Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Flying With the Birds ❯ Traveler ( Chapter 5 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Bakura grinned and cocked his head upwards. Ryou turned his head skyward and his jaw dropped. Above he saw a long hole in the roof of the cave that seemed to go on forever. �Up there�?� Ryou squeaked. The Thief nodded.

Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Romance | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 08.21.2006 | Updated On: 09.07.2006 | Pages: 10 | Words: 10.9K | Visits: 351 | Status: Work In Progress

Emmy: My internet isn't working! T_T So all the free time gave me time to write this next chapter of the story! =D

Iyuna: Woo

Emmy: I hope you like it. I put a lot into it! I needed to develop the plot a little more. Next chapter we'll get to know the characters a bit more, and perhaps bring on some romance. *looks at Iyuna with puppy dog eyes*

Iyuna: ...*cough* Just because one of the characters has my name don't think its like me living out a fantasy. Also we'd all love to watch poor, little Ryou in a lemon getting abuse in ways he doesn't understand…*evil smile light dim*

Emmy: *whistles innocently*

Iyuna:*light go back on* Nah I'm too lazy.

Emmy: T___T Ok...well, I gave the Pharaoh a name! Hooray! I just made up one by putting lots of letters together. And also, I tried to explain how they got air logically, for I, myself, wondered how they breathed down there.

Iyuna: Heh heh butterfly.

Emmy: So, I'll stop chattering and let you read! ^_^

Iyuna: Peace out.

XXX

At this point I will stop to explain to you something. While we were traveling through the underground caverns I had no idea just how long we were down there or how far we went. Marik had told me there would be no stops but I know we stopped a few times to sleep and eat, although Bakura still gave me nothing.

I must say the caves were beautiful yes, although dark and creepy at times, since the only thing lighting our way were the lanterns Bakura and Malik had lit. Apparently the lanterns were kept in the tunnel, just for a situation such as ours. I wondered though how on earth the fire would burn if we were underground, because fire needed oxygen to burn. Then it occurred to me, there must be oxygen somewhere or else we wouldn't have been able to breathe!

I remember asking Marik about it and he told me that there were holes all through the caverns that were connected to the outside, for we were traveling under a giant crevice in the desert that had once been a giant river. The very caverns we traveled in had once been filled with water, and the miniature tunnels around us that lead up to the surface brought in air now instead of water. It made sense, because I recalled the very year that river had dried up. It had been a major use in trade with foreign lands, and it also watered neighboring farmers' crops. Father had been very unhappy that year…

XXX

“Are we almost there yet?” whined Bam.

“No, you do realize its miles away don't you?” Malik asked.

“…Well how many miles left? I don't think I can carry this sack much farther.”

“Oh yes you will,” Iyuna snapped, regaining her grip on her own sack of supplies.

“Tired already Bam? Even Iyuna isn't tired and she's a girl!” Malik teased.

“She has the lighter sack that's why! She made me carry all the heavy stuff!” Bam cried.

“It will make you stronger,” Iyuna replied. Then she turned her cold eyes on Malik. “What did you mean by that? Just because I'm a girl, you automatically assume I'm weak?” Malik blinked.

“No I didn't mean it like--!”

“You think that I'm going to get tired easily or something?” she snarled.

“No—Iyuna—!”

“You know Malik you should really learn to more of a gentleman…” she finished lowly. Malik stopped right in his steps and stared.

“A gentleman?!” he yelped.

“Maybe she's right,” Marik said, pushing Malik along.

“Of course I'm right,” Iyuna replied, striding along.

“Humph, and why in the world would I want to be like that?” he scoffed. “How many times have you ever gotten laid because you were a gentleman?” he asked turning to Ryou. The Prince's eyes widened, not expecting to be dragged in to the conversation.

“I, um…” he faltered, feeling his cheeks turn red. Malik turned back to Iyuna.

“See?!”

“Hey!” Ryou cried indignantly. The others all turned to look at him as they walked.

