Alverna: Here's chapter 10. I love the song in it.
Marik: This coming from the person who claimed to have enough of writing songs just two days ago?
Malik: Apparently. And you're updating fast.
Alverna: To be honest, the rest of this story is typed up. I'm just spacing my posting so people have time to review.
Joey: That makes sense.
Seto: Alverna does not own Yugioh or The Lion King 2. Enjoy.
Chapter 10
Running as fast as his sphinx form would allow, Ryou raced down the same path Bakura took when fleeing the palace, stopping at the rock next to the stream.
"Bakura?" Ryou asked as he jumped to the top of the rock, and then into the stream in sadness. "Bakura."
Slumping in depression, Ryou caught a look at his reflection. To his shock, only half of his body was clearly visible. Leaping out of the water, he ran to the cave they had hid in during the rhino stampede.
"Bakura…" Ryou whispered sadly as the saw the sphinx wasn't there, and sat down, crying out of a broken heart.
As soon as night fell, Ryou picked himself up, and began walking again, this time through the savannah. When a pair of doves startled in front of him and flew off together, Ryou couldn't help but sing sadly.
In a perfect world
One we've never known
We would never need
to face the world alone
Still walking Ryou looked at the gazelle, which he had no desire to hunt as he turned away and into a small canopy of trees. There, many animal couples sat together, but Ryou followed the butterflies.
They can have the world
We'll create our own
I may not be brave or strong or smart
But somewhere in my secret heart
Jumping up onto a tree branch, Ryou looked to the sky as he kept singing. Seeing the rabbit and two lions' constellations in the sky, and remembering that it was only last night he and Bakura had pointed them out giggling with each other.
I know love will find a way
Anywhere I go
I'm home
If you are there beside me
Lying down on the branch, a depressed Ryou saw his reflection in the stream he was hanging over. Again, only half is clearly visible. Standing up again, at the rustle of grass, Ryou felt himself perk up before seeing it was only a frog.
Like dark turning into day
Somehow we'll come through
Now that I've found you
Love will find a way
Leaving the log, Ryou went to the burned area of the land, eventually sitting on a high knoll, head bowed in sadness.
Behind him was Bakura, who had heard Ryou singing. He was nervous, but he had to let Ryou know he was there, so he continued the song.
I was so afraid
Now I realize
Love is never wrong
And so it never dies
Ryou sighed as he thought he heard Bakura's voice on the wind. But as it got stronger, he felt his heart lift as he turned, and saw Bakura really standing there.
There's a perfect world
Shining in your eyes
Smiling, Ryou joined Bakura in song as the stared at each other, just happy they were there, and not separated.
And if only they could feel it too
The happiness I feel with you
Finally, not being able to hold back, they raced to each other, changing to their human forms, and holding the one they loved in a tight hug.
They'd know love will find a way
Anywhere we go
We're home
If we are there together
Ryou kissed Bakura on his new scar, making him startle as Ryou slipped away with a smirk. Catching on, Bakura chased after him as they kicked ash and dust at each other, laughing and smiling as their song rose.
Like dark turning into day
Somehow we'll come through
Now that I've found you
Love will find a way
Coming to a stop on top of a hill, Bakura knelt down and reveled a new plant growing under the ash, as Atemu did for him earlier that day. Smiling, Ryou hugged Bakura again as the wind swirled around them, clearing away the ash with a soft breeze.
I know love will find a way
Two butterflies flutter around the sphinxes as the pulled apart, but didn't let go. Bakura felt himself brighten at the sight of them, and rushed off after them, laughing. Confused for two seconds, Ryou finally realized that Bakura was playing.
Laughing, Ryou pursued the elder sphinx and they wrestled briefly, tumbling down next to the edge of a stream, where Bakura kissed Ryou on the cheek, making him giggle.
"Hey, look." Bakura nodded to the stream, where their reflections had melded together. "We are one."
"What?" Ryou asked softly as he realized what Bakura said.
"Let's get out of here." Bakura grinned as he jumped up excitedly, not having heard Ryou's question. "We'll run away together! And start a pride... all our own."
"Bakura," Ryou chuckled as he hugged Bakura again, ignoring the smoldering look in his eyes, "we have to go back."
"You're kidding." Bakura gasped, putting his hands on Ryou's shoulders, trying to make him see reason. "But we're finally together!"
"Our place is with our pride." Ryou replied gently. "Bakura, if we run away, they will be divided forever."
Bakura considered the fact, but didn't seem entirely convinced as he recalled what happened that day with both prides.
"Well," Bakura resigned as Ryou pulled out a puppy dog face he had learned from his mother, "I suppose someone has to stop this madness. I'll race you back!"
Laughing, the two run off together, back in the direction of the palace.
In the outlands, Anzu rallied her forces, exiting the termite mound, ignoring Malik's soft complaining growls. He would rather be with Marik than fight the pharaoh.
(A/N: Oh my Ra, it's the end of the world. Malik doesn't want to fight the pharaoh!)
When the pride crossed a river on the way to attack the palace, they got all muddy. Overhead, thunder rumbled.
At the palace, rain began to fall as Joey and Mokuba ran through the hallways.
"I can't believe we lost him again." Joey complained as they entered his and Seth's room. "This has got to be the eight thousandth time! I thought you were gonna watch him!"
"Me?" Mokuba gasped. "You were gonna watch him!"
"I thought you were gonna watch him when I went to see Isis!" Joey shot back.
"Why did you see her?" Mokuba asked in confusion.
"That's beside the point!" Joey yelled. "You were gonna watch him!"
"Watch this!" Mokuba shouted as he bounced onto the bed and them on top of Joey.
"Ow!" Joey quickly flipped the two of them so he was pinning Mokuba. "Take that!"
"What are you doing?" Atemu asked from the doorway with a small smirk at the all-out wrestling match.
"Good question!" Joey replied as he and Mokuba leapt to attention at the sight of the pharaoh. "Now let me ask you one."
"Hypothetical." Mokuba added.
"Very hypothetical." Joey agreed. "There's this guy…"
"But he's not a sphinx." Mokuba interjected.
"No! No, he's not a sphinx." Joey stuttered out, not noticing Atemu's amused look. "Definitely not a sphinx. And, uh... uh... his son, um, say... vanished."
"Ryou is gone?" Atemu asked angrily.
"Sire!" Mahad shouted as he and Seth raced into the room, panting heavily, and slightly wet from patrol duty. "The Outsiders are on the attack!"
"They're heading this way!" Seth added. "It's war, cousin!"
"Mahad, find Ryou!" Atemu ordered as he turned to Seth, Joey, and Mokuba. "We'll assemble the sphinxes. Move! Now!"
Alverna: I just seem to be suck on cliffhangers lately.
Atemu: You can say that again.
Yugi: Atemu, be nice.
Bakura: How many chapters are left?
Alverna: Not telling, people freak out when I do.
Ryou: Please review and let us know we're still loved!