Dousing the Flame

Tag Team

A/N: Thank you for reading and sticking with this story for so long. We are approaching the final chapters. I appreciate your support! Please hit that little vote button if you enjoyed the chapter.

/Thoughts/

"You may not want to ride that one," Atem advised Marik.

"Why not?" Marik responded, reaching out to pet the white muzzle of a horse.

"She's a speed demon. Yugi seems to be the only one who can control her when she runs," a prideful smile present in the baritone voice.

"I think you just don't want to lose, Pharaoh," Bakura teased.

"You can ride her if you want, Marik," Yugi came into the stables with a large cube of sugar that he presented to Hikari. The horse licked up the sugar cube enthusiastically and nuzzled the petite man, pulling at his clothes searching for more. Yugi chuckled, "Okay! You know me too well, Hikari." Yugi reached in his pocket and pulled out another sugar cube. The white mare relieved Yugi of the little sugar treat before he could blink.

"Just what that horse needs...sugar," Atem shook his head.

"What horse are you going to ride, Yugi?" Marik asked as he pet Hikari's soft mane.

"I'll watch the first round," Yugi responded and led Hikari out of her stall to get her saddle and bridle on. "Do you want to ride her?" Yugi's amethyst met with Marik's dark lilac.

"Sure. I'm sure I can handle her," Marik crossed his arms confidently. Atem and Yugi shared a glance.

\/\/\/

The race was set up to be a tag team style. Solomon and Aziza decided to watch the race and leave the riding up to those younger than them. There were four teams of four. Atem's team contained Ishizu, Keith, and Layla each to ride Galeel. Ryou, Duke, and Tristen made up Bakura's team that would be riding a black stallion named Leil. Seto's team consisted of Joey, Mana, and Mokuba. They rode a silver mare named Moniet. Lastly, Yugi's team who would ride Hikari were Malik, Marik, and Akefia. Yugi was worried about Akefia riding Hikari. The boy simply smiled at Yugi and informed him it would be okay and to not worry.

"Just be careful," Yugi instructed the youth. Akefia nodded obediently. The child thief glanced over his shoulder and shared a sly wink with Layla.

Atem, Bakura, Marik, and Seto were lined up at the start for the first round. The horses pawed at the dirt in anticipation, particles of dust drifted up around their hooves.

Mana ran ahead and took the blue bandana off of her head, "Ready...set....GO!" She hollered, waving the blue bandana down and signaling the riders to go. The four horses took off; kicking up a cloud of dust so thick nothing could be seen of the race until it vanished.

Yugi breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Marik still on Hikari. His eyes grew wide in realization, /She's holding back.../ Yugi smiled, /good girl. I don't want anyone to be hurt./

The race was close. Marik rounded the post placed 805 meters away (1/2 mile) first, followed quickly by Atem, Seto and then Bakura.

Marik came to a stop quickly in front of Malik, "By Ra, Malik, Yugi's not kidding. Hold on tight." Mailk nodded and mounted Hikari. The two took off from the starting position. Atem had already swapped with Ishizu who was riding rapidly towards the post. Ryou and Joey took off almost at the same time immediately after Malik had left the start zone.

"Ra, Yugi, that horse is fast," Marik smiled at Yugi. "That was such a rush!"

Amethyst eyes sparkled, "She's holding back, Marik."