Yo, peeps! Thanks for your support! Enjoy this new chapter and keep being your awesome, strong, unique selves! I believe in you! /throws confetti

Yugi woke with a dull, yet intense pain in his head. He curled up, hands in his hair, mumbling curses. But when the ache subsided he remembered what had happened and his eyes snapped open. He looked around and realised that he was in a beige tent. He was lying on some animal furs and the only other object was a chamber pot. Rubbing his temple, he stood up and tumbled to the exit. He pulled the flaps apart and the sunlight dazzled him.

A moment later his eyes adjusted. To his left was a lake, around him palm trees, bushes, more tents. A few white-haired soldiers were sitting around something that was probably used as a fire place at night. They shot him a few glances and whispered but did nothing else.

Yugi sneaked around and discovered more heathens in some distance. They were washing, cooking, repairing things and talking. Most of them were old or children. But for the most part, the place was empty. Did he still have a chance to flee?

"My lord!", a familiar voice said. Yugi turned around and gasped. A boy of maybe ten years hurried towards him, a bucked of water in his hands. He had short, white hair and green eyes. Yugi's mind flashed back to Atem's birthday, how he had been attacked by two men and saved by the same boy now standing before him, huffing. He put down the bucket and opened his mouth but Yugi grabbed his shoulders and spoke first.

"Kham, where am I? What happened to the Pharaoh? Is he still alive?"

"Yes, my lord. The Pharaoh is just injured. Believe me, if he were dead, everyone would know", Kham said and Yugi felt at least one worry of many dissolve. "We're in an oasis called Meri. Except for a few guards and servants, no one is here right now."

"Then it's the perfect time for me to flee! Kham, I need a horse and-"

"That won't work, my lord. Even if you managed to steal a horse, you wouldn't find your way back to Karnak through the desert. Only a navigator knows how to do that. And even if one of them were here I doubt they'd be willing to help you", Kham said in an apologetic tone. Yugi looked down at his feet. Though he saw the ground beneath them he felt as if he was falling.

"No, no, no! There just has to be a way!", Yugi said. He rushed past Kham but after a few steps his vision blurred. He had to lean against a palm tree for support.

"My lord, please calm down. You're too weak right now", Kham said beside him. Yes, too weak at a moment when he couldn't allow himself to be. Yugi's fingers dug into the bark.

"Kham, what's going on? Why is Bakura your king? Why is he working with Lord Serach? Why did they kidnap me? What…", Yugi said but another wave of pain throbbed through his head. Yugi held his forehead while Kham took his other arm.

"Please, let's sit down, my lord. I'll tell you what I know", Kham said. Yugi let him guide him to the shady shore of the azure lake and sank down to the grass. As Yugi let his hand run over it, it was unexpectedly cool. Kham ran off and returned a little later with a plate with a piece of bread and a small bunch of grapes. Yugi's stomach rumbled at the sight. Right, the last bits of food he had eaten had been from last night. He shuddered as he remembered the bugs Lord Serach had forced him to down.

"Thank you", Yugi said, accepted the plate and chomped into the bread. It was a little dry but Yugi didn't care. Kham sat down across from him and crossed his legs.

"My lord, don't think I'm okay with what's going on. It's just…the money we got out of the bangles you gave us didn't last long. I couldn't find any work in Karnak and here I get at least some food and a place to sleep. But I'm only a servant! Not a warrior! I would never-"

"Even if you were, I wouldn't care right now, Kham. I'm glad to see a familiar face", Yugi said with a weak smile. Kham proudly stretched out his chest. "Now, what's happening? Where is everyone?"

"The king made a deal with that ugly noble so our soldiers got better weapons. Just enough so they could attack the palace and kidnap you. The king now wants to take over Karnak, make it our fortress and chase the commoners into the desert. Like they did it with us a long time ago, you know? But for that the king needs even more arms. That's why he captured you. He's somewhere around Karnak to arrange the deal. The weapons he needs against your life", Kham said. Yugi stopped as he was about to take another bite.

"But once they have Karnak they will attack the palace again and…", Yugi said, staring at the teeth marks he had left on the bread's crust.

"Kill the Pharaoh", Kham whispered. When he saw Yugi's wide eyes he waved his hands around. "But that's only what I think and I'm just-"

"No, you're right", Yugi said and chewed his lip. "Atem would give anything to safe my life, even if it endangers his own. And Bakura knows it …!"

