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 5

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Ahmose and Yami had finally reached their destination, and while Ahmose booked their room in an inn, Yami was walking around town (his wings and tail once again invisable) The town wasn't exactly small, but it wasn't too small either. He blinked when he caught sight of two humans, riding in a horse drawn carriage that was open roofed, cuddling beneath a fur.

"I love you..." The man crooned to the woman.

Yami blinked and tilted his head to the side, deciding to watch them. He focused his magic, changing into a small blackbird and flying quickly after the humans. He landed on the carriage's luggage trunk in the back and stared up at the humans as they crooned to eachtoher.

When Ahmose left the inn to get Yami, he was quite worried that all he found was Nakhti.

But Yami was quite interested in watching the couple cuddling, and kissing.

He hopped forward and cocked his head to the side. 'Human love doesn't look that much different from foreplay...' he thought peeping softly. 'I don’t get it.'

"I'd do anything for you..." The young man breathed. "Anything you asked of me..."

The woman nodded. "And I'd do anything for you..." she breathed lovingly. "I never want to leave your side..."

Yami blinked. 'foreplay with the obligatory talking.'

The man smiled. "I would die without you..." He cooed, kissing her.

"I live for you and you alone..."

Yami peeped again. 'Die without her? Are humans that dependant on their chosen? I wonder if Ahmose would die if I left him to go home..' Yami peeped in amazement. 'such a short lifespan!'

"Yami?" Ahmose was calling, looking around for his demon lover. "Yami, where are you?"

Yami however was too intrigued by the human couple to notice Ahmose calling him.

Ahmose frowned, worried. He pulled something out of the pouch at his belt; a pendulum on a string. "... Yami..." He murmured, and the pendulum swung a bit, then tugged to the left. Ahmose turned and followed where the pendulum was pointing.

Yami peeped once more, hopping closer to the couple as the carriage continued to move. 'Explain! What is love!?' he peeped in command. 'I demand to know!'

"I'll never let anything tear us apart..." The man cooed to the woman, kissing her again. "We'll be together for the rest of our lives..."

The woman's eyes widened and her cheeks reddened. "A-are you asking...?" she breathed in awe of him.

Yami blinked. '...what the hell? you ASK before you fuck here?'

The man smiled and nodded. "I am... Your father has given me his blessings... Beth... will you marry me?"

Beth gasped and tears welled up in her eyes. "Oh...y-yes! Yes I will Mark...yes!" She hugged him tight and cried tears of joy.

Yami was staring, wide eyed. '...I don’t understand...' he peeped in awe. 'She's...crying...and happy...and...'

The man was also crying, and pulled out a necklace, fastening it around her neck.

Yami blinked again and watched, awed by the emotions these humans were expressing. They all conflicted! Tears were sadness! Smiles were happiness! Laughter was Joy! What the hell was love then?!

"Yamiiiii!!!" Ahmose called, pulling the demon out of his thoughts. "Yami, where the hell are you?!"

Yami blinked and turned hopping off the carriage and flying over to Ahmose. He landed near him and peeped.

Ahmose blinked when the pendulum pointed to the crow. He frowned and tapped his foot. "And what are you up to?"

"Staring up skirts." the bird replied.

Ahmose raised an eyebrow. "Riiight..."

Yami changed back and flicked his tail, before making it invisible. "You sounded upset...?" Yami asked.

"You just disappeared! Of course I was upset! You've never done that before. Where were you?" Ahmose asked, putting the pendulum away.

"Watching those humans." Yami said pointing to the disappearing carriage. "Why?"

"Why were you watching them?" Ahmose asked, cocking his head.

"Because they said they loved eachother." Yami replied honestly. "So I watched."

Ahmose blinked. ".... what?

"They said they loved eachother...I figured if I watched I'd figure it out." Yami explained. "The only thing I figured out is that you humans are half off your ass insane."

Ahmose blinked several times, then laughed. "Okay... THIS you must explain. Come on." He said and headed back to the inn.

Yami followed. "You have to ask before sex, and you laugh while crying!" Yami said shaking his head. "Crazy things...since when did anyone have to ask before having sex? The principle itself is halfassed! The point of sex is to reach elation, much like getting drunk, only more fulfilling." Yami explained.

Ahmose looked at Yami like he was crazy. "What are you TALKING about?" He laughed.

"Hell if I know! It's YOUR silly species!" Yami said throwing his hands up. "God if you enjoy someone's company just claim them as your own and keep them!"

Ahmose chuckled, pulling Yami into the inn and to their room. "Alright. Explain yourself. You sound ridiculous."

Yami flicked his tail as it appeared. "They were having foreplay, then the male suddenly asks her sometihng about making merry, and then they just go insane with tears and laughing." Yami said shaking his head. "So love is basically foreplay with words, and instead of sex, you just start throwing random emotions at eachother."

Ahmose blinked. "... Foreplay?! In a CARRIAGE?! I highly doubt that! What were they doing?!"

"saying 'I love you' and the like." Yami said calmly. "I'll die without you....which is also weird. Are your lifespans really that short?"

Ahmose blinked, trying to put all of this together. "Okay... they were... kissing?" He asked.

Yami nodded.

"And they said they would die without the other and the man... asked her to marry him?" Ahmose asked.

Yami nodded again.

Ahmose smiled, sitting down. "Okay. When humans fall in love with someone, someone they want to spend the rest of their lives with, they go through a ceremony in which they exchange vows before the community promising to spend the rest of their lives together, living for one another. This is called Marriage. He was asking her to Marry him."

