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 13 - Brother

When they emerged from the tunnel's it was already well into the day. Honda went in search of the horses and returned ten minutes later leading four.

"I knew Bakura was too mean to let them loose," he said as he reached them.

Honda helped Yami into the saddle and then moved on to help Yugi.

"Here Your Highness," he said as he lifted Yugi onto the back of one of the horses.

"Thanks, Honda. I suppose you could call our recent exploits one of those 'high–risk situations' you keep talking about," Yugi joked.

Honda smiled a sad smile in response.

"I think this definitely counts as one."

"Not my fault this time through, right."

A look of grief and distress came over Honda's face.

"No, but it is mine. Some bodyguard I turned out to be."

Yugi was mortified at Honda's words.

"Honda please, I was only joking," he said hurriedly.

"Maybe, but if I had been standing on guard as I should have been and not talking to Tea I would have seen Bakura entering your room and stopped him. I was only round the corner for Ra's sake I should have noticed something was wrong." Honda berated himself.

"Honda please...," Yugi started to plead with his friend when Yami interrupted him.

"He's right you know."

Yugi turned to Yami.

"What do you mean, he's right?"

Yami shrugged.

"He should have been there. I appointed him as your protector and he failed in his duty. He will be removed from the position when we return to the palace."

Honda's face fell, devastated by Yami's words and he looked ashamedly at the floor. Jou made a move to protest but Yami held out a hand to stop him. Yugi had a look of complete shock on his face at Yami's words but Jou could see a slight glint in the Pharaoh's eye and remained silent. Yami was up to something.

"Shall we go?" Yami said as he spurred his horse forward.

There was an uneasy pause before Yugi spoke.

"No."

Yami turned his horse around to look back.

"Sorry?"

Yugi was sitting upright in his saddle, arms crossed over his chest and a fierce look of determination in his eyes.

"I said no. Honda will not be removed from my service," he said stubbornly.

"Oh, and why is that?" Yami asked carefully.

"Because he's only human. We all make mistakes. Its not Honda's fault I was kidnapped. If it's anyone's its mine. I'm the one whose always blasé about my safety. I should have paid more attention to your warning and called for Honda when I wasn't sure. Instead I just brushed it aside. I'm to blame. I'm the one who almost got you killed Yami. Honda is a good man and will remain as my protector."

The official and firm tone of Yugi's voice took everyone including himself by surprise. That is except for Yami. A sly smile slowly crept across his face.

"See. I told you, you would make a good Pharaoh Yugi."

Yugi opened his mouth but wasn't quite sure what to say. He had the distinct feeling that he had just been tricked into something. Yami turned to Honda.

"Yugi is right, you are a good man Honda and we do all make mistakes, myself included believe it or not. If Yugi wants you to remain in his service then you shall stay. That is if you wish to remain in the position."

Honda didn't need to be asked again. He had failed his master once he was not going to fail him again.

"I do".

Satisfied with the outcome Yami straightened in his saddle.

"Good, shall we be getting home? I think I'm long overdue a few days in bed."

At this the mood lightened and they turned their horses and began the steep climb up the rocky path and out of the canyon.

After an hour or so of riding, Jou pulled his horse in beside Yami's.

"That was very clever Your Highness," he said looking across at the Pharaoh.

Yami shrugged and gave Jou an innocent look.

"I don't know what you mean Jou."

"Yes you do. Back there you managed to stop Honda feeling depressed after failing to protect Yugi and at the same time you managed to get Yugi to finally accept his position and responsibilities. All in all not a bad days work."

"It was rather good wasn't it," Yami smiled mischievously.

Jou couldn't help but laugh at Yami's lack of modesty.

"You do realise that Honda won't let Yugi out of his sight now, not even for a second," Jou continued.

Yami just smiled again and Jou shook his head.

"You're a devious man Yami."

"Only when I have to be Jou," Yami laughed.

Jou noticed that despite Yami's jovial appearance he was leaning heavily on his saddle for support.

"Are you alright Yami?" he asked concerned.

Yami nodded.