Kham played with the sleeve of his frayed tunic.

"I'm sorry, my lord… Our old king would never have permitted anything like that. But most seem to have forgotten after…", Kham said.

"After what?"

Kham gave him only a glance.

"After the Pharaoh had him killed", Kham whispered and Yugi dropped his bread onto the plate.

"What?! He would never…!", Yugi shrieked.

"Well, from what I heard about the Pharaoh…please don't tell anyone…but I doubt it as well", Kham whispered and checked every direction for eavesdroppers, then turned back to Yugi. "I guess, I best start from the beginning."

Kham cleared his throat.

"Bakura and his brother are actually from another clan…one that has very different views from our old king's. So different that he didn't want anything to do with them. But when he found out that they had been wiped out, he still wanted to see it for himself. Bakura and his brother were little kids and the only survivors. The old king took them in, raised them like sons. They were a family but Bakura and the old king fought a lot.

"Bakura always wanted to attack Egypt for forcing our people to live in the desert over a century ago. The old king rejected his plans and tried his best to teach Bakura better. The old king believed that we should stick to our old ways, no matter what: protect but never attack. We used to be the guardians of Egypt, after all.

"Anyway, about a year ago, the old king was murdered. Bakura saw it himself. The assassin even left a dagger with the Pharaoh's symbol and she was said to have worn it on her clothes as well. The old king had no children of his own but he had Bakura and his brother. So after some fights, Bakura became the new king.

"He stirred up our people against the Pharaoh…not that he had to do much after what had happened. He convinced the majority that we should take revenge for our old king, end our life as nomads and demand the same rights as Egyptians. So we went to Karnak and…you know what happened from there."

In the mean time, Yugi had eaten the bread, put down the plate and thrown one grape after another into his mouth. Now he was picking the remaining stems apart one after another.

"Atem would never have anyone assassinated. Besides, from what you said the old king was the opposite of a threat. So why have him killed?", Yugi said as calmly as he could.

"Exactly. But Bakura promised us a better life in Karnak and most still believe him", Kham said.

"But why would Lord Serach…oh, it's unimportant right now. I need to do something before Bakura can execute his plan! Kham, isn't there someone I can talk to? Someone who is able and willing to stop this before it's too late?", Yugi said. Kham scratched his nose.

"Well, there is Bakura's brother. He's a lot more like the old king, reasonable and peaceful, I mean. I don't know what you could do but he'd listen to you. The only person who would, I think", Kham said.

"Then I must see him. Where is he?", Yugi said.

"Right now he's at another oasis, treating the ones who were injured in the mission. He's our head medic, you know? The best one, we have! But I don't know when he'll come back", Kham said.

"Dammit!", Yugi said and punched the grass. He watched a few birds in the sky. If only Yugi could fly to that other oasis and talk to him. But if there was no way to get to him…he had to make him come here. How could he make a medic…? Yugi snapped his fingers when he realised it. "Kham, I need to get sick!"

"Wh-What?", Kham said, tilting his head.

"I need to get really sick. The deal Bakura wants to make depends on me. So if I catch some mysterious illness all of a sudden, they should send their best medic. They can't afford any less", Yugi said, hoping he was right.

"Uhm…yeah. I guess that's true", Kham said, one hand running through his hair. Neither of them was sure but Yugi knew that it was the best and only chance he had for now. "Let me think…I'm sure there are some water cherries around here. Every child knows they're poisonous. Not deadly but…it won't be pretty."

"Good, please get me some. I have no time to loose", Yugi said and stood up. Only once he looked at his reflection in the lake he noticed that he was still in the skirt and jewellery Lord Serach had made him wear. Anger swelled up in him. He pulled the necklaces over his head and tossed them onto the ground all at once. "And please, if you can, bring me some other clothes. I hate these things."

"Sure. But we don't have anything a noble-"

"I wouldn't care if I had to wear a flower bag right now", Yugi said and freed himself off the heavy belts around his hips. It made him feel much lighter.

Back in the tent, the tunic Kham had gotten him was grey, tattered and too big for Yugi. But he didn't care and swapped it gladly for what Lord Serach had forced him into. Kham gave Yugi a handful of small, round fruits in a soft pink. Yugi decided not to think and threw them all into his mouth at once. He swallowed quickly but even the short contact with his tongue let him know how sour the water cherries were. He shuddered.

