Shadow Rising

D’Ceandre: Oh, I’m speeding up.

Trouble: It’s a wonder with those brats you baby-sit.

D’Ceandre: Might turn up to be one less of those one of these days. *Does a good impression of Bakura plotting some poor soul’s death.* Look what I got. *Holds up the Millennium Rod.*

Demi: Where’d you get that?

D’Ceandre: Set gave it to me in exchange for letting him do a bedroom scene with Kaiba.

Hime: *Under her breath* Poor kids.

D’Ceandre: Ah, I am off to plot my revenge. Mwa ha ha ha ha ha… Oh, yeah, the character cards might change later. They don’t have any real bearing on the rest of this story. *Resumes evil laughter as she runs off.*

******

“Checkmate.”

Kaiba sounded almost reluctant, but his hand didn’t waver as it reached out to knock the black king over.

Immediately the room flared, and Yugi felt his spirit suddenly separate from his body. Giant cards appeared behind each of the chosen victims, a Kuriboh for Yugi, Heart of the Underdog for Jounouchi, Ryou’s Change of Heart, and Honda’s Cyber Commander. Anzu was sealed into the Magician of Faith and Marik into a Makyura the Destructor.

“Damn it.” Yami swore, catching Yugi as he fell. Bakura held Ryou’s body possessively, and Marik looked ready to kill.

The cards shrunk to their regular size, and flew to Set’s hand. He glanced at them before drawing two more cards out of his pocket and adding it to the group. One was a Luster Dragon card, the other a Petit Dragon; the cards he had sealed Seto and Mokuba’s spirits into.

He still had no explanation for why the souls needed to be sealed, other then that the Gods had come to him in a dream so long ago, one he had passed off as foolish back then. But even foolish dreams from the Gods had to be obeyed.

He flicked his wrist, the souls leaving their temporary homes to return to their bodies.

The shadow realm retreated, revealing the gameroom they stood in. At one end a buffet had been set up.

“There are rooms down the hall, for anyone who decides to spend the night.’ Set said before giving Yami a mock bow and leaving the room. Kaiba remained where he had been sitting a moment, then suddenly rose and headed for the door as well.

“Big brother.” Mokuba called. Kaiba only paused for a moment.

“I have work to do.” Then the brunet left, letting the door swing silently shut behind him.

Yugi watched him leave thoughtfully, then frowned at the empty table in front of him.

“Hey, It’s all right Yugi.” Anzu said cheerfully. “Even Yami’s lost sometimes.”

“Yeah. I bet that Kaiba look-alike will probably never even use those cards.’

Yami stood back as they continued to offer consoling words. None of the other yami offered any comments, either. They all knew Set well enough to know he never did anything if he didn’t intend something to come out of it. Those cards were going to be used, sometime in the future.

“Hey.” Malik said suddenly. “Where’s that new kid?” Everyone looked around, but Nui was nowhere in sight.

******

Nui walked down one of the pathways. He had left the party while those idiots were yapping together. He needed to plan, and he’d never be able to think with all their talking.

“You’re not supposed to be here.”

“Oh.” Nui turned, surprised, glancing up at the robed figure behind him. Thinking quickly, he offered an innocent smile. “I was looking for the bathroom and got lost.”

The man, he didn’t remember his name, looked sceptical.

“Back down the hall, third door on the right.” He said coldly. There was a sound from further down the hall and the man looked up, his gaze a little haunted. His eyes quickly changed back to frigid, as he cast one more glance at the former pharaoh, then he stalked off. Nui watched him go, then continued wandering.

First, he thought, was to find out where the shadow tablet had been hidden.

******
Kaiba entered his room, slamming the door behind him, relieved that he hadn’t found the priest waiting for him on the trip from the gameroom.

The brunet moved to stare out the window, unseeing. After a moment he turned to pace with an angry growl. It felt like he was back in his childhood, forced to accede to Gozaburo’s every whim. He stared back out the window again, anger building.

“I’m not going to go through that again.” He muttered.

“Go through what?” Arms wrapped around his shoulders and Kaiba tensed, then pulled away.

“Nothing. I’m busy.” That was a clear dismissal. Kaiba sat down at his desk, opening his laptop. It was promptly shut again and Set leaned over the desk, actually looking concerned.

