Here's chapter three. I kinda got carried away when I was writing it so
that's why it's so long. 16 pages to be exact. Anyway, this chapter focuses
on Duke and Yami. Mostly Duke. And there's a little Seto/ Téa. So enjoy and
review. ^_^
Disclaimer: *rubs genie lamp* *nothing happens* *sighs* Well, I guess I can't wish for Yug-Gi-Oh to be mine then huh?
Chapter Three
All Ashore
Yami slowly opened his eyes. He pulled himself into sitting position coughing up sea water. Looking around he saw he was sitting on a beach with some sort of jungle further inward. There was a groan beside him. Seto Kaiba got up on his hands and knees taking deep breaths.
"Where . . . are we?" he gasped shaking damp bangs out of his eyes.
"No idea," Yami said still taking in his surroundings. Except for Seto and himself the beach was deserted. They both stood up.
"We should look for the others. I hope Mokuba's alright," said Seto.
"And Yugi," Yami added. After a minute of discussion of which way they should head they decided to go left.
After while Yami noticed that Seto kept glancing at him with a small smile on his face. "What is so amusing?" he asked.
"You! You're covered in sand!" Seto said and started laughing in spite of himself.
Yami gave him an annoyed look. "You should see yourself, Kaiba. You're worse than me."
Seto stopped to examine himself. He frowned. Yami allowed himself a little smile and began brushing off wet sand clinging to his skin and clothes. Seto took off his coat and shook some sand from it. When they got most of the sand off they carried on with Seto in lead.
Yami was worried about Yugi and wondered if he too had made it to this mysterious island.
***
Joey rolled over on his back wincing as his left hand fell on a large shell. He lay there for a few minutes then slowly sat up. He looked down at his hand. It was covered with dried blood which had poured out from a deep slit on his wrist. He crawled over to the water and washed off the sand stuck to his hand and arm biting his lip against the stinging pain.
"J-Joey? Is that you?"
Joey nearly slipped in shock as he spun around. Mai lay on her side a bit further along the shore. She was very pale and her right leg showed traces of blood along with a swollen ankle.
"Mai? Wha' happened to you?" he asked as he inched over to her.
"One of those pirates fell on my leg, I'm guessing the cut's from bumping into one of those rocks out there," she said nodding toward sea where jagged stones jutted up.
Joey examined it, "Do you think you can stand?"
"On one leg maybe," Mai said bitterly.
Joey stood up holding his injured wrist straight. Mai tried to stand as well but slipped grabbing hold of Joey's waist instinctively. Joey looked somewhat stunned but squatted down and helped Mai up using his good hand.
"Uh, thanks," Mai mumbled blushing a bit and then spotted Joey's wrist, "Joey, what happened to your wrist?!"
Joey kept hold of Mai's waist so she wouldn't fall and swiftly hid his hand behind his back. "Er . . . it's nothin'. Just a little cut," he muttered growing red with embarrassment.
Mai ignored him and seized his arm pulling the injury into view.
"YOWCH! Watch it, would ya!" he cried.
Mai stared, "Joey! What happened? Oh never mind." She pulled out her handkerchief and carefully wrapped around his wrist then took off her vest, "This'll have to do for now." She managed to turn her vest into a sling and ordered Joey to keep his arm still as much as he could.
"Okay doctor, what do I do next?" he asked sarcastically.
Mai glared at him before replying. "Call me doctor again and I'll really make you wish for a doctor. Now let's get out of here and find the others." I hope they're all alright, she thought silently as she, leaning on Joey for support, and Joey hobbled down the beach.
***
"Bakura? Come on Bakura! Wake up! You can't just leave me here! If you die I swear I'll never talk to you again!"
A violent coughing fit from Bakura followed by a moan reassured Malik that the worst was over.
"Bakura! You're alive!" Malik exclaimed joyously.
"You won't talk to me if I die?" Bakura asked in a hoarse voice.
"Err . . . I meant . . . well you know," Malik said. Bakura gave a small laugh and sat up with Malik's help. His arm was throbbing unmercifully. Looking down he saw a piece of cloth with blood soaking through tied to his forearm. Malik was trying to get some sand out of his hair but gave up.
"Any idea of where we are?" he asked.
"No," Bakura said shading his eyes against the sun staring out to sea. "Hey, is that the boat?" he said suddenly.
Malik looked up and followed his gaze. "You're right, it is. It's a wreck!"
"Do you think we should search for the others?" Bakura asked looking around.
Malik answered, "I don't think so. We'd only get lost ourselves. And besides, I doubt you could get very far in your condition. I think we should build a fire and maybe the smoke would lead them to us."
Bakura nodded, "Okay."
***
"Hey Serenity, are you awake?" Tristan asked spotting Serenity lying a bit farther along the shore. "Serenity?" Tristan got up and walked over to her ignoring his aching joints and sore body.
He turned her over on her back and felt her pulse. It was a bit low but steady. She was still out cold. Tristan picked her up, laying her across his back. He stood up then looked along the shoreline. There was no sign of anybody. He turned right and started walking. Man, he thought, this better be the right way.
***
"We go my way!"
"Since when were you charge? I choose this way," Duke said pointing to the left.
Yami Malik growled, "You're way will lead us away from the ship!"
Duke crossed his arms. "And how would you know? You have no idea where the ship is anymore than I do."
"Well you are going to listen to me! I am older than you so that makes me your superior," Yami Malik said mad that someone would ever dare disobey him.
Duke smirked, "Yeah, you're older than me by what, five millennia? Maybe you should take advice from a youngster who's not mental, grandpa."
That really ticked Yami Malik off. "YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT INSULT!" he yelled unsheathing his rod to expose a glimmering blade.
Duke took a step back. "Uh, let's not get hasty. I-it was just a joke. Heh . . . heh . . ." he gulped. "I-I don't really feel that carving me up an- and throwing me into the ocean is going t-to do anything."
Yami Malik stopped and stared at Duke incredulously. "What did you say?"
"I-I said I didn't think i-it was such a good idea."
Yami Malik blinked. "How did you know what I was thinking?"
Now it was Duke's turn to be confused. "I heard you say it . . ."
"I didn't say anything."
"Yes you did."
"I was thinking it, not saying it. There's a difference."
"But then . . . that means that I . . ." Duke's eyes widened in shock, "I READ YOUR MIND!" he cried horrified. "But that's not possible! I mean I'd have to be .psychic. But I can't be psychic! That'd ruin my career and-and my reputation and-and -"
"If you haven't noticed we are on a deserted island with no way of getting off and you're worrying about your job and your status?!" Yami Malik said interrupting him, "Will you stop whining? You're embarrassing me. We'll go my way and that's final!"
