Adult-FanFiction.org : Yu-Gi-OH

Into the Desolate Night	By : Athena Category: Yu-Gi-Oh > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 5700 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: This is a non-profit Yugioh fanfiction. I will leave warnings at the start of each chapter as necessary as not all tags will apply to every chapter. This story will be heavily laden with plot and mature themes. PG13 version available

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Im sorry this has taken forever. It was never my intention to make people wait but I wasnt sure how far I wanted to take this one.

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Chapter Five
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Pale limbs reached out from beneath the covers, stretching until joints popped with an audible snap and the bruised muscle began to relax. Warmth escaped into the chilled air, causing him to stir and seek out the familiar body that lay with him. However his fingers padded only emptied space, the blankets cold in the absence of the person that should have been there.
It spoke volumes of how exhausted and sore he was if the other had woke before him. Blinking back against the assault of direct sunlight Ryou worked to open his russet eyes, trying to make sure he hadn’t rolled at an odd angle and missed finding Bakura in the bed. He forced his head to rise, greeting the new day and bedroom he shared with his husband in slow scrutiny.
No. Just like he thought; he was alone.
Sighing he laid back against the pillows, drawing his knees up as he tucked his tail around his body and snuggled his nose into the milky white fur. He could still smell Bakura’s scent lingering there, delighting in that small comfort as he wetted the hairs with his tongue to avoid having them tickle his face. With a deep breath he tried to force his body to relax and return to resting. Given the state of his mind though, such feats were near impossible.
It was hard to make himself sleep knowing Akefia was gone. His husband would undoubtedly be cross if he returned and found Ryou roaming the halls but that did little to put aside the temptation. If anything it made it harder to bear as dark thoughts kept plaguing his mind without Akefia there to chase them off. He was not in the right state of mind to assuage these creeping fears himself as thoughts of last night rose to the surface and guilt burrowed into a new home.
It was his fault. Akefia and the others had warned him, time and time again not to befriend the human for this very reason. Yugi had gotten hurt because Ryou refused to turn away the friendship the human boy offered. That part of him which longed for a friend so desperately was the cause and blame for the ruin that had come to them. His friend was now made to suffer and Ryou was the only one at fault. He was guilty, him, and no one else.
It was stupid… Selfish… Weak… How could he have been so blind? Misguided to the point that Yugi now had to front the cost of his errors. If only he could have been there for Yugi sooner. Or reversed time and drove Yugi away from the beginning. Friends weren’t supposed to let this happen. Yugi wasn’t supposed to get hurt and suffer because of him!
It wasn’t fair! It just wasn’t fair! Ryou could feel the tears against his cheeks before the first whimper escaped his throat. Why had Akefia only saved him? Why didn’t he go after Yugi? Ryou hadn’t needed the help, he wasn’t that badly hurt. Not like Yugi had been.
He’d been grateful to see Akefia crash through the doors and send those wolves running, but his foolish love was so blinded by the need to assure Ryou’s safety that he let the wolves sneak away. And they took Yugi! Those bastards actually took him!
His heart ached at the thought. What would those monsters do? What more could they want from a boy that knew nothing? Did they not think they’d be tracked? Did they not think the Senjiyuu would go after them and retaliate?
Maybe they planned to use him as leverage or thought Yugi knew more than he did. Either way it wouldn’t get them very far. Their scents were recognised and it didn’t take much effort to learn of whom they belonged.
The Urukai were Domino City’s biggest pack and a force made great by its sheer size. Yami was well acquainted with their leader from past encounters and had been leaving with both Bakura and Marik to speak with them when Ryou was put to bed. His pack brothers would set things right. If anyone could get Yugi back it would be Yami, he’d find a solution. Ryou just need to have faith.
His alpha was renown and revered by vampires. Amongst shifter clans he was a legend born from myth. There were many tales whispered about all of them. In Ryou’s case he only prayed that their reputation could be of some benefit to Yugi, given that many clans owed the Senjiyuu dearly.
They were a life line and final defence that had once saved the Urukai from enslavement. Not that they would acknowledge it now. Gratitude was spread thin at the top and not spared a second thought when it came to current politics. The rescued leaders, once suppliants on bent knee before them, stood defiant against them now that their plight had ended and the Senjiyuu’s influence was no longer needed.
It had been like that for years. A vicious cycle of loathing and praise built around the other clans’ inabilities to defend their people. Their Alphas’ understood the implications that came with seeking outside help and would hold off as long as they could. Many met a violent end at the hands of their own people, betrayed by their own kinsmen and deposed by those rallying for the Senjiyuu’s aid once the situation grew dire. Because of that, the next leader would be quick to blemish and guise the truth, fearful that such might become their own fate.
Many of the clans feared that Yami would someday force his will and proclaim himself king, a true possibility considering his abilities should he ever have the desire. But that was never Yami’s aim. He hardly wanted responsibility of the Senjiyuu, let alone control of the city. Loyalty between shifters was a fleeting trait. The power-hungry thrived on conflict and the shifters were currently enduring hard times.
Yet Ryou had to hope that Yami’s infamy would prevail and they could escape this incident without starting a war. Too many leaders were itching for an excuse to rally and come after them; tired of hearing their people’s desire to unite and have their positions undermined by what they thought was an arrogant tyrant.
Tell a man he cannot have something and he will crave it all the more. The other Alphas of this city were hypocrites through and through. The moment opportunity presented weakness they would strike at each other and decimate their own numbers at the mere promise of power. That was how the Urukai had formed in the first place. Now Gansley ruled the throne, inherited from his father who had challenged and killed his uncle for the position.
