Shadow Gryphon

Author: Shamise

A.N.: Sorry it took so long guys!! T-T I hit a particularly big writer's block for this chapter, and BC was taking up most of my inspiration. However, I've finally written out this chapter, and I do say that a lot happens [a plot maybe?]. Once again, thanks to Yizuki, who kept reminding me that this story existed and continues to be a wonderful help. *offers Yami gryphon plushie* So, without further ado, I give you the next chapter to Shadow Gryphon! Enjoy!

~(*)~

Yuugi's legs buckled beneath him when he slid off of Yami's back, and he grabbed the gryphon's shoulder to keep him balanced. Yami's feathered head swiveled around to give him some more support, unintentionally knocking the human off balance. Yuugi fell to the ground with a soft 'thud' and he glared at the gryphon.

Yami nuzzled him, laughing about how cute he was when he pouted. Yuugi's face blushed a soft pink and pushed Yami away, embarrassed.

"I thought we were going into town?" Yuugi asked, hoping to divert Yami's playful nature elsewhere. He set the bag he was carrying on the ground and tried to rub some feeling back into his legs. Who would have thought that you could get so sore from sitting?

"We are." Yami agreed, shaking loose some of his feathers as he stretched. "But it wouldn't be for use to just fly in there. They would probably try to shoot me out of the sky."

"Oh." That made sense, now that he thought about it. Most people considered gryphons to be dangerous creatures (which they were). Yuugi knew that Yami wouldn't attack anyone for no reason, but that didn't mean all gryphon's were like that.

Yuugi watched for a moment while Yami snatched the brown bag from the ground and moved over to the semi-shelter of some bushes. Shadows sprang up from the ground and the bulk of the gryphon's body shrank into a more humanoid form. Yuugi looked the other way when the transformation continued and Yami's feathers disappeared. He heard the rustling of clothes being put on, and he cautiously turned around when the noise ended. Most people in his village were not shy of their bodies, but Yuugi had grown up separated from large groups, so he did not have the luxury of this mindset.

He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Yami fully clothes. The now human gryphon was settling the backpack onto his shoulders. He carefully stood up, thankful that his legs were feeling back to normal. He readjusted the money pouch into a more comfortable location, and by doing so, thought of something else.

"Hey, Yami?"

"Yes?" the red-eyed human answered. He left the bushes and walked back to where Yuugi was.

"Do you want the money pouch back?" Yuugi fiddled with the bottom of his shirt. He would understand if the gryphon would want to carry it, Yuugi wouldn't be able to defend against thieves anyway.

"No." Yuugi's head shot up. "I'm trusting you with it."

"B-but what if someone tries to take it?!" Yuugi interrupted, voicing his earlier thoughts. He wasn't particularly strong, and even though he was fast he could easily make a wrong turn in the city.

"Then you'll have to trust me to protect you." Yami replied, ruffling Yuugi's hair with a free hand. "Don't worry, Aibou. Not a lot of humans try to target me."

Yuugi's protests subsided as he realized the meaning behind Yami's words. It was the perfect opportunity to start trusting each other in all the degrees that this partnership entailed.

They emerged from the small path onto the large expanse of a well-used road. Yuugi stumbled momentarily as the terrain under his feet changed. Yami turned and waited fro Yuugi to catch up to his side, and together they headed east. The road was fairly smooth, and the other travelers ignored them.

Yuugi's eyes widened at the sight of all the wagons. He never knew they could be so big or so diverse. Horses drew some and oxen drew others. Some had covered tops, while others were open to the sky. There were even some painted bight colors!

Yami looked happily amused at Yuugi's childish wonder. If Yuugi acted this way towards wagons, then he couldn't wait to see the human's reaction to the actual market.

"Yami, what's the market like? I've never really been to one before." Yuugi said, drifting closer to the gryphon's side. It seemed so...open out here.

"What's it like?" Yami repeated. "Hmm...it's very big. Many people come to this particular market and it's very diverse. I think you'll like it."

