Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Yu-Gi-Oh Characters, or characters from Jackie French' book Slave Girl.

Author's notes:

THE first few chapters of this story are based heavily on a novel by Jackie French called Slave Girl, I loved reading the story originally and it is a really good read if any of you want to look it up, however as I read my mind began to wander – and this is where it ended up. Somewhere between the "Chase is on" and "Under sail" does my version kick in – I hope you enjoy.

If Welsh phrases have been used there will be a note at the bottom of the chapter, which will be the nearest accurate translation.

~Tikka's Messages ~

The dawn broke over the village, the early noises of the fishermen pushing the boats out into the water woke Seto, and he walked up to the closing on the door and tied it aside. He looked back at Joey the light over his face – making him look ever so cute and Seto though kissable. Snorri followed him outside the hut as he made his way towards the tide line; despite the destruction that was reigned on this place, it had become beautiful again – he had discovered yesterday that another village existed on the other side of the Island, when a group of twelve men came bearing food that they had hunted. The Chief of the other village had bought twelve young males to this side of the island in the hope of encouraging this village to survive and grow strong again.

"Good morning Kaiba-sama," came a voice from behind the CEO who was lost deep in thought, he turned his head and saw Tikka standing next to him.

"You know Japanese?"

"You will be surprised at what I know -" she said a smile evident on her face; there was no doubt in Seto's mind that this woman was indeed a witch.

"I was just shocked that is all, as Joey did not know a word when he came to me. I suppose I just thought!" he trailed his thoughts off not wanting to appear ignorant of the culture in which Joey had grown up.

"There is a future for you and him out there," she said. Seto's head snatched back to face the woman for she had his attention now. "It just comes down to the path we take,"

"What does that mean?"

"Ah, a non-believer right to the core – although I had some hope in you – shall I give you an example?"

He nodded wanting to get to the bottom of the cryptic talk, he was hearing a little too much of it lately, and as interesting as it sounded it also made his head whirl for hours on end.

"Take the day Joey ran from the mountain top, he plummeted from safety into that brawling mess on the shore – from survival to the unknown. He ran the greatest chase I have seen in a while, and when captured he did not falter on his path, he accepted that in order to keep us safe, he would have to leave."

"I see, did Joey know what would happen?"

"No – all he needed was Snorri to go with him, for the day that pup was bought to me – I saw him guide the boy to the edge of the world and back again."

Seto thought this out; he was reminded once again of how brave Joey had been that day, of what he must have felt as he was bound and carried away from everything he knew.

"But …" he turned to ask her another question – but she was nowhere to be seen, he smiled – she had gone as quietly as she had come. Leaving behind her a message that would once again challenge his head for the day. He looked back up to the hut and he saw Joey step out into the sunlight, he watched silently as he knelt before the gravestone, and said the rite of passage for Jerik's soul.

He walked slowly up to the hut, and within the half hour they were back to work, however his work was distracted that day and every other day that week, as his eyes sort out that shining blonde hair, in whatever activity it was currently doing. Although Seto had spent each night so far cuddled into the blonde, he had yet to tell him about what Tikka had said, but after the thought constantly playing on his brain, he realised that the choice she spoke of; was not his to make – but that of Joey's and he wondered if Joey knew that both there futures were on the line.

***

It was surprising how quickly one day merged into another on this island – and it wasn't long before the village was completed, all the houses that had been damaged had been repaired, and the cleansing completed, each hut had a new inhabitant, and each had been assigned there new role in the village by Tikka the day before.

Seto had watched that ritual in awe, the Priests and Tikka had moved around the central fire outside the Chief's hut, her stick held out – as the Priest gave a role she moved around, and only when the stick stopped vibrating was the decision made. At the end of the ritual she had sought out the young CEO again, as he watched how Snorri followed Gwynwr around now instead of Joey, of how Joey was talking with Rhiania at the moment, she stepped behind him again – she had to stop doing that – catching him unaware.

"The winter is coming in, but it will be a fair one – you will be on your way soon,"

"Tomorrow morning," he conceded "And I still do not know the choice he had made,"

"The choice has always been staring you in the face, you just need to see it!"

"He is happy here and I don't think he would be truly happy if he was to leave again; is one thought -"

"And the other?"

"That it would be easy for me to satisfy myself and take him home regardless of what he wants!"

"You will make the right choice, as will he!"

"I know he will, it is whether I can accept his choice that bother's me!"

"Ah …" she smiled and turning away again Seto watched her this time walk away and not seem to vanish into thin air. He stood and made his way over to Joey and Rhiania – she was talking to him about her sister and Gwynwr, after all Gwynwr had despite his injuries to his head, just taken on the all important role of Chief, and he had a legacy to live up to – his father would guide him always.

"I am surprised that Tikka did not give you a role -"

"She knows what is for the best Rhiania," Joey said – as he took a sip of water from his cup,

"She certainly does," said Seto coming up behind Joey

"Hello," she said politely to Seto – she had not had much chance to talk to him, for she had only just come back down from the mountains, she had taken over Joey's role and had gone back up the mountain days after they had arrived. It made sense that she had come down now, not only for this ritual – but also for the fact that winter was now approaching.

"Rhiania -" She looked around as her sister beckoned her over, she excused herself from the boys and made her way over.

"I am tired Seto," said Joey

"What is new," chuckled Seto the blonde rolled his eyes, and grabbing hold of Seto's hand, slowly walked to the hut on the shore. With the fire needing a poke Seto took the job, while Joey let the cowhide door slide down into place, he pulled off his shirt and trousers and pulling on the cotton pyjamas that Seto had insisted he keep, he got into bed.

"Are you coming Seto?"

"Uhhn,"

"Your upset aren't you?" Joey said pushing the covers aside and walking towards him, he knelt down behind him, and he kissed the back of his neck.

"Joey don't tease – tomorrow I sail away – unable to return – "

"I know you do, so come with me – come to bed and enjoy the time we have left, I would miss cuddling you and I would like tonight to remember it."

Seto obliged and following Joey's example stripped into his pyjamas and crawled into bed, and slowly Joey wrapped himself around the loving body of his Master,

"I need to go and see Tikka in the morning." he said

"Hnn! Okay, just make sure I see you before I leave, I don't want to have to leave without a proper goodbye."

"Sure thing," replied Joey as his body relaxed further leaning in on his emotional support, his head gently rising and falling as it lay on Seto's chest, his leg wrapped over the top, as Seto pulled the cover's over them, and Snorri jumped on to the end of the bed.

As Joey's light snores filled the room, Seto accept that his future was to be found in the words that Tikka had spoken and the path that Joey would take. Although he did not like the thought of having no choice at all, it was probably for a good reason that he had to stand aside, after all if the blonde decided to come with him – he did not want the lingering thought that he had forced him, and then to think every day after was his little angel happy.