Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The Hunter and the Hunted ❯ Sacrifices ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter 7: Sacrifices

Everyone stared in disbelief as Yugi moved back and clutched his wounded hand; there was an arrow embedded all the way through. Everyone's head turned towards the door. There was Mika, arrow gun in her hand, trembling violently.

"I won't……………………let you…………………...hurt my brother…………………." Mika managed to say even though she is quite scared. "You said that once you captured him he would be by my side forever."

Kaiba growled as stood up from his chair, pulled on his trench coat, and stormed over to Mika.

"You spoiled brat," he hissed as he picked Mika up by the front of her dress and lifted her off the ground. "How dare you interfere."

"I hate you, Kaiba!" screamed Mika as she started biting at his hand. "You are mean! You make promises to me that you never keep!"

Kaiba growled at her as he used his free hand to grab the arrow gun in her hand. He yanked it free from her grip and lifted it up. Mika's eyes widened as he aimed the gun right at her forehead.

"I am sick of babysitting you, Mika," said Kaiba in a harsh tone. "All you do is whine about wanting your brother back. Perhaps the Devil will take over my job when you see him in hell. Bye Bye, little Mika."

After saying that, Kaiba pulled the trigger.

Honda, Jounouchi, and Bakura gasped as Yami lifted his head to look up. He watched in horror as his little sister fell towards the ground; blood running down her forehead and an arrow embedded into her forehead.

"NO!" yelled Yami as tears started to form in his eyes. "MIKA!"

He watched helplessly as his little sister's body crumpled to the ground and turn into nothing but ashes. Kaiba turned his head towards Yami and smirked as he saw his tears.

"You shouldn't have come here, hunter," he said. "Yugi belongs to me!"

Anzu ran into the room and stopped to look at everyone's faces. Her eyes moved down to see what they were looking at. Her eyes widened as she saw the pile of ashes; having a sick feeling in her stomach when she figured who it was. Horrified, she fell to her knees and started to cry.

"Forgive me, Yami………………...she ran away from me…………………." sobbed Anzu. "I tried to stop her but she ran so fast that I couldn't keep up with her."

Yami said nothing, the shock of seeing his sister die in front of him, again, was unbearable. Yami's blood red eyes suddenly darkened as he lifted his Hell Shot up slowly towards Kaiba.

"Your………………..going to…………………..fucking……& #8230;…………….die…………&# 8230;…………...Kaiba………….̷ 0;" hissed Yami.

Yami's head jerked up and he aimed Hell Shot directly at Kaiba's head. He sent bullet after bullet towards Kaiba's head, but Kaiba easily dodged them by darting side to side.

Yugi jumped onto Yami's back and bit the back of his neck. Yami yelped in pain then reached behind him. He grabbed onto Yugi's shoulders and threw him forward. Jounouchi ran forward and caught Yugi in his arms. Yugi snarled and leaped out of Jounouchi's grip.

"Yugi, get back here!" cried Jounouchi.

Bakura ran at Kaiba when his back was turned and aimed his Hell Shot gun straight at the back of his head. Kaiba swiftly turned and smirked at Bakura. He raised the arrow gun and fired a shot at Bakura's heart before Bakura could pull the trigger on his Hell Shot.

Bakura stopped dead in his tracks and dropped his gun to the ground. He made a choked sound, then his eyes closed. He slowly fell face forward towards the ground. Honda's eyes widened as he saw his loved has been shot.

"NO!" he cried.

Honda stood up and ran towards the falling Bakura. Tears slid down his cheeks as he screamed out "BAKURA!".

Bakura's body hit the ground and turned into ash before Honda could make it there to catch him. Honda fell to his knees and his shoulders shook as he cried silently.

Yami turned his head and stared in horror at the sight of Honda crying for his dead lover. This caused Yami's anger to grow stronger. He growled and turned his head towards a smug looking Kaiba.

"One by one, your friends will fall," said Kaiba. "I should make little Yugi kill Jounouchi."

