Author Notes:
TM: Hello again our lovely readers! I apologise for the amount of time this chappie has taken me to finish… making you wait so long… I'm very sorry.
LB: So you bloomin' well should be, slacker!
TM: Hey! I've been busy with exams and stuff!
LB: Yeah, excuses, excuses.
TM: *pokes tongue out at LB* Oooh oooh! Anyway to make up for it I have a special treat (or not) for you. An extra long chappie *beams*
LB: Woohoo!
TM: I had a lot of fun writing this chappie *sniggers* and I owe it all to my little spark of silver haired inspiration. Isn't that right, Bishy-kun?
Silver Haired Bishi: Yes your great Muffininess.
LB: Aaww how sweet. Anyway we've been neglecting to do this so a big thanks to all our reviewers.
TM: Thank you! We loooove you ^^. *squeezes the Silver Haired Bishi happily*
LB: *blinks* Yeah… That reminds me… I haven't seen the Dark Magician or Cano…Celtic Guardian around lately.
TM: They'll turn up
LB: What makes you so sure?
TM: *holds up incriminating love poems* I swiped them from the Dark Magician's robe. They'll realise any moment now.
screams can be heard emanating from off screen
LB: Eeeexcellent *clicks her fingers and her bishi corps arm themselves with the bishi-catching nets* While we catch ourselves some bishis, please read and enjoy. Oh, and don't forget to R&R peeps.
TM: *jumping around with the Silver Haired Bishi* R&R! R&R! R&R! Yaaaaaay!
LB: *sweat drops* Well…on with the fic!
Disclaimer: We've said it once and we've said it again, neither of us own Yu-gi-oh!
Extra Note: A little bit more shounen ai than usual, you lucky devils, you.
Chapter 6 by The Muffin
The water slowly came to the boil as Malik sifted through the various spices in which to flavour his morning bath. Usually this task would have been carried out by the servants but Malik had seen Rashid perform this duty enough times while he was growing up to know how to do it himself. He had even leant a hand on several occasions when he was certain his father would not find out so he had a basic idea of which spices had what effect. Malik lifted the bubbling pot off of the simmering coals and poured the water into the smooth golden basin, after which he added a rather sweet smelling spice well known for its relaxing qualities. The pharaoh may have been a pompous jerk but he certainly knew how to cater for his guests. After waiting for the water to cool down to a desirable temperature, Malik lowered himself into the sweet smelling liquid. He could feel the spice instantly taking effect as he submerged his bronzed skin beneath the surface of the fragrant bath water until only his shoulders and head remained untouched. Resting his neck on the rim of the basin, Malik let his mind wonder over the experiences of the past few days. He was surprised at how little the Pharaoh's guards checked up on them. Yami must have insisted that his new guests be left to their own devises. The only time the guards came was while they were escorting the servants with food for them and then they left straight after. Yami seemed a lot more… well a lot more like Yugi in this age. Naïve and trusting but with a great burden forced upon him. No wonder he was an easy target for assassination.
It still all seemed slightly unreal to the fair haired Egyptian, like a light dream that he would wake up from any moment now to find himself back in his bedroom in Domino City, his yami snoring loudly beside him. Though a part of him hoped that this was the case, another part of him felt differently; the part that was grateful for this opportunity to get closer to Bakura's timid hikari.
Malik closed his eyes and stretched leaning his head further over the edge of the golden basin, allowing the tips of his blonde hair to brush lightly against the floor, enjoying the full effect of the sweet smelling spice. He hadn't had a bath this good in a long while. Not since his younger days back in Egypt. They just didn't sell spices like these in the streets of Domino. Maybe Shadi would allow him to take a bottle or two back with them when the time came for him and Ryou to return to the present. Probably not… That boring Mystic would most likely come up with some excuse about changing the fabric of history. Anything to spoil other peoples' fun.
"Malik?"
The small voice pulled Malik from his dreamlike state, stopping him in mid stretch. The baffled Egyptian's eyes fluttered open to see the upside down form of Ryou, readily dressed in his white linen skirt, standing awkwardly in the doorway.
"GYAAAH!! R…Ryou! What the hell do you think you're doing?!!" The flustered Egypitian demanded splashing water everywhere in a vain attempt to get himself into a more covered up position.
