Disclaimer: Don't own any of the rights to the fantastic writings of Yugioh, or the song Whispers by Skillet.

Without saying another word he ended the conversation and returned his attention to the current problem. "I would have given you the world," the words chilled the air. Seto slammed the door and left the two lovers to ponder the future, one in shackles, and the other in torment. Ryou thought about Seto stepping on Malik's windpipe crushing it to pieces. He thought about Seto with a gun in his hand. Ryou didn't care about his life anymore he'd experience happiness, but he wouldn't let his lover die. Somewhere he had to find the courage to save Bakura.

Chapter 18: Unexpected love

"Bakura I've almost broken the lock, Joey showed me how. You'll be able to escape." Ryou was frantic in his desire to free his lover. If this was a dream he prayed it would end with Bakura safe.

"Calm yourself, my precious; this Kaiba has no power over me. I am free." Bakura raised his arms and the chains turned to dust.

"How can you say that; he's Seto Kaiba and feared by everyone?" Ryou's eyes followed the dust as it settled on the cold floor.

"Remember when I asked you if you would give up all you hold dear and come with me. I leave now, will you follow?" Bakura held out his hand.

"Yes, I remember, I'll follow you anywhere," Ryou smiled and took the hand, which at the last moment turned into a giant paw.

Ryou felt a gentle breeze on his back and the warmth of the sun on his face. The wind whipped the curls over his brow. "Where am I?"

"Home, my precious," came a whispered reply. The voice was deep and slightly husky and it brought a satisfied smile to Ryou's trembling lips. It was the voice of his lover. All fear left him immediately and he angled his body to better hear the musical sound.

"You're home, safe and sound," Bakura caressed the bewildered blond's flushed cheeks and pinched his pink ears.

"Look around this is your playground," Bakura purred.

To the left over the horizon mountains with snow caps stood proud and majestic. For the first time Ryou realized they were sitting on a mountain covered in soft moss, directly below an endless meadow stretched out for miles and disappeared into a valley which led into a small dense forest. Beyond that Ryou's vision was blurred.

"I don't understand, it's so beautiful, I know this place but I've never been here before," the boy turned to his lover, looking for answers. His bottom itched as the soft fur started to cover his entire body.

"Come and play," Bakura jumped down and landed with his claws holding on tight to the cliff's edge.

Ryou flinched in awe, he wondered, 'How am I suppose to do that,' yet he wasn't afraid to follow his lover even if it meant he'd surly fall to his death.

"Trust your natural instincts, my precious, look at your body it's as it should be," Bakura growled deep in his throat and shook his mighty mane.

Ryou didn't bother to investigate the changes in his body, he just leaped, his eyes captivated by the stars he saw in Bakura's orbs. In one great leap he landed by the side of his lover and they continued to leap from cliff to cliff finally landing in the grassy meadows below. Not only a bed of roses, but wild flowers of many hues, colors, and fragrances spread out over the land for miles.

Bakura laughed at the playfulness of his lover, his kitten, his joy, his life. "Come," with outstretch arms Ryou flew into the embrace and cried.

The larger cat-boy wiped away the tears and twirled the startled youth around. "You're not hurt. Why are you upset, my precious?"

"Bakura-chan, no I'm fine . . . I'm just happy for the first time," Ryou's watery eyes glisten with joy and tear drops hung on his delicate whiskers.

"Follow me . . . Let me take you to paradise." Hand in hand the boys entered the forest and the trees started to sway and actually moved creating a path for the couple to walk through.

"The trees, they moved," wide-eye Ryou backed up against his lover.

Bakura just laughed. "They are happy in your presence. It's been a long time and now this moment has come. Besides they aren't really trees, but Keepers of the forest. It is their duty to watch over all the lands that you see for miles and even further than that. This is all yours my precious."

Ryou didn't comprehend the words or listen to their true meaning, he still baste in the beauty that surrounded him.

"Look at your subjects they have all come to greet you," the cat boy waved his mighty paw. A herd of young cats, tigers, lions, jags, and other breeds raced forward and stopped inches before his feet. Some appeared to be in human form, but Ryou knew their true nature with his new abilities and vision. The young ones clawed at each other and hissed for a front row seat and Bakura calmed them down. It was a gathering of nations from a world beyond the normal passage of time. The kitten that had been stolen from them so many years ago was back.

From the middle of the crowd a sweet voice spoke and Ryou responded to it sweetness. A cute little kitten clawed his way forward and landed at Ryou's feet. "Hi, my name is Atem; my mom said you wouldn't laugh at me as the others do."

Ryou picked up the kitten and smiled, his head was covered with spots of black, red, and gold. The others laughed at the kitten and made noisy cat sounds meant to taunt.

The little kit ducked underneath Ryou's arm in shame. "I think you are the most wonderful kitten I've ever seen. I would like to make you my very own; will you come and live with me?"The meadow took on an eerie silence. Ryou looked around; all heads were touching the mossy ground.

"Bakura say something, what have I done," he spoke.

"You've given this kit who has been harassed for as long as he has lived a purpose for living; well now he is a royal ward and under your protection. His pride will always be honored and given great respect," Bakura smiled at the grand gesture of the prince.

"Why are you calling me a prince and giving me lands?" Ryou continued to rub the multi color fur on the kittens head as he spoke.

"It is a long story, that is not my right to tell, yet very soon you will know the truth. Just understand this is your world and not the dusty crowded streets of Domino. Breath in the fresh air," Bakura roared.

"Senpai, Senpai, she's here!!!!" All the cats purred and prostrated low to the ground. They cleared a path and continued to sway as the Queen approach.

Ryou's heart beat rapidly and his pulse increase. He wrinkled his nose as a lovely scent filled his nostrils. Bakura pushed the cat-boy in the cleared path way and waited. Ryou started to tremble as the familiar form of the tall women appeared. A thick golden piece of leather was strapped on her right shoulder and Ryou recognized the golden arrows barely visible over her shoulder. White hair shimmered down the Queen's back and she reached out a long slender hand to touch the flushed cheek of the wild-eye cat.

"Mother?"

Oooooooooooo

Thanks, and please review. . . .

"Hi, Sakura this one is for you, purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr,"