"FUCK YOU, KAIBA!" screamed Yami as he threw down his empty gun, rushed at Kaiba, and tackled him down to the floor. "YOU'RE GOING TO DIE!"

Yugi ran to try and help Kaiba with the enraged Yami but Jounouchi grabbed him from behind and lifted him off his feet. He pulled Yugi against his chest and held him still; his arm was wrapped around Yugi's waist to prevent Yugi from biting him.

"No you don't, Yugi," he said as Yugi growled like a wild animal and struggled to get free. "Whatever Kaiba did to you we'll find a way to turn you back into your normal self."

While Jounouchi restrained Yugi, Yami managed to pin Kaiba down. Yami sat up on his chest and started delivering punches to his face.

"This one is for Mika," he growled as he hit Kaiba in the nose, which caused a sick crunching noise.

"This one is for Bakura." He punched him in the right eye.

"This is for using me for your punching bag." He punched him in the jaw.

Then he stood up and moved his leg back.

"AND THIS ONE IS FOR WHAT YOU DID TO YUGI!"

Yami kicked Kaiba in the jaw and sent him flying towards a table with an expensive vase sitting on it. He landed on top of the table with a loud "CRASH"; the table collapsed and he fell to the ground near the shattered pieces of the vase.

Everyone stared at Yami, in horror as he panted for air. While Kaiba groaned in pain Yami reached down beside him and picked up Bakura's Hell Shot. Yami slowly walked to Kaiba while pointing Hell Shot towards his head. Blood was running down the corner of Yami's mouth; Kaiba threw strong punches at Yami while they were wrestling to pin one another down.

"Its time for you to die, Kaiba," said Yami as he walked closer to him. "All the pain and death you caused……………………..shall end here and now."

Yugi watched as Yami moved closer to Kaiba and then caught sight of Kaiba holding something silver in his trench coat. Something inside Yugi made him snap back to normal when he realised that Kaiba was holding a gun; he knew what Kaiba was intending to do.

"Yami!" cried Yugi. "What out!"

Yugi leaped out of Jounouchi's arms and ran towards a startled Yami. Kaiba whipped out his gun from his trench coat and fired a blast at Yami. Yugi pushed Yami out of the way, taking the shot right in his chest. Everyone gasped, including Kaiba. Yugi stumbled backward from the force of the bullet and moaned in pain. Yugi closed his eyes as he fell to his knees and started to fall forward.

"Yugi!" screamed Yami, Anzu, Honda, and Jounouchi.

Kaiba cursed loudly and looked down to see what gun he tried to use on Yami. His eyes widened. Yami ran towards Yugi and caught him just before he hit the floor.

"Yugi!" cried Yami as he gently shook Yugi's body. "Open your eyes damn you! You are not going to die on me, kid."

Yugi opened his eyes slightly then winced. He lifted his head and gazed up at Yami with a small smile on his face.

"D-Don't worry………….…I…………̷ 0;.I'll……………….heal……… ………..…." he managed to say. "It………………..it won't take long…………………..Just give me a minute.."

Yami looked up to see Kaiba's shocked face. From the look on Kaiba's face something told Yami that Yugi was not going to be alright. Yami looked back down to Yugi's wound and panicked; he wasn't healing. Blood continued to pour out of the hole caused by Kaiba's gun; this caused Yugi's shirt to become soaked in his blood.

"Yugi…………………… 230;.your…………………….your not healing……………….…" said Yami in a panicked voice.

He jerked his gaze towards Kaiba and yelled, "What did you do to him Kaiba! What the fuck did you do to him?!"

Kaiba looked away and closed his eyes.

"I used one of my inventions on him………………………a vampire gun…………………………it kills…………………….every vampire………………………̷ 0;..weak or strong………………….….by making them bleed to death. I thought that I had my other gun on me that I was going to use on you………………………..but I wasn't paying attention and Yugi got in the way."

Yami's eyes widened. The touch of Yugi's small hand on his cheek turned Yami's attentions back to him.

