Cast The First Stone

Well...  haven't updated in years, but I got a message on another site asking about this fic, so I dug up the old flash drive and posted a few more chapters for those of you out there still wanting to follow this story.

 

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Malik walked into the dining hall for breakfast and saw Ryou in the corner, looking tired and depressed... 

When Mikado had returned to the Vatican a week ago, no one could ever remember seeing him so depressed aside from the day or two where he thought Yami and Ahmose were dead, and Pegasus, Dartz and Otogi had been frozen in the crystal.  He had silently groomed Geist and put him away in the stable, and then retreated to his chambers.  Worried, they went in looking for him.  Mikado had been curled up on the floor gazing into the fireplace.  All he had said was, "He doesn't love me anymore..."  And then he was silent. 

They had stayed with him all night, talking to him, but all he did was cry.  Ryou had spent all night, every night with Mikado, trying to snap him out of it.  The only other time he had spoken was when Ryou was closing the curtains before morning.  In a broken, soulless voice, Mikado had asked "Please...  leave them open..."  This had frightened Ryou, as leaving them open would have allowed the light from the rising sun to flood the room.  Mikado would have been incinerated.  Ryou went crying to Marik after scolding Mikado harshly.  Malik had stayed in the room that day to make sure that Mikado wouldn't get up and fling open the curtains on his own.  Later, Agents had come in and boarded up the windows and covered them with holy relics to keep Mikado from ripping them down.  Mikado had neither moved nor spoken since.

Ryou peered into Mikado's room after a moment.  "Mikado?"  he asked softly ears back.  "It's...night time a-and...well you cant just...wallow like this."  he whimpered.  "Please come out?  Try to be happy?  Things will get better..."

Mikado was still for a moment, but then just curled up tighter.

"Mikado.."  Ryou sighed and stepped inside.  "You cant be this way..."  he bit his lip.  "Bakura loves you!  He'll always love you...  I'm sure he's just..  .ticked off."  Ryou offered.  "Marik and I have fights sometimes too...  maybe he just wanted to get some space."

Marik peered in, ears and tail drooping.  Mikado still gave Ryou no response.  Marik had a feeling that there would still be tears on Mikado's face if he had anymore blood in him to shed.  He was as white as marble.

"Marik..."  Ryou looked at his lover and sniffled.  "He's going to starve to death...  or die of a broken heart..."  he whimpered.

Marik sighed and walked in.  "I know..."  He said softly, putting an arm around Ryou.  "What did Bakura say to him?!  He's...  completely broken him...  Whatever it was, it made Mikado lose his will to live..."

Ryou shook his head.  "I don’t know...  he won’t talk about it."  His ears drooped as well.  "Mikado...  you can’t die.  What about Otogi?  After all this time, it'd crush him to be left behind.  He's been so eager to catch up to things in this time...  and spend time with you!"

Marik sighed.  "Maybe we should get Otogi in here to talk to him.  And Nikolas and Pegasus.  And...  and we have to get Yami, too...  and if anyone can smack some sense into the kid it's Ahmose..."

"I don’t know how we'll get Yami and Ahmose...  but Otogi, Nikolas and Pegasus are doable..."  Ryou said hurrying from the room to get said people.

Otogi was the first to come to his friend's side.  "Mikado!"  he hurried to Mikado's bed.  "Oh god Mikado..."  He shook his head and pulled his childhood friend into a hug.  "Mikado...  you have to pull out of this..."  he said shaking his head.  "You can’t kill yourself over someone.  Love or not, life is important!"

Mikado didn't respond at all.  In fact, he was limp as a ragdoll in Otogi's arms, his eyes blank and glazed.  Marik perked up when Mikado twitched a bit upon finding his lips on Otogi's throat.

Otogi didn't even move.  "Please Mikado…"  he pleaded hugging him tighter.  "I'd give my all for you, and if you're hungry then PLEASE feed."  his eyes filled with tears.  "I don’t want to lose you after all that we've been through...  not like this.  You're too good for this."

Mikado still didn't respond.  The next to arrive was Nikolas, frowning in concern.

Nikolas frowned.  "Mikado you have to eat."  he scolded.  "You'll go into Blood Lust and kill everyone dear to you if you don’t."

Mikado winced at that, fear flickering momentarily in his eyes before they went blank again.

At that moment Pegasus barged in and glared harshly at Mikado.  "Mikado Mareo Maho!"  He howled furiously, marching right over and slapping the boy harshly across the face. 

"How DARE you."  he growled. "HOW dare you think that after all the soul damning sins you've committed think you can just decide to die.  That is GOD'S choice, and suicide is a sin."  he growled at the youth.  "You'll go STRAIGHT to hell."

Mikado stared at Pegasus, eyes wide in shock.

"Figures..."  Marik muttered in Ryou's ear, snickering.

Pegasus growled at the youth.  "I KNOW I raised and trained you better than this."  he hissed in fury, his hands shaking in his anger.  "If you don’t shape your ass up right now, then you'll NEVER go to heaven.  Everyone you ever loved will be in heaven, and you'll be damned straight to hell, and never near them.  Now you straighten your ass up and FEED."

Mikado just kept staring, though his lip was trembling.

"...  I...  don't want to..."  He gasped, his voice hoarse.

"Grow up."  Pegasus said sternly.  "It's not your choice to live or die.  It's God's choice, and as it is, you've still a lot to do in this world."  he gave Mikado a firm look.  "You didn't need Bakura growing up, and you don’t NEED him now.  If you think you do, then get your ass up and go GET him.  Don’t just lay here like a lump on a log pouting because he 'doesn't love you'."

Mikado looked away.  "He doesn't!!!  He said so!!!  He...  He said I wasn't welcome in his life anymore!!!"  Marik blinked and straightened, looking startled at that.  "He...  he's sick of me...  and he doesn't want to... see me anymore...  He...  he loves Fei Long..."

"Who?"  Malik asked.

"Another...  Another Ancient.  The Childe of the Timeless of the East.  He and Fei Long... they have a history, and...  and he wanted Fei Long, but Fei Long didn't want him, so... so he settled for me...  and then Fei Long came and...  and Bakura just...  threw me out!!!"  Mikado cried, and broke down into hysterical sobs.

Pegasus rolled his eyes.  "So?  That just sounds like he saw something in Fei Long.  Whatever he saw I'm sure you could beat, or at least match."  Pegasus roared.  "Stop pouting like a baby and talk to him.  Bakura is a great many things...  but I don’t think he'd just DITCH you for Fei Long."

"Well he DID!!!"  Mikado shouted, jerking away from Pegasus, but he fell to the floor, too unbalanced.  "Just leave me alone..."

Ryou whimpered.  "But..  Mikado...  Fei Long left almost a whole week ago...  and he left alone..."

Mikado shook his head.  "Bakura...  told me I was not... welcome..."  He moaned, curling up in front of the fire again.  "I will not go where I am not welcome..."

"But he didn't leave you for Fei Long!  If he had Fei Long would have stayed!  Or he would have gone with him!" Ryou whimpered.  "Mikado please! You can’t do this!" 

Pegasus snorted.  "Fine...give up like a cowardly little swine. If this is how you act when things get tough for you...  then you deserve hell, and you deserve Bakura kicking you out.  He didn't seem the time to deal with pigs,"

Mikado winced at this harsh criticism.  "I... I'm sorry..."  He said softly, and slowly got to his feet.  "You're right...  I...  I will go feed...  and I will recover my strength, and continue my work for the Vatican..."  He said in a soft voice, and headed for the door.  "It's all I have to live for now..."  He mumbled.

Ryou whimpered and hurried after Mikado.  "Mikado please!"  he sniffled as he followed.  "I don’t think Bakura's left you for good...  Please perk up..."

Mikado sighed.  "He told me to go."  He said softly.  "That I no longer have a place in his life.  He said he would not change his mind.  I was no longer his betrothed...  I am a Vatican Agent and he is my Informant...  and... and he said he may not even be that!!!"  Mikado sobbed, rubbing his dry eyes.  "I'm not going back...  I had left, Ryou...  I had left because I was angry and hurt.  He had said he was done with me, and I left.  And when I came back...  he threw me out and said he wasn't going to...  to play my game anymore...  I can't go back Ryou.  I went back, and I was turned away..."

