Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Brutal Immortality ❯ Chapter Four ( Chapter 4 )

Brutal Immortality

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Chapter Four

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Seto lay awake for hours that night, wondering what the vampire could want with the pack's blood. It didn't make sense to him. Vampire never killed -for- blood. They killed because they -needed- blood. So why would this vampire be stealing blood? It didn't add up.

He sat up, resting his elbow on his knee, stroking his chin, his eyes searching. Searching for any kind of answer.

Hanyou's head appeared peeking over the bed upside down. Even though she appeared older then Seto, she still held the childish quality that Seto had always loved about Mokuba within her.

"What's wrong, uncle?"

She looked concerned, despite being upside down.

Seto grinned, "You poor strange little woman."

Hanyou laughed, and flipped over, sitting on her knees, next to Seto. Seto had a small smile on his face, but it soon faded as the problem at hand resurfaced in his mind.

"The blood. I don't understand why a vampire would steal it. We need blood to survive, and that's it. Why would some vampire be taking it? And inu-jin blood, no less…"

Hanyou placed a soothing hand on Seto's shoulder, "It's all right, uncle…"

"I know but…" Seto still seemed very pensive. Hanyou bit her lip.

She didn't know what to say to him. He was her uncle after all. She'd known him since birth, and he hadn't aged a year. Techincally, he was suppose to be more intelligent than her. So what was she suppose to say? `I'm sorry you don't have all the answers all the time'? That surely wouldn't bode well. And what about Seto's connection to Jou?

She had come to that conclusion, herself. The only way an inu-jin could withstand the bite of a vampire was a connection of some kind. But what kind of connection could Seto and Jou have? Hanyou didn't know…

She was just as confused as her poor uncle, but her mind was clouded with many more problems than just why a vampire was killing her kind and stealing their blood.

She barely noticed Seto's head in her lap. He'd fallen back asleep.

"Poor uncle. You're so stressed right now. I know you're torn. You want to help us, but I know you want to just live your life. I know you wouldn't even be here if not for me…and Jou…"

She held him against her, as he slept, only small snores escaping his chapped, cracking lips. Hanyou placed his head back on his pillow, before standing and getting back in her own bed.

Her thoughts fell on Jou and Seto's relationship, but only for a moment, as sleep reclaimed her.

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The clan awoke, and Hanyou called a meeting.

"Listen, all of you!" She began, "There is a threat in our city. A city we have thrived in for hundreds of years! We cannot become extinct. We must live on! So I say to all…take heed! For this threat will not stop, until we find them, and stop them ourselves!"

Seto was standing behind Jou, and he hugged him, when the blonde shivered in fear. It took Jou by surprise, but he hugged back, liking the feeling of the brunette's arms around him.

Seto, himself, was surprised that he'd put his arms around him, but he, also, was not complaining at the feeling. When the meeting adjourned, they pulled apart, and Jou went over to Yuugi and Ryou. Yuugi looked Ryou, and Ryou looked as depressed and mean as ever.

Seto felt bad. He remembered when Ryou was carefree and almost as happy, and goofy as Jou. Bakura's loss must have been a big one.

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Behind the game room wall was a library. Seto had found it a few days before, and was astounded at all the secrets the den held. He probably hadn't found them all either.

He began to use to library, to try and find out why the inu-jin blood was being stolen. But he couldn't find anything.

As he went for another book, he noticed something on the shelf that intrigued him. A photo album. Instead of pulling down the book he wanted, he pulled the photo album down.

Seto opened it, and his eyes became sad. It was a picture of Shizuka holding a newborn Hanyou, and Mokuba hugging them both.

He turned the page, and it was a picture of a three year old Hanyou learning to swim with her daddy. Seto could feel the unshed tears welling in his eyes. He turned the page, and a picture of a five year old Hanyou, being swung by her arms by her daddy and mommy.

