Atem rubbed his eyes feeling the headache forming there; his ears were still ringing from the tongue lashing he had just received from his superior. After arriving back nearly five days ago and returning with the news that his quarry had escaped custody had not been looked upon favorably. He felt he nearly escaped reassignment, something he had to avoid at all costs, Darts could not be allowed to have access to his power. He glanced out the window in his room at the barracks, it was night already but he was restless. Usually he felt safe in his rooms behind the locked doors but when he had returned to them after being at sea the room had been demolished. Clearly someone had been searching for something, and they didn't care if they were being careful, Atem had been surprised when nothing had been stolen at least nothing of true importance to him.

Just thinking about it made him annoyed standing and grabbing his long coat to fight the chill breeze that was out he hastened for the exit. He needed a walk a long walk, and when he finally stopped he was in the woods on the far side of the city in a little secluded cove. It was quiet and peaceful and the tranquility of the seen settled his spirit as he watch the waves bob a small fishing vessel that was moored on the shore. Suddenly feeling weak he sank into the soft sand and watched the waves, it would be a full moon in a couple weeks but the light that it gave off now was enough to see clearly by as he stared. Sighing he leaned back looking at the stars.

"I've only been back a few days and already so much has changed." He mumbled to himself. This latest tongue lashing from his superior was from him stepping in-between a master and his slave girl. She had dropped some fruit she had been carrying after someone had bumped into her and for the accident her master began to whip her cruelly. Unable to stand the sight Atem had stepped in-between, enraged that someone had interfered the man had struck out even harder. Atem could still feel the small slice in his arm that was healing along with the large purpling bruise that covered the appendage. He had merely stared harshly at the man then pulled out the coins he had and passed them to the man saying he was buying her from him, the man almost had refused until he saw the weight of the purse. He'd sniffed and snatched the bag before huffing off, annoyed Atem had reached a hand out to the girl whose hair was as white as snow and big blazing blue eyes. She'd flinched back harshly from him, surprised he retreated some and was about to reassure her when he heard the whispers around him.

"I feel sorry for her, being a slave to the likes of him."

"I heard he beats them and then throws them out to sea to watch them drown."

"What do you expect he's the dog of the navy."

At that moment it was as if his entire world had been blown open. He'd taken the girl to his cousin and asked him to look after her before heading off to have Bakura look at his wounds. He'd told his friend about what had happened and what he's heard and Bakura's face only grew slightly pinched, it was then he realized that Bakura was aware of it all.

"You've known about this, that they think I'm a monster, why didn't you tell me?" He'd asked.

Bakura had looked at him coolly and bluntly stated, "As the person you were, you wouldn't have cared, you wouldn't have even paused at the girls torment." It was if the knife had been twisted and the world he had created around him had shattered. All this time he had turned a blind eye to everything because his one goal had given him tunnel vision. But now… his eyes were truly open..

He wasn't sure how long he had been there when a happy giggle broke his peace, he glanced back into the forest to see two figures approaching a young girl and older young man. The girl laughed and called for him to hurry but froze when she saw that they weren't alone, the young man seeing her freeze pulled her behind him as he searched for danger and was surprised at what he saw.

"Mahad? Is that you?" Atem asked barley able to make out the tall tanned skin man he had become passing friends with at the docks.

"Atem, what are you doing here of all places?" Mahad asked, weary even though he was sure this man would not hurt them.

A dry laugh, "I'm not sure myself." Atem's answer made Mahad take a closer look at the man before him.

But the man he saw before him now, was weary and sad but also something had changed. A burning strength in him that Mahad had sensed faintly at being there but had not seen, but now that to was different and he was stronger much stronger than Mahad would have ever guessed. He left the trees pulling his younger sister with him.

"Is there something I can help with?" He asked standing beside him, he didn't get an answer only a shake of his head. "Why don't you come with me and well have a drink." He offered a hand, Atem looked at it for a moment wondering if he to would shy away but feeling foolish he took it. He was lead back to a small two roomed hut it was well worn and breaking in some areas but it was clean and warm.

"Mana why don't you start some tea." Mahad suggested and his sister nodded happily giving a smile to the stranger her brother had brought home. When he returned it she grinned and skipped away to start heating the water. "My sister, it's just the two of us now."

"She's wonderful. I'm sorry to have intruded on your plans this evening." Atem said feeling a bit guilty.

