We have finally reached the moment when Seto finds his lost brother. Plus i'm sowing the seeds of puppyshipping. Happy reading!

Chapter 8

The group was travelling slower than Seto would have liked. It couldn't be helped though; the provisions they would need had to be carried on a wagon that wasn't as swift as the horses. Consequently it would take longer to comb the desert.

With not much to do except look at the never ending horizon of sand Seto and Jou had reverted to their old habit of annoying the hell out of each other. Arguments raged and insults flew every which way.

After the barrage of words had ended there was silence. The men were thankful when the battle ended but Jou wasn't. Mostly he was unhappy because he had failed to win the argument but there was another factor involved as well. When the bickering ended there was nothing to do. Counting the flies buzzing round the horses got tiresome after awhile and then boredom set in. Fighting with Seto was the only way to definitely stop boredom creeping in on him.

The setting of the sun signalled that it was time to stop searching and set up camp. Jou was sitting alone by the fire when Seto settled down next to him. Jou gave him a sideways glance but didn't say anything.

"It's been two days and we haven't found anything," Seto said, annoyance clear in his tone.

"You didn't really expect to find him on the first day did you?" Jou said with slight scepticism.

Seto glared at him then turned away. "No, I didn't expect that we would. There's a lot of desert to search even when you've narrowed it down to a certain direction and distance. I just hoped that we would find Ryou straight away. Optimism is the only thing keeping me from breaking down. Do you have a sibling?" Jou nodded. "How would you feel if you had no idea what was happening to them? Bakura could have done any number of terrible things to Ryou. I'm worried I won't get there in time to save him. I pray that I will but every day my hope wears thinner. Can't you identify with that?"

Jou watched Seto carefully, silently. For the first time he realized how much Ryou's kidnapping truly affected Seto. The person he cared about the most had been taken from him, had been put in untold danger.

Jou suddenly felt sorry for Seto. Even if the guy was a jerk he was still human. Seto had feelings like everyone else and shouldn't be made to go through this. No-one should have to go through this.

Jou laid his hand on Seto's shoulder. Seto turned to look at him. "We'll get Ryou back before anything happens. If he can put up with having you as a brother I'm sure he can survive being cooped up with a criminal for a few days. The kids smart and tough – I know he'll still be in one piece when we arrive. Then everything can go back to normal."

Seto didn't reply. He did something that was halfway between a smirk and a smile, turning to look at the fire instead of Jou. The firelight shadowed some of his features but illuminated others.

It was then that Jou realized that Seto was actually quite handsome. Shadows revealed the contours of his strong and still face. Light danced in his cerulean eyes that had the depth of the ocean. His voice was, for once, filled with light humour. "You're right puppy. Ryou can hang on for a few more days. We'll find him."

Seto stood up and headed back towards his tent. Jou stayed by the fire thinking. Puppy was better than Mutt but Jou would still have preferred Seto to use his real name.

Jou sighed and headed to his own tent, wondering what strange things would occur tomorrow.

"Sir, look over there!"

Seto gazed in the direction the soldier was pointing. A small spot of green stood out against the vast yellow colour of sand. An oasis.

Seto smirked and tugged the horse's reins so that it headed towards the green. The soldiers around him did the same, moving as one to what they hoped was their intended destination.

The closer they came to the green spot the more defined the trees that edged the oasis became. This was no mirage. This was the first oasis they had come upon so it should house the prized treasure that they searched for.

Seto was the first to arrive at the oasis. He dismounted and waited for the others to arrive and do the same. He ordered the wagon to stay where it was, the rest moved with him through the trees.

It was still early in the morning and the air around them was cool. Jou was at Seto's side as they made their way to the heart of the oasis with as little noise as possible. His eyes flickered from side to side searching for movement. There was nothing but insects so far.

Eventually they came upon a house. Without being told to everyone became silent. They turned to Seto, waiting for orders. "We go in quietly and search the house," Seto told them, his voice calm even though his heart pounded. "When you see the thief alert the others. If we take him by surprise he should be easy to apprehend. No harm is to come to Ryou. Understand?" There was a general murmur of acknowledgement. "Good; then let's go."

Bakura yawned as he blinked sleep out of his eyes. Ryou (who was stationed on his chest) was also rousing himself from his dreams. The angel moaned softly; then sighed when Bakura stroked his hair.

"Sleep well?" Bakura asked.

"Yes," Ryou replied dreamily.

"I'm not surprised after our…activities."

