A/N: I've feel like written everyone so out of character at this point that I've forever lost my way. But at least the ride is fun.

Fun Fact: The Yu boys can now feel their counterparts interacting with the body. Like Yuri might feel Yuya's spirit hug the body, or Yuto might feel Yuri ruffle his hair and spit in it. It's another way their powers are evolving: because they're so connected, their minds let them feel it, and let them understand what the others are trying to convey. For better or worse, they're getting closer.

Description: The Sakaki family mourn the death of a pet.

The entire Sakaki family were in the back yard of their home. Yuya sat on the ground, while his parents stood behind them. All three of them were looking at the large mound of dirt before them.

Sticking out of the dirt was a small plank of wood. The edges were carved off, making the plank look almost like a human toe. A small doodle of a cat was drawn in the center, and "Core" was written underneath it, in English.

Yusho's arm was around his wife's shoulder. Yoko looked at the ground forlornly, though her face stayed still. She wasn't the type to cry, really. She was the type to keep calm and keep things running smoothly. But she appreciated the comforting touch of her husband.

Sitting on Yuya's lap was his dog, En. He gently stroked the dog, from his head to his back, repeatedly. The dog simply sat there and panted, letting his master comfort him with attention.

Yuya turned his head slightly, towards his parents.

"Dad," he said in a low voice. "Thanks for coming today. I know you didn't really know Core, but..."

Yusho raised a hand, then shook his head to dismiss such thoughts. "It's no trouble, Yuya. It's a father's job to be there for his family."

Yuya egao'd sadly. "Thanks."

One of Yoko's arms around itself wrapping around Yusho's waist. She pulled him closer to herself.

Yusho looked down to her. "So, how did he pass?"

"Oh, it's a sad accident," Yoko sighed. "Core got out of the house, and was struck by a car."

Yusho closed his eyes. "It was sudden then... This must be awful for you all."

"Yuya's a strong kid," Yoko told him. "He's holding it together really well; I think he's been talking to the other boys, trying to make things easier for them."

"Yes," Yusho agreed. "Yuya understands pain, and how to turn it into happiness."

Yugo was now in control of the body. His finger touched the mound of dirt. He slowly ran his finger up and down, as if to mae sure that what he was seeing was tangible, real.

He didn't speak at first, but he let out a long, deep sigh.

He could feel the presence of his brothers around him. Yuri and Yuto flanked his sides, also sitting, while Yuya stood behind him.

Sorry about this, Fusio- Yuri started.

But then, he stopped himself. And for a brief moment, stopped to ponder his words.

... Yugo, he said finally.

Yuto crossed his arms. His eyes, heavy with exhaustion, were focused on the mound of dirt.

I wish I got to spend more time with him, Yuto said quietly. I'll miss him, but we never...

He looked to Yugo, then to Yuya. I can imagine how you two feel. And I'll be here, if you guys want to talk about it.

"Thanks..." Yugo responded. "You're a good brother. And you, Yuri, and Yuya."

The best that you have! Yuri chimed in. I'm not so good with feelings and crying; that's Yuya's territory. But I could sit down and listen. For a second. Maybe.

Yugo continued to stroke the dog. Or rather, it was Yuya who was stroking the dog. Yugo found himself not even thinking about his actions. Despite being in control of the body at the time, he could tell that Yuya was the one petting En.

Yugo thought about this. Yuya was starting to share control of the body with him, to pet En. Maybe he'd relent control, and let Yuya have his time with the dog.

Yugo closed his eyes. He felt himself drifting out of the body. When he opened his eyes, he could see Yuya's body, sitting before him. The body stirred, and the strokes became firmer. Yuya was in full control now.

"Wh- Yugo?" Yuya asked, confused.

Yuya turned his body to look at the boy behind him. Yugo looked down at him and gave him a warm egao, and a little nod.

Go on, take over for a bit, Yugo said to him. I can see the grave from here, dude. 'sides, you should enjoy the time you have with the pets, while you still can.

Oh, Yuya thought. You're right about that.

Yuya stopped petting the pup. He put his arms under En's belly, then brought the dog up to his face. He pressed his cheek against the dog and nuzzled him softly.

