Small Note

Sakura: Important news! I'm changing the day I update. I notice a lot of people tend to update on Fridays and I don't want my readers feeling over loaded with new chapters from other stories. I normally hate Mondays, but hopefully by updating my stories on Mondays I can make some people's days better. Plus this makes it easier on me since I'm always really busy on Fridays and nearly forget to update.

Chapter Five

Citizens

The humans come and go as they please, but vampires are forever

A few months later and into the beginning of summer, it was supposed to be just another normal day at the palace with nice weather all around. However this particular morning was different as Yuugi was awaken at six in the morning, which was not his normal get up time. Yami was the one to wake him up and make sure he got out of bed. The younger sat up in the bed and glared at his King.

"Why the early wake up call?" Yuugi yawned as he stretched his arms above his head.

"I need you to go into town and pick up the new arrivals." Yami explained as he grabbed Yuugi's hands before he could lie back down. He quickly picked his partner up bridal style and carried him to the bathroom. Once there he placed Yuugi down on his feet and blocked the door.

Yuugi realized he wasn't going to win since his husband was blocking the door, so he crossed his arms and at least listened to what he had to say. "Why I am doing this? I thought it was Taylor's or Ethan's job to pick up new arrivals."

"It normally is but they left last night to go to a friend's house in the vampire district and forgot to tell me about it. I only found out when they were leaving the palace and had no clue where they were going. I didn't want to ruin their fun, so I figured this was the perfect chance for you to see what their job entails." The King then rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "I just forgot to tell you last night."

In all his twenty years of being a vampire, Yuugi had never picked up humans from the portals. This was certainly going to be interesting and he hoped he did not mess it up. "You owe me big time." He replied to his lover before pushing him out of the bathroom. "Now I need a shower, so go so I can get ready."

"It won't be that bad, just pick them up and bring them to the palace." Yami said with a smile as he left Yuugi to take his shower. While his partner got ready, Yami left Yuugi a note just telling him to be safe and not to worry, before leaving their room to start the day. He had his own duties to deal with before the new arrivals and it was best to be finished so he could meet with the new citizens.

By seven in the morning, Yuugi was out of the palace and riding in the family limo to the postal office to pick up the new arrivals. One of the arrivals was a husband and wife coming from England to visit family, who had just welcomed a baby into the family. It was the husband's sister and they wanted to be there for her. The guardian of the portal for England was still Ryou's sister Amane, but she was forty two now with a husband and two children of her own. Since becoming a mother she needed to be there for her children more and it was only certain times she could see people to the portals.

The other arrival was a young adult male who was fresh out of college and was coming from the portal in India. He heard of the city from some friends and wanted to see what it was like. It was naturally for the city to get young adults trying to figure out their place in life. Either they liked it here and stayed or they left for some other place. Apparently this young adult had already been traveling when he ended up in India and heard of Vampire City. He was originally from America, but had no plans to go back there. The portal holder of India was still Dartz, but like others he had little time to see people to the portal given he was a businessman who was often busy.

Since most of the portal holders had families or businesses to run, Yami had to follow their schedules in order to get people into the city. This often led to Taylor and Ethan picking people up at weird hours of the day or sometimes late at night. Late nights were not always happening since even vampires needed their sleep. However early mornings were not something Yuugi was enjoying at the moment. He was seriously going to need a nap sometime in the afternoon.

The ride was short given there was no traffic, but people were out and about in the downtown area getting ready to open businesses and start the day. Once the limo pulled to a stop, Yuugi got out and made his way into the postal office. The place was busy with workers trying to sort mail or help the few costumers that were in there. Yuugi walked pass them all and made his way to the mangers office where the key was kept for the door to the portals. Yami wanted the door locked at all times unless someone was being picked up or dropped off. There were spells in place so no vampires could go through the portals, but Yami did not want humans coming and going without him knowing. So Yami had a key and the manager of the postal office had one. There were only two keys and the one Yami had never left his office unless it was with him.

The manager was an older gentleman who was in his early seventies and reminded Yuugi of his grandfather. He was a sweet guy and was more than happy to open the door for Yuugi. After that was done, he left Yuugi to do his job. The trip down to the portals was short and Chloe was already at her desk fixing up her files. It had been a while since Yuugi had been down there, so it took Yuugi by surprise at how pretty the portals really looked. Each was a different color to describe which location they were linked to. The colors bounced off the white walls give the room a tie-dye look.

Chloe looked surprised to see him. "Oh, Yuugi I'm surprised to see you." She quickly hid what was in her hands. "Where is Taylor?"

Yuugi moved to stand beside the desk facing her. "He is off with Ethan somewhere and Yami decided he would allow me to pick up the new arrivals." He then noticed something peeking out of the desk drawer. "What are you hiding?"

Chloe sighed and pulled out a squirt gun. "I was going to pay Taylor back for messing with me the last time we had new arrivals." She placed it back in her desk. "He thought it would be funny to put a fake spider on my head and he knows how much I hate spiders. I looked like a complete fool in front of those arrivals."