"Mikado...  you hurt him."  Ryou said softly hugging his friend.  "he lashed out back.  It's understandable."  he shook his head.  "But he loves you....if he didn't love you so dearly, he wouldn't have cared!  He wouldn't have said those things so hurtfully, if he didn't love you. You hurt him...  and he wanted to hurt you back."  Ryou bit his lip and gave Mikado a worried look.  "He loves you...  he's ALWAYS loved you."

"...  I'm NOT going back."  Mikado said firmly.  "If he wants me, he can come out here and apologize.  I apologized to him and he threw it back in my face.  Said that I had no reason to apologize, because the apologies I was giving him were to come only from...  from a lover.  And I was not...  his lover, so I couldn't give and he couldn't accept my apologies..."

Ryou sighed and gave Mikado a sad look.  "Mikado...I...feel badly for you." he said after a moment. "I don’t know what brought about your love problems lately...but...you and Bakura must be the most unlucky people on this earth..."

Mikado snorted.  "Go back inside, Ryou.  You shouldn't see me hunt..."

Ryou frowned and nodded slowly.  "Alright Mikado..." he whispered, but there were tears in his eyes.  He hurried back inside the Vatican, seeking shelter and comfort in Marik's arms.

Marik caught Ryou up gently, hugging and nuzzling him.  "Shhhh..."  He said softly.  "Why are you crying?  Mikado has gone to feed, hasn't he?"

Ryou sniffled.  "Marik he's crushed!"  he whimpered giving his lover a distressed look.  "I cant stand it!"

Marik blinked at Ryou.  "I know, baby...  just...  just give him time.  He'll go home, soon.  He loves Bakura.  He's run off in anger before, he always goes back.  And when he goes back, Bakura will welcome him back and they'll both start crying about how sorry they are and have passionate sex while the delighted servant girls listen in giggling behind the door like always."

Ryou sniffled.  "Marik..."  he pouted.  "More...than I needed to hear."

Marik chuckled.  "Come on, baby...  you know that's what will happen."

Ryou grumbled and sniffled.  "I hate you sometimes..."  he mumbled hugging Marik tightly.

"Don't you beleive me?"  Marik asked, picking Ryou up and cuddling him.

"I believe you...but I didn't need to hear about their sex lives."  Ryou pouted, cuddling Marik back.

"Good.  So let Mikado steam for a bit, and then he'll go back to Bakura."  Marik said.

Ryou nodded slowly.  "Alright..."  Ryou mumbled nuzzling Marik. 

But a week later, Mikado still hadn't gone back to Bakura.  He fed lightly and only every few days, just enough to keep himself from starving or going into a Blood Rage.  The Vatican was refusing to give him missions until he stopped moping and got himself back into good condition, so Mikado had taken to sitting around in his room all night, sulking, or in the library, reading, or with Geist and Enehy, either grooming them or going for a ride in the woods...  in the OPPOSITE direction as Bakura's house.

Ryou had finally gotten fed up and approached Mikado.  "Mikado, this has to stop, if you're not going to go to Bakura, then I AM!"  he howled.  "You're not even...  DOING anything anymore!  This is childish!"

Mikado paused in brushing Geist (who already gleamed of perfection) but then took up the repetative motion again.  He never spoke anymore unless he was asked a direct question, and then kept his answer to a minimum, usually monosyllabic, too.  Pegasus had asked him to describe something in detail two days past...  Mikado just stared at him a moment, then walked away.

Ryou sighed and shook his head.  "Fine.  I will see him myself.  If you wont fight for the one you love, then I will"  He growled bristling and changing to a wolf and darting from the stables.

Mikado paused in the grooming again, but just sighed and continued a moment later.

Ryou ran through the woods full speed.  He arrived at the mansion not more than a few hours later and pawed at the door.  He knew Bakura kept robes for him and Marik since their last visit.

After a few minutes, Lillith opened the door.  She blinked at Ryou.  "Oh..."  She turned and went to the closet and returned with a robe.

Ryou changed back and cuddled into it.  "Is...  Bakura home?  I'm here to talk to him about Mikado..."

Lillith's face suddenly became very upset.  "Oh..."  She said softly, looking down.  "I...  Ryou...  Master Bakura is... no longer here."

"No longer here?"  Ryou blinked.  "What do you mean?  Where IS he?"

Lillith winced and sniffled a bit.  "M-Master Bakura packed his belongings about...  about two weeks ago.  He took his herd and...  left.  He did not say where, he wouldn't tell us.  He wants no one to find him unless he wants them to find him.  He said it was... time for him to move on."

Ryou stared.  "You...  can’t be serious!"  he blurted.  "He told no one?!  Which way did he go?  Mikado NEEDS him!"

"He told no one and no one was allowed to watch him leave.  He left in the rain so that it would wash away the trail...  He...  he left quickly...  we asked him why.  He said he wanted to be long gone by the time Master Mikado ever got the courage to return, if he got the courage to return.  He...  said he is starting a new life and Master Mikado has...  no place in it, nor does the Vatican.  All he said was that he was... going out of the reach of the Vatican...  All we know is that he is going...  far away."

Ryou sighed and shook his head.  "I...  I see."  he hung his head.  "Mikado...  will be crushed."

"Ryou...  please tell Master Mikado...  that...  that if he wants it...  this is his home now...  and we will gladly welcome and serve him however we may..."  Lillith rubbed her eyes.  "I... became a vampire that I might serve Master Bakura and Master Mikado for all time...  Master Bakura refused to take me with him...  And...  according to the vampire's unspoken law, his property passes to whatever fledgling has the most ties to it.  Mikado is his only Childe...  so all of this is his now..."

Ryou nodded.  "Of course...  I'll...  tell him to come home for you."  he said giving the poor maid a hug.  "I'm sorry…"

Lillith hugged Ryou tightly.  "I so hope he returns."  She said softly.  "We miss him dearly..."

Ryou nodded and turned.  "I will go back then to tell him what's happened."  he smiled.  "I'm...  I'm sure he'll come to you as soon as he can."  And the priest once more was furry and pawed, darting off of Bakura's property, and into the forest back towards the Vatican.

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

"Well..."  Ahmose said, burning another letter.  "That makes it one thousand letters addressed specifically to me issuing death threats..."  He snorted.  "Don't your people have anything better to do?"

"Nope."  Yami grumbled handing Ahmose another. " You missed one."

"One thousand and one.  Thanks Yami, you made my day..."  Ahmose snorted, scowling as he read it.  "My, they certainly are...  creative.  Hmmm...  'should I ever get my hands on you, you shall die by means of an old execution technique from a land by the name of China; the Death of a Thousand cuts'...  oh, that sounds pleasant.  Oh look at this!  'And while you're still slowly bleeding to death you shall be hurled into a tub of vinegar.'  Ouch..."  Ahmose winced and squirmed.

Yami grumbled.  "I thought speaking to the council would make the people cool it with these idiotic letters..."  he grumbled looking cross.  "This is getting ridiculous!"

"It's probably just because I'm human."  Ahmose snorted, leaning over and kissing Yami's cheek.

Yami sighed.  "It shouldn't be anything."  he pressed his forehead to Ahmose's.  "I don’t know how long I can keep this up Ahmose...everyone's unhappy..."  he looked down.  "Am I a bad king?"

"No...  every one is just nervous.  Don't worry.  It will take time for things to settle down."  Ahmose assured him, hugging Yami close.

"It's not right...  mother never had this problem."  Yami closed his eyes.  "I've been getting less and less sleep over it."

"Your mother was also a warrior.  You are not.  No demon in this realm has lived in a time where a peaceful ruler was on the throne.  They are nervous and don't know what to expect."  Ahmose explained, arm around Yami.  "You need to stop worrying so much..."

