This chapter has been revised.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Yu-Gi-Oh! Enough said.

Chapter Four:

Non-Existent Tears

Anzu's POV

I had to fight to keep my eyes from closing.

Saying that I was 'tired' would have been a major understatement.

I woke early in the morning, packing all of my necessities. After the reoccurring dream last night, I found it excruciatingly difficult to go back to sleep.

After one last glance at my ticket, I boarded the plane and was halted by a flight attendant who requested for me to sit in the first class section.

First class--?

Mind you; I wasn't exactly what you'd call poverty-stricken, but I also wasn't the kind of person who was extravagantly wealthy either.

Nevertheless, I just waved the incident aside as a glitch in the computer systems and sat down in my designated seat, pondering on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for choosing Tokyo Airlines..."

I closed my eyes, blocking out the monotone voice and rested my head against the closed window.

It's better this way...

A small smile flitted across my face and swiftly disappeared as I scolded myself for thinking those thoughts.

Because it always led to a random memory of them.

Refusing to cause anymore chaos, I asked in a polite manner, "May I sit with you?"

Malik, who just now noticed my existence, replied with a glare, "Sit somewhere else, Tuberculosis."

As the crude name left his lips, I decided with a sigh that words travel at a fast pace.

I asked again, "Please? There's no room for me to sit in anywhere else."

He held up his middle finger and said offensively, "Why don't you sit on the isle, if you're so desperate? You'd blend in very well."

I stared at him silently and complied. I heard snickers behind me.

With a cold and mocking edge to his tone, he stated, observing me, "I was correct. You blend in perfectly. But the dirt has better value than you. You're lower than the ground."

He turned to look at the window, ignoring me once more.

I think back to my childhood, to when nearly everything was perfect.

I think back to when everyone wore a mask, when everyone pretended to smile, to laugh; when they pretended to be happy.

A contorted thought entered my mind.

It was like playing pretend.

I watched, intrigued by the figures on the stage.

One figure especially caught my eye; a woman bathed in laces and silk, who twirled gracefully in the center of the stage.

She was beautiful.

My eyes widened in awe and I tugged on my mother's sleeves, exclaiming in a furious whisper, "Mommy!! She's pretty!!"

My mother glanced at me and smiled gently, smoothing back my unruly auburn bangs. "Yes, she is, isn't she?"

I nodded and screamed in delight when the woman on the stage did a series of complicated actions, twisting her body this way and that, arching her back gracefully while lifting one leg up high.

As the show ended and the audience dispersed, I ran along with my mother's hand in my own, stating decisively and confidently, "I'm gonna be like her someday, mommy!!"

My mother chuckled and picked me up, "Yes; yes you will, Anzu. You will be the best."

Tears prickled my eyes and I sighed shakily.

Few things could bring me to tears.

"--I think that you shouldn't come to my matches anymore."

"How about Tuberculosis? " asked Mai, who somehow overheard Shizuka's statement from earlier.

"Such an appropriate word for someone like her, " said Yami silently.

I smirked. They've chosen such an appropriate name for me.

I woke up in drenched sheets.

Sheets that were stained red.

Red with blood.

"Anzu Masaki. Do you know what 'tuberculosis' is? It's a chronic bacterial infection that primarily attacks the lungs..."

"--The truth is, that we don't know what you have. Numerous times we've analyzed your blood samples and--"

"--The closest match is 'tuberculosis'."

"...You may have been the first one to attract this illness..."

"I'm sorry, Miss Masaki. But until we find out what type of sickness this is, we won't be able to find a cure at all."

We won't be able to find a cure at all.

Won't be able to find a cure at all.

Be able to find a cure at all.

Able to find a cure at all.

To find a cure at all.

Find a cure at all.

A cure at all.

Cure at all.

At all.

All.

His words echoed in my head and for a moment, my mind was incapable of having coherent thoughts.

"Feel free to contact us if you see any changes in your body. For now, take these pills. It will help lessen the pain, if only just a little."

I could make out a gloved hand, holding a white bottle with my prescription taped on it.

I felt nauseous.

I reluctantly recieved the bottle with quivering fingers.

I slung the bag over my shoulder and stood up.

I never once hesitated as I left the plane.

End Chapter

This chapter has been revised.

deity of death