A/N: Hello again. Sorry it's been so long, lots of stuff happened around my house that I just don't wanna get into. I'm back for now and that's all that matters. SO. Without further delay (since I obviously delayed this for 6 months. Oh shii-) here is chapter four and my first response to a review 3

Eleanora-Griffindor: Thanks so much for reviewing. I hope you continue to enjoy the story

Interlunar

Chapter 4: Heat

The sun was blinding to say the least; it felt like someone poured lemon juice into his eyes and no amount of rubbing could get it out. I guess being trapped inside a cave for who knows how long gets to you, Yuugi thought, continually rubbing at his eyes with his free hand. The Pharaoh's eyes were slightly closed, a red orb darting towards Beithwal every once and a while. As the group started walking towards the vans, he became more conscious and he leaned more into Yuugi and away from her. The narrowness of the canyon made it hard for the group to walk in pairs, but Atemu refused to let go of Yuugi. Beri was forced to walk behind the two, her keen eyes locked on the two halves.

"I say she should walk. We don't have room for her in any of the cars." Anzu said casually.

"She can't just walk back to Cairo all on her lonesome! A pretty girl such as herself is sure to have something happen to her." Otogi protested but Anzu shook her head.

"She's a magical being. I bet, she could fly her way there or teleport or something. It's better her than any of us." Anzu flipped back her hair, squaring off Otogi. They had been at it ever since they left the cave and they seemed to just be going in circles. The others were at it at one point too but they got tired of Anzu's stubbornness and just stopped arguing. Only Otogi was just as stubborn as she was (especially when it came to the well being of a girl) and wasn't backing down easily. "Besides, have you seen the shape the Pharaoh is in? He could drop at any minute!"

She did have a point. Atemu looked slightly pale, even with his dark skin tone. Beri said that was to be expected since he had used up too much of his energy in one go. After the shock has faded, he should be fine. However, Anzu wasn't buying it.

"Magical? Just because she's a spirit doesn't mean she has magical powers Masaki!" Otogi countered.

Malik sighed and facepalmed. "Look guys I'm sure we can find room in the cars for her. It's not like she's obese or anything."

Anzu turned on him. "It was packed on the way here and that was before the Pharaoh had his own body. If we're lucky we can fit him in there. But, since he doesn't look so good, he should be given extra room so he can breathe."

"He'll be fine. Stop mothering him. He is a pharaoh you know." Beri interjected, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Was is more accurate. Today he is just another normal human being just like the rest of us."

Beri coughed but it sounded more like a laugh to Yuugi. Turning his head slightly, he saw a little smirk on her face. "A regular human being who can summon darkness? Oh ya, real normal."

Yuugi bit his own lip to keep from smiling and bringing down the wrath of Anzu Masaki. He just trucked on forward, ignoring the jibes and witty remarks, focusing more on his yami. He was breathing steadily and was slowly starting to stand up straighter but Yuugi was still burdening most of his weight. The canyon got narrower still, the echoes of Anzu's and Otogi's voice growing louder as the space got smaller. Before the walls could smother them all to death, it parted to reveal the two cars that had taken them to the Pharaoh's resting space. Yuugi smiled gratefully and dragged Atemu towards one of the cars.

"Yuugi! We can't go yet!" Anzu called at him. He turned his head to look at her.

"But Anzu, he needs to sit so he can rest more. I'm not going anywhere, promise." Removing Atemu's arm from around his neck, Yuugi helped guide him into the car to sit. The Pharaoh, though awake and conscious, kept quiet, even though Yuugi knew he was slightly annoyed at having someone help him this much.

Making sure that he was comfortable, Yuugi turned his attention back to the group, walking to sit down beside Jounouchi. Everyone had already decided to sit down in the sand to wait out this brawl except Anzu, Kaiba and Otogi. Anzu and Otogi were duking it out with their voices as their chosen weapon while Kaiba just stood to the side, most likely not wanting to get his coat dirty. Judging by his tense stance and the way he gripped his arm, Yuugi guessed he was eager to leave and put it all behind them.

"Look dweebs, if we don't figure this out soon, I'm either going to die of heat exhaustion or of boredom, so what do you say we get this show on the road." Kaiba said, speaking for the first time in hours and confirming Yuugi's suspicions.

Malik nodded. "Lets just all pile into the cars and go from there. We will be able to fit everyone I promise." He got up from his comfy sand chair, pulling his sister up with him. Anzu stomped her foot, glaring at Malik with all her frustration.

"Did you not hear anything I have just said? Neither Yuugi nor Ate- The Pharaoh is in any state to travel in a boxed up car!"

"Is she always this annoying or do I just bring out the worst in her?" Beri wondered aloud to Yuugi, the only person who seems to not either want to jump her bones or rip her throat out. The teenager jumped at her suddenly beside him but smiled up at her.

