Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Gi Oh or any of its' characters.

Thankies to Shaq for beta-ing... ^^

Evil's many guises

A thin shaft of sunlight entered the still and silent room, hitting a slightly tanned eyelid. Scrunching his nose Yami twisted and turned onto his side, curling into a semi-ball. Moaning softly tanned eyelids opened to reveal blood red orbs. Blinking several times to clear all the sleep from his eyes, he stared across the room to see if his Hikari had woken up yet. Finding no Yugi lying sprawled on the bed, Yami assumed his Hikari was in the bathroom. Turning his gaze to the white ceiling he was surprised to catch movement from the corner of his eyes. Narrowing his eyes he stared at his aibou's bed. He managed to make out a tiny lump under the blankets.

Curious he crept across the room and stood very still, staring at the moving lump. Taking a deep breath he slowly peeled back the covers to see what exactly was in Yugi's bed. Throwing the covers aside he was surprised to see Yugi's pajamas lain out on the bed as if his aibou had suddenly sunk through the bed and disappeared, leaving only his clothes. His surprise was short lived when soft mewls were emitted from a lump caught in the pajama top. Quickly undoing several buttons Yami was astonished at what the little lump was.

There sitting in the midst of a tangled blue pajama top was an adorable fluffy white kitten. Turning large lavender eyes up at Yami the little ball of fluff meowed happily. Yami was too stunned to register the kitten's call.

What had happened to his aibou? Surely this kitten couldn't be him…. Something must have happened to Yugi… but this kitten was too small and harmless to have eaten him…. Then again, evil does have many guises… though the kitten didn't look demonic… it was too cute to be a vicious hellcat.

Yami eyed the kitten again. In response the kitten cocked its head to the side and looked at him in curiosity. He blinked and the little cat copied him and blinked as well. Blinking several more times the feline and spirit stared at each other again.

Searching the bond they had between them Yami tried to contact his aibou. No response… but he could definitely feel his Hikari and the bond was telling him that his Hikari was in the room. Scanning the room one more time his eyes landed on the violet eyed kitten. Violet? But it's impossible!

"Yugi?" Yami asked uncertainly while staring at the kitten. The little white hairball meowed cutely in response. Hesitantly Yami picked up the little bundle and sat on the bed. Absently scratching the purring kitten's head he sank into his thoughts.

//How did this happen?// he directed his thoughts to Yugi.

The only answer he received was a giant bubble of happiness. 'So Yugi doesn't understand what I'm asking?' Yami thought. 'But he understood when I called his name…'

Yami tried again but this time directing only his emotions through the link. Sending his aibou his concern he received a warm sense of gratitude from his Hikari. Blinking Yami once again stared at the kitten.

'If someone was going to hurt his Yugi wouldn't it be easier to just take him instead of turning him into a cat?'

His was jarred out of his thoughts when the phone rang. Placing the tiny cat on his shoulder he left to answer the phone. He winced slightly when the kitten's claws dug into his flesh as Yugi tried to keep himself on his shoulder. Sensing his pain Yugi retracted his claws causing him to tumble off Yami's shoulder with a soft yelp. Yami reached for the falling ball of fluff before it hit the floor. Sighing in relief he replaced Yugi on his shoulder. As he was doing so he felt Yugi's uncertainty of being there.

//Aibou, it is alright for you to use your claws. I do not mind.// He sent his thoughts along with his emotions to the concerned Yugi. The kitten mewed in protest and was about to jump off if he hadn't placed his hand on it to stop it from falling off.

Once he had halted in his steps he removed his hand and picked up the ringing phone. Before he could say a word a voice from the other side screamed into the receiver.

"YUGI?! Is that you?!" the voice screamed.

"Uh… Yugi's… unavailable at the moment," Yami replied as politely as he could.

"Is that you Yami?"

"Yes."

"It's Ryou. Thank Ra you're alright," Ryou sighed in relief, a voice muttered something in the background. Yami assumed it was Bakura.

"What do you mean by 'thank Ra I'm alright'?" Yami asked in a dangerous tone.

"Well Bakura thought it would be funny to stick some kind of potion into your drink the other day-" Ryou's explanation was cut off.

"What kind of potion?"

"Uh… one that would turn you into a cat," Ryou answered nervously.

"He what?! I am going to kill that stupid tomb robber!" Yami shouted into the phone.

"Uh Yami… you're alright so there's no need to-" Again Ryou was cut off by a steaming Yami.

"I'm not the one who's a cat at the moment."

