Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Tales of Crimson Nights ❯ Chapter 6 ( Chapter 6 )

Disclaimer: No I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

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Chapter 6

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"Bakura, wake up beloved."

I groaned, opening my eyes open blearily, coming face to face with my lavender-eyed lover.

"What?" I groaned, once again closing my eyes. I was completely exhausted and wanted to at least sleep for another few hours.

"You need to feed." He mumbled, his hands wrapping themselves in my hair, tugging gently. "Come on, before you go insane from thirst." I frowned, I wasn't that hungry.

"Leave me alone." I snapped.

"See? You're already grouchy. Come on, get up." Marik shook me and I snarled, opening my eyes once again to glare at him. "You're eyes are red. You need to feed." Marik demanded, and I hissed.

"Fuck off, Marik." I watched as his eyes widened in shock, as did my own. Something was wrong with me, I could feel it, but for some reason I couldn't control my emotions. Suddenly, Marik inhaled sharply, and my head turned sharply to glower at him.

"Today's your day." He muttered with a slight frown, making me snarl in complete annoyance.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"What happens to us every hundred years or so?" I felt my eyes widen fractionally.

"Day of Alteration." I mumbled sourly. So that's why I couldn't control my emotions.

A vampire's Day of Alteration is when one goes through a drastic mental change. You loose control of your feelings and thoughts for just a night. Often, vampires go on killing sprees, and can consume entire cities in just a short amount of time. Usually, vampires don't remember what had transpired, or they end up getting killed by elder immortals.

I sighed. At least I had Marik with me, he would help control me and not let me cause any unnecessary harm to others. I remembered Marik going through the same thing a few years ago, actually. Suddenly, my eyes shot open in realization. The slaves!

"Keep me away from Ryou and Malik!" I shouted, beginning to panic. If the teens ever saw me in the state I was in now, they'd never be able to look at me again! I clutched onto his arm, trembling violently with the effort to be in command of my emotions a little longer.

"Shh, I will love, just relax." Marik soothed, petting my hair to try to cease my quickening breaths. I was loosing control, and fast. I looked up at Marik and kissed him softly on the lips, giving him a sorrowful smile.

"I love you." I whispered, and then all went black.

***

"Bakura! Bakura, please!"

What? Who was that? I blinked my eyes open and found myself staring down at my lover's frightened face.

"Marik?" I asked curiously, I had no idea where I was or what I was doing. He looked up at me, tears pooling at the corner of his eyes. Tears? I was shocked, Marik NEVER cried!

"Thank the gods!" He shouted, wrapping his arms around my neck and pulling me onto his chest, holding me in a death grip, his figure trembling.

"What happened?" I frowned, smoothing down Marik's wild hair. "What's wrong?" I pulled back from him and looked around myself cautiously. I was in the slave's rooms, how odd...

It was then I noticed the two cowering figures in the corner. Malik was grasping onto Ryou tightly, both peeking out at me with fearful eyes. My heart clenched at the smell of pure fear radiating from them and I reached out to the two shaking teens. Why were they so scared?

"N-No! S-Stay away!" Malik screamed, trying to back himself and Ryou closer to the wall. "M-Marik! Keep him away! Keep him away!" Ryou began to sob uncontrollably into Malik's shirt, and I froze.

"M-Marik?" I asked hoarsely, wetting my dry lips. "Wh-What did I do?" I remembered. I remember that this was my Day of Alteration, and that I blacked out in Marik's arms previously that night. "What did I do?!" I shouted, spinning around to face him, lifting him up by his tattered shirt.

Wait? Tattered?

"No." I muttered in disbelief, noticing his state of dress, my voice small and meek. "No, no, no, no, no."

"Bakura, wait." Marik said pleadingly, stretching out his hand to me. I backed into the furthest wall from everyone in the room, shaking like a leaf, mumbling to myself incoherently. I had...I had...

I had... raped... my lover...

