Shuugouku
Title: Hunting Passion
Part: 18/21
Author: Usagi-Atemu-Tom [miakalikestamahome at hotmail dot com]
Warnings: hints for future incest, past death
Genre: Romance, Angst, Supernatural, AU
Pairings: Yami no Yuugi x Yuugi, Malik + Rishido
Criticism: Constructive criticism welcomed
Disclaimer: Nothing is mine, I don't make money from fanfiction.
Description: They came at midnight. He didn't know how they were able to intrude into his house, but somehow they succeeded. They were a male and a female. HE, was the leader, obviously. She seemed to be some kind of apprentice to him. Not that it really mattered. For they were both strong and deadly.
But when a young teen is able to run from the grasp of his captors, it is the start of a long game of hide and seek. He finds a new side to himself he would have never dreamed he had. And it helps him to keep the game to his advantage. But he knows the game will never end, at least not before his death. Because his hunter is a vampire.
Thanks to my betareader Lee-Ann for the usual quick work. ^^
Shuugouku - conclusion
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Shuugouku
Holding his breath once more, Yuugi looked at the card that would decide about the fate of his and Atemu's outcome in the duel. He certainly could not deny that he felt a bit nervous, but he also trusted the deck he built up with his own two hands. Smiling in slight triumph he showed the card towards his partner and his opponents.
"I activate my magic card that allows me to do a special summoning even if I have not enough monster on the field for sacrifices", the small built teen announced. "I am offering "Silent Swordsman Level 3" and "Silent Magician Level 1" as the required tributes available and I am calling "Ra no Yokushinryuu"!"
Jounouchi was of course not the only one gaping as the shifter revealed that he owned a god card as well. Since the god the small built teen owned required the sum of attack points its tributes had together, the monster now sported the same amount of attack and defense points as "Obelisk no Kyoshinhei".
"Man, Yuugi, you have a god as well?" the blonde groaned before glancing worriedly at his "Red-Eyes Black Dragon". He knew that his beloved Dragon stood no chance at all. He was in for a surprise however, when Kaiba's god all of the sudden moved in front of the black dragon, protecting it with its massive body.
Never expecting this, Jounouchi glanced over to Kaiba who held a permanent quick spell card out for all three duellists to see.
"This card allows me to choose one monster on the field and force the opponents to attack that one only", the CEO explained calmly, a small smirk on his face. "And since my chosen card is a god, too, this includes your god as well even though it usually is not affected by traps and spells. Seems Jounouchi is not done yet."
Atemu immediately returned the smirk, feeling rather amused about this surprising move of the brunette.
"Well done, Kaiba", the vampire praised before looking over to Yuugi, nodding. The shifter nodded back and with a small smile he added one more card face down to the field before ending his turn. The game was at a standstill at that point, both sides unable to attack because Yuugi had his god out and Atemu's only monster left for now was "Marshmallon", a monster he had drawn from Yuugi during the effect of a trap card.
Kaiba, Atemu and Jounouchi did not draw any cards to improve the situation to their favour and even Yuugi it seemed gained no card that would turn the tables during his turn. However, after he set his newest card face down, he wore an alarming smile that made Seto and Jounouchi to become wary of him, especially when Atemu straightened and started to smirk.
Adding one more monster in defence the shifter ended his move and left the field towards Kaiba. The CEO was very attentive, taking a long time to consider his option and moves before he finally put a card face down and ordered Obelisk to attack the newest monster on the field. Yuugi smiled and activated his trap card that reflected the attack and redirected it towards a monster of his choice. Of course he choose Jounouchi's dragon. Would he have chosen Obelisk, his trap would have been cancelled due to the god's immunity towards all traps and magic cards targeting it.
However the blonde just smirked and waved his finger at his friend as if the small built teen was a naughty child he was reprimanding. Activating his own trap card, the blonde annulled the upcoming attack, returning their situation to the point it was before Kaiba attacked.
By now the crowd was going wild once more. Never had they watched a game this long and exciting. The four duellists were already playing for nearly an hour and no end seemed to be in sight. Kaiba could do nothing but end his turn now, leaving the stage to Atemu, who grinned brightly and put down a spell card that created two doubles for his monster "Marshmallon" leaving him with three monsters on the field.
