I'm really sorry for the long wait… I didn't even realize it's been so long (once again) before I checked when I've last updated and started counting the weeks. ::sweatdrop:: The time just flies past these days… Anyway, here's the sixth chapter, unbetaed at the moment – I'll change this to the betaed version as soon as I can. And this is short… -.- As always, if you spot some mistakes, feel free to point them out.

Review responses:

Yami-loverOB1: ::grin:: Yes, we will definitely see them again. (Yami and Ryou, if you don't anymore remember… ::sweatdrop::) Anyway, thanks for the review! Wow… I think you've always been the first one to review… : )

Guitarchangel: No, I don't think you have reviewed before… then again, I'm myself quite absent-minded these days. As for the 'Yami Seto?'… who knows, the first fics I read had that pairing, maybe it's still lurking somewhere in my mind. : ) (Btw, did you change your penname? I started to read one of your stories – the angel one – and now I don't find it anymore. ::sweatdrop:: Teaches me to review…)

Sarasusamiga: Ouch. That happened to me one time too many – nowadays I always write my (longer) reviews first on notepad. Stupid , eating reviews… I would have wanted to get that feedback. ::sigh:: Anyway, thanks for the review. : )

Kyrian: Hmm… I just have to say this… If you some day want to read a good Seto/Ryou story, try Pikachumaniac's Fairydust. Though I have to warn you – it has some brainwashing traits. (I guess the S/R in this can be blamed on that fic…) Anyway, Yugi and Bakura will get into this too, although we have to wait… I'd say at least to the chapter 10. ::blink:: This story's getting longer than I thought…

Aramis-chan: Glad to hear Yami's a bit scary – that's what I was trying to do. ; ) Given who he is in this he has to be a bit scary… As of whether Ryou or Bakura is the thief… ::grin:: I'll leave you guessing. Many thanks for the review!

Chapter 6

A big, black dog with a white belly was sniffling enthusiastically through the bushes by the roadside, his whole body reflecting his excitement. Suddenly he raised his head and turned to look at his master, ears alertly pricked forward. 'Rabbit… Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit…'

'No, Corral. Not now. Not today. Tomorrow.'

The dog shook his head, clearly disappointed, and with an accusing look towards his master turned his attention back to the bushes.

Jou sighed as he watched the dog, feeling a little jealous. Everything was so easy for dogs, so simple. Food, sleep, and hunting, that was pretty much what their world consisted of. Although Seto had once, quite exasperatedly, stated that it applied to Jou as well… The thought almost made him smile. Almost. It also brought back to his mind the reason why he was presently walking alone in the woods behind the King's Castle.

They had arrived to the King's City almost two weeks ago, and those two weeks had really got on his nerves. The days had been full of all kinds of festivities and formal occasions. Day after day, being all dressed-up, having – or trying to have – formal discussions with Ladies and Lords whose names he just couldn't remember, and, shortly put, behaving – or trying to behave – like a Lord himself. He had soon come to the conclusion that he much preferred the Hunter-part of his title. It did little to console him that all the other Hunter Lords seemed to share his opinions. So far, Seto had had to save him from many awkward situations – far too many for either of their likings.

Seto had done his job well, he had to admit that. He had taken care of every little duty the huntbrothers had in quite an exemplary way. It was just that although he did what he was supposed to do, Jou knew that his thoughts were always somewhere else. Even during the ceremony, when they had been in the front of the King himself and he had accepted them into the ranks of the Hunters, Jou had realized that his huntbrother's thoughts were again drifting away.

How difficult can it be to forget that boy, he thought, irritated, as he followed his dog deeper into the forest. It's not as if I had something against him falling in love, but… With an angry move he kicked a stone into the bushes, making Corral jump a little in surprise.

I'm trying to concentrate on the coming Hunt, but sometimes I wonder if he even remembers why we are here… Another stone flew away. He just does his chores like a sleepwalker, and…

Suddenly he felt something cold and wet touching his hand. He looked down in surprise and saw Corral sitting beside him, staring at him with what could almost be called a worried expression. He smiled a little.

