Difinity: *runs for her life*
Starkiss: EVIL!!!!
Difinity: I SAID I WAS SORRY!
Starkiss: NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
Difinity: ß *runs faster* O_O
Yami: ¬.¬ You deserve it
Difinity: Aw SHADDAP! You are NOT helping!
Starkiss: You'd better get them back together~!!!!
Difinity: ß *runs faster* EEK!
Yami: As you can clearly see, she's currently running away from one of the MANY people who want her head on a silver plate for the events in chapter 16 *smug smile*
Yugi: BUT
Yami: Yes, BUT, we can't have her killed…YET.
Difinity: YAMI!
Yami: She needs to finish the fic first. ^_^
Difinity: ß *stops* And as a side note, I promise I WILL update "Moonlight Sonata"!! I had writer's block for it, and LoF kept me really busy. ^^;;
Yami: I see you have stopped running, ne?
Difinity: ¬.¬ You just HAD to remind me
Yami: ^_^ It's what I do
Starkiss: EVIL GIRL!!!
Difinity: SETO!!!
Seto: What?
Difinity: Save me, please??
Seto: Why should I?
Starkiss: *whacks Dif w/a pan*
Difinity: @_@ That's why
Seto: *sweatdrop* whoops…
Disclaimer: I wish I did, but I don't. *sigh* AND, I don't own the lyrics to the song, "Please Remember" by LeAnn Rimes
Note: This story contains Yaoi, shounen-ai, Anzu bashing, and all that good stuff. If you don't like it, then why are you here? No offence to all the Anzu fans out there! ^O^
'…' is thinking "…" is speaking
~*…*~ are song lyrics
*********************************
Land of Forever
By: Difinity
*********************************
Yugi wiped his eyes unceremoniously on his sleeve, his face flushed, eyes blood-shot red. Snow flakes floated lazily down to the ground, staying frozen on Yugi's tear-streaked cheeks. The heartbroken amethyst-eyed boy hugged his arms, sniffing, fresh tears pooling in his grief-stricken eyes. The winter air hung cold in the lonely night, the stars barely shining their dim light through the heavy clouds. The small boy looked around, his new tears blurring his vision. Deciding it was best to go home and try to calm his nerves, Yugi solemnly walked out of his secret in the park, exiting the lonely park.
He looked around, seeing people walk down the sidewalks happily, some people looking radiant while couples strolled around the town on a romantic winter night. No one seemed to notice the small, multi-colored hair boy walking down the street, his arms wrapped around himself, tears cascading down his cold cheeks. Yugi sniffed again, a lump formed in his throat, biting his bottom lip to silence the heartrending sobs that were threatening to escape his kiss-bruised lips.
With trembling fingers, Yugi touched his cold lips, not daring to believe that only moments ago, Yami's lips were pressed against his own in a fiery goodbye kiss. Yugi only wished that the kiss had been made because of a more happy occasion, instead of a last desire from the person he had fallen madly in love with. Yugi's heart felt incredibly heavy, bruised and betrayed, the weight of the events too much for him to carry on his own. Everything and everyone was so cruel; why did this have to happen? Why did Yugi have to be ripped away from the one thing that truly made him happy, despite all that had happened to him? Why?
Yugi stopped walking as he approached the café he and Yami always went to. Just staring at the cozy building made a rush of memories flood Yugi's mind, causing more tears to slid down his cheeks.
~*Flashback*~
"Have you got anything planned out for winter break?" Yugi asked eagerly, eyes bright and shining. Yami grinned at his friend's enthusiasm, knowing fully well what he wanted to do during the holiday break. The two boys sat in a café, warm and cozy, protected from the cold snow that was covering the city of Domino outside. Yugi looked around the café, his face radiant and looking adorable in his winter outfit. Yami looked at his friend, capturing the small boy's gaze for a moment. Yami reached out and took a hold of Yugi's hand. The amethyst-eyed boy looked away, a blush creeping up his cheeks. The taller of the two grinned as he pressed his lips against Yugi's hand softly.
