Blood & Roses

Author's Note – Okay, I've finally appeared from the dark alley I've been hiding in - oh btw, this is the last part regarding 'The Others'.... ooooh, that sounded soooo mysterious....

Disclaimer-


Chapter 12

Seph's Dark Gift


"Relaaaax Kissy, bet he just wanted a taste – right Seph?"" Jace declared mockingly.

"Don't call me that, Jaace!" Kisara whined in protest; Kaiba sniggered despite the severity of the situation - this sudden noise seemed to have caught Dante's attention, as he finally appeared to acknowledge Kaiba's presence with a curious glance.

This brief moment did not go unnoticed by Kisara. Automatically she assumed a more protective stance, her expression fierce with possessiveness.

Jace's smile faltered as he felt the atmosphere thicken; he flicked a lazy glance in Kaiba's direction, "Kissy, you're such a darling for providing us with dinner!"

Kaiba snapped his head sharply to the side and growled, "Don't even think about it. Or you'll be drinking blood from a straw when I'm done with you. Got it?" and concluded with an infamous steely glare.

Kisara gazed at Kaiba with renewed interest, slightly impressed by the fact that in any situation Kaiba would not allow himself to be perceived as vulnerable. Even in the midst of blood lusting vampires.

Very impressive indeed…

Allyssa cackled as if someone had just told her an exceptionally hilarious joke, Dante had also appeared equally amused, "My, spirited isn't he?" he commented dryly.

"Isn't it adorable when they think they have a fighting chance?" Allyssa quipped, abruptly shutting her mouth, after receiving a murderous look from Kisara.

It's all that animal blood, she decided, hasn't had a decent meal in half a century – no wonder Kisara's so goddamn crabby.

Allyssa expressed her vexation by pouting again.

Kaiba fought back his irritation and strung his arm around Kisara's waist, drawing her nearer to him. He then placed a kiss on her forehead and smirked when Allyssa clenched her fists resentfully.

Seph had appeared up to that moment rather impervious to the entire situation – if not bored to the point of clawing his own fangs out; and had settled on lurking in the shadows against a wall enigmatically, his eyes shut in silent deliberation. However Kaiba's unexpected action had attracted his interest, his head inclined with a slight sneer as the importance of the human became apparent to him.

Seph decided to delve into Kaiba's mind for a closer inspection…

Unopposed, Seph slid into Kaiba's thoughts and analyzed the various images, which flashed before him: a smiling boy with untidy black hair, the Kaiba Corp building…

Seph's eyes narrowed into slits as he engaged in accessing more personal, deeper memories – an orphanage; further suppressed childhood recollections; a fixation on a Blue Eyes White Dragon dual monster card – and then rapidly the images shifted to reveal Seto in priestly garb before a tablet, holding…

Kisara.

No, not Kisara! Seph realized that the latter of the recollections was passed on from a previous life.

A previous era.

Ah, Ancient Egypt if I'm not mistaken…

However before he could penetrate Kaiba's thoughts any further, a majestic dragon, the Blue Eyes White Dragon to be exact, appeared with a deafening roar – poised for attack.

There was a blinding white light and then…

Nothing.

Seph hesitantly opened his eyes – he was once again present in his own mind; he realized with astonishment that the Dragon had forced him to retreat, ultimately protecting Kaiba's mind from intrusion.

He released a shuddering breath, weakened by the emotional blow dealt to him. Kaiba appeared oblivious to the fact that his mind had just been invaded, however he had suffered physically, he was panting and sweat had gathered along his forehead.

Seph attempted once again to reach Kaiba's thoughts, but to no avail – Kaiba's mind was closed to him now.

He ran his tongue along the tip of his fang in relish; as an Ancient no one had ever been immune to his Dark Gifts, no one!

Except Seto.

He decided to retract that last thought, he was also capable of emotional torture – would Seto be able to counter that?

Seph's mouth twisted and his eyes gleamed maniacally in anticipation.

"Question," Kaiba started. "With Count Chokula the vampire cannibal-" he indicated to Seph, "and the glow worm here-" Jace's glowing toxic green eyes had widened in wicked humor at the insinuation, "not to mention hairy and horny…" Allyssa cried out in fury at the comment while Kaiba continued unhindered, "- how the hell do you freaks manage to traverse inconspicuously amongst society? Except Kisara of course, she's gorgeous."

Kisara would have flushed at the compliment; however, as one of the undead she was incapable.

Allyssa appeared livid, "Insolence! Do you know who we are?"

"Trust me, I don't care." Kaiba replied disinterestedly.

Dante raised a hand to silence Allyssa, and stated mildly, "We don't."

"Anyone who becomes a problem…" Jace piped in.

"Will be disposed of accordingly." Kisara finished darkly.

A long pause ensured as a sinister mood settled.

"It's time." Seph murmured unexpectedly, his low ageless voice had instantly commanded everyone's attention, shattering the silence.

Dante casually grasped his hands behind his back, "Ah, but my dear Sara I'm afraid we must depart," he beckoned to his companions, "we have urgent matters to attend to; recruiting new members in fact – Koji and another old friend… your Maker, Malachi. We'll pass on your regards."

Kisara choked back a snarl as Allyssa and Jace were preparing to make their escape from the balcony.

"C'mon, Sephy!" Jace called out, however Seph barely flinched in response, preferring instead to grunt and remain against the wall like a marble statue.

Evidently, Seph had his own plans for the moment.

Jace merely shrugged, blowing a mocking kiss to Kisara as he and Allyssa descended from the balcony in one leap, vanishing in a flash of movement.

Only Dante remained.

"Two months," he murmured as he sprung agilely from the balcony rail.

"We'll be watching."

The simple statement sounded more like a threat to Kaiba as he impassively watched Kisara and Seph stare intensely at each other, involved in silent dialogue.

Just another of Seph's abilities – to maintain communication with someone within their own mind.

"Not yet," Seph replied to an unvoiced question, referring to The Others' ignorance regarding the force guarding Kaiba's mind. Kisara cringed internally, cursing Seph and his perceptiveness.

Seph continued to loom in the shadows, suddenly turning his slitted gaze to look at Kaiba directly.

Kaiba immediately felt engulfed by the black pits of Seph's eyes – vaguely he heard screams of agony, and nightmarish images of torture clouded his vision, he felt driven to the point of insanity.

And then, without warning, the violent scenes dispersed; Kaiba found himself on his knees breathing heavily.

He arose unsteadily, ignoring Kisara's look of concern.

He felt chilled and resisted the fear, which took hold of him.

Now that's what I call a hallucination!

"Fascinating…" Seph mouthed, astounded – his ability had been countered again – by that Dragon. Seto should have been writhing in agony due to the horrific visions, which had plagued him.

Kisara watched horrorstruck as a maniacal expression twisted Seph's features – because of his age he would always be unstable, on the brink of madness.

How could Seto escape Sephy's mental torture unscathed? She contemplated, frowning slightly.

Seph shook his head and his original dull expression returned with a troubled look.

"No good can come from the defiling of such innocence…"

And with a whir of white silky hair, he dissipated into the darkness.

Seph's words disturbed Kisara, she turned to Kaiba, "Seto, I-"

But her words were muffled as his lip's came crushing down on hers…

We'll be watching…