Hi there! Welcome to the probably final chapter of Paper Flowers 2. Yesh, it's done, finally! There most probably won't be a third part, nope, no more. I'd like you to start reading the Breath Easy Saga though, the one I started recently Anyways. . . enjoy!

Bakura climbed up the stairs quietly, taking in his surroundings. The blessing of the goddess would shield him from any fatal blows he would be receiving before the day was over, but for sure Mariku was being blessed by the god of the desert, and there was no hope at all for Bakura. He knew it, he would lose.

His only desire now was the boy lying on his bed, wrapped up in blankets and innocence; soft white hair sprawled out on black satin sheets, dark charcoal lashes resting in high cheekbones. Bakura sat down on the bed's edge, letting his fingertips brush over Ryou's cheek tentatively. He had to smile when the younger one leaned into the touch, purring softly, and tears came to his eyes as he realized his love wouldn't be able to live if he didn't succeed. . .He wanted to leave in silence, to have this image of Ryou burned into his mind during the battle he had to fight, to give him strength and courage, but it wouldn't be fair not to say good bye. So he leaned down, and brushed his lips against Ryou's softly, causing dull emerald eyes to flutter open.

"Bakura?", a sleepy voice asked, but Ryou didn't receive an answer, just were pulled into strong, warm, trembling arms. He frowned slightly; something wasn't right. "Are you alright?" A sob answered him this time – Bakura was crying.

Ryou's blind eyes widened, and he wrapped his arms around his love, trying to comfort him.

"I. . . I have to go. I came to say good bye.", Bakura whispered finally, nuzzling his nose to Ryou's cheek affectionately.

Ryou nodded just slightly, casting his eyes down. He didn't want Bakura to go, go and fight and maybe get killed. He would've given his sight and health for Bakura's life; even Ryou knew he was bound to lose. They shared kisses for the next few minutes, desperate, loving kisses, full of salty tears and whimpers and quiet sobs, both unable to enjoy them completely until they sank into one, long, deep one, expressing undying affection and fondness for each other.

"I love you."

"I love you too. . . don't leave me."

"Ryou. . . "

The younger one gripped Bakura's shoulders tightly, dulled eyes staring up into his face pleadingly. "I won't let you go the after world alone."

Bakura suppressed a gasp, and nodded, hugging Ryou one last time before getting up, glancing a last time longingly at the boy sitting on the bed so lonely, and left the room finally. He felt torn; a part of him felt guilty, another glad. . . Ryou would kill himself only to be with him.

Anzu stared at the screen blankly, her eyes following the little red spot that was Bakura on the monitor. Yami was opposite to her, leaning on the wall with his eyes closed and his arms crossed; apparently thinking. All their hope was in the white-haired thief now, the hope that Yuugi and Ryou would get better, that he would destroy the evil virus breeding in Mariku's body – that he would lift the curse placed upon them all.

The spot was outside by now, heavily armed of course, descriptions of the weapons Bakura was carrying all around the spot. Shizuka was sitting in front of the screen, a headset over her ears, in case Bakura wanted to know what weapons Mariku would have with him, or how long his munitions would last. She glanced at the two resting in an uncomfortable silence, and cleared her throat softly to not wake up Seto, who was sleeping with his head on Anzu's lap; he had insisted on helping, but had been much too exhausted to stay awake. One of Anzu's delicate hands was in the chocolate strands, soothing the CEO's nightmares while Shizuka couldn't. Yami had snorted at this first, but after being sent a glare that could freeze a raging fire, he had shut up, and was thinking about Yuugi now.

"He'll do it, you know.", Shizuka's quiet voice rang through the room. "It'll be a short battle, Mariku doesn't have any back-up."

"And that's a good thing?", Anzu asked gravely, lifting her eyes and looked at her friend with emotionless eyes. The younger girl could feel her best friend's pain though, and she winced, casting her eyes down.

"I'm sorry Anzu-chan. . . "

"There's nothing to be sorry about.", Yami said sternly. "He's almost killed us all, made us suffer, and he deserves to die."

Shizuka winced again and ducked slightly at the burning rage that filled Anzu's clear-blue eyes, making them darken visibly.

