Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Fate of the Damned ❯ Reunion ( Chapter 3 )

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

By: Itavita

Thanks to all those who reviewed the last chapter. ^^ You all make my day.

Also, I'm extremely sorry for taking so long to get this written and uploaded. I've been both sick and lazy these last two weeks, and I apologize for that.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Yu-gi-oh or any of its characters and I make no profit from this story.

Now, without further adieu, ch 3!

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Ryou left his cleaning supplies lying forgotten next to the wall and trailed after the guards stealthily, careful not to make a sound and draw attention to himself. He stuck close to the stone beside him, hands gliding along its rough surface to guide his footing, which had become unsure once the light around him dissolved away. Apparently, the lamps within the halls knew when to illuminate one's path and when to veil them in darkness.

The boy closed the distance between the guards and himself, eyes narrowing to scrutinize his friend between them. From this angle, he had a clear view of the unconscious boy's wounds - a busted lip, bruised cheeks, both eyes black and swollen, and several cuts adorning his arms, legs, and what could be seen of his chest above the neckline of his tunic. His hair was greasy and limp, much like Ryou's earlier that day, and his bronzed skin showed almost black with dust and filth.

Ryou had to force back his tears at the sight.

The demons dragged the blonde human to the throne room, where Ryou suspected they would be offering him to their master. Swallowing, the boy followed as far as he dared, stopping just outside of the heavy double doors that led into the crimson room where he had met the vampire just hours before. With ear attached to the door, he listened intently for voices from inside.

"Ah, I see you have brought the other human as I've instructed." The silky tone of the vampire master reached Ryou clearly through the mahogany wood barring him from the conversation. "Take him down to the servant chambers and have him cleaned and fed. Maybe once he's had a bath that disgusting stench of illness and sweat will be gone from my castle."

He heard the mumbling of the demons in answer, then the clinking of their boots against the marble floors. Ryou panicked, tearing away from the door and rushing into the first room he found, which turned out to be a library. He ducked between two book cases and under an overstuffed couch which was set against the wall, only barely fitting thanks to his poor physical condition. He positioned himself so he could see through the array of old, dusty books and out into the hall, perking his ears and waiting for the demons to pass with Malik.

They didn't take an extensive amount of time, and once their steps and muffled talking quieted, Ryou crawled out of hiding and made his way back to the sitting room where he collected his supplies and raced down the path to the servant rooms.

He slipped into the large scale area moments after the demon guards, mindful of the other servants huddled near the archway, hoping to catch a glimpse of the newcomer. The boy discarded his bucket of soapy water and brush near the wall and navigated through the crowd, stopping mere feet away from Malik who was still within the guards' grasp. His heart was pounding in his chest and his breathing came out in short gasps as he watched the head servant, Otogi, enter the circle of onlookers and make his way to the three new arrivals.

“What is this?” The black hair demon asked, crossing his arms over his chest. “Another human slave being kept for our master?” The others immediately grew silent as the superior pair of fiends began to speak.

“Not quite. This one is to be fed and healed until he is in decent condition, then he will be offered to our master's brother as a gift.” The woman said, her voice not completely feminine. Her male counterpart nodded and brought Malik forward, tossing him haphazardly to the ground in front of Otogi. “Begin his treatment now or else he may not survive the coming weeks.” They left without further explanation, their boots beating against the stone floors as they went.

Otogi put his hands on his thin hips, eyes narrowed. `Assholes.' He thought venomously. Alas, an order was an order. He glanced down at the blonde lying in a heap at his feet and raised his head, spotting Ryou. Waving the human over, he clasped the other's arm in a clawed hand and spoke calmly. “Take this boy to the sick tent,” he pointed to one of the few covered areas of the room, “and cure him at once. You will be staying by his side until he is well. Understood?”

Ryou bowed his head respectfully, grateful when he was released and the demons began thinning, uninterested now that the main show had ended. He dropped to his knees beside Malik, running a hand through the gnarled mop of hair and tried hard to keep his emotions in check. Swallowing audibly, he stood and heaved his friend up, hands settling under his armpits as he pulled the other boy across the floor, through groups of servants, and finally into an unoccupied tent, its material ripped and patched in several spots.

