He Among Us Without Sin

A 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 33

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A few days later, after several more mishaps, Mikado was starting to get the hang of hypnotizing, and had figured out how to better control his puppets AND how to cut the hypnotic link. Needless to say, Bakura had never laughed so much in his life. He was starting to look forward to Mikado's nightly hypnotism sessions with the servants. But one night, he woke, and Mikado wasn't in bed with him, which was odd, since Mikado tended to sleep MUCH later than his sire, the lazy little fledgling...

Bakura blinked in confusion and got up, seeking out his childe. ~Mikado?~

"Gotcha!" Mikado yelped, pouncing Bakura as soon as he left the room. "I'm hungry!!!"

Bakura chuckled. "alright alright." he said shaking his head. "But you know... you can feed yourself."

"Not yet, really. And... I wanna go back to the Vatican..."

Bakura blinked and sighed. "If we must..."

“Christmas is tomorrow…” Mikado said.

Bakura sighed. "Fine..." he grumbled.

"Yay!" Mikado cheered, glomping onto him, then turning and running off shouting "Come on everyone! We're going to Rome!!!" And then came the excited squealing of the servant girls, and the cheers of the men.

Bakura smiled and shook his head. "Ready the carriage!" he called loudly. The house suddenly was full of hustle and bustle as servants quickly ate and hurried to gather their things.

Bakura sighed. "Well, lets feed you while we wait." he said taking a seat in an easy chair and biting his wrist.

"Yay!" Mikado chirped again, hopping into Bakura's lap and latching onto his wrist.

Bakura cuddled Mikado calmly, content to sit there while the servants ate and prepared the carriage.

In about half an hour, Lillith's father came in. "All are ready to go." He said with a smile and bow. "Geist and Strigoi are ready and waiting."

"Woohoo!" Mikado cheered, and ran out of the room to get his cloak. It was then that Bakura noticed that Mikado was in his Agent's uniform.

Bakura groaned and shook his head, heading outside.

Mikado was already on Geist, and all the other horses were saddled and being ridden by men and women, their children sitting before them, and more were in and on the carriage. All were very excited.

Bakura smiled mounting Strigoi. "Alright...lets go." he said urging Strigoi forward. There were cheers, and soon they were all on their way to the holy city.

And while they travelled, Marik and Ryou were stopping to make camp. "We should get there tomorrow." Marik said to Ryou, helping him unload the horse.

Ryou shivered slightly and wrapped up in one of the blankets packed on the horse. "So cold...I hate winter traveling."

Marik smiled, changing to his halfway form and digging a hole in the snow. "We'll sleep in here, and we'll be quite warm."

Ryou smiled. "Alright...." he crawled in slowly. He shivered and offered Marik another of the blankets. "here..."

Marik laughed and pulled Ryou out, then laid a blanket in the hole, making a bit of a nest, then he let Ryou curl up inside and tucked the other blanket around him. "I'll start a fire. Sure could use that sorcerer about now..."

Ryou blinked and giggled. "Aww I'm sure you can do it too..."

"Yeah, but he can do it just by... sneezing, or something." Marik snorted, gathering kindling.

Ryou shook his head. "But that doesn't take talent at all."

"Of course it does. He had to heave talent to be able to USE magic. Not just anyone can do what he can, Ryou." Marik said.

Ryou shook his head. "I can use magic, I'm not talented."

Marik rolled his eyes. "Don't you know? the ability to use magic runs in the family. With humans, I mean. All elves are capable of wielding magic, but only a select few do. You probably got your healing powers from your father."

Ryou snorted. "No, I got them from mother. She was a healer too."

"Oh? Well that explains it then. Ahmose's father or mother would have had the ability to use magic. If it was his father, then Mikado has the ability too. But some are just more... in tune with magic, like Ahmose. He can tap into power that many others can't. It's just something he was born with. And it's why he's such a powerful sorcerer."

Ryou shrugged. "Doesn't take talent then either. Heritage."

"It's both. Just because you CAN use magic doesn't mean you'll be GOOD at it." Marik said with a grin as he finally got a little fire going. He added more kindling and worked on the thing.

Ryou nuzzled up to Marik. "Whatever you say." he cooed happily.

Marik smiled, curling around Ryou, his warm body and fur offereing more warmth.

Ryou smiled. "I love you..." he cooed, beginning to doze.

But while Ryou and Marik slept, Ahmose and Yami were wide awake. Seto had tried to get Yami to bring him more allies, and had beaten the demon when he refused. Yami was now tucked into bed, Ahmose diligently caring for him.

Yami was curled up on the bed looking pretty miserable. "Ouch..." he mumbled when he had moved slightly. "This sucks..."

"Shhhh..." Ahmose cooed, gently stroking Yami's wings. "Are you hungry?"

Yami shook his head. "I couldn't sit up to eat any of the crap they'd give us anyway..."

Ahmose sighed, looking down. "Hey, they feed us better than they COULD be..."

Yami snorted. "I think it's pretty nasty."

"You're so picky." Ahmose chuckled, petting Yami's hair.

"there's nothing wrong with being picky." Yami mumbled wincing slightly. "If I wasn't picky...we wouldn't have eachother." he offered a small smile.

Ahmose smiled at that, and leaned over to kiss Yami on the cheek. “I love you…” He sighed.

Yami sighed and closed his eyes. "I love you too..."

"Are you hungry?" Ahmose asked, glancing at the bowls of soup. "Um... physically or... spiritually... or whatever...?"

