Well, this is my last post of the year. Whoo, I'm just so happy I actually got it done. Right then, I do not own Yugioh, Santa baby, Jingle bells, I want a hippopotamus for Christmas, or Baby, it's cold outside, enjoy! [YUGI, YAMI, and ATEM]
Chapter 35
Yugi stared at Heba, his brain still trying to comprehend what it was just told. Did he just say that Sakura…Sakura wasn't. No, he had to of misheard him. This had to be the sickest joke or prank his cousin had ever pulled, because there was no way, just no way he could be a…a…
"What?" Yugi croaked out.
"You heard me, cousin." Heba said sternly crossing his arms over his chest.
Yugi blinked, turning away from him. He absent mindedly pulled out his ear piece and looked at it again, this time really took it in. Of course, Sakura used one all the time. And that hand hold that Heba had used on Yami earlier, the one he had dropped. It was a defensive move used by Hunters to fling vampires on their backs. Yugi cold have probably passed it off as Sakura had taught it to him. Then again, Sakura knew he wasn't really the violent type though, so would he have? He looked back at Heba. He nodded slowly at him.
"How?"
"Easy, unlike you, I actually skipped those grades that my intelligence had already overcome in knowledge. I didn't really have any friends to hold me back in them anyway. When I was offered the opportunity to skip years seven through nine, I took it, and again with my final year of high school. In Egypt we only need one year of College before we can join the Organization, not two. The Organization is the first place where I actually felt like I was wanted, needed." Heba explained grabbing hold of a low limb and swinging from it slightly.
"But…"
"Yeah?" he asked dropping back down.
"I…I don't get why you're telling me this."
"We're family, aren't we?"
"Well, yes...but now my relationship with them is in even more jeopardy." Yugi said falling to the ground his arms coming up to hug himself.
"No it's not. Didn't you hear me? I won't do it. I won't try to break you guys up." Heba said awkwardly sitting behind him.
"But what will they do to you?" Yugi asked looking up at him.
"Do to me? Nothing. I'm going to tell them the truth. That the mission needs to be aborted because the battle is already long lost. Yeah, they'll probably argue with me that no battle is lost so long as there are people like Sakura willing to fight it. But I'll just argue back that it is lost, the battle can never be won. Maybe if we had stuck our noses in it sooner, we could have lead you away, but that ship has long set sail. The objective to break you up from them, it's impossible now. You're theirs as much as they are yours. Love is hard enough to find as it is, especially in the world we live in now. I'll never take that gift from anyone, ever. If they try to continue to force me on this mission I'll threaten to leave, that'll shut'em up. I heard Sakura did that."
"Yeah, and then I opened my big mouth and said the wrong thing. Now she's hell bent to separate us." Yugi said solemnly.
"Then you need to make clear for her, your feelings for them."
"I tried. I don't think it got through until I kicked her out of my life, until after our fight. Love and my vampires has always been a delicate subject for Sakura. Especially in the same sentence. I screamed at her that these were my mates and this was my life. That I didn't want to see her anymore, was that wrong?" Yugi asked looking away from him and out towards the forest.
"We all say things we don't mean when we're blinded by anger."
"But I did mean it, at least the part about this being my life, I did."
"Look at it for a second from her point of view. She lost her best friend Marchelle when she was just 16 years of age; she almost lost Mira that day too. If Sakura hadn't grabbed that metal rod off the ground and smacked the rogue over the head and then shoved it through his chest, you wouldn't even have a sister to fight with. She doesn't want to lose you too."
"If she would just let me love who I want to, she wouldn't have to. If she would stop interfering, then she'd be able to keep me. But she won't ever stop." Yugi said standing up and going to lean against a tree.
RUSTLE.
Yugi turned to look in the trees, he saw a pair of glowing eyes, before his arm was grabbed and he was flung back behind his cousin. Yugi rolled slightly, before coming to a stop and looking up to see his cousin facing off against the mimicker. He gasped, but Heba didn't even look away from the warped by science vampire.
"Ah, my quarry. I've been hunting you, and apparently you've been hunting my cousin. Let's put you out of your misery, huh?" Heba taunted producing a stake gun and short knife from somewhere under the folds of his dress. The mimicker growled at him and took a swipe at him which Heba dodged expertly.
"Run, Yugi!" Heba ordered. Yugi's eyes flashed from the mimicker to him and back to the mimicker, who was looking at him. The more they stared at one another, the more Yugi's head hurt, why was it hurting? He heard Heba curse above him, as his eyes squeezed shut trying to will the pain away. The pain stopped, and Yugi took in deep breaths of air as he opened his eyes to see Heba in full contact with the mimicker. It was quick, Heba used the short knife to slash at his right leg, then left arm, backing him into a tree before firing a stake through his right shoulder, heart, and head.
Heba was barely out of breath as he came back over to squat before him. Yugi took in the dress to see it was ripped along the torso and again from the hip to the opposite side of the bottom of the dress. Yugi couldn't help it, he laughed.
"Oh good, you're okay." Heba said giving him a light push.
"Well, I guess neither one of us will be wearing that dress anymore."
"Huh? Well, at least all these layers have protected me from getting hurt." Heba said looking down at the dress and laughing himself.
"Come on, they'll be wondering where we're at."
"Ah, wait, don't you think we should change first?" Heba asked motioning to his dress.
"Oh, yeah, come on this way." Yugi said smiling and taking his hand in his.
[Time skip]
Yugi and Heba made their way back into the ballroom, laughing. Heba was complaining about the dress that Yugi was wearing and how he wouldn't have minded wearing that instead because it was slightly masculine. He slid down the banister and straight onto the ballroom floor, stumbling slightly as he got his balance back. Heba landed beside him, not stumbling at all.
"Show off." Yugi muttered. Heba just grinned at him before disappearing into the crowd. Yugi sighed before going to find his friends.
"Yugi! Heba…whoever you are, where've you been?" Yami asked appearing in front of him.
"Outside." Yugi responded as Yami looked him up and down, raising an eyebrow as his dress change.
"Did you and your cousin see anything or anyone else out there?" Yami asked his eyes narrowing in suspicion. Yugi shook his head.
"Good, because the mimicker was just found slaughtered on the grounds, by a Hunter."
Yugi gasped, his hands flying to his mouth in shock. He looked around to see Atem had cornered his cousin, and was talking to him. He was scratching his head, before his eyes widened, and he glanced over at Yugi before training his eyes back on Atem. He made a waving motion, laughing, before he turned and vanished in the crowd. Yugi looked back at Yami, grinned and took his cousin's unspoken advice, and vanishing into the crowd as well.
"They find bodies around here quick, don't they?" Heba asked over the ear piece.
"Well, blood does leave a heavy scent." Yugi reasoned.
"Which is ten times as strong for a vampire, right."
"Who're you talking to?"
"Atem!" Yugi's voice went up an octave or two as he whipped around shoving his hands behind his back.
"Well?"
"Myself."
"You're a liar…Yugi." Atem whispered in his ear.