The tears began to fall, but Seto kept quiet, as he turned the pages. He did not sob or sniffle, but the tears fell faster, as every picture became visible to him, with a turn of a page. He closed the album, softly, and closed his eyes. He was crying outright and he knew it

Soft hands rested on his shoulder, and he could hear a soft voice in his ear, trying to sooth him. He turned, and the person held him. Seto opened his eyes and looked up. Honey eyes met his, and Jou looked concerned. No, he looked pitying.

Seto yanked away from him, "I don't need you pity, mutt!"

Jou stepped back, "I…well fine!"

The blonde ran out, his ears down, his blonde hair swaying violently as he ran away.

Seto watched him go, feeling more guilty then he'd ever felt in his life, "I'm so sorry, Jou…"

He buried his head in his arms. He felt pitiful, and wondered if he should have let Jou stay.

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Jou sniffed, hugging his knees to his chin. Ryou came up and sat next to him, "What's the matter, Jou?"

Jou shook his head. How could he tell Ryou he had feelings for Seto? He had been so broken when he thought Seto was dead. Dead without even being able to tell him his feelings. Then Seto suddenly resurfaces, and Jou has another chance, and he's not going to screw it up by arguing with the brunette. So he begins to act nice to him, and it seems to be working, and then the brunette snaps at him.

Jou sniffed again. He understood why the brunette was acting the way he was. But the harsh tone took him off guard. It hurt him, badly. He buried his face in his knees.

Ryou put an arm around him, "It's all right, Jou. Bakura and I had our problems too."

Jou looked at Ryou, shocked, "How did you-"

Ryou smiled, "I just know."

He suddenly became solemn, "I know how you feel for Kaiba, and I know you were so happy when he re-surfaced. But remember Jou…some of us have lost the ones we love forever."

With that, he stood, and walked away.

Jou sighed. Ryou was right. He shouldn't pity himself when he still had a chance to convince Seto. Ryou, on the other hand, would never see Bakura again.

The blonde stood, and made his way up the stairs and outside, but not before grabbing a hate and coat, to cover is…difference from the humans.

Seto walked out of the hall that lead from the gameroom at exactly the time Jou went up the stairs. His eyes widened, and he ran to follow him.

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Jou sighed, as he sat at a café. Two robot hands came up from out of the table, holding a hologram menu. Jou tapped his chin, before pressing `latte' with his finger. One of the arms reverted into a scanner, and Jou bit his lip. He was not branded with a bar code. His clan was a hidden one, that the city rarely knew of.

"Umm…" Jou murmured.

Suddenly a forearm appeared under the scanner, "Here let me pay…"

The robotic arms brought up a hologram receipt. Seto stroked his finger along the signature line, and his alias name appeared. The robotic arms sunk back into the table, and the two slots they had come from closed up.

Another slot opened, a few seconds later, and closed up, as Jou's drink was placed before him, "Thanks…"

Seto nodded. He looked at Jou, "You shouldn't be out here alone…it's dangerous…"

"I needed to think. Besides, what kind of murderer is stupid enough to kill during the day, when people are lingering and he has a chance of being seen? I know what I was doing…" Jou murmured.

Seto shook his head.

"…but thank you," Jou said, "for following me…making sure I was okay. You have no idea how that makes me feel…"

Seto just continued to stare at the blonde, as he sipped his latte. He could tell Jou was scared. He reached over and took his free hand, "I won't let anything hurt you."

Jou looked at him, smiling, his eyes soft, "Thank you…"

Suddenly a scream from outside.

Jou and Seto stood, and ran out. A man lay in the middle of the street, his blood splayed on the asphault. Seto kneeled by him, finding to puncture holes on his neck.

"He's going after humans, now," Seto murmured, looking up at Jou.

Jou looked very frightened, "I don't think that's it…look again."

Seto looked. The person was just a kid, no more then twenty years old. He had blonde hair, and brown eyes.

"He thought this kid was you…that's why his blood is on the street and not in jars at his hideout…" Seto murmured, "He was after you…"

Jou was shaking, violently. Seto stood and pulled him into his arms, his eyes never leaving the dead body. The police came, but Seto and Jou were long gone, by then.

