Lion Heart

Keara: Jou, Ryou and Malik are scared… they’re trying to get a restraining order for you now. °sweatdrops° I think I might do the same… PLEASE GET ME OUT OF HERE!

Evil Pharaoh Atem: That sneak peak was kinda mean, yes… I loved putting it in! °grins evilly° I might just continue dong that… well I’ll think about it anyway. Have fun with the next chap!

J Chan: Plobunnies can be evil…. This one is costing me bodily harm cuz Keara is apparently very violent. Damn her! °pouts° Well, enjoy the next chap!

Cosmic Tomato: I’m not a very nice person when I write °grins° you really should know that by now ^^ btw, I finished that oneshot you suggested. It’s at Tavi’s but she hasn’t been able to edit it yet… I have no idea when she’s gonna send it back but at least the oneshot’s written ne? ^^ enjoy the chap!

Dragonlady222: Yes, what will they do… °has very perverted look in her eyes° I mean, I’m sure they’ll be fine °nods° yeah, defo. Have fun with the new chap!

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Well, I’m shocked no one – aside from Keara who doesn’t count cuz she shoots me for EVERY little ting – has tried to kill me for that sneak peak I gave, which was quite an evil one… kinda a double cliffhanger… I’m so damned awesome XD Well anyway, I’m pretty sure that you’ll all love me after this chap… or so I hope anyway. Have fun with the chap anyway! R&R!

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--: 07 :--
Revealed

The next minute or so was pure chaos. First Atemu rushed onto the scene, eyes widening as he saw what was going on.

Next, the same blank look as last time passed over Bakura and Mariku’s faces before they, like last time, seemed to merge with the shadows that had engulfed them, leaving no trace of them or Malik and Ryou. Hikari landed right on the spot where the two keeping his friends captive had been only a second before, growling ferociously at having missed his target.

Lastly, Jou was released from the magic binding him, his eyes wide as he backed away from the spot his friends had just disappeared from and where Hikari was now standing.

Never before had anyone seen Hikari actually act like the animal he appeared to be. Hikari was mostly calm, collected, never rushing a decision and thinking about what he was doing at all times. Right now, he seemed more like the lion he looked to be than anything else, eyes showing animalistic instincts that had never shown themselves before.

Atemu slowly climbed off the horse he’d been riding, careful crimson eyes focused on who he considered his best friend. Never before had he ever feared Hikari, not even when the other had first come to his aid during one of his earliest fights, because the lion simply to seemed to have an aura around him that practically screamed he wasn’t dangerous to most. Never had he thought it possible to even feel the slightest bit scared after having become friends with the other. Now, however, he cautiously kept his distance, glancing around at the damage before his eyes fell on the blonde not far away from the pacing lion.

Cursing mentally that there was someone else around at a time when Hikari had snapped for some reason, Atemu knew he needed to either get the other teen away from here, or calm Hikari down before he did any permanent damage. He trusted Hikari with his life and would do anything for the other, so the answer seemed quite obvious to that extent. Still, seeing Hikari like this was making him apprehensive, and the apprehension was growing by the second.

Atemu clenched his teeth and cautiously approached the fierce-looking lion; very aware that, in such a state, Hikari might not recognize who he was. He had no idea why Hikari had suddenly turned so much into a lion, but he didn’t like it one bit. Maybe a new type of spell? Or had something happened during the fight that he had missed? Hikari had rushed out with more haste than he had ever displayed before. Whatever it was, he would rather get killed on the spot than do nothing to help.

“Hikari?” Fierce violet eyes turned to him, the amethyst darkened with anger and the usual kindness and compassion that Atemu had always admired so much no where in sight.

A roar escaped Hikari’s throat as his posture tensed as if ready to attack, but Atemu didn’t stop his slow approach even if his heart started to beat faster in his chest. His own posture turned more rigid, ready to defend if Hikari did attack, but he refused to give up on his friend.

“Calm down and tell me what happened.” Atemu crouched in front of the lion, only a feet or so away from him now. Hikari’s eyes flashed with more anger though sorrow could be seen in the very back.

‘He’s guarding himself.’ Atemu realized. ‘Something must’ve happened that he pulled back into himself, leaving only his animalistic instincts.’ Cautiously he held out a hand for the other to sniff, desperately hoping that some kind of recognition or memory would be triggered by it.

Hikari sniffed the hand in front of him, one paw raising itself as if to strike at any given moment. Before Atemu could do anything against it though, Hikari pounced on him, the only thing preventing the other’s claws from piercing his skin being the subconscious automatic response of releasing shadow magic to shield him. He winced as he could still feel the nails biting into his skin, even if the shadows blunted them down and prevented them from ripping him apart.