"I know exactly what I want to do during winter break," Yami said, smiling broadly at the blushing boy in front of him. "And who I want to spend it with." Yugi looked at him with wide eyes, his blush deepening greatly. It took all the will-power Yami could must to NOT pull Yugi forward and kiss him senseless. Still, he enjoyed just having a strong friendship with the boy, and decided not to rush things. Besides, it was still uncertain to Yami if Yugi had been experiencing the same feelings towards him. Every moment he spent with Yugi was memorable. Every moment he treasured.
"Ano…," Yugi said, obviously flustered. "Aha, ano, a-after we're done here, w-where do you want to go?" Yami smiled, standing up as he kept Yugi's hand in his own. The smaller boy's heart skipped a beat, his knees growing weak. Yami pulled him out into the snow covered streets, the snow flakes rapidly accumulating. The shorter of the two looked up in awe, and felt Yami squeeze his hand gently. He looked over at Yami, and saw something in the taller boy's shining ruby-eyes. Yugi looked deep into the fiery orbs, looking for a trace of mischief or a glimmering hint of teasing. He found nothing. All he could see was Yami's eyes shining in adoration, and an emotion that looked stronger, but Yugi couldn't quite place it.
"So, where do we go?" Yugi asked.
Acting on what he was feeling, Yami leaned close and softly rubbed his nose against Yugi's. The smaller boy blushed brightly, startled by Yami's actions, yet feeling a warm, familiar tugging at his heart.
"Wherever you want to go, ore no tenshi*," Yami said, winking. Yugi nearly fainted at the nickname, but slowly lost his balance for a brief moment. Yami allowed Yugi to lean against him, but brushed his lips across the boy's forehead before doing so. Yugi felt nothing but trust and adoration from the flirtatious actions that Yami was making. Though they made him uneasy and insecure, Yugi loved them, and never wanted Yami to stop. He felt Yami tug his hand gently, leading him on. Yugi nodded and followed him.
'Then again,' Yugi thought. 'I'd follow him anywhere in the world.'
~*End Flashback*~
With tears still glistening in his amethyst eyes, Yugi stepped into the small café, immediately being met by the warm air that hung in the atmosphere. All at once, the small boy longed to have Yami wrap his strong, secure arms around him, keeping him safe and warm. Yet now, that was a far off wish, a dream too far from reach. He sat in the corner, the same table he and Yami used to sit at. Yugi settled there and wiped his eyes, hoping that the memories weren't too much for him, the long road ahead of him lonely and uncertain without Yami's warm guidance and protection. The lump re-settled in Yugi's throat, tears dancing on his eyelashes. Hoping no one would notice, Yugi shut his eyes and let his tears make their way down his cheeks in small streams.
He looked at the wall, his face flushed and eyes were grief-stricken. Yugi leaned forward and rested his head on the table, wrapping his arms around his head and sobbing quietly, ignoring the rest of the world and only concentrating on his sorrow. A waitress made her way through the tables and had her writing pad in hand.
"So, what can I…get…you…," she said, stopping once she saw Yugi's condition. "Oh my, are you alright?" Her green-eyes gazed down at the sobbing boy, sympathy washing over her. 'Poor kid…something awful must've happened to him.'
Yugi looked up as his eyes widened. He wiped his cheeks and shook his head. "I-I'm fine," he lied, voice thick with emotion. "It's okay."
The waitress shook her head. "I'll go get you some hot chocolate," she said, kindness glowing in her green eyes. Yugi raised his hand.
"I'm fine, really."
"Don't worry," she assured. "It's on the house." She walked off and headed towards the back, leaving Yugi alone with his heartache and thoughts. He heard the speakers play a soft song, causing more tears to re-gather in his eyes, his heart hurting every time it took a beat. The crying boy sniffed and rested his head on his arms, tears staining his cheeks once again.
~*Time, sometimes the time just slips away
And your left with yesterday
Left with the memories
I, I'll always think of you and smile
And be happy for the time
I had you with me
Though we go our separate ways
I won't forget so don't forget
the memories we made*~
~*~
"Would you like something to read sir?" the stewardess asked Yami. He shook his head and looked out the window, not noticing the lights in the plane beginning to dim. He felt his sister rest her head on his hand, her breathing slow and steady. A look of warmth and tenderness flashed across Yami's eyes for a second, but soon faded into grief and deep sadness. He sighed as he looked out the window, the large airliner flying over the last traces of Japan before heading off into the Pacific Ocean. Domino was now far behind him, his friends, his school…Yugi.
