AN: Apologies for the late update; I've had a little trouble with this one. A scene from this chapter was inspired from a scene a cutesy movie called Napoleon. The other bit was inspired by a certain dream works movie about a mythical and ancient city. Kohakuhime might get creeped out by a scene in here…

Disclaimer: The only thing I own is yo' mamma! Ohhhh! *ducks to avoid heavy objects*

///////////////////

Ch. 7 Another encounter, another journey.

Kaiba walked for hours it seemed, he couldn't keep track of time very well; he found that his wristwatch had stopped. He had suddenly come across a large balloon, a colorful hot air type. Finding this sudden, surreal item in the middle of a snowy globe, was almost too much, and the very strangeness nearly overwhelmed him. It almost broke his mask, a hard self-control he'd developed over the years.

His poker face faltered for a few minutes, and Kaiba had to wrestle it back onto his face. It made no sense to him why in the world a hot air balloon would be randomly here of all places, but maybe he shouldn't think on it to hard, he had thought.

' Might as well….' Kaiba walked towards the balloon, and opened its thick wicker gate. He climbed in its well built basket, and began to try and get it to work. Kaiba wasn't an expert on how to work a hot air balloon, but he improvised at the situation. His slender but strong hands worked at the mechanics of the balloon; he tugged at ropes, and grappled with pieces of metal frame.

Soon, he was up in the air. It was easy to see why Kaiba was hailed as a genius; the balloon was bright against the pale sky already. Some might have found Kaiba's lack of grousing about the supernatural strange, but in Kaiba's mind he was already beginning to forgo such tirades, even before this nasty affair.

It was because of Mokuba. His younger brother was in danger, and if forgoing his pride would save his little brother than he would gladly give it up. He just wouldn't be able to live with himself if he didn't investigate a possibility that he didn't believe in. Especially if that non-belief, and sense of pride was what killed his brother. It would defy his very notion of the word 'brother', and completely go against all of his natural instincts of protection.

So Kaiba pressed on, the cold air cutting through his porcelain skin like a scalpel. It chafed at his cheeks, and paled his lips. Frost clung to his hair, making his brown hair turn a pale shade, even making it glass-like. The feeling of Mokuba's presence was still faint, but he felt himself gaining ground, as he adjusting his course along the grey skies.

////////////////////

The foursome felt a bit safer here, in this busy, and rather ancient looking city. It actually reminded Mokuba of an old movie he saw once. The buildings were sturdy stucco-like structures, with a faded red color. The buildings hinted at Spanish designs, with handsome and soft curves. Adobe structures cheerfully littered the city, they served as landmarks for the children that ran happily through the dusty alleyways, and simple stairways. Cheery courtyards thronged with crowds.

Market places were loud, vendors selling their wares with vigor; mothers scolded their rowdy children as they bartered with the vendors. Street performers gathered crowds with their acts, gold coins glittering at their feet. The foursome passed a large fountain, water happily splashing inside its home. Figures were intricately carved out the gilded surface of the fountain.

Temples were seemingly everywhere, with almost Aztec like designs; high, thick stones carved in a delicate, yet powerful way. The designs were ancient looking, with some frightening images of all sorts of mythical, and terrible things. Statues of beasts guarded some of these ancients sites. They were made from tough stone, looking fearsome, even with vegetation growing wildly across their surfaces.

One of said statues looked a bit like a jaguar. Not quite hunched downwards, it was taking an almost aggressive stance, its mouth wide open, revealing the sharpened jade teeth. Its tail was slightly curved, and the artist managed to make the beast look lithe and graceful even when motionless.

Small shrines were shone, standing solemnly in many places, with people stopping every once in while to pay respects. A group of what looked like priestesses bustled by the foursome, hurrying off to some unknown destination. After watching them go, Noa turned to inspect the statue more, and he was amazed at how realistic the statue was designed.

Blue looked comically apprehensive towards the statues, making the three children laugh; it was a rare bonding moment for them, especially with the recent scare with Marik. Cordelia knew that Noa and Mokuba were familiar with that gruesome man, but she didn't press the issue. It didn't matter to her because she came to care deeply for her companions, and would never let them be harmed, especially if Mokuba was going to be killed.

In this cheerful place, all red and gold, made the children feel safe. Happy, busy people and a lush environment made for a relaxing place. The people of the town treated them warmly, and as the foursome walked all around, they found it to be rather large.

They didn't speak much, and they didn't have to. They were in good company with one another, and a warm camaraderie enveloped them. The day was hot, and sweat dampened them; it almost made them look angelic, with their hair looking thick, and silky against peach colored skin and childish frames. The heat gave each of them a healthy blush, and made their eyes shimmer.