Yami made a face. "No...Not really. I'm sore."

Ahmose nuzzled Yami's cheek. "You don't have to... take part..." He murmured, blushing and looking away, shyly. "If you need to feed, I... I can do it my... um, myself..."

Yami stared at Ahmose for a moment, before he began shaking. It soon became apparent he was trying (and failing) not to laugh.

Ahmose flushed even more. "What?!" He huffed, defensively.

Yami snickered more. "Ahmose... you're pretty." he said shaking his head.

That made Ahmose turned a very... girly shade of pink. "What?!"

Yami smiled and flicked his tail. "Aww and you're blusing too." he cooed. "So pretty."

Ahmose dropped his face into a pillow and let out a muffled "stop iiiiiiit!!! I am not!"

Yami chuckled more. "Aww now you're pouting!"

"Shut uuuuuup!"

"You're so pretty." Yami cooed.

"No I'm not!" Ahmose howled.

"Yes you are!"

"Noooooo!" Ahmose wailed, kicking his foot a bit.

"Ohhh now that's pretty too! little girly tantrum!" Yami laughed.

Ahmose growled. "I will SO belt you one."

Yami snorted. "You wouldn't hurt me when I'm already hurting."

"Wanna bet?"

Yami snorted. "It'll be on your consience."

Ahmose snorted right back, and his fingers shot out and jabbed Yami in his bruised side.

Yami yelped and whipped Ahmose's arm quickly with his tail. "Stop that damnit!"

Ahmose chuckled. "Showed you, didn't I?" He asked, peeking out at Yami.

"You're mean." Yami pouted.

Ahmose smirked. "I can be."

Yami gave Ahmose a pouty look. "Picking on an injured prince...you're heartless..."

Ahmose snorted. "I offered to FEED the injured prince, and he laughed at me!"

"Because that was the funniest damn thing I EVER heard you say!" Yami laughed again.

Ahmose flushed again and scowled, trying to cover the fact that he was pouting again. "Why?!"

"First of all, you were blushing like a virgin, and couldn't even say it with a straight face. Second of all...HA." Yami snickered more.

Ahmose GLARED. "Fine! Starve!" He cried, flopping over and facing the wall, humiliated.

Yami continued snickering for a few moments after, before finally settling down and resting.

"When you want your soup, just tell me... I'll warm it..." Ahmose mumbled after a moment.

Yami sighed. "You should eat it. I'm not hungry."

"I'm not hungry either." Ahmose said.

Yami sighed and yawned. "I'm going to take a nap..."

Ahmose sighed too. "... Okay." But then, the door banged open.

"HUMAN!!!" the werewolf barked. "Seto wants to see you!"

Yami growled slightly and curled his tail around Ahmose's waist. "Be careful...."

Ahmose nodded. "I'll be fine." He said, getting up and walking out of the room.

The werewolf growled, leading Ahmose to Seto's chambers. "In there."

Ahmose snorted. "Behave yourself pup, or I'll pull some silver on you." He said, brushing past the werewolf. "... Or I’ll give you a bath. You smell."

The werewolf growled once more but walked away.

Inside, Seto was reading by a fire. "Don’t tease the dogs." he said calmly.

"Maybe you should keep them on leashes." Ahmose snorted. "They don't seem to be housebroken."

"Ahh... they're fine. Much more obediant than that little pet demon of yours." Seto snorted.

Ahmose narrowed his eyes and growled. "He is NOT a pet." He hissed, and Itemri snorted from across the room, startling Ahmose; he hadn't even NOTICED the vampire, but upon sight of him, Ahmose lost it.

"BASTARD!!! I'LL FUCKIN KILL YOU!!!" He screamed, charging across the room, one of his Blackfyre Kris appearing in his hand in a burst of flames, which startled Seto as he had the Kris locked up elsewhere.

Itemri smirked. "Please." he chuckled. "You can’t kill me. Besides, I think you have more important things to be doing." he chuckled, moving out of Ahmose's path much more quickly than humanly possible.

Seto coughed and gave Ahmose a look. "Indeed... stop entertaining Itemri before I have that pet of yours killed. He's too weak to defend himself… isnt he?"

Ahmose snarled and whirled, actually moving much faster than Itemri or Seto had ever anticipated, and the tip of his blade caught Itemri's arm, slicing a deep cut and sending blood spattering. Needless to say both Seto and Itemri were both so surprised, that before either of them even had tie to recover from their shock, Ahmose had run Itemri through and was GLARING into the vampire's eyes, his own eyes glowing a fiery gold in his anger.

Itemri however, showed no sign of pain. Oh no, he was amused. He lifted Ahmose's chin and chuckled. "You're cute." he said smirking. "Don’t push your luck though." and with that he drew Ahmose's kris from himself, and plunged it into Ahmose. "And keep that thing sheathed."

"AAAHG!!" Ahmose cried, stumbling back before collapsing, cluthing the hilt of the thing as he tried to get up.

Seto sighed. "Are you two done playing?"

Itemri chuckled, already nearly completely healed. "What a spunky little human...I might keep him as a pet."

Ahmose growled at that, gasping as he made his Kris vanish, leaving a rather large wound that was now bleeding freely from both his chest and back.

Seto grumbled and with an annoyed sigh, blue mist shot fourth from his amulet, and began healing Ahmose. "You'll be going to the demon realm to recruit for me." he said calmly. "If you fail, I'll kill your precious little prince Atemu. No questions. No second chances."

Ahmose coughed and rubbed his chest. "W-What?"

