7 reviews . . . that's okay I s'pose. This chapter is shorter than the last
one. It focuses mostly on Joey. There's also a tad bit of Joey/Mai. Sorry
it took so long to get it up. My friend kept begging me to put up another
chapter in Digidestinued Unite, the second story I have up on
FanFiction.Net. And then my brain's racing with three other different Yu-Gi-
Oh fics I'm writing. Well anyway, here's Chapter Four. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh; sad, but true.
Chapter Four
The Power of Healing
Bakura was awoken by a couple sharp pecks on his outstretched arm. Opening his eyes he found seagulls trying to make him their morning meal. Swinging his arm around until they were gone he found he wasn't the only one awake from the birds. Mai Valentine and the sleeping stone, Joey Wheeler, were both very flustered about being woken up at the crack of dawn.
"Why can't birds sleep in like everyone else?" Joey asked rubbing his eyes.
"Do birds ever sleep? I swear last night a flock of them flew so low they nearly touched me!"
"Those were bats, Mai, bats. Not birds," Joey said.
"Same difference. They're both annoying and they both have wings," Mai grumbled.
Bakura looked around at everyone who were sleeping peacefully. He sighed, "Seeing how we're up we might as well get breakfast ready."
"But I can't cook," Joey and Mai said at the same time.
"Great, I guess I have to cook with one arm," he said annoyed but stood up and started gathering firewood for the cooking fire. "Joey, after you get the fire started you and Mai will go search for some more food. We have a little left over from last night but it won't be very filling."
"But Bakura, you're suppose to rest. You need to save your energy," Mai said.
"Well who else is going to get a meal ready for fifteen people? And besides, I'm feeling a whole lot better today," Bakura answered. Mai rolled her eyes.
***
Joey took two sticks from the pile of kindling and started rubbing them together as hard as he could. Nothing happened.
"Uh Joey, what are you doing?" Mai asked as she watched him.
"Trying . . . ta get . . . da fire . . . goin'," he said between gasps of air, "Why?"
"Because nothing's happening," she replied.
Joey frowned and looked down at sticks, now shiny from their rough polish. He stopped. "Oh well." He threw them over his shoulder and bent down to pick up two other sticks.
"OW! What the - OUCH!"
Mai and Joey turned around to behold a glowering Bakura rubbing his head from where the discarded brushwood had fallen.
"JOEY!"
"Err, sorry 'bout dat Bakura," Joey said sheepishly.
"WHAT WERE YOU TRYING TO DO? GIVE ME A MIGRAINE? OR WAS IT A CONCUSSION YOU HAD IN MIND?"
"Neither, I was tryin' ta build da fire," Joey mumbled.
"WELL IF I RECALL CORRECTLY BUILDING A FIRE DOESN'T INCLUDE HITTING PEOPLE WITH STICKS!" Bakura yelled getting right up into Joey's face.
"Hey! I said I was sorry! Ya don't have to get all worked up 'bout it!" Joey said cowering under Bakura's fierce stare.
"You guys have any marshmallows?"
Both boys glanced at Mai, who was sitting next to a roaring fire. Joey's mouth dropped opened.
"How did you-?"
"It's called a match, Joey," Mai said holding up a small packet of matches.
Joey blushed red with embarrassment.
"At least someone has a bit a sense!" Bakura exclaimed exasperated.
Mai cocked an eyebrow. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"
Bakura sighed, "Just take Joey and gather some food."
Joey shot Bakura a look and helped Mai to her feet, or her one good foot that is, hopping along until they came to a fruit grove. While Mai gathered some berries from below Joey took it to his head to climb a tree so he could get "the good bananas".
"Joey, be careful!" Mai called up to him as he leaned out to get a bunch.
"Don't worry, I got it all under control," he answered back.
"Yeah right," she said to herself.
And as if to be true to what Mai said the branch beneath Joey broke.
"AHHHHHHHHHH!"
"Joey?!" Mai cried out in alarm.
Suddenly Joey came running out of some brush a few feet away, grabbed Mai, threw her over his shoulder, and made a high-tailed run for the camp.
"Joey! Put me down! What's gotten into you?" Mai demanded.
"Pig . . . behind . . . us," came the reply.
Mai raised her head a little and grew pale. A wild boar was chasing after them at top speed. Apparently Joey had landed on the boar when he fell from his perch in the canopy.
