A/n: glad to know ppls love this story! Anyways, chapter 15! My longest fiction so far! :0

note: if a character talks in -.....- it means it is in a different language, manly Egyptian.

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Chapter Fifteen: Anata no yuku saki wa suishou no mori ni naru

And they path before you becomes a forest of crystals

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Yugi covered his ears as the wails of souls got louder. He opened his eyes as the feelings of pain, confusion, sadness and hatred flushed over him. Yugi pressed his hands harder over his ears, and finally he yelped out. /Yami..what is wrong..Yami? Yami can you hear me? YAMI?/

Yugi's eyes widened and a sparkle came to them. There was a voice..one that was deep and wise...and in a ancient tongue. Yugi almost cried in happiness, he could understand small bits of the dead Egyptian language. Suddenly everything changed and Yugi was now standing. He looked around, finding that it was in a dark room. Lowering his hands, Yugi crept more into the darkness.

Yugi stopped dead in his tracks as he saw a figure all bunched up in a ball. He was frightened at who is might be, but heard quiet sobs. Yugi gulped and bent on his knees, waiting to see if the other person would notice, and he didn't. Taking his small hand, Yugi placed it on the other's arm and shook gently. He recoiled as the other stopped and stiffened.

-Go away! Leave me alone (sob)!-

Yugi could only pick out pieces of what the other was saying, but he got the main idea. He decided to try. -I was just wondering where I was....gomen ne.- he finished the last part in Japanese. Yugi stood up and began to slowly walk away. The then was caught of guard when something gently grabbed his hand. Yugi froze.

"Aibou?"

Yugi closed his eyes and slowly turned. He found himself eye to eye with the tall Pharaoh, with Yugi's clothes. Yugi squeaked a mutter surprise. "Yami!" he chocked a sob and wrapped his arms around the Pharaoh. "Yami, I found you, finally I found you!" he cried. "It was scary! There are ghosts everywhere, and wailing..and sorrow! Yami I can't take it!"

Yami held Yugi in his arms, and never wanted to let go. "Aibou, this is my soul room...and when I wake up you'll be gone.."

"Then don't wake up!"

"I have to, Sakura-ko is dying."

Yugi stepped back. "Nani?! Sakura-chan is what?!"

Yami closed his eyes, bowing his head. "Sakura-ko was stabbed by a poisonous weapon..it is slowly killing her inside." Yugi blinked as his eyes filled with tears. "The only way to save her is by getting to were you are...but I don't know...."

Yugi bit his lip and looked at the ground. He felt Yami's mind slowly waking up, and he knew that is darker half would soon be gone, leaving him to be tortured by wails. Yugi brought up his head and kissed Yami's cheek. "Sayonara, Yami!" he smiled.

Yami blushed and smiled. -Thank you.- he closed his eyes, and cried as he felt is light leaving him.

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Yami's eyes fluttered open and he blinked. He could feel a warmth from his Millennium Puzzle, and that brought a smile to his face. A sudden pain jolted from his back, from where Sakura had thrown him down. Yami winced slightly, then looked down at Sakura, who he was holding. He noticed that no blood was coming from the wound, and he was concerned.

Everything was quiet. Yami could hear the gasps and wheezes coming from Sakura. He slowly bent down to her ear. "Tenshi? Are you alright?"

Sakura opened her eyes. They weren't a deep emerald, but a bright dulled color. Her eyes were bad, and she could only see blurs. She blinked and smiled. "H-Hai."

"You don't look alright.."

"You seem happy, Yami-kun." Sakura pointed out, sensing Yami's hurt and happiness.

Yami smiled. "I saw him, Tenshi! I saw aibou."

"How?"

"I-I don't know! He just showed up in my soul room..and..and.."

"Yami-kun, calm the hell down." Sakura scolded gently. She ran her knuckles down his cheek, smiling a small smile. "You sound like a little kid on Christmas morning."

"I never understood that holiday." Yami muttered. He had been dragged to Sakura's Christmas party that past December by his light. Yami looked down at his silver friendship ring that he wore on his pinkie. A smile formed and he looked down at Sakura. "I guess it is time to wake up."

Sakura nodded and turned her head to Dark Magician, who nodded in return. She sat up, feeling a pain go through her back.

"Tenshi, maybe you should just..let me carry you." Yami said. "I don't think your should walk.."

"I am not going to let this de-humanize me, Yami-kun." said Sakura. She stood up and smiled as Syaraon welcomed her.

Jou yawned. "C'mon man...ten more minutes..."

"Hino Master..you have to get up." Dark Magician said.

"Nah, I just wanna sleep mon! Come on.." he rolled over and smacked his head into the spell casters staff. "Ow, damn that hurt, ow!"

Honda laughed and helped his buddy up. "Come on dude, they'll leave us behind."

"I'm hungry." Anzu said.

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Anzu's mouth dropped open. They were finally out of the forest, and now it seemed like civilization. She gazed in awe as a crystal pink bridge was expanded over a deep blue river, and on the other side what seemed like a small town. She turned and blinked. "This is beautiful!"