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Jou was pacing, frantically, when they got back to the den, and had retreated into the library.

"I'm…I'm his next target. He won't stop until I'm dead. I…I…oh my gods, I'm dead meat," He said, his voice rising a few decibels.

Hanyou shook her head, "You were the closest inu-jin that he could target. He just made a mistake, that's all."

"But the guy -looked- like me! And he didn't have the inu-jin scent! The vampire didn't kill him out of mistake. He thought it was -me-."

"No, Jou. Remember what Hanyou said before? This vampire is use to the inu-jin scent. Even if you were the one he'd gotten a hold of, he wouldn't have been able to tell if you were human or not. Just like he did with this guy," Set replied.

Jou sighed, "Okay, so it may have been a mistake but-"

"Yes, nonetheless, Jou should be guarded at all times," Hanyou finished.

"I'll stay with him," Seto said, "I-"

"-No! Not again, Seto. I won't let you get yourself into trouble with this vampire again," Jou said. He sounded very concerned for the brunette.

"But, I don't want you to get hurt, and I promised you I'd prote-"

"I know, and I know you will when the time comes, but not now…it's to dangerous…" Jou replied.

Seto huffed, and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Let me," Ryou said, suddenly, "If this is the same vampire that killed Bakura, then I want to be the one who comes face to face with him."

Hanyou sighed, "Next to Seto and Jou, you are our strongest asset, Ryou, so I'll let you protect Jou, for now."

Ryou nodded. Seto huffed again. He was the one who'd made the promise. He had intended on keeping it. Hanyou looked at him, "It's all right, Seto. We're just trying to protect you."

"And that's all I wanted to do for Jou." He sighed, and turned his eyes away from them. Jou kneeled by him, looking up at him, "Thank you, Seto. I appreciate it. I really do. But as much as you don't want me to get hurt, I don't want you to either…"

"I'd rather be killed by your pack for being framed, then be the reason you were killed," Seto replied. He didn't say another word, before he stood up and walked out.

Jou sighed. He walked out as well, Ryou following.

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The vampire sneered at the one before her, "You've been spying on me."

The other vampire just glared back, his cold brown eyes narrowed, venomously.

"Do you really think if I go after your lover, you'll be able to stop me?" She asked, smirking, cruelly, "You would not have the power. Not with all the inu-jin blood I've consumed."

She kicked him, "You pathetic fool. You use to be something. Cruel, and cold. And I almost disposed of you, once. I seemed to have transformed you instead. But that is all right. I can kill you now."

The other vampire hissed, and jumped back. The woman growled, her pale face twisting up in anger.

The other vampire ran. He escaped. But not unscathed.

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Ryou watched Jou, sitting, leaned against a large dog statue that sat in the middle of the main room. Jou was pacing again.

"I didn't mean to upset him…" Jou murmured. Ryou was playing with a knife. It had been one of Bakura's. He'd become quite good with it. He tossed it in the air, and caught it by the hilt.

"It's all right, Jou. He won't stay mad for long…" Ryou replied, looking at the knife, "They never do…"

Jou looked at Ryou, and his face softened. He sat next to him, and hugged him.

Ryou looked at him, and leaned his head on his shoulder, murmuring softly, "I miss him so much. And every day that goes by, I wonder if I had been a stronger inu-jin, like I am now, if I could have saved him…"

"Don't blame yourself. He gave his life for you…" Jou replied.

Ryou nodded, but he did not feel any better, as he stared at the gem encrusted hilt of the fold down knife that lay in his palm. He squeezed his in his hand, and bowed his head, "'Kura…"

Jou hugged him tighter.

Suddenly, loud crashing could be heard from upstairs. They guessed it was the trashcans, in the alley where the door to the den was located, being knocked over.

Most of the pack, including Jou, Ryou, Yuugi, Hanyou and Seto, ran up the stairs and out there. The trashcans, and most of the debris that had been in them covered the body, but Seto knew the smell.