"Joseph, you idiot!"
"Sorry . . . run now . . . talk later," he huffed.
"It's gaining on us!" she yelled.
"This day can't get any worse," Joey moaned.
He was proven wrong as he tripped, falling sideways down a steep slope right into a river pulling Mai with him.
***
Bakura peered through the undergrowth. "Joey and Mai should be back by now," he said aloud.
"Heh, Wheeler is so dumb he couldn't find his nose unless it was attached to him and Mai's not that much better," Seto said. "They're probably lost."
"As long as Mai's not here I'm happy," grumbled Yami Malik still sore from the kick on the nose he had received last night.
Duke finished peeling an orange. "Mai's alright, it's Joey who's annoying."
"How can you say such mean things about Joey and Mai!" Serenity cried out from where she and Mokuba were building a sand castle.
Malik took Duke's orange and put it in a salad he was making. "I have to agree with Kaiba. They are most likely lost. I mean none of us know this forest."
Tristan raised an eyebrow at him. "Forest? Don't you mean jungle? That place is too.too wild to be a forest."
Yugi was making little circles in the sand when he looked up and yelled to the group, "Hey! Look! It's Joey and Mai!"
"What happened to them?" Mokuba asked noticing their dripping wet clothes.
Serenity stood up and ran over to her brother. "Big brother! What happened?"
Before Joey could say anything Mai spoke up, "Joey had the brains to climb up a tree, fall off, land on a wild boar, fall into a river, and completely lose us both! Not to mention he ruined my only pair of clothes!"
Yami Bakura swallowed his laughter in attempt to say, "At least now you don't have to worry about taking a bath."
Mai leaned down and picked up a shell. She grinned wickedly at Yami Bakura. He stared at her mockingly. "You wouldn't dare if you knew what's good for you."
Mai shrugged then threw it right at Yami Bakura's face. It hit him squarely between the eyes with a force that threw him to the ground and broke the shell in half.
"Yami!" Bakura was at his other half's side shaking him.
Malik looked over at him. "Now you know how I felt last night."
Yami Bakura groaned and sat up. The shell's pattern was imprinted on his skin. Mai chocked back on her laughter that bubbled up from within.
"Where that heck did that come from?!" Yami Bakura demanded stunned.
Mai stuck her tongue out at him. "You deserved it."
Yami Bakura lunged at her. Bakura grabbed his darker side's shoulders to stop him from attacking Mai who was hiding behind Joey.
Yami looked at the three of them annoyed. "Are you planning on eating anything or do we get your shares?" he asked.
"NO WAY!"
Everyone fell onto the meager rations ravenously.
"Man, I'm still hungry," Joey complained after they were finished.
"You're not the only one," Tristan said.
"Okay, here's where we stand," Téa said, "We have plenty of fresh water but no food. One set of clothing each. No where to sleep except this beach which is packed with gulls, crabs, and shells. And no means of rescue. Can anyone think of anything else?"
"Yeah, a bunch of cranky pirates who want our heads on silver platters," Yami Malik added. Yami and Isis glanced at each other but said nothing.
"What about our old ship?" Yugi asked pointing out toward sea. "We could probably swim out there and get some supplies. I mean it isn't that far away and the water doesn't look too deep."
"Well I don't know Yugi. Who knows what could be in those waters. During the storm when we wrecked, Yami and I nearly became fish food to a great white shark," Bakura said hesitantly.
"Good idea," Téa congratulated Yugi completely ignoring Bakura's remark. "Let's see, who here can swim really good?"
Joey, Seto, Serenity, and Duke raised their hands. Téa smiled, "Great! You'll be the swimmers. How about the three Yami`s, Tristan, and Malik make a shelter. Now the scavengers can be.Yugi, Bakura, and myself. Mokuba, Mai, and Isis can stay here and tend to the fire."
Everyone parted into their groups.
***
Joey took off his socks and tennis shoes and started to wade in.
"Joey, wait up!" Duke called out to him taking his own shoes and socks off. Serenity laughed as Joey came scampering back from the water. Seto took off his coat and shook his head at Joey's antics.
"It's freezin' cold down there!"
"What did you think it was going to feel like Joey?" Serenity asked taking off her blouse and scarf and slipping out of her sandals. She was the first in the ocean. "Come on guys," she yelled to the boys who were still standing in the shallows.
