Let Go

Authoress: Moondalian
Editor: Tavi
Summary: Sequel to Hold On, AU: With Yami’s refusal to take the demonic throne someone else attempts to take the throne. At the same time Yami’s past seems to be catching up with him.
Pairings: YamixYuugi, MalikxMariku, RyouxBakura, SetoxJoey
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Well, here´s the prologue to the sequel of HO as I promised! Well, that´s the good news anyway. School has been devouring my time lately, and I really don´t have any time to write. I´ve so far finished this and the first two chapters, but school is actually annoying me so much I can´t concentrate on the next chap. In short, I will not be starting to update weekly like I usually do. Until I actually have time again to start writing, I won´t be posting anything, at all. °sighs° And that annoys me because writing relaxes me. Well, anyway, I hope you all have fun with this chapter, cuz it's the only one you're getting for quite a while. R&R!
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--: Prologue :--
Demon hunt

Soft humming was heard through darkened halls with only lit torches to grant a bit of sight to those who walked through them. Although barely anything could be seen in the dimly lit passage, it seemed the two figures creeping through them didn’t have problems seeing at all. The first, a young man in his mid twenties with long silver-white hair wore a scowl on his face, and was holding back the irritation and anger showing in his russet eyes.

The second, a platinum-blonde with lilac eyes tinged with the slightest bit of red and around the same age as the first was the one humming to himself happily, though even his voice betrayed the slight bit of madness showing quite clearly in his eyes. He seemed to be happy about something even though the atmosphere around the two was anything but cheerful; depression and a deathly silence rung through the air, if you didn’t count the constant humming.

There was something strange about both men though. Neither seemed to have hands, but sharp claws instead with nails that could penetrate practically anything. Black, thick tails were wrapped securely around their middles so they wouldn’t make any sounds with sharp tips at the very end that could slash deeply if needed. Large powerful black leather-like wings were folded on both their backs, just waiting to be used if necessary. These two weren’t normal men; they were demons, and two of the strongest at that.

“Would you be silent, Mariku! We’re trying to get through this without being seen. We’ve already almost been spotted twice because people came looking for that annoying racket!” The first demon hissed and glared at the other, his anger finally getting the better of him. They were supposed to be silent so they wouldn’t be found out, and his companion was making it very difficult. He usually didn’t have much patience, but in this situation it was even thinner than usual.

The second, Mariku, grinned happily as if the first wasn’t glaring imaginary daggers at him and kept humming, the tune only becoming more cheerful. He loved annoying the other to see how long it would take him to blow a fuse. Seeing as he could already imagine steam coming out of the other’s ears, it wouldn’t be much longer. Deciding that making the white-haired demon shout right now would be a dead giveaway of where they were, he stopped at long last and smiled innocently.

“What’s wrong Bakura? Don’t like my tune?” Now that Mariku was actually speaking the insanity was even clearer, though all who lived in Hell knew not to underestimate Mariku. Many had done so, believing Mariku wasn’t sane enough anymore to fight properly, and all had died a very slow and painful death.

Bakura’s glare merely got harsher, “Do you want us to get caught or something? Do you really want to get killed that badly?!”

Mariku shrugged, not bothering to answer the question any further, as he knew Bakura wouldn’t accept any answer. If he said yes, Bakura would throw a fit and they’d be found. If he said no, Bakura would demand an explanation and after Mariku didn’t give one, throw a fit and they’d be discovered. This way however, Bakura would just simmer in his anger but stay quiet, which in Mariku’s opinion, was for the best right now.

Both walked along the passage for a while longer, scanning every corner and shadow for signs of life. So far it had been easy, and they both thought it was a little too easy.

‘Then again,’ Bakura reasoned at that thought, ‘that pompous jerk would be too cocky to use guards. He probably thinks he can handle anything.’

More silence, before Mariku turned to Bakura and spoke, his voice surprisingly serious and sane, “So any idea where he’s supposed to be? This castle hides every aura so…” he left the statement hanging, watching as Bakura’s scowl deepened.