Yami Malik was surprised when Duke, indeed, shut up and started walking the way he had indicated. Shrugging it off he took the lead trying to ignore the silence that surrounded them.
***
"How much farther?" Mokuba complained dragging his feet as he walked.
"I don't know so stop asking!" Yami Bakura snapped.
Mokuba ignored him. "We've been walking for an entire hour!"
"Well it's a big island," Yami Bakura sneered watching his Millennium Ring hoping to pick up one of the other's items.
"My head hurts and I've got sand in my shoes," Mokuba said falling to his knees. "Can't we take a break?"
Yami Bakura halted in his tracks and tried to keep his temper under control as he answered the young boy, "If we do not keep moving we will never find the others."
"But I can't go any further! And my head keeps throbbing," Mokuba said holding his head with one hand.
"Well what do you want me to do about it?! I have the ability hear conversations, track other items, and make illusions. I do NOT have the power to make your feeble pain go away," Yami Bakura snapped.
Mokuba hesitated then asked, "Could you carry me?"
Yami Bakura turned and looked at him in surprise. "You want me to what?! Do I look like some kind of donkey?!"
Mokuba gave him a dirty look. "Yeah well you're going the wrong way."
"Oh and how would you know?"
"Agree to carry me and I'll show you," he smirked.
Yami Bakura gave an exasperated sigh and would've neglected it except he was desperately concerned of what had happened to Bakura. Not only had he lost him when the ship crashed but with that bullet wound if he didn't get treatment quick he could die from blood loss.
"Fine," he said, "You tell me how you know which way to go and if it's genuine I'll carry you."
Mokuba grinned, "Agreed! Look that way." He pointed back behind them. "See that column of smoke? That's -"
He was cut off as Yami Bakura literally threw him on his back and made a bee-line in the direction of the smoke.
***
Yami stopped suddenly. Shading his eyes he squinted ahead of them.
"Is that-?" he began.
"It's Mai and that lamebrain Wheeler!" Seto exclaimed.
They both started running. "Kaiba, why can't you give Joey a break?" Yami asked as they ran.
"You know what Yami? You are too soft for your own good," Seto answered.
Yami rolled his eyes as they caught up with their two friends. Evidently they had heard them coming for Joey and Mai were turned in their direction waving their hands happily.
"Hey Yami! Where're Yugi and the others?" Joey asked looking around as though expecting them to appear.
"We haven't seen or heard from any of them," he replied sadly.
"Neither have we," Mai said.
Seto clenched his fist. "We have to find Mokuba! I couldn't live with myself if something happened to him!"
The other three looked at him in surprise. They had never seen Seto express emotion so openly.
Yami laid his hand on Seto's shoulder. "We'll find him along with Yugi and the others. Don't worry."
"Geeze, I'm worried about Serenity and you don't see me falling apart like that," Joey muttered to himself. Unfortunate for him Mai, being right next to him, heard what he said and elbowed him in the stomach. "OW!" Joey cried letting go of Mai to clutch his stomach. Luckily Yami caught her before she hit the ground. "Man, now I've got a broken wrist, a huge cut on the same wrist, and a sore stomach!"
"Hey, do you smell something?" Mai suddenly asked from where she was held.
"Well it ain't me," Joey said.
"You're right," murmured Yami looking up.
Seto pointed to their left. "Look! It's smoke, probably from a campfire!"
"A campfire? That must be where everyone else is! Come on!" Joey said. He took off running along the shore to where the dark, wisp of smoke curled upward.
"Joey!" Yami called after him.
"Forget it. He's long gone," said Mai trying to balance on one foot.
"Mai, get on my back and I'll carry you so we'll get there faster," Seto said leaning down to make it easier for Mai to climb on.
Mai and Yami looked at him shocked but didn't argue. As soon as Mai was safely on, Seto and Yami ran to catch up to Joey.
***
Bakura and Malik were cooking some dinner when Yami, Joey, Mai, Seto, Mokuba, and Yami Bakura showed up. Later Tristan, Serenity, Duke, and Yami Malik showed as well.
"Okay, that's one twisted ankle, one broken wrist, two concussions, one bullet wound, and a lot of causalities. That's not too bad," Seto said.
"Not too bad?! Hey, you aren't the one with the broken wrist so I wouldn't be talking!" Joey shouted over at Seto while Yami checked his wrist.
"Um Joey? This isn't broken. It's a pretty bad cut but it's not broken," Yami said.
"What?" Joey shoved Yami out of the way so he could see his wrist clearly. "How'd tha' happen?" he asked lifting his arm up in disbelief.
"Hey! Serenity is coming around!" Mokuba called from where he was tending to Joey's sister.
"Mokuba, I told you to lie down!" Seto said walking over to his brother.
Mokuba looked up at him. "Well I was bored. Even with a concussion things get pretty boring."
Malik laughed from where he was cutting apples for their meal. "He takes after Bakura; I couldn't get him to rest until Yami Bakura came."
Yami Bakura smirked as he tended to his hikari's arm. Bakura sat against a tree pale as Yami Bakura washed his injury with salt water.
Tristan was over with Mai who had a firm hold on the back of his shirt so he couldn't run over to Serenity.
Serenity tried to sit up. Mokuba pushed her back down.
"You need to stay still for awhile. You've been out cold for nearly twenty- four hours," he explained.
Yami walked over to Yami Malik who was watching the chatter.
"What's with Duke?" he asked nodding his head to indicate where Duke sat with his back to everyone else a couple yards away.
As usual Yami Malik was of no help. "Why don't you go ask him yourself all powerful and mighty Pharaoh," he sneered.
Yami glowered at him before making his way to Duke.
"Duke?" he said when he level with him.
Duke gave no recognition that he knew of Yami's presence. He continued to stare at the sand between his feet.
Yami sat down next to him. "Duke, are you alright? Why aren't you back there with the rest of us?"
Duke still ignored him.
Yami raised an eyebrow in surprise. Usually it didn't take a long time to get Duke talking. In fact, it was harder to get him to stop talking.
"Duke, answer me. Are you okay?" Yami said loosing his patience quickly.
Finally Duke did talk, though it wasn't what Yami wanted to hear.
"Just leave me alone. I know you're getting angry so just leave now," he mumbled drawing his legs up closer and resting his head on his knees.
Yami blinked. He was known for having a "poker face" so how did Duke know he was getting upset with him. He was about to ask but thought better of it. He stood and with one last look at Duke he walked back to the group.
"Hey, has anyone seen Isis, Téa, and Yugi?" Mai asked suddenly.
