Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The Hunters ❯ Start of a New Day ( Chapter 20 )

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. ^_^

Warning: Limey goodness

/ 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 20

Start of a New Day

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

Normal View

The others cracked up laughing as they flew over the car. * She said that? *

* Yep. *

* Is that phrase coined or copy righted? *

* Don't know, Marik. Want to try? *

* Naa…too much of a hassle. *

* Heads up! * Yami dove towards the car. Yugi was forced to a stop.

* Not again. * Seto sighed as he too dropped from the sky, shifting as he landed.

* It's almost dawn! * Bakura swooped low to drive a vampire to the ground, removing the heart in the process.

* They tried to catch us off guard. *

* Like that could ever happen, Yami. *

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

It had been Jou's sudden warning that kept Yugi from crashing into the solid invisible barrier. Red evil eyes flashed at them out of the dark. The items around the holders' necks flashed brilliant gold.

Yugi jerked backward in his seat as a vampire crashed through the windshield trying to grab him. Before it could snap the seat belt, Jou sent it flying from the car. "Whoa…" He stared at his hands in shock. He looked up to see several more surrounding the car, clawing at the steel carriage of the car.

"You're going to die, holders." A vampire hissed. It's voice sounded like nails on a chalkboard. "Pegasus seeks you. Our revenge is near."

"Let go of me, you crazy bitch!" Malik kicked a vampiress out the door. He quickly slammed it shut.

"Hey! Ow!" Ryou struggled with the creature holding him. Che flared to life, covering the mind of the vampire in her spell. It started destroying other vampires at her command.

"Ryou!" Yugi called to his friend while struggling with his own captor.

"I'm fine. He just yanked my hair really hard."

"They want us. They're going to have to drag us kicking and punching." Malik growled.

"Right!" The items began glowing in power.

"You can not stop us, fools." A vampiress screeched in Yugi's ear.

"Dama! Celga!" Yugi stuck her as she tried to pull him out of the window. "Gaia! Segon!

" Asman! Ryagon!" Jou sent another flying from the car. "Ax Raider!"

They materialized, attacking before their feet hit the ground. Whip danced among them, freezing and attacking along the way with various spells at his disposal. Many more were destroying each other under Che's compulsion. Whit, Dreg, and Bey roared to life at Seto's call, uniting into one three-headed dragon.

"How many are there?!" Ryou kicked one hard in the chin as it tried to drag him from the car.

Hisses, screeches, and screams filled their ears. Bright lightening forced them to squint at their attackers. They could see several vampires falling down in flames from their protectors' attacks. Their eyes could barely catch their mates' rapid movements.

"Yugi, let's move!"

Yugi put the car into gear, but it wouldn't budge "I can't. We're boxed in somehow!" / Yami! /

// Where is our shield?! // * They're breaking through! *

* How the hell?! They shouldn't be able to reach them! *

(Jou?)

((I'm fine, Seto.)) He sent the vampire trying to climb into the car soaring through the air. ((Watch out for yourself!))

Yugi and Ryou may have been considered little by normal standards, but they were holding their own in the fight. They were using sheer will, and extra strength from the items around their necks.

"Ow! Bitch!" Malik threw her off of him. "She bit me!"

"You okay?"

"Yeah. It's not bad. She only broke the skin before I knocked her off of me."

"Wait, they're pulling back!" Yugi called as he knocked another away from him.

"It's almost dawn. It would be suicide for them to stay here."

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

Yami and the others turned to see two figures being thrown away from the car. They burst into flame at Yami's raised hand.

They heard cheers coming from inside the car. "See. I told you they'd have to drag us fighting."

"Did you see how far Jou threw that one? Man, Jou." Ryou smiled.

"Hee…don't know my own strength. Now, I'm really really tired." Jou scratched the back of his neck as he yawned.

"They won't take us easily." Yugi stared out into the sunrise. "Let's get back."

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

* How did they break through our shield?! There were at least sixty different spells on that car. * Bakura ranted.

* I don't know. *

* Those four put up one awesome fight. The parts of it I was able to see anyway. * Marik sighed.

* They could have been hurt or worse. Malik was bit, Marik. *

* It's already healed, Yami. *

* You worry little over your mate, Marik. *

* Because I trusted him to take care of himself. They may be 'innocent,' Yami, but if you haven't noticed, they're also extremely strong willed. *

* I've noticed. *

* As Yugi said. They won't be taken easily. They are learning how to harness the items powers more every day. * Seto nodded mentally.

* I'm just glad Ryou is all right. *

* He's one little fighter, Bakura. *

*I saw. * They landed on the porch, shifting as they hit the ground.

"You're mad at us, aren't you?" They came up the steps.

Yami sighed as he hugged Yugi tightly to him. "No, not really. I'm just upset you even had to fight."

