Chapter 6

The next few days seemed to move impossibly slow, it was as though some strange force was trying to prevent them from getting to the end of the week not to mention the end of the school year. Despite Joey's preparation for a one-man rebellion, it turned out that he did not need to. Although their teachers seemed to be determined to make the most of every remaining hour of the year, they did take pity on them and refrained from giving them homework. Something which every student was grateful for, they could just about deal with the sounds of the younger students having fun in their final lessons but if they came out of their not so fun lessons with homework well then Joey's rebellion might actually have had to take place. The lack of homework meant the group of four teenagers could finalise their plans for the upcoming trip and also do any last-minute packing that was needed. It came to no one's surprise that Joey had to make a mad dash after school to the shops one afternoon realising he'd not bought some of the most essential items. This had caused Tea to take to remarking on how Joey had teased her on the amount she'd bought on that shopping trip and how whilst she was now fully prepared Joey wasn't. This left the other two members of the group highly amused. With Joey's last-minute panic over with the only other question left was would the former Pharaoh be ready for the trip. But the answer to that would become apparent on the day of departure. Yugi was unwilling to say either way, which they supposed was his way of not jinxing anything. When the final day of school finally came and went, the group readied themselves for the trip. Suitcases were unpacked, re-packed and secured. Passports were checked, taxis booked and any final last-minute things were stuffed hastily into hand luggage. The only stress for them was making their way to the airport as from there everything else was taken care of. Yugi's Grandpa had confirmed that he would meet them at the other end so arranging transport in Egypt was taken care of.

At last, the morning of the trip arrived. Joey was stood by his front door, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the taxi. He was almost kicking himself for allowing Tristan to be the one to arrange it. Given that Joey and Tristan's houses were close together they'd decided to save money and travel together. The others had done the same, Tea lived closer to the Game shop so was sharing a taxi with Yugi and Atem. But Joey wasn't worried about them as between the three of them they were organised and responsible, yet arguably the least organised pair in the group were traveling together. Although to Tristan's credit all seemed to be going to plan. He'd sent a message to Joey ten minutes ago saying he was on his way so fingers crossed all would go to plan. But given this was Tristan he prepared himself, he wouldn't put it past him to book a taxi only to find its doors fell off or something ridiculous. Joey shook his head, he should give Tristan more credit perhaps this time he'd actually pull this off. Opening the door he peered outside, something he'd done numerous times now but this time he spotted a silver car making its way towards him. Letting out a sigh of relief he'd hadn't realised he'd been holding he grabbed his waiting suitcase and stepped out, shutting the door behind him. The car smoothly pulled up in front of him, the driver stepped out smiling in greeting to Joey as he opened the boot and took the suitcase from Joey. As the driver shut the boot and moved back to the driver's seat, the rear passenger door opened revealing a rather smug looking Tristan.

"Morning!" He greeted, a smirk on his face, "Bet you thought I wouldn't pull through did you."

Joey scoffed, sliding into the seat, "Knowing you, I was expecting a clown car."

Tristan just gave him a look, "What in the world would make you think I'd do that?"

"The fact that I've known you for too many years now."

"You should have more faith in me Joey."

Joey opened his mouth to reply but at that moment the driver, who'd been patiently waiting, turned to face them.

"I'm sorry but if you want to get to the airport on time, I believe you should shut the door so we can go."

Joey smiled sheepishly as he pulled the door shut. Beside him Tristan had covered his mouth, there was no doubt he was trying not to laugh. As the car began to move Joey glared at Tristan daring him to say anything but he did not. Silence filled the car for a moment before Joey spoke.

"Do you know how the others are doing?"

"They're on their way. Tea messaged me saying they'd left the game shop about ten minutes ago."

Joey nodded, trust those three to be super early.

"Did she say how Atem is?"

"I didn't ask but I know he's with them so he must be better."

Joey nodded again but made no reply. He turned his attention to the window and various buildings of Domino City past them. It was almost surreal to think that they were finally on their way, but also too late to pick anything up that they might have forgotten.

