AN: And now our journey ends with the same disclaimer. Moving on...ks

Why?

Thunder rumbled a moment before another lightning bolt streaked across the midnight sky. Rain fell heavily onto the empty streets. A deep puddle was tinted pink when bare feet trudged through it. Blood mingled with rain and dripped from the girl's dark bangs as she pulled the soaked trench coat closer to her numb body. Confusion swirled in dark blue depths. "What happened to me?"

She rubbed her temples wearily. "Everything is a blur. How did I get here?"

Pain shot through her head as she tried to focus on her unsteady hands. She blinked when she saw the crimson that stained them. Pinkish water blurred her vision, but she couldn't tell if they were tears or rain. 'What does it matter? Why can't I remember?' Akira shook her head then continued to walk through the storm. 'Seto, where are you?' Tears joined the rain and blood on her face. 'Please find me, brother.' Her hand brushed away the tears angrily then she looked up to see a light in an upper story window.

"Someone's still up, maybe they'll help me." Akira muttered as she stumbled to the dark door then pounded on it with what remained of her strength. When several minutes passed without an answer, she slumped against the door in defeat. 'Alone…all alone…to die alone.'

Arms caught the barely conscious girl and a startled gasp caused blue eyes to slowly reopen. "Akira, where have you been?"

"Yugi." She whispered as she struggled to stand, but harsh coughs stole the last of her energy.

"Yugi, let's get her to the couch then you need to call Kaiba." An elderly voice broke through the haze.

Even the blankets didn't help Akira as her teeth chattered against the cold that had begun to reach her. A cool hand touched her fevered brow and the old man sighed. "It's no wonder you're sick, young lady, with being in a storm dressed as you are and without shoes."

Clouded blue eyes studied the still bright purple eyes before they closed again. "Seto. Mokie."

Yugi returned with concern in his violet eyes. "Kaiba is on his way, though I tried to tell him it wasn't safe because of the storm."

"Hmmmph. I'm not surprised with how important his siblings are to him."

"Yes, Grandpa, and Akira has been gone for almost a month. I wonder what happened to her, but I have a feeling Joey knows something."

"Hn. He does seem to be closer to Kaiba since this whole thing started."

Yugi nodded, "Ever since she first came to Domino City as Aki. They seemed to have found a bond with each other through her."

A wild-eyed Kaiba and a haggard Joey appeared in the doorway. "How is she?"

"She has a fever, Kaiba, and she's barely said a word."

Seto brushed back wet brown hair to reveal a gash that had went unnoticed. Akira hissed in pain as she opened her eyes to focus on her brother's worried face. She blinked against her tears and a faint smile touched her pale lips. "Seto? Joey?"

"We're here to take you home, Sis." He attempted to smile as he picked up her light form.

Joey read the worry in Seto's eyes and thanked Yugi before they left the game shop. He took the keys from his friend then drove back to the mansion while Seto held his feverish sister close. She muttered in her sleep as her breathing became labored. Seto sighed in relief when the sports car finally stopped, despite several near misses. The doctor met them at the door and forced the two teens into the hallway once she was placed on her bed. When the thunder boomed again, a sleepy Mokuba ran out his room into Seto's arms. The reassurance on his older brother's face did little to calm his fears as they waited to see how this storm would end.

AKAKAK

Dark lashes fluttered then heavy eyelids lifted from glassy eyes. They blinked until she focused on gold and brown hair that mingled on the blanket next to her hand. A soft smile touched her lips as the two former enemies rested their heads against each other in sleep. She touched the softness of their hair and admired the colors together. 'Maybe I should get gold highlights just to see their reaction.' Her chuckle was soft as one of them stirred.

"Akira, you're awake!"

She gasped at the sudden weight that landed on her and the face full of dark hair that tickled her nose. Mokuba buried his face in her neck and sobbed, "I knew you weren't dead! I told them, but they wouldn't believe."

