Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Flying With the Birds ❯ The Hunger ( Chapter 6 )

Emmy: First off, I'm sorry this took so long. What can I say? High school takes up a lot of my time! I'm in a play right now and in marching band, and add homework to that! But I didn't manage to find some free time to spell check the last chapter and I made a promise to myself that I would not post this one until it had been thoroughly checked! Give a special thanks this chapter for Myra the beta!

 

Oh, and I changed the Pharaoh's name to Rien, because his name in the last chapter was only supposed to be temporary until I thought of a different one. So the NEW one is Rien.

 

XXX

 

From his bed in the palace the Pharaoh could see the sun rising through his window. Lying still he gazed at the golden orb. It reminded him of a golden eye, watching the city all day until the moon came to relieve it of its duties. The moon…so lovely, with fine milky skin, cloudy eyes…

 

“Rien…”

 

“My love…”

 

“Look at our lovely children…”

 

“Why did you have to leave me…?”

 

“So beautiful…”

 

“Where have you gone…?”

 

“Our children…”

 

“Don't you know I need you…”

 

“Our greatest treasures…”

 

“My heart grows heavy…”

 

“So beautiful…”

 

“I miss you…”

 

“I love you.”

 

“I love you…”

 

“And I love them…”

 

“I need you…”

 

A lone tear trickled down the lonely Pharaoh's face as he stared out at the rising sun, wishing more now that the moon would come back. The moon, with her soft, silver glow; with her whispers, her soft spoken lullabies collected over time. He closed his eyes and turned away from the upcoming day. When the sun came to play the moon went to rest, as it was every night.

 

“Except for this sun, who is always at rest,” the Pharaoh thought bitterly. Then he instantly felt a wave of sadness wash over his body, consuming him. “My love…my children…What good is a Pharaoh who can't protect his own family?” Under the sheet he clenched his fists. Then he looked out once again.

 

“Come home…”

 

XXX

 

“So, what was that comment about my body earlier Malik?” Iyuna asked casually with a smirk. Malik's eyes widened.

 

“Uhh…” Bam hit Malik on the back of the head. “What was that for?!” Malik asked, glaring at the younger boy.

 

“For thinking dirty thoughts about my sis—OW!” Iyuna swiftly hit him over the head with a loaf of bread.

 

“—er, Iyuna,” he finished, rubbing his head and scooting a bit further away from the glaring girl.

 

Ryou watched from the corner as the thieves laughed and chattered amongst themselves. He released a sigh. The new hideout was not exactly underground as the first had been, but rather in a cave. It was not as big as the first one, in fact it was quite primitive. There weren't rooms, there was just one large cavern that went deep into the mountain, with piles upon piles of stolen treasures stacked against the walls. Ryou guessed they must have been from many, many tombs. He shivered, thinking of all the tombs Bakura must have defiled, and here they were, living with the stolen treasures, the loot of many Pharaohs.

 

`I shall make sure my Father's tomb is never defiled,' he thought, but instantly regretted it. `I must not think like that. I can't think like that!'

 

“Who's hungry?” asked Bam. All of the thieves shouted in their eagerness and soon an arrangement of food was being passed around the room. Ryou looked longingly at the bread, the apples, and the millet.

 

`Don't think about it,' he told himself. `Just don't think about it…'

 

He found this quite hard though, when Bakura gave an evil grin and began chomping, loudly, on an onion. Ryou glared and turned away, covering his ears from their noisy eating and chatter. Silently he scowled and gazed at the cave wall in front of him. The thieves were having a jolly old time, and Ryou was sitting there, on the floor, miles from home! They were busy stuffing their faces while he was stuck there, worrying about his Father. His Father…

 

“Hey you!” someone called loudly. Ryou blinked and turned.

 

“My name is Ryou…” he snapped. The thieves at the table snickered. Malik was the one to roll his eyes and hold up a bowl of dates.

 

“Hungry?” he asked. Ryou's was slightly surprised. He was about to nod his head and cry `Yes!' when Bakura interfered.

 

“Do not feed him,” commanded Bakura. The other thieves turned to look at him in confusion. Bakura's voice was stern. “He will get food when he learns to respect his betters.” Malik shrugged and stuffed at date into his mouth. Ryou's shoulders slumped, his last bit of hope dying. Bakura was not going to cave in.

 

`Then neither will I,' thought Ryou. `I'd rather starve that give into him!' Deep down Ryou knew this was probably wasn't true.

