DECLARAION- This story has been written and produced by Cathrath (FanFiction. net ID: 609465). Distribution of any kind is prohibited without the written consent of Cathrath. If you should see this story posted anywhere other than FanFiction .net or under any other name it has been stolen so please notify the author. I do not own Yu-gi-oh.

Chapter 9 - Ransom

Yami stirred in his sleep and sat up with a start at hearing Yugi's cry in his head.

"YUGI," he shouted.

Ishizu pulled back the curtains around the bed.

"What now? Yami you're supposed to be resting."

She stopped her scolding as she noticed the panicked look in Yami's eyes.

"Ishizu, its Yugi, he called out with our mind link. He really is in trouble this time. Something terrible has happened I can feel it."

Ishizu didn't stop to question Yami. She left the room at a run and skidded to a halt outside Yugi's room. The doors to Yugi's chambers were open and the bed was empty, the covers in disarray, evidence of a struggle.

"Yugi," she called out desperately but there was no answer.

She ran back out into the corridor.

"HONDA," she shouted.

Honda appeared from around the corner where he had been talking to Tea.

"Ishizu what is it?"

"Have you seen Yugi?" she asked quickly.

Honda shook his head.

"No, he's in his room."

Seeing the frantic look on Ishizu's face Honda began to realise something was wrong.

"What is it? What's happened?" he asked concerned.

"Yugi's missing," Ishizu said, her voice filled with worry.

Honda dashed forwards at Ishizu's news.

"What?….how?....When?" he exclaimed.

"Just now. One minute he was there, the next he was gone. Have you seen anyone else come through here?"

Honda thought back to the last few minutes.

"No, no one suspicious. Only Bakura. He passed by a few minutes ago heading to the washing well to have his travel clothes cleaned."

Suddenly everything dropped into place for Ishizu.

"Was he carrying a sack?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact he was." Honda answered.

"Big enough to put a small boy in?"

"Y..e...s," Honda said slowly as realisation dawned on him to.

Ishizu's expression grew grim.

"Alert the palace guard Honda we have been betrayed. We must find Yugi before Bakura can get him out of the palace."

Honda didn't wait to be told twice he was off down the corridor as fast as he could go. Ishizu mentally slapped herself as she returned to Yami. The presence Yami had felt in Yugi's chambers had been real. He had felt the presence of a millennium guardian, Bakura. How Bakura had hid the presence of the ring she didn't know but it had given him the opportunity to kidnap Yugi. She entered Yami's chambers and approached him sadly as she prepared to give him the news. There was no need. Yami spoke first.

"He's been taken hasn't he," Yami said quietly.

Ishizu nodded solemnly.

"I'm sorry Yami. Bakura has betrayed us. The palace guard have been alerted. Don't worry we will find him."

Yami had a serious and stern expression on his face as he swung his legs out of bed again. Only his eyes showed the pain and turmoil he was feeling.

"I've tried to call out to him with my mind but he's not responding. Either the replica puzzle has been taken away, he's unconscious or he's..."

"He's not dead Yami. If Bakura wanted him dead he wouldn't have bothered taking him. No he wants Yugi for something."

Yami turned his pain filled eyes to Ishizu.

"He's going to try and use Yugi to gain control of the shadow realm from me. Just like Seto tried to do."

Ishizu shook her head.

"I don't think so Yami. I knew you were concerned about this so before I came back I managed to carry out some more research and I'm convinced it can't be done again. Once the power was transferred to you the only way to transfer it away would be to..," She paused realising what she was about to say.

Yami closed his eyes.

"So its me he wants. Having failed once to kill me himself he's now using Yugi to get to me."

Ishizu took a step forwards.

"We will find him Yami. I won't let any harm come to Yugi."

Yami raised his eyes to Isuzu's and she took in the look of determination that showed there.

"Neither will I. If it's me Bakura wants then its me he will have."

Against Ishizu's wishes, Yami had left his bed and now sat in the main throne room. Several hours had passed since Yugi's abduction and Yami's once youthful face was etched and strained with worry. He turned his head quickly to the door as a dishevelled guard rushed in. The guard bowed respectfully to Yami.

"My Pharaoh we have finished our search of the palace but have found no trace of Prince Yugi or the thief Bakura."

Yami sighed.

"Have you searched the underground tunnels yet?"

"Not yet Your Highness but now our search of the palace is complete we will move into the tunnel system."

Yami leant wearily onto his arms wrapped up in own thoughts and worries as he listened to the guards report. The tunnels stretched for miles disappearing under the city and possibly right out into the desert itself. Time was running out. If they didn't find Bakura soon he would have to large a head start to catch.

"Your Highness."

Yami's attention was pulled back from his thoughts as he realised the guard was still standing there.

"Yes, is there something more?"

The guard stepped forward and handed a piece of parchment to Yami.

"This note was found in Bakura's room."

Yami quickly took the offered note from the guard. He ripped open the seal and began to read.

My dear Pharaoh,

No doubt by now you have discovered I have taken the little runt you call your cousin and have your guards combing the palace looking for me. I'm sure you also realise that it's not Yugi I'm after but yourself. I'm prepared to trade, you for him. Meet me at the Yakai canyon at sunrise tomorrow. I will allow you one companion, another of the guardians but not the pup Jou or the woman. That leaves you with a choice of three unless you would like to pick myself. You are not to be followed.

If you do not comply with my instructions I will kill the boy.

Bakura

Yami screwed the note in his fist in fury as he finished reading Bakura's words.

"What does he want?" Jou asked cautiously.

"He wants to trade, me for Yugi."

"What! The creep. You're not going to consider it, are you?" Jou exclaimed.

Yami lowered his head so that his bangs fell down the side of his face covering it in shadow.

"Yes, if I don't, he will kill Yugi," Yami said in a quiet sad voice.

"But he will kill you," Jou said in shock.

"I know."

Jou leapt in front of Yami his fists clenched by his side.

"In that case were coming with you."

Yami shook his head sadly.

"You can't. He will only allow me one companion. Shadi, Pegasus or Marik, anyone else or if I am followed he will kill Yugi."

Jou hung his head in defeat. He wanted to help but he wouldn't risk his best friend's life.

"Who will you take?" he said finally.

"Marik. Pegasus is a good man but perhaps a little over zealous in his use of his millennium eye. He might make a mistake that will endanger Yugi and Shadi is better suited to research than fighting. Marik is more down to earth and the mind control powers of his millennium rod may be useful."

Yami looked down at the puzzle around his neck.

"As will the puzzle."

"When does he want to do the exchange?" Jou asked.

"Sunrise tomorrow at the Yakai canyon."