Alate
Alate (adj.) having wings; lifted up in flight
Tsuruhime Ohori University was something of a wonder to the Pharaoh. He had heard many interesting things about the Universities creation and continued growth. Some of which the Pharaoh knew to be false. Other things however shed some truth.
It was true that Tsuruhime Ohori University was founded as Sureiyāyunaiteddo College, in 1844. Eight years later moving to Domino and assuming its current name. As stated in its Articles of Association, the College undertook its work “grateful to the Gods for the inestimable blessings resulting from the prevalence of civil and human liberty and intelligent piety in the land, and believing that the diffusion of sound learning is essential to the perpetuity of these blessings.”
Though established by vampire slayers, Tsuruhime Ohori has been officially pro-vampire since its inception. It was the first Japanese college to prohibit in its charter any discrimination based on race, religion, species or sex. It was also the second college in the nation to grant four-year liberal arts degrees to women.
Professor and slayer Takara Nakamura, who would serve Tsuruhime Ohori University for half a century, raised money to construct the new campus in the early 1850s by riding 2,000 miles on horseback through vampire territory. It was largely through Nakamura’s efforts that Tsuruhime Ohori would survive while over 75 percent of colleges founded before the opening of Japan to the West would not.
A higher percentage of Tsuruhime Ohori students enlisted during the following wars between China and Russia than from any other college. Of the more than 400 who fought, four won medals of Honor, three became generals, and many more served as regimental commanders. Sixty gave their lives.
Tsuruhime Ohori’s modern rise to prominence occurred in the mid-1950s. On the pretext that some of its students were receiving federal loans, the Departments of Health, Education, and Welfare attempted to interfere with the University’s internal affairs, including a demand that Tsuruhime Ohori begin counting its students by species. Tsuruhime Ohori’s trustees responded with two toughly worded resolutions: One, the University would continue its policy of non-discrimination. Two, “with the help of the Gods,” it would “resist, by all legal means, any encroachments on its independence.”
Following almost a decade of litigation, the Japanese Supreme Court decided against Tsuruhime Ohori in 1971. By this time, the University had announced that rather than complying with unconstitutional federal regulation, it would instruct its students that they could no longer bring federal taxpayer money to Tsuruhime Ohori. Instead, the University replaced that aid with private contributions.
And finally it is true that Tsuruhime Ohori continues to carry out its original mission, both in the classroom and nationwide, through its many outreach programs, including its monthly speech digest, Kage. A prayer written in Khemetian Hieroglyphics and Japanese was placed inside the 1856 cornerstone of Central Hall reflects its continuing commitment: “May earth be better and heaven be richer because of the life and labor of Tsuruhime Ohori University.”
It was false however, that Tsuruhime Ohori University was outside the federal government’s reach. Over the years the Japanese government had slowly infiltrated Tsuruhime Ohori with spies and double agents. The slayer community fought at every turn to purge the school of those who favored or worked for the government. Yet, there was only so much they could do without the Diet appearing and making demands.
A constant battle waged in the shadows it was. Something of a poorly warped mirror of how the education system had once been in the ancient past. Only instead of Vampires being the species whose rights where fought over it had been the humans.
Peace and equality of the species had always been one of the main priorities for the King or Queen of the Vampire Species. Some rulers spent their whole lives working toward this goal. Others scoffed at the idea and threw the world into turmoil that would not be recovered from for centuries.
Even during the Millennium War all those centuries ago the Pharaoh strove to protect the peace between the two species. If a city was to be evacuated then both the vampires and the humans would be evacuated. If there was a famine or disease that made it so that taxes could not be paid. The Pharaoh would offer aid instead of causing the situation to worsen.
However. If it was found that the persons–be it vampire or human–the Pharaoh was helping worked for the enemy. There was nothing that could save them from his wrath.
As the eons passed the Pharaoh had watched humanity grow and become many empires. He had decided after the Millennium War that an invisible guiding hand was the best way to insure the events that transpired in the past did not repeat themselves.
So against the royal council’s wishes he had recognized the borders put in place by tribes of humans. From these borders bloomed city states, countries, and empires. Some of which were ruled by only humans, others by a mix of vampires and humans, and others yet by vampires. The last mentioned usually happened when the vampire had been turned against their will. Instead of banishing the vampire the humans recognized them as one of their own.
The Pharaoh did everything in his power to insure the peaceful recognition of countries and or territories that where not controlled by vampires. On many an occasion he had even acted as mediator between two groups. He had always found a solution the two parties could agree on, at least for a decade.
Which was why Japan’s stance on vampires angered the Pharaoh so.
It had been he who had seen a small nearly extinct tribe of vampires and humans near the end of the Millennium War without a land to call their own. The Pharaoh found a land away from the war zone for the tribe. A tribe that bloomed into the Jomon-Yayoi culture on the islands the Pharaoh had relocated them to. It had been he who had sent humans and vampires to the east after the Millennium war to insure that the Jomon-Yayoi would have allies and trading partners. It had been he who had recognized Japan’s right to isolation in 1598, shushing the outrage within the vampire community.
