He Among Us Without Sin

He Among Us Without Sin

Mally-chan & hatochiisai

YAOI WARNING

Disclaimer: We do not own Yugioh. Hato does own Mikado and Ahmose, though.

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Chapter 16

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"OH SHIT!!!" Marik yelped, and hit the ground as a snow ball flew over his head, courtesy of Malik.

"LANGUAGE!!!" Came another yelp, giving away Ryou's position.

"AHA!!!" Otogi yelped, and he and Malik both jumped up and raced for where Ryou's shout had been heard from. They were all in a field filled with snow forts playing snow ball war, Ryou and Marik against Malik and Otogi, who was interested in Mikado's friends. And Malik and Otogi were kicking Ryou and Marik's asses.

Ryou squeaked and ducked under the snow, disappearing, curteousy of his white hair. By the time Otogi and Malik arrived where he'd been, the crafty little priest had escaped. But a snowball to the back of the head soon alerted them to where he was now... as well as soft giggles.

"Ow!" Otogi muttered, turning and looking for the boy. "Man... this is SO not fair! His hair gives him camoflage!!!"

Malik snickered slightly. "Well it's about the only advantage he has." he said calmly, ducking down into a dugout 'foxhole'. "His aim is crappy."

"He hit me, didn't he?" Otogi asked with a snort, ducking down with Malik.

"You've got a fat head." Malik snickered again.

Otogi slowly turned and glared at Malik. "Jerk." He snapped, not exactly one to curse like Mikado.

Malik shrugged, his back to Otogi as he made more snowballs. He tossed one over his shoulder, nailing Otogi in the face. "Fathead."

"HEY!!" Otogi howled. "OH NO!!!" A moment later, the snow wall they were behind collapsed, burying them both. Marik gave a lupine grin at his work and turned and darted away, tail wagging.

Ryou giggled at their misfortune, peeping out of his hiding place among the snow. "Yay Marik!" he clapped. "You got em!"

Otogi and Malik dug themselves out and charged after the werewolf. But then Marik skidded to a stop, eyes wide. Malik and Otogi did the same. There, in front of them, were possibly dozens of snow balls, floating about five feet above the snow.

"Uh oh." Otogi mumbled, and a moment later, he and Malik screamed and ran with Marik, who was whining and running with his tail between his legs as the snow balls began pelting them at an overwhelming rate. Eventually, then ran past Ryou, and Ryou began getting attacked, too.

Ryou squealed in shock and scrambled to get away too, though he was giggling.

The four of them charged across the field, trying to get away from the snow balls. But then, they skidded to a stop again and fell back into the snow and stared up at Ahmose, standing there calmly with his eyes glowing and arms folded across his chest. He smirked.

"Do you surrender?" He asked, the snow balls hovering around, ready to attack again. Marik, Malik and Otogi glared.

Ryou however giggled softly, looking up. Above Ahmose was Yami, carrying a very large tub. He grinned wickedly, and turned it upside down, COVERING the sorcerer with snow and zipping off to refill his 'carrying device' for a second round.

Ahmose blinked and sighed, the snow flying off of him and showering over the werewolf, elf, priest and Agent, all of whom howled. Then Ahmose turned and looked at Yami, who was at the base of a large tree, shoveling snow into the tub. He smirked, and his eyes glowed again, and the snow on the branches of the fir tree fell, burying Yami COMPLETELY.

Yami yelped and ducked under his wings, using them as umbrellas. He peeped out looking confused, and cold. "Ahmoooooooseeeee." he called shivering. "Watch it with the snow!" he smiled slightly. "No more burying me!"

Ahmose smirked. "Now we're even." He said. But with a shout, Otogi and Malik tackled the sorcerer to the ground. "HEY!!!" Marik began dancing around them, yapping as they wrestled. He seized Ahmose's hood and pulled it down over his face, growling playfully.

Everyone pounced, bombarding Ahmose with snow, and soon even Yami had returned, and buried the sorcerer once more. "HA!" he called down, shivering.

Ryou giggled and pulled Marik back hugging him. "We should go in soon... I'm getting the sniffles."

Marik licked Ryou's face.

"Hey...” Otogi said suddenly. He pulled Ahmose's cloak out of the snow, followed by his tunic and shirt, then belt, pants, underpants and boots. "Umm...” Otogi looked at the others, confused.

Yami cheered. "Yay! He's NAKED somewhere!"

"Where did he go?" Otogi asked. Suddenly, Marik began barking. Everyone turned and saw a little black face poking out of the snow with tall pointed ears, staring at them with large gold eyes. The little creature popped out and scrambled away, the purple amulet dangling from his neck. Little jackal Ahmose bounced away, looking quite delighted with his escape.

Yami swooped down however and snatched Ahmose up. "Oh no... now I've got you." he grinned wickedly. "And YOU have been caught literally with your pants down. Hell if I'm letting you get away NOW." he said chuckling and flapping back up to their balcony. "MY human...”

Ryou giggled and gave the others an amused look. "I think Ahmose just lost...”

Otogi blinked and looked at Malik, and the pair burst out laughing. Otogi began gathering Ahmose's belongings up, and Marik dug around and sniffed to make sure they weren't leaving anything behind. Otogi then turned and smiled, offering Ryou a hand to his feet.

Ryou smiled and took it dusting himself off as best he could. "Ohh I wonder if I can make us cocoa...” he said after a moment. "It's expensive... but so good when you're cold!"

"Have the sorcerer magic some up for us." Otogi snickered, heading back to the Vatican with Malik, Ryou, and Marik trotting up ahead of them, tail wagging, his crucifix swinging merrily from his collar.

Ryou laughed, carrying Marik’s clothes. "I think he's busy...” he said blushing slightly. "What with an Incubus as his lover."

"I'll bet you he's hiding under the bed...” Otogi laughed.

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

Ahmose yelped as he was scooped up and began squirming and flailing in Yami's hands. "ARRROOOOO!!!" He howled.

Yami grinned as he carried Ahmose into his room. "Oh you are SCREWED. In so many ironic ways." he cackled.

"ARRR!!!" Ahmose exclaimed in protest, wiggling even more, trying to escape from Yami's hands.

Yami grinned and put Ahmose down on his bed. "Oh please. Like you'd leave without your clothes." he said tail flicking.

Ahmose zipped off of the bed, but froze when the Hellhound and Phantom hound puppies perked up and stared at him. His ears lay back in a silent 'Oh shit.'

