Here's the next chapter.

Enjoy.

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Chapter 29

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Ryou followed Akefia as he led Ryou back through the tunnels. Ryou didn't know exactly know where they were going; it was either to the cavern or somewhere else to get something to hold the water in. Ryou was following after Akefia when they arrived at Akefia's chambers. Ryou waited by the entrance for him while he went around the bed and pulled an animal skin pouch up and then left. They went to Atemu's and Mariku's chambers and grabbed the water skins there. Akefia then led Ryou down to the cavern were the springs were.

Ryou jumped when Akefia wrapped his tail around Ryou's waist as they headed down. Ryou held on to his tail and followed him down the stairs. It wasn't too bad this time going down. Ryou felt that maybe with time he'd get used to it.

When they reached the bottom Akefia picked up some extra water skins that were beside the stairs and led Ryou over to the first stream. Akefia had Ryou the extra three water skins and filled up his own. Ryou followed Akefia as he filled up the water skins. Ryou looked at Akefia out of the corner of his eyes. He was always wondering how he got the scars on his face.

Akefia knew Ryou was looking at him out of the corner of his eyes and it was starting to annoy him. Akefia smirked, he'd always seen Ryou staring at him when he thought he wasn't looking and it gave him great amusement that Ryou didn't know.

"Did your mother tell you it's rude to stare at someone?" Ryou jumped and looked at him in surprise. "You've been staring at him when you think I don't know. Is there something you wish to ask or something?"

"I was um... wondering how you got the scars on the side of your face. You don't have to tell me I was just wondering. They look like they hurt."

"They did. I got them when I was protecting Atemu from assassins. There were a couple that snuck up on me and I was lucky that I got away with just a scratch and not lose my life."

"Oh. You must be very good then."

Akefia just smirked, he could tell that Ryou was getting a little more comfortable around him but was cautious about what he said. He could tell he was careful about what he said so as to not upset him.

"Yes I am. That's why I was Atemu's bodyguard. No use being a body guard unless you can protect him."

Ryou smiled as he finished filling up the last water skin. He used the rope suspended from them and wrapped them over his shoulder. Akefia led Ryou back over to the stairs and wrapped his tail back around Ryou's waist and both of them started up. Akefia thought of a couple of things as he made his way up.

"So Ryou what do you exactly do back home?"

"I just finished school... Um do you know what school is?"

"Yes I do."

"Oh um and was thinking of becoming doctor."

"May I enquire as to why? That's a very stressful job. I remember watching Isis panic lots when we brought in soldiers that had been severely injured. She was constantly stressed when we were in battle or having riots."

"I guess I just like helping people."

"Hmm I can see that."

Ryou blushed as they separated at the top of the stairs and Akefia led him back through the cavern that they were in before. Ryou entered the cavern and watched as Akefia put the water skins down and changed back to his full snake form and started talking to Atemu and Mariku.

"Thank you Akefia, Atemu."

Akefia nodded and Atemu looked up at him. "Get everything?"

"Yes thank you."

"Was Akefia behaved?"

"Hey! You asshole!"

"He was behaved Atemu."

Atemu nodded and laid his head back down again. Akefia hissed before leaping at Atemu and started to play fight. Ryou gasped in shock and backed up as they rolled past. Mariku chuckled and looked at Ryou who was looking very worried.

"Don't worry they won't hurt each other. And on that note I suggest you go over to your friends while I join in."

Ryou watched as Mariku leapt after them and joined in. Ryou backed up staring at them in surprised before he headed over Malik who was sitting against the rock ledge. Obviously had enough of lying down. Ryou handed him the water skin and sat down beside him, Yugi was by their feet. Ryou looked at the snakes that were rolling around the ground of the cavern.

"You know I'm surprised they would act like that in front of us." Malik said.

"Why?"

"Because they are meant to be scary so we obey them."

"Malik I think they only meant to be scary to start with so we would behave. They obviously don't want us to be constantly scared of them. What point would that serve?"

"I don't know but seriously look at them?"

"They seem to be having fun. I'm sure they would get bored in here after the amount of years they have spent here."

"I guess but still they are acting like teenagers."

"How are they meant to act Malik? Like old geezers?"

"Um... No comment."

Ryou giggled and shook his head and looked at the snakes to see them looking at them. Ryou gulped he knew they obviously heard them. Malik just opened the animal skin and took a gulp of water from it before looking to Yugi who yawned softly and stretched out on the animal skin before looking at Malik.

"Malik what's going on? What was all the noise?"

"Oh Atemu, Akefia and Mariku were just play fighting."

"I'm sorry Yugi I didn't realise we'd wake you." Atemu said.

"Oh it's alright."

"What were you saying about old geezers." Akefia asked.

"Oh I didn't mean offence. Malik was saying you were acting like teenagers and I was just trying to see what he thought you should act."

"Oh."

Mariku jumped on top of Akefia and they both started to roll away trying to pin the other and in the process knocking Atemu on the head. He quickly turned to get pay back. All three boys just stared at them before turning to each other and started talking.

~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~ End of Chapter 29 ~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~

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