"Are you sure about that?"
"Dead certain."
"Then we're just going to have to fix that, aren't we?" Yugi whispered back walking off. He found his cousin grabbed his arm and dragged him off and out of the ballroom. It was time for the big guns.
"Oh come on, I know I said I liked this dress better, but I really don't want to wear one anymore." Heba complained.
"Who said you'd be the only one wearing one?" Yugi asked turning to look back at him before throwing him into the room and shutting the door.
"What?" Heba asked.
"Ladies, it's time for operation 3."
"Already?" Olivia asked looking up from her magazine.
"Yes, which means this will be our last change of the evening. Except, make us in my cousin's appearance."
"Alright."
[Time skip]
Yugi and Heba snuck in through one of the servant's entrances, and over to where Yugi's friends were standing. They looked at them, and then did a double check. Their eyes grew to the sizes of small appetizer plates. He glanced up to the stairs to see the six girls who made this possible coming in just as planned, giggling and laughing about some nonsensical nonsense. He saw Atem and Yami meet them half way up the steps. They shared a few words in which the girls motioned with a wide sweep of their arms the general population in the ballroom. Then they moved past his mates and Yugi turned away, joining in on the conversation of his friends trying to discover who was who.
"Ha ha ha, that's funny, but seriously, tell us, whose who." Malik said nervously laughing.
"I already told you, I'm Heba." Heba started and they finished together.
"Really, you're going to confuse your friends too?" Heba asked turning to him.
"Well, why not? I think they'll forgive me." Yugi said seriously.
"You're friends, not mine." Heba said shrugging.
"Heba?"
"Yes?" Yugi and Heba answered turning around to the voice. Atem and Yami stood there with gob smacked looks on their faces.
"Yugi." Atem said pointing to Heba.
"Yes?" they asked again.
"Uh…" Yami looked over their heads at their friends, and started to shake his head in a copying sort of way. Yugi and Heba laughed at him, at least until Yami turned such lost eyes back onto him. That stopped Yugi's laughter quick, and Heba's a second after.
"Oh come on, Yami, don't look at us like that. You told me that you had my scent on lock down, surely you can tell us apart." Yugi said looking away from his look.
"He's right, pull yourself together. We can do this." Atem said confidently taking a deep breath.
"So?" Heba asked.
"But it would be a whole lot easier if you didn't look the same." Atem said deflating.
"Come on, Yugi; let's go find your real mates, because these aren't them. They're giving up way too easily." Yugi said grabbing Heba's hand and leading him away.
"I know, it's kind of pathetic. And they're supposed to be the strongest of their race." Heba said shaking his head.
"They should be around here som-MMPPHH!"
Atem pulled away from Yugi, and kissed Yami. Yugi glared up at him, as Heba just stood there blinking. They cheated.
"You'll get over it." Atem said glaring back down at him.
"Damn, I can see why you wanted to keep them to yourselves. This one's got some mad kissing skills." Heba said jerking his thumb at Yami. Yugi rolled his eyes, shaking his head.
"Their talents don't stop there, trust me. In any case, it's game over now. Bloody cheaters." Yugi grumbled letting go of Heba's hand to go stand by his friends.
"Do you guys usually cheat?" Heba asked.
"N-"
"Yes!" Yugi answered for them.
"We do not!"
"Oh! Oh! What about the pineapple, huh? What about that?"
"That was one time." Yami argued.
"And the question game?"
"We didn't cheat."
"Uh huh! Let us in and we'll tell you, sound familiar?" Yugi argued marching back over to them.
"Well, yeah, but you didn't actually let us in because of that. If I recall you let us in because of an impending storm." Atem said back.
"I know, what was I thinking? I should have just let it hit you." Yugi said looking away to conceal his smile.
"Oh really? You should have just let it hit us, huh?" Yami asked before tickling him mercilessly.
"Yes! Ha ha ha ha ha, sto- ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, stop! Ha ha ha ha ha ha, He- He- He- Heba, help!" Yugi cried out reaching for his cousin only to have him dodge the hand. Yugi did the only thing available to him after that, grabbing the back of Yami's head and smashing their lips together. Yami's hands ceased to move against his sides and instead gripped his sides pulling him flush against him.
Yami, we have an audience.
Who cares?
Ha ha ha ha ha!
Okay, break it up. Come on, I want to see two people, not a mess of limbs.
So join this mess of limbs. Yugi backed up his message with a very vivid image of them all moaning, gasping and sweating together in the nude. Yami promptly pushed him away as he made a noise of protest.
"Ra! Yugi! How many times must we tell you not to abuse the mind link?" Atem asked.
"You cheated, now you must face the consequences." Yugi said dragging a finger down his chest. He could practically see the anime sweat drop on both of their foreheads.
"You're so bad cousin." Heba laughed looking down on his mates. He followed his eyes, smirking at Atem's and Yami's very visible bulges.
"Come on; let's give them some time to cool off." Yugi said covering his eyes and pushing him away.
"Yugi! How could you do that!? You know how I feel about your relationship with them, and yet you continue to ignore what I know to be best for you?" Sakura screeched making them stop and look back at her.
"Really, have you no consideration for your family at all, Yugi?" Mira put in.
"I think he has plenty for it, but it doesn't really matter how Maria feels about them. It's more along the lines of how Yugi feels about them. You're blind, the both of you." Heba said stepping up next to him.
"We're blind? Look who's talking. You didn't even know that vampire was there before it made a noise to alert you to its presence!" Mira said back.
"I'm off duty!" Heba roared.
"A Hunter is never off duty!" she shouted back making the entire ballroom gasp, Sakura included.
"Shut your mouth, Mira! You have no right telling that to every vampire here!" Yugi yelled at her.
"I don't know why he's hiding it! He should be proud!"
"Because he was on a covert mission. A mission that he, unlike Sakura, has decided to abort for obvious reasons!"
"Oh yeah, and what would those be?"
"That I-I don't have to explain myself to you!" Yugi shouted turning and running.
"Yugi!" several voices shouted. He didn't care though; he hitched up his skirt, and took the stairs two at a time, and ran out of the ballroom. He hopped as he took off his shoes throwing them to the sides of the hallway, and continued running. He discarded the jacket and vest as well, loosening his tie. He had almost said it out loud. He'd almost said it. The tie fluttered to the ground as Yugi turned down another hallway and opened a door halfway down. He didn't bother shutting it all the way, just rushed over to the large couch and face planted into it.
"Yugi…why didn't…you just…tell them?" Heba asked from the doorway.
"Because I don't want to tell them like that."
"I don't understand cushion."
"I don't want them to find out during a screaming match between some Hunters and me."
"What is this place?"
"My game room. It's new." Yugi said sitting up.
"I see they gave you two exit points, one in the bathroom, and another there. They didn't choose this room lightly, they thought about it." Heba said walking around the room.
"There's actually three." Yugi said sliding off the couch and walking to press a secret latch behind the fridge. Heba hastily stepped back as a set of stairs opened right where he had been standing a second ago.
