Eyes on Fire

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Chapter 10

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Yuugi and Yami walked hand-in-hand, hearing the gasps of the student body. Hushed whispers amongst angered groans echoed through the hallways. Girls of many pouted, arms crossed at the sight of the vampire and human. It seemed that their admirers were quite disappointed.

Yami felt heat rise to his face. He did not like being the center of attention, just as Yuugi did not. However, the vampire managed to keep his cool, sending glares at anyone who gazed at him or Yami. The morning appeared to be the only time they needed to worry about the odd stares and hushed whispers. Yuugi knew that he didn't need to worry about Seto finding out at least today…But it was official… The gossip would start immediately.

The duo continued their trek down the hall, Yami's face red from the unwanted attention. He felt Yuugi tighten his grasp on his hand, gazing at him with a smirk.

"Not used to the attention?"

Yami gazed up at his boyfriend nodding sheepishly. "No, I don't like being in the spotlight. I think that's why you and I get along so well, Yuugi."

"Hmm, I suppose so."

Yami smiled as the bell rang. He knew that he and Yuugi wouldn't see one another until lunch. He didn't like being separated from him, but sucked it up. He leaned down a bit and kissed Yuugi on the forehead, holding his hand tighter for the final time.

"It seems we must part ways. I'll see you at lunch, Yuugi."

Yuugi felt odd from the show of affection. He hadn't expected Yami to kiss him at all. He didn't feel that he would be able to do that just yet. Hell, he still fought with his natural instincts to kill Yami.

"Alright, I'll see you at lunch."

Yuugi let go of Yami's hand, walking off in the opposite direction. He felt as if his dead heart would start beating once again.

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Yami walked to his class, sighing in sadness. He already missed Yuugi. They had spent hours together, if not all of their spare time now that they were finally together. He knew it wasn't right for them to be this close so fast but he couldn't fight the feelings.

He continued his trek, unaware of the flash of blond hair that crept behind him. He felt as if someone was watching him, thus causing him to freeze in his movements. Yami gazed to the side, finding nothing out of the ordinary.

Shrugging to himself, he began to walk again, only to find himself pushed against a locker.

Frightened, his eyes widened, finding those of his supposed friend gazing at him fiercely. Jou held Yami against the lockers, hands reminding him of vice grips.

Sighing a bit, Yami attempted to fight for freedom, but found freedom to be futile.

"Jou? What the hell? Why did you attack me?"

The blond gritted his teeth, gazing around at the empty hallway. He spoke quickly, gazing at his friend.

"I'm sorry, Yams but this is the only way I could get you alone. Ever since you've left the other day I knew that you'd be in trouble."

"What do you mean?"

"I warned ya about Yuugi and now you and he are together. His sire isn't going to be happy about this, Yams. Kaiba will rip you from limb to limb. Yuugi's his and he can't stand it when others get involved with him. Hell, look what happened to me? Why do you think Yuugi and I never speak anymore? I tried to be his friend and have ended up becoming a pet for Kaiba. All I did was attempt to gain some attention from Kaiba and help Yuugi when they were new and it led me to this hell. I have no purpose anymore other than feeding Kaiba."

Yami took all this information in, feeling his heart go out to Jou. It wasn't fair for the teen to deal with all this. He sighed, gazing at the teen with a saddened expression.

"I don't understand why he is so protective of Yuugi. I know that he created him, but why does it matter that we are together? Wouldn't he appreciate seeing Yuugi happy for the first time since his turning?"

A grim smile crossed Jou's features as he shook his head. "It's not that simple. He's happy that Yuugi has finally calmed down and such. However, the whole reason Kaiba turned Yuugi in first place was to have a companion of sorts. He wanted Yuugi to belong to him and no one else. He loves challenges and Yuugi is that for him. Yuugi has never given into his advances and chose to defy him. For Seto to find you, the only person Yuugi has ever caught interest in makes him angry."

"What does this have to do with you? Why are you telling me all this?"

Jou groaned, lessening his grip upon the smaller teenager.

"I don't want you to fall victim to what I've become, Yams. I know Yuugi wouldn't take you prisoner but Kaiba would take advantage of your relationship with Yuugi and would force Yuugi to kill you in a matter of seconds."

Yami blinked, clearly confused. "How the hell can he do that? Yuugi has a great amount of control over himself."

