Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The Hunters ❯ Watching the Store ( Chapter 17 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! Nor do I own the "Dark" series. I am just a fan fiction writer having fun. So please don't sue me. ^_^

/ Yugi to Yami / // Yami to Yugi // \Ryou to Bakura\

\\ Bakura to Ryou \\ [Malik to Marik] [[Marik to Malik]]

(Seto to Jou) ((Jou to Seto))

* General conversation * Personal thoughts +Commands+

The Hunters

Tiger_Serenity

Chapter 17

Watching the Store

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As the sun raised, Yami, Marik, Seto, and Bakura re-entered the game shop via the open windows. They had destroyed several lesser vampires during their hunt. They had been easy battles that ended quickly, much to Bakura and Marik's dislike. However, their adrenaline was finally running out. It was time for them to rest for the day.

"They look so peaceful." He was staring at the sleeping boy that looked so much like himself.

"Malik will be fine, Marik. You know that."

"Yes, I know. I can smell that your blood now runs in Yugi as well."

"He threatened me."

"You!? How!?"

"He said that if I didn't do it, he would find someone else who would."

"He got you there. The idea must have made your blood boil."

"Protective instinct kicked into overdrive, and I gave in to what he wanted."

"Will we rest this day?" He couldn't help a yawn that escaped, causing Yami to laugh softly.

"Yes. The vampires cannot walk in the sun and their guardians can easily deal with puppets."

"What of Pegasus? He can walk in the day."

"I have warned all of our people about him. All hunters are searching for him on top priority. If he appears to Yugi, or the others, Exodia is to draw the power he needs to surface from the holder's item, and destroy him.

"Not even Pegasus can withstand an attack from Exodia."

"Exactly." Yami smirked. "I let him know, too."

"I bet he's seething." Marik bent back into the form of a ferret. He curled up into a ball on Malik's chest. * He will attack eventually *

Yami stretched, digging his claws into the thick carpet of Yugi's room. * And we will be ready *

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Seto and Bakura watched Jou and Ryou as they slept, curled up against each other in search of warmth in the chilled room. * So little time… * Bakura sighed. He shook his fur, fluffing it as he flopped next to Ryou, huffing softly.

* All we needed to do was meet. There was no stopping it. Between mates feelings develop fast * Seto purred as he shifted back into a cat. He curled next to Jou on the bed. He almost instantly turned to face him, with a small smile on his face in his sleep.

* He wants me to convert him *

* Will you? *

* I don't know * Ryou shifted in his sleep, pressing his face into the fur of Bakura's back.

* We will see *

* Yes *

* Yami says we will rest this day. Protect them well, all of you *

"We will." Che was poised next to the door; wings slightly flared open, as if ready to take flight. Dreg and Bey only growled in response from outside the window.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Yugi woke up slowly. He didn't want to leave the land of dreams. They had been peaceful. Yami and he had been flying above the city.

Yami was curled up at the end of the bed at his feet, asleep. He smiled. Then, he frowned.

Is he…breathing?! Yami! He scrambled down to the end of the bed, laying his head on Yami chest, searching for a heartbeat. You can't be gone! You can't be!

"Relax, Yugi. He is alive. That is just how they sleep. Everything slows down, including breathing." Dama soothed him, brushing back his hair lightly.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. He is fine." Dama smiled. "Your grandfather comes to look for you."

"I hear him." Yugi paused. "I hear him!"

"With Yami's blood running in your veins your senses are increasing. Jou told you this last night."

"Yugi, are you awake?" Solomon called softly through the door.

"Yes, grandpa."

"Can you help me for a second?"

"Sure. Let me get dressed."

"Yugi?" A hoarse sounding voice called from the bed.

"Good morning, Malik. How do you feel?"

"Like shit." He was rubbing his eyes, blinking several times to adjust to the light in the room coming through the window.

"Oh."

"Where's Marik?"

"Look on your chest." Yugi smiled.

Oh. He's asleep."

"Want to help me help grandpa? He might pay you. That is, if you are up to it."

"Sure. Why not?" He shrugged. He lightly shifted from under Marik.

"Here. You can borrow a shirt. It might be a little small, though." Yugi handed Malik a black sleeveless shirt.

"It will work." It was a tight fit, but it looked good. Together they walked down the stairs, leaving the others asleep. "Dude, I need a shower."

"You can take one later, Malik, if you wish." Solomon was counting money next to the cash register.

"What do you need, grandpa?"

"I need to go to the bank. Could you watch the store for me? You can stay too, Malik."

"Sure, grandpa."

"I will help Yugi, Motou-san." Malik bowed politely.

"Thank you, boys. Take care. Are the others still asleep?"