Yami smirked. "Heh... you know the great thing about hellhounds? They're as territorial as I am."

The puppy bristled and growled, smoke rising from it's nostrils.

Ahmose's eyes widened and he yelped, diving under the bed.

The puppy charged, snarling under the bed after Ahmose, spitting embers in its anger. The Phantom hound, though less territorial, followed, barking in curiosity.

Ahmose cried and ran out from under the bed and around the room.

Yami laughed and plucked Ahmose up once more, nuzzling him. "C'mon fuzzy. Change back so I can have some fun!"

Ahmose laid his ears back, eyeing Yami again, then rapidly grew and changed until Yami found a human Ahmose sitting on his lap, glaring.

Yami grinned and coiled his tail around Ahmose's waist. "Yay! I win." he purred nuzzling him and wrapping his wings around Ahmose.

Ahmose, who had begun to shiver as soon as he lost the fur, sighed and relaxed in the warmth of Yami's wings. He smiled and kissed the demon's cheek. "You found me...” He cooed softly, and then gave Yami a sultry grin. "And I do beleive that I still... owe you a feast...” And he nibbled on Yami's ear slightly.

Yami made a pleased sound. "Mmm... FINALLY going to pay up hm?" he cooed kissing him. "About time."

"Yes... I know...” Ahmose mumbled, kissing Yami back. He flicked his fingers at the dying fire and it roared to life again, bathing the man and demon in its heat.

Yami grinned. "Now THERE'S a useful skill." he said quite pleased. "I hate winter." he mumbled shivering a bit and cuddling closer to Ahmose. He kissed Ahmose and pressed his forehead to the sorcerer's. "I'm... sorry I left you before." he said after a moment. "I was just... upset and confused...” he kissed him again. "I'd never leave you for good... but I'm sure we're both allowed to storm off in a huff sometimes." he grinned.

Ahmose sighed. "Yes. We are. But when you act like you're not ever coming back...” He looked at Yami, sadly.

Yami nodded and pulled Ahmose closer. "I will never EVER leave you...” he said firmly. "I promise." he added in a whisper. "Ok?"

Ahmose nodded. "I'll hold you to it...” He whispered back.

Yami grinned. "Good. Because unless you do, I'd have no excuse to keep staying here so long." he sighed and kissed Ahmose once more. "My human."

Ahmose grinned. "Yes. Your human."

There was snorting and snickering from outside of their door. Ahmose glared at the door and it swung open. There was Malik, Marik and Otogi, Ryou trying to coax them away. But no, they had been eavesdropping.

Yami grinned at Ahmose. "You know what'd look good for them?" he cooed tail flicking as once again he felt the urge to cause mischief. "Turning into mice."

Marik, Malik and Otogi stared, eyes wide, but suddenly Ryou gasped. And then, Dartz was holding Marik and Malik by an ear, and Pegasus was pinching Otogi's ear.

"WHAT are you three doing?" Dartz asked, glaring down at the elf and Werewolf, who had his tail between his legs.

Ryou gave them both annoyed looks. "I TOLD you not to eavesdrop! It's not nice." he said furiously.

Yami smirked as Dartz caught Malik's ear as he tried to sneak off. "Jerks." he growled slightly, but looked quite pleased at their being caught.

But then, Pegasus and Dartz glared at Yami and Ahmose, who was hiding behind Yami's wing.

Yami glared back. "What? Cant a guy have a little PRIVACY here? DAMN." he snorted. "It's called 'behind closed doors' for a REASON."

Ryou sighed and shook his head, hurrying away, electing not to be present any further.

"What... are you DOING?!" Dartz howled, staring at them in horror.

"We have your clothes, Ahmose!" Otogi squeaked.

"Why?" Dartz asked.

Yami raised an eyebrow. "Why so curious?" He flicked his tail. "You'd better not be taking an interest in MY human. I can do you, but you leave my human out of it." he said smirking.

Malik and Pegasus both groaned at that.

Dartz glared. "And why are YOU naked?!" He demanded of Ahmose.

"... snowball fight." Ahmose mumbled. "Shapeshifting...”

"Like it matters why we're naked." Yami snorted again. "We can be naked anytime we want. Be THANKFUL I don’t trot around your little church nude."

Ahmose groaned, shaking his head. "Yami...” he grumbled.

Yami huffed. "It's true." He glared back but silenced himself.

Marik looked around at everyone. "Um... can I go now?" Dartz glared down at him.

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

Mikado blinked his eyes open when he felt the warmth at his back disappear, and the bed shifted. He slowly rolled onto his back and looked at Bakura, who had just left the bed. The Agent was still exhausted from their... strenuous activites earlier. "Hmm?" He moaned, unable to open his mouth and talk yet. He blinked groggily at Bakura.

Bakura looked over his shoulder and smiled slightly. "It's nearly dawn. I'm retiring to my own room." he said calmly.

Mikado blinked at him. "... Oh." He sighed, eyes drooping closed, but he jumped, snapping them open again, fighting to stay awake.

Bakura chuckled. "I'm not leaving you. I will come to you tonight Mikado... why not sleep?"

Mikado's eyes drifted closed again, but he once again forced them open. "W-What? Oh... yeah... sure...” He let his eyes fall closed and he curled up on his side, his back to the fire. He nuzzled his cheek into the pillow and clutched the blankets tightly around himself, falling back to sleep immediately.

Bakura smiled and picked up his things, dressing in his pants. He had a bath drawn and bathed before he retired for his own sleep. Mikado would be sleeping in today... and may well get used to his schedule.

Sure enough, it was late afternoon when Mikado finally rose from his bed and pulled on his robe, heading out into the hall and looking around, then heading for the bathroom, just like Bakura, hoping for a bath.

Lillith, his favorite little maid, was all too eager to attend his needs. She kept giggling every so often however.

Mikado eyed her. "What's so funny?" He asked as she was preparing a bath.

"Oh... nothing." She giggled again. "There's a slight... rumor...” she said grinning. "That you and the lord consummated your betrothal."

Mikado's eyes widened and he turned red. "... oh... there is?"

She grinned. "Uh huh...”

"... Oh." Mikado mumbled, folding his arms and looking down.

Of course, at that moment, a servant was confirming the rumor as she changed the sheets in Mikado's room.

She smiled and once Mikado was in the tub, began washing his hair. "You seem in high spirits today. What would you like for breakfast?"

