Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Tales of Crimson Nights ❯ Chapter 12 ( Chapter 12 )

Thanks a lot reviewers! I love you all! I am so SORRY for the lack of updates here…I'm going to be shooting out chapters rapid fire…so…enjoy!

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!

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"Well? Any volunteers?" Marik asked, gaining silence in return. "I'm not that bad at dressing people up, am I?" I watched in amusement as the two boys looked at each other nervously.

"How about he dresses you both together?" I suggested. They nodded their heads, and slowly began to shed their clothes.

"Alright then." Marik clapped his hands, and began to once again dig through the chest. I watched him for a moment before turning my attention to Malik and Ryou, who were standing there timidly, their hands covering themselves in embarrassment.

"There's nothing to be ashamed of." I soothed softly, trying to calm them down and failing as they only blushed more and shrunk away.

"Here we go! Try this." Marik shouted suddenly and pulled out two other silk robes, one a lavender color, and the other brown. The two followed directions and slipped the articles on. Marik looked at them carefully before shaking his head. "No, let's try another one."

I blinked, surprised. I thought the outfits looked quite good. The colors matched their eyes, and fit their slim forms flawlessly. Marik handed them another few clothes to try on, then some more, and some more. My eyes widened at how many different styles they tried on before Marik finally chose one.

They were made from silk, which wasn't a surprise, and were the same color as the outfits they first tried on, but they were more skimpy. The robe was as long as mine was, only these ones had no sleeves, which made both teens look very feminine. There was also a silk scarf wrapped around each of their waists, making them look that much more elegant.

"That's perfect." I admitted, congratulating Marik on his choice.

"I'm not done yet!" He declared, and brought over a ribbon the same color as Ryou's robe. He pulled the younger boy's hair back, as he did with mine and tied it together in a small bow. Then, he placed two pairs of silk slippers in front of them.

"Are your outfits comfortable?" I asked, once they slipped into their shoes.

"They are!" Ryou giggled and spun around. "It's so soft!" I smiled happily.

"I'm glad you like it."

"Don't forget your gems!" Marik reminded, coming over with some more assortments of jewelry. He slipped bracelets and rings onto their fingers, and even some clip on earrings, but I was surprised to see there were no necklaces. I was about to ask him about it, but was shushed when he came over with the eyeliner. He put the makeup on Malik and Ryou carefully, kissing each boy's forehead when he was done.

"My turn!" He grinned, and whipped out an outfit quickly, shedding his clothes at rapid speed. I sighed and shook my head as he was already finished, standing in front of me with the same robe I had on, and decorated in jewelry. "Oh! I almost forgot!" He grabbed some perfume out of the trunk, and sprayed it on all of us lightly, so we weren't actually bathing in the odor.

"You look stunning, love." I complimented and kissed his lips.

"I know. And they do too." He pointed to Ryou and Malik, who blushed at the attention.

"Most definitely." I agreed, loving the way they looked at the ground in embarrassment. "But why don't they have any chains, like we have?"

"Well, unfortunately, they can't go out without collars…" Marik said, eyeing the teen's sadly as their shoulders sunk. "But, I did make newer, more comfortable ones." He walked over to the dresser on the far side of the room, and pulled out two leather strap collars, only they were wrapped in comfortable soft material, and the colors matched the two's outfits.

"When did you make those?" I asked in surprise, lifting Ryou's up and looking at it in admiration. It was truly beautiful, almost like a choker type necklace. I noticed the vile changed as well, and was in the shape of a gemstone. I uncapped it, and bit into my finger, letting the blood drip inside before shutting it carefully.

"I had to amuse myself somehow when Yami locked me in that room." Marik smirked, and repeated the same process I did. "Malik." He called his look alike over to him.

"Ryou." I smiled, and motioned for him to come over as well. "I'm sorry you have to wear this. But, it does make you look more beautiful." I whispered, and placed it around his neck so it was covering his bite marks.

"It's alright." Ryou said quietly, fingering the vile and smiling up at me. "It protects me, right?"

"That's right." I grinned and kissed his cheek. "You're gorgeous."

"Thank you." He squeaked, and I snickered, taking his hand in mine.

"So, are we all set to go?" I questioned, looking over at Marik and Malik. The two were holding hands as well and nodded in reply. "Are we taking our horses?"