“What?” Malik asked. “Alright so you might have gotten a few…But they were probably just in it because you told them too.” Ryou gasped.

“I—I would never—that would be—How dare you—you have no right to—!”

“Don't hurt yourself kid,” said Marik. Ryou turned even redder. Malik was looking at him curiously.

“Well you are a Prince. Can you honestly tell me you don't have at least twenty beautiful women who will sit around all day and wait on you, caring to your every desire?” Malik asked. Ryou blinked.

“Why on earth would you think that?” Ryou asked. Malik's eye practically popped out of his head.

“Because you're the Prince! For Ra's sake! Really, how many slaves do you have?” he asked.

“I don't have any slaves…We have servants but I don't know how many…” he mumbled.

“Slave, servant, same thing,” Malik said with a shrug. “What about bed slaves?”

“Bed slaves…?” Ryou repeated.

“Whores,” explained Iyuna. “Concubines.” Ryou frowned.

“I don't have any concubines…”

“WHAT?!” Both Bam and Malik were looking at him in a mixture of shock and horror. “What do you mean you don't have any concubines!?” Bam yelped.

“What kind of man are you?!” cried Malik. Ryou glared.

“The kind who doesn't have concubines…Why are you so surprised. What did you expect?” he asked.

“I room full of lovely women who would cater to my every whim. They would feed me the finest foods, massage me, and all the rest if you know what I mean,” he smirked. Bam nodded and got a distant look, as if imaging it right then. Ryou shook his head.

“I don't know anyone in the palace with a room like that…” Malik raised a brow.

“You nobles are really thick…You could have it all but you're too busy counting your money and sending your guards into the city to harass upstanding citizens like us to see that.” Ryou glared.

“You really don't know anything about the palace do you?” he asked. Malik narrowed his eyes.

“Sorry, I haven't had the pleasure of visiting.”

“Well it's not like you say it is. The only one who sits around dealing with money is the Treasurer…And even if someone did have a room like that they wouldn't use it, considering anyone with that kind of power would be Priests or Priestess. My Father has a wife, I highly doubt he needs a concubine…Besides, no one would have time to use it. There's a lot of work to be done.”

“You can just make your servants do it for you,” Bam pointed out. Ryou shook his head.

“Have servants dealing with the trade and affairs with other countries? I doubt it. There are things that must be done every day, like trading goods, designing and building pyramids, making sure the borders are secure and keeping the people of the city safe.”

The thieves laughed at this. Malik snorted. “Keeping the people safe? Since when have you cared about the people?” Ryou was shocked at this. How could this man ask something like that? His Father lived for the people of his city! He did everything for them, to try and keep peace, to try and keep the land happy!

Ryou thought back to his childhood, and the glow he would always see on his Father's face after he'd just made a speech to the public or made an appearance, or even decreed a new law. His face would be practically glowing with Ra's light itself and Ryou knew than inside his father was truly happy. He could see it in the sparkle of his eyes and the way a large grin would spread across his face, perhaps evening releasing a jolly laugh. Now even, when he was bed ridden and unable to look out upon his people Ryou knew he still cared for them, thought about them and the future of his city. He could see the pain…The pain in his eyes, the longing to see the people who he ruled over…He could see the sadness...

“My Father has always cared about the people of this city…” he replied lowly, glaring daggers at the blonde. Malik rolled his eyes.

“That's what he tells you, and you believe it?”

“I know it,” he replied, his voice faltering slightly, not because he was doubtful or afraid, but because it hurt him inside to think that anyone could think so lowly of his father, when his father loved them so much…His Father lived for the city. Ryou thought the city had always loved his Father…Who couldn't? Did other people feel the same as Malik…? Something suddenly went off in Ryou's head and his eyes widened slightly.