"...humans are freaks." Yami concluded.

Ahmose blinked, then laughed. "And humans don't only cry when they're sad. We also cry when we're... extremely happy. Overjoyed."

"Freaks." Yami repeated. "But alright...you love me, so lets get that marriage thing."

Ahmose blinked and blushed, but then looked down and fidgeted a bit. "I... Yami... we... we can't."

"why not?" Yami blinked.

Ahmose sighed. "Well... a priest performs the marriage ceremonies... no priest would perform a ceremony involving a demon... and... only men and women can get married. Not a... man and a man... or a woman and a woman... same gender marriages are... well... same gender relationships are technically... forbidden."

"Freaks." Yami repeated once more. "Since when did gender determine anything but how it's done? Ah well...humans are fickle crazy creatures...."

Ahmose smiled slightly, nodding. "Yeah..." He whispered.

Yami flicked his tail and pulled Ahmose close. "What matters is you're MY human." he purred. "Even if you're a crazy assed fickle insane human" he smiled and pushed Ahmose onto the bed grinning. "You'll be MY fickle crazy assed insane human, moaning my name from now until eternity."

Ahmose blinked at Yami, but then smiled and nodded. "Yes..." He said softly.

Yami grinned. "Good, now lets get to practicing." he hissed seductively. "and this time if I get interrupted, you're going to get a new kind of sex, a lesson in pain and pleasure."

Ahmose's eyes widened and he blushed a dark red. "W-What?!"

"You heard me." Yami chuckled darkly. "So you'd better hope to the gods that nothing interrupts me. I'm hungry, and I'm GOING to eat."

Ahmose’s eyes widened and he stared up at Yami and blushed. “Um… are you going to be like this every time we go to an inn?” He squeaked.

"Damn straight." Yami replied proudly. "Now get naked."

Ahmose's eyes widened even more and he gulped. He raised a hand, snapped his fingers, and in swirls of purple clouds, his clothes vanished from his body and solidified on a chair in the corner, folded nicely.

Yami smirked. "Ohhh nice..." He purred. "It's good to see you're as eager to have me as I am to have you." he said proudly. "Such a compliment!"

Ahmose blinked, but smiled and chuckled slightly. “Riiiight… so… I got naked for you… you gonna return the favor?”

"Nope." Yami cooed pinning Ahmose quickly. "I'm going to have some fun with you instead."

Ahmose's eyes widened. "S-S-Say what?!"

"I SAID... you're my love slave tonight." Yami cooed flicking his tail like a smug cheshire cat.

Ahmose gulped again, but then blinked and smirked. "How can you call me your loveslave when you don't know what love is?"

"Spite." Yami said calmly.

Ahmose blinked yet again, then slumped back and crossed his arms over his chest with a pout. "Jerk."

"Why certainly." Yami said calmly, beginning to do JUST that to his little lover.

"HEY!!" Ahmose yelped, jumping. "YAMI!!!"

"Ahh..." Yami purred. "Music to my ears. LOVE that yelpy sound you make when you're embarrassed.”

"WHAT?!" YAMI!" Ahmose cried in embarrassed horror.

Yami snickered and kissed Ahmose. "Stop pouting...it's just making you look even more adorable."

Ahmose scowled and glared. "Ass..." He hissed.

"Oh, well if you insist." Yami smirked. "We can bring THAT into play..." he whipped his tail and smirked, letting the motion hang.

Ahmose gulped, his eyes growing wide again. "Y-Yami..." He gasped, and to Yami's surprise, Ahmose's eyes clouded over with lust and desire. "... Kiss me..."

Yami cooed and smiled leaning down. "I'd enjoy that..." he hissed kissing Ahmose strongly.

Ahmose moaned, wrapping his arms around Yami's neck and then, to Yami's shock, he flipped them over so he was sitting on the demon's hips.

Yami's tail flicked like a pleased cat. "oooohhh sexy."

"Hnh..." Ahmose grunted with a smirk. "Damn straight..." And he kissed Yami again, grabbing his crotch.

Yami chuckled. "You'd better be careful...at this rate you may become an incubus yourself..." he purred.

Ahmose smirked down at Yami. "I think you're rubbing off on me..." He hissed, slowly pulling Yami's pants down.

Yami flicked his tail and slid it over Ahmose's chest. "And you think you wouldn't fit in in my realm..." he snickered. "You seem like you'd fit right in."

Ahmose smiled. "Maybe... I guess that ultimately... I just belong with you..." He gently stroked Yami's already attentive arousal.

Yami smirked. "When you do decide to give up this dangerous vagabond lifestyle...you can come home with me."

Ahmose smiled. "Maybe... IF I decide to give it up... I rather like traveling around on horseback... with you behind me..." He moved over Yami's hips and sank down, impaling himself on Yami's erection with a groan. "God..."

Yami hissed and curled his tail around Ahmose's waist. "I'd be on your ass no matter how we traveled...and your horse could come too...you've never traveled my realm...many sights to see..."

Ahmose gasped as Yami's tail tickled him a bit. "Perhaps... someday..." He breathed, and began to move.

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"This sucks." Mikado pouted, sitting down on the blankets in the corner of the stall as Marik locked him in.

"I know, I know." Marik said with a nod. "But as a Vatican Agent, no one wants you running around free. And you ARE still my prisoner, technically." Mikado snorted, glaring at an innocent spider in the corner.

Ryou blinked. "Um...aren't I a prisoner too?" he asked softly.