"If you don't shut up already I will kill you.", she snarled at the tri-colour haired man, one hand resting protectively on her abdomen, the other one still in Seto's hair. Yami gulped; he wouldn't mess with pregnant women, oh no. That was like death sentence. He lifted his hand in defence and excuse, looking away. Anzu growled again before her eyes filled with tears. She almost could feel Mariku's presence, inside her and outside the mansion; he was there already, no doubt about that.

"'Zuka-chan. . . search for him.", she said so suddenly that Shizuka bumped her head on the back of the chair where it had rested, whining briefly before typing away. And she had been right; a small violet dot was there; apparently near the grave.

"Check the weather."

Shizuka did that as well, and frowned. "It's foggy, and it's raining slightly. They won't be able to see much."

"Unless they don't have to see. . . ", Anzu mumbled, and Yami beat her to it as he asked.

"Check if there are any others. Please.", he added, trying to at least be polite in such a situation. Shizuka typed, slender fingers flying over the keyboard, small clicking sounds filling the room. As soon as she started, she had stopped, and what they could see on the screen made them gasp in unison.

Behind the violet spot, there was a lighter one, which was pulsating softly. And all around the backyard space, there were light green spots moving slowly, predatory. . . trapping Bakura between them.

"That's so not good. . . ", Shizuka whined.

"What are those?"

"The light lavender one is Malik.", Anzu frowned. "We use this colour for him to detect him when he's on some mission. . . the darker violet one's Mariku, and the green ones-"

"-bestia.", the other girl gasped. "And there are some more still! Bakura!", she now yelled through the headset, after adjusting the small microphone over her mouth. The red spot whipped around.

"What is it?", Bakura's low voice came over the speaker boxes eerily, making Yami wince.

"You're surrounded.", Shizuka explained. "Be careful, Mariku uses magic, apparently. He's at the grave, and he has Malik with him!"

Colourful Egyptian curses were heard as Bakura growled, quietly still. "Ra damn it. . . keep telling me where they are."

Shizuka nodded. "The nearest one is thirty degrees to the left from what you are facing now."

Bakura growled, whipping out his favourite weapon, a flat energy blaster, and turned into the direction Shizuka had told him, shooting once. A yelp was heard, and a soft fwump as something hit the ground, and Bakura gulped. From the sound, it had been huge. He could hear growling, but the fog was so thick that he couldn't see anything.

"Don't just shoot and waste munitions", Shizuka warned, and Bakura was slightly relieved as he heard her voice, making him feel as if he wasn't completely alone. "Fifty-five degrees to the right, eleven feet away from you."

Bakura's body whipped around again, hugged tightly in black leather, an evenly black trench coat billowing behind him as he shot again, having to hold the blaster with both hands so he wouldn't crash backwards. "How many more?"

"I don't know, every time you get one, there's ano- watch out!"

Bakura threw himself back, lying on his back on the damp, chilly ground, hitting it the moment a large, dark body pounced at him. He shot twice, wincing at he could roll aside the moment before it fell with a snarl, speckling his side with dark blood. He jumped up again, and stared in utter shock at the body he made fall a moment ago. .

Thick black fur covered it, while it was shaped like a huge lion, with a human face, large sharp claws and teeth.

"Are you alright with if I turn the camera on?", Shizuka asked, concerned when he didn't answer her.

"Yes, sure."

"What camera?", Yami asked, frowning, and approached the desk, sitting down next to Shizuka. She smiled at him, clicking a few buttons.

"We embedded a camera in Bakura's right eye a while ago. It's useful. Watch."

The screen flickered, and Shizuka yelped, because Bakura's gaze still was on the beast.

"A chimaera!"

"He has power over chimaeras?!", Yami gasped, staring wide-eyed. Anzu frowned.

"No, he hasn't. . . but the gods do."

"Bakura, there are two other one's on either side of you!", Shizuka said, her voice loud and clear; there was no use making the man more irritated than he already was with shrieking and yelping. While one side of the screen was occupied with the camera, the other one still showed the spots.

Bakura, in the backyard, pulled out another blaster and fired into both directions at the same time, emitting more fwumps and growls from the foggy, eerie darkness. He shuddered.

"Shizuka, please tell me there are only a few other ones."

"Sorry, 'Kura, there are still over twenty at least. . . but they stopped moving. It seems they make a corridor. Watch out, but approach the grave. And be careful, you can not harm Malik."