"Where does this go?" Heba asked bending down to look at it, tapping next to it with his knuckles.
"The kitchens, there's always someone in the kitchen." Yugi said pressing the latch again closing it again.
"Interesting, they really thought through possible escape routes for you. They really care." Heba murmured.
"Why'd you follow me?"
"Hmm? Oh! Because Yami and Atem are a bit occupied with screaming at Sakura, and Mira, and then your Grandpa got involved along with both Hawkins. Then more people jumped into it, and it's just a big huge mess down there, Yugi, a big huge mess."
"Come on, we better go fix it." Yugi said walking back out of the room.
"And how do you plan on getting them to shut up long enough for you to do that?" Heba asked trotting to catch up to him before walking beside him.
"Tamper with most of their hearing." Yugi said giving him a small smile.
"Temper with their hearing? How?"
"I'll show you." Yugi said heading into the ballroom to see exactly what Heba had described, one big huge mess of people arguing and fighting. Yugi sighed, walking down the stairs, and forcing his way through the people to get to the tree. He heard bits and pieces of conversations here and there.
"-Prince wouldn't have run off!"
"I think he's well aware of-"
"-can't always be making decisions for him!"
"I know what's best-"
"-needed your help!"
"Clearly the fault of-"
Yugi wandered around the tree until he found the small jukebox that they had set up a couple of days ago. Now that he was this close to it, he could see what song was playing. Hold me now by Red, go figure. He changed it to Jingle Bells, and then walked calmly over to the throne, and looked underneath the arm rest until he found the volume dial. He looked up at the huge fighting mass, before sighing and starting to slowly turn up the music.
-jingle all the way.
Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh.
HEY!
JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE AL THE WAY!
OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE IN A ONE HORSE OPEN SLEIGH!
HEY!
Every vampire and werewolf was clutching their ears as they tried to drown out the loud music. The humans were starting to cringe too, making Yugi hit the power button. Heba was the only one clapping as Yugi stood up on the throne.
"Now that I have your attention, LISTEN UP! This is supposed to be a festive celebration, and the next person who starts a fight is getting kicked out! We have three more hours before it's officially Christmas! I don't want to hear anything but laughter and polite conversation, ya hear!?" Yugi shouted out to the room. He would swear to anyone who asked that as one they all blinked at him, twice, before going back to their arguing.
"You're back." Yami said appearing at his left, and Atem at his right.
"Do something!" Yugi growled at them.
"What do you want us to do?" Atem asked sighing.
"Anything! These people are ruining Christmas!" Yugi whined.
"Yugi, I highly doubt anything we say or do is going to have much effect." Atem sighed crossing his arms. Yugi huffed jumping off the throne, and grabbing Atem by his tie, yanked him down to his level.
"You'd best figure something out or you'll be sleeping in the Ruby room…alone, from now until we leave." Yugi growled lowly in his ear.
"Oh? Will I? And just how do you plan on stopping Yami from joining me, hmm?" Atem asked smirking, his eyes glittering with amusement. Yugi turned to look at him, his eyes flickering back and forth between the two of them, before landing on Yugi who was sauntering up to him. He motioned for Yami to come down to his level. Yami bent down so his ear was at his mouth.
"If you don't agree with me you won't be eating…from me, for the next two months." Yugi threatened.
"I agree with, Yugi. Whatever he said to you, I agree with it." Yami said straightening up. Yugi grinned triumphantly back at Atem.
"Oh really?" Atem asked dropping his arms and approaching him.
"Uh, yes?" Yami said putting his hands up and backing away slowly.
"You don't sound so sure about that."
"I-I am."
"Yeah?"
"Yes."
"And what exactly did he say that had you agreeing so quickly, hmm?"
"Uh, uh, I'm not sure if I should tell you."
"That bad huh?"
"N-no!" Yami hit a wall which Atem had no problem pinning him against. Yugi sat back on the throne, one leg draping over the armrest, watching the display. He wasn't the only one; the room had started to grow quiet as they became the center of attention.
"I don't believe you. You lie worse than Yugi, because you s-stutter."
"No, I don't! I-I'm a great liar!"
"Then why did you s-stutter?"
"Uh…"
"Uh huh, just tell me." Atem said dragging his tongue up his neck. Yami shuddered, melting at his feet, literally.
Interesting.
I know all his weak spots.
Yugi slipped off of the throne, and sauntered over to them. He slipped into Yami's lap, discreetly slipping his hands into his pants, and grasping him, pumping him. Yami's eyes went wide, and he slid down the wall further.
"Now what are you doing to him?" Atem asked from above. Yugi grinned up at him, before leaning in towards his ear again, nibbling on it as he whispered in his ear.
"Stay on my side, Yami. Just think of the sweet, delectable food I provide for you once a week. Don't you want to eat in two days? From me? Your food source? Come on, Yami, rebel a little." Yugi whispered seductively slipping his hands out of Yami's pants, and paying attention to his ear alone as he wrapped his arms loosely around his neck.
"You are so bad, Yugi." Atem said chuckling.
"He's not playing fair, Lover." Yami whined.
"Yes, I've noticed, Habibi."
Yugi grinned against Yami's ear, kissing just below it. He kissed his way to the underside of Yami's jaw, suckling at the soft skin here and there. Down his neck, completely forgetting about the crowd in the ballroom, his only intention was to get Yami completely on his side.
"So what do you say, Yami? Are you with me?" Yugi whispered against his neck
"Absolutely."
"Damn, Yugi, it seems that you really don't need those big eyes of yours to get your way all the time, now does it? You have a 101 other tricks up your sleeve in which to use to get your way with them." Heba spoke up from behind them.
Yugi's lips froze as they were making their way back up Yami's neck, his tongue frozen against his skin, as it licked at a small spot on it. He slowly curled his tongue back into his mouth, heat enflaming his cheeks, as a deep dark red blush erupted across his face. He buried his face into Yami's neck, trying to hide from the world.
"Why'd you stop?" Yami asked in a husky lust filled voice.
"Still so shy." Atem whispered above them.
"Huh?" Yami asked looking up at him with dazed eyes. He simply smirked, before turning to the room and speaking in a loud commanding voice.
"Alright, this party is over. My mates are tired and need their rest. Those of you who were invited to spend the night by either myself, my Queen, or my Prince may head to the room on your invitation now. As for the rest of you, take your leave."
The entire room, well almost the entire room, bowed as one to him. Some, mostly humans, looked around before doing the same, not wanting to seem out of place. This made Atem laugh slightly, shaking his head.
Stupid traditions.
"Oh!" Yugi said his head popping out of Yami's neck to look around. He jumped out of Yami's lap and started to rush through the crowd of people leaving.
"Heba! Heba! Heba, where are you?"
"Yugi, what?" Heba asked annoyed grabbing his elbow from behind.
"Thank Kami, I caught you. I forgot to tell you earlier. You know the room you found me in earlier tonight?"
"Mmhmm."
