Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Curse of the Moon Chinae ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Two hours were passed, and the teenagers had finished readying themselves. Darkness had set in and they stood together in the cold night air, trembling from not only the frigidness, but with anxiety and expectation as well. They had armed themselves as best as they could, venturing to their respective homes on Sahado's or Honda's motorcycles to retrieve anything that they might have needed. But now the time for preparation was over, and they stood together, whispering nervously as Sahado had not yet returned from his preparation venture.

"How're you doing, Yug?" Jounouchi whispered to his shorter friend, his breath visible in front of him until it disappeared into the darkness.

"I've never been more terrified in my life," Yugi replied, hugging himself close and trying to keep himself warm.

"Well think about it," Honda said, his teeth chattering slightly. "Jou shows up outta the blue and now we're going vampire hunting. Who would've thought?" He took a glance at the others gathered around. "We got everything we need?"

"I brought all the kitchen knives," Anzu told him, holding up a small tote bag she had been holding at her side. "I hope Mom doesn't notice they're gone. I could get in big trouble."

"You plan on using them again after slicing up some vampires with them?" Otogi inquired, and Anzu suddenly donned a horrified look as if she had not thought of that.

"Remember though, we don't want to kill all of them. Just this Crimson fellow," Bakura spoke up. "We're aiming to save these people, after all."

"There would be no possible way we could get to Crimson without slaughtering some of the others in our way," came Sahado's voice from the shadows. They turned as he approached them, a long sword now hanging at his side. "You must be prepared for the very worst, which would consist of having to destroy them all to get to him."

"Just not Kaiba," Jounouchi stated firmly. "Anybody lays a finger on my Kaiba, I'll slice your hand off myself!" He enunciated his declaration by brandishing the large knife he had found somewhere in his father's closet.

Sahado's gaze went upwards to the newly hung moon as he spoke. "Crimson is somewhere in this city. Those he has sired will attempt to block our way. You must all be willing to kill without hesitation."

Yugi gulped and moved the knife he held over in his hand. "Um, would it be all right if we just... injured without hesitation?" he asked, his eyes wide with fear and innocence.

"Do what you must," Sahado replied. "Let us be on our way." He began walking down the street, and after a moment's hesitation the teenagers followed after him. They walked in a straight line, Sahado leading and Jounouchi right behind him as the teens less sure of themselves-- Yugi, Anzu, and Bakura-- made up the rear. Honda and Otogi kept close together, their eyes darting suspiciously to the shadows that surrounded them on all sides. Jounouchi could hear nothing but their footsteps on the concrete-- Everything else was completely silent. No crickets chirped, no traffic sounds could be heard. He realized that this was how it was the night Crimson attacked he and Kaiba. He bit his lower lip, his breathing quickening as the realization of what was going to happen set in. He would have to fight, fight to the death for his lover. He was willing and able, but all the same it terrified him. If he should fail in this quest, Kaiba would forever be in Crimson's grasp. If he was not there for his friends, they could very well be killed themselves. These were all chilling thoughts, and they did not do the blonde any favors against the cold night air. Without warning, Sahado suddenly stopped, and as lost in his thoughts as he was, Jounouchi almost ran right into him.

"What the fuck…?" he began, but Sahado silenced him. The blonde looked around, seeing that Sahado had stopped right before a dark alley. He looked like he was listening, and Jounouchi attempted to do the same, but he heard nothing. As the others behind attempted to look around the blonde's body to see what was going on, Sahado slowly began walking forward, one hand on the hilt of his sword. The teens tensed, watching with anxious eyes as he entered the alley. Jounouchi took a few steps after him and the others followed, keeping close together for safety. Suddenly there was movement in the alley and quicker than any of them could follow, Sahado grabbed a tall man by the throat and rammed him against the neighboring wall.

"Damn," Honda sighed. "Sure glad he's on our side."