Only a little later on, his mouth and throat began to burn. His stomach was slowly starting to feel like a balloon that was being inflated up to the point where it was close to popping. Only instead of air his inner was filled with acid that gnawed on his organs like maggots with razor sharp teeth. Yugi started to sweat and his eyes watered. He sank to the floor, lay down sideways on the furs and curled up.

"Oh boy…these surely do the trick", Yugi whispered and moaned when his entire body cramped up. Kham leaned towards him, brows furrowed in concern.

"I ate them once as a small kid as well. I know how nasty it is", he said. "I'll go tell the guards!"

Kham dashed off and came back a few moments later with two women in tow. One of them was tall and muscular, the other was lean with eyes of a soft brown that reminded Yugi of Layla. The slim woman knelt down next to Yugi and placed a palm on his forehead. He didn't need to act to twist his face in pain.

"Don't get too close! It might be contagious!", the tall one said, her arms crossed.

"My nieces get sick all the time. I'm resistant", the other said. "If it came all of a sudden, maybe it'll go away just as quickly. Sometimes that's just how it is…"

Kham took her arm, his bottom lip quivering.

"But if it's serious, if he dies…!", he said. "Imagine how furious the king would be with us! And his plan would be ruined!"

"The runt is right!", the muscular women behind him said. "We can't let the king down! I don't care about the Pharaoh's pet but the mission…!"

"Exactly!", Kham said, shot up and turned to her. "Better send for the king's brother! He's the best and-"

"I know! Don't try to command me!", she snapped and left the tent. The lean woman was still beside Yugi and gave him a patient smile.

"It's probably for the better. The king's brother can heal almost anything. I'm not saying that because of the mission… I just hope you'll be well, my lord", she said and rose. Yugi looked after her as she left the tent. Kham grinned as he crawled towards Yugi.

"Well done", Yugi croaked. Hopefully the next step would be at least half as easy.

Kham stayed with Yugi the entire time. Yugi felt as if the sun was moving much slower than usual. When it had reached its peak Yugi was still writhing in pain. The convulsions had intensified so much that Yugi felt as if someone was ramming thousands of needles into him from the inside. Yugi cursed over and over while Kham reminded him that he was doing this for every Egyptian and heathen alike and that it would be worth it.

Kham was wiping Yugi's temples when they heard the trampling of horses. Kham got up and opened one of the tent flaps.

"It's really him! My lord, we did it!", Kham said and jumped. Yugi saw from his position only how around that person a cluster of soldiers and servants from every age formed. They were cheering and calling "Welcome back!", "It's an honour!" and "The Gods bless you!". He really was beloved among his people. Good.

Kham rushed back to Yugi and dabbed his face with the wet cloth. Steps came closer. But when Yugi saw who entered the tent his heart stopped and it was as if everything moved in slow motion.

He was wearing wide, beige clothes that covered most of his body. He pulled back the hood, revealing the wild, white hair. His smile was as gentle as the last time Yugi had seen it.

Yugi slowly sat up. Two other people brought in cases, placed them near Yugi, bowed and left. Yugi could still only stare at Bakura's brother.

"Ryou…!", he croaked. The other's eyes widened.

"How do you know my name?", he said. He looked at Kham and his expression softened. "I guess you told him."

"Uhm, no. Actually, I didn't", Kham mumbled. Ryou knelt down on Yugi's other side, opened one of the boxes and began examining him. Yugi blinked a few times until he saw the differences. This Ryou's skin was darker and his eyes a different shade of green. A few faint scars ran over his face but it was still the same. Only now Yugi realised that his heart had started thudding at the encounter and he tried to calm it by breathing deeply.

He shouldn't be surprised, should he? After all, Kaiba, Isis Ishtar, his grandfather had lived previous lives in this time period as well. Just because they hadn't met Ryou in the memory world, it didn't mean he didn't exist here. For a moment Yugi had thought that another piece of his world was here with him. How nice it would have been if it had been true…

"I will make a broth for you out of some herbs It should ease the cramps and calm the burning. Please don't consume anything else for today or you could seriously damage your throat and organs", he said, turned to another case, took a clay bowl and a twig of rosemary out of it and began picking the latter. Yugi's eyes were glued to his fingers, moving skilfully and fast. Just like those of the Ryou in his time, carving the figures and houses for his role playing game.

Wait, what was he doing? He was running out of time! Yugi sat up, even though his innards felt as if someone was twisting a knife in them.