<<No, Bakura, you didn't...>>

I jumped, startled at hearing Marik's mental voice in my mind.

***

Another short break, my friends. This is something I failed to explain to you earlier. Vampires are also able to communicate telepathically. It's sort of like a bond between all immortals. We can also converse with regular mortals, but the link is stronger between our kinds, especially ones who are close to one another as Marik and I are. You have my apologies for once again interrupting this delightful story.

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<Don't you lie to me, Marik!> I cried, struggling to keep my tears at bay. <I can see it in your eyes!> He shook his head, and stared at me sternly.

<<It didn't get that far, Bakura. You woke up just in time.>>

I felt my hope grow. Was he serious?

<You're not lying?>

<<No, I swear to you.>>

I let out a harsh breath of slight relief, but failed to keep the tears from streaming down my face.

"I'm sorry." I sobbed, "I'm so sorry." He smiled at me, and opened his arms invitingly. I flew into him, knocking us both to the floor, mumbling apologies over and over again.

"Shhh, it's okay, Kura." He whispered, trying to calm my trembling body as I shed rivers of tears on his chest. I sniffled quietly, and then closed my eyes in concentration as I used my healing power to make Marik's wounds heal more quickly.

<Please tell me I didn't do anything to the young ones.> I begged quietly into Marik's mind, hoping that I hadn't harmed them at all. <Please...>

<<You just scared them, that's it.>> Marik assured. <<You barged into their room and tried to drink from them, but I did as I promised, and kept you from harming them.>>

<Thank you, Marik.> I paused, eyes tearing up again. <I love you.> I held onto him tighter. I couldn't have imagined what would have happened between us if I had forced myself on him. I'd never be able to look at him the same way again, and I doubt that he could have either.

"Everything's alright now." Marik said out loud, standing up with his arm around my waist, allowing me to lean against him. I was suddenly overcome by weakness, and I leaned more into Marik's arms, eyes blinking drowsily.

"Sun." I mumbled, nodding off fast. I could feel it rising, and my power to stay awake was falling rapidly.

"Yes, I know." Marik said, lifting me up and carrying me into our chamber, laying me down gently in our coffin. He turned to leave, and I whined in protest. "Relax, I will be back shortly." I nodded acceptingly, and closed my eyes, struggling to stay awake and wait for my lover. A hand gently caressed my face, and I sighed, smiling.

"Marik?"

"Yes, beloved." He joined into the coffin with me, wrapping his arms around me like he normally does. "I had to put Ryou and Malik in a different room for now. They'll be fine." I peered an eye open at him worriedly. What if they hate me now? I shuddered. I wouldn't able to stand that. Marik kissed my forehead lovingly before closing the casket lid.

"I love you." I whispered. I just couldn't seem to say it enough; I needed to somehow let him know how much he meant to me. I felt myself smile and drift into a dead sleep when I heard the similar reply.

"I love you too."

***

"Drink Bakura."

I woke up to the sound of Marik's voice, a warm, soothing liquid pouring down my throat.

Blood.

I opened my mouth, trying to take in as much as I could. I was starving. Yesterday, I didn't get to feed enough to keep me awake. The crimson treat was delicious, and I vaguely remembered that it didn't taste anything like my lover's blood. Before I knew it, the revitalizing fluid was then taken away, and I whimpered in protest.

"Open your eyes, Bakura." I did as Marik told me to, and squinted up at the two figures above me. Wait, two figures? I blinked, making out the forms of my lover and my slave, Ryou. I tried to sit up, and groaned as I was hit with a wave of dizziness. "He needs more."

I moaned in bliss as Marik pressed his wrist to my lips, urging me to bite, which I did immediately. More crimson blood spilled into my mouth, and I felt my eyes roll back into my head at the taste. I faintly heard Marik call at me to stop, and it took everything I had in me to pull away. I gasped, the blood running through my veins, feeling my strength increasing by the second.