"It's another vampire," He murmured.

Ryou moved toward it, seeing something that shocked him to no end.

"No, Ryou! It could be the one that's been attacking us!" Yuugi cried.

Ryou ignored him. He kneeled down, picking up the piece of white hair that stuck out of the debris with his fore and middle fingers. He swept the trash away from the man's face, and gasped, "It can't be…"

(AN Stop…don't stop…hmmm…*keeps going*)

The rest of the pack looked on. Ryou touched the man's face, and he jerked away, jumping back and hissing.

Ryou was looking at him, "How…how…'Kura…"

It was Bakura.

Ryou stood up, and for a second, Seto thought he saw the old Ryou.

Ryou walked, slowly, over to him, "'Kura…"

Bakura backed away, and went to run, when he finally noticed a pain in his side. He groaned, and fell down to his knee. Ryou gave a little cry and knelt by him, "You're hurt…"

"It's fine," Bakura whispered, but he looked up at Ryou. He looked so different. He was paler then usual, with large bags under his eyes as if he hadn't slept in decades-which was probably true. His hair had gotten longer, and his mouth held this ever depressed frown, even when he tried to smile.

"Who are you?" Bakura asked, "What have you done with my Ryou?"

Ryou sobbed, burying his face in his hands. Bakura reached out. It had been three centuries since he'd ever touched his sweet angel. He, hesitantly, put his arms around him, pulling him against him, no matter how much the extra weight hurt his, obviously, broken ribs.

"Oh, `Kura!" Ryou sobbed into his chest, "I missed you so much!"

Bakura felt dizzy, "Ryou…"

Ryou's scent was overpowering him, "Ryou, get away from me…I'll…"

His voice was soft. He was only trying to protect Ryou.

Seto noticed the manner of him, "He hasn't eaten in a few days. Ryou, get away from him before he bites you."

"No!" Ryou moved his hair over his shoulder, "If he needs blood, he can have mine."

"Ryou," Bakura choked out, feeling ready to faint. He couldn't take it anymore, like Seto, with the veins exposed to him. His eye teeth grew, and he sunk them into Ryou's flesh. Ryou winced, but did not falter.

Bakura drank his fill, and pulled away from Ryou, who slumped against him.

"F…feel bedder, `Kuraaaa…?" Ryou slurred, very weak. Bakura looked to the pack; "I can't carry him. My ribs…"

Seto picked Ryou up, who fell unconscious. Jou helped Bakura back inside.

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Ryou sat up in bed, glancing around, and hoping everything hadn't just been a horrible dream. But he was proven wrong as Bakura walked into the room, shirtless, with bandages around his torso.

Ryou smiled, "'Kura, you're alive…"

Bakura sat on his bed, "I'm sorry I didn't come for you, angel. You had to keep believing I was dead. But I missed you."

He touched Ryou's cheek.

"I forgive you, `Kura. I've missed you, too," Ryou held up the knife, "It was the only one I could find. About a hundred and fifty years ago, the apartment building we lived in burned down. Everything that was in it burned with it. Except that knife and this…"

The ring appeared. No longer was it black, and dead. It was alive, again.

Bakura smirked, and took the knife, "From what I hear, your quite good with this knife. And one of the toughest in your clan. I'm proud of you, aibou."

Ryou blushed, and leaned on him.

"Ow!" Bakura said, wincing.

"Oh, sorry."

Bakura smirked again, and cupped his chin. "Forgiven."

And he kissed him. Ryou melted, kissing him back, and so glad that he had him back.

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Outside the door, Seto and Jou looked on, and Jou looked up at Seto, smiling.

Seto caught the gaze, and half smiled back, taking Jou's hand. They didn't have the courage to tell each other all of their feelings but for right now, this would do.

Jou looked at their intertwined hands.

Yeah, this would do.

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Me: Yay! Bakura is back! I just love the RxB coupling to much to keep Bakura dead. Well, R/R!