Hunting Passion von Atemue ================================================================================ Kapitel 18: Mondou ------------------ Title: Hunting Passion Part: 19/21 Author: Usagi-Atemu-Tom [miakalikestamahome at hotmail dot com] Warnings: hints for future incest 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. ^^ Mondou – Questions and Answers __________________________________________________________________________________________ Mondou "Well, Yuugi, what is it you have to talk to me about and why do your friends need to join us for this conversation?" Kaiba demanded immediately as soon as the door had been closed behind the group of men entering his office. Yuugi nodded a greeting and even smiled slightly at Mokuba, who grinned back. Jounouchi though had other ideas. "Jeez, Kaiba, relax, it's not like we interrupted something important now, did we?" the blonde complained in a bored voice. "And how would you know?" the CEO returned sharply, raising an eyebrow. Atemu and Yuugi both used the time those two bickered to extend their senses and ensure that their conversation would be safe while Malik watched the whole scene in utter bemusement. After they ensured the safety of their upcoming talk Yuugi stepped forward to the desk. The reaction was immediate, everyone else fell silent at the motion. Seto, who still sat behind the desk, and Mokuba, who stood besides his brother, looked at the small built teen curiously. Silently, the shifter took off his backpack he had taken with him and opened it. Out came the Sennen Rod, which he laid on the table. Kaiba regarded the golden item with a raised eyebrow, taking it into his hands to study it further. After he had taken enough time to look it over, he put it onto the table again where Mokuba grabbed it at once, eyes wide and curious. "So, you are showing me this gold rod with the Eye of Horus why?" the brunette wanted to know, his face still stoic as always. "I am not an antique store." "Oh, you recognise the Eye of Horus?" Yuugi exclaimed, surprised. "Of course I do", Kaiba snorted. "My company deals with games. The culture of Egypt has a vast knowledge about games that I tend to use for inspiration. It was unavoidable; inevitably we would utilize some part of their culture. Most of the ancient games involve the Egyptian gods anyway." Yuugi was just about to say something in return when an excited scream disrupted their conversation. "Wow, nii-sama look, there is a dagger hidden inside the rod!" the boy exclaimed, waving around the part with the dagger excitedly. Kaiba reacted straight away. "Mokuba, put that thing down!" he ordered sharply. The black haired boy winced but obeyed immediately, putting the two parts back onto the table without even sheaving the dagger back inside the shaft. The older brother immediately grabbed the ancient pieces once more to look them over more thorough. He then glanced towards Yuugi, a stern, yet slightly calculating look in his eyes. "I am surprised you were able to pass through the controls with this one", the CEO commented dryly, waving slightly the part that contained the dagger. "Not that I don't doubt your intentions, Yuugi. I know you well enough to know that you would not even hurt a fly if you can help it." The teen shrugged his shoulders, looking a bit sheepish and thoughtful. "To be honest I was surprised as well that I was able to get through, when I noticed the tight controls", he admitted. "However when I went through it was as if they did not see the Sennen Rod at all. So I can only guess that there was some hidden magic which activated to help return it to its destined owner." "Magic?" the brunette replied in a flat voice, raising his eyebrow even higher before adding in a sarcastic voice. "Yeah, right. I admit this thing certainly looks old and as far as I can see it's indeed real gold. But please spare me with magical stories like the genie in the bottle. I am too old for this kind of crap." "Hey, but I am not", Mokuba protested looking eager. "What kind of magic are we talking about here?" Yuugi gave the younger brother a weak smile while Atemu and Jounouchi started to chuckle and Malik burst out into laughter. "You might be in for a nasty surprise, moneybags", the shifter's best friends mumbled between his chuckles, hoping he was quiet enough that the CEO did not hear him. Given the glare the brunette sent his way he suspected no such luck. "This is really funny", Malik burst out when he was able to calm down a bit. "You are denying magic while standing in a room that hosts more of it than you could ever imagine." "Malik-kun! Jounouchi-kun!" Yuugi shushed the two teens with a slightly annoyed look before