"They should be down in a few minutes."

"They can stay and help if they wish. See you later."

"Bye, grandpa." He waved as Solomon walked out the door, bell tinkling softly. Suddenly, a feeling of uneasiness settled over him. "Celga."

The card flashed blank. "Yes, Yugi?" He materialized beside him.

"Watch over grandpa for me, please."

"As you wish." Celga smiled and disappeared.

"Yugi?"

"Just being careful. You hungry?"

"I could eat a horse. How long was I out?"

"Over ten hours. (1)

"No wonder I'm starving."

"I'll go make something if you watch the store. You know how to help a customer and use the cash register. I'll bring it in here for us to eat."

"Go, Yugi." Malik lightly shoved Yugi toward the swinging door.

"Back in a minute." Yugi laughed.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

When he came back in with the food, he burst out laughing. Little kids surrounded Malik. They were trying to get the box of cards that he was holding above his head. "One at a time! Yugi!"

"Need a little help?"

"Yes!"

"That is the latest shipment of Duel Monster cards."

"I noticed!"

"Okay, kids. Listen up! There is a limit because there are so few. Line up and we will pass them out to you. Five dollars a pack. Two packs per person."

A chorus of "Ah, man" filled their ears.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

In thirty minutes the entire box was empty. "Boy, those went quick." Malik shook his head. It was still spinning.

"Oh, great. The food's cold now." Why is grandpa taking so long to get back?

"I don't care as long as it's food." Malik attacked the food with a flourish that could have outmatched Jou.

They looked up at the sound of the tinkling bell to see that a man had entered the store. He looked strange. His clothes were slightly ragged. His eyes were empty.

"Yugi…"

"I see him." The items reacted lightly, sending small shockwaves through their minds. Yugi recognized the feeling. "It's a puppet."

"Whip!" With a crack, the man dissolved into dust. Whip blew it out the door. "Are they ever going to learn?"

"Probably not."

"Hey, you two." Jou and Ryou walked down the stared. "Hey, Whip."

"Hello." He bowed elegantly.

"Jou, if you and Ryou want anything…"

"I'm not hungry…whoa…odd…but I don't know about Ryou."

"I could use some food."

"What do you want?"

"Just toast and jam is fine, please."

"Back in a minute!" Yugi ran into the kitchen.

"Bakura makes a cute dog, Ryou." Jou smirked, teasing his friend.

Ryou flushed. He had woken up curled around Bakura, with his face against his fur. Jou had been staring at them, eyes shining with laughter. "Yes, he does."

"Uh, guys…never mind." It disappeared into dust. Asman stepped back.

"That makes two already. I hope one doesn't come in when a real customer is here." Malik sighed.

"Jou could trick them into forgetting it. Couldn't you, Jou?"

Jou shrugged. "I should be able to, and if not, Yugi can ask Dama to do it."

"Man…how fast life changes." Ryou sighed.

"You're telling me." Yugi nodded his head as he came back in with Ryou's toast.

The bell tinkled again. They all jerked to look at it. They sighed in relief, and then cringed.

"Hey, you guys!" Anzu bounced up to them with Honda in tow.

"We missed you at the arcade last night, Yugi. Are you feeling better?"

"Yes. Thank you for asking, Honda."

"We decided to rent a movie last night. Jou slept in his room last night."

"His room?" Anzu and Honda echoed.

"Jou is staying with us now."

"My dad's…uh…gone. He had a heart attack. They couldn't save him."

"Oh, Jou! How sad!" Anzu hugged him.

"Not really. He's already buried." He pictured his father's face as Seto had basically buried him alive after torturing him to near death. Dreg had a lot of fun making him scream in terror and pain.

"What do you mean?"

Jou sighed. + Stop asking questions. Accept what was told to you +

They blinked then shook their heads slightly. "We were just wondering if you guys were going to the party tonight."

"That's right! The finals party! We always have it right before school lets out for break." Jou slapped his forehead. I'm getting better at doing that.

"You can bring one friend, remember." Honda poked Jou, laughing.

They all burst into smiles as they looked at each other.

"Uh…did we miss something…again?" Anzu sighed.

"You'll…uh...meet them tonight."

"Them?"

"We made some new friends. You're going to like them." Ryou smiled.

"How is Yami, Yugi?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. He's better. He's upstairs asleep. The medication makes him sleepy."

"MediOW!" Yugi stepped on Jou's foot.

"Oh! I'm sorry, Jou. Gomen!" The look Yugi sent Jou told him to stay quiet.

"Well Honda and I are going to go help decorate the gym. See you all tonight!" Anzu grabbed Honda, who had a look of fear on his face as he was dragged out the door.

