Full Moon

Full Moon

By Mally-chan and hatochiisai

Disclaimer: We do NOT own Yugioh. All original characters DO belong to us, such as Mikado, Ahmose and Takeru, who are hato’s.

YAOI WARNING

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Chapter 12

Winter Moon

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Ahmose took Otogi home first, then took Malik home. He walked the blonde boy to the house and followed him in. The wolves guarding Rex, Rafel, Keith and Takeru were all there waiting, Bakura included. Ishizu was being a gracious hostess, serving everyone food and drink… even the four wolves who were “under arrest”. Takeru looked up and glared when Ahmose and Malik came in. He stood when Ahmose walked over to him, and he blinked, surprised. He and his son were staring at each other straight in the eye… he had always thought that he was taller than his son, but apparently his pup had been slouching submissively around him.

“Go home, dad.” Ahmose said softly. “I know you had nothing to do with it.” Takeru stared at his son, then snorted and turned, heading for the door. “I’ll see you later.” Ahmose said, and Takeru paused, then nodded and left the house. Ahmose then turned and fixed his eyes on the three perpetrators. They were staring after Takeru, as if hoping that he would save them from his son. Ahmose snorted.

”He doesn’t associate with traitors and losers…” He growled. “Even when HE’S one…” The front door was heard closing. Takeru left the three to face their fate, in the hands of his son…

Rex, Rafel and Keith all stared at Ahmose apprehensively. They weren’t sure what to expect. After a moment they looked amongst each other, questioningly.

“I said I would do to you whatever you did to him.” Ahmose growled, glaring. “But I can’t.” Malik was leaning over Bakura, murmuring into his ear what they had found, and Ishizu was listening in.

The three wolves’ attention returned to Ahmose, while Bakura stared at Malik with shock on his face.

“Holy shit they actually did that?! No way!!!” He was saying. Ahmose shot Bakura a silencing glare, then looked back at the three traitors.

“I should kill you.” He growled. “Slowly… chain you up somewhere to starve to death… That’s what my father would have done. But I’m not my father.”

The three guilty wolves stared at Ahmose, eyes wide. Bakura blinked.

”So what ARE you going to do to them?” He asked. Ahmose didn’t even spare Bakura a glance. He just glared at the three.

”Exile.” He said firmly, and all the wolves in the room stared. “I told you… Yami is my mate, and he is a member of the pack… even if I hadn’t made him one of us yet. And you hurt him. You hurt a member of the pack. To hurt me. And that is not tolerated. You have three days. If you are not out of town by then, I WILL kill you. Is that clear?!”

The three of them exchanged shocked glances, before staring back at Ahmose. Bakura blinked, then laughed. “Holy shit!!! HARSH!!!”

Ahmose turned and shot Bakura a sharp look, quickly silencing the timber wolf. Then he turned back to Rex, Keith and Rafel.

”Is that clear?!” He asked again. The three nodded, silently. “Good. Now get out.” Ahmose growled, baring his teeth at them. The three wolves yelped, and scuttled from the house, which left Ahmose with Bakura, Malik and Ishizu. Bakura stared at Ahmose.

“So… where’s Yami?”

“He’s in my car.” Ahmose responded. “He’s one of us now. And I don’t want you treating him any different just because he was once human. And because he’s a bit of a runt. And that goes for Ryou as well, Bakura.”

Bakura rolled his eyes. “Even if you tell me not to, I’m not gonna be able to reisist it. It’s been in my family for years.” He snorted.

“Teasing them in fun is fine. But you are NOT to be a complete ass hole… like you have been. I want you to make up with Marik, too. You’re being completely unreasonable. You and Marik have always been best friends. And now you’re not. Just because the one he loves was born human and happens to be little?!”

“And he freakishly resembles me. You may be leader of the pack, but that doesn’t give you the right to browse around in my personal life.” Bakura said.

“… Because he resembles you?” Ahmose asked. “Maybe he does… but he’s a helluva lot cuter than you. And nicer, too.” Malik grinned.

”Too true.” He said.

Bakura rolled his eyes. “You say that like I care.” He said, bored. He stood. “I can attempt to be nicer to them. But you can’t take out the hatred of humans that was bred into me.”

“But they aren’t human anymore.” Ahmose pointed out. “And you like Yami!!! Sure you two bicker, but you’re friends! You can’t hide THAT from me!!!”