"Er well… I needed to ask you something…"
"Can't you ask me later, Ryou!" Malik exclaimed heatedly. "I don't know if you've noticed but I'm kind of in the middle of something here!"
"Oh!" Ryou's cheeks flushed a deep crimson as if it was the first time he had noticed Malik's current predicament. "Gomen na sai! I didn't realise!"
"Didn't realise?!" Malik could feel his face burning from ear to ear as he cursed himself for ever taking bubble bath for granted. "What kind of idiot are you?!"
Malik regretted the words as soon as he uttered them as he saw the telltale glisten of tears begin to well in the corners of his angelic companion's eyes.
"I… I'm sorry…" the white haired boy muttered quietly, keeping his eyes uncomfortably focused on the floor. "I'll wait till you're done… Gomen…"
Malik could feel his rapid heart beat slow as he watched the admonished Ryou shuffle back quickly from the doorway and disappear into the other room.
"Ryou…" Malik sighed as he reluctantly dragged himself out of his well-needed bath and pulled the thin cotton robe provided by the Pharaoh over his smooth wet skin.
…,,,***~***,,,…
It was early morning and Dr Rufus Orson was not in the best of moods. The previous night had pushed his usually well-kept temper right to the edge leaving him on the verge of snapping at anything that moved. He had finally managed to make the teenagers leave assuring them that their presence would only hinder the work of the doctors, however he still couldn't shake the feeling that those two disturbing new comers, the foreign one and the one with long white hair, were still lurking around somewhere. Dr Rufus Orson shook his head and turned his attention back to the rectangular clipboard in his hands.
"Well?"
The tense doctor looked up over the edge of the clipboard and into the purple, questioning eyes of the tri-colour haired boy sitting by the patient's bedside. The doctor may have been able to get the others to leave but this one was a different story.
Despite the doctor and nurses' efforts, the boy had refused to leave the side of his "hikari" and threatened to abolish anyone who dared try to make him do so, while precariously waving a pyramid shaped block in their faces. Dr Rufus Orson decided against any further attempt to remove the boy, suspecting his mentality to be somewhat questionable. His suspicions were confirmed however when the boy then proceeded to scream abuse at the "demonic" heart rate monitor every time it beeped. It took Dr Rufus Orson a full 20 minutes to explain that the machine wasn't any threat to his small companion… though it would have taken less time if the boy had not kept trying to link everything the doctor said to some stupid card game and something called… the shallow realm? This boy was eccentric to say the least…
"Well what is wrong with him?!" the boy demanded again. For such a shrimp he sure was domineering.
Dr Rufus Orson passed his clipboard to the nurse and cleared his throat.
"Well the results from the blood test we took are back though so far they have come up negative. No foreign bodies within the plasma, the right concentration of red and white bl…" the look of utter confusion on the boy's face brought the doctor's explanation to a premature stop and he sighed frustratedly. "Simply put we don't know what's wrong with him."
"What do you mean you don't know what's wrong with him?!" the boy asked angrily "I told you what was wrong with him! He's been…"
"Yes, yes." Dr Rufus Orson interrupted with a raise of his hand "He's been struck by shallow magic but…"
"Shadow magic"
Dr Rufus Orson's eye twitched dangerously "Yes… *shadow* magic… my apologies…" he muttered through clenched teeth. Is perfect prestige really worth all this? "but er… that only explains what is wrong with him… spiritually. We need to find out what's wrong with him biologically."
"There's a difference?" the boy asked sincerely
"Why yes, of course." Dr Rufus Orson explained in his most genuine voice. "You see, if we find out what is wrong with him biologically… he er… he will then be cured spiritually."
"Of course!" the boy exulted "It's all so clear to me now"
"Uh huh… sure it is… so as I was saying we are not sure what is wrong with him… biologically. As far as all the tests we have taken on him go, there seems to be nothing wrong with him. It's almost as if he is just sleeping except…"
"Except what?"
"Well it's his eyes." He leaned over the bed and gently opened the unconscious boys left eye. "The irises are completely white."
"They look so lifeless…" the boy agreed sternly trying to fight back the tears forming in his deep purple eyes.
"Like he's lost his soul…" The nurse interjected.
