I'm so sorry for the long absence, you guys. I really do try to write a chapter a week but college and colds are getting in the way a lot recently. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the chapter anyways. This was originally only half of the chapter, but I feel like you've waited long enough.

Cheers!

Mokuba's chest rises then falls. Again and again, gently and rhythmically. As it has for the past hour or however long it has been since we came back to the infirmary. My eyes sting from the lack of blinking but I can't help but want to keep my eyes on him without missing a second for fear of his breathing vanishing. Hoarse breaths and light coughs escape him from time to time. The salt has left his throat raspy. I'm tempted to wake him to make him drink some clear water and ease the irritation but decide against it. Neal and Jaden already woke him to change his soaked clothes. Even then, he was barely awake and the emotional shock knocked him right back down the instant he was changed. He needed the sleep. To be away from here as much as he could.

Neal and Jaden have both left us alone. I wasn't asked to finish my work which, if anything, I was thankful for. Sitting on the edge of his mattress, I pass a hand in Mokuba's still humid hair. I'm trembling. Too many thoughts fight to occupy my head, resulting in the chaotic mess inside my cranium. Bakura is out for our blood. No matter what his Captain's words are, he's broken his leash. As long as he breathes, he'll come after us. This sort of thought horrifies me. It's as if I'm ready to take his life myself. Part of me was at least. A violent shiver shakes me, making the scars on my back ache. Was that thing… that stream really me?

Suddenly fearful that it might come back, I reach for the small squared shaped mirror on the nightstand next to the bed. I wipe the dust off it and look at my reflection. My eyes are still their usual amethyst color. I sigh in short relief. Something else unsettles me, perhaps the worst of all. Is this part of my Shayee-self? For the first time in my life, I don't want to know. I can't believe something so aggressive and desiring for the death of another is part of my heritage. How can that be?

'There's only one person who can answer me,' I think, defeated before looking at Mokuba.

Bakura is locked up right now. This might be the only time I can leave Moki without worrying too much. Still, I hesitate. Maybe there are others like Bakura, better at hiding their anger at our presence here. After a minute of internal back and forth, I decide to go. Nothing will happen on its own. Most of all, I have to find a way for us to get out of here as soon as possible. I plant a kiss on Moki's forehead.

"I'll be back soon," I say before standing up.

Another unease makes me hesitate and I look in the small mirror once again. I also had to change out of my clothes and of course, had nothing to wear other than the clothes Joey had brought me before. I was surprised to find out that what I thought was a dress, was in fact something quite odd. In a way, it reminded me of the illustrations of togas of ancient Greece in Seto's ancient civilization books. It consisted of tight trousers only reaching under my knees and what can only be described as a short sand colored dress. I have no sleeves whatsoever, a very light round-neck and the bottom also reaches no further than my knees. The sides seem to have been purposely shredded to allow better movement.

The strangest part isn't the clothes themselves but the fact that they feel right on me. As if I've worn something like this before. I always complained to Maria that my dresses were too tight, too constricting, because I couldn't feel the wind on my skin and in my hair. That is without mentioning my shoes and hairdos. The whole outfit seems to have been made to allow a maximum of movement. It is slim and yet not uncomfortable like a corset. I have no trouble breathing. The fabric is also fascinating. It feels soft like silk and yet solid like cotton. Thin as fish scales and strong as leather. And mostly, familiar. I'm positive I've worn this before. My concern is that I realize how much more exposed my arms and legs are in these clothes. Also…

'The sober colors really bring out my hair…'

I shake my head. Atem would've found a way to get me in these clothes one way or another. That, I am certain of. I don't have much of a choice. My first bath of the day nearly guaranteed me a cold. The second one was tempting the devil. I can't allow myself to become ill here and now. I'll ask Joey for other clothes later. For now, I have more important things to worry about.

I glance one last time at Mokuba, before making my way to the door. Surprisingly, I find it unlocked and no one guarding on the other side. Good. This means Atem is still willing to grant me a bit of freedom. I'm going to need it. I step out and head for the wooden staircase. As I make my way up to go to the main deck, I come across Jack coming down. He stares at me with an emotionless face as if he knew I had something to ask.

"Do you know where I can find the Captain?"

His eyes quickly scan me from head to toe and I feel my cheeks heat up a bit. Ignore it Yugi, ignore it. With a sign of the head and not a word, the giant tells me to come along. I follow him further on the second lowest deck. Very quickly I catch the smell of frying food. I suppose the crew relayed to eat.

"How is your arm?" suddenly asks Jack as we pass the kitchen.

The man's quiet nature is impossible to miss so hearing him speak is more surprising than anything. It takes me a few seconds to get over the shock.

"Oh, uh… It's alright. It doesn't hurt as badly." Neal has bandaged me up fairly well and I've been so preoccupied that the slight pain is easily forgettable.

"That's good," he answers without even looking at me.