"Yeah..."  Yami nodded slowly, but his eyes still shone with doubts.  Doubts that every night his mind whispered as another demon urged those doubts on.  By night Yami suffered the onslaught of selfdoubt...  by day he suffered the doubts of the demon kingdom, the court, the council...  even his SERVANTS were beginning to doubt him. 

There was only a handful of demons who despite it all encouraged Yami.

"Come on..."  Ahmose said.  "Time for dinner."  He laid a hand on the document Yami was reading.  "Finish tomorrow... you need rest."

Yami nodded slowly.  "I'll come in a moment...  there's only a few more papers left."  he offered a smile.  "Then I can rest almost all day tomorrow"

Ahmose nodded.  "Then let me help."  He said, snagging one.  "Oh.  Another letter."  He tossed it into the fire place, and grabbed another paper, leaning back and reading it over.

Yami picked up a parchment and began writing.  "Have you found out anything about the demon who killed mom and Azazel?"

"I've ruled out the Timeless..."  He sighed.  "Other than that, I'm waiting to hear from the Vatican and the eldest offsrping of the Timeless."

Yami nodded.  "I see..."  he began to write.  "I wish we knew more..."

"I do too..."  Ahmose said.  "...  Mermaids are pissed off again.  Time to dredge the lake."

Yami smiled.  "Can I watch you do it?"  He said giving Ahmose a sly look.

"I never said I was gonna do it!  You're king, assign the job to someone else!!"  Ahmose laughed.

"Nooo I wanna watch my lover do it.  naked."  Yami teased.  "Azazel never got the view I get." 

"NO."  Ahmose said firmly.

"What if I order the lake to be abandoned that day, and come naked too?"  Yami offered, tail lashing.  "We could make a day of it."

Ahmose gave Yami a look.  "I REALLY don't wanna dredge the lake."

Yami sighed.  "Alright..."  he said softly before blinking.  "Oh...your brother."  he said looking at the paper.  "Greg left a note.  Your brother needs you."

Ahmose blinked, then took the letter and read it.

The letter stated what had happened with Mikado and his lover. 

Ahmose frowned.  "...  Bakura has left Mikado..."  He gasped, hardly beleiving it.

Yami nodded.  "I...  read." he shivered.  "You should go to him...  he'll need you."  he smiled warmly.  "I can have Greg take you."

Ahmose sighed.  "I'll go tomorrow."  He said.  "I know you haven't been sleeping well."

Yami waved a hand.  "It's fine Ahmose."  he said leaning over to nuzzle his friend.  "I'll sleep soundly knowing your brother is ok.”

"Do you really think that my visiting him will make it all okay?"  He asked, frowning.  "So... that's why he never showed at the meeting...  I knew something felt off, it's not like him..."

"I dont think it will make it ok...  but it will keep things from getting worse."  Yami said taking Ahmose's hand.  "And perhaps if you left the kingdom for a few days, the hatred for you would die down as well."

"I won't leave you here alone."  Ahmose said firmly.

Yami sighed.  "Ahmose I cant leave.  I have a lot to do, and your brother NEEDS you."

Ahmose frowned.  "...  Okay."  He said softly, standing.  "I'll be back in the morning."

Yami nodded and stood as well, nuzzling his lover.  "Take care of him...  and send my well wishes."  He turned to the hallway.  "Greg!  Can you take Ahmose to his brother?!" 

Greg appeared irritably.  "Yes Atemu...  you dont have to yell."

Ahmose smiled in mild amusement at that.  "Yeah, Yami.  You don't have to yell."  He teased, kissing Yami gently.  He looked at Greg.  "Don't let anything happen to him."

"Of course." Greg bowed and smiled.  "He's a friend."  Once again the world flashed, and Ahmose found himself outside the Vatican.

Ahmose sighed and headed straight in.  The first people he saw were Dartz and Pegasus.  He could pratically hear Yami...  "Hey, Niceass!!!"

Pegasus looked up.  "Ahmose oh thank God."  he said hurrying over.  "You HAVE to talk to your brother."

Ahmose blinked.  "That's why I've come."  He said.  "Bakura left Mikado and then... left completely?!"

"Yes."  Dartz said.  "He keeps trying to go out on missions, but we won't let him...  it's more than obvious that if he goes on a mission he has no intention of returning.  Enemy assisted suicide.  He wants to go on a mission and die fighting.  So we have not allowed him to leave the Vatican.  So he's holed up in his room."  Ahmose frowned.

Pegasus sighed.  "I tried talking to him, and all I managed to get was him to feed." he looked down. "He's completely given up."

Ahmose nodded slowly.

"When Ryou told him that Bakura had left, Mikado collapsed again."  Dartz said.  "And it took nearly a week to get him to feed again.  But he's gotten very thin.  He's barely feeding enough to sustain himself."  Ahmose nodded. 

"I'll talk to him."  He said, turning and heading up to Mikado's quarters.

"Ryou should be with him."  Dartz called.

Sure enough it was true, Ryou was sitting at Mikado's bedside watching his friend.  "Mikado look.  It's Ahmose."  he said hopefully.  He gave Ahmose a desperate look.  "Please help him...  I can’t stand to see him like this..."

Ahmose frowned and walked over, sliding onto the bed next to his brother and layed his hand on Mikado's shoulder.

"Mikado...  please don't do this.  I know it feels like everything's all over, but..."  He sighed.  "It's okay...  I'm sure things will be okay again...  I'm sure you and Bakura will be together again... but it may take time...  it may take a long time..."  Mikado curled up tighter.  "You can't just lay here and... wait for your life to begin or end..."

"Please Mikado..."  Ryou whimpered.  "You cant just give up on everyone and everything, because of this.  If you want to find Bakura, then find him.   If you want to move on without him then move on...but you can’t stagnate in the past anymore...you have to heal.  You have to find a new motive to live."

Ryou gave Ahmose a look of fear.  "I don’t want you to die...  you're our friend..."

Ahmose frowned.  "Mikado.  Twice you suffered several days beleiving that I was dead...  and two days beleiving I was dying several years later...  Please...  do not put me through such suffering..."  Mikado slowly opened his eyes and he blinked several times, then slowly relaxed and uncurled a bit.

"Ahmose..."  He whimpered. 

"Do not put me through that torture, Mikado...  please..."  Ahmose breathed.

Ryou nodded.  "Please Mikado...we're all hurting with you...dont make us hurt at the loss of you too."

Mikado winced.  "I'm sorry..."  He breathed.  Ahmose smiled and pulled his brother up into his arms to allow him to rest on his chest.  Mikado hugged his older brother tightly.

"I'm sorry..."  He sobbed.  "I'm sorry...   I'm sorry...  I don't want to hurt you...  I don't...  I don't..."

"I know you don't..."  Ahmose said soothingly.  "Don't worry...  we will find Bakura, and you and he will make amends.  Despite how he seems to be, you can't just forget a century long relationship."

Ryou nodded.  "You cant, and he cant either."  he said eagerly.  "Mikado he loves you...you're just in a rough patch.  Everyone goes through them someday."

Mikado sniffled and nodded as Ahmose ran a soothing hand up and down his back.

"We'll find him..."  Ahmose murmured.

"...  But he could have gone ANY where..."  Mikado hiccupped.  "He could have gone to China after Fei Long...  he could have...  Oh God!!!  What if he went to the New World?!?  I'll NEVER find him!!!"

"Ahmose has that crystal of his."  Ryou offered. "He used it to find Yami last time he visited Marik and I." 

Ahmose sighed.  "True...  but if Bakura is several hundred miles away, it won't pick him up..."

"Maybe you could get it to point in the general direction?" Ryou asked hopefully.  "At least then we can GUESS where he went..."

Ahmose sighed and nodded.  "Yes... but I think we should wait a while.  Bakura is obviously very upset, and he may need more time to cool off..."  Mikado sniffled and nodded.

Ryou nodded. " Yes...but now at least Mikado will be able to find him…  when the time comes."

Mikado sighed.  "Ahmose?"  He mumbled in his brother's chest.  Ahmose smiled in slight amusement.