`What if other people feel this way? What if they hate him…and he doesn't even know it?' Ryou could see his father's face right now…That joy…Then the sadness…If more people felt this way his father wouldn't know… “He loves the people so much…But, do they love him?”If they didn't… “Father would be heartbroken…”

Malik shrugged and shook his head, as if Ryou didn't understand. The Prince glared a moment longer before turning to look the other way. For a while the only sound to be heard in the underground passage were the many pairs of footsteps as the group made it's way towards their new haven.

“…What were you saying before about Malik being a gentleman?” Bakura asked, saying his first words since their trip's beginning. Iyuna smirked.

“I was just saying the total opposite. Malik is about the farthest thing from a gentleman,” she replied.

“That's it! What's your problem? Why have you suddenly cared whether I'm a proper gentleman or not?!” Malik growled in frustration.

“Well…” Iyuna said softly, fixing a half lidded seductive look on the blonde. “A true gentleman would have offered to help a poor girl with her heavy load…” Malik gulped and Ryou noticed Marik snickering. Iyuna slowed her pace so she was walking right beside Malik in a sensual mannor. “A real gentleman…Would be well mannered…courteous…” She leaned in to whisper by his ear. “Attentive…” Pulling away she slowed her pace even more until she was walking by Marik. “Like this gentleman right here…” Unexpectedly Ryou suddenly found himself cheek to cheek with the woman. Her breath was tickling his ear and he gasped. Malik looked just as shocked.

“I can be a gentleman!” he barked, sending an irritated look at Ryou, as if it was his fault this strange woman was suddenly breathing down his neck! Iyuna gave Ryou a seductive smirk and he felt his face turn bright pink. She slid her cheek away from his and strolled back over to Malik.

“Oh…” Iyuna asked, moving towards him slowly, teasingly. Batting her eyes she leaned close to him. Ryou watched with interest as Malik's eyes widened but he gave an almost excited grin, like a child receiving candy. Bam gave the two a look of disgust and stuck his finger in his mouth, pretending to vomit.

“Yes…I can be quite the gentleman, when the time is right…” he purred, looking her over through half lidded eyes. Iyuna's lips curved into a smirk.

“Well then…” She leaned closer, closing her eyes. Malik, smirked and as he leaned closer—

Iyuna shoved the sack into his hands. He faltered and blinked in confusion. “How kind of you Sir,” she replied, snickering. Malik just stared at her in shock.

“Hey—wait a minute—!” he began to protest but she grabbed his cheeks in one hand, making him look like a fish, before giving his head a shake.

“What a gentleman!” she exclaimed. The other thieves burst into laughter as she let go, did a little dance around him, and winked. Ryou felt a little sorry for the blonde. His face was the darkest shade of maroon Ryou had ever seen.

`He seems to actually like her…'thought the Prince. Marik was shaking his head and Ryou looked up.

“He always falls for her tricks…” muttered Marik.

“They do this a lot?” Ryou asked. Marik looked down; frowning as if he'd forgotten Ryou was even there.

“Yes…sometimes…” Ryou looked back at the embarrassed Malik, who now was trying to hide his face behind his bangs. There was a look of hurt in his eyes he was trying to mask, along with embarrassment.

`Curious…'thought Ryou.

XXX

His face was very handsome, even coated in sweat and dirt. His body, covered in ragged, warn, ripped, clothing, was lean and boney, but he looked as if he'd be quite muscular if he had enough nutrition. Yugi knew they had a job to do but he couldn't help stealing glances at the man every few moments, despretly wanting to stop and get him some more food or water.

After Yugi had carried/dragged the man called Atemu back to his camp they'd looked him over. He was quite weak, with a fever, muttering things in unconsciousness. All Yugi could do was lay him down and every now and then get him to drink a small amount of water. Afraid the man might choke, there was no way to feed him any of the food Yugi had.

Now as they traveled through the dark desert he couldn't help but want to stop, even though he knew he couldn't. He'd barely been able to convince the guards to take Atemu with them. Only after a long hour of Yugi's chatter on why it would be immoral and wrong to leave him did the two agree to take the man.