The brief conversation leaves me a bit perplexed. Was that concern or was I looking too much into it? I didn't put it passed Atem to be a manipulative scoundrel but Jack? What reason could he have to ask me this? I shake my head and refocus on my initial objective when we reach the refectory; a large room with long wooden tables set up for meals. As predicted, a portion of the crew seems to be here, being loud and eating. But the moment Jack and I enter, the noise dies down and all eyes turn to us. To me.

At first, I think it might be because of my clothes. But what I read in the eyes looking at me is curiosity and impression. It's heavy and uncomfortable especially when the mutters reprise. From one of the furthest tables, Joey stands up, breaking the awkward tension. He gestures for us to come over. We obey and spot the captain sitting on the other side of the table, a glass in his hand. Just as he puts it down, I reach them. Sharing his table are some of the ranked pirates. Tristan, the master gunner. Joey, the first mate and newly appointed quartermaster. Reed, the sailing master. 'Carrot-top' the navigator. And now, Jack the pilot taking place with them. For all of them to be gathered here, they were probably discussing something important.

"Have a seat, Yug," says Joey sitting back down and scooting over on the wooden bench. "Ya should eat somethin' too."

He pushes a plate of what looks like potato gruel and a thick slice of boiled beef in front of me. The smell makes me sick. Even if I had an appetite, I didn't come here to eat. I don't reply but sit facing Atem. He doesn't seem surprised at my sudden cooperation and looks back at me like he's expecting my questions. For once, he doesn't have that crushing intensity on his irises. Does that mean something? I can't figure out what he's thinking and I do hope it is the same for him. Finally, he looks me up and down as Jack did and cracks a half smile.

"It seems your little bath with the sharks sparked up the woman in you."

The men around snicker. I know he is purposely playing laid-backness. It's one thing I've noticed about him. The tension in my body is hard enough to handle but having him play the fool makes it worse. Chasing away the self-consciousness trying to take over me, I refuse to look away. I must ignore the comments and focus on why I came here.

"Tell me what happened to me," I say.

"You survived at encounter with two sharks, including a rogue one and managed to get away without so much as a scratch. Is your memory failing you already?"

He's regressed to mocking me again. I don't know what I was expecting from the master manipulator this man is.

"You know what I'm talking about," I say, feeling the irritation growing in my gut. "What was that thing? I know you know something."

"And if I do?" There is the insufferable smirk. "What obliges me to tell you? Unless you have something you'd like to trade for this information."

His casualness burns away the last of my patience. I stand and slam my hands on the wooden table. The questions spill out of me like a furious rain and I don't even try to hide the fear strangling me anymore. It's pointless.

"The whole reason you brought me here was this, wasn't it?" I snap. "Yesterday, you said you would bring out what was lurking inside of me. You were speaking of that thing, weren't you? How did you know it was there? What is it?"

I realize how badly I'm shaking. I can barely stand on my own two legs. I look down at my trembling arms, my hands curling up into fists against the wood of the table.

"I almost…" The words stick in my throat like dry sand. "When that thing took over me, I couldn't feel my own body. And I almost killed someone…"

"Someone who tried to kill your precious so-called brother. Your reaction was hardly surprising."

"THAT ISN'T THE POINT!" I shout at him. "I had no control over what I was doing so why did I do it? There's no possible way that I could've killed someone with so much… so much…"

"Ease?" finishes Atem for me.

"Stop dodging me! Next time, it might be Mokuba. Or even one of you!"

Everyone in the room stays quiet as tombstones, waiting for Atem's answer. He looks at me with that infamous soul-piercing glare again but I can't care less. If that is what it takes for him to give me an answer, it doesn't matter if he can read every thought in my head. It's not like I've ever been able to hide anything from him. Somehow, he seems disappointed at my complete lack of guard.

"It's called the Stream," he finally says.

The panic inside subsides instantly and I straighten back up, my whole focus on him. "The stream?"

"Stream with a capital S," he continues. "It's called that because of the way it spreads from your heart to the rest of your body like a torrent and the sensation of being submerged it causes. When a Shayee awakens it, their strength greatly increases, their sense of pain dulls and their eyes turn a bright shade of blue. The Stream is said to carry the inner will of the Shayee."

He pauses and takes another sip from his glass. I'm paralyzed in amazement. I knew he knew something but I didn't expect him to describe it as if he'd felt it himself. Hold on… Carry the will of the Shayee? Does that mean that I'd truly wanted to kill Bakura?

"What frightens you?" asks Atem, reading my face like an open book. "The fact that you nearly killed someone or the prospect that the Shayee were monsters at the core?"

"That's a lie!" I shout, scandalized at the idea.

"How would you know?" He appears serious, looking me dead in the eye. "You know nothing of your own kind and you've experienced first hand the reason the Sea masters were also called the devil race."

No, I can't believe that. My people weren't like that. I may not remember but the warmth of my missing memory and my desire to learn of it couldn't be due to something so… eerie. The softness of the voice that was guiding me when I was in danger, the one that called me "my Yugi"… It was filled with that same warmth. I frown at him, pushing the doubt away.