 

“Hmm, perhaps the Prince should be taken to his new room?” Bakura suggested.

 

“What?” Ryou asked. “New room?” he repeated. Bakura nodded and stood up.

 

“Come here,” Bakura stood up and walked over to Ryou who instantly scooted away.

 

“I can walk on my own!” he cried. Bakura raised a brow.

 

“Can you now?” he asked. Ryou nodded, but truthfully he wasn't sure if he could or not. Bakura gave him a skeptical look and Ryou narrowed his eyes. Biting his lower lip he grabbed the cave wall with one hand and lifted himself up with his left leg. It wasn't to hard, he could stand easily balanced, so long as he didn't put any pressure on his right leg. Bakura smirked.

 

“You can stand, but can you walk?” he asked. Carefully Ryou set his right leg down slowly and tested to see how much pressure he could put on it without it hurting. Instantly a jolt of pain shot through his leg, causing him to jump. Bakura shook his head and Ryou growled and tried again. He discovered if he walked on the very edge of his foot it didn't hurt so much.

 

“Just watch…” Ryou replied. He took a step, and then quickly took another, his hand leaving the wall. The royal boy gave Bakura a triumphant grin. “I told you—!” Suddenly, as he tried to take another step, he lost his balance and fell back. The thief grabbed him before he could touch the ground.

 

Iyuna, Bam and the two blondes broke into laughter at the Prince's blunder. His face reddened in embarrassment and he looked down as Bakura lifted him up and began to walk further into the cave. Ra, now he looked like a fool…

 

They walked in the dark. Ryou could not understand how Bakura saw in the dark so easily.

 

“I could've walked on my own…if you hadn't have pushed me into that pit!” Ryou said, feeling pinpricks in the corners of his eyes. Oh no, he couldn't, he was NOT going to cry in front of the thief! It would just add to his embarrassment. Bakura narrowed his eyes dangerously at Ryou and tightened his grip on the boy slightly.

 

“You dare speak to me in such a way? Do it again and I'll come up with something even worse than the Pit, I promise you that. You're injured leg is your own fault for disobeying me,” he replied coldly. “If you would stop being a pompous ass and obey me this could be a lot easier for the both of us.” Ryou didn't reply.

 

Finally he asked, “Where are you taking me?”

 

“Back to the very end of this cave,” he replied in a matter of fact manner.

 

“The very back…?” Ryou echoed again. `No!' he thought. “I'm tired of being in the dark,” Ryou said meekly. “I want to go back outside…”

 

Bakura snorted. “Do you now? Well, maybe, once you learn how to behave, you'll get to see the sun again. Until then, you stay here,” he replied firmly. He stopped in a chamber with one smaller passage inside it, but that passage had a curtain covering it up.

 

“In there?” Ryou asked. Bakura nodded and smirked. Confused, Ryou tried to squint through the almost translucent material hanging from the passage way's entrance but could make out nothing.

 

Inside it was just as dark as the rest off the cave, but suddenly a light flickered on and Ryou's eyes widened. It had to be the fanciest part of the entire cave. Inside the small room was a large mattress with beautiful blankets, statues and pots were not simply stacked up, but positioned as decorations! Pearls and gold necklaces hung all around the walls and the floor was decorated with fancy rugs. The Prince was bewildered.

 

“This is my new room? This bed is for me…?” he asked in a voice barely above a whisper. Bakura laughed.

 

“Why of course it isn't. That's my bed!” Turning to the corer of the room Bakura dumped Ryou on a carpet. This earned a yelp from the prince. Ryou hissed when his injured leg thumped against the floor. Bakura put his hands on his hips and laughed again.

 

“That is your bed.”

 

Ryou looked around. “No chains?” he asked suspiciously.

 

“Why would we need them? There is no way you could escape with a leg like that, and even if you were able to crawl how far do you think you'd get before someone caught you?” Bakura pointed out. “Besides, were would you go?”

 

Ryou thought about this. Where could he go? For the first time Ryou suddenly realized there was no way to escape. He could not walk, nor run and he could defiantly not make it back to the city. His heart sank as this realization struck him. Bakura chucked at his sudden sad face and patted his head. “So you finally understand now?”