But Ryou couldn’t let the past dictate the future. Gansley was a businessman, always searching for loop holes and willing to barter in the name of a good deal. Hopefully Yami could strike up agreeable terms since having Mariku and Akefia there the procession would be as intimidating as all hell. Maybe talking would be enough. For so long now war had been in the making and by no means did Ryou want Yugi to ever feel as though he were the cause of it.
Another deep growl reminded Ryou of his pending hunger, causing him to break from his cocoon in a quick throw of covers. He swung his feet to the floor and danced over the wood, seeking the shortest path to the carpet where the chill didn’t quite strike as deep. His chest was cold, body half shifted from below the waist as he used his hands to open drawers and pull out fresh clothes. Once he was ready he shifted the rest back and dressed, already missing the warmth his fur provided as it had shut out most of dawn’s cold embrace.
Studying himself in the mirror he combed his hair back with his fingers, barely straightening the bed-head tangles before seeking the kitchen with the idea of getting a full breakfast going. Athena would still be on watch but the others would most likely be hungry once they got home. If anything it would be nice to have something ready for them. Even if Akefia would never say it, he knew his husband would appreciate the gesture after such a long night. However it didn’t take more than two steps out of the door to hear muffled voices from the living room and quickly curb his line of thinking.
He had expected Akefia to wake him when they got back and felt disappointed. The distant echoes of hushed voices made his ears twitch, eager to catch the words that were never intended for him to overhear. Or at least he assumed that was the case. It was the only explanation he had for why they would not include him considering the significance of last night. It was a bad sign.
Ryou slowed his approach. It was a struggle to keep his steps below the range of their hearing but he tried and hugged the wall, leaving the hall and stopping to linger on the outskirts of the shared living space.
“You should be in bed.”
Bugger; Akefia scented him already.
Since there was no sense hiding Ryou stepped forward, pretending to rub the sleep from his eyes as he approached Akefia’s turned back and snuggled into his side. “I thought I heard your voice.”
It brought his husband’s attention to him, granite blue eyes scanning his face before wrapping an arm over his shoulders and drawing Ryou in for a light kiss, “I told you to stay in bed Yadonushi.”
Oh dear, his old nickname. Bakura was making his bad mood known.
As they broke from the kiss, Ryou ran his tongue along Bakura’s jaw, a quick gesture of submission, and act given to pacify the elder before he felt it safe to lean in and bury his nose into the crook of his neck. Soon enough he was wrapped up tightly in the constricting circlet of his husband’s arms and sighed.
“I missed you.”
The words whispered heatedly against the dark shade of creamy-bronze skin. It was painfully obvious to everyone in the room, Bakura included, as to what Ryou was attempting but that didn’t matter. At the feel of his husband’s chest expanding and the rush of hot air against his hair, Ryou knew the elder had surrendered. Check mate was when Akefia stroked his back and practically made Ryou purr at the contact.
A bit unfocused due to the gentle ministration, Ryou reluctantly pulled away from the prized affections. He had to struggle in Akefia’s arms to turn in order to study the others, seeing that they were spread out and slumped over the furniture with conquering looks of exhaustion. None of them appeared in lighter spirits and Ryou regretted that he had not been up earlier to have breakfast waiting for them.
Despite that though he needed to know how last night went, desperate for news of any kind about Yugis condition. “How is he?”
The question was aimed at the room, open to any of the four shifters to comment on. Ryou needed to ease his building fears, suffocate the fires of helplessness and bring himself back into cheerful spirits. However the room was silent. No one came forward to answer him.
“Ryou, you shou-”
“You did get to see him right?” He knew Akefia was only going to tell him to go back to bed and he wouldn’t. Not until he knew.
He issued his words at Yami, giving his Alpha a pleading stare with the understanding that one of them had to talk. Since there was no point beating around the subject he chose Yami who would know the most. If not he’d try Akefia, then Athena and maybe even Mariku if he had to. He could hardly hold still, a sickness billowing in his core with the prolonged silence.
Finally Yami moved, bringing his leg down from the back of the couch so that he was properly sitting instead of lounging like a discarded doll across the black fabric. His expression was stoic, a mask of emotion and something about the way his eyes contrasted with the dark ring of fatigue made him look several years older.
“Yes, I saw him.”
Ryou swallowed, flinching when the deep words penetrated the cold silence.
“He’s lucky to be alive.”
There was more, words lingering at the edges but Yami held them back behind loosely knit fingers. He had look of concentration about him, an unsettled tightness rising in his shoulders that gave away his game. There was something to this, something Yami was reluctant to say. Though not voiced, he could feel it in the air, bouncing between the groups occupants as they seemed to share that same thought. For the life of him, Ryou couldn’t figure out what it was. What could be so difficult to say? There was nothing Ryou couldn’t take, nothing he would ever blame the others for considering that this was all his mistake to begin with. If Yugi was alive then why did everyone look so grim? Why were they all staring and gauging his reaction? This was good news wasn’t it?
If it was good then why were they all regarding him this way?
Yami continued, “He’s got multiple injuries, the worst being a mauled leg and scarred throat.”
His words were clean and clinical; befitting a doctor detailing the cause of death in that scripted, sympathetic way. Blended together with a voided look, it made Ryou want to curl up in a ball and hide. They were easing him into this for a reason no doubt.
“I wish I could tell you more but he was reluctant to let me fully investigate and I was forced to leave before I had the opportunity to ask.”
Ryou bobbed his head, refusing to let emotions show. It was better news than he’d expected considering the scene he’d walked in on and the silence that faced his first question. Yugi had been nothing more than a collapsed heap the last he’d seen him, wheezing through difficult breaths in dark puddles of his own blood. At least he was alive.