"Go there. I'm so glad we got to the bottom of our dislike for each other." Yugi said hugging him. Heba's arms hesitated around him before hugging him back.
"Yugi! I can't believe you just practically had sex with him out in the open like that." Sakura said from behind in disgust.
"Well, believe it, because it was really the only way to get my way. Too bad I can't actually back up my words now though." Yugi said smiling sheepishly.
"Well, I don't want to see you doing anything like that again. You're much too young!"
"Ugh! Were you not listening to me that last time we hung out together?! Or did you just choose to ignore me?!" Yugi yelled at her making people stop and turn.
"Of course I was listening to you!"
"It doesn't seem like it, Sakura!"
"YUGI!" she screeched.
"What's going on here?" Atem asked suddenly there.
"This all your fault! Yours and your precious mate's." Sakura accused pointing her finger at him.
"ENOUGH!" Heba silenced pushing Yugi aside to stand in front of her.
"If you know what's good for you, you'll stay out of this cousin."
"Then I must not know what's good for me. Listen to me, I came here with the same intentions and purposes as you did. I was given the same task you were because Yugi is my flesh and blood too. I have come to a quick conclusion tonight though. Our task is impossible and we should just abort the missions given to us."
"I will never abort."
"Well, you're fighting a battle long lost. Those three are so tightly wrapped around each other; it would take some form of a high trust break to separate them. It would take one of them to break the trust of one of the others, and then one of them siding with the other, to separate them. I don't see that happening, ever. As for the other one, discovering a weakness, oh it's so obvious. A child could tell you what it is. If you try using that to break them up, you're only going to wind up dead. I don't know about you, but I would like to live for the next fifty years or so. I want a family, a good wife, and three or four kids. I want a future. I can't have that if I attack these vampire's weaknesses."
"Oh really, you think you're so smart, huh? So what's my weakness?" Atem interrupted.
"Well, one is standing right here, the other is…I have no idea where he is." Heba said looking around while rolling his eyes.
"I'm sure he has more weaknesses than just my brother and his precious mate." Sakura scoffed.
"I'm sure he does too, but that is at the heart of his weaknesses. You really don't want to attack his heart, do you?"
"I'll do anything to free my brother from their love spell at this point."
"Get out." Yugi whispered his bangs hiding his face.
"Yugi, hush, the adults are talking about a better future for you." Sakura said waving him off.
"GET OUT!" Yugi screamed pushing her, his head snapping up.
"Yugi!"
"Get out!" Yugi yelled again at her pushing her. Atem slipped an arm around his waist and pulled him back.
Vampires appeared on either side of Sakura, grabbing her arms and attempting to drag her out. She threw them to the side, where they skidded to a stop, her katanas appearing as if from thin air as a shawl fluttered to the ground. She faced the vampires as more appeared to help their comrades. It faintly occurred to Yugi that they were all dressed the same, but he was more concerned about his sister just leaving before he said something he really regretted, something that was on the tip of his tongue, just begging to be released.
"Get out, get out, get out, get out, get out, get out, get out, get out!" Yugi kept repeating as the vampires circled his sister. They knew she was a trained killer, and that she was damn good at her job.
"The Prince wishes for you to leave. Please do so, or we'll use force to make you to leave." One vampire said. Motioning to the door which could be seen clearly since a pathway had been made to it.
"I refuse to leave my brother here for another day. I refuse to let him be tainted any longer by vampire scum." Sakura said making a move towards Yugi. A vampire blocked her path pushing her back.
"I'm sorry, but that wasn't one of your options." The same vampire from before said. Yugi leaned back against Atem, who moved him to behind him.
Yami, come get Yugi, now.
What's going on down there?
Sakura's lost it.
I'm scared, don't let her take me away, don't let her. Yugi wrapped his arms around Atem's waist, holding on with all his strength. He felt a hand on his hair, and turned to look at Heba. This surprised him slightly; he had expected it to be Yami. Heba stared into his eyes before nodding to himself, as if coming to a decision.
He turned and made his way to Yugi's sister. She was battling six different vampires, and was still standing. Heba was impressed; he had only ever been able to take on four at a time. He had heard stories about how she was good, but he had never thought of her as this good. Two more had just joined the group, and Sakura just roared, battling them too. Heba huffed out a breath before dodging a vampire arm by ducking under it. He side stepped a foot, blocked a fist, jumped over a leg, knocked one of Sakura's blades from her hand by hitting the wrist just right, before slamming his hand down on the side of her neck.
"Traitor." She whispered before collapsing to the ground unconscious.
"Yeah, I may be, but at least I haven't stooped to your level yet." Heba said down at her as the vampires fell out of their crouched defensive positions. The one that had spoken picked her up and flung her over his shoulder. Heba picked up her shawl and katanas putting them back in their sheaths, and tossing her shawl over her.
"You really are a Hunter aren't you?" he asked. Heba nodded.
"Maybe he was destined to be one?" another vampire questioned looking at Yugi. Heba threw his head back laughing.
"Yeah right, this my cousin we're talking about. As a Tracker he would probably lead the Hunters around in circles before telling them where the vampire was, or worse, in completely the opposite direction. As a Hunter he would probably take on the job of staying at the meeting spot, to make sure no vampires ever came across it. And as a Slayer he would probably die trying to negotiate with the vampire before ever raising a weapon against them. Trust me, the Organization, any Organization, would be horrified at his lack of skills in or off the field."
Yugi peeked at his cousin from around Atem. He was grinning at him, making Yugi blush and bite his lip, looking down at the ground. He was right, Yugi would do that, just to save another life.
"Even if they were a rogue?" Atem asked looking down at him.
"Alright…I'm…here." Yami said gasping from behind.
"Yeah, are you alright, Yami?" Yugi answered him before turning to Yami and grasping his shoulders looking at him in concern. Next thing he knew, he was on the ground, raking his blunt nails down Yami's back, as he sucked at his neck, moaning to the high heavens.
"Yami!" Atem exclaimed.
"Oh, I do not want to see that!" Heba said from somewhere above him.
"Wow, you blush as dark as Yugi does, interesting." Atem commented.
"Yeah, and if you don't do something about that, they'll be having sex right where they are." Heba said in a higher voice.
"Yugi does that too, when he's nervous." Atem said in a giddy voice.
"So happy you find this amusing." Heba mumbled.
Paybacks a bitch, ain't it, Yugi?
Who cares? Just don't stop.
"Okay, that's enough of that!" Atem said yanking Yami off.
"Oh, why? That felt so good." Yugi said in a husky voice his eyes opening slightly to see Atem dusting Yami off. He paused, before pulling Yugi off the ground and dusting him off too.
"We'll have plenty of time for sex later."
"I sure hope so; it would be a shame if you guys left without taking me first." Yugi whispered in his ear making him freeze.
"Okay, you have a slumber party to get to, and we need to talk to your cousin for a moment alone." Atem said giving him a push.