"Where's Crimson?" Sahado demanded of his captured prey. The man struggled against him, but he held a firm grasp around his throat. His fingers pressed into his flesh and his nails began to puncture through it. "If you refuse to tell me, I'll snap your neck."

The man-- whom Jounouchi and the others assumed was another Moon Chinae-- stammered for a moment before answering, "He's-- He's at the large cemetery. He said he was waiting for someone. I think he said his bro--" Sahado cut the Moon Chinae off by tightening his grip on his throat. He gave a strangled cry before his neck bone was shattered in Sahado's hand. With a sickeningly graceful motion, he separated the head from the body and tossed it aside. Anzu shrieked as what remained of the Moon Chinae slumped onto the ground.

"What the fuck?" Jounouchi exclaimed. "You said you'd let him go if he told you! Why the fuck did you kill him?"

"I said nothing of the sort," Sahado replied, turning to him. "We now know the whereabouts of our prey. We will depart immediately." He walked past them and continued down the street with a fast pace. The teenagers exchanged glances with one another, their fear elevated far beyond what they had started with. Nevertheless they filed behind Sahado and followed, keeping even closer together than before.

The cemetery at the top of the hill was the largest cemetery for miles around. As the teenagers approached it, they could see the full moon hovering over the hill as silhouetted trees moved achingly in the wind. Tall gravestones decorated the desolate land, but with names hidden within the shadows that engulfed them. The ground was crisp and hard, and as they walked up the hill their footsteps sounded in the quiet night. They reached the top of the hill, looking down to find the land stretch out before them, covered in neglected gravestones. There were people there and upon their arrival they looked up to see who had invaded their sacred grounds.

"Oh my God," Anzu gasped as she and the others noticed the bodies. Human bodies littered the ground near the creatures who stood watching them, blood dripping from some of their faces. The Moon Chinae regarded them curiously, relishing in the fear the teens were exhibiting in their presence. They stood watching these newcomers who gazed back at them with terror written on their faces. Only Sahado and Jounouchi, for the most part, were able to keep calm statures. That is until one Seto Kaiba emerged from the darkness and began approaching them.

"Jounouchi," he said, the moonlight gleaming off of his fangs. "What a pleasure to see you again. I see you've brought your friends this time."

Jounouchi trembled under the brunette's cold gaze, suddenly feeling all of his strength leave him when he heard that familiar voice. His mouth and throat went dry and anything that he might have said then was lost in the whirling madness of his mind.

"Where is your Sire?" Sahado demanded, his strong voice echoing against the gravestones. The Moon Chinaes' disposition suddenly changed, as if just realizing he was there. Faced with one of their own kind they seemed to don an air of confusion, looking desperately around them as if searching for something.

"You sure you can do this, man?" Honda whispered to Jounouchi, setting a hand on his shoulder. "You look fucking terrible."

"I have to do this," Jounouchi replied. "I have to do this for Kaiba. I'm not letting some crazy blood sucking bastard take him away from me."

A moment passed during which the blonde looked to his lover, but Kaiba was avoiding his gaze. He, along with the other Moon Chinae were still overcome with confusion, and it seemed as if they were unable to do anything at all without the guidance of their leader. However, that predicament soon changed when a familiar figure emerged from behind a tall gravestone. The first thing Jounouchi spotted was the glowing golden of his eyes. He was hard to see through the darkness from the distance between them, but the blonde knew that he would never be able to forget the essence of those eyes.

"Is-- Is that him?" Yugi whispered. "His eyes-- I've never seen anything like them before."

"Oh my God," Anzu said again. Her voice trembled and was wetted with tears. She held her stomach, taking a step backwards. "I don't know if I can handle this."

"A little late to back out now," Otogi pointed out. "Doesn't look like we're gonna get outta here alive without kicking a lotta ass."

"Sahado, I wish I could say it was a pleasure to see you again," Crimson said, the moonlight reflecting off of his fangs. "But I see you brought my prey with you, so maybe I should thank you. Saves me the trouble of hunting him down."