Bakura glared. “You’re right. They’re not human anymore. They’re half human. Damned.” He growled. “I will attempt to be nicer because your MATE is co-leader of the pack. But as far as I’m concerned, he’s still damned.”

”No more than you are.” Ahmose snorted. Bakura glared at Ahmose before turning.

“Well, if you’re done, I’m gonna go home. I’m tired.” He sniffed.

”Sure. Need a ride?” Ahmose asked.

“Nah. I’m fine.” Bakura replied. “It’s not that far of a run.”

”Suit yourself. I’ll see you later.” Ahmose said, clapping Bakura on the back and heading out the door, nodding to Malik and Ishizu. When he got in the car, Mikado was in the front seat, playing with the radio. Ahmose looked back at Yami, then at Mikado. “How’s he doing?”

”He wasn’t too happy when those three assholes ran out of the house.” Mikado said. “It’s a good thing he can’t open doors with paws, he tried to run for it. And Dad was giving me looks.”

”He’ll live.” Ahmose said, pulling away from the curb.

Yami had since calmed, and was now laying on the seat looking rather irritated. Mikado reached for the radio again and Ahmose smacked his hand.

”Stop that, I like this station.” He said, and Mikado huffed and sat back. About ten minutes later, Ahmose pulled into a parking garage of an apartment. He drove up to the second floor, then parked and turned off the motor. He and Mikado got out of the car, and then Ahmose opened the back door, picking up the leash that was still attached to Yami. “Come on.” He said.

Yami growled at Ahmose and made a mad dash out the door, toppling the Alpha holding the leash. He was actually running so hard that Ahmose was dragged a few feet as he refused to let go of his lover’s leash.

“AH!!!” Ahmose yelped. “OW!!! GOD!!!” Mikado tried not to laugh, but he lost that battle in seconds. He took the dropped keys and locked the car, then headed for their apartment, leaving Ahmose to take care of Yami. Ahmose groaned and got to his feet, glaring at Yami.

“What the hell did you do THAT for?!” He demanded, furiously.

Yami looked over his shoulder before making another mad dash, once more sending Ahmose crashing to the ground. And this time, he didn’t stop until he had dragged Ahmose all the way across the garage. And the only reason he stopped was because there was a door in his way. He looked back at Ahmose. The alpha was on the ground, groaning in pain. He slowly got up, his left side completely bloody, the skin having been torn away by the rough cement. Ahmose slowly opened the door, this time ready when Yami made a dash again, and this time, Yami yelped as he was jerked off of his feet and crashed down on his back in the hall.

Yami let out a loud whine, and tried yet again to get away, only this time he wasn’t in quite as much of a hurry, not wanting to gag himself again on the collar.

’Let me go, LET ME GO!!!’

”NO!” Ahmose snapped, dragging Yami down the hall, hissing at the burning pain in his side. He reached his apartment; Mikado had kindly left the door open for them. Ahmose dragged Yami inside and slammed the door. “If I were to let you go, where the hell WOULD you go?!” He demanded to know, while Mikado had a spaz at the sight of his brother and ran to the bathroom to get wet towels, the disinfectant and bandages.

‘Far the hell away.’ Yami replied stubbornly. ‘You’re not better than those other wolves. I’m STILL on a chain!!!’

”And now that we’re home safe, I can take it off of you.” Ahmose said gently. He reached out and removed the collar and leash both. He stared at Yami, sadly. “… I’m sorry…” He breathed. “This is all my fault.”

Yami gave Ahmose a look before snorting and turning, trotting away. Ahmose sighed and stood, following. “Back here…” He said, and walked back to his bedroom. “You’ll stay in here. With me.” He said.

Yami flicked his ears. ‘No thanks. I don’t wanna stay with you.’ Ahmose frowned, hurt.

“Okay then…” He said slowly. “Where DO you want to stay, then. And it has to be here in the apartment.”

Yami turned and walked out. He walked through the apartment, looking around, before finally settling for a couch in the living room. Ahmose nodded to him. “As you wish, then. Are you hungry? Or thirsty?” He asked.

‘I’m fine.’ Yami replied, hopping onto the couch and curling up under a blanket. Ahmose hissed as Mikado began to clean his many wounds, especially his side.

”Well… there’s a water dish in the kitchen, and there’s a rope on the door of the fridge so you can open it with your teeth. Help yourself to anything inside of it. All the ready to eat stuff is right there on the bottom shelf so it’s easy to reach.” Ahmose said.

