Author's Note: Well, while you guys are waiting for chapter 10 of The Animatronic Demon King, I decided to write a little something. Just be warned, though, this story contains very heavy material, and should not be viewed by anyone who cannot handle themes of death or suicide, or who don't like reading angsty fics. The subject of this story is not to be taken lightly, and was not written in a way that was meant to look down upon said subjects. For the rest of you, proceed and enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Kyo Kara Maoh, nor do I own Aokigahara Forest. I merely own the plot.

What is the meaning of life? Why do we live? The answer may vary, depending on who you ask. I used to believe that there was always a reason for being alive, and that God lets us wake up each morning for a reason. I'm starting to wish that I didn't.

I used to believe that life was what you made it. Now, however, I question that. How can we shape our lives when we're constantly stuck in a never-ending loop of the same tedious tasks, over and over again? How can we change when we're told that we can't? How can we live when we're being controlled like a puppet? Every little thing we do is not of our own will, but of theirs. I want it to stop. Please.

I wasn't ready to take on those responsibilities. I was still no more than a child, yet I was cruelly shoved into a whole different world, forced to take on a role that I had no say in taking. Why? They depend on me, and they demand so much of me. They're always asking me to be something that I am not. I just… cannot do it anymore. This has to end.

I made a decision today. Not a small decision, like what to eat for breakfast, or what to say to my friends, but something that would change my entire life. Something that would end it all, like I'd been waiting so long for. I told them that I was just going camping with some friends. I told them that I'd be back before they knew it. Lies. Every time I think of what I said, it hurts inside, because I know that they care for me, and that by doing this, I'll have given up something so precious. I'll have given up friends and family. It hurts. I can't go back now, though. If I do, this will have meant nothing, and I can't do that. This has to end. I just cannot take the pain any longer…

I didn't bring any tape, because I had already made up my mind. This decision is final. I'm not going back. I will die here. I brought nothing more than a tent, some clothes, a rope, some pain relievers, and a paper and pen. I picked up the paper and began to write.

"I'm sorry that it had to come to this. I just couldn't handle doing this anymore. I'm sorry for lying to you, and I'm sorry for hurting you. I wish that I could take back the things that I said, but I can't. I just wasn't ready for it, and I wasn't happy. Please forgive me for doing this. Goodbye."

I pinned the note to a nearby tree with a piece of tape. Then, I grabbed the bottle. I emptied its contents into my open palm and sighed deeply. 'Well, I guess this is it, then…' I tipped my head back and swallowed the pills, wincing at the sharp pain I felt as they slid down the back of my throat. Then, I turned back to the rope. I pulled it out of the bag I had brought it in and began to knot the end of it. When I was finished, I tightly tied it to the thickest branch of the tree. I stood back and sighed again. 'No going back now. Even if I went back, the pills would slowly kill me, anyways.' I removed my jacket, leaving me in nothing but a thin T-shirt. I took a moment to rub at the faded cuts and scars littering my wrists and arms. I reached up around my neck and untied the pendant hanging there. I stared at it for a moment, silently admiring the blueness of it, before setting it at the base of the tree beneath where the note hung. 'I'm sorry, Conrad…' I will admit that I'd harbored feeling for the brunette soldier for some time, but it was always unrequited, and he never knew of these dark emotions swirling around in my chest like poison. It's not as though it mattered now, though. 'He wouldn't have ever accepted me...loved me. At least, not in the way I love him.'

I slipped out of my shoes, placing them neatly before the tree next to my folded jacket. I was always told that even in death, you should always be polite and clean up beforehand. Taking your shoes off before doing it is a sign of 'stepping out of the world, and into another'. Let's hope that the next life will be more kinder to me.

'It's time. I need to get this over with before I lose the will.' I took a deep breath and took a step forward, gripping the noose. I slipped my head into it, so that the rope pressed tightly against the sensitive skin of my neck. 'One… Two…' Before I could back out, I stepped off of the incline of the tree, leaving me hanging by my throat. I instinctively gasped for air, my hands digging at the flesh around my neck, before willing myself to go limp. I waited as the light of life led to the darkness of the afterlife. At first, all I felt was the pressure in my throat, but the pain soon gave way to euphoria, the darkness turning into a brilliant paradise. At last, I was free. No longer will I be weighed down by the pains and stresses of life, as now, my heart and soul reside in a better place. Surely, right?

Author's Note: While I was writing this (which only took about an hour, surprisingly), I felt that the ending was too depressing. Besides, if this was truly the end, then it would make Yuuri very OOC, right? So, what I'll do is I'll make one more chapter for this, only it will pick up from a specific part, and will have a different ending. I'm sure that the second ending will be more satisfying, not only for you to read, but for me to write. Please let me know what you guys think. Was it too dark (probably)? Do you want me to make the 'happier' ending? Anyways, I'll see you guys later! Thanks for reading.