Well this was rather annoying to write. I had to continuously rewrite a certain bloody scene. It was a nightmare! XD But thanks to my new i-pod the music gave me some ideas for the chapter. Plus all the people who have review and added me as fav author or faved my story thank you, I do it for you:D

Anyway I finished it before I was actually going to, the Yugi bit was longer than what I had first thought it would be, so I cut back on out precious Atemu just for now. But they will both be few parts in the rest of the chapters. I just wanted to wrap up the Yugi part. I really should have put it in with the prologue. But I hadn't thought of it yet :P

Anyway I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or any characters. This is yaoi so if you don't like that kind of stuff this isn't for you.


Yugi did the only thing he could do – and that was run. Branches from the passing trees grabbed for him, but he was able to get himself away from their grasp. One final tree made a grab for him and caught his cheek.

He flinched at the small tingling pain; he reached up unconsciously to touch his wound, a small trickling of blood stained his fingers a deep colour of scarlet. He decided to ignore it.

His body ached from head to toe – his body screamed at him to stop, he had never ran this far before in his life. Not that he could remember much of his earlier years, but if it had felt like anything he was feeling now he knew he would remember. His muscles had never been worked so hard before, if this had been any normal situation he knew he wouldn't have been able to make it this far – but this wasn't a normal situation.

This was a race for survival, not long after he had first fled from his home in terror he had heard the distinct voices of the other boys he lived with. He should have known Rin wouldn't give up without a fight.

He wondered if they had given up by now, he could no longer hear the voices, but that still didn't mean he was out of danger just yet.

He slowed down dramatically, much to his annoyance. He knew it wouldn't be long until he would have to stop, and possibly admit defeat to his pursuers, his legs felt like they were on fire; they burned with every step he forced himself to make.

Yugi had ran into the forest not long ago and the trees were finally not too far clumped together for him to run in, but that only made the task at hand slightly easier, but he couldn't go much further without collapsing due to the sheer amount of agony he was facing.

Finally his legs buckled beneath him causing him to fall face down into the dirty forest floor, Yugi bit his lip from crying out in pain, he wasn't safe yet and he knew it. Making too much noise could put him in even more danger.

Slowly but surely he started to crawl along the forest floor to rest beside a rather old and large oak tree, he leaned his back against it and a sob forced its way through his lips. His hand clutched his mouth in order to try to control himself, but he could not stop the tears streaming down his face.

He began to wonder if he should just turn back, what was the worse Rin could do? She could kill him, but was death really that bad? It would end all of his suffering, and then he would be able to experience true bliss. Maybe death would have to be the price for him to have his happy ever after.

But was he willing to pay that price?

He shook his head slowly, how could he give up now? He had made it this far. There was no turning back now. He had to be strong.

But that was easier said than done.

He gasped as a salty tear fell into his open cut, he quickly tried to rub the rest of the tears away before they also hit his cut but he was unsuccessful, as for every tear that fell into the cut a dozen tears replaced it.

Finally he let go, his sobs shaking his tiny frame. He no longer tried to hold back his tears. For he was not only crying for the situation he was in now but he was crying for all his forgotten memories, the loved ones he left behind, for every beating he and to endure, for every sexual encounter he was forced to go through with – he let all the tears he had been holding back for years flow freely.

Yugi held his knees close to his stomach, as almost if he was trying to find some comfort from them, as he rapped his arms around his knees he pretended his faceless protector he had dreamt up when he was just a young child was holding him, keeping him safe, and he took comfort in that thought. When he imagined he was with his faceless protector he felt like he wasn't alone in his dark and dangerous world, now that he was older he knew that their would never be a faceless protector in this world – but nevertheless he still found comfort in them.

Yugi didn't care if anyone heard his sobs at that point, he was beyond all caring.

He did not notice the pair of eyes that where watching him from the darkness.

"…Yu-chan…" Ryou whispered to himself, he quickly hid behind the tree again, hiding himself from Yugi. He bit his lip harshly, what was he to do? Gradually he found his knees buckling underneath him and he slid his way to the forest floor.