‘Whatever.’ Yami replied, laying his head down. He stared Ahmose down for a while, waiting to see what the boy would do.

Ahmose returned the stare, but his was full of concern. But the stare didn’t last long, as Mikado tended to his brother’s wounds.

”And here I thought I’d be done taking care of you once we moved out of dad’s house…” The boy said.

“Hush.” Ahmose replied, wincing. “… Thanks.”

”Any time.” Mikado replied with a smile, bandaging his brother’s torso. Ahmose sighed, but smiled when Mikado gave him a hug.

“Go ahead and go to bed.” Ahmose said.

”You get some sleep too, Ahmose.” Mikado replied, standing. He smiled at Yami. “Good to know you’re okay.” He said, and headed to the kitchen to wrap his broken arm in plastic so he could take a shower.

Yami continued to stare Ahmose down, waiting for him to make a move. ‘You going to bed or what?’ He snorted.

Ahmose blinked. “Why?” He asked, frowning. “You waiting for me to leave so you can try to get away?”

‘Among other things. I don’t wanna sleep with you. Anywhere NEAR you.’ Yami said. Ahmose snorted.

”I’ll be right back.” He said, and left the room. He returned a moment later with, to Yami’s horror, a dog kennel. Ahmose began to assemble the thing.

Yami let out a loud snarl. ‘If you think I’m staying in that thing, I’m going to rip your balls off with my teeth.’

“You ARE staying in it.” Ahmose said, finishing the assembly. He snatched one of the large seat pillows from the couch and stuffed it in, then snatched Yami by the scruff and dragged him off of the couch, shoving him into the kennel before he knew it and tossing the blanket over him, slamming the door closed and locking it. “Sorry, Yami… But… I can’t risk you getting away.” He said.

Yami was glaring out, growling. ‘Just like the other wolves.’

“If that’s what you want to think, fine…” Ahmose said softly. “They were going out of their way to hurt you… I am trying to protect you and take care of you. For now, I have to keep you locked up. For my sake, for your sake… Until I trust you and you trust me.”

Yami growled again before turning his back on Ahmose. ‘Fat chance of THAT ever happening.’

Ahmose sighed and stood, turning out the light and leaving the room. He returned to his own room, and once the door was locked, and the lights were out and he was safely hiding under the covers, Ahmose cried.

In the morning, Mikado was the first one out of bed. He walked into the living room, and blinked at the kennel. “… Yami?”

The wolf growled, not even bothering to peek out from underneath the blanket. He merely stood and turned around, his tail now facing the front of the age, and he lay back down.

Mikado giggled. “Come on out, Yami. I’m gonna make breakfast. What are you in the mood for?” He asked, opening the door of the kennel.

Yami growled and flicked his tail. ‘Nothing. Now leave me alone.’ Mikado frowned a bit and sighed.

”Yami… come on. You keep whining and bitching about how we’re treating you just as bad as ‘those other wolves’ but when we TRY to be nice you throw it right back in our faces.” Mikado said.

‘If you were trying to be nice you wouldn’t be holding me prisoner.’

“Well, if you would just be cooperative and stay with us willingly and LET us help you, then we WOULDN’T be.”

‘And what could you help me WITH?’ Yami growled. ‘I don’t want your help, I don’t NEED your help and I don’t want to be here.’

“Okay. Where DO you want to be?” Mikado asked.

‘Home.’ Yami replied. ‘I want to go HOME.’

“And where IS home?” Mikado asked.

‘Don’t be stupid.’ He replied as if Mikado was an idiot. ‘You know EXACTLY where my home is, now TAKE me there or I’ll piss on your furniture.’

Mikado smirked. “Tell me where home is. Who lives there, Yami?” He asked.

There was a soft groaning sound, which was very odd coming from a wolf. ‘My brother and my grandfather live there. Now stop playing stupid and take me there.’

”What are their names?” Mikado asked. “And what is the name of the store you all live over?”

There was another loud groan. ‘Just because I was locked in a cave for so many days doesn’t mean I forgot about my life. It’s a game shop on Elm street. Now take me home for the final time.’

”You didn’t tell me their names, or the name of the shop.” Mikado said.

‘It’s the Kame game shop you dork!’ Yami howled. ‘My brother’s name is Yugi and my grandfather is Suguroku, which is so bogus we all just call him grandpa.’ Yami glared. ‘Now for God’s sake, just take me HOME!!!’