En let out a small bark. He opened his mouth and licked Yuya's cheek repeatedly. His tail wagged in place wildly, and his stubby body started to wiggle and shake.

"He-hey, you're happy today!" Yuya exclaimed. "Least I know you're in a good mood."

Yuto egao'd. En probably wants to cheer you up.

Yuya turned to Yuto, while En kept on licking the side of Yuya's face.

"En's a good boy," Yuya agreed.

Yuri shrugged and said, The dog probably doesn't even know what happened. He's cute, but he's none too bright. Like Yuto.

Yuya shook his head. "No, pets know what's going on."

Yuya pulled the dog away from his face. He placed the dog on the ground beside him. En responded by excitedly running around his owner, letting out a few small barks to try and grab his attention.

"When our first cat, Milk died, Core was really sad," Yuya explained. "He was just a kitten at the time, and Milk was like a mother to him."

"It's true," Yoko chimed in.

Yuya blinked. "Mom?"

"They always spent their time together," she went on. "And then, we had to take Milk to a vet. Core waited by the front door for her for days, just waiting for her to come back."

"But she never did," Yuya said.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for that," Yusho sighed.

"But you're here now, though," Yuya said warmly. "Don't worry about it."

The family now congregated in the kitchen, with Yusho and Yuya sitting at the table, while Yoko prepared a pot of coffee. They had spent about an hour or two together, talking about their lives, and what they had been doing.

Every so often, one of the other Yu boys would take over Yuya's body to join in the conversation. Yuya was the most talkative, but Yuri and Yuto really liked to jump in at the right moments. Yuri especially liked to join in whenever Yoko was talking.

"So that's when I thought, why not have an incest scene?" Yuri concluded. "So that's why one of you needs to come to school and talk to Miss Satonaka."

Yusho looked at his son in confusion. Horrible, off-putting confusion. Was he always like this?

"What did any of that have to do with what we were talking about?" Yoko asked him.

"Nothing," Yuri responded. "I just wanted you to know what I wrote, mother."

Yoko fumbled with the mug in her hand. She was barely able to keep herself from dropping it on the floor.

Yuri's eyes shifted to gray, and the boy started to squint. It was a sign to the parents that relief was on their way: Yuri was giving way to one of their much less creepy sons, Yuto.

"Okay, Yuri doesn't get to talk anymore," he chuckled. "I'm here, though."

"Nice to see you, Yuto!" Yoko said. "Since you're here, would you mind helping me make dinner?"

Yuto nodded. "Sure thing, mother. I think Yugo'd like some tempura, if we can make that?"

"That's a good boy!" Yusho laughed.

"How's Yugo, anyway?" Yoko asked. "He's been pretty quiet."

"He and Yuya are dueling right now," Yuto told them. "We're taking turns hanging out with Yugo."

"Yugo's taking this pretty hard?" Yusho wondered.

"He and Core were very close," Yoko explained. "I get why he'd be so hurt."

"Ah, I see now."

Yuto could hear Yuri scoff. But he chose to ignore the remark and focus on his family. "But Yugo will be fine. He's not the type to hide away and cry. He'll be up and riding soon, I'm sure."

Hell yeah, I will!

Yugo? Yuto thought.

Yuto's eyes shifted from gray to blue, and they started to sparkle with wonder and energy. His expression softened, and an egao grew on his face.

"Don't worry about me, guys!" Yugo said happily.

"You sure?" Yoko asked skeptically.

"That's the spirit, Yugo," Yusho said. "Keep on egao-ing, and the world egaos with you."

"And you know what?" Yugo said. "I know what I want to do to honor Core."

"Oh?"

Yugo raised his right hand and gave his family a thumbs-up. "Core loved riding with me. We loved riding together, on the open road. So, what better way to pay respects, than to go on a road trip?"

"That's a great idea!" Yusho exclaimed. "Where are you guys going?"

Yoko frowned. "You're not going to dig up his body and take it with you, are you?"

Yugo and Yusho both turned to Yoko, staring at her. And call her crazy, but she could almost feel Yuya, Yuto and Yuri in the room, also staring at her. Five sets of eyes, all staring. And judging.

Yoko pulled up a chair and took a seat at the table. Then she took a long, nervous sip of her drink. She didn't make eye contact with them.

