Small Note
Sakura: So I decided to update this story one more time, before I went on a two week break. I really need some time away from fanfiction and get some school work done. It's not just school work, but things in my life have gotten stressful and I just want to relax for a few weeks. I am in no way abandoning this story or my other story Deathly Child. They will both be updated again once I get back on here after my break.
Chapter Twelve
Madness
It feels as if the city has begun to fall apart
A few weeks after Valentine's Day, Yuugi was spending a warm spring afternoon with his older sons Ethan and Taylor. The two had been watching the shop earlier that day, but Yuugi decided to close the shop up early and treat the boys to a movie. Over the course of the last few months he had not been spending as much time as he would have liked with his children and Yuugi did not want to feel like a bad parent. So once he was sure Yami could handle things at the palace he took off to let his sons off the hook of watching the shop. One day of closing up early would not kill business and besides they had inventory to do tomorrow and that could take a full day.
Taylor did not have to be told twice to close up the shop and quickly did as told before all three went to the local theater to see a new movie that just came out. Yami enjoyed plays more than movies, so the younger ruler normally had to go with his children rather than his husband. It did not fully matter to Yuugi, because it gave him something to continue to help him bond with his children. Being a parent was hard work no matter if all his children were grown vampires who did not act their age.
Thankfully given it was only after lunch the theater was not packed like it would be that night as always, so the three were able to get their tickets, along with some popcorn and drinks before finding seats in the semi dark theater. The two older vampires joked around and told Yuugi about their day, before the lights went down and the show began.
However no one would have been prepared for the scene they would face once they left the theater.
When the three left the theater the afternoon rush had begun as people got off work and headed home or some were just getting up ready to go to their late night jobs at late night businesses for vampires or clubs and bars that were opened at night. Taylor had an arm around Ethan shoulder as they walked behind Yuugi. The three were taking their time walking back to the palace discussing the movie they just saw.
"It's hard to believe some times that one hit like that can kill a human," Taylor mentioned as he talked about the action film they had just gone to see. Sadly Yuugi had allowed the two to pick out the movie and they decided on some gory action film. The part Taylor was taking about was where the bad guy got into a huge fight with the main good guy and in the end he got killed by standing too close to the edge of a building and falling off of it. "If a vampire had done that it would have simply left a dent in the ground."
Yuugi even as a vampire found it hard to talk about death so easily like Taylor or Ethan could. They had hundreds of years to get used to being a vampire, while Yuugi had only been alive as one for only a little over twenty years. "Well humans are fragile and their bodies are not as strong as a vampire is. They are not one of the undead."
"You know I always hated that term undead. Sure we don't have beating hearts, but we live and breathe like humans do," Ethan piped up with a frown on his face.
"Although breathing is not necessary," Taylor added with a grin, "If we got in a breath holding match I could beat any human hands down."
Yuugi rolled his eyes. "I'm sure you could Taylor, but how would you fair against another vampire."
"Are you challenging me?"
"I'm just saying, you don't have a husband who can spend hours making out with you." Yuugi could almost see the face Taylor was making without having to turn around.
"Yuugi, seriously…? Way too much information…" Taylor groaned, which got a laugh out of Ethan.
Conversation after that seemed to die down as they were about to leave the downtown area on their way to the palace. However they got stopped in their tracks by a mob of people circling around a small alleyway. It was between two businesses, but the allies were normally only used for the business to get supplies in through their back rooms where they kept inventory.
"I wonder what's going on." Ethan said, but Yuugi was way ahead of them as he pushed his way through the crowd to see what was going on.
As soon as people noticed their co-ruler trying to make his way through, they began to move out of the way in no time allowing a clear path to the horrible sight that lay at the mouth of the alleyway. There was someone laying at the front with his arm stretched out toward the street, his eyes wide and plain as day there was a nice bloody knife sticking out where his heart would be. More in the alleyway away from most of the afternoon sun was another body however who ever that had been they did not stand a chance with their head cut clean off. The head was nowhere in sight but that still did not make it any less sickening to see.