Yugi was alive! The thought sounded even better the second time he repeated it. Better yet Yami was able to see the injuries and talk to… wait, Yugi was awake? Did Yami truly speak with Yugi? Ryou’s smile beamed. He would have never expected Yugi to have recovered so quickly! Maybe this was a good sign? Yes, this was nothing sort of a blessing!
“So where is he? Can I see him?” Ryou breathed with relief. In fact he was overcome with excitement, unable to notice the desponded tone that struck the air once his fears left him. But it only lasted a moment. Akefia gave his shoulders a sharp squeeze and the joy proved fleeting.
“He’s not here Ryou. Go back to bed and rest. I will be in after you in a minute to explain.”
Ryou gave his husband a pointed look, unflinching as Bakura retuned it with his own piercing gaze of frosted blues. He was used to it by now. Once upon a time those eyes had terrified him greatly but now, no matter how fierce, he could still see the love that lingered there; notice the spark of jubilation that resonated whenever they stood together and held eye contact. It didn’t matter what he said. Akefia wasn’t really mad at him, nor would Ryou need fear punishment if he refused to listen.
He had his handsome hubby under his thumb as of right now. It was evident in the half-turned smile and slight details that no one else would see. The small, near invisible actions, that gave the other away. Like the way those eyes refused to fully level on him or how his hands continued to tug possessively on Ryou’s clothes. Akefia was still in elation over Ryou’s condition and the fact that he’d walked away with so few injuries. The sheer joy that Ryou was recovered still showed in the stance and protective vigil he kept over Ryou’s shoulders.
Ryou shook his head, breaking the entrancing contact as he turned away. “Later we will talk. I need to know Kura and I do not need you to shelter me.” He looked to Yami, slipping out of Bakura’s hold as he felt his lover tense. “He’s still with them?”
There was a breath of hesitance before Yami gave a solid nod.
So it was true then… they had Yugi.
Ryou swallowed hard, feeling bile pooling at the base of his throat. His heart raced and he swayed like he was about to be sick. Akefia picked up on it faster than Ryou could play it off, stepping up from behind and pulling him back into the protective contours of chest, resting his cheek against Ryou’s hair. Gods he was such a worrywart.
Calming, Ryou focused his mind, trying to settle his trembling before it worried anyone else. He was so angry it burned yet there was no reason to be upset with Yami. He couldn’t justify allowing his anger to rise, especially with the growing desire to strike at the unfortunate messenger. No one was to blame. He knew that. Yugi was targeted and attacked because he had wanted to be his friend. It was his fault. His anger was best aimed at himself.
He steadied himself in preparation to speak, letting the anger settle as precipitant in the bottom of his gut. “We aren’t just going to leave him there are we?” A sob hungered after his words. As much resolve as he employed to control it, his heart still ached and urged him to let the anguish run free.
The room remained quiet and Ryou realised this was likely the conversation he’d disturbed when getting up: Did they adopt the new shifter despite the risks it posed? Ryou could practically hear the tension straining between them. It was selfish to ask but he needed to. He had to find a way to convince them, if purely for Yugi’s sake. He had to. Despite the group’s known objections he owed it to Yugi to take a stand.
“I know what you’ve all said. I know and I’m sorry. I-I didn’t listen but this isn’t Yugi’s fault! He’s my friend and they attacked him to get to me… Just…just like everyone said they would.” His control shattered and the tears raced down the side of his cheeks. Quiet sobbing caught up in his laboured breathing while Ryou looked between their faces; seeking a supportive glance or sign of sympathy.
Athena turned as Ryou studied her, unable to hold his stare as she broke the tension with a heavy and faced Yami. Mariku mimicked the action and with the spotlight on him, Yami consigned himself to the task and took the lead. “There was no other option; we had to follow their rules. You may be upset but you need to understand. Because it was a group of theirs that turned him, they not only have rights to him, but also in punishing his attackers. We are currently allowed to do nothing about it. I’m sorry but he is not a pack member. And even if that were so, he was human and the laws apply differently to them.”
Akefia kissed his hair, holding his body tightly as he felt Ryou loose balance. “But if he shifts…” Ryou couldn’t even finish as the tears won over and his voice trembled. Akefia’s concerned attentions grew as he began to brush the water away from Ryou’s eyes and spoke for him. “After he shifts he has an option to join us. He will be unmarked and we will have a chance to claim him.”
Ryou hadn’t even known that was an option. He had only intended to ask if Yugi would be able to visit or if they could remain friends. Adjusting in Akefia’s arms to peer at his face, Ryou tried to meet with those pale eyes he loved so dearly, only to find that they were purposely avoiding his gaze, drawing a soft smile from Ryou’s lips. Oh Kura.
Yami pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance, the conversation having come full circle now that Ryou had been brought up to speed. He could see that Akefia was weak in the face of his lover’s pleading, leaning two votes in favour of bringing the new shifter into their fold vs. the four that originally stood opposed. Yami was still against it, memories of Heba and the betrayal not easy to discard. But the decision affected more than just him and he would rely on their opinions before voicing his own.
“HELL no! Bakura, what- the-FUCK, are you thinking? Do you remember anything that happened? Do you not remember HOW our little group got to be just FIVE people?” Mariku was fuming. Now that Ryou was awake, he wasn’t going to be constantly reprimanded and told to sit quiet.
“Born shifters are one thing, made-shifters are another. We are NOT doing this! Yami,” he bumped his arm against the other, ”Back me up. Tell him what needs to be said. We are NOT, and that is with a capital N, O, T; NOT doing this. Is anyone else actually taking this seriously? Bakura, you need to explain to him AGAIN, why we do what we do and why we live like-“
“Bite me.”