 

Ryou pulled away, glaring. The thief gave an irritated frown but it instantly it spread out into an evil smirk. He slipped his hand into his robe. When it appeared again it was holding a luscious looking apple. He gave a deep chuckle and casually turned it around in his hands as if inspecting for the slightest bruise. Ryou watched it as well, captivated. Oh it looked so good…There was not a bruise or soft spot on it! Unknowingly he licked his lips. Bakura, pretending not to notice Ryou in the slightest, tossed the apple from one hand to the other before bringing it to his lips and inhaling its scent deeply. Ryou inched forward slightly, as if to catch some of the scent as well. Grinning the thief let it hover there a moment, before chomping down. Ryou watched as the apple juices dripped down Bakura's chin and to the floor. He gulped, his own mouth watering.

 

“Delicious,” Bakura purred, after swallowing. Ryou bit his lower lip anxiously. This was torture. He began to feel the dull, constant, pain in his stomach that he'd been trying to ignore. Bakura smirked down at him. “Would you like a bite…?” he asked. Ryou nodded, looking at it longingly. Bakura looked back at his apple, taking another bite. Inwardly Ryou winced. Grinning Bakura crouched down, offering the apple to Ryou. The Prince frowned suspiciously. Cautiously he reached out to take it. Just as his finger brushed its rosy surface Bakura pulled away. “Ah ah ah…” he mock scolded. “You must ask nicely,” instructed Bakura. Ryou glowered at him. He would not give in, he would not! But…he was so hungry, and the apple looked so good! “Well?” asked Bakura, dangling it in front of his face.

 

Sighing, Ryou dropped his head in defeat. “May I have the apple please?” he asked. Bakura's grin widened.

 

“May I have the apple please what?” he asked, putting a hand to his ear. Ryou closed his eyes.

 

“May I have the apple please…Thief King Bakura?” Bakura chucked again, triumphant.

 

“Hmm…I don't know…” he replied, spinning the apple in his fingers. Ryou's head shot up!

 

“But you said—!” Suddenly the apple was stuffed right into his mouth. Ryou blinked in surprise and Bakura laughed, clapping his hands in amusement. Ryou's brow knitted together as he bit deep into the fruit. It must have been the most delicious thing Ryou had ever eaten; so juicy and sweet!

 

“See how much more rewarding it is when you just obey me?” asked the thief King, patting Ryou's head again. Ryou shot him a look, but continued to scarf down his prize. Bakura took delight in how much control he had over the Prince, how he could reduce him to such a level of desperation. “Good boy. You stay here now, and maybe I'll send someone to collect you later for a bit of fresh air.” Bakura turned to leave but suddenly stopped and looked back at him. “Stay off the bed,” he added firmly. “I see you on it and you'll pay.” Ryou nodded, but as soon as Bakura was out of the room he rolled his eyes.

 

XXX

 

Ryou sat there on the rug for a long time. After finishing the apple for all it's worth he amused himself by tossing it into the air and catching it, but eventually he missed it and the core rolled under the bed. He didn't really care though, for he'd already lost interest and his hands were sticky enough as it was.

 

It felt good to have something in his stomach, really good, but now he'd been left alone with nothing do to, and there was only so long that he could worry.

 

He actually was glad when Bakura returned to take him outside.

 

“Bam, you're in charge of Ryou for the first watch,” Bakura instructed the youngest thief.

 

“Yes my King,” replied Bam, who eyed Ryou. The young prince was sitting on the edge on the cliff, grinning as he looked out over the entire desert. Bakura smirked at the Prince's perkiness and whispered to Bam, “All you have to do is watch for those who want to claim him. Try not to screw it up.” Bam flushed and nodded.

 

“No worried my King, you can trust me,” he replied, which earned him a bop on the head. Bam's eyes widened and he gave Bakura a quizzical look. Bakura gave a smug grin.

 

“First rule of the thief; Trust no one,” Bakura scolded. Bam raised a brow.

 

“With all due respect My King, if we're not supposed to trust anyone, how can we trust you?” Bakura gave an insane grin.

 

“You can't,” he replied before chuckling maniacally. “And I can't trust you. But I can trust that you will do as you are told because you want to keep all your limbs intact,” he added darkly.

 

“Right, as always, my King,” said Bam, giving a fake grin. Bakura snorted and walked over to the Prince, who was busy breathing in the fresh air and feeling the cool wind flow through his hair.

 

“You Prince,” the thief started, crouching beside him, “Will do as Bam commands. You will not make a scene or attempt to escape, unless you want to spend the rest of your days breathing in the dust from the rugs of my room.” Ryou looked up and nodded solemnly. “What do you say…?” Bakura asked, giving a cat-like grin.

