"Soon may the Wellerman come to bring us sugar and tea and rum. One day when the toughing is done we'll take our leave and go."

Yes, I've recently discovered the Wellerman shanty by Nathan Evans and yes, I can't get it out of my head! It's a great song to have on a pirate playlist. On that note, if you have any songs to add to my WTTT playlist, I'm all ears. Anything about water, pirates, sea shanties or even songs you think fit the characters, goes!

Anyways, 'nough stallin', lets get to readin'!

"Being seen anywhere near the Millennium crew wouldn't be good for me. Besides, I doubt any of them want to see my face if it's not to slit my throat. I'll stay here with Mokuba."

The shock is still here. I never imagined Seto would let me out of his sight again. Is it because he's making good on his promise to me? Or is it because he trusts that Atem won't hurt me? Either way, I'm grateful.

I wriggle in my itchy clothes and fight the urge to take off my headscarf. Now that I'm back to crossdressing, I miss my Shayee dress even more. After twelve years, one would think I'd have mastered the art of wearing regular clothes but after a few weeks on the sea, it's like wearing sand paper. I let myself slide to the cold kitchen floor, hoping it would help me ignore the itch.

It's far past midnight now. The whole town must be sound asleep. Only the moonlight peeking through the windows lights the room. I look up and sigh, while I wait by the door leading to the garden. Seto's acquaintance shouldn't be long anymore.

My mind goes to my kin. What is going on through his head right now? How will he react upon seeing me? Relieved, I imagine. The true question is, will it be just that. I doubt it. A quick knock pulls me out of my thoughts and I quickly stand to open the door. On the other side stands a tall lanky man in a navy uniform with red hair and grey eyes. He's holding a lantern whose faint light illuminates his face. We both stare silently for a few moments, before I decide to speak.

"Lord… Alister Crowley?" I ask hesitantly.

My speaking seems to snap him out of his daze. "In the flesh. I take it you're Kaiba's ward. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lady."

He bows politely as etiquette dictates and I reflexively grab the folds of my cloak to return the gesture. Seems I haven't lost all of what I've been taught after all. He doesn't look surprised to see me dressed like a man. Perhaps Seto has warned him already…

"Shall we get going?" he offers.

I pull my hood up and the lieutenant guides me outside. He is silent until we reach the wall surrounding the garden and exit through another door, finding ourselves on a small trail where a carriage is waiting. Lord Crowley opens the door for me and follows me in, before the coachman takes us away.

For a while, only the sound of trotting horses and rolling wheels on rocky trails fill the silence. Again, I try to think of what I'll say to my kin but my thoughts keep getting entangled. I suppose I will ask what comes to mind when I see him. In the meantime, I decide to focus on my escort.

"I'm grateful for you letting us stay at your house, my lord."

He chuckles in response. "Believe it or not, the thought of letting your guardian rot in one of my cells is much scarier than having him as a guest."

"Still, I can't thank you enough for doing this," I tell him.

"Well, I couldn't refuse a request from an old friend," replies Alister.

He chuckles again, indirectly telling me that Seto didn't ask for his help so directly or politely. According to him, Alister owed him a favor.

"What did Seto tell you exactly?"

"That you needed to see the men who took you face to face." The young lieutenant's eyes suddenly darken and look down. "Something I wish I'd had the chance to do a while back."

"I heard about what happened to your little brother. I know it might not mean much after all this time, but you have my sincere condolences."

The young lieutenant straightens up and smiles. "It means more than you think, my lady, to hear those words from someone who knows what it's like to lose family to that filth."

My heart jumps and a sudden realization hits me. That's why he didn't question my disguise. He knows what I am. But quickly, I understand why : the navy-men who saw me after capturing the Millennium… I doubt they've kept the fact that they've seen a Shayee to themselves. I have been asleep for days after all. How could it have slipped my mind?

"When Kaiba came here, he mentioned his brother but said nothing about you," continues Lord Crowley. "I understand why now. I can't say I've ever imagined meeting a Shayee face to face."

