Ok…this is the fifth chapter and a long chapter this will be.  So I'm going to make this short.

Disclaimer: Nope…never did and probably never will…

Warning: Shounen-ai and slight Kleenex warning. 

Only Your Heart Knows Why: Eternity

Bakura was trying really hard to not smash the Sennen Ring against the concrete of the sidewalk.  He had been trying to locate Yami with the Ring, but so far he had only been led back to the Kaiba mansion, to Yuugi.  It seemed that somehow Yami had managed to block the Ring from detecting where he was. 

'Damn that Pharaoh!'

With a growl, he slipped the Ring back under his sweater and resorted to walking around.

This year, unlike the previous ones, had no snow at all.  Not even flurries.  The night was a clear one, the stars were shining and there was a slight nip in the air.  It would have been mistaken for autumn except the trees had lost all their leaves. 

Bakura stopped walking.  He vaguely noticed he was in front of his house, the one he used to share with Ryou.

But that wasn't what caught his attention. 

It was the tree sitting in the front yard.  Unlike all the other trees, this one still had its leaves.  It was a strange tree.  Three years ago, in the fall and winter, it was in full bloom, but after that Christmas, its blossoms all fell of, except for a stray one or two.  It did not grow back until six months later.  But at that point, half the tree was in bloom, the other half, barely alive.  And that was the way it had been for three years.  On Christmas of each year, it had always been bare, but this year, it still had its leaves.  The leaves looked as they were going to fall off any second, but stubbornly they refused to. 

"Have you ever wonder why this tree acts the way it does?" A voice asked from behind him.

Bakura turned around.  Yami stood watching the tree, as if seeing right through him.

Unsure of what to say, Bakura nodded.

"This tree use to have only white blossoms, if you remember and its cycle was like that of every other tree.  But after that day I comforted you, red blossoms started appearing in a corner of the tree.  For a few months, the blossoms became dark gray, almost dead, but not falling.  That was the months we avoided each other.  When we finally got together, the tree became alive again.  When it did, there were white and red blossoms mingling and intertwined through out the whole tree.  And that was the way it stayed.  For a short while.  After I left, there were only two blossoms left, a red one and a white one.  But they were at separate ends of the tree.  Am I right?"

Bakura nodded a confirmation.

"Six months later, though, the tree began blooming once again and it stayed in bloom throughout all the seasons.  But only half the tree was in bloom with white blossoms.  The other half was almost dead with only a single red blossom left.  But for one day every year, on Christmas, the trees would lose all its blossoms and then the next day, it would return.  Except for this year.  This year, the tree still has leaves, red and white ones.  Ready to fall, but still refusing to.  As if waiting for a choice to be made for it."  

Bakura stared at Yami in confusion as the spirit calmly finished talking.

"All I'm getting here is that the tree just changes colors and dies in a pattern, throughout the year."

Yami gave a sigh.

"The trees represent us, our emotions.  When the red and white blossoms mingled it represent our love and connection to each other.  Now, the tree has been blooming white because you are in love and happy.  But only half because the tree represents both of us.  The other half was almost dead because I hated you.  The red blossom that was alone represents the part of me that still loved you."

Understanding shown in Bakura's eyes, followed shortly by curiosity.

"So why is there white and red leaves now instead of blossoms?"

"Think of it like a crossroad.  It can go in one of two directions.  The leaves could fall off.  And when it blooms again, it will only have white blossoms.  Or the leaves can change into red and white mingling and intertwined blossoms again.  Which path do you wish for it to take, Bakura?"

"I want it to turn back to red and white blossoms." Bakura said, having finally grasped the full idea of what the tree represent.

"But it won't."

"We can make it work, damn it!  I still love you, Yami."

Yami laughed at Bakura's words.

"What is so damn funny?" Bakura demanded.

"We can work this out?" Yami laughed coldly. "You dream so big, Bakura.  You've always been good at getting what you want.  But even you can't manipulate the course of destiny."

"Why are you doing this, Yami?" Bakura asked quietly.

"What exactly am I doing?"

"You're giving up so quickly.  You're not even trying.  You're not giving our love another chance."

"You have not gotten those flashbacks, have you?"
"What are you talking about?"

"Malik, he must have use the Sennen Rod to erase your memories of those dreams."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Bakura yelled.

"For the last few months, I've been getting dreams, flashbacks rather, of Ancient Egypt."

"So?  You and I always got them.  What's so special about these flashbacks?"

"They're flashbacks of our past.  We were in love.  Forbidden it was, as you were a Tomb Robber and I, the Pharaoh.  We defied all the rules and were so happy.  But like the present time, we were broken apart, our love shattered to pieces." Yami's voice filled with sadness and anger.