No one spoke up. Yami tensed. He had forgotten all about his counter part. Some protector he was.
"Let's split up into two search parties. Malik and his Yami can stay here and look after the injured. Wheeler, Taylor, and Duke can go one way and Yami, Yami Bakura, and I will go the other way," Seto said taking charge yet again.
Miraculously no one argued. Yami's group went left while Joey's went right.
***
"Man, we aren't gettin' anywhere," Joey complained for the thousandth time.
Tristan sighed, "We get the point Joey. Hey Duke, how's it going back there? You seem pretty quiet."
When there was no answer they both turned to look behind them. Duke stood a good distance away at the water's edge staring at the water crash against some rocks.
"Duke? What's with him?" Tristan whispered to Joey, "He hasn't said a word since we left."
"Yeah, I know what you mean," he replied.
Suddenly they both heard a voice echo inside their heads: I wish they'd just leave me alone . . .
"AGH! Who said that?!" Joey yelled in shock.
Duke glance over at them in surprise. "Said what?"
Tristan looked aghast. "Someone said 'I wish they'd leave me alone."
Duke paled. Then he burst into a fast run heading straight for the jungle.
"Duke? DUKE! Where do you think you're going?!" Tristan called running after him followed closely by Joey. There was no sign of Duke.
Joey groaned, "First we can't find Téa 'n' Isis 'n' Yugi and now Duke's gone too!"
***
"Anything yet?" Yami and Seto both asked simultaneously.
Yami Bakura growled, "I told you both, nothing one minute ago! Do you think it would change that quickly? Stop asking me every single second!"
"Looks like he's going to pop a blood vessel," muttered Yami.
They walked in silence for an entire one minute and a half, Yami Bakura with his Ring held out and Yami and Seto behind him, before Seto grabbed the Millennium Ring from Yami Bakura to confirm that nothing new had happened.
"Give me that!" Yami Bakura yelled seizing hold of his item. The two of them fought over it when Yami noticed that one of its pieces was pointing out to sea where a bunch of rocks stood.
"This way!" he shouted running in the indicated direction.
Seto dropped the item and followed Yami leaving Yami Bakura by himself. Yami jumped onto the nearest rock and proceeded until he was a good distance out at sea. Seto stood on the shore watching.
Suddenly he saw Yami slip and fall into the depths.
"Yami?! Yami, are you out there?" he called following Yami's path.
He was just at the spot where Yami had fallen when a voice called up to him from below.
"Kaiba, don't go any farther or you'll slip too!"
Seto looked down into a crevice from whence the voice had come from. In it there appeared to be some sort of pool of ocean water with a ledge slightly above it; and on the ledge stood none other than Téa, Yugi, and Yami.
Seto looked around and saw Yami Bakura standing on the beach minding his own business.
"Yami Bakura! Get over here!" he yelled at him. Rolling his eyes he actually obeyed and soon was standing next to Seto.
"Okay, you're going to lower me down so we can get to them before the tide rises too high," Seto said.
Yami Bakura held Seto's hand while Seto dropped down to the waiting teens. He wrapped his free arm around Téa's waist while she held on as Yami Bakura pulled them up. The he took Yugi's hand and helped him up. All that was left was Yami, and the water was lapping over the edges of the ledge now. Seto was lowered down for a third time. Yami, who had helped Téa and Yugi get out, had to jump and just barely caught Seto's outstretched hand. There was a grunt as Yami Bakura tried to lift them up. Soon, however, it became apparent that he couldn't haul them up.
Téa leaned down. "Yami, try to swing up and grab my hand," she said.
It was risky, Yami thought, but it's the only way out unless Yami Bakura can pull us out. Soon both he and Seto were swinging. Then when he was at the right altitude for the leap Yami Bakura's grip on Seto slipped. Both Seto and Yami started to fall. Téa suddenly grabbed Seto's arm with both hands and just in time Yugi seized her legs so she didn't fall too.
"Yugi, Yami Bakura, pull me up."
And with the two boys lifting them up, they made it out safely. Seto was really angry at Yami Bakura and Téa.
"Why did you let us go?! Who knows what could've been down there! We might've been killed!" he yelled at Yami Bakura.
Then turning to Téa he shouted, "And why did you nearly jump to grab us?! You're lucky Yugi caught you or not only Yami and I would be down there but so would you!" And he went on and on practically furious.
Yami and Yugi watched sweat dropping heavily.
"I think Joey was right about Kaiba liking Téa," Yami whispered.
"Yeah, tell me about it. Téa kept say 'I hope Set-Err . . . Kaiba is alright; and Serenity, Joey, and Mai and the others. Well not so much Mai as she can be really annoying but Seto better be okay.' And then she'd go off into space and only snapped out of it if I moved," Yugi said. He had a twisted ankle but nothing too bad.
They chuckled.
"And what do you two think is so funny?" Seto snapped.
"Err . . ."
"Umm . . ."
"Nothing?" they both said nervously.
Yami Bakura however had been near enough to hear what they were saying and started laughing.
Seto turned on him, "And what's with you?!"
Yami Bakura's eyes flickered from Yami and Yugi to Seto and Téa. He started laughing again but pointed at Seto and then Téa which told the two aibous that he had overheard them. Yami jumped up and grabbed Yami Bakura trying to get him to stop while Yugi tried to get Téa and Seto to forget what was happening. Yugi succeeded on Seto just as Yami succeeded on Yami Bakura but they realized that Téa had figured it out to their dismay.
Téa went from confusion to surprise to embarrassment to anger quicker than you could say "Seto and Tea sitting in a tree".
"YOU THREE ARE JUST UNBELIEVEABLE!!!" she screamed and stomped off.
Yugi sighed, "I need to get death insurance."
"Heh . . ." Yami and Yami Bakura looked at each other anxiously.
"I think we might actually need one too," Yami said.
"I thought we were spirits. We can't die, can we?" Yami Bakura asked uneasily.
"I'm not about to find out," Yami answered.
Seto just gave them an odd look before hurrying after Téa. Yugi got on Yami's back and the three of them followed keeping a good deal of distance between them and a furious Téa.
***
Duke ran until Joey's and Tristan's voices were gone. He stopped to regain his breath.
What was happening to him? Why could he all of a sudden read people's thoughts and feelings? And could he even talk to people inside their own heads? He sat down burying his head in his hands.
"I wish it would all stop," he mumbled to himself.
"Why? You don't even know how it works exactly."
Duke's head snapped up in surprise. Isis was standing in front of him.
"How did you- Where did you- What are you doing here?"
Isis gave a small smile. "I heard someone running."
"Oh . . ." Duke went back to sulking.