Japan and its people owed the Pharaoh everything. If he hadn’t cared about a tribe of beings that could not fight Japan would not exist. The only thing he had asked was that they treat both species with respect. Instead the Japanese Government was actively trying to destroy every vampire within its borders.
It was only fear of what the Pharaoh would do to Japan if the order to kill all vampires within its borders where to be given that stopped such a massacre.
Red eyes closed in a languid blink as the Pharaoh banished those thoughts. He had been admiring the architecture of Tsuruhime Ohori University as he waited for Seto to make his appearance.
Stone and wood mixed in a fashion that was rarely well done. Old traditional styled buildings with covered open air walkways stood next to modern structures. Every building marked a different century of Japanese architectural style.
The universities mash up of building styles should have been an eye-sore. Yet, with the landscaping artfully redone to accent the unifying features of the different buildings it was tasteful.
Cherry trees and fiery maples lined the patch worked stone walkways. Spindly lampposts dotted the campus with warm light, and curving benches of wood and stone sat hidden away in the most unlikely of places.
There was no apple tree to be seen. It caused the Pharaoh’s lips to quirk upwards. The slayer community was keeping their word it seemed. Tsuruhime Ohori University was a school for both vampires and humans.
Apple tree’s where poisonous to vampires. Well, apples where poisonous. The wood was the preferred stake making wood of the slayer community. Blooming apple trees also worked as a deterrent to vampires as well. The flowers containing pollen that in large enough douses could kill a vampire. Yet, more often than not there was not enough trees to cause such an event. Perfume industries had made quite a bit of money when they had figured out how to make perfume and cologne with apple pollen.
Humming the Pharaoh finally allowed himself to follow the faint scent he was beginning to recognize as belonging to one Yugi Moto. It was petrichor, the scent of the earth after the rain. Warm and rich and fresh. With just the slightest hint of something metallic, coppery almost. Whatever it was it drew the Pharaoh onward through the campus.
Dressed similar to his last meeting with Seto the Pharaoh didn’t seem out of place at all on the universities grounds. Vampires brushed hair from their necks as they passed the Pharaoh. A greeting to another of their kind as much as a sign of respect.
The Pharaoh nodded his head in return too focused on tracing his games trail. It had merged with two others. One he had scented all those nights ago in Empire of the Night. The cold snap of winter in the Himalayas–when all senses are muted–while faint traces of mint wove along the edges. The other reminded the Pharaoh of home. Dry like the desert sands mixed with the unique blend of herbs only the oldest families of Khemet still used.
He didn’t know who this third scent belonged to. However, the Pharaoh knew they had killed recently. They were hiding it well, but the metallic tang that only blood gave lingered at the edges of their scent.
Most vampires wouldn’t have even noticed, which is what the Pharaoh assumed the person had been going for.
A sigh left the Pharaoh’s lips when he caught Mahada’s form out of the corner of his eye. Isis had been true on her promise to have the Pharaoh watched at all times when he left the mansion. She wasn’t going to allow him to escape her sight again. Not when the necklace was acting up.
Not that the Pharaoh was going to allow Isis’s paranoia to control him. Wickedness oozed off of the Pharaoh as he smirked. Eyes still looking forward the Pharaoh probed the shadows for a distraction. Finding none that would distract Mahada for long the Pharaoh decided to make one of his own.
A couple was seated to his right well their dogs played among the trees. Subtly flicking his wrist in the dogs’ direction a shadow was sent out. The humans couldn’t see the Ka that appeared in spirit form before the dogs, but the dogs certainly could.
The canines’ ears perked up and they stared at the large eyed fuzz ball floating in the air before them. Large purple eyes glanced in the Pharaoh’s direction questioningly. The Pharaoh’s eyes softened as the Ka turned back to the dogs. He would never say it but this particular Ka was one of his most treasured. Whimsical and childlike but strong enough to stop any enemy the Pharaoh had ever faced.
The dogs lunged. Kouribo cutely cooed at the dogs as he quickly floated away from their snapping jaws, leading the unlistening canines straight toward Mahada. The couple stood up from their bench to call the dogs back. Yelling and screaming like a couple of banshees the humans started to chase their pets.
As soon as Kouribo got to Mahada he attached himself to the magician’s head. Mahada couldn’t see Kouribo, but he could see the dogs running towards him. The Pharaoh didn’t see the events that followed.
No. He was already shifting into his second form. Within seconds the tall dark skinned vampire that was the Pharaoh was replaced by a small richly colored butterfly. Black encircled the orange painted wings of the butterfly well teardrops of white laced the forewings.
Flapping said wings the Pharaoh quickly escaped the diabolical he had created. Now, to find his future mate.
Drifting along the air currents the Pharaoh concentrated. It was harder to track in this form, but it hadn’t been created for tracking. Instead the Pharaoh focused on the thread of power that connected him to the Millennium Puzzle. If Yugi was wearing it the Pharaoh would find him.
Luckily for the Pharaoh it seemed that Yugi hadn’t gone far.
Inside one of the lecture halls filled with humans the Pharaoh found not only his little one but the Bakura-look-alike and the person belonging to the third scent. They were settled on a platform in the center of the room. The lights had dimmed shortly before the Pharaoh had flown through the partially open doorway leaving the three of them within the only pool of light.