 

“Yes King Bakura…” he replied lowly.

 

“Good boy,” the King replied, patting his head as he had done before. When he turned to leave Ryou wrinkled his nose and stuck his tongue out at the man's back. This caused the black haired boy beside him to snicker. Bakura turned sharply, eyes gazing at them narrowing. Both quickly pretended to act natural.

 

When Bakura was gone Ryou let out a sigh.

 

“Hey, you, Prince, Ryou, that's you're name right?” he asked. Ryou nodded.

 

“And you're Bam right?”

 

“Uh-huh. Listen, while you're out here you're under my orders, got it? Anything I say goes,” declared Bam, crossing his arms and smirking, almost like Bakura, but on the young boy it looked more foolish than intimidating. Ryou blinked, unfazed.

 

“Is Iyuna really your sister?” he asked randomly. Bam's smirk fell and his ego seemed to deflate a bit.

 

“Yes…but don't let her catch you saying that. You'll regret it.” Ryou couldn't help but smile.

 

“You two look similar, but pardon me for saying you don't seem a bit alike,” was Ryou's reply. Bam shrugged and sat down by him.

 

“Yea, we're really different. She's older, and better at everything than me—well almost everything. There is one thing but…She's sneakier, faster, with better aim, and better reflexes, but there's one thing I have…” Bam rolled his eyes. Ryou studied the thief for a moment. Comparing the boy to Bakura, Bam was practically normal. He seemed like your regular average street kid to Ryou, not cold and hard, and he defiantly was not very serious or composed as he sat cross legged with his head resting in his right palm.

 

“What's the one thing you're better at?” Ryou asked curiously. Bam glanced at Ryou, cheeks reddening slightly.

 

“Ah…it's nothing,” he replied, waving the question away.

 

“But you said you were better than her at one thing, what one thing is that?” he pressed. For some reason…Now that Bakura was gone…Ryou didn't feel nervous anymore. He wanted to have an actual conversation with someone, even if that someone had helped in his kidnapping. If Ryou remembered correctly Bam had been the one he kicked, the one who had almost fallen out the window!

 

Bam shrugged, idly inspecting his fingers for dirt. “It's nothing really…Well…you see…Iyuna thinks music and singing and stuff like that is stupid…But I really like it.”

 

“You sing?” questioned Ryou, taken aback. He's never heard of a thief singing! Well…he supposed it wasn't impossible, but it just seemed incredibly out of character to him. Bam sighed and nodded.

 

“I know what you're thinking. You wouldn't think a henchman of the Thief King would enjoy spending his free time singing and writing songs would you?” he asked flatly.

 

“Well, honestly, no I wouldn't,” Ryou replied, “But it's not a bad thing.”

 

The black haired boy snorted, rolling his eyes. “Tell that to everyone else,” he replied lowly. There was an uncomfortable silence.

 

Ryou broke it by asking, “So…is working for Bakura…fun?” Bam actually broke into laugher, but it gradually became strained as his face fell.

 

“Sure…fun,” he replied. “That's not really the best word to describe it. It's just…a job. It's my job and I do the best I can at it but I'm a total screw up anyway.” He sighed. “I'm only really in the group because Iyuna convinced Bakura to let me in…” Ryou was silent and it took a few moments for Bam to realize he wanted him to continue. So Bam did. “Well see it all started about a year ago when Iyuna ran away from home…Don't tell her I told you this but she and our dad never really got a long…They argued constantly about her future. He wanted her to marry this man, the son of a blacksmith, but Iyuna was completely against the idea.”

 

“One night I caught her running away, but didn't say anything. Honestly…I thought it would be neat to run away. When Iyuna and I were little we actually got along, if you can believe that. We would make believe our own adventures. Fetching some fruit from the market would become a top secret mission to fetch powerful weapons for the Pharaoh. Heh…those were good times…Anyway, I followed her. She was hitchhiking out of town on a trader's wagon. I simply told her if she didn't take me with her, I'd tell Father. She punched me in the face and I went home crying.”

 

“We never found her, she was long gone…But about five months ago I decided to leave home as well. My folks wanted me to join the Pharaoh's army. Call me a coward if you wish, you'd be right…But I really don't want to go to war. So I skipped town. Eventually I found myself in the middle of Nowheresville with practically nothing but the shirt on my back. I had very little money…So you know what? I thought I'd spend it on something worth while. There was a pretty, little harem dancer in the village square prancing around…”

 

“Let me guess,” said Ryou. “Iyuna?”