Mikado sighed. “And do you remember me?” He asked.

‘Yes, I remember you Mikado.’ Yami said. ‘I did not lose my freaking mind!!! I just want to go home and be by myself for a long. Freaking. Time.’

Mikado sighed. “If you haven’t lost your mind, then why are you acting like this? Why are you being so CRUEL to Ahmose? HE thinks you’ve lost your mind… And he’s trying to overlook all you have said and done to him because of it…”

Yami glared and Mikado harshly. ‘Because HIS pack attacked me. Because HIS pack made me into a werewolf, when I never agreed. Because HIS pack locked me in a cave, chained to a wall and left me to STARVE. HIS pack is HIS responsibility.’

“… So you hold him responsible for what happened…” Mikado concluded softly. “… You… BLAME him for it…”

Yami nodded, slowly. ‘Yes. I blame him. I blame him because I always said that I knew something like this would happen. And many times when he was in danger, I offered to cut it off. Yet when I was in danger he would do no such thing.’

Mikado blinked and opened his mouth to speak, but then he stopped and turned, looking over his shoulder at the hallway. Ahmose was standing there, staring at Yami, no readable expression on his face.

“Teach him to change.” Ahmose said softly. “And take him home.” And he turned and disappeared down the hall again, slamming his bedroom door closed. Mikado stared after him for a long while, then turned and looked at Yami again, sadly.

Yami quickly learned how to change, thanks to Mikado’s help, and thanked him for the clothes he was allowed to borrow. The trip home was quick and painless, and Mikado was seen off by a grateful Yugi; Yami went straight to his room.

Mikado returned home, quietly and knocked on his brother’s door. “Ahmose?” There was no answer. “… He’s home, Ahmose.” There was still no reply. Mikado sighed and drooped, and went to the kitchen, pouring himself a bowl of cereal.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The following day at college was awkward for both Yami and Ahmose. Neither spoke to the other, though it was clear that they both had things they wanted to say. But neither said them. Ahmose, in fact, even avoided LOOKING at Yami. As soon as class was over, he gathered his things quickly and hurried from the room and out of the building, colliding headlong with one of the last people he wanted to see. He stared up at Seto Kaiba like a deer in headlights, which confused Seto. Usually he and Ahmose would be snarling at each other by now… but the shorter boy looked… well… petrified.

Seto raised an eyebrow after a moment before smirking. “What are you scared of? After all the things I found out about you, you have NOTHING to be scared of.”

Ahmose blinked, then frowned, trying to look menacing, but he still looked scared. “Maybe I’m just waiting for you to blackmail me…” He hissed.

Seto shook his head. “What good would giving you away do? Since Ryou is a werewolf it would hurt him as well. Your secret is safe.”

Ahmose eyed Seto. “If you’re waiting for a load of gratitude, don’t hold your breath…”

“No, don’t worry, I’m not. I don’t expect any gratitude from you. However, I will offer my own gratitude to you for stopping Marik from killing me.” At that moment, Yami burst through the doors behind Ahmose, but at the sight of Ahmose and Seto he merely stepped around them and continued on his way. Seto blinked.

”Did you guys have a falling out or what?”

Ahmose blinked after Yami, then lowered his eyes.

”I don’t need your gratitude.” He growled. “I stopped Marik for the sake of the pack. Not for the sake of your life…”

“Avoiding the question, are we? Then I will suppose that’s a yes.” Seto said with a smirk. Ahmose winced and looked away.

”… Just shut up…” He hissed, gritting his teeth and glaring at an innocent bush.

Seto chuckled. “Glaring at that bush like you’re going to set it on fire isn’t going to solve your problems. You two clearly have something that needs to be said to one another, and running away will not make those things be said.”

“Thanks for the input, Dr. Phil. Now stay the hell out of my business.” Ahmose snapped, glaring at Seto and baring his teeth. Seto got a nasty shock at the sight of the sharp teeth.

Seto shrugged and nodded. “Fine. I’ll stay out of your way. But if you run away much longer, there won’t be anything for you to come back to.” Ahmose blinked and glared at Seto, and then, finally, said ‘screw it’. He whirled, and to the shock of everyone around them, slammed his fist across Seto’s jaw, sending the CEO crashing to the ground.