"No need, nothing that we will not do again another time. Tell me what's on your mind."

"Mahad what do you think of me? Tell me honestly, I wont be mad in anyway." Atem requested.

Surprised Mahad looked at the tired man before him. The Atem he was used to seeing at the docks was always in control; he had seen him be harsh when it was warranted but also kind and caring to his men. He was a good leader from what he could tell, and Mahad wouldn't have minded working under him himself. Of course he had heard all of the rumors about the Capitan, but then again. He had always been friendly to those of lower rank even handing out extra coin if a job was done well or quickly, even if it seemed like they just needed it. But there was always something straining under the controlled exterior,

"You're a fair man, you look after your own and make sure any job completed is awarded fair pay. You are harsh when needed but not unfairly so, you are a good leader." He repeated his thoughts and saw surprise in those red eyes.

"So I'm not completely unredeemable then, but you forgot a few things."

"Such as?"

"I can be a coward, hiding behind safety and completing an order that I know is wrong just to stay safe." He replied.

Mahad hummed in response, a cowered is what he thought, maybe but Atem didn't strike as a true coward, maybe made one threw true necessity possibly. Before he said anything Mana yelped from the small fireplace. Both men jumped up from there seats as Mana waved her hands in surprise and concern as a larger than natural fire blazed in the hearth.

"No, no. Stop, stop." She muttered loudly then when the fire flamed higher she hissed a word and the water from the pot rose on its own and dowse the flames. The hissing of coals was the only thing heard in the following seconds.

"Mana what have you done." Mahad voiced sounding afraid he moved in-between Atem and his sister fearing what was inevitable to come, he would loose his only family.

Atem stared, the young girl had controlled water and he suspected the fire as well, she sat there shivering blue eyes wide in fear… fear of him he realized. As one of the navy's servants he was required to take in all rouge magic users to be either tried as traitors to the crown or turned into the academy and forced into service for the navy. And with her gifts so strong she would be forced into service no dought even by force if necessary. Mahad moved shifting slightly drawing Atems attention to him and the silvery blue outline he had around his body, his sister wasn't the only magic user in this family and he was willing to fight for his freedom.

Was he really so feared that they would instantly suspect him to turn them in, he had never done so in the past at least not that he had known of. He sank back into his chair sighing as reality had slapped him hard over the last couple of days of how the world truly saw him, and how much he loathed that it saw him that way.

"It's okay I'm not going to tell anyone." He finally said looking up into Mahads eyes, which relaxed, at his words. "I don't want to turn anyone in, I know they call me the dog of the navy but I have no choice."

"Those sound like bitter words." Mahad said laying a hand on his shoulder. "Why do you not have a choice?"

"Because they hold someone I cherish life in there hands."

"Who, your first mate?" Mahad asked thinking of the friendship between the captain and his white haired pirate.

"Yes, they hold his life over my head. But this collar around my neck is getting tighter and I can no longer look away so easily."

"I see and if you do then your preshes friend will die. That is not cowardice you are doing what you can within the restraints that have been placed upon you. You are brave."

"Here" A small voice said placing a cup in front of him. It was Mana her fluffy brown hair pulled into a small headband showing off her bright blue eyes.

"Thank you. Were did you learn magic, not from the academy." He asked and took a sip of the soothing liquid.

"Mahad is teaching me." She declared happily.

"I am teaching her what I know, unfortunately her gifts different from mine. I am gifted in fire and earth and she with water and fire, our father is the one who passed his knowledge onto me."

"I see that's what you were doing there tonight, practicing."

"Yes, it is a safe place especially during the night." Mahad placed a large bound book on the table. "It is from our father and mother to guide us with our learning's." He gestured to the book. Almost eagerly Atem flipped through the pages, the book contained everything from basic of how to harness each element to how to call manifestations as Yugi had told him about. Then there were spells in the back written by hand most likely added as they were created and learned. He closed the book and made a rash decision.

"Please will you help me to learn?"

Mahad eyes widened in surprise, "but you have gone to the academy, what more could I teach you."

"Everything. I was told recently that I was more powerful than I thought and the academy has done everything to keep me ignorant, and he was right. Please help me learn I believe I could do something better if I could learn to control my power. Please."

"Alright, but this must remain secret nothing can change in the daylight, only at night will we be true to ourselves."

"Yes, thank you." Atem said clasping hands with his newest friends