Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Can You Love Me? ❯ Safe ( Chapter 3 )

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Yami hurried down the sidewalk, drizzle kissing his skin as the sky darkened and a low rumble was heard a few miles south. His hand swept gently over the limp figure's face, wiping the few droplets collected on the pale boy's beautiful features. Yes, even teetering on death's silk tightrope, Ryou managed to look celestial.

The street began to fog and the air became humid, almost uncomfortably so as clothes tended to stick to flesh. The Kame Game Shop was only a block away now; Yami could make out the green rooftop from where he stood. A few cars passed and the former Pharaoh hid the boy's form as best he could…he did not need nor want help with the fallen angel.

The deafening crack of thunder shook windows after a very bright flash effectively lit the entire town. "Kuso!" Yami tightened his hold on the smaller and pulled him as close to his body as he could. Fat, cold droplets splashed against the street and the scarlet youth's back as he huddled over Ryou. Yami's feet barely touched the ground as he ran, blinking back the rain that stung his eyes.

The pale boy groaned in his arms, every step they took sending jolts of pain throughout his sore body. "I'm sorry, Ryou…" Yami didn't slow, but lessened the pain with his Puzzle's magic.

After what seemed like hours, Yami reached the house and quickly opened the door, kicking it shut once he was in. The hall was dark, the only light coming from the flashes of lighting through the kitchen window. Yami walked into the living room and placed the other gently on the sofa. He knelt there for a while, fingers lacing through Ryou's hair as he watched the steady rise and fall of the petit boy's chest. Yami tore his eyes away and worked on lighting the small fireplace, wood crackling beneath the greedy tongue of the flames.

The scarlet youth raced up the stairs, and not knowing where the spares were kept, brought down Yuugi's blankets. As carefully as he could, Yami untied the boy's shoes and slid them off the small feet. Noticing Ryou's clothes had managed to get soaked from the rain, Yami brought one of his own shirts (one that did not adhere to the skin) and a pair of boxers.

One arm holding the smaller at all times, Yami managed to undress the sleeping hikari. Although he tried not to, Yami couldn't help but caress the boy with his gaze. Unfortunately, the delicate, beautiful, porcelain flesh was covered with bruises, scars, and bandages. It tore at Yami's heart to see such sweet innocence marred by actions he did not want to think about, but couldn't help but imagine.

The ancient spirit ran a slender finger over a particular scar, it was darker than the others, and placed right over the smaller's heart. "Hikari." Yami had just begun his Japanese lessons, but recognized this character easily. Ryou weakly moaned as he tried to turn over then fell silent once more.

Yami sighed sadly and redressed the boy with the dry clothes; tucking Ryou in with the thick blanket, he watched as the smaller snuggled into the warmth. The scarlet-eyed youth combed back a few of the white locks from the younger's face and gently kissed the hikari's forehead "Goodnight, Ryou…"

As he pulled away, Yami realized his own clothes were clinging to his skin, wet and cold from the rain. He glanced at the smaller one last time, and then headed to take a shower, it would be best not to be sick if he were to care for the broken angel.

Yami peeled the wet clothes off, dropping them to the tiled floor. A chill ran over his body and he quickly turned on the water, waiting until he saw steam clouds to get in. The hot water pounded against his back and traced lean muscles as he stood under the shower head, letting the chill he had felt melt away. Yami strained his ear so he might hear if Ryou needed help, the spirit was responsible now and nothing would harm the kitten so long as the smaller was under his care.

Yami rinsed away the suds, familiar lilac scent now clinging to the air, and shut off the water. He was a bit happy he wouldn't be alone for the next few weeks, not that he enjoyed the reason why, but at least he wouldn't have to deal with Jou and his moping about because Yuugi had left for Egypt. Not that Yami didn't like his hikari's boyfriend, but an unhappy Jou was not someone to be around.

After patting himself dry, Yami combed through his hair, wiping the fogged mirror so he could see. Honda and Kaiba were rarely *not* working, so seeing them wouldn't have been on his `To Do' list, who knew whose bed Otogi was in this week (so it'd be practically impossible to have found him), and with Anzu off in America, Yami had no one else to turn to if he had wanted company.

