WARNINGS: Um...as of now, only yaoi (mxm) and some swearing

SUMMARY: inspired by Pirates of Carribean movie. The sea, and freedom, call to his heart, but his engagement takes his life in another direction. Can he walk both paths?

PAIRINGS: Seto x Yami, Malik x Ryou (others as of yet undecided)

DISCLAIMER: Stands for entire fic. I don't own, and am making no money off of this.

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BIRD OF PARADISE

By Neko Oni

Yami frowned and narrowed his eyes in concentration, but the blazing sun made his tired vision blur. He wiped off the dripping sweat, pushing back the wavy golden bangs sticking to his tanned face. He was picking fresh pomegranates to sell at the docks tomorrow. The branches with in easy reach were scoured clean, each robbed of their choicest fruit. The basket at his feet was nearly full.

The seventeen year old stretched once more, going as high as his tip toes could, but his fingertips barely brushed the fruit's ripe, red bottom. He grunted in consternation, then swayed on his feet. He caught himself on the white washed fence, whimpering in pain as the plaster cast on his broken arm bumped into the rough, painted wood. He heard gulls cry in the distance, and the angry smashing of waves against the unyielding stone cliff as high tide set in.

Yami, along with Yugi, spent much of his time by the shore. He loved the beat of the waves lulling him to sleep, curled up next to his hikari, at night, the moonlight reflecting off of the dark water, or the sun turning it a brilliant turquoise at dawn, the sky blazing pink and smelling of salt and fish. Yami hugged his broken arm, shifting the sling over on his chest. He would miss living in the lighthouse, living on the shore. He didn't want to live in the village. He ran a hand over the rough plaster, tears burning the back of his eyes. Why did he have to be so stupid? If he hadn't, Grandpa wouldn't be loosing his job-

Clip-clop. Clip-clop. Yami's crimson eyes flew open, tears sparkling like diamonds on his thick, dark lashes. A beautiful mare was leisurely trotting down the sandy dirt road. She was tall; easily, the tallest horse in Barbados. Her head was high, ears back disdainfully, and her glossy, sienna coat gleamed in the sun. She was a Thoroughbred, imported from some place called the United States. Belle was as haughty and disdainful as her master, Seto Kaiba, whose family owned practically all of the island.

Yami scowled as Seto saw him and pulled back on the reins. "Kaiba."

TBC