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 30

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Seto calmly rode in his carriage, waiting for Yami to return.

It was precisely then that Yami appeared, next to him a vampire. The vampire had crimson eyes, long black hair that was trimmed in typical Egyptian styling and although it was apparent he was ages upon ages old, he was wearing comfortable slacks and a long sleeved shirt, a warm cloak at his shoulders.

Yami looked dead tired. "Now PLEASE!" he pleaded with Seto. "Heal him!"

Seto blinked. "... And who is this, Yami?"

Yami sighed softly. "This is Itemri of the south... one of the four timeless..." he said slowly.

The vampire snorted slightly crossing his arms.

Seto's eyes widened in surprise. "... Are you serious?!"

Itemri chuckled. "He came to my home, begging that I come aid you in your cause." the vampire said smirking.

Seto looked at him. "My Lord... I am most honored by your presence." He said, bowing to the Ancient.

Itemri nodded. "As you should be. Now... I hear tales of felling the Vatican? What thrill is more beautifully fulfilling than that? I will gladly help you."

"My Lord, I am... beyond honored." Seto said, the amulet sparkling in his joy. "I welcome your alliance."

Yami glared at Seto. "Keep your word and heal Ahmose!" he howled.

Seto gave him a sharp look. "Hold your tongue. I will get to it."

Yami growled at him. "You said you would if I brought you someone worth it! Itemri is more than you ever deserved." he snarled. "Heal him!"

Itemri snickered softly.

Seto rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine, anything to shut you up." He turned to Itemri. "Please excuse me.

"But of course." The vampire said politely, still chuckling at Yami's having pushed Seto so adamantly.

Seto bowed and left the carriage, heading back to the cart where Ahmose was, Yami scampering along behind him. Seto hopped into the cart and looked over Ahmose. "Hnh." He said.

Yami whimpered and nuzzled Ahmose, at his side in a heartbeat. "A-Ahmose, he's gonna heal you so you'll be ok..." he whispered nuzzling his chosen.

But Ahmose didn't respond. His body had long ago gone cold, and his face was an ashen gray and he struggled to breathe... there was a foul odor rising from his mangled arm. Seto sighed and looked over him.

"Hardly seems worth the effort..." He mumbled, beginning to work.

Yami nuzzled Ahmose, staying at his side the entire time Seto was healing him, incase he was needed. He sighed in relief after the work was finished, and color returned to Ahmose's flesh, his breathing evening and warmth slowly returning.

Yami let out a sigh of relief.

Seto rolled his eyes and a moment later, the chain lashed itself to the side of the cart. Seto returned to the carriage, leaving Yami with Ahmose and the imps watching over him.

Yami hopped onto the seat next to Ahmose, curling around him as best he could, offering what warmth he had. "Ahmose..." he purred tail curling around his lover's waist. Finally his lover was safe! He shivered at what the cost had been. Ahmose wouldn't be happy when he woke...

Seto returned to the carriage. "My apologies, my Lord." He said to Itemri.

"Playing with the prince are you?" the vampire said smirking.

Seto rolled his eyes. "He's driving me up the wall. If I had known he'd be that much trouble I would have just slaughtered him... But... he HAS his uses..."

Itemri chuckled "So what? You keep him as a pet then?"

Seto smirked. "Yeah, pretty much."

Itemri nodded. "And you haven't trained him." he snorted amused. "Disappointing. Most pets learn to serve their masters and do tricks quickly. Obviously he's not been properly disciplined."

"I'm not exactly experienced in this." Seto said, chuckling. "Why waste time training him when I'm just going to do away with him when he has outlived his usefulness? He's worthless... it's not him I want to break in and train... that sorcerer on the other hand... he could be a powerful ally... but he's just as stubborn. I have to use them against one another."

"A royal's chosen often is the most loyal they'll find in their lives." The vampire said calmly. "And it would be highly unwise to kill the prince. His vast armies of demons would fall on you in an instant. Not to mention you can use those armies to your content.'

Seto frowned and sighed. "Fuckin little ankle biter of a demon prince..."

"He gets it from his mother." Itemri said chuckling. "He'd make a cute pet if you could tame him. But some things I suppose humans are just not capable of."

"Like I said, no experience." Seto said. "And I really don't care. All I have to do is torture his chosen and he's a good little boy. Just has a mouth on him..."

Itemri snorted. "Perhaps a way to tame his chosen is to plant seeds of doubt."

Seto blinked. "What do you mean?"

"His chosen is devoted to him correct?" Itemri said calmly. "They are in 'love'."

Seto grinned. "Oh yes. Not only that, but the sorcerer has sworn a Blood Oath to protect the prince..."

"Perhaps planting seeds of doubt in the sorcerer's mind...making him think that Atemu does not love him any longer...would tame his little rebellions."

"Actually, the sorcerer is better behaved..." Seto laughed. "I already sent him out on a mission! If I were to send Atemu, I would have to send him under a spell. He has no balls for that kind of thing..."

"Well he's still young. He's not like his mother. His mother is a war princess...personally led the demons down over Atlantis, and Pompeii." Itemri said chuckling. "A more powerful bloodline I'd doubt there is. But her child refuses to pact with an element, so his magic is very basic, and he's not had any formal training in the ways of war."

Seto laughed. "Pitiful..." He said. "Now... about my little... crusade... there is an element that should... interest you... you know of the annual Christmas Ball?"

"Yes... I am aware of it. It's for the fledglings." Itemri said rolling his eyes. "I never attended."

"Well... someone you know DID attend it..." He said. His amulet flashed and the orb appeared, showing Bakura. "Recognize him?"

The vampire gazed at the orb for a few moments. "Well if it isn't little Akeifa..." he chuckled. "And here I was sure he would have been vanquished by now..."

Seto chuckled. "Hmmm... little Akeifa has flourished. Nearly a thousand years old now... Well... the Ball was... infiltrated by a Vatican Agent."

"Really now? A ROOM full of vampires and not a one noticed a Vatican agent? Akeifa alone should have been able to sense it."

Seto snorted. "HE was the one who brought the Agent in!" A moment later, an image of Mikado in uniform appeared in the orb. "This is the sorcerer's baby brother... Mikado, I beleive."

Itemri looked somewhat upset. "My fledgling bringing an Agent into a vampire ball? Surely he didn't know."

"Not only is the boy an Agent of the Vatican, but he is your Childe's newborn fledgling. Bakura smuggled the boy into the Ball as a woman... the sorcerer, too." And an image of Bakura walking into the Ball with the lovely Mikado and Ahmose on his arms was shown in the orb. "... Your child of the night has fallen for a child of the Vatican..."