When the airport finally came into view neither of the boys could deny that ball of excitement that was building inside them. It was finally happening, they were finally going. Their car pulled into the drop-off section of the car park and their driver swiftly got out to remove their suitcases. The two boys also stepped out of the car, gazing around at the swarms of people. Cars littered the car park, with hundreds of people with various sizes of suitcases all heading towards the entrance. But then as it was the beginning of the summer holidays it was hardly surprising that so many people were leaving for their holidays. Thanking their driver they walked towards the airport's entrance, pulling their suitcases behind them. As they entered the terminal the saw a long line of desks with hundreds of people queuing with their suitcases. The sound of chatter echoed of the walls along with the sounds of suitcase wheels moving around. It didn't take them long to spot three people waiting for them, it helped that two of them were identical and easily spotted in a crowd. As they drew close Tea spotted them and waved at them, a grin on her face.

"You made it!" She called.

"Don't sound so surprised Tea," Joey called back, "Between the two of us did you really doubt we'd get here on time?"

Tea made no response, but her expression told them that that very thought had indeed crossed her mind. Standing beside them Yugi looked rather amused but somehow managed not to laugh. Joey scowled at them in turn before he looked to the other member of the group. Atem held the tell-tale signs of someone who'd recently been unwell. He looked tired and still very slightly pale, but his eyes held that sharpness they usually did.

"How are you feeling?" Joey asked.

Atem smiled slightly, "I'm fine Joey."

"Good because we were getting worried about you buddy."

"I appreciate the concern but truly I am fine."

Joey smiled and clapped his hand rather hard on the former Pharaoh's shoulder.

"Well good, now shall we begin this journey to your homeland."

Without waiting for a response, he strolled away. Yugi exchanged a look with Atem, a silent question was asked and the response was another slight smile. Satisfied Yugi grabbed his suitcase and along with the others began following Joey. It took them some time to get through the queues of people to firstly check in to their flight but also then to get through the security. Although four of them managed to get through that part successfully, one of them did not which left the others waiting for him.

"Why is it always him?" Tristan asked, looking rather amused.

They were watching Joey, who was queueing in a separate queue looking rather disgruntled. The others all held expressions of amusement, this seemed to happen on every trip they went on. It had happened so much they almost considered it good luck for it to happen. The one time it didn't happen might be where things go wrong, which would explain that trip to India they'd once taken. They continued to watch and wait before Tristan let out of huff.

"How long do you think he'll be?"

Yugi shrugged, "Hopefully not too long, but we've got plenty of time so we don't need to stress."

Beside him Atem tried, but failed, to stifle a cough. Yugi, absentmindedly, patted his friend on the back. That cough hadn't yet gone but luckily it was sounding far better than it had done just a couple of days ago.

"Right, so whilst we wait why don't me and Atem go get us something to drink whilst you two wait for Sir Slow over there." Tristan suggested, moving over to the once Pharaoh's side.

Yugi snorted in amused and watched as Tristan walked away with Atem following behind him. As he watched his closest friend walk away he sighed internally, he couldn't help but worry about him. However, Atem was on the mend so he knew he'd be alright. Beside him Tea nudged him.

"Are you sure Atem's ok?" She asked, apparently she'd had the same thoughts.

Yugi nodded, "He will be. He's miles better then he was. His fever broke a couple of days ago so I think he's just tired, but a few good nights sleep will fix that."

It was Tea's turn to nod as she turned her attention back to Joey who was finally heading towards them, still looking rather disgruntled.

"All good Joey?" Yugi asked.

"Just once couldn't it be Tristan who gets stopped."

The other two laughed before they made their way further into the terminal, in search of the other two members of their group.

The terminal was heaving with people which meant it actually took them longer then anticipated to track the other two down. They finally spotted them sitting in chairs by one of the many huge windows which looked down onto the planes on the tarmac, some could just be seen hurtling down the runway before taking off. It seemed as though Tristan, who had his back to the approaching group, was attempting to explain the science of how planes worked to the former Pharaoh, who was looking rather amused. Yugi caught Atem's eye and smiled at the once King's amusement. Tristan was certainly becoming rather animated in his explanation. His hands were flapping around rather wildly.

"What are you doing Tristan?" Tea asked, as she and the other two drew level with them.

"I was explaining aerodynamics to Atem here." Tristan replied, looking slightly annoyed he'd been interrupted.

Atem's gaze moved to the other three, an innocent expression on his face.

