Author's Notes:
Chapter 9! Finally! This one is probably the longest chapter yet. I'm pretty proud of it myself. We finally get to see what's going on with Yugi! I'm sure you've all been wondering! Okay, thank you to the following reviewers (I'll answer questions too):
Silver Wolf Gurl: You told your friend about this? Aww, how nice! Yes, Kir is one of those iffy characters... you'll find out soon enough though! Thanks for reviewing!
HieilovesBotan: Heh, yes, Kir's name... well it's not really an obvious thing so unless you're Yugi it'd probably be hard to figure out... Anyway, thanks!
Hioga-chan: Thank you for reviewing!
Azurite: You're right! I did forget the evil laughter of doom! I must be sick... Well, I'm laughing now, so all's good. Everyone seems to have difficulty with Kir though... not everyone's been so far off either... And yes (poke) I'll be waiting for some stories from you! Thankies and Bwuahaha in advance!
Cocoa1331: Ah, so you're certain about your guess, eh? You'll just have to find out... Thanks for the review!
IndigoTaijiya: No reviews are pointless... well some flames are, but this one wasn't! Thanks!
Dragontamer101: Yes, no cliffie... I miss them.... Ha ha. And you'll have to wait on Priest Seto I'm afraid... But don't worry you'll find out! Thanks for reviewing!
Jarjayes: Thanks! Yeah, I agree, the way they got stuck together is different... No maids in this one...
Sorceress of Midnight Skies: Irk... (falls over) I love that! Hm, that's going to be remembered.... And Priest's Seto's icy-ness will be explained in further detail... later. Here's that long chapter I've been talkin' about... I've gotten good marks on it from my beta so enjoy! Thanks for reviewing!
Tea/Anzufan: Thank you!
Aura Black Chan: I'm grinning, yes I am. I loved your update. Thanks for the review, yada yada... And yes, Marik is going to be in trouble a lot in this story... Heh heh heh.
Kaoaniz: Thank you so much! Enjoy!
Atlantis2: Thank you! This chapter is actually longer than the last! They keep getting longer! Eek, I hope I can keep up! (Laughs) Yes, and all the question will be answered (eventually) in the coming chapters!
Chaotic Freakatroid: (laughing) Thank you, thank you!
Deena70: Wow, thanks so much for the praise! I'll try my best to keep this up!
Mokuba's Official Glomper: Ooh... Japanese... Uh... translation? (Thanks for reviewing!)
HELLOKITTYSTAR: Happy Birthday! Well, I know that's later but... it's the thought right? Yes, Seto/Téa is one of my favorite couples as well! Thanks for reviewing!
Melissa Cherven: Like Téa? That's cool! Thanks for reviewing!
I'm going to take out the end notes and just add them here. My fic challenge still remains. Go to my bio to see any details or the previous chapter.
I remember what I forgot last chapter! Guardian Kysra did some wonderful drawings for this story! Thank you so much! Their beautiful! If you want to see them links are on my bio!
Thanks, DSF!(My beta) I could not have gotten this far without you!!
Disclaimer! Yeah, I don't own Yugioh; I do own all the original ideas and the story!
If you have any questions or comments about the chapter leave them in a review! Thanks!
Now without further adieu...
In the Sands of Egypt
Chapter 9
Chains that Bind
"Sorry, Yugi," Joey Wheeler conveyed in a wistful tone. He slammed the game shop door behind him and leaned up against the counter, brushing his hand up against his forehead an attempt to keep the beads of sweat from rolling down his face. "I just couldn't find anything out! I searched all da alleys tryin' to get information, but . . . nothin'!"
Yugi, who was sitting behind the counter, lowered his amethyst eyes and began fumbling with a pack of Duel Monsters cards. "It's all right, Joey. It's not your fault." Flipping through the cards in the package, he saw something that made his breath catch in his throat. The Magician of Faith card, Téa's favorite. It seemed like ages since he last saw her; the worry and fear were eating him up inside, but he couldn't show it. He had to be strong . . . for Téa.
"I just wish we knew where she was," Joey growled out. He stood up straight and started pacing around the shop. "I just hate it! She's out by herself somewhere and we can't do nothin' but stand here!" In frustration, he knocked over a rack of magazines, sending them scattering across the floor. Yugi absently walked over and started picking them back up.
Joey sighed and bent down to his friend. "Naw, Yugi, I'll pick 'em up." He began stacking the magazines one by one. He bent down and picked another one up, but didn't put it in the pile. Instead he craned his neck forward and examined it closely. "Hey, Yugi," he began, sounding unsure, "is it just me or does this guy look kinda like you?"