Mikado blinked. "Um... you mean lunch?" He asked, sheepishly.

The maid giggled. "Breakfast is the first meal of the day, whenever you wake." she said smiling fondly, finishing his hair. "However if you want lunch then lunch."

Mikado sighed. "I dunno...” He mumbled, shrugging. "I want something sweet... something worth gaining a few pounds."

Lillith smiled. "Well... the other maids were going to bake today." She said smiling. "What would you like? Cakes? Pies? cookies?"

"Good grief, all of the above...” Mikado moaned, leaning his head back, eyes closed.

Lillith smiled and nodded scurrying from the room. By the time Mikado was out of the tub, the manor was filled with the sweet smells of pastries. Cinnamon, apple, cherry, and pumpkin pies, and hot cocoa.

Mikado raised his eyebrows, but headed back to his room to dress. He found the wardrobe full. He blinked and began pawing through it, looking at what Bakura had provided for him.

All of the clothes the maids had sewn were there... and NOTHING was out of Bakura's style of fine dress.

Mikado sighed. He finally snatched an outfit with a frilly shirt and a dark blue jacket with black pants and boots. He dressed, and tied his hair back at the base of his neck with a dark blue ribbon, then wandered down stairs. He glanced out a window. The snow sparkled under the sun, and the sky was a deep blue.

Lillith smiled. "Your sweets are baking." She said curtseying. "So... You are staying aren't you?" she said smiling.

Mikado sighed. "I... don't know...” He said softly.

She giggled softly. "He's taken quite a fancy to you." She said looking out the window as well. "MY family has served him since my grandmother." she said blushing. "He's never taken quite a shining to any mortal. You must bring him a level of joy no servant or treasure can."

Mikado flushed furiously. "Um... okay...” He squeaked, staring out at the horses, the foals frolicking in the snow.

Lillith grinned. "Well... I'm going to help in the kitchen. Feel free to explore." She cooed before trotting off, giggling.

Mikado sighed and turned around, doing just that. He began to explore the elegant manor.

Nearly every room was filled with finery from ages long past. The study had the most, seemingly decorated in new Egyptian style.

Mikado poked around for quite a while, and eventually made his way up to explore the second floor.

The second floor had even more interesting antiquities. Though several doors were locked and out of Mikado's ability to observe.

This of course made him want to see them even more, but he left them for the time being. He was interested to discover a staircase that led up to a third floor.

The third floor was more or less storage. And one of the many rooms contained to Mikado's great delight... Christmas decorations.

Mikado slowly began to grin. December 1st was only two days away. And the Vatican would begin decorating on the 1st. Mikado dug around, checking out the decorations, then grabbed a crate and headed down the stairs and to the living room, beginning to pull out things... little wooden red beads on a string, ribbons and old Christmas candles to put in the windows.

Lillith and the other maids soon discovered Mikado's decorating and eagerly helped their new 'master' of the house and by the time Bakura had awoke, the home smelled of cinnamon and mint, and was decorated for a beautiful Christmas!

Bakura yawned and stepped out of his room looking around. He raised an eyebrow as he looked at his home... turned Christmas paradise.

He went to investigate this. He found a maid sitting at the base of the stairs, making a wreathe out of fresh pine boughs. She looked up and smiled, a sprig of holly in her hair. "Good evening Master!" She said, and Lillith could be heard giggling in the other room.

Bakura groaned. "What is it you are doing to my home?"

"Master Mikado found the Christmas decorations! They needed so much cleaning, they haven't been used since you bought the house from the last owners so many years ago."

Bakura nodded. "Yes I can gather that… WHY are the decorations up around my home?"

"Master Mikado wanted to decorate for Christmas!" She said. "He's been at it all day! They're baking gingerbread in the kitchen, Master!"

Bakura groaned but nodded. "Carry on then...” he grumbled.

She smiled and nodded, continuing. Bakura move into the next room. There was holly on the grandfather clock and, fresh garland framing all of the doorways and candles glowing in all of the windows.

Bakura groaned louder. "Mikado!"

"Yes?" Came the answer. Bakura followed the boy's voice to the parlor, where he and Lillith were arranging garland over the mantle of the fireplace.

Bakura shook his head, slapping his forehead. "What in the seven hells are you doing to my HOME!?"

Mikado blinked. "Decorating for Christmas." Mikado said. Lillith giggled and leaned over, whispering to Mikado. The Agent blinked, then looked up; Bakura was standing under a fresh sprig of mistletoe.

Bakura continued to glare slightly. "I do not celebrate Christmas."

Mikado blinked. "... I do." He said softly.

Bakura snorted. "That is all quite fine, but my HOME does not."

Mikado blinked again, brow furrowing slightly. "Why not?"

"Because it’s a false holiday." Bakura said rolling his eyes.

Mikado blinked several times, then scowled, glaring at him. "It is not."

"Alright then. What is Christmas about." Bakura challenged.

Mikado glared. "The birth of Christ." He said. "The birth of our King and Savior."

Bakura laughed at that. "Christ was NOT born in winter." he said sternly. "You know that as well as I do. This is a false holiday. If the Christ child had been born in winter then the three kings would never have arrived in time to 'present him' with their gifts, NOT to mention the fields and prairies of Israel would have been FAR too cold for any shepherd to have his sheep grazing to meet any angel telling tales of such a birth." Bakura said smirking. "So this holiday is pure and utter FALSITIES."

Mikado glared. "It doesn't matter WHEN he was born! The point is that we celebrate it! The DAY doesn't matter! We don't KNOW when he was born exactly, they just picked a day and decided to make that day Christmas! Like when I picked my dog's birthday when I was little! I knew he was born in July, but not when, so I just PICKED a day and that was the day me and my brother celebrated his birthday on!!!"

Bakura snorted. "I do not agree."

Mikado snorted. "Well, I really don't care what you think about Christmas. I celebrate it, I believe in what it stands for, and you aren't going to change that." He said, folding his arms. Suddenly, one of the maids passing by leapt on Bakura and kissed his cheek.

"Mistletoe!" She giggled, scurrying off, leaving the stunned vampire in the doorway. Slowly, he looked up at the mistletoe.

Bakura growled. "That is absolutely IT!" he howled. "Get this horrible mess out of my home!"

Mikado blinked, then glared. "What?! So not only do you take me out of the Vatican, but now you want me to abandon my beleifs?! To forget about the second most important holiday of my faith?!"

"You can celebrate it all you WANT without taking my HOUSE into the picture!" Bakura roared.

