I thought of the idea, doesn't mean I'm planning to go through with it, jeez. I do have morals you know."
Heba watched his parents converse for a couple of minutes later before he decided to cut in. "I think that's a great idea, can you do it, mum?"
Yugi's protests had spontaneously died down when she locked eyes with pleading amethyst. She turned towards her smirking husband and growled. "Fine, I'll see what I can do. Just go to sleep alright? We have to be up in a few hours for school and I don't want you grouchy when we arrive. Not a repeat of yesterday, ok?"
"Deal!" Heba gave a small grin towards his parents before departing around the corner, being sure Yusei was following closely behind.
Yugi focused her attention towards her husband who still had a smug smirk plastered on his face "Couch."
Yami's smirk immediately dropped "You're kidding?"
"Of course, I'm just glad that smirk of yours is gone, it's creepy.." She walked off, leaving her dumbfounded and half-naked husband on the garden.
"I thought it was sexy.." He mumbled, making a mental note to check his smirk in the mirror to see if it really was 'creepy' as his wife stated.
\Mental note received.\ Yugi's voice filtered through his mind, startling him out of his thoughts.
/Ra..don't do that./
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He woke a couple of hours later to an incessant ring off towards his left. Using his hand, he blindly searched for the source, punching his fist down once he successfully found the object. He was so warm it was unbelievable and he couldn't help but cuddle closer to the warmth hoping to enclose his body around it. around it.. His eyes shot open, striking amethyst orbs searching his bed for the source that caused him such comfort. His eyes fell down towards a sprawled out wolf who was almost spooning his body. He shook his head, mind trailing back a couple of hours where he found his mum outside talking/shouting, only for the wolf-Yusei, to be on the receiving end. He smiled, amused at how much room Yusei took up.
"Yusei?" He called in a whisper, lightly shaking the bundle of fur who's ears twitched at the sound of his name. With his persistent shaking and the whispers, Heba had thought he would wake up in a matter of seconds. How mistaken he was.
"Yusei, wake up dammit!" In seconds, a giant paw was pressed against his face, the body connected to that paw trying to push him away to resume its rest.
"No food for you."
You're threatening me with food?
Heba groaned, deciding to ignore than comment in hopes he would soon wake up. "Are you always this stubborn in the morning-Uh, night?" He corrected himself, knowing it's past 10pm.
I was tired, I had a hard day.
"Doing what exactly? running after a ball and chasing cats?"
I'm not a dog. And no, something way more exhausting like training to become your personal protector. Did you think Yugi would deliver me to you without being professionally trained beforehand?
Heba stopped in his tracks to collect his clothes, head turning towards Yusei who's eyes were boring into his own "When you say trained, what do you mean?"
I had to fight off shadows to see if I were worthy of being your protector. I had to cross obstacles, defeat other unheard-of creatures as well as face a test of loyalty. I passed all which I'm sure you're aware of, otherwise I wouldn't be here right now.
Heba blinked and blinked again. "You did all that just to ensure my safety?" He fell backwards of his bed, staring intently at the ceiling "That's so cool. But there's one thing I don't get.. Why do I need a protector in the first place?"
No one is saying you do. I've just been trained in case any problems were to arise and you were vulnerable. Yugi made me as a friend more than anything. She was aware that you adored pets and were hoping to one day be greeted with one. Your wish came true, I'm just not exactly a pet that you probably had in mind..
Heba smiled "How long have you been training?"
A couple of years.
He turned his attention towards Yusei, shuffling closer to snuggle against him "I'm glad you came into my life, I've always wanted a fluffy companion.." He murmured, breathing deeply. If his face wasn't busy buried into fur, he would've noticed Yusei's mouth twitch up in a wolf smile.
I'm glad to be here.
Heba raised his head, patting Yusei's side and encouraging him to stand up. He did in seconds "Let's greet everyone else, mum still needs to find a way to make you invisible before school starts in two hours."
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"Are you sure this will work? What if someone notices his attendance by bumping into him?" Heba asked, glancing down at his wolf companion who would remain invisible to the eye of everyone apart from the odd few. He was worried, not about getting caught because Yugi would bend things to her will, but about a vampire running into Yusei and hurting him. He's not a small wolf, quite the opposite, but when met with collision, it could cause some if not a lot of physical damage.
"He's been trained Heba. He will not allow anyone at a close distance." Yugi assured, understanding her son's worry. She gave a small pat on Heba's shoulder, smiling when he nodded his head in response, dropping the subject. In all honesty, it's not Yusei she should be worried about, it's those who may accidentally bump into him. Yusei is a strong wolf, the best for her son.
Yami wandered up to his wife, arms moving around her waist. He gave a grin and kissed her cheek, later releasing her to clasp her hand with his own. He couldn't help himself, some sort of magnetic force pulled his body towards her. Not like he was complaining..
