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 34

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Ryou had dressed, and was looking for the Elven Elders so he could deliver the message and leave, when he heard his name being called. At first, he didn't recognize the voice, but then, he turned and saw Malik walking towards him, looking quite elegant in elven finery that was not hunting and travelling clothes, which was what Ryou had always seen Malik in.

Ryou sighed and shook his head. "I'm in a bit of a hurry." he said after a moment. "and I'd as soon not be shot in the shoulder again."

Malik blinked. "... I... I'm sorry about that..." He said softly, lowering his eyes and bowing. "Truly and terribly sorry. Please accept my most humble apologies, Ryou."

"Just tell me where I can find the elders to deliver this message so I can leave."

Malik sighed and looked down, sadly. "As you wish..." He said softly. "This way." He said, turning and walking further into the village.

Ryou followed calming a bit now that he was FINALLY on the right track to 'out'.

Malik led Ryou to a mammoth tree that had stairs spiraling up around it. They began to climb. "Ryou... surely you have it in you to allow the elves a chance to... undo the damage that I have done, strengthening your resentment towards us..."

"I'm here for one thing." Ryou said calmly. "To deliver a message. Nothing more." he said calmly. "And after it's delivered, I am leaving."

Malik frowned. "God, Ryou. You are the most STUBBORN person I have EVER met!!!"

"Coming from you, it's hardly an insult." Ryou said snorting.

Malik blinked then grinned, sheepishly. "Touche."

Ryou rolled his eyes. "Enough idle chitchat. Are we almost there?"

"Yes." Malik said, and a moment later, they had reached the council chamber, where many elves were standing around talking.

Ryou followed Malik in and looked around irritably. The fact that so many elves were near him was beginning to unsettle him once more. But he was more than glad when Malik pointed out the elders and he eagerly walked forward to give them the message.

The elders turned and looked at him, then all smiled and bowed.

"You must be Ryou, the half elf." One said. "You are most welcome."

Ryou merely handed the letter to the elder nearest. "I have brought a letter from the Vatican for you." he said calmly then turned. "It's from Aiden."

"Aiden? Oh, please wait, in case we need to send a message back with you." The elder said, breaking the seal and opening the letter.

Ryou sighed and waited calmly.

The elder read the letter and frowned, passing it around. The elders all read through it, then spoke quietly, before turning to Ryou.

"Ryou... please come with us." The head elder said, his tone firm and grave.

Ryou nodded slowly. "Alright...?" he said slowly following the elders.

They led Ryou to an empty room, then turned to face him. "We are aware of what is going on with Seto. We wish to send our own intelligence back to the Vatican. But some of it involves you. Unfortunately some of our people, rogues, cast out of our society, have joined him." The elder sighed. "One of them, is your father."

Ryou glared. "Why are you telling me this? I did not ask, nor want to know."

"Because we feel that it is something that you need to know." The elder said. "Better that you find out from us than to run into him face to face." He smiled. "Your father was a bad seed from the beginning. The apple has fallen far from the tree. It is good to see that you have grown up so well. You do your MOTHER proud." The other councilmen also smiled, nodding.

Ryou glared. "You have no right to speak of my mother." he said coldly. "You do her wrong to even have the gall to mention her."

The elves all stared at Ryou, eyes wide in shock and confusion.

Ryou huffed. "If you're finished. I would like to leave."

The elders all looked around between themselves, insulted and bewildered.

"Marik will stay for your banquet I'm sure." Ryou said turning and shaking his head. "But my home is not among elves. It is among humans."

The elders were silent as Ryou left. Malik watched Ryou go, looking a bit upset.

Ryou walked away calmly, and left the village leaving the horse behind, as Marik was correct, the poor mare needed some rest. He could make the trek on foot, it wasn't THAT far.

Little did Ryou know, someone was waiting for him to leave the safety of the elven village, someone he had hoped he would never meet.

Ryou sighed as he walked, shivering. "It's so cold..." he mumbled as he walked, huddling more into his robes. "I hate cold weather..."

A figure followed Ryou, silently. Not even Ryou's keen elven hearing could pick up the stalker's stealthy movements...

Ryou continued walking for a time and finally smiled, he was off of the horrid Elven path.

That was when his follower struck. He darted out of nowhere and tackled Ryou, flinging him over his shoulder and all but flying through the woods.

Ryou yelped in shock and after realizing what was happening, began struggling fiercely. "Put me down! PUT ME DOWN!" he howled in fury. "PUT ME DOWN!"

"Be silent, half breed brat!!!" His abductor snapped.

Ryou growled and hit the abductor as hard as he could. "PUT ME DOWN!"

Ryou was flung down into the snow and belted across the face so fast, it made his senses reel.

Ryou whimpered and groaned holding his cheek. He looked up at whomever had been carrying him and shook his head slowly, trying to regain his reeling senses.

Slowly, fierce brown eyes came into focus, as well as long silver hair pulled back from a pale face in small braids tied at the back of the head and then falling free with the rest of the man's hair. Pointed elven ears were prominent without the hair to hinder the view of them. The face was long and thin and fair, like the elves, but the eyes were far from warm and wise... they were harsh and cruel, glaring down at Ryou.

Ryou gasped softly, staring. "Y-YOU!" he said shaking his head. "Y-you wicked wicked evil elf! Leave me alone!" He backed away in shock. Of all the times for karma to hit him, it HAD to be now, and it HAD to be HIM!?

The elf just smirked. "What, no hug for daddy?"

Ryou growled glaring at his father. "You're no father of mine you filthy wretch!" Ryou howled. "You're just a demon!"

The elf laughed. "Such disrespect... whatever happened to 'Thou shalt honor thy father'?"

"I have no father to honor. Just a beast of an elf who feigns fatherhood." Ryou hissed backing up more. "There is no honor in you."