Itemri looked furious. "Preposterous!" he howled in fury. "He was perfect! I sired only ONE, the perfect human among the garbage, the most unloving creature I could find! He was a jewel of physical and mental prowess, and not a hair of love existed in him!" The ancient growled.

"Touzoku-ou, the thief king Akeifa! He had not the eye nor the heart for love, only for treasure and himself!"

"And he lived as such until this boy charmed him." Seto said. "The years have seen him go soft..."

"Surely his other young object!" The vampire said nearly shaking with fury. "Such a match is intolerable!"

Seto snorted. "According to my research, Mikado is not only his newborn fledgling, but his firstborn as well."

"What?!" Itemri was livid. "He was sired to sire many more! Are you telling me he is the sole heir to the south?!"

Seto nodded. "Afraid so. The boy even had the gall to come to the Ball wearing a cross around his neck... your Childe took the boy's Agent's cross and had it coated in bloodstone."

"That is unacceptable!" Itemri growled. "I sired him for the soul purpose of making many." he hissed. "He was selfish, unkind... there is no reason why he didn't drag half of Egypt into the darkness with him!"

Seto shrugged. "Don't ask me. I've told you all I know. But Bakura is very protective of the newborn. Coddles him. The boy is two and a half weeks old and has yet to go on his first hunt or learn to hypnotize."

"I'll vanquish them both." Itemri seethed.

Seto smirked. "Sounds fun... or... perhaps Bakura just needs to... relearn... he can be rehabilitated, I'm sure... he only recently strayed..." He hissed. "Why not slaughter his fledgling? Before his eyes? Make him never WANT to love again? It could prove to be quite... entertaining..."

"Where are they?" Itemri hissed.

"Right now? The Vatican." Seto said. "The Vatican, after much debate, have welcomed Bakura, and Mikado remains an Agent."

"Then that is where I am going." Itemri said growling.

Seto chuckled. "You will simply end it? Like that? Why not draw it out? Make it more fun...? You, as a vampire, should know that it is the thrill of the hunt that makes the prize so sweet..."

Itemri snorted. "I need some words with my childe." he said sternly. "Whether or not I kill his offspring tonight."

Seto smiled. "Very well... but if you don't mind... I have plans for the fledgling... I will open his eyes... and then I will open his chest..."

Itemri snorted. "Fine, as long as he dies." He stood. "If you will excuse me..." and he seemed to vanish. He was out for vengeance.

Seto smirked. Oh... he did not envy the man who ended up on the wrong side of Itemri... He leaned back and closed his eyes lightly, ready for a nap...

Itemri, being the timeless ancient he was, could move far swifter than any conventional means of transport. He arrived at the Vatican very quickly. It took all of a few moments of searching out the scent of his childe's blood, to find the room he was staying in. But no... he didn't find his precious Akeifa... he found instead, his grandchilde.

The puppies had sensed him as he searched for Bakura's room, and by the time he got there, they were hiding under the bed. Mikado was curled up on his side, facing the balcony that Itemri had entered through, buried up to his nose in the blankets, sleeping off his large meal.

Itemri sneered and looked over Mikado for a moment, before seizing the youth from the bed by his throat, holding tightly and growling. "You...." he hissed. "What is your name?"

Mikado jerked awake and thrashed frantically, frightened. He balled up his fist and threw it towards Itemri's nose.

Itemri caught the wrist easily, eyes glowing. "Answer the question fledgling... don’t make me kill you now."

Mikado swallowed thickly. "... Who are you?!" He gasped.

“I will not ask again…” Itemri hissed.

“… Mikado.” The boy gasped, shaking.

Itemri growled, eyes flashing as he stared deep within Mikado’s. To him, it didn’t matter if Mikado was a vampire... his hypnotism (as well as all 3 other original ancients) was perfected long ago... and not even the undead vampire could deny it.

"I am Itemri... the Ancient of the South... your sire's creator."

Mikado went limp and quiet, staring blankly into Itemri’s eyes, going quiet. So thorough and powerful was Itemri’s hypnosis that Mikado could barely even think… and all that did pass through his mind was his terror.

Itemri growled lifting Mikado's chin. "You ruined my childe..." he hissed. "He has always been the perfect heir. The perfect vampire... perfection!" he slapped Mikado harshly. "And then you come into the picture... How DARE you..."

Mikado was unable to move, so he just sat their on his knees at the edge of the bed, his head turned to the side. He wanted to call out to Bakura, but he couldn't even do that.

Itemri's eyes flashed in his fury. "You tainted my beautiful perfect childe with your heathen ways." he loosened his hypnotism lightly, allowing Mikado some thought. "For what? Lust? Was that it? You sought Akeifa's body didn't you, you little slut?"
"I... never sought him..." He gasped. "Not like that. I only ever came to him for information... It was he who moved in on me!"

"Filthy whore..." Itemri struck Mikado again. "Akeifa was heartless! He never would have given a sniveling whimpering whelp like you a second thought! You did something to him!"

"N-No..." Mikado whimpered. "I... he saved my life... and a while later I sought him out to find out why, because I was curious! But after that, I only went to him as an informant!!!"

Itemri snarled. "Do NOT lie to me you filthy whore!" he thundered. "Your whole body reeks of lust, you crave him every moment that he is not touching you!"

Mikado winced. "I... I do not deny that I lusted for him! But I never believed he would ever want me, I never treated him as anything but an informant... maybe a friend, but... No... he... he took me away... under hypnosis... to be his..."

"Well, you will not be his." Itemri growled. "You will leave him. You will leave him this very night."

Mikado stared, eyes wide. "W-What?" He gasped, shaking his head slightly. "No! No, I won't!!!"

"You will!" Itemri snarled. "Or you will face the consequences."

Mikado whimpered and tried to move away from Itemri.

Itemri growled. "You will leave him, and never EVER return."

Mikado backed away, shaking his head. "... I... no... I can't... I... I love him... And he..." He fiddled with the ring Bakura had given him. "I can't leave him... I won't leave him."

"Then I will ruin you for him." Itemri growled. "He will not WANT you."

Mikado's eyes widened at that and he paled, before whirling and diving across the bed for his sword.

Itemri's eyes glowed however, and Mikado felt his body freeze without his permission. "You think you get some sort of choice!?" the ancient roared, willing Mikado's body to turn back and face him. "No... you had your chance to leave with dignity..."