It took several moments to get Malik settled atop one of the beds, the boy's weight, though minimal thanks to years of improper nutrition, being a challenge for Ryou to lift. Once the blonde was positioned comfortably on the blankets, the white-haired human went off to gather a bowl of water and medical supplies. He was only able to collect a few bottles of ointment and salve, along with a single roll of bandages. Apparently, the demon servants didn't feel it necessary to offer too many of their important provisions to a human.

Placing the bowl of relatively clean water and other items on the bedside table, Ryou reached for a rag lying abandoned on the floor and dipped it into the cool liquid, wetting it fully. Squeezing out the excess fluid, he moved to clean the grime and dried blood from Malik's tanned flesh, grimacing as infection and puss oozed from the open wounds. `No wonder he's out cold.' He was sure it would take weeks of recuperation for the blonde to be up and walking again, though hopefully he would wake soon and be coherent enough to tell Ryou what had happened. He couldn't deny he wished desperately to hear the other's voice.

After tending to Malik's arms, legs, and torso, he wiped the cloth across the boy's face, jumping back as those violet eyes opened suddenly, the pupil's dilating with fevered delirium. The blonde gazed fearfully around the room for a few seconds, then focused on Ryou. Recognition shown in his eyes and he stopped the nervous fidgeting which had started upon his return to consciousness.

“R-Ryou?” he choked, reaching feebly. Mentally slapping himself, Ryou went back to Malik's side, grasping his friend's hand firmly. He felt tears slide down his cheeks and heard the soft patter as they came to rest on the blankets of the bed. He brought the tan digits to his lips and kissed the blonde's fingers lovingly, happy beyond belief Malik had woken.

“I'm here, Malik. How are you feeling?” he asked breathlessly, leaning over the other and placing the wet rag over his forehead. “I've been so worried about you.” He whispered as an afterthought.

Malik smiled tiredly, reciprocating the gentle embrace of Ryou's hand. “I guess I'm alright, if you don't count the nausea, headache, raging pain throughout my body, and the feeling that I'm bathing in my own sweat.”

The pale boy chuckled lamely, setting the blonde's hand back on the bed. “You'll heal in time. Don't worry, I promise to take excellent care of you.” He took a jar of ointment and the bandages from the table nearby, depositing the roll of cloth near the other's limp hand as he pried off the cap to the container and scooped some of the white substance onto his index finger. He then put it back in its prior place, its top next to it, and returned to the task of dressing the blonde's wounds.

As he applied the medicine and bandages to Malik's injuries, he attempted to strike up a conversation and decided he might as well ask the question that had been plaguing him ever since his friend had returned.

“What happened to you?” his tone was soft and delicate so as not to upset the boy. He didn't want Malik thinking he was expected to talk about his ordeal, but rather to let him know that he was willing to listen if the blonde wanted to.

His companion was silent for a minute, then his lips parted. “I'll tell you, but first I need a drink. My throats too dry for such a long story.”

“Oh! I'm sorry! Of course!” Ryou hurried to fulfill the request, snatching a spare cup from one of the other tables and dipping it into the bowl of water. He wrinkled his nose as he helped Malik drink. `It may be dirty, but it's better than nothing.'

Once the other drained the offering, the white-haired boy replaced the mug where he had found it and sat on the sheets beside his friend. He heard the blonde clear his throat, and instantly perked his ears, ready to listen.

“Well, as you can tell, I've been roughed up since last we saw each other.” He gave Ryou a weak grin. “It was the demons in the prison that did this to me. I only made it a few hundred feet into the woods before they caught up and tackled me to the ground.” Malik grimaced. “They were so angry. So very angry that we had escaped.”

Ryou clasped his hand as the blonde swallowed harshly and continued. “At that time I didn't know if they had captured you as well, so I refused to admit I had an accomplice. They beat me until I could hardly move, then carried me to the prison and down to the dungeons for punishment.”

Biting his lower lip, the smaller of the two released the blonde's hand and lowered himself to the blankets, arms wrapping securely around Malik's fever heated neck and shoulders and held him close. “Oh, Malik.” He murmured, planting a chaste kiss to the tan cheek. The other turned into his touch, nuzzling against him and closing his eyes. “Please tell me what happened next.” Ryou heard his friend's breath hitch at the request and tightened his grip.