"Yes." Marik said. "But you aren't a threat like he is." He said, gesturing to Mikado as he moved to the next stall to check on Malik. "I'm locking him up for EVERYONE'S safety. If he's running around, he can hurt people and they can hurt him. It's best this way." Mikado was heard muttering angrily in his prison stall, and several words made Ryou's eyes widen in shock.

"LANGUAGE!" Ryou scolded.

"... Sorry Ryou!" Mikado called. Marik knelt down by Malik.

"Malik?" He called to the elf.

"Fuck you..." Malik hissed. Ryou winced.

Marik sighed and nodded, standing and looking at Ryou. "How long before he's back to normal?" He asked.

"A...while." Ryou said softly. "A few hours...to a few days... he was in contact with the book for a while..."

Marik nodded. "There's nothing we can do to speed things up?"

"Not without magic..." Ryou said softly, looking down. "I'm sorry...

Marik nodded. "Hey Agent! You know any magic?"

"... No." Mikado mumbled. "Not really."

Ryou shook his head. "He wouldn't be able to fix it..." he sighed. "only I can."

"But... you can't?" Marik asked.

Ryou shook his head. "Not right now..."

Marik nodded. "Okay then." He said, then smiled. "Come on. I have something for you."

Ryou blinked and nodded. "Mikado...you should pray forgiveness for your language." Ryou said sternly, before following Marik.

"I know... I will..." Mikado called after them, and a mumble followed them out of the stable. "Just like always..." Marik chuckled as he shut the doors of the stable.

"Why do I have a feeling that he has trouble watching his mouth...?" The werewolf asked, wagging his tail.

"Because he does.” Ryou replied softly. "He's not as Godly as he should be..."

"Oh, ease up. He's just a kid." Marik said. "And he doesn't have an easy life. And he certainly has spunk."

Ryou raised an eyebrow at Marik. "He's older than I am."

"But you've had a quiet life in a small church in a village. I don't know what people go through as they train to become an Agent but..." Marik shrugged. "You should talk to him."

Ryou shook his head. "I...only know of my village...what the villagers tell me." Ryou said looking away as they walked. "I...was born and raised in that church...since you've kidnapped me...this is my first time seeing...outside."

"Well, like I said... TALK to him. I think you could help him. He seems strong but... I think you two should talk." Marik said. "He seems nice."

Ryou nodded. "We've been talking since he was kidnapped too...it's all we COULD do."

"Oh." Marik said, and trotted over to the carriage. "I um... I noticed that Malik... um... he destroyed your... um..." He sighed and pulled out the tattered remains of Ryou's Bible. It was utterly destroyed. This shocked Ryou... Books had to be written by hand... they were incredibly expensive. His village had saved for so long to buy the book... it would be YEARS before they would be able to afford another, even one as simple as the destroyed book.

Ryou looked absolutely devastated. "Oh...." he sniffled softly and took the remains of his precious bible. "I....I...."

Marik sighed, but smiled slightly. "But... I managed to find this..." And he pulled out a large book. Its cover was a beautiful rich red leather with a gold cross on the center of the cover, and it was bound in clasps of gold. "Here... To replace that one..." He said, handing the exquisite (and EXTREMELY expensive) book to Ryou.

Ryou gasped in shock. "B-but...this must have cost a fortune!" he breathed putting the tattered bible down and taking the new one, tenderly feeling the leather and opening it to read the beautiful printing within. "H-how? W-why?"

Marik smiled. "Because Malik destroyed that one. It's... it's been here in the village for a long time. No one has really wanted it... but I bought it from the woman who had it. She was glad to be rid of it, gave me a good price. Do... do you like it?"

Ryou nodded in awe, closing the book and hugging it tightly. "It's...so beautiful, a-and the printing is so neat! Oh I could never have asked for a better bible!"

Marik smiled, nearly glowing in his joy at the happiness he was able to bring to Ryou. "I'm glad you like it."

Ryou put the book down and hugged Marik tightly. "You're too wonderful for words!"

Marik grinned, tail wagging eagerly. "It... it was nothing, really..." He said, blushing bashfully.

Ryou blushed as well and slowly pulled away, hugging his precious new book. "I...well...I..."

"I'm glad you like it." Marik said again.

Ryou nodded slowly. "W-well...I...I should go stay with Mikado...." he said blushing and looking away. "I… am still a prisoner."

Marik chuckled. "Yeah... and it IS starting to get dark... once the sun goes down those leeches in the BloodStone Tavern will be sniffing around to feed, and they would LOVE to feed on you. Come on."

Ryou shivered. "Vampires frighten me..." he cuddled into Marik at that instant. "could you bring more blankets to us?" he asked hopefully.

Marik smiled and nodded, guiding Ryou into the stable. He glanced at Malik as they passed the stall that the blonde elf was in, and moved on to the one where Mikado was, lying on his back on the floor, his legs up in the air, ankles crossed and braced against the wall. He was whistling slightly to himself.

Ryou sighed and walked in, sitting next to Mikado and sighing. "did you pray?"

Mikado nodded, not opening his eyes. Marik chuckled and shook his head, locking the stall door. "I'll be back later with dinner for you two little cherubs."

"Hah!" Mikado laughed, and Marik left the stable, snickering.

Ryou sighed and pulled some blankets over himself. "It's so cold in the fall..." he said softly.

"Fall? It's almost winter." Mikado said. "The first snow will come any day now."

Ryou blinked and shivered more. "That makes me feel colder!"

Mikado snickered. "Sorry, Ryou." He said, and opened one eye. "Whatcha got there?"

