Curingangel: This is curingangel typing this whole chapter up for my friend Disappearing Mist! Not to worry though, she wrote everything herself with just several ideas from me. As soon as she gets her computer fixed she will start updating more quickly, but until then I will have to type all the things she tells me to. I will also be continuing my fanfics, so be on the look out. Here is what she told me to type:

Disappearing Mist: Hello! I'm really sorry! I know that I haven't been updating this whole summer and more! But my computer broke down! It was bound to do that anyway.

A couple of notes....

Thanks to all my faithful reviewers! (Blushes)You guys really think that I'm good of a writer? Nah! I'm not that good! Most of you are all better then me! Don't give me that look! Yes, you are a good writer! Don't degrade yourselves!

Please check my profile for more notes about this fanfic. I don't want my friend to type so much! By the way, thanks Christine! (curingangel)

Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh, or any of the characters and neither those curingangel.

Now on with the fanfic!

Disappearing

Chapter 9- Escape of the palace

Anzu banged and shoved at the door, trying her hardest to open the exit to outside. Suddenly, she heard frantic shouts from the kitchen and stopped to listen. "What are you doing? Get water! And tell everyone to evacuate the palace immediately!"

A huge wave of servants and slaves rushed out of the royal kitchen as she saw smoke rush out like a giant cloud. Her whole body froze as she saw flames lick at the walls and spread throughout the floor. "Oh no!" She desperately pulled harder on the door but she knew that it was hopeless. Then, from out of the blue, and idea popped into her mind. She sucked up her courage and ran to a screaming servant.

"Listen!" she said to her in the calmest voice she could manage. "I've got and idea! Just calm down! Please!" The servant, who was a young raven-haired girl, stopped screaming but didn't look totally convinced. Anzu sighed and showed her the necklace that Atem gave her.

"By the order of the Pharaoh!"

The servant's eyes grew wide when she laid her eyes on the golden treasure that gleamed brightly in the light and nodded her head furiously. "Okay" Anzu said, her voice growing stronger with every second. "Gather all the slaves and servants and get a giant statue to ram the doors down!"

The servant bowed and ran off, hopping over the read embers that were creeping up the stairs and into the second floor. Hearing the crackling of the flames, Anzu felt that she was forgetting something. As her thoughts took her back to when she was in Atem's room, she gasped. "Fluffy!"

Outside

People were running amuck everywhere, they were all in a bedlam. It was pure chaos. The grand palace was now a magnificent sight. The flames were becoming visible, spreading to the top chambers. Terrified shouts were heard as people became more alert at the fire starting in the palace. The guards and soldiers quickly ran to the Pharaoh and led him to his black horse.

"No! Let go of me! I have to help my people!" Atem ordered as he floundered in the guards' strong grip.

A timid priest up to him and spoke in meek voice. "My Pharaoh! Do not be absurd! We must keep you safe!"

"Nonsense!" Atem pushed the guards' aside and broke into a run toward the burning palace, guards and soldiers racing after him.

Inside the Palace

"Charge!" Simon Muran shouted. A large group of slaves and servants were around a huge statue of a lion, lifted it up with great difficulty and ramming it at the door.

Bang!

The door shook slightly and a small crack was visible against the golden metal. As more and more smoke came swirling around them, they became more and more determined to get out. Slaves and servants stopped what they were doing and watched as they realized that this was their only chance of the getting out of here. Simon let the men rest for about 3 seconds and yelled again, "Change!"

Flames have now consumed the halls, making it extremely difficult to navigate through them. Anzu gasped loudly, swallowing a mound of smoke when a huge piece of the ceiling collapsed and fell only 3 inches on front of her. Coughing from the smoke and dust, she found her way into Atem's bedroom.

"Fluffy?" she called out, hoping for a response. When she heard a faint meow and then a screech following by a crash, she knew that she had to hurry. The smoke and dust made everything obscure so she squinted her eyes. Finally she spotted the little kitty crouched in a corner, scared to death. She scooped her up and sprinted out of the room.