bowing to the two Kaiba brother's. "Forgive them their amusement. It's just, even if you might not like to hear it, Kaiba-kun what I am about to tell you sadly involves magic. Since it's important I cannot allow you not to listen to it." His whole body screamed determination while he spoke and he was so focused on the two brothers that he did not even notice Atemu standing by his side for silent support until a hand landed on his shoulder. Glancing at the vampire with a small smile of thanks, Yuugi immediately returned his attention to an unimpressed Kaiba and an eagerly waiting Mokuba. "Comeon, Yuugi, please tell me what kind of magic story you have in store for nii-sama and I!" the young boy urged, the excitement on his face taking years of the wariness from his person. Now he certainly looked like a slightly bratty but true child. Laughing slightly at the kid's demeanour, Yuugi then turned serious and looked at the older Kaiba once more. "This item is one part of seven ancient items called Sennen Items", he started his tale. "And this one is called the "Sennen Rod". They were crafted over 3000 years ago in ancient Egypt, each with individual abilities and their owners were all priest that were part of the pharaoh's family. The creators of the Sennen Items possessed magic and a very special ability for those, who shared the same blood as the pharaoh - they could turn into any animal they wanted at will." And with this introduction Yuugi started to rely the story of the shifters as he had learned it during his visit at the Ishtars. Sometimes Malik would interrupt and add his own knowledge if Yuugi forgot something important or remembered incorrectly. "And in the end, the young pharaoh banned the ability to shift inside the items, declaring that only an heir of his, whose soul was pure enough to withstand greed, would be able to reawaken the magic by putting together the puzzle", Yuugi ended his tale and held up the Sennen Puzzle around his neck. "As you can see, I am wearing the puzzle. Let me tell you it took years for me to finish it. And now I'm a shapeshifter who can become any animal while every other descendant of the pharaoh, that touches a Sennen Item, will be able to turn into one animal form. This restriction is supposed to assure no one would be able to overpower me, if there is any need to seal the shifting power away again." "So you meant to tell me nii-sama and I are able to turn into animals now?" Mokuba wondered, staring at the golden item he had touched earlier with a whole new view. "How does it work?" Yuugi looked a bit helplessly over to Malik. The Japanese shifter realised that he did not truly know, since his case was special. As he could turn into any animal he wanted, his first shifting had occurred because he wished intently to become a certain animal. But he was not sure if that would work for everyone. Malik seemed to realise Yuugi's issue and smiled at Mokuba. "Well, basically you just have to concentrate and think about becoming an animal", the Egyptian shifter started to explain before he was interrupted. Kaiba let out a dismissive snort, his face showing that he had enough. "Don't listen to all this bullshit about magical shifting, Mokuba", he started to scold his younger brother. "After all, you of all people should know better that magic..." But whatever else he wanted to say vanished from his mind as right in front of the brunette's eyes the black haired boy started to glow and then slowly shrink while the body changed and shifted until all that was left of Mokuba was a small, still young looking raccoon. Letting out a high squeak of excitement, the small animal stared at his paws, first left then right before looking up at Kaiba and started to let out a quick series of squeaks before hopping on the table and running around the room in excitement. For a few minutes the little raccoon tried to test out his abilities and limits, fully taken by his new discovered ability. Kaiba Seto had never looked more shocked and speechless in his life as when he watched the very animal that had been his brother not too long ago. It was not until the raccoon seemed to tire from his actions and stopped, looking around before all of the sudden going still and the small, pearl like brown eyes widened before he started to squeak and let out noises once more. He then ran around again but it was obvious that the young animal was no longer having fun. It seemed more like he was panicking all of the sudden. "Mokuba", Kaiba asked, worry and disbelief still evident in his tone of voice. The others also became concerned. "What's going on with him?" Jounouchi wanted to know but Malik and Yuugi could only shake their