Mikado looked at Bakura, sadly. "But... it won't feel like Christmas...” He said softly.

"Well it's NOT Christmas, so that's FINE!" Bakura howled once more. "Get this horrible trash off of my walls and out of my home!"

Mikado stared at Bakura, deeply hurt, then turned and left through the other door. A moment later, the house shook as the front door was slammed closed. Lillith blinked at Bakura with large eyes.

Bakura gave her a look. "Don’t you start." he grumbled. "You know I put these away because I did NOT want them up."

She quickly lowered her eyes and nodded, giving him a little curtsey. "As you wish my Lord...” She said. She looked at the door Mikado had left through, then back at Bakura. "Should... shouldn't you find him, Master? It's night, and the wolves have been heard very near the house recently... and he is unarmed...”

Bakura sighed. "I will." he grumbled. "As for this mess...” he glared at the decorations. "Ugh... just prepare him something to eat. Nothing big, I'm sure he'll throw a tantrum and go to bed." he grumbled turning and storming outside.

Lillith blinked, then smiled. Bakura had not told her to take them down, so she finished with the garland on the mantle and ordered the cooks to make Mikado something hot to eat.

Outside, Bakura found hoofprints leading from the stable. He rushed in and found that a yearling colt named Geist was missing from his stall.

Bakura sighed and began following the hoof prints. "Mikado! Mikado where are you?" he called, frustrated. Damn humans...

He heard the wolves howling, by they were miles to the north; Mikado was heading west.

Bakura sighed in slight relief, hurrying along the trail. "Mikado!" he called once more. "Mikado come back!"

Strigoi neighed from the paddock, watching Bakura tromping off through the snow, as if angry he was being left behind.

Bakura looked over his shoulder and smirked. "Next time Strigoi." he called back, speeding up. He followed the trail with inhuman speed despite the snow, looking for Mikado.

He didn't have to go far. He found Geist on the trail, and the colt perked up at the sight of his master. He nickered slightly and headed over to meet him, nudging the vampire’s pockets, searching for a possible treat.

Bakura sighed and patted the colt. "Geist, where is the human?" he asked softly.

The horse just snorted in Bakura's face, chewing on the bit in his mouth. Bakura's keen hearing picked up a sniffle. He walked up the trail a bit more and finally found Mikado under an evergreen, leaning against the trunk.

Bakura sighed, leading the colt to Mikado. "Mikado...” he said softly. "It's cold. It's time to come inside."

Mikado shifted a bit, huddled up in his cloak. He didn't answer Bakura.

Bakura sighed and stooped under the tree. "If you won’t get up on your own, I will carry you." he said calmly. "It is too cold for you to be out."

"Go away." Mikado mumbled from behind his arms.

"Suit yourself." Bakura said calmly, suddenly hoisting Mikado up and slinging him over his shoulder. He took up the lead rope on the colt and began walking back. "I will not have you out in the cold Mikado. You can be sore at me all you want, but not when it endangers your health. The wolves are out and the air is cold. You're staying inside."

Mikado blinked, eyes wide, but then began thrashing. "Hey! HEY!!! PUT ME DOWN, DAMN YOU!!!" He howled, trying to get loose.

But Bakura, being a vampire, held firm and tight. Mikado was definitely not getting loose. "Not until we are back inside." he said sternly. "And pitching a fuss will just make the maids laugh even harder."

"FUCK YOU!!!" Mikado shouted, aiming a kick for Bakura's groin and just barely missing.

At that Mikado's ass met a harsh slap. "Knock it off." Bakura said chuckling. "Or I'll spank you for every step I take."

"OW!!! STOP IT!!!" Mikado yelped, thrashing again.

Another harsh slap to the ass. "One." Bakura said. Another. "Two." And so it continued all the way back to the manor. Eight hundred and forty six spankings later he entered the manor. "Eight hundred and forty seven." Slap.

By the time they got there, Mikado was hanging limply, whimpering and moaning, squirming every now and then. But Bakura could almost smell the anger and humiliation radiating from the human.

One of the maids hurried the colt to the stables, saving Mikado another twenty or so spankings. Bakura merely chuckled. "I told you if you struggled like that I'd do it. You have no one to blame but yourself." he walked up the stairs calmly and into Mikado's room, dropping the youth onto his bed.

Mikado yelped and quickly rolled onto his chest, glaring at the window and turning his back on Bakura.

Bakura shook his head. "Stop pouting. If they mean that much to you then FINE." Bakura growled. "You can have your silly ornaments and decorations."

Mikado curled up and sniffled. "... Thank you...” He whispered.

Bakura snorted. "Now stop your pouting. You're a man act like it." he said calmly.

Mikado just sighed. Other than that, he didn't move, other than to curl up tighter.

Bakura grumbled once more. "Dinner will be brought to you" he said after a moment. "I expect you to stay inside from this moment forward." he added warningly. "No argument."

Mikado sat up (wincing at the pain in his rear end) and glared. "What the hell?! You can't keep me inside!!!"

"Oh yes I can." Bakura said sternly. "You're a prisoner remember?" he said advancing on Mikado and smirking, pinning him against the bed. "And we both know you wouldn't leave if you could...”

Mikado's eyes widened and he stared up at Bakura, almost trembling, but then he glared. "Oh? Are you so sure of that? I could go back to the Vatican as soon as the sun comes up. By the time you would be able to chase me, I would already be there."

Bakura smirked down at Mikado and suddenly crushed his lips against the youth's. "You love me." he whispered once he pulled away. "You wouldn't leave me so quickly... I trust you."

Mikado just stared at Bakura, a look of shock on his face as he gasped for breath, staring up at the vampire with wide eyes. He gulped and squirmed a bit.

Bakura chuckled. "You're so tender... that I might not get to enjoy the same fun tonight that we enjoyed last night...” he added smirking. "Perhaps a change in pace tonight...” he added kissing Mikado again.

Mikado squeaked and squirmed again, eyes getting wider before fluttering closed as he gave a moaning sigh.

Bakura chuckled and ran hand through Mikado's hair, untying it. "Admit it Mikado... You enjoy being a prisoner to me...” he whispered kissing him again, and helping Mikado to his side, fingers working the buttons of his shirt.

Mikado whimpered, squirming out of his clothing and submitting to Bakura's kisses, gripping his shoulder once a hand was free to do so.