"I merely commented on how impressive it was that humanity made something that could move through air."

The other three grinned at him, before taking seats as well. Tristan continued his explanation to the former Pharaoh, who listened out of what Yugi suspected was politeness more then interest. When Tristan finally finished his explanation Atem thanked him for such a detailed explanation which made the other three almost choke on their respective drinks. Yugi, recovering first, exchanged a look with the other two a grin widening on his face. Tristan looked rather impressed with himself before deciding it was time for food, getting to his feet he walked away. It surprised none of them when Joey stood as well to follow him. Tea waited until the boys were out of ear shot before turning to the former Pharaoh.

"So, did you enjoy your lecture on aerodynamics?"

"I must admit most of it went over my head, but let's not tell Tristan that."

Tea laughed, "Don't worry I'm not sure most of it was correct anyway."

Atem merely smiled in return, resting his chin in his hand as his gaze wondered to the window. Yugi, who was seated opposite him, eyed him. He could guess by the movement the former Pharaoh was tired, he wouldn't be surprised if once they got on the plane Atem went straight to sleep. He could certainly use it and what better excuse for a long sleep then a long plane journey. Tea exchanged a look with Yugi, clearly concerned. But Yugi smiled and nodded reassuringly at her. She returned the smile before she turned her attention to the nearby flight board.

The other two boys returned with a mountain of food which they attempted to share with the other three, all of whom politely declined. They watched rather amazed as the two of them devoured the food before they heard over the tannoy their flight being announced. With Joey and Tristan leading the way they made their way towards their gate where they joined the queue of people waiting to board the plane. Despite the queue of people it didn't seem to take long before they were taking their seats. Joey and Tristan were seated in the middle row, with two rather disgruntled looking men on their other side. Tea had elected, for some unknown reason, not to sit next to them instead having a seat in the row behind them. Yugi and Atem were sat across the aisle from Joey and Tristan. The once King had requested the window seat which Yugi suspected was more so he could rest in peace and out of sight of the others than anything else. But Yugi didn't mind, he couldn't say he was a huge fan of the window seat as it was, so he was happy. Before he sat though Atem pulled on his jumper which he'd kept in his bag, the air temperature in the plane itself was far cooler than the terminal so it wasn't completely surprising. Once settled in his seat Yugi took his own seat, finding a comfortable position before turning to his friends. All, save one of them, talked animatedly as the rest of the passengers filed past them, fiddled with their hand luggage and took their own seats. Once all the passengers were seated, they were taken through the mandatory safety precautions before finally their plane was sent to the runway. There were whispers of excitement from various passengers as the plane began to move down the runway, gathering speed as it did. As the plane took off there was that odd sensation of weightlessness which quickly disappeared. At the same time Joey and Tristan let out an excited whoop much to the amusement of their friends, maybe not so much to the two men sat next to them.

The plane climbed ever higher before it finally levelled out and they were told that they were free to move about the cabin. Yugi glanced over at Atem, who was looking out the window, before turning to his friends. Joey had pulled his deck from his bag and was looking through the cards with Tristan looking over his shoulder. Behind them Tea had pulled a book from her bag but had yet to open it. For a while Yugi watched as Joey and Tristan talked about the cards. It didn't take long for them to engage in a quick match between them. Tristan had never been the best at duel monsters but that didn't mean he wasn't up for playing. It wasn't too much of a surprise when Joey won but to his credit he didn't rub it in Tristan's face, instead they talked strategies. Yugi smiled at them before turning to the former Pharaoh. It wasn't a huge surprise to discover that Atem had in fact fallen asleep. He'd reclined his seat the little way it would go and had pulled the hood of his jumper up to block his face from the others. Yugi eyed him for a moment, wanting to ensure that Atem was alright even though he knew that he was. It was better that he slept. Turning back to his friends he saw Tea watching him looking slightly concerned.

"Is he alright?" She asked.

Yugi nodded, "Yeah he's fine, don't worry. He's asleep which isn't surprising."

His gaze met with Joey's who'd looked up at Yugi's voice. He smiled reassuringly at him before joining in their discussion of duel monsters. Tea for a while joined in their discussion before settling in her chair to read her book. After all this was going to be a long flight, best to enjoy the peace whilst it lasted.