Mikado's eyes widened as his body moved of its own accord. "God... please..." He whimpered. "Why?!"

"Because I will not have my childe flirting with ideas of goodness..." Itemri spat smirking at Mikado. "And I know JUST how to put an end to YOU."

Mikado whimpered again, then screamed. "HELP!! SOMEONE HELP ME!!! MALIK!!! MARIK!!! PEGASUS!!! PLEASE!!!"

Itemri struck Mikado harshly. "Shut your mouth." he snarled smirking. "The only sounds you're allowed to make from this moment on, are the incriminating sounds of a whore..." he hissed calmly working the buckle of his pants. "And the first thing a whore like you can do, is arouse me."

Mikado whimpered and shut his eyes tightly, not wanting to look. He fought to run, to scream, but he could do neither.

~Oh God… B-Bakura…~ He sobbed, desperately, not knowing if Bakura could hear him when they were not physically near one another.

Bakura however didn’t need to hear Mikado to know something was wrong. He froze mid-hunt and turned, running back to the Vatican.

Itemri chuckled wickedly as he forced Mikado to take him into his mouth.

Mikado sobbed and gagged around Itemri’s hardness, fighting with all he had, but the vampire’s power was too great; there was nothing the young Agent could do to free himself. All he could do was pray, and so that was what he did.

Itemri laughed. "Stop your crying!" he ordered calmly, pushing Mikado away and onto his hands and knees. "The fun hasn't even started yet!" And with that said, he thrust into the youth, no preparation and no warning... and all Mikado could do was moan in pain, the vampire having willed away all other sounds.

The boy’s faced was flooded with tears that he couldn’t fight, the terror and humiliation eating away at him.

~Bakura!!!~ He cried. ~Bakura!!! Where are you?! Oh God, make him stop!!! Please!!! I don’t want this!!! He’s hurting me, please!!! Bakura!!!~

~I'm coming Mikado!~ Bakura said quickly. He was leaping up the steps of the Vatican. By the time he reached the room, Itemri had the youth in a good rhythm, and to Bakura's shock, Mikado was moaning eagerly.

~Please!~ Mikado screamed into Bakura’s mind. ~Make him stop! It hurts!~

Bakura was frozen... shocked. All he could do was stare. ~Mikado...~ he said looking surprised, hurt, pissed, and all manner of other emotions all at once.

Itemri smirked. "Oh, so now my childe appears..." he said continuing. "Your little whore just couldn't go ten moments without sex."

Mikado fixed his terrified eyes on Bakura, the tears still falling freely. His face was contorted into a look of devastation and pain. ~Make him stop... Please...~ He cried, whimpers coming from his throat.

Bakura shook his head and hurried forward, pulling Mikado from Itemri.

"Mikado..." he breathed hugging him close. "Mikado, are you ok?"

Mikado hid his face in Bakura's chest, shaking and crying. ~He... it hurts... He... says I ruined you... he's hurting me because I wouldn't... Because I won't leave you...~ He sobbed.

Bakura growled and glared at his sire. "Leave my childe alone!" he roared looking pissed. He backed up, nuzzling Mikado. ~Mikado... when you can move again...I want you to run and hide... okay?~ Bakura cooed softly, though for the first time Mikado sensed fear in his voice.

~Bakura...~ Mikado whimpered, trying to move. ~I... He'll hurt you... I can't just leave you...~

~You cannot help me here… if you stay, my fight will be twice as hard, because I will have to protect you. Go.~

~Should… should I get the Slayers?! Send them to fight?!~ Mikado asked.

~Don’t bother unless you hate them, he’ll just kill them.~ Bakura snorted, backing up more.

~But... he'll hurt you...~ Mikado whimpered.

~Shut up and go!~ Bakura ordered and once he neared the door, threw it open and shoved Mikado out, knowing the youth would be able to move, if only stumble, and slammed the door behind him. Itemri was calmly readjusting his clothing (and things that needed to be reclothed.)

Mikado yelped as he hit the floor and began to drag himself away, gasping. He lifted his head and fixed his eyes on the nearest door. "M-Malik..." He managed to gasp out, praying that the elf's ears were keen enough to pick up his depserate pleas and wake him. "Malik! Help me! Please!!!"

Malik came to the door moments later, yawning. When he caught sight of Mikado he gasped. "Holy shit what happened?!"

"Please... I... I can't move... I have to run... get away from here... please, help me... God..." Mikado begged.

Malik nodded and hurried to his bed, pulling the blankets from it and wrapping them around Mikado, helping him stand shakily. "Where do you need to go?"

Mikado shook his head with a sob. "I... Anywhere..." He groaned. "... Otogi... Take me to his room... Please..."

Malik nodded and helped Mikado to Otogi's room.

Otogi answered yawning as well, but when his eyes met Mikado's he gasped. "Mikado are you alright? W-what happened?!" he said helping the youth inside when Malik said he wanted to leave. "W-why are you crying?"

Mikado bit back another sob. "B-Bakura's sire... he's here..." He gasped. "He was in my room... He says I ruined Bakura. He told me to leave him... I refused so he... he said he would ruin me... he... he raped me..."

Otogi stared wide-eyed. "Oh...oh Mikado..." he hugged his friend. "Oh god I'm so sorry..." he shook his head and held Mikado tight. "It's ok...it's over now."

But Mikado could tell something bad was happening in his room...

Mikado shook his head. "He’ll hurt Bakura!! And I can't do a damn thing to stop it!!" He cried, sinking to his knees on the floor. "Oh, God! Please!!!"

Otogi frowned. "Mikado calm down. Bakura can handle himself...you're still weak!" he said hugging him once more, on his knees having sank with Mikado. "He'll be ok."

"No! His sire is one of the Four Timeless! He's the Ancient of the South! Bakura doesn't stand a chance!!!" Mikado cried. "Otogi... I... If I lose him, I'll die... IF his sire doesn't kill me too!!!"

"I don’t think Bakura will die without you Mikado..." Otogi soothed. "He'll live."

Mikado shook his head and burst into tears, clinging to Otogi and sobbing for a good while. ~... Bakura?~ He finally whimpered, worried to death about his sire.

Mikado however got no reply. Just a deepening feeling of rage.

He whimpered. ~Bakura? Do... you need help?~

Still no response.

Otogi rubbed Mikado's back. "What's wrong?"