Bakura nipped Mikado's lip slightly, sucking the small wound, closing it nearly as fast as it had opened, before exploring the agent's mouth with his tongue. His hands roamed over Mikado's chest and lower, slowly beginning to remove the other obstacle...

Mikado whined, lifting his hips to allow Bakura to get rid of said obstacle more easily, clinging to him fiercely. He ran a hand down Bakura's chest, beginning to remove the vampire's clothing.

Bakura allowed Mikado, helping him as he needed, continuing to kiss him and tease. A hand wandered to Mikado's sore behind and gently groped it, soothing some of the remaining sting. "Dare I say that I got a naughty pleasure out of spanking you." he chuckled. "Even when you're behaving badly towards me... you turn me on." he hissed to Mikado, his fangs glinting in the low light.

Mikado gasped and panted, moaning at Bakura's cold hand on the hot skin of his backside. "... D-Damn... you...” He moaned, writhing beneath Bakura and kissing him again.

Bakura smirked. "Damn me? For what?" he kissed a trail down Mikado's jaw, pausing at his neck to graze fangs over the twin scars he found there... before trailing lower… Over a pale chest, pausing once to tease nipples with teeth and tongue, before trailing once more south. Past the navel... dangerously close.

Mikado whined loudly, squirming and letting his head fall back. "Oh God...”

Bakura took Mikado suddenly into his mouth, sucking harshly, deep-throating the youth with no notice what-so-ever.

Mikado jerked and arched his back with a startled cry, fisting his fingers in the vampire’s hair, spreading his legs and bucking up into Bakura's mouth.

Bakura pulled away for a moment, before repeating, quickly working into a teasing bobbing that near drove Mikado to insanity. His hands massaging Mikado's inner thighs, or teasing any available flesh near the delicious torture.

Mikado writhed under the vampire, throwing his hands up to the pillow beside his head and twisting it, rocking his hips in a steady rhythm to match Bakura's efforts, gasping and moaning the entire time.

And that's when Bakura sent a wild torrent of pure pleasure through Mikado as he had the night before, only seemingly all the stronger. He pulled back, teasing the tip of Mikado's arousal with his tongue, smirking at Mikado ferally before going down once more and taking the whole of him into a much slower, much more agonizing pace.

"OH, FUCKING CHRIST!!!" Mikado yelped, startling a poor servant boy in the hall who had been about to knock on the door. He thought better of it and scurried away to tell Lillith that Master Mikado was NOT ready for his soup...

Bakura laughed around Mikado pulling away. "Such language." he smirked. "You're a naughty little mortal. I've half a mind to punish you." He grinned groping Mikado's sore posterior gently.

"Hnnnmmm!!!" Mikado moaned, biting his lip and closing his eyes as Bakura did this.

Bakura smirked. "Or maybe...” he paused. "A spanking isn't what you need...” he licked slowly up Mikado's length. "But perhaps... fulfillment."

The Agent gave a sharp gasp, thrusting up in hopes of reaching that fulfillment.

Bakura shook his head amused. "But what if I left you like THIS as punishment?" he hissed pulling away, all motion ceasing.

Mikado whined at that, wriggling around on the bed, desperate to find his release. "P-Punishment... for WHAT?!"

"For threatening to run away...” Bakura hissed, a hand stroking Mikado only once, but once was just enough to send a shiver through Mikado's body. "Why SHOULDN'T I leave you like this?"

"I... wasn't running away!" Mikado wailed, bucking his hips and nearly thrashing.

"You threatened to leave at dawn." Bakura stroked him once more. "When you know you're forbidden...” he added with another stroke. "You're my prisoner...”

Mikado shuddered. "I... did NOT threaten to... to leave... Oh God... I was... I was just...”

"You were just what?" Bakura hissed stooping low to kiss Mikado strongly once more. "Just what?"

"J-Just... Challenging you... I guess...” Mikado mumbled between kisses.

Bakura smirked and kissed Mikado once more, hand trailing back to pump his lover. "Don’t challenge me...” he breathed into Mikado's ear. "Accept that I'll always be your lover... stay with me and live with me in peace." his lips trailed south once more, teeth grazing Mikado's neck.

Mikado whimpered again, a slightly distressed look coming over his face when Bakura asked him to stay with him... But he moaned and turned his head, sighing into Bakura's ear and kissing along his jaw line.

Bakura kissed Mikado's neck tenderly. "Does it truly bother you so, that I keep you for myself?" he whispered, nipping at Mikado's neck, but never biting.

Mikado shivered. "N-No...” He murmured. "I just... I'm... I'm an... Agent...”

Bakura smirked pulling away slightly. "You don’t need to be... You don’t need to fight away your days in God's name. Stay with me... live in the peace your God wants...” he gave Mikado a soft loving look, before crushing their lips together once more. "I will not lose you to a war against evil."

Mikado moaned, arching up into Bakura and holding tightly to him. "But... But I want to fight...” He breathed. "I'll go mad if I stay here... just sitting around living a quiet life... I want to fight for Him, Bakura. By fighting, I can help others live in the peace that God wants... please understand this...” He kissed Bakura again, then nuzzled his neck. "Please...”

"And what do I do when you die?" Bakura said pulling his hand away from Mikado once more. "What then?"

Mikado stared at Bakura, searching his eyes. "I will die someday anyway...” He said softly.

Bakura shook his head. "But not young... you would live a full life."

Mikado frowned. "Not all Agents die young. In fact, we are so well trained that very few of us do...” He said. "Bakura... I can still live a full life... become an Elite someday...” He smiled. "Heh... A Slayer maybe?"

Bakura growled at that. "Hmph."

Mikado giggled. "I'm joking...” He cooed, kissing Bakura's cheek. "But a Scout maybe...”

Bakura snorted. "I should leave you like this just to present my distaste at that comment.”

"Awww...” Mikado pouted.

Bakura smirked. "In fact...”

Mikado blinked.

"I think I will." he said grinning and trotting out, still wearing pants, picking up his shirt on the way and snickering.

Mikado blinked, then flopped back onto the bed with a groan. "Ass...” He grumbled, before taking matters into his own hands.

At that moment, Lilith burst in with his soup.

"JESUS!!!" Mikado yelped, thrashing around and falling off of the bed. "Don't you people KNOCK?!?"

Lilith smiled. "Not a bit." She said offering his soup, paying no mind at all to his nudity, or state.

"Well, knock from now on!" Mikado howled, wrapping the sheets around himself and glaring, his face bright pink.