"Actually this is her on a good day." He said wryly. Beri made a face that suggested he was insane and he just chuckled. She sighed returning to glaring at some unknown sight, blinking twice then narrowing her eyes. Yuugi raised a brow but dismissed it as one of her random mood swings and focused back on the argument. Or at least he tried.

Atemu got out of the car and stood beside Yuugi, keeping his back straight and his shoulders back, continually giving Beri a leery look. Yuugi frowned at him.

"The other me, you should really sit down in some shade. You're still weak and who knows how long this could go on for."

Atemu sat down. " I'll be fine. Sometimes you worry more then Anzu." Yuugi frown got bigger but he didn't complain. Instead he sighed and leaned back, thinking how to bring Anzu and Otogi's argument to a close. He tried to anyways, but something about the Pharaoh was unnerving him. It's not that he kept inching his way over to him – they were after all insanely close having lived inside one body for a few years – but the fact that his body showed nothing but hostility. This wasn't like the Pharaoh he had lived with at all. Yuugi looked at his other half's profile with a keen eye. He was what the carvings had made him out to be; a strong monarch standing-or in this case sitting- tall with a gaze that could either warm the heart or chisel it. Yuugi closed what little distance was between them and wrapped his fingers around the Pharaoh's. He looked down at his aibou in surprise, but his hikari just smiled up at him and squeezed his hand lightly. The former Pharaoh gave a ghost of smile down at Yuugi, his body relaxing a bit.

"Well there is only one way to solve this Ryuji! Let's let Yuugi decide." Anzu said, turning towards the two. She blinked at the closeness of the two, but shook her head, focusing on the task at hand. "What do you think?"

Yuugi bit his lip. "Uh.. well Anzu-chan I think…" He ducked his head, not really sure what to say, not wanting to upset her but not wanting to leave Beri behind either. She was proving to be quite a challenge and Yuugi was determined to solve her. But there was no way he was leaving his Yami behind.

"I think I know the solution little girl." Beri's voice cut through the tension, making Yuugi relax. Anzu whirled on her.

"Oh? And what makes you say that princess?"

Beri just sneered at the other girl and shrugged her shoulders, pretending to not have a care in the world. " I think the scenery speaks for itself." Anzu gave a quizzical look at her. The former spirit guide huffed dramatically. "How many cars did you guys have when you got here?"

"Two of coarse."

"Right. And how many are left?"

"Well duh they are both still here. It's not like anyone-" As Anzu turned to look in the direction of the cars, she stopped. "But…How… It was just here"

Beri chuckled darkly. "Allow me to give you a hint little girl." She cleared her throat and stood up. She crossed her arms across her chest and gave her best haughty look. "Look dweebs, if we don't figure this out soon, my ego is either going to die of boredom or of heat exhaustion." She uncrossed her arms and smirked at Anzu. "Sound familiar?" Anzu glared at her and did a once over the group confirming what Beri was implying.

The Kaiba brothers were gone.

Anzu's jaw dropped. "That insensitive bastard!" She screamed. Jounouchi growled, shaking his fist in the car's general whereabouts, ranting about how Kaiba was a snooty jerk who had no soul, which lead to Honda and Otogi chiming in while the Ishtals, Sugoroku and Bakura sat silent. Everyone however quieted down when the Pharaoh stood, and walked to the centre of the chaos, untangling his hands from his aibou's leaving him on the sidelines. Even though he still was pale and weak, he still looked regal and tall, despite the fact that he was one of the shortest people present. His presence made him seem to tower over Anzu which made her shrink back slightly out of habit.

"Arguing and complaining isn't going to solve anything. We need to think fast and get moving if we actually ever want to see civilization again. We'll deal with Kaiba when we get to that obstacle but first." His crimson eyes swept over to Ishizu. "You know this land well do you not?"

Ishizu bowed a little. "Of coarse my King."

The Pharaoh placed a hand on his hip. "Then I suggest you use your skills to lead us out of here and to the next nearest town."

Jounouchi's surprised noise cut into the conversation. "You mean to say Pharaoh, that we are actually going to walk in this heat? Geez, the short walk from the Millenium Stone to here was enough to leave me starving. How am I supposed to go another step without food?"

"I'm sure you'll manage." He replied coolly. Jounouchi visibly paled.

"Aw come on man! Can't you use your super natural voodoo to zap us to Cairo instead? Please, please, please!"

"No you fool!" Beri hissed. "Shadow magic can only be used on those who have conquered the darkness." At his confused look, the spirit pressed on. "It means, that once the shadows touch you, every darkness inside your soul, every negative feeling you have ever had, any rage, jealousy, hate, greed, whatever you have felt in your entire life, will eat you alive."

"Geez, talk about a buzz kill." Jounouchi gulped. Beithwal's lip curled.