Isis sat down next to him. "I think I know why this is happening to you," she said softly.
"What?" Duke looked up startled.
"Somehow you activated your Millennium Item."
"So that means I'm still normal? I'm not a freak or anything?"
Isis raised her eyebrow at this statement. "You're worrying about being different from everyone else? I can see into the future. Bakura can locate other items. Malik can control minds. Pegasus could read minds like you. There is nothing wrong with you and there never was. It's a gift, not a curse."
"I see . . ." Duke looked into the distance momentarily forgetting that Isis was there with him.
After awhile Isis interrupted his thoughts. "So do you know the way back?"
Duke blinked, "I think it's back that way."
"Well let's go already," she said pulling Duke behind her as she broke out into a run.
***
"Hey look, it's Seto, Yami, and Yami Bakura! And they've got Yugi and Téa with them!" Mai shouted excitedly.
They got settled down when Joey and Tristan walked into the firelight.
"Where's Duke?" Malik asked.
"Umm . . ."
"Good question," Tristan said. "Well you see we were looking for Yugi, Téa, and Isis when Duke kind of stopped following us and then this weird voice spoke in our heads and as soon as Joey here freaked out Duke asked us what happened. And then he . . . well . . ."
"Let's just say he suddenly turned tail and ran into the jungle like the Spanish Armada had just started shooting cannons at us!" Joey finished.
Everyone just stared at them with blank faces.
"You said you heard a voice speak in your head?" Yami Malik asked quietly.
The group turned to look at him.
"Um . . . yeah . . . it was really weird too. It said something like 'I wish they'd leave me alone' or something," Joey answered.
"Figures," Yami Malik said going back helping his hikari cook.
"What do you mean 'figures'?" Yami demanded. "You know something we don't so tell us!"
Yami Malik smiled sourly at him enjoying Yami's distress. "And why should I do that?"
"Because if you don't I am going to hit you so hard you will still feel sore till Christmas!" Mai shouted. She was standing on one leg and holding onto a branch to balance herself.
Yami Malik smirked, "You? You can't even stand on two legs much less fight me."
Mai smiled sweetly at him. "I'll give you ten seconds to tell us. 1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . ."
Yami Malik was laughing.
". . . 7 . . . 8 . . . 9 . . . 10!"
Mai gripped the branch tighter with both of her hands and swung, her good leg kicking Yami Malik right in the face.
"HEY!" Malik shouted from over the fire. "You didn't have to do that!"
"I had to. He was not cooperating," Mai said stiffly.
"So what! You didn't have to hurt him!" Malik was standing up glowering at Mai.
"Hey guys, let's not start a fight," Bakura said.
"Start a fight!" Malik was now angry. "She's the one who kicked my Yami! How would you feel if it happened to be Yami Bakura who got kicked in the face?!"
Bakura glanced at Yami Bakura whom was waiting for his answer.
"Well . . . I would . . . I mean . . . I . . . uh, can you come back to me on that," he said nervously.
"WILL YOU TWO JUST SHUT UP!" Téa exploded. Everyone stared in surprise at her. Even Yami Malik who was feeling his nose to see if it was broken or not.
"Whoa, what's up with you Téa?" Joey asked.
"NOTHING IS UP WITH ME!"
"Uh . . ."
Téa ignored Joey. Instead she faced Yami Malik. "SO DO YOU FEEL LIKE TELLING US WHAT'S WRONG WITH DUKE!"
Yami Malik quivered under Téa's glare. "Dell, Duke 'an read minths."
"Can you say that in English please?" Yami said with amusement.
Yami Malik glared at Yami. He was trying to stop the blood flow from his injured nose.
"He said, 'Duke can read minds'."
Isis and Duke appeared out of the gloom. Duke seemed rather embarrassed and kept his gaze on the ground.
"You can read minds?"
"How come you never told us?"
"You mean you know what I'm thinking right now?"
"I didn't think pyshcos existed."
"I AM NOT PYSHCO!" Duke yelled angrily. "AND I HAD NO IDEA I COULD READ MINDS UNTILL WE SHIPWRECKED AND YAMI MALIK TRIED TO SKIN ME ALIVE!"
"Dat?" Yami Malik asked as all their faces turned to look at him accusingly.
"You tried to skin him alive?!" Malik asked shocked.
"He buz bein abnoyin," came the answer.
"Well it's Yami Malik, what can you expect?" Joey said.
"I vote we all go to bed and discuss what to do in the morning," Serenity said suddenly.
"But Serenity," Mokuba said pointedly, "we haven't even eaten dinner yet, unless you want to give me your portion."
"What? Give you my dinner? Not in a million years kid!" Serenity said launching herself at Mokuba.
"Gahhh!"
"Come back here!"
"Nooo! Not the noogie!"
The two youngest of the group ran around wildly causing laughter among the others.
***
Soon everyone had settled down for the night. Yami lay awake in his "bed" which was only made of long palm leaves. Beside him Yugi breathed heavily in a deep, dreamless sleep. Rolling on his side to get more comfortable he saw Seto seated apart from the others gazing out at sea thinking. He sat up immediately as Téa walked over to Seto. Yami smiled. It was obvious now that there was a little something forming between the two of them.
"Yami."
Yami nearly jumped out of his own skin as he heard his name whispered behind him. Turning around he saw Isis motioning him over. Trying to stop his pounding heart Yami slinked over to her.
"Mind not being s-" he began but she interrupted him.
"Look," she whispered raising her hand holding it out flat, palm side up.
Yami picked up the small pebble from within her hand.
"It's . . . gold?" it came out as a question rather than a statement. "Where did this come from?" he asked surprised.
"I found it in the sand. Do you think this has anything to do with the pirates?"
"I have no idea but I'm not one to jump to conclusions just yet. Let's wait and see if we can find out where this came from," Yami said handing the gold stone back to Isis. "I originally thought that the pirates were after the treasure we found stowed back on the ship."
"Me too," she agreed tucking it in her pocket. She stood up. "We should get some rest for now."
Yami nodded standing as well. "And don't tell the others either, not until we are sure we are on to something." Isis nodded.
Yami watched as Isis walked off, her black hair shimmering in the moonlight. Yami smiled softly in spite of himself. He looked out to sea and for a moment he thought he saw something out there but it disappeared into the night. He shook his head thinking his mind was playing tricks with him. He turned and walked back to his spot on the turf. Before he laid back down he glanced over at Seto and Téa. Téa was seated next to Seto; they seemed to be carrying on a conversation. He took note, with an amused expression, that they were holding hands . . .