I can feel the curiosity as his eyes rapidly glance at my headscarf. I shouldn't be surprised. Curiosity is a powerful compulsion. But luckily for me, my escort's gentlemanly attitude seems above indiscretion. I'm sure that if Seto asked him for help, he has at least a minimum of trust in him. And that's more reassuring than anything. Still, it's odd having someone I barely know know.

"Please forgive me," quickly says Lord Crowley. "It wasn't my intention to make you uncomfortable."

"I… take it all the navy-men know," I say hesitantly.

"It's likely the entire town knows by now," he confesses. "But fear not. My estate is well guarded. Anyone foolish enough to want to get a look at you will be met with adequate retribution. I've also asked the servants not to pry."

"Thank you for your discretion." I pause for a moment. "Do you mind if I ask you about the admiral?"

He seems surprised by my sudden question. "If you'd like. Thought I'm not sure what I could tell you. I don't know much beyond what most people know of him. Mainly his military exploits. I know he's the youngest admiral in the history of the navy. With everything he accomplished, he could've led the motherland's fleet if he'd wanted to."

"Yet he came here to the other side of the world?" I ask raising an eyebrow. "Why would someone like that choose the colonies?"

"I can only speculate. Perhaps he wished to get away from the country. Tis still a very prestigious title and the admiral is quite good at what he does."

"Do you know when he became admiral?"

"I'm not sure. He was already in the position when I entered military school. So at the very least ten years ago."

A memory of grey unblinking eyes comes to mind and I shiver again. Those didn't look like the eyes of someone running away. On the contrary, I'd say they were looking for something. I shake my head, to chase the parasitic thoughts away. After all I know nothing of this man. Is it right to judge him based on first impressions? Perhaps he was just as surprised at the sight of me. Even Atem grabbed my hair when we first met and a good bunch of the Millennium crew asked to touch it too…

My thoughts are interrupted when the carriage suddenly slows down and comes to a stop. Lord Crowley picks up his lantern and steps out first before helping me out. We're at the very south end of the docks. Judging from all the navy men making rounds, it must be the barracks. Meaning the eerie brick building halfway carved in the rock with a large metal gate must be the prison. I make a note of the setup of the surroundings and the five guards and three humongous dogs guarding the entrance.

Lord Crowley tells the coachman to wait a bit further and then begins walking towards the prison, gesturing for me to follow.

"Walk behind me, my lady," he says quietly, keeping his eyes forward. "It's best if you keep your head down and let me speak."

I do as I'm told, reflexively making sure my scarf and hood are secured on my head. It reminds me of the rare times when Seto allowed me to go to town with him and we entered shops. Only this time, the stakes are much higher than buying a few ribbons.

As soon as the men guarding the gate identify their lieutenant, all stand straight and salute. One of them with shaggy brown hair takes a step forward.

"Good evening, lieutenant Crowley," he greets. "I did not expect to see you tonight. Is something the matter?"

"At ease, Valon. I just came by to see how our new rats are faring."

"As expected, we had to cram the cells. We're not used to having that many prisoners at once. Between keeping the pirates and the other prisoners separate, and the crews apart to keep them from killing each other, all the cages are full."

Cages? It's as if they're speaking of rabid dogs and it leaves a bad taste on my tongue. The man named Valon suddenly looks in my direction and I lower my gaze.

"I see you've brought company," comments the navy-man.

"He's only a boy from my estate," says Lord Crowley without even sparing me a glance. "In any case, it is unusual to capture two whole crews barely two weeks apart."

"I'll say!" agrees Valon. "Usually the rat's would rather go down in a blood bath. I never realized how convenient it was till now."

Lord Crowley's slick words has already deviated the attention from me. I understand better why Seto trusted him to handle things. Still, having the Millennium crew treated the same as murderous thieves irks me. But all I can do now is keep quiet.

"I'm here to have a word with one of our rats and do a general inspection. If it their numbers turn out to be a problem, we might have to move some of them to Finburg. Stay alert, gentlemen."

"Sir!" they all reply in unison.

Valon takes a set of key out of his vest and opens the large gate and the first inner door for us. I follow in after the lieutenant. Immediately, the atmosphere is suffocating. The hallways of humid stones are narrow and the wind currents let in through small barred openings makes it eerier. The light of Lord Crowley's lantern only accentuates the shadows. It's so dark…Yet my heart is beating like thunder in my chest. Part of me wants to dive into these shadows.