Even Blue looked innocent, her scales shone a soft, slivery glitter. She gave contended purrs, and laid her head in one of the children's lap. She was growing larger, and she now reached up the children's stomachs, her body getting thicker, and her cries deeper. She gave a surprisingly throaty purr, making Mokuba blink in surprise at the sound.

Mokuba's surprise made Cordelia laugh, and he blushed at the sound of it. Noa looked at his new companions with great affection, and felt glad to know them.

///////////////////////////////

Meanwhile, all was not the cheerful affair that Mokuba and his companions had. In fact, it was the exact opposite as Marik was trying very hard not to kill the man in front of him. Gozaburo Kaiba's smirk grew wider, since he knew just how he was affecting his subordinate. It amused him to see Marik so riled up, and he enjoyed the feelings he brought out in the twisted spirit.

Marik hated this man with every fiber of his being; the way his lips slid up into a sly smirk like oil over water, and the way he carried his body, and how with each movement, Gozaburo managed to exude smugness. Marik even hated the man's mustache, which in itself, didn't make much sense. But, it was Marik after all; Gozaburo kept a rather haughty thought to himself, thoroughly enjoying the way Marik's countenance would contort alarmingly to display his rage.

It made, his gut clench in a almost pleasant way to see such a disturbing expression, and feeling the murderous intent leaking from Marik's pores. Gozaburo was such a sick individual, and they both knew it, and it didn't bother either of them in the slightest. After all birds of a feather…

Marik just hated how superior his employer was, and it made him want to teach the arrogant man a lesson. The thought of that alone brought a twisted grin to his face, one that stretched all the way across both sides of his chin, making him look rather like a demented doll.

Gozaburo took a step forward, and Marik mimicked the action. The two of them both had subconsciously taken an aggressive stance; Gozaburo could feel Marik's hot breath on his neck and face, and the acrid smell sent shiver's down his spine. Gozaburo raised on thick hand, and for one wild moment, Marik thought Gozaburo would hit him. However, Gozaburo just laid it on Marik's shoulder.

"You failed." Gozaburo kept his voice controlled.

"I almost had him." Marik's voice was a gravelly hum.

"But you don't have him with you now." Gozaburo looked around, pretending to search for Mokuba.

"I'll have him next time." Marik's voice went into a higher, more manic measure.

"Oh?" came the mocking lilt, and Marik felt the grip on his shoulder tighten.

" I will!" Marik's voice rose, and was just about to rant.

" I'm not sure your…up to the task." Gozaburo's words slid from his lips like slick grease.

" I am capable!" He roared, and he slammed Gozaburo into the wall.

Marik's rage made him almost incoherent; and it made him press up to Gozaburo, as if that motion, would somehow harm him. The aggressiveness just made Gozaburo smile; his blackened soul sparked with delirious flames, and want to match Marik's strength with his own.

Gozaburo's smile said he was up to the challenge, and Marik's irritation, coupled with his desire to prove his "superior" wrong. So with a throaty noise Marik strode away, and cackled with delirium.

He would win.

/////////

The foursome were still relaxing, sitting close under the shade; feeling cool and refreshed, with the sun comfortably radiating overhead. At the moment there wasn't much to do, and the sun had made them sleepy.

Blue wriggled comfortably, nudging Mokuba for attention. As the dark haired boy gave her what she wanted, a few things tumbled out of Mokuba's pockets. Items jingled out of his pockets; a few pieces of yen, the vial or water, and a key.

"Oh I forgot I had this!" Mokuba exclaimed with a pleasant surprise.

He turned the tiny, golden spiral like key in his hands a few times before giving it to Noa. The mint haired boy looked surprised at the gesture, and gave Mokuba a questioning look.

" What's this for?" Noa arched an eyebrow.

" I don't really know, but it could come in handy."

" Alright then. Thanks" Noa smiled.

Noa pocketed the key, and he opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by the sounds of suddenly loud voices. The foursome turned the newfound, and alarmed sounds. Cordelia looked curious rather than surprised than the boys, and she called for Blue to follow her, as she walked over to the area. Noa and Mokuba followed quickly to make sure nothing serious was up; they had to maneuver around the crowd of people that had gathered there. Shouts were now frightened, as the boys inched forward to finally see what the uproar was about.

Marik. Both boys paled at the sight of him, and Noa pushed Mokuba behind him. The motion caught Marik's attention, and Noa yelled at Mokuba to run, the sound carried harshly. Marik gave a snarling type of laugh, and started to pursue Mokuba, but Noa leapt in front of him-and he had a smirk or his own to match.