The Pharaoh could feel the class settle down as he fluttered in the stale air. Something about this didn’t feel right. Why where there no vampires in this class?
Yugi stepped forward, seriousness oozing off of his face. Dressed in a black shirt and pants with his jewelry as the only brush of color the Pharaoh could tell he meant business. The two others on stage with him–Ryou, the Pharaoh finally remembered being the white haired humans name–where dressed similarly.
“Thank you all for coming,” Yugi intoned. “If you don’t know who I am, my name is Moto Yugi. Behind me are Bakura Ryou and Ishtar Marik. We have been asked by the President of the School to relieve your instructor for the day and lecture in his place.”
The class shifted and muttering between students dotted the hall before a young man finally called out. “Why should we listen to you? You’re not a member of the Slayer community. You’re not a Slayer. You have no idea what we are going to face out in the field!”
Calls of agreement came from around the room. The atmosphere intensified and the Pharaoh found himself wondering just what it was he had flown into. He would need to land soon. The Pharaoh hadn’t been in his second form in many a year and it was taking its toll. Either he landed soon of his own accord and rested, or he would be forced to change back into his vampiric form.
In this room, it would be safer as a butterfly.
Now. Where to land?
In the end the choice was taken from him. The Millennium Puzzle tugged on the thread of power linking it to the Pharaoh. Like a moth drawn to a flame the Pharaoh fluttered closer to Yugi before finally landing on the top of the puzzle.
Amethyst eyes glanced down at the butterfly before returning to the students. For some reason the Pharaoh knew Yugi knew what he was.
Yugi still hadn’t answered the young man. The students were starting to get restless and just when the Pharaoh thought chaos would take over Yugi spoke again.
“You’re right. I’m not a part of the Slayer community. I’m not a slayer. None of us are.” He motioned to Ryou and Marik. “But we know what you will be facing on the field. Our families where murdered by vampires. We have each fought vampires, be they rouges or not. More than any of you will ever be forced to face on your own. And we were alone. Three teenagers without a slayer in sight against hundreds of vampires.”
Yugi stepped forward. Amethyst eyes blazing as they pinned the young man who had dared question the Hikari’s authority.
“You want to know why the President–one of the most respected Slayers in the world, mind you–asked us to give this lecture? It’s because we survived. We had to learn everything about vampires just to survive, well you and everyone else in this room got to live nice cushiony lives without a care in the world.
“A vampire is showing signs of turning into a rouge? That’s okay, the Slayers have been notified and will deal with the threat. Family has been forcibly turned into a feeder? It will be taken care of. After all there are laws put in place for that.”
Silence engulfed the room, but Yugi wasn’t finished.
“You live in a society that condemns anyone who is a vampire or is related to one. You have never had to fend for yourself without an authority figure who could take out a vampire within minutes from you. You never had to fear that you would be caught and dragged back into the hell that you had escaped from just because you where an orphan in a land that didn’t care what vampires did to humans. You never had to because people like me exist.
“Ryou, Marik and I. We grew up just like the original Slayers. The ones who built the I.S.O. We were forced to adapt and grow stronger in hostile territory or die. So tell me. Why is it that a spoiled brat like you thinks you know better than one of the most respected Slayers in the world?”
Silence. Absolute silence.
Lazily the Pharaoh flapped his wings, digesting the information Yugi had unknowingly given him. Obviously Yugi had not grown up in Japan. Neither had Ryou or Marik for that matter. Yet, that didn’t explain why Yugi hated vampires so much. No. That had yet to be divulged.
The mystery that was one Yugi Moto had thickened.
It made the Pharaoh want to find out more.
After he got out of the class full of baby slayers alive that is.
One black eyebrow was raised at the students. “No answer? Then I assume you’d be fine if we continue the lesson?”
There was still no answer.
“Very well then.” Ryou stepped forward. Hands clasped behind his back and eyes cold he assessed the students. A scoff slipped out before he could stifle it. In perfect Khemetian the blond murmured. “Are we really going to teach them? They won’t last a day out in the field.”
The dark skinned member of the trio–Marik?–answered. “We have no choice. We were requested specifically for this. Besides, we may hate vampires, but I know we hate most of the slayer community as well. So what if the next generation doesn’t survive?”
A dark look was shot from brown eyes at the Khemetian. “I hate it when you speak the truth.”
Wickedness was craved into every inch of Marik’s answering grin. The dark skinned male clapped his hands together drawing the attention of every person in the room. “Alright children,” Marik crowed in a sickly cheerful tone. “We’re talking about Vampire Abilities today! Anyone willing to share a full list of abilities?”
The students didn’t get a chance to answer before he was talking again. “No one? Oh, well. Yugi darling, would you be willing to enlighten us all?”
Amethyst eyes rolled at Marik’s act, but Yugi still answered. “Considering that is what we are supposed to be talking about today? Yes, I will tell you.”
“Well get on with it darling,” Marik cooed.
Wavy bangs shifted as Yugi sighed. Gently the young man ran a hand over the engraved Eye of Horus on the Puzzle. Thoughts seemed to swirl through Yugi’s head. He really didn’t know how to go about giving this lecture. Vampire abilities where kept secret for a reason. Sure the I.S.O. knew most of the vampire races abilities…yet there where some that the vampire race kept close to their chest.
