WATERWAY

The next morning, Yugi, Rydia, and Cecil left the inn. "We should pick up supplies." Cecil announced. He looked at Yugi. "And you're not going to be of much use in those clothes."

The small teen nodded. "Where do we go then?" He asked.

"There." Cecil answered, pointing to an armory. "But it will be a little difficult to find something that will fit."

Rydia giggled.

"I get it." Yugi mumbled. "I'm short. I'm five feet tall and not physically strong."

Cecil sighed. "I'm aware of that." He led the small teen and the young Summoner to the armory. He spoke with the shop keeper.

Yugi looked at staves and swords with Rydia.

"Yugi." Said Cecil.

He turned. "Yeah?" He replied.

Cecil held out an outfit about Yugi's size. "It's leather, so it's light weight." He explained. "It's something to start in, and about your size."

"It's the only thing I had." The shopkeeper added.

Yugi nodded and took it.

Cecil looked at swords trying to find one that would be the right size and weight for the small teen to carry and wield.

"Yugi!" Cheered Rydia, surprising the Dark Knight. "You look so cute wearing that!"

Cecil looked over and chuckled.

Yugi blushed as Rydia hugged him. He did look cute in his new outfit. (Think of the outfit he wore in Kaiba's virtual world, back in Season 1...or is it 2? Either way. I thought it was adorable on him.) He took a deep breath and sighed.

Rydia giggled.

Cecil picked up a sword and handed it to the small teen. "Hold this." He said.

Yugi took it and held it in one hand. "Seems ok." He muttered.

Cecil nodded.

Cecil, Yugi, and Rydia wandered around Kaipo finding supplies (Potions, Heals, Phoenix Down, etc.) Yugi's head perked, and he stopped dead in his tracks.

Cecil and Rydia turned to him. "Yugi" Rydia said.

The small teen hurried off towards a house, the Dark Knight and the Summoner hot at his heels. His mind was racing, though he couldn't figure out why. Once inside, he bolted to a blond woman's beside.

She wore a white outfit. She looked two years older than Yugi and familiar to him. "Cecil." She moaned.

Cecil walked over to her bedside. "Rosa." He muttered.

Yugi felt a spark of recognition in is mind at her name.

"She has Desert Fever." A woman explained. "She needs a Sand Pearl from the Antlion Cave just beyond the Damcyan Castle."

"She also calls for someone named Cecil." A man added. "Isn't he dead?"

Yugi held his tongue for the sake of the Dark Knight.

"We'll go get the Sand Pearl." Announced Cecil.

Yugi and Rydia nodded.

"Cecil." Rosa groaned. "Cecil! Don't leave me!"

He leaned over the bed and whispered, "Don't worry. Please hang on Rosa." He straightened and led Yugi and Rydia out. "To get to Damcyan Castle," he explained, "we have to go through the Waterway."

"Good place to start." Yugi murmured aloud.

Cecil, Yugi, and Rydia wandered through the Waterway, trying to get to the Damcyan Castle. Then they ran into a few monsters. Yugi looked at Cecil.

The Dark Knight pulled out his sword. "C'mon, Yugi." He said. "Now we fight."

"But I don't know how to use a sword!" The small teen protested.

"Believe me," Cecil replied, "it'll come to you."

Rydia tugged on Yugi's cape and said, "You can do it."

Yugi blushed and nodded. Then he pulled out his sword and swallowed the lump in his throat. I hope Cecil's right. He thought.

The monsters attacked. One charged toward Rydia. The other two went for Cecil.

On instinct, Yugi jumped between Rydia and the monster attacking her. Then he swung his sword and slashed it cleanly in half.

Rydia's eyes lit up. "Way to go!" She cheered.

Yugi stared in shock at what he had done. Whoa. He thought. Cecil was right.

"Yugi!" Cecil called. "Rydia!"

The small teen ran to the Dark Knight's rescue as Rydia summoned a Chocobo. The Chocobo pecked violently at one monster and Yugi quickly killed the other. Once the Chocobo was gone, Yugi finished off the last monster. "You ok?" He asked.

Cecil nodded, holding his arm. "I'll be alright." He answered.

Rydia ran up to them. "Cure." She said.

The spell healed Cecil's wound.

Rydia looked up at Yugi. "Are you sure you've never used a sword before?"

The small teen nodded. "It's my first time."

Cecil sighed. He really doesn't remember. He thought. "C'mon. We still have a ways to go."

Yugi and Rydia nodded.

Yugi sighed. He was tired and he was showing it.

Cecil stopped and turned to the small teen. "Hurry up." He said.

"I'm coming." Yugi panted.

Rydia looked at the small teen and then to the Dark Knight. "Don't you think we should stop and rest?" She asked. "Yugi doesn't look so good."

Cecil looked and saw that she was right. He knelt down in front of Yugi. "Hop on." He ordered. "I'll carry you."

Yugi hesitated.

"You're exhausted." Rydia pointed out sharply.

Yugi sighed and climbed onto Cecil's back.

He stood and looked at the young Summoner. "Can you keep up?"

Rydia nodded.

Cecil nodded a reply and walked on. "I'm really sorry, Yugi." He whispered. "I shouldn't have pushed you like that and not realize you were worn out."

The small teen shook his head, closing his eyes. "You were just trying to get to get to Damcyan Castle." He replied softly. "It's not your fault. I think I should be sorry."

Cecil looked at Yugi.

"I'm just weighing you down." The small teen muttered, sleep slowly taking over.

"You've never weighed me down." Cecil replied. "I missed having you around. You kept Kain and me from trying to kill each other."

A smile slowly grew across Yugi's lips. "That was because you both wanted to impress Rosa."

Cecil cleared his throat and looked away. "You just try to rest. We'll talk about it later."

There was a silence from Yugi. His breathing was soft, indicating he was asleep.

Yugi's cue when he's asleep. Rydia thought. Then she blushed and giggled.

Cecil chuckled. Whether Yugi realizes it or not, he thought, Rydia likes him, even though there is a ten year difference between them.

Just then Cecil and Rydia came across an elderly man who was staring off straight down the tunnel.

"Excuse me." Cecil said.

dragonchild247: Finally. I finished the seventh chapter. I'm sorry it took me so long. Writer's block is evil. And one of these days, I'll be able to continue my other stories. Now. Please review and comment. Thank you and stay tuned for the next chapter.