Heba rolled his eyes. His parents are such saps, always showing affection whether in private or public. He often wonders if he would act like that when he meets the love of his life. Would he be like his parents or Jaden and Mana who only show affection in private and a tiny amount in public? He's surprised his parents never get down and dirty when there's an audience around with the way they cannot keep their hands off each other. He doesn't want to jinx it, after all, his mother and father are always full of surprises. Yusei is one of those..
What's up master?
Heba frowned, wondering why Yusei labels him with such an authoritative title. He glanced down in his direction, meeting curious pools of blue who stared up at him, paw raised. He took the paw offered, shaking lightly before loosening his grip "Nothing.." He whispered, silently wondering how Yusei knew he was in deep thought. maybe it's a wolf thing and reading their masters emotions come easily.
Very well.
"Gates are opening, let's head inside before everybody else starts piling in."
Everyone nodded and entered through the towering gates, disappearing up the path and inside the school building to commence another long awaited night of school work.
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Heba tapped his pen on the table to an imaginary beat, his feet tapping in rhythm. He was in class listening to his teacher waffle on about fairness and equality while he took notes. He wasn't really interested which goes to show by his trailing imagination and his own way to ease his boredom by humming to a made-up tune. As he glanced around the room, he was astounded to see his mother so engaged in her learning. She had her pen to her lips, eyes never leaving the board as their teacher jotted a couple of phrases down.
He then circulated towards his father who appeared rather fatigued, playing with his pen like it was the most interesting object in the world. Maybe Yugi was ignoring him via the mind link and he took a strop because of it. He didn't need to turn his attention towards his brother and sister, they were the kind of people to finish their work and do extra while at it.
He observed Yusei from the corner of his eye who sat beside him, eyes closed. It didn't take a genius to realize Yusei was bored out of his mind. What would a wolf find interesting to do at a school?
To answer that question, not a lot.
Heba's eyes enlarged to the size of tennis balls, not expecting any kind of response to his thoughts. He turned towards Yusei who wasn't even acknowledging him and shrugged it off as his own imagination running wild. It wouldn't be the first and he sure as hell knows it wouldn't be the last either.
Class went by smoothly, the subject eventually taking a turn to mathematics that he couldn't help but enjoy. He's found a subject he's steady at, something he would look forward to daily. He couldn't help but notice his mother complete all the equations in the book given within a few minutes, maybe less. He would be surprised, but his mum is technically a genius, one that if asked anything, would be able to give an answer straight up.
As the bell rung out signalling the end of lesson, Heba along with everyone else gathered all their sheets and placed them on the front desk beside their teacher. While chatting casually, they made their way out of the classroom and into the hallway, the group of six (Including Yusei) pushed past the group of vampires to make their way into the cafeteria to reunite with their friends. Heba stopped and spoke to a few friends that he had made yesterday, saying a small 'hello' and 'how are you' before going on his way again. They soon made their way to the cafeteria doors, but when Heba caught sight of who was casually leaning up beside them, he once again froze.
I smell shock, are you ok master?
His brain was definitely not deceiving him. That was Yusei's voice in his mind.. "How are you doing that?"
"How is who doing what?"
Heba's head snapped up, meeting sapphire orbs with swirls of wine who gazed intently at him, daring him to look away. He subconsciously bit his lip when he realized his parents were gone. great.. He could faintly hear a mental chuckle which caused him to frown. So Yusei found his predicament amusing? He may have read his thoughts intellectually. "What are you talking about?"
Atemu's gaze never wavered "You were talking to yourself, shorty."
Heba could feel a growl rise to the front of his throat at the given nickname. Shorty? Atemu was but a few inches taller than him! His stare flickered between Yusei then back to Atemu who unsurprisingly had a smirk twitching at the corner of his lips from his brief hesitation. With all the options to choose that could help him be on his way without a further conversation, he opted on a glare which he assumed was intimidating. Not a flinch, he didn't think so... "What do you want?" He snapped more than asked, irritated about their second encounter.
"Very snappy.. And to think I had marked you as a friendly type."
"First impressions last longer, and with all due respect, I didn't get a good vibe from you."
He sauntered forward, halting seconds later in front of the smaller male who's eyes widened at the slow approach. Atemu titled his head, marveling the boy before him for some time before speaking, his tone low and husky "So cutie, how about I change that vibe to something more.. Um, I don't know...-"
"I'll refrain from continuing further if I were you. I don't appreciate you harassing my son especially when his discomfort is noticeable."
Atemu as well as Heba turned towards the source, eyes falling on narrowed amethyst who stood still, arms crossed and eyes dangerously narrowed. Atemu would have snorted if her aura wasn't so threatening and demanded respect. He mapped out her appearance, taking note of the male figure standing next to her in a similar stance. He had seen them before at shorty's table and wondered who they were to him. So that's her son.. Who's the guy though? From their close proximity, it was unmistakable. He held his hands up in surrender, backing away "I'm sure shorty could've told me that, but thanks for the heads up."