Seto gave Ahmose a look. "I want you to convince his mother to join us. I want those armies."

"... His MOTHER?! Are you nuts?!" Ahmose laughed.

Seto snorted. "I want those armies, and I will have them. Or Atemu will die."

hang on. gotta medicate the dog, and my sis is pokin around in here… -_- she’s bored…

Ahmose blinked. "... and... if she refuses? She isn't very... amiable..."

"Then I'll kill him." Seto said calmly. "Period."

"Am I to tell her that?" Ahmose asked. "Because that's the only way she would even CONSIDER it."

"Yes."

Ahmose stared at Seto in dismay. "Great. You realize that I may not come back. Ever. Right? She might kill me."

"Not my problem." Seto smirked.

Ahmose snorted, standing. "Fine." He said. "But don't count on getting anything out of her." He snapped, and pulled the scroll with the teleportation spell out of his pack, unrolling it and looking it over.

Seto rolled his eyes. "Take your time." he snorted.

"Fuck you." Ahmose said calmly, preparing to execute the spell.

Seto smirked. "We can do that later."

Ahmose froze and slowly looked up, glaring at Seto, but he looked slightly pale and a bit ill. "Try it and you'll suddenly find yourself with your penis where your nose should be, and your balls on your chin." Itemri perked up at that, looking very amused and intrigued with THIS threat.

Seto rolled his eyes. "Get on your way or I'll fuck you first, then make you go to the queen smelling of cum." he said snidely.

Ahmose winced, but growled. "You can try..." He hissed, rolling up the scroll and putting it away.

Seto smirked. "Don’t take too long... or I might punish you by harming your precious pet."

"He is NOT my PET!!!" Ahmose shouted, glaring.

Seto chuckled. "Whatever. Go already. You're wasting my time."

"And I'm wasting brain matter listening to you flap your jaw and make irritating sounds." Ahmose said, a shimmering glow beginning to form around him. He took no notice of Seto giving Itemri a look, as the vampire was chuckling in amusement over the attitude that Ahmose was giving Seto.

"You can have him." Seto snorted to Itemri.

"oh why thank you." The vampire chuckled in amusement. "I train MY pets better than you train your own."

"Oh, why don't you go fuck each other." Ahmose grumbled, and in a blinding flash of light, he vanished.

But for poor Ahmose, it was out of the frying pan and into the fire. In a large manor a very important succubus was hosting a large, very fancy banquet. So, as Ahmose had predicted before, the tables were covered with not only food, but numerous orgies. But the festivites were interrupted by a blinding light, and then Ahmose came crashing down onto the table right in front of the succubs hostess, sending food and wine flying, and the... main aura course toppling to the floor.

The succubus blinked before raising an eyebrow. "How odd..." she said standing and looking Ahmose over. "I'm sure I didn't ask for any Greek food tonight..."

Ahmose groaned, stirring slightly. That spell was ridiculously simple but it had drained him of all his strength. He was having trouble keeping his eyes open, much less focusing on where the hell he was. Everyone in the hall stared curiously.

The succubus laughed softly. "Well...I suppose when food comes falling from the sky, we should take it as a blessing." she added calmly, before lifting Ahmose's chin. "Are you any good at blowjobs?"

Ahmose just groaned again, closing his eyes and shaking his head slightly, trying to regain his senses, before blinking at the succubus, confused.

"Well I suppose that’s to be expected." She snorted. "Talice honey." She called, a lesser known dark elf stood, along with his orgy-cohorts. "Why don’t you help out our newest dinner guest?" she cooed.

"... who the hell are you?" Ahmose mumbled, quite dizzy and drowsy.

"Why, my name is Illyana. One of the high sisters of the court of our queen." She said calmly. "Anybody who's anybody knows of me."

Ahmose blinked slowly. "Queen? Have to... see... nnh... my head..."

She rolled her eyes but calmly hefted the human up as though he were nothing. It was hard to believe that something so delicate and sexy looking, could have that sort of strength. "Talice, please continue with dinner, I will be back shortly."

The dark elf laughed and nodded as the other guests began murmuring in amusement.

Ahmose winced as the movement caused his head to throb. "Oh God..." He gasped. "Ah..."

Illyana rolled her eyes. "Dont be a baby." she said calmly, walking from the dining hall to a guest room. "You can rest here until you have more energy." She said placing him on a bed and covering him.

Ahmose tried to speak again, to thank her or ask her who she was or something, but he didn't have the strength, so he passed out.

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The next day, Ryou shivered as he woke and nuzzled Marik. "Marik...hey..." he said softly.

Marik turned, licking Ryou's face. "Hey... ready to eat?" And he looked at the fire. To Ryou's surprise, meat was cooking over the blaze, and bread was warming next to it, as well as a kettle of water being boiled for tea.

Ryou grinned brightly and latched onto Marik in a big cuddly hug. "You got us breakfast!" he said giggling, complimented that Marik had gone to so much trouble before he'd even woken up.

Marik smiled and left the nest, padding over to the fire, still in his fur. He removed the rabbit and picked up a knife, beginning to cut the meat, and using a different knife, the bread. He put the meat on a slice of bread and passed it to Ryou before beginning to make tea.

Ryou blushed and ate his sandwich calmly, watching Marik and looking very very merry. It was Christmas after all…

Marik smiled and poured Ryou a mug of tea, handing it to him. "There ya go." He said, then turned and tended to the rabbit skin that he was curing. He smiled. "Another gray rabbit of this size and I'll have a pair of mittens made for you." He said, beaming at Ryou and wagging his tail.