He slipped into some flannel pajama pants and went down to the living room. Settling himself into the one seat sofa, Yami stared at the sleeping kitten, who almost seemed to purr.

At least he had Ryou, and such good company the boy would make. Sweet, polite, and an over all gentle person, the shy dove wouldn't be too hard for the Pharaoh to win over. That was, of course, if Ryou wasn't too scared of him after what Bakura had done. Yami clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes, glaring at the fireplace as he thought of ways to deal with the unappreciative dark.

The scarlet teen looked back toward Ryou, gaze softening, and heart melting at the sight. The pale boy had nestled farther into the fluffy blanket so all one saw was a wild array of white tendrils. Yami tucked his legs beneath him and gingerly picked up the book beside him. The words washed over him all the while keeping half his senses alert for Ryou's sake. After several hours, the sky settled for the night; moon hanging precariously amidst wisps of clouds brushed gently over the violet canvas. Yami's eyes grew heavy, scarlet orbs becoming half lidded against his will. His head drooped and tricolor locks hung loosely, framing the ancient spirit's face as he fell victim to night's spell.

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Silence, the house resounded with nothing but gentle breathing. The passing of the night brought no change; one slept buried amidst the folds of warmth and security, the other curled in loose comfort, unfinished book slipping from lax fingers and fluttering to the carpeted floor with a soft thud.

The paler boy was startled by the sudden noise, heart pounding rapidly against his small chest, eyes peeling open at the sight around him. `What!' he looked around and flung the now stifling blanket off, mind racing and body aching. The room was vaguely familiar, memories flickering at the back of his mind like a candle just about to go out. The sofa, the living room…the ever-present smell of something sweet…Yet, where he was and how he got there scuttled far and away from his mind.

The sunlight blinded him as he stared out the window, the boy's head muddled with confusion, fright, and annoyance. Was this a dream? Some sort of cruel joke his mind had decide to play on him for oversleeping? For eating too late into the night? For watching a scary movie? The boy could not decide on one or another because he could not remember whether he had ever done those things. He could not tell if he had done anything other than sleep for the past few years because his mind came up blank as he thought back, a whitewashed wall was his past, vacant of every thought, every judgment, every moment he had ever had or made, that is if he had ever done so.

He sighed sadly, but whether it was because he had lost those memories or because he somehow unconsciously knew what they were, he was not sure. His eyes scanned the area once more, coming to rest on the sleeping form of a tricolor youth he had not noticed earlier. Curled up in the sofa, the other looked relaxed, lost in the serene mist of dreams, but he also looked…

The smaller did not know what he felt, but he had an urge to get closer to the other. Although he was confused, he tried to stand slowly, wincing as all parts of him protested the movement. It became too much and he doubled over, falling back into the sofa in pain and yelping as his very sore bottom made contact with the soft cushion.

The tricolor boy gave a slight jolt as he awoke from the deep sleep and looked at the other in pain. The taller's eyes widened in concern. And my, what beautiful eyes they were! Pain forgotten, the smaller boy stared in wonder as the other crept over to him with worry marring his godly face.

"Ryou!" The tricolor youth gingerly laid a hand on the other's, "Are you alright?" He peered at the numbed smaller with those deep scarlet eyes, highlighted beautifully by his gold, black, and scarlet tipped hair.

He may have had no idea who this `Ryou' was, but the boy felt his face flush at receiving such attention, heart tugging toward the scarlet-eyed stranger. He swallowed slowly and found his voice "Uh…um…W-who's Ryou?" he whispered meekly.

Those beautiful scarlet jewels widened further at the other's words and a concerned, yet cute, look over took his features. Before he could say anything though, the smaller quietly asked "Who *are* you?" in shy wonder.

The other's hair bobbed as he nodded silent understanding, he sat on the other end of the sofa, he was unsure how comfortable the boy would be with who he now knew only as a stranger. "My name is Yami…I am one of your friends." The scarlet-eyed teen smiled warmly at the other, hand extended in gentle greeting.

