Chapter Seven

The Untold

Yami took a deep breath, standing tall before the council of five that stood to judge him. Rain sat in a high backed chair in the middle of the room, the others beside her. Yami recognized only three. Tru with her long blond hair he hadn't seen since the last trial he was present for, Cale, dressed in black velvet, he had run into years before in America. The two vampires on the far ends he had never seen before. They looked very young.

"We have been discussing you, and have made our decision." Rain said, her voice cold silk. "Tru."

She stood when Rain said her name, facing Yami with an emotionless face. "Do not think we do this for you alone." She said, her voice a monotone. Rain looked up, confusion on her pretty, pale face. "We find you innocent." Then she turned to the dark haired woman at her side, and said, "I offer you a challenge."

Yami's eyes widened as the sentence was echoed around the room, a second before it erupted into action. Yami had only one desire, the iron key on the belt loop of the man next to him. An easily placed elbow and it was his. Now all he had to do was find Yugi and get out before the confusion of the mutiny died down. He tore the silver clasp from his neck as he began to run.

"I'm sorry." Yugi murmured. Silence roared in his ears, the back of his head throbbed. Joey only smiled.

"Don't be. I kind of like the power. I'm quicker, stronger, and pain doesn't feel as sharp. It's great, Yugi."

"But, what about the-"

"Blood?"

Yugi nodded.

"You get used to it." Joey tightened his grip on Yugi's shoulders, causing him to groan. Rain had betrayed him. What was that saying?

What goes around comes around.

Yugi lay his forehead on his friend's shoulder, to tired and sad and hopeless to cry. "So are you going to kill me?" He asked flatly.

"I'm supposed too."

"Well? What are you waiting for?"

For all Yugi's eagerness to die, he still screamed when cold fang pierced his skin, and again when his head flicked to open the wound wider. Survival instinct took over and he flailed against his captor, but he was caught between the hard wall and Joey's hard body, and neither was giving.

Blood streamed down his back and chest and pain raced down his body. Adrenaline followed when he realized this was it. He was going to die now. In the dark, by his best friends hand.

He couldn't help but wonder where Yami was, as a cold hand grabbed his arm and another his jaw, pulling them apart so there would be more room. Darkness finally blocked out his mistakes, along with everything else.

It just wasn't fair.

Death wasn't supposed to feel like this.

It was supposed to be painless. You were supposed to float, not feel like lead weights are tied to your limbs. That's what they told you, isn't it?

Yugi cracked open an eye, surprised to see white. It was too bright here. He forced his other eye open just the same, however, looking around.

He knew this place. He had never been in this particular room before, but he still knew it.

That was sunlight streaming in through the open window, blue sky beyond. Sunlight making the white, sterile hospital room shine way too brightly for Yugi's mood.

He sighed, disappointed. Almost.

"Hey, you're awake."

The voice caused a shot of panic. He turned his head way too fast, pain from his neck and dizziness causing him to whimper. The movement wasn't in vain, however, when his gaze settled on a happy Yami.

"Not even trying to smile? Oh, come on." A teasing note in Yami's voice annoyed Yugi. What now? How was this possible?

"Would you like me to explain now, or later?"

"It can wait." Yugi hated how raspy his voice sounded.

Yami smiled, practically glowing. Yami reached down, grabbed Yugi's hand and squeezed it gently.

"What happened to Joey?" Yami shrugged.

"Don't know. He was gone by the time I found you."

Yugi frowned, feeling sick and weak. "Go back to sleep. Rain is gone, Joey is beyond us, and what needs to be said can be said later."

Yami laughed at Yugi's confused look. "Okay, maybe not." He leaned down, to whisper in Yugi's ear. "I love you too."

Paladin: And, that is where I am ending it. I am savoring the thought of cutting up all my handwritten notes about this and throwing them away. I have been waiting for this moment what seems like a lifetime. I hope I didn't disappoint. If there are mistakes, please feel free to point them out, but I won't promise I'll fix them since I have vowed never to look at this story again. Thanks for reading, I really appreciate your patience.