Co-ruler or not, Yuugi could not stand much of the sight himself as the male near the front looked around the same age as his oldest children. He turned to call out for his sons only to find them right behind him already taking in the scene. At once Ethan turned into a completely different person as he started to find out if anyone had seen anything or asked if anyone had called the police. It seemed a few of the on lookers had already called and the police would be there in a few minutes. As both his sons started to talk to the on lookers to get statements while waiting on the police, Yuugi stay where he was frozen. He had seen dead bodies before, but no matter what even if they were not related to him, it still upset him to see such a brutal act of violence. These were his people and here they were murder on the streets that were supposed to be safe.
The smaller jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Taylor looking down at him. "You can head on to the palace if you want, we can handle things here."
Yuugi shook his head and put on a brave face for his son. "No it's alright, I'm sure Yami will be here once he hears about it. We can handle this together."
Taylor only gave another pat to his shoulder, before he walked away to get a closer look at the scene.
As the night drifted in and blanketed the city in its darkness, street lights began to pop on and from his place on the balcony in his room, Yuugi could still see people going about their day as if that afternoon's murders did not happen. He was pretty sure the whole city had heard about what happened by now after the afternoon news ran. Unlike the fire, Yami was not covering up these murders given they were in broad daylight and if anyone saw or hear anything Yami wanted them to come forward and give a statement. It was too early to know if the three murders were linked, but Yami was going to get all the facts before he went to the media about a possible serial killer being on the loose.
After the King had arrived on the scene the police had already gotten there and were taking care of everything, so as a father and husband should he went to check on his sons and husband to make sure they were alright. The younger ruler had been shaken up by the events, but informed Yami he was fine and just wanted to help in any way he could. Those words however got him a one way ticket to the palace with Taylor and Ethan as bodyguards. That only happened once the police took note that the two victims were vampires and older vampires at that according to their licenses in their pockets. Those chilling words forced the King to get his family out of harm's way encase the killer was still around. Yuugi tried to argue with Yami, but he was not hearing any of it as he allowed his sons to drag Yuugi away.
Once back at the palace Yuugi took a moment to check on his other children and warning them about going downtown before he went to his room and stayed there for the rest of the afternoon. He was upset about what had happened, but he was also saddened by the fact that once again Yami did not want his help. Sure someone appeared to be going around murdering vampires, but with the heavy police presence there was no guarantee the killer would return to the scene to try and kill again.
The smaller sighed as he sat at the table on their balcony and sipped at his glass of blood. It tasted bitter nothing like his husband's blood but it was necessary once a day so he could stay healthy. Over time Yuugi would be able to go weeks without blood, but that would require being around Yami's age and that was thousands of years away. Every once in a while Yuugi was allowed to drink from Yami as a little treat, but that was only after Yami had a good supply of blood in his system. It was not smart to have a weak King with everything that was happening.
"This completely sucks…" Yuugi mumbled to himself and down the rest of his drink quickly so the taste would go away. He stuttered as the cold blood drifted down his throat, but soon got over it as he heard the door to their room open and close. "Yami..?"
"I'll be there in a minute…" Yami replied, before going about his business of doing something Yuugi could not see since he was out of sight.
It was only about a second later Yami had walked out onto the balcony completely shirtless with only his black pants still on. He approached Yuugi and the other allowed his husband to give him a kiss, before Yami moved to the other chair at the table. The King let out a sigh as he sat down and finally got to relax.
"Tough day..?" Yuugi questioned, he was still kind of mad at Yami, but when Yami had a tough day he never wanted to get into an argument with him. Last time he had jumped down his throat about missing Chan's big moment and there had been the fire. So he was going to listen and then they would talk over what happened instead of fighting.
Yami lean his head back and closed his eyes. "Bakura and Marik spent the whole day investigating only to come up with nothing. The alleyway was cleared of any evidence and the bodies gave us nothing besides the murder weapon which had both the victims' blood on it, but no fingerprints. We still have a missing head out there and the people are worried I'm letting a killer run around on the loose."
"They were really vampires?"
"Yeah and that is what worries me even more. I'm sorry I pushed you away from the scene, but if we have a vampire killer on the loose I don't want my family in harm's way." Yami apologized as he took the time to look at Yuugi and offer a small smile.
