Warning(s): Swearing, More blood/Bakura insanity... and very slight Ryou angst...

Or at least I think there is. I don't know, the story practically writes it's self. I get my inspiration and everything changes. Kinda like the voodoo dolls (thanks Blackcat212!) and Kage (You to Neko no Kage). I have great friends who inspire me to write and give me great ideas.

Let's not forget the reviewers! Una1 helped me put Yugi more in character and in her own way (even though she doesn't know this) helped me put Yami and Yugi in. I know, the story just wouldn't be the same with out them. And all my other reviewers keep me going, letting me know that this story is loved, no matter how twisted.

I actually thought that this story was going to be a real boar to write and no one would like it. But I guess it's proved me wrong. I LOVE MY FIC! Even though I tend to avoid it if possible. I know, I know. How can you be afraid of your own fic? Well I'm just not sure if my writing will satisfy the readers. I still haven't gotten any flames (which I am glad for). I've had my fair share of them in my other fics in the Artemis fowl section. I had 3 flames for one chapter once. Those people don't know humor if it bit them on the nose. Sure, lots of people liked it, but I just lost my interest in it. And to post this fic for the firs time scared me. Cuz the first time I posted a different one, NO ONE REVIEWED!

But... I tried again, and Una1 reviewed. (Hugs Una to death) Here Una, a gift. (Hands Una a dismembered plushie voodoo doll of Una made by Bakura- chan). It's a thank you for giving me that little push and helping me continue. You made me really happy and I'm glad you still review even though you're a busy authoress with school and what not. THANK YOU UNA1!!! ^_______________________^ Well... this certainly is, long. And I'm not done thanking everyone.

Blackcat212 and Neko no Kage. TWO OF MY BESTEST FRIENDS IN THE WHOLE WORLD! Tow of them, mind you. They also inspire me and help me with my writer's block and give me ideas. With out them, this fic wouldn't be where it is right now. Actually, it would have never been continued. For them I give them my gratitude and thanks for helping me get this far. Couldn't have done it without them. HI BLACKY! HI KAGE!!! Hehehe! I feel like I'm on the telly!

Ente, It's really nice to have you review, even if you just started a while ago. It really dose make me feel happy to know that there are other's who just started reading this like it. ^____^ Thanks for your kind reviews, they really do help.

Caks. Thank you as well. It's nice to hear that I'm on people's favs.

Anonymous. You are one of the nicest people. You have reviewed since the beginning never missed a chapter at all. ^___^ I'm loved. YAY!

Silver Nightingale. Thank you so much for your review. ^_~V PEACE!

Kyoko: Well... that was long.

Bakura: And pointless.

Kyoko: Was not!

Bakura: Was too!

Yami: Shut up you two.

Bakura:...

Kyoko:...

Yami: Ah! The sound of silence, so glorious.

Kyoko: (slaps duck tape on his mouth) did you hear something?

Bakura: (slaps more tape on) Nope.

Kyoko: Now that I'm done thanking everyone... I can start writing! Yahoo! LONG WEEKEND!

Yami: Don't you have that project to do?

Kyoko: Spoil my fun why don't ya. Grrrr... Stupid Project. Stupid Science. Stupid Mr. Wenzel! Stupid School. Stupid Mr. Ouyah! Stupid weekdays! ARGH!

Yami: 0.o ok

Kyoko: Hey... how'd you get that tape off?

Yami: Aibou's my friend...

Kyoko: Note to self... torture Yugi AND Yami in this chapter. Anyway... On March the 3 I will be a member of Fanfiction.net for a year. YAY! ^_^ (Spinning around with Bakura and Ryou who are unwilling, and slightly dizzy.)

Bakura: @_@

Ryou: @_@ Oh! Stars! ^_^ Pretty!

Yami: 0.o I am surrounded by buffoons, lunatics, weirdoes, a middle school authoress who is high on sugar and horror novels, two white haired look-a- likes of doom---

Kage: (pounces on the albinos (Bakura and Ryou)) MAWHAHAHAHA!!!

Yami: Um right 0.o ...There Ancient self---

Touzo: I'm not related to them...

Ryou and Bakura: WE ARE YOU!!!!

Touzo: oh... right

Yami: And everyone else...

Kyoko: I think that's everyone...

Yami: oh...

Kyoko: Now without further delay by me or my annoying muses (Muses: *) As the Americans say: LET'S GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD!!!

~~~~

Seven curses of Egypt

Chapter Eight

"Now there are three ways that people think. One, we use pictures and colors to think. The second we use words. And third... well, lets just say It's a continuous line of unintelligible blankness." ~our grade 7 English teacher, and he thinks in way #3, he admitted it!

Quote from a previous chapter: Get me a post-it note and I'll label myself 'potential hazard... approach with EXTREME caution' ~ Bakura

~~~~

~Ryou's POV (dream)~

"Cold. It's cold mommy!" Where was that voice coming from? Was there someone else here other than me? Who or what was this voice? A child.