"Bakura isn't answering me..." He whimpered. ~Bakura, please! Are you okay?!~

Still nothing. "Do you...want to go check on him?" Otogi asked after a moment. "If it goes bad I'll protect you."

Mikado shook his head. "No... you couldn't do anything..." He slowly stood. "I... I think I'm okay now... yeah... I can move again... I... I'm gonna get dressed..." He said softly, heading out of the room and a few doors down to his own room, pulling his uniform out of the wardrobe.

However the dark foreboding feeling followed him through his link with Bakura... each moment growing darker, and filled with more and more hate and rage.

Mikado burst out of his room as soon as he was dressed, carrying a crossbow. He began running up the stairs as fast as he could, wincing at the pain between his legs (he was still healing). He charged up to a very high balcony and moved out onto it. From there, he could see the room he shared with Bakura. He peered through the telescopic scope on the crossbow to see what was going on and to find Itemri...

Inside, Bakura's eyes were dulled and he was feeding from Itemri. The elder vampire was laughing, as the longer Bakura fed... the more enraged he became. He was forcing Bakura into a Blood Rage.

Mikado gave a dry swallow and fixed the crosshairs of the scope onto Itemri's back, where the heart would be. "God help me..." He breathed. "In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen..." And he let the silver bolt fly.

However, Itermi snarled and turned, catching it in his free arm, and putting the bolt to Bakura's neck, his childe's eyes blank and dull. He smirked. "Try again..."

He pressed the silver into Bakura's skin, drawing blood and causing the entranced vampire to hiss in pain.

Mikado gasped. "Oh God..." He whimpered. "No..." But he frowned and loaded another bolt. He took aim, and let it fly, then immediately loaded another and sent it right after the first.

Itemri laughed and dodged them both easily. "Fledgling, you don’t have the reflexes to fell me, and you never will..." he chuckled, returning his bloodied wrist to Bakura lips. The instant blood touched his mouth Bakura's eyes glowed brightly.

"Your blood is just foul muddy water compared to my Akeifa... and even HE can’t fell me."

Mikado slowly backed away from the railing of the balcony, shaking in fear for his sire, and the fact that he was helpless to do anything... If he went for help from the Agents, many would die... and he didn't want that on his head...

Itemri finally released Bakura, and smirked patting his head. "You will be perfect once more, my little king of thieves." he hissed in Bakura's ear. "And this time...do not let love stray your purposes. Love is not meant for you."

Bakura growled as Itemri chuckled and turned. "Do not let me catch you entangled with that runty agent further." and he seemed to disappear into the shadows.

Mikado gasped as a dark blur shot off of his and Bakura's balcony and disappeared. He whirled and ran, quickly returning to his and Bakura's room, throwing open the door and running to his sire. "BAKURA?!"

Bakura's glowing eyes fell on Mikado, and slowly the glow faded, only to be replaced with a look of displeasure. "What do you want?"

Mikado threw his arms around Bakura with a cry, clinging tightly to him, seeking comfort and reassurance. "... Are... Are you okay?" He whimpered.

Bakura snorted and calmly pried Mikado off. "I'm fine." he said calmly. "Go to bed.”

Mikado blinked and stared at him. "What? Go to bed?! How can you possibly expect me to sleep after all of this?! What happened?!"

Bakura turned and glared at Mikado. "I said go to bed."

Mikado frowned slightly. "NO!!! I just got OUT of the damn bed!!!"

Bakura glared harshly. "Fine, then don’t! Just shut the hell up. I don’t have time to deal with ignorant little brats."

Mikado recoiled, staring at Bakura, hurt. "... Why did you say that?" He asked softly.

Bakura snorted. "Because it's true."

Mikado scowled. "Maybe it is, but you don't have to say it like that!"

"Did you not hear the part about shutting the hell up?" Bakura said rolling his eyes.

Mikado glared. "You're not my father, NOR one of my superiors!!!" He snapped, upset. "I don't follow your orders!!!"

"Fine, then get the hell out." Bakura said harshly. "I don’t really feel like dealing with your shit right now. If I wanted shit I'd go clean the stables."

Mikado recoiled again, like he'd been slapped. "How can you say that!?" He gasped. "After what that... that bastard did to me?! Bakura... what did he do to you?" He reached out to his sire, laying a hand on his cheek.

Bakura however slapped it away in disgust. "Don’t you touch me." he hissed.

Mikado winced and backed away, his eyes filling with tears again... he couldn't take this... not now... "Bakura..."

Bakura gave Mikado a bored look. "Are you going to seriously start crying at me? Don’t waste my time."

That just made the boy's lip tremble and tears fall. "Well I'm sorry for being such a waste of time!!! But you CHOSE to waste your time on me when you gave me these!!!" He cried, holding up his hand with ring on it, and holding up his cross in the other hand.

Bakura looked them over before laughing and stepping closer to Mikado. "Fine... if that's what's keeping you here..." he pulled the ring from Mikado's finger, and ripped the cross from his neck breaking the chain. "Then I'll gladly reclaim them to get rid of your pathetic whimpering."

Mikado stared at Bakura, devastated, before gritting his teeth and backhanding the vampire.

Bakura raised an eyebrow before smirking. "Aww did I hurt your little feelings church boy?" he chuckled. "Go cry at your altar.'

Mikado saw red, and with a scream, he attacked Bakura, tackling him to the floor and punching him in the jaw. "DAMN YOU!!!"

Bakura however flipped the boy off easily and slammed him into the wall by his throat, squeezing harshly. "You are trying my patience."

"BASTARD!!!" Mikado gagged, thrashing. He pulled his knife and sliced open Bakura's wrist. "Let me GO!!!"

"Of course." Bakura said calmly, gripping Mikado's throat tighter and walking to the balcony. "I'll let you go." he chuckled. "Right into the snow." And he tossed Mikado off the balcony.

Mikado screamed as he fell, staring up at Bakura's sinister grin until he slammed onto the snow covered stone ground of the courtyard. Then all went black, and Bakura was staring down at the motionless body four floors down, the snow around Mikado's head quickly turning black as blood soaked into it from the crushed skull.

Bakura snorted and rolled his eyes, gathering his things. He calmly walked out, stepping over Mikado in the snow and retrieving Strigoi and Geist from the stable. He left without a word.

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

Pegasus was awoken by a pounding on his door. He glanced at the window; it was still dark out, but dawn was nearing.

He yawned and stood wrapping his robe around himself. After a moment he answered the door.

Otogi was standing there, pale and frightened. "M-M-Master Pegasus! Come quick!!! It's Mikado! Oh God, I... I think he's dead!!!" He was already tugging the man's robes.