*****
Well how'd you like it? I'm still in the process of writing chapter 4 so it might be awhile until it gets put up. If you have any future suggestions to go on in later chapters please tell me in your reviews. If they're good I'll put them into consideration.
Disclaimer: *rubs genie lamp* *nothing happens* *sighs* Well, I guess I can't wish for Yug-Gi-Oh to be mine then huh?
Chapter Three
All Ashore
Yami slowly opened his eyes. He pulled himself into sitting position coughing up sea water. Looking around he saw he was sitting on a beach with some sort of jungle further inward. There was a groan beside him. Seto Kaiba got up on his hands and knees taking deep breaths.
"Where . . . are we?" he gasped shaking damp bangs out of his eyes.
"No idea," Yami said still taking in his surroundings. Except for Seto and himself the beach was deserted. They both stood up.
"We should look for the others. I hope Mokuba's alright," said Seto.
"And Yugi," Yami added. After a minute of discussion of which way they should head they decided to go left.
After while Yami noticed that Seto kept glancing at him with a small smile on his face. "What is so amusing?" he asked.
"You! You're covered in sand!" Seto said and started laughing in spite of himself.
Yami gave him an annoyed look. "You should see yourself, Kaiba. You're worse than me."
Seto stopped to examine himself. He frowned. Yami allowed himself a little smile and began brushing off wet sand clinging to his skin and clothes. Seto took off his coat and shook some sand from it. When they got most of the sand off they carried on with Seto in lead.
Yami was worried about Yugi and wondered if he too had made it to this mysterious island.
***
Joey rolled over on his back wincing as his left hand fell on a large shell. He lay there for a few minutes then slowly sat up. He looked down at his hand. It was covered with dried blood which had poured out from a deep slit on his wrist. He crawled over to the water and washed off the sand stuck to his hand and arm biting his lip against the stinging pain.
"J-Joey? Is that you?"
Joey nearly slipped in shock as he spun around. Mai lay on her side a bit further along the shore. She was very pale and her right leg showed traces of blood along with a swollen ankle.
"Mai? Wha' happened to you?" he asked as he inched over to her.
"One of those pirates fell on my leg, I'm guessing the cut's from bumping into one of those rocks out there," she said nodding toward sea where jagged stones jutted up.
Joey examined it, "Do you think you can stand?"
"On one leg maybe," Mai said bitterly.
Joey stood up holding his injured wrist straight. Mai tried to stand as well but slipped grabbing hold of Joey's waist instinctively. Joey looked somewhat stunned but squatted down and helped Mai up using his good hand.
"Uh, thanks," Mai mumbled blushing a bit and then spotted Joey's wrist, "Joey, what happened to your wrist?!"
Joey kept hold of Mai's waist so she wouldn't fall and swiftly hid his hand behind his back. "Er . . . it's nothin'. Just a little cut," he muttered growing red with embarrassment.
Mai ignored him and seized his arm pulling the injury into view.
"YOWCH! Watch it, would ya!" he cried.
Mai stared, "Joey! What happened? Oh never mind." She pulled out her handkerchief and carefully wrapped around his wrist then took off her vest, "This'll have to do for now." She managed to turn her vest into a sling and ordered Joey to keep his arm still as much as he could.
"Okay doctor, what do I do next?" he asked sarcastically.
Mai glared at him before replying. "Call me doctor again and I'll really make you wish for a doctor. Now let's get out of here and find the others." I hope they're all alright, she thought silently as she, leaning on Joey for support, and Joey hobbled down the beach.
***
"Bakura? Come on Bakura! Wake up! You can't just leave me here! If you die I swear I'll never talk to you again!"
A violent coughing fit from Bakura followed by a moan reassured Malik that the worst was over.
"Bakura! You're alive!" Malik exclaimed joyously.
"You won't talk to me if I die?" Bakura asked in a hoarse voice.
"Err . . . I meant . . . well you know," Malik said. Bakura gave a small laugh and sat up with Malik's help. His arm was throbbing unmercifully. Looking down he saw a piece of cloth with blood soaking through tied to his forearm. Malik was trying to get some sand out of his hair but gave up.
"Any idea of where we are?" he asked.
"No," Bakura said shading his eyes against the sun staring out to sea. "Hey, is that the boat?" he said suddenly.
Malik looked up and followed his gaze. "You're right, it is. It's a wreck!"
"Do you think we should search for the others?" Bakura asked looking around.
Malik answered, "I don't think so. We'd only get lost ourselves. And besides, I doubt you could get very far in your condition. I think we should build a fire and maybe the smoke would lead them to us."
Bakura nodded, "Okay."
***
"Hey Serenity, are you awake?" Tristan asked spotting Serenity lying a bit farther along the shore. "Serenity?" Tristan got up and walked over to her ignoring his aching joints and sore body.
He turned her over on her back and felt her pulse. It was a bit low but steady. She was still out cold. Tristan picked her up, laying her across his back. He stood up then looked along the shoreline. There was no sign of anybody. He turned right and started walking. Man, he thought, this better be the right way.
***
"We go my way!"
"Since when were you charge? I choose this way," Duke said pointing to the left.
Yami Malik growled, "You're way will lead us away from the ship!"
Duke crossed his arms. "And how would you know? You have no idea where the ship is anymore than I do."
"Well you are going to listen to me! I am older than you so that makes me your superior," Yami Malik said mad that someone would ever dare disobey him.
Duke smirked, "Yeah, you're older than me by what, five millennia? Maybe you should take advice from a youngster who's not mental, grandpa."
That really ticked Yami Malik off. "YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT INSULT!" he yelled unsheathing his rod to expose a glimmering blade.
Duke took a step back. "Uh, let's not get hasty. I-it was just a joke. Heh . . . heh . . ." he gulped. "I-I don't really feel that carving me up an- and throwing me into the ocean is going t-to do anything."
Yami Malik stopped and stared at Duke incredulously. "What did you say?"
"I-I said I didn't think i-it was such a good idea."
Yami Malik blinked. "How did you know what I was thinking?"
Now it was Duke's turn to be confused. "I heard you say it . . ."
"I didn't say anything."
"Yes you did."
"I was thinking it, not saying it. There's a difference."
"But then . . . that means that I . . ." Duke's eyes widened in shock, "I READ YOUR MIND!" he cried horrified. "But that's not possible! I mean I'd have to be .psychic. But I can't be psychic! That'd ruin my career and-and my reputation and-and -"
"If you haven't noticed we are on a deserted island with no way of getting off and you're worrying about your job and your status?!" Yami Malik said interrupting him, "Will you stop whining? You're embarrassing me. We'll go my way and that's final!"