This comment was met with a roar of sceptic laughter from the practical doctor. Yami however was not amused.
…,,,***~***,,,…
Ryou was sitting quietly on the long red chair in the middle of the main chamber when Malik walked in tying the rope of his robe around his waist. He stopped when he saw Ryou and blushed at the memory of what had just past between them. He could not remember ever feeling this awkward before… not even when Isis had caught him and Marik on the washing machine that time.
"Look…er…I'm sorry." Malik muttered taking a step closer to Ryou, "I didn't mean to shout at you like that. You surprised me…"
Ryou shock his head, his white hair falling over his face, obscuring his porcelain features.
"No, it was my fault… I forgot my manners… I'm sorry."
Malik sighed feeling no less guilty for chiding his friend. He couldn't see Ryou's face through the mass of snowy white hair but he could tell that the boy's expression was troubled. Malik sat down on the long chair and placed a reassuring hand on Ryou's bare shoulder
"Well… you wanted to ask me something, right?"
Ryou nodded without looking up.
"What was it you wanted to ask me?"
After a moments silence Ryou spoke up.
"Do you…" Ryou hesitated as he stared down at his hands. Malik watched Ryou's every movements nervously. He was unsure of where this conversation was going but he had his suspicions. He looked down at his own hands and waited for Ryou to continue.
"Do you…" the white haired boy continued softly, "Do you ever think we'll make it home?"
Malik blinked questionably. That was not the question he thought Ryou was going to ask and he felt slightly ashamed and stupid because of it.
"That's what you wanted to ask me?" Malik asked trying to hide the disappointment in his voice.
Ryou nodded silently waiting for an answer.
"Well… Of course we will!" Malik smiled reassuringly as he reached out and gently brushed the white curtain of hair behind Ryou's ear. He was right about one thing. Ryou did look troubled. "I mean…why wouldn't we? You heard what Shadi said. We stop the assassination, we go home."
"I know…" Ryou replied quietly. "But I don't think our yamis are going to let us stop them that easily…"
"Our yamis? Hah! Those two can't even get a puzzle off of a high school shrimp let alone successfully assassinate a Pharaoh protected by guards and not to mention the royal grumpmeister himself, Kaiba."
"Yes but now we are in their time." Ryou persisted, "They have the advantage here… and here they don't… need us. What makes you think that it will be so easy?"
Ryou was trying his hardest to keep his voice from sounding hysterical, Malik could hear it. He was trying to think of a suitable reason to support his optimism when Ryou did something completely unexpected. With a sudden sob, the snowy angel threw himself into Malik's chest, clutching the fabric of the startled Egyptian's robe, tears streaming uncontrollably down his soft cheeks. All the troubles and worries of the past few days that had been building up inside of him being released with each strangled sob and bitter tear. This sudden burst of emotion took Malik entirely off guard and he stared down at the white-haired boy in astonishment.
"What if we can never get back?!" Ryou sobbed into Malik's chest, his tears staining the lining of the white robe a sorrowful grey, "I wish I could believe you…but…What if I can never see my friends, or my father or…or my yami again?!"
Malik looked down at the sobbing white mass desperately slumped against his chest. Seeing no other way to calm him, Malik took Ryou's pale, tear soaked chin in his hand and tilted his head up to look him directly in the eyes.
"Ryou, listen to me…"
Ryou's sobs died down as he stared back into the lilac eyes of his comforter then nodded to indicate that he was listening.
"If that's all that is worrying you…" Malik continued softly. He felt totally out of character however, the proud Malik Ishtar would have to swallow his pride just this once. Ryou needed support. "…Then your tears are wasted. Maybe if you were alone this task would be impossible but you seem to forget that I'm here. No matter what our yamis try…trickery, violence, whatever. By Ra I never thought that I would say this… but I will not let them lay a finger on Yami! I promise I'll get us… I promise that I'll get you home."
"Malik-kun…"
The two boys sat quietly staring into each other's eyes. Coffee mirrored in lilac…lilac reflected in coffee. Then, as if by some force of gravity, Malik found his face… his lips… moving closer to Ryou's. The room around seem to dissolve away slowly until only the two boys and the long red couch remained in their own pocket of existence as their lips…
"ARRGGH!!" Malik yelled causing Ryou to jump with fright and fall off the chair as the purple-eyed cat leapt form out of nowhere and landed forcefully on Malik's lap. Malik winced in pain as the claws sank deeper through the thin fabric of his robe and into the flesh of his thigh.