Ryou blushed softly. "Marik....gave it to me. Malik ruined my bible..."

Mikado blinked. "Marik huh? Wow... that's a really nice one."

Ryou nodded cradling the book. "It's beautiful...and so easy to read..."

Mikado smiled. "Hnh... he's not bad. For a werewolf..."

Ryou blushed darker and nodded. "Uh huh..."

Mikado sighed, folding his hands behind his head and closing his eyes again. "... you like him."

Ryou sputtered. "What?!"

"You like him." Mikado said again.

"I do not!" Ryou squeaked. "It...it's most inappropriate for a priest to have relations with ANYONE!"

Mikado chuckled. "And lying is a sin."

Ryou sputtered again. "I don’t! He's a werewolf! I'm a priest! Highly inappropriate!"

"And lying is a sin! You should pray for forgiveness..." Mikado giggled.

Ryou whined. "But I doooont!"

"Whatever you say..." Mikado sang.

Ryou pouted. "How can you say that? You KNOW I couldn't ever be in such a...relationship. Priests aren't allowed to...a-and with a MAN! It's a crime against the church!"

Mikado sighed. "With a man, yes... but some priests to have a wife... children..."

Ryou looked away. “Don’t say such things." he said softly. "Besides...Once this is all settled...I will see him set forward on the life he wants...and go back to my own life within the walls of my church."

"But you said you would take him to your village with you." Mikado said. "You'll still see him."

"Only if he comes in the church to see me." Ryou replied. "I made a promise...and I intend to do my best to keep it once I return."

"Hmm..." Mikado sighed, eyes still closed.

Ryou sighed. "What will you do...when this is over?"

"My assignment is to escort you to the Vatican. Then I have to go out and gather information about something else." Mikado said. "Maybe they'll assign me to escort you back home."

Ryou smiled. "It will be good to go home...even though I will miss being able to be outside."

"You don't ever go outside?" Mikado asked, looking at Ryou.

Ryou shook his head. "Being kidnapped...this was my first time ever out of my church. I vowed to stay within it's walls...when I joined the priesthood."

"What about the churchyard?!" Mikado asked, staring at Ryou in almost horror.

Ryou shook his head. "Never."

Mikado shuddered. "I could never live like that..." He murmured. "I like being outside... in nature..." He smiled. "God's Garden... That's why I could NEVER be a Scholar... Staying inside all day everyday... No... if I live and excell among the Agents, I'll probably become an Elite... be a Hunter, or a Slayer or a Stalker or a Warrior..." He sighed.

Ryou smiled. "But that is what you excell at...I'm not good at those things...I'm only good at making others feel better.."

"That's no reason to lock yourself up. You shouldn't stay in the church. You should move around your village. Get to know people. The priests that everyone loved in MY village were the priests who came around and visisted and got to know everyone."

Ryou sighed and shook his head. "I can’t."

"I don't see why not." Mikado huffed.

"I'd...rather hide behind those walls..." Ryou mumbled after a moment. He gave Mikado a soft look. "I'm ashamed of my bloodline."

Mikado frowned and looked at Ryou. "Your bloodline?" He asked, confused.

Ryou shuddered. ""It's a family secret...that I am most ashamed of."

"Why?" Mikado asked, cocking his head. "What is it?"

"Promise not to...to ever tell?"

Mikado blinked, then nodded. "Yes."

Ryou looked down and nodded. He slowly raised a hand and moved his hair back, revealing a pointed ear. "That..."

Mikado blinked and lowered his feet from the wall, sitting up and staring. "You... you're an elf!"

Ryou shook his head quickly. "N-no! o-only half..."

"Oh... wow..." Mikado said. "Aren't many half elves out there..."

Ryou nodded. "It's because...humans consider elves evil...and elves think the same of humans..." he shivered.

"Not all... people in small villages, yes... but... it's not so bad." Mikado said. "Why, I know a half elf Vatican Agent. He's a Consular."

Ryou wrinkled his nose. "if my village found out...if the Vatican found out..." he shuddered. "I would have no place left."

"That's not true." Mikado said. "You think the Vatican doesn't know that Aiden is Half-Elven?"

Ryou gave Mikado a look. "Elves do not preach the teachings of god to humans...that is a human's place." he sighed. "Besides, I couldn't be an agent...I'm a miserable elf. I can’t shoot arrows, or run fast, let alone manage not to trip. I'm not graceful or atheletic at all. My father must have been a drooling mutant of an elf."

Mikado blinked, then laughed. "Who knows, Ryou... maybe God has chosen you to bring his Word to the Elves..."

Ryou snorted. "Before or after I'm cast out of the church for your little 'you love him' fiasco?"

Mikado blinked, then laughed. "Shhh... I won't tell..." He said, winking at Ryou. He sighed and lay back again, his face showing that he was suddenly deep in thought about something.

"You seem troubled." Ryou said offering Mikado some of his blankets.

Mikado sighed and looked at Ryou with a small smile. "You aren't the only one who has feelings for another... man..." He said softly.

Ryou blinked. "You? who?"

Mikado flushed. "Well... he's another Agent... Same rank as me... we grew up together... his name is... Otogi... and... I also kind of have a thing for... well... a vampire..." Mikado mumbled.

Ryou stared eyes wide. "A Vampire?!" he gasped. "Of all the unholy creatures to lust for and you chose a vampire?!"

"I know, I know..." Mikado moaned. "Oh Ryou, you can't tell anyone! I could be excommunicated, or even executed! Although... execution wouldn't be so bad... but to be expelled and exiled..." He looked down and shook his head. "I have nowhere to go... the Vatican is my home..."

