Chapter 4: The Third World

Yukiteru woke up, he opened his eyes and then closed them again. It was very bright. Well, it was to be expected since neither he nor Yuno had planned to wake up early. Personally, he'd just wanted to spend the night with her.

"Good morning, Yukki!"

He looked over to Yuno. "How long have you been awake?"

She smiled, "Only for a few minutes. I was watching you Yukki, you're so cute when you sleep."

His cheeks blushed in embarrassment. "Well, we should get dressed Yuno." He quickly looked over Yuno's entire body. "Otherwise, I won't be able to control myself."

They were still naked after falling asleep that way; neither of them had wanted to separate during the night. In fact, they were still holding each other.

"I feel the same way, Yukki." She moved her hand over his chest, feeling his heart beat and traced a line with her finger. Then she moved off and put on a bathrobe.

Yuki did the same and they both went to get ready for the day.

"Why am I the only one doing any work around here?!" the second-world Murmur yelled as she frantically pressed buttons and looked at screens.

The third-world Murmur was busy as well in a makeshift kitchen. "What are you talking about, I'm preparing our lunch! That's work!"

"Fine, but where's first-world Murmur?"

"I think she's watching Yuno and Yukki."

"That lazy girl! Tell her to get her butt over here! It's bad enough that those two left us here to do all their work for them; we can't have anyone slacking!"

The third world's Murmur put some dough in the oven. "I'll go look for her while this cooks."

"Hurry!"

"Alright, alright." She started flying around the Cathedral looking for the first world's Murmur. "MURMUR! MURMUR! Where are you? First world Murmur, where are you?!"

She went to the Akashic Records and found first-world Murmur in the sphere that had been her prison. As expected, she was watching Yuno and Yuki. It looked like the couple were in some kind of park.

"Murmur! Get out of there and help us do some work running the world!"

The first world's Murmur jumped from shock and quickly waved the screen away. "Oh, sorry. I was just, uh, uh-

"I saw what you were watching! Now come with me to help second world Murmur."

They quickly returned to the Cathedral, the second world's Murmur was still there, working diligently. She noticed them arrive, "Quickly Murmur! Help me out here."

Both other Murmurs replied at the same time. "Which one?"

"Both of you! Either! Whatever, just help me!"

The first world's Murmur went over to help the second world's Murmur. While third-world Murmur started cooking something else.

After a while, third-world Murmur spoke up. "You know; I've been thinking about the problem we have with identifying each other by name. I mean, we're all Murmur. So how about we change our names a bit? I'll be Murmur Three while you" she pointed at first-world Murmur "will be Murmur One, and you" she pointed at second-world Murmur "will be Murmur Two."

Murmur One replied, a bit distractedly, "Sure, sounds like a great idea."

"Mhm, yeah." said Murmur Two, also not paying full attention.

"And the issue is solved!" said Murmur Three and she proudly continued her cooking.

Murmur One discreetly shrunk one of the screens until she could easily hide it to her side. It was showing Yuno and Yuki enjoying a picnic in the Sun. Murmur One couldn't understand why she was so mesmerized by the relationship, yes she was glad that Yuno was happy and had reunited with Yukiteru, but that didn't explain her fascination. It scared her, it was like an addiction at this point.

"Are you slacking off over there?" Murmur Two asked, annoyed.

"No, no, not at all!" Murmur One quickly picked up the pace, forced to pay less attention to the much more important screen at her side.

"That was a wonderful trip Yukki." Yuno was laying her head on Yukki's shoulder. They were in another train, heading back to Sakurami City.

"Yeah it was, Yuno. I've wanted to do that with you for so long."

She smiled at him, "Do you mean seeing the stars together or the sex?"

"Yuno! You know what I meant!" Yuki thought for a little bit. "Well, I guess both."

She moved her head off his shoulder and stared down at the ground, suddenly ashamed. "If I hadn't ruined it the last time, we could have seen the stars together a lot earlier."

While what she said was true, Yuki did love her and so he tried to comfort her. "It's alright, Yuno. I forgive you."

"Really, Yukki?" She said hopefully. "I understand now that what I did was wrong, but-

"Yes, Yuno. I just want you to tell me something," Yuki took a deep breath and stared intensely at her. "Why did you do it? I still don't understand, everything was going well."