"What? No kiss goodnight? Some relationship this is." Yugi said turning away. Yami grabbed him and gave him a searing kiss, before pulling away and allowing Atem to do the same.
"Happy?"
"No, it wasn't nearly long or deep enough to be considered a real kiss." Yugi taunted with his lips so close to Atem's they brushed them every time he said a word.
"You're really testing my restraint, Yugi."
"So let it go."
"If you insist."
"I do."
"Alright, enough. You can jump each other later when there aren't others around." Heba said separating them.
"Oh, yeah, you're a Mutou." Yami said grinning.
"What?" he asked confused.
"Ahem, what do I do with the girl?" the vampire who had Sakura over his shoulder asked.
"Take her home. Just don't bite her, or Mahad will have your head."
"There's no need, I'll do it." Mahad said stepping from the crowd and taking her from him cradling her in his arms like she was a tiny babe that needed protecting. He left every eye on him.
"Is he stalking her?" someone asked in disbelief.
"For several months now." Yami answered.
"Why?" someone else asked.
"Because…I'll tell you later." Atem said waving her off after glancing at Yugi and Heba once. Heba gave him a questioning brow, Yugi shrugged in response.
"Alright, come on everyone, head on home. The King and Queen have a big day ahead of them tomorrow and request your absence from this event." Another vampire said ushering people out. A few vampires chuckled before the majority mass left. A few lingered, before they left too.
"Will you be needing anything else?"
"Nope, that'll do it, Connor, thank you." Yami said waving him off.
"Night, 'Ami, and 'Tem, I'll meet you back here in the morning." Yugi said giving them each a kiss on the cheek and leaving.
Yugi walked through the halls to get back to the game room, hoping everyone else already found it. However, turning the corner, he saw most of them milling about, one hallway ahead of where they were supposed to be. Laughing, he walked briskly past them and onto the correct hallway.
"Yug', are we almost there?" Jou asked after three steps.
"So impatient." Yugi said walking halfway down the hallway and opening a door. He led his friends inside. He excused himself a second as he opened the doors that led outside. He shut them behind him and screamed what he didn't want to say to Sakura.
"I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK! THESE ARE MY MATES AND I LOVE THEM, AND THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO CHANGE THAT! SO JUST GO FAR AWAY SO I NEVER HAVE TO SEE YOU AGAIN! NEVER, EVER, EVER, AGAIN!"
Yugi breathed out heavily for a couple of seconds before turning around and opening the door again. Everyone was looking at him with raised eyebrows. He simply nodded at them before going into the bathroom to change into his pajamas. He walked back out and right into Heba sending them both onto the ground.
"Geez, walk where you're walking cousin."
"Are they out of the ballroom yet?" Yugi asked.
"Yeah, they said something about a meeting before they left." Heba responded taking Yugi's hand and allowing himself to be pulled up.
"This late? Oh no, they need to go to bed!" Yugi said starting to march towards the door.
"Yugi!" Rebecca shouted behind him.
"Yeah?"
"After the tree, after the tree, you can tell them to get to bed." Otogi said.
"Yeah, alright." Yugi agreed.
"What tree?" Heba asked confused.
"Grab a bag, we're Santa Clausing!" Jou said throwing him a bag. He caught it before looking inside. He looked back up at all of them as if he was about to say something before shaking his head and turning away.
"Come on, guys!" Yugi said slinging two bags over his shoulders.
"You're a lot stronger than people give you credit for, cousin." Heba said shaking his head. Yugi threw him a look before shrugging and walking out the door.
They all made their way back to the ballroom, and down to the small tree. They set up the presents underneath it, and the toys as well. They set up a train to weave in and out of the ballroom pillars. Put gel clings on the balcony doors, hung blood bags on the walls and joked that they could be stockings, and threw tinsel every which way all around the ballroom. In the end it looked a little like an organized mess. They gave each other high fives and made their way back to their room. Yugi had completely forgotten about making his mates go to bed, as he was sucked into several video games by Jou, Otogi, and Penny.
Ryou, Malik, Rebecca, and Heba were investigating all the nooks and crannies of the place. Ishizu, Odion, Kaiba, and Mokuba were trying to sleep with little success. Eventually Ishizu roared for them to get to bed, and since no one was willing to argue, the order was executed quickly.
[Time skip]
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!"
Atem and Yami shot up in bed, as a rather large amount of weight settled on top of them. They blinked up at Yugi who was grinning brightly at them. They looked at him for a few seconds, shared a look, and then tried to get back to sleep.
"No, you have to get up, you have to get up! It's Christmas, it's Christmas!" Yugi complained and proceeded to jump on the bed.
"Yugi, we just got to bed two hours ago. It's sleeping time." Atem said back.
"No! Christmas! Christmas! Christmas! Christmas! Christmas!"
"Come on, vampires! Out of bed! It's present opening time!" Jou said tossing all three of them on the floor by flipping the mattress.
"Jou! Ha ha ha ha ha, come back here!"
"I'll sleep on the floor if you will." Yami said as Yugi chased Jou around the room.
"Works for me." Atem agreed.
"Noooooo! You have to get up, come on sleepy heads, up, up, up!" Yugi said flipping the mattress off of them.
"Yeah? And how are you going to make us?" Yami asked curiously.
"Jou? Penny? Could you give me a helping hand, please?"
[Time skip]
Penny and Jou walked into the ballroom carrying Yami and Atem by the scruff of their boxers. Yugi walked proudly behind them. Mahad appeared at their side, a hand covering his mouth as he held back the laughter.
"Don't ask." Atem ground out.
"Wasn't going to." He barely got out.
"Liar!" Yami shouted at him.
Click. Click. Click.
"Gold…just gold…" Ryou was laughing so hard he couldn't even talk straight as he took pictures.
"Maybe next time, you'll get up when I tell you to." Yugi said skipping past.
"Well, maybe if you weren't at meetings through half the night you would have been able to get up without the help this morning." Malik commented coming into the room. He had two other vampires carrying him by his wrists and ankles into the ballroom.
Click. Click. Click.
"Yes, but why so early in the morning?" Isis asked as she entered the room.
"Because that's when we always open presents!" Ryou shouted raising his camera as he prepared to take a picture. He was a little disappointed when she walked in on her own, but just shrugged and sat down in his spot. Penny and Jou put Yami and Atem in theirs. The vampires put Marik in his. The balcony door opened behind them and they all turned to look at it. Akeifa was helping Bakura inside.
Oh good, they made it.
SMACK!
OW!
If they lay one paw on Ryou, you're both going to be in a lot of trouble.
Yes, Mother.
Yugi went to smack him again, but Yami was quicker this time, catching his wrist. He wagged his finger at him, before flinching as he was hit in the back of the head. He turned to look at Heba who was walking away as if hitting vampires was the most normal thing in the world.
"Thanks, Heba!"
"Anytime, cousin!" Heba said taking a seat on the other side of Atem grinning at him. He shook his head before wrapping an arm around Yami's neck and drawing him into his side. Yugi blinked and watched as Yami turned funny colors.