"Yes?"

"Can...  can I come with you for a while?" 

"...  What, back to...  back to the demon realm?"

"Yes..."  Mikado whispered.  Ahmose blinked.

Ryou pouted.  "But Mikado...there aren't humans there...well unless you count Ahmose.  You'll have nowhere to feed!" 

Mikado scowled.  "Vampires live there.  What do THEY feed on?"

"I, uh...  I think that...  vampires are permitted human slaves."  Ahmose said slowly.  "And Mikado can feed from me.  I'm sure Yami would be able to find a solution..."

"Besides...  I've never seen where you're been living for the past century..."  Mikado said with a tiny, barely noticeable smile.

Ryou frowned.  "I wish you wouldn't go..."  his ears drooped.  "But I cant stop you..."

"It's only for a while..."  Mikado said, looking at Ryou.  "I just...  need to be with my brother for a while..."  He reached out and held Ryou's hand.  "... Thank you.  Thank you so much..."

Ryou offered a weak smile.  "We came all this way to come see you and Bakura."

Mikado frowned.  "Well...  Bakura isn't here..."  He said bitterly, turning and hiding his face again.  Ahmose sighed.

Ryou nodded.  "And now you're leaving too..."

Mikado sighed.  "Just for a little while..."

Ahmose looked at Ryou.  "I can take you and Marik home if you like..."  He said, still rubbing his brother's back.

Ryou shook his head.  "It's alright...  We can stay with Pegasus and the others."

Ahmose nodded.  "Good."  He said, with a slight smile.  "Cuz I don't remember where your village is..."  Mikado snickered.

"You're a moron."

"Hush you."

Ryou giggled and nuzzled Ahmose.  "Take care of Mikado...  say hi to Yami for us.  It's been a long while since we last saw him."

Ahmose nodded.  "I will...  he's very stressed right now...  I'm sure he'll be glad to see Mikado, too.  And thank you, Ryou...  for staying with my brother through all of this..."

"Yes...  thank you."  Mikado said again, turning and hugging Ryou.

Ryou's tail wagged a bit. "Anything, for a friend."

"Thanks..."  Mikado said again.  "You're a GREAT friend...  and...  I'm glad YOU never walked in on me when I was... umm...  like Malik and Marik..."  Ahmose raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"Nothing, Ahmose."

Ryou giggled.  "He was trying to seduce Bakura, and Marik and Malik walked in on him naked."  Ryou clarified giggling and hurrying from the room before Mikado could throw something at him.

Mikado glowered after Ryou, flushed.  Ahmose chuckled.

"Oh, them too?"  Mikado winced, remembering that Ahmose had walked in on him too.  "Hm...  count your blessings that it was me, Malik and Marik and not Yami..."  Ahmose said with a smirk.  "Now come on...  I'll take you home..."  He said.  Mikado nodded and slowly stood.  "I would not suggest wearing your uniform.  Change clothes and meet me outside.  Bring Geist and Enehy, okay?"  Mikado nodded.  Ahmose went to find Pegasus and Dartz.

Both elders were eagerly talking to Ryou.  Their spirits uplifted in hearing that Mikado was feeling better now that Ahmose had come.

Pegasus looked up and smiled.  "So you're taking him are you?"

Ahmose nodded.  "I think that he has found stability in both Bakura and myself, and with Bakura gone he is going to seek it with me.  I'll take care of him.  And I know he'll cheer up around Yami, they amuse one another greatly."

"Heh... wonder how long it will take for Yami to ask for a threesome..."  Marik chuckled from the doorway.  Ahmose turned and glared, sharply.

"Twenty five seconds at most."  the voice from behind them said.  Greg was there smiling.  "King Atemu requests your presence 'before he has a panic attack.”

Ahmose turned.  "What?  Why?! What's wrong?!  Did something happen?!?"  Ahmose cried frantically.

"He's fine."  Greg said shaking his head.  "He's just panicking about the disgruntled gnomes."

Ahmose blinked.  "...   Disgruntled gnomes."

"Heh...  what a wuss..."  Malik snickered.  Mikado came down the stairs.

"Who's a wuss?"  He asked.

"Yami."  Marik said.

"Oh, well no shit."  Mikado said.

Greg laughed.  "These gnomes could rip your face off pup."  he said grinning at Marik.  "These are mountain gnomes...  real mean bastards."

Mikado snorted.  "I've been an Agent for a century.  I've taken on Mountain Gnomes." 

"Let's hurry."  Ahmose said.  "Yami couldn't defend himself against a field mouse."

Greg burst out laughing at that.  "Lets just hope the gnomes don’t figure it out."  he said grinning.  "Or the rest of his kingdom for that matter."

Ahmose snorted.  "You mean they don't know already?"  He asked, and turned to his brother.

"Get Geist and Enehy, we'll meet you out front."  He said.  Mikado nodded and headed outside.

Once everything was gathered, Greg teleported them back to the palace, where mountain gnomes were gathered by the hundreds protesting.

Ahmose raised an eyebrow and Mikado stared.  Ahmose sighed.  "The stable is that way.  I don't know how the Nightmares will take Geist, so put him between Nakhti and the empty stalls."  Mikado nodded.  "Keep Enehy with you, she and Abana can play later.  I'm gonna go talk to the head gnome."

As Ahmose wandered through the crowd, he found Yami and the head gnome heatedly speaking in demon.  The Gnome looked ready to club Yami over the head while Yami looked near tears.

Ahmose frowned and stepped up beside Yami, his authoritative and protective presence immediately felt.  "Is there a problem?"  He asked, staring at the head gnome.

Yami relaxed immediatly and gave Ahmose a grateful look.

"Damn right there's a problem.  We import vital stone, wood and other building materials to this kingdom and after all our years of kindly providing it to the kingdom, this buffoon refuses us when we request a raise in price.  Materials are not as easily made as you think!"

Yami growled.  "It's ROCKS and TREES!  Our people can’t afford higher taxes to pay your prices!"

"What exactly do you import and where do you import them from?"  Ahmose asked.

"Stone, Logs, all forms of building materials from sealants to shingles."  The gnome said.  "And even those 'rocks' need stonemasonry to be bricks, and trees are not infinite!"

"And where do you import them from?"  Ahmose asked, folding his arms calmly.

"Our mountains...  WELL out of this kingdom's boarders."  the gnome replied glaring at Yami.  "And between the travel to get here, and the time taken to produce our goods, a raise in price is in order.  We can’t keep supplying our goods if you cant understand that our resources are not unlimited!"

"Indeed...  If the resources are not unlimited then something needs to be done to lessen the...  blow to your resources.  Yami, perhaps we can speak to Malik.  Make a deal with the elves for natural resources.  Then there will be TWO providers.  That will ease the impact on the gnomes’ resources, and prices will fall through competition and supply and demand with the monopoly on these resources gone."  He suggested, smirking.  He was indirectly threatening the gnomes; give up on requesting a price increase on their goods, or lose half of their business (and profits) to another provider.

This of course did work...  however the gnomes were clearly furious.  "We will...  reconsider our request."  The head gnome hissed stalking away.  The other gnomes jeered and hissed before following.

Yami relaxed but gave Ahmose a worried look.  "Thanks..."

Ahmose smiled at Yami, nodding.  "Any time."  He said.  "Had they been taking this issue up with your mother before she died, or did they just now come to you?"

"I dunno..."  Yami admitted after a moment.  "You know how I avoided mom like the plague."

"Well then, let's find out.  They may have just come up with this idea thinking you were a pushover who could be intimidated."  Ahmose said, then turned and smiled at Mikado who was walking over with Enehy, staring after the gnomes.  "Yami...  Mikado will be staying with us for a while.  Hope you don't mind."

Yami smiled wearily.  "Of course..."  he hugged Mikado when he came over.  "You're always welcome to visit us.  I hope you enjoy your stay."

Mikado smiled, hugging Yami in return.  "Thanks, Yami.  Quite a place..."  He said, looking up at the sky.  "And...  there is no day time here, right?"