Ryou nodded and smiled. "I...wont tell...but I DO express my concern and disapproval…"

Mikado smiled and nodded. “Yeah… it’s okay… It’s not like we’ll ever have a relationship… I doubt he feels anything for me…”

"He's a vampire!" Ryou said shocked. "They can’t FEEL anything! They're undead!"

Mikado shook his head. "That doens't mean that they can't feel! They have emotions. Just like we do."

"They're bretheren to the devil himself..." Ryou shivered.

Mikado rolled his eyes. "Common misconception."

Ryou raised an eyebrow at Mikado. "I'm sure..."

Mikado blinked. "It's true. They are NOT bretheren to the devil himself. The first vampire was a fusion of a man and a demon."

Ryou shivered. "Lets not talk about that."

Mikado smiled. "Okay. So... was you mother the human?"

Ryou nodded. "Yes...she...died while I was very young." he said softly.

Mikado nodded. "And your father?"

Ryou glared. "I don’t know who he is....and I don’t care."

Mikado nodded again. "Why?"

"He was the elf..."

Mikado cocked his head. "That's it? You don't care because he's an elf?"

Ryou narrowed his eyes. "It was out of wedlock. My mother...was never married to him. She never spoke fondly of him."

Mikado blinked. "My mother and father weren't married either." He said.

"Did they at least love each other?" Ryou asked.

Mikado frowned. "No. My mother was a servant in the house. You see... my father married a woman in our village, but he was abusive and a drunk... She bore him a son, but she ran away with another man when he was two years old or so... my father kept my mother around as a nanny for his son, but one night he came home drunk and... forced himself on her. It happened more than once and eventually she conceived and became pregnant with me. She died giving birth to me. He was only four when I was born, but honestly, my half brother took care of me..."

"You have a brother?" Ryou asked blinking.

Mikado nodded. "An older half brother. He's older than me by three years... but... it's been twelve or thirteen years since I've seen him..." He sighed. "I don't know if he's even alive..."

Ryou blinked. "Oh wow...I'm so sorry..."

Mikado smiled. "I'm sure he's okay. When I four and he was seven, a sorcerer came through the town. He said he sensed a lot of talent in my brother. He took Ahmose as his apprentice, and Ahmose left with him. I haven't seen him since. Three years later, our village was attacked by bandits. Almost everyone was killed. I was one of four survivors. A Vatican Agent found me and took me to the Vatican, and I was raised and trained there to be an Agent myself."

Ryou grinned. "I'm sure he's fine then...sorcerers are amazing."

Mikado smiled and nodded. "I hope to meet him again some day... I take it you're an only child?"

Ryou blushed and nodded slightly. "By both human and elf standards."

Mikado smiled at Ryou. A moment later, the door to the stable opened and Marik came in, juggling bowls and bread. Mikado grinned at the werewolf.

"Stew and bread!" Marik announced.

Ryou grinned and sighed softly. "That sounds yummy..." he cooed.

Malik however, still quite grouchy just snarled.

Marik rolled his eyes. "Malik, be nice or you don't get any."

"Fuck off you mangey mutt...." the elf hissed. "and GIVE me back my BOOK!"

Ryou sighed and shook his head. "I'm so sorry..."

Marik rolled his eyes. "No Malik. No book for you."

"Faggot...Just wait until I'm out of here...that little bitch will be ruined...and you both can suffer as outcasts together!" Malik roared.

Marik rolled his eyes. "Yes dear." He sighed, giving Mikado and Ryou some dinner.

Ryou sighed softly. "Marik..." he bit his lip and looked at Mikado. Did Marik feel that way about him? Was it even right to entertain such thoughts?

Marik smiled and offered Ryou and Mikado the fresh loaf of bread. "Here. It's still warm."

"Oooh!" Mikado exclaimed and took it, ripping off a peice. "Mmmm..."

Ryou smiled and ripped off a piece as well. "Ohh mmm nice and buttery..." he sighed. "It's very good, thank you so much."

Marik smiled and nodded. "Glad you like it. Malik? Want some bread? It's really goooooooood!"

"Fuck you." Malik snarled. "When I get out of here, I'll wring your necks."

Ryou winced. "He's...violent. That's...a good sign...i-it's slowly working it's way out."

Marik snickered. "Malik being violent is a GOOD sign?"

"Yes. The more desperate he is about getting the book, the weaker the curse gets..." Ryou said softly. "It means he's slowly getting better."

"Oh. Okay then." Marik said, and stood. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have business elsewhere tonight."

Ryou blinked. "Where?"

"Full moon. The wolves are going out for a run. I'm going with them." Marik said with a smile.

Ryou bit his lip. "oh..." he looked down. "I see..."

Marik smiled. "I'll be back." He said, and kissed the top of Ryou's head.

Ryou blushed and nodded slowly. "Alright..." he mumbled dumbly.

Marik smiled. "Okay. See ya later!!!" And he trotted out of the stable.

"... told ya he likes you." Mikado said smugly.

Ryou shook his head quickly. "You can’t be serious!"

Mikado just smiled and shrugged, eating the stew.

Ryou sighed and shook his head. "I...I can’t..."

"We'll see..." Mikado snickered, ruffling Ryou's hair. A few minutes later they heard barks and howls, and these eventually faded as the werewolves ran off into the woods.

Ryou shivered. "A werewolf..." he pouted. "I'd be cast out of the church...Marked as evil..."

Mikado rolled his eyes. "Calm down, Ryou. You worry too much."