Ryou blinked and blushed. "You're making me mittens?" he squeaked. "Aww..." he blushed more, sipping his tea. "Marik... you're too good." he cooed after a moment.

Marik blinked then smiled. "Why?"

"Because..." Ryou shook his head. "You're just too perfect."

Marik laughed. "Even though I whine and drive you up the wall about elves and I sometimes crawl into bed smelling like a wet dog?"

Ryou wrinkled his nose. "Even then I suppose... but try not to smell anymore ok?" he said sipping more tea.

Marik chuckled. "It's hard when you ARE a wet dog."

Ryou shook his head. "Marik... I love you."

Marik smiled. "I love you to."

"Merry Christmas." Ryou cooed.

Marik’s eyes widened. “Christmas! Oh Shit!” And he darted off.

Ryou sat there blinking. "huh?"

A few minutes later, he came back carrying something in his mouth. He dropped it into Ryou's lap. It was a little package, wrapped messily in parchment and tied with a ribbon that looked like it had once been used in Mikado's hair.

Ryou blinked and giggled softly. "You didn't have to get me a present Marik." he cooed but opened it eagerly just the same.

Inside was a little golden ring. It was a broad band with a garnet set in the center, and on either side, a running wolf was etched into the metal.

Ryou blinked. "Ohhh...." He picked it up and smiled. "It's gorgeous." he pulled Marik into a hug. "I love it."

Marik beamed, tail wagging happily. "I love you..." He cooed.

Ryou grinned and reached into his robes, pulling out a small package wrapped neatly in pretty purple cloth, and tied with a bright red ribbon. "I got you something too... it's not nearly as good as what you got me though." he blushed.

Marik smiled and licked Ryou's cheek, before taking it and gently unwrapping the little gift.

Inside was a small rolled up cloth, and when unrolled, it held many tools. All for grooming, each shiny and brand new. "I... thought you'd like being pampered."

Marik blinked and cocked his head one way, then the other. He looked at Ryou, confused. "Pampered?" He asked.

Ryou grinned and took the kit from Marik. He pulled a brush from it and began running it through Marik's fur. Not only did it feel good... but it got rid of any fleas in the process. It also seemed to get all those little itches that he could just never scratch.

Marik's eyes widened, before rolling back and falling closed. His tongue rolled out in pure bliss. "Oooooooohhhh...." He breathed.

Ryou giggled and continued. "See? Pampered." he cooed. "And as long as you don’t stink, I'll be glad to pamper you every night before bed."

Marik slowly sunk down to the snow, more delighted than Ryou had EVER seen him.

Ryou grinned and picked up a new tool and lifted Marik's paw, beggining to clean the dirt from them, and trim them. Gods THAT felt better than Marik could have ever expected it to.

Marik blinked and sniffed at Ryou's hands and the tool, curiously, then turned and began licking his cheek.

Ryou kissed Marik's cheek and grinned. "So...do you like being pampered?"

"Ya!" Marik exclaimed. "Ya ya ya!!!"

"Good." Ryou said eagerly. "Then from now on, I'll groom you before bed."

“Okay!” Marik chirped, stretching leisurely under the brush and comb.

Ryou giggled and finally stopped kissing Marik's cheek. "Merry Christmas."

"You too..." Marik sighed. "Ready to get moving?" He asked.

Ryou pouted. "Aww but we're having such fun."

Marik smiled and nuzzled Ryou. "Yeah, but I wanna wish my best friend a Merry Christmas." He said. "And YOU have a very important letter to deliver."

Ryou wrinkled his nose. "Must you ruin such a nice morning with that?" he grumbled, but cuddled Marik more.

Marik blinked. "Ruin?" He drooped.

Ryou sighed. "I dont like the idea of going to a village full of elves." Ryou said softly. "I can hardly tolerate one... I don’t know how I'll handle swarms of them."

Marik sighed. "Don't worry. They're very nice." He said, standing and beginning to pack things and put out the fire.

Ryou sighed and crawled out of the nest and began helping Marik. "I still dont like it..."

"Come on, baby." Marik said, packing their things onto the little ginger mare who turned and snuffled over Ryou's hair.

Ryou shook his head dismayed, but climbed onto the horse. "Lead the way..."

Marik turned and trotted away, his tail wagging happily. About three hours later, Marik stopped in the middle of the trail, cocked his head and barked. A moment later, a bird chirped, and Marik paused, then turned to the right and proceeded off of the trail and into the woods. Ryou blinked, and a moment later, realized that they were still ON a trail... an elven trail.

Ryou followed Marik, looking more and more tense the further along the trail they went. It was clear that he was highly uncomfortable. "I hate this..." he whimpered.

Marik turned back and wagged his tail, encouragingly, then led on. But a few moments later, there was a shout.

"HALT!!!"

Ryou whined loudly, as both he and the horse he was riding panicked.

Elves seemed to appear out of nowhere, surrounding them and seizing the horse. In seconds, she had calmed under the gentle words and hands of the elves.

"Who are you and state your business!" Another elf demanded.

"I am Marik, and I'm here looking for my friend, Malik! And this is Ryou! He carries a message for your Elders from Aiden, Vatican Agent!" The elves hesitated, then backed off.

"In that case, you are most welcome." Said the elf who seemed to be leading the border guard party. He smiled at Marik, and especially at Ryou. "Welcome. I will escort you to the village."