"Don't worry, boy, I'm fine," he said aloud ruffling the dog's head gently. Jumping on his feet Corral pushed him softly, then ran a little forward and turned to look behind, expectantly, tongue hanging out. 'Rabbit… hunt…?' The question was as clear to Jou as if the dog had talked. Sadly he shook his head.

"Not today. I'm sorry, I'd love to hunt, but I've got other things to do today."

"I'm glad you remember."

The sullen voice behind his back made Jou jump a little. With a sigh he turned around. Seto was standing a few feet away, eyeing him angrily, not even trying to hide his frustration. Jou resisted an urge to roll his eyes.

"What now? I know I haven't done anything wrong today, what are you getting so pissed off about now?"

Seto glared at him for a moment and said then, as calmly as he could, "Do you happen to remember what day it is today?"

"The day before the Hunt," was Jou's immediate reply. Then he snorted. "I'm a little surprised you remembered that…"

Seto frowned, he hadn't expected that. "Of course I do. What do you mean?"

"What'd you think?!" Jou's own frustration was starting to get the better of him. "It's a wonder you remember anything nowadays, since the only thing in your mind seems to be a certain mop of white hair!"

Seto stiffened slightly, his face turning expressionless. Instinctively he raised up all the mental barriers he had. Jou couldn't help noticing that, and it did little to make his mood better.

"I have done everything I am supposed to do," Seto was saying, dangerously calmly. "You shouldn't have anything to complain about. What goes on in my mind is none of your business."

"You're my huntbrother, damn you!"

"Yes, I'm your huntbrother! Not one of your dogs… and not your property. I think what I want to."

Jou, still angry, was trying to come up with something to say, but Seto raised his hands, cutting him off. "Enough. This is enough, we don't have time for this. You're right, it is the day before your precious hunt – the hunt which is probably going to lead to your death someday, I might add… Do you also happen to remember what happens tonight?"

"Ye-ees, there's that great party, which… oh shit… it isn't that late yet, is it?"

"Late is just the right word," Seto muttered tiredly. "You'd better hurry up." He took a long look at his huntbrother and shook his head. "Go change your clothes while I take Corral away, and be quick about it."

His words had a commanding tone, and Jou lingered for a while where he was, glowering at Seto, not wanting to be ordered around.

Seto frowned. "Didn't you hear me? Go now! C'mon, Corral," he said turning around and heading towards the kennels.

Jou shrugged angrily and went on his way without saying anything. He hadn't walked for long when he heard Seto's voice behind him.

"Hey…"

"What?" he snapped angrily over his shoulder.

"The dog."

Jou blinked and looked behind. True enough, Corral was standing behind him; since he had not told the dog to follow Seto he had come along after him. With a little smirk he patted the dog gently, deliberately taking a long time. 'Good boy.' Corral's tail waved happily. "It's okay," Jou said aloud. "Go with him." With one more hesitant look at him Corral left his side and trotted reluctantly to Seto.

–

It was a busy evening in the inns of the King's City. The upcoming Sacred Hunt had attracted lots of people into the city, both from far and near. They all hoped to catch even a glimpse of the beginning of the Hunt, or, if that wasn't possible, to see as many Hunter Lords and their Ladies traveling on the streets as possible.

The Bucking Pony was also as full of people as possible, or so it seemed to the hooded figure who sat alone at a little corner table. He wasn't sure if he was glad about this or not. Yes, it was easy for him to stay unnoticed in such a crowd, but on the other hand he was worried that he wouldn't notice the one he was looking for. As a matter of fact, he was afraid that this had already happened. The evening was turning into night, but there was no sign of the girl he was waiting for. He knew that she would have to appear soon. Anyway, it hadn't been night in his vision.

He leaned against his table, stared at the door, and waited.

