Alrighty people…another update…Now you get to know if Bakura catches up or not…what if he doesn't! Le Gasp! Poor Avila…she's feeling pretty depressed right now...don't you think…?

Anyways, thank you for the many reviews! The more I get the happier I become!

Also, the reason Bakura didn't kill Atemu when he did was because 1. He wanted to just scare him till he knew Avila was alright 2. He wanted him to suffer from anxiety. Scare him shitless, always on the alert. I mean, Bakura got into his bedroom, who's to say he can't get anywhere else? 3. He wants to make him die a painful death, a death that's more befitting of him.

So there are my reasons! XD

Note: Due to family issues, my updates will be delayed a little…I decided I would update now while I had the chance, and so I wouldn't leave you hanging…Then you might go insane and attack me! Eeep!

Now on with the story!

Chapter 22

Up the Nile:

Avila stood on the deck of the boat, taking in deep breaths of air, trying to calm her churning stomach. She hated being below deck in her small cramped cabin. She was just lucky that she didn't have to share like Kuni and Malik. They had decided that it would be best to leave her alone. Besides, she needed the peace and quite. She didn't need to hear them fighting every two minutes.

Avila looked around, scanning the land mass that surrounded them, as they made their slow progress up the Nile. Avila pushed back a fly away strand of her blackish brown hair and heaved a heavy sigh. She didn't know how much longer she could stand being trapped on a boat. She wanted to run around so bad. "What'cha thinking about?"

Avila gave a faint smile. "Adonis…If I told you what I was thinking at this very moment, you would cringe in fear and run off to find your mother. So I think it best I don't tell you what my thoughts are. Though you seem awfully interested. I can't blame you. I am a very interesting person."

Adonis was a young Roman man, who had come to Egypt to study their medicine and potions. He was short for a man, but still taller then Avila. He had shoulder length blonde hair and curious hazel eyes, eyes that seemed to beg for knowledge. She wasn't too sure if he knew she was female or not. She was used to people being fooled by her clothing. "Aw, but my mind will be wandering in circles if you don't tell. I'd rather run to my mother in comfort then guess and make up an even terrifying visual."

Avila shook her head, while giving a small smile. "Adonis, I think its best that you leave me now…I need to dwell on my thoughts…whether they be horrendous or just plain." She turned her back on him, telling him that she was finished with the conversation. She wasn't in the mood to make idol chit chat. Even though Adonis was a kind young man. He had taken care of her sea sickness and brought her bread and water when she requested. He was a handy tool, but nothing more.

"Aw…looks like Avila has an admirer…" A voice she knew all too well whispered behind her. "Malik…I don't think he even knows I'm female…" Avila felt her body tense. She had just gotten rid of the nosey Adonis and now she had the irritating, taunting ex Tomb keeper. "Would you just please…leave me alone…for once!" Avila burst, spinning on him and giving him a dark glare. Malik raised his golden brow in confusion. "You've changed a lot Avila. You know that right?" Without another word he walked away, leaving a flustered Avila behind.

"Malik! Leave her alone!" Kuni yelled, smacking him on the shoulder while giving him a fixed glare. "She's gone through enough already! We don't need you causing anymore trauma then there needs to be!" Malik frowned, then crossed his arms over his chest. "I was just trying to help her. She didn't look to well. And stop giving me that look. You know my intentions were good…and that seldom happens!" Kuni looked down, not able to stand his own intense glare. "Kuni…Maybe we were wrong in taking her away from Egypt." Malik sighed after a moment of silence.

"No!" Kuni looked up at him and shook her head. "If she had stayed, everything would have reminded her of Bakura. The Pharaoh would always be hot on our tails, and she would never be safe. We talked about this. Rome is safe! I have cousins there that will shelter us till we are on our own feet again. If we turn back now, all the emotional stress that we had placed on her frail shoulders would have been for nothing! NOTHING!" Kuni gripped his shoulders and gave him a light shake, as if trying to rattle his brain into sensible thoughts.

"You don't think I know this! God Kuni! I'm just saying…What if Bakura is still alive? What if he did survive and he's looking for us right now! She'd never know! She'd never forgive us if she found out. We should have stayed just a little longer. Made sure he was dead before leaving and uprooting her life!" Malik turned away from Kuni, placing a hand to his forehead. "I need fresh air." Kuni whispered, shoving past him and heading towards the deck. She was tired of always arguing with the lout, and didn't want to deal with it anymore. She knew her intentions were good, and in the right place. But she couldn't help but think that they were all wrong. Wrong in the sense of timing.

"Please…Ra. Tell me I was right in doing this! Please tell me my thoughts have all been right!" Kuni cried, actually believing in the sun god she had shun her whole life. "Just this once. I beg of you…Make Avila happy!"