"I now offer my three monster as a tribute and summon my god "Osiris no Tenkuuryuu" in attack mode!" the vampire announced. "Since I have four cards still on my hands, this means Osiris has four thousand attack points and I am using this to attack Obelisk!"
Kaiba narrowed his eyes.
"If you attack me with a monster that equals my monster's attack points, you are going down as well", the brunette pointed out but Atemu just gave a smirk.
"That might be my intention", he replied casually. "Osiris, attack!"
"Obelisk, hold him off!" the CEO ordered his monster and both holograms of the gods started to glow with their upcoming attack. There was a big clash of light and when it cleared both gods started to evaporate, indicating they had lost. Kaiba grinded his teeth as he watched his god vanish, glaring over at Atemu how gazed at his own fading god with a rather calm expression.
"This move cost you all protection you had", the brunette stated. "You are now without defense for whatever attack happens next."
"It was worth the move", the vampire replied with a shrug and a small smile, gazing shortly over to Yuugi. "I end my turn!"
It was Jounouchi's turn now. But instead of simply drawing his card and attacking the defenseless Atemu, the blonde eyed Yuugi with distrust clearly written all over his face. It was obvious that he sensed a trap hidden somewhere. Doubtful he looked at Kaiba who gave him a rather pointed look, moving his head shortly towards the third god still left on the field before rolling his eyes.
The message was clear. If Jounouchi did not have a card that would destroy Ra right now, there was no real point in stalling the inevitable. Trap or no trap, they no longer had a defense strong enough to ward off a god. Sighing in silent agreement, Jounouchi looked towards Atemu.
"Red-Eyes Black Dragon, attack the player directly!" he ordered the monster that immediately flew towards the waiting vampire. If nothing happened, Atemu would be done because his lifepoints were barely over two thousand. However, just as the blonde suspected Yuugi immediately interfered.
"Sorry Jounouchi-kun but I activate "Command Silencer", the small built teen declared, flipping up his quick spell card. "This means your attack is negated and your battle phase ends right now. I am also allowed to draw one card."
Groaning, the shifter's best friend could only watch his dragon stopping his attack. He had no card to counter the spell and nothing that would help him in the upcoming attack of a god. Closing his eyes the blonde declared the end of his turn.
"Sorry, Kaiba, I guess that has been all I could do", Jounouchi mumbled, half turned towards the brunette. He never expected a reply, therefore he was utterly surprised when he heard an equally silent answer.
"That has been good enough, Jounouchi. You did well."
Staring at the CEO who had just spoken these words, the blonde only registered with half an ear as Yuugi announced his turn. He drew another card and added a monster to the field. In a last move against the inevitable, Seto activated his trap which destroyed the newly summoned monster immediately, buying one of them one more round to survive. But Yuugi just smiled and put down the one card he had drawn during his second last round.
It was "Monster Reborn", which he used to call "Osiris no Tenkuuryuu" back towards the field for one round. But one round was all the teen needed. He first attacked Seto, who was now defenseless and not even Jounouchi was able to protect the CEO as his last lifepoints were destroyed by the god of the sun.
Yuugi then turned towards Jounouchi with a small, slightly guilty smile on his face.
"You ready, Jounouchi-kun?" the shifter asked quietly. His best friend stared at him for a moment before he broke out into a huge grin.
"Damnit Yuugi, you are awesome", the blonde marveled good naturally. "You not only hold all the cards to beat both of us in one round, but you also protected your partner till the last moment so you would definitely win this together!"
Yuugi nodded solemnly, a small smile playing around his lips when he saw that his best friend was taking his loss as kindly as he always did.
"He knew I would have his back", the shifter replied softly. "That is the whole reason why he dared to risk it all against Kaiba-kun's god."
"All right then, Yuugi", Jounouchi announced with a satisfied nod. "Let's bring this to an end. The crowd is expecting to see their winners!"
Nodding as well Yuugi looked at the reborn Osiris.
"Attack Jounouchi's "Red-Eyes Black Dragon!" he ordered the god who immediately shot a bright flame of fire in the direction of the black dragon. That one returned that attack with one last of its own, but of course it had no chance. Jounouchi's life points dropped to zero, finally ending the game.
This all happened so suddenly for the watching crowd that for a moment a hushed silence descended over the stadium. No one could believe that all of the sudden the so long ongoing game had ended. It was not until Mokuba, though shocked about the defeat of his brother, regained his composure first and started to speak into the microphone.
