Twill: Hiya! Sorry it took so long for me to update. I have a bunch of excuses, but I'm sure you don't want to hear them. So, enjoy. And this intro is short because I have to get ready for work. Enjoy!

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Desert Children: Oasis in Time

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-No POV-

The Change of Heart smiled within its human shell. Through the use of the hikari's mind connection, it was able to see clearly what the dark spirit of the ring was up to, deep within his own fevered mind. Calling up old memories, the card beast recalled a time of ancient Pharaohs, especially one in particular…

The harsh desert sun rained down mercilessly on the open sands of Egypt. The land's people both cursed and revered the golden orb that burned in the clear sky each day. Ra, they whispered, could be both kind and brutal. It all depended on how they acted.

In a high-backed stone throne, adorned with gold and etched with the emblems of the mighty Sun Lord, sat a spiky-haired young man who wished to be anywhere but his present situation. A seemingly endless line of supplicants awaited his word – his mercy or punishment. Pharaoh Yami, however, would sooner have proclaimed them all blessed or damned in one go and be free to wander his great halls. Instead, he tried to listen to each story of how one man's neighbor had stolen his livestock, and his daughter, without so much as a word of thanks. And of course, the neighbor was saying the very same things…

"Seth, how much more of this is there?" Yami whispered as he feigned concern over yet another unfortunate soul.

The plume dressed priest glanced at a sheet of papyrus and shrugged slightly. "I would expect the rest of the day, my Pharaoh."

"Perfect," he muttered in response, nodding idly to some detail or another. Signaling his fan servant to pick up the pace, Yami leaned forward and tried to focus on what was being said. Unfortunately all he could see and hear was 'blah, blah, blah…'

-Bakura's POV-

It was an unnaturally clear day, causing the pale sand to glare with sunlight. I rubbed my eyes, frustrated, for the ninth time. Beside me, Marik kicked at the rough grass underfoot. We were waiting for Yami, and he was late. Again.

"You know, we should be used to it. But," Marik grinned, baring his teeth, "it really makes me mad."

I nodded quietly, staring again across the empty sands and dunes. Something didn't feel right. It was more than just Yami's absence. There was a feeling that seemed to hover over the oasis – an uneasy, almost nauseous feeling. I turned to say something to my friend when he perked up and pointed.

"There he is!" Sure enough, the Pharaoh was riding confidently towards us on the back of a chestnut mare. He waved casually has he approached and dismounted with ease.

"I apologize for being late. You should have seen the line!" He looked tired.

Grinning, I grabbed his shoulder and pulled him close to muss up his hair. Yami frowned with humor and fought out of my grip. Then he was attacked by Marik, who did the same and even managed to get his hands on the most precious thing the Pharaoh had. The Millennium Puzzle.

Even after almost a year of friendship, it was hard not to imagine taking such a powerful object. Yami refused to remove the corn from around his neck and was fiercely protective when anyone showed signs of getting his fingers too close. He would hardly even say anything about it. Malik often made jokes that Yami loved his puzzle more than any woman (or man) in his kingdom could ever hope for.

"Cut that out, Marik!" Yami swatted Marik's hands away sharply.

Chuckling, Marik made a mock bow and backed off. A comfortable silence fell.

We took up comfortable positions around the oasis, enjoying the shade and each others company. Yami complained of the boring people who bothered him daily, and listened as both Marik and I told of our recent adventures in thieving. It was a nice feeling, talking so freely with trustworthy friends. My eyes wandered back to the puzzle, dangling gold in the sun. What I could do with an item such as that…

"So what are we going to do for Bakura's birthday, Pharaoh?" Marik's voice cut through the silence and jarred my attention from the gleam of gold. I shot him a glare, which was of course ignored. "It has to be something really extravagant, so we can embarrass the pants off our loveable thief."

Yami at least had the grace to look uncertain. "As much as I would love to, the most I could really do is a present. Pharaohs and commoners don't mix, as they say."

For a moment, an expression of scorn marred Marik's features. Then, just as quickly, it was gone and his innocent smile was back in place. "Ah, of course. We wouldn't want your reputation to come into question would we?"

"I'd really rather prefer it that way, Marik. And Yami… you don't have to get me anything. Really." My birthday was always unpleasant. Marik insisted on being as annoying as possible which usually ended with both of us in trouble.

"It's no trouble. And, I suppose the least I can do for a good friend." Yami seemed uncomfortable, and I was reminded of when we'd first met. At least this time he didn't have the option of sending me off to death to relieve the tension. I smiled at him reassuringly, and he returned it.