Joey peered into the murky water, apparently uneasy about Bakura's story of the shark. Seto rolled his eyes and waded deeper till he was waist deep and in line with Serenity. Duke grabbed Joey's arm and pulled him the rest of the way.
"Joey, they aren't scared so you snap out of it," he said in an annoyed tone.
"Who said anythin' about bein' scared?" Joey demanded.
Duke chose not to answer. Serenity and Seto were almost level with the ship. Just as Duke and Joey caught up with them they dived under.
Serenity appeared at the side of the wreck and started to climb up to what was left of the lower deck. Seto was doing the same and soon Duke and Joey were too.
"Okay, Duke and Wheeler can stay up here and see what they can find. Serenity and I will dive down and explore the cabin," Seto said. He and Serenity slipped down into the water again. Seto was surprised at how little light shown through. His hand came in contact with something cylinder. Fumbling around with it he hit a button and light poured into the inky depths. Serenity was still next to him and they swam to the kitchen first and quickly looked over the contents before coming back up for air.
Duke and Joey were looking through boxes of supplies.
"Here's some emergency food," Duke said holding up a couple packets.
Joey glanced over, "We can consider this an emergency."
"Find anything?" Seto's voice came from behind them.
"Well, we found tons of rope, some food, cloth, and a couple knives. Probably from those pirates," Duke answered. "How about you guys?"
"Most of the food is ruined. The first aid kit is still there. We might be able to get some of the sheets off of the beds. And hopefully nothing has fallen out of the dresser draws," Serenity said.
"How are we s'pose to get all this ta shore?" Joey asked.
They were silent for a minute.
"What if," Duke began slowly, "we took some of those crates and these ropes and tie them together?"
"The crates are waterproof and they should float," Serenity added.
"Me and Serenity will gather supplies while you two lash up a boat for us," Duke said taking Serenity's elbow leading her away from Seto and Joey before either of them could protest.
"YOU WANT ME TA WORK WITH THIS JERK!!!" Joey pointed at Seto who stood there just as mad as Joey but had the ability to contain his feelings.
"Watch it, Wheeler. You don't want to become a wet dog, do you?" Seto snapped. He bent down and grabbed a rope. "Don't just stand there like a dumb idiot; of course one couldn't expect much more from you. I'm not doing this by myself."
Grumbling Joey kicked one of the crates, which happened to have been holding a taut rope that secured what was left of the canvas sail.
Seto looked up just in time to see the canvas sail envelop both him and Joey. Seto threw the canvas off them only to get smacked in the face by Joey's flaying arms. Seto grabbed Joey's arms and held them tight trying to ignore his smarting jaw. Joey blinked then realized that Seto had hold of him. Angrily, he jerked away from Seto.
"Let go, would ya? You're the last person I want touchin' me!" Joey said scornfully.
Instead of countering with a cruel remark Seto grabbed Joey's left hand and stared at it in amazement.
"HEY! What the hell do ya think you're doin'!" Joey yelled trying break Seto's grip.
Seto ignored Joey. "I thought you said your wrist was broken!" he declared.
"Huh? Well it-" Joey stopped in mid-sentence to look at his wrist which Seto was holding up. There was not even a scratch on his skin. Joey's mouth fell open in surprise. He wordlessly turned his hand around in shock.
Suddenly Serenity came running to them. "Joey! Kaiba! Duke was stung by a stingray! His foot is swelling up like a balloon!"
"What!"
The two boys followed Serenity to where Duke sat shivering, oblivious to everything but the pain in his right foot. Seto put a hand on his forehead.
"He's coming down with fever," he said.
"Will he be alright?" Serenity asked worriedly.
"I dunno, sis. He looks pretty bad," Joey said leaning over Seto's shoulder to see Duke better.
Seto looked at Joey and then at Duke. "Wheeler, put your hand Duke's wound."
"Do what?!"
"Just do it!" Seto said angrily. Joey did so. Seto rolled eyes. "Your other hand, Wheeler."
"Huh?"
Seto grabbed Joey's other hand and placed it on Duke's swollen foot. The ring on Joey's finger began to glow softly. The swelling subsided slowly. Perspiration started to form on Joey's brow. Duke stopped shivering and lay quietly. Finally Seto released Joey's hand. Joey slumped to the deck exhausted. Duke opened his eyes and looked around him.