"You're not gonna get me, you bastard!" Jounouchi shouted, his voice echoing through the valley. "I'm gonna shove this knife so far down your throat…"

"I wasn't talking to you, you impatient mutt," Crimson snarled. Jounouchi cringed at the dog reference, but had no time to reply as the Moon Chinae went on. "I was talking to my little brother."

A sinking feeling set in as Jounouchi turned his gaze to the Moon Chinae standing beside him. All rational thought left him and he was left standing dumbfounded, staring at Sahado. The black haired man turned his gaze to the blonde as he sighed and removed the black sunglasses he had worn. Those same golden eyes shimmered in the darkness at the blonde and Jounouchi had to take a few steps backwards.

"Holy fuck," he breathed. "You-- What? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I knew you wouldn't trust me for the world if you saw these eyes," Sahado responded. "These same eyes that my brother possesses and uses as his trademark to spread terror in the hearts of mortals. I knew you would not follow me, and I resolved never to let you know the truth. However…" He turned his gaze back to Crimson. "That is no longer the case."

"So what do you plan to do now, Katsuya Jounouchi?" Crimson gloated. "Would you really knowingly lay your life in the hands of your enemy's sibling? Or will you back out now and save yourself from dying here and now tonight?"

"Fuck off bastard!" Jounouchi shouted as a reply. "I'm not leaving here without Kaiba, no matter what else happens!" He gripped the handle of his blade tightly, partly out of fury, partly out of terror. He was trembling slightly, but refused to allow the Moon Chinae below to see that. Instead he braced himself, then began running down the steep hill, throwing himself to the wolves. The Moon Chinae were on him in an instant and for one terrifying moment Jounouchi thought that they might overtake him. However, the mass of bodies suddenly dissipated as three of the Moon Chinae in front of him were separated from their heads. The blonde stumbled and fell backwards onto his rear, looking up to find Sahado standing beside him, his sword drenched in thick blood.

"You fool!" Sahado snarled. "If you try something like that again, I'll kill you myself!"

Jounouchi gulped, really seeing into his eyes for the first time, finding there a great hatred burning within them. They flashed violently before turning away from him to address the presence of more Moon Chinae that had pounced for the attack. Jounouchi raised himself to his feet, unsheathing his knife in preparation for an attack on him, but to no such luck. Instead he was faced with none other than Seto Kaiba who approached him with that same steady pace he always walked with. The breath caught in Jounouchi's throat and he froze, his mind numbed from the sheer frigidness of Kaiba's presence.

"We never finished what we started," the brunette said coldly, his fangs clearly visible now, and as Jounouchi watched, they seemed to grow longer every passing moment.

"Yeah, we're not gonna finish it either," the blonde replied, holding his knife in between them. "Kaib, just trust me on this. I'm gonna save you from this jerk. Just hang on and try to get control of yourself."

The brunette's eyes flashed wildly and he leapt toward Jounouchi with inhuman speed. The blonde barely had time to react before Kaiba grabbed him by the shoulders and sank his fangs into the soft flesh of his neck. Jounouchi cried out in pain and shock and felt all of his strength leave him as his life fluid began to be drained from his body. He felt powerless against the brunette's grasp and could not bring himself to push him away. He closed his eyes, dropping the knife he had until then held tightly to the ground and gave himself up to Kaiba's ministrations. He was almost lost in complete darkness when he was abruptly brought out of his daze. He fell on the ground, looking up to find Honda standing over him, facing Kaiba who was now holding the side of his head where Jounouchi assumed he had been struck.

"God damn Jou, stay focused will you?" Honda shouted, glaring at his friend. "This was your idea! You can't die in the middle of it and make the rest of us finish it for you!"

"Right…" Jounouchi was not at all stable, but he forced himself to his feet. He held the side of his neck where the blood still flowed freely. "Thanks…" he stumbled slightly, still off balance. "Thanks, Honda."