"It couldn't be helped. If we hadn't…" Malik let the sentence float in the air.

"I know. You would have been taken."

"You four put up one good show. Seto was right about Jou. He's going to be one powerful full. He's only a quarter and his eyes already flash when he's angry or jealous. Several people would have noticed during the duel at the party if I had not covered them by illusion." Marik smirked.

"They do?" Jou looked at Seto in confusion.

"Yes."

"Whoa…"

"We saw, Jou." Yami stared at Jou with an odd look on his face.

* His grandmother was Ariel. *

* What?! *

* Asman said so. He shared her likeness from the tales. *

* The only female hunter…ever. * Bakura shook his head.

* If the stories are true, then he will be quite powerful. *

* That he will be, Yami. *

Yami looked directly at his partners. * Tomorrow I hunt for Pegasus alone. *

* No! *

* I am the only one who can mask my presence from all. You know this. *

* What if he can sense you? Remember, he does have the eye. *

* He won't be able to feel me. *

* Yugi will complain. *

Yami sighed. * He won't know. *

Yugi glanced at Seto. He nodded to show Yugi he understood. Yugi is shadowing in his mind, and Yami doesn't know it. * How? *

* I am going to put him to sleep until I get back. *

Yugi frowned. * I'm not sure that is going to work… *

* Why not? *

* Feel around in your head, Yami. *

// Yugi?! //

/ You would knock me out? /

Yami looked at Yugi. There was a hurt look in his eyes that Yami regretted causing, but knew he had to do it. // Yes. //

/ Why? /

// I wouldn't want you to worry about me. //

/ No. You are not going alone. /

// I will be fine. //

/ What about his guards? He will feel you unravel them. /

// I will think about that later. We need to hunt for food now, Yugi. The battle has made us weak. We must replenish ourselves. //

"Uh…Yug, look at your grandpa's car."

"Aaugh!! He's going to kill me!"

"I hope it's insured." Jou whistled.

"It is. He's going to kill me. I am so dead."

Paint was missing or charred black in several places. Every window was shattered. Two tires were completely shredded. The metal frame was bent in different directions. The trunk cover was completely missing. "We drove here in that? How did it move?"

"I have no idea." / Go on, Yami. I will speak to you again about this later tonight. /

// Get some sleep, little one. // They took off.

Yugi sighed, and then yawned, causing a chain reaction among the others. Jou shifted on his feel uneasily. "Asman…"

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

Solomon's View

Solomon threw a quiet fit when he saw the car. He broke several glass jars and spread them around inside and outside of the car to make it look genuine. Afterwards, he called the police. They had come and left after taking a report of the vandalism.

He climbed upstairs to peek into Jou's room. He smiled. Jou and Seto were curled together on one end of the bed. Malik and Marik were entangled on the other. Good think it is a king-sized guest bed.

He almost laughed when he saw his grandson. He was half curled on top of Yami with a happy smile on his face. Ryou was curled up against Bakura, who had his arms wrapped around Ryou's middle. They must have had one night. The car proves it. At least they're all right. "Who's watching?"

"We all are." Dama appeared against the wall, startling him. "If you wish, Celga could join you downstairs."

"Would he mind?"

"No, I would not."

"Aaugh! I wish you all would stop that. You're going to give this body a heart attack." He hissed loudly so he wouldn't wake them up.

"Sorry, sir. We will try to be a little more careful when we appear."

"The store is closed on Sundays, but you never know."

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

They waited patiently for the others to wake up. Solomon showed Asman how to use the television. Dama discovered a new addiction to coffee with cream and sugar. Che rearranged the store with Whip's help. They all looked up as Jou came stumbling down the stairs bleary-eyed.

"Food…now!"

"Hungry, Jou?" Solomon laughed. "There's left over pizza in the fridge. I ordered out last night after you all left."

"Not what I'm looking for, gramps. Sorry."

" Where's Asman?'

"What? Oh. Sleepy brain wouldn't work right. Asman!"

"I'm right beside you, silly. Wake up."

" Oh…sorry. Long tiring night."

Solomon couldn't pull his eyes away as he watched Jou drink from Asman's wrist. "What happened?"

"I'll let Asman tell it. I'm going back to bed." He curled on the couch and promptly fell back to sleep.

"He used a lot of energy last night. My blood helps ease him, but stronger blood is needed to truly refresh him."

"Do you wish for me to feed him, Asman?" Dama walked down the stairs, mindful of Solomon's earlier wish.

"If he'll take it." A few minutes later, Jou's color was back to normal. Together, they told Solomon what had happened.

"No wonder they are exhausted. How many were there?" At least Yugi is all right.

"I counted forty-five, but there could have been more than that."

"Forty…five."

"The attack you slept through had more. Yami was forced to call Exodia, as you know."

"More!?"