"I had to protect you, Yukki, and I wasn't completely sane. It's a bit confusing to remember." Her face showed the effort she was making. "There were times when I made myself forget in order to ease the pain. But I do remember this, I felt like we were surrounded and everyone was out to get us. The Fourth had betrayed us and nearly killed us both, and we didn't know who three out of the other five diary owners were or their abilities."

She started to tear up. "You'd said that you loved me, and the Fourth came too close to killing us. I was so scared, Yukki! I thought that you were taking too many risks, the Fourth had been pointing a gun at you when I shot him! I felt like I had to restrain you to protect you."

"Yuno . . . I had no idea. Why didn't you just talk to me about it?"

"You were so happy during our last trip. I didn't want to make you worry too. And I thought you hated me when you were free." She put her hand over her left cheek, "You slapped me and left me behind."

Yuki kissed her. "I didn't hate you. Yes, I was angry, but I still loved you even then. But it did put a huge strain on our relationship. I was frightened of you after that. I'd had no idea what you were capable of, I couldn't trust you." He held her hands. "But it's different now. I know I can trust you, there aren't any more secrets between us."

"Oh, Yukki." She hugged him tightly. "Thank you."

Yuki hugged her back. "Yuno, I'd like your help with something."

"Anything, Yukki! What is it?"

"I want to see my parents again, talk to them for a little bit." Now he was the one crying. "I never told them how much I love them."

"It's okay, Yukki. Now you can." She wiped away his tears. "I already have an idea."

"There they are, Yukki." She pointed at Yuki's family. In order to hide, Yuno and Yuki were on the roof of a building on the other side of the street from them.

He saw them as tears rolled down his cheeks. "Mom and Dad. Still alive. I wish I could talk to them."

"Remember, Yukki, you have to wait until tonight. After all, it wouldn't be good if you just walked up to your third world self."

"I know." After they approached more closely, he realized who the fourth person with them was. "Wait, is that Wakaba-san?" He noticed that she was holding hands with the third world Yukiteru. "Is the third-world me dating her?"

"Apparently, Yukki." Honestly, the sight bothered her. What's with that girl?! I thought she rejected his love letter! She looked over to the Yukki at her side. It doesn't matter. I have my own Yukki right here!

"Well, that's good."

"What do you mean, Yukki?" Did he actually still like that girl? No, that can't be it. He's already proven that he loves me, I shouldn't doubt that. But if that's true, then, why is he smiling?

"If he hadn't been going out with her, he might have taken you for himself."

She sighed in relief, of course he still loved her! "He looks very happy with her." Yuno tried to keep as much emotion as she could out of her voice, but didn't succeed. It was obvious how upset she was.

"What's wrong, Yuno?"

She hesitated before asking him. "Would you have been happier with her instead of with me?" Yuno wasn't sure whether she wanted the answer to that question.

Yukki answered quickly, "No! Of course not! I'm much happier with you than I'd ever be with her. Besides, it wouldn't have worked out with her in the previous world."

"It might have if I hadn't interfered."

"What do you mean?" he asked.

Reluctantly, Yuno started to confess her antics. "Well, remember when you were planning to hand her your love letter?"

"Yes. Wait . . . Oh my God, you were that bunny!"

"Please don't be mad Yukki!" she begged.

"Hahahahaha!"

He held his sides and continued laughing, this certainly wasn't the reaction Yuno had been expecting.

Between laughs he managed to speak a few words. "Of course- It should have been obvious- You were- And that time at the-You are one hell of a stalker!" He stopped laughing. "Well, that's water under the bridge now. She rejected me anyway, so I don't think you would have needed to do anything."

"That isn't true. I didn't interfere in this world, and she ended up by your side."

"Not my side, Yuno. His side." He pointed across the street. "The side of the Yukiteru of the third world, not me. Although, I'm confused by how he managed it. Maybe Dad gave him some advice, since they were still a family."

Yuno didn't want to talk about this anymore. "Well, let's go prepare for tonight."

They went to the Cathedral of Causality and made preparations. They were amused by the naming system that the Murmurs had come up with.