"Well gee, sorry to ruin your day." She remarked sarcastically, rolling her eyes. "Be gratefully you're not stuck in the middle of the Sahara desert you wimp."

"Wimp?" In a flash, Jounouchi was up and at it. "Dare you to call me that again, you walking mummy."

A twisted smile formed on her lips. "What is a wimp going to do to someone like me hmm?"

He cracked his knuckles. "Oh I'm about to show you what I can do." He rolled his shoulders back, glaring at Beri, any lust he had for her gone from his face. She just smiled crudely at him. Opening her mouth, ready to taunt the boy some more, she was interrupted by the Pharaoh, who cut her off with a look.

"Enough you two." The Pharaoh glared at Beri but he was addressing them both. From the sidelines, Yuugi was able to see his red eyes were growing brighter and that his body was flexing. Subtle signs that only Yuugi could see that indicated he was growing impatient. "You two can fight later. Beithwal, I suggest you keep that hole you call your mouth shut before I nail it shut. Permanently." The tone of his voice left little to be imagined. She shrank back, all sadistic playfulness gone from her face and ducked her head into submission.

Yuugi watched the interaction between those two, curious about her true motivations for backing down. But he would have to address it later. Moving with a purpose, Yuugi stepped up beside his darker half and slid his hand into the others again, feeling almost instantly the tension roll off the other's body.

Ishizu picked it up to be her que. "We don't have far to walk. It is but a mere four kilometer hike to the East."

Before anyone could moan in protest, Yuugi piped up with his usual optimisim. "Well, let's not waste anymore time. The faster we get there the faster you can eat Jounouchi-kun." He smiled at his best friend, pulling on his other half's hand to get him moving. Jounouchi didn't need to be told twice. He went zipping by with remarkable speed with Honda right behind him. Ishizu ran after them, saying they were going in the wrong direction. Yuugi chuckled at his friends and felt the Pharaoh stare at him. Turning his head, he met his yami's eyes. 'What? Is there something on my face?"

The Pharaoh just shook his head, a small smile on his lips. "You continue to amaze me aibou."

Yuugi tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

"I used to command an entire country. I could make people bend over backwards if I so wished, but I don't seem to have the ability that you possess. You can make people listen and follow you without a doubt. Yes I had slaves and followers, but they only followed me because they had no choice. You, my dear aibou, make people want to follow you. That is a true gift." Yuugi blushed. Letting go of his hand, the Pharaoh slipped his arm around his aibou's waist, pulling him close making the younger one blush an even brighter shade of red. Even though it was over nine thousand degrees outside and he was hardly dressed for a friendly stroll through the scorching desert, Yuugi didn't let go. He was too ecstatic to have his other half still around to let the heat bother him and ruin the moment.

Atemu wouldn't admit it, but he secretly didn't want the walk to end. It was all too surreal; he was about to be sucked into the afterlife and then suddenly, he's here, being held by his aibou once again and loving every minute of it. He supposed he had Beri to thank for this but there was something about her he didn't trust. Shaking his head, he brushed her aside. That woman would not ruin his happiness.

After what felt like a millennia to everyone but a select few, the group stumbled into a small town, weary, exhausted, and sweat soaked. Honda and Jounouchi dropped to their knees and loudly kissed the semi-cobblestoned streets. Anzu grabbed them by their collars, and pried their faces off the ground. "Would you idiots stop being so… idiotic? We're in public you know! People can see you!" The two just shook out of her hold and rand to the nearest food stand, salivating at the mouth. Yuugi chuckled at the two. It transformed swiftly into a yawn and he leaned against the Pharaoh wearily, half closing his eyes. Atemu carefully pulled him closer, ignoring the skip in his heart. Yuugi smiled.

"I'm supposed to be helping you not the other way around." He yawned.

"I'm fine aibou. Just rest. It's my turn to look after you." Yuugi gave a weak protest as he cuddled into the Pharaoh. Though he was still shaking slightly, he wouldn't allow Yuugi to carry him anymore. The young one had done it for so long even though he was weak himself, never once complaining during the hike. Now it was Atemu was returning the favour.

Slowly, he moved forward, maneuvering Yuugi so one arm was drapped around the Pharaoh's shoulders, keeping one of his own arms securely around Yuugi's waist, hugging him close but not too close. He was so caught up in his aibou's wellbeing he almost didn't notice Anzu walk over.

Almost.

"Is he alright Pharaoh?" Her eyebrows creased together in worry as she crouched down to peer closely at him. Atemu hugged him closer, resisting the urge to tell her to back off. "Wait why are you carrying him? You're weak and need to rest as much as he does."

"I'm fine." He said in a clipped tone. She shook her head and stepped out in front of him, stopping him in his tracks.

"I'll get Bakura or someone to carry Yuugi so I can help you Pharaoh. Just because you're a King doesn't mean you can't accept help." He narrowed his eyes dangerously at her.

