Author's Notes; Semi-mythological Egyptian AU. Plot. Shounen Ai. Some Drama. While starting the patrol around the tombs, X and Zero encounter the researchers. X becomes faced with a decision to make for his future. Please enjoy.

The redhead filled two canteens with water from the oasis. X watched him for a moment before looking at the first three pyramids behind them. "How long will the patrol take?" Zero looked up at him. "Around these pyramids or all of the partol?" X looked back to Zero. "The whole thing." Zero slipped his right arm through the straps on the canteens. "All hours of the day. Dusk will be nigh when we return. Consider yourself very lucky indeed, young one. You are not but going on a small tour of one or two pyramids. I will be showing you all the relics of the formerly glorious mother Egypt. How do you feel about this?" Instead of a frightened look as he had expected, Zero found an excited wondrous glint in X's eyes. "To be honest, I'm really excited." X answered. "Are you now? What if I said that each pyramid is laced with traps designed to end any intruders, myself included? One wrong move or if you touch something, it could very well be your end." Zero asked, teasingly. X tilted his head. "Well, normally I would be scared. But I feel more safe, knowing I'll be with a guardian who has trekked these sands and tombs for several thousands of years." Zero giggled, coming closer to X. "Well played, my little one. I do indeed know the traps of the tombs like the back of my own hand. In some situations, they are so sensitive, I must walk a certain path. It is a daily dance with death, I must admit. Therefore, in such cases, you will need to ride on my back." X's expression grew worried. "Wait..what about where your wings were torn? If I ride on your back, it'll hurt you." Zero smirked, stopping before X and licking his forehead. "Do you truly think so? Why do you not try it for yourself?" X blushed, slowly walking behind Zero. Zero moved his long mane aside as X crawled onto his back, wrapping his arms and legs around Zero's chest and hips. X tried to be mindful of Zero's wounds. "Are you ok?" Zero gave X a smirk. "I am in no pain. You are a light little child. Mayhap I can carry you for hours. It would be nice exercise." X sighed in relief. "I'm glad I'm not hurting you."

Zero trekked the first three pyramids carefully, knowing their traps well. As he was carried through the three pyramids and the temple, X couldn't help but feel as though he were traveling through time on Zero's back. Zero could sense X's curiousity and wonder as he walked. He was quietly enjoying the feeling of carrying X around and being able to take him along on his patrols. For the first time, he was starting to realize what happiness was.

The redhead demon passed X one of the canteens as they went beyond the three pyramids and temple and started his journey towards the more-known pyramids and sphinx at Giza. X thanked Zero before drinking the water. Zero took a drink as he walked as well. When Zero finished drinking, saving the rest for later, he could make out human shapes ahead. "Stay tight on me. I see the researchers ahead. This may be trouble." He warned. X looked ahead. "They're human shapes, alright, but how do you know its the researchers and not tourists? There's plenty of guided tours around here, right?" Zero nodded. "Yes, but I cannot allow them. It was in my orders given so long ago. No tourists, no intruders, period. I despise that they do so regardless. However, I know the garb of both the ancients and of modern Egyptians well. The garb of these figures belongs to neither. I am certain these are researchers."

Zero proved to be right as they got closer. One of the researchers approached them. The researcher wore an archaeologist hat complete with a light and brown uniform. He had tuffs of hair on the sides of his head and a thick white mustache. Zero sighed. "How many times must I warn you? These places are sacred. Leave at once." The researcher smirked, speaking with a German accent. "You can varn me as many times as you like. Ve aren't going anywhere else for quite zome time." The researcher then looked at X. "Nein..There's no vay. I know you from zomevhere." X tilted his head. "Dr. Wily? You're working in archaeology way out here? I thought you worked with robots like dad did." Wily shrugged. "This is more of a hobby than much else." Zero looked back at X. "You know this man?" X nodded. "Dad used to work on robots with him. Until he snapped over an award my dad got. Sometimes, my dad told me, he works on archaeology for inspiration." Wily's pale blue eyes stayed on X. "How is your dad? Vhy might you be out here with this...creature?" X looked down. "My dad is dead. I'm orphaned." Wily paused. "Oh..that's tragic. Then, Xavier, allow me to enlighten you on zomething. Vhen you were a little boy and vhen ve ztill vorked together, your father und I made an agreement. Zhould zomething happen to him, I vould become your new caretaker. Your godfather, as you zay. Zo, with your father gone, you are my godchild, Xavier, from here on." X had no idea of this. "I..I didn't know that. I knew you lived far away, but I had no choice but to run.." Zero couldn't help but feel a little sad at this news. He had truly started to enjoy X's company. "You vere too young to remember such things. Come along, Xavier. Ve vill find you a room at our hotel back in Cairo." X quietly shook his head. "I can't go back to Cairo. Its too painful." Wily grew annoyed. "You vill have to." Zero snarled. "He is not a little boy anymore. He has a right to choose. Get down and make your choice, young one."

X quietly got down and stood before Wily and Zero. "Be rational in your choice, Xavier. You vill have a comfortable room vhile vi are here. Back in Deutschland, you vill have your own room und comforts of home." Wily told him. X stared blankly at Wily before looking at Zero. Zero shrugged. "Luxurious if one were to ask my thoughts. If you remain with me, you will have the oasis as shelter from sandstorms and the heat. Though, as you well know, I suspect my time draws to an end. Do as you feel to be right, applying rationality." X kept looking between them, awash in uncertainty. Zero closed his eyes, continuing on his way to the pyramids and the sphinx. X started to reach for him, noticing flashes of gold coming from Zero's ankles as he walked. Wily came closer. "Surely you don't vant him. Ve don't even know vhat he is. Ve only know his name from those gold anklets he has. The hieroglyphics read 'Zero'. Ve don't know his age or vhere he came from, nor if he even is Egyptian." X felt tears forming in his eyes. "I know those things. He's told me everything. He was going to show me all of Egypt's tombs today. Regardless of his calm demeanor and strength, I know there's a gentle heart growing frail and in pain inside him. Even as he walks away, I know its crying." Before Wily could counter X's sentiments, X began to run after Zero. Wily fell into the deep sand, having tried to catch him.

Zero had reached the entry of the tallest pyramid, looking back and reminiscing, having seen the pyramids being built years ago. X ran as hard as he could to him. Zero could feel X's presence drawing closer and waited until the last few seconds to turn around. He was just in time to catch X in his arms against his chest. "Have you made your choice, young one?" X nodded with a sniffle, losing a few tears. "I want to stay with you." Zero smiled, moving X's head up towards him. "I am very touched and moved by your decision. Though, I beg your forgiveness in having to ask you why. Why do you choose to remain with me and snub a more comfortable life?" X snuffled against Zero's chest. "I don't know how to explain it. I feel more for you than I do Wily. I know you've been lonely. I know on the inside you're scared of your time ending, that you're sad about it. I am too." Zero eased X's head onto his chest, letting X hear his heartbeat. "It is as though you have read the words straight from the source. Very well, I have much respect for your choice. Much, I fear, is an understatement." X looked up at him with a sad smile. Zero wiped X's tears away, giving him gentle licks on the forehead for comfort. X slowly calmed down, stopping his crying and sniffling as he wrapped his arms and legs around Zero's back and waist. Zero gently rubbed the back of X's head as he slowly walked inside the pyramid, comforting him quietly.