"Yami…" the delicate voice savored the name, tongue rolling over the taste, and allowed his hand to lay in the other's. A tingle ran up his arm and made his heart fuzzy and mind swirl with a rush of emotions. The smaller gasped at the feelings washing over him; there was a strange mix of promised comfort, startling determination, and a twisted darkness…focused on the demise of another…someone familiar…someone close…Him?!

The smaller pulled away and nearly tumbled onto the floor, Yami took hold of the other's arm and carefully eased him back into the seat. "Ryou! What's wrong?"

The kitten trembled and couldn't wrench free from the hold on his arm. His eyes widened in fear and tears welled up, rolling down his pale cheeks as he began to sob. "P-please! Don't hurt m-me!" The dark possibilities of Yami's revenge had terrified the smaller considerably.

Yami gently pulled the frightened other into his lap and began to rock them both, shushing and wiping away the tears as he comforted and reassured the smaller no harm would befall him by Yami's hand.

The younger sniffled and peered up sheepishly after a few moments "I-I'm sorry…" His pale hands clutched the taller's shoulders and tiny bruises flowered as he tried to hold onto the only person he now knew. "Yami?" his voice wavered, hope and uncertainty mixed in his anxious voice.

"What is it little one?" Yami snuggled closer, deep, soothing voice sending shivers through out the other's body.

"Yami…I don't remember anything, n-not even myself…" fresh tears sprang to his eyes, swallowing the lump in his throat, the younger continued. "I'm scared, Yami…not because I don't remember, but because I don't know what to do!" The tricolor youth eased the other's head to rest against his tanned chest, tears tracing warm paths as they fell. "What am I supposed to do? How can I go out into the world when I don't even know who I am?!" Small shudders over took his body as muffled words spilled out and Yami could do nothing but let the other ride out the emotions he knew were only expected from such a situation.

"Please don't cry, Kitten…I'm here, I'll help you through this." He cooed quietly in an effort to calm the other, and apparently, it worked as the smaller looked up and blinked back his tears.

"You promise? You won't leave me, will you, Yami? You're all I have now!" Yami could only smile in answer as he gave the smaller a tight hug, pressing them both so close that any tears that could have been shed were gone. The smaller sighed contentedly and buried his face once more in the taller's chest, reveling in the warmth and security he felt. "Thank you…" he murmured, pale lips tickling Yami's chest and warm breath making the tricolor boy shiver, several emotions toying with the taller's mind and heart.

There was a soft rumble Yami both heard and felt because he was currently so close to the other. He smiled and tenderly spoke to the boy "If I'm going to care for you, then first I must feed you, ne?" The smaller blushed as he looked up, nodding as his stomach let out another call for food.

Yami carefully helped the smaller stand, pain gripping his heart as he watched the boy struggle just to take a step. Slender arms lifted the slightly surprised other and carried him upstairs, "Yami?! What are yo-"

"Hush, Kitten, we must clean you up properly before you can eat…" Yami smiled and carefully took one step at a time when he noticed even the slightest movement disturbed the other.

"Um…Yami?" The scarlet eyes glanced at the younger, slight amusement flickering across his face as he watched the one in his arms blush, features streaked with bright red as he continued to speak. "Y-you can call me Ryou…I mean, if that's my name it's only right…and…" The smaller flushed a brighter shade "A-and you can call me anything else as well…"

`Call me Kitten again…I'll be your kitty! I'll play with a piece of string, curl up in your lap, purr into your ear…nuzzle against your chest, your soft, warm chest…I'll do what ever you want, Yami…just let me be your kitten, your pet…I need you, I need you to tell me what to do…tell me when I'm wrong…I need someone strong, someone who can take away this empty pain…I don't even know where it's from, it's just there…This gnawing, growing, nasty pain…It feels as though I'm missing a part of me, Yami…I don't know whether it's just my memories or something more, but you have to let me be yours…You have to take me and show me what it is I forgot…And I promise I'll repay you! In anyway I can, in anyway you wish…I'll do anything, Yami…just let me be yours…just let me be yours to conquer…I don't know why, I just know I need another half.'

