Well, we've made it all the way! This is the last chapter, guys! ^_^ First of all, though, I want to give all of you reviewers a BIG thanks! Fifty-eight reviews!! Thank you so much, everybody, for reviewing! I love you all! 3

L. W. (Lone Wolf) --Lol I can see why your humor fics have so many reviews...:)

sb1--:D Thanks! Hmm...What do you think the answer is going to be?

K-chan--Hehe, yeah, me too...but do you seriously think I'd kill Anzu?

Star Girl--^^ Thank you! Hmm...Well, this is the first time I've written a fic, let alone Angst, so I didn't really think I'd be good at making people cry. -sweatdrop- Lol You can stop rereading now, 'cause here's the last chappie! Enjoy!

lili--That's okay. Just as long as you review! ^_^ Eh? I thought I took long...I mean, it's...five or six days later!

C. M. Dracoon--Well, you pretty much know what's gonna happen in this chapter by the -cough- crappy title. You'll see where Anzu's stepfather is in this chapter...

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!.

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Searching for the Light

Chapter Seven: A New Beginning

Ryou paced around anxiously in the waiting room. It was a Tuesday afternoon, after school. The whole gang was there, including Mai, who Joey seemed to have succeeded in courting.

"She should be done any time now. Don't worry, Ryou. I'm sure she's fine," Yu-Gi said, trying to comfort his friend.

Moments later, a nurse approached the apprehensively waiting group. She smiled a bit, as if to reassure the extremely worried friends that everything was all right.

"How is she?" Ryou asked breathlessly, anxiety flashing in his mahogany eyes.

The nurse smiled at him. "Your friend is doing just fine. We were able to cure her, but she will have to stay in the hospital for about two weeks, at the most. You may go see her, if you like." The nurse smiled once more, extending her arm in the direction of Anzu's hospital room.

Ryou breathed a sigh of relief, and nodded.

"C'mon, let's go, guys!" shouted Joey enthusiastically, jumping ahead, happy for Anzu's survival. The other four sweatdropped slightly at his sheer hyper nature, and followed him into Anzu's room. They were all eager to see how their friend was doing.

"Hello, Anzu. How are you doing?" Yu-Gi asked politely as soon as the group had crowded into Anzu's room.

"Hey, guys! I'm doing great!" Anzu said, smiling brightly. The shine was restored in her sky blue eyes, and she had basically converted back to her regular, cheery old self again.

Yu-Gi grinned, happiness shining in his innocent amethyst eyes. "That's good to hear, Anzu!"

The six friends chatted for quite a while, and before long, it was time for everyone to leave.

"We'll come by again tomorrow, okay? See ya," Joey said, walking out.

Everyone else, in turn, said their goodbyes and left after Joey, until only Mai and Ryou were left.

"Well, I've gotta run as well. Bye, hun," Mai said, and, winking, stepped out, closing the door softly behind her.

So it was that Ryou and Anzu were alone. It was quite for a few moments, before Anzu broke the silence.

"Ryou..." Anzu blushed slightly and looked up at him with glossy eyes, startling Ryou slightly. "Thank you...I wouldn't have survived without you..."

"Anzu...?" Ryou asked uncertainly.

"After the nurses calmed me down, they told me I had to go through surgery for my heart disease. They said if I didn't make it, I'd die in six months. I was so scared..." All this time she had been talking, Anzu had been looking at the wall in front of her. Now, she turned to smile at Ryou. "...but then I thought of you." Ryou's eyes widened. "I guess that's what helped me pull through. So thank you." Finishing her little speech, Anzu stared at her hands, folded in her lap, a light blush across her pretty face.

"I-I...You're welcome." Ryou turned a bit pink at her simple, heartfelt thanks. "Well...I've got to get going. I-I'll come by tomorrow."

Anzu smiled sweetly, like an innocent little child. "Okay, bye Ryou!"

"Goodbye..." Ryou turned and walked out the door, closing the door after him. He nearly bumped into Mai, who had been waiting outside for him.

"So...How was your little chat?" Mai asked, grinning knowingly.

Ryou turned pink and stammered, "I-I don't know what you're talking about, Mai!"