Yuugi knew Chloe and Taylor were good friends, but sometimes Taylor took jokes too far. "I think I can help you get him back." He already had a planned in mind but it would have to wait until after he finished his job and got Yami in on the plan. "Let me talk to Yami, and then you will be open to some good old revenge."

"Oh I knew there was an evil mind in that brain of yours." She grinned up at him. "The King really did make a good choice in marrying you. I don't know what it was, but the first time you came here I knew there was something special."

"I'm just glad I decided to stay," Yuugi told her as he picked up the two files on her desk. "These are files for the new citizens?"

Chloe nodded. "They will keep those because they have their paperwork inside." After she said that two of the portals gave off a light glow. "It appears they are arriving now."

The first two to appear were the husband and wife from England. According to their file their names were Adam and Kelly Liddell and would only be staying for a small time since they both had small suitcases with them. The next to arrive from India was Daniel Smith and the only thing to arrive with him was two boxes.

"Welcome to Vampire City," Yuugi greeted them, "I hope you enjoy your stay in our city. If you will please follow me I will show you to our King." He turned to lead the way while also informing the new citizens their things would be collected for them and they may leave them.

Daniel took the lead behind Yuugi leaving his things behind, while Adam and Kelly were behind him, but decided to keep their suitcases with them. When they reached the postal office again, Yuugi took a minute to lock the door and return the key. He let the manager know that someone would need to collect Daniels things and send them to the palace until he was placed in a home. Chloe would remain down with the portals until Daniels things had been picked up and when anyone who has plans to leave the city left. Judging by the files on her desk a few people were scheduled to leave later today.

Once that was done, the four exited the office where they found the limo still waiting. The driver held the door open as Yuugi got in follow by the new arrivals. Yuugi sat on the side with Daniel across from him while the couple sat on the back row. A minute later the limo was moving again, so they all sat in silence.

The silence was broken by Adam after a while as he asked Yuugi a question. "You are the King's mate correct?"

Yuugi looked to the husband and nodded. "Yes, my husband is the King. I'm sure you learned this from your sister?"

Adam nodded and then Daniel asked his own question. "So you're a vampire?"

"Yes, you may not be able to tell by my appearance, but I was changed twenty years ago. As you'll see the city has many vampires, but vampires and humans have gotten along fine for hundreds of years. There are some vampires that stay away from the humans, but they will not harm you." Yuugi explained. He remembered being like Daniel and not believing there was a city full of vampires. This certainly was a great place to start over if you can live with vampires being around you.

"What's it like being a vampire?" Daniel continued to ask. It made Yuugi feel good that he didn't seem scared of being so close to one.

"It's not much different. In my case I'm faster and stronger than I was before, but I don't have any special powers or anything. There is also the fact I will never grow old. I'm sure it's hard to believe, but by now I should have been in my early to mid-forties." Yuugi would always get teased by his children when his birthday would come around. They would tell him he looked great for someone his age. Although like the children's birthdays long ago, even Yugi's birthday's stopped being celebrated about ten years ago and he was okay with that. There really wasn't the point of a birthday since technically Yuugi died and he was no longer a living human. Yami still liked to give him a gift and with his birthday coming up he would probably get another one.

"So can vampires even die?" This next question threw Yuugi off for a moment. He remembered wondering that same thing before Yami explained it to him. However Daniel had just entered the city and he was already playing twenty questions about vampires. Vampires often did not disclose what they were weak against for fear of humans killing them. After becoming one, Yuugi could relate to that fear and he felt it for himself and his family. Yami had long ago figured out what Yuugi was weak against, because Yuugi asked him to find out. Yuugi wanted to know so he could be careful. Only Yami and Yuugi knew the truth of Yuugi's weakness just like only Yuugi and Yami's council knew of Yami's weakness.

With the young adult still waiting on an answer, Yuugi wasn't sure how to reply. Something just did not feel right and he was ready to have Yami back beside him. The shadows stirred a little as they felt Yuugi's anxiety go up, so Yuugi closed his eyes and tried to keep his emotions in check. Thankfully the limo ride to the palace was short and the door was opened for them. Yuugi was the first out of the limo to get some fresh air and away from the question that made him of all people fear humans.

The question was left unanswered as Jason and Raven greeted Yuugi at the door. Yuugi's mind went into over drive as he wanted to have a minute alone with his husband. "Jason, would you please show our guest to the kitchen. I'm sure they would like something to eat before their meeting with the King. I must also check on my husband to see if he is ready for them."

Jason nodded and before Yuugi could pass he put a hand the shorter male's shoulder and whispered so only Raven and Yuugi could hear, "How did everything go?" He noticed the way Yuugi looked and something wasn't alright with him.

Yuugi shook his head and whispered back, "I just need a minute with Yami. Also be careful, Daniel likes to ask questions." He left before anything else could be said and hurried down the halls.