"Hush child. It's only water. Now just hold on to me." Bell-like laugher. "Not so tight my boy. It's just like the water of the Nile, nothing to be afraid of."

I can hear waves of the ocean lapping at the shore and the almost undetectable sound of sand blowing. It's so peaceful. I hear the wind in the grass, blowing gently. A beach...

"Look mommy! My toes are fishies!" A child's laughter.

"Yes, small pudgy little fish!"

"That tickles mommy!"

I suddenly see a young black haired woman in shabby linens holding a small child in the water. I gasp. That child looks like me! Same white hair and brown eyes. He's wearing a tunic and shorts. He's tan to. He looks like...

The woman looked down at the child and spoke. "Let's go further Bakura. Would you like that?" Bakura!?! That child is Bakura?

Bakura shook his head wildly and put his head on his mothers shoulder. "Too deep!" Bakura said quietly.

"Come now my boy. Be brave and adventurous. Come on! Here comes a wave! Up we go!" The mother said as a wave lapped against her legs and getting Bakura's small legs.

"Again mommy! Can we go again?" Bakura asked, happily bouncing in his mother's arms.

"Yes we can. Look here comes another one! Up we go! Weeeeee!"

I could hear Bakura's laughter. So innocent and naive. I could only wonder how that beautiful laughter could become so insane and cold? It almost seems impossible.

The scene changed and I saw Bakura and his Mother walking along the beach. Bakura was idlely swing their joined hands back and forth and dragging a long stick in the damp sand, leaving a trail.

"Mommy? Could we live here one day? It's so much nicer than Kuru Eruna. It's so nice here. The birds are pretty and sound like they are laughing and I like the green stuff."

"Grass." His mother said.

"Yeah! The grass is so soft and it tickles my toes!" Bakura said with a genki smile lighting his chibi face. His eyes sparkled with a child's wonder.

"Maybe in a year or two Bakura..." The voices faded and there was silence. I could still see the picture moving. I saw Bakura chasing the sea gulls and collecting shells with his mother. He seemed so happy. The it stopped and an ear-piercing scream filled my ears. Then more and more, Cries of pain and agony were heard all over. There was a splat, then the image in front of me was covered crimson blood then engulfed in flames. I flung my hands in front of my face and saw no more.

~Malik's POV~

Well I can perfectly say that I am frozen. Yup, frozen. So this is what a Popsicle feels like... I feel sorry for it, I truly do. I am so stiff I can't move my fingers... Is that a bad sign? Maybe I'll ask Ryou, he's lived in odd/exotic/remote places before. Humm... Maybe he can tell me. Nah. The descendent of a wacked Voodoo-Priest-Wicca (even though he wont admit it) Thief-King is sound asleep. He doesn't know it, but he is very... scary when he wakes up. I swear he foams at the mouth.

"Hey Malik?" Oh look who's finally awake. Miss sleeping beau—Holy Thoth on a stick! He looks... atrocious. Big word there, but it fits. Let me give you a description of his current state. His hair is knotted and tangled, in my opinion it looks like a rats nest. His eyes are dull brown, not that shiny, sparkling ones that are usually there, more like Bakura's depressed ones... yet less hard and more depressed since it's rare to see Bakura depressed. He has bags under his eyes from lack of sleep and is deathly pale... Wait, he was that colour before. But this is a sickly pale. His lips are chapped and show signs of previous bleeding.

"Ryou, you look horrible." I say.

"Can't say the same for you." He says with a small smile and a bit of light in his eyes. Well he at least he still has his humor. But now is not the time for jokes. "I had the strangest dream."

~Normal POV~

"About what?" Malik asked.

Ryou smiled sadly. He wasn't about to tell him who was in it. "A mother and her little boy at the beach." He said sadly.

"What's so—oh, sorry." Malik had nearly forgotten that when Ryou was young he had lost his mother. Malik himself never knew his mother. But Ryou did. Ryou was around 10 when his mother passed on from some disease.

"She used to take me to the beach too. Well, it wasn't much of a beach. More like a cliff with soft green grass over looking the Atlantic Ocean. We would go there ever Sunday after church and have a picnic, Just Amane, Mom, Dad and me. We would stay there for hours and listen to stories and take naps and play tag. I miss that. Then Amane died and we stopped going. Mom got very depressed and was diagnosed with something and died 3 months later. She didn't have the will to go on. Dad started working more and we moved often. I never had any friends. And just when I thought I hit rock bottom, the ground opened up and swallowed me. I received the ring and my life when from bad to worse."

Ryou was crying now. "But now things are starting to get better. I have friends. Yami is the like a brother to me. You know, like the ones that steal your underwear and put them on the roof with a sign that says: 'Ryou's Underwear' On April Fools day. The kind that eats the last Boston cream that was 'supposedly' reserved for you. The kind that's always there for you, in his odd little way. My dad is starting to spend more time home with me. My life is starting to look up again."