"You mean someone did turn into a cat?" Ryou asked, concerned. Laughter could be heard in the background.

Yami growled in frustration. Tomb robber no baka! "Yes… Yugi's the unfortunate victim."

"Are you sure it's Yugi?"

"Yes I'm sure. Do you know of any other cats that have violet eyes, are white, and have red tinged ears and tail?"

"Oh ok… uh maybe you should come over. I'll try to get Bakura to tell me the antidote to the potion."

Yami hung up. Fisting his hands he tried to control the urge to blast Bakura to smithereens. The kitten nuzzled his neck trying to comfort the distressed Yami. Sighing he calmed down slightly and plucked the little cat from his shoulder and held him in his arm. Heading back to their room to change, he was glad that Yugi's grandpa was away for the weekend.

***

Zipping up the thick jacket he carefully placed Yugi into the gap between his jacket and the black turtleneck he wore. Locking up the shop he stepped outside in the cold weather. Hugging the jacket closer to himself he made sure that Yugi did not fall out from under the jacket. Sensing his aibou's anxiety Yami peered into the dark gap.

Yugi mewled fearfully as he pawed at the jacket. Knowing that Yugi didn't like the dark, Yami tried to reassure the frightened kitten.

//Yugi, please calm down. I'm not trying to scare you; it's just too cold outside for you to sit on my shoulder. It won't be long before we get to Ryou's.//

The mewling was replaced by purring as Yugi snuggled closer to Yami's chest for warmth and comfort.

It was around midday and the streets were filled with people. Too busy with trying to get through the crowds without getting his aibou squashed, Yami was not aware of the warm little lump moving around. It was only when he felt fur touching his bare abdomen that he stiffened.

Yugi sensed Yami's discomfort and froze his purring. Feeling hurt that his Yami didn't want him there his spirits sank and he remained very still within Yami's turtleneck.

Feeling his hikari's depression, Yami tried to amend for what he had done.

/I'm sorry aibou./ Sensing his regret through the link, he placed his hand on the small lump on his stomach.

Yugi showed his forgiveness by nuzzling Yami's mid-section, which caused a considerable number of butterflies to take off and soar in Yami's stomach. On top of that Yugi began to lick his darker half in a gesture of affection. This only caused the butterflies to increase in speed and caused his heart rate to skyrocket.

/Ai...Aibou/ he stuttered out. Yugi stopped his licking and noticed how tense his Yami was.

/Can you... not... do that?/ Yami asked hesitantly. Feeling a little hurt but not wanting Yami to feel uncomfortable Yugi complied and contented himself with nuzzling Yami's stomach.

Yami breathed a sigh of relief, but felt a twinge of guilt for hurting Yugi's feelings again. A voice in the far part of his mind scolded him.

Baka! If you didn't ask him to stop, your raging hormones would probably have done something far worse!

He had to agree with the voice, but couldn't help but scowl anyway. Continuing his walk to Ryou's, Yami enjoyed his aibou's warm form settled on his abdomen.

***

Stepping through the apartment door Yami was met by a lounging Bakura, sprawled lazily on the couch and an anxious Ryou.

"So uh... where's Yugi?" Ryou asked, curious. He was staring at Yami's empty hands, a puzzled expression painted across his face.

Ignoring the white haired teen Yami took off his jacket and placed it on the back of the couch. Both white haired boys eyed the lump that was slowly moving up Yami's chest. Bakura had a look of interest as the little lump reached Yami's neck. Ryou on the other hand was watching the lump nervously.

"Ugh... Yami... what-" His inquiry was cut off as a white ball of fluff popped up from the black fabric. Both the boys' eyes bugged out in amazement as a pair of purple eyes peered at them under Yami's chin.

"Meow?" Yami felt Yugi's confusion, but couldn't help chuckling. Gently plucking him from the neck of his top he held him in his hands.

Bakura erupted into a fit of laughter, falling over and clutching his stomach in pain. Ryou stared a while longer, blinking several times before a slow smile crept onto his face. Reaching out for the still confused kitten, Yami let the boy take his aibou. Watching as the holder of the Millennium ring scratched behind the kitten's ears, Yugi shut his eyes shut in pleasure and soft purrs were emitted.

Eyeing Bakura with dangerously slitted eyes, Yami scowled. He was the cause of all this... and he will die for turning Yugi into a kitten. Yami clenched and unclenched his fists as he continued to watch the white haired spirit double over in laughter. Yami would have stalked over to the laughing boy if it wasn't for the sudden growl from his stomach. Starring at his stomach in alarm, a soft hue of pink started to colour his cheek.