Seto stumbled down the stairs looking panicked. "Where's Jou?"

"On the couch, sound asleep. He came down a second ago. Dama and I both fed him."

"He was asleep when I got back. He needed the rest." Solomon jumped as he heard a scream from outside the window. "Puppet. Thank you for feeding him."

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

Seto's View

Jou rolled towards Seto's voice. He fell off the couch. He jerked awake as he hit the floor. "Ow!" Fear flared in his mind as old images flashed across his memory.

(Jou, relax. Calm down. Your father is gone. He can no longer hurt you.)

((Seto…)) Jou sighed. "Well, I'm awake now. What time is it?"

"Almost noon."

" Should we get the others up?"

"They will wake up on their own. Here comes Ryou and Bakura now."

"You know where the fridge is, Ryou. Help yourself."

"Thank you, Motou-san." They disappeared into the kitchen.

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

Ryou's View

"Kura?"

"Yes?"

"What is it you wanted to talk to me about yesterday? You never did tell me."

Bakura froze. Ryou could tell he hadn't been expecting that question. "Uh…"

"What is it?"

"I overheard you, while you were talking with Jou and Yugi. I was shadowing in your mind."

Ryou blanched. "You…you did?"

"I did."

"How much?"

"All of it."

"But…but…"

"Ryou, relax. I'm not mad or upset. I'm happy, actually."

"You are?"

"Want to know why?" Bakura was smirking.

"Why?"

"Because…I love you, too,"

He stared. As the words sank in, he smiled. "You do?"

"Can't you feel it?" \\ Look inside, Ryou. \\

He felt it flowing over him, warm and gentle. "Yes, I can." He jumped at Bakura, who easily caught him. Ryou felt like he was drowning from the emotions moving between them.

Bakura was the one to break the flamed kiss. He looked Ryou right in the eye. "Do you swear you do this of your own free will? That you take what I offer to you freely?"

"I swear." Ryou didn't pause as he moved his mouth to cover the cut Bakura had opened on his neck. The blood tasted like copper, but began growing sweeter.

Ryou smiled against the skin. He nipped at it playfully. Bakura moaned softly. \\ Gods, Ryou…that feels…damn. But, enough for now. \\

"I feel really warm."

"It's the blood."

"Now can I go in, Seto?" They heard Solomon at the door.

"Yes. They're done now." Ryou blushed bright pink as he entered carrying a tray. Bakura just laughed.

"Uh…Ryou, you have a little…blood on your chin."

"I do?"

"Is it Bakura's?"

"Yes, sir." He giggled as Bakura licked it off. Solomon rolled his eyes at them as they walked out of the kitchen.

Seto and Jou tried to maintain calm faces. Jou was the first to crack. Seto followed suit. "What is so funny?"

"If I hadn't froze the door real fast, Solomon would have walked in on both of you."

" He knew anyway."

"We heard."

"It's impossible to keep secrets!" Bakura scowled.

"When you have sensitive hearing, yes it is." Seto laughed.

"Hey, guys. Grandpa." Yugi walked down the stairs rubbing sleep out of his eyes.

"Hello, Yugi. Did you sleep well?"

"Sorry about the car."

"Don't worry about it. The police called it a vandalism."

"They did?"

"I smashed a few jars. It looked like someone took a bat and torch to it."

"Your grandfather is one fast thinker. He's good with a shovel, too." Celga smirked.

"What do you mean?" Yugi was looking around confused.

"He hit a puppet that was attacking the store with a shovel. It fell and broke its own back against the countertop."

"Go, gramps."

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

Normal View

// Aibou? //

/ I'm downstairs, Yami. / He could feel Yami's relief. He practically ran down the stairs.

* Boy, someone is in a hurry. * Bakura snickered.

* Oh, be quiet. * Yami followed the laughing Yugi into the kitchen.

After a couple of seconds Seto sighed. "Oh not again." He raised his hand to seal off the door. Bakura and Jou were laughing. Ryou looked puzzled.

"I take it we can't go in there again." Solomon smiled.

"Nope." Ryou finally caught Bakura's thought. He blushed again.

Jou laughed. "What is it about the kitchen today?"

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

Yami had pounced on Yugi as soon as the door shut, causing him to yelp. "I went to sleep with you in my arms. When I woke up, you were gone." He nipped at Yugi's neck.

Yugi moaned softly in his throat. "I'm hungry."

"Aibou, about last night…I'm proud of you."

"What?"

"Most nonhunters of my kind would have fled from that as fast as they could. You stayed and fought. You didn't back down or give up. That is what kept you strong and able to draw power from the puzzle. You do have a strong good heart."

Yugi smiled as he leaned against him. "Do you know how much I love you?"

"No…" Yami feigned obliviousness.

"Kiss me and find out."