"What in…why you horrid little...!" He was about to strangle the rambunctious feline when Ryou snatched it from his lap and held the creature close to his chest.
"Calm down, Malik." Ryou pleaded, "It's just a cat! It didn't mean any harm."
The cat purred contently as Ryou delicately stroked its head and back.
"See? It just wants some attention."
"Maybe not to you." Malik muttered darkly, rubbing the claw indentations on his legs. He lifted up his hand and examined his fingertips. "Oh great! I'm bleeding!"
The wounded Egyptian held up his fingers to Ryou as proof but his companion wasn't listening anymore. The cat had suddenly gotten agitated and was trying to squirm its way out of his arms. With a final effort, the cat managed to leap out from Ryou's hold and ran towards the door. It then turned and looked back at them, desperation glistering in its purple eyes. Ryou walked over to the chamber door and opened it wide enough to let the cat squeeze out. However, the cat remained where it was, staring up at Ryou with its desperate eyes. Ryou looked down at the immobile feline inquisitively.
"Go on then." He cooed motioning to the opening. The cat still didn't move. Malik looked over at the scene unamused as he picked out his black boxers from the pile of clothes that he had left in the middle of the floor last night.
"Is there something wrong?" Ryou asked the cat kindly.
Malik nearly fell over when he heard those words. To his further surprise, the cat sprang to its feet, meowed excitedly, then bolted out of the doorway.
"I think it wants something." Ryou mused.
"What are you talking about?" Malik muttered as he pulled his black boxers on under the cotton robe. "It's just a stray cat…and an annoying one at that."
"Let's follow it." Ryou suggested.
Malik stared at Ryou blankly. "You're kidding, right?"
"Come on, Malik!" Ryou said excitedly as he disappeared through the doorway.
"Hey wait, you fool! You're meant to be a slave! You can't just… oh for Ra's sake…"
Malik quickly discarded the white cotton robe and pulled the cream tunic over his head. With one swift movement, he snatched up the blue robe then scrambled for the door. As an afterthought, Malik doubled back and grabbed the collar, which Ryou had left on the side, then followed quickly after its owner.
Malik didn't have to run far until he crashed into the back of Ryou sending them both sprawling across the floor.
"What in Thoth's name do you think you're doing, Ryou?!" Malik growled as he lifted himself off the floor and looked straight up into the eyes of Yami.
"Y… Your greatness!" Malik bowed as he hastily motioned for Ryou to stay down on the floor, "What a pleasure this is."
"You insolent curs!" Seto barked as he stepped out from behind the Pharaoh and glared menacingly at Malik who tried desperately not to shrink back from the onslaught of the taller Egyptian. "This is the royal palace of the great Pharaoh and you…!"
"Stand down, Seto." Yami ordered with a stern look at his high priest. Seto looked as though he was about to complain then obviously thought better of it since he gave a solemn bow then took a step away from Malik. Yami turned his attention back to the two foreigners. When his eyes fell on Ryou, he smiled warmly. "You may rise, slave."
Ryou remained where he was, not being able to understand Ancient Egyptian, until Malik hissed at him to stand. Quickly, Ryou scrambled to his feet but kept his eyes averted from the Pharaoh as was instructed to him by Malik when they had first arrived.
"May I ask what it is you are doing?" the Pharaoh directed at Malik who was still bowing deeply.
"I apologise for the disturbance, your excellency." Malik replied rising from his bow. "You see… I was just taking my slave for a morning walk."
Yami raised an eyebrow curiously. "A morning walk?"
"Yes, your excellency. For exercise. It would be a shame if my slave were to lose his fine figure." Malik placed an auburn hand on Ryou's pale stomach for emphasis causing the confused slave to flinch suddenly.
Yami nodded understandingly. "Anyway, I am glad that you have stumbled into me like this. You see… I wanted to ask you some questions about this… Jah-pan you come from. I have seen pale skinned slaves before but never one with hair so pure. Also the language your slave speaks fascinates me. I insist that you teach me some."