A smile grew on Yuugi's face and anticipation squirmed in his belly. His feet acquired a light step, and he was practically skipping before too long.

They had been walking for a while before Yuugi noticed children coming out of the wagons. A group started to form and what looked like a game was being organized. A few adults, mostly men who had just come of age, soon joined in and offered the addition of a rag-ball.

An interesting game of keep-away started up. Yuugi watched with avid interest as the kids and adults separated into about three different groups. Many used their feet to move the ball. Silently, Yuugi wondered what it would be like to play a group game.

Yuugi jumped in surprise when the ball was suddenly kicked towards them, and the rag-ball bumped against his foot. Confused, he looked back toward where the other children had gathered. They all looked at him expectantly, shy smiles on a few of their faces. What was he supposed to do?

"Kick it back to them." Yami suggested, gently nudging him in the arm with his elbow. The gryphon in disguise gave him a sly smile and took a few steps further down the path, leaving Yuugi the decision of what he wanted to do.

Smiling, Yuugi swung his leg back and kicked the ball towards where the other players were. Yami's silent approval gave him confidence to say 'yes' when he was asked if he wanted to play. He raced forward, mingling in with the crowd of players, and he played his very first keep-away game. His muscles stretched with the exercise, reviving some long lost experiences with positive stimuli.

"Over here!" he yelled to one of his 'teammates.' Seconds later, the ball came crashing his way, chased by several of the other players. Squealing happily, Yuugi stopped the flying ball with his chest, snatching it away with his foot when it hit the ground. He took off running, the other players hot on his tail. Hearing Yami's laughter over the yells of the players, he took off in that direction. The thunder of footfalls behind him warned of the closeness of the others.

"Yami! Catch!" he kicked the rag-ball over in the direction of Yami right as the other players converged upon him. Laughing, he squirmed out from underneath them as they tried to go after Yami, who was now in possession of the ball. He took off running towards Yami the moment he was upright.

Several minutes later, Yuugi collapsed on top of Yami, gasping for breath. The travelers finally had to go their separate ways, splitting up the game until only Yami, Yuugi, and a few others were left. Eventually, even they had to stop to rest, and the game was off. They thanked the owner of the rag-ball before he continued on with his caravan, and them promptly collapsed in a patch of sunlight (exactly where they were now).

Laughing, Yuugi rolled over off of Yami, his eyes shining merrily. That had been so much fun! He had never played a game like that before! He and Yami had gone out of their way during the game to tackle each other, trying to trip the other up. So far, the score was four Yami and four Yuugi, a complete tie. If he thought about it, Yami would have won if he were in gryphon form, considering that it was faster and could fly.

Yami laughed along with him, a deep-lunged laugh that vibrated through his frame, and reached up to ruffle Yuugi's hair. He sat up, folding his legs underneath him and readjusting the money pouch. Yuugi reached up to swat at the hand in his hair, stretching out his spine at the same time. He let the afternoon sun soak into his skin, dimly registering as Yami did the same. This was perfect.

He did not flinch or move away when Yami leaned up against him, in fact, Yuugi leaned back into the gryphon too. A different kind of warmth bloomed in his chest, similar in a way to what he felt when he communicated with Yami mentally, but it was in no way caused intentionally. Yuugi furrowed his brow at the feelings. He knew that Yami's presence caused them, but it was apart from the bond they shared. Did…did he like Yami?

O-of course I like him! He thought to himself, careful to keep this train of thought from reaching the relaxed gryphon. He's saved my numerous times, a-and we are bonded! I'd be insane if I didn't like him. Yuugi's hands twitched under the thoughts. B-but…this feeling is different? He quickly rubbed the back of his hands against his closed eyes, trying vainly to get out the sudden feelings that coursed through him. He couldn't like Yami like that! For one thing, Yami was a guy, and for another, Yami was a gryphon! Wouldn't that be bestiality?

"What are you thinking about?"

