I am afraid to say that this chapter I have done something unforgivable to Bakura. I apologize beforehand for the great sin I have committed. Sorry for shortness but i do short chapters and regular updates.

Chapter 14

Seto watched his brother sit on the stone bench in the garden from a distance. The look on Ryou's face showed that his mind was far away from this place. He had been like this for a few days now, ever since Bakura had escaped. Seto didn't know what to do to help him so he just stood there watching.

A set of arms slid around Seto's waist. "He still there?" Jou asked. Seto nodded. Jou sighed. "Poor Ryou."

Seto decided now would be the best time to tell Jou his plan. "I'm going to be leaving with Ryou for the countries to the south very soon. Being on the move again should give his mind something to do."

"How long is very soon?"

"Two days."

Jou's heart dropped. He had only been together with Seto for a few days and now he was going to leave? He should have known that this whole relationship thing would have a catch.

Seto sensed Jou's sorrow. "I know you like it here but you're just going to have to adjust."

Jou frowned. "You make it sound like I'm coming with you."

"That's because you are coming with us, stupid puppy." Seto tried to sound annoyed but a small smile still made its way onto his lips.

Jou cried out triumphantly before running off to pack. Seto shook his head as he watched the blond go.

Two days later the three travellers set off to the south. After they had said goodbye to everyone Seto and Jou got into an argument over some of the 'essential' things Jou had decided to bring. It was with a roll of the eyes that they departed into the desert.

It took two weeks to enter the Southern Kingdom and during that time Ryou said little. The other travellers often encouraged him to talk with them but he couldn't bare it. Apart from the fact that Ryou preferred spending time in his own dream world instead of listening to their (less violent) disagreements, it also hurt him to watch the two sit together as a couple in exactly the same way he use to sit with Bakura when it was just the two of them.

It was hard for Ryou to accept the fact that Bakura was gone, possibly forever. The memories of Bakura haunted his dreams and the great happiness he had felt around Bakura made him smile his sad smile of loneliness. He so badly wanted to hang onto these memories but doing so hurt him so terribly. It was almost like he was doomed to remember forever.

Eventually the travellers reached the first town they had been sent to visit. Seto ordered two rooms at an inn for the next twelve days. Some of these days were to be filled with business and some of these days were to be filled with relaxation or preparation for the journey to the next town. Seto was the only one to do any business since he was the only one who could cope with the tedium of the task. When he was busy doing this Jou spent his time looking round the town with Ryou, somehow managing to lose Ryou each and every time. The first time this happened both Seto and Jou had got into a panic. When Ryou appeared at the door, as calm as if nothing had happened (which it hadn't), they were both greatly relieved. To show this they started an argument over whose fault the whole mess was.

After this incident Seto became less bothered by Ryou going out on his own. This was why when Seto had completed the tasks he had come there to do he spend his time with Jou, letting Ryou do the shopping alone.

It was on the second-to-last day that Ryou was walking through the crowded market place when he bumped into the man. He quickly apologized for his clumsiness, his mind having been in another place. The stranger had been about to brush off the incident when he had taken a closer look at the one who had bumped into him.

"You're a pretty little thing aren't you?" he said softly to Ryou.

Ryou hung his head and tried to step out of the way. His path was blocked by the stranger's friend. "Yes, he does look pretty doesn't he?"

Ryou swallowed, sensing the lust behind the words of the two men. He tried to step back into the bustling crowd but one grabbed his arm. "Don't go running away now. We have some friends that we want to introduce you too; I know they'll love you."

Ryou cried out as he was grabbed. A hand was hastily pressed over his mouth; his arms pinned down by a thick arm. He was dragged into a side alley, struggling to get free. Nobody in the crowd seemed to notice his disappearance.

When they were out of view of the busy market Ryou was pressed up against a wall. The man holding him laughed. "I think we should try him out before we bring him to the others."

"I'm guessing you want to be first."

"I dragged him here didn't I? I was the one who did all the work."

"Yeah, but I was the one who first noticed him so I should get him first."

"I don't think either of you should have him."

Ryou's eyes shinned with hope at the thought of someone coming to his aid. The voice of his rescuer was soothing; almost familiar. He didn't know anyone with that accent though so it must just be his imagination.

The thugs turned towards the voice. "Get lost before we make you," one of them spat.

Ryou turned his head and got a glimpse of the tall man. He was bald and had the dark skin of the Sothern people. Was his voice familiar because Ryou had heard him in the market shouting the names of his wares from his shop?

The Southern man smirked. "Trust me when I tell you that you'll be the ones running away in fear."

The man not pinning Ryou charged and was dealt paralyzing blows before being thrown to the floor. The other watched on in horror as his partner was taken out with ease. He punched Ryou in the stomach to wind him before heading directly for his opponent. He too was swept aside like an annoying fly.

When Ryou had regained his breath he shakily got to his feet. His rescuer was there to help; the feel of his strong hands supporting his arms amazingly familiar. On closer inspection Ryou saw that there were small cracks in the dark skin. This may have been natural on a very old man but not on one as young as his rescuer.

Ryou was puzzled by all this until he looked up into two pools of blood. Recognition flashed in both their eyes. Ryou felt the other's grip on his arms tighten. He was transfixed by those deep eyes for the longest time.

Eventually the stranger said, "I'll escort you home if you like."

"That would be great. Thank you…?"

"Call me Akefia."

"Akefia."

Can you guess who it is? Please Review!