A/N: I don't own Yugioh!

Waaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! FF.net deleted my best fic, "Demon Tears"! And I lost over more than 100 reviews! *sobs* And worst of all, I don't even know what I did wrong! (Maybe I uploaded too much.?)

Before the story begins, let me wallow in my self-pity for a moment. (10 min. later.)

Okie! Now please enjoy reading!

~*~

Bakura shivered as Egypt's cold, night air embraced him in its frigid hold. The tomb-robber wrapped his arms around himself in an attempt to keep warm, though to no avail. Up above, the star twinkled in response, as if laughing at his ludicrous endeavor in trying to avoid the inevitable freezing atmosphere. To make matters worse, there wasn't a shelter of any sort in sight, leaving Bakura alone in the desert devoid of food, water, and warmth.

The albino sighed in defeat as he glared at the sand before him; a cool zephyr picked up, swirling the tiny speck of gold around him. There was no way he could survive in this cursed land; true, he could easily escape a trap-inducted pyramid or a hundred palace guards, but this is absurd! He was fighting against nature, for goodness sakes!

Groaning, Bakura tried to make an effort of getting some sleep, for several potential reasons: a) he needed to conserve his energy, and b) if he was going to die, he didn't want to be awake to experience it.

But his little enterprise was short-lived, for there was suddenly a faint galloping sound - seemingly like hooves trampling against the rough Egypt sand - that was soon followed by many others. Bakura strained his ears for farther speculation, though didn't need to. The pounding amplified rapidly, and became the dominant and only sound in his ears.

The thief contemplated his future actions for a moment, deciding whether to remain quiet and wait for his death, or to call for help and then kill the riders. Apparently, the former outweighed the rest.

Standing up and dusting the sand off his ragged clothes, Bakura advance toward the mysterious incomers.

***

"Sir, we've spotted a person about 20 yards ahead out us," a soldier clad in a gold-encrusted armor reported dutifully.

"Yes, I see," Yami answered, and for just a second, a glimmer of hope past through him. Maybe it was Yugi! But that hope faded as quickly as it had come when another thought sprung up: why in the world would Bakura leave Yugi out in the desert where he was visible as a camel in a palace? 'But still.' Yami tried to convinced himself, 'maybe.just maybe.'

So after confirming that Ryou had a steady hold, he led his army platoon out toward the unknown individual.

There was a brief silence as Ryou hesitated, then the quietness disappeared as the soft question was asked, "Who do you think it is, Yami?"

"Anyone that would come out to the middle of the desert at night would probably be insane, if you ask me," Yami snorted.

An almost inaudible whisper sounded from behind Yami.

"I was in the desert."

The pharaoh tugged on the reigns and slowed down his horse. Turning his head slightly, he glances at Ryou, who had his head hung and not daring to meet his eyes. But there was a sorrowful shine in those chocolate orbs.

"I." Yami trailed off, uncertain of what to say. ".sorry.I didn't mean to provoke your feelings." Then he swiftly turned back to the road ahead.

Needless to say, Ryou was speechless. He thought - he was almost positive - that the almighty ruler was going to slap him, or even worse, abandon him in this middle of nowhere. But instead, by some twisted fate, the young king _apologized_! Rumors had said that Yami was ruthless, cold, and uncompassionate, yet.

The gentle white-haired boy shook his head. How confusing this was getting! Instead, Ryou concentrated on the distant figure they had discovered.

***

A pair of dark, hazel orbs widened in surprise as well as fear when the owner distinguished the 'intruders'.

"What in the seven hells?! It's the pharaoh and his blasted minions!" Bakura sputtered as he squinted to confirm his words.

Yep. How could anyone miss the discernible crown of red and black?

The tomb-robber cursed, then in a frantic instant, snapped around and started running. There was no way he was going to get Yami catch him. Hell, he would rather die a painful death under the scorching sun with a bunch of lizards and desert critters than let the pharaoh throw him in a dungeon and then impale him!

'Like what he did to my father,' Bakura thought bitterly as he trekked across the sand.

Just to make his little escapee even more challenging, the specks of bronze that covered the ground fell at his weight, capturing his feet in a tenacious hold. And with each step, the sea of sand scrapped at the naked skin that lay exposed from the thin straw sandals.

But those were only small worries compared to what would happen to him if he was caught. One thing's for certain, though; there was going to be a whole lot of red if that was to happen.

***

"He's getting away, sir! We had to follow---"

"Don't you think I know that?!" Yami snapped at the soldier, who immediately clamped up.