Mariku narrowed his eyes at his pack brother, tensions brewing as foreboding rumbles echoed in their chests. It was felt by everyone in the room, twin growls stirring the thick plume of impending violence like the heat before a thunderstorm. Akefia loosened his grip and moved to step around Ryou but his mate was quick and found purchase on his coat, clinging to his shirt in a refusal to let this break out in a fight.
“Kura calm down, it’s okay,” he leaned up on his toes to kiss the long scar that marred his husband’s face, “I understand. I do. It’s just Yugi isn’t like most other people. He’s always putting others before himself; he’ll never become a menace… he won’t... “
It was the best he could think of to try and diffuse Mariku’s argument. He hadn’t been with them back in the days when the Senjiyuu were at their full strength. In fact he had joined much later when the family was down to just four members yet was fortunate to have joined as its fifth. He was lucky and Mariku was always quick to remind him of that.
“Ryou.”
Everyone turned at the sound of Athena’s voice when it nursed the threatening air. She was often soft spoken, timid in speech and rarely gave out opinions without being prompted. Something must have provoked her.
“Ryou, I understand your grief and you have my sympathy, but the issue is bigger than mere guilt. Regardless of Yugi’s disposition, the Urukai see this as an opportunity. For once they have something, a sort of leverage, over the Senjiyuu and they know it. They will not make it easy for us to claim him, especially unmarked, if they can help it. Gansley is going to have demands and has probably prepared to mark Yugi the moment he shifts. If that happens then the demands will be twice as severe. However, the opposite also faces known obstacles. We must consider the possibility that Gansley might accuse the Senjiyuu of violating law and demand Yugi’s return, amongst other instructions, in order to placate him. Either way we need to be careful with how we proceed. Setting feelings aside, there is a lot to consider in making this decision that stretch beyond the welfare of one person.”
Ryou felt his breathing ease, absorbing the information with agreeing nods. He knew she was right. He was being selfish again. All he could think about was bringing Yugi here. So what if he became Urukai? That wouldn’t be too big of an issue. Why did it even matter for him to insist on Yugi joining with the Senjiyuu? They could still be friends… or at least he hoped so.
Mariku folded his arms over his chest and leaned against the opposing wall. “That and he’ll be wild. With the vampires starting all this shit, we can’t have some liability keeping us at home an-”
“I’ll take care of him.” The words flew from Ryou’s mouth faster than he could think them. “I-I mean, I am home most of the time and I do attend school with him. If I stick close enough I can watch him and make sure that nothing happens. He would be my responsibility; nothing would have to change for the rest of you.”
Ryou almost hated himself for saying it as he had. He sounded like a child pleading with his parents to get him a puppy.
Akefia played with his hair, bringing his attention to him before he leaned in to speak, “Until he masters his beast, he is a danger I do not want you around. You have never seen the way an infected human receives the gift and the violence it wakes in their spirit. Until he learns to control it, you are not to be alone with him.”
Ryou gave a disheartened sigh at those words. Was he really loosing Akefia’s support too? He scanned the room, taking in the other three expressions as his mind scrambled to form a better argument. How could he convince them? Yugi wouldn’t attack him, there was no way! Despite what they said, there was no way he could believe Yugi would hurt anyone.
He turned his chocolate eyes on Athena, fear of the truth tugging at his heart, “Is it inevitable?”
She seemed surprised, brows lifting for a moment before she took in the meaning of his question, “No.”
At the immediately lit of joy in Ryou’s expression Athena felt a moments hesitance. She nearly held herself back, shaking her head to clear the thought as she continued. Ryou needed the truth. He needed to understand.
“There is no guarantee that your friend will be violent. Nor is it likely that he will retain his human demeanour. The beast is born from the soul where it is forged from the spirit and brought to life in a primal form. If the heart has been tainted by fear or anger- as most are after a violent attack; then his beast will be tempered by those emotions. Any insecurities, hate or maliciousness buried within the soul are exposed without the moral shell to conceal them. Emotional impulses are amplified by the beast’s primal need to understand its world and without the guide of a rational mind they run wild.”
“All the beast has to work with and understand are feelings. If Yugi shifts and gets scared, his beast will think he is being threatened and act upon those urges. There is no promise or guidebook to determine how your friend will initially react. People we think ourselves to know are sometimes great actors when the stage is lit, but in the eyes of a shifter everything is laid bare. The first change is often the most violent and creates the perfect conditions for fear and anger to rise. If Yugi is not as sweet as he seems, the Urukai would be wise to keep him in a cell and let his beast rampage on its own.”
Again her words both calmed and unnerved him. It helped to have the truth but it was not exactly what he wanted to hear. He wanted to believe that Yugi would be okay, that things would return to normal after the initial recovery. But given that Athena was the only one he knew to have been brought over the way Yugi had, he couldn’t object to what she said. Despite attempts to reassure himself that Yugi would never change; there was a great possibility that he might still loose Yugi, or at least the Yugi he’d known.
“All the more reason not to bother.”
Four frowns narrowed on Mariku and his dismissive remark.
“What? He’s going to be a menace like Athena said. Scared shitless, he will tear through here like a canine let out of hell. Better to not invite the trouble into our own home and let the Urukai reap what they sow.”
Ryou wanted to say something, wanted to scream and let his anger go at those cruel words. But thankfully Yami stepped in and ended the discussion before his anger had a chance to work its way free.
“Enough.” His voice boomed and the air calmed.