"That would be best." Marik said thoughtfully. "Plus, we didn't even check to make sure they returned safely from our last trip.

"Oh, I'm sure they're fine." I said, walking downstairs with Ryou in tow. We walked to the back of the stables, and were overjoyed to see that Jasmine and Diamond indeed made it back safe and sound. We saddled them up and prepared to head off, Ryou riding with me once again and Malik with Marik.

"See you there!" Marik called out, waving to us and galloping off towards the town. I waved back and made sure Ryou was secure in my lap before heading off after him.

As we began arriving closer to the village, we began to hear music and loud voices calling through the night. I grinned, hardly able to wait until we got there. I loved the festivals the city held from time to time. The dancing, the food, the wine; it was all so much fun!

We stopped a good distance away from where the merriment was taking place, and tied our horses up. I helped Ryou down gently, careful not to crinkle his beautiful robe.

"You ready for a grand time?" I asked brightly, receiving a nervous smile in return.

"Let's dance!" Marik cried out suddenly, tugging on my arm. I laughed and allowed myself to be dragged to the center of the town, Ryou and Malik trailing after us.

"You're free to do whatever you wish!" I shouted towards them since the music and voices grew louder as we reached our destination. I pulled out of Marik's grip and handed the two some money. "If you get into any trouble, we'll find you." I kissed both their cheeks, hearing the thoughts of the townspeople around me and enjoying how they were amazed at the two's beauty.

"…" Ryou and Malik looked around themselves with frightened looks, their hands clasped together tightly.

"Don't tell me you've never been to a town festival!" Marik exclaimed behind me, leaning down to the two.

"Well, we've never been allowed outside during one…" Malik said, frowning. "We could only listen."

"That's true. Malik and I usually just stayed together in the basement." Ryou acknowledged. I blinked once, then twice.

"You mean your two knew each other before we bought you?" I asked in disbelief.

"You didn't know?" Malik asked, tilting his head to the side. "Our, previous owners were good friends…"

I would have never guessed…But, it did explain how the two got so close to each other in such a short time.

"Well, no, we didn't know any of that." Marik admitted, scratching the back of his head. "Well, would you mind if Bakura and I danced?" Both teens blinked and shook their heads.

"Okay, just stay close together, alright?" I smiled, and allowed myself to be pulled away by Marik once again. I laughed as he spun me around and held me close, dancing to the bouncing music around us.

"Can you hear them?" He whispered, his breath tickling my ear.

"Hear who?"

"The townspeople." He answered. "They think you're absolutely gorgeous." One of his hands reached back to play with my tied up hair, and I snickered.

"I can hear some pretty steamy thoughts about yourself as well."

"Ah, well, they'll just have to know that I'm already taken." He held my hips and leaned down so close our lips were almost touching. I felt a rush of excitement run through me, for nobody in the village knew of us being a couple. In fact, it was unheard of for two male high class citizens to be together.

All thoughts flew out of my head however, as I felt the lips of my lover descend to mine, sending shivers down my spine. I moaned, and wrapped my hands around the back of his neck, hearing the astonished gasps of the crowd around us as he continued to plunder my mouth with reckless abandon. Suddenly, without any warning, he pulled back cursing, looking around himself wildly.

"What is it?" I asked, feeling my lover's steadily increasing panic.

"They're in trouble."

"Ryou and Malik?" I gasped, knowing that he would only react like this if the two were in danger. "Already?"

"Yes." He answered, and began shoving his way through the masses of people that surrounded us. "Can you sense them as well?" I scowled, and concentrated, almost falling over in shock as I felt the waves of terror wash through me.

"We have to hurry, Ryou's practically sick with fear!" I followed my lover as he led us to an old hut a few minutes away form the town center. He kicked open the door and rushed inside, pausing in the doorway.

"Gods…" He murmured weakly, his eyes wide as he stared at the two occupants in the room. I pushed past him roughly and looked inside as well, immediately becoming sick at the sight I beheld.

Ryou was gagged, and bound face down to a bed, tears of anguish streaming down his face as he stared at us in despair. His clothes were lying next to the bed, and it was then I noticed that a man stood behind the teen, in a position to do the unthinkable, but was shocked when we came in the door. I recognized him to be the previous possessor of Ryou.