A flutter of wings brought Yugi back from his thoughts. Amethyst orbs landed on the African Monarch looking butterfly. He knew it was a vampire, a pureblood to be specific. Only Purebloods had a second form. Butterflies, so strange, considering most of humanity believed vampires could change into bats.
Yugi idly brushed a finger down the butterfly’s body as he decided what he would tell the students. They didn’t need to know all the vampire races secrets. After all. Marik had been right. So what if the next generation of slayers died early deaths? There would always be more willing to take their place.
“Vampires are just like all of you. They need to eat, breathe, and sleep. Also just like all of you vampires are good at different things. One could be a natural at music, another at learning languages. What I’m trying to say is that just because all vampires have the same basic set of abilities does not mean that they have the same level of control over each ability.”
Ryou understood where Yugi was going with this and cut in. “Take Yugi, Marik and I. We each were trained by the same person, however we specialize in different things. The things we are best at. You is a stagiest. Marik is an extractor of information, and I? Well,” Ryou smirked. “I’m an assassin.”
“Vampires work in much the same way.” Marik continued. “They have courts and each member of the court has a specific area of expertise. This works the same for their abilities as well.”
“All vampires have heightened hearing, sight, speed, and smell. Every vampire has healing saliva. They also have empathic abilities. Vampires do not need your permission to enter your house. That is a superstition. They can go wherever the hell they want.” Yugi took control of the conversation again. “All vampires have compulsion, otherwise known as allure, too. This is the basic list of abilities all vampires have.”
“However, just like you and me every vampire is not a copy of one another. Each has their own strengths and weaknesses.” Ryou flipped his hair over his shoulder. “One might be able to turn a whole room of humans into a sobbing mess well another might only be able to affect one human or no human at all….”
The shadows poked at the Pharaoh’s consciousness. Seto had just appeared on the universities grounds. If he wanted to meet with his cousin he would need to leave now. Yet, the Pharaoh really wanted to know just what the Hikari where going to state throughout the rest of the lecture.
The shadows prodded the vampire monarch more forcefully. They were just as anxious to get Seth back as the Pharaoh was. No way in the Du’at where they going to allow the Pharaoh to sit here listening to a bunch of humans when Seth was nearby. The Pharaoh would move on his own accord or the shadows would make him move.
Alright, the Pharaoh thought at the shadows. I’m going. I’m going. Calm down.
Taking flight the Pharaoh lazily flapped around the Hikari before flying out of the room. Down the hall and one classroom over the Pharaoh changed back into his vampiric form. Quietly the Pharaoh smoothed out his coat and started walking out of the building. Seto was waiting for him at the library in a private room. The building was just across the green and the Pharaoh knew he would make it there with time to spare.
Stone and arching windows were the first thing the Pharaoh thought of when looking at the library. It held all the makings of a wonder of the world, if it had been three times larger and a few thousand years older. The soft glow coming through the cloudy sky illuminated the cedar shelved rows of books. Two grand staircases brought a seeker of knowledge to the second level, and tables and chairs doted the library like islands on an open sea.
Smokiness coiled around the Pharaoh as he entered the library. Glancing in the direction of the scent the Pharaoh looked on amusingly as Mahada glared at him. “Enjoy you’re jaunt, Mahada?”
Purple eyes narrowed dangerously at the tone. “You are so lucky you are royalty.”
“I know,” the Pharaoh smiled lightly. “Let’s keep this between the two of us, yes? You owe me for that time you got drunk and slept with one of Isis’s apprentices.”
Dark hair swirled as Mahada shook his head and followed the Pharaoh through the library. “Did you enjoy you’re freedom?” The Magician asked having already forgiven his king.
The Pharaoh hadn’t acted so childlike in eons. It reminded the magician of when they had been fledglings. The Pharaoh used to get into all kinds of trouble and was never where he was supposed to be. It was only after his father’s death and the weight of rulership had descended that the Pharaoh had become strict.
Well, Mahada thought glancing at his king. More like the Pharaoh had traded childish games for more dangerous political versions. The Pharaoh had still disappeared every once in a while, had still done whatever it was he had wanted to do. However, everything had been weighted with its risk factor.
Mahada had to wonder if it was this Yugi Moto that had brought such a change to his King. He wondered even more if such a change was a good thing or not.
Before the magician could ponder on the situation further the two purebloods had entered the private meeting room.
It was sparse with a long table and a multitude of chairs. A flat screen television was hidden away behind paneling while books and maps lined the rest of the room. Two slim windows would have let light in had it not been so overcast. Instead Seto had turned the lights on giving the room a cheery glow.
Seto wasn’t alone in the room. A dishwater blond vampire laid before the windows. To the world he seemed to be asleep. Atem knew his cousin wouldn’t have a vampire that slept on the job with him. So the vampire was simply playing dead.
“I see you decided to come,” Seto said forgoing a greeting.
The Pharaoh didn’t let that bug him. Instead he dipped his head in his cousin’s direction and sat down. “As if I would refuse a chance to speak with you once again. This is after all why I am in Japan.”
