Eyes on Fire

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

This is the final chapter.

Chapter 15

**~*~*~*~*~*~*

Time stood still… Pain seeped through his body, spreading like wildfire. Every inch of his body screamed as flames licked his skin, searing it to the bone. His heart raced heavily in his chest, thudding violently against his ribs. Screams erupted from his dry, raw throat.

He was not aware of his surroundings. Nothing made sense at this moment. The fiery pain disappeared, his heart rate ending moments later. Everything stopped at that very second. His body felt energized, buzzing with a new form of energy.

Yami groaned, pulling himself up into a sitting position. He opened his eyes wearily. His vision grew stronger, small things easily seen, as well as an array of beautiful colors. He blinked a couple of times, allowing his vision to adjust.

Something happened while he was out. He could not put his finger on it. He found his head injury gone, blood caked in his spiky hair. Feeling the caked mess in his unruly spikes did not faze him in the least. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. That is until he stood, eyes noticing his now pale skin. Confusion filtered through his mind. What had happened? Where was his Yuugi?

At this thought, a searing pain coursed through Yami's mouth. He almost fell to his knees, a low growl escaping his throat. A pair of fangs pierced through the sensitive gums of his mouth. The pain sent a tremor down his back along with a burning sensation in his throat. This pain reminded him of the crazed fire that ate away at his body. He attempted to think of other things, allowing the burn in his throat to ease. It was only a mild irritation now, thanks to his quick thinking.

Sighing softly, Yami ran a finger across his newly acquired fangs, confusedly. He had been turned into a vampire, this he realized. However, who did it was another question all together.

His attention turned onto that of the now open door. He raised a brow, seeing a sprawled out form… He walked slowly towards the body, realizing who the person was. Yami's now crimson eyes narrowed, falling on the comatose form of Seto. All hatred for this man and the pain he put Yuugi through welled up inside. He needs to release and extract revenge on the man for making their lives hell. However, the mere thought of Yuugi sent his mind into worry. Where was the small vampire? Yuugi obviously saved him from the man.

Turning from the unconscious form, Yami walked further into the room, knowing instinctually that there was another occupant in the room. He noticed the scent, one that sent shivers down his spine. Faint traces of flowers laced with lavender attacked his sense of smell. The scent was intoxicating. It could only mean one thing.

The smell reminded him of his love, as the immortal always smelled of floral and lavender. Carefully, Yami treaded across the room, finding himself against one of the walls. He craned his neck, searching for the scent's owner.

Fortunately, his search ended in success as a pair of amethyst eyes opened, a low moan echoing through the silent room.

Yuugi groaned, pulling himself up. He ran a hand through his spiky, unruly hair, brushing it out of his eyes. He took a moment, taking in his whereabouts.

'What the hell?'

Events replayed in his mind, reminding him of the past few hours. The gears clinked together in his thoughts as realization finally struck. Yami had been kidnapped along with his old friend, Mahad. Seto had attacked and he had turned Yami…

Wait, turned Yami?

Yuugi's eyes widened, searching through the room. He searched for any sign of life, eventually falling on a pair of crimson eyes in the midst of darkness.

Yuugi could only stand there, speechless. Yami walked towards him, each step graceful in movement. His entire demeanor held a regal air, grace and confidence rolling off his usually stubborn aura.

The newly turned vampire smiled, pulling his smaller lover into a tight embrace. A purr escaped the taller teen's lips as he pulled back kissing the smaller's forehead.

Yuugi merely gazed at his fledgling, amazed and content with seeing this gorgeous being for the first time.

Yami stood in the midst of the darkness, pale skin replacing his former light tan. His hair stood in its usual mess of spiky disarray, blond bangs shooting up into the unruly mess. His eyes held the sign of his turning. A deep frighteningly shade of crimson covered his usual violet eyes. However, it was not Yami's eyes that startled Yuugi. It was the pearly set of fangs showing from his lover's confident smirk.

It actually worked.

Relief flooded through Yuugi's body, shoulders falling from their tense position. Knowing that Yami was protected from Seto's influence brought forth relief and happiness. That is, until he knew for sure that Yami was not angry for being turned.

"Yami… Are you… Are you alright?" He craned his head upward, waiting for a response.