Yuugi couldn't help but offer a small smile back as he moved his chair closer to Yami and took one of his hands in his. "I can forgive you this time, but I'm more than capable of taking care of myself. Besides Taylor, Ethan and even you were there so I did not feel like I was in danger."
Yami squeezed Yuugi's hand. "I know, but this makes three murders and we are still no close to catching the killer. I need you to promise me you will be careful and keep an eye out of your surroundings."
"I promise," Yuugi informed Yami to ease his worry. "I also want you to keep an eye out. You are the King and that makes you a bigger target than me."
"True, but if someone really wanted to hurt me they would go after my family first," The King hated to admit, "If at all possible I would also like Chan and Kotaro to not leave the palace without someone older with them."
"I guess that does not count me," Yuugi teased.
"You know what I mean."
Yuugi chuckled. "Yeah I do dear and you have nothing to worry about." He stood up and gently pulled Yami up with him. "You look dead on your feet. Let's get to bed early and maybe I can help you in the morning. Sometimes a good night's rest is all you need to see something you missed."
It was Yami's turn to chuckle this time as he followed Yuugi back into their room and to their bed. "Of course Mr. Detective…"
Yuugi stuck his tongue out at Yami as they both lay down and Yami pulled the covers up over them. As they snuggled down under the covers together, Yuugi lay wide awake for a little while longer thinking over the day's events. Their once peaceful city was no longer so peaceful and in a city of vampires closed off from leaving, that could mean big trouble. It would be up to both the kings to keep everyone calm and under control until the killer was caught. As Yuugi closed his eyes for the night he prayed no one else was going to be killed or harmed by the murderer.
The next day did not bring relief to the city as police still roamed the streets of the city looking for the killer and also making sure the city remained safe. People were on edge and were less trusting of those they did not know, but no one could blame them. Even the palace workers were a little uneasy unsure if the killer could make his way into the palace.
However in Yuugi's mind if the killer had made his way into the palace it was after getting past the large security that had been put up to protect the royal family and more than likely the royal family would be the targets not the palace workers. As Yami advised, Yuugi kept his eyes and ears open as he headed to his husband's office with a glass of blood in hand for his husband. Yami had been feeling a little down that morning due to lack of blood for the last few weeks and Yuugi was going to make him drink some whether he like it or not. Before they left the bed that morning, Yuugi had offered Yami to drink from him, however since the day they were married Yami never once drank again from Yuugi. The excuse was always the same that Yuugi could not survive as long as Yami without blood and given he needed it almost every day it was not smart for Yami to drink from him. The smaller vampire just let it go and let Yami get to his office while he went to fetch him some breakfast.
As soon as he entered the office he found his loving partner working hard at the paper work that had to be filed for the day, along with looking at notes from police officers and his two friends Bakura and Marik. Yuugi had ran into Ryou on the way to Yami's office and according to him the two were still asleep after staying up half the night trying to figure out what happened. It worried both Ryou and Malik that they were out so late, but it was part of their job.
He gently set the glass beside Yami as he moved around the desk to place an arm around his shoulders. "Promise not to work too hard okay?"
Yami nodded but did not look up from his work. "I'll take a break for lunch as I always do dear." He paused long enough to take the glass in his hand and bring it up to his lips.
Yuugi went to kiss the top of Yami's head before leaving him to go watch Chan and Kotaro for the day, however instead he was jumping back as Yami spit the drink he just took out. The ruler clamped a hand over his mouth as he threw the glass across the room letting the remaining blood go everywhere on the floor. The whole scene confused Yuugi completely until he saw the pain in Yami's eyes.
"Yami what's wrong?" Yuugi asked in concern, he wanted to help but it was hard to help someone when he had no idea what was wrong. The blood had looked normal when he picked it up from the chefs. Sure it was cold and bitter, but it was never this bad.
However Yuugi had to back away more when Yami lean over and started to cough up blood and nearly collapsed out of his chair. The smaller was there in a second holding Yami up and rubbing his back. Tears were spilling from his eyes as he could tell Yami was in pain and had no clue what was wrong. "Yami please, what's wrong?" As soon as those words left his mouth he took note of the blood on the floor and plain as day he could see the hints of silver swirling around in the blood. It was faint, but any vampire would be able to see it over a human. Yuugi cursed himself for not checking the glass before giving it to Yami, but they had never had to deal with someone trying to poison his husband.