"I would be delighted to… though if it is alright with you, your excellency, may we make it at a later time?"
Seto went to voice his disgust at this foreigner's disobedience but he was silenced by the Pharaoh's hand, who then nodded at Malik to continue.
"I am truly sorry, your greatness, but my slave gets a little tetchy if he doesn't get his morning walk… and you know how hard it can be to deal with a tetchy slave." Malik added with a wink.
Pharaoh Yami gave a sideward glance at Seto and smiled knowingly. "Very well. But I am holding a royal banquet tonight in honour of the gods and my people. I trust you and your slave will be attending. We can continue this discussion then."
"It would be an honour, your greatness" Malik bowed deeply. "Now if you will please excuse me?"
Yami nodded his consent allowing Malik and Ryou to continue their pursuit of the renegade feline. Seto looked at his Pharaoh gravely.
"Are you sure it's wise to give them so much freedom, your excel…Yami?"
The Pharaoh nodded as he watched the two foreigners disappear down the vast hallway. "Yes, I'm sure."
"I can't believe you're making us do this." Malik complained as they finally caught up with the cat that had been waiting for them at the entrance to the palace. "It's a good thing Yami's as intelligent as a brain dead ibis otherwise we might have been in trouble." This remark was met by a threatening hiss from the cat, which Malik returned with a look darker than any his yami could have produced.
"Is that why he can always beat you and Marik at any game you challenge him to?" Ryou asked sweetly.
"Don't even go there, Ryou." Malik growled.
"Anyway, I don't think that Yami is as naïve as we may think…" Ryou continued quietly not wanting to be overheard by any guards or servants that may be wondering around the halls. "I get the feeling that he knows more than he is letting on."
Malik scoffed at this remark "Whatever you say. Now let's just let this flea bag outside and get this little hunt over with… Or have you forgotten that two deranged yamis are planning on assassinating the Pharaoh any night now?!"
"Not so loud!" Ryou hissed looking around nervously for anyone who could have overheard them.
Malik rolled his eyes. It wasn't as though anyone here could understand Japanese anyway. With a sigh he lifted his hand to bang on the palace entrance to let the guards outside know they wanted to leave. Just before he did, Malik changed his mind and reached into the inside of his robe. Ryou's look of puzzlement turned to anguish as Malik held out the black leather collar before him.
"Do I have to?" Ryou whined, looking at the leather strap with nothing but distaste.
"Of course…slave." Malik grinned. "Unless you want our cover to be blown."
Ryou groaned as he took the collar and reluctantly fastened it around his neck.
"There." Malik smiled as he stood behind Ryou and pulled the cascade of long white hair out of the way of the collar. "You make such a beautiful bondage queen."
Ryou spun around and glared at Malik who was positively beaming.
"Malik!"
Malik laughed and raised his hands defensively. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding! No need to be so sensitive, my dear."
Ryou flushed as Malik walked to the giant doors and proceeded to bang his fists against them repeatedly. Almost immediately, the great doors began to open, gradually filling the dim chamber with the light of the morning sun. As soon as the gap was large enough, the cat bolted into the world outside, soon to be followed by Malik with his slave in tow.
It had been almost an hour and still they were pursuing the cat through the ancient streets of Cairo. They had lost sight of the cat on numerous occasions only to find it waiting patiently for them a few corners ahead. Malik was going as fast as he could, wanting nothing more than to get this over with, whereas Ryou was beginning to regret his idea to follow the cat as the constant pulling on his collar was starting to cause a stiffness in his neck. The hot air and constant running were starting to make Ryou's head spin and he was about to collapse to the floor and admit defeat when Malik came to a sudden stop.
"Wh…what is it?" Ryou panted wondering if it was worth sitting down.
"It's taking us outside the city…" Malik muttered staring up at the wide stone arch that marked the edge of the capital.
"Then why don't we follow him?"
"That's desert out there." Malik explained impatiently, "We'll need water unless we want to end up as dehydrated prunes. Do you want to end up as a dehydrated prune?!"
Ryou was taken back by Malik's sudden edgy tone then looked away shamefully.
"I'm sorry." Malik sighed, "I've upset you again, haven't I? Fortunately for us I got a little money along with these clothes from the guy I traded in our jackets to. Let's just find somewhere to buy some containers and then take some water with us, ok?"
