Notes: Alright then, I do believe this chapter will be the ending and hopefully all questions will be answered. Thank you Keeshe Kal'daka for bringing the rating to my attention *grins sheepishly* I had forgotten I had posted it as PG-13 but it's R now^^ Arigotou!

Thank you everyone who read and reviewed! I was very flattered and honored to receive your attention and praise! Arigotou! ^^

Pairings: Ran x Ken

Warnings: AU, Ran POV, yaoi, language,

Disclaimer: "These aren't mine. Why not? Too violent. 0.0" -CW-chan

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In Your Game

6

My reflection glared back at me as I gazed in the mirror. It had begun to snow outside and I could hear Omi and Youji playing outside. I was surprised at how early winter had come on. The trees had barely shed their blanket of color. It felt like winter inside of me and I didn't understand that. Nothing was wrong but I couldn't erase that odd feeling of emptiness inside of me. The thought had struck a note of discord in my mind and suppressed memories began to well of their own volitions. I didn't want to remember. Everything was so nice now. Why did it have to change?

~

My fingers were squeezed tightly around his throat, wanting his life to spill onto my hands so I might keep it forever. But then I gazed into his eyes and I drew back. I couldn't halt that shining gaze, so rich and beautiful. I couldn't silence the song that was his life.

He stared at me in disbelief and I could only stare back, thinking of how he is a songbird. Flying so carelessly to bless the vision of everything with such unattainable grace and beauty. I had wanted that grace and beauty to be mine. I had wanted him but he didn't want to be contained in my cage. He saw me as a cage.

"If you are a songbird, then I am a raven. Daubed with the lust of beauty." I muttered this, fully realizing that Ken hadn't been able to love me because he felt only my anger and anguish, a raven, concealed with the flaming locks and violet gaze of beauty.

I turned away from Ken, saying nothing and leaving him. I didn't want to taint him. I loved him too much for that.

~

I was alone in my room, still sitting in front of the mirror, wondering how my life would have benefited if I could have kept Ken.

He hadn't wanted to be kept. He would have died.

Maybe.

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End