Ryou blushed. Bakura grinned at him. He then removed the boy from his chest so that he could get up. Ryou's blush deepened as he stared at Bakura's strong, naked body. Bakura winked over his shoulder at Ryou on his way to the closet, loving the way his treasured angel squirmed in embarrassment.

Suddenly the door was thrown open and soldiers poured into the room. They had their swords drawn and were pointing them at Bakura. Bakura backed into the wall, his arms raised in surrender. He knew there was no point in struggling – he was out-numbered and had no weapon of his own.

Meanwhile Ryou, who had also quickly assessed the situation, tumbled over the far side of the bed to where his clothes were. He was now glad that they had been in a hurry to undress each other last night, leaving his clothes in a very convenient place.

Seto strode into the room, automatically noticing the naked thief. Panic rose in him, his eyes quickly darting round the room. "Ryou!" he called out.

Ryou jumped up from behind the bed, his clothes on but untidily so. "Seto!" he cried and ran to hug his brother.

Seto embraced Ryou, relief flooding through him, not caring about why Ryou had been hiding behind the bed. Behind them Jou looked on with a smile. He was glad they were back together again. Two brothers reunited. No, he was not going to cry at the sweetness of it all.

Seto released Ryou, holding him at arms length to check for any apparent damage. Seeing nothing he pushed Ryou behind him to Jou so that no harm would come to him. He then stepped forward to address the apprehended thief.

"Thief Bakura you are here by charged with theft and kidnapping. You will be judged by the almighty Pharaoh, the-"

"Yes, yes; I get the idea," interrupted Bakura. "But before you take me to meet his royal highness can I put some clothes on? Or am I supposed to stand naked before the pharaoh?"

Seto went red with indignation, anger and embarrassment. He stormed over to the closet and pulled out a plain white kilt. He checked it for concealed weapons then chucked it at Bakura who caught it with a mocking grin on his face.

Seto waited until Bakura was dressed before ordering the guards to bind his hands. Bakura was roughly thrust face first into the wall. A guard behind him pulled back his arms, tying the rope tightly around his wrists. He was then jerked back to face the door.

Seto felt a timid tug on his cloak. He turned to see that it was Ryou trying to get his attention. "Seto, can we talk in private?" he asked softly.

"We'll talk when we get back to the palace," replied Seto.

"But…" Ryou trailed off when he saw the look on Seto's face. His mind had been made up and there was no way of changing it.

Jou touched Ryou's shoulder and motioned for him to follow. Ryou gave Bakura a small, hopefully encouraging, smile before going after Jou. They headed outside and through the oasis to where the horses were waiting. Jou lead them towards a horse that Ryou recognized as belonging to Seto. Jou helped Ryou up into the saddle then waited.

Soon the soldiers emerged from the lush vegetation. Through the gaps Bakura caught Ryou's eye. He smirked and winked as if the whole thing was a game, hoping to reassure Ryou that he was fine. Ryou smiled back but it wasn't one of the beaming smiles Bakura was use to receiving. It was full of worry and sorrow for the little angel's lover.

Seto arrived and mounted up in front of Ryou, Jou leaving to mount his own horse. Ryou watched from his perch as a rope was put around Bakura's neck and attached to one of the soldier's saddles. The demeaning treatment of his beautiful god made Ryou's heart sink. But what could he do or say to stop the soldiers surrounding Bakura with looks of disgust as they started to move?

How could he convince Seto that Bakura had done nothing to him; that he wanted to stay with the thief? He didn't want to embarrass Seto by having an argument in front of the soldiers. Seto was never going to accept that he went with Bakura willingly, that was why there was definitely going to be an argument when he tried to explain.

Ryou smiled slightly as he turned around to see Bakura walking proudly. At least Bakura understood and wasn't angry with him for not speaking out against his rough treatment. It had all happened so fast. His first instinct had been to get dressed. It was probably good that he had followed his instincts or Seto may have killed Bakura on the spot because they were both naked and…well it didn't take a genius to guess what they had been up to.

After that Ryou could have spoken up. But who would have believed him? He would have been pushed to the side; Seto would think Bakura had threatened him to say something if he was caught. They wouldn't have believed his cries that Bakura had done nothing wrong. Bakura knew that and knew that Ryou speaking out like that would just complicate things. Ryou was so glad for this – he didn't know what he would have done if Bakura was mad at him.

Ryou sighed at the predicament they were in. He tilted his head back to stare up at the sky where the gods supposedly lived. He silently prayed to any god that was listening that he could resolve this quickly so that he could once again feel safe in Bakura's arms.

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