Dousing the Flame

Sneaking Around

A/N: Hey guys! Thank you for reading, voting, commenting. Your support is welcome and appreciated. 

Anyways, I hope you like the chapter!

/Thoughts/

"I'm hungry!" Layla stated while she watched Yugi work on researching the location of his next dig. They both occupied seats at the large wooden table normally used by the servants during their designated break or meal times. Yugi was surrounded with piles of books and maps, devouring each of them until he was confident in his knowledge about the location. 

Yugi giggled,"You just ate a little over one hour ago."

"I'm a growing girl!" she smiled at him, placing hands on her hips proudly. 

"Oh, Layla. I know you are. You better quit growing so fast or you will be an adult next week," the archeologist teased her.

Layla rolled her eyes and pushed her long blonde bangs away from cascading into her face, "So what can I have to eat?"

"How about some fruit?" Yugi glanced at her with questioning amethyst, "There is some fruit in the pantry."

She shrugged, "Okay." The princess slid off of her chair and walked over to the pantry on the far side of the large kitchen. A gasp escaped her lips when she opened the door, seeing something not quite expected. 

"Hi...." She said softly her crimson tinted amethyst running over a tan underweight figure. He was only dressed in a dark brown cloth wrapped around his severely skinny waist. She couldn't see his face as it was hidden in shadow. His skin was mocha colored and spotted with cuts, bruises, and dirt; his ribs were clearly visible under his malnourished torso. She took a step closer to the boy who flinched and backed even further into the corner behind the 20 lb sack of flour. "You don't need to be afraid. I'm not going to hurt you," she whispered taking one more step closer to him, "What's your name?"

"Akefia," He responded quietly

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Layla," she held her hand out to the boy. He slowly moved forward into the light. He had spiky silver hair and pale lilac eyes. There was a large scar running down the right side of his face from his forehead to his chin. He bowed to the girl and placed a small kiss on her hand.

"How old are you?" she asked him.

"Eight," he responded.

"I'm seven! We are only one year apart!" She stated excitedly before clasping her hands over her mouth; her eyes growing wide. She stopped to listen in case Yugi had heard her outburst. She could hear Yugi ruffling through his documents and breathed a sigh of relief. In a more quiet voice she commented, "Akefia, did you know that theft is a severe crime? The pharaoh won't stand for it."

The lilac eyes lowered, "I know. I'm really sorry. I was just so hungry. I haven't eaten anything in two days." He paused before continuing, "Are you going to turn me in?"

"Where are you parents?" She whispered.

"I don't have any," he shook his head. 

The princess gaped at the boy, "I'm...I'm sorry, Akefia. That must be so difficult. Is there anyone that you stay with?"

"Layla, are you okay? You've been in there for a while," Yugi's voice grew louder as he approached the pantry.

"Oh no. You have to hide," She pushed him into the dark corner behind the flour and stood in front of him, blocking him from view. 

Yugi appeared in the doorway and joked, "Did you get lost in here?"

She shook her head frantically, "No. I just couldn't decide on what fruit I wanted."