"Where-Where I am? What happened?" he asked a little dazed. He was still pale and weak from the ordeal but free of pain.
"You were stung by a stingray. I went and got Kaiba's and Joey's help and then . . . well, I really don't know what happened," Serenity said glancing at Seto for an answer.
"Wheeler activated his Millennium Item," Seto said simply.
"Say what?" Joey asked confused.
"You activated your Millennium Ringu. Just like Duke's activated his Millennium Kasa," Seto explained impatiently.
Joey looked down at the golden ring on his finger. It glittered back at him in morning sunlight.
"We should probably get Duke and Joey back to shore," Serenity said. "They both look too worn out to help gather supplies. They need to rest."
Seto nodded in reply. He and Serenity got to work on the makeshift boat. It was noon by the time they had finished. Joey and Duke sat on the craft with the small amount supplies they had gathered that morning. Seto and Serenity guided the dinghy to the beach.
Isis came over and helped the small group to shore. As soon as Seto was in the shallows dragging the boat along with Serenity and Isis, Mokuba ran into him knocking the both of them over. Serenity stifled a giggle.
They helped Joey and Duke over to the fire where Mai was seated. Seto and Serenity updated Isis and Mokuba on what had happened.
Meanwhile Duke had fallen straight to sleep. Mai gently blew on the fire to keep it going. She shifted her weight gently. Joey saw her wince slightly.
"Mai?" he asked. "Can I see your ankle?"
Mai gave him a puzzled look but nodded anyway. "I don't know why you want to have a look at it, it hasn't cha-" Mai stopped as Joey laid his hand on her ankle tenderly. Mai's twisted ankle was healing under Joey's soft touch. Mai watched the redness go down and felt the pain slacken.
Joey removed his hand when her ankle was completely healed. Mai stood up and tested her weight gingerly on her once injured leg. She looked at Joey amazed, but he had fallen asleep after draining the rest of his energy. Mai smiled softly and knelt down next to him. She brushed his bangs out of his eyes and murmured, "Thank you, Joey. You aren't as thickheaded as you first turned out to be." She stood up and went over to join the others. Had she looked back she would've saw the small smile spread across Joey's face as he slept.
*****
My sister rushed me to finish this chapter so it might be a little crude. Well, let's see, that's two items. I wonder who's next? Review and hopeful soon I can finish chapter 5. My weekend is booked so it might be a little while.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh; sad, but true.
Chapter Four
The Power of Healing
Bakura was awoken by a couple sharp pecks on his outstretched arm. Opening his eyes he found seagulls trying to make him their morning meal. Swinging his arm around until they were gone he found he wasn't the only one awake from the birds. Mai Valentine and the sleeping stone, Joey Wheeler, were both very flustered about being woken up at the crack of dawn.
"Why can't birds sleep in like everyone else?" Joey asked rubbing his eyes.
"Do birds ever sleep? I swear last night a flock of them flew so low they nearly touched me!"
"Those were bats, Mai, bats. Not birds," Joey said.
"Same difference. They're both annoying and they both have wings," Mai grumbled.
Bakura looked around at everyone who were sleeping peacefully. He sighed, "Seeing how we're up we might as well get breakfast ready."
"But I can't cook," Joey and Mai said at the same time.
"Great, I guess I have to cook with one arm," he said annoyed but stood up and started gathering firewood for the cooking fire. "Joey, after you get the fire started you and Mai will go search for some more food. We have a little left over from last night but it won't be very filling."
"But Bakura, you're suppose to rest. You need to save your energy," Mai said.
"Well who else is going to get a meal ready for fifteen people? And besides, I'm feeling a whole lot better today," Bakura answered. Mai rolled her eyes.
***
Joey took two sticks from the pile of kindling and started rubbing them together as hard as he could. Nothing happened.
"Uh Joey, what are you doing?" Mai asked as she watched him.
"Trying . . . ta get . . . da fire . . . goin'," he said between gasps of air, "Why?"
"Because nothing's happening," she replied.
Joey frowned and looked down at sticks, now shiny from their rough polish. He stopped. "Oh well." He threw them over his shoulder and bent down to pick up two other sticks.
"OW! What the - OUCH!"
Mai and Joey turned around to behold a glowering Bakura rubbing his head from where the discarded brushwood had fallen.
"JOEY!"
