Chapter Eight:

Two days before Tea and Isis discover "The Black Beard" . . .

After docking their ship near land Franco exits the ship and heads to the meeting spot where Sethos other men will be waiting with the red Stone. A few passerby noticed the dark and sinister ship and quickly made their way pass. Even in the bright and sunny place the ship looked as if it just stepped out of a nightmare. It could be a haunted ship carrying the souls of dead demons. Who knows what the mind can conjure up with a ship like that. Franco arrives at the beautiful and luxurious island home where Sethos men are posted, he walks over to the large black gate as the guards quickly open it to allow him in. He was then met by a man covered in black.

Present time . . .

For the past few days' Sethos made the beautiful peach colored tropical Mansion his head quarters, he rested, enjoying his near triumph of getting the one thing he wants more than anything, Kisara. Truth be told he really had no clue as to way he desired her so or why he is going thru so much trouble to bring her back. His memory is fuzzy when it comes to her but he does know that she was the one light that shone in his darkness and he must know why, and Seto, this boy who resembles him so much in face and body is the key. So far he has been trying to contact Seto since yesterday without success. 'Where can he be? He's not in Bairiki or his office in Japan.' Sethos didn't know what to do and he was running out of time, if Seto doesn't get back to him soon he would be tempted to try other means of getting the job done. 'Means little Seto won't like' he thought to himself as he tapped on the marble counter. 'I have no other choice but to send out a mind link, it's a risk but one I am forced to take' Sethos concentrated and focused his thoughts on Seto. 'We are connected so I know this will be easy' he finally thought as he searched every sensitive mind to the one that is most sensitive to him, Kaiba Seto.

Like a snake in the grass Sethos slips into Kaiba's mind.

Sethos: He's alive, good. And who is his little friend? He looks familiar.

Yugi: Checkmate! Looks like I won again.

Kaiba: Damn. So I guess you really are perfect.

Kaiba couldn't hold back the sneer of his remark. Perfect little Yugi who never loses. 'I wish he knew how annoying that is' Kaiba said to himself as Yugi was getting ready to put up the chess set.

Yugi: I heard you were the best at Chess.

Kaiba: Oh great are you trying to rub it in?

Yugi: No, of course not.

Yugi laughed to himself about the sexy little frown on Kaiba's face. Yugi would be glad to win a million matches against Kaiba if he could only see that frown every time.

Kaiba: Hm, then again I'm not surprised you won.

Yugi: What? You're not angry?

Kaiba: I think I'm used to losing to you, although I still hate it. I know I will beat you once day Yugi and when I do you will be a broken man.

Yugi thought about that for a second, Kaiba has always been a man of his word. What could he say to yet another seemly threat from his rival?

Yugi: Maybe you will, Kaiba.

Isis' ship docks on Majuro not too far from the "Black Beard" The crew tie the ship to the docks and set the step ladder.

Honda charges into Kaiba's room.

Honda: Yugi! We've reached land! The Marshall Islands, baby! I just hope it's filled with tons of hot chicks!

Sethos gathered the info he needed and just as he parted with Seto's mind link he felt a jump as he sensed the Millennium puzzle. Seto jolted as a cold shiver ran down his spine.

Yugi: What is it Kaiba?

Seto: What? I don't know.

Sethos slithered out and closed the link.

Yugi: You look pale.

Kaiba: I'm fine, Yugi.

After breaking the link Sethos orders his men to attention.

Sethos: Franco, I sensed the boy but he's not alone. Keep the men on alert I fear I may have to take more desperate measures.

Franco: Yes, sir.

'No, the boy surely isn't alone, and that other boy looks very familiar and there is also a great power that is nearby, could this be the reason for my foreboding feeling earlier?'

Isis and Marik step off the ship.

Isis: I wish to investigate the reason for their stop here, I hope it won't take long.

She takes out the White Stone that sparkled when the sunlight hit it as if it contained tiny hidden jewels.