"That was in the past.  It doesn't matter anymore!  We can start over again."

"Don't you get it, Bakura?!  Destiny is replaying itself!  We weren't meant for each other in the past and we aren't meant for each other now.  Love between the Pharaoh and a Tomb Robber could and can never be."

"But I still love you.  So much that it hurts." Bakura pleaded, tears falling down his face.

"Do you now?  I'm sorry, Bakura, but I have to doubt your love." Yami smiled sadly, walking over to Bakura. 

Placing a hand on Bakura's arm, Yami kissed him softly.  Then he pushed Bakura away and turned around.

"Our kiss has lost its spark and so has our love. Time has run out on us.  It's time to let go.  Your destiny is intertwined with someone else's, not mine."

"Do you still love me?" Bakura whispered. 

"No, I don't." Yami said firmly, not giving away any indication of the pain in his heart or the tears slipping down his face.

"Then I guess this is it, isn't it?  The leaves are going to fall."                 

"Yes.  When they fall, the blossoms that bloom will be white intertwined with lavender.  To represent you and Malik.  Your destinies are intertwined."

There was a momentary pause as Yami tried to force his voice to stop wavering.

"The Sennen Puzzle now belongs to you."

Bakura looked down and for the first time, noticed the puzzle around his neck.

Yami's voice cracked.  "You will have no recollection of me.  No one, but Yuugi will."

Bakura's eyes widen in shock.  "You can't possibly do this, Yami!"

"It is for the best.  Everyone can move on with their lives without worrying about me.  And Bakura…?"

"Yes?"

"I lied.  I do love you.  So much that I'll do anything to make you happy.  And since you are happy being with Malik, I won't interfere with destiny.  With me gone, you can be happy without feeling guilt and regret.  I wish you eternal happiness, Bakura.  I'm so sorry.  I love you."

"Yami…" A flash of gold was the last thing Bakura saw.

"Goodbye."

Bakura rubbed his eyes as he got up form the bed in the guestroom. 

"I must have fallen asleep." He yawned, stretching.

He didn't notice the small item that slipped out of his jacket.  Nor did he pay any heed to the Sennen Puzzle dangling from his neck. 

No one in the living room paid any attention to the Puzzle when he walked into the room.  To them, Bakura had always had it.

"Hey koi.  Feeling better?"

"Yeah.  I just had a headache before. Nothing too bad, Malik." Bakura walked over to him.

"Ok then," Malik said, kissing him.

"Ready to exchange presents?" Ryou asked cheerfully.

"Yeah!"

Bakura turned to Yuugi who was watching him intently.

"What's wrong, Yuugi?"

"Oh, nothing.  I was just spacing out." Yuugi smiled.

"Alright then." But when Bakura turned away, the smile turned to a frown.

'No one remembers.  He has forgotten everything too.'

The moonlight shown into the guestroom, reflecting off the forgotten object that laid on the bed.  It was a locket of white and yellow gold, twinkling in the moonlight.

There was a soft breeze and the balcony door creaked open quietly.

A hand gently picked up the locket.

Moments later the locket and the shadowy figure in the room disappeared without a trace.

The balcony door was shut and the room was once again still.

The red and white leaves had fallen to the ground and were scattered by the wind.  White and lavender blossoms began to appear.

The silver box in the bottom drawer of Bakura's desk remained locked and forgotten.  The only key to the lock had disappeared.  And without the key, the box refused to open.  What it contained was forever forgotten by the world.  Forever locked away. 

All traces of Yami had disappeared.  Only Yuugi remembered and only Yuugi knew what had happened.  Only he knew the sacrifice that was made out of love.

In a dark and desolated corner of the Shadow Realm, a crimson eyed spirit watched, through a long silver mirror, the happenings of the mortal world.

His attention turned to the opened locket in his hands, staring at the smiling face of the brown eyed spirit in the picture.

He watched the same brown eyed albino talking and laughing in the mirror.  There was love in his brown eyes for his golden haired, amethyst eyed lover.

"You've forgotten."

A bittersweet smile graced the lips of the spirit.  At tear escaped his crimson eyes. "At least you're happy…"

The tear fell through the bottomless darkness of the Shadow Realm.

Falling for eternity and beyond.

Waiting for someone to catch it.

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End of Story.

WOOHOO!! I'm done!! Finally! That was long, ne?  Sorry for writing so much about the tree.  But it was need somewhat. ^^V

Eep…don't hurt me! ::ducks from flying items and hides::  If you want me to, I'll write a happier, alternative ending.

But…only if I get at least 10 reviews asking me for an alternative ending. :-þ


So, if you want a happier ending, REVIEW!!  Till next time! Ja. ^_^

© Todokanunegai 3-2-03