"No day."  Yami offered smiling.  "So you are free to explore every inch of our land without fear of the sun catching you.  We have the twilight sun...  which is pretty much the moon."  He pointed up at the full crimson moon.  "It's not too bright, but sure is pretty."

Mikado smiled slightly, nodding.

"Let's get you a room and give you the tour, then."  Ahmose said.  "And then you can read my hate mail."

"...  You get hate mail?"  Mikado asked, looking very amused.

"Yeah..."  Yami sighed.  "My people are not fond of Ahmose..."

"Wow...  that sucks."  Mikado said.

"They describe in great detail all the creative ways they want to kill me."  Ahmose said.  "It's kind of freaky."

Yami nodded and sighed.  "Demons have nothing better to do."

Mikado snickered.  "You gotta give them a hobby."  He said as they all trooped inside.  Ahmose yawned. 

"We gotta some sleep..."  He mumbled.

Yami nodded yawning and once he had shown Mikado to a room, wandered to his own and flopped into the bed passing out.

Mikado looked around the room.

"Well...  technically it's...  night time?"  Ahmose said, chuckling.  "So...  whatever... if you're tired, sleep.  Those gnome jackasses should have come during the hours Yami is holding open court...  They'll get a citation for that...  ah, they'll love it...  anyway...  I'm going to go join Yami.  For now, stay here...  I don't know how the servants and guards will take a look-a-like of me wandering around."

"Okay...  I am tired..."  Mikado said, sitting on the edge of the bed.  Ahmose nodded.

"Sleep well then."

"...  Thanks Ahmose."

"...   You're welcome."  Ahmose said, and closed the door.

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

A naga slithered down the street, then turned into an alley.  She stopped halfway down and knocked on a door.

The demon within peered out before allowing the Naga inside.  "What do you have to report?"

She hissed at the demon and slithered across the room to a door on the other side.  "I will report to my lord directly..." 

The demon glared and flicked it's tail irritably.  "Snake." he grumbled going back to his seat next to the door.

She knocked on the door, flicking off the demon.

"Enter."  The voice within growled.  "This had better be good, I'm trying to torment Atemu."

The naga entered.  "My lord...  Atemu's chosen went to the mortal plane again... again, we did not know until he had returned.  But he brought his brother with him.  Mikado.  He is too young for you to know who he is...  but as we told you, Itemri was slaughtered a century ago by the hand of his own grandchilde, a mere infant...  Mikado was that infant fledgling."

The demon snorted.  "The timeless and their children do not pose threat to me."  he said flicking his tail.  "Yet again Atemu cheats the curse placed on him."  he growled however.  "It cannot affect him as long has he stays in this realm.  Why has he not left yet?!"  he turned fierce eyes on the Naga.  "What is the state of the people?!  Is there not an unrest in the kingdom?  Why is there not an uprising?!"

"It has taken an... unexpected turn.  Due to an unexpected public scene between the King and his Chosen, the people beleive that his Chosen is...  trying to force his will onto the King..."  The naga said.

Baelberith snorted flicking his tail.  "I see...  Spread the word assuring of this.  Atemu's Chosen brought his brother, Itemri's slayer, as a means to further control his lover.  If that fails to bring seige to the castle then I will go myself to scare him from our realm...  and once he leaves the curse will take hold."

The naga blinked.  "My lord?  May I ask what this curse is?"  she asked.

BaelBerith smirked.  "He'll leave this realm a king...but before he even reaches the realm of humans...he will be nothing."

She blinked.  "...  Nothing?  What is meant by that?"

"He will be nothing to us."  Baelberith chuckled.  "It's an ancient curse...it will split him in two, like seperate sides of one coin..."  he said flicking his tail.  "One half will be the part of him that has formed from the evolution of the incubus to match that of mortals.  He will be human.  But the other will be the beast that all of his people sprung forth from.  The snarling demon beast."  Baelberith chuckled to himself.  "And the beast will either kill his human side and assure that he never returns, or flee...never to be found again." 

The naga stared at her master.  "...  human and... beast?"  she gasped, eyes wide.  "How...  old is this curse?  Did you lay it on the family?"

“Just him.  he's all that remains of his family." Baelberith snorted.  "And this curse is as old as time itself..."  the demon said smirking. 

She blinked.  "What do you wish for me to do, Master?"

"Stirr uprisings...  I want Atemu to leave this realm...  the sooner he does, the sooner I reclaim my throne." Baelberith growled.

The naga blinked, and nodded.  "As you wish, Master..."  she said, and slithered away.

The next morning, Yami was laying in bed staring at the ceiling.  He'd hardly gotten any sleep at all..

Ahmose on the other head was DEAD asleep, snoring in Yami's ear (possibly one of the reasons Yami didn't sleep) with his arm flung over Yami's chest.  But outside the palace rumors were spreading like wild fire.

"Did you hear?"  A naga whispered to a group of demons have breakfast at a cafe.  "The King's Chosen has brought his brother to this realm.  The vampire who murdered Itemri!!!  His brother is here to help him seize the throne!!!"

The other demons gasped in shock.  "No...  it cant be."  One said in surprise.  "Atemu's Chosen seizing the throne?"

"Oh, come...  like you haven't suspected this for some time?"  The naga hissed.  "Humans think only of wealth and power..."

The other demons exchanged looks.  "Atemu would never allow it!  He may be young, but he'd never fall to a human."

"He already has!!!"  The naga hissed.  "Face it...  he can't defend himself worth a damn.  Didn't you hear?  A couple of weeks ago his Chosen attacked him...  and Atemu just RAN."

The demons bit their lips and looked towards the castle.  "Even so, he's the king!"

"And if he dies, the human is next in line..."  The naga hissed.

There were gasps.  "We cant be ruled by a human!"

"But if Atemu dies, we will be...  we must get rid of the human before he takes over.  Think about it."  Said the naga, and she slithered away to sew more seeds of hate and distrust...

By the end of the week, the entire kingdom was abuzz with doubts, and rising flames of hate for Ahmose and Mikado.  It was to the point that the two couldn't leave the palace without getting hateful glares, and assassination attempts.

Mikado gave a disgusted sigh as he walked into Yami's study where Ahmose and Yami were going through paperwork, which was now overrun with hate mail.

"Some ass tried to KILL ME!!!"  Mikado cried.  "I was only taking Geist for a ride and I got POUNCED!!!"

Yami looked up tiredly and nodded. "I'm so sorry...  it's...  not a good time for my kingdom."  he bit his lip and looked back down to his papers.  His aura was dulled and muted from what it had been.  He was overrun with self doubt, he hardly made any decision without Ahmose's input, which only fueled the rumor.

Ahmose sighed.  "What happened to the guy who attacked you?"  Mikado blinked and shifted his eyes.  Ahmose frowned.  "Mikado....?"  He said in a warning tone.

"I was hungryyyyyy!!!"  Mikado whined.

"YOU DIDN'T!?!"

"I didn't KILL him!!!"

Yami groaned.  "Don’t feed on my people please."

"Sorry..."  Mikado mumbled.  Ahmose sighed, turning and dumping an armload of letters into the fire.  Then he turned and stared at Yami.

"...  What are you going to do?"  He asked.

"I...  I don’t know."  Yami admitted tiredly.  "I have no idea what to do...  Th-they hate me...  they hate you."  he buried his face in his hands.  "Gods I'm so lost!"

"Maybe hold an open court?"  Ahmose asked.  "Allow them to come and speak to you about what concerns them and address the issues directly."

"Because they'll just try to kill you!"  Yami howled.  "Or Mikado!"

"Well, avoiding the issue won't solve anything."  Mikado pointed out.

Yami sighed.  "Alright...  I'll...  have the word put out."  he said softly standing and trudging from the room.  Mikado didn't need to feel Yami's aura, to know his spirit was breaking, as far as being ruler went.

Mikado looked at Ahmose.  "What do you think?"  He asked.

"I think Yami has to do... SOMETHING to gain his people's trust and confidence...  but I don't know what..."  Ahmose said.  And forty eight hours later, the brothers found themselves standing quietly on either side of Yami's throne as he held open court.