The elf glared. "There is none in you, either, boy. One who denies his own heritage... that is one of the most dishonorable things you could do! You were BORN for a purpose!!!"

"I'll not take lessons from a rapist!" Ryou growled standing quickly, a safe distance from his father.

"HAH!!! Is that what your mother told you? Well, I suppose I raped her at the beginning... but NOT when YOU were conceived..."

Ryou snorted. "I don’t believe you. She hated you with every fiber of her being. She'd never allow a creature like you willingly." he glared coldly. "I won’t listen to your filthy lies."

"Oh, I wouldn't say she ALLOWED it..." He chuckled. "More like... gave up fighting me."

Ryou growled and spat at his father. "And you speak of respect like you deserve it." he said coldly. "The only think you deserve is purgatory!"

"HAH!" The elf laughed. "Hmmm... purgatory... that's a good way to describe what I'm about to put YOU through... SON."

Ryou backed up a bit more glaring. "You wouldn't..." he growled. "You won’t get away with it."

"Watch me..." The elf hissed, siezing Ryou and dragging him deeper into the woods.

Meanwhile, back in the village of elves, Malik had sought out Marik. "Hey..." he said softly. "You...ok?" he asked peering in the room Marik and Ryou had been offered. "Do you need anything?"

Marik sighed, drooping. He looked at Malik and his ears perked slightly, and his tail swished a bit. He closed his eyes when Malik rubbed his furry head and ears.

Malik continued scratching. “Ryou’s left.” He said after a moment.

Marik whined sadly, resting his chin on his paws. His tail stopped wagging.

Malik scratched his ears. "He left on foot."

Marik whined again. "Why won't he even give your people a chance?"

"He has a lot of hate and resent for us Marik...it was one of our people that caused someone he loved dearly to suffer as long as he knew." Malik sighed. "It's not something easily forgotten."

"He's so STUBBORN!!!" Marik whined, sadly.

"His dad's working for Seto." Malik said after a moment. "I hate to say it, but his hate is well placed."

"With his father, yes... but not with all of your people..." Marik sighed. "... I missed you..."

Malik grinned. "His bad attitude had me pissy. It'd been a while since I'd done what I should have been doing all along." he said calmly. "It's good to have a bit of peace.”

Marik smiled. "You've been in meditation?"

"Yeah. Good stuff." Malik snorted slightly. "But it helps you get some relaxing in."

Marik wagged his tail. "You seem SO much more like yourself... no more shooting Ryou?"

"Nah... only in the ass." Malik chuckled. "when you aren't lookin."

Marik jerked his head up, ears straight up, and he glared at Malik. "HEY!!!"

"What?" Malik chuckled. "You haven't MARKED him yet." he teased.

Marik growled. "And how am I supposed to do that without turning him into a werewolf?!"

"Not my problem." Malik grinned.

Marik glared, ears laid back, and growled.

Malik ruffled Marik's hair. "What you growlin for? I ain’t touchin him yet!"

"And you had better KEEP it that way, elf boy!!!" Marik yelped, angrilly.

"We'll see."

Marik growled. "I will rip off your balls, Malik!!!"

"Before or AFTER I shoot my 'load' into Ryou's ass?" Malik teased laughing.

Marik let out a roaring bark, pouncing Malik and tackling him to the floor.

Malik laughed and wrestled with Marik. "Oh come ON!" he teased. "like he'd have any part of it!"

"You jerk!!!" Marik howled, and elves passing by looked at the guest house in confusion.

Malik suddenly hugged Marik and sighed. "I missed you too." he said after a moment.

Marik blinked, confused, then barked again and began licking Malik's face.

"We should go stop your lover from wandering off into the forest alone." he said after a moment. "He's on foot, and lets face it... he's a daisy."

Marik blinked, then grinned slightly. "Yeahhhh..."

Malik got up. "Let’s go then."

Marik nodded and sprang out of the guest house, heading after Ryou.

But of course, the two never found the little priest...just signs of a struggle...and only one pair of footprints running away.

Marik began sniffing, whimpering. "Go get the elves!!" He whimpered. "Ryou was taken by one of them!!!"

Malik nodded and was off like a shot to get the elves. Within moments a party of them had arrived on horseback. "What happened?" one asked looking worried.

"An elf has taken Ryou!" Marik cried, sniffing around.

A number of gasps were heard before Malik shook his head. "You dont suppose it was his father... do you?"

Marik looked up at the elves and whined. "I dunno!!!"

"Well lets follow. He cant have gotten too far!" one said quickly.

Marik turned and began following the footprints.

Meanwhile, Ryou's father met up with a camp of werewolves. All of them scraggly, large and frightening.

The elf smirked and dumped his son on the ground.

Ryou yelped and rubbed his back end. "Must you?!" he howled furiously.

"Oh, stop whining... You're pathetic. Must be that filthy human blood."

"It's your filthy ELF blood." Ryou snarled. "Dont you blame the humans for your horrible blood."

"Humans are the whiney ones." Ryou's father snickered.

"Whatever you filthy wretch." Ryou snorted.

The elf snorted and looked at the werewolves. "You wanna be their chew toy?"

Ryou bit his lip fearfully. "You wouldn't..."

His father smirked. "Behave for daddy, hmm? Or I'll send you to play with the dogs..."

Ryou shook his head. "You cant be serious! They'll eat me alive!"

"Then maybe you should behave." Ryou's father laughed

Ryou glared at his father. “Bastard…” He hissed.

”Hey Elu! Can we play with the kid?” A werewolf called, and the elf turned.

”Show some patience.” He snorted.

Ryou whined at that and gave the wolf a terrified look. "NO!"

Elu chuckled. "Behave yourself then, Ryou." He said.