“You work too much.” The Priest offered, fingertips coming up to lift Kaiba’s chin. He pulled back with a scowl.

“That’s my problem then. Don’t you have someone else to annoy?”

Set remained silent a moment, then moved around the desk, reaching to pull Kaiba to his feet.

“Hey!” Kaiba jerked away, watching his yami cautiously.

“Strip.” Set ordered. Kaiba blinked.

“Excuse me?”

“Take off your clothes.” Set repeated slowly, crossing his arms.

“No! I don’t know what kind of twisted idea you’ve got, but…” Set rolled his eyes and reached under his robe to grab the millennium rod. Holding it up, he repeated his command, watching as Kaiba’s face went blank and he obediently removed the outfit. He reached for the briefs he wore, but Set shook his head.

“No, you can leave those. Now lie on the bed, on your stomach.” Kaiba obeyed.

Set released him and Kaiba blinked, lifting himself up on his forearms, looking around in confusion. The Egyptian ignored him for the moment, moving to a table by the door to pick up a bottle of massage oil he had sent for earlier.

“What are you doing?”

“Just relax.” Set straddled Kaiba’s hips, poured some of the oil into his hands, and began rubbing the tight muscles.

It wasn’t long before Kaiba succumbed to the talented hands, relaxing and even beginning to doze.

That was, at least, until a loud bang came from the hall. It was followed by a yell and more bangs, then the door crashed open, and Marik and Bakura fell into the room. Set frowned, wondering whether they were fighting or making out. Ryou peeked around the corner, while Malik strolled in, grinning at the two yami. He then turned his attention to the pair on the bed.

“Hey, Marik, I thought you said they were both too stuck up for sex.” That drew the attention of the other three. Ryou blushed and disappeared. Marik and Bakura leered.

“So, Priest. Is he any good?” Kaiba blushed, half from embarrassment, half from anger, and moved to sit up.

“Get the hell out of my room, now!”

Set stopped his hikari’s scramble, forcing him back down with a hand between his shoulder blades. “Leave now, and I might not send the both of you back to your items for another five thousand years.” He held the rod up warningly.

The two troublemakers exchanged glances, then both shrugged and stood, making a show of casually strolling from the room.

Bakura peeked back in, wearing a sadistic smirk.

“Should I have your secretary cancel any appointments tomorrow morning?” He asked, then slammed the door close just in time to miss a blast from the millennium rod.

Set took the rod back from Kaiba, tucking it away beneath his robes again.

“It does seem a waste to disappoint them.” He said calmly. Kaiba turned, trying to push Set off.

“Get away from me, Bastard.” He growled, remembering the nights when it had been Gozaburo who had knelt over him. He had had no choice, back then. If he hadn’t complied, Mokuba would have been the one receiving their foster father’s attentions.

Set frowned down at him a moment, seeing the memories with him. Abruptly he swung off the bed. Kaiba sat up warily, watching as the shorter brunet stripped down. He looked away, blushing, when he realised Set wore nothing under the robe. The spirit didn’t seem at all worried about his state of undress.

Set went to turn off the light, then found his way to the bed and slipped under the covers. Kaiba moved to get up, but Set’s hand grabbed his arm.

“Go to sleep.” The Egyptian ordered.

“I’m not tired.”

“I’ve had more then enough disobedience from you today, Dragon. Lie down and go to sleep.”

“I can take care of myself.” Kaiba jerked away, then stood. A moment later he dropped to the floor, hissing in pain.

“You work too much, sleep too little, and never relax. You obviously can’t take care of yourself, so I will do it for you.”

Kaiba steeled himself, determined to outlast the headache this time. But it refused to fade, and as the minutes went by, his resolve weakened. Finally he dropped his head in defeat, resting against the side of the bed as the headache faded.

“Come, Dragon. This foolishness hurts no one but yourself.” Kaiba didn’t answer, instead considering his options. Finally he decided to play along, for the time being. Eventually the other boy would have to make a mistake, and then he could dispose of him like he had his adoptive father.

Set chuckled. “You’ll have to learn to shield your thoughts first.”

Kaiba didn’t answer as he climbed into bed.

There was another chuckle. “Stubborn Little Dragon.” Then Set slept as well.