She giggled. "Well it's not like you were busy. The lord obviously left you for the evening, so...” She grinned. "That means I can come in and offer dinner now."

Mikado grumbled. "You STILL should have knocked...”

"But then I wouldn't have surprised you like I did." She said smiling and setting the tray down on his lap.

Mikado glared. "Who said I WANTED to be surprised...?”

"The lord." She said grinning. "He told me to.”

Mikado growled. "Jerk...”

"He's just sore at you." She said smiling. "Because you won’t comply."

"... With WHAT?!" Mikado howled, waving his spoon around.

"Staying." She said softly.

"... Oh." Mikado mumbled, looking down at his soup and sighing.

She shook her head. "You intend to leave him... don’t you?"

Mikado frowned. "I... I want to stay with him... I love him... but... I can't just... stop being an Agent...” He sighed. "I don't know what to do. I don't want to give up either... choosing between them would kill me...”

Lilith shook her head. "I do not think you can be an agent of the Vatican, and love him." She said after a moment. "He is not looked upon kindly by the Vatican." She shook her head. "Despite how kind he truly is, he is damned and for that he is considered evil. The Vatican would never allow such a love."

Mikado frowned, leaning back and stirring the soup slightly.

"... I'll find a way...” He said softly. "But if it comes down to it, I will leave the Vatican." He said in a defeated tone, looking near tears at the very idea. "But I will never stop fighting in God's name... I guess... I would end up like my brother. Travelling and going wherever there is a job to be done...”

"Master Mikado... you've one life to live." She said smiling. "Live it for yourself... don’t live for Bakura. He will always be. You will not." she said after a moment. "He would not hate you, if you chose to leave him for your ways."

Mikado frowned again and sighed, setting the soup aside and folding his arms on his knees, resting his chin upon his arms. He stared at the fire place.

Lilith smiled. "Whatever you choose... don’t choose for the wrong reasons."

"... But what ARE the wrong reasons?" Mikado whispered.

She merely curtsied and walked to the door. "Only you know the answer to that." she cooed, leaving him to his soup and his thoughts.

Mikado sighed and began to eat the soup before drifting off to sleep, not noticing Bakura heading out into the woods with an axe in his hand, leading Strigoi.

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

Yami grinned as he crept up on his target. He had him this time for sure. ”PLEEEASE have a threesome with usss!" he whined hugging Dartz from behind and giving him a sweet look. "I even said please!"

"EEEEYAAAARRH!!!" Dartz screamed, thrashing. "GET OFF OF ME, DEMON!!!" Many Agents witnessing this snickered.

"But I like you soooo much!" Yami pouted clinging and nuzzling. "C'mon! It'll be fun! I promise!" Who on EARTH could resist those charms?! He even said please! "Preettty pleeeease?" Yami cooed. Oh, now he was POURING on the charm.

Dartz growled. "I WILL make the Sign of the Cross at you, AND recite the prayer!!!"

Yami pouted. "You always play so rough...” he pouted. "And I was being so good too! I didn't do anything wrong yet!"

"Get off of me...” Dartz hissed, glaring.

Yami pouted but released him. "God you're such a teaser." he grumbled.

"I have NEVER teased you, you IMAGINE things!!!"

"I do not!" Yami huffed. "I'm not giving damn you! I'll get you in bed yet!" he huffed and crossed his arms. "I bet you would have so much fun...”

"In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti!!!"

Yami whined and toppled over on his bum once more. "You... suck." he pouted.

Dartz snorted and just walked away.

Yami grumbled and sat there pouting about it for a while before trying to get up. He managed to shakily get to his feet and grumbled. Oh he'd get him yet... He growled. "Damn fickle humans playing hard to get...”

"Ahem." Yami blinked and turned. There was Ahmose, glaring at him, arms folded across his chest.

Yami sighed and lashed his tail lightly. "He's toying with me!"

"He is not, that's just wishful thinking on your part. He wants nothing to do with you, and I want nothing to do with him. You're not getting a threesome Yami. Get used to it." Ahmose said.

Yami pouted. "Spoil sports... I obviously need to just get you both very drunk, and very horny."

Ahmose snorted. "I have no intention of ever letting anyone touch my body other than you."

Yami drooped a bit. "But I REALLY REALLY want a threesome...” he pouted.

Ahmose snorted, turning and walking away. "NO one but you." He called back over his shoulder.

Yami flicked his tail, looking determined. "Then I'll fuck you both seperately!" he said firmly. "I'm not giving up!"

Ahmose growled. "I don't want anyone touching you, either...” He said, turning and glaring.

"I'm an incubus!" Yami howled. "I NEEEEED sex!"

Ahmose turned and walked straight back over to Yami. "Then get it from ME!!!" He hissed. "I am YOURS. And... I want you to be mine, too... you won't let me have you?"

Yami blinked tilting his head to the side a bit. "Huh? Me be yours?"

Ahmose nodded. "Yes. Can't we belong to each other?"

"How?" Yami said confused. "I... don’t quite understand."

"I am for you alone, and you are for me alone." Ahmose said softly, resting a hand on Yami's cheek.

Yami smiled and nuzzled Ahmose's hand. "I don’t want you to get old though...” Yami said worriedly.

Ahmose blinked. "... what? Where the hell did THIS come from?" He asked, confused.

Yami blushed. "W-well... I'm just worried that I'll... think you're old... if...” his tail curled into his hands and he fidgeted. "I live so long you see... and well...”

Ahmose blinked. "You don't want to see me age and die." Ahmose finished for him.

Yami blinked. "Well of course." he said blushing a bit. "But... you will...”

Ahmose sighed and nodded. "Yes. I will."

Yami nodded. He sighed.

Ahmose looked down at his feet, silently.

"Assuming I'm not killed...” Yami said after a moment. "I can live thousands of years...”

"You can?" Ahmose asked, cocking his head.

Yami nodded. "Well..yeah. Usually around three to five thousand."

"... Oh. Wow...” Ahmose said, blinking.

Yami nodded. "Uh huh... and since I've got a new body... I can live actually a bit longer... the clock starts over."

"Oh. I see." Ahmose said, giving a small smile.

"So I’ve just had about five hundred years added on to my lifespan." Yami said thoughtfully.

Ahmose snorted. "Nice...”

"But it'll... be pretty lonely."

Ahmose sighed softly and hugged Yami.