"I don't need any help. I'm perfectly capable of carrying my own weight and aibou's." He tried to walk around her but she just moved to intercept him. He huffed. "Move."

She squared her jaw. "Not until you give me Yuugi."

"I said, no. Now move."

"No." He clenched his teeth and glared her down. Anzu glared back, but not with the same intensity.

"Oh give the little guy a break." Beri waltzed over casually and hip bumped Anzu out of the way. "The young hobbit and his royal counterpart will be fine and dandy. All they need is sleep, not some obnoxious teenage girl who needs a new hobby." She laughed at Anzu's flustered look. "Giving away some of his energy to El Bosso over here was sure to weaken him up. I'm surprised he was able to make it this far without complaining or falling over."

Both the Pharaoh and Anzu glared at Beri but she ignored them. "So shall we find a hotel and rest or shall we stand around here gathering more attention?" She wavered her hand dismissively at the few people who were openly gawking at the sight of Atemu. "In case you had forgotten big shot, there hasn't been a pharaoh around these parts for centuries. I don't need to be psychic to know that they are all thinking you're either insane or crazy rich. I suggest you change fast."

"Into what? I didn't exactly plan for this so forgive me for not being prepared." He said venomously.

Beri gave a wicked smile. "I know how to fix you up but first, hotel!" The Pharaoh gave her a warning look and she winked suggestively, moving out of reach before he could do anything. He glowered at her back as he followed.

"Mm, other me?" He looked down at Yuugi in surprise.

"Aibou! I thought you were asleep."

"Not asleep… just resting my eyes." Yuugi yawned again, blinking his eyes half open.

"Of coarse, how naïve of me to think so." Atemu rolled his eyes internally.

"Everything okay?"

"Yes, why?"

"You're squishing me." Yuugi said

Atemu blinked and slithered his arm away from his waist automatically. "Sorry aibou. I didn't realize-"

"No no put it back." He protested, shaking his head. Atemu paused but did as he said, cautiously wrapping his arm back around his waist. "It's… comfy." With that he snuggled into Atemu's chest again and closed his eyes with a happy sigh. The Pharaoh smiled and kissed the top of his aibou's head affectionately. "It's … good to have you…" Atemu closed his eyes, breathing in his aibou.

"It's good to have you too."

The sun was setting in glorious shades of red and orange, but really the view wasn't that impressive. Or maybe she was just thinking that because of her foul mood. Beithwal grunted, pulling the curtains closed to look back into the room she 'rented.' Both Atemu and Yuugi were sleeping in one bed, the two cuddled together. She walked over to the side where the Pharaoh was sleeping and knelt down. Reaching up, she pushed a stray piece of his hair out of his face, marveling in how someone so commanding in both life and death could look so serene.

The gold wrapped around her arm turned warm as Jet came back to life. She slithered up to her mistress's face and tasted her skin. Beri smiled down at her old friend, nudging the snake with her mind to go see the Pharaoh. The snake slid down her arm to slither along the Pharaoh's body and stretched out so it was on his body and his other half. The snake looked up at Beri, staring at her as if it was trying to communicate. She scrunched her nose. "Are you serious? You know that isn't safe." Jet flashed its hood, hissing at its owner. Sighing, she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Fine, but its your fault if I get moody. Well more so then usual. I just hope your right and this works. Or no more mice for you." With a playful smirk, she bowed her head and closed her eyes, her fingers brushing along Jet's scales. She took a deep breath and retreated to the deep corners of her mind. Feeling a warm tendril grab hold of her conscious, she pulled it forward, feeling deep calm enter and part the chaos. Using her mental power, she pushed the calm into her hands, feeling its healing energy flow to the tips of her fingertips. Jet hissed, turning from green to blue as it felt the wave of power invade its body, changing colour in accordance with its mistress' thoughts. The energy flowed over Jet, who then transferred it to both the Pharaoh and Yuugi. Beri licked her lips and spoke, her voice airy and light. "With the power granted to me by the Great One and the river Nile, I use my name and my associate to heal you, Pharaoh." Letting go of Jet, Beri moved her hand over Atemu's bare chest while the snake moved likewise onto Yuugi. With her pointer finger, she drew a simple hieroglyphic; it was a small bird facing to the left. Jet drew the Eye of Horus, then slithered back up Beri's arm and froze back as a piece of jewelry. The symbols glowed bright blue for a moment, then dulled down and melted into the boy's skin. Beri stood up and walked back, breathing in, enjoying for a brief moment the calmness in her mind. Closing her eyes, she said a silent thank you, and then dissipated the calmness, allowing chaos to reign free again. Instantly a headache set in behind her eyes, making her see colours with no shape. Shaking her head, she moved to the only chair in the room and curled up on it, to wait it out.

A/N: Chapter 5 won't take that long hopefully. Let me know what you guys think 3