He held his head in his hands, holding back a groan in frustration. He couldn't take Yugi back, how could he do it to his friend? He hadn't realised just how it would be, he hadn't expected to see Yugi like that. Somehow he had imagined a cocky Yugi, maybe even angry. Not a frail, defenceless Yugi.

If he went through with it he would never he able to forgive himself, but he knew Yugi would.

Kind-hearted Yugi would have forgiven him no matter what he chose to do now, he'd still care about him, he'd understand.

He closed his eyes and just sat listening to the sound of Yugi - it sounded so helpless, so lost, so alone, Yugi sounded so vulnerable. Ryou had wanted nothing more in his life but to put his arms around his friend – his best friend, and whisper words of comfort, but he couldn't quite do it.

Tears threatened to fall from his dark hazel eyes as he listened to the sound of Yugi's pain getting fainter and fainter, a hint a heated thought passed through his mind, why did Yugi leave without saying goodbye? Didn't he care about us anymore?

He sighed to himself, what was he thinking? Only a few meters away Yugi was sitting on the ground crying. What a heartless idiot he was, it wasn't always about him.

But Yugi wasn't gone yet, he was only a few meters away, he knew he had to say goodbye. He wouldn't be able to move on with his life.

Finally he picked up the courage to speak, his voice fainter than he had meant, it was barely more than a whisper "Yu-chan…"

Yugi lifted up his head and looked around him, his eyes searching franticly to find the owner of the voice, were they going to make him go back? Why did he have to stop? Why was he always so stupid?

"Yu-chan, it's me, Ryou."

Yugi's amethyst eyes opened wide in surprise, he was unable to hide his short lived excitement in his voice, "Ryou! Is it really you?" He paused for a moment, realising the situation again. "You were sent to find me, weren't you?"

Ryou decided not to answer at first before nodding his head slighting, "Yes, Rin sent me and a few other boys to find you,"

Yugi's shoulders slopped down, "You want me to go back don't you?"

"Yes."

"Ryou, I can't" Yugi whispered, suddenly beginning to feel the sharp bites on his nose from the cold uncaring wind.

"I know,"

"You know?" Yugi asked in confusion, he had expected Ryou to put up for of a fight, even though he had never been the most argumentative, he was always calm and reserved.

"I won't lie to you, Yu-chan; I want you home…" He inhaled deeply, trying to control his increasingly shaky voice; he leaned his head on the tree and looked up towards the top of the trees, noticing the green foliage swaying gently in the wind. "Yu-chan, I-I"

"Ryou…"

"Please, Yu-chan let me finish." Yugi waited patiently for him to continue, "Yu-chan I-I was planning on bringing you home if or when I found you - but after seeing you so broken, so distraught…" His voice trailed off, not knowing the words to continue with.

Yugi usually would have been embarrassed to let anyone see him in such a state he was in earlier before he had known of Ryou's present, but this was Ryou, the only person he could truly count on. He didn't care if he had seen him.

After what seemed like an hour of silence Yugi decided to make himself heard, "Ryou, you don't have to explain yourself, I'm the one who should have to answer for putting you through all of this."

Yugi was beginning to regret his impulsive decision to flee. At the time he was only thinking about himself, now Ryou was here he had time to think about the ones he left behind. Well the ones he cared about anyway, he hadn't been particularly popular with the rest of the boys, but Ryou was always there. Likewise Ryou's older brother Bakura, but Yugi wasn't quite as close to him compared to Ryou.

All three of them had always been there for each other, no matter what. They would stand up for one another when they were being picked on or abused, they were there to comfort each other in their times of need.

And how does he repay them? He abandons them.

"I'm sorry, Ryou."

The tears from Ryou's eyes slowly started to drip down from his face unto his clenched hands. "I-I can't lie and say I want you to go, but you where meant to lead a better life, this is my path, you just tangled along the way, a-and – and-" His got voice caught in his throat, he tried again, "and I-I bear to see you in such pain everyday."