The crowd jeered at the human brothers and their uproarous behavior didn't make for a long open court, in fact it didn't last more than an hour before Greg had them ordered out for Yami's safety (and Mikado and Ahmose.) 

Yami hadn't had much time to talk to anyone.  The people had been slinging their rumors and accusations at him more than anything.

Ahmose was furious.  He had hugged Yami and comforted him for a bit, then excused himself so Greg could give Yami a talking to.  But Mikado saw that look in his brother’s eye, and he followed him.  Ahmose went storming out to the balcony where he and Yami had gone through with the Ceremony of the Chosen, where Yami had been coronated, and from where he should address the kingdom from time to time.  All the crowds were out there, all angry and swapping rumors.  Ahmose braced his hands on the railing and glared down at the crowds.  Mikado stood close behind him, just in case he had to stop his brother from doing something stupid.

The crowd jeered loudly, and began throwing anything available at Ahmose.  Fruit, Vegetables, chairs...  you name it, they threw it.  "GET OUT OF OUR REALM!"  they howled.

Ahmose's eyes glowed and anything that got within ten feet of him was incinerated in black fire. 

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!"  Ahmose roared, his voice magically amplified so everyone felt their teeth chatter with the vibrations.  Mikado yelped and tumbled backwards, bracing himself against the wall and staring at his brother.

"Jesus fuckin Christ, Ahmose!!!  Don't you EVER do that again!!!"  He yelped.  Everyone stared at the sorcerer.

"You all should be fuckin ashamed of yourselves!  Now is the time when King Atemu needs your SUPPORT, not your never ending bitching and criticisms!!!  He lost his mother and the man he saw as his father less than a month ago but all you can think about are the stupid fuckin' rumors flying around about ME!!!  If you want to hate me, fine!  Take your problems up with ME!!!  NOT with Atemu!!!  He has ENOUGH shit to deal with and doesn't need to deal with your fuckin petty concerns that I might be a traitor!!!  And just to set things straight, I'M NOT!!!  I don't want Atemu's fuckin throne!!!  I don't care about your damned nation!!!  I care about Atemu and Atemu ALONE!!!  So shut your fuckin fat mouths and get on with your stupid fuckin lives and let us ALL do our JOBS!!!"

However the outburst didn't sway the demons, it only pissed them off more!  So much so in fact that they redoubled their efforts of throwing things and torches were lit. 

"Dont listen to him!  He's just a filthy stinking human!  He's probably the one who killed our dear Nephile!"  One demon roared, and several others shouted their agreements.

"That's impossible!!!  I was with Atemu at the Lake when it happened!!!"  Ahmose cried, shocked at the very IDEA. 

"Lies!" The demons shouted.  "LIES!  You killed our queen!"  the demons shouted. 

"You used magic to fool us all!" 

"You killed Nephile!  You're out to ruin us!"

Demons of all types seemed to move with fury, and suddenly they began trying to tear down the doors, wanting to get to Ahmose and destroy him.

"Uh...  Ahmose?"  Mikado gasped.  "I think now would be a good time to get the hell out of here!"

"King Atemu!!!"  A guard gasped, running into Yami's bedroom.  "King Atemu!!!  It's a revolt!!!  They're storming the palace!!!  They're after your Chosen, blaming him for your mother's murder!!!  They're coming to kill him!!!"

Yami stared eyes wide.  "W-what?!"  He shook his head in disbelief.  "Oh gods...Please, get the servants safely out of here..."  he breathed to the guard.  "I will take care of Ahmose.  Don’t let the mob harm the innocent servants."  he hurried past the guard. 

He could hear the clawing and pounding on the great doors and whimpered. 

"AHMOSE!"  he yelped as Greg rushed past, hurrying every servant old young and between out the hidden servants doors.  "Ahmose!" 

The mob had split up.  All manner of creatures that inhabited this dark realm ran amok through the palace.  Many of them greeted Yami proudly.  "My Lord, we have come to free you from the sorcerer's influence!!!"  None listened to Yami's pleas for them to leave his Chosen alone. 

"Find them both!!!"  A naga was shrieking.  "Find the sorcerer and his brother both!!!  Burn them!!!"

Yami yelped and shook his head.  "No, please, you've got it all wrong!"  he tried to stop the mob as demons ran about his palace not paying him a bit of attention. 

"If you intend to save your chosen..."  a voice hissed behind Yami.  "Then you need to flee...  flee and never come back." 

Yami's eyes widened and he turned, facing the massive gargoyle-esque monster behind him.  The thing smirked, large fangs glistening. 

"But I…"

"Run."

"WE'VE GOT THEM!!!"  Came the cry, jerking Yami away from the hideous stare of the beast.  When he looked back, it was gone.  He ran to the balcony to look outside, since everyone was flooding outside.  A bonfire was being built around one of the pillars in the courtyard, and the brothers were bound tightly to it.  Ahmose was slumped over, unconcsious, but Mikado was in a frenzied state, almost like a Blood Rage.  His eyes were glowing something fierce, and he was baring his teeth and claws, all of which were bloody, and blood was smeared across his face.  A demon lay face down in the courtyard a few yards away, his throat torn open.

Geist and Nakhti were screaming and plunging angrily, fighting against the demons that held their reins; obviously, Mikado and Ahmose had tried to escape on the horses.  Nets had been flung over Enehy and Abana, but Abana was letting loose great fireballs from her throat, and the nets were quickly burning away.  A torch was brought and flung onto the bonfire.  Ahmose lifted his head, wincing as his brother straining against the ropes binding them put pressure on his chest. 

Yami yelped and hurried forward.  "Greg, the horses!"  he whispered, knowing that his friend could hear him (as he'd made clear several times).  The horses and dogs vanished from their holds, as Yami ran forwards and leapt up onto the bonfire, ignoring the flames.  "Ahmose..."  he breathed shaking as he summed up the courage.  The demon was right...  his lover was not meant for this place. He swallowed hard looking back before closing his eyes and flinging his arms around Mikado and Ahmose both. 

The world flashed, leaving empty ropes before the demons.  They fell into the flames, and burned away.  Baelberith smirked.  Atemu had taken the bait...

The world flashed for Ahmose and Mikado, but before the world came into focus there was a jarring force that sent them flying, followed by a pained shriek. 

Mikado yelped when he hit the ground, and lifted his head, eyes wide when Ahmose let out a choked cry before falling to the ground and passing out.  But it was Yami that got Mikado's attention.

Yami was yowling and stumbling back clawing at his head as his body seemed to blurr.  His aura was on fire!  He'd never felt such pain in all his life.  The very core of him was alight with pain as he gasped for breath.  He yelped as he toppled back over a small incline, and fell back.

The yowling continued with small yelps as he fell the short distance before finally falling silent.  Slowly, Mikado saw a clawed hand breach the top of the incline, as well as the tri-colored hair of their dear friend.

But the creature that emerged was NOT the Yami HE knew...  This...  creature radiated evil...  Lust...  Violence...  Malice...  Wrath...  Large dark wings unfurled and a thick spiked tail lashed as the creature stared at Mikado with glowing blood red eyes, baring sharp teeth and growling.

The beast smirked suddenly with a wickedness that Mikado recognized.  The wickedness that had crucified him was in this creature.  It let out a rumbling chuckle.  "I remember you..." it hissed.  "Did you miss me....?"

Mikado's eyes widened and he went pale, mouth falling open in horror.  Slowly, he began to back away.

The demon chuckled and finally reached the top of the hill, slowly standing to it's hind legs, which resembled that of a gargoyle's, large clawed feet, which were capable of walking, or crouching to all fours and running at amazing speed.  Around it's neck rested half of a chained collar, suspended by seemingly nothing, half of a chain dangling down.

It's tail lashed in interest.  "You never agreed to a threesome..."  it said wickedly.  "How about I just rape you then? That may satisfy me..."

Mikado backed into a large tree, eyes wide. 

"G-Get away..."  He gasped, shaking his head.