Yami Malik was surprised when Duke, indeed, shut up and started walking the way he had indicated. Shrugging it off he took the lead trying to ignore the silence that surrounded them.
***
"How much farther?" Mokuba complained dragging his feet as he walked.
"I don't know so stop asking!" Yami Bakura snapped.
Mokuba ignored him. "We've been walking for an entire hour!"
"Well it's a big island," Yami Bakura sneered watching his Millennium Ring hoping to pick up one of the other's items.
"My head hurts and I've got sand in my shoes," Mokuba said falling to his knees. "Can't we take a break?"
Yami Bakura halted in his tracks and tried to keep his temper under control as he answered the young boy, "If we do not keep moving we will never find the others."
"But I can't go any further! And my head keeps throbbing," Mokuba said holding his head with one hand.
"Well what do you want me to do about it?! I have the ability hear conversations, track other items, and make illusions. I do NOT have the power to make your feeble pain go away," Yami Bakura snapped.
Mokuba hesitated then asked, "Could you carry me?"
Yami Bakura turned and looked at him in surprise. "You want me to what?! Do I look like some kind of donkey?!"
Mokuba gave him a dirty look. "Yeah well you're going the wrong way."
"Oh and how would you know?"
"Agree to carry me and I'll show you," he smirked.
Yami Bakura gave an exasperated sigh and would've neglected it except he was desperately concerned of what had happened to Bakura. Not only had he lost him when the ship crashed but with that bullet wound if he didn't get treatment quick he could die from blood loss.
"Fine," he said, "You tell me how you know which way to go and if it's genuine I'll carry you."
Mokuba grinned, "Agreed! Look that way." He pointed back behind them. "See that column of smoke? That's -"
He was cut off as Yami Bakura literally threw him on his back and made a bee-line in the direction of the smoke.
***
Yami stopped suddenly. Shading his eyes he squinted ahead of them.
"Is that-?" he began.
"It's Mai and that lamebrain Wheeler!" Seto exclaimed.
They both started running. "Kaiba, why can't you give Joey a break?" Yami asked as they ran.
"You know what Yami? You are too soft for your own good," Seto answered.
Yami rolled his eyes as they caught up with their two friends. Evidently they had heard them coming for Joey and Mai were turned in their direction waving their hands happily.
"Hey Yami! Where're Yugi and the others?" Joey asked looking around as though expecting them to appear.
"We haven't seen or heard from any of them," he replied sadly.
"Neither have we," Mai said.
Seto clenched his fist. "We have to find Mokuba! I couldn't live with myself if something happened to him!"
The other three looked at him in surprise. They had never seen Seto express emotion so openly.
Yami laid his hand on Seto's shoulder. "We'll find him along with Yugi and the others. Don't worry."
"Geeze, I'm worried about Serenity and you don't see me falling apart like that," Joey muttered to himself. Unfortunate for him Mai, being right next to him, heard what he said and elbowed him in the stomach. "OW!" Joey cried letting go of Mai to clutch his stomach. Luckily Yami caught her before she hit the ground. "Man, now I've got a broken wrist, a huge cut on the same wrist, and a sore stomach!"
"Hey, do you smell something?" Mai suddenly asked from where she was held.
"Well it ain't me," Joey said.
"You're right," murmured Yami looking up.
Seto pointed to their left. "Look! It's smoke, probably from a campfire!"
"A campfire? That must be where everyone else is! Come on!" Joey said. He took off running along the shore to where the dark, wisp of smoke curled upward.
"Joey!" Yami called after him.
"Forget it. He's long gone," said Mai trying to balance on one foot.
"Mai, get on my back and I'll carry you so we'll get there faster," Seto said leaning down to make it easier for Mai to climb on.
Mai and Yami looked at him shocked but didn't argue. As soon as Mai was safely on, Seto and Yami ran to catch up to Joey.
***
Bakura and Malik were cooking some dinner when Yami, Joey, Mai, Seto, Mokuba, and Yami Bakura showed up. Later Tristan, Serenity, Duke, and Yami Malik showed as well.
"Okay, that's one twisted ankle, one broken wrist, two concussions, one bullet wound, and a lot of causalities. That's not too bad," Seto said.
"Not too bad?! Hey, you aren't the one with the broken wrist so I wouldn't be talking!" Joey shouted over at Seto while Yami checked his wrist.
"Um Joey? This isn't broken. It's a pretty bad cut but it's not broken," Yami said.
"What?" Joey shoved Yami out of the way so he could see his wrist clearly. "How'd tha' happen?" he asked lifting his arm up in disbelief.
"Hey! Serenity is coming around!" Mokuba called from where he was tending to Joey's sister.
"Mokuba, I told you to lie down!" Seto said walking over to his brother.
Mokuba looked up at him. "Well I was bored. Even with a concussion things get pretty boring."
Malik laughed from where he was cutting apples for their meal. "He takes after Bakura; I couldn't get him to rest until Yami Bakura came."
Yami Bakura smirked as he tended to his hikari's arm. Bakura sat against a tree pale as Yami Bakura washed his injury with salt water.
Tristan was over with Mai who had a firm hold on the back of his shirt so he couldn't run over to Serenity.
Serenity tried to sit up. Mokuba pushed her back down.
"You need to stay still for awhile. You've been out cold for nearly twenty- four hours," he explained.
Yami walked over to Yami Malik who was watching the chatter.
"What's with Duke?" he asked nodding his head to indicate where Duke sat with his back to everyone else a couple yards away.
As usual Yami Malik was of no help. "Why don't you go ask him yourself all powerful and mighty Pharaoh," he sneered.
Yami glowered at him before making his way to Duke.
"Duke?" he said when he level with him.
Duke gave no recognition that he knew of Yami's presence. He continued to stare at the sand between his feet.
Yami sat down next to him. "Duke, are you alright? Why aren't you back there with the rest of us?"
Duke still ignored him.
Yami raised an eyebrow in surprise. Usually it didn't take a long time to get Duke talking. In fact, it was harder to get him to stop talking.
"Duke, answer me. Are you okay?" Yami said loosing his patience quickly.
Finally Duke did talk, though it wasn't what Yami wanted to hear.
"Just leave me alone. I know you're getting angry so just leave now," he mumbled drawing his legs up closer and resting his head on his knees.
Yami blinked. He was known for having a "poker face" so how did Duke know he was getting upset with him. He was about to ask but thought better of it. He stood and with one last look at Duke he walked back to the group.
"Hey, has anyone seen Isis, Téa, and Yugi?" Mai asked suddenly.
No one spoke up. Yami tensed. He had forgotten all about his counter part. Some protector he was.