“Soon the sun will be rising,” said the guard Yugi had discovered was named Honda. “We should stop in the next safe place.”

“I don't see any safe places for miles…” the other guard, who had declared himself Jouno.

“Well, we can't stop until we find one,” Yugi replied. On they rode. Yugi shielded his eyes as Ra's rays began to creep upward. His body was sore and cramped from riding through the night. All he wanted at the moment was a bath and a bed, but still he kept riding. An hour passed.

“The horses will need another rest soon,” said Honda. They are just as weary and thirsty as us.” Yugi sighed.

“Let's go just a bit further,” he protested.

“But we're tired! We're hungry! We've been traveling all night! Give us a break!” Jouno cried. Yugi gave the two an apologetic look.

“We cannot risk being caught by bandits…” he argued.

“We won't!” Jouno snapped. “We'll only rest for a few minutes. How much harm could that do?”

“But…”

“Besides Shorty, with us here to protect you, what could happen?”

“But the Pharaoh said…”

“The Pharaoh wouldn't want us to pass out from lack of rest and food!” Jouno snarled. The two guards were glaring at him.

“Alright fine,” Yugi agreed. “For a while.”

While the guards sat on the ground, leaning against one another as they ate, Yugi unhooked the traveler from the horse he'd been tied to and propped him up by a sand dune. Feeling his forehead Yugi frowned deeply. The man was hot…Burning…He must have been in the sun too long. If they were back at the palace Yugi would have gotten him some ice to help cool him down…all he had now was a half filled water pouch, and that water certainly wasn't ice cold.

“Un…” The man stirred in his sleep.

“Sir?” Yugi asked. “Can you here me?” The man's fingers twitched and suddenly he began to cough and gasp. Eyes widening the young servant took his water pouch and, tilting the man's head back and holding it to keep him calm, poured a small trickle of water into his mouth. The traveler coughed a bit more but swallowed.

“Sir?” Yugi asked again. “…Atemu?”

The man's eyes opened immediately. He stared up at Yugi with the strangest look. Yugi felt his own eyes widen at the weariness in this man's eyes, but more than that, he was surprised at the show of gratefulness. In that one look he could tell this rouged man before him was thanking him, giving him that look.

“…A-Atemu?” Yugi asked, stuttering slightly. He shook his head, regaining his senses. “Do you need more water?” he asked. The traveler stared at up at him still, then slowly, nodded. Yugi quickly eased his head up again, but this time the traveler helped him, and was able to swallow the water with out a risk of choking.

“Thank you,” the traveler rasped, licking his dry lips. “If you would please tell me…Where am I?” he asked, slowly sitting up.

“Truthfully I do not know exactly Sir…We're still in the desert, where we found you, although in a new location. I saw you wandering and you've been riding with us all night.” The man looked around in a daze.

“Where…No…This makes…no sense…” Suddenly he began to stand up. Yugi quickly grabbed his arm.

“Sir, lay down, you're ill,” he explained but the man began to stand again. Yugi didn't know what to do! “How long have you been out here Sir? Where are you from?” he asked, trying to ease him back down again. The man winced, allowing Yugi to keep him down this time, but he did not reply.

“Food…” he croaked. Yugi nodded, running over to the pack on his horse. As he searched for food his hand ran over something—a wooden box—

`I must not forget my mission.' He told himself. He kneeled by Atemu, propping a wadded up piece of cloth behind his head.

“I'm sorry if this is uncomfortable, I tried to find the best place…We have yet to find a proper haven,” he explained, breaking the loaf of bread in his hands into tiny pieces. Atemu shook his head.

“Its fine…” he mumbled. Carefully, Yugi began to feed him the small bits of bread. He kept licking his lips, long dried and cracked, and soon they began to bleed.

“Oh here…” Yugi said. He disappeared for a moment then came back with a small leaf and began to rub the weary man's lips. Atemu winced and pulled away, giving Yugi a questioning look.

