Yugi stepped out of the cab and looked up at the airport. Joey already stood at the top of the steps, bang slung over his shoulder. Yugi waved and paid the cabdriver, then ran to greet his friend.
When he reached the top of the steps a figure near the entrance caught his eye. He was leaning against the glass window beside the door and appeared to be deep in thought.
"Hey, Joey," Yugi said, gazing at the white haired guy. "Is that Ryou?"
Joey turned and peered over his shoulder to the guy. "I think so. But what would he be doing here?"
"Maybe he's going somewhere, too." Yugi guessed. "Let's go say hi."
Joey nodded and followed his short friend over to Ryou. As they got closer Yugi felt a strange feeling.
Yugi, Yami uttered from the back of his mind. Something's not right.
What do you mean? Yugi asked. Within his mind he could feel Yami tense a bit.
Just be on guard around him. Yami advised. Yugi gave a mental nod.
As they approached the guy raised his head. It was indeed Ryou.
"Hey Ryou." Joey said as him and Yugi stopped before him. "What are you doing here?"
"I got your message, Yugi." Ryou told them. "And, I know why you're going."
"You do?" Yugi asked, the fleeting feeling getting stronger.
Ryou nodded. He reached into his coat and pulled something out. "He told me."
Yugi's eyes widened. Ryou held the Millennium Ring in his hand. Both Yugi and Joey blinked at it. Yugi could feel that even Yami was a bit stunned by the sudden appearance of the Ring.
"Wha-wait a second." Joey said, snapping out of it. "He-the spirit of the Ring told you?"
Ryou gave another nod. "Yes. He explained to me the importance of keeping the Shadow Gems separate. And, even more odd, is he wishes to help you." Again, Joey and Yugi stood in shock at his words.
"He... wants to help..." Yugi finally uttered. "Why?"
"That's what I asked." Ryou admitted. "He said he didn't want 'his world' overrun by horrible creatures."
"Leave it to the spirit of the Ring to be worried about 'his world'." Joey mumbled.
"Bakura." Ryou stated.
"Huh?" Joey asked, confused.
"He'd prefer it if you called him Bakura." Ryou explained.
Joey blinked. "Ok then..."
Yugi sighed a bit. Should we let him come with us? He asked Yami.
I'm not sure. Yami said, thinking. He's been traitorous in the past. What would stop him from attacking us when our backs are turned?
Good point... Yugi uttered.
Ryou seemed to understand the conflict going on in Yugi's head. "He won't cause any trouble." He assured them. "He gives you his word as a thief."
"Yeah, but how reliable is the word of a thief?" Joey asked.
"I think it's a good idea." A voice behind them spoke. All three looked to see Ishizu and Marik standing behind them. Ishizu smiled while Marik eyed the Ring warily.
"Hi Ishizu." Yugi said. "When did you get here?"
"Not to long ago." She told him. "And I think it is a good idea for Ryou and Bakura to assist us. We can get more things done."
Ryou smiled and gave a slight bow of thanks to Ishizu. She returned it.
"But, Ishizu." Marik said, obviously not liking this arrangement. "Can we trust him?"
Ryou nodded to himself. "He wants to know if he can trust you?"
Marik glared at the Ring Ryou was still holding onto. He opened his mouth to retort but Ishizu silence him.
"Enough." She said warningly. "They are going to be coming with us, and that is that."
Marik crossed his arms but said nothing. Ishizu smiled.
"I don't even want to know what's going on." Another voice stated. The others turned to see Kaiba had arrived.
"Good, we're all here." Ishizu said. "Let's proceed." She went into the airport, the others following.
"So, what's the plan?" Joey asked once inside the airport.
"We will go into groups." Ishizu said over her shoulder. She stopped and turned to them. "Yugi, you and Kaiba will be going to Ireland to retrieve the Celtic Gem Keeper." Yugi nodded and Kaiba just huffed. Ishizu turned to the others. "Ryou and Joey, you shall be going to India. Marik and I will go to Canada. After you collect your Gem Keepers, we shall meet in Greece. In this fashion we will be able to find all the Gem Keepers."
"What about the Egyptian Gem Keeper?" Yugi asked. "Doesn't someone have to go to Egypt to get them?"
"Unlike all the other Gems," Marik explained. "The Egyptian Gem's Keeper never passed it on, instead hid it within a temple somewhere. So we don't have to worry about it."
Ishizu nodded, then continued. "Once in Greece we will decide just how we are going to get back Mokuba."
She continued to explain where the Ancient Gem Keepers lived and most likely the Present Gem Keepers would be there as well. After a few more instructions Ishizu sent them on their way.
They each got on their separate planes, not knowing what would exactly happen during now and Greece.