"Yes...just a little tired. I've had a busy few days. I've nearly died twice, Yugi was kidnapped and on top of that two of the seven guardians have betrayed us. Plus it's not over yet."

Yami turned wearily to look back at Honda and to the body of the unconscious Marik draped over his saddle.

"You mean Seto."

"Yes, even though he's not really free or regained any of his powers yet it will only be a matter of time. He now has Bakura's millennium ring and my millennium puzzle. With those two items alone he may be able to open a portal big enough to use and escape back into this world, especially with the puzzle's power. After all it has the power to control the others."

"But if Seto is right, only Yugi and yourself can wield the puzzle."

Yami scratched his head thoughtfully.

"Maybe but I will feel happier after I speak to Ishizu".

The rest of journey passed by quietly and soon they were approaching the gates of the city. Yami was having a feeling of déjà vu. Once before, two years ago, they had made a similar journey. That, along with other recent events, was beginning to make Yami feel like they had done all this before, like they were going round in circles. He would raise his theory with Ishizu when they arrived. If indeed the events of the past were repeating themselves then it would end as it had before. Someone would be trapped in the shadow realm and someone would die, a thought that Yami was not particularly comfortable with.

They had just entered the city through the main gates when disaster struck. Unbeknown to Honda, Marik had begun to regain consciousness and he was not pleased to find himself draped in an undignified fashion over the saddle of a moving horse. Before Honda knew what was happening Marik twisted and shoved him in the stomach. The sudden attack took Honda by surprise and the blow threw him from his horse. The others turned round at his cry to see Marik slipping from the horse and disappearing through the crowd at lightening speed. His hands had been securely tied but not his feet. Marik was making good use of that fact. Jou cursed and spun his horse round to give chase but the number of people in the busy street prevented him from making fast progress. He quickly jumped down from his horse and whilst keeping the back of the fast disappearing Marik in view tried to follow on foot. However, the crowds of people were too thick and being smaller and lighter Marik found it easier to slip through. Jou soon lost slight of him. He stood in the crowd looking round and shoving roughly in frustration past people but it was no use. Marik had escaped. He returned reluctantly to the others cursing under his breath. Yugi wasn't even sure Jou should know, let alone understand some of the words he was using. Obviously Jou had been spending too much time in the guard's quarters and had developed a wide vocabulary. Still cursing Jou helped Honda to his feet.

"Sorry," he said simply not looking at Yugi or Yami.

"Its Ok Jou. You would think he had wings for feet the rate he sped off. I told you, you should have used a bigger rock," Yami said in an effort to lighten the mood but he struggled to hide the disappointment in his voice.

Yami knew Jou and Honda would be angry with themselves for losing their captive even though it wasn't their fault. The once good mood was very much dampened as they continued towards the palace.

As they reached the palace they were greeted with euphoria. Questions were hastily asked and answers were given where possible as they dismounted and made their way into the palace. Ishizu already knew of Bakura's betrayal but the fact that Seto had returned by possessing his brother did not surprise her. However, the news that Marik had betrayed them had her stopping dead in her tracks.

"Ishizu, is everything alright?" Yami asked concerned.

Ishizu was pale and trembling violently. Afraid she was about to collapse Yami moved forward.

"Ishizu?" he said again more urgently.

"Marik betrayed us," she side in a quiet, hoarse voice.

"Yes, he's in league with Bakura and Seto," Yami repeated.

"No, he can't be?" She said shaking her head in denial.

"Ishizu what's the matter? I know you two were close but..," Yami concern was increasing.

"Close!" Ishizu exclaimed suddenly.

"We are more than close Yami, he's my brother."

At Ishizu's announcement everyone turned and looked at her in shock.

"Your...brother?" Yami repeated. Dumfounded by her announcement.

"We didn't know. Why didn't you tell us this before?"

"Because he was to take my place should anything happen to me. We kept our relationship quiet in order to protect the millennium secrets."

She gave Yami a wide-eyed fearful look.

"Yami, he knows everything, about the millennium items about the guardians...about the shadow realm."

Yami finally understood Ishizu's fear. Their greatest enemy now had a willing source of information concerning the millennium items at his disposal. They were now in a deadly race against time.