“That stings…” he said, almost accusingly. Yugi couldn't help but smile slightly.

“It's a leaf from the aloe plant, it will help you feel better,” informed Yugi. The man relaxed slightly and leaned his head back, closing his eyes.

“Where is your home?” asked Yugi. The man shook his head and Yugi frowned. “What do you mean? You don't know where your home is?” The man shook his head again. “Then…Where are you from? What city?”

“I was born…in Luxor…” he replied weakly.

“That's where we're coming from!” Yugi cried cheerfully. “We can take you back with us. That is, after we have accomplished our task…” Yugi expected this man to be as gleeful as him but Atemu frowned.

“No…I must get there…soon as possible,” he argued. “The city can not go without their leader…” Yugi frowned again.

“But we already have our wonderful Pharaoh,” Yugi told him. Yami shook his head again only harder.

“I am the Pharaoh!” he cried loudly.

“But Sir--!”

“No…I am the Pharaoh!” Without warning the traveler opened his eyes and sat right up. Legs shaking he gripped Yugi's shoulder for support, and pushed himself up. Yugi was frozen in shock at his sudden outburst of strength, but it did not end there. With trembling legs he took a step forward, and then another, and another!

“Sir you must lay down!” Yugi cried, breaking from his trance. He jumped up and took Atemu's arm but the traveler just pushed him aside.

“You don't understand!” Atemu cried and he struggled forward, his low, deep voice booming across the desert. “I must return to Luxor! I am the Pharaoh! I am Pharaoh!” he cried. The guards, who had decided to start a game of cards, looked over.

“…He's lost it.”

“Yup.”

“This man has sun fever!” Yugi called to them, scowling.

Yugi wanted to grab him and set him back down but his own body wouldn't let him. The ill man, who only a second ago had seemed so weak and helpless, was suddenly storming with amazing power! Yugi hated to admit it, but he was…scared.

`He's ill, and he needs my help,' Yugi thought. `I shouldn't blame him for his own delusions.'

“Sir—Atemu—lay down! You are too ill to march back to Luxor all on your own!” Yugi cried, grabbing his arm again. The man growled and glared at the small lad, who recoiled but held on tight. He looked right into the eyes that glared at him, and he could see the dazed, weary, sickness. He could see a cloud of mixed emotions swirling around. They stared at each other a moment longer before the man's legs gave way and he collapsed. Gasping Yugi tried to keep him up but found it a difficult task for a boy of his size.

“Um, guys? Could you give me a little help here?” Yugi called, but the guards were paying no attention to him. Awkwardly he dragged/carried the man once again back to his resting spot.

“I think we should leave soon…” Yugi said, after getting the traveler settled again.

XXX

Back at the palace Princess Elizabeth was sobbing in her bed chamber as a group of servants tried to relax her.

“My Princess, the guard's are already on the look out for our Prince. I'm sure they'll find him soon—!”

“Why haven't they found him already? It's been days!” she wailed. “Oh where is he? What horrible things are happening to him?!”

“Please Princess try to calm down, the Pharaoh says he's taken care of everything and soon the Prince will be home!” said another servant, as she rubbed the sobbing woman's back comfortingly. Elizabeth pulled away from the woman and slapped her hand away.

“Don't touch me slave!” she cried. There was a silence in the room as all the servants looked at one another, some expressing anger, others expressing sadness. “I just want my husband back! I want my Ryou back! Get out! Get out now! I don't want to see anyone until Ryou is safe back here with me!” she screamed. The servants didn't have to be told twice. Everyone in the room filed out as she continued to wail on her queen sized bed.

“What a racket! Who on earth is making that terrible noise?!” Queen Mai snapped.

“Princess Elizabeth my Queen,” replied the woman servant, as she gave a disapproving sniff.

“Make her stop Mother!” Anzu hissed as she attempted to stuff a biscuit down Zut the penguin's throat.