"Eek!" Yuugi squealed at Yami's sudden intrusion. He flailed his arms, scrambling away from the gryphon that was now only inches from his face. Yuugi's eyes went straight to Yami's mouth, the luscious lips that formed the most wonderful sounds, and his heart beat painfully in his chest. His eyes went wide as Yami tilted his heading confusion, mouth openings slightly. Millions of new thoughts bounced around in Yuugi's head, leaving him dizzy and short of breath. He found himself unconsciously leaning forward.

A horse suddenly neighed nearby, rebelling against its owner and making tons of noise. Just like that, the trance was broken and Yuugi scrambled away from Yami's concerned face. Gasping for breath, he placed his hand over his heart, trying vainly to get those images out of his head. What was he thinking?! He couldn't think about Yami like that! There was no way it would work!

"Yuugi? Are you alright?" Still trying to cover his blush, Yuugi waved his answer to Yami. The gryphon's concerned voice mixing with the sounds of the rebelling horse helped get his mind back on track. It was just the lack of air that caused him momentary insanity! Nothing more!

"Y-yea! No problem here!" he quickly rose to his feet when Yami reached out for him. The gryphon probably only meant to show his concern for him, but Yuugi wasn't quite sure that he could handle any kind of touch at the moment. Yami looked skeptical, just thankfully let it drop, and he too stood up. He paused to glance at the horse, who was finally back under control, then looked on down the path.

Yuugi gratefully took advantage of this time and forced his wild heart into submission, his breathing leveling out too. It was just a fantasy, nothing to get worked up over. Once he thought he had everything under control, he looked back to Yami. His breath hitched at the smile on the gryphon's face and a kernel of warmth dropped into his belly, but other than that there was no reaction.

"It looks like we are here."

"What?"

Yami laughed at his attentiveness, and gestured along down the road. "We are here, the city." Sure enough, when Yuugi looked in the direction Yami had pointed he saw how the path widened out and a few houses could be seen. Distracted Yuugi walked towards it, following Yami's lead. He blushed, but did not pull back when Yami slipped his hand around Yuugi's, gently tugging him along.

In no time at all, they arrived at the outer circle of the city. These houses were much larger than the huts Yuugi was accustomed to, and he marveled at the brightly colored banners that hung from the windows. The streets were crawling with people of different shapes, colors, and status. Merchants called out their wares to the prospective customers while some were already haggling at prices.

Smiling, Yami reached into the money pouch and withdrew a copper coin. He dragged Yuugi over to a stand that was selling these brightly colored crystals on sticks. "Pick one." Yami prompted.

Pick one? Yuugi thought as his eyes roved over the multitude of colors. How could he pick just one? They all looked so cool!

"This one?" he said, pointing to a smallish one that was blue in color. The vendor applauded his choice (as all vendors were programmed to do) and exchanged the item for the copper Yami produced. Laughing, Yami then guided Yuugi away as the human looked quizzically at the item in his hands. It looked just like a quartz crystal (he had been extremely lucky to see one back in his old village), yet there was something…off about it.

"You eat it." Yuugi blinked. Eat it? Why would he eat a rock? "Just try it." Grimacing, Yuugi took a lick at the crystal. Instantly, is eyes grew wide at the flavor that bombed his tongue. It was sweet!

"It's a type of candy." Yami explained. "They call it Rock Candy, not a very original name is it?"

Yuugi followed Yami's lead throughout the market, relying on the hand that held his to keep them together when the crowd got too thick. By the time they finally reached their original destination, Yuugi's sweet confection was down to its last bite. He nibbled on the wooden stick as they crossed the threshold of one of the many stables that dotted this town. The stable offered more familiar scents to Yuugi than the market did, and the earthier hues and sounds soothed his overloaded senses. He remained silent as Yami hailed a stableman. Yami requested audience with someone named 'Mahad.'

"Who's Mahad?" he asked as the stableman ambled away to do as requested.

"He's an old friend." Yami answered with a coy smile. Yuugi pouted and crossed his arms against his chest. It figures that Yami would be in a teasing mood. "Don't worry, I'll tell you about him later."