Yami chuckled softly and carefully opened the washroom door, watching in concern as Ryou's face paled to a deathly color. "Ryou! What is it?"

The younger shuddered violently as he looked around; the sink…the tiled floor…the mirror. All of it, it scared him. "Y-Yami…something bad happened here…I feel so sad, alone…guilty…" Ryou's voice shook and he tried his best to choke back tears as he shut his eyes and hid his face in Yami's neck.

The taller didn't know why the other felt that way, he just knew Ryou would remember on his own, without being pressed for answers. "It's ok, Ryou, I can assure you nothing happened here…this is my house, I brought you here after I found you." The smaller looked at Yami, thousands of questions flitting across his eyes before he just nodded and allowed himself to be set upon the sink's cold porcelain, his butt tensing and causing tears to spring back into his eyes when pain laced up his spine.

"Y-Yami!" His voice strained, as fire seemed to fill him "I-It hurts!" Quickly the taller slid one arm under Ryou's and kept him from putting so much weight on his lower body. The boy breathed in deeply as the pain subsided and leaned on Yami a bit more. "Why does it hurt so much, Yami? Especially there? What happened to me?" He peered up at Yami and clearly saw the internal conflict tearing the other apart. What ever it was that had occurred hurt Yami just as much as it hurt Ryou…just in a different manner. "It's alright, Yami…you don't have to tell me."

`I don't want to hurt you, Yami…I'll do what ever you want if it makes you happy…'

The scarlet boy's face washed over with relief, Yami knew he would eventually have to tell Ryou the state he had found him in…but now just didn't seem like the time, nor place if he took into consideration something more had taken place in the other's washroom…something more than likely related to that low life tomb robber. "Thank you, Ryou…I promise I will tell you, but not now…It's for the best." Yami smiled weakly at the other and bid him take off his shirt.

Ryou blushed furiously as he slowly peeled away the large shirt, wincing as his arms stiffly refused to do as told. He managed somehow, to turn a shade brighter when Yami helped him; the taller's pale fingertips sending tingles throughout the boy's body when they made contact with the delicate flesh. He saw a flash of sadness and anger in Yami's eyes when he looked him over, curious, Ryou leaned away from Yami to see what was wrong with him…What it was Yami found unappealing.

`I'll fix it, Yami! If I'm ugly or anything, I'll make myself look different if you don't like what you see, I need your approval, I can't afford to lose you…I'll fix it, I promise, Yami-'

Ryou stared in awe at what he supposed was his reflection. He was pale, not horribly so, he just looked so frail…so delicate he might break. His eyes were a deep brown, wide and filled with hidden pain, lost joy, and desecrated dreams. His hair laid lightly around his shoulders, fluffy and white, puffs of clouds and freshly fallen snow all at once. Layered in thick tendrils, he gingerly touched one that hung just above his eyes and felt the silky strands as they laced his fingers. "That's me?…" he peered closer at the mirror, afraid perhaps he had been staring at another, but when his petit nose tapped the smooth glass, he smiled and looked back at Yami. "I'm cute!" he giggled and watched himself some more.

Yami couldn't help but laugh, never in a million years would Ryou ever had said such a thing! "Yes, Kitten, you are very cute…"

Ryou's heart skipped a few beats at Yami's words, whirling around he leaned against the taller and purred quietly. The scarlet teen was very surprised at the other's actions, when before Ryou had hesitated to shake his hand, now he willingly came to Yami's arms. "Um…Ryou?…"

As much as Yami would have liked nothing more than to hold the smaller in his arms forever, he knew Ryou needed other things, like food; perhaps he was too weak to know that? It would explain his behavior…he's delirious…Yami sighed sadly, yes…that's what it was. Ryou was too hungry to know what he was doing. "Come on, Kitten…let's get you fed." The scarlet-eyed boy gently lifted up the other, and carried him down to the kitchen.

Ryou snuggled against Yami, a blissful grin plastered across his face. `Thank you, Yami…See, I'm not afraid of you…I'm yours, now and forever…I'm your Kitten, I'm your pet…and no one can come between us…'

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