Pegasus nodded and followed Otogi outside before gasping in shock. "Otogi get a hot bath ready for him, and make sure his room is dark." he said stooping to pick Mikado up, hurrying him inside before the sun rose.

The boy's body was lifeless, and cold and stiff from the freezing temperatures outside. The pool of blood around his head was frozen as well; he had been lying there for quite some time.

Pegasus hurried Mikado to the bath, stripped him and placed him in the hot water to warm him. "Mikado..." he said softly in shock and focusing his magics to heal the youth's head.

The boy didn't move. He had lost a lot of blood out of the back of his head, so he was pale and very slow to heal. Otogi knelt, wide eyed and shaking. "Bakura... he's gone..." He gasped. "Bakura's sire came, sir! He attacked Mikado!! He... he raped him..."

Pegasus growled. "Vampires..." he snorted. "Otogi I need you to get a calf or something for Mikado to feed on when he wakes up. He'll need to replace the blood he's lost."

Otogi gulped and nodded, eyes wide. "Y-Yessir..." He gasped, and ran from the room.

Pegasus sighed and worked on trying to rouse Mikado. "Mikado... c'mon wakeup... you're not dead. Vampires don’t die from head trauma."

Mikado groaned softly as the man ran his fingers through his hair, cleansing the blood from the back of his head. He slowly opened his eyes; they were bloodshot, and dull... the boy was awake, but still looked lifeless...

"Mikado... can you hear me?" Pegasus asked as he cleaned Mikado's wounds which had slowly healed as he'd laid out there.

Mikado blinked slowly. He looked at Pegasus for a moment, then looked around, before silently closing his eyes again, a look of pain on his face. He curled in on himself, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Mikado what happened?" Pegasus soothed.

Mikado just turned away, silently shaking his head a bit, digging his claws into his arms as he hugged himself tightly.

"No!" Pegasus said pulling Mikado's hands from his arms. "Don’t hurt yourself. You're already weak. Mikado... what happened? You know you can tell me."

Mikado shook his head again, clenching his teeth and keeping his eyes shut tight, trying to pull away from Pegasus.

Pegasus sighed. "You don’t have to tell me..." he said patting Mikado's head. "Otogi is getting a calf for you to feed from so you can recover."

Mikado shook his head again, turning away. He began looking for a robe or a towel.

Pegasus turned and pulled his robe off offering it to Mikado. "Don’t push yourself... you're still weak. I don’t want you going into another Blood Lust. You nearly killed several agents last time."

Mikado accepted the thing, silently. He wrapped himself up in it and slowly walked out of the baths, red eyes to the floor. He returned not to the room he shared with Bakura, but to his Journeyman's quarters.

Lilith came in shortly after looking distressed. "Master Mikado, I can’t find Master Bakura anywhere! Do you know where he is? He didn't get caught in the dawn did he?!"

Mikado didn't answer. He slowly reached up and tore aside the window cover that Otogi had put up. The sun had risen, but the day was cloudy. It hurt his eyes, but he would not suffer any burns.

Lilith gasped and hurried over and closed it once more. "Master Mikado please! You can’t go tempting fate like that! You know the sun could kill you!"

Mikado opened his wardrobe. His uniform he had already removed, so all that was left were his civilian's clothes. These he took, removing his robe and dressing. This gave Lillith the view to see that his cross was gone. And a moment later, she realized that his ring was also gone.

She stared for a moment. "Master... Mikado?" she asked softly. "W-what is it you're planning on doing? Surely not going out in the sun!"

Mikado still didn't answer. He pulled on his clothes, then his boots, gloves and a deep green cloak, then turned and left the room.

But Lilith was undeterred; she followed. "Please speak to me..."

He headed down the corridor and stopped next to a section of the wall where many golden crosses and crucifixes hung; every now and then, an Agent would lose their cross, and they would simply get a new one from here. Mikado took a simple cross off of its hook and hung it around his neck, not even blinking when it began to burn his chest. He turned and continued on his way.

Lilith gasped and hurried forward, taking it off of him. "Master Mikado please!" she said worriedly, tears welling in her eyes. "Stop you're hurting yourself!"

In a flash, he had siezed her wrist, squeezing it to the point of pain, glaring at her, a red glow in his eyes. He took it back forcefully and hung it around his neck again, before shoving her back and heading for the front doors, braiding his hair as he went. Agents heading down to breakfast all stopped and stared as he passed by, not noticing a single one of them.

Lilith stared after him, distraught and rubbing her wrist, sniffling. She didn't dare follow him further.

Mikado wrapped a scarf around his head and face until only his eyes could be seen, and he pulled up his hood before flinging open the front doors and stepping outside, heading to the stable.

Many agents watched in awe from the doors, and the rangers and scouts within the stable stayed out of Mikado's way. He was obviously not meant to be disturbed.

Mikado stopped, looking at the empty stall where Geist had been. A look of pain crossed his features again, but vanished just as quickly. He turned and headed into the stable, before stopping at the stall of an elderly mare; if she never returned to the Vatican stables, she would not be missed. He removed her from her stall and saddled her and bridled her, leading her out into the courtyard and mounting her. Then he stopped and looked up, staring at the Vatican and the Agent's Headquarters.

The agents all stared back with worried expressions, including Lilith who was staring from the balcony of the room he had shared with Bakura.

Mikado turned and horse and kicked her. The mare sprang into a gallop, carrying him out of the Vatican and out of Rome... and the Agents watching him ride away all wondered if they would ever see him again...

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

Yami was woken by a bit of a commotion, and the sudden stop of the cart he was in. Ahmose still lay beside him, sleeping. It was snowing again, and Yami found that he was pleasantly warm underneath the snow covered blankets, and was pleased to see that Ahmose was warm as well.

Yami sighed and curled back up under his blanket and looked around tiredly. He sneezed and sighed. Incubi just weren't made for cold weather. He hoped he could determine where they were...and what was going on.

Seto could be heard shouting, and from the talking around him, Yami was able to figure out that a pair of werewolves were fighting over a bitch in heat; Seto was quite annoyed...

Yami sighed and shook his head curling up and nuzzling Ahmose. Who needed that. He had Ahmose. He grinned sighing happily.

Ahmose grumbled in his sleep, turning to face Yami and curling an arm around him.

Yami let out a coo and curled up around Ahmose nuzzling him quite contently. "Ahmose." he nuzzled into him and curled his tail around his lover's waist.