Ryou pouted, but allowed the leader to guide his horse to the village. The horse may have calmed, but he was not calm. He was the opposite of calm. He looked miserable, and felt sick. Though he couldn't decide if he was sick from fear, or hate.

But when they reached the village, Ryou couldn't help but have his breath taken away by the magnificence of the place. He had never seen anything like it. The whole place had a sense of power and strength, along with beauty and delicacy. Everything seemed to have a ethereal glow to it, and every where he turned there were fair, smiling faces as all the elves were waving and bowing to greet the strange guests.

Ryou shook his head softly. The village was indeed beautiful beyond words... and they all seemed more than eager to see them. But even still, he was more than eager to leave as quickly as he'd come. Perhaps if things hadn't happened as they had, he'd have considered someplace like this a home. But fate hadn't been kind to his mother... and in return, he felt the same burning hate his mother had felt for elves.

"I have a letter to deliver." he said softly. "Where are your elders, so I can deliver it?" The sooner he got his business finished, the sooner he could leave.

"All are preparing for the celebration banquet tonight." Their elven guide said, smiling at Ryou. "But I am sure they will spare the time to see you and receive your message. I hope you will do us the honor of staying for our Christmas Banquet, brother."

Ryou made a face. "Please do not call me that."

The elf blinked at Ryou, confused. "... As you wish, Ryou."

"Better." Ryou snorted calmly. Once they reached the stable, Ryou finally dismounted his horse, allowing the elves to take it to their stable. He looked at Marik and frowned. "Can we hurry?" he asked softly.

Marik, who had changed to his human form and was dressing, looked at Ryou. "Must you be like this?" He asked softly.

Ryou closed his eyes. "I cannot help how I am Marik..." he said shaking his head. "I am very uncomfortable here...and would prefer to leave as soon as humanly possible."

Marik sighed. "We may not leave until tomorrow." He said. "The horse needs to rest, and so do we."

Ryou sighed and drooped. "I will get no rest in a place like this."

"I will..." Marik said softly. "I am very much at peace among the elves."

Ryou shook his head once more. "Well then I will be glad for you."

Marik drooped and whimpered a bit.

"So where are the elders? Where are we staying?" Ryou asked after a moment.

"I dunno." Marik said, and walked out of the stable and over to their elf guide who was waiting. "Where are the elders and where are we staying? And where's Malik?"

"Malik is in meditation in the forest." The elf said with a smile. "I will take you to your quarters that you might freshen up before speaking to the elders, and I will tell them that you are here while you do so."

Ryou followed Marik and the leader, having heard what the elf had said. He could only hope meditation would make Malik as good as Marik remembered he was. He sighed softly. Even if he couldn't be as kind as Marik wanted him to be to Malik...

They were led to luxurious quarters. Ryou was actually quite surprised as it seemed like a room reserved for royalty. "If you will go to the left a ways, there are hot springs for you to bathe in." The elf said, bowing. "Do you require fresh clothing?"

"That would be very kind, thank you." Marik said with a smile and a nod.

"Are you in need of refreshment?" The elf asked; Ryou had to admit, the hospitality thus far was impressive.

"If it wouldn't be much trouble, something light would be very nice." Marik said with a smile and nod. The elf bowed.

"Very well." He said, and left.

Ryou sat on the bed and looked around. "Are you taking advantage of those elves?" Ryou asked giving Marik an odd look. "And you need a bath."

Marik smiled. "No, I'm not taking advantage of them. They pride themselves on their hospitality, and in their culture, it is considered rude to refuse what they offer." Marik said. "It's like a game to them, trying to outdo one another in being the better host."

Ryou snorted. "What good are new clothes, when you need a bath? And we JUST ate!"

"That was hours ago. And that's why I asked for something light. And the fresh clothes are for AFTER the bath."

Ryou smirked slightly. "Oh, now I'm supposed to believe you planned on taking a bath? You?" He giggled. "You HATE baths."

"I need one. And you said you would pamper me after every bath." He said, turning and grinning. "And besides... we want to be at our best. We're going to see the Elven elders and we have been invited to attend an elven banquet."

Ryou frowned. "You say it like it's something fun." he looked sad. "This whole place... reminds me of the sad look in my mother's eyes..."

"Why?" Marik jumped and turned, looking at the elf returning with their clothing. He was looking at Ryou, head cocked in confusion and face full of concern.

Ryou gave the elf a look. "Is it part of your hospitality that you eavesdrop?" he asked rudely. It really wasn't his intent to be blatantly rude... but he always got terribly defensive when it came to the memory of his mother...

The elf's eyes widened. "Oh, no, not at all. I just happened to walk in as you said that..."

Ryou looked away. "I'm sure." He busied himself digging through his satchel for that letter. It was better than continuing to be rude to the elf who was standing in the doorway.

The elf looked at Marik, confused. "Did I... do something? I did not mean to offend..."

Ryou finally found the letter and set it on the bedside table before standing. "I'm going to take a bath." he said softly. He walked past Marik and the elf, towards the hot springs.

Marik sighed and shook his head at the elf, taking the fresh clothes and chasing after Ryou.

Ryou was already undressed and in the water rubbing his temples and trying to force himself to calm down. He looked up at Marik sadly. "I'm sorry..."

Marik sighed. "I'm not the one you should apologize to. That poor elf thinks he did something wrong." He said, setting the clothes down and slipping into the water after stripping.

Ryou snorted. "I could care less about the elf." he said looking into the water. "It's you I care about..."

Marik frowned. "And that's part of what upsets me."