"Then thank you in advance, Yami."

The fog of sleep would not be shaken off easily. Prying fingers poked and prodded me insistently as I tried to rub my eyes and shake myself awake. A soft voice, surprisingly close, whispered my name. It was Marik's. The fog was lifting.

"Come on, Bakura. Wake up already!"

Grumbling, I shoved him off. The sun was already up and beginning to penetrate my small hovel. Today was my birthday. I had hoped to sleep in, without an annoying best friend pinching me awake to go scrounging for some heel of bread or other.

"What?" The irritation was clear in my voice as I sat up, pushing disheveled hair out of my face. When I finally turned to Marik, there was something different in his expression. He seemed almost nervous.

"I have something… There's somewhere…You-I- Oh, just come with me!" He grabbed my hand in a strong, dry grip and tugged. I stumbled out the door after him.

For what must have been an hour we didn't speak. Marik was intently following a trail that I couldn't detect. He would stop suddenly in mid step, look around, press a hand to the ground, and then continue on. I was at a loss as to what he could possibly have to show me. The sun climbed higher in the sky, and still we walked without speaking. The town limits passed by as silently as our travel.

Finally, after another hour, I caught my friend by the shoulder and turned him to look at me. "Where are we going?"

A slow, wide grin spread out across his features. Something… unnatural glinted in his eyes. The expression I watched form on Marik's face seemed almost insane. He shrugged, half-heartedly. "Can't feel it yet, thief? Just wait. We're almost there."

He took my hand, still grinning, and took off at a run. I had little choice but to keep up. Over flat pans of sand and tall, powdery dunes Marik ran. Occasionally I would stumble and slide down the side of the dunes we were cresting. Marik would let go of me then, and wait for my fall to end. Then he would again seize my hand and we'd be off.

When he finally came to a stop, I was breathing hard and sweating heavily. We had long left any sign of town behind. Even our footprints, I imagined, had been wiped clean by desert winds behind us.

"Ah, it's covered… come on, Bakura. Help me dig." Marik knelt in the soft, warm sand and began to scoop out handfuls. I watched for a moment, thinking that my friend had perhaps lost his mind, and then bent beside him to help.

We uncovered a small passageway a half an hour later. The extent of sand blockage was little, thankfully. Marik rubbed his hands together and bade me to wait outside.

"You dragged me all the way out here and expect me to wait outside? I don't think so." I pushed past his tanned shoulders and stepped inside to cool darkness.

"Marik, what is this place?" I gazed around at the heavily inscribed walls, full of colorful murals and depictions of… something. There were scarcely any words along with the paintings, only a simple repetition of 'seven' and 'gold.' I traced lines of liquid gold flowing along the walls. This was not normal for a tomb…

"You'll see, and you'll be amazed!"

Strange monsters now joined the molten gold. Some were quite cute, little balls of fluff or strange insects with brightly colored wings. Others were majestic, human or animal figures striding downstream. And still others were horrific, grotesque beasts lurking in shadows, malice shining in their eyes. My pale fingers reached out to tentatively brush them all.

I had so many questions about what I was seeing. The images seemed familiar, and I almost knew what was waiting for me at the end of the twisting tunnel. And yet, I was lost as to what Marik had in store for me. My mind could not fathom what such a place as this could hold. I had never once seen a tomb or other burial chamber as decorated as this, yet without scriptures warding off thieves, providing blessings, and telling the history of the dead.

Ahead, the tunnel seemed to grow brighter. The gold along the walls and the monsters seemed to rush towards the glow. When we rounded the final corner and stood ourselves in the midst of warm light, I heard myself gasp in surprise.

In the middle of an enormous room was a large stone sarcophagus. Engraved deeply into the lid were spaces for seven shining gold items. One space, in the shape of a pyramid, was empty. Another, what appeared to be an ankh, also was void of its object. The others, however, still held their glittering treasures.

"Happy Birthday, Bakura." Marik clapped an arm around my shoulders. He gestured widely with the other toward the stone and gold before us. "You get first pick."

I walked wordlessly forward. These were the Millennium Items! Just as Yami possessed the Puzzle, I was about to select my own powerful piece. My choices were a scepter – a rod topped with a sphere and points, ancient eye gazing upwards – a glittering necklace, a small round ball with the millennium eye peering seemingly through time, a set of perfectly balance scales, and, lastly, a shining ring.