"Yami……………………I'm fine……………………..don't be sad," said Yugi as he forced a pained smile. "It……………………it's just taking longer for me…………………to heal……………….…"

One of Yami's tears fell onto Yugi's cheek.

"Yugi……………………oh Yugi……………….…." said Yami as he held Yugi's small body close to his. "Not you…………………….not you too………………………don't leave me Yugi……………………..."

Anzu, Jounouchi, and Honda watched with tears in their eyes as Yami rocked Yugi's body gently.

Yami leaned close to Yugi's ear and whispered softly to him.

"Ever since my sister was taken away from me, I felt like my heart was taken away as well…………………..But now that I meet you………………………….& #8230;.it seemed like you came right up to me and personally returned my heart to me. You put a smile back on my face.

Yami swallowed and his eyes wavered. "What I am trying to say is…………………….I love you……………….….I love you………………....my Yugi…………………...My Aibou."

The whole room fell silent as Yugi looked up at Yami with his pained filled yet happy purple eyes.

"Yami……………………I&# 8230;…………………I didn't think………………………..you could love me……………………….because of what I am………………………" whispered Yugi.

Yugi closed his eyes slowly and his hand started to slide down Yami's cheek.

"I……………………… ;…..love…………………….R 30;..you………………………...t oo…………………….Yami…̷ 0;…………….."

Yami tried to grab Yugi's hand but the second he touched it, it turned to ash; followed by his entire body. Jounouchi and Honda rushed over to Anzu as she collapsed to the ground and sobbed harshly. They all held each other as they cried for the loss of their friends.

Kaiba stood there for a moment, bleeding and saying nothing. He turned to leave the room, feeling that he has done enough for one day, but stopped when he felt a sudden pain shooting up his left arm. He stumbled forward and held his injured arm. He winced and looked down to see an arrow sticking right through his arm. His spun around on his heel to face Yami's raged look and an arrow gun in his hand that is smoking.

"Your not going anywhere you prick," growled Yami as he stood. "The only place your going to is your new home in hell!"

Kaiba roared and charged at Yami while his fingernails extended into sharp claws. Fast as lightening Yami whipped out Hell Shot and fired five times at him. Four of the bullets embedded into Kaiba's chest and one struck him right in the middle of his forehead.

Kaiba fell back, his eyes wide from the pain. He let out an ear-piercing scream of pain as his head exploded from the chemical in the bullet that was embedded into his head. Kaiba's body fell to the ground and slowly disintegrated. Yami breathed harshly as he slowly watched Kaiba's body disintegrate into a puddle of black liquid. He turned his head towards the crying trio.

"Its over……………………….." he managed to say, his voice betraying him. "Kaiba is gone………………………..… ;."

They didn't seem to hear him, they were too busy crying for their lost loved ones. Yami turned his head away and placed a hand over his eyes as his tears fell. The room was silent except for the sound of Anzu's sobs.

Suddenly, everyone's head perked up at the sound of someone's heavy footsteps. Yami stood up, readying Hell Shot, and watching the door cautiously. The figure stood near the doorway and looked at Yami. Yami lowered his gun and his eyes were huge when he realised who the person standing there was.

"Kelus…………………." Yami whispered.

The crying trio turned their heads to watch Yami's boss step into the room and look around at the bloody sight. Kelus shook his head slightly.

"You sure are messy, Hunter," said Kelus as he walked towards Yami.

"How did you find us?" asked Yami. "And how did you get past the guards?"

"I have my ways, Hunter," replied Kelus with a smile. "Let's just say that the sun came up and I happened to open up as many windows as I could. It was stuffy in the rooms and I needed air. The chaps that tried to kill me didn't seem to like the fresh air and sunlight that they caught on fire. They sure were rude to me, they didn't give me a proper welcome."

Yami said nothing.

Now then," continued Kelus as he head nodded towards the trio. "I think you have some explaining to do."