“Whether we decide to take him or not doesn’t matter. He was attacked because a group of theirs were targeting us,” he made a point of aiming those scarlet eyes at Mariku before spreading his gaze around the room, “We are involved now, like it or not. We will play by their rules, hear their demands and then make up our minds. We still have leverage given that the attack, though indirect, was at us. It is something they cannot refute and they will not come away with more than they deserve. For now, let’s wait until the boy shifts. If he proves not to be a burden, we can reopen the discussion but right now we are all tired and letting it affect our judgement.”
Ryou smiled, beaming at the Alpha’s words. After all, it wasn’t a ‘no’.

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o.o.0.0.O.0.0.o.o

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“So how is he?”
Malik raised his head from the counter, having nearly fallen back to sleep as he gave a lazy yawn. “He was still asleep this morning when I looked in on him. He hasn’t moved, not even in his sleep.”
His pale eyes watched his sister drift around the room, long hair swaying back and forth as she prepared breakfast like someone born on a tight schedule. She had no appointments today, not that he knew of at least, so it was strange that she looked haggard and was in a rush. He would have asked but thought better of it. She turned and arched a brow at him, as if tuned in to his thoughts.
Malik sighed, guising and dismissing his concerns as he kept the subject on that of their young charge. “I know he’s still recovering but it’s been three days and he’s practically comatose. Other than bathroom breaks, bandage changes and my constant attempt to shove food in his face, I don’t think he’d move if I didn’t make him. I get that he’s still human but should it really take this long for them to heal? Three days is a long time. He does have a beast now, and in case you haven’t had the pleasure, the whole room stinks of wolf.”
His sister gave him a knowing, sympathizing smile. They both found the scent displeasing. They had grown used to it after moving into the communal building and taking up residence with the Urukai but sometimes it was overbearing. Most of the shifters were wolves given that the name originally meant “city-wolf” but in time, as clans thinned and people moved around, the Urukai began to take in all types. That freedom alone allowed for the biggest clan to form since the purge. No small feat by anyone’s standards and a constant struggle to hold together.
Ishizu nodded, panning bacon in neat lines, “Yugi’s injuries would still be healing even if he were a shifter. Much of the bruising would be gone and some of the fractures and sprains but I doubt the cuts on his throat would heal. That will take months at a human rate; weeks perhaps depending on how quickly his body can adapt and complete preparations for the first shift.”
“Do you think he will ever speak again? He’s been trying and I check on it every day but his throat doesn’t look like its getting any better. I keep thinking that if I make him mad, maybe he’ll shift and be able to heal but-“
Malik stopped talking as Ishizu slammed a pan down on the counter. What the hell?
He was about to inquire but was stunned back into silence by the agitated breath and slight snarl she sent his way. Alarmed he watched her push back her hair, tucking it behind each ear as she composed herself.
“Malikar Ranesh Ishtar…” Oh gods that tone. And his full name. He was in trouble. But what the hell had he said? She was smiling only a moment ago…
“Do you know what could happen if you... “ she waved the question away, “Have you forgotten what your job is?”
Malik repressed the urge to frown and get defensive. Neither of those options would be to his benefit against ‘the tone’ which Ishizu wielded like a whip. “To look after Yugi, help him recover and get through his first shift?” That was everything. He didn’t think there was anything more to it when he volunteered to be the boys Balveric.
“Yes but you can’t just go in there and threaten him. If you scare the boy into shifting he could die, and the Senjiyuu will never trust us. Regardless of Gansley’s intentions, Yugi has friends in the Senjiyuu and is the key to helping Odion. We need his trust and to seize this opportunity. No matter which way things go between the Urukai and Senjiyuu, if you can gain the boys confidence then everything will be alright.”
Malik arched a brow and tilted his head, not quite following her line of thinking.
She heaved a frustrated breath in reply, trying to make her beast settle though it was worked up and paced the edges of her mind. “I keep forgetting you weren’t there, but it’s not worth explaining just yet. Suffice it to say, Gansley is trying to use Yugi as a bargaining chip and we need to take advantage of this chance.”
Malik had already figured that much out. Gansley wasn’t the most subtle and his plans were rarely a mystery to anyone. His council advised him, Ishizu included, but it was rare that they could ever dissuade him from an act. He was powerful and so were his sons. The hierarchy branched along that divide, signs of ensuing chaos in the making should Gansley die and Tristan ascend the throne. Ushio would never take that lying down being that he was the eldest, even if he was a bastard. Ishizu was fortunate enough to at least get a say in the confusing politics though she rarely had any positive outlooks on the future.
“Brother,” she moved to him and snatched up both of his hands with hers, making him jump. “You know what happens to shifters like Odion; both of us have seen the ‘madness’ at work and have seen it eat away at both body and mind. We have to save him and from what I can gather the Senjiyuu are the best shot anyone has to finding the cure. “
Malik flinched as she leaned in, eyes glazing over until the green eyes of her beast fully stared back at him. “None of them have ever gone mad. Whatever it is they are doing, it’s working and if you can befriend Yugi we might have a chance to get the cure and save ourselves.”
Malik swallowed. So that’s what she meant. Nothing small like: ‘you forgot to take out the garbage this morning’ or ‘fluff his pillow’. No, that would be too easy. Instead she was placing his brother’s life upon his shoulders! Who did she think he was? He felt terrible just watching his brother’s slow suffering, recalling memories of their mother and every detail of her death.
Why did she even bring this up? Did she simply want him to feel terrible? There was nothing they could do; even Odion had come to accept that. Ishizu was supposed to be the level-headed one in the family. The peace-keeper and person everyone relied on for clear judgement. So why was she saying this? It was cruel to tease and even flirt with the idea of their brother’s condition having a cure. Too many people wasted precious moments in panic and fearing the inevitable. They should be enjoying the time left. That’s what Odion wanted.