"Of course not. Why would you think that?" Akira asked hoarsely.

"Isono found a dead brunette where Kenji kept you, but her face was burned beyond recognition." Seto explained as he felt her forehead. "Your fever is finally gone."

Her eyes clouded again. "How did you find me, Ni-sama?"

Concern deepened in his eyes. "Don't you remember, Sis? You somehow ended up at Yugi's place."

"I-I'm not sure." She played with her long hair. "The last thing I remember clearly is how I was going to beat Joey in my next move."

"Huh? But you did, Nii-sama, just before the blackout."

Joey winced at the memory. "And man did it hurt! Of course the jolt of electricity that shot through my duel disk and me didn't help matters either."

"Now that's not fair! I miss all the good stuff! Here I beat you and I can't remember it!" Akira pouted, but then grinned. "Guess we just need to have a rematch so I can beat ya again!"

"As if you could beat me again! You just got lucky the first time!" He retorted half-heartedly. "Hey, I thought you weren't competitive."

"Nope, I said I don't compete. There is a difference." Akira laughed then stopped at the odd expressions on the boys' faces. "What?"

"That was the first time you laughed in so long." Mokuba breathed happily. "I mean, it actually reached your eyes that time and they even sparkled!"

"Yeah, they're like the ocean when the sun shines on it and makes the distant waves sparkle." Red tinted the blonde's cheeks when Seto suddenly laughed.

He wiped a tear from his eyes when he gained control. "You were so mesmerized, Joey, you almost drooled! Just like a dog does when it begs!"

"Hey, I thought you were done the dog jokes, Seto!" Joey pouted then scratched his head. "Seriously, Akira, it's nice ta see you smile for real plus it's great to have ya back. I…er…we missed ya."

Tears sparkled in her eyes when she launched herself from the bed to throw her arms around him. Her soft whisper was heavy with emotion. "That means more to me than you'll ever know."

"Friends don't give up on each other no matter how dark the circumstance." He said as he wiped away her tears.

"I still say that you've been around Gardner too much, Joey." Seto smirked then pulled Akira into his arms. "You shouldn't be up so soon, Sis. Your fever was quite high and you're extremely malnourished."

Her stomach grumbled in agreement when she stepped back to gaze into his eyes. "Hmmm, when have I heard that before? Ni-sama, I'm tired of being stuck in some room all the time. I want to live again and I want to start with breakfast downstairs with those I care the most about."

He sighed, "I see where Mokie learned the puppy eyes from."

Akira stiffened then walked into her private bathroom without a word. She drowned out their worried calls with a hot shower as she tried to wash away the sudden dirty feelings that still plagued her. By the time she had dried herself, Akira found her composure once again. She opened a door that connected to her closet then slid on flannel pajama bottoms and a t-shirt. Relief shone in their eyes when she walked past them without a word. They hurried after her and Seto caught her when she swayed at the top of the stairs. "I'm sorry, Akira, but you need to go back to bed."

She shook her head. "No. Just help me. Please."

He sighed, "Okay. Lean on me."

AKAKAK

"Oh man! Guys, you gotta see this!" Mokuba explained as he turned up the volume.

Police investigators have just identified the victims involved in the fatal crash in Domino City two nights ago." The news anchor looked up from his notes. "The driver of the mini-van was 20-year-old Kenji Kitsune. It appears he had died of a knife wound at the back of his neck, which police suspect was caused by his passenger, Tony Varez. The 22-year-old died on impact when the vehicle ran into a tree after it spun out on the wet pavement. Speed may have also been a factor in the case. In other news..."

Akira's eyes watered when she processed what she heard. "It's over. I can't believe it's all over."

Seto and Joey hugged her when Mokuba joined with a happy, "Group hug!"

Noah watched the surreal scene from the doorway with a smile on his face. 'It's nice to be a part of a family again. Maybe some questions are best left unanswered.' He thought as he joined his siblings and their trusted friend.

End