"I can’t...I have to tell him it's forbidden...i-it'd crush his dreams a second time..." Ryou sniffled. "Priests can’t..."

"I'm sure he knows that, Ryou." Mikado said. "Just let it alone. Telling him that you can't be together won't change how he feels about you."

Ryou gave Mikado a hurt look. "He...likes me?"

Mikado nods. "Yeah."

"H-how can you be so sure?" the priest asked looking distraught.

"I can tell." Mikado said. "There's nothing wrong with you two being friends, Ryou."

Ryou looked a bit disappointed. "Yes..."

Mikado sighed. "Ryou... why are you so sad?"

"Oh I'm not." Ryou said offering a smile.

"You look sad." Mikado said.

"You're seeing things." Ryou replied softly, beginning to eat. No one had ever...looked at him with that sort of love. It disheartened him that the only one to ever 'love' him even a little, was completely forbidden to him.

Mikado smiled and placed a hand on Ryou's knee for a moment, then turned his attention to his own meal.

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

The large Gypsy Cob Stallion snorted and tossed his head nervously when the howls reached his ears.

Bakura pat the horse calmly. "Continue." he said urging the horse on. "It's just the werewolves."

The horse snorted as if to say 'JUST werewolves?!'. But he did as his master commanded and pranced down the trail. After another fifteen minutes, Bakura could see lights through the woods; they had reached the Theives Village.

Bakura smiled. "There..." he cooed to the steed. "I will put you up in the stables, safe from harm." he dismounted, walking alongside his steed reassuringly.

A young man blinked when he saw Bakura and hurried over, bowing. "My Lord!" He gasped. "Sir, we didn't know you were coming! May I take Strigoi from you sir?"

Bakura nodded. "Please. Have a room prepared to my standards." he said reaching to his satchel and placing a gold coin into the young man's palm. "Be sure it is done properly."

"Of course sir." The boy said, and led the massive stallion into the stable, while Bakura turned and headed for the BloodStone Tavern.

He entered and sat down boredly. "Good evening." he said to the other vampires, as he gazed over them. "Why did you send for me?"

"My Lord..." One of the vampires gasped. "Things have been so... strange lately! Ever since Malik and Marik returned!"

Bakura raised an eyebrow as a waitress came over. "Warm blood." He ordered calmly looking back to the vampire. "Strange? Explain."

"Well... Malik is like a completely different person..." The vampire said, sitting at the table with Bakura. "He's... mean... nasty... aggressive... threatening people... he tried to kill Marik! Over a BOOK!!!"

Bakura chuckled. "Somehow I'm not that upset." he relaxed into his seat. "There is no honor among thieves."

"But Bakura is his best friend, Lord Bakura..." The vampire hissed. "Malik... he's NOT Malik... and Marik! He's been fawning over some little priest! Protecting him! And then, he showed up yesterday wearing a Crucifix. A SILVER Crucifix!"

Bakura blinked. "Are the werewolves not deathly adverse to silver? I thought the mere touch of it wounded them badly."

"It does! It burns them! But he's wearing it and it's not burning him!" The vampire said.

"How is that possible?" Bakura said thanking the waitress and drinking his order. "And what of this priest?"

"Meh, he's just this fluffy little pretty boy." The vampire snorted. "What's wierd is that Marik seems pretty... attached to him."

"Why would he be attached to a priest? Are not the priests against all that is not 'human' and 'normal' by the standard?"

"I don't know! That's why we called you! He and Malik have been acting wierd! They captured a Vatican Agent, and Marik won't let us kill him!"

"Vatican agent..." Bakura said having a slight inkling. "and a priest… where are they being kept?"

"The stable." The vampire growled, but smirked. "The Agent has sweet blood... Especially for an Agent..."

Bakura finished his order. "I will go to see them."

"I'll bring you the Agent..." The vampire hissed, standing and grinning. "You should try him... his blood is virgin..."

Bakura chuckled. "Okay. hurry." he yawned. "Traveling wears on my patience."

"Oh, his blood is worth waiting for..." The vampire giggled, and left the tavern. He made his way over to the stable, where the boy was rubbing down Bakura's large stallion. He moved down the line of stalls to the last one and crept in. Ryou and Mikado were dozing. He grabbed Mikado. "On your feet Agent! You're wanted in the BloodStone Tavern!" He giggled, and Mikado jerked and thrashed.

"What?! Hey! Get off!!!"

Ryou yawned awake as the struggle took place. "No! No you're not supposed to! Marik said no!" he said trying to help Mikado. "Stop!"

The vampire hissed and kicked Ryou into the wall, dragging Mikado out and closing the stall door. He dragged Mikado across the square and into the Tavern, throwing the Agent at Bakura's feet. Mikado grunted as he hit the floor and he blinked at the polished black boots he was nearly kissing. He didn't look up...

Bakura blinked and let out a loud laugh. "Getting into trouble again I see..." he said smirking down.

The vampires all blinked and Mikado froze, then looked up. He found himself both relieved and mortified to be staring up at the crush he had been telling Ryou about earlier. "Bakura?!"

"I had a feeling it was you when they said Vatican Agent and priest. I take it your rescue was a complete flop." Bakura chuckled.

Mikado scowled and got to his feet, blushing in embarrassment. "... Maybe."

"Maybe? And maybe I've taken up the priesthood as well." Bakura snorted. "You failed utterly."

Mikado frowned. "Okay, fine. I got my ass handed to me." He said, crossing his arms and glaring at Bakura. "Agents aren't supposed to tackle werewolves and elves until at LEAST Third Class Master."