"Yeah, but so were the forests." Syaraon said. "Just remember we are in grave danger, Anzu-sama." he then turned. "I need a group to come with me into that town."

Jou, Honda, and Yami agreed and followed Syaraon. Sakura and Anzu stood on the bridge. Sakura's vision was completely pitch black now, but she told no one. She blinked and turned her head to were Anzu stood.

"This is beautiful, ne Sakura?" Anzu smiled and leaned over, looking at the water. "Everything is so beautiful here...but dangerous. The rose has thorns they say." she blinked and gazed at Sakura. "You can't see it...can you?"

Sakura shook her head.

"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Anzu questioned.

"We can't do anything about it." said Sakura. "Why bother to try?" she turned her head to were she heard footsteps.

"Yo, come on! Dey got food!" Jou called. "It is a village of faes. Ya know? Like da Petit Angel, Shining Friendship, Farrieries Gift? And even one I haven't seen before! Come on!"

Sakura followed Anzu closely and blinked as the stopped. She felt Yami wrap his arm around her waist. Sakura have a small cry and gasp as a jolting pain went through her shoulder. She brushed it off and blinked.

"Welcome, mortals and living ones." the main fairy said. "We welcome you to our homes."

Syaraon lifted an eyebrow. "There is more to this place then there seems."

"Quiet true." Dark Magician said. "Please, Gyakutenno Megami. They need to know, or at least my master."

"Which one is your master, I wonder, Dark Magician." Gyakutenno Megami stated.

"My master is this one." Dark Magician pointed to the ex-pharaoh. "I have been with him his whole life, and I plan to be there for him until the end of time."

Another fairy, named Spirit of the Harp, looked to her maiden. "Megami-sama! Do you wish me to show them?"

"They must prove themselves worthy." Gyakutenno Megami stated. She stood and walked up to Sakura and Yami. She rose her long grey hand and placed it on the center of his chest.

Spirit of the Harp began to play a soft soothing melody. "This song was created by the gods, but you mortals took it up as a silly lullaby." she closed her eyes. "Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. Wish I may, wish I might, star light star bright."

Yami blinked as the fairy removed her hand. There stood a crystal. It was a small circular one, glowing of an aura of golden. As the mist aura moved around it, he saw darker golden spots. "What does this have to do with anything?"

"Yami-kun.." Sakura whispered, trying to hold her pain. "I think that may be your Soul Crystal..the one thing that keeps the soul alive.." she squinted.

Gyakutenno Megami smiled. "She knows much, for a young one. I will let both of you go. Spirit-chan! Lead them into the Cauldron."

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Yami blinked. He gazed around the room of white mist, and his eyes settled on a strange figure. He was tall, had long yellow-green hair, blue eyes, dragon like ears and horn. He held a staff and wore robes of silver and gold. -Who are you?-

"You speak of the old language still, I am impressed Yugioh." he said.

"You have no right to call me by me name!" Yami growled.

"Yes I do." he said. "I raised your crystal from just a little speck of gold. I do have a right." he bowed. "I am known as Dragon Human, or just D-Human." he smiled.

"Please, what do you mean?" Sakura asked in a small voice.

"Very simply, Sak-ku-rah." Dragon Human said. "Follow me." he turned. "You see, every single human being as a soul, as you know. This soul is housed in the body, but there is more. To make the soul strong and live forever, the Soul Crystals are used to give the soul life. Yet some crystals are blessed with even more special powers."

-What do you mean by that, Dragon Warrior.- Yami asked.

"Very simple, Pharaoh, yet again." Dragon Human stopped and turned. Suddenly the mist disappeared and then a black sky with stars filled every single inch of the room. "This is the Cauldron of Souls. Every soul begins it's life here. Every star is a soul." he moved his arms around. "Some souls are need to be blessed with special powers that can help the soul grow.

"For example. Sak-ku-rah's family, on her father's side, was blessed with the power of her cards. The cards are almost like a body for the spirits, but they connect to the Soul Crystal of their master."

"So that means I can summon them without using my cards?" Sakura asked.

"Yes." Dragon Human smiled. "Master Jou was blessed with fire, and Anzu was blessed with the ability to hold the Triangle that you seek. Pharaoh was blessed with the ability to over throw any monster from the Shadow Realm." he blinked. "Sometimes to make the soul able to use the powers more, they are given items. Like Flame Tan, and your staff, mistress."

"And my puzzle?"

"You Sennen Puzzle was given to you for a simple reasons. One, to lock the games away, two, so you and your light could always be together." Dragon Human smiled. "In this realm, both you and little Yugi were great friends."

"Why don't I remember?"

"Because for safety, the soul will forget." Dragon Human said. "The soul is sent to Earth to have experiences and grow, then comes back here."

"A Circle." said Sakura. "We are born here, and we come back here when our bodies died."

Yami bit his lip. "Will I come back?"

The place fell silent, even the soothing melody that went through the realm quieted. Dragon Human closed his eyes. "When your soul is mature enough to come back, and once you have completed your mission."

"When will that be?"

"I am not sure."