“It was terrible, Ryou. They strapped me to some sort of metal chair found in one of the torture rooms deep within the prison, and once I was tied down they used any type of weapon they could find to cause me pain. Knives, teeth, fists - anything that was available. I'm eternally grateful that you weren't there with me. I don't think you could have survived the experience.”

“I don't think so, either.” Ryou said, bringing Malik closer. “You've always been much stronger than me, a quality I've secretly envied for as long as we've known each other.” The blonde lifted one of his hands and encircled the younger's delicate wrist, thumb kneading the smooth skin affectionately.

“It was a good thing you weren't there.” Malik repeated, shifting toward his bedmate. “The `session' only lasted thirty minutes or so, but it seemed like an eternity to me. Then, just as they were about to end my life, the door to the room is thrown open and we're interrupted by a band of high class demons in armor. These new demons strutted in as if they owned the land, easily tossing aside any of the prison guards who got in their way, and stopped right next to me, still bound to the seat.”

A hush fell over the room, the blonde having gritted his teeth at the memory. “What did they say?” Ryou prompted, pressing his cheek against Malik's and trying his best to calm the other boy.

“I was almost completely out of it at this point.” He confessed, his lengthy pause over. “I remember hearing something about a vampire master by the name of Bakura ordering I be brought to him, no matter what claim the prison had on me. The guards began to bicker and argue at this news, but when the higher fiends withdrew their weapons and moved to strike, they conceded and allowed me to be taken away.”

“So, his name is Bakura, huh?” Ryou muttered absentmindedly. `I'm probably not allowed to know his name since he's considered superior to me. I need to watch what I say around anyone other than Malik from now on. I'd hate to slip up and be disciplined.'

“You didn't know?” a voice broke into his thoughts, startling him.

“Huh?” The white-haired boy sputtered, staring at his friend. “No, I didn't know about any vampire lord in this or any other region.”

Malik sighed. “Ryou, you really can be dense sometimes.”

The younger's cheeks puffed out in spite of himself. “What are you talking about? No one in the prison ever mentioned anything about a vampire lord named Bakura living nearby. I would have heard it if they had!”

“Apparently you wouldn't have, since they did mention it. Plenty of times, in fact.”

Ryou blushed heatedly and held his tongue for a moment before replying. “When did all this happen?”

“Oh, every so often one of the demons would gossip about the subject.” Malik said, giving him a smug look. “Anyway,” he said, breaking the friendly atmosphere, “I have a few things I want to know.” Ryou nodded, showing that he was paying attention. “First, why are you and I here in Bakura's castle?”

`Great.' He growled to himself. Now he was obligated to tell his friend what was in store for him. Just perfect. “Um, well, I'm supposed to stay here and be the vampire's servant. You, on the other hand, won't be here for long.”

“What do you mean?”

Ryou braced himself for the inevitable reaction. “You…Bakura plans on presenting you to his half brother when you're well and in better condition.”

A look of confusion passed over Malik's face, then bled into one of pure fury. “He's giving me away to a family member like I was some sort of pet!?” The blonde was absolutely seething as he attempted to sit up. “That bastard, how dare he?! I didn't escape one hell just to be tossed into another one!”

“I know you didn't.” Ryou said, rising and balancing himself on his elbows above his friend, effectively pinning him to the spot. “Neither of us anticipated this scenario, but there's nothing we can do about it, not unless you think you're up to battling a vampire lord and his hordes of demons.”

His friend looked away, eyes narrowed in anger. Ryou took the rag from Malik's forehead and wiped the older boy's face once again before tossing the piece of cloth into the water bowl. The gentle action helped quell the blonde's rage, at least for the time being, and he listened as the other spoke.

“Bakura said he was going to offer you to his half brother because of your similarities in appearance.” Ryou sat up, emerald eyes never leaving the blonde's face. “He's probably only keeping me here because of our own resemblance.”

Malik soaked in this information, a thought striking him. “You said he knew I looked like his brother, and this is why he chose to send his demons after me?” At Ryou's nod his eyebrows knitted in concentration. “How would he know that?”

“I'm not really sure. He was speaking to me about my escape from the prison and you were brought up somehow. He seemed interested in you and asked me how you looked, so I described your skin color and hair. After I did, he went still and this strange feeling came over me, and once it was gone he said that you resembled his brother.”