Yugi took the magazine from Joey and looked down at the article that was pointed out for him. A bittersweet smile came to his face as he gazed down into the crimson eyes of the man in the picture. "That's my father, Joey." Looking at his father again brought back such sweet memories; he hadn't seen him in such a long time . . .
Vision/Dream
The sweet smell of flowers drifted in the air, riding atop a carefree breeze. A younger Yugi sat in the arms of his father, a handsome man looking almost identical to his son. He had a warm, gentle smile and his eyes glittered a brilliant crimson. "Yugi," he said, "let's play a game. Look up at the clouds and tell me how many different things you can see in them."
The younger boy looked up, wide-eyed at the clouds above him. After about a minute of silent study, he glanced up at his father uncertainly. "I just see clouds." At this, his father gave a low, hearty chuckle, a laugh that made Yugi grin embarrassedly.
"Just use your imagination; I'm sure you'll see something."
The little Yugi peered into the sky, examining it more closely. His small lips frowned in thought. He was trying so hard to see something besides clouds, but it was hard. Soon, he smiled and pointed up to a large, fluffy cloud. "A magician!" he cried.
His father looked down at him dubiously. "A magician?"
Yugi nodded. "Yeah, don't you see it?"
The man smiled down at his son and ruffled the young boy's unruly hair. "I see it, Yugi. I see it."
A white haze began to fill Yugi's senses and he felt himself leaving the sanctity of his memories. Soon a chill ran down his spine and his senses became heightened. Every step he took seemed to echo in his head; it was mind numbing. A boy's cry accompanied the sound of his footsteps, a sad, lonely cry.
The haze cleared and Yugi found himself back in the palace from the dream he had had before. A woman walked up behind him and put her hand on his shoulder. With a rather forced smile she led him through the halls and into a dimly lit room. Several people, most of which he recognized, were gathered around a bedside; their faces were grave and lacked emotion. It was as if they were trying to escape whatever was happening before them.
Yugi walked up to the bed carefully. When he got there a familiar, painful feeling rushed over his body. Tears streamed from his eyes as he looked at the figure on the bed. "Father! Please, tell me this isn't real!" The man on the bed smiled faintly, but shook his head.
"I'm afraid my time is just about finished in this realm, Son," he said weakly. He stroked Yugi's hair lovingly. "But I know that you will be just fine." He gestured toward the array of faces around him. "My priests . . . no . . . friends, they will protect and guide you. With their help I'm sure you'll be a wonderful Pharaoh."
End Vision/Dream
"Yugi? Are ya there?" Joey shook the other boy, trying to snap him out of whatever state he was in. "C'mon, buddy, this isn't funny anymore!" Yugi suddenly came to. He glanced over at Joey, somewhat confused.
"What is it, Joey?" Joey sighed in relief and released him. He picked up the rest of the magazines and put the rack back in place.
"You had me worried for a sec' dere, Yugi," he responded. "I thought you were in La-La-Land or somethin' . . . Welcome back." Yugi gave him a strange look, but he shrugged it off. "I think you've been worryin' too much. You need a break or somethin'. Tell ya what, I'll work the counter for a while and you go get some rest."
"Are you sure, Joey?" Yugi asked innocently. True, sleep was something he craved for at the moment, but he couldn't just let Joey do all his work . . .
"It's fine, Yug. Go get some sleep."
"Thanks, Joey, you're a real friend."
Kir, who was sitting at a worn-out table, looked down at his dagger thoughtfully before wiping it carefully with a cloth. Across from him his ragged associate was nervously fiddling with his cell-phone, unaware of Téa's grand escape. "You know, you shouldn't be so jumpy," Kir informed the other, returning his weapon to its sheath.
The older man just looked at him wearily. He sighed and started to put away his cell-phone, but it started ringing before it reached his pocket. "H-Hello?" he said, putting it up to his ear. The conversation only lasted briefly. Before he knew it, the man was clicking the phone shut and preparing to follow orders. "Where's the girl?"
Kir raised a brow, but it was unseen by the other man because of the covering on his face. He turned toward him, his voice unfaltering. "What girl?"
"The girl we just captured, you moron," the other snapped.
Kir secretly grinned and leaned back in his chair. "Oh? That girl? I believe she escaped."
"What?! What do you mean she escaped?"
"Well, I mean she was here and now she's not, and since we didn't exactly give her permission . . . I guess you would call it escaping, right?"
You could practically see the blood vessels popping on the other man's face. He slammed his fists on the table and glared straight at Kir. "And exactly why did you let her escape?" Kir started to open his mouth, but was cut off. "Actually, I don't care why, just get her back here now!"