Bakura sighed as the other thought that had been going through his head was voiced. Indeed he couldn’t sense anything, which was the reason why they were being so cautious. Bakura had no idea where they were and where the person was they were looking for. They had been walking through the ancient castle for over two hours now, but still no sign indicating they were getting closer to their target.

“I don’t know, Mariku. But we better find him soon or I’ll go insane. I’m getting sick and tired of this castle; everything looks the same!” Bakura punched the wall left of him, but it didn’t even leave a scratch. Cursing softly and at the same time glad nothing had collapsed, as that would’ve really given them away, Bakura glared at the darkness ahead of him.

Mariku glanced in the same direction and sighed, “Come on, we might as well keep going.”

Both walked on, still careful to remain unseen. The castle was still eerily silent and even though they knew they had left early in the morning, it should be time for people to wake up, as they had been here for quite a while. Every corner was approached tensely, both afraid that someone might be lurking in the shadows and jump them. Nothing came though, and it only made the tension in the air thicker.

“This is ridiculous.” Bakura growled, after passing another corner without anything being seen. “We knew from the start that it was most likely that he knew we were coming and I think this proves it. We haven’t seen a single servant around here and I’m pretty sure he has loads of those. This has ‘trap’ spelled on it so damn big that it wouldn’t even fit the castle!”

He turned and started back in the direction they’d come from. Mariku raised an eyebrow and shrugged, following Bakura but knowing they wouldn’t get far. They’d passed so many turns and twists they would never find their way back again, and would only wander deeper into the castle. As everything looked the same, there was no way Bakura could know how to get back.

As Mariku had predicted, Bakura and he only wandered further into the castle. Just as Bakura was about to give a loud yell of frustration and call for someone to just come and fight them, rather than to have them walking around with no purpose, the wall a few feet in front of them split open and a voice could be heard on the other side. It was cold, emotionless, yet a tone of amusement was ringing through it clearly.

“It took you two long enough, you’ve been walking around in circles all this time, so I would’ve thought you’d come across this passage at one point or another.”

Bakura hissed much like a snake would, and Mariku – who had once again started to hum at one point – immediately went back to his serious somewhat more sane side. A shadow approached at the door and within seconds a boy no older than 17 stood there, a malicious smirk on his handsome face.

He had jet-black jagged hair that reached his shoulders, his eyes matching that same colour even though that seemed to be impossible. Black wings were spread out behind, showing their wide length and telling all he was ready to fight, as razor-sharp claws were already being poised to strike all coming too close. This wasn’t what told Bakura and Mariku they had found the person who they had been looking for though. There was a strange tattoo in his left upper-arm showing a weird sign that no mortal would ever recognize. Mariku and Bakura did though; it was the demonic sign for the word ‘sin’.

“Tsumi!” Bakura hissed again, his voice could still be compared to one of a snake if it were to learn the human language. The boy across from them widened his smirk, and bowed in a mocking manner.

“I feel honored that the great Bakura Kaitou would recognize little old me.” The mocking in his voice as he spoke specific words was undeniable, and Bakura’s glare went ever harsher than before.

“Yes, because I wouldn’t know the person killing off everyone in sight huh?” Bakura spat, “You’re a fool.”

Tsumi stood up straight again, the mockery and amusement not hidden the slightest on his face, “I? A fool? I believe I didn’t try to break into the castle of the future demonic overlord to try and kill him, Bakura.” The teen smirked and turned his back on them, simply walking back into the chamber he’d been in prior. Bakura couldn’t believe how foolish this boy could be; turning your back on an enemy?

Still, he didn’t attack, and Mariku and he entered the chamber as well. It was no use trying to attack right now, as Tsumi would have guards surrounding them faster than Bakura could even so much as wrap his claws round the teen’s neck. If Tsumi had let them come then they might as well wait until the other was ready to actually fight them.

As they entered the new room, it was like they had walked into the still intact version of the royal throne room. The room was decorated beautifully though small differences could be seen, making the room undeniably Tsumi’s, and not late Aknunkanon’s. Large tapestries hung from wall, all depicting the demonic sighn for one of the seven sins: lust, gluttony, envy, greed, wrath, sloth, and pride.