Yami nuzzled Ahmose. "It'll suck to see you die... It sucks SEEING you dying with age each day...” he sighed and curled his tail around Ahmose's waist.

Ahmose blinked, then chuckled. "I'm young and strong, Yami. I have a good thirty or forty years left in me."

Yami stared shocked. "Only thirty?! We haven't fucked near enough for you to die in thirty years!" he grabbed Ahmose's hand and dragged him back to their room. "Not NEAR enough!"

"Huh?!" Ahmose blurted, eyes wide in shock and confusion.

Yami looked very distraught. "Thirty years is nothing!"

"Maybe...” Ahmose squeaked.

"There's no maybe to it!" Yami howled as he dragged Ahmose. "If you can walk, we haven't fucked enough! Why didn't you TELL me you didn't live longer than that! I thought I had at least a hundred years!"

Ahmose blinked. "No, humans live fifty to sixty years. Some only forty. Seventy if we're lucky."

Yami only whined louder and tugged Ahmose into their room locking the door and pinning him against it. "Then we have to make sure and fuck like wild rabbits from now til you die!"

"What?!"

"If I only have you for thirty years I wont have any fun at all!" Yami whined looking pathetic. "That's what? A HUNDRETH of my lifespan?!"

Ahmose looked at Yami sadly. "Afraid so." He said, gently stroking Yami's face with his finger tips.

Yami's wings drooped. "B-but... you're... MY human...” he pouted shaking his head. "You can’t just die and LEAVE me!"

Ahmose sighed. "I'll stay with you as long as I can. But we must all die. And my allotment of time on this earth cannot be changed by any... simple or natural means...”

"You're a sorcerer!" Yami howled. "You're neither simple OR natural!"

Ahmose smiled. "I admit, I do have the ability to extend my life... but not easily."

Yami gave Ahmose a hopeful look. "Please try? I don’t want to spend the other 9 hundreths of my life alone...”

Ahmose smiled. "A hundred years at the most, Yami...” He said softly.

Yami whined. "That's no good either!" he wailed hugging onto Ahmose and wrapping his wings tightly around him. "This is just terrible!"

"Shhh...” Ahmose crooned softly. "It's okay...”

"No it is not!" Yami howled. "It's NOT ok!"

Ahmose sighed, hugging Yami tightly and rocking him a bit. "Shhhh...”

Yami shook his head and pulled away looking hurt. "No! It is NOT ok!" he howled once more backing away.

Ahmose sighed and looked at Yami, nodding. "If you want to leave... before we get more attached to each other... I understand...” He said softly.

Yami shook his head backing up more, looking caught in confusion. He toppled back over the bed, quickly righting himself and continuing to back up until he was on the balcony.

Ahmose stared at him, eyes full of confusion, distress, anxiety, and yet, hope.

Yami shook his head again and Ahmose caught sight of something he'd never seen Yami do, in all the time he'd known him, through out everything...

Tears were welling up in his eyes. The demon shook his head more and scuttled off of the balcony.

Ahmose released the breath he had been holding, leaning back against the door and slowly sliding to the floor, folding his arms on his knees and hiding his face in them.

About that time, there came a soft knock on Ahmose's door. "Ahmose?" Ryou called softly. "I... um... well... I wanted to talk to you...” he squeaked.

Ahmose blinked. "Ryou?" Slowly, he stood and wiped his eyes where tears had been forming. He took a few breathes to compose himself, then opened the door. "What is it?"

Ryou blushed and fidgeted walking in and hurriedly shutting the door. He took a slow shaking breath. "I... a-and M-Marik... a-and... w-well...” he fidgeted more. "... I love him."

Ahmose blinked. "Yeah, I know."

Ryou turned redder. "A-and... w-well... I want... I... I...” Ryou slowly invented a new shade of red before Ahmose. "I... want... t-to be... d-desireable...” he said after a moment, hanging his head in shame.

Ahmose blinked again. "He already finds you desireable."

Ryou bit his lip. "N-no...” he said blushing more. "I... I MEAN...” he trailed off and began fidgeting again.

"Why talk to ME? Malik would know what would get Marik's attention more than I." Ahmose pointed out.

"You attracted an incubus... a-and... he's always talking... a-about how attractive you are to him... I..I figured...”

Ahmose blinked and flushed. "It's not like I do anything purposely!" He blurted.

Ryou looked sad. "Oh... I… I'm sorry to bother you then...” he mumbled, drooping.

Ahmose sighed. “Ryou…” He said. “I’m just… REALLY not the person to ask about things like this!” He said with a nervous laugh, almost a giggle. “And… even if I were… now is really not a… good time…” He sighed and looked down. “Yami… he just left. I don’t know where he went, or how long before he comes back… if he comes back…”

Ryou blinked. "I don’t think he left this realm Ahmose. As long as he's in Vatican City he cant. This place is too holy for powerful demon magics to work.”

"He can go out into Rome." Ahmose said, walking across the room and dropping onto the sofa. "I... told him that if he left me now... I wouldn't hold it against him. I have given him the opportunity to leave me... without any guilt. He just... looked at me, and went out the window...”

"Why would you say that?" Ryou said looking confused. "I thought you two were in love... you certainly were happy enough."

Ahmose nodded. "Yes. But for how long? Ryou, he will live several thousand years. I... with my magic to aid me, a century... a hundred years at most. He's afraid. He doesn't want to stay with me and see me age and die while he remains unchanged, to live on long after I pass from this world... I have no right to ask him to suffer that pain simply because I want him to stay with me."

"Yes you do!" Ryou said shaking his head. "He died just a short while ago and you endured that pain! You have EVERY right to ask him! You LOVE him!"

Ahmose shook his head. "Living another fifty years with the pain of losing him would have been unbearable. He would have to endure that pain for thousands of years. No Ryou. I cannot ask that of him...”

Ryou sighed and hugged Ahmose. "I'm so sorry...” he said looking upset. "B-but I think you're making a mistake."

"I won't force him to go." Ahmose said. "I just told him that if he wanted to leave before we got more attached to each other, I would understand and wouldn't hold it against him."

Ryou shook his head. "Ahmose... you should go find him and enjoy your remaining years with him." he said softly. "You can always split apart in a few years... but you've a long life ahead of you."

"The more we're together, the harder it will be to let go...” Ahmose said. "In a few years, I may not be able to...”

"You're not able to now...” Ryou said looking upset. "You'll never be happy without him... and what point in life is there... if you can NEVER be happy? God would never want that for anyone…"

"... God will see me damned to the depths of Hell for who I am and who I love." Ahmose said softly.

