Jaid: MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY HANAKUAH! HAPPY KAWANZA! And if you don't celebrate any of these...HAVE A NICE DAY!!! ^__^

Okay, explanation time. I've been overloaded with homework, sick, my car broke down three times (it's still in the garage) and I just got a job. And I spent a lovely time in the Emergency Room a couple of days ago while those doctors poked all kinds of things in me and made me very uncomfortable AND THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG!!! -__-

On the plus side, I got to see Return of the King the day before it came out and my mommy bought me the Pirates of the Caribbean DVD and I bought my self a YYH DVD with my tip money. ^__^ (I'm a hostess).

ER...anyway, here is the story. The next chapter will be out very soon because it's all ready written! Yay! ^__^

*********************************

Rei was surrounded by darkness; a tangible, suffocating darkness shot through with streaks of red and purple. Opening her mouth, she tried to scream, but no sound came forth. Something was still pulling at her and she struggled wildly, more out of instinct thin rational thought.

'Let me go!' she inwardly railed. 'Let me go back! Ryou!!!

***

Malik entered the room where the bodies were kept and stopped, his eyes narrowing.

One was missing.

***

Tea followed Serenity towards the prince's apartments, her step and spirit light. She had been so worried! The two girls entered the room and the prince stood, a little shakily to greet them. Tea stopped short. Serenity paused and looked back at her in confusion, before remembering that she was a servant and supposed to be bowing.

The prince smiled, a little wearily. "Greetings, Tefnut. You look well."

"Thank you." Tea managed. The young man's eyes…they were crimson, not violet. And his bearing…the way he stood, held his head…it wasn't her Yugi.

"Tefnut, what's wrong?" the prince asked, stepping towards her. "You've gone pale."

"Have I?" Tea blinked, then tried to get a hold of herself. "I'm sorry…" she forced a smile. "I'm glad you are all right. I was…I was very worried."

The prince nodded slowly. "Well, I'm recovering."

Ankhkare, who had been standing in the background, stepped forward. "You should sit, Highness." He said in a gently chiding voice. The young man obeyed, but his eyes stayed on Tea. The girl dropped her gaze, absentmindedly toying with the edge of her shawl.

"Your eyes…" the prince said quietly. Tea looked back up. The prince met her gaze.

"They've changed." He stated simply, and then his own crimson ones narrowed slightly, as if he were trying to see something inside of her. Tea bit her lip, feeling slightly panicked, though she wasn't sure why. She just felt that she wanted to be away as quickly as possible.

"Highness, with your permission, I will escort Princess Tefnut back to her rooms; she seems ill." Ankhkare quietly said. The prince withdrew his sharp gaze and nodded.

"Very well." He looked back at Tea and smiled a little. "I hope to see you sometime tomorrow then."

Tea managed a polite answer and left the room, Ankhkare following close behind, Serenity behind him.

The three silently made their way to the rooms that Tea called her own for now and she sat on a couch. Ankhkare knelt in front of her, peering into her face with concern.

"What ails you?" he asked quietly.

"I…" Tea blinked and shook her head. "I am just tired."

Ankhkare cocked his head, inspecting her for a few more moments before standing. "Do you have a headache?"

"No."

"Light headedness? Dizziness?"

"A little."

Ankhkare nodded. "Then rest tonight. If it keeps up though, please tell me, princess."

"I will." Tea promised. The physician bowed and then left. Serenity walked forward and sat on the couch next to her.

"What is it, Tea?"

"That wasn't Yugi." Tea answered. "It was…It was Yami…"

Serenity blinked, then her green eyes widened. "Oh! You mean Yugi's…"

"Gone." Tea's voice quavered a little. "He's gone. I just hope…I just hope he's home…"

***

Sunlight streamed through the broken places in the shutters of the windows, casting odd shaped splashes of light on the walls, floor and people asleep. On the floor, Mokuba shifted and murmured something in his sleep.

