I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Chapter One- Family Secret

Atem stood on his balcony, watching the sky as it turned into bands of vibrant colors. Pink and orange fading to dusky purple to a deep blue, and finally inky black. His pupils expanded as his eyes switched to night vision. He saw movement below and he looked to ascertain that, yes, it was the early night shift, stretching and yawning before spreading out. He then looked up to see a shimmering as the protective shield came down. The court is awake and awaiting my arrival.

Atem left his room and went through the corridors, his nose smelling the usual scents of death. It was a scent he had grown up with, but it remained an unpleasant smell. Ah, such is the life of a lone werewolf in a group of vampires, he thought.

Atem had been born a werewolf just as his parents had been. Generations ago, a vampire pharaoh fell for a wifewolf. The two wed and conceived two children, one vampire and one werewolf. As the firstborn, the vampire was expected to rule, but due to a tragic accident, his younger werewolf brother became pharaoh instead. The ruling line had produced werewolves and wifewolves ever since. His family kept their true nature a secret as his kind and vampires were eternal rivals.

The palace residents and the citizens were all vampires and, thanks to changed family records starting with the wifewolf's pharaoh husband, they believed Atem was a vampire too. There were no outward signs to tell between a vampire and a werewolf. Both had tanned skin with a warm touch but that was it. Vampires had fangs that could grow longer or shorter, had sharp hearing to detect heartbeats, were immortal once fully mature, and turned to ash in the sun.

Werewolves had sharp noses, ears, and eyes, became immortal when fully mature, died by silver impalement, and became self-aware wolves during the full moon. A claim by the pharaoh of the two sons of a family illness on the full moon had kept anyone from being suspicious of Atem being absent three nights a month.

Since the sun wasn't fatal to him, Atem would venture through the palace and the city. The court magician, Mahad, would raise a protective shield around the city before dawn and lowered it once he was awake. However, the shield didn't stop Atem from changing to a wolf, digging under it, and having a joyful run in the desert.

Of course, he needed to sleep during the day in order to stay awake all night, so he planned his runs not long after dawn. His escape route was in an obscure corner so no one would see it and think humans were sneaking in. Atem did his best to hide his true nature. It wasn't easy as he had to drink blood with the rest of the court. Fortunately, his stomach could handle it and small doses were enough to sustain a vampire for the night. Atem feared being found out and cast out even though he was the pharaoh.

Tonight began as most nights did. Atem entered the room, his court bowed to him, and once he was seated, everyone was provided their dose of blood. Atem secretly preferred raw beef to eat for dinner than blood but was resigned to waiting for morning for food. He listened to the usual reports of his court before he dismissed them so they could pursue their nightly activities. He was a bit surprised to find his advisor Siamun still beside him. "Siamun? You are not going to attend to your pursuits?"

"The night is still young, my pharaoh. I will do them later on as I have a matter I wish to discuss with you."

"Oh?"

With a smile, Siamun leaned in and said in a low voice, "I know that you're a werewolf."

Atem stared at him in shock before saying in a shocked tone, "Siamun! Why would you say such a thing?"

"Because it is true. The court does not bother to check but I did and I hear your heart beating. As vampire hearts don't beat and I know you're not human, that leaves werewolf. Your monthly 'illness' also points to werewolf."

Atem felt like the blood had drained from his face. He had spent sixteen years of his life pretending to be a vampire and now that seemed to be all over. "Do you intend to tell the court?" he choked out.

"Not at all. You know I've served your father as advisor and I also knew he and your mother were werewolves too. I saw no reason to reveal them as they were wise and good rulers. You are also wise and a good ruler. I may be the only vampire in this city to see that it's possible for vampire and werewolves to peacefully work together."

"Given the long-standing rivalry, a peace between the two races would be nice but that requires trust and I have done my best to hide what I am."

"Your parents did the same but I don't see or understand why you hide it."

"I fear that if I am found out, I will be exiled, cast out."

"What? But, you are the pharaoh."

"Yes, but I am one of the enemies of vampires. Human prey is the source of the dislike between us. Both races can turn humans in addition to birthing."

"True and vampires prefer to turn as it takes time for born ones to be fully mature and achieve immortality. Seto and Isis are the only ones of your court who are not immortal."

"Isis will be in one year and Seto will be in a few years just as I will be. The thing is that your race does age a little at least a few years every…"

"At least five years every fifty years. Aknadin and I have lived for centuries and now that I think of it, you are the last of your family line."

Atem smiled ruefully. "As my race ages, some become arrogant over their immortality. My family is prone to this, especially around the full moon. While we are self-aware, we do tend to indulge in wild behavior and turning humans. It is the turning where the arrogant ones end up killed as humans know of our silver allergy."

"I see. I pray you do not fall into that state of mind."

"I do not intend to. There is a secret room where I spend my full moon nights. I can open it only when I'm in human form. It is comfortable and I can sleep the night away."

"Night is the only time my kind is awake as the sun is fatal. Your parents have satisfied my curiosity of the sun, but tell me your impressions of it."

"It is a bit hard on my eyes as they are more suited for night vision, but it is warm and allows one to see things in a different way. I admit it does get hot and uncomfortable if out in it for too long without precautions."

"What kind of precautions?"

"Water and a hat of some kind. Siamun, I confess that I take runs as a wolf shortly after dawn. Early morning is not as hot as it is later on."

"Your impression of the sun is much like your parents."

"Of course. I've heard them comment to each other how fortunate they are to experience the sun and I agree with them."

"I agree as well. Your race is lucky to see the world in light and darkness."

"And we're off the subject. I want to trust my court and my subjects with the truth but I fear what they'll say or do."

"You could treat the subject as a discussion topic."

Atem nodded. There were nights where the court and he would gather and talk of a random topic. We haven't had one in a while and I think vampires and werewolves would make an excellent topic.