“Is it? You’ve been stirring up a lot of trouble being here in the city. I would assume that was your reason. After all getting back at a country you helped create in the first place seems far more your style.”
The Pharaoh blinked in fringed boredom. “You know about the creation of Japan?”
“My bodyguard’s mother is one of the oldest vampire’s in Japan. She was just a fledgling when you moved her people here after the war, but she remembers.” Seto explained motioning to the vampire settled before the windows.
The aforementioned bodyguard lazily raised a hand in greeting. The Pharaoh raised an eyebrow. Either the bodyguard hadn’t been raised correctly, or just didn’t give a damn.
“Wha’s up?” The bodyguard asked.
Didn’t give a damn it was.
“You where the one that set a group of fledglings on my court?” The Pharaoh asked lightly.
The bodyguard sat up. “So what if I was?”
Chatoyant eyes boor into hazel. There was no fear in the bodyguard’s eyes. Nothing about the vampire’s posture read that the fledgling felt threatened. There was only a lazy air of disinterest that the Pharaoh knew was an act. This vampire. This fledgling was alert and entirely focused on the two other vampires in the room.
There was a connection between the fledgling and Seth. A strong connection. The Pharaoh cocked his head to the side. Very interesting.
“I should punish you for that,” the Pharaoh stated darkly.
The bodyguard tensed.
Good. The fledgling wasn’t acting anymore.
“You endangered not only my court, but the fledglings you set upon my court, and everyone in the area. Had my court not reacted the way they had at least a hundred people would be dead. All those lives would be your burden to bare.” Anger bleed into the Pharaoh’s eyes. He opened his mouth to continue when Seto cut him off.
“Joey was doing his job,” Seto stated coldly. “Had you’re court not been stalking my fledglings he would not have had to resort to such actions.”
The Pharaoh turned his attention onto his cousin. “You claim them as yours?”
“I do.”
“Then we have a problem.” The Pharaoh hissed. “I told you I would take back what is mine if need be. You have something of mine, cousin.”
“Nishant does not remember you. The mating bond was broken when his spirit left his body. He does not belong to you anymore, Atem. He is not yours! Nor is the puzzle. It shattered and was pieced back together by a ten year old fledgling. It belongs to him now.” Seto got out through gritted teeth.
Mahada and Joey shared a look. The two of them quickly moved to the side of the room. It was the safer option considering the two persons arguing.
“I’m Joey Wheeler,” the hazel eyed vampire offered Mahada his hand. “Sorry about the fledglings.”
Mahada shook Joey’s hand firmly. “Mahada, magician and priest of the Pharaoh. I forgive you. Just don’t do it again.”
Joey nodded. “I make no promises, but I will try not to. It’s my job to protect them after all.”
“I understand,” Mahada said before the two of them turned their attention back to the arguing pair.
Seto stood before the windows. Rain had begun to fall during the short time the four of them had been in the room. It darkened the sky and cast Seto in darkness. The Pharaoh stood on the other side of the long table. Lamp light made his dark skin glow in warm hues at the same time as it turned his eyes into hellfire.
They were at an impasse. The next few minutes would decide the fate of this trip, and possibly the Vampire Race’s relationship with Japan. Only one of them needed to bend.
“Then why am I hearing his conversations with Yugi?” The Pharaoh asked darkly.
Seto stiffened. “What?”
“Why am I hearing Nishant’s conversations with Yugi?” The Pharaoh asked again. “If the mating bond is broken and he is no longer my mate why do I hear his and Yugi’s mental conversations?” Red eyes sharpened. “For that matter, how can Yugi and Nishant have mental conversations? Yugi is human.”
“Yugi isn’t…” Blue eyes blinked rapidly as thoughts swirled through Seto’s head.
This was bad. Very bad. How was he going to spin this?
“My little game is you’re key.” The Pharaoh placed his hands on the table and leaned in. “He has the shadows. I wouldn’t be surprised if his little friends have them as well. This Ryou Bakura and Marik Ishtar. They are the key to your vampire technology. That’s why you care so much for them.” Red eyes stared unblinking into Seto’s. “Fledglings are always to be protected, and only pureblood vampires can have access to the shadows. They may be humans, but they have shadows. They classify as vampires as well.
“To make matters worse they grew up outside of Japan. Most likely with the spirits of my mate and Bakura as their only companions. Their only teachers and protectors. The three of them grew up as pureblood fledglings with two of the world’s most powerful and feared purebloods as their guardians.
“And that is before we add in the Millennium Items.” The Pharaoh finally paused. Seto stood frozen on the other side of the table. He was statuesque as he stared furiously at the Pharaoh.
The King of the Vampire Race stood up straight. “You have done a very good job of keeping them hidden. I must commend you on that, cousin. But this ends. Now. Yugi Moto is the heir. He should and will be in Khemet with me where I can keep him safe and make sure he has the proper education he needs by the end of the year.”
“Ryou and Marik won’t allow it,” Seto cut in, voice like ice. “They are his consanguinity, his kith. Where he goes they go, and the same is opposite. They will not leave each other. Nor will I allow it. You had your chance to collect the Hikari when they were being hunted through Khemet.”