"Aww and you're weakened too..."  Yami sneered tail lashing.  "Between your lack of feeding, and that little scuffle you're a pushover."  the demon pounced and pinned Mikado harshly to the tree.  "You can be my little fucktoy."

Mikado's eyes flashed.  "GET OFF OFME!!!"  He screamed, attacking the demon with fang and claw.

Yami dodged easily and snatched Mikado's hands in his talons and pinned them above his head, his tail whipping forward and the tip spread suddenly, revealing a rather nasty looking bone-like stinger.  "Give me a reason..."  Yami sneered amused.  "And I can personally promise Bakura will never take you back..."

Mikado stiffened and he stared at Yami in horror.  The tip of the stinger pressed into his chin, forcing his head up.  Mikado winced and closed his eyes.  He was a vampire, yes, but he didn't know what kind of venom this...  creature had, or what it could do to him.  He prayed for his brother to wake up, as Ahmose had passed out moments after they returned to this realm.

Yami smirked.  "Are you going to be a good little vampire?"  he purred lustfully.  "Or do I need to make you so hideous that even your own brother wouldn't recognize you?"

Mikado whimpered and nodded slightly, keeping his eyes closed.

Yami's smirk broadened and he removed the stinger from Mikado and suddenly crushed their lips together, one hand traveling down to grope him calmly. 

"HNNM!?"  Mikado cried, squirming and digging his claws into the tree's bark, staring in a wide eyed panic at the demon.

Yami pulled away chuckling darkly.  "You'll never escape this nightmare..." he purred as his hand slipped into Mikado's pants.  "I haunt you always...  I always will, until you breathe your last."

Mikado gasped, biting his lip and squirming, fighting back tears.  "No..."  He pleaded.  "Please...  don't..."  All he could think about was Itemri forcing himself on him, and how much he wanted Bakura...

"Stop your pathetic crying."  A clawed hand struck Mikado's face.  "You're single now...  no one is going to save you."  Yami then used his clawed hand to rip away Mikado's shirt, tossing the tattered remains aside.

"D-Don't!!!"  Mikado gasped, hyperventilating, his pupils dilated in fear.  "Get away from me!!!  Yami, don't!!!  PLEASE!!"

Yami ripped at Mikado's pants next, stuffing a large piece into Mikado's mouth, tying it back quickly with the aid of his tail.  "Shut up."  he chuckled proudly.  "Your fear feeds me."

As the tears finally began to fall, Mikado began to struggle.  In his mind, he was screaming for his sire...

Yami began pumping the youth and whistling a happy tune, as if there was nothing wrong at all. 

Mikado sobbed, closing his eyes tightly and trying to keep his body from responding as he continued to struggle to get away.

But Yami was an incubus...  and he knew how to make Mikado respond, even as his mind sobbed.  He flung the youth to the dirt moments later and cackled before forcing himself on the vampire unprepared.

Ahmose's fingers twitched when his brother's cry of pain echoed through the dark woods they were in.  Mikado sobbed, clawing at the ground beneath himself, trying to escape the assault.  Ahmose groaned softly.

Yami's tail lashed and he growled, glancing over at the waking sorcerer.  He hurried his work, not caring for Mikado's comfort as he plunged in and out of the younger brother. 

Mikado whimpered and groaned, grimacing and crying out from time to time, crying in frustration at his current weakness that allowed the demon to take advantage of him.

Yami snickered as he worked, finally finding his release and pulling away, tail whipping Mikado harshly across the back.  "I'll be back for more..." he sneered.  "And you can never hide from my return." 

Mikado just lay still, gasping for breath and shaking.  Ahmose moaned again, stirring.

Yami kicked dust onto Mikado and trotted towards Ahmose.  "You..."  he smirked at Ahmose.  "Awake?"

Slowly, Ahmose blinked his eyes open.  The back of his head was sticky with blood, explaining his sluggish behavior and his having difficulty focusing.

Yami cackled and walked past Ahmose calmly.   "Your brother's a good fuck."  he said off handishly, walking away.

Ahmose blinked blearily after Yami, then turned.  "Mikado?"  He mumbled, rubbing his eyes and trying to get the world to stop spinning.

"I...  I'm okay..."  Mikado whispered, slowly pulling on his torn clothing.  "I'm okay..."  He slowly helped his brother to his feet.  "You probably got a concussion... that was a really nasty blow to the head you took..."

Yami laughed despite being out of their sight.  "Good idea!  Next time you can blow me!"  he called back.

Ahmose blinked.  "What...  what's with him?"  He asked.

"... I don't know..."  Mikado said softly.  "Come on...  you need a healer and I need to find a place to hide from the... the...  Oh my God..."  Mikado gasped, staring down the hill.  Ahmose blinked and turned.

Laying passed out at the bottom of the hill, was Yami.  Or...  what looked like Yami.  The only difference was this person lacked any demonic ties what-so-ever.

Ahmose blinked.   "Wait here."  Mikado said, and made his way down the hill, eyes wide.  He reached Yami and knelt, looking him over.

No wings, no claws, no tail...  everything about this person was human.  Even his hair looked softer, tamer.  Around his neck was the other half of the chain collar.

Mikado frowned, reaching out and touching Yami's shoulder.  "...  Yami?"  He called softly.  "Yami?  Wake up..."

Yami groaned softly letting out a whimper. "...hnn....five more minutes..."

"Yami...  is... is it really you?!"  Mikado gasped, starting to freak out.

Yami groaned again.  "Mikado...shut up...I'm trying to stop the ringing in my head..."  he mumbled curling up tightly.

"But...  But Yami...  You...  you...  You're...  human!!"  Mikado yelped.

"Dont be stupid."  Yami grumbled slowly opening his eyes, which were a muted grey.  A human hue.  "I'm an incubus."

Mikado stared and slowly shook his head.  "No..."  He breathed.  "You're not...  you... you have no tail... or wings...  Yami...  Oh my God..."

Yami blinked and raised an eyebrow.  "...huh?"

Mikado swallowed thickly.  "We...  We have to get to the Vatican..." 

Yami shook his head. " Hell no!"  He slowly forced himself up, but as soon as he took a step he fell face-first to the ground.  Without his wings and tail, his center of gravity had shifted.  "OW!"

Mikado reached out to Yami and helped him sit up.

"what happened...?"  Yami groaned.  He slowly forced himself up once more, wavering and nearly toppling over again, latching onto Mikado which caused them BOTH to topple over.  "OW!"

Mikado yelped and stared at Yami with wide, frightened eyes as the demon...  correction...  HUMAN had landed with his hips between Mikado's legs.  But the vampire closed his eyes and shook his head, taking a few deep breaths to calm himself.

Yami groaned and pushed off of Mikado shaking his head.  "What the hell?!  Why do I keep falling down!?"  he slowly got up and stood shakily once more.

Mikado sighed.  "Yami.  You don't have wings anymore.  Your wieght is distributed differently now."

Yami gave Mikado a dumb look, before looking over his shoulder.  What

followed moments later was a VERY girly shriek.

Ahmose jumped at the top of the hill, eyes wide (he had been dozing off).  Mikado reached out and steadied Yami.

"I know...  It's gonna be okay... we... we'll figure this out..."  He said softly, his hands on Yami's cheeks, forcing the...  human to look at him.  "When we teleported...  we got HERE and...  and you started screaming and you fell down the hill.  And then you...  um... the DEMON part of you...  he came up the hill.  He was...  he was big... and mean...  he was your...  evil side...  The one who...  who hurt me and Ahmose under Seto's control...  but he was different...  he had these feet that were... like that of a beast...  and no claws...  TALONS...  and this big thick tail with spikes and a stinger and...  God, what's HAPPENED?!"

Yami whined loudly.  "You've maimed me!  You did it!  I know you did!"  He howled trying to pull away and just toppling backwards once more.  "You cut them off!  My precious wings!  My TAIL!"  he looked near tears.  "What did you do to me?!  FIX IT!" 

Mikado shook his head wildly.  "No!!!  Yami, I didn't!!!  I swear!!!"