"I must talk to you", he said, trying to sound as firm as Atem when he held a speech. But Yugi's voice was hoarse and shaky. Ryou's brows knitted in worry. He was probably looking too pathetic and even paler than usual but Yugi couldn't let that stop him. "You must stop your brother from taking over Karnak. He can't kill the Pharaoh or anyone else for that matter. From what I heard you believe in peaceful solutions as well. Please, let us work together before anyone else gets hurt!"

Ryou froze.

"My brother won't kill anyone. He promised me", Ryou said and continued plucking the rosemary.

"Yes, he will!", Yugi said, clutching the fur beneath him. Ryou shot him an icy glance.

"How do you want to know? You haven't met him until last night", he said. Yugi chewed his bottom lip. Ryou would never believe the truth.

"Look… Invading the palace and kidnapping me was pretty much a declaration of war! You've been taking care of the wounded, haven't you? You know what's happening better than me! You might be the only person who can still turn this around!", Yugi said.

"My lord, I'm afraid there is no turning back now", Ryou said, eyes on the rosemary twig.

"Yes, there is! Please, talk to him! Don't let him kill anyone else!", Yugi said. Ryou shot up.

"Stop calling my brother a murderer! You don't know him!", he said and stepped into a corner. Yugi attempted to stand up himself. When he struggled, Kham helped him. He watched the confrontation with wide eyes. Yugi wrapped one arm around his aching stomach and placed the other around Kham's shoulder.

"I'm sorry for upsetting you. But don't you see what's at stake here? If he…or one of his followers kills the Pharaoh there will be a civil war. And then hundreds of people will die", Yugi said. Ryou hugged himself. "You have the power to stop all this. I'm sure that the old king…your father would want you to stand up for peace as well. I will help you with the influence I have but you have to take the initiative."

"I will help too!", Kham said, blushing beside Yugi. "I-I may not be as powerful as you two but I will do what I can! And my friends will too!"

Yugi wished he could squeeze Kham in pride but his cramped up body only allowed him to pat his shoulder. Ryou gulped.

"Believe me, I tried to stop him. But I couldn't. Besides, do you think I can convince anyone to go back to the way it was? Living in poverty, eating insects and dirt?", Ryou whispered.

"It doesn't have to be like that again. I know much went wrong in the past but we can still resolve this without anyone losing their life. The Pharaoh will listen if I suggest a peaceful meeting with you representing your people. But first you have to stop your brother. Please…!", Yugi said. Ryou took a deep breath and turned towards them.

"Do you really think I could…", he began but was interrupted by the sound of galloping outside. He shook his head. "I wish you were right but you overestimate my influence. I told you, I tried to talk him out of this but…"

Yugi's mind raced, trying to come up with more arguments. But before he could speak the tent flaps opened and Bakura entered. His and Yugi's gazes met.

"Goodness, and here I thought you were actually dying. That messenger…", he said and sighed.

"You…!", Yugi said, trembling with anger. He remembered how Bakura had aimed his crossbow at Atem, how the arrow had hit him, how he had fallen. Yugi let go off Kham and tried to punch Bakura. But he caught his wrist before it could touch him. "You tried to kill him, you bastard!"

Yugi wriggled, attacked with his other fist but Bakura grabbed it as well. He gave an annoyed sound.

"I aimed for his shoulder. Not his heart", he said and pushed Yugi back onto the furs. The impact couldn't have hurt more if he had landed on a bed of nails. Kham rushed to his side. "If he were dead you'd be useless to me. And as I expected he accepted my conditions without hesitation. Well, one of his advisors did. Your sweetheart is probably wailing like a baby in his pretty palace right now."

He grinned and Yugi glared at him in return. If he hadn't eaten those water cherries he'd claw Bakura's eyes out! Bakura looked at Ryou who had turned to them. The corners of his eyes were glistening.

"What's wrong?", Bakura said.

"Nothing", Ryou said and wiped away the tears. "We just talked and…"

Bakura dashed towards Yugi and seized him by his frayed collar.

"How dare you upset my brother?!", he hissed.

"Please, I'm fine", Ryou said behind him. Bakura glanced at him.

"Go outside. A few of my soldiers need their wounds checked", he said.

"But…", Ryou said, then stopped when his brother didn't blink once. "As you wish."

He exited and Bakura shifted his attention back to Yugi.

"Leave my brother alone!", Bakura hissed. Yugi raised his eyebrows.

"Why? What are you afraid of?", he said.