“I don't think even the gods could make her stop,” grumbled Mai. “Come along Anzu we have some things to attend to…”

The Queen and Princess wandered along the corridors until they found themselves in an empty wing.

“Soon…soon after all these years of waiting will finally pay off,” the queen said lowly. She smirked smugly, smoothing out her dress as she gazed into a hallway mirror.

“What do you mean?” Anzu asked, as she toiled to keep the penguin in her arms still. It was giving squawk of protest. Mai shook her head as she gazed distastefully at her daughter.

“I'm talking about our plan. My plan…I thought we were almost done for, what with Ryou needing a fiancée and that wretch Elizabeth taking your spot!”

“Yea…” Anzu hissed. “She's going to pay. What are we going to do with her mother? You can't let her marry Ryou. Then I'd never get to become queen!”

“Shh!” Mai hissed, peeking around to see if anyone might be listening. “Anzu keep your trap shut. Besides, we're not going to do anything. The Prince is gone, and who knows if he'll come back? Rien said he didn't know what the note meant. As long as he stays missing there will be no heir to the thrown…And Rien is not going to get better any time soon.” At this she smirked, thinking of the fevered Pharaoh. “I'll make sure of that…And when the time comes I will accept my place as the new ruler of this land.”

XXX

“Rise and shine sleeping beauty.”

For what seemed like the millionth time Ryou awoke in a daze, confused for a moment before realizing where he was. Blinking he looked up, about to ask Marik why he'd awoken Ryou but he stopped as soon as he realized it wasn't the blonde Egyptian who was carrying him. Bakura smirked.

“Once again it looks like I've robbed you of your beauty rest,” said the thief. Ryou's eyes widened and his whole body tensed at once again, being in his capture's arms.

“W-Where are we now?” he asked quickly, searching the chamber and giving him a reason not to meet the thief's eyes. Everyone was sitting in what appeared to be a small circular chamber. Iyuna and Marik were both crossing their arms and staring off into space, while Malik was taking a leak in the corner and Bam chewed on some type of vegetable. Ryou licked his lips—not at the sight of Malik urinating of course—but at the sight of the food. On cue, his stomach gave a growl, causing him to blush. Bakura snickered.

“You know, you wouldn't have to go hungry if you just did what you were told,” said Bakura. Ryou ignored him, which was actually pretty hard to do, considering he was cradled in the man's arms. “Suit yourself…” Bakura replied. “It's nothing to me if you starve to death.” The Thief raised his voice. “Alright everyone, breaks over, time to keep going.”

“Go where?” Ryou asked. The only way he could see was a passageway, and he figured that was the one they'd already come through. Bakura grinned and cocked his head upwards. Ryou turned his head skyward and his jaw dropped. Above he saw a long hole in the roof of the cave that seemed to go on forever. “Up there…?” Ryou squeaked. The Thief nodded.

“Alright, Iyuna, climb up,” Bakura ordered.

Iyuna nodded. With great agility and strength Iyuna leaped onto Marik's shoulders and then suddenly disappeared up into the dark passage. Ryou gulped as he watched her nimble form disappear. Would he have to climb too? Could he climb that thing, without the use of his leg? Would he be able even with the use of his leg?

“Don't worry…” Bakura said with a low chuckle. Ryou could feel the vibrations coming from his chest. He felt his heart quickening as fear rose inside of him. He didn't like this, not one bit.

`It's dark up there…' Ryou thought. `And no one can hold a lantern and climb at the same time.'

They waited in silence, and Ryou seemed to be the only one worried. He fidgeted nervously and it took a glance from the Thief King to make him still.

“I said don't worry…” he repeated in slight irritation. Ryou sighed, trying to calm himself down. As he did this something dropped from the shaft. It took him a moment to realize what it was—a rope ladder!

“Did she climb all the way up there without the ladder?” Ryou asked softly. Bakura nodded.

“Iyuna doesn't seem it, but she's very strong, and very flexible,” explained the other white haired man.