Sakura blinked. "So what does this have to do with the Knife of Ice?"

"That is the reason the soul cannot come back, if struck by that." Dragon Human said. "It targets the Soul Crystal, destroying it. That is why it is the only way to destroy an eternal soul. Every crystal has a guardian. But in your case, Pharaoh, your crystal and soul are to guard Yugi's."

Yami felt like crying. This was too much, not only was Yugi's mortal life for him to protect..but his eternal soul. He closed his eyes, wondering if Yugi should know.

"No Pharaoh, Yugi should not need to know." Dragon Human said. "Yugi is innocent, and he is supposed to be. His crystal is very fragile...a simple thing could destroy it."

-Why?-

"Because, he is pure." Dragon Human blinked. "He is almost the pure being of light itself. His crystal is so small and easy to hurt..why do you think that he was so easy to be picked on? The other mature crystals find it easy, and try to prove themselves better."

-And me?-

Dragon Human tried to word it right. "In a lot of ways, your the dark being of darkness. You are not as much as more. Remember your crystal? Very few dark golden spots are shown..you are more pure."

Sakura nodded. "Can you tell of us this time that comes before the Triangle of Light is completed?"

"It is a legend. The Cruel Angel will come and destroy all sin of Earth. Yet, the chosen one for the Angel is so pure..that it is hard. The Triangle is needed to be completed before the destruction of Man happens." Dragon Human said. "This Silphe is after the triangle to travel back into time, and destroy the Pharaoh. This means that Yugi's soul crystal will be so unstable with out a contrasting of darkness, it'll shatter."

"Why Yugi?" Sakura asked.

"Because, he is the only one with the power to defeat her." Dragon Human said.

"Who is this Angel?" Yami demaned.

"Clouded it is to see, pharaoh." Dragon Human looked as Sakura left.

"I'm going back.." Sakura said weakly.

Yami blinked confusedly as he saw a girl of twelve appear next to Sakura. She had light blue hair, more of a cyan color, and ruby eyes. She turned to him and blinked, then helped Sakura leave. "Who?"

"That is her guardian." said Dragon Human.

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A Rogue Doll destroyed more homes. She was under the influence of a Change of Heart. She turned and fought with Jou, who lost. Finally the doll found her target and went up face to face with Sakura.

Sakura couldn't see. "Shield!" she called and the card protected her from the attack. She yelped as the force flung her into a wall, and she collapsed. Her breathing got fast as the wound dug deeper into her soul. Sakura screamed.

Yami ran out and blinked. "Nani!?" He tackled the Rouge Doll, and was thrown back. He covered himself as the wave blast hit him, but only scratched his back. Yami's eyes flooded with tears as he saw the friendship ring that his aibou gave him break. He held the three pieces in his hand, tears streaming down his face.

Another blood bone chilling scream came from Sakura, it was pure angst. Sakura grabbed her heart and screamed more. Suddenly she could see, and she watched as the Rouge Doll summoned the Reaper of Cards. Sakura tried to back away, but used the Return card to destroy the reaper. Suddenly Sakura's eyes widened and she gasped and wheezed for breath. Rouge Doll was destroyed by Gyakutenno Megami.

Yami collected himself and ran to Sakura. He held her close, and didn't notice that she lost her sight again. Her buried his face in her neck and tried to get her to calm down.

"Ya...mi?"

Yami looked at her. "What?"

Sakura blinked as tears ran down her face. "What color is the sky?" she asked weakly, and gazed at the sky. "Is it dark? Light? Beautiful?"

Yami bit his lip, feeling tears run down his face. He gazed at the sky. "It is magenta koi, just like it always is." he held her close. "But not as lovely and graceful as you."

Sakura felt as if she was slowly falling asleep. "Ashiteru...Yugio.." her eyes closed and she didn't move.

Yami looked forward, and saw the same girl with cyan and ruby eyes. She was crying, and stuck her hand for Yami to reach it. He tried, but she disappeared. Yami felt his heart collapse, and stared at the spot the girl was just at. Tears ran down his face and his arm was still extended. "Sakura....Sak-ku-rah....koi..." he blinked.

Gyakutenno Megami shook her head. "No, it wasn't supposed end this way..this is not fair.." she turned to Dragon Human. "Why? How could you let this!"

"It is not in my power, ma'am." Dragon Human said. "I only help them mature for birth, I don't decide their fates."

Dark Magician Girl gasped and wrapped her arms around her brother, sobbing. Jou and Honda stood in shock, as Anzu fell to her knees. The village darkened for night.

Yami retreaded his hand, and rubbed his hair in Sakura's hair. "I..Sakura-ko..don't leave..." he shook his head. "Sayonara....koi..tenshi..."

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A/N: oh my god, how depressing to right. :*( I was bawling while reading this. If you can, find the song "Loss of Me (Piano)" from Final Fantasy 9, and listen to it while reading the last part. Yami is now lost..and alone. :(

can u believe we are just 70% done?

I tried to explain better what happened when your attacked with that knife. It is complicated, ne? Stay tuned for more.