The very name caused Yami to grip the seat tightly, tears beginning to sting his eyes fiercely. He blinked them away, not wanting to break down as he had done in the car on their way to the airport.
~*Flashback*~
"Yami, are…are you alright?" his mother asked, worry written all over her features. Yami turned around and glared at her, his gaze so intense that Mrs. Mutou had to look away. "Yami, your father and I, we're so-"
"Don't say you're sorry," Yami snapped. "Nothing matters now. We're leaving Japan and that's all that there is to it." His mother reached out to touch him, but he twisted away. "Didn't you hear me? I said don't say you're sorry! Don't…Don't even talk to me!" His mother backed away as if she had been stung, her eyes were wide with fright, but soon she looked down, now her eyes filled with tears and hurt.
"I understand Yami," she whispered, leaning against her husband for support. Mr. Mutou wrapped his arm around his small wife and stared intensely at his son. Yami caught his gaze and met it with a glare of his own. The two stared at each other in a silent battle, but in the end, it was Mr. Mutou who looked away. There was a fire blazing in Yami's unshed tear-filled eyes, the pain and betrayal he was feeling, radiantly glowing through his ruby eyes. He turned his attention back towards the window, his eyes scanning the familiar surroundings of home, and everything he was leaving behind.
Yami bit his bottom lip as he felt more tears slide slowly down his cheeks, hating the fact that his heart hurt so much. It felt like a fire, searing everything inside of him, the pain unbearable and the harsh reality of everything making it even worse. Yami didn't bother to wipe the moisture on his cheeks away; he didn't want to even look at anyone in his family. Everyone there had betrayed him; they didn't know what he was feeling, and he wouldn't let them know.
They ruined his life. All Yami ever loved was staying in Domino, while he was being whisked away to America. He didn't know anyone there, even though he knew English and was sure he wouldn't have any problems. But the uncertainties of everything was what Yami was afraid of; he didn't want to have to try to fit in, knowing he had all the friends he could ask for back in Domino. But, judging by the way things were going now, it seemed as if he wouldn't be able to return, no matter how much he wanted.
'Yugi…' Yami thought. '…I wish I had been brave enough to tell you…tell you…'
Yami shut his eyes.
'Aishiteru'
~*Please remember, please remember
I was there for you
and you were there for me
Please remember, our time together
The time was yours and mine
while we were wild and free
Please remember, please remember me*~
~*End Flashback*~
Yami lay his head back as he shut his eyes, trying to calm his nerves. He opened one eye to look for the headphones on the seat. He found then and put them on, hoping he could hear something—anything—that would help him take his mind off of Yugi. The music was almost half-way done, but Yami didn't bother to care. He shut his opened eye and tried to sleep, hoping that perhaps he would feel better in the morning, instead of the horrible way he was feeling now. Yet the bitter memory of his farewell to Yugi was too vivid to erase.
~*Flashback*~
"It isn't wonderful, Yugi," he said. "…We…We're moving to America…"
"You joking right?" Yugi asked frantically. "Right? Please…oh…please Yami! You-You can't!" Yami was taken back by Yugi's reaction. "No…no no no!" Yugi choked back a sob, his tears on the brink of slipping down his cheeks. Yami wrapped his arms around Yugi and pulled the boy into an embrace, holding him as close as he could. Yugi buried his face into the taller boy's chest, his tears now pouring freely down his cheeks. His sobs were heartrending as he clung onto Yami, as if he was his only life line. Yami cradled Yugi, scolding himself for his blunt confession. Yugi cried openly, feeling as if his heart was breaking. The moon continued to shine down brightly, the snow covering the boys in it's mystifying white blanket. Yugi pulled away, his eyes glimmering with tears.
"Wh-When are you leaving…?" Yugi whispered, his voice breaking.