A few minutes later, Katya's grey eyes opened and she sat up carefully, so as not to disturb Rebecca. The little girl moved a little and Katya paused, but when Rebecca didn't move again, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood. Cautiously stepping around the boys, she opened the door and stepped out into the front room.

Shadi sat at the table, forehead resting on his hand. He looked up as Katya came in.

"Good morning." He said. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes." Katya answered. "Should I make breakfast?"

"If you want. I think Ankh started." Shadi said. Katya nodded and stepped into the kitchen. Sure enough, Ankh was there, starting a fire. The healer looked up as Katya came in and smiled.

"Hi. I'm here to help." She stated, stooping next to him. "What should I do?"

Back in the bedroom, Mokuba sat up, rubbing his eyes. Standing he went over to the bed and shook the girl in it. "Becca. Becca, get up."

"Huh?" an eye peeked open. "Arg, Mokuba, whaddya want?"

"You to get up." Mokuba stated, sounding a little peevish. "And be quiet; you'll wake up Yugi."

"If I have to wake up, then why can't he?" Rebecca muttered, turning away. Mokuba scowled and shook her again.

"Come on, I don't want to be by myself with all the grown ups."

"Go 'way." Rebecca said.

"Becca-"

"No!" the girl yelled. Mokuba jumped and glanced over at Yugi. The boy was still asleep; he hadn't even twitched. Mokuba frowned; was Yugi that sound of a sleeper?

"Becca, I think something's wrong."

"Again?" Rebecca said to her pillow.

"Just get up."

Rebecca sat up and glowered at him. "I hate you."

"Whatever." Mokuba said, digging around in her back-pack. He tossed a hair brush at her. Rebecca yelped as it hit her hand and fell to the floor. Sliding down, she stooped and picked it up. Undoing her pigtails, she began to run the brush through her blonde locks, wincing through the tougher tangles.

Mokuba, meanwhile, knelt next to Yugi and hesitantly shook him. Nothing; not even the bat of an eyelash. An uncomfortable feeling came over Mokuba and he shook Yugi harder. Same reaction.

"Think he's dead?" Rebecca asked. Mokuba glared up at her.

"Don't say things like that." He ordered. Rebecca, who was still feeling grumpy, stuck her tongue out at him. Mokuba made a face back, and then shook Yugi again, this time calling his name.

"Check to see if he's breathing." Rebecca offered helpfully. Mokuba held his hand just over Yugi's mouth and nose.

"Yeah, he is." The boy sat back on his heels and scratched his head. "I don't get it."

"Maybe we should ask that guy with the turban." Rebecca suggested. Mokuba stood.

"Yeah, okay."

***

Rei was exhausted; this struggle was becoming harder and harder, as if she were swimming in quickly hardening syrup. Slowly, her resolve was breaking and she found it easier to just be pulled along with whatever had brought her here, when Ryou's face would come up before her and she was continue to fight.

But now her limbs were shaking and her breath was rapid and labored. 'I can't do this for much longer…' she thought distantly. 'I can't…no! I have too…go back…' But her body wouldn't listen and simply shut down. Rei railed inwardly, but her limbs wouldn't listen and she was pulled along…till a bright light came towards her, eating away the darkness. Rei closed her eyes against the brightness and it dimmed. Opening her eyes, she saw a dim room made of mud bricks; although her vision was very blurred. And in front of her…

"Ryou?" she said and was slightly surprised to find that her voice wasn't quite as weak as she felt.

"No." the figure answered, his low voice sounding labored and tired as her body felt. "No…he's not here."

"Bakura…" Rei murmured. "How? Why…" But her eyes closed and darkness overtook her. Too tired to resist, Rei gave into it, slumping forward. Bakura caught her and held her, even though he too was tired. He hadn't expected that pulling Rei's soul back would be such a fight; or that the girl would have such a strong will to stay. It had taken him almost all night and now he was worn out. Sitting back against the wall, Rei against him, Bakura let his head lower. Holding Rei like this and closing his eyes, he could almost believe he was back with Bener…

***

"Shadi! Shadi!" a chorus of youthful voices rang through the air, causing the guardian to look up. Mokuba and Rebecca ran in and he allowed a small smile for them.