Bakura rolled his eyes. "Life doesn't go by rules of the Vatican. Next time you could get killed for idiots errors." He snorted, turning to the other vampires. "Get the priest out, I will buy their rooms in the inn."

The vampires just stared at Bakura, stunned, several of them with their mouths hanging open.

Bakura raised an eyebrow. "Did I stutter?"

There was an immediate flurry of activity as the vampires fell over themselves to do as the elder had commanded. Mikado looked at Bakura.

"Thank God it's you..." He breathed, shaking his head. "I don't think I could take anymore... especially not a Feeding Frenzy..." And he shuddered, but blinked at the sudden look of fury on Bakura's face. He blinked again and then remembered how territorial vampires were; they didn't like anyone touching what they had claimed as "theirs", and since Bakura had fed from Mikado and left the scars on his neck, Mikado was technically "claimed", according to the laws of the vampires... "... Oh... ummm..." Mikado mumbled, nervously running a hand through his hair.

Bakura gave him a harsh look. "Get your priest and go to your room. Do not come out until dawn." he hissed warningly. "Then, I want you to take him where he needs to go once the sun rises. I will have horses readied for you." He turned and stormed out, obviously pissed beyond his tolerances.

Mikado gulped and ran out, heading for the stable to get Ryou. He ran in and shoved past the vampires who were trying to get Ryou, but were just scaring him.

"Come on, Ryou. Now." Mikado said, grabbing Ryou's little satchel and Bible, and dragging the priest out of the stable and towards the tavern and inn. They were taken to a room and Mikado shut the door. "We... We're not to leave until the sun rises..." The Agent said.

Ryou blinked shaken by the whole thing. "W-what's going on?"

Mikado sighed. "You... you know that vampire I had mentioned?"

Ryou nodded slowly. "Yes...?"

"Well... he's here." Mikado said. "And he's angry... he got us this room and he says that I am to take you to the Vatican as soon as the sun rises..."

Ryou gasped and shook his head. "B-but...what about Marik....I...I promised him..."

"We... we'll figure it out." Mikado said, sitting down on a bed. "But... I don't want to anger Bakura..."

At that, an extremly loud crash was heard, followed by furious shouting.

Ryou squeaked and hurried over to his bed, hopping in like a child that'd been caught OUT of bed.

Mikado frowned and moved over to the window, peering out.

The vampire lord was putting his foot down, quite harshly on the back of a lower vampire, eyes glowing in fury. They had found out about 'his' human lunch.

Mikado winced and turned away, closing the shutters. He slowly removed his cloak, jacket, vest and shirt, folding them carefully and setting his belt on top and his boots on the floor, then dropped into bed as well. "God, it feels good to be in a real bed..." He sighed.

Ryou nodded climbing under the covering up and yawning. "I've missed beds..."

Mikado sighed. "... Yeah..." He murmured, driting off to sleep in record time.

Ryou was no slower, practically passing out the moment his head hit the pillow.

When Marik returned later on that morning, after the moon had set and the sun had yet to rise, he was surprised to smell Bakura. He immediately got dressed and trotted over to the Bloodstone Tavern.

Bakura was just walking out, having cooled down. "Ahh...Marik." he said smirking. "Back so soon?"

Marik blinked. "... What are YOU doing here, Bakura?" He asked, smiling and walking over to greet his friend.

"I was summoned due to strange occurances." he eyed the crucifix. "How is it you're wearing silver?"

Marik blinked, then looked down at the necklace. "Oh... I uh..." He stuffed it into his shirt. "It's a long story..."

Bakura gave him a look. "Come with me then, and you can tell me until dawn."

Marik blinked. "No, I... told someone that I would see them as soon as I got back..." He glanced at the stable.

"If you're looking for the priest and the Agent, they're leaving as soon as the sun rises." Bakura said calmly.

Marik's eyes widened. "What do you MEAN they're going to leave?!"

"You can’t hold the priest hostage." Bakura said, taking Bakura into the tavern. "He has places he needs to go, and you know you're not to interfere with the men of the church unless they directly attack you." Bakura said calmly. "If you anger the church, everyone suffers."

Marik frowned. "But Bakura... I... I have to go with them!"

"Why?" Bakura gave Marik a hard look.

Marik gulped and looked down. "Ryou... he's going to help me... I have a chance to actually settle down and live an honest life... I want to take it..."

"The Vatican wants that priest for some reason or another Marik. They would not likely let you near. They wanted him so badly they sent an Agent to retrieve him. Do you think for one moment that there will be any chance for you?"

Marik glared at Bakura. "Yes."

As they glared at one another, Ryou and Mikado emerged from the inn and hurried over to the stables. Moments later, a black stallion emerged from the pre-dawn mist, bearing two riders.

"Hmph..." Ahmose grumbled. "Even without those damn goblins that town was miserable..." He complained. "We'll stay here for a few days." He glanced down at the sack of gold that he was awarded for dealing with the goblin problem. He reined Nakhti to a stop and dismounted. "Wait here, Yami. I'll be right back." And he headed for the tavern that Ryou and Mikado had left only minutes earlier.

Yami flicked his tail and stretched, leaning forward in the saddle and almost managing to lie down on the horse's back. "He's too picky sometimes." he mumbled, patting Nakhti. “Don’t you agree?"

Nakhti nickered softly, tugging on the bit in his mouth, flicking his ears. The doors to the stable opened and Ryou and Mikado rode out, Mikado on his black mare, and Ryou on one of the four bay mares that had pulled the carriage.