Ryou replied with a sweet smile and a nod of his head.
The task was completed a lot easier than expected. As luck would have it, there was a stall nearby that specialised in selling provisions for merchants leaving the city, which just so happened to be stationed by a well. Malik had managed to haggle quite successfully with the stall owner and had even gotten them permission to use the well free of charge.
"It's not his well anyway." Malik explained to Ryou as they walked back to the arch where the cat was waiting for them. "Oldest trick in the book."
Satisfied that they were ready, the cat turned and made its way out through the stone arch and trotted down the camel hoof marked track.
"This is stupid!" Malik muttered as he drained the last drop of water from the container. "Risking our lives following a cat and for what?!"
"Please stop complaining." Ryou sighed. They had been following the animal for some time and Ryou, not being used to such arid conditions, was not having the best of times.
"I can't honestly say that this is one of your better ideas." Malik continued. "And you've had some pretty crap ones. Ergh… why didn't we get camels? You know, the guy at the stall was pretty interested in you. I should have traded you in for a camel."
Ryou shook his head wearily but said nothing.
"And another thing… Why isn't that cat dead yet? I haven't seen him drink a single drop all day!"
The two looked up and noticed that the feline in question had come to a stop by an odd-looking rock formation. Malik discarded the empty container then looked at the rock formation suspiciously.
"I'm guessing this is what he wanted to show us." Ryou muttered bitterly. A long walk through the Sahara desert was enough to make even his patience wear thin. Malik approached the formation and continued to pace slowly around it.
"Malik…?"
"Ah hah!" The Egyptian exulted as he leaned down and began to move some of the smaller rocks out of the way. Malik grinned triumphantly as he uncovered a crude wooden devise resembling some sort of leaver. "Seems as though this cat is not as useless as it looks." Malik chuckled as he patted the feline on the head. If cats could scowl then this one was doing a great job of it.
Malik pulled hard on the leaver and, as he had expected, a large opening leading to a downward staircase appeared in the ground before them.
"Wow!" Ryou gasped, "How did you know about that leaver?"
"I grew up underground, remember?" Malik replied as he began to descend into the dimly lit passageway. Ryou and the cat were quick to follow.
The staircase, dimly lit by scattered torches, was long and seemed to slope down for some way. Malik took a torch that wasn't as burnt down as the rest and began to lead the way into the depths of the passage.
"This is a tomb, isn't it?" Ryou breathed gazing in wonder at the unfaded hieroglyphs decorating the walls. His father would have loved this.
"Yes, the tomb of some forgotten Pharaoh." Malik explained as they continued to descend the dimly lit stairs. "From one of the earlier dynasties judging from the design of it. However, it's not even in the Valley of Kings so it's likely to be a Pharaoh that didn't rule for very long… or everybody hated."
"But if it's forgotten…" Ryou pondered as he examined every inch of his surroundings. "Then how come the torches are still lit?"
Malik remained silent and continued to lead them further down. He knew the answer to this question all too well.
Suddenly, the stairs came to a stop and branched off into three separate passageways. Malik was about to voice his frustration when the cat took off and bolted down the central passage.
Without even thinking, Ryou took off in pursuit.
"Wait, Ryou!" Malik hissed as he tried to make a grab for the rope of Ryou's collar only to have it evade his grasp at the last moment, "Damn it, Ryou! If we get split up in here then there's no way we can find each other again!"
At first, Malik was able to keep Ryou in sight, yet Ryou's determination to find out what the cat was trying to show them gradually increased the gap between them causing the pursuing Egyptian to lose sight of the glistening white hair from time to time. Unfortunately, it was on one of these occasions that Malik lost sight of his disobedient slave that the passage split off into two. Malik came to a halt at the junction and strained his ears for any sound that would indicate which way Ryou and the cursed feline had gone. Hearing nothing, Malik looked down at the floor only to see that fresh tracks lead down both tunnels. The exasperated Egyptian punched the wall in frustration. This was not good. If Malik was right, and he was now certain he was, then they had unwittingly stumbled into a thief's hideout. Panic began to wash over the isolated boy like an inescapable tide. What if in his blind determination Ryou were to stumble right into the midst of the owners of this hideout? Ryou made an unusual yet undoubtedly beautiful slave. If he were to come across a group of immoral cut throats… alone and frightened… then anything could happen! Malik could not let that happen to his Ryou. Closing his eyes and trusting fate to instinct, Malik took off down the left hand corridor and hoped for the best.