It wasn't long before the stableman came back, towing another man in his wake. Yuugi stepped back when this other man greeted Yami with a hearty handshake, and took this opportunity to look him over. This other man was…tall: he towered at nearly twice Yuugi's height. He had straight, dark brown hair that was cut just below his jaw line, a very angular face (much like Yami's but longer), and his eyes were a calculating gray. He was skinny too, yet the tunic he wore told secrets of hidden strength.

"It's good to see you again, my friend." The man, who Yuugi suspected was Mahad, greeted Yami.

"It's been a while hasn't it?" Yami greeted in reply, releasing Mahad's hand after a moment. Yuugi ignored the jealous feeling that crept into his heart; there was no need to be jealous!

"It has. So, what brings you into the city?" Mahad asked, discreetly casting a glance at Yuugi who was trying his best to keep his feelings to himself. He blinked in confusion at the expression he received from the taller man. Was that suspicion?

"Supplies, mostly." Yami was saying. "I'm also showing my aibou the market."

"Aibou huh?" Suddenly, understanding dawned through the suspicion. "I was wondering when you'd find your partner." He turned to better face Yuugi (who had shied behind Yami when those gray eyes latched onto him). "It's a pleasure to meet you, partner of Yami, I am called Mahad Hesan."

Yuugi took the offered hand at Yami's prompting. "I'm Yuugi." at Yami's further prompting, he continued. "It's nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine. So, how did you meet Yami? Did he whisk you away from your bed in the dead of night?"

Surprised at the sudden change in demeanor, Yuugi had a hard time coming up with a reply. Yami, thankfully, came to his rescue.

"Actually, it was from a cliff-side."

The blank look Mahad gave Yami made Yuugi snicker. Mahad quirked an eyebrow at Yuugi's laughter, and soon Yami joined in too. The tall man sighed, shaking his head at the duo. However, the movement of his head alerted him to the stableman who looked just a little too interested just to be curious. The man had come recommended from the local government as part of a new program they were trying to instill. Something about providing jobs for immigrants, or some other such nonsense.

"Perhaps we shall take this conversation inside." Yami instantly caught on to the change in his voice and glanced suspiciously at the stableman, while Yuugi only seemed confused. He remained silent as Yami tugged him along after Mahad.

The room they were led into was bathed in earth tones, and appeared to be a regular sitting room. Mahad offered them some tea, which Yami accepted politely, and the man disappeared into what probably was the kitchen. Yami settled down on a double-wide chair and patted the empty space beside him, inviting Yuugi to sit there. Blushing, Yuugi took the invitation and sat next to him, their thighs and hips brushing against each other. He blushed even more when the gryphon reached over and grasped his hand. Desperate to distracted his rapidly faltering thoughts, Yuugi blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"S-so, who's Mahad? I-I mean, I know who his name now, but how did you guys meet?" he squirmed consciously in his seat, trying to pay attention as Yami looked thoughtful.

"I believe we meet…when I was younger, maybe ten years ago? I had been flying too close to the city and someone shot at me, they got my wing." Yami rolled down his collar to show a jagged scar that stood out on the skin of his shoulder. Gasping, Yuugi reached out to touch the scar, his fingers trembling. He had no idea that Yami had been hurt like that before. Yami tried to console him. "It is an old wound, and I am smarter for it.

"Mahad had been gathering herbs in the clearing I had landed in. At first, I had tried to drive him away, but I was injured and in no shape to retaliate. The herbs he had with him, thankfully, had a healing element, or enough of one that I wouldn't bleed to death." Yuugi cuddled up against the gryphon, listening avidly to the history of that scar. "However, the herb also had some properties that uniquely effect gryphons, and it caused me to change into my human form. To tell you the truth, I was scared out of my mind." Yami leaned against Yuugi as he said this. "I hadn't been around very many humans at that time, and the only one I knew was a partner to a gryphon I knew."

"So what happened after that?" Yuugi prodded when the gryphon lapsed into silence.