Each of these powerful objects called out to me, singing of magic and energy stored away within. Any of the items would have been a gift I could never repay. One, however, called out most strongly. The ring, humming in its niche within the stone sarcophagus, drew me toward it with a pull I would have gone mad to pull against. It slid easily from its place, into my hands, as cool as an evening wind upon the desert sand. The gold flashed briefly in my hands, already a familiar weight. With it came a cord, and I looped it around my neck carefully.

When I turned to regard Marik, he was pulling the rod from the stone lid. In his hands it looked right, like it belonged there, as if Marik had had it all his life. I grinned like an idiot and had the smile return. Now we both had items to call our own and no longer need look on Yami's with envy.

"You've had your fun, robbers, but now I think it's time you came with us to face Pharaoh's judgment for your crimes," a smooth, slightly accented voice shook us from our reverie.

We turned to find a contingent of royal guards blocking the entrance to the small chamber. The party was lead by a rough looking, blonde youth, seemingly not much other than Marik or myself. They bristled with weapons: long spears, swords, and small weapons such as slings and daggers. There was no way we could fight them off and hope to escape. Or live.

"Set down those gold treasures you have taken and step forward, slowly. We will escort you back to the city."

I fingered my ring, a desperate desire to keep it nearly sending me into panic. Next to me, Marik's grip on the rod tightened. We both knew there was no hope in battle, but even so we could not give up our items. Something had to be done.

Without thinking on it much, I started running forward toward the group. They tensed and readied their spears, obviously believing I was on a death course. As I approached, something seemed to build up within my body until finally, mere inches away from the closest spear points, it was unleashed and half the guards vanished in a black crackle of fog and energy. The space now clear in front of me, I ran past those remaining, into the passage beyond. Footsteps close behind suggested Marik had followed my lead.

We ran out into the familiar sands of the desert, bypassing more men who had remained outside to guard mounts and ensure we wouldn't break out, by some chance. Again the strange sensation built up within me until it broke free, taking guards with it. I was not about to question my fortune, instead hoping this strange power would continue until we were safely hidden away.

The remaining guards shouted at each other behind us, trying to make sense of the chaos we were leaving in our wake. A horse cantered past as we ran. I could feel the solid weight of the ring bumping against my chest, an almost reassuring feeling.

Soon the sounds of pursuit, or lack thereof, faded and we were swallowed by the desert. Marik and I both stopped to catch our breath, shooting each other triumphant smirks and grins as we panted. I fingered the warm gold sitting pleasantly against my skin and Marik hefted his rod to feel the weight. We had done it. We had Millennium items!

"We'd better go meet Yami. He'll want to give you your birthday present, too."

I laughed, loud and clear in the hot air of the desert. "It's going to be hard to top yours, Marik. Thank you." We shared a brief embrace. "To the Pharaoh, and whatever riches he may have waiting!"

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The oasis was deadly silent when we arrived. The sun was barely beginning to set, the sand afire with red and orange. Yami was nowhere to be found which struck both Marik and I as odd. We were both late, having to trek across sand dunes, but Yami should have been here by now.

"Maybe he had some sort of pressing royal thing to do."

I nodded, considering the possibility. It wasn't terribly important to me that Yami wasn't around… At least, I didn't think it was. This was the first time I had a friend stand me up. But this was also the first time I'd had a Pharaoh as a friend.

I looked at Marik, suddenly worried. "What if he's searching for us, because we stole the items?" The ring no longer felt comfortable; instead, it had become heavy and cold.

"They won't find us, Bakura. Most of the guards are gone, and who will believe the few who remain? Besides, now that we have them," he lifted the rod and exposed a hidden dagger, "we can use them to defend ourselves."

Everything seemed darker than it had been a moment before. I shivered, hugging myself as the ring around my neck grew heavier. Marik, too, seemed darker, as if he was farther away. The dagger in his hand gleamed palely and then vanished, along with him.

"Marik?"

Wind began to blow, hurling peppering me with stinging sand and other debris from the desert. A strange, sickly sweet smell joined the sand. It was so hard to breathe… The ring was ice cold and still growing heavier. I was forced to take it off and hold it in my hands. The gold that had once seemed so warm and welcoming was now brittle and stony. I choked, finding the smell almost overpowering.

The wind and sand and stink kept blowing over me. The ring was growing heavier as each moment passed by. It slipped from my fingers, my body and mind no longer able to focus on holding it up. Upon the sand, it shattered, gold shards flying everywhere. I fell to my knees, screaming as a pain I had never felt before washed over my senses.

I blacked out, falling onto the broken ring.

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Twill: Read and review! Maybe this time I won't take so long to update ;