Blue eyes narrowed as Seto curled his lip. “I found them and gave them a safe place to recuperate. It was I who integrated them back into society and have kept them safe all these years. You are not even supposed to know about the Hikari until after we have complete control of Japan!”
Joey cut in alarmed. “Uh…Seto!”
“Shut up mutt, the adults are talking.”
Hazel eyes flashed red. Joey leaned back against the wall with a huff. This wasn’t going well.
Black eyebrows arched as the Pharaoh ran the information Seto had just given him through his head again. Keen silted eyes focused on Seto’s stoic face. The Pharaoh sat down gracefully as he continued to study his cousin’s reincarnation.
“That is why Yugi is going into politics.” The Pharaoh murmured. “So he can have a power base that will make the world leaders think twice about daring to go against him simply because he is the heir. Because he is a vampire. The wielder of the Millennium Puzzle.”
The Pharaoh blinked as a thought occurred to him. “If I hadn’t seen him that night in the club and unwittingly initiated a hunt I would have considered him a threat to my rule and to my people. I would have killed him...That’s why you refused my offer. You remember the war and your instincts are alive. You truly see them as your fledglings. Having me be a backer of your technology would allow me access to your files. I would have found them and done what I believed was right for my people.”
“You would have killed them.” Mahada’s voice floated softly through the air.
Everyone turned to the purple eyed vampire.
Mahada was unperturbed by the three figures staring at him. He had been to many negotiations with his king. Many had been bloody. Others had been peaceful. Most had been full of yelling and threats. This was the most interesting negotiation he had been to in a long time. Other countries and political figures didn’t like to spend time in the same room with the Pharaoh for long periods. They got what they wanted, or what they could get, and where gone.
It was moments like these that reminded Mahada why he had sworn his loyalty to Atem all those eons ago.
“Your first priority Per-a’a is to protect your people. Yugi and his…siblings are a threat. They are humans who have gained shadows, access to vampire technology, and hold three of the millennium items.” Mahada had to force himself to not bite on his lip. He didn’t know how his next statement would be taken. It was possible he would have to contend with an angry Pharaoh.
“It would be in your best interest to remove the threat. If they are really the key to our technology and are being hunted because of it…ending the threat is the best option.”
Silence. Absolute silence.
Mahada felt Seth’s icy glare burn into his skin. However, he only had eyes for his king. The Pharaoh sat unmoving in the light. Eyes like hellfire stared unseeingly as if listening in on a conversation only he could hear. A frown was set upon his lips and black eyebrows where crinkled in thought.
“No.”
The other three inhabitants in the room barely heard him.
“What was that?” Joey asked.
“I said no.” The Pharaoh turned his bright eyes on the Mahada. “Yugi Moto and his kith will not be killed. I will not allow it.”
Purple eyes widened. “But Per-a’a–”
“I said no, Mahada!”
The magician froze at the tone.
“My hunt involving Yugi isn’t a hunt for sustenance. It is a hunt for a mate.” The Pharaoh ignored the fledgling that started chocking at the admission. “I could not kill Yugi even if I tried. More so, I would most likely kill anyone who tried to kill him because of the hunt. He is my prey. What is more, you have not answered my question.”
Seto stood up straighter as the Pharaoh pinned him with his gaze.
“Why can I hear Nishant and Yugi’s mental conversations if the mating bond is broken?”
Seto had to stop himself from looking away from the demanding eyes. “I don’t know.”
The Pharaoh nodded his head and folded his hands on the table. “Then this is what will happen. I will prove that the mating bond is still active. When I do you will not stop me from taking the–what did you call them? Oh yes, Hikari–with me back to Khemet. However, should I not be able to prove the mating bond is still there I and my court will leave Japan and allow events to unfold without interference.”
Seto ground his teeth together as he once again remembered why being on the other side of the table was so hard when dealing with the Pharaoh. This bargain was the best he was going to get.
The Pharaoh had enough power to simply take the Hikari through force. The law was with him, the Hikari would be considered vampires by the United Nations. To argue would be disastrous.
Blue eyes glanced at the rooms other two inhabitants. Joey’s face told Seto everything he needed to know. The fledgling really wasn’t happy with this. He didn’t agree, but knew it was pointless to argue.
Mahada on the other hand…Mahada was hiding his feelings well. However, the Pharaoh was right Seto remembered the war. Seto remembered how to read the magician. And the magician was not happy. Not happy at all.
“I will even put a time limit on my side of the agreement.” Chatoyant eyes stared Seto down. “I will give myself until the blood moon. That is the date at which I am scheduled to leave. If I do not prove the mating bond still exists by then I will leave.”
“That is an unwinnable bargain.” Seto warned.
A slow smirk spread across the Pharaoh’s lips. “You are right cousin. A seemingly unwinnable game. But you have forgotten. I never lose.”
It was raining outside by the time the Hikari left behind a room full of terrified baby slayers. Trudging ever toward the wet Yugi sighed. They hadn’t told the class anything of importance. Yet, they had still managed to scare the students.
Warmth brushed Yugi’s right side as Marik leaned into him. “You alright Prince?”
“I’m fine,” Yugi sighed again. He ran a hand through his hair and shook it. “No. I’m not fine. How do they expect to become slayers if they get terrified at one lecture?”