Ryou glared. "You cant ! You cant do that! Even if you wanted to! I'm a priest! You'd ruin everything I stand for!"

Elu raised an eyebrow. "And what do you stand for? A HALF human creature? In a homosexual relationship with a monster?"

Ryou stared in shock. How'd he know?! He frowned. "You dont know anything!"

"Oh don't I?" Elu asked, grinning. "We elves know things. Nature tells us. If you respected your elven heritage, you would know that, and YOU would know things too..."

"Shut up!" Ryou shouted. "I dont want to be anything like a creature like you! I would rather die!"

"Why? Would you rather be like the OTHER elves? Lame pacifist sissies, going around taking care of weeds and chipmunks and little birdies?"

"I'd rather not be elf at all!" Ryou said coldly.

"Well you are boy, and there's nothing you can do about it." Elu snpped, slapping Ryou. "So you can accept it and move on with your life, or fight it and resist it USELESSLY for the rest of your miserable existance, which will be WELL beyond the lifespan of a human because YOU ARE HALF ELF!!!"

Ryou reached into his satchel and threw some sand into Elu's eyes. One of the implements of a spell. He muttered soft words and Elu's face began to burn horribly.

Elu stumbled back with a yelp, and the werewolves attacked.

Ryou yelped and quickly threw more sand aound himself and cast the same spell he'd cast when he first met Marik, sending them all flying back with burns, a bright glowing circle formed around him while he whimpered and shook with fear.

The wolves who got caught in the spell yelped in pain, and the others slowly circled. "Go ahead, boy..." Elu hissed. "That will wear off, soon."

Ryou whimpered and dug through his satchel. "N-not as long as I have implements to...to keep it going!" he argued fearfully.

Elu smirked. "You get no food or water as long as you are there... nor anything to keep you warm." he said, and headed over to the fire where stew was cooking.

Ryou glared. "Keep it, I'd rather starve than eat your food."

"So be it." Elu said, and turned to enjoy the dinner with the werewolves...

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

It was the best Christmas gift the Vatican could have received that year. The cry went up, alerting everyone.

"Mikado's back!!!" A recruit (who had been shovelling the road as punishment for playing hooky) cried, running into the Agent Headquarters. "He's alive!!!" Agents came running, Otogi moving as fast as he could.

Bakura sighed as he rode next to Mikado. "Think you'll be ok?" he asked after a moment. "I have to look after my servants."

Mikado looked at Bakura. "Why wouldn't I be okay? This is my home... Well... ONE of my homes. It would be best if I went in alone first... To explain YOUR actions as well as my own... Get everyone settled into the inns."

Bakura nodded and smiled leaning over and kissing Mikado. "Good. I'll stay with them...when you think it's ok, come get me." he chuckled. "So I dont get myself in trouble with your church." With that said he turned Strigoi and urged him back to Rome.

Mikado watched them all go, then turned Geist towards the Vatican and headed in the gates. "... Oh." He breathed, seeing all the faces in windows and many Agents on the front steps, including the entire High Council. Pegasus was smiling discreetly and slowly shredding a peice of parchment. On it, had been a little speech he was going to deliver at midnight mass that night, a memorial for Mikado, who had by now been declared dead. Nothing pleased Pegasus more at the moment than the knowledge that he would not be delivering a eulogy for his student this night.

However when Mikado dismounted, it wasn't Pegasus who was first to meet him. It was Otogi. The raven-haired teen tackled his childhood friend to the snow in a hug. "Oh god Mikado, we were all so worried!" he said tears of joy in his eyes. "We all thought you were dead for sure!"

Mikado grinned, hugging him back. "I thought I was too..." He breathed, then whispered, "and I almost was... I'll tell you later..."

Otogi nodded and got off of Mikado and helped him up. "Thank god you're here...Pegasus really missed you too. Everyone did!" he said shaking his head. "Dont you ever do something like that again!" Otogi hugged his friend once more. "Merry Christmas Mikado..."

Mikado grinned. "Merry Christmas!!!"

Otogi smiled as Pegasus came up and hugged Mikado as well. "Come inside out of the cold... you can tell us all what happened over dinner." Otogi said eagerly.

While Mikado eagerly agreed to share his Christmas with his friends at his loving 'home', his brother was spending Christmas far from the comforts of a home, with a snoozing and slowly starving demon prince.

Ahmose sighed, staring at the fire. He felt helpless and depressed, and he hated it. He HAD to get out of there. And he WOULD. But not while Yami was starving. If he could just get Yami to feed, he would escape and do everything he could to take down Seto and free Yami... but the demon was stubborn...

Yami peered open an eye. "Don’t be so sad... isn't it your human holiday?" he asked after a moment.

Ahmose blinked and looked back at Yami. "Is it? It is... I had forgotten..." He murmured, looking back at the fire with a sigh.

"Don’t be sad. You shouldn't spend your holiday sad..." Yami said once more, sitting up with a yawn. He was beginning to look as he had when he'd first met Ahmose. Tired, hungry and weakened. Even his bright crimson eyes had dulled to a dark red as they'd been when they'd first met.

Ahmose looked at Yami. "I can't help it."

"Why?"

"... You're starving to death, right in front of me..." Ahmose mumbled. "And you won't let me help you..."

Yami sighed. "Ahmose... I'm not starving to death." he mumbled shaking his head slowly.

"... Liar." Ahmose whispered, staring at Yami with a hurt, depressed look in his eyes.

Yami sighed as well and shook his head. "Ahmose..."

"What?!" Ahmose cried.

Yami sighed. "I'm sorry."

Ahmose suddenly turned on him. “FOR WHAT?! For refusing to feed?! For letting yourself die?! What are you apologizing for, Yami?! Are you apologizing in advance for LEAVING ME ALONE?! Or maybe for letting me waste my time on you?! Or for how you’re just GIVING UP?!” He shouted, viciously. “Do you even CARE?!?”

