-Wild Aces-

Gazing out over the dark horizon, Keith narrowed his eyes as a rider came into view. "Who's that rider?" he asked turning to another man standing beside him while spitting out a bit of his tobacco.

"Could be Cody, Silver Mane sent him out earlier to swipe some papers over what the trains were transporting," the other man grunted, puffing out a mouthful of smoke from a thick cigar.

Nodding, Keith passed the other guy and walked inside the hideout, heading straight to the back room where their alleged boss was. Opening the door to the back room, he cleared his throat catching the silver haired man's attention since he was busy entertaining himself with a young lady that the others had picked up a few days ago, apparently it was the Mayor of Silver City's daughter.

Growling at the intrusion, Pegasus or a.k.a. Silver Mane, as he was called amongst his bandits as well the rest of the population in the West glared at Keith. "What is it? Can't you see that I'm trying to make our dear guest feel welcome?" he snapped, slowly caressing the girl's cheek, completely ignoring her muffled protests.

"How come ya didn't tell me you were planning on robbing a train?" Keith asked, stomping his way closer to the other. "We don't even know what happened to Yami, since he disappeared! He could still be alive and if that's the case, he and his friends are going to be after our asses like a hound on a coon!"

"You're giving those pitiful excuses for outlaws far too much credit, Keith," Pegasus chided, slowly leaving the girl to walk over to the other and putting a hand on his shoulder. "Come with me and I will show you what I'm really after."

Keith complied as they both left the room to run into the rider that he had seen outside. He quirked an eyebrow curiously though as he noticed the paled expression on the rider's aged face. 'Hmm, looks like he might've had a run in with someone.'

"H-here's the schedule of the train depots shipments," the rider stuttered while handing Silver Mane a large rolled up sheet of parchment. Swallowing as his boss took paper from his hands, he stiffened lightly.

"Hmm," Pegasus sighed, opening up the rolled up paper to stare at the contents briefly with a smile forming on his face, looking up at the rider, he frowned slightly at watching the rider shift around nervously. "What's wrong?"

"The Wild Aces, Silver Mane. I seen them in Vander," the man blurted while pulling off his hat and twisting it in his hands nervously. "That tri color haired one was there too, it looked like his friends as well as these other fellers, that looked like them were moving him somewhere."

"Those boys we seen in town," Keith shook his head lightly. "They just don't know when to quit!"

Waving his hand, Pegasus snorted. "Ignore them for the time being," he grumbled, motioning for Keith to follow him into another room. Seeing that Keith was following him, he closed the door and walked over to the desk in the center to roll out the rolled up parchment in his hands. "Take a look at this."

Shaking his head, Keith looked over the plans and gasped lightly. "It's a gold and military run!" he choked out. "Are you out of your damn mind? That train will be full of soldiers!"

"Part of the thrill, my dear Keith," Pegasus mused with a sly, sinister grin.

"Maybe, but I think you're forgetting about 4 certain Aces that will be after our hides!" Keith cried out. "Yami also knows where our hideout is, which means that Seto, Bakura, and Marik will know where to hunt us down, since they will also know that we were the ones that shot Yami in the first place!"

"You worry far too much," Pegasus sighed, shaking his head while taking a seat and threading his fingers together. "This run takes place in Daxton, and then it goes to Vander and so forth."

"Oh hell, we'll be heading straight to them," Keith groaned, rubbing his face in frustration.

"Nonsense, this run isn't going to be happening for another two weeks," Pegasus chuckled, watching as Keith flopped down in a chair. "As for our dear Aces, well if I'm correct in guessing, then I would say that the key to their undoing will be in Vander, so if they interfere then we will be troublesome!"

"You're loosing me, what in Vander would mean so much to those four?" Keith asked curiously.

Pegasus clucked his tongue in amused disappointment. "Keith, think about three of those Aces and what we seen a few days ago while in that town," he smiled seeing the gears slowly turning in his companion's head.