Ryou leaned in from the left. His white hair tickling Yugi’s nose as he shook his head. “It’s like Marik said. So what if the next generation of slayers dies early? There will always be more to take their place.”
“I know but…”
The three of them stepped outside. A low overhanging above the door kept them from getting drenched. Yet it did nothing about the creeping darkness. Rain poured down from the heavens enveloping everything in a misty transcendent world of shadow. Streetlights peeked through the growing swirl of wet like iridescent pearls glowing from the deepest pits of the dark.
Shadows could brush aside the warmth and safety offered there under the lights just as quickly as the monsters that lurked within the hearts of men bloomed. The Hikari knew this just like they knew how to breathe. It was instinctual.
That was why Yugi was having such a hard time with just leaving.
“We’re creating monsters.” He muttered out into the night.
A clay colored hand threaded fingers through Yugi’s. Gently Marik tugged Yugi to face him. Lavender eyes held nothing but understanding and love as Marik dropped to his knees.
“No, my Prince.” Marik quietly said in his mother tongue. “We are not creating monsters. The monsters where already there, buried within their hearts. We are saving those who will heed our warning.”
Yugi didn’t react as Ryou wrapped him in a hug from behind. The Millennium ring pressing into his back as Marik continued. “Those who continue this path do so knowing that they cannot win. They continue because of the hate and fear boiling in their blood. Nothing can stop that. Their monsters have already consumed them. They hate vampires, they might not now, but they will. As they see the lives taken and see what they must do. Their hearts will harden, until there is nothing left but hate.”
Marik leaned into Yugi’s hold as the bearer of the puzzle cupped his cheek. “We can only save those who are not already lost to the darkness. We are Hikari. We light the path, but some are too lost in darkness to see it.”
They stayed like that for a time. Rain pouring in rhythms only known to nature. The Hikari took solace in each other. Painful memories passing through them as if they were one being.
Sooty lashes fluttered open as amethyst eyes peered out into the night. Yugi looked down at Marik. His secret keeper, his informant, his best friend. This man would do anything to protect his family. Even kill. Yugi knew Marik was keeping information from him. Something was happening and Marik as doing everything in his power to keep him in the dark.
Quietly Yugi glanced at Ryou out of the corner of his eye. The white haired male was resting his head on Yugi’s shoulder. Pale lids hid chocolate brown eyes from the inheritor of shadows, but Yugi knew Ryou was awake and alert. Ryou was the light to Marik’s dark. Yugi’s general, assassin, best friend. Ryou killed through kindness, and if he couldn’t then the shadows would do.
The two of them where the balance Yugi didn’t know how to live without. To lose one would be to fall into darkness. To lose both would be to live in hell. He didn’t know what he would do without the two of them.
A tender expression softened Yugi’s sharp amethyst eyes as he thought about everything they had been through together. He pulled Marik closer and grabbed hold of Ryou. Breathing in their scents Yugi grounded himself to the here and now.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
Ryou shifted first constricting around Yugi before letting go. “There is nothing to thank us for. We know you would do the same for us.”
“Besides,” Marik slowly stood up. “Our scent is all over you now. No one should be stupid enough to attempt anything on your way home. You sure you don’t want to spend the night with us?” Blond eyebrows bounced as Marik grinned. “We could lock the Puzzle and Ring away in the chest and have a wicked time.”
Snorting in a very not royal way Yugi felt a grin tug at his lips. “No. I’m fine, go home and rest. We have work to do.”
“Oh, yes! Places to be, things to steal, people to kill.” Marik sing-songed already by Ryou’s side. “Do be good darling. We don’t want to have to start a war without you!”
Without another word the two blonds vanished into the downpour leaving Yugi alone. As alone as a young man with a puzzle bound spirit could be.
Yugi could feel his other half coiled contently within the farthest reaches of his mind. No doubt Yami was happy with the way things had gone during the class. Not even the pesky pureblood-butterfly could dampen the spirits mood. He had gotten to see the faces of every apprentice slayer on campus.
What was more, it was raining. Even without his memories the droplets of water falling like tears filled the spirit with wonder.
I see you are having a good time. The warmth in Yugi’s voice echoed through their combined minds.
Yami didn’t waste energy on materializing. A marvelous time, Aibou. However it will be even better when you are spread out beneath me in our bed.
Heat rose to Yugi’s cheeks. For once the young man was thankful for the shadows draping across his form. Yami.
You are mine, Yugi Moto. Do not doubt for a second that I will take care of you. Yami’s voice purred through Yugi’s mind.
White teeth flashed in the low light and Yugi froze.
Something was out there. Something watching him.
“I didn’t expect to see you out here.” A toothsome voice crooned from down the steps.
Yugi whirled, the cold bite of metal already leaving his fingers before he registered who it was behind him. The shade moved like the wind slipping away from the deadly flash of needles. No two seconds passed before the shade was behind Yugi.
Clawed hands like fire grabbed hold of Yugi. Suddenly the young man found himself conformed to the chest of the man behind him rendering Yugi motionless. Death sweet breath brushed against Yugi’s ear as the figure sighed lightly.
“Did you have to do that, little game?”