"Shorty?" She raised an eyebrow, her hands falling limply by her sides. She had no idea if that's a pet name or something used as an insult. Yami was smirking at the whole situation and couldn't stop the urge to elbow him in his stomach, so she did just that. Yugi smiled in satisfaction when her husband doubled over, gasping for air. That would teach that smug bastard.
"WHAT WAS THAT FOR?" Yami groaned, hands cupping his now aching stomach. He winced when a glare was sent his way but stood his ground. People were looking, how embarrassing. Yugi has so much energy and power behind her swings, he doesn't know whether to cry with pride or pain.
"You bastard. This asshole labeled Heba a shorty and all you're going to do is smirk like you've hit a home run!" She balled her hands into fists, sending a death glare at her husband and the kid who dared call her son short. Dammit, she's only an inch taller!
"OKOK!" Yami cried, hands raised as a shield in case his wife out of the blue attacked him again.
"Yusei If you want an early meal, feel free to to kill them as you wish, I'll give you a treat afterwards." Yugi gestured towards the two currently retreating, an evil glint in her eyes.
"Little one.." Yami questioned, slight fear evident in his voice "You've gone insane..."
Yugi held a slender hand towards her forehead, feeling dizziness take over her body "You're right.." She whispered, swaying to the side briefly before collapsing into the arms of her husband who noticed the signs and swooped in before she made contact with the ground. He held a hand over her head and frowned. She was burning up and her hands were sweaty. He tried calling out to her via the mindlink only to have no success. Shit...
"Dad? Is mum ok?" Heba asked, body shaking in fright. He felt a slight pressure on his arm and glanced up to lock eyes with concerned ruby. Atemu squeezed his shoulder in reassurance while Yami tended to Yugi. By tending, he means shaking her to see if she wakes. A few had gathered for the scene, but as soon as Yami noticed and released a death glare, they scurried away elsewhere. He reached inside his bag and grasped a bottle of water that he had packed in case he became dehydrated at school and twisted the cap off to pour all the contents over his wife. He jumped startled when her body jerked awake, eyes darting around the room before landing on her lover who was hovering above her.
"What the-"
Yami didn't let her finish as he scooped her up into his arms, resting his head in the crook of her neck "Thank God, I was worried about you! Don't scare me like that again, promise?"
"What happened?"
"You had swayed on your feet then later collapsed, your temperature increased too." He turned to give his son a reassuring nod, grateful of the fact that Yusei was comforting him in a way only a wolf can. He also noticed that Atemu was lingering nearby too, his eyes never leaving the form of his son. He'll question it later, right now he has his wife to worry about.
"That's aberrant.." She draped an arm over her head, taking slow, but deep breaths. She had a small idea of what it might be. She tested their mindlink only to be greeted by a black abyss containing nothing but darkness. Their link was awfully silent and it seemed to only add to her theory.
The lack of link..
The need to kill someone..
The dizzy spells..
Her rise in temperature..
Their lovemaking the night prior...
"I'm pregnant." She breathed, her tone disbelieving "Fuck.."
Yami recoiled back like he had been shot, his right palm cupping over his chest where his dead heart lay beneath. His mouth would open and close, but no words ever left. He stared dumbfounded, his shocked mind processing those words thoroughly to be sure he hadn't misheard. "Say that again little one.."
"I'm pregnant." Her voice became more audible and her eyes were locked with her husbands. Similar emotions swirled in their depth, their stomachs fluttering with happiness.
"Shit." He rubbed at his eyes fiercely, believing that what he is experiencing is real and not a sick dream that would soon end. He tugged his lover closer, laying his hand over her stomach where his baby, their baby will grow. "I love you.. I love you so much." hand still on her stomach, he raised his other hand to cup his wife's cheek to bring their lips together in a chaste kiss full of love and affection. Reluctantly he pulled away, an authentic smile full of happiness lighting up his features "You know how bad I've hoped for another child with you, to be granted my deepest wish.." He paused there, the words he was about to express disappearing from his mind, leaving him speechless.
"I know." She gave a small smile of her own, the joy in her eyes evident "I'm glad I made it come true.."
They sat in silence on the hallway floor, disregarding the bell for class and ignoring everybody who amassed around them in worry. They reached out and pulled Heba to their chests, whispering in his ear the good news they came to terms with moments ago. He stiffened briefly before crying out in happiness, his arms wrapping around his parents in a bruising embrace. He couldn't believe it. He was aware of his father hoping to have more children, but for his mother to be pregnant... He's always wanted a little brother or sister that he can protect and take to various places just like Jaden did with him. "This is amazing news, I'm so happy!"
"As are we kiddo."
Atemu watched this scene play out in silence. They seem like such a tight family who share a close bond and are never apart. He gave a smirk to disguise his own smile and hid in the shadows. Shorty when smiling was a breath of fresh air, he's too cute for his own good. He let his gaze linger on the smaller boy for a while longer before sauntering down the hall. He needs to call his parents otherwise he'd be in trouble when he gets home. They're so overprotective it isn't even funny..
Shorty seems to be in the same position.
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