They burst into laughter. Jou doubled over, tears in his eyes. "Poor Honda."

"She needs to lay off the caffeine." Malik shook his head, still laughing.

"Yeah." Ryou nodded, whipping tears from his eyes.

"She's great, though." Yugi smiled.

"She is a good friend." Ryou agreed.

Yugi felt a tug on the puzzle. Dama's card flashed blank in his deck. "Huh?" What's going on?

Police cars raced down the street with their sirens blaring. A police officer ran into the store, banging open the door. "The bank is being held up by some crazy man! He's demanding things. He says they are here. Some puzzle, a ring, and a rod."

"What?!" That's why Dama left! Yugi ran out the door. Grandpa!

"Yugi, wait!" Ryou and Malik followed him.

Jou was going to follow, but stopped. Someone has to stay here and watch the store. Why me…

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Yugi ran all the way to the bank. Ryou and Malik were right behind him. It was surrounded by police officers with their guns drawn. They broke through them. "Get back here!"

"You want us!? Come and get us!" Yugi yelled. The puzzle flashed around his neck. "Come on!"

"Kid, get back!" An officer went to grab him, but he moved. The door opened.

"Grandpa!" The man came out dragging Solomon Motou with him. The guns instantly followed his moves. "Let him go!"

"Puzzle…holder…must take. Come or he dies." The voice was raspy. Yugi's skin crawled.

"Let him go!"

"Yugi! We can't attack! We might hit Motou-san!" Dama called from his position on the roof of the bank.

"Yami!" The call was verbal and mental.

Yami's thoughts filled Yugi's mind. The people closest to him gasped as his eyes flashed to a deep crimson color. + Let him go + Yami's voice floated out of Yugi's mouth. It captured everyone's attention. + You cannot harm him. Meet the fate that was decided for you. Release him +

"What's going on!?" The police officers stared as he released the elderly man.

"Celga!" A crack filled the air. The man fell over. Everyone gasped. The body disappeared into dust. + Attention! Look at me! + Yami called through Yugi. All eyes turned back to him. + You will forget what just happened. All of you. It was a normal bank robbery. The thief escaped, empty-handed + His voice washed over all the spectators, changing their memories. "Dama, destroy the tapes in all the cameras."

"It will be done." Purple light flared from his staff, striking every camera in the area that had been filming. The tapes blanked. "We could not attack, Yami. Thank you. You gave us the opportunity that we needed."

"You're welcome."

Yugi blinked as he again gained control of his mouth. "Thank you for helping."

"You're welcome. Call if you need us." They disappeared. Their likenesses reappeared on their cards.

/ Thank you, Yami. /

// Is your grandfather all right? //

/ He looks shaken. They are looking him over now. /

// Get home as soon as you can. There could be others lurking. //

/ I will, Yami. Go back to sleep. /

// Are you sure? //

/ Yes. I can sense you are still tired. /

// If you need me again, call. //

/ I will. /

"That was interesting. What are you doing here, Yugi? Who's watching the store?"

Oops! He looked around quickly. "Uh…Jou! Are you all right?" He hugged him tightly.

"Yes, I'm fine. Too bad the guy got away."

"They'll…uh...find him Motou-san."

"Let's go back."

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Jou looked pissed when they got back. "Three! Three! From the time you left to the time you got back."

"You're kidding?"

"No, I'm not." Jou huffed.

"What are you boys talking about?"

"Uh…customers looking for the new Duel Monster packs." Yugi quickly covered.

"We're out all ready?"

"We sold out in half and hour, grandpa."

"We did?" He walked to the shelf. "Looks like I'll have to order more. Pegasus is keeping a firm grip on them, though."

"Pegasus!?" All four boys stood in shock.

"His company makes the cards, boys."

"Do you know where his office is?" Malik asked.

"Not since the loss of his girlfriend. Beautiful gal, she was."

"Uh…what about where he lives?"

"Last I heard was uptown, but he moved out of there. There are rumors though…"

"What rumors, grandpa?" Yugi bounced in place.

"She was going to be buried in the local cemetery by her parents. However, people say that her body was flown out to one of the islands."

"One of the islands?"

"Pegasus was building a house on one of them. They say he buried her there."

The boys looked between themselves. "Which island?"

"My, you boys are full of questions about Pegasus. Why?"

"No real reason, grandpa."

"Yugi, you are a lousy liar. What's going on?"

Yugi sighed. "You wouldn't believe us if we told you."

"Try me." Solomon crossed his arms.

1. Yes I know my time line is a little screwed up. From not having typed an update in so long, I can't remember what time it is supposed to be.