"Tonight," Yami replied. Yugi's eyes widened as he felt as if someone had slapped him hard across his tear-stained face
Yami pulled Yugi into another embrace, stroking the boy's hair lovingly, pressing his lips against Yugi's forehead. The shorter of the two shut his eyes, tears escaping from the corners and trailing softly down his cheeks. Yugi pressed his lips together, clinging to Yami desperately, never wanting to let him go. He felt Yami murmur something against his forehead, not truly caring what he said. Every moment now, counted so much to Yugi. The last, precious minutes he had with the one he loved, only to have him torn away, never to see him again. Yugi's heart felt bruised, hurt and betrayed. How much pain could he take? First his parents, now Yami? It didn't seem fair to burden the small boy with so much hurt.
"…Will I ever see you again…?" Yugi whispered sadly, his golden bang hanging limply over his face.
"…Maybe," Yami replied. "I hope so…." Yami stopped for a moment. "I'll never meet someone like you." Yugi's face crumbled with grief as he felt the reality of everything sink in. It was really happening. Yami was leaving Japan, quite possibly forever. Yugi would never see him smile, never hear him laugh or feel him warm his strong, protective arms around Yugi's small frame.
Yugi sniffed as a request popped into his mind. "Yami…" Yugi whispered. "Please remember me." Yami's eyes grew wide as he heard Yugi's request. 'Please remember me'
~*End Flashback*~
The pleading request remained vivid in Yami's memory, the pain in Yugi's voice was too much for Yami to bare. Then again, he remembered his own request for Yugi.
~*Flashback*~
"Yugi…Would you mind terribly if I…kissed you goodbye?"
~*End Flashback*~
He felt his face flush red, remembering the intimate kiss he shared with the small boy. Though he may have left him behind, the memory still lingered freshly in the depths of Yami's mind. He felt tears begin to form in his eyes as the words of the song began to sink deep into his mind, the reality of everything taking place, and the pain crushing him in it's grasp.
~*Goodbye, there's just no sadder word to say
And it's sad to walk away
With just the memories
Who's to know what might have been
We'll leave behind a life and time
I'll never know again*~
With all his heart, Yami wished he could've shared a future with Yugi, but now, it seemed impossible.
~*~
~*Please remember, please remember
I was there for you
and you were there for me
And remember, please remember me*~
Yugi looked into the cup of hot chocolate that the waitress had served him. He sniffed slightly, wiping his eyes. A faint smile touched his lips as he remembered the fun he and Yami had when they visited Kyoto.
~*Flashback*~
Yugi inhaled deeply, enjoying the sweet scent of the Kyoto air. He smiled broadly, scanning the familiar scenery, loving it and wishing that he could never leave. The trees were slowly shedding their leaves, and the air had a chill clinging onto it, signaling that the snow would soon arrive. He spun around gleefully, feeling so happy at just being home again. He smiled and beamed brightly, his amethyst shining with radiance, making him look more innocent, almost angelic.
Yami walked behind his ecstatic friend his hands deep in his pockets, watching the boy with a lopsided smile, a slight blush spreading across his cheeks. He never remembered when he had ever been so happy. Just being alone with Yugi for even a minute, was more than he could ever ask for. Yugi lit up his darkest days with his bright, innocent amethyst colored eyes. Yugi's radiant smile, and his soft voice made Yami feel all warm and fuzzy inside, feelings he never thought even existed. He watched Yugi dance around, catching the flower petals that seemed to rain down. It was unusual, but a very beautiful sight. A petal landed on Yami's nose, making the older boy look at it balancing on the very tip.
The amethyst colored boy spun around and saw his friend staring at the small petal. Yugi giggled as he hopped over, stood on his toes and gently blew the petal away. The shorter boy watched the small petal dance away, floating and spinning in the wind, while Yami had his eyes shut, try to rid himself of the warm feeling he was experiencing when he felt Yugi's feather soft breath brush against his cold nose. The air was beginning to grow cold, and Yami touched his nose. Yami groaned as he removed his fingers from the cold tip. His face started to sting slightly, and Yami knew perfectly that because of the cold, his face as well as his nose, was beginning to grow a rosy color.
Yami, not being very fond of the cold, wrapped his arms around himself, willing the chill in his body to go away. Yugi turned around and saw Yami's attempts to warm himself. For some reason, Yugi felt his heart skip a beat, and he longed to have Yami's arms wrapped tightly around him, holding him close in this winter wonder land. An idea popped into Yugi's head, and he hopped merrily towards his cold friend. Yami smiled at him, rubbing his hands up and down his shivering arms. Yugi giggled as he stepped forward, his eyes shinning with emotion and his cheeks flushed red. For a split second, Yugi wondered what it would be like if Yami kissed him. He blushed even more for thinking that. Still, the curiosity never seemed to leave him. Yugi felt a tug at his heart, and wondered why he was beginning to feel so strange. Maybe he was sick?