"And the winner of the "Nakama-Tournament" have been decided", the black haired boy announced towards the stunned crowd. "Winners after a breathtaking duel are "Mutou Yuugi and Atemu!"
It was as if all hell broke loose. The spell was broken and all of the sudden the crowd exploded into cheers and clapping that seemed to never end. Yuugi and Atemu looked at each other from their stands inside the arena, eyes glowing brightly.
Yuugi was the first to move. He left his stand and ran over to the vampire, who was awaiting him with a wide smirk on his face.
"We won!" Yuugi announced eyes still wide in shock and surprise.
"That we did, aibou", Atemu purred, his smirk turning into a kind smile.
"We won!" the shifter declared, this time louder and with excitement clearly shining in his eyes. "Mou hitori no boku, we really did it - together! Besides the one against you, this was the most exciting duel I've ever had!"
And all of the sudden they were high fiving and laughing until Jounouchi joined them, clapping both onto the shoulder and congratulating them to their win. Still surrounded by the noise of the chanting, excited crowd, all four duelists left the arena where they were greeted by the other finalists who congratulated all of them for their outstanding duel.
It took the four duelists some time before they were finally able to get away from all the excitement of the recently finished game and had a chance to calm down. While monitors were replaying the most exciting moments of the final which a lot of people watched and discussed about, Yuugi and Atemu stood aside from the other finalists to catch their breath.
Originally the shifter expected Jounouchi and Malik to join them, but while the Egyptian was busy chatting with Bakura, Kaiba, to his utter surprise, had taken the blonde aside to have a small talk with him not too far away. At first he was worried about the outcome of that talk, but to his astonishment, the taller teen acted rather civil, simply exchanging some of the experiences they received as well as asking Jounouchi how he gained the "Red-Eyes Black Dragon".
"He's changed!" Yuugi exclaimed in surprise, while he watched his best friend and the brown haired CEO exchange the first nearly polite conversation ever. "I think... before I left Japan for our hunting, he would have blamed his whole loss on Jounouchi-kun as his team-mate and not acknowledge the talent of his partner and opponents. And I am glad he overcame that flaw of character."
Atemu stood beside him, a rather serious, dark look on his face, as both continued to watch their blonde friend and Seto interact.
"That one has had a hard life", the vampire all of the sudden exclaimed, startling the shifter out of his thoughts. He looked once more at his duelling partner eyes curious.
"I watched most of his life", Atemu continued his explanation, voice surprisingly soft and his gaze never leaving the sight of the proud young man who was right then tackled by his younger brother in a bear hug. "Kaiba Seto spent all his life looking out for his younger brother Mokuba, especially protecting him from their cruel stepfather."
"Stepfather?" Yuugi asked, shocked. "Then Kaiba is not their original family name?"
"No, it's not", the other answered, shaking his head. "I did a bit of research after I got myself involved in Kaiba's case. I read something about dead parents, relatives deporting them to an orphanage where they grew up until Kaiba Gozaburo adopted them both. Since that day, especially Seto's life had been hell, let me tell you. All his strength went into meeting that evil man's expectations so he would spare little Mokuba."
"And how would you know about all that?" Yuugi wondered with surprise written all over his face. The vampire looked at his namesake grimly.
"Because I've stumbled over that man through my own sources of information", he told the shifter. "That Gozaburo was dealing in weapons and sometimes with the Japanese mafia behind everyone's back. I was not exactly impressed with his deeds, especially his dealings with weapons. I've grown up during the last years of World War II, witnessing what terrible things weapons could do. Therefore I was looking for a chance to get this world rid of that man who was making money from other people's misery."
"But as far as I know he committed suicide some years ago, did he not?" the small built teen informed the creature of the night with thoughtful eyes. "I remember well because it had been the hot topic of the whole school the moment it was announced that Gozaburo's son would join our institute. Around a week after that man died, Kaiba-kun was introduced to our class."
"Oh Gozaburo certainly committed suicide", Atemu purred in a rather dark, sinister voice Yuugi had never heard before. It told the shifter clearly how much he looked down on that man. "What that man never realised while bringing up his stepson, was that he educated a rival with a dangerous, sharp mind. Kaiba Seto took over his company that day the suicide happened. With that action he showed his stepfather his place; Gozaburo then threw himself out of a window. He ended up as a big, ugly stain on the ground. And that's the official version, everyone, even Kaiba, knows. Anyone who had known different is dead - besides me, of course. Well at least in a sense", he added as an afterthought since as a vampire he was of course not alive either.