"We might have a problem." Mokuba said worriedly. Shadi's smile vanished and he knelt down.

"What problem?" he asked seriously.

"It's Yugi." Rebecca answered. "He won't wake up."

Shadi was quiet, then stood. "Rebecca, go and get Ankh; he's in the kitchen. Mokuba come with me."

The little blonde girl ran towards the kitchen, while Mokuba followed Shadi to the bedroom. The turbaned man knelt next to Yugi. In a few moments, the green-haired healer had appeared and went down on his knees like Shadi had.

"He's not waking still?" Ankh asked. Shadi shook his head.

"I may need to enter his mind…to make sure." The man said. Ankh nodded and disappeared into the Item. Shadi took the Ankh and entered the soul room of Yugi.

It was split in half, a blue door on one side and a darker door on the other. Both were closed. Shadi hesitated, then knocked on the blue door. A few minutes later, he repeated the action.

"He won't hear you."

Shadi turned to see Yami. The spirit walked closer to him. "It's the shock of coming back to his body so quickly; it's worn on him. He needs rest."

Shadi nodded. "Thank you. I was…worried."

Yami smiled slightly. "So was I."

Shadi nodded again, then made to exit.

"Guardian."

The man turned. Yami sighed. "I should tell you what happened last night."

There was a slight flicker in Shadi's ice blue eyes. "Perhaps you should."

Yami nodded. "Very well."

***

Ryou stood outside of Rei's room, feeling sick. 'What happened?' he thought. 'Why did she just collapse like that?'

A servant walked past him into the room, carrying a bowl of water. Ryou hardly saw her. He was looking at the floor of mud brick, but he didn't see that either. All he could see was Rei's pale face, the look of panic in her brown eyes and then the horrible way she had gone completely still.

Ryou wrapped his arms around his stomach and closed his eyes, praying to whoever would hear.

***

The market place had been busy since dawn. Many women had done their shopping just as the sun was rising so as too provide breakfast to those at home. But it didn't empty after that; more and more people were coming and going, their noise signifying that the city was awake.

Through the crowd, two figures made their way slowly. One was taller than the other, cloaked in deep violet; the other in the common dusty white.

"We are almost there." Rishid murmured. Isis nodded, almost happily. As tired as she was, she looked forward to seeing Shadi and hopefully some of the others again.

Soon, the busy section of town was left behind as they headed towards more residential areas.

******

No notes again; I need to get back to my accounting homework and clean my room before I get ready for work. *sweatdrop* lol.

Reviewer Response:

Chaos Babe: lol!! That's a great idea! ^__^

Black Mistress: Coolies!! I can't wait to see it. *dances* Bet I looked different than you expected huh? Lol, sorry Bakura, but Ryou's just more cute than you are. ^__~

Dr. Vorlon: That's probably a good idea. *sweatdrop*

Coco Strawberry: Thank you! Hm, I tried watching a soap opera once, but it was too confusing because if you miss an eppy, your sort of left in the dust going, "huh?" Oh, we can do that! YAMI!

Yami: Yes?

Bow for Coco here.

Yami: *blink* Er...why?

-__- Because she is one of my favorite reviewers that's why. And I'll take away your Dark Magician if you don't.

Yami: O.o...you'll make Yugi cry if you do.

Oh darn. Forgot about that...

Yami: *shrugs, then bows* Pleased to meet you, Lady Coco.

^__^ Isn't he nice?

Aura Black Chan: Yeah I know, he is. Bakura is in some ways experiencing far more confusion than Ryou because all these things he's kept locked inside for so long are suddenly coming to the surface. Maybe I should let him see Bener again, just for a bit, ne?

Amberliz: *glomp* I MISS YOU!!! *sob* We need to talk again; I'll try to e-mail you...ooh, wait, you just signed into messenger! Yaya!

Indigo: I'm writing it now! I'm calling it "Eyes of Blue" and I'll probably start posting it as soon as Sands of Time is done.