"Shizuka? Shizuka?" Joey ran around the palace for the third time, only one thought on his mind. "Shizuka! There you are!" He spotted the youthful auburn haired girl who was running to him, crying out of fright. He held her as they both expressed their worry and relief.

"Joey! Shizuka! Hey!" They broke apart as they recognize Atem calling them. He gasped in heavy breaths and held his hand to his chest. "You should evacuate the palace grounds! This whole palace is going to burn down and the fire's going to spread!"

"Atem, what's the matter? Shouldn't you be with the guards? They already toke Yugi to the hills!" Joey stared at his Pharaoh and friend, concern written all over his face. He knew that the guards were supposed to take the Pharaoh to the hills first, and they should have done so long ago.

Ignoring Atem's puzzled face, Atem asked, "Have either of you seen Anzu?" Joey shook his head and Atem sighed hopelessly. I have to find her!" He speeded past them, leaving Joey and Shizuka to ponder on his weird actions. A few seconds later, a large mass of guards and soldiers rushed past them, yelling for the Pharaoh to stop.

Immediately grabbing Shizuka's hand, Joey pulled her along to the garden. I forgot about Mai!"

"Charge!"

BOOM! CRASH!

The door came crumbling and crashing down as it finally gave way. Some of the men rushed out, taking in huge amounts of the fresh air, while most of them ran back inside to save others. As Atem saw the doors crashing down, he searched for Anzu, calling out her name consistently.

"Anzu! Anzu!"

After looking around, he spotted a faint figure come out of the smoke, holding a little fur ball in her arms. Greatly relieved, he rushed over to her and led her out.

"Anzu! Are you okay?" He looked her up and down for any signs of injury.

Anzu nodded slowly and breathed heavily. "Yeah," her voice was hoarse. "I'm fine."

Just then, sparks came flying out from the palace and rained on all directions! People ran for cover as fire merely touched their mud or straw houses and set them on fire.

"Anzu!"

Thinking quickly, Atem pushed her down to the floor. He cover her body with his, shielding her form the flames. Anzu nearly screamed as his body crushed hers, but held it in as she figured out his intention.

After the flames stopped spurting out, he slowly lifted himself off of Anzu and helped her up.

"Sorry," he mumbled.

She looked at him curiously. "For what? You saved my life!" She leaned forward and gave him a soft kiss on cheek. "Thank you." Atem couldn't help feel a strange knot inside his stomach her lips graced his cheek. 'What's happening to me?"

Suddenly, fear crossed her face.

"Mercy!"

She leaped out her arms and made a mad dash for the stables. "Anzu! No!" Sighing deeply, he ran after her.

"Mai? Mai! Mai where are you?" Joey wandered around the garden, ignoring Shizuka's terrified cries about the spreading fire. The only thing that mattered now was Mai. Flames consumed the flowers and trees as crazed animals rushed all about, collected their family and food supply. His heart skipped a beat when he heard a faint sound. Hope building up inside him, he moved closer to a burning berry bush.

"Joey...cough! Joey..."

"Mai!" Hearing her voice, he parted the bush with his bare hands, flinching at the flames that burned his hands. By the time her reached her she was unconscious.

Lifting her out of the bush and holding her close to him, he tried desperately to get her to respond.

"Mai. Mai! Answer me! Mai!" She was out cold. "We have to get her to safety!" Joey laid her on his back and grabbed Shizuka's hand. Rushing out of the burning garden, they prayed that Mai would make it.

Anzu searched every single inch in the stables and Mercy was no where to be found. Servants and slaves were inside, trying their best to calm down the horses and led them outside.

"Mercy! Here Mercy!" But it was no use. No matter how much she called, he soft neighing never answered her back. Overcome with worry and sadness, Anzu felt her eyes start to water.

"Anzu! Grab my hand!" Atem came riding up to her on his ebony black horse. She wouldn't respond. Atem had no choice but to grab her by the waist and with little difficultly, set her in back of him, arranging her arms so that they were his waist.