"Err, sorry 'bout dat Bakura," Joey said sheepishly.
"WHAT WERE YOU TRYING TO DO? GIVE ME A MIGRAINE? OR WAS IT A CONCUSSION YOU HAD IN MIND?"
"Neither, I was tryin' ta build da fire," Joey mumbled.
"WELL IF I RECALL CORRECTLY BUILDING A FIRE DOESN'T INCLUDE HITTING PEOPLE WITH STICKS!" Bakura yelled getting right up into Joey's face.
"Hey! I said I was sorry! Ya don't have to get all worked up 'bout it!" Joey said cowering under Bakura's fierce stare.
"You guys have any marshmallows?"
Both boys glanced at Mai, who was sitting next to a roaring fire. Joey's mouth dropped opened.
"How did you-?"
"It's called a match, Joey," Mai said holding up a small packet of matches.
Joey blushed red with embarrassment.
"At least someone has a bit a sense!" Bakura exclaimed exasperated.
Mai cocked an eyebrow. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"
Bakura sighed, "Just take Joey and gather some food."
Joey shot Bakura a look and helped Mai to her feet, or her one good foot that is, hopping along until they came to a fruit grove. While Mai gathered some berries from below Joey took it to his head to climb a tree so he could get "the good bananas".
"Joey, be careful!" Mai called up to him as he leaned out to get a bunch.
"Don't worry, I got it all under control," he answered back.
"Yeah right," she said to herself.
And as if to be true to what Mai said the branch beneath Joey broke.
"AHHHHHHHHHH!"
"Joey?!" Mai cried out in alarm.
Suddenly Joey came running out of some brush a few feet away, grabbed Mai, threw her over his shoulder, and made a high-tailed run for the camp.
"Joey! Put me down! What's gotten into you?" Mai demanded.
"Pig . . . behind . . . us," came the reply.
Mai raised her head a little and grew pale. A wild boar was chasing after them at top speed. Apparently Joey had landed on the boar when he fell from his perch in the canopy.
"Joseph, you idiot!"
"Sorry . . . run now . . . talk later," he huffed.
"It's gaining on us!" she yelled.
"This day can't get any worse," Joey moaned.
He was proven wrong as he tripped, falling sideways down a steep slope right into a river pulling Mai with him.
***
Bakura peered through the undergrowth. "Joey and Mai should be back by now," he said aloud.
"Heh, Wheeler is so dumb he couldn't find his nose unless it was attached to him and Mai's not that much better," Seto said. "They're probably lost."
"As long as Mai's not here I'm happy," grumbled Yami Malik still sore from the kick on the nose he had received last night.
Duke finished peeling an orange. "Mai's alright, it's Joey who's annoying."
"How can you say such mean things about Joey and Mai!" Serenity cried out from where she and Mokuba were building a sand castle.
Malik took Duke's orange and put it in a salad he was making. "I have to agree with Kaiba. They are most likely lost. I mean none of us know this forest."
Tristan raised an eyebrow at him. "Forest? Don't you mean jungle? That place is too.too wild to be a forest."
Yugi was making little circles in the sand when he looked up and yelled to the group, "Hey! Look! It's Joey and Mai!"
"What happened to them?" Mokuba asked noticing their dripping wet clothes.
Serenity stood up and ran over to her brother. "Big brother! What happened?"
Before Joey could say anything Mai spoke up, "Joey had the brains to climb up a tree, fall off, land on a wild boar, fall into a river, and completely lose us both! Not to mention he ruined my only pair of clothes!"
Yami Bakura swallowed his laughter in attempt to say, "At least now you don't have to worry about taking a bath."
Mai leaned down and picked up a shell. She grinned wickedly at Yami Bakura. He stared at her mockingly. "You wouldn't dare if you knew what's good for you."
Mai shrugged then threw it right at Yami Bakura's face. It hit him squarely between the eyes with a force that threw him to the ground and broke the shell in half.
"Yami!" Bakura was at his other half's side shaking him.
Malik looked over at him. "Now you know how I felt last night."
Yami Bakura groaned and sat up. The shell's pattern was imprinted on his skin. Mai chocked back on her laughter that bubbled up from within.
"Where that heck did that come from?!" Yami Bakura demanded stunned.
Mai stuck her tongue out at him. "You deserved it."