heads. "I don't know, I don't understand him, sadly enough", Yuugi sighed, looking worried. Atemu was the only one who seemed composed. "Mokuba, calm down", he ordered the racoon in a sharp voice, all of the sudden. "Now repeat what you are trying to tell and I will listen!" The raccoon had indeed stopped his panic attack when he heard the voice full of authority and he watched the vampire with wide, fearful eyes. Letting out some more squeaks, but far slower this time, Atemu only nodded, smiling slightly. "He doesn't know how to turn back", he explained to the rest of the room. Yuugi and Malik let out a groan. "Of course?" the Egyptian said, slapping his head. "Okay come here, Mokuba, I am going to show you how to turn back." The raccoon immediately hopped over to the bleach blonde shifter, Seto following close behind, his concern for the younger brother overshadowing all shock and questions that were running through his mind right now. Yuugi, Atemu and Jounouchi watched the whole teaching session until Mokuba returned to his human form, throwing his arms around his older brother without delay in delight. "Nii-sama, that was incredible!" he shouted, all worry of his previous panic attack forgotten. Yuugi on the other hand glanced over to Atemu confused. "How come you were able to understand him?" the small built teen asked his namesake quietly. "In fact now that I think about it, how come you always understood me, when I was in animal form?" 'Because I can read your mind, aibou', a voice all but purred inside the shocked teen's head all of the sudden, the vampire smirking. "Don't forget I am a vampire", he continued out loud. "We have the ability to read the mind, therefore I have always been able to catch your thoughts like this, even when your voices did nothing but created animal sounds." "Oh", was all Yuugi could say, feeling a bit stupid because he certainly heard about vampires being mind readers before. Smirking Atemu ruffled his partner's hair with amusement. "Don't feel too bad about not thinking about it", he comforted the teen. "After all, not everything you heard and read about vampire is true or I would have already been burnt to crisp in the sun. Besides, I have to concentrate really hard to do the mind reading, so don't expect me to spy on your thoughts all the time. It's exhausting to say the last." "Oh well", Yuugi replied, blushing slightly because that was exactly what he had been fearing. The two Mutous returned their attention back towards the scene between the two Kaiba brothers playing out in front of them. As it was, Mokuba was currently begging his older brother to turn into an animal as well. "Come on, nii-sama", the black haired young boy nearly whined. "I want to see what kind of animal you become, please show me!" Kaiba didn't look as if he was about to give in. However all of the sudden instead of the brunette CEO a bear stood at the place Kaiba had been, growling and looking around with unusual ice blue eyes. The head of the intimidating animal turned first to Yuugi, then rested of the gaping Jounouchi. Before anyone could say anything, the bear roared at the blonde who yelped and jumped a step back before he remembered that it was Kaiba, not a real bear. The CEO returned to his true form a second later, looking slightly smug, while Mokuba let out a squeal of excitement, hugging his brother around his waist. "That is SO cool, nii-sama!" he cheered happily. "A real bear, now people will think even more than twice before they consider going against Kaiba Corp." "That is an interesting cue", Atemu interrupted the excited talk of the kid, while the older brother returned to his seat looking unfazed now. "Because I think Yuugi has still something to tell about the risk of misuse of power." Nodding, the small built shifter gazed at the two Kaiba brothers with a rather serious face. "Kaiba-kun, I admit I've heard about your past and I admire and understand your fight for getting where you are now", Yuugi began, shifting slightly uncomfortably when the older Kaiba's stare hardened at his first words. "However I have to warn you. Please do not misuse the power given to you. Mokuba, being a shifter is a rather risky state, therefore I advise you not to turn in front of anybody you don't know or trust. There are still cruel people out here and you can only change into one animal. Imagine what would happen if someone tricked you, or worse your brother and you find yourself as the next circus attraction inside a cage. "Being a shifter is a gift, I am the first to admit that, but during all of my one and a half years of travelling, I always made sure to shift when no one was around", Yuugi finished and