The market could be easily described as busy. Ryou, who was used to bustling markets back at home, was easily shocked at just the amount of people! And oh what they were wearing, or should he point out not wearing, it was almost embarrassing walking down these dusty streets seeing half naked woman buying wares as if it were a completely normal thing.

How angry he felt when he witnessed local women, naked and tied to one another, being sold for such awful prices. Such a thing was unheard of back at his home, why women were seen as helpers in the makings of the world, therefore, they were equal to all things man could do.

But then Bakura told him that such a thing was an almost everyday occurrence. The very memory of it made him sick to his stomach. To see crying humans, embarrassed blushes, and squirming hands, as they were continuously poked and prodded like cattle disgusted him.

And he was ashamed, and angry with himself, knowing that he did not help. He could only offer them sad smiles, and silent prayers of good luck to them.

He was also angering Bakura because of it, but his lover just bit his tongue and remained silent. Of course this only left him open to a rather harsh slap on the arm and a hard jade glare from Ryou.

Still, they continued on, trying desperately to forget what they saw, or at least Ryou was. The small boy knew Bakura was probably used to seeing such cruel treatment, and was probably brought up to support it. It still did not make it right though...

Needless to say the argument lasted for a good part of the trip.

Bakura's mood seemed to have soured over the course of the day. Of all paths to take he had to choose the long way around. It was an innocent sweet gesture at first; he only wanted to show Ryou the many interesting and beautiful sights of his homeland.

Unfortunately what comes with good must come with bad, so goes the advice of wise old men.

His luck seemed to have died as soon as the reached a place where traders loved to gather. He forgot about them, he really did, it was just something he learned to ignore. Of course Ryou couldn't take his advice so easily, for he had never seen such human cruelty before.

He tried to explain to him, that even if he were to pay for the freedom one of those slaves, it would only take a few days time for the human to be caught once again.

It was a fruitless battle, one that he had no desire of participating in ever again. But just seeing the anger cackling in his lover's jeweled eyes made his heart rage as well, the urge to kill became terrifyingly great, his hand began to throb, itch in anticipation. A curious look from Ryou squelched all thoughts, the screams that rushed through his blood stream died into soothing whispers; and his hand returned to the loving and gentle grasp it was before.

A silent question was prominent in Ryou's eyes, "What is wrong?" they seemed to say; Bakura only gave him a weak smile. "Nothing I wish to worry you with." Was the silent answer.

As if the words were spoken aloud, young Ryou nodded his head. A sudden cheery light bloomed on his pale face and he raced towards one colorful looking stand, Bakura stood there for a moment blinking rather dumbly at the spot where his lover once stood.

Bakura jogged over to his love and peeked over his shoulder in curiosity. Ryou was looking at pendants, really lovely looking ones that always came with an attractive price.

He opened his mouth to protest, but just looking at his lover's awing face made him stop. How could he deny someone such as he a simple gift?

He reached out to the one that his lover seemed most interested in, and was curious about it. The jewelry was made of gold, in a weaving pattern that soon made of a strange serpent eating its own tail. Its eyes gleamed back at him with fiery rubies, and he could see a strange writing above the creatures horned back.

Seeing his lover's curious gaze, Ryou helped him out. "It's a dragon love." He whispered gently.

Bakura looked down at him, his curious gaze growing, "Dragon. Love?" He had heard of dragons, but never any stories of love in them. The dragon was portrayed as a ruthless killer among many, and had a reputation of stealing beautiful things such as treasure or even fair maidens.

Ryou nodded his head and patiently explained the tale, "It's an ancient story passed down by travelers from the south of my island. It is said that far away, high in their mountains lived a dragon's clan. They were graceful creatures with scales that gleamed like gems. They came in many colors, sizes and shapes, and were known for a peaceful, yet hungry nature.

There was once a dragon, which was curious about what laid below the rocky slopes of which he lived, and was curious to see what was there. But every time he had asked his elders about it they would tell him to forget it. "There are humans below that will trick you for your scales." They said, and for a while this scared the dragon from the idea.

But just hearing about it, seemed to make the idea more appealing. Dragons were well known for their craftiness; surely a simple human couldn't beat him.

Having made up his mind, he stretched his wings and descended to the valley of which the villagers lived close to. Dropping into the grassy area he was frozen with awe. Never had he seen such lush fields and colorful lands.

He was alerted by the sharp intake of breath behind him, and the dragon recoiled, fully intent on killing whoever had seen him. Yet, when he turned, the sheer simple beauty of a human girl captured him. His killing instinct ebbed away as he gazed at her in wonder.

The girl, who had never before seen such a giant creature, immediately began to weep, and begged the dragon for her life.

The dragon used this plea to his advantage and said, "I will bring you no harm if you travel with me to the mountain tops and be my bride." The girl quickly agreed and rode on the dragons back to his nest-"

"Nest?" Bakura interrupted.

"Where they sleep."

"Ah..."

"They lived peacefully atop the mountain, and the girl was most certainly happy with her new husband. But she was lonely and missed her family. Telling the dragon this, he allowed her to visit them.

The girl was delighted, and made the trip back home alone, promising the dragon that she would return in two weeks time.

Two weeks quickly passed and the dragon grew worried. He flew to the valley where he first met the girl and was surprised to find no one there. This increased his worry, and using his magic of the winds and land he shape- shifted into a human man.

He walked into the village, only to find his wife crying at a windowsill. Devastated he ran up to her and asked her what was so wrong to make her cry so. The girl looked at her husband and broke into tears once again, "My family will not let me leave," She cried, "they are afraid of you, thinking that you have kidnapped me."

The dragon bristled with rage and helped the girl out of the house, yet as they made their way back, the villagers stopped them. "Give us back our lovely daughter!" The family cried in both anger and fear. The dragon roared in distaste and said, "She is my bride, and none of you shall say otherwise."

The battle was long, and hard. Yet in the end only sorrow remained. The dragon was slain and the villagers were pleased, but the now widow remained distraught. She gathered the breastbone of her husband and snatched two of his gleaming red scales. She spent years on making a gift of which she could remember him by, and soon carved a mini replica of her dragon-love and used the scales for his eyes. She wrote a prayer along his back, promising eternal happiness and loyalty of their love."

Ryou opened his eyes to stare up at Bakura, a smile on his face. He jumped, for soon people and their clapping surrounded him.

Bakura let out a laugh and purchased the pendant. He just couldn't bring himself to tell Ryou that he was attracting an audience, because he knew the boy would have stopped the story and he couldn't let that happen, because he enjoyed them as much as the crowd did as well.

He reached the blushing Ryou and placed the leather strap around his delicate neck. He leaned foreword and whispered, "Then you shall a wear a symbol of our love."

Ryou practically glowed with happiness and latched on to Bakura in a tight hug, the other was more than happy to return such a gift.

Yeah! We have chapter nine done!

So tell me, what did you think of my Dragon tale? Pretty nifty, ne? Oh and if you are curious, this tale was made up by me as well.

I think I'm seriously on a roll with all these legends and sayings. I'm just thinking them up as I go along; it's really neat!