He's here. Somewhere in the darkness.

I follow Lord Crowley down a couple of stairs, where the cells are. It's quiet. Indeed, the 'cages' are filled with men sleeping on the dirty floor. Some of them groan when the light bothers their sleep. A few of them awaken and either insult or spit in the way of the lieutenant who royally ignores them. There's a foul stench of rotten food, sweaty clothes and urine lingering in the thick air. I'm twice as grateful to be doing this at nighttime. Images of my first encounter with pirates from the other side of the iron cage on the Golden Whale comes to mind and I swallow hard.

We take two more turns before Lord Crowley comes to a stop and turns to me. "Your former captor is in the cell at the end of that hallway. I take it you'd rather do this by yourself."

"Is that alright?"

"Of course," he replies, handing me the lantern. "If I'd had your opportunity, I wouldn't have liked an audience. Besides there is someone I need to speak with as well. But be aware, we do not have much time."

"I understand."

"Do be sure to keep a good distance from the cell, my lady. I'd rather not return you to your guardian with any scratches. Shout if anything happens, and I'll be by your side."

"Thank you, Lord Crowley. Truly."

He replies nothing. Only nods and smiles before turning away and disappearing in the darkness of another hallway. I take a deep breath before before making my own way slowly down the tunnel while my heart still races like a runaway horse. The cells I walk by, filled with sleeping crooks and pirates, have not an ounce of my attention. I only gaze at the darkness at the end of this eerie hallway, stomach tied in knot. The heartbeat in my head feels like the noisiest thing around…

"Yugi?"

My heart nearly bursts in my chest and I turn my head to the cell on my left. Who could possibly recognize me with this disguise and the dark? All I can see are black human shapes inside… but a familiar pair of glowing yellow irises is looking back at me.

"I thought I smelled somethin' familiar," says a groggy voice.

"Joey!" I exclaim, dropping all apprehension.

I approach the cage, pouring some of my lantern's light through the metal bars. That's when I recognize some of the other faces.

"Reed, Tristan, Jack, Xao…" I let out as I identify them.

Of course. They've separated the ranked pirates from the rest. To prevent any organized escape attempt. Joey is on the ground, leaning on the iron bars. The others are scattered around the small cell. Though they looked up to see me, they've gone back to their slumped postures and silence. But what I note is the flagrant lack of hostility.

"Where is Bakura?" I ask, half expecting him to spring out of the shadows.

Last I recall, the quartermaster tried to shoot me and I pushed him into the sea. But I'm positive I saw some of the men throw rope ladders overboard before I began my duel with Atem…

"We never fished him out," lets out Joey.

I flinch. A strong and uncomfortable pressure squeezes my insides for a moment and I freeze in shock. I think of how turbulent the current was at that moment, shaken by stormy winds and rain. The waves could've very well swallowed a man whole and dragged him down….

Somehow, everything in me rejects the premise of the quartermaster's death. I can't assimilate the idea. Most likely because among all the Millennium crew, he was by far the biggest threat to my family. Could he really have vanished like that?

But what truly frightens me… is how unbothered I am to perhaps be the cause of his death. Is it the disbelief or a complete lack of regret? I can't tell.

"Oh," is all I'm able to respond.

"But it's good to see ya in one piece, half-bite," whispers Joey, looking up at me with exhausted eyes and a forced smile. "Tis one good thing at least."

Unable to find anything else to say, I lower myself to my knees to meet him at face level. "A-Are you alright?"

The fake laughter in his snort isn't lost on me. "Define alright, Yug."

His words and his voice unsettle me. I look to the others again. Even with my meager light, I can guess how empty their gazes are. Those are the eyes I feared to see on Atem. The ones I expected to see once vengeful hearts have been satisfied, where only misery is left.

They've given up.

I expected the mere sight of me to bring me more hate and anger. This is far worse. All that is before me are empty shells. Something bitter and painful pinches my heart. If they're like this, in what state can possibly be the other half of my soul?