“Yea…” said Malik as he began to climb the ladder. “She has an amazing body…” Bam shook his head and pretended to vomit again, following Malik.

“Malik, you're talking about my sister here—!”

“I told you never to say that!”boomed Iyuna's voice. It echoed throughout the whole cave.

“Damn…” Bam muttered, before disappearing after Malik.

“Heh…” Marik smirked.

“Alright Prince, our turn,” said the Thief King.

“I don't want to,” Ryou whispered, before he could stop himself. “I-I mean--,”

“For the third time, don't worry…” the thief whispered in reassurance. Gently, he set Ryou down on his own two feet. Not having stood in a while, Ryou's legs wobbled unsurely, and his right leg hung limply. “Wrap your arms around my neck,” Bakura instructed, turning around. Cautiously Ryou did so. It felt odd when Bakura began to walk, and instinctively he wrapped his good leg around the man's middle for support. “Hold on tight,” the thief warned.

As they ascended the dark shaft Ryou clenched his eyes shut and berried his face into the back of Bakura's cloak. The walls were so close—he felt trapped—it was dark all around. It reminded him of the Pit…He shivered. All he could do was hold on for dear life. Without realizing it, Ryou began to hyperventilate.

“Calm down Prince…” he heard Marik say from down below. Ryou whimpered uneasily but took a deep breath. His arms were tired, and his hunger and a lack of strength didn't help. He wasn't sure if he could hold on much longer.

“Are we almost there?” he inquired, not recognized his own voice do to its high pitch. He cleared his throat. “I don't think I can't hold on much longer…”

“Just hold tight, it's only a bit further,” replied Bakura.

“You'd better not fall onto my face kid,” he heard Marik growl from below them. Bakura laughed and Ryou couldn't help but smile slightly. Cautiously he opened his eyes. The shaft was not so dark now. Looking up he saw a light above them. For a moment he gazed in wonder, it looked as if they were climbing up to the Heavens. The sight was beautiful.

“Wow…” he said aloud.

“Hold your applause, here comes the grand finale,” said Bakura as they drew near the top. Ryou had to close his eyes, for he was used to the dark and the light blinded him temporarily. He felt Bakura climb onto solid ground. A wave of fresh air hit him and he grinned. Oh he hadn't realized just how much he missed fresh air! Being down in the caverns had made him feel constantly sluggish.

“You can open your eyes now,” he heard Malik say. Ryou blinked a bit, trying to get used to the light. At first things were fuzzy but then they came into focus. He gasped.

It had to be the most beautiful sigh imaginable. Ryou thought so at least. After spending years in a city, he'd never ventured out much due to his sensitive skin and odd appearance. Now, for the first time, Ryou was glad he'd been kidnapped. Before him lay what seemed the entire desert. In front was a giant crevice, with a rocky trail going down both sides. It looked like an entire city could have been built inside. There were giant rock structures standing tall, the rising sun causing them to cast great shadows across the crevice floor. Beyond the rock world below him he could see miles and miles of rolling desert. It was like miles of gold, not flat, but rounded, with many rolling hills. Far, far off he could make out the structure of the pyramids and the city, nothing more than a tiny dot on the horizon.

“Wow…” Ryou sighed.

“Awesome…” said Bam, who was also staring in wonder. For a moment the entire group of people stopped to look out, silently appreciating the beauty before them. Wind began to blow, tossing Ryou's hair this way and that, but he didn't care. It felt good. For that moment, he abandoned all fear, of where he was, of what the future might hold, and smiled to himself, truly content. He felt, and seemed to be, on top of the world.

“I'll take you up here one day Father,” he thought. “I promise, you'll get to see Egypt like I see it now…”

XXX

Emmy: PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!! It will REALLY inspire me! If you have a heart and are reading this story please just give me a review to let me know you're there!

Ryou: It would make her really happy!

Emmy: It would make Iyuna happy too!