~~Hey, I know Kaiba's his last name. Someone pointed that out. Reason why I use it: same reason I use Katsuya. I just like the name better. But it actually plays a role in this. Again, thank you for the comments and feedback and know that if you'd like a reply to your review, supply you email address. ^_~ ~~

***Several Random Days Later***

"He's getting worse!" someone yelled.

There was a rush to the Royal Bedroom as Kaitio erupted with coughs.

Yami started into the room, but his new personal servant stopped him. "Wait, Prince."

"What do you want?!" he yelled.

Katsuya stood up, passing Yami a glass of blue liquid. "Make him drink this. It will soothe his throat."

Yami looked at it with contempt. "It will probably kill him," he spat at the young mix.

"Like I want you to be king any time soon."

Yami smacked him hard, spilling the glass of liquid all over him. "Don't ever speak to me like that again!" he yelled. He lowered his voice, leaning in. "You better run fast and hide well. There will be a punishment waiting for you."

Yami turned on his heel and walk into the emperor's room. "How is he doing?" he asked a group of healers.

"Terrible, Prince. Nothing seems to be helping, or even soothing him."

Yami made his way to the bed, kneeling down next to the dying man. "How are you doing?" he asked softly. He took Kaitio's trembling hand in his.

Kaitio instantly relaxed his face. "Yami...you're here." He smiled as he reached up and ran his hand over his son's face.

Yami smiled back, then noticed something. "Father, your eyes..."

"I can't see, Son."

Yami sucked in a shaky breath. "Are they doing everything they can for you?"

Kaitio chuckled. "There's no reason to kill anyone, Yami. They are doing fine jobs."

Yami sat there for a minute, stunned. "H-how much longer?"

"Hard to say, Yami. Neither my father nor his father lived to get this bad."

"Why are you fighting it?" He squeezed Kaitio's hand hard.

"I don't want to give up without a fight."

Yami climbed onto the bed next to his father, laying his head on his chest. "Please don't die," he whispered.

Kaitio brushed his fingers through his son's hair. "I love you, Yami. Did you track down Shiai?"

"Yes..."

"Do you feel any better?"

"He promised he'd be there if I needed him. I just..."

"I'm sorry." Kaitio whispered, staring through his unseeing eyes at the ceiling. "I wanted children so bad, without the risks. I didn't want your children to have to watch you die. I love you so much, Yami. Yugi, too."

~~~

"Come here, Pet."

Katsuya hissed.

Yami kneeled down next to the mix breed. "What are you doing in there?"

Katsuya scooted further under the bed.

"Hiding? You hiding from me?" Yami asked amusedly.

There was no answer, so Yami began to study the boy. His eyes glowed, like a cat's. He had a very cat-like demeanor no matter what he was doing.

"Part cat?"

"What?" Katsuya growled.

"You're obviously a hybrid*. What kind?"

Katsuya's tail flickered in warning. "I don't know."

"How can you not know?"

"I don't know my parents." He flattened his lips and ears. "Leave me alone," he growled through his teeth.

Yami extended his hand. "I don't want to hurt you," he whispered, reaching towards Katsuya.

Katsuya reacted on reflex, tearing his claw-like nails through Yami's skin.

Yami fell back, clutching his bleeding arm close to himself. "You...you..."

"I didn't mean--" Katsuya jumped out from under the bed. "I didn't mean to, I'm sorry..."

Yami twisted away from him. "Stay away from me!"

Katsuya grabbed him by the shoulder, turning him to face him. "Let me see it!" He grabbed Yami's hand, forcing the arm under his face. "It's not a big deal," he said softly. He ran his palm over the broken skin, massaging it. "You royalty are so delicate." He lifted his hand up, revealing healed skin.

Yami jumped, surprised. "How did you...?" His eyes widened. "You have to come see my father. Now." He grabbed Katsuya by the hand and led him off.

~~~

*Hybrid--crossbreed. But, more specifically, half-human, half-animal. Like furriesor anthros, I guess. Special names for some of them: nekojin: half cat. Koinujin: half dog. Youko: half fox. Doragon: half dragon. You get the idea.

~~~

"Marik," Master said softly. "Come here."

Marik crawled over to him. "Yes?"

"See your little boyfriend?"

Marik gasped at the sight of Bakura. He was naked, save a rope tied around his wrists, and covered in deep cuts. "What did you do?!"

"You hurt his feelings, you know that? He'll never admit it, but it's true."

Marik threw himself onto Bakura. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, please forgive me, Bakura!" He began sobbing in Bakura's shoulder, but Bakura knocked him away.

"Don't touch me," he growled, pushing Marik away.

"Un, un, ah..." Master warned, grabbing the rope tied around Bakura's wrists. He looped it around and hung it over Bakura's neck. Had he been alive, he'd suffocate.

Of course, either way, Bakura couldn't talk. Still, he jumped up and kicked Master into the chest, knocking him down. Surprised at the onslaught, Master could do nothing. Bakura managed to twist the rope from his neck, giving him slack to gag Master. "You'll pay for this! You'll pay for all of it! We're not toys, Master! We were human beings!" Bakura dug his teeth into his Master's neck, killing him.

Marik and Ryou stared, shocked. "You...you killed him," Ryou whispered.

Bakura buried his face in his hands, sobbing for what may be the only time in front of people. Marik sat next to him, taking him in his arms. "It's okay," he whispered, rubbing his back. "It's over."