"Ya know," continues the wolf man eying me with his infinitely sad irises. "We spent five years collectin' the crew and two plannin' the demise of the Kaiba empire. We were gonna destroy it, if not for us, to spare future victims. Then…"

Then I came along. I'm expecting the embers of anger to light up his eyes even more, like whenever he brought up the subject before. But they remain empty and dry.

"I-I didn't want it to end like this," I mumble.

"We finally cornered the devil," he continues, his eyes lost in the distance. "And then he pointed a gun at his own head to save you."

My prediction had come true. Only without them fulfilling their vengeful wish. And I can't help but feel the twisting guilt in my gut. I know this pain they feel. For twelve years, I felt it.

"Joey, I'm so sorry," is all I manage to say.

The sad eyes turn to me again. "I've known forever that it was all pointless. I've known since killing Johnson and his posse. Ya just reminded me that I did. The rest o' the hearties realized it when he pulled the trigger."

At this point, I'm fighting the tears stinging my eyes. I glance at my dark surroundings to make sure no indiscreet ears are wandering by before saying: "I'm not leaving you here. I will not let you rot here like common thieves. I swear I won't."

I look to Reed, Jack, Tristan so they can see my eyes and the truth I'm speaking. But none of them so much as looks up. In fact, their forms seem to crumble even more. There's a couple of heavy sighs. They're sinking. And all I can do is watch.

"Can't you shift and break the cell door?" I whisper, desperately looking for a solution. "At least get yourselves out of here…"

He's strong but maybe not that strong. Curses! If only I had Drainer… A large hand lands on mine, stopping my frantic thoughts.

"It's alright, Yug," says the wolf-man. "It really is."

"It is not! I don't know how long Seto can keep the navy at bay. You might hang for piracy if your stay here and—"

"We're already dead," he interrupts. "It just took a while to realize it, is all. For what it's worth, I'm glad I got to meet ya."

The farewell hits me like a horse kick to the face. Atem's words return to me. Unsalvageable, vessels of vengeance, shells of their former selves… My fist curl up until my nails dig into my palms. They've regressed to how they were when they lost everything.

You can't save everyone, whispers a voice in the back of my head. If revenge is all you live for, then it is all you'll die with.

I don't have the words. I can't reach them. Not me. Having saved my family, what can I possibly say? I no longer share their pain. They need someone who can awaken them again. Inspire them. Someone who is in the darkness with them needs to pull them out. And it's not me.

"Can ya do me one favor?" Joey goes on. "Could ya breathe some life back into our captain? I'd be mighty grateful if at least one friend could leave the shadows, ya know?"

Again, something painfully swells up in my chest and my heart is on the verge of shattering. But frustration also burns my stomach. I take a deep breath to swallow back the incoming tears before getting up.

"I won't leave you here," I repeat with questionable conviction before turning away and stepping further into the shadows of the hallway with my meagre light.

As I make my way with quick strides, the cells become smaller and smaller. Most are empty. I wonder why. Perhaps this is what is referred to as solitary? If memory serves, this is because pirate captains have to be separated from all of their crew members. Another preemptive measure to keep the crews from acting without their leaders, I suppose. Finally, I stop.

It's the last cell. Unlike the others, this one has a large barred window allowing moonlight in. And a familiar silhouette with a wild mane is sitting on the edge, peering at the sea and night sky. I open my mouth to speak but the words die in my throat. The clicking of my lantern's glass clearly betrays my shaking and presence but he doesn't move.

"Atem," I finally manage to push out.

The silhouette stays unmoving for an eternity, and keeps its gaze to the sea. My heart picks up the pace once again. Then I hear a long air intake with no exhaling.

"Are you a ghost?" replies a low voice in the dark.

I shiver, remembering that this is the kind of tone that spells out trouble for me. I was so eager to show him I was alive that I didn't think of all the reasons he had to be furious with me.

"I'm here," I say, still unable to make my voice louder than a whisper. "I'm alive."

A gust of wind slips in and it suddenly gets colder. Finally, he moves. He jumps off the window edge, disappearing into the darkness of the cell. I blink a few times to adjust my eyes… but a hand suddenly reaches through the iron bars and touches my cheek. I flinch at how cold it is against my skin. But the most terrifying thing is that face illuminated by the feeble light of my lantern.