Bakura glanced around for a minute, before simply ignoring the scenery and focusing on the person they had come here for, “If you knew we were coming, then why did you let us get this close to you? I’m sure you know that even you would have problems fighting both Mariku and I.” His gaze fixed intently on Tsumi’s soulless black eyes as the other turned and a smirk came onto his face.

“Did you know that in very rare cases a demon receives a soul at birth? It’s really quite nasty for the demon since he has to live with other demons that don’t have that problem, and simply kill as they please. Mostly the demon dies of insanity.” Tsumi’s eyes flickered over to the so far silent Mariku, but the platinum blond was listening intently and paying more attention than anyone would’ve probably thought him capable of at first sight.

Bakura narrowed his eyes on the teen in front of him, “Don’t play tricks on me, Tsumi. All of Hell knows Mariku and I have souls but did not go as insane as many would’ve liked, because we decided that demons weren’t worth mourning over and didn’t care if they died. Where are you going with this story?” His question was more like a demand than anything else, and Tsumi’s eyes fixed back on Bakura, though not a hint of impatience or annoyance was seen.

“Did you also know,” the boy casually continued as if Bakura hadn’t just snarled at him, “that a demon’s soul if sucked up by another will transfer its power to the new body, if the right spell would be performed?”

Bakura’s eyes narrowed even more if possible, and Mariku’s face turned into an ugly snarl.

“So you lured us here to get a bit more power? Is that it?” Tsumi’s smirk widened, telling Bakura he had just guessed what was going on. The white-haired demon’s blood boiled in his veins with anger. This boy thought he could simply take their powers and be done with it? That they wouldn’t put up a fight to stop him? Bakura had known that Tsumi was cocky, but he’d never imagined it to be this bad.

Next to him, Mariku actually laughed at the idea. They were two of the most well-known demons in Hell and not just because they had souls. It was absolutely hilarious to him that this kid would be able to defeat them as easily as he now made it seem.

“You think we’re going to just hand everything over to you just because you thought of a new way to get power?” Mariku smirked at him and prepared for an attack, “You’ll have to fight us before you get anything.”

The smirk on Tsumi’s face merely widened, “I thought you might say that, but you’re not worth my time.” Tsumi’s eyes blanked for a moment before coming back into focus. Before Bakura or Mariku could’ve done anything, guards from entrances they had never noticed filled the room. Left, right, in front, behind, and even above them, were suddenly demons ready to strike.

“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather just give up now?” Both Bakura and Mariku glared at the teenage boy sitting on the throne now. Tsumi chuckled at their expression. “I didn’t think so. Bakura Kaitou and Mariku Kyoki are known for their stubbornness, after all.”

Mariku and Bakura sank into fighting stances, ready to fight for their lives and try to get to Tsumi while they were at it. No one moved for a moment, time seemed to have frozen, and then…

“Attack!”

Tsumi had spoken the word so casually that it had seemed like he had asked someone to pass something to him that was completely normal, like he did it everyday. Bakura suspected the latter to actually be right, as many demons died in this castle, but he really didn’t have that much time to think about it at the moment as an enormous group of demons attacked him all at once.

Bakura’s tail unwrapped from around his waist and lashed out to slash the demons attacking. Many backed away at the huge gash they suddenly had in their body, but others managed to dodge the tail or simply ignored the blood trickling down their bodies. Bakura’s eyes shifted rapidly from demon to demon as he attacked each one that was in range with practiced ease. His tail kept lashing out to block other tails from hitting him, as his large wings spread out and he took flight to try and shake off a few of the demons currently trying to stab at his back.

Mariku was in a similar position. His eyes were gleaming with mirth as he fought; seemingly finding it fun to be able to kill the demons that had once drove him to near insanity. Of course he had been pushed over that edge, but it wasn’t so bad that he would kill himself like many others had done.

