I've always had a particular understanding of Ryo's relationship with Yami Bakura, and it's never been all that flattering. I guess I decided, at one point or another, that this AU was the perfect place to play around with a new idea.

After all, what's the point of an AU if you don't shake things up just for the sake of it?

We're all playing with toys in a sandbox, after all.

It's only right to be fast and loose with the rules sometimes.

.

Alone in his cabin, huddled on the tiny bunk, staring out at the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, Ryo Bakura spoke to his own shadow: "Why did you do that? Weren't you the one saying we needed to stay quiet and not 'rock the boat' until we're closer to the finish line? What possible reason could you have had to go and antagonize the entire ship?"

Ryo's shadow laughed. Come now, my lord. You surely aren't angry with me right now.

"I'm not? That was catastrophically stupid! And you used my body to do it!"

Fine, fine, I'll explain myself. If you took the combined wealth of everyone else on this floating prison and tripled it, you still wouldn't be within a stone's throw of what the Kaibas bring home in a month. Having a family like that indebted to us, fond of us, can only ever be a benefit. You can't lie to me, you know. I know you've thought about that.

"I'm not proud of how often I've thought about it," Ryo grumbled. He turned away from the water and watched the creature that only he could see. He put his hands on the golden ring hanging around his neck, like he thought he could strangle someone by proxy. "Look. I know you want these artifacts, and I . . . I agree that you deserve to have them. I really do. I'm not backing out on my promise to help you put your people to rest. But can you please stop hijacking my body to take advantage of my friends?"

Ryo's shadow lifted its hands, placating, while Ryo remained still. I read you. Loud and clear, my lord. Loud and clear. I know you know, however, that we made that boy's night. We, you and I, saved this whole trip. We broke the tension for him. The floodgates are open, and they'll be playing cards until daybreak. Sure, sure, you can argue that my motives were impure. But the end result is this: a little boy got to play games with a bunch of new friends. Is that not a net positive? What you call a win-win?

Ryo's eyes narrowed to slits, suspiciously, before he eventually heaved a sigh. "I'm sure Seto-kun is grateful. I'm sure Mokuba-kun is grateful. And . . . yes, fine. Thank you. I don't appreciate your methods, but I do agree that the results are a positive. But . . . but I'm still going to harp on the low profile part. We need to keep out of the line of fire if we're going to have any hope of thwarting Pegasus Crawford. He has the eye, remember? The only way this could be harder is if he had the torque."

You needn't concern yourself with that part, my lord. You won't have to worry about any of their magic. I simply need your . . . cooperation. As always. I've been preparing for this opportunity for thousands of years. I'm ready to face my opposition.

Ryo sighed again, then flopped down onto his bunk and closed his eyes. "I don't mean to imply that I don't trust you on this. I do. But I don't think your mission is going to be as simple, or as straightforward, as you keep saying it will be. They've been separated for millennia, and there are a lot of people dedicated to keeping it that way. You've heard about what happens when the Millennium Items are united, haven't you?"

Some nonsense about treasure and paradise.

"Exactly. Paradise. As in, anyone who's stupid enough to collect them all isn't long for the world. The magic will kill them and send them to Heaven. It's a suicide pact with extra steps."

Death has no hold over me, my lord. I'm already dead.

"But I'm not."

Whatever Ryo's shadow was going to say next was cut off by a sharp knock at the cabin door. Ryo didn't have to ask who it was, because he knew that knock. It could only belong to one man. He called out an invitation, and Mokuba Kaiba stepped inside.

"I hoped you would still be awake," Mokuba said.

"The day I fall asleep before midnight is the day I die," Ryo said simply.

Mokuba smirked as he took in the sight of Ryo's cabin. He cleared his throat. "I just, um . . . I wanted to thank you for what you did back there." He made himself look Ryo in the eye. "It's been a long time since I've seen my brother smile so much. It means a lot."

Ryo chose his next words carefully: "I'm glad he was able to enjoy his favorite game tonight."

Lying to Mokuba Kaiba felt blasphemous; more to the point, Ryo was reasonably sure it was the last mistake he would ever make. While he trusted his shadow to protect him—he honestly did—there was something deep, something primal, about the certainty that lived in his heart: Mokuba Kaiba would kill God just for the chance at someone who wronged him.

"It's not just that," Mokuba said. "He's so passionate, and nobody ever matches his energy. It's like they can't."

"I mean," Ryo said, "to be fair, I don't think I did, either."

Mokuba shook his head. "You did," he said. "You absolutely did. Seto thinks of a Magic & Wizards match like a battle in a war. He comes to every table like he's taking the field, and you're the first person I've ever seen who took the field with him. Maybe it doesn't seem like much, but . . . it is. It really is. He'll remember tonight for the rest of his life."

"If I didn't know better, I'd accuse you of trying to butter me up for something."

Mokuba laughed. "No, no, nothing like that," he said. "I just wanted to make sure I said something. I . . . I want you to know. It feels important to me that you know."

Ryo smiled. "Well, thank you for telling me, Mokuba-kun."

"Thank you," Mokuba said again. "Anyway. It's late. I'll let you sleep. I need to check and make sure Seto's gone to bed, anyway." He offered a little salute as he turned back toward the door. "'Til tomorrow."

"Good night," Ryo said, waving.

When Mokuba was gone, Ryo very pointedly avoided looking at his shadow.

I told you, my lord. Win-win. Ryo grunted, turned his back, and pretended to sleep. Oh, come now. Don't pout. Just because I'm on a crusade for blood and justice doesn't mean I don't have your best interests at heart. What happens once I'm gone? You'll need someone to look after you.

"I didn't lose my entire family, you know."

Of course, of course. Your father dotes on you.

"Shut up."

All right. All right. I'll leave it be. Handle this situation however you see fit. I am only a passenger, after all. But one of these days, you're going to have to admit to yourself that I really am trying to help you. I really do appreciate your help, and I'm going to repay that debt however I can. For as long as I can.

Ryo didn't answer.

He knew that, if he looked back now, his shadow would be just as motionless as it usually was.

He sighed.

". . . I know that," he said.