/ Why weren’t you here earlier! They’re gone now because I couldn’t stop Bakura and Mariku from taking them, but you should’ve been here to help, then they would’ve never been taken! /

Atemu’s eyes widened at the fierce voice in his mind laced with anger, sorrow and guilt. He tried to think what the other meant, remembering two other teenagers fading into the same shadows Bakura and Mariku had. Were those Hikari’s friends? Was that why the other was suddenly so angry?

His eyes softened and he calmly raised an arm to stroke Hikari’s fur soothingly, his fear disappearing almost completely as he suddenly understood what had happened. “You ran out without me and you know as well as I do that I can’t get here as fast as you can.” He gave his friends a compassionate look, “I’m sorry, Hikari.”

Hikari’s eyes filled with tears as he tore himself off Atemu, pacing in front of the Pharaoh and trying not to cry. He was Hikari right now, strong, calm - never overemotional. The fact that he had just attacked Atemu showed that he needed to keep his emotions under close control as long as he was in this form. He was just grateful that he hadn’t actually hurt the other.

“Were they your friends?” Hikari stiffened and Atemu didn’t even need the question answered verbally – or mentally really. Ignoring the wide-eyed teen still somewhere behind him, he drew the young lion into his arms as much as the other’s size would allow, “Shh, it’s okay. We’ll get them back.”

The slight barrier Hikari had just managed to build up again instantly broke, his body practically crumbling into Atemu’s embrace as tears fell from his eyes. / We don’t even know where Bakura and Mariku live! They could die and it’s my fault because I couldn’t protect them! / The magic in his body was flowing erratically, no longer controlled like it usually was and Hikari slowly felt his grasp on it fading. He struggled to regain control but his sudden burst of emotions wouldn’t allow it.

Golden magic suffused the air around Atemu and Hikari as the former’s eyes widened. He tensed at the unfamiliar sensation before looking down to see Hikari suddenly glowing with the same magic, his body glowing a bright gold that made it impossible to look directly at him.

As the bright glow dimmed down, Atemu stared in wonder as he held a boy in his arms now, sobbing uncontrollably as his body shook. This, he realized, had to be Hikari’s true form, his human form. Why he had changed all of a sudden Atemu didn’t know, but all he could do was pull the other tighter against him, ignoring the fact that the other was naked for the time being and more concerned with how he was feeling. There was a strange familiarity to the teen in his arms, but Atemu couldn’t quite place it. As if he’d seen the other before but couldn’t remember where or when.

“Yuugi…” Crimson eyes turned to look at the blonde that had relaxed by now and was staring with sorrowful eyes at the boy in his arms. The other stood up and came closer with concern in his eyes, and Atemu lowered his guard.

“I presume you’re one of his friends too, then?” At the nod, Atemu continued, “Alright, then I’m assuming his name is Yuugi. Do you know where he lives?” Again a nod. The blonde seemed mostly stunned into silence, having just enough sense to answer the questions mutely.

“Yeah, we’ve been friends since childhood.” The other regained his full senses and hesitated for a moment before looking up at him, “I’m Jou.”

Atemu smiled, “Don’t worry, any friend of… Yuugi’s, I suppose, at least has the right to look me in the eye.” Jou relaxed visibly at the slight joke and he let out a sigh of relief.

“Good, ‘cause I don’t think Yuug could handle you sentencing me ta death.”

Atemu chuckled, “I’m usually not the type to sentence anyone to death as it is.” He glanced down to the form in his arm, noting that the shaking had stopped and seeing that the other had seemingly fallen asleep. “Can you take me to where he lives? I think he needs some clothes…” He let his eyes wander over the other’s body briefly before taking the cape from around his neck and wrapping the other in it.

Jou nodded, “Yeah, sure. I’m pretty sure he won’t mind.” He got up, Atemu following suit as they quickly made their way to Yuugi’s house, taking care to avoid anyone that might’ve stayed behind too far and could see them.

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His head was hurting, the ever present magic in his body was still acting chaotic, and he had no idea how long exactly he’d been out. All he knew at the moment was that strong emotions and the magic he possessed did not mix.

The last thing he really remembered was Atemu trying to calm him down. Then his magic going completely out of control and then… he didn’t quite know. Between that point and the chaotic magic knocking him out was a period of time he couldn’t account for, but he knew something must’ve happened.

Groaning as he slowly opened his eyes, Yuugi glanced around the room he was in only to blink at the fact that it was his own bedroom. He slowly sat up, the slight headache fading as all his senses returned to him. He heard voices coming from the next room so he stood up and curiously listened in, his eyes widening as he heard both Jou and Atemu’s voices.

“And dat’s when he was forced ta transform in front of us to help you.”

“So he actually kept it from everyone… he wasn’t kidding when he told me that then.”

Yuugi stared, not moving as he realized that Jou and Atemu were talking about him. If Jou and Atemu were talking, especially since they were discussing the time Yuugi had been forced to show to his friends that he was Hikari, then Atemu had to know who he was.