"... hmmm?" Ahmose sighed, beginning to awaken.

Yami grinned and kissed him cheerfully. "You're alive!"

Ahmose blinked, sleepily. "... Yami..." He smiled lightly and tightened his hold on him. "I'm alive..."

Yami nodded and curled into Ahmose. "I was so scared..." Yami sighed looking sad. "Seto...he..said you would die if I didn't..." he closed his eyes, a pained expression. "S-so...I had to go home a-and get some...'help'…”

Ahmose blinked. "Huh? What do you mean?" He asked, cocking his head.

Yami sighed. "He sent me to...get him an army." Yami said softly. "I...I didn't I only got him a timeless...b-but..."

Ahmose blinked and his eyes widened. "You got him a WHAT?!" He hissed.

Yami winced. "It was either do what he asked...or see you die." he said softly.

"WHO DID YOU GET?!" Ahmose cried.

Yami winced. "Itemri."

"MARY MOTHER OF GOD!!!" Ahmose howled. "ARE YOU MAD?!"

"He wouldn't heal you unless I got something powerful for him!" Yami argued. "Do you think I WANTED to?!"

"Did you have to get someone THAT powerful!?"

"I didn't want to give him the chance to say whatever I got wasn't powerful enough!" Yami howled. "You're my life!"

"But God only knows what he and Itemri will do..." Ahmose breathed, shaking his head. "It was bad enough when we only had Seto to deal with... now it's three time worse..." He hugged Yami, tightly.

Yami sighed and clung to Ahmose. "I didn't want to lose you..."

"Shhh..." Ahmose hissed softly, running his hand up and down Yami's back. "I'm fine now... It's okay..."

Yami smiled and nuzzled Ahmose once more. "You're...not too mad that I've pretty much released hell on earth in the form of a timeless...right?”

"I am mad..." Ahmose said softly. "But... not really at you..."

"Good, because I'll not have my chosen die." Yami snorted. "I'd sooner release timeless into this world than lose you."

Ahmose winced, but flushed. "I... ummm..." He mumbled, looking away.

Yami blinked. "Hm?"

"Um... nothing..." Ahmose muttered, blushing. "... Where are we?"

“I dunno..." Yami sighed. "Seto chained me up next to you...I haven't been able to fly."

Ahmose gave Yami a sympathetic smile and rubbed his wings.

Yami sighed and curled up around Ahmose more. "I'm cold damnit..." he snorted.

Ahmose smiled and rubbed Yami's back, a warmth spreading over the demon. "Better?" Ahmose cooed.

Yami pouted. "You're supposed to say....'aww' then snuggle up to me!"

“Awwww…” Ahmose chuckled, pulling Yami close and cuddling him.

Yami snorted softly and curled his wings around Ahmose contently. "That's more like it." he grumbled but was smiling just the same.

Ahmose sighed and nuzzled Yami, and the pair settled down quietly, not wanting to draw attention to themselves...

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

"Pegasus..." Solomon said softly, looking at the man, as did the rest of the men sitting around the Council Chamber table. "Please explain what happened last night and why Mikado left in daylight..."

"From what I understand, Bakura's sire was here." Pegasus said solemnly. "I think we are all aware of who Bakura's sire is..."

There were nervous whispers going around the table at that.

"Itemri..." Solomon said slowly. "So he has returned to this realm... do we know why?"

"I'm afraid I don’t...but he was displeased with Mikado's sire and attacked him and Mikado." Pegasus explained further. "From what Otogi has told me... Mikado was raped."

The whispered changed to alarmed murmurs. Solomon stared. "Itemri violated one of our Agents?!" He cried.

"Yes... Bakura arrived at that point and apparently rescued Mikado, shoving him from the room where Malik helped him to Otogi." Pegasus said. "After that he stayed with Otogi until he could move, mumbling that Bakura was not responding to him. At that point he left and dressed... from then it seems he tried to vanquish the timeless... after that I am not sure. But he was found this morning before dawn in the snow having been bleeding from the head. I assume the injury was from being hurled down from the balcony..."

Solomon winced, then looked at Lillith, who was standing quietly at the foot of the table. "And you, my dear?" He asked gently, knowing that she was quite distressed. "What were you able to glean from Mikado when you spoke with him just before he left? Did you notice anything of great significance?"

She looked down, sniffling softly. "He... was full of anger and sadness." she said softly. "And... my lord's gifts were missing. His cross and ring... were no longer on him."

"His cross?" Solomon asked, very concerned by this. "And ring...? What ring?"

"My lord gave Mikado an engagement ring." She said softly.

Everyone stared. "Engagement?!" Dartz yelped.

"Why yes... lord Bakura has never taken a lover." She said looking at Dartz calmly. "He's never sired a vampire. He's lived in solitude."

The council looked very confused at this. "So... he gave him a ring and
covered his cross in bloodstone... but Mikado was no longer wearing them?"

She nodded. "He took a cross from your wall full... and when I tried to take it from him... he grabbed my wrist and pried it from my fingers as if he were furious at me..."

"And what did he do with this cross?" Solomon asked.

"Wore it. He didn't seem to care at all that it burned him." She whimpered.

Solomon frowned, looking very concerned. "And then he left... perhaps he went after Bakura?"

"It seems possible." Pegasus said. "But we have no way of knowing."

Solomon sighed. "... Send a Spy to Bakura's home." He said. "I want to know if he is there, and if Mikado is there, and I want to know what is going on.”

Lilith frowned. "S-sending a spy… if lord Bakura's mood is so foul he turned away Mikado... it is not wise."

"Our Spies know how to be invisible as they gather information." The Spy Councilman said. "Your master will not know of his presence."

"I hope you are right..." Lilith said softly. "For their own sakes."

And within minutes, a Spy was riding a horse out of the Vatican at full speed....

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

Marik and Ryou stared at Malik and Otogi, shocked, having just been told of what had happened over night.

Ryou let out an upset sound. 'That's horrible!' his ears drooped. 'Poor Mikado...' He nuzzled up to Marik and sniffed. 'He and his brother have the WORST luck...'

Marik hugged Ryou, gently. “God… How could this have happened?! I thought that the Vatican would be the safest place for anyone to be…”

Ryou let out an anxious sound. 'Don’t say things like that!' he whimpered. 'you're scaring me!'

Marik looked at Ryou. "An Agent was raped within the walls of the Vatican! I think that's something that SHOULD scare us!!!"