Yami gave Ahmose a hurt look. "Of course I care. I was apologizing for hurting you like this." he said softly before curling back up on the bed. "Am I not allowed to feel fear too?" he mumbled after a moment.
"If you don't want to hurt me, then why ARE you?!" Ahmose cried, desperately.

"Because I'm scared." Yami said softly looking deeply upset. "Not just because of what happened...but..." he pulled the blanket over his head. "Maybe I am just the demon everyone thinks I am. My whole life...." he whimpered and shook his head under the blanket. "Have I been hurting people like that? I...I always tried so hard not to ever..but..."

Ahmose frowned. "Did you force anyone?" He asked softly, then quickly added, "Other than me."

Yami whimpered. "I dont even know..." he sniffled. "I cant remember ever...but sometimes humans say one thing...when they mean another."

Ahmose blinked and cocked his head. "What do you mean?" He asked.

"Like when you say you dont want to have sex, but you really do." Yami offered. "How am I to ....even know if maybe someone before said yes...when they really meant no?"

Ahmose blinked again. "What?"

"Like at the Vatican. You didn't want to because it was a church. Or when you say you're not hungry...and you really are...or when you're not cold, but you are."

Ahmose frowned, shaking his head slightly. "Yami... what are you getting at?"

Yami sniffled. "What if someone before you said yes....when really they meant no. What if I didn't even KNOW!" Yami shook his head and whimpered. "I wouldn't wish that on even my worst enemy..."

"Yami..." Ahmose murmured, getting up and walking over to the bed, sitting down. He shook his head, reaching out to Yami and stroking his cheek. "If anyone did that, it was their fault, not yours."

Yami gave Ahmose a sad look. "That doesn't make me feel better at all." he mumbled but his tail curled around Ahmose's waist.

Ahmose opened his mouth to say something, but he was interrupted by his own stomach, loudly growling and gurgling. Ahmose closed his mouth and blinked a couple of times, then chuckled. "Sorry..." He said, embarrassed.

Yami shook his head and nuzzled Ahmose. "Why don’t you eat... and... I'll try to eat again too." he said after a moment. "But... let’s take it slow." he cuddled up to Ahmose.

Ahmose held Yami tightly. "Yami... I want you to feed. I have to go... I'm getting out of here... there's nothing I can do here, but if I escape, I can help the Vatican. I can lead them here. But I'm not leaving until I know you aren't going to starve to death while I'm gone..."

Yami frowned. "Ahmose... I'm not sure I could do it." he shook his head. "I'll be fine once you leave... Seto wont let me kill myself like that... You're the only thing keeping me from being his puppet again." he sighed. "I couldn't starve even if I tried. he'd force me to feed."

"And do you really wanna feed like that?" Ahmose asked.

Yami shook his head. "Of course not. But you wouldn't have to worry." he said kissing Ahmose's cheek.

Ahmose frowned. "You know I will worry every moment I'm away from you..."

Yami nodded. "The whole demon realm is worrying about me I'm sure..." he said sighing. "This wouldn't even be an issue if I wasn't prince..." he hung his head.

"Yami... I'm here... For you. I LIVE for you and you alone..." Ahmose breathed. "So please... feed. Feed and live. Live for my living... if you die, I will too..."

Yami sighed. "I'll try..." he mumbled looking halfhearted. "But I promise not to die." he cooed softly. "I wouldn't want to die while you're not nearby." he nuzzled Ahmose once more. "You're my comfort."

Ahmose frowned at that, looking very upset. "So what, you're going to wait for me to return before dying?!"

"Uh...no." Yami said blinking. "I was kinda hoping we could forget that part completely. I'm still kinda young..." he said smiling slightly.

Ahmose blinked and looked hopeful. "You... won't die?" He asked.

Yami sighed and nodded. "I'll try not to… for you." he cooed and wrapped his wings around Ahmose. "As long as you do what you can to get this idiot taken care of.”

"I will do everything I can to free you from him..." Ahmose sighed, nuzzling Yami's cheek.

Yami hummed in approval. "and have sex infront of my kingdom?" he said grinning slightly.

"NO!!!!" Ahmose cried, eyes wide. There was a chuckling in the corner and both Yami and Ahmose blinked. Ahmose turned. "Greg? Are you still here?"

Yami snickered softly. "He IS a grim reaper Ahmose... if death's happening, he's always there." He flicked his tail. "You can go Greg... I'm not dying today."

There were more chuckles. "Of course my liege... perhaps if you'd played it up more, he'd have agreed."

"WHAT?!" Ahmose howled. "GREG!!"

Yami laughed. "He's gone Ahmose." he said amused.

Ahmose snorted. "You suck. BOTH of you."

Yami cuddled Ahmose. "He's my best friend." he chuckled. "Of course he sucks as much as me!"

Ahmose snorted. "How many... other friends do you have?" He asked.

Yami shrugged. "an entire kingdom worth?"

Ahmose blinked. "Fair weather friends who like your for your rank?" He asked.

Yami shrugged. "I dont hang out with many from my world... I prefer your company."

Ahmose smiled and kissed his cheek. "I'm glad..."

Yami sighed and cuddled into Ahmose, pulling him into the bed and under the blankets. "Merry Christmas Ahmose." he purred. "Try to enjoy it hmm?"

Ahmose blinked and sighed, hugging Yami. "I love you..." He murmured.

"I love you too." Yami cooed,

"Feed? Please?" Ahmose asked, softly.

Yami grumbled. "I'll try...but you'd better reconsider that sex infront of the kingdom thing." he snorted looking sour. "Because this sucks."

Ahmose flushed. "Yami... I would NEVER be able to get aroused in front of an audience... like I said, I can handle it in front of maybe a small group, but... don't you think that your kingdom will understand your respecting MY wishes?"