In the last few seconds, the person was found to be none other than the conniving thief otherwise known as Bakura. Actually, it was his white- hair that gave his identity away. Come on, how many Egyptians do you see have _white_ hair?

Yami slapped his horse with a whip, commanding it to go faster. And, obeying it's master, the graceful black stallion sailed forward, out running all the other horses as well as the soldiers riding them.

No more than three minutes had past when the almighty pharaoh caught up to Bakura. Yami had to admit, the thief was a pretty fast runner, but no one - human or animal - can run faster than his mount.

Bakura growled as the dark stallion intercepted his escape route, and instinctively spinning around to made a backward trip, he cursed loudly when the entire Egyptian army surrounded him.

A warrior quickly dismounted from his own hazel steed and, wavering a hand over his sword, approached Bakura.

The albino made no attempt to escape, for no matter how much he loathed the young king, he knew that he would be dead in less than ten seconds flat if he was suspected of trying anything suspicious. Better make that five seconds.

So instead, he settled for staring daggers at the royal fighter as he was roughly forced on his knees in front of Yami.

"Your majesty! What shall I do with this conniving, pathetic snake?" the soldier asked, harshly kicking Bakura in the ribs and emitting a soft grunt.

Yami gazed down at his captive with sparking anger. Red clouded his already crimson eyes, making them seem even more intimidating than before. His golden bangs seemed to become electrified, shooting upwards with renewed energy. Even Ryou let go of his hold on him and back away as far as he could on the horse.

Scrambling off the stallion, Yami drew his jewel-embedded sword from his belt and placed it dangerously close to Bakura's neck.

Glaring eye-to-eye with the tomb robber, he articulated each word with fiery rage.

"Where. Is. Yugi?"

Bakura glared back at the pharaoh, chocolate eyes holding the same hate for the other. Then, switching his gaze to the sandy ground, he mumbled, "I don't know."

Slap!

Bakura cried out in more surprise in pain as a hand smacked him on the cheek, leaving a large, raw handprint. He fell face first into the sand, feeling the hot yellow grains seep into his mouth and shirt.

Spitting out a mouthful of tiny rocks and dirt, he glowered at Yami.

"I told you, I don't know where he is! Pegasus kidnapped him!"

Yami was about to slap Bakura again when he suddenly stopped and stared at the white-haired boy. Bakura shifted under the uncomfortable, impassive look.

Finally, Yami whispered almost inaudibly, "What?"

Bakura started when he was swiftly grabbed by his shirt collar and right in front of Yami's snarl-etched face.

"What do you mean you lost him?!" Yami's voice became louder and louder, until he was practically yelling in Bakura's ear. Scratch that. He _was_ yelling in Bakura's ear.

"How could you loose him?! What kind of thief are you?! After I spent days looking for the person I love, I find not my koi but a lonely, worthless tomb robber! Ra, why is this happening to me! Curse you, Bakura! And curse you, Pegasus! When I find you, you're going to be wishing you've never been born!"

Now Yami was rambling. Bakura imperceptibly slipped out of reach of the sword, which was wavering back and forth beside his neck. He really didn't want to be killed by an insane pharaoh.

"Uh.Yami? I think it's best that you calm down. Besides, how will Yugi be saved if you loose your senses?" Bakura glanced up at the soft voice.

He gasped.

Seating on the black stallion was an almost exact replica of himself! The same snowy-white hair, slightly pointed nose, and eyes that were only a shade lighter.

The thief continued to gap at Ryou, who was unaware of the fact that he was being watched.

Meanwhile, Yami had taken the slave's advise and lowered his anger a notch.

"You're right, Ryou," he sighed. "Becoming a maniac won't help at all. But I was so hopeful!"

Hesitantly, Ryou placed a pale hand on Yami's shoulder.

"It's already," he murmured, attempting to soothe the young king. "We'll find Yugi."

Unknown to anyone, Bakura smiled to himself.

'So.Ryou's his name. I think I'll need to have a little.chat.with him.'

~*~

YK: Done! Sorry if it's short, but I just _had_ to finish this and upload it today or else it'll be like another month before I actually get to it again. That's why it was kind of rushed and bad. Oh, and I just finished a chapter for a story I'm writing for English, so I'm sort of _really_ fed up with writing right now.

Yami: .

Yami: I liked "Demon Tears" better

YK: *sighs* Me too.

Yami: Oh well! That means less torturing for me!

YK: (smacks Yami on the head) Hey! Watch it! If FF.net hadn't---

Yami: (drops a piano on YK to shut her up)

YK: x_x

Yami: .Please R&R to make YK feel better.