gazed at Mokuba with a hard look. "Can you promise me to be careful with your new ability, Mokuba-kun?" By now the young child had turned serious as well, now looking as world weary as his older brother did. "I've seen enough to know what you are talking about, Yuugi", the younger Kaiba admitted in a quiet voice. "I can promise you, that I'll be careful." "Thank you", Yuugi returned, a small smile on his lips before he looked at Kaiba just as seriously. "Kaiba-kun, in your case there is one more thing. The Sennen Rod, which is rightfully yours, has the ability to control other people. I know the idea is tempting, but PLEASE do not abuse the power beyond taking care of very urgent, acute threats. Do not try to use the Sennen Item to ensure the success of your company or similar things." Raising an eyebrow once more, the CEO took the now sheathed dagger into his hands once more, rolling it over his palm. "And how would you ensure that I am indeed keeping myself in check?" the older brother wanted to know. "After all, if I am able to control minds, it's not like someone can complain now, can they?" "But my sister can see the mistreatment", Malik interrupted, voice serious as well. "She owns the Sennen Tauk, a necklace that can foresee the future. It is linked especially towards the other Sennen Items. If someone abuses their power or the power of shifting, she will know and she will inform Yuugi, because that is her job. Not to mention you will never be able to control the owner of a Sennen Item against their will. The magic of the items will not allow it." "Besides, Kaiba", Atemu now interrupted, his stare hard, "I know that you are very aware of the consequences over abuse of power. You've been there yourself and you suffered through it by others. Don't forget you nearly lost your brother by becoming too much like your stepfather. I am sure you never want to end like him." Eyes widening Kaiba jumped out of his seat all of the sudden, staring a bit closer into Atemu's face. The vampire's eyes were slightly glowing right now with power and the CEO could not help but let out a gasp. "It's you!" he realised, pointing a finger towards the now smirking male. "You were the one to threaten and warn me about the path I was taking. You protected Mokuba back then! I remember those eyes. I have never forgotten them." Nodding his head in confirmation, Atemu looked satisfied with the CEO's reaction while Mokuba seemed a bit confused. "What is he talking about, nii-sama?" the boy asked subdued. "You brother had been straying from his true path once, Mokuba", the vampire explained to the black haired kid. "I simply gave him a warning and reminder about what he had to lose, if he did not turn onto another path. After all, he is responsible for your well being." Eyes widening, Mokuba looked up at his older brother, who was staring at Atemu with hard eyes. When Kaiba noticed his younger brother's gaze however, he turned his head, eyes softening. Mokuba suddenly ran towards his older brother, hugging him with all his might, burying his head into the black shirt the other was wearing. "I'm glad", the young boy mumbled into the fabric. "I'm glad that he did whatever he did to you. For some time you were so cruel, even to me, nii-sama. I feared that I lost you, that we lost our dreams and that would have been the most horrible thing in the world. After all, we always had only each other now, hadn't we? We looked out for each other, when no one else did. I was so afraid I lost that last protection, the last person I could trust, Seto." Pulling his arms around the quivering boy's body, Kaiba pressed his younger brother against him, stroking his back in a comforting gesture. "You'll never lose me", the older brother whispered quietly, with a fiery undertone. "I promise you, Mokuba, I will always take care of you, protect you. I am never straying again." Letting out a quiet sob, Mokuba nodded against the other's body. Yuugi and his friends watched the scene rather touched until the small built teen gave a soundless sign at his friends that it was time to leave. Without a word of goodbye, the four friends left the two Kaiba brothers in privacy, closing the door behind them without a sound. The two men from security were gone now, but they did not care about this too much. "Never thought I would see the day Kaiba could be this nice to anyone", Jounouchi commented, a bit touched because he knew exactly how hard it could be with a younger sibling that needed protection. "He's always been kind to his brother", Atemu commented. "And that's all you need to know." Understanding the underlying message of not to ask about the Kaiba's hidden past, the four males