"I'm sorry Marik...but this sort of hate is...deep rooted." he mumbled shaking his head. "It's not something easily forgotten...or forgiven."

"But you're not even TRYING!!!" Marik cried.

"I am trying Marik...but it's not working. I hate it here." Ryou sniffled and looked near tears. "I'm sorry! I j-just I cant take it!"

"You aren't even TRYING!!! You never even ATTEMPTED to give it a chance, you decided to hate it long before we ever ARRIVED!!!" Marik cried.

Ryou shook his head and looked away. "Then I will leave alone." he said softly. "If it doesn't even appear I'm trying, then I will leave, there's no point in ruining their little banquet."

Marik frowned at Ryou, sadly, laying his ears back.

Ryou began washing up. "I'm sorry Marik."

"No." Marik said softly, also washing. "You're not."

Ryou shook his head. "If that's what you want to believe..."

"If you were sorry, then you would make more of an effort!!!" Marik insisted.

Ryou glared at Marik slightly. "Do you even KNOW how much effort it took to force myself to even set FOOT in this place?" he scolded. "You dont know how hard I'm trying to...to PLEASE you!" he looked away once more. "If this isn't good enough, then I'm sorry, but this is as hard as i can try. I have no love in my heart for this place, these elves OR being kind to them. Not as long as the memory of that haunted look in my mother's eyes is still so fresh in my mind." He rinsed off. "I'm leaving once I deliver this stupid letter. This is your outing. You wanted to bring Malik back. YOU go fetch him, I'm done with this."

Ryou stood and put on his own robes, ignoring the fresh clothes the elves had brought for him and walked out in a huff, leaving poor Marik to his bath.

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

Ahmose groaned and lifted his head as he woke after a two hour nap. Illyana's banquet was still in full sway, as such parties often ran hours on end. Slowly, Ahmose dragged himself out of bed and made his way to the banquet hall, confused as to where he was. He flung open the doors, and his mouth dropped open as he found himself staring at a massive room full of orgies. "... Oh God..."

Illyana smiled turning to look at Ahmose. "Did you decide to rejoin us?" she cooed.

Ahmose blinked and looked around, looking, well... mortified. As well as sunburned he was blushing so badly.

Illyana giggled. "Care to join in the festivities?" she offered smirking.

".... Ahhh... ummm..." Ahmose said, slowly backing away a step, staring in horror.

"So what are you doing here?" She asked calmly.

Ahmose opened and closed his mouth several times, trying to get something out. "P-P-Prince... um... whatever the hell his name is... Yami... Ummm... uh... Atemu! That's it! Prince Atemu! He... and uh... oh my... Ummm..."

She blinked. "Are you always this articulate?"

Ahmose blinked and shook his head, turning away from the shocking scene. "I have to see Prince Atemu's mother!!!"

Illyana nodded slowly. "The castle isn't far from here. It's about three miles north." she said calmly.

Ahmose nodded. "Okay... where's the door."

Illyanna grinned and pointed past the table to the grand doors on the other end of the room.

"... Figures." Ahmose grumbled. He pulled his hood up and began making his way across the room, trying to ignore the orgies, and all the demons, many of them incubi and succubi, staring at him lustily.

The path to the door was simple, and there was a dirtroad once he exited the manor. Ahead, a three mile walk.

Ahmose sighed and began to walk, despite the fact that he was still feeling exhausted. But despite that, he made fairly decent time and eventually arrived at the palace. “I need to see the Queen.” He gasped out to the guards at the front gates. “Immediately.”

The guard helped Ahmose inside and to the queen. Of course the moment she saw him, She was standing and looking concerned. "What happened?"

"Don't get me started." Ahmose groaned. "EVERY thing that could possibly go wrong, has..." He spat, bitterly. "A damned Vatican Agent turned evil by this maliciously powerful talisman has gone rogue, and always seems two steps ahead of everything anyone does."

She nodded. "Yes... but that doesn't explain what happened to you." She said slowly.

"Again... name it, and it's happened. I've been whipped, beaten, raped, used as a dragon's chew toy, AND been forced to dress as a woman!!" Ahmose snapped.

"I see... And what of my son?" she said slowly. "Why is his aura not intermingled with yours?"

Ahmose blinked. "What do you mean?" He asked.

"I mean... I see nothing of my son on you. Is he alright?"

Ahmose blinked, then slowly looked down. He had been dreading this...

"No. No, he's not. He's had it just as rough as I have. Seto sees him as... a valuable asset, and plans to make Yami just that, willingly or no..."

"And? That's hardly an explanation for why I cannot see his aura with yours." She snorted. "You're his chosen."

Ahmose looked down. "Well... um... do we share our aura's when we, umm... unite?" He mumbled.

"you mean fuck?" The queen snickered.

Ahmose winced. "I like to think that I have a more sophisticated vocabulary than THAT." suddenly, his eyes widened in horror. "Not to say that you DON'T, I mean, you... I didn't mean that you... I... Um..." He looked down, wincing. "I'll... stop talking now."

"Yeah, that's what I thought." The queen said, tail flicking irritatedly. "Because I KNOW you wouldn't dare tell ME I'm unsophisticated."

"No ma'am!" Ahmose said quickly.

"So what were you saying before stupid started spilling out of your mouth." she snorted.

Ahmose sighed. "Yami and I haven't... FUCKED... In possibly... two? Two weeks maybe?"

She stared for a moment. "You're joking right?"

Ahmose sighed and stared at the floor. "... No."