Tsumi, in the mean time was sitting in the throne, watching everything happen with amusement. His eyes glistered in anticipation, as Bakura was finally hit by one of his minions and thrown against a wall, while Mariku was slashed by some demons tail when he wasn’t paying enough attention. Tsumi briefly considered remembering who those demons were and thanking them or something, but then noticed that Bakura was now being pummeled by a different one and refused to try to remember all of them.

Mariku, at that moment, saw from the corner of his eye that Bakura could use some help. And quickly cast a spell that sent every demon around him flying into walls, the ceiling, or the floor. He quickly aimed a shadow ball at the demon beating on Bakura, and fired, the demon yelling in pain as it connected and falling to the floor. Bakura gave him a quick, somewhat grateful glance before casting a spell of his own that made the nearest few demons explode.

Tsumi scowled, as he was drenched in blood, and he pulled a disgusted face. His hair was now clinging to his head and slightly red instead of the usual black. He made a mental note to kill every guard currently around to vent his frustration at this.

“What are you idiots doing?! Didn’t I tell you to beat them to near death?!” Most demons winced and mentally muttered something about anger management, but in their distracted state Mariku and Bakura easily pounded them into the wall or floor. Those demons that were paying attention though, immediately responded and kicked both demons to the floor after some of the others. Both Mariku and Bakura landed with loud crashes, leaving gaps in the floor.

Mariku groaned as multiple spells hit Bakura and him at once, pushing them further into the rock beneath them. Blood was trickling down almost every part of his body by now, and with one glance he could see Bakura was in no better shape. Even if they did manage to beat all of Tsumi’s guards there would be no way they’d be able to defeat Tsumi himself now, they were far too weakened.

“Any bright ideas now?” Mariku glanced aside to see Bakura scowling, obviously coming to the same conclusion as he had.

“I don’t know, but I’m not going to just lie here until they finish me off, I’d rather go down fighting than to surrender that easily.” Bakura got up, but before he could do anything, more spells blasted him away and into a wall. Bakura nearly gagged as they all hit him in the stomach, but managed to keep it in. He raised his head to glare at the demons above them, only to see smirking faces.

Tsumi had risen into the air again, magic already surrounding him as he prepared a powerful spell. Both Mariku and Bakura knew immediately that this would be the spell to take their souls away and leave them as empty puppets, not able to do anything unless told to. They responded by putting up shields around them, trying to deflect the spell but it was most likely that in their weakened state, it wouldn’t work.

Just as Tsumi was about to fire, the smirk on his face now so triumphant that it was impossible to mistake his confidence in winning at the moment, a loud explosion sounded from the hallway, before the closed throne-room doors flew out of their frames and crashed into the wall opposite them. The shadows in the room shifted and seemed to become darker, and every demon except for Mariku, Bakura, and Tsumi flinched, panic now seen in their eyes as they recognized the power emitting from the hall.

A figure emerged from the hall and stood in the doorless frame, with a glare set on his handsome face and rage flashing in his crimson eyes. Large powerful black wings were spread behind him and a purple-black aura surrounded his body. He was clad completely in leather and his entire form screamed power and demanded respect.

All guard cowered and flew back immediately, fearing for their lives at seeing the new person. All knew it would all be over soon, and not in a good way for them.

Crimson eyes scanned the room, lingering on the large group of demons hanging in the air, then at Bakura slumping against a wall, and finally resting on Mariku who was still lying on the floor. His eyes narrowed as they went back to the demon group and Tsumi in specific.

“I see you’ve been having some fun with my friends.” His voice was a deep baritone, the tone in it also demanding the respect his demeanor did. Tsumi also narrowed his eyes, looking over the form for a second before finally seeing who he was. He mentally slapped himself for not seeing it at once, as the odd spiked up tri-colored hair should’ve been enough to tell him this was Yami Atemu, son of the late demonic overlord Aknunkanon, and strongest demon ever known.

Tsumi resisted the urge to back away as well now and replaced it by glaring even harsher. Who cared if Yami was stronger, Mariku and Bakura had been too but his little slaves had been able to weaken them quite a bit. This would be no different, right?

“Well they’re the ones that came here to assassinate me, what was I supposed to do?” The taunting in Tsumi’s voice was as strong as ever, not a single bit of fear showing in his eyes or movements.