Yami told everything to Kelus. He told him about his first encounter with Yugi and his friends, and seeing them every night with food for them. The first meeting with Bakura and Honda, and asking them to help him with his vampire hunting. The encounter of Kaiba and his gang kidnapping them, the reunion with his long lost sister, the death of his sister, Bakura and Yugi, and finally, the death of Kaiba.

Kelus said nothing for a moment. Then he lifted his head and peered at Yami through his glasses.

"You do know that you are considered a traitor for helping vampires," said Kelus.

Yami lowered his head and waited for his boss to announce his punishment.

"But…………" added Kelus.

Yami jerked his head up and gazed up at his boss.

"Since you're the only good Hunter on this god forsaken planet, I'm not punishing you," continued Kelus with a smile. "If we killed you off, then we might as well hand ourselves over to the vampires.

Kelus started to list off the good things that Yami did.

"First, your always on time when it comes to work." started Kelus. "Second, you've completed every mission I assigned you. Third, you killed off that vampire Kaiba and that was a big success considering he was the leader of them. Finally, you protected and saved these pedestrians. I am going to look to the sky and deny that you helped vampires if the press finds out about this. I wouldn't be surprised if they were sniffing around the area right now."

Yami lowered his head and sighed.

"I wish you would just give me the death penalty," said Yami. "I want to die. I've lost all that I loved………………….….again… ………………....and I can't go on anymore………………………...it s too damn painful…"

Kelus smiled and knelt in front of Yami. He placing a hand on his shoulder and Yami's eyes lifted to look into his own.

"Don't you believe in miracles, Hunter?" asked Kelus.

Yami stared up into Kelus's eyes with a questioning look.

"You should you know, it helps a lot."

Yami blinked.

"Here" said Kelus as he handed Yugi three vials with tape on them, and a black marker. "Collect everyone's ashes into these vials; don't mix them up. Make sure you mark down their names."

Yugi opened his mouth to question him but Kelus shook his head at him.

"Just do it, I'll explain on the way to the laboratory."

Yami nodded his head and stood up. He quickly ran around the room gathering Yugi's, Bakura's, and Mika's ashes. He placed corks into all of the vials, then turned his attentions to the confused trio.

"Come on guys…………….." said Yami. "My boss says to believe in miracles……………………….I don't know why though………………………but do it anyway, it will help you cheer up."

Anzu, Jounouchi, and Honda stood up while whipping away his or her tears.

"Now then," said Kelus as he turned on his heel and walked out the door. "Everyone follow me to the van."

Yami walked over to what was left of Kaiba and glared.

"Burn in hell you son of a bitch," growled Yami.

He spat onto Kaiba's remains, then ran after his boss. Honda walked over to Kaiba's remains, did the same thing, and then followed after them. Anzu followed after Honda and threw dirty looks at Kaiba's remains as she passed by them. Jounouchi took out his lighter and lit Kaiba's remains on fire.

"Don't come back now," taunted Jounouchi as he turned and ran after Anzu and the rest.

They hurried out of Kaiba's Corporation as flames flicker out of the opened windows. They headed towards Kelus's van parked in front of the building. Anzu, Honda, and Jounouchi climbed into the back of the truck and slammed the doors behind them. Yami climbed into the passenger's side of the van while Kelus hopped into the driver's seat.

Kelus started the van up, then drove off towards the highway, away from the burning building. Yami watched the building burn as Kelus drove the van onto the highway. Yami looked away once the building was out of his sight and turned his attention to Kelus.

"Did you get the samples?" asked Kelus while watching the road.

Yami held up three labelled vials filled with his friend's ashes.

"Good"

"What's on your mind, boss?" asked Yugi with the look of curiosity on his face.

"Well…………………… 230;…….years ago they managed to clone a sheep," explained Kelus as he continued to drive. "It took them years but they finally managed to do it. After a few more years of using animals, they decided to try cloning a human event though it was illegal. They managed to get people who wanted to be part of the testing. The first human ever cloned happened on February twenty-fourth 2064; rhat must have been stressful since it took that long to clone a human, the poor bastards."

