Jonouchi looked around at the surrounding rocks and sand. "I don't see why I have to search in the desert." He muttered to himself. "Why, in the seven hells, would she be out here?"

He glanced over his shoulder at a large boulder, which had made and inexplicable groan, as if it were on hinges. A head of nearly white hair poked out from behind the boulder, followed by a head of black. Jonouchi recognized it immediately as the Princess, but stayed where he was, only to observe.

Kanika peered over the edge of the tunnel out into the desert. "Get down." She heard Bakura whisper to her, and she obeyed.

"There was a guard out there. What he could possibly want out in the desert, I have no idea." Bakura stated.

"They're looking for me." Kanika whispered to herself. Bakura overheard.

"What?" He hissed, turning her so that her hazel eyes met his blood red ones.

Kanika covered her mouth with her hands. "I mean I was Princess Kita's handmaiden!" She covered. "I ran away, and I suppose she just wants me back." Every word she said, a single rusty needle in the soft steady beating of her heart.

Bakura gazed at her with a quizzical stare, deciding whether to believe her or not. After a while, he merely sighed. "Let's go. He's probably gone now."

It was obvious that Kanika was relieved to hear that the guard was gone. I could also see that Bakura was smitten with her as well.

It was at that moment when I swore by all the Gods in Heaven that I, not Bakura, would win Kanika's heart.

Bakura peeked out of the hole once more and looked around. "He's gone." He stated bluntly. He crawled out of the hole followed by the Kanika and the rest of the thieves.

Mako stepped out beside Kanika and placed his hand protectively on her shoulder. "Our usual swimming spot is this way, to the east." He stated, pointing in the direction the group needed to go.

Bakura stepped beside Kanika and took hold of her arm. "Shall we, Kanika?" And without really giving her a choice, he led her in front of his group of followers.

The crowd walked on until they reached an almost hidden bank along the Nile.

"This place is beautiful." Kanika breathed, removing the hidden cape from her shoulders, exposing her light lavender dress, dirty, and slightly torn at the hems and on her spine where she had stumbled into Bastet's claw the previous night, allowing her tan back to be shown.

Mako and Bakura stared open-mouthed at Kanika's beautiful feminine body, as she dove into the refreshing water of the river, followed by Mai, Weevil and Mokuba. Rex, Keith, and Kanika's desirers only stood on the sand.

Keith elbowed Bakura lightly. "Hey Boss?"

Bakura glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. "Yes?"

The brawny man turned a light shade of pink. "Do you think I have any chance at all with Mai?"

Bakura's eyebrows involuntarily rose. "She allowed you to drink beer off of her stomach."

"I guess…" Keith glanced at the ground. "I think that Kanika girl likes you."

It was Bakura's turn to blush, and although he said nothing, he had a feeling of exhilaration rising in his chest.

Two simultaneous shrieks turned their heads towards the river, but only to see that Mokuba had grabbed Mai and Kanika's legs underwater.

"That's it!" Bakura barked. "I'm going in!" He tore off his shirt and jumped in the water, creating an enormous splash.

Keith and Mako shrugged and followed their leader with a battle cry.

Bakura surfaced and shook his head of long white-blond hair. He felt a light tap on his left shoulder; it was Kanika.

"Bakura?" She said softly. "Could you do me a favor?"

"That depends on what the favor is."

"Please, just hide my face until that guard goes away."

Bakura gave quick look over her shoulder, and sure enough, Otogi was patrolling the opposite bank.

Without further hesitation Bakura pulled Kanika in close so that her lips were just brushing the nape of his neck. He pulled a dagger out of the pocket of his linen pants and cut her black hair so that it was now only about half-way down to her shoulders. She didn't seem to mind.

"Is that so they have a harder time recognizing me?" She asked softly.

"Yes." Bakura replied in a whisper.

There was a long pause, and Otogi finally left.

"Kanika?" Bakura whispered in her ear.

"Hm?"

Bakura couldn't tell if he was sweating or if it was just water dripping down his face. "I was just curious… that is, I was just wondering…" He searched his mind for words, but made a decision to be blunt. "I know you have only been with us for a day, but do think you are in… well I suppose lust would be the best word. Are you in lust with anyone? Has anyone in particular caught your eye? That's my question."

Although it couldn't be seen, Kanika's eyes widened. She let out a small laugh. "Yes Bakura. There is someone."