Three words: College and Equines.

I am very mixed up with this chapter. I like the way it turned out but then I hate it so much. I feel like I could have written this so much better than I did. But considering that you guys are waiting for an update and I had the chapter written, it didnt leave me much choice. So be ready for a very poorly written chapter.

And yes I have stumbled upon writers block. If you guys have any, and I mean any ideas at all, please share them with me. I dont know if I mentioned this before by I have the plot planned out and the ending. So I know where Im going with this. I just dont know how to get there. Well...I do but then the ending would be rushed. And I want to take the time and develop the story more. So any input will be appreciated!

I hope you guys enjoy this chapter! XD

Disclaimer: By the time I get out of college I will be about a quarter of a million in the hole. Maybe in twelve years i'll be able to change this. But for now I own nothing. Except for the plot.


It was quiet. Too quiet. Like the eye of the storm just appeared. The quietness was deafening as Atemu registered the sounds around him. Any minute now the eye would pass and the brutality of nature would hit. But nothing came. No talking. No shuffling of the feet. Not even the digestion of food. This just didn't make sense. Yuugi was never this quiet. There was always some sort of sound coming from the youngster. But the eye of the storm remained.

Quickly Atemu scrambled up; only to be bounced to the ground off the air mattress. Hazily Atemu blinked and rubbed the back of his head. He looked at his surroundings and true to the quietness, the room was empty.

Turning back to the mattress, there was a note neatly folded up by his backpack. And alongside it were Yuugi's pajamas. Carefully he reached out to the note and scanned its contents:

Atemu,

I thought you needed some more sleep considering what happened to you yesterday. The tournament doesn't start till noon. I took Yuugi with us so you could get your rest. Don't worry I fed him.

Jou

The teen sighed. Oh well what is done is done. He preferred for his brother to stay with him. After all this was a new place and he didn't know what kind of trouble existed in this new territory. Heck, he didn't even know what the island looked like. It was like jumping into a tank full of sharks; head first and eyes closed.

Atemu felt loads better than he did the day before, except his muscles still protested when he flexed him. It was like there was a rubber band in his muscles and it was being stretched to the limit. His injured arm felt like the rubber band had stretched too far and was idly bouncing off its confinement. A quick groan escaped his lips when he tested it.

As efficiently as he could, Atemu started to pack up. First he deflated the mattress, and then he folded up all the sheets. Making sure no one was around, Atemu stripped down to his boxers and pulled on fresh clothes. There was a mirror on the opposite side of the mirror and the teen caught a glimpse of his back. There was long bluish bruise running down his spine. Atemu quickly pulled a black tee over his torso. He did not want to be reminded what condition his body was in.

The packing process was quick and during it he found a bottle of ibuprofen that the medic had given him. Cursing himself for forgetting about it yesterday, he swallowed three pills; silently hoping he didn't overdose himself. He grabbed the backpack and took his exit off the ship.

The sky was blue and the island around him was full of trees and shrubbery. Fallen leaves littered the grass; a clear indication that fall had graced itself. Clouds sparsely decorated the heavens with their white fluffiness. Cotton Candy Clouds. A slight breeze rustled the teen's hair.

The clock on his phone read eleven o'clock which gave him an hour to find Yuugi and the gang. He wished Jou had told him where they had gone. Leave it to the blonde of the group to leave and not tell anyone where they were heading. Atemu's tongue itched in reprimanding the blonde.

The highest point of the island was a big castle. From his point of view the structure looked old and had acquired the yellow tinge associated with past time relics. Four towers protruded through the sky and stood proud. The castle had seen better days and looked like it would crumble any minute. Yet it stood there and probably would for many generations to come. It was like a message stating that no matter how tough things get, there's always a way to bi-pass your troubles.

Common sense told Atemu that the announcement for the start of the tournament should be by the building and decided to start his search there. The path he walked on showed signs of use. Along its borders trees shot up from the ground. White birch, Maple, and Fire Elm where the few the teen recognized. All the others were a mystery to him.

A breeze picked up again and it rustled the leaves. Some even came off and floated and twirled in the air. The wind brushed his shoulders and sung a tune in his ears. The invisible movement seemingly wrapped itself around the young youth and caressed him with its dry touch. The wind came from behind and it urged him forward. Pushing him onward with little pressure.

The tune in Atemu's ear had him captivated. It was a whistle following an unrecognizable lullaby but it was enough to have the teen's attention diverted. His footsteps had changed directions and had unconsciously begun their way into the dense shrubbery of another path.