"So I'll get you so fucking drunk you cant identify color." Yami snorted.

"WHAT?!" Ahmose yelped, flushing. "Wouldn't that be shameful? That you have to get your chosen DRUNK to go through with this... ridiculous ceremony?!"

"Doesn't matter if you're drunk or not. Besides the dwarves would be honored if MY chosen was inebriated by their brew!"

Ahmose rolled his eyes. "Gee, thanks."

Yami grinned tail lashing eagerly. "So that's a yes then?" he said hopefully.

Ahmose sighed. "Yami... I... I can't." He said. "I keep telling myself, do it! For you! Because I love you! But all I have to do is THINK about it and I feel like passing out in horror!!!"

"Then I'll spring it on you one day after we get some drinks in us." Yami said nuzzling Ahmose. "You'll be drunk so you wont care."

Ahmose sighed. "Yami... I... I'll try." He finally said in a defeated tone. "I'll try. But... No promises..."

Yami grinned. "Hurray!" he said eagerly, looking absolutely delighted. "Now you HAVE to do it!" he hugged onto Ahmose. "Oh it'll be great! After the ceremony you'll finally be marked as my lover! You'll be as much a member of the royal family as me!"

"Yami... NO promises... I... I'll try, but I don't think I'll be able to go through with it..." Ahmose said, weakly.

"Too late. You said you would." Yami said proudly. "If you wuss out now, then we have to kill you and feed your remains to the gorgons."

"I NEVER said I WOULD. I said I would TRY!!! Don't be ridiculous." Ahmose snorted.

"you said you would." Yami said smirking. "I heard you. And I have impeccable hearing. Besides who's my kingdom gonna believe? Me or you?"

Ahmose GLARED. "Yami!!! I said I would TRY!!!"

"Cant change it now." Yami chuckled. "I definatly heard 'I will'." he chuckled wickedly. "And my mother will be thrilled once I tell her all about it."

Ahmose glared. "Yami... don't you dare. If you do this, I won't even TRY!!!"

Yami snorted. "You're a mean one, toying with my heart." he pouted.

"And you're CRUEL, messing with me like that..." Ahmose grumbled. He lay his head down on the pillow and sighed. "... Itemri wants to keep me as a pet..."

"SEE?!" Yami howled. "THAT is why you let me mark you damnit!" Yami howled crossing his arms and pouting. "Now you're gonna get fucked by a vampire and I'll look even WORSE!"

Ahmose raised an eyebrow, then chuckled. "Calm down."

Yami sighed and curled up around Ahmose. "Can we just relax for a while?" he mumbled after a moment, yawning. "I haven't been cuddled at since this whole thing started."

Ahmose smiled and held Yami, kissing him gently. "I love you..." He sighed.

Yami smiled and yawned, nuzzling Ahmose and dozing contently. "When I wake up from my nap...I'll feed. But right now...I just want to share the bed with you like this..." he purred, kissing Ahmose back. "Merry christmas Ahmose. I love you."

Ahmose smiled, closing his eyes to rest calmly with his lover...

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

"--then I passed out. The next thing I knew, I was in my room in bed, and Bakura was next to me... He said I had been out for two weeks. It... It was a Blood Rage that made him do it." Mikado told the council. "Itemri forced him into a Blood Rage to kill me... because he doesn't think I'm worthy of Bakura..."

Pegasus and the others looked among eachother in shock. Finally Pegasus spoke. "I think it is in your best interest that if you see Itemri again, you take refuge in hiding until you've more adapted to fending for yourself." he said slowly. "You nearly died to him, then to Bakura." he shook his head. "A lot of people would sorely miss you if you were taken from life so soon."

Mikado nodded. "Bakura has warned me that when Itemri finds out I am alive and still with him, he will come to kill me." He said softly.

Pegaus nodded. "Then it is in everyone's best intrest that you hide."

Mikado blinked. "Wait... you want me to go into hiding?!"

"Just until you hit your adult stage." Pegasus said nodding.

"Like THAT will change anything!" Mikado cried. "All that means is I can HUNT for myself!!!"

"Like you were anyway." Otogi giggled. "C'mon Mikado? Please?" Then Otogi made with his secret Mikado-stubbornness killing weapon. Big eyes.

Mikado glared. "I am NOT going into HIDING!!" He howled, furious with the idea.

Otogi pouted more. "Mikadooooo."

Mikado glared. "NO!!" Dartz chuckled and looked at Pegasus.

"You have the most STUBBORN student..."

"Yes, I do. But for his own good he'll listen to Otogi." Pegasus warned. "Because I can think of some punishments to deal out on Christmas if he gets mouthy."

"I am NOT getting mouthy!!!" Mikado whined. "I haven't even cursed yet!!"

"YET being the word." Dartz chuckled, and Mikado gave him a dirty look. Solomon just observed, chuckling in amusement.

Pegasus laughed more. "Mikado. Go enjoy Christmas with Otogi and hide until you're adult after. Period." he said sternly. "And I'm sure Bakura probably told you the SAME thing."

Mikado smiled. "No, he just said that if he tells me to hide, I am to hide and not come out until he comes to get me."