"Why do we need her? I thought we were supposed to kill her?" Kir asked.
"Orders changed; we're supposed to bring her to the boss now."
"Oh?"
The other man sighed in frustration. "Quit asking questions and go get her!"
Kir looked up at the man lazily, then started examining his hands, and finally, after a tension-filled moment, started toward the door. "No, I don't think I will. I don't get paid enough for this. Send someone else." With that, Kir walked out of the room, leaving a very exasperated man behind.
The old Uraeus sighed and picked up his cell-phone once more. He dialed a number and placed the black contraption against his ear. "Send Gallo and May after the girl, and make sure they get her back."
Seto kept Ezra trotting at a nice, slow, but steady pace. Mainly because he didn't exactly know where they were going. True, he was following the same tracks that led him here, but it didn't seem likely that they would remain in the sand overnight. Téa shifted behind him; she had fallen asleep about an hour ago which left Seto to ponder his own thoughts.
He wondered why the Uraeus had wanted Téa all of a sudden. It was strange to him that they would kidnap her and take her to Egypt. It could be because she had a connection to Yugi and they were just trying to use her as bait. That would mean all of Yugi's friends were potential targets. It also meant that the Uraeus were in Domino, where Mokuba was . . . Seto couldn't bear to finish the thought. Mokuba had to be all right. After all, he stayed here just to protect him.
Seto examined his surroundings; he had the strangest feeling of déjá vu whenever he traveled around here; he seemed to know exactly where he was going. It was unnerving, but at the moment he was somewhat grateful for it, or at least, less annoyed. Wandering around a soon-to-be excruciatingly hot desert was not on the top of his 'To-do' list.
A strange feeling interrupted Seto's thoughts, like they were being followed. He turned around and sure enough, two cinnamon colored horses were trotting right behind them. He nudged Téa awake and stopped his horse. "Stay here," he told her.
Seto climbed down from Ezra and walked up to the two stopping horses, sending a glare up at their riders. A slender woman was on top of one beast; her eyes were a venomous green; her hair was blonde, tightly woven atop her head. On the other horse was a hulking man; his hair was a messy, oily mass of brown and tan; he had a large, set jaw, and two beady brown eyes. Seto could tell they were from the Uraeus by the jet-black clothing they wore, and the hungry, greed-filled look in their eyes. Even if he was wrong, he knew they meant trouble.
"What do you want?" Seto asked sharply. The two other riders grinned deviously. Téa grabbed Ezra's reins and circled around so she was close behind Seto. The woman smiled devilishly and pointed toward her.
"We want that girl," she answered. "So make it easy on yourself, boy, and give her to us."
"Who are you?" Seto said, stepping in front of Téa and Ezra defensively. He glanced over at the other man, watching for any sudden movements.
"My, my, you are full of questions, aren't you?" the woman cackled. "My name is May, and," she motioned to the bulky man, "this is Gallo. Now hand over the girl."
"And if I don't?" Seto said with a smirk.
"Then we'll have to kill you." May pulled a long chain from her horse's saddlebag; a sharp, jagged point replaced the last links of it. Gallo followed suit, never saying anything.
"I'd like to see you try."
"Ishizu?" Marik wandered around, looking for his sister. They had spent the entire morning cleaning up and he was worried that she might have been engulfed by debris. Everything seemed to be going great, so Marik decided that some time outside would be his reward. It was going to get hot soon; he wanted to enjoy the relative coolness while he still could.
"I'm going outside if anyone can hear me!"
He exited the house and walked up to the 'stable.' It wasn't really a stable since Ezra was the only horse that they kept there, the rest were just camels. Marik resented the fact that Kaiba had gotten a horse and he hadn't. He saddled up a younger camel and set out into the desert.
"Téa, take the horse and get out of here," Seto instructed, pointing to a spot behind them. His eyes remained on the two Uraeus in front of him. He gave them a cold stare, daring them to make a move. May, however, was not intimidated by Seto's gaze. As Téa started turning around, she raised her weapon and lashed out, missing Ezra's feet by centimeters.
"Careful, girl," she purred. "There are cobras in these sands. You don't want to get bitten." With a devilish smile, she raised her chain into the air for all to see. Téa tried to steady the frightened Ezra; she patted the horse's back gently, trying to get him to stop moving.
"There are more than cobras here," Téa responded harshly. She was going to continue, but was cut off by Seto.