Yami’s eyes flicked to both Mariku and Bakura for a second again, before he muttered something along the lines of ‘idiots’ under his breath and looked up.

“Well then, I think you’ve had your fun and I’ll just take them with me.” He stepped forward towards Bakura and pulled the other up, giving the other a look that meant he’d rather leave them there right now because of their stupidity, before walking over to Mariku and doing the same. Tsumi watching with narrowed eyes. Yami was just ignoring him! How dare he!?

“You’re not going anywhere. They tried to kill me and you just helped destroy my throne-room. Plus all three of you have something that I want; your souls!” With one flick of his wrist the demons behind him attacked the trio, though fear was evident in all eyes. Yami raised an eyebrow at the attack, before muttering a spell under his breath and pointing the palm of his left hand at the group of demons coming his way. All demons exploded and blood was once more thrown around the room, together with bones, guts, and other things coming from the demons.

Tsumi’s eyes widened at the ease Yami had just shown. Even he couldn’t kill demons this easily, and definitely not when it was this many. He backed away, this time for real as he stared at the older male on the ground.

“I don’t want to get involved in anything you demons do, but I won’t allow you to kill my friends. Now then, we’ll be leaving so good luck cleaning this mess up.” Yami smirked before he spread the wings that had been folded on his back, and flew into the air. Bakura and Mariku glanced at each other briefly before flying up and following Yami. They both glared at Tsumi once more, but knew they couldn’t attack the other or Yami would drag them off anyway.

They all stayed silent until they had left Hell and were back in the mortal world. Yami cast a few glances around, muttered a few more spells to make sure they wouldn’t be seen, and led the two behind him to the large skyscraper building, before flying into a window and into his office. Bakura and Mariku didn’t say a word and just followed.

“You two want to die, don’t you?” Yami closed the window, his back turned to the other two but frustration was clearly beaming off his aura and voice. Mariku looked at him boredly, finding the decorations in the room more interesting than Yami, and Bakura scowled.

“Why didn’t you kill him? He’s been killing off everyone in sight and you just let him go! We both know you could’ve taken him apart,” Bakura was close to attacking Yami now, but knew that even if he was fully healed he’d be no match, let alone now.

Yami turned around, his eyes boring into Bakura’s, “For eight years I’ve been able to keep away from that world Bakura. The last time I had a real fight was the one I had when I was 18 and killed Aknunkanon. I managed to get every demon to stay away from me and the ones I love for eight years, and you think I’m just going to throw all that away now? I don’t care if he kills demons, as long as he leaves me alone.” Yami turned sharply and walked to his desk as he cast another spell to hide his wings, before sitting down with a long sigh.

Bakura just continued to glare, mentally cursing with every word he knew, and there were quite a few. Mariku and he had met Yami about a year ago when they had ran from Hell because it was just too much for even them to handle. Yami had found them, taken them in and helped them get a life as ‘mortals’. Both worked for Yami and lived in the same house – Yami had way too many rooms to fill anyway – and although they’d never admit it were grateful for all Yami had done.

“I’m not going to go into discussion with you on this, and you’re not going back to Hell unless you have a damned good reason. That doesn’t include killing whoever the hell that was.” Yami had added the last bit as Bakura had opened his mouth to speak, and the other closed it again and continued to just glare. “Now that we have that settled, go to work.”

Yami turned to the computer screen without another word and ignored the two demons standing in the room. Bakura cursed softly before muttering a similar spell that Yami had used to hide his demonic appearance as well as the wounds and blood covering his body. His wings disappeared, so did his tail, and his claws turned into normal hands. Glancing aside, he whacked Mariku on the head to get the other’s attention since he’d been staring at some of the pictures Yami had in his office.

Mariku pouted at being hit, before muttering the same spell as Bakura and receiving the same effect. Both left the room, Mariku humming once again and Bakura in an even fouler mood than before.
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Well, that's it for now. Hope no one kills me. I'll see you all when my school is probably over (aka 2 to 3 months °sighs°) but do review and tell me what you thought!