”Fuck you.” He hissed, glaring, then turned and stormed away, feeling strangely… elated.

The crowd that had been staring at Ahmose’s assault on Seto continued to stare as the alpha left. They had NEVER seen Ahmose lash out at anyone like that… and to hit SETO KAIBA!!!

Ahmose frowned and looked around. Yami couldn’t have gotten far... and he hadn’t. He had kept his slow pace ever since leaving the building and wasn’t more than a block away. Ahmose got into his car and drove up to Yami and unrolled the window. “Get in.” He growled.

Yami looked at Ahmose for a minute before raising his eyebrow. “You’re not my boss. I don’t have to get in if I don’t want to.”

“Get in on your own, or I’ll force you in.” Ahmose hissed, glaring.

Yami bristled and growled. “I don’t HAVE to get in if I don’t WANT to get in. And if you FORCE me in you will be losing more than an expensive car.”

“Big words from the guy who ended up chained up in a cave last time he decided to walk away from me.” Ahmose snapped.

“Big words coming from the wolf who was on his back belly up to the wolf chained up in that cave.” Yami shot back. Ahmose glared, then got out of the car and walked around, seizing Yami by the neck and his right wrist, spinning him around and forcing his wrist up between his shoulder blades.

”You are NOT walking away from me again…” Ahmose hissed into Yami’s ear.

Yami quickly raised his free arm and wrapped it around Ahmose’s neck since he had been leaning over his shoulder to speak into his ear. He then lurched forward and flipped Ahmose onto the sidewalk. He glared down at Ahmose. “Do not try to intimidate me…” He growled.

Ahmose just stared up at Yami, eyes wide in shock and pain, gasping for breath. After a moment, he lowered his gaze, unable to look Yami in the eyes any longer. Slowly, he rolled over and pushed himself up onto his hands and hip, just staring at the ground, his legs curled up under himself.

Yami slowly relaxed, confident that the attack was now over. He continued glaring down at Ahmose. “If you have something to say to me, you don’t try to force me to do something I don’t want to do. What was it you wanted to say to me.”

Ahmose seemed to curl in on himself, like a dog who was hoping to make himself small and unnoticeable in the glare of a master who had caught them doing something naughty. He was also shaking like a puppy who had just been caught making a puddle on the new carpet and was being berated for it.

After a few moments of silence, Yami snorted. “So you just stopped me on the side of the road to wrestle me into your car. You had nothing to say.”

Ahmose slowly seemed to lean away, then got to his feet. He backed away from Yami, unable to look him in the face. After a moment of just standing there, a lost and scared look on his face, he slowly turned and walked around his car, getting back into the driver’s seat and closing the door, fastening his seatbelt and putting the car into drive.

Yami picked up the supplies he had dropped during the scuffle. “Next time you want to wrestle, let’s not do it on the sidewalk, please.” He said.

Ahmose blinked a couple of times, then pulled out onto the road. The traffic light turned yellow, and Ahmose floored it. The light turned red, and Ahmose shot through the intersection… And as Yami watched, a delivery truck entered the intersection, horn blaring, and it plowed into the side of the black SUV, sending it spinning around and into the oncoming traffic coming from the other direction. Tires were screaming, and there were more crashes, but Yami couldn’t see; the delivery truck was in the way.

Yami stood where he was, too stunned to even move. Part of him was questioning whether or not was even real. After seemingly forever, he finally ran forward to investigate the scene of the crash.

His stomach clenched as he ran around the delivery truck (which had plowed into a traffic light pole) and stared. Several cars were scattered around, many with crumpled fenders and broken windows, and the drivers and passengers were all getting out, obviously shaken, but only sporting a few cuts and bruises as they hadn’t been moving very fast at the point of impact, and it hadn’t been a head on collision. But the delivery truck had been a full speed when it made impact with the SUV. The driver of the truck was slowly stumbling out, hand to his head where a gash was bleeding profusely. But the SUV was still and silent, lying on its side where it had landed on the sidewalk, terrified pedestrians staring at it. A couple were already trying to break in to get the driver out, and another was on a cell phone calling an ambulance.

Yami continued to stare from his place on the side walk, shaking so badly that he didn’t dare to approach the SUV. He felt like he would collapse as it was.