Uh, do vampires need to breathe?
No, not technically, but I do like having the option. Let go, Pharaoh!
It's Atem, how many times must I tell you this?
He needs to breathe! He's already purple!
He'll live.
Let me go or I'll tell Yugi one of your secrets!
Oh yeah? Which one?
…...
I like learning secrets.
Freedoms yours! And you know, that's your secret too.
Yeah, but you're the one that doesn't want to tell him.
Tell me what? Hey! Tell me what?
How beautiful you are.
I already know that!
"HEY!"
"Oh good, we finally have your attention. We're starting to pass out presents now and open them, and were wondering if you wanted to join us?" Rebecca asked her arms crossed.
"Yes, Lady Hawkins, we would." Yami answered smirking.
"Don't call me Lady Hawkins!" she screeched.
"Don't make me separate you two!" Ishizu put in.
"Uh, who are you?" Atem asked her.
"Ishizu, Malik's older sister. And this is Odion, our older brother. He took us in after he found out about the abuse our parents were putting us through. He checks in every now and then." She said very formally.
"Do they all have older sister's?" Yami asked.
"Nope! Jou and I have little ones!" Ryou said leaning back against Bakura. He growled at him making Ryou jump off and lean against Akeifa instead. Akeifa flicked his tail at Bakura but rubbed his head against Ryou's arm.
"Why couldn't you have a younger sister?" Atem asked Yugi.
"Because my parents really wanted a girl first."
"I don't think it works like that." Ryou said shaking his head
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's more of a 'you get what you get, and if you don't like it, too bad, it's not going back' kind of thing." Malik said grinning.
"No returns or exchanges." Yugi said laughing.
"Which is kind of too bad if you think about it. The many kids around the world who want a little brother or sister and don't get what they want. Shame, shame, shame." Ishizu said shaking her head.
"Are you saying you didn't want another brother Ishizu?"
"Well, a sister would have been nice."
"I'll remember that for when I adopt kids." Malik said nodding.
"Ooh, me too! I want all boys, cause girls are too much trouble. Too complicated." Yugi agreed.
"Adopt?" Yami asked.
"Yeah, I mean it's obvious you two want kids. So I figured we'd start adopting once I graduate from College, but we can discuss this more later." Yugi said waving him off. He was looking at Malik as he said something so he didn't see the hurt look that passed through Atem's and Yami's eyes. Then it was gone, replaced by happiness, however fake it might have been.
Yugi felt something pass through the link, and turned away from Malik to look at them. They were smiling, they looked happy, but then why was he feeling this strange emotion that had nothing to do with happiness. He looked away, trying to find a name for this emotion, but came up empty handed.
"Alright, that's the last one. Now, can we start opening them?" Mokuba asked as he set the last present down.
"As soon as you sit down we can." Seth said.
"Yes!" Mokuba rushed to his seat and plopped down. Everyone looked at Atem who shifted under all the attention.
"Oldest opens first." Yugi whispered to him.
"Oh, okay. Mahad, looks like you're opening first."
"Why?"
"Because you're the oldest."
"Why don't we do it by species? Starting with the humans?"
"No, we always do it by age, now open your presents!" Mokuba shouted pointing at him.
"You wouldn't want to go against the rules, now would you, Mahad?" Yugi asked grinning at him in too innocent of a way. He took one look at that smile and started to rip open his presents in a vampire hurried fashion.
"You're so bad, Yugi." Yami muttered shaking his head.
"Nah, just evil. Wah ha ha ha ha ha ha!"
"Ce'mere." He said drawing him into a kiss. Yugi was only too happy to oblige, wrapping his arms around his neck and sliding into his lap.
PHWEEEE!
Yugi responded to the cat calls by deepening the kiss.
What? You're not going to pull away embarrassed?
Nah, I know these people, and they've seen us make out before. Merry Christmas, Yami.
Merry Christmas, Yugi. By the way, what does Christmas represent?
What does it represent? A time when Jesus was born. It's God's son's birthday.
Who's Jesus?
"NO WAY!" Yugi yelled pulling away from Yami his eyes wide in disbelief.
"YES WAY! OH RA! I LOVE IT!" Mahad screamed back jumping up and down with something in his hands. Looking closer Yugi noticed it to be a Dark Magician figurine. He shook his head and looked back at them.
You really don't know who Jesus Christ is? The savior of the world? The…um, the guy who takes on all our sins as his own so that we can have a chance at God's Kingdom? You know, after death?
No, never heard of him.
Oh, oh dear. Know what? Doesn't matter. You have your own Gods anyway. Like Ra, Isis, Set, Horus, Anubis, Ma'at, and Bastet. Those are just the ones I can remember off the top of my head from what we learned in school, and from my Grandfather. You have your Gods and the rest of the world has theirs, tis all good. As far as your concerned Christmas represents presents and giving of gifts.
Okay.
And that was half of our Gods that you remembered by the way. Not bad.
Gee, thanks.
"…gi. Yugi. YUGI!"
"What?"
"Isis says its Atem's turn now." Ryou said pointing at him.
"Oh, well, I'm not stopping him."
"You are when you're having a staring contest with him."
"Open your presents, Atem."
"You're next, Isis." Atem growled at her.
"I know, but at least I'm not the third oldest in the room."
"Whoa, wait, who was the second oldest?" Yugi asked.
"Seth." Jou answered.
"Oh. I thought he would be one of the younger ones."
"You thought he was younger than us?" Yami asked in a clearly offended voice.
"Yes?"
"No! He's a good six to seven years older than Atem."
"Really?"
"Yes!"
"How interesting. Wait, where do they fit into this?" Malik asked pointing at Bakura and Akeifa.
"Unfortunately, Bakura was born after me. Akeifa however, well, he's around the same age as Seth." Atem said grinning at the world in question. Akeifa sent a growl at him, stopping when Ryou gave him a light hit. He transformed his top half into a wolf and opened his presents. They consisted of mostly dog toys, only Ryou got him a real gift. He transformed back and cuddled into Ryou's side who petted him whispering words of comfort and other such things of you made me upset so they were taking revenge.
Atem unwrapped his gifts, blushing bright red when he pulled out Yugi's. He shoved it back into the bag before anyone else could see it. Heba had though, as well as Yami, and both were rolling on the floor with laughter. Yugi huffed on his finger nails, and rubbed them on his shirt before mouthing 'revenge is mine' at Atem. Atem looked about ready to leap across Yami and tackle Yugi to the ground. Thus, the reason for why the seats were switched.
Isis, Bakura, and Yami opened their gifts next. Yami having a similar reaction to Yugi's gift that Atem did. Yugi grinned and waved his fingers at the vampire. He really did fly across the room at Yugi, and it took the combined efforts of Jou, Penny, Akeifa, Marik, and Atem to pull him off. Atem and Marik sat on him as Marik opened his presents. Marik flew at Malik who jumped out of the way and behind Yugi, who got plowed over for a second time in five minutes. Atem, Akeifa, and Seth pulled him off, while Isis, Penny, and Jou held Yami back so he didn't attack Yugi again.