As Yami started to shake before throwing up again, Yuugi had to think quickly. He allowed Yami to finish before he used all his vampire strength to get Yami onto his back. It was slightly awkward given Yami was taller than him, but Yuugi managed to get Yami onto his back as his husband started to drift into unconsciousness.
"Hold on honey, I'll get you to Isis…" He hurried out of the office, but not before nearly running Chan and Kotaro over. It seemed they had been looking for him, but all that went out the window when they saw their father.
"Daddy!" Chan screamed and grabbed one of her father's hands. He wasn't moving and it freaked the little girl out. "Papa what's wrong with daddy?"
"I'll explain everything once we get to Isis. Kotaro, go find your brothers quickly." Yuugi told his younger boy, who nodded and hurried off. Chan continued to following Yuugi as they hurried to the healing chambers where Isis would most likely be or at least Yuugi hoped so.
The rest of the royal family along with Ryou, Malik, Kisara, and Joey all arrived at the healing chambers together to find Chan sitting in the hallway watching with tears in her eyes as Yuugi paced outside the door. News travels fast in a palace full of mostly vampires, so it was no surprise how quickly Yuugi and Yami's children along with a few of their friends were able to get there.
Ethan was the only one brave enough to approached Yuugi and placed his hands on his shoulders to stop him from pacing. Yuugi looked up at him with a waterfall of tears going down his face and it pained the older vampire to see him like that. "Yuugi what happened? Kotaro said our father had been hurt."
Yuugi nodded as he wiped at this eyes. "Yami was hungry so I got him some blood from the kitchen. There was silver in it and I didn't realize it until after Yami had already taken a drink." He had to pause as sobs overcame him and only continued after taking a deep breath to calm himself back down. "I got him to Isis and she is looking him over. If only I had checked the drink before I gave it to him."
"Yuugi this is no way your fault. We had no idea someone would try to poison our father." Ethan tried to explain not wanting the smaller to blame himself. He pulled Yuugi into a hug as those words only made things worst. He turned to look at the others behind him. "Taylor I need you to tell security to lock the palace down until we find out who did this. Jason and Raven go and do your own investigation of the kitchen but be discreet about it encase the one who tried to kill our father is still in there. Ryou, Malik, and Kisara if you could go round up the council and let them know what has happened, but to keep quiet about it as much as possible, we do not know of the King's condition yet."
After being given their orders they wasted no time in hurrying off to do their part. Joey was the only one left standing as Kotaro had gone to sit beside Chan and comfort her. Ethan motioned him over and calmly handed Yuugi over to him. The smaller vampire wasted no time in latching onto his best friend so long as he had someone to hold on to.
"I'll be right back, send Kotaro to find me if anything changes." Ethan informed the blond before he took off down the hall.
Joey patted Yuugi's back and continued to comfort him like a big brother would. "It's going to be alright Yuugi."
"I can't lose him Joey, I just can't…" Yuugi cried. Ever since he came to the city Yami had always looked out for him. Over time Yuugi had fallen in love with the King and finally felt like he belonged somewhere. The younger ruler had no idea what he would do if his husband did not make it through. "I love him and I can't even do anything to help him."
"I know Yuugi, but Yami is a fighter and he would never leave you or his family this way," Joey told him and he hoped he was right. If Yami did not make it not only would the kids lose a father, Yuugi would lose his husband, and the city would lose one of their Kings. He was not sure Yuugi would be able to handle taking over a city. The only thing he could do was pray that Yami pulled through and things were not as grim as they felt.
Sakura: I bet no one saw that coming. I have a feeling I'm going to be getting some interesting reviews after this chapter. So if no one read my top note, I'll put another note here. I am taking two weeks off from fanfiction. There will be no typing of stories or updates for two weeks. I need a break to sort some things out, but I will be back. I will still answer messages and reviews, but no updates.
Yumi: Review!