In the Bloodstone Tavern, Marik spotted them through the window. "Ryou... Ryou!" He bolted for the door, only to be seized by Bakura. "Let me GO!!!"

"Marik let HIM go!" Bakura growled. "I'll not have you endangering the lives of all in this village for some priest boy. If you want a chance at an honest living then set up shop here."

"No! I... I want to go with him!" Marik cried, struggling with the vampire.

"Do you think that the agents of the Vatican would let you set foot on their holy ground? You'd be dead before you reached the gates, crucifix or not!" Bakura growled. "Besides, I know what you're thinking Marik, and he's a priest! He is not to be had. It's a mortal sin in HIS world, for two males to be in relations, let alone with a werewolf. You'd be his undoing. Let him go back to the life he chose for himself."

Marik felt the stinging of tears beginning to gather in his eyes as he watched Mikado and Ryou turn their horses for the trail and disappeared from his line of sight. Marik's ears and tail drooped and he let out a whimpering whine...

Mikado smiled at Ryou. "It should only take us a day or two to get to the Vatican." He said as they headed across the square and for the road into the woods.

Ryou nodded slowly, looking around. "Wh-where's Marik...I wanted to say goodbye at the very least..." he mumbled sadly.

"It... may be easier to just... go." Mikado said. His mare's ears perked and she snorted.

Across the square, Nakhti suddenly perked, ears up and nostrils quivering. He lifted his tail in excitement and turned. He spotted the mare, and with a loud bugle, he half reared, flinging Yami to the ground, and pranced across the square. The mare squealed pivoted on her hind legs.

"OH SHIT!!!" Mikado yelped, losing his balance and falling from her back. She quickly pranced away, an excited Nakhti on her tail; the mare was heat.

Yami struggled to quickly right himself, tangled amongst his wings and tail. "Gods!" He howled, pissed. "I KNOW I have a hornying affect but don’t you think you could NOT do that!" he shouted after the horse.

Ryou stopped his giggles when he spotted Yami. "Good heavens a demon!"

Mikado quickly looked up, pushing his hood out of his eyes. And his eyes widened. "Not just ANY demon... an Incubus!" He got to his feet and drew his sword, charging. "HYAAAAAAAH!!!" He cried, startling Yami and drawing quite a lot of attention.

"Shit!" Yami yelped scrambling away. "Oh COME ON! What is it with people wanting me dead?!" he howled quickly flapping his wings and jumping into a tree. "Calm the hell down!"

Mikado glared and pulled a knife from his belt, flinging it with deadly accuracy, striking the Incubus across the thick lower section of the arm of his left wing, which went limp, dragging him over and causing him to topple out of the tree. Mikado raised the sword and stalked closer.

"Unholy demon... I'll send you back to Hell where you belong!!!"

Yami winced and whipped out his tail, snatching Mikado's ankle and toppling the youth backwards. "Like Hell you will!" he snarled quickly pulling his beloved tail away and sitting up, pulling the knife from his wing with a shuddering wince. He backed away slowly, his injured wing dragging beside him. "I came here to rest, not get my ass kicked by YOU! I didn't even DO anything!"

"You..." Mikado snarled, flipping himself onto his feet again. "Have entered the Earth. YOUR place is in Hell!" He darted forwards and swung his leg out, sweeping Yami's feet out from under him. The demon yelped as he fell onto his back and Mikado swiftly planted a foot on his chest and pressed the tip of his sword into Yami's throat. He made the Sign of the Cross, directing it at Yami. "In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen." And he drew back his sword, preparing to thrust it home.

"NO!!!" The people in the little village stared as a figure in a purple cloak tackle the Vatican Agent to the ground.

Yami let out a gasp of relief. "I think I just shit out my heart..." he whined, slowly forcing himself to get up, wing hanging limply.

Ryou stared shocked. "Another one?" he said shocked and confused.

Yami went to move but winced. "Gods be damned I HATE prayers at me!" he growled. He'd have to wait a few moments until the prayer wore off and he could move.

"BASTARD!!!" Mikado shouted. "GET OFF ME!!!" He flung Ahmose off and leapt to his feet, taking up his sword again. His opponent pulled two blades from his belt, Kris. Both cloaked combatants circled each other, warily. Finally, Mikado made his move, charging at the stranger. Marik and Bakura stood in the doorway, watching with wide eyes, Bakura still holding onto Marik to keep him from running to Ryou. In the background, behind the clashing of blades, the two horses could be heard mating.

Ahmose snarled as the tip of the Agent’s sword tore through his shirt and sliced open a shallow gash on his chest. He countered the next sword thrust, dancing around his opponent. The pair dueled their way back and forth and around the square, each one determined to do their job; one to protect the demon, the other to kill it.

Finally, Ahmose parried a blow and whirled, bringing his blades down hard.

"AAH!!!" Mikado yelped at the sudden blow, which bent his wrist back and twisted it, his sword falling from his fingers. Mikado grit his teeth. He had had enough of getting the shit beat out of him over the past week. It WASN'T going to happen again. Without hesitation, he whirled and slammed his fist into his opponent's solar plexus as hard as he could with one hand, and pulled the silver dagger Bakura had given him with the other, and drove it home...

Ahmose's eyes widened and he let out a sharp, pained gasp at the cold burning pain in his chest. He dropped his Kris and stumbled back, finally collapsing onto the frozen ground, eyes wide as he stared up at the pink sky. The sun was beginning to rise.

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

*squeak* O.O Review!!! Or Ahmose DIES!!!