The fledgling nodded briefly, his smirk changing to a small smile. One that was meant only for Yuugi. He stepped forward, pulling Yuugi into a deep kiss, reveling in the expanse of supple lips. His tongue darted forward, ushering a desire to enter through the gates of bliss.

His wish was granted as said lips parted, allowing his access to the frosty, mouth of his small love. His tongue darted forward, searching through the decadent depths of honey and cinnamon. Yuugi tasted delightful, only increasing his overactive libido.

By now, Yuugi had given into the kiss, wrapping his arms around Yami's neck, drawing him closer. His own tongue joined the moment, initiating a duel for dominance. Yami's own tongue wrapped around Yuugi's the duel-taking place in a matter of moments. Yuugi found himself losing the battle as he submissively allowed Yami control, a soft moan escaping his lips.

After a while, Yami pulled away, smirking in success as Yuugi's bruised lips pulled away, a look of lustful desire dancing in his amethyst eyes.

"I assume you liked that?"

Yuugi rolled his eyes, gazing at Yami with a frown, thoughts of their fight from only hours before. The pain was still fresh in his mind. He could not get over the words he said to the newly created vampire.

"I'm sorry."

"For?"

Yuugi frowned, remembering how Yami had been through a change and a bad head injury, most likely taking away the painful memories of their fight.

"I'm sorry for what happened back at the hotel earlier. I get annoyed easily and lash out when I need to feed. I think it's a side effect of the puzzle's control over my senses and power." He paused, and sighed lightly. "But, I'm also sorry for what I did to you… I'm sorry I turned you… I could not allow Seto to take you from me. That and I couldn't bear to lose you."

"Yuugi, I do not mind that I was turned. I've been begging you for a while now. I'm happy as long as I'm with you. Nevertheless, I'm just glad you're alive and no longer cranky. You're harder than hell to deal with during those times."

"Shut up."

"And I love you too."

The smaller vampire groaned, annoyed at his other's use of wit and sarcasm. It seemed that the taller teen's stubborn nature passed on fully into his vampire form as well.

He turned his attention back to Yami, noticing the other's vacant stare across the room. He raised a brow, finding Yami's trail of vision on Seto's comatose form.

Yuugi's memory faulted on the memory of Seto's downfall. The power of his puzzle surged through his system, darkening his thoughts from remembrance. His shadow magic rarely took form. It was something he never discussed with anyone other than Mahad, as the elder vampire knew of Yuugi's puzzle and the past it held.

At the moment, Yuugi's train of thought vanished as Yami stood over Seto's form, a snarl vibrating from his throat. His vampiric nature was taking form, anger fueling the growing rage of his newly acquired form.

Yuugi was at his side in a matter of seconds, arms wrapped around the taller male's waist. He drew Yami away from the comatose form, earning a growl in response.

"Little one let me go. I need to end his 'life' for what he has done to us!"

Yuugi never relinquished his hold over the teen. He regretfully tapped into their bond as sire and fledgling, sending calming thoughts into the other's mind.

"Love, calm down. I already took care of it. Seto will no longer pose a threat to you and I. The darkness in his heart has lifted."

The sire's words were soft, calming in tone. Yami felt his anger lessen, mind falling into Yuugi's comforting tones. He fell victim to Yuugi's coaxing, allowing his body to calm for the time being.

Yuugi kissed Yami on the jaw, letting his grasp on the vampire loosen. Yami stood on his own, gazing at Yuugi with an affectionate smile reserved only for him.

"How can you be so sure that he will not retaliate and kill us both?"

"Because, the darkness consuming his soul has been lifted. Seto's soul is slowly rebuilding itself. He's going to be confused as he begins to find what means the most to him."

"Meaning, his love for Jou?"

Yuugi smirked, nodding. "Yes, he has always been fond of the blond. It lead to him changing the "mutt" earlier tonight."

"He was turned?! Where the hell is he?"

Yuugi motioned towards the bar.

"He's in there. Sadly, I feel as if he has done something against his will. I'm sure Seto forced him to kill my dear friend, Mahad."

"What?"

Yuugi paid little head to his fledgling's question. He walked into the bar, a look of sadness gracing his beautiful features.

Jou sat on the ground, blood covering his body. Silently he stared down at the mutilated body of Mahad, his crimson eyes wide with fear.