"Gladly." Fire raced through both of them at the contact. Yami pulled back to nip gently down Yugi's haw and neck. // You taste salty. //

/ I haven't taken a shower yet. / Yugi felt Yami squelch down a thought before he could see it. / What? /

// Nothing. //

Yugi smirked with an evil like look in his eyes. Yami jerked and sucked in his breath. / So nothing caused this? /

// Yugi…dear sweet…you better stop now. //

/ Why? /

// The others are right…outside…if I was…// He quickly placed up a sound shield around himself and Yugi.

/ Yami…/ Yugi nipped at his neck.

// Again I ask, do you do this of your own free will? //

/ Yes, I do. / The blood was intoxicating to Yugi. It was sweeter than any candy. It was addictive.

Yami's back was against the counter. The sensation of having Yugi drink from him mentally and physically drove him crazy. He was rocking against him. He jerked and moaned as Yugi's hand made a lazy trail southward. // Yugi…enough. Stop now…or //

/ Or what? /

// You're going to find yourself on the floor. // The image flashed before Yugi's eyes. He reddened. // See? //

/ Not now because of the others. / He licked at Yami's sensitive ear. "But maybe sometime later." He smirked as he walked out of the room.

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

Yami was in shock. His body was raging at him to grab Yugi. Yugi was laughing at him as he tried everything he could think of to calm himself down. Ice finally worked.

When he walked out of the room, no one could look him in the eye. Jou was shaking in barely contained laughter. Seto's eyes were sparkling with mirth. Ryou and Bakura were looking everywhere but at him. "Go ahead and laugh."

Jou cracked up and fell on the floor, hiccupping. Seto laughed more discretely from the couch. Ryou and Bakura were laughing from the two chairs.

"Where's Yugi?"

"He said something about taking a shower. Something about salty skin." Solomon came down the stairs.

"Oh my…" Jou again rolled in laughter. Seto bend double. Ryou was tearing. Bakura fell from his chair. Yugi laughed in his head.

"Did I miss something?" Solomon shook his head.

// You are tempting me… //

/ I know…I know. /

// One thing you will learn quickly, aibou, is that I can 'manipulate' things from a distance. //

/ Aaugh! / Yugi jerked in the shower.

// See what I mean? /

/ Try…try coming up here and doing that. /

// Tempting…very very tempting. //

Yugi jerked again in the shower as he felt what seemed to be a hand rubbing across him. / Yami… / He bit back a moan.

// Learned your lesson yet? //

/ Yes! Now come give the test! /

// They would notice. //

Yugi flipped on the cold water. / Shit! Fuck! Cold! /

Yami blinked. // You…cussing, //

/ Malik has been a bad influence over the years. /

// Speaking of which, are they awake yet? //

/ No. /

"Yami."

"What is it, Seto?"

"Something happened last night…"

"What?"

* Did you know that your actions last night affected all of us? *

*What acti…oh * The looks on both Seto and Bakura's faces told him what they meant. Yami paled. * I thought I blocked it. *

* You blocked sight, sound, and sense, but not smell. *

* Damn it. *

/What happened? /

* Marik was forced to flee for the fear of his mate's safety. * Bakura sat back down in the chair.

* And what of you? *

* I was not in the room at the time. I was busy taking care of a steroid loaded idiot. *

* Seto? *

* Um…Jou was a little more…understanding. * Jou and Seto both tinted pink.

* I don't…I mean…damn it. Guys, I'm sorry. *

* It is not us you should be apologizing to, but Marik. He was very agitated after that. If he had not left…he could have lost what little control he does have. If he were to hurt Malik, we would lose him completely. He has been fighting for too long without an anchor. Malik is now what stabilizes his hold on his sanity. You must be more careful, my prince. *

The formal address drove his point home to Yami. * You are right, Bakura. I will apologize to him when I have a chance to talk to him privately. *

/ What is going on Yami? I don't understand. /

// I am the oldest surviving member of my kind. I am also the prince. The leader. If I wish, I could transmit how I was feeling to every member of my people. Therefore, whatever happens to me, if I do not guard it, could affect them greatly. Last night I thought I had blocked them completely from what was happening between us. I guess I was wrong. //

/ What happened? /

// Hunters are highly sensitive to any kind of…stimulation. If they can sense in some manner that a fellow hunter is…um...excited, it begins to affect them as well. Because of me, Marik could have harmed Malik last night. //

/ You mean…/

// Yes, Yugi. They could smell us last night. // He felt Yugi tinge pink.

/ And Marik had to leave. /

// Yes. //

"gi, he completely zones out."

"Huh? What did you say, Seto?"

"I said, when he talks to Yugi, he completely zones out."

"I was explaining to him about last night."

Jou stood up, startling them. "I'm going to go outside for a while. I don't like being cooped up for that long. I need to think about some things." He looked at Seto. "Privately."