Once everyone was sitting down, and was somewhat calm, they started opening gifts again, starting with Odion, then went Ishizu, Mana, Rebecca, Otogi, Kaiba, Penny, Jou, Yugi, Heba, Ryou, Malik, Serenity, Amane, and Mokuba. Yugi had stopped paying attention to the order after he opened his presents; because he was too busy chasing Yami and Atem around the room. Their gifts had been as embarrassing as the ones that he had given them.
"He's never going to catch them that way. The only thing he's going to do is wear himself out." Heba commented watching Yugi with Malik and Ryou whilst eating popcorn.
"I do not consider this dog costume cute, Seth!" Jou roared at him.
"But he's always calling you puppy and mutt. I thought it was fitting." Seth responded noticing the hair on Jou's arms and face becoming thicker.
"I'm going to rip out your innards and feed them to Akeifa's mate for breakfast. I hear organs are very healthy for werewolves to eat!" Penny screamed at Mana.
"Well, you should know! You are one!"
"Ah, Christmas." Serenity sighed.
"All the fighting makes you feel right at home?" Malik asked wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"Mmhmm. It just wouldn't be right without an argument or two."
"Good to hear it, because Yugi finally caught Yami and is using him as bait against Atem." Malik said pointing at them.
"I won't make you wear them if I don't have to wear it." Yugi growled at Atem with his one arm locked around Yami's head, his hands positioned like he was going to break Yami's neck.
"Okay, just calm down, and let Yami go." Atem said taking slow steps towards him.
"I don't have to wear it, and neither do you guys."
"But you'd look adorable. So would Yami, I would just look like I was wearing drag."
"Nobody has to wear it."
"Not even one little time?"
"Nobody."
"Come on, you've dressed up for bed before."
"If I wear it, so do you."
"Yami could get away with it. I could not."
"You did in my dream."
"That was a dream!"
"Nobody or everyone, choose your poison. Now."
"Fine we'll wear the stupid outfits, but only because we want to see you in ours." Yami conceded.
"Yami!" Atem reprimanded.
"What?"
"You're actually going to wear it?"
"Well, you think I'll look good in it, so why not?"
"I was just trying to get him to agree to wear it."
"Well, now we all are!"
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! These maid outfits are gold!" Marik shouted from across the room. He was holding up the two outfits for everyone to see.
"See, Marik likes them." Yugi said releasing Yami. Yami shot off and tackled Marik to the ground like an American football player. They wrestled over the outfits for a minute before a large ripping sound was heard. Marik and Yami both stood up with one half of the outfits. They looked so confused by the fact that they had torn them in half, that Yugi couldn't help it, he burst out laughing.
"Yugi, they just ripped your gifts to Yami and me in half, why are you laughing?" Atem asked.
"They looked so confused." Yugi said leaning against him. Atem was soon joining him in the laughter, as they slid to the ground laughing at the baffled expressions on Yami's and Marik's face, which became even more so as the laughter reached them.
Santa baby, slip a sable under the tree, for me
I've been an awful good girl, Santa baby
So hurry down the chimney tonight
"Yes! I finally got this stupid modern thing working!" Seth shouted.
Santa baby, a '54 convertible, too, light blue
Well I'll wait up for you, dear, Santa baby
So hurry down the chimney tonight, yeah
"What's this called?" he asked.
Think of all the fun I've missed
Think of all the boys I haven't kissed
Next year I could be just as good
If you check off my Christmas list
"Christmas music! Dance with me, Atem!" Yugi shouted back to him pulling Atem to his feet and dragging him out to the dance floor.
Santa baby, I want a yacht and really that's not a lot
I've been an angel all year, Santa baby
So hurry down the chimney tonight
Santa, honey, there's one more thing I really do need, the deed
To a platinum mine, Santa honey
So hurry down the chimney tonight
Come and trim my Christmas tree
With some decorations bought at Tiffany's
I really do believe in you
Let's see if you believe in me
Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing
A ring
And I don't mean on the phone, Santa baby
So hurry down the chimney tonight
"What was the name of that song?" Atem asked.
"Santa baby." Yugi answered walking off as the next one came on. He united hands with Malik and Ryou and they spun in circles to the next one while singing along.
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
Don't want a doll
No dinky tinker toy
I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
I don't think Santa Claus will mind do you
He won't have to use
A dirty chimney flue
Just bring him through the front door
That's the easy thing to do
I can see me now on Christmas morning
Creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise
When I open up my eyes
To see a hippo hero standing there
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles
No rhinoceroses
I only like hippopotamuses
And hippopotamuses like me too
Mom says a hippo would eat me up but then
Teacher says a hippo is a vegetarian
There's lots of room for him
In our two car garage
I'd feed him there
And wash him there
And give him his massage
I can see me now on Christmas morning
Creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise
When I open up my eyes
To see a hippo hero standing there
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles
Or rhinoceroses-es
I only like hippopotamuses-es
And hippopotamuses like me too
They fell in a laughing heap on the ground, dizzy. They gasped as the next song came on and jumped up, running up the steps to the top of the stairs. It was the closest thing they had to a stage, and this song definitely needed a stage. Yugi and Malik sang it, getting closer and closer to each other as the song progressed.
I really can't stay - Baby it's cold outside
I've got to go away - Baby it's cold outside
This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
My mother will start to worry - Beautiful, what's your hurry?
Father will be pacing the floor - Listen to the fireplace roar
So really I'd better scurry - Beautiful, please don't hurry
Maybe just a half a drink more - Put some records on while I pour
The neighbors might think - Baby, it's bad out there
Say, what's in this drink? - No cabs to be had out there
I wish I knew how - Your eyes are like starlight now
To break this spell - I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell
I ought to say no, no, no - Mind if I move in closer?
At least I'm gonna say that I tried - What's the sense in hurting my pride?
I really can't stay - Baby don't hold out
Ah, but it's cold outside
I've got to get home - Oh, baby, you'll freeze out there
Say, lend me your coat - It's up to your knees out there
You've really been grand - Thrill when you touch my hand
Why don't you see - How can you do this thing to me?
There's bound to be talk tomorrow - Think of my life long sorrow
At least there will be plenty implied - If you caught pneumonia and died
I really can't stay - Get over that hold out
Ah, but it's cold outside
Oh, baby, it's cold outside
Oh, baby, it's cold outside
They tried to share a kiss at the end, but it's kind of hard to kiss someone when another person pulls you away at the last minute. Yugi instead found himself kissing Atem, not that he minded, still though, he ruined the ending of the song.
"You'll get over it." Atem said pulling away.
"Yeah, you're probably right." Yugi said kissing him again. Atem pulled away, and held Yugi's face between his hands as he just stared into his eyes.
"What's wrong?" Yugi asked.
"Nothing, I just thought…it's nothing."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure." Atem said giving him a chaste kiss. He vanished before appearing next to Yami.