 

“Iyuna,” he said, nodding gravely. “Well, you probably can't imagine what it's like to see your sister for the first time in over a year and ask her to give you a lap dance. Truthfully I didn't know it was her until she punched me. I remembered that punch from oh so long ago, and instantly knew.”

 

“She told me to go home, I begged her to let me stay with her. After about an hour of yelling and pleading she told me she wasn't really a harem dancer; that she was `under cover.' And that's how I discovered my sister was under the command of a Thief King! Imagine my surprise when she told me she'd been trained to rob and kill.”

 

“You guess the rest from there,” finished Bam. “She was mortified that she had to ask Bakura if I could stay with them. He asked why, she said I was her little brother. Ever since that day I have done nothing but put shame to her name.”

 

`That's sad,' thought Ryou. `He must be a real klutzes, considering the mishap during my kidnapping.' The Prince studied him for a moment. Bam was staring out at the desert, blue-grey eyes gazing off into nothing. Compared to the other thieves, Bam was a kid, just like Ryou. Ryou was only a year older.

 

“How old is Iyuna?” Ryou asked inquisitively.

 

“She's only a year older than me…Eighteen. If you're wondering Malik is eighteen too, but barely. He just turned two months ago. As soon as that happened he kept going on about how he was so mature, and kept trying to hit on my sister. That guy never gives up and it annoys me so much! I told him if he ever touched her I'd clobber him but he just laughed in my face…And Marik—wait, why am I telling you this?” Bam suddenly asked, then sighed, putting his face in his hands. “It's none of your business you know.”

 

Ryou shrugged. “I was just trying to make conversation.”

 

“Are kidnappers and their prisoners supposed to make conversation?” asked Bam. Ryou shrugged.

 

“I can't see why not,” he said pleasantly. Bam shook his head as if to dismiss the subject. Heaving a sigh Ryou gave up on conversation and closed his eyes, enjoying the air.

 

Hours passed and the sun moved, fully visible in an orange sky, but still not high enough for it to be noon. There was not one cloud, Ryou noticed. He wondered if there'd been any rain while he was underground. Ryou always enjoyed going out in the rain, just to feel the coolness run over his skin.

 

 

`Maybe it will rain in a few days,' he thought. `Ra knows it couldn't hurt anything…'

 

XXX

 

Hot sand kicked up into Yugi's face, burning his eyes and coating his throat. He coughed, retying the cloth that was supposed to protect his face from the sandstorm. It had come out of no where, a sudden guest of wind had moved in. Loose sand was everywhere, in Yugi's hair, in his ears, and it even hit his eyes at times. That stung the worst, and he expected to start crying tears of blood. No one dared to open their mouths, but the message was clear. Find shelter, as soon as possible.

 

`For now I hope Atemu stays unconscious until it's over,' thought the small hero. He planned to ride it out, there was only so long the storm could last and it wasn't even that strong, the horses however though differently, whining and shaking their heads in protest. `I'm sorry,' Yugi grimly thought in his head. `I know you hate this but we have no protection anyway. Just keep going forward and perhaps we'll find a big enough sand dune or a rock to hide behind.'

 

But as they kept riding, the storm only seemed to get worse. Now, the sand felt like mini blades on Yugi's skin, hitting him roughly. He could feel his skin being rubbed away by the harsh grains. They would have to find a shelter soon, he knew. The guards, who he was sure pretty much hated him by now, were falling slightly behind, giving into their horses' protests.

 

“Keep going!” he shouted, putting an arm up to block as much sand as possible. Jouno and Honda continued to fall back. He growled in frustration. They wouldn't listen to him anymore! Yugi figured it was probably because he was nothing but a servant and they were soldiers. The ranking was not too far apart, but far enough for Jouno and Honda.

 

“We have to keep going!” he ordered, a handful of sand flying into his mouth. `They're not going to listen.' He thought. `They're going to stop, and now Honda is carrying the chest…'

 

XXX

 

Sighing Ryou tried to spark up conversation once more.

 

“Can you play an instrument?” he asked. Bam blinked.

 

“Um, yea. Iyuna was able to convince Bakura it was a good skill to have, so that when she went `undercover' as a harem she'd have someone handy to play music for her.”