There seemed to be a constant flow of people going in and out of that door. Men and women, drunk and sober, richer and poorer… well, richer and less rich, to be exact. What he really was glad about was that The Bucking Pony was an inn of a better quality, and all those who were too drunk or started to bother other customers were swiftly dealt with, and there weren't many to begin with.

Three men left the inn, laughing noisily and quite drunkenly, and earning disapproving looks from the middle-aged couple that was just coming in. The boy stared at the tsk-ing woman sleepily, wondering how she would react to some real drunkards there were in some poorer inns. She'd probably… probably… With a start he sat up in his chair, staring at the slender figure that had slipped into the inn after the couple. It was a woman, probably young, although it was difficult to tell since she was dressed in a travelling cloak, which covered her from head to toe. Still, he was quite sure that this was the one he had been waiting for. No, he knew that she was the one.

Quickly he left his table and rushed after the girl who was climbing up the stairs.

"Hey! Milady, please… uh, I'm sorry…" It took him a little time to get past a group of young people who were just coming downstairs. "Hey, wait!"

The girl turned to look behind. "I'm sorry, were you talking to me?"

"Uh, yes, I…" He felt his cheeks turning hot and was really glad about the hood he was wearing. "I need to speak with you."

The girl sighed. "I really don't have time right now." Her voice was low, and quite impatient. "I am just going to get my things from my room, and then I'm going…" she cut herself off. "Did someone send you?" she asked suddenly.

"No… I…" The boy glanced nervously at the people who were passing them on the narrow stairs. "Please, it doesn't take long, I…" He locked his eyes onto those of the girl, or tried to. It wasn't that easy since her face was completely hidden beneath her hood. Suddenly it struck him what an odd couple they had to be, both hooded and whispering in the middle of the stairs. Well, at least he was whispering.

"I am sorry, I really have to go," the girl said turning around.

"No! Wait…" He grasped the girl's arm, making her stop and getting a peculiar look from a man who was walking past them. "You… you're a seer too, aren't you?" he whispered fervently to the girl, and felt her tense a little.

"What do you mean?" This time her voice was barely more than a whisper too. She started to climb slowly up and the boy followed her.

"Last night I looked into my crystal and it showed you to me. I know you're seer-born, so you know that if the crystal shows something, there has to be some purpose."

The girl was quiet for a moment, and when she talked again there was a hint of uncertainty in her voice. "It showed… me to you? What did I look like?"

"Well…" the boy frowned. "Quite young, maybe… I don't know… but over twenty anyway, and you're quite pale and have dark long hair… I don't think that you're Breodani," he finished.

The girl nodded slowly. "I am not …" She stopped in front of a door and opened it. For a moment she hesitated, then gestured then to the boy to step inside. "Come in, maybe we have time to talk a little before I leave." She removed her hood, looking seriously at the boy, confirming to him that she really was the one from his vision. She was tall and slender, maybe a little older than he had first thought. Her pale skin was in stark contrast to her dark, straight hair that fell down her shoulders over her midnight-blue hood. Definitely not one of the fair Breodani.

She nodded slightly at the boy. "I am Evayne a'Nolan."

The boy bowed back to her. "I… I'm Ryou," he said.

A/N: Evayne's not an OC, she's from the books. Btw… does anyone there have any idea what color her freaking eyes are? Probably not, if you don' even know the books… I'm sure it's mentioned there somewhere, I just can't find it. --;; I remember they were quite pale, but other than that…

That was pretty short chapter, I know, but the next one will be (a lot) longer. It's already almost as long as this, and there's still much to be written…. I try to get it out faster than this.

Now… it's time to do some shameless self-promotion. ; ) Ever seen Galaxy Express 999? It is really good, believe me. (Okay, so that wasn't the self-promotion…) I wrote one short ficlet for it couple of days ago, but the fandom seems to be quite small – so far there are two fics in , another of them mine. So, if you have time, why don't you take a look on it? It has only about 500 words, it won't take long… okay, okay, I'll shut up now.