"Let's split up into two search parties. Malik and his Yami can stay here and look after the injured. Wheeler, Taylor, and Duke can go one way and Yami, Yami Bakura, and I will go the other way," Seto said taking charge yet again.
Miraculously no one argued. Yami's group went left while Joey's went right.
***
"Man, we aren't gettin' anywhere," Joey complained for the thousandth time.
Tristan sighed, "We get the point Joey. Hey Duke, how's it going back there? You seem pretty quiet."
When there was no answer they both turned to look behind them. Duke stood a good distance away at the water's edge staring at the water crash against some rocks.
"Duke? What's with him?" Tristan whispered to Joey, "He hasn't said a word since we left."
"Yeah, I know what you mean," he replied.
Suddenly they both heard a voice echo inside their heads: I wish they'd just leave me alone . . .
"AGH! Who said that?!" Joey yelled in shock.
Duke glance over at them in surprise. "Said what?"
Tristan looked aghast. "Someone said 'I wish they'd leave me alone."
Duke paled. Then he burst into a fast run heading straight for the jungle.
"Duke? DUKE! Where do you think you're going?!" Tristan called running after him followed closely by Joey. There was no sign of Duke.
Joey groaned, "First we can't find Téa 'n' Isis 'n' Yugi and now Duke's gone too!"
***
"Anything yet?" Yami and Seto both asked simultaneously.
Yami Bakura growled, "I told you both, nothing one minute ago! Do you think it would change that quickly? Stop asking me every single second!"
"Looks like he's going to pop a blood vessel," muttered Yami.
They walked in silence for an entire one minute and a half, Yami Bakura with his Ring held out and Yami and Seto behind him, before Seto grabbed the Millennium Ring from Yami Bakura to confirm that nothing new had happened.
"Give me that!" Yami Bakura yelled seizing hold of his item. The two of them fought over it when Yami noticed that one of its pieces was pointing out to sea where a bunch of rocks stood.
"This way!" he shouted running in the indicated direction.
Seto dropped the item and followed Yami leaving Yami Bakura by himself. Yami jumped onto the nearest rock and proceeded until he was a good distance out at sea. Seto stood on the shore watching.
Suddenly he saw Yami slip and fall into the depths.
"Yami?! Yami, are you out there?" he called following Yami's path.
He was just at the spot where Yami had fallen when a voice called up to him from below.
"Kaiba, don't go any farther or you'll slip too!"
Seto looked down into a crevice from whence the voice had come from. In it there appeared to be some sort of pool of ocean water with a ledge slightly above it; and on the ledge stood none other than Téa, Yugi, and Yami.
Seto looked around and saw Yami Bakura standing on the beach minding his own business.
"Yami Bakura! Get over here!" he yelled at him. Rolling his eyes he actually obeyed and soon was standing next to Seto.
"Okay, you're going to lower me down so we can get to them before the tide rises too high," Seto said.
Yami Bakura held Seto's hand while Seto dropped down to the waiting teens. He wrapped his free arm around Téa's waist while she held on as Yami Bakura pulled them up. The he took Yugi's hand and helped him up. All that was left was Yami, and the water was lapping over the edges of the ledge now. Seto was lowered down for a third time. Yami, who had helped Téa and Yugi get out, had to jump and just barely caught Seto's outstretched hand. There was a grunt as Yami Bakura tried to lift them up. Soon, however, it became apparent that he couldn't haul them up.
Téa leaned down. "Yami, try to swing up and grab my hand," she said.
It was risky, Yami thought, but it's the only way out unless Yami Bakura can pull us out. Soon both he and Seto were swinging. Then when he was at the right altitude for the leap Yami Bakura's grip on Seto slipped. Both Seto and Yami started to fall. Téa suddenly grabbed Seto's arm with both hands and just in time Yugi seized her legs so she didn't fall too.
"Yugi, Yami Bakura, pull me up."
And with the two boys lifting them up, they made it out safely. Seto was really angry at Yami Bakura and Téa.
"Why did you let us go?! Who knows what could've been down there! We might've been killed!" he yelled at Yami Bakura.
Then turning to Téa he shouted, "And why did you nearly jump to grab us?! You're lucky Yugi caught you or not only Yami and I would be down there but so would you!" And he went on and on practically furious.
Yami and Yugi watched sweat dropping heavily.
"I think Joey was right about Kaiba liking Téa," Yami whispered.
"Yeah, tell me about it. Téa kept say 'I hope Set-Err . . . Kaiba is alright; and Serenity, Joey, and Mai and the others. Well not so much Mai as she can be really annoying but Seto better be okay.' And then she'd go off into space and only snapped out of it if I moved," Yugi said. He had a twisted ankle but nothing too bad.
They chuckled.
"And what do you two think is so funny?" Seto snapped.
"Err . . ."
"Umm . . ."
"Nothing?" they both said nervously.
Yami Bakura however had been near enough to hear what they were saying and started laughing.
Seto turned on him, "And what's with you?!"
Yami Bakura's eyes flickered from Yami and Yugi to Seto and Téa. He started laughing again but pointed at Seto and then Téa which told the two aibous that he had overheard them. Yami jumped up and grabbed Yami Bakura trying to get him to stop while Yugi tried to get Téa and Seto to forget what was happening. Yugi succeeded on Seto just as Yami succeeded on Yami Bakura but they realized that Téa had figured it out to their dismay.
Téa went from confusion to surprise to embarrassment to anger quicker than you could say "Seto and Tea sitting in a tree".
"YOU THREE ARE JUST UNBELIEVEABLE!!!" she screamed and stomped off.
Yugi sighed, "I need to get death insurance."
"Heh . . ." Yami and Yami Bakura looked at each other anxiously.
"I think we might actually need one too," Yami said.
"I thought we were spirits. We can't die, can we?" Yami Bakura asked uneasily.
"I'm not about to find out," Yami answered.
Seto just gave them an odd look before hurrying after Téa. Yugi got on Yami's back and the three of them followed keeping a good deal of distance between them and a furious Téa.
***
Duke ran until Joey's and Tristan's voices were gone. He stopped to regain his breath.
What was happening to him? Why could he all of a sudden read people's thoughts and feelings? And could he even talk to people inside their own heads? He sat down burying his head in his hands.
"I wish it would all stop," he mumbled to himself.
"Why? You don't even know how it works exactly."
Duke's head snapped up in surprise. Isis was standing in front of him.
"How did you- Where did you- What are you doing here?"
Isis gave a small smile. "I heard someone running."
"Oh . . ." Duke went back to sulking.
Isis sat down next to him. "I think I know why this is happening to you," she said softly.
"What?" Duke looked up startled.