"We were all in pain, Ryou. You, me, even Bakura. Just because he didn't show his pain it didn't mean he didn't feel it."

Ryou shook his head, "But, Yu-chan we were able to continue with the way things were going, Yu-chan you had lost all hope."

Yugi didn't reply, he didn't know how to.

Ryou lowered his eyes to stare at his hands, "You… you wanted to die didn't you?" When he was met with silence he wasn't sure if he had said the right thing. "I'm sorry I didn't mean-"

"That's right, Ryou. I wanted to die." Yugi didn't dare to say anything more, not trusting his voice to be able to withstand his emotions.

"You or Bakura dying would be the worst thing that could ever happen. I don't care what they do to me – just as long as you are both okay." He paused before adding, "You both mean the world to me."

Yugi couldn't help but smile, "You and Bakura mean the world to me too. I'm sorry things have turned out like this. This wasn't what I wanted."

"I understand."

As they yet again sat in silence a thought entered Yugi's head, before he had a chance to properly think about it he had blurted out his thoughts.

"Why don't you come with me, Ryou?"

Ryou's brown eyes opened in shock, considering his answer until finally he realised what the answer had to be.

"I can't Yu-chan…"

"But why! You deserve better!" Yugi demanded, eyes swelling in his amethyst eyes, "I don't want to leave you!"

Tears continued to fall down Ryou's face, "I can't leave, I'm all Bakura has… and it's far too dangerous to go back to run away with Bakura. He would never do it."

Yugi rubbed his eyes and sighed, "I didn't think of that… Just pretend I never mentioned it."

"Yu-chan, I want to leave with you really I do, I don't want anything more than to just run away with you, but I can't."

Yugi pushed himself up from where he was sitting and walked towards the direction Ryou's voice was coming from, he found him behind the tree. He kneeled down beside Ryou, but Ryou turned his face away."

"You don't have to pretend when your with me, I'm not friends with the person you pretend to be, it's the true you I want to see. Don't try to pretend your fine. Please."

A faint smile appeared on Ryou's face and he turned to face him, "You know Yu-chan I always had a feeling deep inside that someday you were going to leave and ever come home."

Yugi cocked his head to his right when Ryou's words reached his ears, "What do you mean, Ryou?"

"I'm not sure… I-I" He paused, Yugi decided to sit down beside him, smiling at him. Ryou finally relaxed, "Yu-chan, I just knew this wasn't your path. You were meant for better things in this life, and I think you can find happiness away from Rin and everyone else. It was just a feeling I always had."

"You know, Ryou I always had a feeling all three of us can find happiness away from Rin and the others, don't give up hope. For one day you and Bakura will lead a normal and happy life."

"I sure hope so, I really do."

"I know so."

The two friends smiled at each other, both realising to enjoy the moment while it lasted, as soon they would have to say goodbye and continue down on their journeys, but for now they tried not to think of it.

For a few minutes they just sat their enjoying each other's company, either them wanted to spoil the moment by starting the goodbye talk. But they both knew they couldn't hold off any longer, Rin would be expecting Ryou back soon, much too both teenagers disappointment.

Though he did not say it Ryou was silently shocked and even a little jealous of Yugi, only a few hours ago they had lived their 'normal' life, both of them sticking together minding their own business. Yugi never stepped out of line, with Rin or the other boys. Due to Yugi's height and build the older boys had an upper hand on him, and when in dire need of a confidence boost would take their fears and worries out on him. Not that he was secluded from these, he was often beaten up himself, but his older and rather strong brother was always there to save them.

Now Yugi was attacking men and being completely out of character. He only wished he could find the courage to do what Yugi was doing; he would never be able to do it without Bakura. He needed him. Like he also needed Yugi.

But Yugi didn't need him anymore.

And that thought itself was rather upsetting.

"Yu-chan" Ryou said breaking the long silence, causing Yugi to look at him, "I'm going to really miss you."

"I'm going to miss you too, Ryou." Yugi looked around him, shuddering, "It's going to be hard out their on my own. I don't even know where I'm going to go. And you and Bakura won't be there for me when I need you the most…" His voice trailed off when he looked at Ryou; he looked on the brick of tears again. He hadn't wanted to upset Ryou.