Malik didn't know what to do for his friend who had just let out years of pent up sorrow. Well he probably did this regularly; I mean the kid wrote letters to his dead sister not to long ago. Malik awkwardly hugged his now sobbing friend.

"Sorry if I'm not much comfort, but I'm not very good at this kinda stuff. You know I hate when you get all teary or mushy on me." Malik said.

Ryou laughed a little. "Sorry, but I can't hold it in. Sorry if I ruined your shirt." He said sheepishly, wiping away his tears and standing up. "Now, how 'bout we go looking for Ishtar and Bakura. How dose that sound. They're probably looking for us right now. I mean we were gone for... god knows how long!"

"HEY! MALIK! RYOU!"

Ryou and Malik turned and saw Ishtar running towards them.

"Ishtar! Where have you been?" Malik yelled at his Yami.

"Where have I been? Knocked unconscious by Bakura or who ever he is. I just woke up about... 5 hours ago. I've been looking for you everywhere!" Ishtar said, and in an uncharacteristic movement, gathered the two youths I a big Yami-bear hug™.

"I missed you guys!" Ishtar exclaimed joyfully.

"The feelings mutual." Malik mumbled.

"Is that sarcasm I hear? I'm hurt!" Ishtar turned around and made fake sobbing sounds.

"I'm just kidding, man. Anyway, what happened with Bakura?" Malik asked.

During all this Ryou was getting an unnerving feeling deep within himself. Odd vibes were coming from Bakura's soul room. Dark vibes like when Bakura decided to worship his many Pagan Gods and need a sacrifice. Kinda like that time when there relationship was not on good terms and it was some time of the lunar calendar when a virgin sacrifice was needed. Lets just say that night was the scariest time of his life. Never trust Bakura's deceivingly silky sweet voice, the spirit was a demon before he changed.

"Well, I think Bakura's possessed by a spirit. I know I know, it doesn't see possible but it is. The guys name is Hyakuhei and he tried to dispose of me! Wait till I get my hands on him... Grrrr."

Malik sweat dropped. Wasn't every day your Yami was knocked unconscious.

~Mean while with the Tri-haired duo~

"I hate this." Was all Yami said as the jeep speeded down the rocky road to the dig. Yami didn't like the bouncing and the bumping and vibrations from the old, rusty automobile. Being Pharaoh, he was used to smooth rides in boats on the Nile and smooth rides in a chariot. Yami abhorred the constant up and down, back and forth, side to side motions that were experienced all at once.

"Can't you stop this confounded thing? Not one am I sea sick... in an automobile but I getting rather sore and stiff. Can't this thing go smoothly instead of bouncing every second? This is absolutely ridiculous."

"Yami," Yugi said through giggles. "You sound like a prissy British person of high authority. Not insulting British people but it's just so funny with your choice of words. I mean who uses 'confounded' anymore? Or 'automobile'?"

(A/n: Yami pronounces automobile like this: 'au-to-mo-bile' not 'au-to-mo- beel' kay? ^.~ back to the fic)

"For your information I speak like that when I'm pissed." Yami grumbled.

"What is with you today? Are you sure your not on PMS?" Yugi asked.

"I'm not a woman. And how do you know what PMS is Yugi? Is there something your not telling me?" Yami asked raising an eyebrow.

"Yami, with Tristan and Joey around, it's kinda hard not to. And plus, in this day and age there is a little thing called 'family life'."

"Don't wiggle your fingers like that. It's creepy." Yami said, shivering slightly.

"Like this?" Yugi asked, doing the quotations.

"Argh stop! It's creepy." Yami screamed, waving his hands in the air to knock away Yugi. It really didn't scare him, they were just having fun.

"Bawhahahaha!" Yugi yelled, doing more quotations.

In the front seat, Mr. Bakura and the driver both sweat dropped. The pair were quite... odd, to put it lightly. Not that they were bad kids, they were just strange and unorthodox.

This was going to be a very strange trip.

A very strange trip indeed.

~~~~

Kyoko: That's all.

Bakura: What!?! I'm not in there.

Kyoko: I just wanted everyone to know where everyone else is at, not just you.

Bakura: Not fair.

Kyoko: :P To bad! HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Bakura: (goes off and sulks)

Kyoko: He's so cute when he dose that. Looks like Ryou!

Ryou: (runs by with a knife)

Kyoko: ......... Right

Bakura: THAT'S MINE! (runs after Ryou)

Ryou: Eeeeep! (runs away!)

Kyoko: ANYWAY... this chapter was my way of saying sorry for not putting the other characters in last chapter. Besides... I have writers block for Bakura's part anyway (shrugs).

Well as always, review. Remember: friendly criticism is welcome. No flames please.

Kyoko-san, finished at 8:19PM