A/N: Yes, I do in fact remember that this fic exists. And I have no excuse for leaving this part for so long other than having too many grand (or not so grand) plans about where I want to take things and no real idea as to how to go about doing it. As such, I hit a massive wall. Hopefully I'm over that.

"You're dying, aren't you?"

The question is unexpected and Ryo pauses briefly before feeding another branch into the small fire in front of him, not bothering to turn and look at Edo when he murmurs, "What makes you say that?"

"You think I'm blind? I know your heart's bothering you and I know it's more serious than you want to let on." Edo unable to stop himself from letting out a small, almost mocking, laugh before he continues, "Don't worry, I don't care or anything. I just want to know ahead of time if you're going to drop dead on me in the middle of a duel. It could turn out to be problematic if I'm not prepared for it."

"I don't plan on dropping anytime soon if that's all you're worried about."

"Good." There's a moment's thoughtful silence, as if Edo is choosing his next words carefully, finally blurting, "It was the Underground, wasn't it?"

"Possibly. It's the only thing that really makes sense."

"I'm sorry."

"For what?" Ryo finally glancing over his shoulder in Edo's direction and slowly taking in how absolutely miserable the younger boy looks.

"For… all of it. I didn't just beat you; I made a spectacle of it. I know I humiliated you. I started your losing streak. I…."

"Ego much, Phoenix?" Ryo suddenly snaps, cutting him off. "My problems are suddenly all about you now? Trust me, I have no one to blame for my current predicament but myself. I made the choices I made and now I have to live with them. Losing to you bothered me, yes. But that hardly has anything to do with you."

Edo says nothing, simply letting out a vague sort of hum to indicate that he's heard, and glances away. Ryo more than content to believe that the subject has been dropped and entirely surprised when Edo suddenly speaks up again, "There are only two things I can think, two possibilities that make any amount of sense. Either I have the worst luck in the world, or my life is absolute poison to anyone who comes near me. Ever since DD…." Edo's voice trails off again, an expression of almost violent distaste twisting his features.

"I heard about the fire, but what does that have to do with….." The question he'd been about to ask freezing in Ryo's throat as Edo's vicious glare is turned on him.

"Don't. Just… trust me. Okay?"

"You brought it up, Phoenix."

"Forget that I did. It's not important. Are you going to take the first watch or should I?" The swift change of subject obviously intended to block any further discussion and Ryo frowns, although he doesn't bother calling Edo on it. There's no point to prolonging the argument any. Simply replying, "You can take it if you want," and Edo nods, quite obviously relieved that Ryo took the hint as he adjusts his cloak around his body.

Ryo simply sighs, reminding himself once again that he's (thankfully) not here to play best friend and shoulder to cry on for Edo Phoenix. No more than Edo is here for him.

And even if he was, he's not sure it's a role he'd be capable of playing.

It seems like he's only just dozed off when Edo wakes him. The worried expression on Edo's face more than enough to jolt him to alertness and Ryo finds himself giving the campsite a quick once-over before focusing his attention back on Edo.

"I was doing a quick patrol around camp, just to make sure there was nothing out there and I found…." He hesitates for a moment before handing Ryo a duel disc and Ryo can feel a cold sweat break out as he immediately recognizes the style as being from their world. From Duel Academia.

Then he turns it over, and the name scratched onto the underside makes his heart clench in a way that has nothing to do with its current problems.

"It wasn't active when I found it," Edo says quickly, obviously reading the look of fear on Ryo's face. "Not like the others we've come across. I don't think he… I don't think he was dueling when…. It looked more like it was just discarded or abandoned or… something."

"Something," Ryo repeats absently, mind darting across the unspoken possibilities that single word holds. So many possibilities and none of them good.

"At least… at least this means we're close. Right?"

Ryo simply gets to his feet, snapping, "Get some sleep," even as he stalks over to where his suitcase is resting and snaps it open, setting the duel disc inside.

"What?"

"I said, get some sleep, Phoenix. I'll be waking you in two… no, an hour and a half. Although, first, show me where you found this."

Edo simply nods, knowing better than to argue this time.