stepped into the inside of the stadium once more, walking straight towards the elevators that would take them downstairs to where the after duel party was held. "Come on", Malik said, voice a bit more cheerful. "Let's find the others and celebrate the birth of our two new champions!" Nodding their heads in agreement, the four friends smiled and stepped into the elevator. It was time to let go of all sad and serious topics and to party. __________________________________________________________________________________________ The after duel party was a full success and the gang of friends, who met up at the bar as promised, were having a great time. Sugoroku however left a bit earlier, saying he was too old for all the fun the young had nowadays. But Yuugi was happy the old man stayed as long as he did and had fun as well. However, as the evening progressed and the small built shifter watched his friends fooling around, dancing and having fun, his thoughts began to stray, circling over a certain vampire more than once. Yuugi could not help but reflect the events of the day as well as everything that happened between them ever since they met that fateful night one and a half years ago. And he started to wonder. A thought that did not leave him alone for the rest of the night. But it was not until the party came to an end, as the gang split up and it was only the two Mutous left alone, as Atemu accompanied Yuugi home, that the younger finally dared to voice his thoughts. "I have a question", Yuugi interrupted the comfortable silence of the night as they continued to walk onwards. "Ask away!" the vampire replied with a grin, nodding his head in encouragement. "You once said that my blood was the best you've drank for a long time", the shifter started a bit timidly. "I could not help but wonder, would you be able to drink my blood without killing me?" Atemu looked surprised for a moment before becoming thoughtful. "Well, that's an interesting question", he agreed considering. "Thinking about it I guess I've lived enough years to control my urges and hunger by now. Therefore, yes I think I could drink without killing." He stopped his musing and grinned widely at Yuugi all of the sudden. "Why, are you offering?" he wanted to know, chuckling. His answer was met with deep silence, but Yuugi's rather dark blush said it all for the vampire. His grin widened, but he immediately waved a finger in front of the embarrassed teen's face, tsking in exaggerated indignation. "Yuugi, Yuugi, Yuugi, you cannot simply offer me your blood. It's still supposed to be a prize I need to earn, didn't you know?" Even though he was still feeling rather shy and uncomfortable, the shifter could not help the small smile playing on his lips. "And I'll be ready to offer when you earn that privilege", he whispered, aware that the other heard him just fine. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Life returned to normal after the tournament was over. Of course there were the first days of hype with Yuugi being the new Duel Monsters Champion, causing him to be surrounded by pestering, admiring classmates all of the sudden. The place on the roof of the school, the gang had been using for breaks now became a sanctuary for the small built teen who was starting to stress over all the people who craved his attention all of the sudden. Thankfully he had his friends who were looking out for him and after a while the students at school began to realise by subtle threats being uttered by Honda and Jounouchi, to leave the timid teen alone. Yuugi held contact to Malik who informed him he would stay in Japan a while longer to get to know the shifter and his friends better, not to mention use the chance to play against Yuugi and Jounouchi for fun. Atemu also stayed in contact with Yuugi. While he did not have the chance to meet the gang as often as Malik did, he usually visited Yuugi and Sugoroku every second evening at least, though without the small built teen's parents knowing. The shifter was content with his life as it was now, even though he could not help but miss the thrill of the games and the hunting slightly, he was still thankful for a bit of normalcy once in a while. About a week after Atemu and him won the tournament, Yuugi received a letter from Egypt. The sender turned out to be Isis and she wrote the following: Dear Yuugi, Congratulations first, to you and your partner's win in the Duel Monsters tournament. Yuugi could not help but grin here when I realised that the date of the letter was stated before the tournament took place. Isis must certainly have foreseen the outcome with her Sennen Tauk. Still amused, he continued reading. Now that you