Yami Bakura lunged at her. Bakura grabbed his darker side's shoulders to stop him from attacking Mai who was hiding behind Joey.
Yami looked at the three of them annoyed. "Are you planning on eating anything or do we get your shares?" he asked.
"NO WAY!"
Everyone fell onto the meager rations ravenously.
"Man, I'm still hungry," Joey complained after they were finished.
"You're not the only one," Tristan said.
"Okay, here's where we stand," Téa said, "We have plenty of fresh water but no food. One set of clothing each. No where to sleep except this beach which is packed with gulls, crabs, and shells. And no means of rescue. Can anyone think of anything else?"
"Yeah, a bunch of cranky pirates who want our heads on silver platters," Yami Malik added. Yami and Isis glanced at each other but said nothing.
"What about our old ship?" Yugi asked pointing out toward sea. "We could probably swim out there and get some supplies. I mean it isn't that far away and the water doesn't look too deep."
"Well I don't know Yugi. Who knows what could be in those waters. During the storm when we wrecked, Yami and I nearly became fish food to a great white shark," Bakura said hesitantly.
"Good idea," Téa congratulated Yugi completely ignoring Bakura's remark. "Let's see, who here can swim really good?"
Joey, Seto, Serenity, and Duke raised their hands. Téa smiled, "Great! You'll be the swimmers. How about the three Yami`s, Tristan, and Malik make a shelter. Now the scavengers can be.Yugi, Bakura, and myself. Mokuba, Mai, and Isis can stay here and tend to the fire."
Everyone parted into their groups.
***
Joey took off his socks and tennis shoes and started to wade in.
"Joey, wait up!" Duke called out to him taking his own shoes and socks off. Serenity laughed as Joey came scampering back from the water. Seto took off his coat and shook his head at Joey's antics.
"It's freezin' cold down there!"
"What did you think it was going to feel like Joey?" Serenity asked taking off her blouse and scarf and slipping out of her sandals. She was the first in the ocean. "Come on guys," she yelled to the boys who were still standing in the shallows.
Joey peered into the murky water, apparently uneasy about Bakura's story of the shark. Seto rolled his eyes and waded deeper till he was waist deep and in line with Serenity. Duke grabbed Joey's arm and pulled him the rest of the way.
"Joey, they aren't scared so you snap out of it," he said in an annoyed tone.
"Who said anythin' about bein' scared?" Joey demanded.
Duke chose not to answer. Serenity and Seto were almost level with the ship. Just as Duke and Joey caught up with them they dived under.
Serenity appeared at the side of the wreck and started to climb up to what was left of the lower deck. Seto was doing the same and soon Duke and Joey were too.
"Okay, Duke and Wheeler can stay up here and see what they can find. Serenity and I will dive down and explore the cabin," Seto said. He and Serenity slipped down into the water again. Seto was surprised at how little light shown through. His hand came in contact with something cylinder. Fumbling around with it he hit a button and light poured into the inky depths. Serenity was still next to him and they swam to the kitchen first and quickly looked over the contents before coming back up for air.
Duke and Joey were looking through boxes of supplies.
"Here's some emergency food," Duke said holding up a couple packets.
Joey glanced over, "We can consider this an emergency."
"Find anything?" Seto's voice came from behind them.
"Well, we found tons of rope, some food, cloth, and a couple knives. Probably from those pirates," Duke answered. "How about you guys?"
"Most of the food is ruined. The first aid kit is still there. We might be able to get some of the sheets off of the beds. And hopefully nothing has fallen out of the dresser draws," Serenity said.
"How are we s'pose to get all this ta shore?" Joey asked.
They were silent for a minute.
"What if," Duke began slowly, "we took some of those crates and these ropes and tie them together?"
"The crates are waterproof and they should float," Serenity added.
"Me and Serenity will gather supplies while you two lash up a boat for us," Duke said taking Serenity's elbow leading her away from Seto and Joey before either of them could protest.
"YOU WANT ME TA WORK WITH THIS JERK!!!" Joey pointed at Seto who stood there just as mad as Joey but had the ability to contain his feelings.
"Watch it, Wheeler. You don't want to become a wet dog, do you?" Seto snapped. He bent down and grabbed a rope. "Don't just stand there like a dumb idiot; of course one couldn't expect much more from you. I'm not doing this by myself."
Grumbling Joey kicked one of the crates, which happened to have been holding a taut rope that secured what was left of the canvas sail.