 

Suddenly, something inside Ryou awoke; something he had never felt the urge to do before. He wanted to smirk. He held back of course, afraid he'd look too much like Bakura.

 

`That's a scary thought.'

 

The reason he wanted to smirk however, was because he had the sudden urge to be devious.

 

“You know…” he began casually, drawing patterns in the sandy rock with his finger. “I could probably get you a job at the palace,” he offered. “As an entertainer. If you sing and play well I'm sure I could get you a job. There's always someone who could use some cheering up or relaxing music.”

 

Bam just stared at him for a few minutes. “Really?” he asked. “No joke?” he growled, narrowing his eyes.

 

“No joke,” replied Ryou, with what he hoped was a trustworthy grin. “I could you job when I go back to the palace…”

Bam's face went hard. “Oh, I see. Sure, if I help you escape you'll give me a job at the palace? Nice try Prince, but I'm not letting you go. I'm not an idiot you know.” Ryou frowned, opening his mouth to say something but fumbling over his own tongue.

 

“I never said that—I was just—”

 

“Save it,” muttered Bam. “My shift is over.” Ryou was puzzled by his words until he realized Malik was walking towards them, butterfly jar in hand.

 

“Hey kids,” greeted an unenthused Malik. He looked quite aggravated and Ryou imagined `babysitting duty' was not the highlight of anyone's day. Ryou didn't really care though. If they were going to kidnap him, they were going to have to deal with him!

 

“Boy it's windy out here,” commented Malik as he scratched his stomach. “Good thing we're up here and not down there.” He pointed and Ryou followed the tip of his finger, until he saw a small, brown, cloud far off to their left.

 

“What is that thing?” Ryou asked with a frown.

 

“Sandstorm,” replied Malik, eyes narrowing. The three were silent, listening to the distant sounds of the whistling wind.

 

“It doesn't look too big though, so it's not that dangerous right?” Ryou asked. Truthfully he had never seen a real sandstorm. He's read about them of course (he'd read about most things, being cooped up in the palace his entire life) and from what he recalled they were extremely dangerous.

 

“It's not big now…But it will grow,” replied Malik, his voice tight. “…But don't worry, it's not coming at us, and even if it was, we could seek refuge in the hideout,” he added, casually stretching his arms. “No worries.”

 

The dark haired boy walked away wordlessly and Ryou suddenly felt guilty. `Why should I feel guilty? He kidnapped me!' Ryou protested in outrage. It was only after a few moments of sulking did he realize why. `He was the first person to actually talk to me…Really talk with me. He told me his life story for Ra's sake…But he's still a thief, a young one...but not stupid.'

 

“Defiantly not stupid.”

 

“What did you say Prince boy?” asked Malik, who continued to stretch.

 

“Nothing…”

 

XXX

 

“You have to keep going!”

 

“It's only getting worse! Only an idiot would go into that!” Jouno hollered, pointing towards the fuzzy, brown haze approaching them.

 

Yugi licked his dry lips, heart pounding. The storm was worsening. No, scratch that. They had never been in a storm, they had been in a slight breeze. What was looming on the horizon, what was quickly drawing closer and closer, that was a storm! Yugi's mind was racing. He had to act quickly. Every second that went by was another second closer to almost certain death. They needed something, anything to take refuge from! If the threesome could not find something to protect themselves, the storm would most certainly kill them. He winced at the though of the harsh bits of sand slowly rubbing away his skin.

 

`If it doesn't skin us alive it will burry us first…'

 

The other man turned their horses. “You're as crazy as that hitchhiker to keep going! Die if you want, we're leaving!” Honda bellowed over the roaring wind.

 

“No! You can't take the chest! The Pharaoh needs us to deliver it to where it's supposed to be!” Yugi cried.

 

“The Pharaoh wouldn't want us to die in the process!” Jouno snarled. He glared at Yugi, clenching the horse's reigns tightly. “I'm through with listening to you Shrimpy! We're getting out of here!”

 

“No! You can't! If we just--!” suddenly something caught Yugi's eye. He squinted, blocking the sun from his face. On the horizon…was that what he thought it was?

 

“Look!” he cried. “Look! Straight ahead!” The other turned their heads in question. “It looks like trench!”