Yuugi gently put a hand on the teen's shoulder, offering a form of comfort for the frightened vampire.

The blond merely shuddered at the touch, muttering under his breath.

"Jou… It isn't your fault. Seto forced this attack on you."

The blond jerked his head to the side, gazing at Yuugi with wide eyes.

"Yuge' I've never killed anyone in my life, let alone someone who I don't even know. How the hell can you stand there and speak of it as nothing?"

"Because, I've been through this more times than I like to admit. Seto turned you for more than his desire to kill Yami and I. The darkness in his heart controlled the desires he wished for. He loves you, Jou. I know it for a fact." He noticed Jou's want to interrupt, but he halted the moment with his small hand.

"Jou, Seto is in love with you. I believe he always has been. His years spent as a depressed, lonely vampire got the best of him, causing his stoic nature and dark nature. I've taken away the darkness. You will no longer have to endure the pain he has put us all through."

Before Jou could fabricate a response, an arm wrapped around Yuugi's waist, drawing him towards his fledgling's chest. He growled lightly at Jou, startling the blond.

"So I take it, Yams is possessive as a vampire?"

A brief nod was his response as Yuugi pulled away from the other man's touch, holding a hand out to Jou.

"Let me help you up, I know you must feel thirsty as Yami does."

A brief nod was the response from both teens as Yuugi helped Jou up from the tiled floor. He walked behind the counter of the bar, extracting a bottle from the fridge behind it. He pulled the top off, the scent of blood hitting Yami and Jou's noses.

Twin growls of desire and hunger echoed through the bar. Yuugi merely shook his head, pouring out the blood into two cups, watching as the duo took them without a glance, downing them in seconds.

Yuugi watched the teen's drink away, shaking his head. The scene reminded him of his first experience as a vampire. One that he would gladly forget if possible.

- - - - - - - - - -

Jou watched as Yuugi and Yami gazed at Mahad, a sadness filtering through the air. The smallest of the three bent down, a few condolences of sadness escaping from his supple lips. He frowned and then stood up, turning to Yami who held him for the moment.

The blond felt his heart wrench at the scene. He hated having no one to hold or care about him in such a manner of comforting. Seto had always been the person who he felt close to. The brunet was the one for him. Jou just knew that the brunet would never admit it. Hell, he probably didn't care at all.

He sighed, watching Yuugi and Yami kiss, sadness coursing through his body. Yuugi was wrong about his accusations of Seto. That was for sure.

"Mutt."

His body stiffened as the endearment floated through his sensitive hearing. His neck craned to the side, meeting eyes of cobalt.

Seto stood in his gracefulness, arms crossed at his chest, a dignified brow raised in question. All sense of anger and darkness no longer clung to his aura. The man seemed normal… As normal as Seto could possibly be.

"Kaiba? Are you--?"

The brunet smirked a little, wrapping his arm around the blond's shoulders. He whispered into his ear, sending shivers coursing through his undead body.

"Are you ready to leave? I need to make sure I kept you well fed."

Jou stared wide-eyed at his sire, questions running through his mind. How had the man's personality taken a one eighty? Shaking his head, he spoke.

"I'm not that hungry. Yuugi fed me. But I would like to leave."

Seto's eyes fell on Yuugi. He nodded his head towards the smallest vampire. The gesture was one of thanks as well as a silent apology.

Yuugi merely nodded in return, turning his attention towards his own fledgling. He spoke a few words to Yami, causing the taller teen to sigh. He motioned for Jou to follow him as they headed towards the bar, finding relief in another bottle of blood.

Cobalt met amethyst.

Seto bowed his head slightly, turning his attention fully on Yuugi. He lifted his eyes onto Yuugi's sadness and remorse showing through his cobalt depths.

"Yuugi. I owe you more than I can offer. I truly thank you for setting me straight."

The confession was hard on the brunet. He never spoke his feelings. Yuugi noticed the strain on the man as he spoke these words.

"Seto, there are things that you have done to me that have helped me grow and realize that I should not have died. The reason for my happiness would have been in vain." He paused, eyes narrowing. "I accept your apology. Although, there is something I ask of you. Why did you turn me in the beginning? I know it was not merely the defeat you suffered at my hand. Your eyes were always on my millennium puzzle even when I was still human."

Seto weighed the options in his head, thinking of the best response. There was no easy way to speak of this, no matter what he said.