"So, what happened?" Jounouchi all of the sudden asked from his side, making Yuugi jump a mile into the air in fright. While the vampire did not seem surprised, the shifter himself had not noticed his blonde friend coming over in favour of listening intrigued to the story. Until this moment he had not been aware that Jounouchi also heard most of the tale, an unusually serious look on his face while brown eyes showed a hardness Yuugi only remembered seeing when talk came to his best friend's family. Unfazed by the added listener, Atemu continued to tell both of them the details.
"By that time I've been spying on that family for a while. I found out that Gozaburo had been alerted of the fact that Seto would take over the company a day before the announcement happened. He could not prevent his stepson's action, but he came up with a plan to gain revenge and take everything back. For this he planned his own suicide with his closest followers.
"And that plan would have succeeded", the vampire added, with a rather dark smile on his lips, "if it were not for me. The suicide, that was supposed to be fake, became a real suicide because I drank most of that stupid man's blood and that of his minions before throwing him down into the dirt where he belonged. The dummy he prepared was never used and since Kaiba arranged it in a way that looked like his body hit a windowsill first before a bit later loosing halt falling to his death, nobody noticed anything strange in the chaos of it all. Oh and his little mafia friends had never been found again. I think the mafia suspects Gozaburo played them all."
"That's kind of horrible; and I don't mean the part where you drank them dry", Jounouchi commented wryly and spared a fleeting moment's glance to the two Kaiba brothers who still stood where he left them, preparing everything for the winner's ceremony. Yuugi looked equally non-sympathetically for that senior Kaiba, because he remembered how cold Seto had been at the beginning of their shared school days and sometimes still could be. The small built shifter had no doubt now, that he heard the story of Atemu, why the young CEO had become what he was now.
Larger, red eyes glanced back over to the two brothers before Yuugi shook his head and his gaze softened, noticing the protective stance Seto used around his younger brother.
"I'm glad he kept some of his sanity and humanity", the shifter commented, while watching further. "And it makes me glad to see how honourable he's become. It makes my task a lot easier because I have faith that he will not try to misuse the power I am supposed to give him."
"Huh? What are you talking about, Yuugi?" Jounouchi asked. The blonde and the vampire both looked at him curiously now. Their talk was interrupted, however, when the sequences on the screens and the music suddenly stopped and Mokuba appeared on the front stage to announce the start of the winner's ceremony. Malik and even Kaiba came over to join them for the time being and patiently they waited until the younger Kaiba called Yuugi and Atemu towards the stage.
The two winners went upwards hand in hand, the shifter not even realising what they were doing until the vampire threw both of their connected hands into the air to strike a winner's pose. His eyes were shining and Yuugi could not help but laugh as he watched the enthusiasm of his usually composed partner.
Together they accepted the trophy that was given to the winner, a golden dragon that looked suspiciously like a "Blue-Eyes White Dragon". There was also a price money each received the half of, but since Yuugi knew that this tournament as well as Kaiba Corporation in general supported children in need the shifter and vampire both announced to donate nearly all of the money to help such projects along.
Mokuba was ecstatic about their generosity and now that Yuugi knew about the past of the young Kaiba brother he suspected exactly where all the support and understanding for other children in need came from. Smiling he allowed the crowd to celebrate them one last time, before the black haired boy announced the after duel party that would start in the ground floor of the stadium and everyone was welcome to join.
Yuugi and Atemu used the time to return to the group of waiting friends. The shifter was grateful to see Kaiba still waiting among their midst and he immediately approached the tall brunette.
"Kaiba-kun, after I am done informing my friends and family waiting in the crowd, could I talk to Mokuba-kun and you for a moment in private?" the small built teen asked and the CEO raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. "It won't take long", Yuugi assured and the other finally nodded.
"Behind the stage is a door. Follow the stairs up and you'll reach my office. I'll inform security. Mokuba and I will be waiting there."
"Thank you", the shifter replied before looking at the brunette intently. "And Kaiba-kun, please make sure that no one can overhear what I am about to tell you, not even your security. This is really important."