******

Yugi yawned as he picked a room at random, going in to rest on the bed. Only a few moments later the door opened and Yami stepped in, moving to sit on the bed beside the smaller boy.

“You’re not still upset, are you?”

“No.” Yugi answered. He was upset, but not because he lost. Yami was silent a moment, before he leaned over to kiss his hikari.

:Yami?: Yugi queried, surprised.

:Let me make you feel better.: The spirit said, nibbling at Yugi’s lower lip. Yugi was uncertain; he knew what sex was, anyone who knew Bakura and Marik couldn’t help but know, but he had never really gotten that interested.

Yami, however, had been sexually active since he had reached puberty, and knew exactly what he was doing. He hadn’t felt any urges while he had been a spirit, but he was flesh now, and all the needs of the flesh were returning.

The pharaoh shifted his focus when Yugi didn’t give any response, trailing wet kisses over his throat.

“Yami…” Yugi protested weakly, giving the taller boy a half-hearted push. Yami sat back, giving Yugi a heated look.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s just…” Yugi blushed. Yami chuckled, kissing him again.

“I’m not going to hurt you.” He promised. “Unless you want me to?”

“No.” Yugi squeaked.

:Then just relax, Little One.: Yami removed the outfit, until Yugi remained only in the kilt and a pair of gold bracelets. He then proceeded to leave a trail of kisses and gentle nips over his collarbone.

“Marik, you let him go now!” Yugi jumped at the yell, as something hit the door heard. There was a high-pitched shriek, then something else hit the door. Unused to the abuse, it collapsed inward. Marik fell backwards into the room, holding a petrified Ryou, while Malik was trying to restrain Bakura.

“Marik, let him go. I can’t…” Bakura elbowed Malik, then thrust him away into a wall. Marik stood, pulling Ryou up with him.

“Hey, I didn’t hurt your hikari. Yet.” Ryou shivered.

“Marik, let me go, please?” He whimpered.

“Kami-sama. The dog, the priest, the shrimp.” Marik protested, noting their audience. “Are we the only ones not fucking?”

Yugi went beet red and disappeared.

“Idiot.” Yami snapped. Ryou blinked, wondering why he hadn’t done that, and escaped into the ring.

“I could keep you busy, Pharaoh.” Bakura suggested with an evil grin. Yami smirked back.

“The idea of you tied and at my mercy does sound appealing.”

Bakura snorted. “In your next life, maybe.”

“I’ll remember that. Now, since you ruined my fun. I’d like to get some sleep.”

“Hey, Bakura. Let’s trade hikari for the night. That way you can be sure I won’t do anything too serious to Ryou.” Bakura eyed Malik thoughtfully, then smirked.

“I’ve got a better idea.” And he led both the Egyptians from the room, Malik carefully setting the door back into place as he left.

After checking to see if Yugi was asleep, which he was, Yami stretched out on the bed with a sigh and closed his eyes, quickly sinking into unconsciousness as well.

******

*Cats watch as Set stalks into the room, obviously furious.

Set: Where is she?

Demi: Mrow

Hime: Meow

Trouble: *Gives the priest an annoyed look.*

Set: *bows* Forgive me, Holy Creatures. I shall look elsewhere for the infidel. *Leaves the room, still bowing.

D’Ceandre: *Peeks out from under the computer desk.* Is he gone?

Hime: What’d did you do?

D’Ceandre: He didn’t say anything about sex, just a bedroom scene. Bet you lots of people aren’t too pleased with Bakura and Marik right now. Anyway, explanation behind the character cards. Yugi and Jounouchi should be pretty obvious, the monsters pretty much match their characters, Ryou, Anzu and Honda got their favourite cards from DK, and for Marik, that was just a random card I picked out of a partial list of his deck I found online. His might change, if I find something better. The Luster Dragon is also called the Sapphire Dragon, which matches Kaiba's eyes, and Mokuba's just followed naturally.
Poptart: Boy, on the edge of your seat? *Laughs and rubs her neck in embarrassment* Oh, I’m sure it wasn’t that good, but thanks anyway.

Trouble: Whatever. I’m going to go find that priest guy again. I like him.

*Hime agrees and follows her from the room. Demi blinks, looking confused, then follows them.*