With Fluffy cradled under his arms, Anzu sadly stroked her soft fur as hot tears fell from her eyes.

They got out just in time as the ceiling collapsed, taking with it many lives. Anzu's heart jolted horribly when they heard the tortured screams and neighs coming from the stables.

Atem looked back at her. "Anzu?"

She looked up at him with shinning tears present in her eyes. "Look, I'm sure that they have already taken Mercy to the hills. Please don't cry."

Anzu managed a watery smile. "Thanks. Yes, I'm pretty sure they did too." She stopped because hiccups were interrupting her sentences.

Atem smiled and comfortingly took her hand in his. Anzu blushed a light blossom pink and avoided his eyes. Still, she couldn't help but wrap her other arm around for warmth. The light galloping of Atem's horse soothed her to sleep. Atem was surprised by her actions, but then realized that it felt relaxing. Her sweet and gentle scent calmed him and felt a strange emotion arise in his heart. Can it be...?

"I think that when we find the culprit, we should burn the wrong doer on a stake and feed him or her to the crocodiles of the Nile!"

"Well, yes. Good suggestion Hatukshe. But we have to find out who stole the statue in the first place," Atem explained for the umpteenth time.

He, his closest advisors and the most important people in Northern Egypt had gathered in a conference to discuss the matter of punishment. After the palace burned down, they had moved back to their old one. Mercy turned out to have gotten out on her own, racing after Atem and Anzu. When Mai, Joey and Shizuka reached the hills, Joey was relieved to hear Anzu say that Mai's going to be all right. She had just swallowed too much smoke.

Sadly, many lives were claimed that night, and Atem decided to give each of them a mummification ritual, may they be rich or poor and that they all receive gifts to take with them to the afterlife. Now, they had to find the culprit. So far, they were getting no where.

"Well then. Anybody have any idea who is the criminal?"

Silence fell over the members of the meeting. Atem turned to the person almost hidden behind the rest.

"Maturakaton. Any ideas?"

A very wise and ancient looking advisor narrowed his eyes on the young Pharaoh and spoke in a very quiet and raspy voice.

"She will reveal herself in due time."

"She? What makes you think that it's a she?" A snotty landlord snorted. Atem raised a hand at him and nodded for Maturakahton to continue.

"Go on."

The ancient man shook his head. "That is all I am going to say. But beware of the false and look beyond to the truth."

"What?"

"That doesn't make any sense!"

"I think that his age has gone to his head!"

Atem pounded the table with fist, causing the cups to fall over with a clatter of silverware. He contemplated what the old man had said, but couldn't seem to make any sense out of his words.

"Thank you Maturakahton."

"One more thing my lord."

"Yes?"

He looked darkly at him; his eyes seemed to peer into his very soul. "Gather all of your closest friends and people who have access to important treasures in the palace. One of them is your criminal."

Atem nodded and sent the message out at once. Whoever had done this terrible crime was going to pay the worst price of all. Although he didn't suspect that one of his friends was going to take the fall for the real criminal...

Disappearing Mist: Please review! That's what motivated me to continue this fic! Believe me; a lot of work was put into this.

Oh yeah! I've updated my profile and would like you to check it out! I have a new (well, sort of old because it was a long time ago, but check anyway) idea! You can e-mail me or just leave a review if you want to make you paired up with a character or just give me a pairing! Sorry, I don't do lemon. .

Can somebody tell me what lime is? I could find out myself but I learned my lesson the hard way when I found out about lemon (shivers). It wasn't a bad story, just too...descriptive. Hehehe. I'm pathetic huh?

I'm also starting a Titanic story! It's Yugioh, Final Fantasy X and X2, Code Lyoko, Inuyasha and Teen Titans. Check it out! IT might take a long time to post because the first chapter's really long. Thanks again to CuringAngel for typing and posting this up for me! Me and her are best friends!

Please review!

CuringAngel: Well, that's all for now, until I'm not busy enough to type another chapter. That was long! lol! Well review for Disappearing Mist, she's waiting for her loyal reviewers! Hope you enjoy this chapter!