"You wretched mortal!" Kaiba's voice had mutated, had become vicious and wicked, and as Jounouchi turned to him he was horrified to see the changes that had overcome the brunette. His fangs had grown almost too long for his mouth, his eyes had become wild and enraged. The blood that he had taken from Jounouchi's body stained his fangs and dripped from his mouth onto his chest and down to the ground. Jounouchi would have been afraid if that psychotic look had been addressed to him, but as it was he was absolutely horrified to find it aimed at Honda. Before the blonde could react, Kaiba moved forward and grabbed Honda around the throat with one strong hand. Honda gasped in surprise and was soon struggling for a full breath as the other began cutting off his air supply.

"Hon-- Honda…" Jounouchi stammered, frozen to the spot as time suddenly slowed to a halt before his very eyes. Kaiba's relentless grip on the other brunette was strengthening, his fingers tightening around Honda's neck and his unkept nails tearing into his flesh. It took Jounouchi a moment, but he began to realize that Kaiba not only was choking the life out of his best friend, but he was holding the brunette off of the ground with just one hand. Honda's feet dangled inches above the ground as he gagged and sputtered, tearing desperately at Kaiba's fingers. Suddenly, Otogi was there with them, knocking his entire body against Kaiba's own, causing him to lose his balance and teeter. Honda took advantage of his momentary distraction and wiggled free of the brunette's grasp. He fell onto the ground, coughing and struggling for a breath.

"What's the hell's the matter with you?" Otogi snapped at Jounouchi. "You keep that up, we're all gonna fucking end up dead!" He kneeled beside Honda, putting a hand on his friend's back. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Honda choked out, holding his throat where Kaiba's fingers had began to crush it. "I think so."

Otogi rose to his feet, turning to face Kaiba as he drew the long dagger he had brought with him. Kaiba had regained his composure and faced the black haired teen with that same vicious look on his face. Otogi readied himself, digging his heels into the ground as the newly turned Moon Chinae attacked, his fangs barely missing the flesh of Otogi's neck. Jounouchi watched in horror, not knowing whether to help Otogi or try and stop them from fighting completely, but suddenly he felt someone grab him from behind. He reached out for his knife, grabbing it as he was lifted onto his feet. A strong arm wrapped around his neck, pressing the blonde against the strong torso of another Moon Chinae.

"Let go, you bastard!" Jounouchi struggled out as he began kicking wildly in order to throw the Moon Chinae off balance. While that did not work, his heel caught his attacker in the kneecap, shattering it with the force of the blonde's desperation. The Moon Chinae dropped him to the ground, reeling in agony. Jounouchi turned and wielding his knife, drove it into the creature's chest cavity. Blood spurted out, covering the blonde's hand and most of his arm as he pulled the blade back out. His attacker collapsed onto the ground and Jounouchi breathed a sigh of relief. As many street fights he had been in, he had never actually killed a man before. He had little time to reflect on it, however, as he was soon overtaken by yet another Moon Chinae. This one was not as strong as the first, and Jounouchi was able to wriggle free of the grasp that held him and strike his second attacker in the jaw, knocking them to the ground. He turned, ready to continue the fight, when he realized that he actually punched a girl.

"Oh fuck, I'm sorr--" He began to apologize when the female Moon Chinae struck out with her leg and knocked him onto the ground. She leapt on him, baring her fangs and dagger-like nails. He raised his hands to block her assault, but it never came. Instead, she was knocked off of him onto her side, and Anzu stood over them, holding a large tree branch in her hands.

"This is a heck of a time to start being a gentleman!" Anzu shouted at him. "Get off your butt and go help Yugi!" The female Moon Chinae got back on her feet and lunged at her, but Anzu swung her branch and made contact with the side of her head, knocking her back down.