After sighing, Yugi stepped forward, and rested his head against Yami's chest. Yami blinked and looked down, seeing Yugi resting his head against his chest gently, but also seeing the boy's anxiousness. It seemed that he really wanted to do something with his hands. Yami grinned as he wrapped his arms around Yugi's small figure, basking in the tender feeling that Yugi fit so well into his arms. It was as if Yugi was made especially for Yami to hug and hold. To adore and to love. Yugi giggled slightly, cuddling closer to his friend, wrapping his arms around Yami's middle timidly, shut his eyes gently as Yami tightened his hold on the boy…
Yami rested his chin atop Yugi's head, once again feeling the strong urge to press Yugi's lips against his own…
Yugi, feeling brave and bold, looked up and slowly, but gently, kissed Yami's left cheek. His lips tingled at the warm and spicy feeling of pressing his aching lips against Yami's flesh. He longed to keep his lips pressed against the soft skin, but knew he had to part from it. Yugi the snuggled closer and rested his head against the crook of Yami's neck, sighing happily.
Yami, on the other hand, was blushing so much that it wasn't even humanly possible. He cheek tingled from the feeling of having Yugi's soft, warm lips caress his cold flesh. Yami shut his eyes, wanting to kiss Yugi so badly. After all, Yugi had kissed his cheek, why couldn't Yami do the same?
~*End Flashback*~
Tears slid down Yugi's cheeks silently, soaking into the table. He grabbed onto his scarf, using it to wipe the moisture away.
"Yami…" Yugi whispered. "Don't…don't forget me…"
~*Please remember, please remember
I was there for you
And you were there for me
Please remember, our time together
The time was yours and mine
While we were wild and free
Then remember, please remember me*~
~*~
Despite his sadness, Yami smiled sadly, the good times rolling around his mind. Yugi's smile, Yugi's laugh, Yugi's gentle touch. It was all a tender memory, and sadly, that's all it would ever be. Yami felt his sister move, and looked down to see her looking up at him with tired eyes. She captured his gaze, not blinking, knowing fully well what her brother was thinking about.
Wishing she could do something to help, she grasped her brother's arm and rested her head against it, shutting her eyes. The taller boy looked down at her and smoothed her soft hair. She didn't seem to mind anything, but then again, it was always hard to tell what she was thinking; what she was feeling. She was so mysterious, but Yami loved her that way. Yami gently kissed the top of her head and pulled her closer to him, needing to hold someone to help ease the pain. He shut his eyes as sleep began to claim him, his dreams taking him far away, but Yugi's face lingered there still. The song lulled him to sleep, carrying his wishes on a breathless note.
~*And how we laugh and how we smile
And how this heart was yours and mine
And how a dream was out of reach
I stood by you, you stood by me
We took each day and made it shine
We wrote our names across the sky
We ride so fast, we ride so free
And I knew that you had me*~
~*~
Yugi walked into his room, not bothering to change into his pajamas. The room was dark and illuminated to an eerie blue by the moon. He had come straight home, not bothering to answer his Grandfather's worried questions. Yugi stayed silent as he ran up the stairs and shut the door of his room. He flopped on the bed and buried his face into his pillow, his tears staining the pillow cover. The house was dark as Yugi heard his grandfather make his way up the stairs and enter his own bedroom. The small boy clutched at the blankets, shutting his eyes tightly.
"…Aishiteru Yami…" Yugi whispered to the lonely room. "Goodbye."
~*Please remember, please remember*~
~*~
Difinity: *is gone*
Starkiss: *stops* Oh forget it. I know she'll make it all better again ^_^
Seto: Uh…any idea why the police just saw Dif running across the boarder to Mexico?
Everyone else: …*sweatdrop*
Seto: ¬.¬ I'll be back later *runs off to find Dif*
Hope you enjoyed! Please r/r~! ^.~