Ryou whined again. 'I KNOW! B-but you don’t gotta keep sayin it! It makes me even more scared!”

Marik sighed and stroked Ryou's wings. "What is the Council doing about it, Otogi?" He asked.

"Having a meeting..." Otogi said softly. "I imagine they'll send someone out to find Mikado..."

"What about Bakura and Itemri?" Malik asked. "Can... Can Itemri be killed?"

"I... I'm not even sure." Otogi said softly. "They're called timeless...because they're as old as time itself..."

"So... you don't even know if it's possible to kill them...?" Marik asked.

"I haven’t a clue." Otogi said sighing. "As old as they are... I don’t think any human could slay them."

Malik and Marik both drooped.

Ryou sighed. 'That's even worse... we can’t get RID of it!'

Marik laid his ears back with a whine. "What are we gonna do?" He whimpered.

"Wait." Otogi said softly. "It's all you can do. Ryou's stuck as a deer, Mikado and Bakura are gone... you're stranded."

Marik sighed and Malik smirked. "Think he would take a bitchy little half-elf as an offering in exchange for leaving this realm and never coming back?" Marik whirled, growling angrily.

But Marik never had a second to attack. Ryou already had. And what better place than Malik's weak spot.... his junk.

Steely peryton teeth meet elf crotch, round one.

Malik yelped and leapt back, nimbly. That was TOO close... when Ryou lunged again, Malik leapt back once more, drawing his bow and nocking an arrow, taking aim. "Try it again and they'll be serving venison for dinner tonight..." He growled.

Ryou let out an ungodly pissed noise and charged Malik. 'I HATE YOU!' he howled.

Malik let the arrow fly with deadly accuracy, the thing sinking deep into Ryou's shoulder.

"NO!!!" Marik yelped, charging the two.

Ryou dropped and whimpered glaring at Malik. 'Vile elf...' he hissed. 'I hate you.' he sat up slowly, whimpering and looking at the arrow in his shoulder.

"Malik you can’t SHOOT a priest!" Otogi howled. "I don’t care it the priest is a peryton or not!"

Malik snorted. "Bitch priest."

"MALIK!!!" Marik shouted, angrily.

"Oh, shut up!" Malik shouted back. "I'm sick of that little sissy bitch! Marik, you're my best friend, but I can't stand him! It's him or me, Marik! I can't stand it anymore! So you have to make a choice! ME, or that bratty little HALF BREED bitch!!!"

Ryou growled at Malik. 'Watch your filthy mouth.' he snorted as Otogi pulled the arrow from his shoulder, causing him to yip.

Marik stared at Malik, eyes wide. Malik glared, waiting. But Marik shifted to his wolf form, wriggled out of his clothes, and bolted. Malik snorted, glared down at Ryou, then turned and walked away.

Ryou's ears drooped as he struggled to his feet. He glared at Malik's back and shook his head. With a sigh he limped away leaving Otogi looking upset and unsure of what to do, still clutching the bloodied arrow.

Malik returned to his room and gathered his belongings, before walking out of the front doors of the Vatican and heading for the stables. "I need to borrow a horse." Malik said to the Ranger sitting there on duty.

The ranger blinked. "Oh... sure. How long will you be out?" he asked calmly.

Malik blinked. "Until I can get a horse of my own and return the one I borrow. I will be able to get one from my people, but I need a horse to get to them."

"Oh. Sure then. Any preference?" The ranger asked calmly.

"Do you have any that are Elven trained?" Malik asked.

"Um... I'm afraid not. The closest I have is one that Aiden trained... but he's still..." He led Malik to the dappled gray. "...difficult to ride."

"Of course. Elven trained horses are best ridden by Elves. We know how to handle them." Malik said.

"Well you're welcome to it then." he said offering Malik the lead rope.

Malik nodded, taking it. The Ranger returned to his post, leaving Malik alone. A moment later, his elven ears picked up the fluttering of wings, and a moment later, Yugi was tugging on a lock of the elf's hair.

"Please don't go, Malik..."

Malik snorted and began saddling up the horse. "I'm not sticking around to listen to that priest whine anymore." he said calmly. "I've had my fill. If Marik loves him, fine, that's his choice, but I'm not involved in their 'love', and as far as I'm concerned they can both shove it where the sun doesn't shine."

Yugi whimpered. "But... Marik cares about you... you're his best friend... don't make him choose between his best friend and his lover... it's not right..."

"No, what's not right is some little bitch coming in like he's the king of sheba and pushing me out of my best friend's life." he snorted.

Yugi whimpered again, releasing Malik's hair. "... don't be gone long..." He said softly. "Marik will miss you terribly..."

"Sure. If he wants me he can come walk his wolfish ass out to find me." he said mounting the horse. "Because I'm not coming back." He kicked the horse into a gallop, leaving the Vatican.

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

It was early evening when the old mare reached Bakura's house, Mikado on her back. She was exhausted and shaking. Mikado dismounted and left her where she stood. Though moments later, she collapsed into the snow, too tired to even stand. Mikado threw his fist against the door and began banging, loudly.

One of the servants answered looking surprised. "Hello Master Mikado..." he said smiling.

Mikado shoved his way inside, growling and ripping the scarf from his face and dropping his cloak on the floor, heading for the stairs.

The servant blinked picking Mikado's things. "Master, what's wrong?" he hurried to Mikado's side. "Are you looking for the lord?"

Mikado stormed up the stairs and headed down the hall, and slamming doors open. When he came upon a locked door, he kicked it in.

Bakura however, was not asleep. He was sitting on his bed, fully clothed and reading a book. "Back are we?"

Mikado's eyes flashed and glowed a bright red as he glared at Bakura, the cross around his neck gleaming in the light of the candles and the fire. His chest was black and charred beneath the thing.

Bakura merely flipped the page in his book, continuing to read. The servant had long since fled Mikado's wrath. "What do you want?"

In the blink of an eye, Mikado had leapt across the room, flung the book into the fireplace and slammed his fist into Bakura's face.

Bakura however met the attack with one of his own, and had rammed a silver dagger into Mikado's gut, twisting it harshly. "You will not enter my home, and attack me. You are not welcome here." he hissed.

Mikado let out an angry shriek. "FUCK YOU!!! How many times have you told me that this is my home too, HUH?!" He pulled the cross from his neck, held it in his palm, and slapped Bakura across the face, cross and all.

Bakura hissed and snatched Mikado's palm, taking the cross and throwing it into the fire. "I lied." he growled pulling the dagger from Mikado's gut and replacing it in his thigh.