"Right," Jounouchi nodded, seeing that Anzu pretty much had things handled there. He looked around, finding not Yugi, but Yami several yards away, also brandishing a large tree limb. He was outnumbered, surrounded on all sides by several Moon Chinae. Jounouchi ran over, tightly gripping his blade in his hand. As soon as he got close enough, he lashed out with it, plunging it deep into a Moon Chinae's throat. He caught another one with a swift kick to the knee, and yet another with his elbow to the side of the head. He turned, stepping so that he was back to back with Yami.

"How're you doing? You okay?" Jounouchi asked of his friend as the remaining Moon Chinae began to close in.

"Yes, I'm fine," Yami replied. "I wish I could say the same for Yugi. He's terrified, traumatized even. I doubt he'll ever fully recover from this."

"He won't be the only one," Jounouchi said. One of the Moon Chinae leapt forward at him, and he braced himself, readying his blade for the attack. However, before the Moon Chinae reached him, he suddenly stopped in his tracks. Jounouchi watched in puzzlement as his attacker collapsed onto the ground, a knife deeply embedded in his back where it had pierced through to his heart. The blonde looked up, finding Bakura standing nearby, eyeing him distastefully.

"You will all end up dead if you hesitate to kill," he hissed, his voice venomous.

"That's definitely not the Ryou Bakura we know and love," Jounouchi observed. The white haired teen was covered in blood, his once expensive looking sweater now drenched with the stuff, the sleeves having been ripped open and exposing the stained skin beneath. He retrieved his flung knife from the corpse and threw it with great precision, lodging itself into a Moon Chinae's forehead. "He looks like he's actually enjoying this."

"Indeed," Yami agreed. "Unfortunately, that is not the case with the rest of us."

"Just hang on," Jounouchi told him. "Only one more person has to die." He looked around, searching for that pair of horrific golden eyes he knew all too well. He found them dead set on the forms of Honda and Otogi who were fighting together, trying to hold off the hordes of Moon Chinae that surrounded them. Crimson was walking in long strides toward them, his fangs hanging out of his mouth, long and deadly in the moonlight. Honda and Otogi were oblivious to the danger, preoccupied with the Moon Chinae lackeys. Jounouchi left Yami's side, running at top speed to warn them, but he was stopped by a trio of Moon Chinae that blocked his way. They attacked, lunging forward all at once. Jounouchi moved swiftly, plunging his knife deep into their hearts, one right after the other. Jounouchi's mind was racing, but only one thought was clear enough for him to follow through on, and that was the determination to destroy Crimson before he could take any more of his friends away from him. His Moon Chinae victims fell to the ground, clearing his way and his vision to his two friends. It was just in time, however, for Jounouchi to witness Crimson knocking Honda to the ground with one strong arm, then taking Otogi by the hair. Time suddenly slowed, and Jounouchi watched as, almost as if in slow motion, Crimson's fangs grew longer and sank deep into Otogi's neck. Otogi screamed in pain, but his voice was soon lost as his throat filled with his own blood. Crimson lurched his head away, tearing the flesh from Otogi's neck and exposing the muscle beneath. Blood poured from the wound, cascading down his chest and collecting at their feet. Jounouchi tried to call out to his friend, but his voice was also lost, confined in his own tightening throat. Crimson licked the blood on his lips, then uncaringly pushed Otogi to the ground before turning his attention to Honda. Jounouchi's panic overcame him again, and he dashed toward them, his feet flying over the decomposing ground as his own terror fueled his body. Honda had gotten to his feet and in his rage, had lunged himself at Crimson. The golden eyed Moon Chinae turned and easily caught him around the throat.

"Honda!" Jounouchi shouted, picking up his speed. He had almost reached them when Crimson turned and threw Honda into Jounouchi, knocking them both to the ground. It took the blonde a moment to regain his senses, but once he did, he went to his friend's side, shaking him slightly. "Honda, you all right? Say something!"