Ryou was oblivious to the desperate calls of his friend. All he could think about as he ran down the torch lit corridors was what would be revealed to him at the end of this chase. He hadn't told Malik, but from the moment he first saw the cat he realised that there was something… not normal about it. For one thing cats didn't tend to have purple eyes.
Some time after Malik's calls had completely faded, the cat in question rounded a corner then came to a sudden stop. Ryou slowed to a halt and used this opportunity to catch his breath. It was at this point that Ryou noticed the torchlight had stopped a corner or two back leaving him engulfed in complete darkness… complete darkness save for the twinkling reflective eyes of his feline guide and a small beam of light stretched along the ground. Ryou's large eyes traced the light to its source. A hastily fitted, crude, wooden door loomed before him, partially obscuring the flickering glow of numerous torches and the incoherent sound of raised voices. Ryou's stomach churned violently. Someone other than himself and Malik were alive in this tomb. Ryou began to back away from the door but was stopped by the cat's judgmental eyes peering up at him. Gulping down his fear, Ryou stretched a pale, reluctant arm towards the door and proceeded to give it a gentle push. The incoherent murmuring grew to a volley of growls, curses and shouts of frustration as the crack between the door and wall widened. Keeping safely hidden, Ryou poked his head through the gap and peered into the occupied room. From what he could see, this room would have initially been used to house the bodies of the Pharaoh's slaves who were unfortunate enough to be alive at the time of his death. Ryou poked his head further through the door. Sure enough, the bodies of numerous slaves were present, however, the caskets of these loyal servants had been pillaged and defiled and were now pushed against the walls of this small chamber to clear space in the centre for… Ryou's coffee-coloured eyes widened in shock. In the centre of the room, amidst an array of biting, scratching and cursing, were the entangled forms of Marik and Bakura. Ryou gasped and pulled his head back out of the room so he wouldn't be seen yet he could still hear the voices of the two Egyptians perfectly.
As Ryou listened, one of the yamis, Marik by the sound of it, growled something in Egyptian that sounded like a challenge. This 'challenge' was answered by a manic laugh that unmistakably belonged to Ryou's own tomb robbing yami…
Ryou strained his ears, desperately trying to decipher anything they were saying. From the sound of it, the two yamis had begun grappling again. The sharp smashes of pottery being knocked over echoed out of the room and down the corridor drowning out the shuffling and scrambling of bare feet on dirt. Ryou could make out some of the words being shouted as Egyptian curses; he had heard Bakura exchange them with Yami and Marik on numerous occasions. The silent eavesdropper cringed as the sound of torso impacting stone reverberated off the walls, quickly followed by more insane laughter, this time from Marik, that only ceased to make way for infrequent spluttering sounds. It seemed as though Marik's body had been the one to impact... and by the sounds of it he couldn't have been happier. To any normal person, the sounds emanating from the small chamber would indicate a quarrel that had far exceeded getting out of hand but not to Ryou. Ryou knew those voices. They hadn't changed after decades of imprisonment. This was not the sound of disagreement. This was the sound of pleasure.
Ryou took a step away from the door. He was right about the cat. It had lead them straight to the yamis they were looking for. However, the scene in the chamber beyond was not one Ryou wished to experience while he had a choice.
"Ryou!!"
The sound of his own name being bellowed down the narrow tunnel startled the retreating spy to his senses. However, before he could react, Ryou felt a huge force impact his unguarded back as Malik charged blindly into him. Ryou let out a terrified yell as the two boys tumbled through the doorway and into the torch lit chamber beyond.
Once again, Ryou found himself lying on the hard ground with the motionless form of Malik sprawled across him. The dirt covered boy remained where he was breathing heavily with fear, his eyes screwed tight against the vision he knew would be waiting for him once he opened them. Two insane yamis… their sneers mocking, their eyes burning, peering down at the two helpless hikaris with nothing but sadistic intent. Ryou vowed that he would never trust a purple-eyed cat again.