The ruby irises have turned black. It's an endless pit that stares back at me. There isn't a shred of emotion on that face. It only reflects a shattered heart. The shadows dancing on it makes it barely recognizable. I can't smell the dried fruits or sea salt anymore. An uncomfortable shiver shoots from my insides up to my head as a terrifying thought crosses my mind.

Am I too late?

I'm paralyzed again, unable to do anything but shake. The hand touching me rubs its thumb on my cheek. How long has it been since I've felt like prey to those dry eyes?

"So you are," he finally says with a frighteningly monotonous voice.

"…"

Everything accelerates. With lightening quick movement, the hand falls to my neck and closes on it like an eagle's talon. My lantern miraculously doesn't shatter on the ground but the noise of clicking glass echoes throughout the prison. I clutch his arm but it's iron. Though he doesn't completely cut off my airway, I know I can't break this hold on my own. But there is still no trace of feeling on that blank face.

"Tell me, daughter of the Shayee," he lets out as if speaking to a stranger. "What should I have done?"

His words are both aggressive and genuine. My stomach twists even more. I can't speak. What am I suppose to answer to that? Faced with my silence, he continues.

"I forsook my kin and my blood. I dragged my friends to their own demise. I broke the oath I made to them and to myself. And you…"

I hold my breath, bracing myself for the acid-coated words he has for me.

"…are still so beautiful."

That, I was not expecting. My heart tightens at the sound of those words. I've never heard this tone from him or anyone before. It's worse than sadness. More than profound despair. It's on the verge of oblivion. The talon tightens on my throat.

"How come, love? How come you have remained so pure and beautiful while I fell so low? How come I was allowed to lay eyes on you again after all I've done? Why did you have to see me fall?"

His voice seems to be on the verge of breaking but his eyes remain dry as a desert. I think of the words he spoke to me in the cave. About how he thought of taking my life once.

He's not asked a single thing about Seto or my bond to the Kaiba brothers. Just like for Joey and the others, the vengeful wrath is gone, leaving only this shell. His words are screaming with envy, despair, and slow agony. I can feel my soul cracking like thin glass, and I nearly cry the tears that should be streaming down this unfeeling face.

Don't cry, Yugi. Don't you dare cry.

"Had you never appeared before my eyes, I would've fulfilled my oath," he mutters. "Instead, you made me weak."

I take a breath — as best I can— before letting go of the arm choking me. I can't stop trembling but I must speak now. Or I never will again.

"Do you despise me?" I ask as clearly as my current situation allows me. "For having been saved? While you were left all alone?"

He flinched at my first question. A spark of realization finally lights up in the black void of his eyes. But it fades away just as quickly. A long silence follows without either of us breathing I think. Then the talon around my throat loosens. My kin shakes his head ever so slightly.

"You've no clue how much I envy you. You are the very essence of what the Shayee are meant to be and I am none of it. I felt like I'd be burned every time I touched you. And I couldn't hate you if you'd caused the demise of our kind yourself."

I can't hide my surprise : this is the first time he's referred to the Shayee as our people. First, my heart swells up with joy and immediately tightens in fright. The fact that this stubborn man who has spent years erasing himself would admit it… is if he's completely and utterly given up.

I don't get a chance to say anything before the loose hand on my neck slips to my shoulder and then arm to go grip my sleeve. Atem closes his eyes and leans his forehead on the metal bars, exhaling for God knows how long.

"I've had enough," he whispers. "I fought and fought to no avail, chasing a demon that's already dead. I'm tired."

His form slips to the floor as he falls to his knees, still gripping my sleeve through the cage. And juts like before, all I can do is watch him crumble. What should I do? What should I say?

"Atem, I…"

"I beg of you. Let me go."

Let me die.

That is what I hear. He said it without a shred of emotion or a shadow of a tear on that miserable face. This time, my entire body stiffens in fright. The pit of my stomach is burning again and it takes all my will to swallow back the tears.

"You expect me to stand in a crowd and watch you dangle from a rope without doing anything?" I say, my jaw trembling. "Do you really think the Stream in me would allow this?"