"You can't possibly mean those runts we seen that looked like them."

"Ah, but I do mean those 'runts'," Pegasus chuckled.

"Yeah, well that still leaves Seto," Keith pointed out.

"I think Mr. Ace of Clubs had a slight infatuation with that blond deputy that we seen there as well," Pegasus smiled. "So you see, we know their weakness now."

"So we do," Keith smirked. "Bring on the train."

"Yes, indeed," Pegasus chuckled deviously. "Bring on the train!"

Morning sunlight filtered in through the sheer fabric of the curtains to dance across a soft cherubic face, causing it to twitch in annoyance at the light beaming down on them.

Amethyst eyes slowly fluttered open from the intrusive light. Blinking his eyes to let them come into focus, Yugi immediately blushed and clamped a hand over his mouth so not to gasp out loud as he found out the reason why he was so warm all night. 'O-oh my…'

Continuing to flush at his current position, Yugi hoped that he hadn't caused Yami any pain during the night. Looking up at the other's face, his blush intensified as he noticed the content smile on that handsome face. 'I wonder what he's dreamin' of.'

Not being able to resist, Yugi brought up one of his hands and brushed Yami's bangs away from his eyes before gently caressing his cheek. It was a touch that was as light as a feather, and to many they would have never felt it, but to Yugi's surprise Yami moved against the touch and groaned in disappoint as Yugi took away his hand to place it over his own heart, while blushing every shade of red possible. 'I can't believe he actually felt that, I've done that to Ryou, Malik, and even Joey when they were sick… and they never felt it… but he did.'

Shaking his head, he decided to go ahead and get ready before embarrassing himself further or having his grandpa coming in and raising questions that Yugi really didn't feel up to answering. Getting ready to scoot off the bed, he gasped as he felt something grab his wrist. Looking down at his wrist, he blushed finding Yami's long tan, nimble fingers enclosed around the appendage. Fighting off a sigh at the feel of the warm hands, he looked up into sleepy crimson eyes that caused his inner self to melt, "Y-yami?"

"Stay," Yami pleaded with a small smiled, not wanting Yugi to leave him just yet. He was enjoying the feel of the other against him, and the angel's touch was the closest thing to heaven that he could ever dream of. Seeing those amethyst eyes looking at him shyly, he rubbed his thumb lightly over the top of the other's hand. "Just for a bit longer, please."

Not able to resist the look in those crimson eyes or the pleading note in that sultry voice, Yugi melted in defeat. He might've had 'puppy-dog-pout' eyes as a secret weapon, but Yami had a voice and looks that made him putty in the other's hands. Nodding at the pleading request, he scooted back over to where he was earlier and blushed as Yami's fingers mapped their course through his hair, brushing through the strands in an addicting way. 'Anything for you, Yami…'

Meanwhile…

Bakura yawned and stretched, feeling his bones and muscles tense and creak at the movement. Shaking his head, he combed his fingers through the mass of spiky white locks before walking out the door and heading down the hall.

"Oh, good morning, Bakura," Ryou smiled while sipping his tea at the kitchen table.

"Mornin', Ryou," Bakura yawned before slumping down on a chair across from the other. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he looked around the room to notice some biscuits and other breakfast items sitting on the counter by the stove.

"Breakfast is waiting for you, care for some tea as well?" Ryou asked watching as Bakura shuffled over to the counter and loaded down a plate with food.

"No… thanks, have any… milk?" Bakura asked around a mouth full of biscuit.

Ignoring the other's lack of manners, Ryou pointed over to a silver pitcher on another counter. "There's some in that pitcher, I went out to the ice house this morning to get it."

Blinking curiously, Bakura grabbed the pitcher and poured himself a glass of milk before putting it back, grabbing his plate and glass, and taking his seat once again. "How long have ya been up?"

"Oh, I wake up at the crack of dawn every morning," Ryou smiled cheerfully, while mentally chuckling at the surprised expression on Bakura's face. "I have to wake up early, because I never know when the Doc may need my assistance."