"Marik?" I breathed in heavily, smiling as he wrapped his arms around my neck and pulled me out of the casket, setting me on my feet.

"You had me worried." He admitted, brushing my hair out of my eyes. "You wouldn't wake up..."

"I'm sorry." I kissed his lips softly, then turned to Ryou questioningly. "Why are you- Oh..." My eyes widened when I noticed the wound on his wrist. So he was the one who first gave me blood. I reached out to him slowly, pausing whenever he flinched, and closed my hand around the wound. When I pulled back, the cut was healed, not even a scar was left behind. He looked up at me hesitantly, holding his healed hand to his chest.

"Thank you..."

"I should be thanking you, little one. You saved me." I smiled. He blushed, and turned his face towards the wall. My smile turned into a frown as I recalled the previous night. "I'm sorry I frightened you and Malik..."

"There's no need for apologies, sir." He spoke quietly, still not meeting my eyes. "Marik explained to us what happened." I nodded my head in understanding.

"Please, I'd rather you call me by my name." I grinned. "Being called `sir' makes me feel old."

"But you are old." Marik blinked, and I sighed exasperatedly.

"Yes, yes, but I'd rather still believe I'm somewhat around the age of nineteen, or twenty."

"But you're over three hundred..."

"Marik!" I shouted, swatting at his head, scowling when he giggled at me. "You're impossible."

"I know." He smirked, and I rolled my eyes, but couldn't stop the smile forming on my face. I looked back Ryou, only to see him try not to smile at our antics as well.

"Hmph, so you're laughing at me too?" I pouted, pretending to be upset. He turned to me frantically.

"No! That's not it at all!" I smiled and shook my head, bending down to kiss his cheek.

"You should smile more often, you look beautiful when you do." His face turned scarlet and he squeaked in embarrassment. Marik and I both chuckled at him. He was so adorable. "Wait, where's the blond?"

"Still sleeping." Marik shrugged. "I have an idea, let's all go out and grab a bite to eat in the village." Ryou paled considerably at the statement, thinking we meant to go out hunting.

"He meant real food." I assured him. "He's already fed, right?" I guessed, and Marik nodded his head. "I have as well, so there's no need to hunt. Would you like to go?"

"Whatever you wish." Ryou said obediently and bowed his head, making me scowl.

"Let's not go through this again." I grumbled. "Would you mind if we took you and Malik out?"

"No si-, I mean... No, not at all." Ryou said, correcting himself before he said `sir'.

"Very well then. Marik? Let's get them more appropriate clothes, and we'll need to have you wear those collars again." I looked at Ryou apologetically. "Why don't you go wake your friend up?"

"Yes, Bakura." Ryou once again bowed his head politely, and exited the room.

"He's very well-behaved, isn't he?" Marik pondered, draping his arms over my shoulder. I nodded in agreement.

"Why don't we take them out to that Romeo and Juliet play? I'm sure Ryou would love it." Marik made a face at me.

"Shakespeare? Blech. His plays are boring." I rolled my eyes at him.

"Well, if Malik doesn't mind, why don't you take him somewhere else? Like, a sword fighting competition?" I watched in amusement as Marik's eyes lit up in excitement.

"Oh! That sounds like fun!"

"You can take him only if he wants to go." I said sternly. "If he wants to stay with Ryou and see the play, then he can."

"Mmhmm. Let's get them those clothes." Marik dashed out of the room, and I could tell he didn't pay attention to half the things he said. Sighing, I slowly made my way out of the room to fetch the two teens their collars, bumping into Malik and Ryou on the way. I stared at him in surprise.

"Hn. You woke up easy." I said, remembering how hard a time I had trying to rouse him a few nights back. He glanced up at me nervously before turning to face the ground. He was still afraid of me.

"Malik, I'm sorry about last night. Did Marik explain to you why I acted like that?" The young teen nodded his head.