Besides, nothing in life was ever that simple. If the Senjiyuu had the cure, then why hadn’t they shared it? Why would they keep something that precious to themselves? There would be a good reason for war if they had. Of all the clans itching to see the Senjiyuu crumble, the Urukai would unite them in full force if such a thing were proven true.
Therefore it couldn’t be. There would need to be more proof out there. He wasn’t convinced and neither should his sister. Was it Odion’s condition that blinded her judgement? Was she truly that desperate to believe he could be saved that she would take anyone’s word for it? Maybe there was more proof out there then he knew. She could know something he didn’t but as it was Malik dismissed the claim with a lazy toss of his shoulders, “You don’t really believe that do you?”
Her eyes widened in disbelief and a low rumble echoed in her throat. Okay, so maybe she did. She rarely ever lost control like this.
Malik backpedalled. “I just… If you think about it, if they have had the cure all these years then how come no one has done anything about it? Why now? Why hasn’t this been a rumour for centuries?”
It felt like a legitimate point to criticise and question but Ishizu only looked annoyed by what he implied. Maybe centuries was an exaggeration, maybe it was only years but still... If they had the cure it would be obvious to everyone.
Ishizu released his hands and turned back to preparing breakfast, giving attention to the eggs which began to sizzle and pop as the pan reached temperature. “Because, little brother, Yami has never taken an interest outside of his own pack before. Whatever Yugi is to him, he wants this boy to join them and that’s useful."
She paused as if grading her own words while flipping the bacon. “That wolf is dead set on guarding every little secret there is to know about the Senjiyuu and tuck it away from the world. Things like where they keep their den, how many there are, and now, clearly, the details of the cure. All of it. Anything there is to know, he hides. He kills those who learn the truth leaving us to know next to nothing about them… But recently they attacked a group of our own, the same night that Yugi came here in fact. Together those they have finally confirmed that the Senjiyuu know of a cure and I’m positive that if you befriend Yugi, he’ll tell you how it works.”
Malik looked confused. He’d never seen Ishizu get so emotional before as she beat the eggs and turned her frustrations against the omelette, churning it into scrambled eggs without even noticing. Malik pouted quietly from the sidelines, pressing into the conversation gently, ““They attacked us? I can’t believe it, what for?”
Golden earrings danced around her face as she shook her head, “I don’t know. Rex said it was unprovoked. They were outside the territory when they were ambushed by Yami’s triad and beaten within an inch of their lives. Apparently they were asking about vampires and in the midst of questioning they remarked on his condition and hinted at a cure.”
Malik gave a snort of laughter, instantly regretting it as viscous green eyes snapped at him.
“You find something funny?”
“N-nothing. It’s just…Rex is so full of shit. He embellishes everything and lies all the time. Why would Yami, king of secrets as you say, mention the cure-” he snapped his fingers “-just like that? I… It just doesn’t make sense. I find the guy scary but I don’t think he’s stupid.”
The green retreated from her eyes, paling into sky blue as her anger calmed and she mused over Malik’s words. Her brother had a point. “I’ll speak on it tonight.”
Wow. It was hard to believe he’d actually won that.
But so much for celebrating as the smell of burning pricked his nose and he dashed to the toaster. He couldn’t believe that he had forgot to check the timer. Someone had dialled it out of the golden zone for tasty toast and left it on full. Seriously, who did that?
“Damn.” He pulled out the unappetising morsel and plopped it on the counter with a whine, “No amount of scrapping ever removes the black.”
He heard his sister laugh and the situation brightened; if only by a little bit. He watched her sort the eggs between three plates, dividing up sausage and bacon after padding them down with paper towel to thin the grease.
“And this is why you cook,” he teased, earning another soft snicker as she smiled.
Taking two plates she offered them to Malik before placing a kiss above his brow. “I love you little brother. Take this to Yugi and make me proud.”
Why did those words make him feel like a villain?

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o.o.0.0.O.0.0.o.o

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Yugi sat up, the smell of fresh food alerting him to Malik’s presence long before the blonde could fish out the right key and come through the door. He smiled to greet him, glad for the company as the last half hour of being alone weighed heavily on his mind. He still had many questions but with so little energy he was barely conscious enough to remember them. Now they tore at him in a frenzy of curiosity. Reaching for the pad of paper Malik had left him, Yugi scribbled a quick ‘good morning’ before laying it aside and eagerly accepting the offered plate.
Sweet spirits, it was real food! Not that slurry of blended crap he’d been forced to stomach in prior meals. His stomach protested the act of waiting, hungering despite having received no utensils yet. He wanted to shove the heavenly food directly into his drooling maw, dump the plate on his face and lick it clean. This need was a fuse merely lacking a spark and Yugi’s willpower held the match. He leaned back against the bed, doing his best to remain tight lipped and control himself but the moment that fork was in hand, he had eggs in his mouth and was feasting aggressively. All suddenly felt right with the world and the former burdens on his mind lifted. He was practically humming with pleasure, nothing else of consequence penetrating his thoughts as he focused on one mouthful after another.
“Frig Yugi, don’t bust a load over eggs, I am the one that washes those sheets.”
The eggs nearly exploded out his nose. Yugi swallowed to keep them down but that was a mistake. Too much going down at once was all it took to irritate his throat and he started coughing. Reaching for the glass of water, Malik already had it stretched out and met him halfway with it.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to do that. Well, I did mean to make you laugh but I should have let you swallow first. Here let me see.” Malik said as he shuffled closer and tried to tilt Yugi’s head back to look for blood.