Seto looked up just in time to see the canvas sail envelop both him and Joey. Seto threw the canvas off them only to get smacked in the face by Joey's flaying arms. Seto grabbed Joey's arms and held them tight trying to ignore his smarting jaw. Joey blinked then realized that Seto had hold of him. Angrily, he jerked away from Seto.
"Let go, would ya? You're the last person I want touchin' me!" Joey said scornfully.
Instead of countering with a cruel remark Seto grabbed Joey's left hand and stared at it in amazement.
"HEY! What the hell do ya think you're doin'!" Joey yelled trying break Seto's grip.
Seto ignored Joey. "I thought you said your wrist was broken!" he declared.
"Huh? Well it-" Joey stopped in mid-sentence to look at his wrist which Seto was holding up. There was not even a scratch on his skin. Joey's mouth fell open in surprise. He wordlessly turned his hand around in shock.
Suddenly Serenity came running to them. "Joey! Kaiba! Duke was stung by a stingray! His foot is swelling up like a balloon!"
"What!"
The two boys followed Serenity to where Duke sat shivering, oblivious to everything but the pain in his right foot. Seto put a hand on his forehead.
"He's coming down with fever," he said.
"Will he be alright?" Serenity asked worriedly.
"I dunno, sis. He looks pretty bad," Joey said leaning over Seto's shoulder to see Duke better.
Seto looked at Joey and then at Duke. "Wheeler, put your hand Duke's wound."
"Do what?!"
"Just do it!" Seto said angrily. Joey did so. Seto rolled eyes. "Your other hand, Wheeler."
"Huh?"
Seto grabbed Joey's other hand and placed it on Duke's swollen foot. The ring on Joey's finger began to glow softly. The swelling subsided slowly. Perspiration started to form on Joey's brow. Duke stopped shivering and lay quietly. Finally Seto released Joey's hand. Joey slumped to the deck exhausted. Duke opened his eyes and looked around him.
"Where-Where I am? What happened?" he asked a little dazed. He was still pale and weak from the ordeal but free of pain.
"You were stung by a stingray. I went and got Kaiba's and Joey's help and then . . . well, I really don't know what happened," Serenity said glancing at Seto for an answer.
"Wheeler activated his Millennium Item," Seto said simply.
"Say what?" Joey asked confused.
"You activated your Millennium Ringu. Just like Duke's activated his Millennium Kasa," Seto explained impatiently.
Joey looked down at the golden ring on his finger. It glittered back at him in morning sunlight.
"We should probably get Duke and Joey back to shore," Serenity said. "They both look too worn out to help gather supplies. They need to rest."
Seto nodded in reply. He and Serenity got to work on the makeshift boat. It was noon by the time they had finished. Joey and Duke sat on the craft with the small amount supplies they had gathered that morning. Seto and Serenity guided the dinghy to the beach.
Isis came over and helped the small group to shore. As soon as Seto was in the shallows dragging the boat along with Serenity and Isis, Mokuba ran into him knocking the both of them over. Serenity stifled a giggle.
They helped Joey and Duke over to the fire where Mai was seated. Seto and Serenity updated Isis and Mokuba on what had happened.
Meanwhile Duke had fallen straight to sleep. Mai gently blew on the fire to keep it going. She shifted her weight gently. Joey saw her wince slightly.
"Mai?" he asked. "Can I see your ankle?"
Mai gave him a puzzled look but nodded anyway. "I don't know why you want to have a look at it, it hasn't cha-" Mai stopped as Joey laid his hand on her ankle tenderly. Mai's twisted ankle was healing under Joey's soft touch. Mai watched the redness go down and felt the pain slacken.
Joey removed his hand when her ankle was completely healed. Mai stood up and tested her weight gingerly on her once injured leg. She looked at Joey amazed, but he had fallen asleep after draining the rest of his energy. Mai smiled softly and knelt down next to him. She brushed his bangs out of his eyes and murmured, "Thank you, Joey. You aren't as thickheaded as you first turned out to be." She stood up and went over to join the others. Had she looked back she would've saw the small smile spread across Joey's face as he slept.
*****
My sister rushed me to finish this chapter so it might be a little crude. Well, let's see, that's two items. I wonder who's next? Review and hopeful soon I can finish chapter 5. My weekend is booked so it might be a little while.