"You take care of him, I must find Malik." Marik whispered to me gravely before disappearing.

"Hello again." The man grinned toothlessly at me, and I cringed. "I jus saw 'im wanderin around in a pretty lil dress, and thought you wouldn't mind me 'avin a turn with 'im now that he's been trained a bit." I felt ill, clenching my fists together, my nails digging into the palms of my hands. "After all, I neva really did getta taste of the boy before I sold 'im…"

Before the man knew what hit him, he was flying across the room, smashing into the wall with a sickening 'thud'. I spat on the prone figure before rushing over to the teen on the bed, removing the ropes around his arms and legs and pulling out the gag, gathering him into my arms. He began to sob helplessly into my chest, and I rocked him back and forth, murmuring comforting words.

I couldn't believe what had almost happened to the precious one in my arms, continuing my rocking motions and planting desperate kisses on his head as he cried his heart out, his small frame quaking from the force of his sobs. I was filled with anger as I saw how broken Ryou had become, and swore not to let the man get away with his life. I noticed the once still figure out of the corner of my eye begin to stand up, and I glowered at him, my eyes flashing red. He stopped moving, paralyzed by my look and staring back at me in shock.

"It's all right. Everything's going to be okay…" I soothed, trying to calm Ryou down. That was my first priority. Thankfully, it worked, and his crying died down into soft whimpers. I carefully untangled his fists from my shirt, and slid him off my lap and onto the bed, facing the wall opposite of his torturer was at. When he began shaking, I once again whispered assurances and stood up, making my way over to the man in the corner of the room.

"Do you have any idea of what you've almost done?" I hissed harshly, my eyes boring into him hatefully as I picked him up by the cuff of his shirt. "Do you even know who I am?" He was unable to answer, but I could smell his fear, and let me tell you, I enjoyed it. "I could enjoy you as a meal." I sneered at him, showing off my fangs. He became even more frightened, and I laughed before turning serious once again. "But I don't enjoy the taste of your kind's blood." And with that said, I slashed his throat with my nails, gaining a sick delight in the way his eyes widened and looked at me pleadingly. I kicked him one last time for good measure, and stalked away, leaving him to his inevitable death.

"He, he- tried to!" Ryou mumbled tearfully, looking up at me as I bent down to pick him up. "And Malik!"

"Shh, Marik went to get him." I said softly, feeling my heart brake as he broke down crying in my arms again. I can't express to you how I felt when I sensed the emotions running through the teens mind. I wanted to cry with him; he was hurting so bad. And so, I did.

I buried my face into his hair, and wept. That man was so close to… And I didn't want to think about the things he did to Ryou before I came.

"I'm sorry." I cried, repeating it to him over and over again. "I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry!"

Hearing a soft noise, I looked up and caught the depressed gaze of my lover as he held a comatose Malik in his arms. He began to walk out the door, and I held back the rest of my tears, standing up with Ryou to follow him when he let out a quiet whimper and curled in on himself. I blinked and mentally smacked myself. He was still without clothes. I bent down and picked up his torn robe, feeling anger wash through me once more. I draped it across him and continued my way out of the dirty hut.

We made our way to our horses, all of us silent except for Ryou who continued to sob heartbreakingly. The ride back to our mansion was the same way, only I was unable to keep the few tears from spilling out of my eyes. We carried the fragile teens up to their rooms and into their beds.

"Get some rest." I whispered hoarsely, trying to smile at the tear stained face of child below me. I moved to wipe the tears away from his eyes but drew back when he flinched. Saddened, I stood up to leave when a tiny hand grasped onto my own.

"Please don't leave me…" He whimpered, and I stared at him in shock. Why would he want me to stay? But, I did as requested, and lied down where he immediately curled up to my chest. I looked over at Marik and noticed he had done the same thing, and was currently playing with a stray strand of Malik's blond hair. He caught my gaze and smiled sadly before mouthing the words 'I love you'. I felt myself smile back and mouthed the same words before turning to the angel next to me who was already fast asleep.

"Goodnight, Ryou." I kissed his forehead and decided to just watch him as he slept.

Who knew that such a devastating event could have happened in the least expected place? And so quickly?

My eyes drifted shut as the morning sun rose, and I fell into a troubling sleep.

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