Marron and amethyst swirled through Yugi’s eyes as spirit and human went on full alert. Brow crinkled in confusion Yugi tried to struggle out of the hold. He knew that voice…it reminded him of cold night air in the desert. Sharp with a bite you wouldn’t expect from someplace so hot. Cat like eyes flashed through Yugi’s mind and a face appeared from the darkness.
“Atem?” Yugi stopped struggling, curiosity getting the better of him. He knew Yami would take control if anything life threatening happened.
Hot fingers unfurled lightly and glided down Yugi’s pale arms. “I hadn’t expected our second meeting starting with you throwing…pens at me. You seriously threw pens at me?”
Yugi heard the incredulousness in Atem’s voice. Slowly Yugi chanced turning to face the vampire. No restriction from the hands still positioned on his body allowed Yugi to come eye to eye with Atem. Well, eye to chin.
Cherry red eyes peered at Yugi from a face the human was still having trouble believing was real. Atem’s chocolate lipped mouth curved upward as Yugi unconsciously relaxed into the vampire’s hold. Leaning into the warmth that no vampire should emit Yugi had to stop himself from closing his eyes.
“I grabbed the first thing I could reach. You’re just lucky I left my knives at home.”
“Oh, you have knives?” Atem questioned lightly.
“Mmhhh.” Yugi intoned finally giving in and closing his eyes as one of Atem’s hands brushed down his back.
Slowly Atem caged Yugi within his arms. The human was nearly dead weight as he leaned fully on the dark skinned vampire. Warm breath ruffled Yugi’s tri-colored locks as Atem breathed in.
“You will have to show them to me some time.” Atem purred hand running lower. “Perhaps I can give you a demonstration on some very interesting uses for them.”
“Mmmm.”
Yugi was drifting away from the land of the living. The sweet, siren like voice of the vampire guiding him toward oblivion. Quietly Yugi wondered where Yami was. He should be drifting away with Yugi. Where was….
Yugi’s form tensed in Atem’s hold.
The vampire didn’t have time to react before he was thrown into the side of the school. Cracks spread through the stone structure like a spider had gone a little too crazy with its web. Groaning Atem pushed himself up.
Burses where already appearing over his skin like ink blots. No bones had been broken but they still creaked like the timbers of a ship put under too much strain. Wincing at the contraction of his back muscles Atem looked at Yugi.
Or what should have been Yugi.
Anger plowed into Atem nearly sending him back to the wall in support. Torrents of emotions that where not his own flashed through the Pharaoh as his eyes connected with those just as equally red.
“You have gone too far,” the not-Yugi snarled softly.
Shadows rose up from the darkness to pool across the ground. Moving in ripple out from the not-Yugi’s form.
Atem allowed himself the weakness of using the wall as support. He needed to control the sudden ringing in his ears and the heart eating rage that whirled through him like a dust devil. The mating bond was going crazy. Much like a giga counter would at a nuclear blast zone.
Swallowing Atem focused on the not-Yugi again. “How may I ask did I go too far?”
“Yugi is my mate.” The not-Yugi ominously stated.
Understanding filled the Pharaoh’s eyes. “Ahh, the connection between you is quite strong if you can possess you’re mate from long distances. Your name is?”
The not-Yugi sneered and Atem didn’t think he would get an answer.
The sudden rush of shadows had the Pharaoh tensing. He couldn’t handle a shadow game at the moment. Not with the mating bond between Nishant and he going haywire. It was taking all of Atem’s strength just to stay upright.
Bitter cold flooded the Atem’s body as the cavernous shadows inched closer. The rough brush of stone pressing into his back had the Pharaoh rethinking Isis’s demands. Just when the Pharaoh was about to be over run the shadows stopped.
A vicious snarl had Atem focus on the not-Yugi.
The boy’s hands where clenched winter white by his sides. Standing rigid in darkness the Pharaoh didn’t think anything could move the boy. Glowing blood red eyes burned into Atem.
“Why can’t I kill you?” The not-Yugi asked.
Confusing colored Atem’s returning question. “What?”
The not-Yugi snarled again. In a flash the shadows swelled up and devoured the boy, leaving Atem alone outside the university building.
The emotions and ringing where gone. Atem should have felt upset. However, his mates question had a tiny spark of smugness fill his chest.
Why can’t I kill you?
“Perhaps, Nishant.” The Pharaoh mused to the night. “It is because our bond won’t let you. Mates can’t kill each other after all. It goes against Ma’at.”
With a sigh the Pharaoh copied his mate and allowed the shadows to bring him home. As home a borrowed mansion could be. Stepping out of the shadows into a candle lit hallway the Pharaoh sighed. Isis was going to have a field day when she saw just how battered his body was after one interaction with his mate.
He didn’t even want to think about how she was going to react to his bargain with Seth. Stopping outside of the dining room doors the Pharaoh clearly heard Mahada detailing the meeting’s events to his fellow court members.
The Pharaoh forced himself to stand tall even though he felt like demons where taking turns poking him in the back. It was time to face the music. For once the Pharaoh felt like he might finally cure Isis of her need to mother him….a snort left the Pharaoh as he silently entered the room.
Yeah. Right.