"He has his ways, Yams… He's Yuugi's sire; he can take control of his fledgling's emotions and such with their shared bond. Luckily, he hasn't been able to strengthen the bond by taking Yuugi as his mate. He wants Yuugi to succumb to him willingly and admit defeat."

"Well that's not going to happen. Yuugi is with me now and forever."

A sinister laugh echoed through the hall, a dark shadow looming across the tiled flooring of the hallway. A swish of white fabric came into view in the form of a gravity-defying trench coat.

Jou's hands tightened onto Yami's arms, keeping the teen in place. Jou began to shake, realizing who only stood feet away. He gulped, keeping his eyes down.

Boots echoed across the floor as Seto stood before the duo. He tsked, clearly annoyed. He crossed his arms, growling low in his throat.

"I send you off to school and find that you've ratted out my plans to this pathetic human. What am I supposed to do with you now, mutt? Shall I kill you and your little friend here?"

Jou didn't say anything, merely ignoring the words of the vampire. He kept his grasp secured upon Yami, ignoring the pleas that the teen sent.

Seto stepped forward again, pulling Jou off from Yami in one swift movement. This sent Jou flying against the adjacent wall, a groan erupting from the teen's mouth. Although, eyes of cobalt settled onto those of Yami's. He bared his fangs, anger consuming his every thought and action. He couldn't handle anyone capturing the attention of his Yuugi. The years spent with Yuugi were more than he wanted to lose. Yuugi was all he had now.

"You are nothing, human. You've captured the interests of my fledgling. He should have finished out his motives and killed you. He's never been this insistent with anyone. For this, you will die now."

Yami fell to the ground, back settled between two lockers. He had his arms crossed over his form defensively. He knew he would die today but he wanted to protect his Yuugi. He didn't want to lose that.

"I'm more than you've ever been for him, Kaiba. Yuugi told me how you've treated him and turned him on the brink of death. Why couldn't you allow Yuugi to go on? He's clearly not happy with this lifestyle. He told me this himself!"

These words enraged the vampire. His eyes blazed, cobalt disappearing, as they became a sky blue. The lockers surrounding the area began to shake, clattering loudly.

Yami closed his eyes, awaiting the pain of death. He knew that the pain Yuugi felt would return with his death. The vampire would fight with his existence once again. He simply wanted to keep Yuugi happy.

Time seemed to stand still, leaving the teen to wonder if death wasn't as painful as he believed it to be. He kept his eyes closed, unaware of the brooding petite vampire that stood in front of him, arms crossed in defiance.

"Seto what the hell do you think you're doing?"

Yami's eyes shot open at the sound of his boyfriend's voice. He gazed at the confrontation taking form. He saw Yuugi standing in front of him. Confusion rolled through his thoughts.

Seto snarled at Yuugi, anger rolling off him in waves. He attempted to get past his fledgling, finding little entry to do so. Yuugi stood his ground, eyes crimson. His fangs were soon to lengthen. Yet, Yuugi kept his anger in check, allowing his infatuation with Yami to keep him calm.

"What the hell are you doing with this stupid human, Yuugi? You're supposed to be mine."

"No where does it say that I am yours." He gazed around the area, realizing that no one had come out of the classrooms yet. Noticing this, he decided to turn around, gazing at Yami with a frown.

"This needs to be settled elsewhere. Do you wish to unveil our secrets here, Seto?"

Yuugi took a hold of Yami's arm, lifting the man to his feet instantly.

Without a word from Seto, Yuugi escorted his lover from the area, not caring that Seto had just found out.

All the while, Yami simply gaped like a fish, confused.

"What the hell is going on?"

"For now, we are on the run. Things are going to change quickly and become brutal unless we get a move on."

Yami could only stare as he questioned Yuugi further.

"What's going to happen?"

"Seto is out for my death unless I give up and kill you." He paused, interlacing his fingers with Yami's own. "You are the reason for my every fiber of existence. I won't give you up ever. I just hope that this doesn't end with unfavorable outcomes."

"Unfavorable outcomes?"

"I just hope I'm not forced into the only probable solution to our problem. You do not deserve that type of punishment."

"Yuugi what are you talking about? What is the only way to end this?"

Yuugi sighed, pulling Yami and himself towards his Aston Martin, eyes darting back and forth.

"By cutting ties with Seto. That is only done by turning you into a child of the damned."

Quickly the duo got into the sports car, driving out of the parking lot at illegal speeds. The final statement echoed through Yami's mind as he realized how serious this situation was. It was either life or death.

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To be continued...