Without warning Ryou flung himself at Yugi, grasping him in a tight embrace.

At first Yugi was shocked and not sure what Ryou was doing, but when realisation suddenly dawned on him he clung tightly to him best friend.

"Yu-chan, I can't believe this is the end… I'm scared to lose you," Ryou gasped, tears rolling freely down his face again.

Tears obscured Yugi's sight he shut his amethyst instead, willing for the scene before him to disappear. "Ryou…" He chocked, "It's not the end."

Ryou looked up at him, "W-what do you m-mean?"

"It's not the end of a short friendship; it's only the beginning of a very long one. I promise we will meet again one day soon."

"You shouldn't make promises you can't keep,"

"But I will keep it, one day you and Bakura will meet me, and we'll all be happy and lead normal lives."

"I love you, Yu-chan." He didn't think twice about any it, he didn't care if it sounded cheesy. It was how he felt about his best friend and he wasn't going to leave without knowing it. "I know you will find happiness, don't you stop until you find it."

"I love you too, Ryou, and Bakura. No matter what happens I'll always remember you."

Ryou pulled out of the tight embrace and held himself, "The days I spent with you, Yu-chan were the best days of my life. Don't you ever forget that."

"I wouldn't dare."

"Ryou, there's no need to be scared of losing me, I'll always be with you in your memories, I'll be with you in sprit,"

Finally Ryou said the dreaded word. The word Yugi had hoped would never have to be said.

"Goodbye, Yu-chan"

Yugi whimpered at the sound of that one little word. He never knew it would hurt so much, he didn't want to leave his best friend, and he didn't want to be by himself. What would happen to him?

But that was too late to think about now.

Without giving Yugi the chance to say anything Ryou quickly jumped to his feet, and patted down his clothes, he gazed down at his smaller companion for a few moments as if he was trying to imprint a picture of him in his mind, after these few moments without another word he forced himself to tear his gaze away and walked away. It was the hardest thing he had ever done in his whole sixteen years of life.

He wanted to stay but he couldn't

He wanted to take Yugi home but he couldn't.

He was powerless.

"Thank you, Ryou," Yugi called after him, tears freely running down his face, stopping himself from running after him, it too all of his will power to hold his feet on the spot. "Thank you for everything!"

"I'll never forget you Yu-chan…" He whispered and finally disappeared into the darkness.

Ryou never turned back once.

Yugi watched him leave, his emotions spinning like a tornado inside of him, but this time he felt different.

He was dejected that Ryou had left but he couldn't let him down.

"I know you will find happiness, don't you stop until you find it."

He couldn't stop now; he had to keep going until he found happiness. Otherwise everything he had just gone through would have been pointless, and Ryou wasn't pointless. He couldn't have let Ryou go through so much suffering just so he could fail.

He would not fail not matter what.

Now he had the courage to hold on and keep moving.

And for the first time he felt like there was hope out there for him.

A better life awaited him somewhere. A better life awaited Ryou and Bakura, but their chance had not come for them yet. It was his chance right now.

And he wasn't going to let the chance fly by.

---

The sun finally rose at eight forty five, its bright light shining through Atemu's dull grey translucent curtains. His alarm clock suddenly began to beep quietly and slowly, causing the sleeping Atemu to stir, but did not wake him up. He merely rolled over to his side facing away from the nosy object.

His room was painted a dark scarlet red, but other than a drawer and a broken television hidden in the corner by a creamy sheet, there wasn't much in his bedroom and would suggest anything about his personality.

But at the edge of his drawer four pictures stood together. Two of the pictures were of his mother, one of him with his mother and finally one of him in a group picture with five other people – Anzu, Jou, Honda, Malik, and Marik.

The alarm suddenly started beeping louder and more frequently, finally waking Atemu from his deep sleep. He groaned in annoyance and lazily hit the alarm clock, accidentally knocking it off the drawer.

There goes another one; he thought to himself, muttering inaudibility under his breath.

