SAND PEARL

Yugi sat next to Rydia in the back in the hover craft as they headed to the Antlion Cave. He found it awkward, but remembered it was a time all its own. He felt the Summoner lean against him and he looked at her.

Rydia was asleep and smiling.

Yugi put his arm around her, rested his head on hers, and sighed. She's been falling asleep a lot. He thought. Then he smiled and closed his eyes. Whatever. As long as I am able to protect Rydia, it really doesn't matter… His mind wandered and he drifted to sleep.

Edward glanced over his shoulder as he drove the hover craft. "He seems to be fond of her." He said to Cecil.

"She's very fond of him too." Cecil replied.

"So the feeling is mutual." Edward concluded. "It seems to be appropriate since they're the same age.

Amused, Cecil chuckled. "Yugi and Rydia aren't the same age."

Edward looked at the Dark Knight, confused. "Oh?"

Cecil nodded. "I've known Yugi since he was four." He explained. "I'm three years older than he is. Currently, he's seventeen and I'm twenty. Rydia's ten years younger than Yugi."

Edward's eyes grew wide.

"He still managed to retain his child-like innocents." Cecil continued. "So, yes, Yugi is older than he looks. I'm guessing, his big, puppy dog, violet eyes fooled you."

Edward cleared his throat and nodded. "I would like to state one other thing."

"Feel free."

"I find it strange that he has violet eyes and tricolored hair that spikes out."

Cecil shrugged. "It was how he was born. I see nothing wrong with it."

Edward looked forward. "I suppose you have a point. But don't you find it odd that Rydia and Yugi are fond of each other with their age difference?"

"A little, but it shouldn't be that much of a problem."

"How so?"

"Yugi's smart and he's not what you think. My guess is this phase will pass."

"And if it doesn't?"

"Then it's more than a phase."

Edward sighed. "Are you certain you know Yugi as well as you believe?"

"Yes. He's one of my closest friends, even though he doesn't remember. It is true, I have to get to know him all over again, but I trust him with my life."

The Bard nodded. "I see." His face turned grave. Anna. He thought. I wish I had the strength these two have. I'm such a coward.

Cecil sighed. "Where do we go now?"

Edward's head perked, and he nodded. "Right. Sorry." He turned the hover craft slightly to get closer to the Antlion Cave.

Yugi, Cecil, Rydia, and Edward wandered inside the Antlion Cave. They fought many monsters and Yugi had to remind Edward that he wasn't useless (even though Edward is next to useless in Final Fantasy IV, until he learns a few songs such as Life's Anthem in the DS release). Then they finally ran into the Antlion Queen. (Whatever, this Antlion is the next boss to fight in Final Fantasy IV, that's all I know.) "I got a bad feeling about this." Yugi muttered.

Edward shook his head. "They're harmless." He assured. He walked over. "Now we just take a Sand Pearl and-."

The Antlion Queen suddenly lashed out, its eyes turning red.

Edward jumped backwards and let out a yelp.

"Next time, trust Yugi's instincts!" Cecil snapped and he and the small teen drew their swords.

"Blizzard!" Rydia shouted.

Yugi's eyes grew wide. "No!" He yelled. "Rydia! Wait!"

A strong gust of wind with snow came by and hit the Antlion Queen. It didn't seem to have any affect.

The Antlion struck all four back, roaring angrily.

Yugi and Cecil slowly got to their feet. "You know a spell can't be stopped once cast." The Dark Knight told the small teen.

"I know." Yugi replied. But look at its eyes. They're red."

Cecil looked at him. "What does that have to do with anything?" He asked sharply.

"I have a hunch." Yugi answered. "Maybe we should try attacking physically when its eyes are red. And if they change, then we attack it with magic. It's a hunch, but I really think it'll work."

Cecil hesitated for a moment.

"Have you ever doubted me?" Yugi asked, looking at the Dark Knight and smiling with determination.

Cecil nodded. "I trust you with my life." He responded. He and Yugi charged at the Antlion and slashed it.

The stumbled backwards and its eyes changed to white.

"Blizzard!" Yugi cried.

A gust of snowy wind blew by, hit the Antlion, and brought it to its knees.

Edward looked at the small teen. How was he able to do that? He wondered.

"Hold off on the spells when its eyes are red, Rydia." Yugi ordered.

The Summoner nodded. "Are you going to protect me when that happens?" She asked.

Yugi smiled and nodded. "I'll always protect you." He answered.

Rydia blushed as she smiled.

The Antlion got to its feet and attacked; its eyes red.

Cecil and Yugi struck it back and held their ground. Once Yugi saw its eyes turn white, he shouted, "Rydia! Now!"

"Thunder!" The Summoner yelled.

A bolt of lightning came down, hit the Antlion and brought it down. The Antlion didn't get back up.

Rydia jumped, twirled, and threw her arms around Yugi.

Edward walked over and took the Sand Pearl. "It's strange." He muttered. "Normally, they don't attack humans."

"It's possibly because of monster over population." Cecil said quickly.

Yugi looked at the Dark Knight. "Why don't I believe that?" He murmured under his breath.

Rydia looked at the small teen and saw a grave expression on his face. "Yugi?" She muttered.

He closed his eyes and shook his head. "Don't worry about it." He replied. "It's nothing."

Rydia became worried about Yugi, but didn't want to press the matter.

Cecil, Edward, Yugi, and Rydia left the Antlion Cave, with a heavy silence about them.

The trip back to Kaipo was long and nerving due to the heavy silence between the current fearsome foursome. Everyone had something on his or her mind. Once in Kaipo, they headed to the house where Rosa was at, still ill with Desert Fever. The woman took the Sand Pearl and used it to heal the Healer. (Can you say, "Ironic"?)

After some time, Rose came to and saw Cecil and Yugi. She smiled weakly. "Cecil." She breathed. "Yugi."

"Hi Rosa." Yugi said.

"Are you alright?" Cecil asked with concern in his voice.

Rosa nodded. "I. Believe so." She answered. "I was so worried about you, Cecil. I came out here to look for you."

The Dark Knight took her hand. "I'm here now." He assured.

Rosa's smile widened as she blushed. Her smile faded, and she turned her attention to Yugi. "It's been awhile." She rasped.

"Thirteen years." The small teen replied with a shrug.

Rosa nodded slowly. "Your mother was acting strange towards the King." She explained.

"Rosa, you should rest." Cecil protested, squeezing her hand.

She shook her head. "No. Yugi needs to know."

"My mom's alright." Yugi told her. "That's all I really need to know."

"But Yugi-." The Healer began.

"Rosa." Said Cecil. "You must rest. We can talk more when you've recovered."

"He's right." Yugi agreed. "In fact, we all need rest."

With a slight pout, Rosa nodded.

dragonchild247: Woot! I managed to post up this chapter now! I feel so proud of myself. ^_^ However...now we have the damsel in the party so that should be fun. Don't get me wrong, Rosa's useful on healing duty, but she's a damsel in distress and you have to spend at least half the game trying to get her back and it gets to be bothersome. Anywho's, Please reivew.