Nodding his head to indicate that he understood, Kaiba left the group to return to his brother while Yuugi joined Atemu, Jounouchi and Malik who were busy talking to their former partner and opponents. Exchanging some quick words with Mai and Bakura, Yuugi had to promise all of his former opponents that he would continue joining grand tournaments like this one and that they would keep in touch.
He then led Malik, Jounouchi and Atemu towards the crowd's stands which had mostly cleared with the people leaving for the after party. Their friends and family however were still standing there, beaming down at them.
"Nii-san, you were so COOL!" Shizuka, Jounouchi's younger sister squealed as soon as the group of duellists came into hearing range. "That was the greatest duel I've ever watched. I am so proud of you!"
"Really?" Jounouchi asked and he beamed back, the two siblings now looking so identical in their joy, that it was obvious they were closely related. "I'm glad you liked the duel, even though I didn't win."
"It doesn't matter", Anzu assured him. "You fought your best and it has been Yuugi you've been fighting against. Not to mention he and Atemu have both had god cards. Which reminds me, Yuugi, your jii-chan said those cards were so rare there only exists one of each of them. Why did you never tell us you own one and how powerful those cards are?"
Yuugi looked into the round of curious eyes and shrugged his shoulders.
"It never seemed important to me", he confessed meekly. "After all, when I had my first duel against Atemu weeks ago, I was facing gods as well and I won without using my own."
The shifter smiled sheepishly before he added.
"I admit I never expected to face the one who owned some god cards as well, therefore I of course did not expect that to happen and thought it would be fairer to hold my card back. Anyway, what I want to say is that a god is not invincible, you just have to look closer for their weaknesses."
"Very well spoken, Yuugi", Sugoroku agreed, nodding his head in satisfaction a few times. "Now Yuugi and Atemu, since you two have won the tournament, will you join that after duel party?"
The shifter glanced towards his duelling friends, than back towards his other group of friends, shrugging.
"Might as well join the fun since you all look like you want to", he said before smiling at the cheerful faces his friends showed. "However I need to really quickly speak with Kaiba-kun before anything else. How about you guys go ahead and I join you when I am done? Maybe at the bar I am sure they have downstairs?"
"How about WE join you then?" Jounouchi added, glancing meaningfully at Yuugi. "Because since we have to go a different way anyway, as we are inside and I don't feel like climbing over the security fences we can certainly accompany Yuugi or at least wait for him outside of wherever he is meeting Mr. high and mighty."
The friends started to chuckle over his choice of words.
"Nii-san", Shizuka scolded half heartedly while Honda could not help but grin.
"Honestly, Jounouchi, you've surprised us all with how well you worked with Kaiba, especially in this last duel", the brown haired teen praised the blonde who scratched his head in embarrassment. "After the first shouting matches and fights you've had, we did not even dare to hope the duel could turn out THIS long and thrilling, remembering your past records with Kaiba."
"Uhm, well... ", Jounouchi stuttered, slightly uncomfortable and his friends started to laugh once more.
Come-on, guys, leave him alone", Yuugi protested half heartedly, though he was grinning himself. "How about we split up now? I don't wish to let Kaiba-kun wait too long, he might get impatient."
Nodding their friends and family members in the crowd's stands waved goodbye and left towards the stairs that would lead them downstairs while Yuugi turned and Malik, Atemu and Jounouchi followed him towards the slightly hidden door behind the stage, where the stairs leading to Kaiba's office was awaiting them.
"Since you're all aware and involved into the Sennen Items stuff I don't mind if you join the conversation", Yuugi explained on his way upstairs. "I am sure you might be able to help even with the explaining. I have the feeling Kaiba-kun will be hard to persuade. Oh, and mou hitori no boku?"
"Hmm?" the vampire acknowledged him curiously.
"Can you, with you advanced senses, make sure that no one is nearby to overhear?"
Nodding his head with a smirk, the other agreed easily enough. And just in time, because as soon as Yuugi ended the question, they turned out to be there. Two security guards, the same that had taken care of Bandit Keith earlier, stood in front of the door.
"We are here to talk to Kaiba-kun", the shifter timidly announced to the intimidate looking two men who just nodded and opened the door.
"Kaiba-sama is expecting you", one them announced and stepped aside to allow them through. Yuugi took one last breath to calm his nerves, then he stepped through the door, his friends following. It was time to introduce the Kaiba brothers to the world of the shifters.
tbc...