"Nothing", Bakura said and shoved Yugi back into the pelts. Yugi coughed and it fuelled the fire in his throat. If Bakura got this mad about him talking to Ryou, it meant that he was close to a weak spot. Yugi sat up, Kham supporting him, and decided that he needed to distract Bakura from that subject.

"You said your conditions were accepted. Is it about those weapons?", he said. Bakura smiled.

"So you heard. Yes, it's your life against the entire arsenal of Karnak's guards", he said.

"And with that you will harm even more people!"

"I will bring justice. We will make Karnak ours and then the Egyptians can have a taste of the desert life", Bakura said.

"Don't tell me you'll stop there", Yugi spat and raised his chin.

"You better don't get cocky. But of course I won't stop there. I will take the palace next and kill the Pharaoh, just like he had our old king killed", Bakura said and crossed his arms. Yugi felt his heart sink. Hearing Bakura admit his plan like that was a lot scarier than suspecting it.

"I knew it", Yugi hissed. Ryou was wrong about his brother's intentions and Yugi had to convince him before Atem would…! Yugi swallowed his fear and decided not to show it. He had to fight now. "So, what will happen with me? When will you let me free?"

"I won't", Bakura said. Yugi clenched his teeth. Those prospects were grim but expected as well. "I promised him that you will live. And that you will, with your precious Lord Serach."

Yugi's jaw dropped.

"What?", he whispered, feeling as if he had slammed into a wall.

"He gets you, as it's our deal. What do I know where he will take you once you have played your part as well", Bakura said. "But I'm wasting my time on you. You'll get to see your lover one last time tomorrow in Karnak. Gotta proof that I didn't take your worthless, little life. I don't care if you die after that."

Bakura left the tent with a laugh. To Yugi it was as if the world had gone silent. The idea of Lord Serach bringing him the Gods knew where scared him a lot more than being Bakura's prisoner. He'd rather be locked in a tiny cell and slowly starve than be Lord Serach's slave and get raped.

He couldn't let that happen! He had to act, for Atem, himself and everyone else! How could he convince Ryou to stop his brother?

Later, one of Ryou's assistants brought Yugi the finished broth and gathered the cases he had left behind. Yugi drank the medicine greedily. Even though it was bitter, it felt as if it covered his throat and stomach in a calming balm. Kham fanned him while he enjoyed how the cramps and the burning wore off until they were almost gone.

Yugi covered his eyes with his palms and tried to think. He had only half a day to persuade Ryou. Bakura was lying to his brother about his intentions to kill, probably to keep him from rebelling. He had to tell Ryou the truth. Kham had heard it too, after all. Bakura wanted to murder Atem.

While Yugi recovered, Kham looked around outside. Ryou had treated more wounded, always surrounded by a cluster of people who praised his healing abilities and called him "a gift from the Gods". Afterwards, Bakura had sent him into his guarded tent and forbidden him to leave. That made it even more difficult to reach him but it was another sign of Bakura being worried about Ryou being influenced only slightly.

"I need to talk to him but how?", Yugi mumbled, looking out of his tent when he was feeling better. Ryou's place was on the other side of the lake. Ryou poked his head out now and then but the men with spears seemed to ask him to go back inside every time. Ryou obeyed. Maybe he was eager to talk to Bakura? Or Yugi?

"My lord, what if I eat the water cherries this time?", Kham said behind him. Yugi turned around. "The king's brother said you could seriously hurt yourself if you…well, but I can eat'em!"

"I'm sorry that I have to ask you to do this. But yes, please do", Yugi said. Even if they sent one of Ryou's assistants they could at least deliver a message to him.

"I'll do all I can to help you, my lord! I'll be right back!", Kham said and dashed off. Outside another group of riders arrived on trampling horses. Two men lifted an apparently heavy box from a cart. Kham jumped over the box, almost causing the two men to lose their balance. They cursed and Kham called an apology over his shoulder. Yugi thanked the Gods for Kham as his ally!

He dropped the tent flaps and began pacing the room. Which approach towards Ryou would be most effective? Best start slowly and patiently. Once he got him to listen he would confront him with the confession Bakura had made. Surely Kham could add many good points as someone who belonged to the same people. He only needed…

Someone entered and Yugi expected to see Kham. But shock paralyzed him when he saw who it really was. Clad in an ugly, crimson tunic, a wide, purple cape around his shoulders and the ever so slimy smile on his lips.

"Hello, my doll", Lord Serach said.