"Yes you did!  You...  you church person!"  Yami howled accusingly.  "You...you Evil church people!  You were always out to get me!"  He pointed and glared.  "You took them away!  Put them back RIGHT now!"

"Yami!!!  I CAN'T!!!  They ran off on another BODY!!!"  Mikado gasped.

"Liar!  There is NOT two of me!  There's ME!  ME!"  Yami struggled to get up once more stumbling over to a tree and nearly falling into it.  "What'd you do?!  How'd you do it!?  I cant be like this!"

Mikado just shook his head, sadly.  "Yami...  I...  I'm sorry...  He...  he came up the hill and he hit me and...  and he...  he hurt me and...  look...  Ahmose probably has a concussion, and I have to find a place to hide before the sun comes up... we have to GO."

Yami nodded glaring.  "I told Greg to get your horses and dogs for you...he should have them around here nearby..."  he said after a moment, leaning against the tree. 

Mikado walked over.  "Here...  lean on me..."  He said softly.  Yami reached out, but stopped.  The back of Mikado’s shirt had a bloody stripe going diagonally down from his right shoulder to his left hip.

Yami blinked.  "What's that?"  he said tilting his head.  "Did the mob get you?"

Mikado blinked, then swallowed.  "No...  your... demon half did..."  He said softly.  "After he...  forced himself on me..."

Yami stared for a moment looking confused.  "…  what?"  he bit his lip and gave Mikado a worried look.

Mikado looked at Yami.  "Come on.  We need to get Ahmose somewhere warm and dry so he can rest."  He looked up at the sky.  "It's going to rain."  He lifted his fingers to his lips and gave a shrill whistle, calling to Geist and Enehy.

The horse and dog came running at the whistle, and of course at their departure, Nakhti and Abana followed.  Yami smiled in relief.  "Good...they made it out and right nearby...."  he sighed.  "I need to go home..."

Mikado sighed.  "Are you...  sure that's a good idea?  I mean...  you're human...  and you saved me and Ahmose from a massive mob intent on killing us.  Thanks, by the way..."

"I'm not human."  Yami insisted.  "I cant be human!  I'm an incubus, I was born that way!  You cant just take the demon out of a demon!"

"I, uh...  I think someone just did..."  Mikado said.  "Here...  you're too unsteady...  get on Geist."

Yami looked up at the horse.  He felt a bit shorter than he remembered.  "...."  he climbed on (with Mikado's help) and blinked.  "Am I shorter?"  he whined.  "Oh god now I'm shrinking?!  Why me..."  he shook his head letting out a distressed sound.

Mikado looked up at Yami and placed his hand over Yami's hands, which were gripping Geist's mane.

"Don't worry..."  He said.  "We'll get you back to normal."

Yami swallowed hard and nodded.  "Ahmose..."  he called softly, wanting to be near his chosen. 

Ahmose was at the top of the hill leaning against Nakhti.  He turned and looked at Yami.  He blinked a couple times, and then his eyes widened.

"What...  what happened...?"  He gasped.

"Yami has been split in two."  Mikado said.  "A human... and a very...  very evil demon."  Ahmose blinked, pale.  Then he frowned in thought.

"He ran off...  he said... he said you were..."  He stopped and his eyes widened.

"It was the dark side of Yami."  Mikado said.  "We both know him.  He raped you.  And tortured and crucified me.  And now he's loose."

"Oh God..."  Ahmose gasped.

Yami looked confused.  "What?"  Yami shook his head.  "I'm NOT evil!"  he yelled shaking his head.  "I mean...Seto made me do those things!  I didn't want to!  I love Ahmose!  A-and you're practically my brother!  A really easy-on-the-eyes brother!"

Ahmose blinked, then smiled.  "Well... at least we still have the good half."  Mikado looked at Yami.

"We all have a dark, cruel side Yami.  Don't worry...  the point is your GOOD side is stronger than your bad side."  He said with an encouraging smile.  But it soon faded.  "Now we just have to put you and your bad side back together so you can overpower him."

"...what?"  Yami blinked.  "Oh hell no, I'm not going to beat myself up!  That'll hurt!  And not him...  that'll fucking hurt me!"

"We'll be with you."  Mikado said, helping his unsteady brother onto Nakhti's back.  He took the reins of both horses and began walking, leading them through the woods, Abana and Enehy trotting ahead.

Yami shivered as they rode...  the rain had began falling as they traveled and he wasn't exactly dressed for cold weather.

None of them were, really...  Mikado and Ahmose had cloaks, but they were formal and decorative.  Even so, Mikado turned and removed his, draping it over Yami's shoulders and putting the hood up.  "There..."  He said with a smile.  "Try to keep you a bit warm..."

Yami grinned and leaned over to nuzzle Mikado, nearly toppling off the horse as he did so.  He grinned sheepishly.  "So...um...this...being human thing.  Do you humans fall down a lot?"

Mikado smiled.  "No.  Don't worry.  You'll get the hang of it.  You just have to balance differently." He said, continuing through the woods.  "Actually...  Ahmose...  can I put you on Geist and take Nakhti up above the trees?  We need to find a place to take shelter, and it would be better to look around before we go any further..."  Ahmose nodded, and with his brother's help he got on Geist behind Yami, wrapping his arms around his now human lover.  Mikado mounted Nakhti, and the horse sprung into the air, beating his large leathery wings.  Ahmose sighed, resting his head on Yami's shoulder.

"...  I'm sorry..."  He whispered.

Yami nuzzled Ahmose and smiled warmly.  "For what?"  He sighed feeling much warmer against his chosen.  "You didn't do anything."

"I failed you..."  Ahmose said softly, sounding devastated.

"No you didn't."  Yami said shaking his head.  "I mean...we're both alive.  That's your job.  Make sure I stay alive."  he sighed.  "I failed at MY job."

"No..."  Ahmose gasped, curling his arms around Yami and holding him close.  "I...  It was my fault all those rumors began...  because I tried to get the crystals out of your hand and made you...  run..."

Yami grinned once more and kissed Ahmose's cheek.  "Dont get upset.  What's done is done.  We just have to fix things."  He shrugged.  "Besides, Even if we cant if I'm human...maybe I could stay here with you."

Ahmose sighed and nodded.  "Yes...  I... I'm so sorry..."

"Don’t be sorry.  Being sorry never fixed a thing."  Yami said sternly.  "You cant change the past, only learn from it."

Ahmose sighed and nodded.  Mikado returned then, Nakhti lightly touching down and prancing slightly.

"I think there's a village to the east."  Mikado said.  "We'll head there."

Yami nodded and cuddled into Ahmose once more.  "Ahmose...are you ok?"

Ahmose tightened his hold on Yami and sighed, leaning over his shoulder and kissing his cheek.  Mikado kicked Nakhti into a smooth canter, a Geist followed.

Yami sighed and leaned into Ahmose.  "Hey Ahmose...are...you happy?"  he asked after a moment.  "I mean...I'm human.  If we never fix this....I could stay here in this world with you.  I could be...well a normal part of your world."

Ahmose sighed.  "I love you no matter what you are..."  He breathed, nuzzling Yami's ear.

Yami grinned.  "I know that...but wouldn't you be happier this way?"

"Hmmm...  I dunno..."  Ahmose said in a teasing tone.  "No more fun with tails..."  He said, groping Yami's behind.

Yami yipped and squirmed.  "That'll take some getting used to..."  he said after a moment, looking over his shoulder.  "I mean...I feel like I lost an extra hand..."

Ahmose sighed.  "And I will miss your wings..."  He said, trailing his fingers over Yami's back.  "How you would...  wrap them around us, and..."  He sighed, but encircled Yami in his arms again.  "But God... I love you so much..."  He breathed.

Yami shivered when Ahmose's hand touched his back where his wings used to be.  "hnn..." he leaned back into Ahmose's arms and closed his eyes.  "Did I get hotter as a human?"  he asked, eyes still closed but smiling.  "Because you seem even more attracted to me than usual..."

"I love you..."  Ahmose breathed.