~Do as they say.~ Bakura snickered suddenly. ~Unless you want to be stuck carrying the girl's packages from shopping.~

Mikado blinked, then smiled. ~I wouldn't mind. They saved my life, I will gladly carry their packages, even if it takes me a dozen trips to fetch them all.~

There was a pause. ~They dont want you to come. Apparently they're buying you christmas gifts.~ Bakura replied. ~So just enjoy christmas with your friends. I'll come visit before dawn if you think they will welcome me.~

~I am sure they will. I certainly don't want to sleep alone at Christmas... please come to midnight mass? It starts in an hour...~

Bakura made a face. ~You know I'm not really a fan of christianity.~ he said slowly. ~And I try to avoid the stuff like the plague.~

Mikado drooped a bit and sighed. ~... okay...~

Bakura shook his head and smiled. ~But I suppose if you consider being my female date to another christmas ball...then I can be your date to a christmas mass.~ he cooed. ~Sound fair? You do something you dont like for me, and I'll do the same for you...so we both can be happy on christmas.~

Mikado blinked. ~Wait... you'll come to midnight mass if I wear a dress to the Christmas Ball again next year?~

~mmhmm. Sound like a deal?~

Mikado cocked his head and thought. ~... Deal. Only for you, would I wear a dress...~

Bakura smiled. ~Then only for you, will I come to mass.~ he purred. ~and besides...you remember all the fun we had getting you out of that dress...~ he chuckled. ~I already look forward to doing that again~

Mikado flushed and moaned, perking the council's curiosity. "Bakura..."

Pegasus and Otogi snickered softly. "Mikado, you moaned." Otogi said discreetly. "Are you two talking dirty to each other?"

"No, we're not talking dirty to each other, HE is talking dirty to ME." Mikado grumbled.

Bakura snickered again. ~And you love every second of it. Especially when I spring it on you when you're not expecting...~

~Bakuraaaaaaa!!!~ Mikado whined.

"Well..." Dartz chuckled. "We should all prepare for Mass." He said.

"Yes. Everyone is dismissed. Mikado, after Mass you are to go into hiding." Solomon said.

Otogi nodded. "Yeah. You've only got a week or two left of being a fledgling right? Before you grow your adult fangs?" he said eagerly. "I cant wait to see them. I bet you'll look really mischievous with them." he laughed joyfully.

"Oh, like he needs THAT." The Knight Councilman snorted as he walked by.

Otogi snorted. "Dont mind him. You'll look sexy."

Mikado grinned. "You mean I don't already?" He asked.

"Boys... Please..." Dartz scolded.

Otogi grinned and shoved Mikado lightly. They went to have fun before mass began.

Sure enough just as the Agents began gathering to enter the sanctuary, Bakura arrived. He was carrying a large sack and smiling. "I brought your gifts from the servants." he said kissing Mikado's cheek. "You can open them after the service."

Mikado smiled, and tugged Bakura towards the basilica. All the Agents were heading there, and the place was full. Many Agents stared at Bakura and Mikado in either suspicion, fear or interest, but Mikado didn't pay any attention. He dipped his fingers into a golden dish on a pedastal at the entrance. He winced a bit as the Holy Water burned his fingers, but he lifted his fingers up to his forehead (the drops burned his face, as well) and he made the Sign of the Cross, kneeling, before standing again and heading to the pews.

Bakura mirrored Mikado's actions before following his childe to the pews and sitting next to him. He pulled the youth into his lap and cuddled him lovingly, planting soft kisses to soothe the already healing burns. ~I'm sure you're probably exempt from that.~ he cooed.

~Even if I am, that won't stop me from doing it.~ Mikado said, sliding out of Bakura's lap. ~Really, Bakura. Not in the chapel!!!~

Bakura chuckled. ~I wasn't touching you in a naughty way...there is no sin in showing affection.~ he argued leaning over to kiss Mikado once more. ~I'm saving that for the after-mass activity.~

Mikado rolled his eyes, but giggled and blushed. ~Stop that!!!~ Mass began. Bakura really didn't pay attention, it was a lot of singing and people speaking in Latin. He was just waiting for it to end. Suddenly, everyone began getting up and heading to the front as the Cardinal (the Pope was busy conducting another midnight mass) began to perform the sacrament of communion. The Agents all filed up to accept a small wafer and a sip of wine. It wasn't until all the other Agents had taken Communion that Mikado stood and moved to the front. Bakura watched as a tall man also stood. He and Mikado met in the main aisle, and walked up to the front, side by side. This tall man with long blonde hair tied back with a black ribbon, was a vampire. Bakura realized that this must be Nikolas.

He observed this new vampire quietly, ready to step in if something even slightly suspicious happened. His childe was his world, and it didn't matter who the other vampire was. If Mikado needed any sort of helping, he'd be there.

But the pair just made the Sign of the Cross on themselves, then knelt at the altar and were given Communion. The Agents all buzzed, whispering about how the Vatican Vampire population had doubled. Mikado and Nikolas bowed their heads momentarily, then stood and backed away, before turning and heading back to their seats. Mikado smiled at Bakura as he returned to his side.

Bakura pulled Mikado close and seemed to fawn over him for a moment. ~So that's your fellow vampire then?~ he asked as he finally calmed and nuzzled his childe.

~Yes, that's Nikolas. He's really nice. He just got back from a mission, this is the first time we've seen each other since you changed me...~ Mikado said.

Bakura nodded slowly. ~Alright. As long as you trust him.~ he said protectively.

~Of course I do.~ Mikado said, blinking. And before Bakura knew it, everyone was getting up and leaving. Mikado smiled at Bakura and led him outside. And there, Nikolas approached them.

Bakura watched Nikolas calmly. "So you're the famous Nikolas." he said courteously.

"And you are Bakura, heir to Itemri of the South." Nikolas said, bowing respectfully. "And Mikado's sire..." Mikado grinned, making Nikolas smile.

Bakura grinned slightly. "Indeed I am. It's good to meet you." he said tugging Mikado close and kissing him. "My childe speaks of you often."

Mikado squeaked and blushed. "Bakuraaaaaa!!!!" Nikolas chuckled.

"Have you fed this night? I would appreciate company on the hunt." He said.

"I have not." Bakura said after a moment. "But my childe is still... slacking off, and is unfit for the hunt yet." he said giving Mikado a look.