Yami looked at him. Kelus cleared his throat and continued. "Now that human cloning has been going on for years, they continued to work on it to improve it further."

Yami tilted his head.

"Anyways," continued Kelus. "What I am trying to say is………………………….we can bring back your friends, but as humans. The process that we are going to do is similar to cloning, but we can make it so that they return to their original forms."

Yami's eyes filled with hope.

"But………………….…" said Kelus, shattering the hopeful look in Yami's eyes. "There is a fifty percent chance that this experiment will fail and a fifty percent chance that it will be a complete success. If we fail, you'll never see your sister and friends ever again. If we succeed, we succeed."

Yami looked down at the vials in his hands.

"What would you like to do, Hunter? Take the chance or leave them be?"

Yami's thoughts drifted to the happy memories he had with his sister, and Yugi. He didn't know Bakura very well but Honda would be very happy to have him back. If he reject this offer, he would live a miserable life regretting the fact that he threw away his only chance to become happy again. Yami lifted his head and looked at Kelus.

"Do it," said Yami.

Kelus smiled and turned towards the road leading to Akuma City.

"Good choice, Hunter," said Kelus as he drove down the road into Akuma City. "Next stop, Akuma City's Laboratory."

***

Kelus pulled into the parking lot of Akuma City's Laboratory. Yami opened the back of the van and let Anzu, Jounouchi, and Honda out. Kelus directed them inside the Laboratory while Yami stayed behind him and explained Kelus's plan to them.

"Cloning, eh?" said Jounouchi as he placed a hand onto his chin.

"It's similar to it," said Yami. "The thing is they will be turned back into humans."

Everyone started to look hopeful.

"But we only have one chance at this," Yami said in a sad tone. "If it fails, we'll never be able to see or bring back our friends ever again."

Honda lowered his head to stare as his feet while Anzu gulped. Jounouchi closed his eyes slightly.

"I voted for the procedure to proceed," said Yami. "It's up to you guys to make it happen."

"I want to see Yugi and Bakura again," said Anzu. She raised her hand up and smiled. "I second it."

"I third it!" said Jounouchi, waving his hand around frantically. "I want my buddies back!"

They all turned their head towards Honda and waited for his answer. Honda said nothing for a moment, then he lifted his head and held up a thumb.

"I fourth it," said Honda with a smile on his face. "I want my Bakura back in my arms."

Anzu leaped into his arms and hugged him around the neck. Kelus coughed to get their attention as he stood near a door. Anzu, Jounouchi, Honda, and Yami walked up to him and stood in front of him.

He smiled at them as he unlocked the door and pushed the door open for them. Anzu, Jou, Honda, and Yami entered the room. Inside the room there was two beds, a bathroom with a shower and running water, a mini fridge, and a TV.

"Please stay here and rest," said Kelus as he leaned against the doorway. You had a hard night. The process might take days so there is no point on you standing outside the Cloning room to wait."

Honda went over to a bed near the window and flopped onto it. He laid on his stomach and sighed happily.

"Mmm…..a comfy bed for a chance," he said as he nuzzled the soft pillow. "If only Bakura was here to test it out with me."

Honda grinned to himself. Jounouchi went over to Honda, sat on his lower back and told him to shush. Kelus chuckled.

"One last thing," continued Kelus. "If the process is a complete success, there might be some changes."

"Changes?" they all asked with curious looks on their faces.

Honda lifted his head from the pillow to look at Kelus. "What kind of changes?"

Kelus smiled at them as he backed out of the room.

"You shall see," he said as he closed the door. "For now, get rested up,"

Honda thrust his body upward to make Jounouchi get off him. Jounouchi fell to the floor with a crash and a surprised look on his face as Honda softly yawned and curled up on the bed to sleep.