"Yes sir, I understand." He said quietly, and I frowned.

"Please, don't call me sir."

"It makes him feel old!" Marik laughed behind me, making me jump in surprise. I threw him an angry glare, which he ignored and grabbed the clothes out of his hands.

"Here, put these on." I handed them the fresh garments, and the two chokers. "Don't take those off while we're in town." I warned, and then gently pushed the two into a room to change.

The two came out a few minutes later in fresh clothes, their bite marks covered by the two collars, and waited patiently for us to give them their next instructions.

"Okay, let's first go out for something to eat. I'm sure you two are starving." I gestured for them to follow me downstairs and out the door.

"It's a long walk to the city." Marik mused, looking at the two teens behind him. "It could be too much for them." I watched in amusement as Malik frowned.

"It's not too much for us." He snapped, making Marik raise an eyebrow. "We made it to the outskirts of the town by sunrise, didn't we?"

"That's what I'm worried about." Marik chuckled. "By the time we get there, we won't be able to do anything." Malik growled, but didn't argue, and I shook my head at them.

"Why don't we ride our horses?" Marik's eyes lit up and he grabbed onto me, kissing my cheek.

"Splendid idea, love! We haven't ridden them in such a long time!"

"Are they still alive?" Malik asked dryly.

"Yes, they're still alive, why wouldn't they be?" I asked, annoyed at the teen's attitude. "We pay for them to be taken care of."

"Jasmine! My darling!" Marik yelled, running around the house to the stables before I could stop him. I once again shook my head in exasperation.

"Sorry about him, he gets excited very easily." I muttered, beckoning the two teens around to the stable house.

"We haven't noticed." Malik said sourly, crossing his arms and marching after us.

"Have you two ever been on a horse before?" I asked once we arrived to where Marik was. Ryou and Malik both shook their heads in a negative reply, and I smiled. "I'm sure you'll enjoy them." We turned the corner to see Marik nuzzling against his tan colored horse, Jasmine.

"How's my girl?" Marik baby-talked to the mare, the horse snorting in reply.

"I swear, Marik. You love that horse more than you love me."

"How could you ever think that!" Marik cried out with fake horror, and I snickered at his bad impression.

"Alright, Malik, you can ride with Marik on Jasmine, and I'll take Ryou on Diamond." I gently tugged on Ryou's hand towards the other stall, opening it to proudly introduce my `baby', as Marik would say.

"Wow." Ryou gasped, staring at Diamond in awe. I couldn't blame him for being surprised. Diamond was a very beautiful horse. She was one of the most rare breeds too, and she was pure white.

"Isn't she a beauty?" I stroked her nose gently, calming her down, and waved Ryou up to me. "Go ahead and pet her." He hesitantly put his hand on her snout, and rubbed softly, encouraged when the horse nuzzled back.

"Come on slowpokes!" Someone called from behind us, and I turned around to see Marik had already saddled up Jasmine, and was riding up to us, Malik sitting in front of him and clutching onto my lover's shirt tightly. I sighed softly.

"We're coming!" I called back, and began to saddle up Diamond as well. I was finished within a few minutes, and climbed up on the back of her effortlessly.

"Um..." Ryou stuttered, eyeing the horse uncertainly.

"It's okay, Ryou." I soothed, "She won't hurt you." I held my hand out, and Ryou grabbed it after a moments delay. I pulled him up in front of me without any trouble, hearing him squeak and curl up to my chest, fisting his hands in my shirt.

"Come on, Kura!" Marik shouted impatiently. "Half the night's gone already!" Marik tugged on Jasmine's reigns, and started off down the road, not waiting to see if I would follow.

"Hold on tight." I advised to the little one curled up in front of me before I galloped off after my lover.

This night would be interesting indeed...

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Chibi B: Sorry I ended it there... It's a little short, I know. ^^;;;

R&R! PLEASE! (But, I'm not making you...so don't think you have to...)