"Explain. He should be pouncing you like a rabid dog!" she roared. "Atemu has ALWAYS had a VERY healthy appetite. Almost TOO much of an appetite!"

"Well, he has NO appetite now." Ahmose mumbled, hoping to dodge the question.

She stared once more, looking very upset. Finally she spoke. "You are a TERRIBLE guardian." she said slowly.

Ahmose winced, looking down. "Even I can only handle so much..." He said softly. "Seto has been holding both of us prisoner. He has been torturing me, trying to get Yami to bring your armies to the realm of man to march on the Vatican. Yami has refused, saying he has no command over the armies... but... after I was nearly killed by a dragon, he... he brought Itemri to Seto. Now, Seto has sent me here, to you. He wants your armies, or he will kill Yami..."

The queen glared. "No." She said calmly. "That man has already signed my son's death certificate."

Ahmose blinked. "What?"

The queen gave Ahmose a harsh look. "My son? MY Atemu suddenly losing his appetite? For his CHOSEN?" she snorted. "There's something you're not telling me, and I'm willing to wager I KNOW what it is."

Ahmose winced and slowly nodded. "I... I just found out about it..." He said softly. "He... hid it from me..." He sighed. "Under Seto's control, Yami raped me, and THAT was his excuse... because he didn't want me to find out what... what Seto had done to... him..."

"I knew it." She growled. "Do you know why this family does not rape?" she said coldly. "Of all the succubi and incubi in existance, only THIS family does not rape, because we do not want to be raped."

Ahmose winced again and looked down. "I would have done anything to have spared him that..." He whispered.

She sorted. "Tell me Ahmose, Humans eat their food without thought. It's not something you think on is it? You do it naturally, to sustain yourselves."

Ahmose blinked. "I wouldn't say we eat without thought..." He said. "But we do naturally eat to sustain ourselves..."

"That is how it is for us. Sex is how WE live. It's our culture, it's not a sinful act like humans think it is. To US, it is a meal, a bonding time, something without shame. Ahmose, you've allowed my son to die once already... and he will die again." She growled furiously.

"When Succubi and Incubi were first in existance, there were more of us than you could EVER imagine." she looked up at one of the portraits on the wall. "But you humans and your idiotic fear of what you don’t understand drove us away. The tribes of you thought of ways to rid your world of us. One tribe found that we could be killed by conventional means. However, another found a much more 'fitting' way to kill us. Do you have an inkling where this is going?"

Ahmose blinked and slowly shook his head. "... Fitting?"

"Yes. Fitting." She said coldly. "Demons that fed on sex...." she looked away from the portrait to another. "To force a demon of sex into sex, to RAPE us." She hissed. "It kills us in the slowest, most painful ways imaginable. We starve to death." she said slowly. "Because in the simple act, you introduce shame and pain, to something WE do to survive. Despite what it looks like, we don’t get a sick pleasure out of sex. Especially the royal family. MY family, in all of it's generations, as each picked ONE lifemate."

"Surviving rape is a statistical impossibility, but the first royal of our people survived somehow... and THAT is why our family does not rape. My son is refusing to eat because he knows pain of it, he feels SHAME. Ahmose have you EVER felt ashamed to eat when you were starving? So ashamed that you refused to eat?!"

Ahmose's face was the picture of worry, fear and distress. He slowly shook his head.

"That is what Atemu feels. How can he eat?! How can he POSSIBLY eat when suddenly the thing he's been doing all his life is suddenly thrown back at him in such a way?!" She growled and shoved Ahmose harshly. "You tell that bastard that did this to my son, who is probably in more pain than he could ever comprehend that it will be a cold day in hell before I will give him any of our armies. They are Atemu's armies to control, and HIS alone! I know he would never agree to such stupid ideas of charging against the humans."

She turned away growling. "He's already killed my son. So threatening his life is pointless. If he kills him now, my poor son will be spared the agony that awaits him."

Ahmose stared at the floor in worry, wringing his hands, which were shaking. "... I... I won't let him die... I... I'll snap him out of it... somehow..."

"My ASS you will!" She howled. "In over twenty thousand years only ONE succubus has EVER survived that. My son, who is possibly the most sensitive incubus I have EVER seen surviving it is laughable!" She stormed away throwing her hands in the air. "The entire kingdom is going to uprise, and even SHOULD he survive, the SHAME he's going to face! You are by FAR the WORST chosen in the history of this whole family! What good are you if you can’t even do your JOB!?" She howled turning on him.

"What good are you if you cant even keep the one YOU'VE chosen safe?!"

"I don't even know WHEN it happened, it may have been when I was unconcsious and DYING!!! I'm not perfect, I'm only human! If I COULD have done something, I WOULD HAVE!!!" Ahmose shouted back. "I'm not asking forgiveness, I don't deserve it, but I DON'T need to stand around and listen to you BITCH!!!"

She snorted. "Well then I suggest you leave. Because I don’t have much kindness for a useless Chosen who's excuse for being unable to do his job is being human." she spat. "You have fucked up. BADLY."

Ahmose took a deep breath, staring at Yami's mother. He didn't say anything.

It took a long time, but finally the succubi's wings drooped and she shook her head. "I'm too old to have another child." She said shaking her head. "This... will be the end of our kingdom.'

"... Not if I can help it." Ahmose said. His voice was soft, but it held more determination than the queen had ever heard. "I will not let your dynasty end. Not while I draw breath."

She snorted softly. "For your world's sake, you'd better get this right...because once this world finds out what has become of their prince...it will be the end of more than the dynasty."

Ahmose nodded. "I understand." He said solemnly.