Mikado let out a shriek and tackled Bakura, digging his claws into his sire's throat. "You kidnapped me from the Vatican and held me here!!! You took my innocence, and my humanity as well! I let you have it because I believed that you loved me! And I loved you!!! You swore to stand by me for the rest of my life!!! You can NOT just toss me away!!! I won't LET YOU!!!"

Bakura merely looked at Mikado a moment before laughing. "You're pathetic."

Mikado hissed, baring his baby fangs and digging his claws in deeper, eyes burning bright.

Bakura rolled his eyes at Mikado's attempts to harm him, and shoved him off harshly. "So you want to stay with me?"

Mikado stumbled back and glared. "You know I do..." Mikado hissed. "I don't know what Itemri did to you, but NOTHING will excuse what you did to me back at the Vatican..."

Bakura snorted. "If nothing could excuse it, then you wouldn't want to stay with me." he said calmly standing and dusting off his house coat.

Mikado glared. "Be that as it may, I love you. Nothing will change that. You promised to stay with me. For God's sake, you all but asked me to MARRY you!!! You can't just walk out on something like that!!!"

"Oh yes I can." Bakura snorted and walked past Mikado. "Many men leave their 'wives'. What makes you think you're more special?"

Mikado growled. "I won't let you." He hissed, seizing Bakura by the hair and jerking him back, sending the startled vampire crashing to the floor. The next thing Bakura knew Mikado had siezed his collar and slammed him up against the wall. And this time, he was crying. "Damn you..." He spat at his sire. "I went through so much shit over you! How DARE you even TRY to leave me like this?! You get over it and get your head on straight or just go ahead and kill me where I stand, Bakura!!!"

Bakura looked Mikado over for a moment, seeming to consider his options.

Mikado glared, waiting, shaking in his fear, hurt and rage. Outside of the room and down the hall, the servants also waited, breathless and terrified.

Bakura snorted and pushed Mikado off. "We will discuss this where prying eyes are not present." he said calmly.

Mikado growled. "Oh will we?"

"We either will, or you may escort yourself outside right now." he said snidely, walking away down the hall, and down the stairs.

Mikado blinked, then growled and followed, eyes still glowing. The servants fled.

Bakura calmly walked down to the wine cellar, examining the wines he had stored there.
Mikado blinked and looked around, having never been in a cellar before. "... quite a collection..." He mumbled after a bit.

"Mmm… yes. The oldest wines in the region... possibly further." he said as he walked.

Mikado said nothing, just followed.

After a moment Bakura stopped, looking into a small room, which held more wine. "So you want to stay with me, even after my blunt refusal?”

Mikado frowned. "Please... don't leave me..." He said softly, sniffling a bit. "Bakura..."

Bakura gave a sigh after a moment. "Fine. Go pick a wine then, and we will drink it, and stay together."

Mikado blinked. "What?"

"Don’t you think that a wedding is an occasion to drink to?" Bakura asked looking over his shoulder and raising an eyebrow.

Mikado blinked again and his eyes widened. "W-What?!" He gasped, flushing.

"If not, you're welcome to leave." Bakura shrugged and snorted. "It will save me some wine."

Mikado frowned and slowly walked into the room, looking around. "You don't sound very happy..." He said.

Bakura smirked, following Mikado inside. "Oh... I'm happy." he said calmly before striking Mikado harshly on the head and quickly chaining him to the wall nearby. "Tell me Mikado", he snorted stepping away, knowing Mikado wouldn't have the strength to break THOSE chains anytime soon. "Do you know what the French people invented, which I'm particularly fond of?"

Mikado groaned, stunned by the powerful blow.

Bakura chuckled and moments later Mikado heard stones moving. "The Oubilette...and although this may be unconventional... you are in mine. My little place of forgetting..." more stones moving. "And here you will be. You can stay with me until you die. With me in my home...." he chuckled darkly, slowly bricking up the doorway.

Mikado's eyes widened and his face went white. "... Bakura...?" He breathed, eyes filling with horror. "What are you doing?! Bakura!!!"

Bakura laughed. "You wouldn’t just leave...you 'wanted' to 'stay with me'." he cackled. “So with me you'll stay... buried beneath my house in this small dark room... bricked up and forgotten.” More stones were piled on, the room's light source growing dimmer and dimmer.

Mikado began hyperventilating, his fear more intense than any he had ever felt before. "Bakura!!! Please!!! Oh God!!! Bakura!!!"

Bakura paused and chuckled. "Yes?"

"Don't do this..." Mikado whimpered, fearful tears now pouring down his face. "Why are you doing this?!" He struggled against the chains.

"To get rid of you." he hissed, eyes glowing red. "Goodbye Mikado." he added, bricking up the remainder of the hole, leaving Mikado to sniffle alone in the darkness.

Mikado stared into the darkness, whimpering in fear, his heart crushed at this cruel betrayal. He slowly stood and began struggling against the chains... if he could get free of them, he could get out of there before the cement dried!!!

But the chains were sturdy and strong… there was no escaping them…

When Mikado came to this realization, he slowly sank to his knees with a sob, before slumping against the wall... he was going to die in here... he was still only a fledgling... he would starve to death... He would succumb to a Blood Lust, and when he came out of it unfulfilled, he would collapse into a hibernation... and from there, he would slowly waste away...

"Sancte Michael Archangele,
defende nos in proelio;
contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium.
Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur;
tuque, Princeps militiae caelestis,
Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos,
qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo,
divina virtute in infernum detrude.
Amen."

With a shaking hand, he made the Sign of the Cross on himself, then curled up, shivering and crying...

As each day passed, Mikado grew hungrier and his spirits sank. In that perpetual inky blackness, he'd lost track of time. Had it been three days? Had it been a week? All he could feel were the pangs of hunger, and increasing desperation to feed. He was drawing near his final days alive.

When the Blood Lust struck, there was no doubt in the minds of anyone... Bakura heard it first, but just snorted and went on his way. But the servants shivered nervously at the bone chilling shrieks and screams that could be heard coming from the cellar, and no one dared to go down to investigate... By this point, the Vatican Spy had returned home and reported that Bakura was at his home, but there was no sign of Mikado; wolves had slaughtered the old mare where she lay and dragged her away before the Spy ever arrived at Bakura's home, taking the only clue that the Agent may have received to tell him that Mikado was there, leaving the Agent in the basement, alone and helpless, to be forgotten in his dark, silent crypt, forsaken by the one he loved…