"Well, it turned out that Mahad was a sorcerer, secretly of course, and he had little contact with gryphons before. While I recovered, we got to know each other, exchanging information and experiences. I visited again, after I had healed, and we even went on a few trips together: he searching for rare herbs, and I searching for adventure."

"More like trouble, if you ask me."

Squeaking, Yuugi jumped at Mahad's sudden entrance. The taller man strode into the waiting room and set a tray of tea on a simple table that was stationed in the middle of the room. He watched as Yami took the offered teacup and blew on the steaming liquid. Looking at Mahad, Yuugi politely took his cup and mimicked what Yami was doing. He never had tea before.

"As if you have any room to talk, Mister 'let's ask the troll for directions.'"

Mahad huffed indignantly. "At least I didn't insult the harpy, Mister 'I don't swing that way.'"

Blushing at the implications, Yuugi took a hesitant sip of his tea. The strange, bitter taste was a welcome distraction from the feelings that welled up in him at Mahad's comment. 'Swing that way?' Did that mean that Yami liked men over women? Yami didn't deny what Mahad said, so did that mean he actually had a chance?

No! Yuugi thought stubbornly. He was happy with how things were now, and if he messed things up by trying to hook up with Yami then he'd never forgive himself. Besides, Yami only thought of him as a partner.

"Anyway, I did not come here solely to reminisce." Wait a minute…was Yami blushing? "We've run low on supplies and need to restock." Yuugi didn't notice how Mahad's eyebrow arched upward at the word 'we:' he was too busy gawking at the sight of Yami blushing. "Think you can hook us up?"

"Yes," Mahad laughed. "I imagine I could find a thing or two for you."

~(*)~

Yuugi happily munched on his half a loaf of bread, savoring the fresh taste. It was still warm too! Trying to maintain some manner, he calmly added some of the beef he had been given to a piece of bread and ate the whole thing in a couple of bites. Mahad and Yami were talking over their own meals of bread and beef, a simple mug of beer to wash theirs down while Yuugi opted for water. Beer never had settled well with is stomach.

"Ryou was around just the other day." Mahad was saying. Yuugi tried to pay attention despite the wonderful tastes that devoured his tongue. The physical activity of getting all their supplies organized and ready for transportation had sapped most of his energy, and he was grateful for the break for supper. This break in work also allowed for conversation between them all, and it allowed Yuugi to catch up on some of the history he hadn't been there for.

"Really? What for? I thought he hated the city."

"He still does," Mahad answered Yami's question with ease, taking a swig of his beer in the pause. "But Bakura, I imagine, was getting antsy, and you know how he gets when he's bored."

Yuugi blinked at the sudden animosity that broke out on Yami's face. It was a look so foreign that his heart skipped a few beats. He was once again reminded that Yami was more than the soft, reassuring partner that Yuugi knew him to be.

"W-who's Bakura?" Yuugi stammered cautiously. If this 'Bakura' was someone he should avoid, then he should at least know what he looked like, right?

"Bakura is a lying, stealing, ignorant bastard who should never see the light of day! I swear, the next time I see him I'm gonna castrate him, then hang him from a tree and let the crows pick out his eyes! I'm gonna-"

"Bakura is Ryou's partner." Mahad explained over Yami's rant. He offered an exasperated smile to the frightened Yuugi. "He and Yami have crossed paths before, much to the displeasure of the both of them." Yami was still ranting. "Don't worry about him." Mahad said, gesturing to Yami with his free hand. "He's just sore that Bakura snuck up on him while he was sleeping and painted his feathers pink."

"Bright pink! In permanent paint! Do you know how long it took to get that color out?!"

Yuugi laughed, now it made sense. He ignored the glare (which looked more like a pout to him) Yami sent his way, and gasped in handfuls of air to sustain his laughter. He missed the mischievous look that dawned on Yami's face, and the way the gryphon bean to stalk over to him. He didn't notice until it was too late.

"So you think it's funny do you Aibou?" Squealing, Yuugi tried to get away from Yami's tickling hands. "St-top Yami!" he wailed in between laughter and crying. "I don't think so, Yuugi. This is your punishment."