Atemu was eighteen years old, the oldest of his peers - although Jou was also eighteen he was also a few months younger than him, the others were all seventeen, Anzu the oldest out of that age group.

He picked up the clock and checked to see if he was broken in anyway, he smiled when he realised it hadn't broken this time. Out of the corner of his eye the photographs caught his attention.

He stumbled over to the photographs carefully picking up the framed picture of his mother and himself, it had only been taken less than two months ago before he moved out, something for him to look at when he was feeling down, although he would never tell anyone that was the reason he kept it.

Atemu was handsome by anyone standards, his body was slender but the hint of muscles that rippled through his clothes could be seen – but that wasn't what made him stand out. It was his eyes, a seductively commanding shade of crimson.

Many a girl had fallen for him, he had the most attractive to choose from yet he never did chose anyone. No one was ever managed to catch his attention in a sexual way, he actually found them to be quite boring.

For there was nothing behind their pretty faces, the only way they would be able to make a living would to become whores. Atemu was interested in those kinds of girls. Yet that did not discourage them from trying, it had become so what of a game to them. Who would be the first to have Atemu fall for them.

He set his photograph back down and ran his fingers through his untamed bed hair, it happened to be tri-coloured. He was sure why exactly, his mother had blonde hair and his father had black hair from what he could remember.

Atemu jumped when a voice spoke from behind him, startling him.

"Well, well Atemu don't we look find this morning?" Jou smirked leaning against the door with his arms folded tightly across his chest.

Atemu stretched sluggishly, "Not everyone can look as perfect as you after that party of yours Jou, and anyway I'm just not a morning person."

Jou chuckled, straightening his jacket, "Some people have just got it, and others just don't." Suddenly a sly grin appeared on his face, "But Atemu are we forgetting that you were the one with all the little admirers trying to get into your pants? If I were you I would be very happy this morning."

Atemu groaned at the though, rubbing his forehead, "You'd think that, Emi would give up after a while, how many times does it take for a girl to get turned down before they give up. I don't think I'll be able to keep letting her down gently if she continues."

"Yeah you show her whose boss!" He thought to himself for a moment before continuing, "But you gotta admit she is quite a stunner, she is a bitch yes – but a stunning bitch, you're quite lucking."

Atemu rolled his eyes, deciding not to dignify his comment with an answer.

"Oh yea, I almost forgot, you have to be ready in about twenty minutes, we are going to be picking up Honda and Anzu,"

"How come?"

"We planned a day out is all; I think Marik and Malik are finding their one way there."

"It was nice of you to tell me, I won't even have time for a drink of coffee." Atemu irritation was clear in his voice; he didn't even bother to hide it.

"Well I'll let you get dressed then," He turned around to leave but stopped and looked back at him, "Please, if you do anything this morning, fix that hair of yours!"

"I'll do my best," Jou laughed and left Atemu alone to get ready.

Atemu rubbed his hands together, and glanced back at his pictures.

He had a feeling deep in his stomach that something was going to happen today, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

He decided it must have been down to the alcohol from last night.

Little did he know was that today would change his and his friends lives.

Forever.

---

Yugi had wandered into a park; he had been walking for hours on end. He barely realised that sun had risen; either that or he simply didn't care.

How he had managed to find a park was beyond him, he wasn't sure where he even was, he couldn't ever remember being here.

His mind had become rather 'slow' due to his slack of sleep so it didn't take him very long to find a lone tree near the exit of the park were he collapsed beside, using it's large foliage to shade him from the burning sun.

He wanted to forget everything, but his mind refused to allow him to let go.

But it didn't take him long to fall into a deep and dreamless sleep.


Thanks for everyone who was so patient and has taken the time to read my story I hope you enjoyed.

Also a special thanks to –

Shamise, Animehunter08, girloffire, StupefiedNarutard and Alex Fisher for commenting. I love to hear about what you think.

Also thanks you for anyone who favourite me or my story!

(I would write their names but I clear out my e-mails a lot. :P)

Hope you enjoyed!

-Heather