He would have moved Yugi’s plate out of the way and got closer but the boy clung to it, playfully growling as Malik tried to take it from his lap in order to get a better look. Malik sighed and backed off, “Well I guess if you can growl than you can’t be that bad.”
Yugi beamed and shovelled another forkful in his mouth, chewing contentedly. It woke Malik’s smile in reply as he turned towards his own plate and sighed. He couldn’t stop hearing Ishizu’s voice in his head. Here with Yugi it began to resonate louder, a cacophony gushing about his brain, urging him to do as he must in order to secure Odion’s future.
But at what cost?
And if there was no cost, then why did he feel so rotten?
With remorse he surrendered, admitting to himself that befriending Yugi was not in itself a harmful act. “You know, I’m glad you’re eating. Protein is going to be good for you at this point in order to help heal. It will also help welcome the beast and keep it happy until your body is ready to handle the change. I did also bring fruit though if you want some.”
Ishizu would be upset if she knew. Yugi was supposed to be on a strict protein diet but to Malik it sounded cruel.
Yugi gleefully snatched up a cut piece of watermelon, rejoicing as the cool juices soothed that irritating itch burning at the back of his throat. Everything was wonderful when a day began with real food. In fact everything tasted so much better then he remembered.
“So Yugi,” twin amethysts orbs rose from feasting at the call of his name, “I was wondering if there was anything you wanted to do today? I could bring some board games in again or set up a table for dual monsters. I-If you think you are up for it that is. You are looking a lot better today.”
Yugi smiled at the admission. He was actually feeling a lot better as well. Things still ached- mostly his throat- but the rest was a dull throb of background pain he’d simply gotten used to. Pulling himself away from his food he reached for the notepad and scribbled down something that had been on his mind for a long time.
*Can we go outside?*
There hadn’t been rain all morning. In fact it looked as though the sun was about to shine from what he could see between the bars of his window. What he wouldn’t give to feel the suns warmth again after such a lousy and overcast winter. And besides, beyond this room he still had no idea where he was. It would be nice to get out and stretch his legs, give himself room for thoughts to run free and to fully take everything in.
Malik took a deep breath and released it slowly. “I don’t know. I… Give me time to check you over and if you are still feeling up to it then I’ll try to take you out.”
He wasn’t sure if it was going to be the right move. Yugi was kept down here because it was in his best interest as well as everyone else. The cement walls and iron door would keep him contained when he shifted meaning that he would be safely out of the way and not risk hurting himself. Or at least that’s what Ishizu had said when he’d asked about moving Yugi into a nicer room.
He was beginning to question his sister’s frame of mind though. The last made-shifter had died before Malik was even born. Rumour was that she hadn’t survived the transformation and had forced the beast to literally eat its way out by refusing to shift; killing them both. He never wanted to see such a thing happen. His mind toyed with the image and he shuttered to think of it, an action that didn’t go unnoticed by Yugi who laid a hand upon his.
*What?*
“Nothing…” he could see Yugi underlining his previous word, and giving him a disbelieving stare. “Its just… You need to promise me that when the time comes that you aren’t going to fight it. I know you don’t fully believe it, that you are still in denial but I can smell the wolf on you. Its going to want out and you are going to change by the next full moon, if not sooner, and when that happens I need you to promise me you will just let it happen. No matter how much it hurts, no matter how scared, promise me you won’t fight it.”
Concern gripped amethyst eyes as they scanned Malik’s face, overcome by worry when they perceived the genuine fear that lay written in his features. *why?*
Did Malik dare tell him the full story? It was probably best to stay honest with Yugi. No part of hiding reality would help either of them. Yugi needed to know everything that lay ahead of him and face it with as much preparation as Malik could give. That was what his role as Balveric demanded, what his sister asked of him and what Yami had ordered. Yugi needed to live and to do that he had to be willing to accept fate as it was dealt to him.
“It’s… I’m not sure where to begin to explain so be patient with me as I try to get my thoughts out,” he began, reaching to take Yugi’s notebook away as he pushed the plate of food back into the boy’s lap. “You need to keep eating.”
Yugi picked up the fork but didn’t start until Malik began talking, caution plaguing both their actions as neither knew what to do with this new air of awkwardness that had slipped between them.
“I just need you to be prepared. I don’t want you to be scared but shifting for the first time is not going to be fun. The first time I shifted, I was thirteen, and it was right around the time my voice cracked. Along with growing pains, born shifters mature into it. I was a real late bloomer. Most kids shift around eight or nine, sometimes even at age four if you’re the right species,”
Then again those ones don’t often live very long.
Malik refrained from voicing those words. He didn’t want to plague Yugi’s mind with worry over his shortened mortality, nor bring up the fact that his beast would someday claim his life. One way or another, the beast would kill. A shifter’s body was only as strong as their bond with their animal. If that bond was weak, an internal war waged for dominance and no matter who won, the person as a whole was often left damaged beyond repair. That was the nature of the curse and part of what ailed his brother. Odion was losing and it was beginning to show in his flesh.
He shivered, Ishizu’s words running up his spine like a cold chill. Could he really save Odion that way? Would the Senjiyuu really accept Yugi and open up their secrets to him? Was it possible that they even had a cure? With his luck it would be something like getting the blood of ten virgins and he’d-
A touch to his arm brought Malik back from his grim musing, violet eyes connecting with Yugi’s own as he shared a concerned look.
Malik swallowed, finally taking note of his own tears as they slid from his eyes and hugged the underside of his jaw. He forced a weak smile; placing a hand atop Yugi’s and rubbing his knuckles. How could he have even considering using Yugi like that? After everything that had happened to him Yugi still paid more attention to others in spite of his own injuries.