 

`The Pharaoh told me to ride through the trench!' thought Yugi frantically. “We must ride to the trench! There will be shelter there! Come on!” Jouno and Honda glanced at each other, unsure. “You must come!” Yugi cried angrily. “If you don't this will all be for nothing!”

 

“It's too late, we'll never make it!” argued Jouno, shaking his head. With that, he snapped his horse's reins and began riding in the opposite direction.

 

“He's a fool, he can't ride it out! We have to get to the trench before it's too late! It's the only way.” Honda looked back at Jouno, his face pale.

 

“We can't go after him,” Yugi said quickly, knowing what the guard was thinking. Honda swallowed, before shakily nodding his head. “Good. Follow me!”

 

The two rode onward. Yugi pushed the chestnut stallion beneath as hard as he could. He knew they were tired and weak. `Just hold through a little while longer, please!”

 

They fought the merciless wind. Yugi couldn't believe he was doing this; heading straight towards the dusty, dark cloud. He couldn't help but gaze at it and feel his stomach do a flip. It seemed closer, larger, more dangerous. It was as if a storm cloud had fallen from the sky. He wanted to turn around. He wanted to run, like Jouno had run. He wanted to be anywhere but here, but he knew there was no choice.

 

“Keep going!” he roared, not knowing if Honda could hear him or not. “Keep going, we're almost there! Almost there!” The trench was there, right ahead, he could see it. They were so close, only a few yards away. So was the storm, the wind was so strong he had to look down. The horse was slowing, fighting him. He clicked his tongue, pushing the horse on. The horse gave a loud neigh and to Yugi's extreme shock, bucked him right off!

 

Yugi's world spun, he landed with a thud on the slowly eroding sand. Gasping he pushed himself up in time to see his horse running off. “No stop! Come back!” he screamed desperately. The horse continued to buck and scream, sending Atemu off of his back as well. The unconscious man slumped to the sand like a rag doll. Honda stopped, looking at Yugi, eyes wide. Yugi scrambled to his feet, slipping and sliding towards Atemu. His horse was running off, it was too late to chase after it, but the man he could save!

 

Grabbing the man's cloak, with a sudden burst of strength he pulled the man's arm around his shoulder, dragging him as fast as he could. “Don't just stand there, ride!” Yugi screamed to Honda, who was wincing and hiding his face from the harsh bits of sand that began to swarm around them. Honda's horse was cooperating just as much as Yugi's head. Its eyes were wide and bloodshot. Wheezing it frantically turned the other way. Honda tried to control it, but his actions were in vain. It began kicking like a wild stallion.

 

“Untie the chest! Let it go and bring the items!” Yugi coughed, his throat raw and sore. The taste of blood was in his mouth. Honda did untie the chest before falling off his horse and onto his rear. Wincing in pain the other man managed to grab the chest. Both were violently fighting the elements to get to the trench.

 

`So close…' Yugi thought. `Just…a little more…' He left his legs moving, the wind blowing, and suddenly his eyes closing. `I need to save the Prince. I need to complete my mission. Nothing else matters, but this test, right here, right now…'

 

Strong arms encircled him.

 

`It all comes down to this. Ra has given me a purpose; too deliver this treasure and save the fair Prince.'

 

He was still moving, yet his legs were limp.

 

`The fate of the Kingdom is in my hands. I must not let them down…'

 

More movement. Then a tumbling. Yugi's eyes opened as he seemed to float in mid air. His mind was focused on one thing only. Complete the task. Save the Prince. Deliver the items. He made contact with the ground, hard. It hurt. For a surreal moment he lay there in a haze.

 

`Complete the task.'

 

Yugi sat up just in time for a gust of wind to hit his back and blow him forward. In a swirl of color someone grabbed him again. He blinked up, his vision blurred.

 

“You…?” Yugi choked. The handsome face did not look at him, but instead the arms pushed Yugi's face into a tanned chest. The two were wrapped together into a tight ball. Distraught Yugi's mind began to catch up with him again. One thing rose up through all the haze.

 

The items.

 

“Where are the items?”

 

XXX

 

Emmy: TA DA! Ok, once again I apologize for such a delay! I wanted to get this chapter down RIGHT! It took a lot of thought and time and loss of sleep but here it is ready to roll! I had more fun writing about Ryou and Bakura! Hehe. I wanted this to be a MarikxRyou fic but now the temptation to change it is really catching my eye.

 

Anyway, tell me what you think and REVIEW! Thank you for those of you who reviewed for the last chapter. I love you!