Mikado frowned. "Heyyyyy..."

"He's an Agent. He was BORN for the hunt." Nikolas chuckled. "I think if you let him try, he might surprise you..."

"YEAH!" Mikado howled in agreement.

"He just learned to hypnotize last week." Bakura countered. "And dare I say I had to help my servants restock on our spaghetti... from that little incident."

Nikolas blinked. "And he's not even a month old? Pretty good. It took me several months to learn that trick."

Mikado turned and stuck his tongue out at Bakura. "Nyaaaa..."

Bakura snorted. "Took me a week." he said snorting. "You're both pampered."

Mikado rolled his eyes. "You didn't HAVE a sire to take care of you."

"I didn't either." Nikolas said. "But as an Agent, I could subdue my dinner physically."

"Bakura says vampire shouldn't do that because we're not BRUTES." Mikado sniffed, and Nikolas laughed, walking out of the Vatican with the elder and younger vampires.

"I think your sire is quite hard on you." The blonde said.

Bakura snorted. "He's quite a title on his shoulders." he said as he walked with them. "I want to see him live as long as I, if not longer."

"He's also an Agent. So you SHOULD expect more of him." Nikolas agreed, and Mikado pouted.

Bakura chuckled. "I will when he's an adult... but for now, I'll settle for protecting him and helping him learn. A luxury I was not given."

"Oh, rub it in..." Mikado snorted. Nikolas chuckled, amused.

Bakura smiled and hugged Mikado once more. "Hush you, you're just pouty because you're so young."

"Hmph..." Mikado snorted.

Nikolas stopped and stared down the road, eyes narrowed. "Shall I go first?" He asked, eyes on a person walking down the street.

"Noooo!!!" Mikado whined. "You can't eat him, he's one of Bakura's servants!!!"
Bakura chuckled. "It's fine Mikado. I'm sure Nikolas does not hunt to kill. You may partake of my servants, just be kind. They startle easily."

"No, I do not hunt to kill." Nikolas said.

"Oh. That's good." Mikado chirped.

"We should hunt elsewhere. Give Mikado a taste of a real hunt, not of asking the servants to bare their throats." Nikolas said.

Bakura nodded smiling and leaning over to cuddle Mikado once more. "Not too far. He's still a fledgling." he teased, sneaking Mikado a nice grope.

"EEP!" Mikado yelped, jumping away from Bakura and dodging behind Nikolas, placing the tall vampire between himself and his sire.

"I won't ask." Nikolas said calmly as they walked down the road.

Bakura laughed as the three vanished into the night.

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

Malik sighed as he rode, stooping down to pick up Marik, who'd began shivering and drooping from fatigue. "Hey...take it easy." he cooed, pulling a blanket from behind the saddle. He wrapped his friend up and pulled him close to warm him. "We'll find him soon."

The wolf whined sadly, shaking in the cold.

Malik hugged Marik tightly. "We wont give up until he's safely back in the village." he promised his friend, sighing. "I promise Marik, we WILL find him."

Marik let out a sad mournful howl. The other elves looked over, the sound cutting deep into their hearts.

Malik sighed and hugged his friend once more shaking his head sorrowfully. "Don’t cry like that..." he cooed. "It brings tears to our eyes."

Marik let out another sad howl, his tail and ears drooping sadly.

Malik wiped his eyes and sighed. "Marik, we'll find him...you just have to keep your chin up. Please dont cry like that..."

Marik whimpered and went limp, deciding to just rest for now, exhausted. The other elves looked at Malik, questioningly.

"That half elf was his lover." he said softly. "They finally had found each other, and agreed to love."

"We know." Said an elder member of their little party.

Malik sighed, petting Marik as he drifted to sleep. "It's a shame...that Ryou has no peace within himself." he said softly. "To take on the troubles of the world as a priest...giving peace to others and not having peace himself..."

"... Elu is behind this." Said an elf, looking at Malik. "You know it too, don't you... we can all hear it in the wind..."

Malik nodded. "Of course I heard it...but I hardly needed to...that child has the worst luck known to man...sometimes I wonder if his own god is against him."

"I doubt that..." The elf said.

Malik chuckled. "I'm not so sure."

The elf smirked.

Meanwhile, Elu was silently staring at his son.

Ryou stared back fearfully, trying to focus on keeping his only protection alive.

The werewolves were also staring at Ryou, all in their fur.

Ryou whimpered and hugged his knees to his chest fearfully. The spell flickered slightly around him. It was obvious it was growing weaker.

"Running out of time." Elu said slowly. "What will you do when it is gone, hm?"

Ryou whimpered and closed his eyes, shaking like a leaf. "Leave me alone..." he squeaked. "I..I want to go home."

"And I shall take you home. Home is with daddy, now that your mommy is gone..." Elu chuckled.

Ryou shook his head terrified. "My home is not with you!" he said quickly. "I...I have a home! I-in the church!"

Elu scoffed. "The church..." He turned and spat on the snow. "Your church and religion will be nothing but history when Seto gets through with the Vatican.”

Ryou whimpered and shook his head. "No! He wont! I...I'm going to help stop him!" he squeaked shaking his head. "A-and Aiden!"

“HAH!!!” Elu laughed. “Aiden… Aiden will die. And YOU will be with me, dear boy. Learning daddy’s trade, so to speak.”

Ryou stared as the spell flickered again. "I dont want to learn your trade! I'm no rapist!"

The man laughed. "I don't expect you to do that." He snickered. "You aren't even INTERESTED in women!!"

Ryou snorted. "I dont see anything ELSE you do!"

"Oh... you will..." Elu chuckled, and the werewolves chuckled too...

Ryou shook his head. "I dont want to!" he whimpered as the spell flickered again, and he began quickly digging through his satchel, looking for any remaining components to elongate his dying spell of protection.