"You're correct, Yuugi. The reasons for turning you were solely for your own wellbeing. I knew what the puzzle was, as I've been around for millennia as a vampire, walking the world in search of my fallen cousin. We lived in Egypt three millennia ago, during the time of pharaohs."

"What?"

He didn't let Yuugi finish. "My cousin was pharaoh, a great person who was chosen by the gods as the controller of the three Egyptian gods. He was the one to end the shadow games." He paused, eyes locked onto the puzzle. "He defeated the darkness by offering his soul to the gods. For his actions, the gods split his soul in half; darkness and light forced apart in order to walk the earth again. Sadly, one cannot live without the other. The darkness and light were born time after time, dying as they could not function or live with only half a soul. I was turned by a dark magic in order to help my cousin find life again. He gave up his life for his kingdom, and the gods. My goal was to find the halves of his soul and reunite them in order for them to live happily."

Yuugi took in this information, signaling for Seto to stop. His mind began to derive a conclusion. "I'm assuming that is why you turned me. As I have the puzzle that belonged to your cousin. That and so I would not die before you found the other half of my soul?"

"Yes, you were dying when I had finally found you for the first time in over three millennia. I could not let you die before the darker half was found. Yuugi… I let the darkness of being solitary from the world take over my true intentions. My greed for your power and millennium puzzle grew as time went on. I could not control it. That is truly what has happened."

"You tried to keep yourself sane, Seto. Cousin, I'm sorry you have struggled. Now that I finally understand, I thank you for helping me find the other half of my soul, the one I'm meant to be with."

Seto nodded, small smile lighting up his face. Hearing Yuugi call him "cousin" brought back memories of him and his cousin from their childhood.

"Thank you for giving me the chance to explain. Take care of your darkness, Yuugi." He paused and turned his attention on Jou. "And I shall take care of Jou. This is where we part ways for now."

"Yes, I believe we both have a fledgling we need to care for."

Love was a funny thing. This Yuugi knew. He never thought he would find someone in his life, ever. Now, after eleven years of being immortal, he was beginning to realize that Yami was destined to be with him. Hell, they were destined for one another. He could never picture his life without his lover ever.

He watched as Yami walked into his foster parent's house, gathering his things. They had returned only a week before. Yami's control over blood lust were amazing. He was able to keep his desire to feed down enough to interact with humans. Just as he was now. His eighteenth birthday had passed only a few days beforehand. He was free to leave the life as a foster child, which meant little to the person who "cared" for him. The family hadn't known of his disappearance. The family had been away on a business trip.

Yuugi could only smile as Yami walked out, carrying a few boxes. He ignored the pouring rain of Domino and walked to his beaten down Neon, setting the boxes into the backseat. Yuugi sat in the passenger seat, waiting for Yami to return.

Once the car door opened, Yuugi winked at Yami.

"Did you get everything?"

"Yes, and now I have my car back."

"I wish you would let me buy you a new car. I could get you anything you wanted. Seto still lets me use his credit card."

Yami closed the door, rolling his eyes. "No, this is my first car. I don't need some flashy car. Besides, I'm not trying to impress someone anymore. I already have you."

Yuugi shook his head, kissing his lover on the cheek. "Maybe so, but I still cannot help but feel embarrassed for us in this ancient thing."

"Get used to it."

Yami leaned over and kissed Yuugi on the lips, fully. He pulled away, crimson eyes dancing in amusement.

Yuugi groaned at the smirk on his lover's face. He took a moment to stare at the bright crimson eyes, realizing how much they reminded him of fire. The depths held a vibrant hue, reminding him that he was a fledgling. The hue would not disappear for a while.

"Yuugi, are you ready?"

"Huh? Yes! Let's head out."

Yami backed the Neon out of the driveway, heading down the street. Their lives in Domino were ending for now. The time to move on was needed. Neither Yuugi nor Yami knew where they would end up. Life was normal, and they were happy.

Yuugi gazed out the passenger window, smiling. 'Now I know why life is worth living. Maybe being a vampire isn't so bad.'

- - - - -

Fin.

I hope you guys enjoyed this story. Thank you all for the reviews, alerts, and interest in this story! Be on the lookout for a new fic soon! In addition, hope you all have a Happy New Year!