"I can't--" Honda struggled out. "I can't breathe…" His hand went to his throat as he fought desperately for a breath. "Jou… Help me…"

"Hang on, man!" Jounouchi pleaded with him. Honda's face had gone extremely pale, and past his trembling hand Jounouchi could see that the bones of his neck had been crushed. The blonde shuttered, but did his best to hide it from his friend. "You'll be okay, just hang on."

"Jou…" Honda's voice was weak and his breathing labored. "Kill… Kill that bastard. He-- Otogi…"

"I know, I saw," Jounouchi responded. "Just shut up and save your strength, okay? I'll take care of this guy." The blonde rose his eyes to the Moon Chinae standing before him, a new kind of rage overtaking him. "You… fucking bastard!" he snarled, getting to his feet. "This is it! This is where it ends, right here, right now!"

Crimson laughed, his fangs dripping with blood. "Is it? Prove it then." He came at Jounouchi but somehow the blonde was able to move quickly enough to avoid the fangs aimed at his throat. He sidestepped to safety, pulling out his knife and moving to drive it into Crimson's back. But the Moon Chinae was far too fast for him, and the blonde barely had time to react before he grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and roughly threw him to the ground. Jounouchi landed hard on his hands and knees, then felt a sharp pain to his side when Crimson's foot slammed into his ribs. He fell onto his side and rolled a few feet before coming to a stop. He coughed, blood heaving up from inside of him and staining the cold ground beneath him. As Jounouchi struggled to his hands and knees again, he realized that he had landed at the feet of Seto Kaiba. He looked up at the brunette in time for him to receive another swift kick to the ribs, this time administered by his once lover. Jounouchi landed on his already damaged side, back to where he had began: there at Crimson's feet. He was kicked again and sent rolling, then again as Sire and slave played a morbid game of kickball with each other. Each kick to the side sent horrific pain shooting through Jounouchi's body, and he was certain most of his ribs were broken. His upheaval of blood emphasized his perilous condition, but he was unable to do anything other than struggle to stay conscious. His vision became cloudy and blurred and for a moment everything went completely black. A coldness overcame him and he trembled uncontrollably against it, feeling his entire body slipping away from him. No… no, it can't end like this. I have… to save… Kaiba… His mind urgently pressed him on, encouraging him to regain consciousness despite his weary and punished body's protests. He blinked open his eyes, finding himself laying on his side on the ground, a puddle of blood collecting around his mouth. He groaned and forced himself to sit up, his arms shuddering with the effort. He first saw Kaiba, being held closely to Crimson's body as Crimson himself spoke ferociously to Sahado who stood before them. Jounouchi's hearing took a moment to kick in, but soon he was able to make out exactly what the Moon Chinae were saying to each other.

"This is the one you came to save, isn't it?" Crimson was saying. "You recruited Katsuya and the others directly for that purpose. I suggest you put down your weapon before I twist Seto Kaiba's head completely off of his shoulders."

Jounouchi's mind filled with that same rage again. Not only was Crimson threatening to kill his own follower, but Kaiba was doing nothing about it. He was not struggling against Crimson's hold on him and instead stood with him, also keeping an unwavering glare on Sahado.

"You are a fool," Sahado replied. His sword was soaked with blood, the red liquid steadily dripping off of its blade onto the ground. "Has it been that long, Crimson, that you have forgotten your own brother's tactics for getting what he wants?"

Jounouchi had raised himself to his haunches and was getting ready to push himself to his feet when he heard Crimson's reply: "Ah, so you haven't changed after all. I was under the impression that you had developed feelings for these mortal creatures. But you're just using them, aren't you? Just like you use everyone else." The blonde looked to Sahado who avoided his gaze, his golden eyes locking horns with those of his brother.

"Your demise is all that matters to me," Sahado snarled. "I hate you with every fiber of my being and soul!" He lunged forward with incredible speed, driving his sword through Kaiba's body and piercing into Crimson's chest.