Finally, after many pleadings and a lot of flailing, Yami finally let Yuugi go. He collapsed upon the couch, gasping in great gulps of air. Yami also collapsed on the couch, directly next to Yuugi. They sat there, laughing animatedly as Mahad merely watched with bright eyes. He had never seen Yami so happy, nor so relaxed as he was right now. Finding his partner had been good for him.

It took a while, but Yuugi managed to regain control over his laughter. He relaxed against Yami, his belly full of good food and his heart light. Contentedly, Yami nuzzled into his hair, humming gently. Yuugi's heart fluttered warmly to Yami's presence, and the soft brush of the other's emotions made him wonder how he had ever survived without it.

Several minutes later, after basking in each other presence quite thoroughly, Yami was nominated to go refill the beer mugs. Grumbling good-naturedly, the gryphon rose from his feet and trudged into the kitchen, leaving Mahad and Yuugi alone in the waiting room. Yuugi shuffled his feet quietly, mulling over all the new information he had. Ryou was a gryphon and a childhood friend of Yami's, and his human partner Bakura was a rival. Mahad was an old friend who was trustworthy with everything. Where did that leave him in this web of friends? Was he just a third-wheel? Something that would just get in the way of all these relationships? Mahad appeared to be Yami's closest friend, so would the sorcerer feel threatened by Yuugi's sudden partnership with Yami?

"Yuugi, is something wrong?" However, with one look into those gray eyes, Yuugi knew that Mahad wouldn't feel that way. The man was older, wiser than most, and he seemed to understand what the partnership between a human and a gryphon entailed. The gentle look and relaxed posture spoke volumes to the concerned Yuugi. Mahad was giving room for Yuugi to join his web of friendships. Gratefully, Yuugi smiled. Nodding his answer, he thought back to some questions he had of Yami. Things he didn't really feel comfortable asking the gryphon; like what the 'swing that way' comment really meant.

"Mahad?" he started softly. "I was wondering if-"

Suddenly the door to the sitting room banged open. Yuugi jumped, his eyes going wide in surprise as armed people poured into the small room. Shouts of "there he is!" and "arrest him!" permeated the air, and the armed people grabbed for him and Mahad. Yuugi screamed as unforgiving arms yanked him up from his seat, restraining him by twisting his arm behind his back and wrapping an arm around his throat. Eyes wide in horror, Yuugi watched at Yami burst through the kitchen, eyes aflame. He let out a furious shriek, diving for the person restraining Yuugi, feathers beginning to sprout from his back and arms as he started to shift. Yuugi screamed in fear when numerous 'guards' suddenly tackled Yami.

"Yuugi!" Yami screeched, morphing hand reaching out for the terrified human. Many guards were thrown off in Yami's blind fury, however, one of the guards suddenly came up with a really painful looking collar and fought to get it around Yami's neck. The moment the collar clamped around his neck, lightening shot from it, thoroughly electrocuting the gryphon.

"Yami!" Yuugi screamed as excruciating pain laced through him from the bond he had with Yami. It felt like he was being torn in two!

"Yami…" he whimpered as the gryphon collapsed on the ground, his red eyes dull. Limbs shaky, Yuugi barely heard Mahad yell for him as he stared at the prone form of Yami. He couldn't be dead; he was still breathing right? Right?!

Lost in the void that was consuming him, Yuugi freaked. "You bastards!" He screeched, fighting tooth and nail in his captor's grasp. He had to get to Yami! He had to be all right!

Suddenly, he was bashed across the back of his head, sparking stars in his vision. In the darkness that crowded his vision, he saw someone enter the room. This man was decorated in a noble's clothing and at his heel stood the suspicious stableman from earlier.

"Mahad Hesan," the noble's smug voice drove daggers into Yuugi fading consciousness. "You are hereby arrested for the housing of this witch and his demon. May the court have mercy on your soul."

Darkness overtook him.

~(*)~end chapter~(*)~

Reviews are my inspiration.