Mai casually slinked an arm around Ryou, winking. "Oh, come on. It's so obvious you two have the hots for each other." She smiled at the flustered expression on Ryou's face.

"...We do not," he mumbled unconvincingly, blushing deeply.

"Now, don't be shy," Mai teased. "...Just tell her." She walked off, leaving Ryou in the hallway, contemplating his feelings.

- - -

Ryou quietly stepped into Anzu's room. It was a Wednesday afternoon, and Anzu only had to stay in the hospital for three more days.

"Hello? Anzu, it's Ryou. I've come to visit--" Ryou was startled by the sight of Anzu crying into her hands. "Anzu, what's wrong?" He rushed to her side and gently hugged her.

Anzu squeezed tightly in return and laid her head against his chest. "I-I- I had a nightmare...H-He...kept trying t-t-to touch me..."

"Who?! Who tried to touch you?!" Ryou suddenly felt very protective of Anzu. Could it be...?

Anzu sniffled, took a deep breath, and told Ryou everything. How that after her mother had died, she'd had to move in with her stepfather...how he constantly touched her...how she'd resorted to depressive cutting...Everything. Ryou listened intently, shocked at what the beautiful angel in his arms was telling him.

"Anzu...I'm sorry..." He tightened his grip on Anzu.

She sniffled and looked up at Ryou, smiling slightly. "Thank you so much for listening to me, Ryou..."

"You're welcome..." he muttered absently, lost in her gaze. They stayed that way in silence for a long time, merely drinking in each other's presence. Slowly, little by little, the distance between their faces grew smaller...Anzu felt warm lips pressing against hers. She was a little surprised that Ryou was making a move, but she closed her eyes, enjoying the kiss.

Ryou, meanwhile, was a little surprised, too, at his own daring. He couldn't say he didn't enjoy it, though...

They held their passionate kiss for a little longer, before they had to pull apart, very reluctantly, for air. Anzu touched her lips with her fingers, mesmerized by the sudden squeeze of love on her heart.

"Ryou...I-I..."

"I love you," Ryou blurted out quickly.

Anzu smiled, her eyes softening. "I...love you too," she admitted, blushing slightly.

"So...Would you like to go out and do something fun once you're out of the hospital?" Ryou asked, smiling sweetly.

Anzu nuzzled noses with him, giggling. "I'd love to."

Suddenly, a nurse walked into the room. "Anzu, I'm sorry to tell you this, but...your stepfather died in a car crash near the local bar. He was drunk, probably from going to the bar. Your aunt Aya will be moving in with you."

Anzu breathed a sigh of relief, though she inwardly shivered a bit at the mention of her stepfather. 'Whew...at least I won't have to go through anymore of that...stuff. Te, he was probably so worried about losing me, his little sex toy, that he went and got himself drunk,' she thought scornfully. She noticed the nurse awaiting her reply, and hurriedly said, "Oh, all right. Thank you for telling me!"

"You're welcome." The nurse looked at Anzu a little strangely, as if wondering why she wasn't the least bit sad, and exited the room, leaving Anzu and Ryou alone once again.

Anzu turned to Ryou with shining eyes full of happiness. "Ryou...I think my life will be perfect from now on." She smiled widely.

"Are you sure you'll be all right?" Ryou asked, voicing his concern. He brushed a hand through her silken tresses, reveling in their softness.

"Yep!" Anzu chirped happily. "Couldn't be better off! I have you as my great, loving boyfriend--" at this, Ryou blushed, "--and my really nice aunt is going to be taking care of me from now on!" She hugged Ryou, and the two fell into a light slumber in each other's arms.

- - -

Anzu stepped out of the hospital with Ryou by her side. She breathed in the fresh air, which she had not experienced for a very long time.

"Ahhh...It feels great to be out again!" she exclaimed happily. She turned to Ryou and smiled. "Let's go to that carnival now, ne?"

"Yes, let's." And the couple made their way towards the carnival. For Anzu, a fresh new start awaited her...

~*~

Wheee, that must've been my longest chapter! Aiiee! I must've totally destroyed Ryou's personality! _ And the kissing scene probably sucked. Well, tell me what you think. I'd appreciate it.

Well, for bye, for now! Until we meet again! ^_~