"Kaiba!" Jounouchi called out, forcing his body to get up and run to the brunette's side. "Sahado, you fucking bastard!" He tried to push the black haired Moon Chinae away, grabbing the sword hilt and pulling as hard as he could to free Kaiba from its blade. But Sahado remained where he was, and upon the blonde's interference, his eyes flashed angrily and he knocked him to the ground.

"Stay out of this!" he snarled, his fangs reflecting the white of the moon. "You were to distract the others while I slaughtered Crimson. That is the only use I have for you!" He pulled his sword out, turning the blade and causing it to rip through the muscle and flesh it had pierced through. Spurting blood and a terrible wet sound accompanied the blade's withdrawal. Kaiba fell to his knees, holding his gaping wound with both hands as he collapsed onto the ground. Crimson's eyes flared as he launched himself at Sahado, forcing the younger brother to back away. As the Moon Chinae continued to fight, Jounouchi went to Kaiba's side, turning him over onto his back.

"Kaib, Kaib, can you hear me?" he asked desperately, shaking the brunette as hard as he dared. Kaiba's cerulean blue eyes opened, staring blankly up at the night sky rather than at Jounouchi. The blonde panicked, ripping the jacket from his own shoulders to press into his lover's wound. "Hang on Kaib, you'll be okay." Kaiba did not respond and continued his blank stare into the starry night. Jounouchi forced himself to tear his gaze away from the brunette and focused his attention on the two battling Moon Chinae less than twenty feet away. He looked around, found Otogi's long dagger laying not far away on the ground. The blonde took it, still feeling the warmth of Otogi's hand on the hilt. His breath caught in his throat at the feeling, but he held it firmly in his grasp, feeling his knuckles go cold with the effort. He watched the Moon Chinae fight, Crimson lashing out at his brother with his fangs and claw-like nails while Sahado held him off with his long sword. Jounouchi took the dagger, aimed it at Crimson's back, and threw it as hard as he could, hoping his precision was as neat as Bakura's. But Crimson must have sensed the oncoming danger as he moved out of the way at the last second. Otogi's blade sliced through the air and plunged deep into Sahado's heart, catching the Moon Chinae off guard. He froze, the grasp on his sword lessening until the weapon clattered to the ground. Jounouchi stared, dumbfounded as Sahado fell to his knees, then finally collapsed alongside his sword.

"I should thank you for the assistance," Crimson said to the blonde, smiling wickedly. "I must admit, he almost had the upper hand with me. Fortunately, you've destroyed your strongest ally." He reached down, picking up his brother's sword, holding the blade close to his face as he licked the blood from it. "And now it's your turn to die."

Jounouchi panicked as Crimson began walking confidently toward him. He trembled, his terror evident on his face as he stared at the Moon Chinae approaching him. Only when Crimson took a swing at his head did Jounouchi come out of trance, just in time to avoid feeling the blade's cold sting on his neck. He rolled to the side, feeling the incredible pain in his ribs that almost caused him to double over. Instead, he forced himself to his feet, holding his own knife at his side. It was a lot shorter than Otogi's dagger, and he did not know how it would fair against a sword the length that the one Crimson now possessed was. But he refused to despair, and he readied himself for the Moon Chinae's attack. When it came, Jounouchi dodged the blade of the sword, only to be caught in the shoulder by Crimson's fangs. The blonde cried out and tried to pull away, but this only succeeded in tearing the flesh of his body further. He stopped pulling and suddenly began to push against the Moon Chinae's body, swiftly enough to catch Crimson off guard and knock him off balance for a split second. But it was only a split second that Jounouchi needed to free himself from his fangs and sink his own teeth into Crimson's neck. He savagely tore into the flesh there, breaking the skin and causing blood to flow from the wound. Crimson broke away from him, holding the side of his neck with an astounded look on his face.

"You fucking bit me," he said, examining the blood now staining his hand.