The laughter erupting from Bakura's mouth had momentarily halted when Yami's stomach decided to announce its needs, but had returned with full force when he had figured out the source of the strange grumble. Yami's frown deepened. He was about to lunge at Bakura when Ryou decided to intervene.

"Ugh... Yami have you had lunch yet?" Ryou asked tentatively.

"Well. We just woke up. So no."

"Well would you like something to eat? I'm sure Yugi's hungry," Ryou said, looking down at a content Yugi.

Yami's spirit drooped slightly, how could he be so careless as to forgetting to give his aibou something to eat? Covering up his hurt quickly by turning to address Ryou he said, "That would be very kind of you."

Handing Yugi back to Yami, Ryou headed over to the kitchen. Yugi cooed in Yami's arms, somewhat comforted by his Hikari's affection, Yami made his way over to the couch and sat down opposite of the now calm Bakura.

"Is toast okay?"

"Yes it's fine."

Placing Yugi carefully on the coffee table, Yami began another glaring contest with Bakura. Ryou returned, breaking the intense glares. Putting a dish of milk in front of the white kitten, Ryou handed the toast to Yami. Taking a large bite of toast, Yami's stomach was grateful for the nourishment.

When Yami had finished the piece of toast, Yugi was lapping up the last of the milk.

"Well, have you found a reversal potion, Tomb Robber?" Yami asked, irritation leaking into his usually calm emotionless voice.

"Yes and no..." Ryou replied.

"Yes and no? You either have found a reversal potion or you haven't... how can it be yes and no?"

"Well... there is no reversal potion...." Ryou said in a soft voice. Yami's eyes narrowed and Ryou flinched.

Coming to Ryou's assistance, Bakura cut in, "There is no reversal potion, BUT the spell will ware off after a few hours, under normal dosage... but seeing I did put quite a lot in... it would probably be a few days."

Yami glared hard at the spirit of the Millennium ring, but Bakura just shrugged it off. "How much did you put in exactly?" Yami asked, voice steely.

"Enough."

The tension in the room was almost tangible and Ryou feared that if it didn't dissipate soon, one of them would get hurt. It was at this time that Yugi had finished his milk and meowed happily in satisfaction. The tension vanished as all eyes fixed on the small fluffy ball.

Yugi looked up at Yami with glittering eyes, cocking his head to one side, he tried to comprehend why everyone in the room was now starring at him. Yami shook his head, perplexed by how his aibou could just break the tension in the room. He glanced over at Bakura to see him looking at the kitten with a very peculiar expression. Not liking what he saw, Yami was about to pick Yugi up when Bakura moved in a lot faster. A startled squeak came from the kitten as Bakura held him in his arms.

Glaring dangerously at the white-haired boy, Yami started to glow a dim red.

"You better put him down now, Tomb Robber," Yami warned.

"Don't worry Pharaoh, you know that I wouldn't hurt one of Bastet's children."

Yami didn't respond, but kept his murderous glare on Bakura. Some far away part of his mind told him that Bakura would not harm Yugi even if he wanted to. Superstition played a great part in all this. Harming a cat would consequently cause the goddess Bastet to withdraw her protection over the person. So Yugi was safe from Bakura. For now. Yami kept a vigilant eye on every single movement Bakura made.

"Relax. I'm not going to hurt the little shrimp. He is a cat after all. Although I am glad he was the one that drank that cup of chocolate instead of you," Bakura remarked offhandedly.

"And why is that?" Yami felt a twinge of jealousy as Yugi purred softly in Bakura's arms. It seemed the tomb robber had a way with cats.

"Well just look at the little thing." Indicating the purring mass of fluff on his arm. "He's probably far cuter than what you would look like if you turned into a cat."

"Are you saying I would be an ugly cat?" Yami asked indignantly.

"No... I didn't say that you'd be an ugly cat. You were the one that said that," he pointed out, a smirk on his face. Yami narrowed his gaze. "But as I was saying... You Pharaoh, would probably turn out to be one of those bossy, hissy type. Can you still communicate with him through your link?"

Yami ignored Bakura and watched as Ryou returned from the kitchen. "Yes. But not by words. Only with emotions." Standing up he put on his jacket and turned back to Bakura.

"Well, it seems there's nothing else that you can tell me. So I think it would be better if I returned to the shop now."

Ryou nodded wordlessly, plucking Yugi from Bakura's graps, he gently handedthe confused kitten to him. Putting him securely back into his jacket he said a polite goodbye to Ryou and walked out of the apartment.