Ryou sighed. "Then just go to him and enjoy what you have now." he said giving Ahmose a sad look. "No point in living miserably to be damned in hell at death as well...”

"It's just something I have to accept. The choice is Yami's. It will affect him long after I am dust... I cannot make this decision for him. I can't. I have no right...”

Ryou looked sad. "There's... always Bakura." he said after a moment.

Ahmose blinked. "Huh? What about him? What does HE have to do with this?"

"He's a vampire." Ryou said looking down. "Doesn't... die."

Ahmose turned to face Ryou. "Are you suggesting that I ask him to... sire me?"

"I shouldn't... b-but it is... optional...”

Ahmose frowned, turning and looking into the fire. "Hmmm...”

Ryou shook his head. "You're not... actually CONSIDERING it... are you?"

"I will consider all options." Ahmose said softly, petting the puppies on the sofa beside him.

Ryou groaned. "I'm a horrible person...” he mumbled rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Well… at least you have an option to tell Yami...”

"... if he comes back...” Ahmose mumbled.

Ryou walked out to the balcony and looked. "I don’t think he left." he said calmly.

Ahmose blinked. "What?" He asked, coming out onto the balcony.

Ryou smiled catching sight of Yami. The demon was perched under the tree he'd been filling his bucket at earlier, wings wrapped around himself to keep warm since his clothes were thin. The only clothing he'd been provided was a thin robe because the tailor wasn't finished with his NEW clothes.

Ahmose blinked. "Where is he?" He asked. It was night time, Yami was quite a distance away, and Ahmose didn't have elvish eye sight.

"Under that tree he was filling the tub with snow at earlier." he said smiling. "He's shivering."

Ahmose blinked, then sighed and smiled, shaking his head. He turned and pulled on his cloak. "See ya later. I have to go get my lover out of a tree." He said with a snicker, and left the room. He made his way out of the Vatican and across the courtyard to the gates, then towards the tree. He looked up. "Yami? Come down from there before you freeze."

Yami scuffled back and sniffled.

"Don't MAKE me magic you down."

Yami growled at that and scuffled away again. "Leave me alone."

"Yami... are you angry with me?" Ahmose asked softly.

Yami lifted a wing and peered out. He'd been crying. "No...”

"Are you that afraid, Yami?" Ahmose asked, climbing the tree to get closer.

Yami looked away, wiping his eyes.

Ahmose pulled himself up to sit with Yami, removing his cloak and draping it over the demon. "Yami... there... might be a way for us to be together... for as long as you live."

Yami blinked and gave Ahmose a slow look. "... you mean it?"

Ahmose sighed. "Bakura. He can... make me like him." He said softly. "A vampire. He himself is nearly 1000 years old according to my brother...”

Yami blinked and looked at Ahmose hopefully. "... Vampires… can be pretty sexy...” he said after a moment sniffling.

"And as long as the Vatican doesn't send Slayers after me to kill me, I can live forever." Ahmose said.

Yami inched closer to Ahmose and curled his tail around Ahmose's waist. "You'd... do that for me?"

Ahmose sighed. "Yes." He said after a moment. "I would."

Yami sniffled again and nuzzled Ahmose. "You... don’t have to." he said after a moment.

"But I will." Ahmose said. "We could... then do a soul binding ritual...”

Yami blinked. "A what?" he said confusedly shivering again and cuddling close to Ahmose.

“A soul binding ritual.” Ahmose said again. “Bind ourselves together. When one soul leaves this world, the other goes with it. If you were to get killed, I would die. But then again, after you have reached the end of your lifespan, you will continue to live as long as I live.”

Yami looked thoughtful. "That sounds nice...” he cooed smiling. "I could go for an eternity with you...”

Ahmose smiled. "Until one of us gets killed...” He snickered. "But that's the good thing... You can't die until you reach the end of your natural lifespan. Not as long as I live. But once you reach the end of your natural life, the death of one of us will be the death of both of us. And I'm not killed easy, so...”

Yami grinned and kissed Ahmose. "You're so brilliant for a human that it shocks me sometimes."

Ahmose blinked. "What do you mean 'for a human'?!"

Yami grinned and kissed him again. "nothing." he purred and shivered. "I'm cold.."

"Well... let' get back inside then." He said.

And while Yami and Ahmose were trying to get OUT of a tree, Bakura was stomping through the woods, LOOKING for a tree. Strigoi gave a soft neigh and nudged Bakura's shoulder with his nose.

Bakura growled and glared. "Fucking tree...” he grumbled, his well-mannered facade quite over with for the evening.

Strigoi snuffled over his hair and nickered as if to say 'what the hell are we doing?'

"Getting a Christmas tree for the brat." Bakura growled in explanation.

Strigoi snuffled over his hair again. Bakura's preternatural sixth sense let him know what the horse was thinking. 'I like him.'

"Why do you think I'm out here getting a godforsaken tree? Because I don’t?" Bakura snorted. "Now which one is best?"

The horse looked around, then turned and walked off to the right. Bakura blinked and followed, but to his disgust, the horse had just found a patch of grass poking up out of the snow and proceeded to munch away.

Bakura groaned and gave Strigoi a good slap on the ass. "You're so worthless sometimes I could just spit."

The horse jerked his head up with an indignant snort and turned to glare at Bakura, grass hanging from his mouth.

Bakura chuckled. "Pig." he trotted off in search of a fine fir.

The horse followed him, tail swishing. He lifted his head and sniffed the air as the wolves were heard howling again, closer than earlier, but still quite a distance away.

Bakura sighed in annoyance, seeking the perfect tree for Mikado. He found it nearly two hours later and hurriedly chopped it down. "You ready to earn some oats?" he asked patting Strigoi. Oats were the horse's favorite snack.

Strigoi perked up and trotted over to Bakura, who tied the tree to the horse so that he wouldn't have to drag the thing home himself.

"Now march." Bakura said firmly. They began the trek home, tree in tow.

It took only a half hour to get home at a gallop through the snow, and Strigoi was so eager for his oats that despite Bakura's efforts to stop him, he trotted straight into the stable, tree and all, much to the amusement of the giggling servants.

Bakura sighed and dragged the tree inside and with the help of his servants, set it up. Finally as the sun was beginning to rise, he went to bed.


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

Review everyone!!! I've been feeling neglected... T_T