A man broke the glass of the windshield, looking in and shouting at the person inside. He turned and looked around to make sure someone was calling an ambulance. Already the sirens could be heard. Finally, a squad car arrived. The cops ran over to the car and began checking things out. Then, the two men began working together, one of the crawling into the car and the other pulling a pocket knife and passing it in to him. After a moment, many people crowded around, offering their help, and the cop inside began to pass Ahmose out to his partner and the men standing by.

Ahmose was limp and still, blood covering his face and streaked down his arm, his shirt soaked in the stuff. The ambulance arrived on the scene and the paramedics rushed over, and Ahmose was hidden from Yami’s view.

Yami shook his head in horror, before turning and running back to the college campus. He would have to tell Mikado what happened…

An hour later, Yami had finally found what hospital Ahmose had been taken to. Mikado and Takeru were there already. When Yami walked in, Mikado quickly stood and ran over, pale. Takeru glared.

“Yami…” Mikado gasped, unable to say anything else.

Yami gave Mikado a worried look. “Is he gonna be okay?” He asked after a moment. “Even if I’m angry at someone, I wouldn’t wish them into a car accident…” He gave Takeru a worried look.

Ahmose’s father glared, growling.

Mikado shook his head. “I don’t know… They took him straight into the ER…” He said softly. “They won’t let us see him… they haven’t even sent someone to talk to us yet…”

Yami nodded slowly. “I see… I don’t even know how it happened…” Still sounding like he was in shock. “I mean… He stopped me on the sidewalk and he wanted me to get into the car to talk to me, but I was in a bit of a hurry and didn’t want to. We ended up fighting and I guess I… kicked his ass. Then he got back in his car and just… kept going… He didn’t stop. It just all happened so fast. It was like slow motion… only… you know, and…” Yami paused, shaking his head. “I couldn’t do anything… all I could do was stare…”

Takeru growled and stormed over, grabbing Yami by the collar and slamming him into the wall. “If my pup gets killed over you and your stupid ass human selfishness, I’ll—“

”Shut up, dad!!!” Mikado snapped, shouldering his father off of Yami and standing between them, baring his teeth at his father. Takeru looked startled, but growled right back. “Just shut the hell up! Stop pretending like you care! We BOTH know that you DON’T! I don’t even know why you bothered to come here! Probably because it was an excuse to get out of work for the day!!!” Takeru growled at Mikado.

Yami stepped back, putting a hand over his mouth to stifle his chuckles as Mikado told off his father.

Takeru glared at Mikado, and it was obvious that the only reason he wasn’t smacking his son was because they were in public. “You hold your tongue, pup…” He hissed.

”I won’t!” Mikado said loudly, attracting a lot of attention. “I’ve held my tongue for sixteen years and I won’t anymore!! You don’t care about me, and you don’t care about Ahmose!!! So don’t pretend to! You aren’t fooling anyone!!! Go home, dad!!!”

”I’m here for your brother, boy!” Takeru snapped. “I had to bring in the damn medical insurance card and—“

“Maybe you don’t know, but he’s not on your policy anymore, dad! NEITHER of us are!!! Ahmose got us both put on a new policy as soon as you signed over guardianship!!! We’re not dependants on your policy, I’M a dependant on HIS policy!!! So we don’t NEED your insurance, and we don’t need YOU!!! Why the hell would you give a damn that my brother is in the hospital!!! You’ve put him here YOURSELF a few times, haven’t you?!” Takeru looked around nervously. Everyone in earshot was staring.

Yami, as well as the crowd that had been staring due to Mikado’s outburst, slowly began to dissipate, Yami backing away. “Um… You two have a good time then… I’m uh… gonna go to the bathroom…” He said, chuckling nervously.

Takeru and Mikado glared at one another for a bit, before Takeru finally snorted and backed down. “Fine. You two wanna be on your own, fine.” He said, and turned, leaving. Mikado watched him go, then sighed and dropped into a chair, staring at the floor.

A few moments later, Yami returned from his bathroom trip, nervously. “All quiet on the Western Front?” He asked Mikado.

“Yeah. Dad left.” The boy said.

Yami relaxed and took a seat next to Mikado. “Any news?”

”Any news? You were gone for three minutes!!!” Mikado laughed. “No!!!”

“I can be optomistic.” Yami offered. Mikado sighed and leaned back, shrugging.

”Yeah… sure… why not…” He mumbled, worried.

Yami sighed an gave Mikado a nervous look. “I’m sorry that it happened…” He said slowly. “Even though I’m mad at Ahmose… You don’t even wish this on your worst enemy!!!”