He didn’t deserve betrayal. He didn’t deserve to be brought into this world. Not like this.
Lycanthropy was a curse just as the humans said. A disease lurking at the edges of civilized society, waiting and hunting in the shadows for unsuspecting prey. It drove humanity further on towards the chaotic void of madness, back into a time when emotion and instinct ruled the spirit. A dark time that no longer held a place in the dawn of reason. It was a time that should have disappeared long ago, forgotten, with the true extinction of his race.
Yugi was better than all this.
Fate was being unkind. Yugi was merely a victim of circumstance. He was surprisingly keen and considerate; compassionate and quick-witted. Not to mention that there was quite the adorable face hidden below the swelling. Large eyes, rimmed by thick rows of dark lashes, peeked out from a swash of porcelain skin. It was soft to the touch, something Malik noticed while adjusting bandages earlier that made his own skin blush. Yugi was smooth and silky, warm with rounded features in all the right places to make him look both youthful and angelic in his sleep.
“Aherm, uh sorry. I-um, where was I? Oh right your beast” Malik really didn’t want to explain the tears, wiping them away on the back of his sleeve and purposefully avoiding the note.
“You see, its… Think of it like this: a shifter’s animal is kind of like having a pet. They live inside us and are around all the time. For the most part they do their own thing; sleeping, observing and even claiming certain spaces as their own. They whine over food and about wanting to go outside. Sometimes they just straight up won’t like being around certain people or places and are inclined to do what they want,” Malik shook his head, beginning to realise that he also had no idea where any of this was actually going. The analogy was working at first but now he wasn’t so sure.
“So yeah, they are mostly easy to get along with but you will find they can have a bit of their own personality. Like favourite foods. For example, I hated salmon until I turned thirteen and then for six months straight it’s all I ever wanted to eat- even with dessert. And yes, that does still sound gross even to me, but it’s a secret vice so don’t start to judge since your own cravings are coming.” Yugi held an incredulous stare. The thoughts that must be pouring through that poor boys skull right now, Malik could only guess at.
“They are as much a part of our lives as any pet is and we recognise their presences the same way we do an animal that would live with you at home. Someday they will jump into your lap, interrupt whatever it is you are doing to demand attention, begging you to ‘shift’ and let them out which you can sometimes say no to but after a while they will get tired of excuses and put up a fight.”
“I’ve never had it happen but some people, like my sister, fight the change due to work or whatever reason and get chronic headaches and things like that. The animal begins to protest but that only happens to people who try to go months without shifting. You might have to shift a little more often in the first years but it will get easier. It’s better to stay on good terms and be their friends, or at least that’s what I’ve being doing with mine. He gets salmon ice cream whenever he wants and in exchange I don’t get kept up at night with the urge to prowl and mewl at the stars.”
Yugi had his notebook in hand, writing something quickly then turning it for Malik to read.
“Oh I’m a leopard, I thought I told you. Sorry, guess I forgot um…” he paused to give Yugi time to finish writing.
“Yeah I can shift for you. First things first though, I need you to promise me.” Malik held up his pinky, waiting for Yugi to extend his before he looped them together and shook. “Now a pinky-promise is forever you understand. So no matter what happens you are not going to be scared and panic. When the first shift happens, you will just trust me and relax. I will look after you okay?”
Yugi nodded his head, wetting his lips as he tried to speak only to form no words. The effort to stay awake seemed to be draining on him, that or Yugi was caught up in his own thoughts again. Malik brought Yugi’s hand to his lips and kissed the back of his knuckles before he let the hand go. Now he had Yugi’s attention.
“Good, now watch this.”
It hadn’t been quite what Yugi was expecting. For some reason he’d innocently imagined that there might be more clothes involved, that Malik might have been the tiniest bit embarrassed to strip naked in front of him; but no. Malik shed his clothes faster than a new groom on his wedding night, and Yugi was red in the face, trying not to stare at the full moon and completely exposed backside of his strange new friend.
Were all shifters this comfortable with nudity?
The crack of bones drew his attention as Malik’s body rippled beneath his skin, joints rearranging to the sound of snapping of twigs before adjusting their position and sprouting fur. Very quickly a new form took shape, Malik shaking off the transformation as a slick liquid pooled around his feet. It was black, coming from the pores at the same time the fur had and seeped from the skin to lubricate the surface as the growth took place. And now that the transformation was complete, it beaded from the pelt and collected on the floor like drops of mercury.
Slowly the leopard raised its large head, ears swivelling and eyes scanning the room as if seeing it for the first time. Yugi knew he shouldn’t be scared but as the leopard starting sniffing and turned to look at him, he felt his heart quicken and lodge in his throat. He’d never been this close to a wild animal before. He’d seen pictures of leopards and seen them at the zoo but he didn’t know they could get this big.
But maybe that was because this wasn’t really a leopard. Yugi had to keep reminding himself of that as Malik turned to look at him, his once delicate, pale eyes now a haunting shade of electric blue.
Everything ‘Malik’ was gone from the appearance. He wouldn’t have imagined it was possible if he hadn’t seen it but that thing really was Malik. Fear gripped him as it moved to stand, drying out his mouth as it remained hanging open in shock.
“Are you alright?”
Was he? That was a good question. A leopard was talking to him. That wasn’t alright was it? He had to be dreaming. This was just another one of those animal dreams again but this time it was a leopard and not a wolf.
The bed sank with added weight.
Yugi turned, realising he hadn’t been paying attention as the spotted fur brushed his leg. He felt dizzy and suddenly his vision filled with white light.
“Yugi? Yugi!”

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"7 Days to the Wolves" - Nightwish
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Into the Desolate Night