Tea, Honda, and Joey exit the ship and was instantly hit with its tropical beauty.

Tea: Oh my! This place is so beautiful. I wonder if we will get a chance to look around?

Yugi and Seto are the last to leave the ship. Seto was changed from the plain white, as he would call "beggar" clothes to the form fitting black button down shirt and black pants he was wearing when he crashed. 'Too bad my brand-new black duster was damaged in the wreck?' Seto thought as he limped off the ship.

Tea: Kaiba! Why are you here? You should stay onboard.

Kaiba: I don't have time for sitting in that furnace called a room.

Isis holds out the white stone as it begins to glow.

Yugi: What could it be?

Isis: I don't know, it could be detecting another stone. I will need to take my men and investigate.

Groups of different Hoteliers are passing by the group trying to get them to come to their Hotel. "The best and beautiful on the island" on man shouted "The cheapest but best" another shouted.

Yugi: I don't know would we need a Hotel stay?

Isis: It depends on how long I need to investigate. But reserve a room and relax if you like.

Seto: Good, I want a room.

Yugi walks up to one of the Hoteliers as Marik and Isis walk off Yugi then helps Seto to a Hotel.

Yugi: C'mon let's follow that man.

Everyone follows Yugi. The walk to the Hotel was only five minutes from the docks in an almost jungle like area. It felt like an eternity for Seto whose right leg was killing him and he was sweaty and hot. Yugi looked up at him as he tried his best to hide the wincing and make the best of the small trek. 'Wow he looks so good when he's sweating like that' Yugi thought as a rush of erotic images of a sweaty gyrating Kaiba filled his thoughts. Yugi for once was glad for his small height since it would be hard for others to detect the sudden flush to his face. The gang took a good look at the Hotel to see an almost run down building with H - TEL -SL - ND written at the top. They were all shocked.

Tea: Hey I thought this place was a luxury Island Hotel!

The Hotelier, an old man in his sixties did not say a word, just opened the shabby screen door and the double wooden doors to let the "tourist" inside.

Joey: No way! Let's go find a better place to stay!

Yugi looks down to the ground a little embarrassed.

Yugi: Well guys I already made a non refundable down payment.

Tea: What! Now we have to stay in this dump!

Yugi: Sorry guys.

Joey: Hey lay off Yug., okay. He made an honest mistake.

The way Yugi looked up at Joey made his heart melt and his groin stir. He was nearly overtaken by a rush of need to claim that innocent angel as his own.

Kaiba: Underdog!

The sudden shout from Kaiba made Joey practically jump out of his skin followed by a need to punch Kaiba in the throat.

Joey: Damn you asshole don't call me Underdog!

Kaiba: Hm. I was just going to tell you to wipe the foam from the side of your mouth. Underdog.

Joey wipes at his mouth to see that Kaiba was right, 'What the hell!' He thought 'Now Yugi is making me foam at the fucking mouth! I gotta do something about this.'

Inside the hotel Honda and Tea go to the front desk to pay for their rooms. The place was a sad and dirty looking place. The kitchen, lobby and front desk were all in the same room. The old man showed the gang around.

Old man: This is the lobby and living room area, the couch, love seat and radio.

The couches were old and yellow with dark stains that look as if they were never even washed away. The radio sat on a small table and it was in old 1950's style.

Joey: Ah! No TV!

Tea: There could be TVs in our room.

Old man: No, there isn't.

Tea: So much for that.

Old man: That's the kitchen and kitchen table, you eat there if you want.

Tea: I don't think I even want to wash my hands there.

Old man: All the rooms are upstairs, follow me.

He leads them upstairs to the numbered rooms.

Joey: Well I'm stayin' with Honda!

Honda: Good, I can make you smell my feet before bed.

They laugh and play wrestle until Joey gets the upper hand and pins Honda in a head lock.

Joey: Smell ma pits!

Honda: Ah!

Before Yugi and Kaiba entered the room Kaiba looked at the two buffoons and their antics.