"Well, I mean..." she said meekly. "That seems like something Yuri would do, so..."

"Yuri wouldn't do that," Yugo told her. "Yuri's about upsetting people and having fun, not being gross and weird just because."

"But I- I mean, that's..." Yoko sighed. "My mistake."

"Wow, Yoko," Yusho said with an egao.

"Hey, don't wow me!" she snapped back. "Mister... Mister-"

"What?" Yusho chuckled. "You can't think of a comeback? I thought you are the smart one between us?"

"No, I'm the strong one," Yoko responded. "I bet I can still lift you over my shoulder."

"You're not."

"I'll do it!" Yoko said happily. "I've gotten better with age."

Yusho looked at his wife. His eyes ran up and down her body, taking in her appearance. And the more he looked at her, the more he egao'd. "You sure have."

"Ew, gross," Yugo said flatly. "You two better not make me any little brothers or sisters while I'm gone."

For a moment, Yusho and Yoko stared at each other in silence. And then they chuckled. And then they laughed. And they laughed louder. And Yugo joined in, and his brothers joined in. And some of the birds in the other room joined in.

None of them were really sure why they were laughing. It was just one of those awkward, funny moments in life. A moment where they got to step back and laugh at their own silliness. And to them, they were the most hilarious thing since the middle seasons of Frasier.

Yoko lifted up her drink. Hoping to calm herself with a drink, she brought the drink to her lips. But before she could take a sip, she snorted and started laughing again. Coffee splashed back on her face.

The others saw this and started to laugh even harder. Yoko laughed even harder. Yusho buried his face in his hands. And so did Yuya. Yuri held his stomach. Yuto failed to stifle a laugh. And Yugo's laughs turned into loud sobs.

Everyone stopped laughing.

"I don't deserve to laugh!" Yugo cried.

"Yugo..." Yuto said.

Yugo his his eyes behind. He didn't want them to see him cry, but it wasn't like he could stop the waterworks now.

"Core's dead because of me!" Yugo whimpered. "I- I left the door open!"

Yugo, it was an honest mistake, Yuya told him. , any of us would have done it.

"I w- I was stupid, and I-I-I wasn't paying at-attention, and Core got out, and-"

Yugo's arm was pulled away from his face. Yoko had risen up from her chair and leaned in front of him. "No more crying."

The woman threw her arms around her son. Yugo returned the hug. And he could feel Yuya hug him from behind. And he could feel Yuto and Yuri each put a hand on his shoulders.

"Remember what your father says," Yoko told him. "Laugh if you feel like crying."

"But that-" Yugo protested.

"Try it," Yusho told him.

Yugo took a deep breath. His voice was shaky and nervous, and he still felt like he was about to bawl his eyes out again. But he managed to let out a small chuckle.

"Go on," Yusho said. "Keep going."

Yugo chuckled again. A little longer this time.

You'll feel better, Yuya said to him.

Yugo let out a louder, longer laugh this time. He threw his head back and let himself cackle like a lunatic. And the louder and longer he laughed, the better he felt. It was like some of the weight was being lifted from his shoulders.

After a moment, Yugo stopped laughing. His throat was starting to hurt now, and he was really thirsty. But it was better than being filled with bitterness, he thought.

"That does feel better, thanks," Yugo said. "And... Yeah, I think I'm going to do that road trip."

"That sounds like a great idea," Yoko told him. "I'll tell your school, and I'll send you your homework."

"Any thoughts on where you'll go, son?" Yusho asked.

"Yeah, I have an idea," Yugo answered. "There are a lot of people I want to see, back at my old place. Make sure they're all okay."

"That's very sweet of you!" Yoko said cheerfully.

"It's no big deal!" Yugo responded. "'sides, I promised Core I'd show him my old orphanage. Since he's in my heart now, I can keep my promise."

Gay, said Yuri. Let's do it.

A/N: The original draft here had Yusho get a call, and Yuya said that he understood if his father had to go, and Yoko would have confronted Yusho about how Yuya expected his dad not to be there for him when he needed it. But I decided against this, since I feel like it would have taken away from the current story and added unnecessary drama.

Next time: I have to search through a billion crappy chapters just to find the name I used for Yugo's orphanage, because that's where they're going.