"Up before the roosters, ain't ya?" Bakura mused, eating his breakfast. It was absolutely delicious, way better than anything Seto ever fixed. "Ya sure are one hell of a cook, by the way."

Blushing at the comment, Ryou coughed at nearly choking on his tea. "Thank you, glad to know that I haven't lost my touch in the kitchen," he smiled while getting up from his seat and taking his cup back to place it into a pan to wash later. "I hate to leave you, but I've got to go and see if I'm needed…"

"No problem, I'll probably be in town later," Bakura offered with his own smile. "I have to check on Yami and of course get a drink at the saloon." Shaking his head, he mentally groaned, realizing that he was in fact falling for his sweet look-a-like, meaning that Seto, and Marik were right. 'I'll be damned, oh well I guess there is a first time for everything. Why in the hell can't I quit smiling!'

Grinning, Ryou nodded before giving the other a wave. "Okay, well I guess I'll see ya in town."

Watching the other walk out the door, Bakura looked down at his now empty plate. "I'm definitely going to need a drink now," he mused, getting up from his seat and placing his dish in the pan with Ryou's cup. "I don't think whiskey will help this time… hmm I wonder if this saloon has Moonshine." Recalling his first encounter with the strong liquor, he shook his head, "Nevermind, I'll stick with the whiskey."

Coming to a decision, he quickly ran back upstairs and grabbed his gun belt, hat, and duster before heading back down the stairs and out to the barn to notice that Ryou had already disappeared. Pulling his tack from the rack on the wall, he dumped it all on a bale of hay before opening the stall door and letting his horse out of the stall.

The black and white paint snorted in greeting while pawing at the ground as Bakura put on the saddle blanket and saddle and fastening up the straps. Reaching for the bridle he glared at his horse. "Don't even think about biting me, Bandit," he growled in warning, knowing his horse hated the bits, but last night after Ryou had went to sleep he had swiped an apple and rubbed it against the bit to coat the metal with the juicy treat.

Taking off the halter, he got the bridle in place and smiled in victory as the horse took the bit willingly, for once. Satisfied with himself, Bakura grabbed the reins and climbed up into the saddle before nudging Bandit, causing the horse to canter quickly out of the barn and head straight to town.

Marik groaned at the aching pain in his side as he rolled over to promptly sneeze from something tickling his nose. "Dammit!" he hissed loudly before growling at a certain horse whinnying at him in a form of laughter. "Zip it, Ren!" he snapped, crawling over to look down at the horse below him.

The palomino continued to neigh heartily while tossing its head in a mocking manner and stomping its front hooves, as in a show of finding its rider's predicament amusing.

"Renegade," Marik warned, glaring at the horse angrily. "Keep it up, and I'll trade you in."

The stallion snorted lightly while shaking its head.

"Don't give me that look!" Marik snapped grumpily while climbing down the ladder to the hay loft. Making his way to his horse, he smacked the sensitive nose, causing the horse to pull its head back and advert its ears forward. "There, much better," he mused, retrieving his hat, duster, and guns from a hanger beside his horse's stall and leaving the barn to hear another whinny in amusement.

Turning to look at the horse, he growled at seeing the familiar inky black stallion neighing at him in laughter. "Shut up!" he hissed, narrowing his glare. "It's your Master's damn fault that I'm in here in the first place." Storming out of the barn, he quickly headed down to the saloon, needing a drink to take his thoughts off his rotten night.

Seeing his companion, Bakura cocked an eyebrow curiously as he noticed pieces of hay sticking out of the corn silk locks. Tying his horse to a post, he cleared his throat to get Marik's attention.

"Where the hell did you come from?" Marik asked, his tone relaying his bad mood.

"Damn, good morning to you too," Bakura frowned before reaching over to pluck out a piece of hay. "What happened to you?"