Kaiba: Fools.

Yugi shuts the door. Both Honda and Joey look on with contempt. Before Joey could blurt out anything, Honda took it upon himself to get Joey's mind off of it.

Honda: Let's go to our room.

They entered the dingy room and shut the door.

Honda: We'll have to share the bed since they only have one in each room.

Joey: Can you believe that stuck up ass wipe? He thinks he's so much better than everyone else. It's called horsing around! Normal things that normal boys do! Piece of shit.

Honda: Relax Joey and don't let Kaiba get to you.

Joey: Yeah you're right. I'm more worried about Yugi than anything. How can he put up with that loser?

Inside Yugi and Seto's room Yugi makes sure Kaiba sits down and he goes to pick up the tourist guide.

Kaiba: So we are sharing this room or what?

Yugi: Sure, I can only afford one.

Kaiba: I don't think I can stay here.

Yugi: It's okay I'll sleep in this chair.

Kaiba thinks it over for a second.

Kaiba: Why don't we just share the bed?

Yugi: Oh and you would want to share a bed with a "soft" boy?

Seto closes his eyes and smirks.

Kaiba: Okay, I was out of line.

Yugi: And that is an apology?

Kaiba: The only one you'll get. But I will say that there is nothing soft about you Yugi, you're quite tough for a little guy.

Before Yugi could respond, Tea comes in with her own tourist guide.

Tea: Yugi there of lots of stuff to do here. Why don't we start by taking a walk on the beach together?

Yugi: Oh I'm sorry Tea but I thought I would stay with Kaiba since he can't walk that well.

Kaiba: Ha, Don't take any pity on me. Besides don't you want to prove to yourself you like- - Oh well it doesn't matter does it, Yugi.

The deliberate way Kaiba spoke, 'What is he implying?' Yugi is once again upset, he almost forgot Tea was there and wanted to lash out at Kaiba for that.

Yugi: Come on Tea, I wouldn't want to get stuck in this room with him all day anyway.

Kaiba: Have fun with your "girlfriend"

Yugi slammed the door on his way out.

Just as Tea and Yugi made their way toward the stairs Joey was coming out of his room and headed for Yugi's when he spotted Tea and Yugi walking down the stairs holding hands. He turns and walks back into his room. Walking toward the beach Tea continued to go on about the different activities they can do but Yugi could barely hear a word. All he could think about was Seto's teasing. Noticing that Yugi was out of it Tea decided to take a different approach.

Tea: Yugi, why don't we relax near the lagoon over there.

Yugi: There's a lagoon here?

Tea: Yes, just ahead. I read it in the brochure.

At the edge of the lagoon the teens took a seat and placed their feet in the water enjoying the just-right coolness. Ever since that kiss Tea had been dying to do it again. Unfortunately ever since Kaiba showed up she barely if ever got a chance to even see him let alone kiss him again. But now this is perfect, the beautiful lagoon and the tropical surroundings made her want to share this experience with someone close, and who better than your oldest friend. 'Even if nothing else comes from this trip, I will have great memories' she thought fondly.

Tea: Yugi?

Yugi: Yeah Tea?

Tea: I was wondering if we could try that kiss again.

Yugi had to admit that he really did like their kiss although a part of him wondered if she was kissing Yami instead. This would be the perfect time to find out what he truly was, for all he knew that first kiss with Tea could have just been the excitement of the first kiss and not who he was kissing.

Yugi: I would like to kiss you again, Tea.

They leaned in for a slow simple kiss that gradually worked its way into more. Tea gently grabs the back of Yugi's head holding him in place as she worked her tongue into his moist warm mouth. Yugi replied back softly allowing Tea to take more control. They both soon pull away breathing slightly harder. Tea clears her throat and looks away from Yugi into the water. Yugi looks away from Tea completely. 'That kiss was hot and she's so pretty but I don't know if I really feel anything more.' Yugi thought.