The brief lapse of memory he’d had suddenly flashed back to him. He’d lost complete control of his powers and because of that, he’d accidentally lost his grasp on his transformation and had transformed back to his human state. Not long after that the magic had become so chaotic that it had actually knocked him out.

“Damn it.” Yuugi closed his eyes, trying to stay calm as everything hit him at once. The magic in him once more lashed out inside him and his headache returned. He groaned as he gripped his head, only half aware of a pair of hands gripping his shoulders. He tried to calm himself down so he could force his magic back into a controllable form.

After a brief moment his headache faded again and he slowly opened his eyes, gulping as he looked straight into concerned cerise eyes. Eyes he knew all too well after the year he’d spent with the person they belonged too.

“Are you alright?” Atemu asked, his hands still resting on Yuugi’s shoulders as if afraid something would happen if he let go. Yuugi smiled nervously.

“Yeah, as long as I keep my emotions in check so my own magic won’t lash out at me.” He glanced aside to see Jou standing right next to him with a similar concerned expression on his face. “Are you okay?”

Jou rolled his eyes at the question, “You practically faint in his arms after goin’ all lion on us and you’re askin’ me if I’m okay?” he gave a pointed look, “Worry about yourself, not me.”

“I’m fine. I’m just…” Yuugi rubbed his temple, “I never knew my magic could freak out on my like that when my emotions got the better of me.” He looked back at Atemu uncertainly. “And I really didn’t want to transform back like that…”

Atemu’s eyes softened and he smiled, “For the umpteenth time, we went over why you never told me who you were. I’m not angry.” He smirked, “I’m actually happy I finally found out.”

“And you’re not…” Yuugi looked down at the ground, “disappointed that it’s someone like me…” It’s what he’d feared most deep down. That he’d lose the respect of Atemu when the other saw him in his human form. After all, he was a 17-year old that looked practically 13 and most would deny that he could even hurt so much as a fly. He’d always been afraid he’d lose the respect Atemu had for Hikari if the other ever saw him as Yuugi. It had probably been the main reason why he’d never told the other, if he was completely honest with himself.

Atemu merely raised a questioning eyebrow, “Disappointed? What’s there to be disappointed in?”

Yuugi glanced up into the other’s eyes, seeing the same friendship and respect that had been there since they’d gotten to know each other still there. He mentally sighed in relief, happy that his fear had apparently been unfounded, “Well as Hikari I look all strong like I can handle anything. Now I look…like a kid.” He smiled sheepishly.

Atemu smiled in amusement at the statement, “Maybe so, but you earned my respect a long time ago and that’s not going to change because your human appearance doesn’t look like it could kill at any given moment. Besides,” he grinned, “somehow I’d never expected you to look like that anyway. You were always far too gentle and nice for that, not counting the way you act in a fight.”

Jou grinned as well, “Yuugi lookin’ all dangerous… nah, can’t imagine dat.”

Yuugi pouted as he gave a mocking glare at his blonde friend, “Thanks, Jou. That makes me feel all better.”

Both Atemu and Jou chuckled before they turned and walked back into the living room, Yuugi following as they sat down in some chairs. Atemu turned more serious as he looked at Yuugi, “Kidding put aside, we need to figure out how to get your other two friends back.” He ignored the stiffening of Yuugi’s posture, knowing the issue would have to be addressed at one point or another. “There’s a chance Bakura and Mariku will come back for Jou, so it might be best if you two come live in the palace.”

Yuugi stared at him for a moment in shock, “But, I can’t stay in my lion form forever. I mean, I’ve never tried it before but I’m pretty sure that I can’t do that without it having consequences. Who knows what could happen. On top of that, how would you explain why Jou’s there?”

Atemu cut his friend off before he could list more reasons why this wouldn’t work, “I didn’t mean you’d come as Hikari, I meant that you’d come as Yuugi. What you and Jou are doing there is my concern and I won’t even have to tell anyone else.” A thoughtful look crossed his face, “Except maybe Seth. He’ll keep pestering until I finally give in.”

Yuugi hesitated, thinking about the proposal. If he didn’t go there was indeed a chance that Bakura and Mariku would go after Jou. They wouldn’t even have to attack; they could just send some of their minions to kidnap him. On top of that, if the two did attack there was a chance they might use Jou to threaten him even without taking him if the blonde was too close to the fight. And knowing Jou, he wouldn’t leave even with the past happenings.

If he did go, Jou would be safe. The blonde would be too far away from the fights and no minion of Bakura and Mariku’s could get to him. He’d have to show himself to Seth though, which would be yet another person who would know who he was. Seth was the only priest he actually trusted nearly as much as he did Atemu, but the thought of yet another person knowing who Hikari was didn’t appeal to him.