"Then don't watch. Turn away, walk away and don't ever look back. Truth is, I've not been alive for twelve years."

Those words break what remains of my will, and the anger leaves me in the form of tears streaming down my face. I helplessly contemplate the empty shell before me. His words are like spikes of ice in my heart. He's pushing me away, avoiding my gaze.

Then I notice the hand clutching my sleeve.

It's trembling like a newborn lamb. Words and actions completely contradictory to one another. I wipe the water from my face, before joining him on the ground. He's unmoving, almost like a statue. After some hesitation, I slip a hand through the cage and reach for a strand of hair behind his ear.

"I haven't even seen your colors yet," I say, fiddling with the tainted lock. "I think I remember a bright red, a semblance of blond… I know mine became much brighter as I grew. I wonder what yours look like now."

None of those words came from calculated thinking. Only straight from my desperate aching heart.

"I've only remembered bits and pieces," I go on. "I still have so many questions. I want to know what happened to you. Every little detail of it. Tell me what broke you. Tell me where to find the pieces. Please."

Only silence answers me. My hand leaves his hair to touch the side of his face. His skin is like ice, even worse than in the cave. Is that what a block of ice feels like? Almost imperceptibly, I feel him lean his head, cradling it into my palm. But he still doesn't speak.

"Is it that painful to answer my questions? Is it that unbearable to see my face?"

The empty irises look up at me, still dry, still void. And still, I get no response. So I bite my lip and I take my hand back.

"Fine," I say, doing my very best to keep my voice still. "You can die."

Not even the most cold hearted being in this world could ignore this awful sensation of absolute dread. The hand clutching my sleeve slowly lets go. He seems to have stopped breathing altogether. But the unfeeling face now resembling that of a corpse remains unchanged.

"But if you do, then I'm going with you."

Finally, the corpse face comes to life. Surprise or perhaps utter shock, widens his eyes and pulls on his traits. Just that reassures me. I plunge my gaze into his, pouring all of my will into him.

"When I woke up, Seto asked if you were mine. I didn't understand. Then he told me of kindred souls."

"From what Heba told me," says the Seto of my memory,"the legend states that the Shayee are born as a half fated to find their other half. The two are destined for each other as kindred souls, for Shayee are never meant to be alone. One without the other is destined to wander, suffer and perish."

"For twelve years, I thought it was the sea calling out to me. But it was you."

"It's only a legend," he replies far too quickly and averting my eyes again.

"You mean it's another thing you were taking to your grave," I retort, irritated. "Did you think that it would be easier for me to leave you behind if I never learned the truth? I already told you : I am not leaving—"

I nearly jump out of my skin when he suddenly springs forward and clenches the iron bars, his eyes darker than ever.

"Enough, let it go already!" he snaps.

He's trembling all over now, so much that I hear it in his breath. His clenched teeth look ready to shatter with how much pressure I can see in his jaw. The kind of display that usually intimidates me quite easily. But I've passed the point of passiveness the moment I decided to come here.

"I will not," I reply.

He seems bewildered. I'd have laughed at that new face if the situation wasn't so dire. "You're so stubborn…"

"And you're selfish," I retort, also getting closer. "I am not leaving you. And if you choose death, then I will follow."

Had the metal bars not separated us, our foreheads might've collided. For once, I don't feel his immense presence looming over me. In this moment, I am the strong one. Normally, his pride wouldn't allow me to have this dominant role for more than a few moments. But the eyes that look at me aren't burning with the angry fire I know. On the contrary, they look like they're begging. Begging to be put to rest. And that is unbearable.

"What are you trying to do? Nothing good will come of this. Can't you just make this easier for both of us?"

"No, because I'm the other half of your soul. I can help you. But you have to let me, Atem. I will not leave you. So if you're going back to the darkness, I'm won't let you go alone."

"Stop!"

The noise of his fists hitting the metal echoes throughout the dark hallway, but I didn't jump this time. I refuse to give him an inch. My mind is made up and I will not turn away. But he has to meet me halfway.

"For the love of God, stop." He's almost whispering now. "Do you want to be corrupted as I am? I renounced myself and our people. I've spilled and swam through seas of blood. Worst of all, I've betrayed you, my kindred soul. I've no more home or right to your heart."