"Gotta get past me." Noa suddenly resembled Kaiba.

"With pleasure." the words twisted and slaked over themselves.

Marik made a move to rush forward, and Noa dropped into a crouch, slid to the left, tripping Marik. Platinum locks became a blur as Noa felt a fist slam into his stomach; the world spun around, and it took a moment to realize Marik had flung him down a flight of stairs. The manic laugher was close to his ears, and Noa whipped his head dizzily around, biting Marik's cheek.

Marik's roar of pain made him wince, and he backed quickly away; the crowds of people had moved considerably, some people looked as though they wanted to help, and others simply looked to afraid to get into harms way via Marik. Noa didn't blame them. He needed a weapon, he looked around frantically for anything, his blue eyes narrowed. A piece of a wooden pole lay idle, and Noa rushed to it.

Marik had tried to move on, but Noa gave a hard swing to the wicked spirit's knee caps. Annoyed, Marik kicked Noa, who literally went flying. His lithe frame tumbling endlessly in the rust colored dirt. His vision blurred for a moment, be fore he got up, shaking the dust and his pale bangs out of his face. Noa pick up his makeshift staff and threw it at Marik's back. Marik, thoroughly annoyed, walked back to Noa, his footsteps jarringly stomping on the ground.

Noa couldn't see much after that because of the fierce blows raining down on him. He only felt the sensations of hardened flesh slamming into his, little mewling sounds were coming from somewhere, but he wasn't sure who was making them. Laughter was heard from far above him, but he wasn't paying much attention to it. He was more concerned for Mokuba, Cordelia, and Blue.

He started went someone gave a scream of pain; his shoulder burned, and the sounds were grating on his nerves, and it took him a moment to realize he was making the screaming. More sounds reached him, and he could hear Marik protesting-it seemed the spectators decided enough was enough, and were putting a stop to his brutality.

Sitting up made him dizzy, but he did it anyway somehow-his shoulder burned for some reason. He lurched crazily, trying to run; he didn't look back at the angry crowd swarming Marik, who was probably getting the same treatment he gave Noa. Noa just ran to catch up to Mokuba.

Cordelia and Blue were in a different part of town, looking lost. Marik's commotion was pretty loud, and the two of them tried to keep out of the way. Thinking that they should have found some place to meet up with each other, and not aimlessly run around would have been a better plan, she shook her head in frustration. Feeling thoroughly stupid with herself, she ducked into an alleyway; Marik was being chased by the mob now, and the noise was deafening.

Marik blew past her, his tattered black caped ruffled piteously as he ran past the angry citizens, each one was armed with something. Blue snuggled next to her, and both of them were ignored. The two rushed out of the hidden niche as soon as the crowd left, going the opposite way. She decided to go to the fountain where they relaxed earlier, hoping the boys would think to do the same.

Mokuba had ran fast, and was still running. His legs were killing him, and the lungs squeezed out air in protest. Marik had found him, bringing a furious pack of citizens behind him. He could hear the angry voices, and Marik's made cackling. The dry wind whipped into his face, battering his eyes with dust.

The sun pounded on his flesh like an iron hammer-and he felt something of sizable velocity slam into him. It was Cordelia, and the two tumbled into a pile of laundry; their heads clunked together as their bodies tangled into pale, starched sheets. Marik stood over them, his shadow looked imposing and triumphant. The two of them gave each other nervous smiles, and backed slowly away…

Two blurs crashed themselves into Marik, making him fall in a heavy heap. Mokuba and Cordelia felt better instantly when the blurs turned out to be Noa and Blue. Both of them started at Noa's appearance, but their concern was short lived, as Marik was in such close proximity to them, and he was pulling something out of the folds of his cape.

It looked vaguely like a grenade of some sort; the foursome instinctively drew together in a protective way, as Marik threw the object on the ground with a disturbing scream. Thick fumes rose and drew themselves around the area like a thick, noxious blanket. No one could see, and the smoke blocked out all the senses, and flooded the children's lungs. By the time the thick smoke had drifted away, Marik was gone.

The citizens had looked confusedly around for their antagonist, but dispersed when he was no where to be found. Mokuba looked over Noa worriedly, but Noa laughed it off. Blue nuzzled the pair of them, and each child assessed the other for harm of any sort. Any joking about Marik's stupidity was cut short when they realized Cordelia was no where to be found.

////////////

AN: Dun, dun dun-cliffhanger. Yes I am evil, thanks for asking. Give reviews to find out what happens next. Happy Holidays folks!