Yuugi hesitated for a second longer before sighing, “Are you sure you can come up with a reason why Jou and I are there? Because if people start to suspect anything then-“

“Relax.” Atemu gave him a reassuring look, “I’m sure I’ll be able to come up with something. I probably won’t even have to come up with anything really since people in the palace just blindly do as I say. Except Seth of course, but that’s why he’ll be the only one we’ll have to tell this all to.”

Yuugi nodded reluctantly, “Okay then, I guess it’s not a bad idea.”

Jou grinned, “Awesome, so I get ta see da palace? And tell people ta do things for me? Dis is gonna be great!” Atemu sweat dropped, so used to that kind of treatment that he’d almost forgotten how great it must seem to anyone who had never experienced it before. Yuugi just shook his head, smiling at his friend. He might not be as used to it as Atemu, but he’d been in the palace as Hikari many times and everyone always did anything for him at those times. It wasn’t new to him anymore, though he remembered how strange it had been when it had first happened.

“Well then,” Atemu rose to his feet, “Let’s go introduce you two to palace life.”

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The shadows that had been keeping him unmoving finally dissolved and Malik immediately pulled Ryou behind him protectively, his white-haired friend looking around frantically at their new surroundings.

Malik glanced around briefly as well, before returning his glare to the two people – neither of who could be much older than they themselves were – in front of him. They seemed to be in a large cave of some sorts. Light came flooding in through an exit not too far from them, but Malik doubted they could make a run for it if they could just be bound to the ground again like before.

“Don’t glare like that.” Bakura snorted, “You’re not scaring anyone with it, especially since I can still feel fear in your aura.”

Malik gritted his teeth at the statement, “I’m not the type to give up without a fight.”

Mariku grinned, “Feisty, Mariku likes him.” Bakura merely rolled his eyes at him.

“Good, then you go take care of them. If they really are friends of that stupid cat than they might just be useful.”

Mariku raised an eyebrow and cocked his head, “And what is Bakura going to do?” he absently reached for the wound on his side where Hikari had scratched him, noting that it had been healed fully already. His work, no doubt.

Bakura scowled before turning away, “What do you think? I’ve had it with him helping us. We could’ve gotten out of there by ourselves.”

The King of Thieves walked away, leaving Mariku with Malik and Ryou.

With a shrug, Mariku turned back to his two hostages and grinned, “Well, then Mariku will give you the grand tour.” At Malik’s scowl deepening and the fear in Ryou’s aura growing, his grin grew. He simply let the shadows around the two force them to start walking as he went deeper into the cave, waving merrily at other thieves that resided there and helped them. All the way he chatted happily to the duo behind him as he pointed out things in the cave like important rooms, ignoring the foul cursing coming from Malik.

“And this,” he halted and let the shadows that were by now only cast by torches on the wall, “will be your room.” He opened a door that led to a small room. It was the smallest one they had and didn’t contain anything but two stone beds carved out of the rocks, and a strange torch that burned with purple flames. Mariku turned to face his two ‘guests’. “Mariku hopes you have a pleasant stay here and if you want something… well Mariku doubt you’ll get it so don’t get your hopes up.”

He used the shadows once more to force to two to walk, seeing Malik resist with every fibre of his being as Ryou just walked, his gaze downcast.

“Hikari will save us, you know!” Malik growled as the shadows released him and he turned to glare at Mariku. The Assassin gave the other a look-over, openly leering at what he saw.

“Mariku’s counting on it.” He smirked, “Though until then, Mariku is going to have a lot of fun.” He closed the door and assigned two simple minions to guard the room, knowing that even if they were overpowered the two imprisoned in the room would never get far. He walked away, happily whistling a tune as his mind went over the many ways he could try to seduce his little look-alike. The other’s fierce attitude would make this quite a challenge, but he’d always liked to put some effort into getting his prey.

After all, what fun would there be in a hunt if the prey didn’t put up a fight?

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There, ARE YOU ALL HAPPY NOW?! Atemu knows who Yuugi is at long last! We even got a sneak at Bakura and Mariku's place. Those who can guess who the 'him' is, awesome job. Those who can't, get a brain cuz it's really not that hard to figure out. Also, I’ll be doing the sneak preview weekly from now on. I probably won’t be able to find good ones like the one I had last time, so don’t worry about them being evil all the time, but I try °grins° Anyway, Review folks!

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Sneak Preview:

The look on Teana’s face was beyond comical. It was only through sheer willpower and self-control that neither Hikari nor Atemu burst out into laughter, though Hikari couldn’t help but grin at the expression. He hid it by lying down on the bed, burying his face in his paws as best he could without making it look too suspicious.

Anger, shock, desperation, irritation, hatred, and a definite plea for someone to tell her that what had just been said was nothing but a joke were all fighting for dominance on Teana’s face. “And, where will he be sleeping?” Teana’s voice sounded quite stiff, obviously hiding a lot of emotions beneath the controlled tone.