Rubbing a hand over his face, Marik groaned. "It's been a hell of a night, and its all Yami's fault," he growled before giving a little glare at his companion. "Then again, you had a hand in it as well."

Bakura blinked. "What in the Sam-hill are you talking about?"

Snorting at the other, Marik pushed his way into the saloon and skulked up to the bar before taking a stool and ordering his drink.

Not liking the way the other was acting, Bakura stormed in after him and took the stool beside him to get a drink as well. "Would you tell me what the hell is going on? And what does it have to do with me and…"

"Don't say his name," Marik hissed. "At least not yet anyways, wait till I've had a few drinks, calmed down and then I'll tell ya."

Rolling his eyes, Bakura nodded. "All right, Marik."

Receiving his drink, Marik downed the shot quickly and closed his eyes to collect his thoughts before opening them to look over at his companion who was also taking a drink. Looking solemnly at the other, he sighed while dropping his gaze. "Malik took it away from me last night."

Brows furrowing in confusion, Bakura blinked. "What did he take away from you?"

Marik pouted lightly. "My dynamite. He snatched it right from under my damn pillow and then hid it from me!"

Bakura snorted, holding in his laughter at the thought of what the scene might have looked like.

"And it's all yours and Yami's fault, warning Malik of my stash," Marik glared, continuing to pout. "Course I blame this more on Yami than you, but still it's both y'all's fault!"

Biting his lip to keep from laughing, Bakura shook his head. "Ok, so he took away your dynamite," he said softly, his voice wavering from wanting to laugh at the other. "I'm just curious as to why you had hay in your hair."

"Because I slept out in the damn hay loft of the barn, that's why!" Marik snapped, sulking in his stool once again. "Malik through me out of the house."

"Can I ask why?" Bakura asked lightly, muffling his voice by his hand, since he was close to releasing a fit of laughter.

Pouting once again, Marik ran a finger across the rim of his shot glass. "Well after he took my dynamite away, I couldn't sleep, the damn pillow was just too flat," he sighed. "So I took my guns out and put the pillow over them, and it actually did feel a lot better, that was until in my sleep my hand went under my pillow and the next thing I know there's a loud 'bang' going off, a window shattering and Malik coming in and dragging me out of his house."

That did it, Bakura could no longer contain himself as he broke out laughing, slamming a hand down on the bar, he continued to bark in laughter, causing many of the patrons to look at him strangely.

"Dammit, Whitey, it's not funny!" Marik snapped, glaring at the white haired outlaw that was now in tears.

"HA-HA-HA, Don't -HA-HA- call me –HA-HA- Whitey!" Bakura managed out between fits of laughter.

Hearing the loud laughter, Ryou was surprised to find out the cause of the commotion was from Bakura. Chuckling at the look of the laughing outlaw, he hoped that the other wouldn't loose his voice from the volume of the laughter. "What's so funny?"

Bakura getting ready to tell the other took a deep breath, but taking a glance over at Marik he nearly fell off his stool as he burst out laughing once again.

"Marik, can you tell me what's wrong?" Ryou asked, cocking his head curiously to the side before blinking at noticing some hay poking out of the other's hair. "And why is there hay in your hair?"

"HA-HA-HA-HA!"

Growling at the other's constant laughter, Marik turned to look at Ryou. "I had a nice sleep out in the barn last night, and if we're really lucky, Whitey there is going to die of laughter."

Blinking at the outburst, Ryou decided that Marik was not to be messed with this morning in particular. "Oh, alright," he mused before looking around to notice Bakura slowly trying to regain his breath. "Um, have you seen Malik by any chance?"

Hearing the name, Bakura looked at Marik once again before folding his arms onto the bar counter and burying his head to hide his laughter. Taking a deep breath, he composed himself and looked back at Ryou. "I ain't seen him; maybe he's still in bed or something."

"Could be, or maybe he had some customers to attend to," Ryou mused before turning to the front of the bar to see the one they were talking about. "There you are."