"Avila? Who's Avila?" Adonis asked, as he stepped up beside Kuni. Kuni gave him a puzzled look. Didn't he already know Avila? "Is she a friend of yours? Sounds like you're having problems…you just want to help her I take it?" He leaned against the railing of the ship and studied Kuni with questioning hazel eyes. His blonde hair tied back with a ribbon. He looked to be around his twenties, with soft features that most likely attracted females from all over.

"Adonis…? Isn't it? Well, I would like it if you wouldbutt out of my problems and stop eavesdropping. If you don't know who Avila is, then it's only fair for me to say, you don't need to know. Why should I let an outsider in on her business! Good day to you." Kuni nodded her head, and then briskly stomped off, knowing he would not follow.

"Is it just me…Or is everyone on this boat hostile?" Adonis whispered as he watched her run off.

Sand flew into his eyes, rendering him blind for a split second. "Ra damn it!" he cursed as he wiped at them with the back of his hand. He didn't have any time to spare for his comfort. He knew Malik, and he knew what he was doing. He was protecting Avila. Bakura gritted his teeth, and leaned forward, urging his horse to go faster. If he missed them in Alexandria, he would loss them forever.

"Please…give me speed!" he pleaded, not sure who the plea was directed to. "I'll do anything!" he whispered, and with his promise he gave another swift kick to the horse.

(Animal abuse! Poor horse!)

Avila gave a groan as she fell onto her cot. She didn't know how much longer she could take this voyage. She wanted it to be over already, she wanted to be on land so bad, that she vowed she would kiss the dirt! (I know how she feels! XP) she shifted to her side, and gave a grunt of pain. "Damn! What's wrong with me now?" she placed a hand to her stomach and flinched a little at the sharp pain she received. Fear jumped into her eyes as she felt a wetness touch her thighs. She tore off her trousers and gave a scream. She rolled onto her back, gritting her teeth while doing so. She reached her hand down, to touch the liquid, to make sure she wasn't seeing things. She lifted her hand to her face and looked at it shakily.

"Kuni! Malik!" She screamed, looking at the door with fright, wanting them to rush in and tell her everything was alright. "Kuni!" She screamed again, looking down at her hand, which was now shaking. Minutes later, just before she was about to give up, Malik rushed into the room. "What's wrong Avila!" He asked looking around, expecting an attacker. Avila just held up her hand for his eyes, and gave a deep breath. "My baby!" She whispered, showing him the blood that covered her hand.

Malik felt the blood drain from his face, seeing her blood covered on her small hand. "Oh god!" He whispered, not knowing what to do. He rushed back out the door, hoping to run into someone who was a doctor. "Kuni!" He bellowed, surprised that he could even speak. "Kuni! Now would be a perfect time to stop being mad at me and appear!" He rushed up the latter, his heart beating rapidly in his chest. "Kuni!" He yelled again, trying to catch a glimpse of her long black hair. But instead, all he saw was Adonis.

"May I help you?" He asked, pushing away from the railing and inspecting Malik's troubled face. Malik looked him over then turned away. "I don't have time for this. I need to find Kuni because Avila needs help…She needs a doctor! Damn!" He kicked a near by pole in frustration, feeling guilt rush into his body.

"I'm a doctor." Adonis whispered, taking a step towards Malik. Malik spun on him and grabbed his arm, not even giving the man a chance to deny his services. "She's bleeding really badly!" He muttered over his shoulder as he pushed him below deck. Adonis gave in and just followed the man to the room his patient awaited in.

When they rushed into the room, Avila had passed out, breathing heavily and her face flushed with fever. "Stand back!" Adonis ordered, as he stepped into the cramped room. He placed his hand on her pale forehead, and gave a grim look. "She's burning with a very high fever…" he whispered to the nervous Malik who was pacing behind him. "Well! Fix her! You are a doctor aren't you! Save her and the Baby!" He roared, anger gripping at him. Adonis looked up, startled. "She's pregnant!" He looked down at the face beneath his hand and gave a smile. "Aw! I knew you were female…there was no hiding it!" He muttered.

"Don't just stand there! Help her!" Malik screamed, not feeling at all at ease. Adonis nodded his head, then rolled up the sleeves of his tunic. "Let's see what my training has taught me so far…"

Sorry this is so short, but I've got little to no more time left, and I really wanted to post this before I have to go. So…I'll try and make a longer update next time…ok? My promise to you…

Oh, and the baby…is…I'm not telling! Bwhahahahahahaha! I'm just going to leave you guessing…and yes, Josana IS dead…

Yes, I know I'm evil, I left another cliff hanger. Did Avila lose the baby or not? Find out next chapter!

And JoBear...Yes...Bakura never really had a chance to realize he was going to be a father...he was too busy worrying about Avila and killing the Pharaoh...so, yep...Bakura is on the slow side!