"What was that about? Yugi?" Malik asked.
"Hm?"
"Did you even hear me?"
"No…no I was thinking." he said in a voice that suggested he was doing the same now.
"I asked what that was about."
"Sure, that sounds like a good idea, Malik. You do that." Yugi said distractedly as he made his way down the steps.
"Yugi!"
'Nothing, I just thought…it's nothing.' Did Atem know? No, that was impossible. He wasn't obvious with it, but then again, Heba had noticed. Had his other friends noticed? He knew Sakura knew, but only because he told her. Yeah, his friends had been pushing him to tell, but at the time he hadn't thought he had. Now he was certain of it, but he just didn't want to say it. He wanted it to be perfect. Perfect…of course! They were leaving soon; he'd have two weeks to plan. He'd do it then, he'd tell them when they got back. No…that would be too late. Maybe, maybe right before they left. They'd say it, and then he'd say it back. Oh, it was perfect, no more secrets, out in the open, just six more days, six more days and he'd tell them.
Yugi came out of his thoughts and looked around. He was surprised to see that he was in the gardens outside. He sat down on the fountain, and stirred the waters with his fingers. He watched the ripples he wouldn't lose his nerve, he wouldn't. He would say it right before they left, he would say it.
[Time skip]
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY YAMI!" Yugi shouted as the vampire was jolted awake.
"Look, they made a cupcake out of cow's blood." Atem said smelling the cupcake in Yugi's hands. Yami blew out the candle, before giving Yugi a sincere kiss of thanks.
"Thanks, Dear." He said taking the cupcake from him.
"You're welcome, Yami. I know you don't celebrate, but can you at least eat the cupcake for me?" Yugi asked.
"Sure."
"After all, you're only 4018 once."
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Yeah, you can only be 18 4000 times once, Yami." Atem burst out laughing at this. Yami responded by shoving the cupcake in Atem's face.
"Hey! That was only one I didn't burn!"
"You made that, Yugi?"
"Yeah, the rest were lost in the fire, and Eliza has signed me up for cooking classes. She didn't give me an option of whether or not I wanted to learn how to cook. She told me I was going to learn how to cook."
Atem and Yami laughed. Yami pulled a piece off of Atem's face, and ate it. Atem did the same. Yugi grinned at them, as they looked like they were having difficulties swallowing the food. They held up a thumb though, for good.
"Yeah right, we all know I can't cook to save my life. Seriously, if my life depended on a good meal, I would fail. I cook like Yami dresses, horribly."
"Well, at least you tried to make a good cupcake." Atem reasoned.
"When are you guys leaving?" Yugi asked changing the subject.
"Tonight, the car will be here to pick us up at 11:00 pm. Our plane leaves at 1:00 am." Yami answered solemnly.
"Will you promise me something, while you're away?"
"Yes, we promise not to come home with another human." Yami said seriously getting a small chuckle out of Yugi.
"Ha, no, will you guys promise to call me every day? I don't care what time it is here, will you please call me anyway?" Yugi asked knotting his hands together and looking down at the blankets.
"Every hour if we have to."
"No, every day will be fine."
"Of course." Atem said kissing his cheek.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Oh, thank you!" he said wrapping his arms around both of their necks, and hugging them.
"Anything for you, Beautiful."
"So, what's on the schedule for today?" Yami asked.
"Well…" Yugi trailed off.
[Time skip]
"Ahhhhhhh! Get back here, Yugi!" Ryou shouted chasing after him covered in canned cheese.
"But you like cheese, Ryou! I don't see what the problem is!" Yugi called back running from him around a corner.
"I'm gonna get you!" Ryou yelled following him. He grabbed Ryou as soon as he turned the corner, and held one hand over his mouth and the other he used to grab him around the waist. Ryou immediately started struggling.
"Shhh, I needed to ask you something. I couldn't do it in front of the others." Yugi whispered in his ear ceasing his fighting. Yugi let him go.
"What?"
"I'm turning in a favor."
"What kind of favor?"
"Um, well, I was wondering if I could have two hours with my mates alone…tonight."
"No."
"Oh come on! What if it was Akeifa and Bakura going away for two weeks? Two weeks where you didn't get to see them even once."
"I've survived so far."
"Please, Ryou?"
"No! You know the rules. New Years Eve is group time. After we bring in the New Year can couples go off on their own."
"They'll be gone by then though."
"What do you mean they'll be gone by then?"
"They leave at 11:00 pm."
"They're going to miss my slideshow!?"
"Yeah."
"Sigh, you have two hours, starting at 9:00 pm. We clear?"
"Crystal."
"Okay, we'll call it couple time."
"You're the best, Ryou."
"You mean I'm a pushover."
"Well that too."
"You're not supposed to agree with me, Yugi!" Ryou said producing a can of whip cream and spraying him with it.
"Ahhhhh! Ryou!" Yugi said running back towards their friends with Ryou following and spraying his back with the whip cream. They ran into Atem and Yami who caught them before they could fall.
"Where've you been hiding, Dear?"
"Oh you know, just around the corner." Yugi said giving him a kiss.
"Think we can sneak away yet?" Atem asked.
"No. Couple time isn't until nine." Ryou said firmly.
"Since when do we have couple time before 12?" Jou asked.
"Since I said so!"
"Okay! Don't get your knickers in a twist! It's just unusual is all."
"You know, Ryou, its five until nine. Think we can skip out early?" Marik asked.
"No." Ryou said spraying the whip cream he had been chasing Yugi with in his face. Everyone laughed. Yugi leaned against Yami, drawing his arms around his shoulders.
"With so much entertainment, I hardly think you're going to miss us, Yugi." Yami whispered in his ear.
"Then let me show you just how much I'm going to miss you both." Yugi said taking his and Atem's hand and leading them back towards where Yugi knew there was a bedroom waiting.
[Time skip]
Yugi held onto them tightly in front of the limo. Perhaps if he held them, they wouldn't need to leave. They could just stay here with him. That was such a selfish thought, but Yugi didn't care at the moment. He just wanted them to stay with him.
"We'll call you every day, Beautiful. We promise. Not a single day will pass when you don't hear our voices, okay?" Atem said wiping away the tears from his eyes.
"Are you sure I can't come too?" Yugi asked.
"Yes, it's too dangerous. You're safer here." Yami said kissing his forehead.
"We love you and are going to miss you every second that we're away from you." Atem and Yami said together.
"I-I'm gonna really miss you too." Yugi said. They gave one final kiss goodbye and got into the limo. He waved until the limo turned the corner.
"Because I love you too."
One down, one to go. Up next we have something that's been bugging some of you. At least I think it's been bugging you, because you've been bugging me about it. Soon now, very soon you shall have your answers and rewards. And when I say soon, I mean next year. See you in January! Oh, and my boss is starting to give me two days off a week again. Yes! Writing time! Ahem! Right, thank you to everyone who have/are favorited/following this story. Also, thanks to everyone who reviewed Guest and User alike. Please review! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all! Midnight ;p