and your - shall we call him 'mou hitori no Yuugi' - have come to an understanding, I thought it is time that I inform the both of you about a valuable piece of information we came across some weeks after you left. I am aware that mou hitori no Yuugi is in need for blood even if he doesn't want to drink it. It's in his nature as long as he will exist. However, there is a way to assure that from now on he will ever need to drink from one person only. For this ritual to be performed there is a sacrifice needed and your Sennen Puzzle to be involved... When Yuugi realised what exactly he was reading here, his eyes widened and for a moment all he could do was stare at nothing before his mind finally processed the possibilities these news offered. Taking a deep breath to calm his pounding heart, he gazed back onto the letter and continued reading. He took in every single instruction, his brow furrowing and his mouth twitching, torn between happiness and insecurity. Finishing the last line of the letter, where Isis wished him good luck and sent her regards to Malik and Rishido, who also resumed in Domino to spent time and look after Malik while getting to know him and his friends as well, the young man put the letter aside on the table and recalled everything he had just learned. The sacrifice needed was indeed weighty, and after considering the consequences for some time, he realised that it was not his decision alone. Getting up, the letter back in his hands, Yuugi searched for his jii-chan, who was currently busy sorting through the next packages of toys that arrived that day. "Jii-chan, do you have a moment?" the teen asked the old man, who busied himself by putting a stack of new Duel Monster cards away before turning to his grandson. "What's the problem, Yuugi?" he wanted to know. Wordlessly, the younger Mutou held out the letter for his jii-chan to read. After he was done, Sugoroku looked towards his grandson, face grave and serious. "This is", he considered before taking a really close look at the torn look Yuugi wore openly on his face. Sighing and reading the letter once more, the old man sat himself onto the stool at the counter, finally facing the teen with a still serious, but now calm expression. "In the end, I say it's your decision, Yuugi", he told his grandson before slight amusement reached his eyes. "In fact knowing nii-san I am sure he'll embrace this opportunity with open arms, not just for his sake but for what it means for the future of you two." Yuugi immediately choked on his own breath before turning a deep shade of red when he realised the knowing grin on his jii-chan's face. Sugoroku became serious rather quickly though. "Yuugi, while I have to admit I am a bit worried for your sake, I really do not want to sway your decision. This is for your heart to decide. If you feel comfortable with the idea, if you want to stay with Atemu, go for it. And as far as I can tell for now this would not change your life too drastically. You can still finish your school and hang around with your friends. Maybe in the near future we have to come up with some explanations for obvious things but other than that, it's not too troublesome." "So, you really won't mind the consequences?" Yuugi asked, happiness and gratefulness shining clearly in his wide eyes as he threw himself into his jii-chan's waiting arms. "Thank you, jii-chan! Thank you so much!" The old man patted the teens head, a fond smile on his lips. "You are quite welcome, Yuugi", he said before adding with a smirk. "Though, I think you should tell Jounouchi about your decision. After all, he has always been involved into your supernatural stuff so far, therefore I think it's only fair that you tell him." Yuugi nodded, understanding and agreeing to his jii-chan's reasoning. "I will!" he promised the old man before releasing the hug. "I'll be upstairs then. I am in need for a shower. This day really has been exhausting. You don't mind if I go to bed early, jii-chan, do you?" Replying that he did not mind one bit, Sugoroku watched with a slightly wistful smile as his, even while exhausted, enthusiastic grandson vanished through the backdoor that lead into the house. He had suspected that Yuugi wanted to go through this from the beginning, even if the teen might not have realised it himself. "Good luck, Yuugi", the old man whispered to himself. "You might have to face your decision sooner than you think." And with these words uttered the old man returned to his work in the shop, pointedly ignoring the shadowy figure that slipped through the same door as Yuugi did, following the trail of the young shifter upstairs. tbc... Hosted by Animexx e.V. (http://www.animexx.de)