"Leave her out of this," he said, walking toward May, "you have more important things to deal with." After a trademark smirk, Seto started into a dash. He lunged at May, trying to knock her from her horse, but before he reached her a chain snaked around his leg. Seto was pulled back like a dog on a leash and flung face first into the ground.
"Kaiba!" Téa yelled. She followed the chain with her eyes and was led straight to the hand of the hulking Gallo. The behemoth reared his horse and thundered toward Seto; sand was flying in every direction, glittering in the morning sun. "Watch out!" she shouted over to him.
Hearing Téa's call, Seto started regaining his senses. He spit the mouthful of sand out, wiping his face distastefully. The chain on his foot was beginning to rattle so he glanced behind him. The chain was the least of his worries; Gallo was almost on top of him! In a quick, reflexive movement, he rolled to the side seconds before the large hooves of Gallo's horse brought on his demise.
He let out a sigh of relief watching the monstrous beast storm off. It was strange; why wasn't he turning around? "Stupid moron, I'm over here." But he spoke too soon. There was a strange tugging on his leg, and when he looked down at it, fact hit him like a hammer. "Great," he muttered just as his body began slide along the sand.
Téa cringed as she watched Seto. It was like a bad demonstration of water-skiing. Seto was sitting up, trying to remove the chain from his leg, all while flying through the waves of golden sand. She was relieved when he finally got it off and rode the horse over to him. "Hey! Are you all right?" The look she received was one she knew all too well. She smiled nervously and turned her gaze from those narrowed, navy eyes that were scornfully locked on her. "Just asking . . . "
Seto, a ruffled, sand-covered mass, got up from off the ground and dusted himself off the best he could. He searched around and found Gallo alongside May; the woman smiled and gave him a taunting wave.
A frustrated growl rose from the back of his throat. He had to get those two off their horses somehow. It would be much easier to fight with his own horse, but . . . He glanced over at Téa; she was looking down at the ground with an unsure expression in here eyes. He couldn't take his horse and have her stand on the ground, she would be too vulnerable. Having to explain her death to her friends when he returned was something he did not want to do.
"I told you to get out of here," he barked, turning away from her and Ezra. He reached back, grabbing the hilt of his sword. The long, metal blade gleamed as it was brought out into the desert air. His lips thinned and his eyes narrowed so that a determined look came upon the brunette warrior's face. He approached the two Uraeus and stood firm, weapon in hand.
May looked at Seto with a fox-like expression on her face. Grinning, she turned to Gallo, who gave her a quick nod, and then reissued her focus toward Seto. She gracefully slid down from her horse and stepped forward. "Time to have some fun, boy," she said, licking her lips.
"I don't have fun," Seto retorted. He inwardly smiled; she was on the ground. Everything just got easier. Keeping one eye on Gallo, he began to circle around May like a lion. In response the woman did the same; her movements were fluid like those of a panther.
"What are you waiting for?" May asked; her lips curled into a smile. "Afraid to hurt a rose like me?"
"Every rose has its thorns," Seto replied, trying to bait the other into attacking. "But so do most weeds as well."
May let out a menacing growl and sent her chain hurtling for Seto. In response, the sand covered combatant quickly raised his sword horizontally so that the chain wrapped around the thin steel. He forced the chain from her hands with one quick pull, sending it flying through the air. It landed behind May's horse and buried itself into the sand. May glared at Seto and quickly went to retrieve her weapon.
'I don't think so.' Seto ran after May, sliding slightly due to the sand shifting beneath his feet. Like before though, his pursuit was halted and another chain wrapped around him, this time his sword-arm. He whirled around, clutching the chains around his arm. Gallo smirked and began wrapping up his chain, jerking Seto toward him.
Seto cursed his weakness; no matter how much he resisted he couldn't stop himself from being pulled in by Gallo. He glanced behind him and found that May already had her weapon back in her hands and was remounting her horse. She trotted over and gave him a wicked smile.
"It's been a real pleasure, but I'm done playing with you." Her chain glided through the air, circling around Seto's neck and then binding tightly. She looked down at him smugly, but after another look she let her tongue click in surprise. "Clever boy," she complimented bitterly. Seto's free arm was jammed tightly in between his neck and the chains around it, preventing his neck to be broken as well as keeping his airway open. May grabbed her end of the chain and pulled at it, tightening the hold around Seto. "You won't be able to save yourself for long."
The sand began to meld together in Seto's eyes; everything was blurry and swirling. He could feel the links of the chain pressing into his skin, the heat radiating from them burned into his flesh. He had to do something – fast. Unknown to him, a dim yellow light radiated from underneath his cloak.