"Yeah, how'd you like it, bitch?" Jounouchi responded, wiping the blood off of his chin. "Got a taste of your own medicine, didn't you? Well how about this now?" The blonde rushed forward, ready to plunge his knife into his enemy's chest. Crimson avoided the blow, grabbing Jounouchi's wrist as it came at him. He began applying pressure to the wrist, causing the blonde to drop the knife and squirm under his grasp.

"I don't see how Sahado put up with you for so long," Crimson said, tightening his hand. Jounouchi could feel the bones of his own hand straining under the pressure. "You are fucking aggravating!" The blonde cried out as his wrist snapped, the bones breaking under the tremendous force of Crimson's strength. He was pushed backwards and he cradled his injured hand with his left one, his eyes burning from the pain searing down his arm. "Now die!" The Moon Chinae came at him, his brother's sword aimed directly at Jounouchi's heart. The blonde's breath caught in his throat as his mind raced for a way out of his predicament. He could not take his eyes off of that shining blade, dripping profusely with the blood of both his attacker and his lover. He ventured a glance to where Kaiba had been moments before, but he was no longer there. Puzzled, Jounouchi looked around him quickly, trying to pinpoint the brunette's location, but no avail. Crimson was upon him and as he lashed out with the sword, Jounouchi moved so that the blade caught his arm, not his chest. Sharp pain throbbed in the blonde's left shoulder as the sword sliced through the flesh. But as he moved, he lost his footing and began to fall. Slow motion overtook his vision, and he saw the gleaming golden of Crimson's eyes, fiery and blazing with hatred. They locked with Jounouchi's own chocolate eyes, sending a chill emanating through the blonde's body. Crimson's mouth began to open in a sinister snarl, his fangs tainted red as they seemed to grow right before Jounouchi's gaze. The sword came next, its blade coated in blood, leaving a red shadow behind it as it sliced through the air straight toward the blonde's neck. Jounouchi was hardly aware of the impact he had with the ground as his eyes locked onto the shining blade coming at him for the kill. But suddenly, everything stopped. Jounouchi froze, indecision coming over him as Crimson's attack completely ceased. The Moon Chinae before him made a short gasp of surprise and lowered the sword, clutching at his chest with one hand. As he turned around, Jounouchi could finally see the form of Seto Kaiba standing behind him.

"You--" was all Crimson got out before the blade of Otogi's dagger came through his chest from the back. The Moon Chinae dropped the sword, his arms hanging limply at his sides as he collapsed onto the ground. Kaiba yanked the dagger free of Crimson's body before turning his attention to Jounouchi.

"Are you all right, puppy?" he asked, his voice strained and tired. As Jounouchi looked him over, he saw that he was completely covered in his own blood.

"I'm… okay," Jounouchi replied, pulling himself to his feet. "How do you feel, Kaib? You okay?"

"Yes," the brunette said. "The sword… It didn't pierce my heart. But I… I feel so tired." He practically dropped to the ground, letting the dagger fall from his hand as he laid on his back. Jounouchi knelt beside Kaiba, taking his hand in his good one, squeezing it slightly.

"It's all over now," Jounouchi said. "It's all over." The brunette nodded slightly, and the blonde began to look around at the cemetery, what was left of the Moon Chinae forces dropping out of exhaustion onto the ground. Yugi and Anzu stood beside each other under the black form of a rotting oak tree, Yugi doing his best to comfort the brunette as she cried into her hands. Bakura sat on a boulder nearby, trying in vain to wipe off the blood that coated his body. He raised his head and his eyes met Jounouchi's for a moment before the blonde looked to the other side of the cemetery, the part where Otogi and Honda lay motionless near each other. Jounouchi drew in a sharp intake of breath and lowered his eyes, tears stinging the backs of them as he reverted his gaze down to Kaiba beside him. Kaiba's eyes were fixated on the sky. As Jounouchi looked, he saw that it was turning a slight violet, in the horizon a red. A blood red streaming into a crimson.