The office was empty except for Yami when he entered, so he quickly locked the door to make sure they weren't disturbed. Yuugi then made his way over to Yami's desk and around it. Yami looked up from his work long enough to greet him and the next thing he knew his mate was sitting in his lap with his arms around the King's neck. The King had no problem returning the embrace, but he was confused by it also.

"Honey, what's wrong?"

Yuugi shook his head and kept his face hidden in Yami's shirt. He just needed a minute to get his feelings in check. Yami would get upset if he thought Yuugi was hurt.

"Did everything go okay with the new citizens?" Yami continued to press. He had sent Jason and Raven to greet Yuugi at the door. He had a small bit of paperwork to finish before meeting with the new arrivals and Jason was supposed to hold them off.

Yuugi nodded and looked up to finally address his partner. "I told Jason to take them to the kitchen so I could speak with you." He pulled back enough so they could take properly. "I just needed to see you."

Those words were enough to make Yami worried. "What has happened? You know you can tell me anything."

"It's probably nothing, I just had this overwhelming all of a sudden and needed to be with you again." Yuugi started to wipe at his eyes as the tears started coming. It was like he had no control of his emotions anymore. "I don't know what is going on with me."

Yami grabbed a tissue from his desk and started to wipe Yuugi's eyes for him. "Tell me what happened from the beginning. I'm sure together we can figure out why you are so upset."

Yuugi agreed and started to tell him everything from the meeting with the new arrivals to the car ride to the palace. He left nothing out even telling his love all the questions the three individuals asked him. Lastly he explained when he started feeling weird and just wanted to be back at the palace.

The King listened to all his lover had to say until Yuugi was finished and it seemed he knew what was going on as he offered the younger a smile. He gently kissed Yuugi's forehead and hugged him close. Yuugi was confused, but he welcomed the embrace.

"I know what probably upset you," Yami said when they finally pulled away. "Naturally you are older than you look, but in vampire years you are still a child."

Yuugi raised an eyebrow at him not sure the meaning behind what was being said. "I do not understand, what do you mean by that?"

"You said you felt uneasy when he asked how vampires die, correct?" When Yuugi nodded, Yami continued. "The vampire part of you is still a child. Vampires of today still have that fear that humans will learn their weakness and destroy us, but older ones are stronger. Given you are young, you are not strong to your weakness and when Daniel asked that question your mind was looking for an escape. You held a fear of saying the wrong thing and letting him know what you are weak against."

"So it was all in my head?" Yuugi asked as he tried to wrap his mind around everything. "I wasn't going to tell him anything, but I couldn't figure out a way to answer his question either without being rude."

"Remember when you once fear Joey of all people when he came to visit?"

Yuugi nodded. "Yeah, I wouldn't stay close to him even though I was happy to see him. I kept to you most of the time." He had hated seeing the hurt look in Joey's eyes, but Joey seemed to understand something Yuugi didn't.

"At the moment there are two sides to you Yuugi. The old Yuugi everyone loves and the new Yuugi who has a vampire side to him." Yami went on to explain trying to help Yuugi see that there was nothing wrong with his fears. "That question probably triggered that new Yuugi and he just wanted to get away. Some vampires would have gotten defensive, but you didn't want to hurt anyone which is a good thing. Seto and Joey would have probably felt the same if put in the situation. They are even younger than you, but given their personalities they probably would have told the guy off for asking."

Yuugi still needed time to wrap his mind around all this, but at least he felt better. "I guess it's been so long since I have felt threaten and I wasn't sure how to react." He looked up at Yami. "Why was he asking all those questions anyway?"

Yami shrugged. "He is young and never seen a vampire before. He was naturally curious to know the life of a vampire." He gave Yuugi a kiss, before moving Yuugi off his lap so they could both stand. "I'm sure he meant no harm to you, but I'll find out why he was asking if you really want to know."

The younger seemed happy with that as they walked out of the office. After becoming a vampire Yuugi thought he had gotten rid of all those fears that humans were going to hurt him, but it seemed sometimes they would resurface. As much as he hated to admit it, he thought about seeing if Yami would let him have the day off. At the moment Yuugi just wanted to be with his children or maybe his friends. Vampires were always around him twenty four seven and that was all he wanted to be around.

"Yami..?" The King looked down at him letting him know he was listening. "Do you think I could sit this one out this time? I don't feel like being in the same room as that man."

Yami agreed, "Do what you want for the day and I'll see you around lunch." They kissed again briefly before Yami left him to go collect the new arrivals.

Once Yami was out of site, Yuugi hurried down the halls toward where he knew his best friend would be. Joey was always someone Yuugi could turn to and there was no way he was going to burden the children with his problems. This little episode of anxiety was hopefully the last Yuugi was going to see of it. If not then Yuugi just took a huge step back from being okay around humans. It hurt the younger to know that one little question completely turned his day upside down.

Sakura: Well this one wasn't as long as the other chapters, but it hit a major point in the story. I'll just have to wait and see if anyone else noticed it.

Yumi: Review!