Téa, a witness to this entire thing, clutched her face. She had to do something! Even though she shouldn't even be here, she had to help. But what could she do? If he couldn't stop them what chance did she have? She whipped her head from side to side, looking for something that might help. "Gah! There's only sand around here!"
"Téa!" The girl turned around to see Marik riding up to them atop a large camel. It was a miracle! She approached him and gave the perplexed Tomb Keeper a wide smile.
"I'm so glad you're here," she started and then pointed to Seto. "You have to help him!"
Marik raised a brow at the girl. "How did you guys get way out here anyway?"
"It's a long story. I'll tell you later, I promise," was all she wanted to supply at the moment.
Marik narrowed his eyes; it looked like he had no choice but to help. It was pathetic; the Great Seto Kaiba couldn't even handle two lackeys? He slid off his camel and headed over to the battle.
Seto could barely breathe now; the circulation in his hand was almost completely cut off. Everything was going dark; he could barely see May grinning at him while tightening her hold even more.
"Goodbye, boy," May hissed, giving her chain one final tug.
Marik froze, watching in shock as Seto fell to his knees. He could hear Téa cry out behind him. He peered in closer, noticing a golden light coming from Seto. It suddenly burst forth, filling the area with a blinding light. Marik knew this light; its power ran through his own veins before. His body craved for that power again, but his mind and memories refused it.
The chains around Seto's neck fell loose, releasing him. He fell forward, using his hands to keep him from hitting the dirt. Oxygen returned to his body with each deep, ragged breath he took. The light around him died down and he looked up to see May standing there, all expression gone from her face. Her partner was the same way.
"Tell them to dance around like chimps! Tell them!" Marik shouted over to Seto. He was grinning eagerly. The Millennium Rod was so close to him he could feel it. Kaiba wouldn't want it so he would get it back! "They're your mind slaves now, Kaiba! They'll do anything for you!"
The thought barely registered in Seto's head. 'Mind slave?' Marik had to be lying. That was impossible. All this fairytale magic was not real and he refused to believe it.
"What are you waiting for?" Marik shouted. He didn't know exactly how Kaiba had done it, but he had unlocked the power of the Rod. He knew that there was some connection between them, but the Millennium Rod was his birthright, not Kaiba's. Kaiba shouldn't be able to use it. 'No matter,' he thought, 'it will be mine soon.'
Seto sighed; he was not going to tell them to dance around like chimps; that would be moronic. Of course, then he remembered who gave the suggestion. Between breaths he managed to speak. "Go away." He had meant to direct it toward Marik, but May and Gallo, like the mind slaves they were, picked up their things and left.
He raised a brow, somewhat confused, but was too tired to do anything. It's not like he wanted them to come back. 'That was rather anti-climatic.'
As she watched the two Uraeus ride off, Téa let out a huge sigh. Everything would be all right . . . for now, at least. She contentedly sat atop the midnight horse as he approached his master. Ezra snorted, blowing Seto's bangs from his face, and nuzzled his cheek. Seto honored the horse with a quick pat on the nose before pushing him aside and standing up.
"Hey, Kaiba," Marik called, walking over to them, "let's see it." At Seto's silence he grumbled, "The Millennium Rod." Seto tiredly fumbled with his cloak and took out the golden Item, showing it to everyone. Marik's eyes filled with greed and he started reaching for the Rod, but it was soon replaced in Seto's cloak. Marik looked up to see Seto focused down on him. He scowled and backed away. "What are you going to do with it?" he asked bitterly.
"What are you doing here?" Seto responded.
"I was getting some air," he answered, sticking his hands in his pockets.
Seto walked over to his horse and climbed on, sitting in front of Téa. "Guess I was going the right way then." He grabbed the horse's reins and led the beast forward. Marik followed suit, except for the fact that he was on a camel.
Téa, who had been fairly silent for the past few moments, mostly in awe, finally spoke up. "Are you okay?" she asked, looking at Seto's hand; it was swollen and had chain marks dancing across it.
"I'm fine," he told her sharply. Sure, he could have been better. But he wasn't going to admit that. In all honesty, he wanted to collapse right now; he could barely tell which way was which (he was relying on Ezra to get them home) and his whole body buzzed with pain. But he wouldn't allow anyone to know that; that was just how he was.
Téa furrowed her brows, re-watching the battle in her mind. The image of Seto Kaiba falling face first into the sand brought an impish grin to her face. She bubbled with quiet laughter at the memory of him sliding along, being dragged by his foot.
"What are you laughing at?" came Seto from in front of her. Téa grinned, poking his back slightly. She knew why he was so grumpy.
"I bet you have sand in your pants."