Mikado nodded, then looked at Yami. “Why do you blame him? I know that he’s the Alpha now… but… that doesn’t mean he has the pack under his control yet… that will take time, Yami… and those three… they NEVER would have submitted to his rule… he never had control over them, and he never WOULD have…”

Yami sighed, hunching over. “I don’t wanna talk about it.”

Mikado blinked at Yami, then echoed his sigh, nodding. “Okay…” He said softly, picking up a magazine from eight months ago and awkwardly flipping through it with one hand.

Yami sat there, bored and silent. Seconds turned to minutes, and minutes turned to hours as they waited for news on Ahmose. Finally, nearly six hours after Ahmose had been brought in, a doctor walked out and looked around, laying her eyes on Mikado, who was in a light doze. She walked over, holding a clipboard covered in notes and cleared her throat. Mikado blinked and jumped slightly, then looked up, eyes wide.

”You’re here with… Ahmose?” She asked, and Mikado stood, nodding. “Where is his guardian?”

“Um… well… He’s MY guardian…” Mikado said. She blinked.

”Oh…”

Yami looked up at the doctor, nervously. “Is Ahmose gonna be okay?” She sighed, then beckoned Mikado and Yami to follow her. They did.

”Well… It’s hard to say.” She said, once they were out of the crowded waiting room. “We had to rush him into emergency surgery to repair severe internal damage and to stop internal bleeding. His left knee was crushed… we had to do reconstructive surgery. We removed his spleen and appendix, and we had to repair damage to his liver and one of his lungs. He has several broken ribs, one of them punctured his lung. We’re concerned about his neck. The whiplash has broken one of his vertebrae, but we ran several scans and tests, and his spine seems to be okay. He has sustained a serious concussion and there is bleeding in his brain. We’ve been watching his condition very closely and we’re keeping him in intensive care. He still hasn’t regained consciousness, and we don’t know when he will. For now, we have him on a respirator. There is light activity in his brain, so he isn’t brain dead, but he’s far from out of the woods. Aside from that, he has some minor cuts and bruises.” Mikado looked sick to his stomach.

Yami was staring at the doctor skeptically. “Oh… so you mean he’s fine… other than the broken knee… the broken vertebrae, the punctured lung, the concussion, and the bleeding in his brain. Riiiiight. That sounds really fine to me.”

The woman blinked. “Did I ever say he was fine?” She asked, sounding annoyed. “I will be blunt then, sir. He’s in critical condition and may not make it.”

Yami sighed and nodded. “I see. Can we… can we see him?” The woman nodded.

“This way.” She said, and led them to the elevator. She took them up to the fifth floor, and led them down the hall. In the background was the constant hum of machines… machines that were keeping patients alive. A moment later, the doctor opened a door and beckoned them into the dimly lit room. Mikado and Yami walked into the room past her. The room was filled with the quiet sounds of the machines around Ahmose, lying in the bed across the room. The soft, repetitive hiss of the respirator dominated the soundscape, accompanied by the mechanical rise and fall of Ahmose’s chest. The heart monitor filled the room with its irritating beeps, only tolerated by the fact that it told them that Ahmose still lived… IV’s in Ahmose’s arm had tubes going to a bag of clear liquid, slowly dripping down and being siphoned into his blood stream.

”I’ll leave you with him then…” The doctor said. “There’s a red button on the panel at the side of his bed. If you need anything, push that and a nurse will be here shortly…” And she left them.

Yami took a seat near Ahmose’s bed and sat quietly. It would probably be a long time before Ahmose woke. So for now, he would just have to be content with waiting by his lover’s side.

Mikado slowly walked over and laid his hand down upon his brother’s. He winced.

”… His skin is cold…” The boy said softly, glancing at another IV that was occupied with giving Ahmose a blood transfusion. “God… This… this is just… Dad might try to take over the pack again… I never wanted my brother hurt but… why did he have to get hurt NOW of all times?!”

Yami sighed and gave Mikado a sympathetic look. “Your brother kicked his ass once. And if that’s the case, I’m sure he can do it again when he gets out of here…” Mikado looked at Yami.

”Dad would never give Ahmose the chance to recover to the point where he COULD beat him again…” He said, worried.

“That’s assuming Ahmose comes out of this alive…” Yami said after a moment. Both boys stared at Ahmose, then looked down, sadly.