My chest burns. I can feel the crack of the void once again in my heart. But it's not mine. It's an echo of his own. He's turning away. I forbid myself to look away from those begging eyes and take a deep breath to keep the tears at bay. I send a silent prayer.

Grandpa, mama, papa, Yusei, Yuya, Heba…Everyone. How do I make him understand?

"Stop wasting your time with dead weight," he says. "I told you before. Not every broken thing can be fixed. All I am to you now is poison, even if you can't see it. I'm unsalvage—"

I don't know why I did it. Perhaps it was all I could think of. But my entire being is compelled to stop him from saying that cursed word that's been haunting him for over a decade. His lips are cold against mine, like a block of marble. Even colder that the metal separating us. How can anyone live at such a low temperatures?

Have you always been this cold?

I've brought my hands to his face, to provide as much warmth as possible. If it weren't for this cursed cage, I would wrap my entire body around him. How does one warm up a frozen soul? Atem remains paralyzed, like a marble statue. I expect him to push me away once he's regained his senses… Just the thought frightens me.

But then, my clumsy kiss is returned. I feel him trembling against me as he seems to melt into me. There's a slight growl in the back of his throat. Almost like a purr. And part of me can't help but feels if I'm being eaten and blood rushes to me face.

Then I catch it. So faintly it could've been an illusion. But the smell of sea salt tickles my nose. In hindsight, it's a good thing that the cold metal separates us. Otherwise, I'd wanna drown in it completely. I want to complete him. So that his missing pieces can return to him. Though the temptation to never let go is strong to the point of making my whole being tremble, I mustn't forget why I'm here. Reluctantly, I pull away, shaky breaths blowing on my face as I do.

The face staring back it me is one I've never seen or even imagined Atem could make. It's a mix of confusion, pain and irritation. But it's far better than the unfeeling eyes from before. His skin is warmer under my hands too. He breathes heavily, leaning on the cage as if I'd taken what little vitality he had left. My insides twist as I wait for him to speak.

"Why do you do this?" he finally asks, sounding like I'd cruelly hurt him for no reason. "Why are you so bloody persistent?"

"Do you know that they never found Bakura?"

My counter-question seems to take him aback, but not enough for him to be discovering this information now.

"If they never fished him out, it means he most likely drowned," I go on, my throat tightening slightly. "Which in turn, means I killed him."

A long silence follows with him staring. Smart as he is, I'm sure he already knows what I'm getting at.

"You keep saying I'm pure and that you'll taint me," I say. "But you're wrong, Atem. We're both burned, we both lied and we both have blood on our hands. The only difference is that you were alone with nothing but a grudge to keep you going. And for that reason, I'm never leaving you. Not in life, not in death."

His mouth opens slightly but no words come out. He only stares at me in utter disbelief. Another rare face coming from him. And his irises have regained a reddish tint. I know not if my words reach him. But at least I know he's listening.

"You've carried such a heavy burden for so long. And I won't let you carry it alone anymore. If you decide to set it down, I'll rest by your side. Because if I turn my back on you, I will perish anyways. It's your choice. But I beg you : reach out. I can save you so please…please reach out to me."

Footsteps begin to echo in the prison. What little time Lord Crowley said we had has probably ran out. I better not let him find us like this. I take my hands back, hoping I've left enough warmth for now. I turn to my kin one more time.

"I'll return tomorrow night," I tell him, pressing my baby finger to my lips.

I hurriedly stand and pick up my cracked lantern, as the footsteps become louder. But as I take my first step, a hand closes on my wrist.

"Don't," he begs in an unconvincing whisper. "Don't come back. Don't make me hope. Just…leave me be."

I stay still for a moment, before smiling softly. "Never again."

There's no reaction, no movement, no words in response. Except a single tear leaving his right eye and streaming down his cheek, glistening in the faint moonlight. His grip is weak and taking my hand back makes my heart ache. But I must leave for now. I quickly walk away.

My brothers and I have many things to discuss.

Can you say 'prison break'? (Heads up : still haven't ran out of plot twists yet ;)

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