Jounouchi sat up and grumbled while rubbing the spot he landed on. Anzu giggled at Jounouchi as she walked towards the other bed and drew the covers down. Jounouchi joined Anzu while Yami made Honda move over so that he could bunk with him. Anzu and Jounouchi fell asleep after a few minutes passed. Yami was the only one awake. He laid on the bed and stared at the wall as he started to think to himself.

"I've never put faith in anyone before but……………………I'll do it this once……………………..….for Yugi, Bakura, and Mika's sake."

He whispered a silent prayer. "God…………………..……… ;…please let this procedure be a complete success. Don't make me live all alone."

After he finished his prayer Yami drifted off into a deep sleep; he hasn't had sleep for days. His dreamed of him reuniting with his sister, Bakura, and his love, Yugi.

***

Anzu, Jounouchi, and Honda awakened the next day to a beautiful morning. Yami was still asleep and they decided it was best to let him. Anzu was in the bathroom showering, Honda was lying on his bed watching the News on TV, and Jounouchi was raiding the fridge for something to snack on.

"Do you think it worked, Jou?" asked Honda.

Jounouchi had his mouth full of apple so he couldn't answer just yet. Jounouchi swallowed and looked at Honda.

"I honestly can't say, Honda," said Jounouchi. "All I can say is to have faith."

Honda looked away and sighed sadly. Jounouchi finished his apple, chucked it into a garbage can, and crawled onto Honda's bed. He sat next to Honda and gently pressed his fist into Honda's cheek.

"Hey Buddy, everything is going to be ok," said Jounouchi with a smile on his face. " Don't worry. If you continue to be sad, you'll jinx it."

Honda couldn't help but smile; Jounouchi and him may have their moments but they were truly good buddies, Jounouchi could make anyone smile just because he is a goofy guy.

"Thanks Jounouchi, it means a lot to me," said Honda.

Jounouchi nodded his head and grinned. The bathroom door opened and Anzu stepped out, dressed and freshly showered. She walked over to Jounouchi and Honda while she dried her hair with a towel. She sat next to Jounouchi and looked over to Yami. She softly sighed.

"The poor guy, he's so exhausted," she said. "I don't blame him, he fought a harsh battle against Kaiba and he watched his loved ones die. I hope that the process will be a success. I have faith in Mr.Fusingi even though I don't know him."

Jounouchi, Honda, and Anzu's head lowered for a moment. Then they turned their attentions back to the TV where a male reporter was announcing that Kaiba Corporation has burnt to the ground.

Hours have passed and still no word from Kelus. Honda told Anzu and Jounouchi that he was tempted to sneak out of the room and go to the Cloning room to see what was happening; Mission Impossible style. Anzu smacked him across the head and told him to behave himself and be patient. She also told him, for the millionth time, that he isn't a secret agent.

While Honda rubbed his head and pouted, the door suddenly opened. Everyone's attentions immediately turned to Kelus entering the room. Anzu, Honda, and Jou all watched Kelus as he looked at them. They were all deadly silent as they waited for the news. Kelus made his way over to the sleeping Yami and knelt down on one knee. He gently shook his shoulder. Yami woke with a start and blinked up at Kelus. Kelus smiled down at Yami.

"The process………………….was a complete success." said Kelus as he slowly smiled at everyone break into smiles.

Cries of joy filled the room. Anzu was hugging Jounouchi around the neck while he spun her around in circles; they were laughing and crying at the same time. Honda jumped onto Yami and locked his arms around his neck while laughing. Yami smiled a thanks to Kelus as he tried to struggle out of Honda's bone breaking grip; his circulation was getting cut off.

"Now, its time," said Kelus as he turned to the open door. "Please come in and greet your friends, they are all anxious to see all of you."

He made a motioning move with his hand. Everyone watched with anticipation as three figures entered into the room. Anzu, Jounouchi, Honda, and Yami gasped.

To be continued

**Heh……………….…..this is the last cliffie for this fic. Its sad because this is the second to last chapter of this fic ;_; . Well, I hope you've liked it so far. Stay turned for the Final Chapter: `Partners and Lovers'. **