His crimson eyes had glazed over. Every thought had escaped his mind. His hands had dropped to his sides and awkwardly hung limp. The whistle had increased in volume. As his feet carried him closer to the unknown destination, the sound heightened. The surrounding area became darker. Movement of something had begun on the outskirts of the path.

Then there was another sound. A whisper. It was barely audible over the whistle that Atemu almost didn't catch it. His mind tried to register it but it seemed the harder he tried, the louder the whistle became.

The path became darker and shadows started to travel around the teen's feet. But Atemu didn't see them; his mind was transfixed on the sounds in his ears. If a train were to be heading his way, the teen probably would not have taken notice of it. The whisper became frantic and tried to increase its volume but its attempts were futile.

And then Atemu caught his foot on a rut and almost went flying. The trance was broken and the darkness had receded. But the whisper was still there and it sounded relieved. Atemu still couldn't figure out what it was saying but was happy when it went away.

Looking up he realized he was heading the wrong direction. A chill went up his spine at realizing something was going on. He looked down at his puzzle and was surprised that it had a faint glow to it. He tried to touch it but quickly retracted his fingers when it burned him. Yes, something was definitely going on. Quickly he turned around and almost sprinted up to the castle.


Atemu scanned the area for any signs of his friends. But none were seen. The only people that seemed present were a few eager duelist awaiting something. Atemu looked at his phone and the clock read eleven forty-five.

Damn, he thought, they should be here. Wanting to know what was going on; Atemu approached a duelist who seemed to stare of into space.

"Excuse me?" Atemu asked. The boy, about 14 years old, turned to him.

"Yes"

"When does the tournament start?"

"Oh, in about 15 minutes. Pegasus made an announcement that it would be all over the island and for everyone to spread out. He also said you have to gain ten star chips in order to make it to the finals."

Atemu groaned and covered his face with his hand. He mumbled a thank you, and started towards the stairs. Everything had to be complicated. Before he descended, Atemu tried to look over the island to see if maybe he could spot the group. But to his disappointment all he saw were trees. Guess it had to go the old fashion way and he went down the stairs. Cursing himself the whole way down.


Yuugi trudged heavily behind the group. It had been a couple of hours since they left the ship and he was feeling miserable. When they started out, he was carried by Jou but then he set him down after ten minutes and told him he had to walk. Yuugi didn't mind at first but when they came upon a long staircase and he had climbed it; he begged to be carried. Not only that but then they descended and they walked for another couple of miles in order to find a good dueling spot. He repeatedly asked to be carried but the group ignored him.

It looked like the group wasn't going to stop anytime soon so Yuugi just stopped and sat down. His feet were killing him and he ached to rest. As soon as his butt hit the dirt the incredible feeling of relief swept through him but was quickly replaced with pain.

"Ey! Yug what are you doing?" Jou turned around.

"Ima tiwed"

"Well too bad, we didn't come for a vacation. So get up and let's get going." Anzu said sternly. She was getting very irritated with the kindergartner. All Yuugi did was complain for the past couple of hours and it was eating the girls nerves.

"Maybe we should rest." Honda interjected.

"No, we can't. The tournament starts in about 10 minutes and we still haven't found a dueling arena."

"But Yuu-"

"Look we came here for the tournament, and were going to do the tournament." Tea said as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Seriously Jou, why did you take Yuugi. You could have at least woken Atemu up."

"Hey I wasn't thinking. Plus Atemu was wreck last night. He needs the extra sleep."

"Since when do you think!" Anzu and Jou had gotten into each other's faces. Jou had his fist raised while Anzu hands were balled by her sides.

"Guys! Let's not argue, what is done is done." Honda got in between the two friends and attempted to break them up.

"Fine, but I'm getting fed up with him and his whining. I don't care if he's Atemu's brother, he needs to learn manners." Anzu turned around and stalked over to the youngster. "Look Yuugi, you better man up and stop acting like a child. We don't have time or the patience to be putting up with your crap."

Yuugi just looked up at her and didn't say anything. His feet protested but he got up anyway. Satisfied, Anzu took the lead and the group began on their way again. Yuugi trailed behind. Lost in his own thoughts.


I think the next chapter will jump into the night. I cant think of anything else that would happen. Stupid writer's block.

The title is starting to make sense! Haha, not really...

I know, I just know, I'm absolutely positive that this chapter is reeking with grammatical errors. PLEASE let me know where they are. And if some parts seem rushed please inform me also. Or if they make no sense. Unless its supposed to not make sense. You learn from your mistakes. So please dont be scared to let me know.

Questions? Comments? Concerns?

Review.