Nighttime seemed to arrive quickly. Yuno watched over Yukki as he went to sleep. Right now, he'd find his parents and say what he wanted to them while they dreamt. This way, no confusion would arise between the third world Yukki and his parents on the conversation, as Yukki's parents would believe that it was just a dream. Yukki wasn't really asleep, per se, he was faintly aware of his surroundings and what he was doing, but it was the closest word for his current state.

She watched over him, then realized that she had something important to do. She left the Cathedral, it shouldn't take her too long.

"Mom?" He quickly imagined the living room of his house. Making it a familiar place would be best. He also made the image fuzzy and unclear, to give her the feeling of being in a dream.

"Yuki-kun? What in the world are you wearing?"

Yukiteru was wearing his black cloak, he quickly changed them to the normal clothes he used to wear.

"What do you mean, Mom?"

Her eyes widened. "How did you do that?"

He was about to answer, but instead he remembered what exactly he was doing and ignored her question. I have to make this as dream-like an experience as possible. Although they were in a dream, they were both in their normal, conscious mindsets. He didn't want to talk to her when she'd blindly accept whatever bizarre thing happened, he wanted a genuine reaction.

He flew over to her and hugged her. "I love you, Mom. I'm so sorry that I didn't say it often enough. I'm so grateful for you taking care of me."

Unsure how to react, Amano Rea did what she thought a mother should after hearing her son say that. "I love you too, Yukiteru. Don't be upset, you say it plenty."

He started crying. "Thank you. I'm so sorry for . . . for everything." He hadn't been able to protect her in the second world, and he'd selfishly killed others in a vain attempt to bring her back to life. He knew she'd be appalled by the things he'd done, and he couldn't bring himself to confess to her. Not even through her dreams.

"Sweet dreams, Mom."

He left and made his way to his Dad. His father had killed Mom, but he had been prepared to repent for his sins. On his way, Yukiteru realized something: he'd never be able to talk to his actual parents and tell them what he wanted to say. They were long dead. The woman he'd just spoken to wasn't the mother he'd known, she was the mother of this world's Yukiteru, not him.

Even so, he still had to do this, and the short conversation with his mother made him feel much better and reduce the immense guilt he still felt.

He'd arrived, this time he chose the temple where his father had died. Again, giving it a dream-like atmosphere. "Dad."

"Yukiteru-kun?"

Yuki loved his father, and he told him that. Yet, as they spoke, he noticed how different the man in front of him was from the father he knew. The underlying nervousness was gone, he'd probably settled his debt in this world, or maybe he'd avoided it altogether. It was amazing how different the third world was, he'd have to ask Yuno about it eventually.

"We should exercise more often, Dad."

Amano Kurou was a bit surprised by this request. "Alright, Yuki. I'll be sure to remember that."

"I love you, Dad." On that note, he left. He was sure that this way, his third-world self would spend more time with his father and appreciate him more.

He awoke in the Cathedral, with Yuno at his side. From a nearby clock he saw that he'd been gone for only few minutes.

"Well Yukki? How did it go?"

He got up and smiled, "I'm glad I was able to talk to them." His smile quickly faded and he continued to speak, "But they weren't my parents, I could tell, they were different." He sadly recalled that his true parents were long dead. "I don't think there'd be any point in seeing them again. I can't really say what I need to, besides, they need to take care of their own Yukiteru."

Yuno hugged him, doing her best to ease Yukki's sorrow. "It'll be okay, Yukki. I'm here for you." But an alarming thought appeared in the back of her mind. But I'm not the Yuno he wants. The Yuno he wants is dead.

A bit of a depressing note to leave on, but what kind of story only has happiness and joy? Boring ones. So, this is what you'll get if you don't want a boring story.

Also, while I am very grateful for the reviews I have. I can't do much with them. The reviews are where you guys can leave your input on the story; if there's anything you don't like or think I can improve upon, that's where you'll tell me.

The next chapter will be out sometime this week. I'm a bit busy so my original goal of a chapter every 3 days isn't going to work anymore. Also, each chapter has been getting longer.

Anyway, leave a review. Favorite & Follow if you enjoyed.

Bye!