"I may not remember but I know we weren't killers," I assure.

I hold my breath waiting for his answer. Finally, a prideful smile appears on his face and I now know that he was testing. He almost looks happy. Why he was testing, remains a mystery and brings back my apprehension.

"You're absolutely right," he says. "Few Shayee ever awakened the Stream because of their natural pacifism. But t'was dormant in each and everyone of them. It requires specific conditions to be awakened. Situations the Shayee avoided as much as they could."

"So it's some sort of curse?" I ask, my insides suddenly tightening. "How do I stop it?"

My question is met with dumb struck eyes before Atem bursts out in laughter. A loud, clear laugh that resonates in the entire refectory. I find myself a bit dumbfounded. He's laughed at me before but this laughter sounds… more honest, if that meant anything.

"You're a treat," he says when he finally settles down. "Asking how to get rid of the Stream is the equivalent asking a woman who's given birth to cast away her mother instinct."

"What do you mean by that?"

"The Shayee were familial beings. Unlike humans, you'd never find one stepping on his own people for personal gain. The specific condition for the Stream to awaken is the fear of losing one of their own. Not only that, but Shayee are also extremely sensitive to bloodlust. More specifically, the intent to kill. The Stream responds to that sensation."

His words slowly sink in and I feel my muscles relax ever so slightly. I unclench my hand and look at them. I'm still shaking.

"Bakura's a blood hound," adds Joey. "Once he's fixated on a prey, he can't let it go. Davy Jone's knows, he's been on ya since we brought ya here."

"You didn't realize it," continues the captain, "but you sensed his intention which in turn provoked the Stream. You weren't trying to kill him, love. You were protecting your boy."

My insides and all my muscles suddenly all relax, so brusquely that it's painful and I fall back down in my seat. Never have I felt such a huge relief. Nonetheless, I remain confused for two reasons. The first is that I'm relieved that I was right about my lost people but I'm surprised at Atem's words. Was he intentionally trying to reassure me? I'd prepared myself to fight off his sharp words and mockeries, and even that hasn't worked. I thought for sure he would jump at the chance to torment me. Though he did test me —for whatever reason— he took the time to explain to me exactly what happened to me. I can't help but think of his reason to do this. There has to be something more behind it. Shouldn't it?

The second, is that I still don't understand the Stream. I've grasped the basic concept, but I have no way of controlling it. The memory of my body moving without my command is still fresh and terrifying.

"Joey," says Atem addressing his first mate, "make sure she eats something. Have some food send to the infirmary for the boy too."

"Aye."

He turns back to me. "When you're done, love, join me on the main deck. I'll show you what else the Stream has awaken in you."

He winks at me. His phrasing doesn't reassure me but before I can question him, he reaches for the plate Joey's pushed in front of me and grabs the piece of boiled meat before putting it in his mouth.

"Come on, Cap'n!" says Reed. "It ain't right to steal the lass's food."

Atem quickly chews and swallows the beef before standing and looking at his men with a mocking expression.

"Even I am not that merciless, Reed. Here's a bit of wisdom for you gents; Shayee don't eat meat."

Again, his knowledge of myself takes me by surprise. Where in the world did he learn all of those things. I realize that he knew a lot more about myself than I did. I'm tempted to ask directly but I resign, knowing I'll never get a straight answer. He looks at me again.

"Don't make me wait too long."

With that, he leaves the table and heads for the exit.

"Cap'n! What about Bakura?" calls out Reed.

Atem stops in his tracks for a second and replies without turning around. But the tone of his voice makes shivers run up my spine.

"I'll take care of it."

He leaves and new mutters begin circulating around the room. I realize the other pirates around are still looking at me and whispering to each other. It's uncomfortable. I look at the sticky gruel in front of me. Now that my insides have loosen a bit, I feel like I could eat a little without regurgitating everything. I grab the wooden spoon and bring it to my mouth. It's not nearly as bad as I expected. The taste is strange, as if some of the potatoes used to make it were rotten. But I can also taste the same dried seaweed powder from Joey's soup. It makes the taste bearable.

"No wonder ye're so thin, if ye don't eat meat," comments 'Carrot-top' "Ye're but skin an' bones. Shouldn't ye still try to take a bite?"

"It's not that I don't want to eat it, I can't," I say, wondering why I'm explaining to one of my captors. "It's not because of the taste. My stomach can't hold it. Shayee get their nourishment almost exclusively from the ocean."

At least, that's how it's supposed to be. Aside from meat, I've learned to eat about anything, thanks to Seto. I grow quiet and focus on eating while I feel the eyes of the men around still on me. I care not to ask why they're staring. I must hurry if I don't want to keep Atem waiting. Who knows what he'll use my tardiness as an excuse for? I didn't even realize that I'd stopped questioning my statements about my people.

Oh oh... What does our favorite captain have in mind for our newly awakened Shayee?

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