"Do you need an escort back to your world?" she asked after a moment.

Ahmose frowned and looked down, thinking. "That might not be a good idea..." He mumbled. "I would rather not give Seto any opportunity to use anyone else..."

"Have Greg take you." Yami's mother said calmly. "He is visible only to those he chooses to be."

"... Who?" Ahmose asked, cocking his head.

"Greg. One of our grim reapers." She said calmly. "He brought you here last time."

“…. Um… okay…” Ahmose said, raising his eyebrow.

"He's Yami's friend." She said shrugging. "Don’t ask me. I'll send for him." and she walked from the room.

Ahmose just sighed and looked around the room, immensely worried about Yami. “God…” He breathed. “I’ve failed him…”

A moment later, the familiar reaper appeared behind Ahmose. "Are you ready?"

Ahmose turned and looked at him, slowly nodding. "I suppose." He said in a muted tone.

"Good." And with that the reaper faded to invisibility, and the world flashed. Ahmose found himself once more in the room he shared with Yami, the demon prince sound asleep on the bed.

Ahmose stared at him a moment, then quickly moved towards him, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Yami." He called. "Yami, wake up."

Yami groaned softly and moved a wing over his head. "...five more minutes..." he moaned out curling back up.

"Atemu! NOW!!!" Ahmose shouted.

Yami jumped up and groaned looking around confusedly. "GODS! What's THAT all about?!" he howled rubbing his head. "ugh my head..."

"You need to feed!" Ahmose said loudly in a commanding tone. "You're starving yourself. I won't let you! It stops NOW."

Yami gave Ahmose a look before rolling his eyes and curling right back up. "Please. Spare me."

In the blink of an eye Ahmose jerked Yami up and slapped him harshly across the face, not once, not twice, but three times. "I am NOT letting you give up, dammit!!!"

Yami whined loudly and covered himself with his wings. "Stop it!" he howled. "Leave me alone!"

"Why?! So you can die and leave ME alone?!" Ahmose demanded to know.

Yami winced. "I'll be ok..." he mumbled after a moment. "I'm fine..."

"That's bullshit." Ahmose said. "You can't fool me. Seto sent me to your mother, Yami. And I had to tell her everything."

Yami whined louder. "Gods be damned..." he whimpered. "I just wanna lay here and sleep!"

"Well, you can't. I'm not going to let you. Not until you've fed." Ahmose said firmly. "Yami... if you die, its over. It's ALL over. You family's dynasty will end... the demons will flood the earth in vengeance... everything will be destroyed. And I will have to stand here and watch... and know that it was MY failure in protecting you that brought it all."

Yami drooped. "Ahmose... I don’t wanna...." he sniffled. "I'm not hungry."

Ahmose reached out. "I know you're afraid, Yami. And ashamed... but you have no reason to be..." He said softly, gently stroking Yami's cheek. "Please, Yami... don't die... not again... I couldn't save you before, I... if you die again... Yami... I won't be able to survive without you. I love you... please..."

Yami nuzzled Ahmose's hand and gave him a pained look. "I'm not hungry..." he said softly. "I... I don’t want to."

"As you wish..." Ahmose said softly. He turned and looked at the food that had been left for them. He raised a hand and the food disappeared in a small explosion. All of it.

Yami blinked slowly. "huh?" he said confused. "Why'd you do that?"

"What, were you hungry for food?" Ahmose asked. "I can bring it back if you like."

Yami shook his head. "You didn't eat..."

Ahmose stared at Yami, a perfectly calm look on his face. "I'm not hungry."

Yami gave Ahmose a look. "That's a lie and you know it."

Ahmose just stood. "I should go and report to Seto." He said.

Yami frowned. "Ahmose..." he looked down. "Don’t go."

Ahmose looked at Yami, silently.

"Please?" Yami asked softly.

"Why?" Ahmose asked. "I have to go eventually... may as well do it now..."

Yami looked sad. "I wish you wouldn't..."

"I can't put it off forever. And it would be better if I went to him instead of him coming after me." Ahmose said softly.

Yami sighed. "Alright..."

"I'll be back soon..." Ahmose said softly, and slipped out of the room, heading down the hall towards Seto's room. He knocked on the man's door, hearing Seto talking to Itemri.

"Come in." Seto called irritably.

Ahmose walked in, closing the door behind him and glaring at Seto.

"Oh you're back." Seto said boredly. "Well?"

Ahmose sighed. "The answer is no." He said. "The Queen refuses to allow her forces to work on the orders of a human. They are to follow Yami and Yami alone, not Yami being controlled by the likes of you."

Seto growled. "We'll see." he hissed. "Get out of my sight while I think up a suitable punishment for you and your pet." he growled in fury

"You've already done enough." Ahmose growled, glaring. "That's another reason why she refused. Your threat of killing Yami didn't frighten her a bit. Because you're too late. Yami is already dying."

Seto rolled his eyes. "Shut your mouth and get out. I'll deal with you both later." he growled again.

Ahmose glared, growling. "Oh, fuck you." He snapped. "If Yami dies, there will be nothing standing between you and my blade..."

Itemri laughed at that. "As if your puny blade is worth fearing."

Ahmose turned and glared at him, growling. His fingers twitched, itching to kill the vampire.

"If your little pet is dying so much, shouldn't you be tending him?" Seto chuckled.

Ahmose snarled and turned, leaving the room and slamming the door. Seto's chair also vanished out from under him and he toppled back onto the floor. Itemri roared with laughter.

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