Elu grinned and stood, walking over to the edge of the circle. "Almost gone, isn't it? Good. Then we can move along."

Ryou snuffled slightly and threw the last remaining bits of the components for that spell, and its flickering stopped for the moment. "I dont want to." he said snuffling again. The cold was beginning to get to him.

His father rolled his eyes. "I'm offering warm food, warm bath, warm blankets, warm bed... but you would rather SIT here in the SNOW. Are you aware that a blizzard is on the way? No, of course not. You won't use your elven abilities and LISTEN to Mother Nature."

"Are you kidding me?" Ryou snorted. "You can offer all the luxuries in the world, but as soon as this spell falls you and I both know you're going to beat me bloody. I'm not stupid."

Elu laughed. "We'll see..." He said, and turned to sit by the fire again. A couple of hours later, the spell died.

Ryou bit his lip and whimpered as the wolves drew close. This was how he was going to die? He sniffled and shook his head. Marik wouldn't have anything to rescue! They'd EAT him!

"Shoo! Knock it off!!!" Elu shouted, walking over and draping a blanket over Ryou. "NOW will you stop being stubborn, boy?" He asked, kneeling and handing Ryou some hot stew.

Ryou gave his father a rather shocked look. He...wasn't dead. He wasn't even slightly maimed.

"I'm not going to kill my own offspring." Elu chuckled, and pulled Ryou to his feet, drawing him closer to the fire.

Ryou whimpered but allowed his father to pull him to the fire. He clutched his bowl fearfully and bit his lip. "please...let me go."

"Sit and eat, you stubborn fool." Elu snorted, also sitting by the fire.

Ryou pouted, but obeyed silently, still uneasy about all the werewolves who were still probably angry at him for burning them with his spell.

Elu ignored them, however. But only an hour later, he stood. "Time to go. On your feet, unless you want the werewolves to carry you."

Ryou stood looking upset at the idea of being near the werewolves.

Finally the largest wolf spoke. "Elu I know Seto said to get rid of the kid, but what exactly are we going to do with him? Why don’t we just kill him?"

"No. He's my son. I'm not gonna just kill the pup." Elu said.

The werewolf snorted. "Then what are we gonna do with the brat? I'm not a fan of babysitting." the wolf growled. "Besides... He'd make a better meal than a priest."

"You'll be eating your teeth if you question me." Elu growled. "Now let's go."

Ryou swallowed hard as the wolf growled loudly at him as it passed. Clearly the leader of the other wolves, but still taking Elu's words. "I want to leave now..." he squeaked.

"Then let's go." Elu said, and covered the fire with snow before grabbing Ryou's hand and walking off into the woods with him.

"I mean I dont want to go with you!" Ryou yelped. "I want to go back to the Vatican!"

"That Vatican will not exist for much longer." Elu snorted.

"Nuh uh! It'll be there for years!" Ryou said shaking his head. "Stop it! You cant kill men of god!"

Elu rolled his eyes. "When Seto is finished, your God will be dead."

Ryou stared in horror. "You cant KILL god!" he shrieked. "And why would you WANT to?!"

"God only exists in your MINDS!!!" Elu laughed.

"That's not true at all!" Ryou said sternly. "That's so completly idiotic that I cant believe I even HEARD it." he snorted.

Elu chuckled and just kept stomping through the snow. "You'll accept the truth eventually."

And that's when a howl was heard in the distance. Not terribly far from them. It was Marik's mournful cries for Ryou. Ryou perked up immediatly.

Elu scowled. "You four. Go take care of that... pup..." He snapped, tossing Ryou over his shoulder and picking up the pace.

Ryou yelped. "MARIK!" he screamed loudly, hoping his lover would hear. "MARIK MARIK!"

Elu snarled and threw Ryou to the ground and looked at the other wolves. "Guard him. I'll be back when I have rid us of out pursuit." and he pulled a bow and arrow from the quiver on his back and darted off into the woods.

Ryou whimpered at the wolves circling him.

Malik on the other hand was struggling with Marik. "SHHH!" he yelped. "You'll attract their attention!"

Marik, in his halfway form, yelped. "They already know we're here, they're coming!!!" He howled, trying to get off of the horse.

Malik helped Marik off the horse and the other elves drew their bows and were on high alert. The air was tense. Even elves were susceptible to sneak attacks by other elves.

And the attack came. An elf screamed and fell off of his horse, an arrow in his chest, and then werewolves burst into view, barking ferociously. Marik whirled to meet their charge, barking right back.

The fight was on for the elves and the wolves. Malik shot one in the shoulder with an arrow before another of his comrades fell to the arrows in the forest. He growled and tried to find where they were coming from. Meanwhile another wolf had been shot.

Marik met another one and they were fighting tooth and claw, fur flying.

"THERE!!! ELU!!!" Another elf shouted, and he turned to aim at Elu, only to get tackled off of his horse by a wolf.

Malik quickly turned and let his arrow fly towards Elu. Time seemed to slow down for everyone there.

Moments later the two remaining wolves who could run, helped their allies up, and they scattered. A howl of distress going up to the other wolves who were holding Ryou. 'Run! Elu's been shot!'

Marik took off after the fleeing wolves, and Elu. Up ahead, the werewolves were dragging Ryou away, trying to escape the pursuing party.

The largest wolf growled and turned to his halway form, throwing Ryou over his back and ran swiftly, the others behind him. "We'll go to the hut." he barked the order. "Once we get there we'll figure what else to do with this annoyance." Ryou's eyes widened.

"MARIK!" he shrieked in terror. A smaller wolf snarled and lunged forward...then Ryou's world went black.

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


If you like Criminal Minds, and the adorable Dr. Spencer Reid, go check out my fics in the Criminal Minds section!!!