"Somehow you activated your Millennium Item."
"So that means I'm still normal? I'm not a freak or anything?"
Isis raised her eyebrow at this statement. "You're worrying about being different from everyone else? I can see into the future. Bakura can locate other items. Malik can control minds. Pegasus could read minds like you. There is nothing wrong with you and there never was. It's a gift, not a curse."
"I see . . ." Duke looked into the distance momentarily forgetting that Isis was there with him.
After awhile Isis interrupted his thoughts. "So do you know the way back?"
Duke blinked, "I think it's back that way."
"Well let's go already," she said pulling Duke behind her as she broke out into a run.
***
"Hey look, it's Seto, Yami, and Yami Bakura! And they've got Yugi and Téa with them!" Mai shouted excitedly.
They got settled down when Joey and Tristan walked into the firelight.
"Where's Duke?" Malik asked.
"Umm . . ."
"Good question," Tristan said. "Well you see we were looking for Yugi, Téa, and Isis when Duke kind of stopped following us and then this weird voice spoke in our heads and as soon as Joey here freaked out Duke asked us what happened. And then he . . . well . . ."
"Let's just say he suddenly turned tail and ran into the jungle like the Spanish Armada had just started shooting cannons at us!" Joey finished.
Everyone just stared at them with blank faces.
"You said you heard a voice speak in your head?" Yami Malik asked quietly.
The group turned to look at him.
"Um . . . yeah . . . it was really weird too. It said something like 'I wish they'd leave me alone' or something," Joey answered.
"Figures," Yami Malik said going back helping his hikari cook.
"What do you mean 'figures'?" Yami demanded. "You know something we don't so tell us!"
Yami Malik smiled sourly at him enjoying Yami's distress. "And why should I do that?"
"Because if you don't I am going to hit you so hard you will still feel sore till Christmas!" Mai shouted. She was standing on one leg and holding onto a branch to balance herself.
Yami Malik smirked, "You? You can't even stand on two legs much less fight me."
Mai smiled sweetly at him. "I'll give you ten seconds to tell us. 1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . ."
Yami Malik was laughing.
". . . 7 . . . 8 . . . 9 . . . 10!"
Mai gripped the branch tighter with both of her hands and swung, her good leg kicking Yami Malik right in the face.
"HEY!" Malik shouted from over the fire. "You didn't have to do that!"
"I had to. He was not cooperating," Mai said stiffly.
"So what! You didn't have to hurt him!" Malik was standing up glowering at Mai.
"Hey guys, let's not start a fight," Bakura said.
"Start a fight!" Malik was now angry. "She's the one who kicked my Yami! How would you feel if it happened to be Yami Bakura who got kicked in the face?!"
Bakura glanced at Yami Bakura whom was waiting for his answer.
"Well . . . I would . . . I mean . . . I . . . uh, can you come back to me on that," he said nervously.
"WILL YOU TWO JUST SHUT UP!" Téa exploded. Everyone stared in surprise at her. Even Yami Malik who was feeling his nose to see if it was broken or not.
"Whoa, what's up with you Téa?" Joey asked.
"NOTHING IS UP WITH ME!"
"Uh . . ."
Téa ignored Joey. Instead she faced Yami Malik. "SO DO YOU FEEL LIKE TELLING US WHAT'S WRONG WITH DUKE!"
Yami Malik quivered under Téa's glare. "Dell, Duke 'an read minths."
"Can you say that in English please?" Yami said with amusement.
Yami Malik glared at Yami. He was trying to stop the blood flow from his injured nose.
"He said, 'Duke can read minds'."
Isis and Duke appeared out of the gloom. Duke seemed rather embarrassed and kept his gaze on the ground.
"You can read minds?"
"How come you never told us?"
"You mean you know what I'm thinking right now?"
"I didn't think pyshcos existed."
"I AM NOT PYSHCO!" Duke yelled angrily. "AND I HAD NO IDEA I COULD READ MINDS UNTILL WE SHIPWRECKED AND YAMI MALIK TRIED TO SKIN ME ALIVE!"
"Dat?" Yami Malik asked as all their faces turned to look at him accusingly.
"You tried to skin him alive?!" Malik asked shocked.
"He buz bein abnoyin," came the answer.
"Well it's Yami Malik, what can you expect?" Joey said.
"I vote we all go to bed and discuss what to do in the morning," Serenity said suddenly.
"But Serenity," Mokuba said pointedly, "we haven't even eaten dinner yet, unless you want to give me your portion."
"What? Give you my dinner? Not in a million years kid!" Serenity said launching herself at Mokuba.
"Gahhh!"
"Come back here!"
"Nooo! Not the noogie!"
The two youngest of the group ran around wildly causing laughter among the others.
***
Soon everyone had settled down for the night. Yami lay awake in his "bed" which was only made of long palm leaves. Beside him Yugi breathed heavily in a deep, dreamless sleep. Rolling on his side to get more comfortable he saw Seto seated apart from the others gazing out at sea thinking. He sat up immediately as Téa walked over to Seto. Yami smiled. It was obvious now that there was a little something forming between the two of them.
"Yami."
Yami nearly jumped out of his own skin as he heard his name whispered behind him. Turning around he saw Isis motioning him over. Trying to stop his pounding heart Yami slinked over to her.
"Mind not being s-" he began but she interrupted him.
"Look," she whispered raising her hand holding it out flat, palm side up.
Yami picked up the small pebble from within her hand.
"It's . . . gold?" it came out as a question rather than a statement. "Where did this come from?" he asked surprised.
"I found it in the sand. Do you think this has anything to do with the pirates?"
"I have no idea but I'm not one to jump to conclusions just yet. Let's wait and see if we can find out where this came from," Yami said handing the gold stone back to Isis. "I originally thought that the pirates were after the treasure we found stowed back on the ship."
"Me too," she agreed tucking it in her pocket. She stood up. "We should get some rest for now."
Yami nodded standing as well. "And don't tell the others either, not until we are sure we are on to something." Isis nodded.
Yami watched as Isis walked off, her black hair shimmering in the moonlight. Yami smiled softly in spite of himself. He looked out to sea and for a moment he thought he saw something out there but it disappeared into the night. He shook his head thinking his mind was playing tricks with him. He turned and walked back to his spot on the turf. Before he laid back down he glanced over at Seto and Téa. Téa was seated next to Seto; they seemed to be carrying on a conversation. He took note, with an amused expression, that they were holding hands . . .
*****
Well how'd you like it? I'm still in the process of writing chapter 4 so it might be awhile until it gets put up. If you have any future suggestions to go on in later chapters please tell me in your reviews. If they're good I'll put them into consideration.