“It sounds like he used a mind trick on you.” He glanced in Ryou's direction, clarifying when the younger boy shot him a baffled expression. “I've heard that vampires have special powers that allow them to read your mind, among other things. It wouldn't have mattered if you had lied to him, he would have found the truth eventually and you most likely would have been punished for wasting his time.”

“Oh.” That was a frightening revelation, the fact that he couldn't even have his thoughts to himself. It was no wonder this Bakura had such a strong hold over the castle, he could simply listen for any hint of rebellion and snuff it out immediately. 'Out of all the castles in the region why did I have to end up at this one?' he sighed. Nice to see his terrible luck hadn't run out yet.

Malik suddenly yawned and burrowed deeper into the covers, eyes drooping. Ryou smiled and stood, taking hold of the blankets and covering his friend, tucking him in in a motherly manner. He waited for his friend's breathing grew even, then left, intent on taking a bath and finding a meal. He would bring some food back for his fellow human as well, sure that Malik would eat it once he woke up.

Exiting the tent, he searched for Otogi, discovering the demon near the back of the room ordering a group of childlike servants to do some chore or another. He lingered in the shadows until the man was finished and moved forward, catching his eye. “Sir, I wished to ask your permission to take a bath.”

Otogi paused and considered him. “Well, I guess it would be alright. You have been in the sick room for quite some time now and you humans never did have decent immune systems.” He waved him off. “Go ahead, then, but don't take too long. I want all the servants in bed soon so we can get an early start tomorrow.”

Bowing as he backed up, Ryou turned and made a beeline for the archway. He didn't want to come into contact with any of his peers, the dirty looks they sent him showing they felt the same way. Once safely out in the hall, he slowed his steps to an acceptable pace and walked the path down to the bog.

The smell of rotting plants and stagnant water filled his nose, alerting him that he was drawing near. Breathing through his mouth, he hurried along the stone floor, fingers sliding along the walls lazily. Moonlight filtered through an opening in front of him and the familiar sound of insects and splashing of fish reached his ears, offering their own unique forms of soothing relief to the day's hardships.

He stripped quickly, folding his black tunic and belt neatly and placing them on the ground near the edge of the water, then slipped into the marsh with a shudder. He scrubbed his hair and skin quickly, Otogi's words still fresh in his mind. He couldn't take his time right now, he was needed back in the slave quarters as soon as possible.

The water dripped from him as he scrambled out onto the bank, cleaner and less worse for wear. Snatching up his clothing, he dressed and hurried back the way he had come, turning the corner which led to his new lodgings once he reached it. Finding his way to the entrance without any problems, he entered unnoticed.

Ignoring the dull roar of the demons talking amongst themselves as he explored the area, he kept his eyes peeled for any sign of food lying around unguarded. He didn't know where the kitchens were in the castle (or even if that was where he was to get his meals) and didn't want to risk getting lost within the many winding halls to find them.

Nose quivering, he picked up the scent of some type of soup and upon inspection of the room he spotted a female demon a few yards away serving others from a large cooking pot with a crackling fire underneath it. Following the servants example, he took up two bowls from a crate on the ground and stood in line, patiently waiting his turn.

When the man in front of him was finished, he scooted up to the woman and held out the bowls, thanking her quietly when she reluctantly filled them. Weaving through the demons standing by and slurping their soup, he made his way to the patched tent and maneuvered through the flap and to Malik's side, mindful of his goods.

Setting one of the steaming bowls on the bedside table, he went over to a vacant bed and sat, eating his meal hungrily. His stomach still ached when he had swallowed the last few drops, but he couldn't go back. He had received several glares by just getting two bowls, there was no telling what the others would say if he asked for more.

Discarding his dish on the floor, he lay down and pulled the blankets up to his nose, curling into a protective ball on the lumpy mattress. It wasn't much, but it was certainly better than his sleeping arrangements while living in the prison.

Gaze never leaving his friend's peaceful face, he allowed his body to relax and awaited sleep to claim him.

TBC

Wow. I seriously wrote about 5 pages of this in one night. @.@

Hope you all liked it and thought it was worth the wait. (Probably wasn't, but whatever) Next chapter - stuff will happen. Excited, aren't you? :P