Malik eyed the others before turning to glare over at Marik, who had visibly shrunk away from the glare. Marching up to the other, he cleared his throat. "You do realize you owe me a new window!"

Bakura nearly choked on his drink of whiskey as he watched Marik nod and pout as if he were a child getting punished by its parent. It was hilarious and something he would definitely have to tell the others about.

"Could someone please tell me what's going on?" Ryou asked, genuinely confused at the conversation. "Why does Marik owe you a window?"

Malik smirked getting ready to tell his friend what happened but noticed the pout on Marik's face. It was the cutest thing he had ever seen. "Maybe later, Ryou. It's not that important for now."

"I'll tell you," Bakura chuckled.

"You do, and I'll tell them all about your exciting moment with Whiskey," Marik growled out, but smirked noticing the other tense at the name. It was the name that they had given the steer that had taken Bakura for a ride he would never forget.

"Bastard," Bakura mumbled, taking another drink.

Marik smiled lightly at having the upper hand before looking over at Malik, "Can I get ya drink?"

"You're not trying to bribe me are you?" Malik asked, taking a seat before crossing his arms and leaning closer to the other. "Tell me though; did you sleep well in the barn?"

Grumbling, Marik just took another drink of whiskey, choosing to ignore the question and grumble at all his ill fortune and plot on ways of getting Yami and Bakura back for causing him to loose his precious stash.

Elsewhere…

Joey smiled, watching as Mokuba fed the large roan colored steer that was in the paddock beside the barn. He was surprised at how comfortable he felt around Seto and his little brother, of course the black haired little rascal was adorable and just the type that you couldn't help but like.

"So pup, did ya have a nice night?"

Turning, Joey watched as Seto exited the house to sit on a bench beside of him. "Yup, it was a great night," he mused. "Whose bed did I have anyways?"

"Yami's," Seto smirked. "Probably felt like a new bed didn't it?" Seeing the other nod he chuckled, "Figures, he hardly ever slept in it."

"Why?"

"Yami is weird, he can run on only a few hours of sleep," Seto replied while crossing his arms. "Bakura and Marik on the other hand, well they sleep like the dead. I doubt cannon fire and a herd of buffalo could wake those two."

Chuckling, Joey shook his head lightly. "This is a really nice place ya have here."

"Thanks, it was left to us by our parents before they passed away," Seto sighed before chuckling at hearing his little brother's laughter from the steer licking his hand.

"Oh," Joey sighed, getting off the rocking chair. "So are we going to be heading back into town now?"

"Eager to get back to work so soon?"

"Hell no," Joey snorted. "I would have bank duty again, and I'm on the brink of just shooting the bank manager."

Chuckling at the remark, Seto got to his feet as well and walked over so that he stood beside the blond. "Then why so eager to get back to town?"

"Not that I don't like it here, or anything," Joey sighed, casting a glance at the brunet before looking back at the paddock, "I just like making sure that my friends are okay, especially Yugi, since he is the youngest and most trusting."

"Hmm, I wouldn't worry about him," Seto mused. "I'm sure Yami wouldn't let anything harm him."

"That's just it," Joey complained. "Yugi has always been like a little brother to me and well, I don't know Yami all that well enough to feel comfortable knowing he's alone with my pal."

Nodding his head, Seto smiled. "Trust me on this one then, pup," he patted the blond on the shoulder. "Yami likes Yugi and I think Yugi likes him too, so I can guarantee that Yami won't let anything happen."

Smiling at the reassurance, Joey nodded his thanks before feeling his stomach rumble. "So how about some breakfast?"

"What, I gave you shelter for one night and I've gotta feed you as well?" Seto chuckled while shaking his head. "You're just like that stray I had."

"Oh very funny," Joey groaned before feeling an arm slide across his shoulders.

"C'mon then pup, if ya want food, you have to help fix it!" Seto chuckled while pulling the blond inside.