Bakura nodded once, walking forward cautiously, blasters still in his hands.

Mariku smirked as he saw Bakura firing and whispering frantically, firing some more, and he lifted a hand, bidding the chimaeras to stop, letting the albino get through to him. Behind him, Malik shivered harshly. In his delicate hands, he held the dagger tightly. Mariku looked at him once, and his smirk softened to a smile, reaching out to pet his little brother's hair briefly to soothe him, but a sharp pain in his neck made him flinch. A tattooed collar around his neck prevented him from resisting Seth. Closing his eyes briefly, he frowned a she remembered how he'd come to the new tattoos.

"Kill him."

Mariku raised the dagger high over the sleeping form of the smaller boy, when those large lavender eyes opened, breaking Mariku's heart as they stared at him in fear and shock.

"Kill him!", the voice rang through his head sharply, tugging at the corners of his mind, bringing him endless head ache. . . and he brought the dagger down, embedding it deeply in soft, pliant material.

A choked sob escaped Malik, his heart beating so much faster as adrenalin pumped through him; the shining blade in his pillow, next to his face. All that was harmed was a small lock of hair, cut off.

Mariku screamed, being dragged back by an unearthly force, and all Malik could do was watch in horror, softly whimpering as his older brother's head was being tilted back by nothing at all, and a spell wrote itself around the strong, tanned neck slowly and agonizingly in a tight band of words, not letting a space. Mariku wouldn't deny Seth's orders again.

But the desert god hadn't forced him to try and kill Malik again. He would have his blood sacrifice soon, and it would be Bakura's blood seeping into the ground, feeding the earth.

Bakura came nearer and nearer, and was right in front of Mariku now, while the blonde still stared into space, and snapped out of it with a blaster on his forehead. Bakura's eyes were set, determined, cold even. . . there was no more adoration, no more respect or love for Mariku in them, an icy blend of crimson and black.

In Mariku's mind, Seth spoke. You have to kill him now. Set the chimaeras on him. You don't have to do it yourself. Mariku frowned slightly, still staring into Bakura's eyes. He tried, he really tried, but they wouldn't budge. I can't.

You are cheating, Seth. I won't allow that., a feminine voice said in both their minds, and it seemed as if Anuket was frowning and glaring angrily.

Fine. Go ahead, let them battle with all they have. A sudden surge of dark light engulfed Mariku, making him gasp sharply as Seth's magic flowed through him. You won't be able to kill him with stupid mortal weapons now., he added smugly, and in Mariku's hand, a katana formed.

Bakura, do you think you can use magic if I give you some?, Anuket asked worriedly. She wasn't so sure about the heart's strength of the albino.

Bakura considered. He didn't know either, he wasn't one for magic, he liked weapons better. . . but the image of his Ryou flooded his mind, sending angry tears to his eyes; his love wouldn't live if he didn't try.

He felt the goddess' relief flood through him as well, comforting him, making him feel warm – and he nodded. I do think so.

Bakura dropped the weapon by simply opening his fingers, never losing eye contact with Mariku. He backed away, another katana forming in his hand, and he stared in wonder at it; it had been a long long time since people fought with it, and he had no skills what-so-ever, but then again, so had Mariku.

Their fight began slow, testing, and quickly became faster, so much faster. The magic that flowed between the warriors let the chimaeras back away in fright, and it was illuminating them so brightly that Shizuka, Yami and Anzu had to close their eyes in the computer room even.

"What are they doing?", Shizuka whispered carefully, to be answered by a strong, yet gentle voice.

"They are fighting the eternal battle between the gods, between good and evil.", Isis explained calmly, walking up to them. "They are blessed by their respective deity."

Anzu frowned, looking back at the screen. "Who will win?"

"This is up to them; whoever loses the will to live, will have to surrender." Isis stopped for a moment, closing her eyes. "It seems Bakura has accepted death even before he started battling."

"But. . . that would mean-"

"That Seth wins the bet, and we will be plunged into darkness forevermore."

Bakura backed away even more, hissing as a passing chimaera growled at him. Mariku fought with unearthly stamina, never getting tired of anything, every blow as hard and fast as the previous one, while Bakura's arms slowly got tired. It looked as if he was losing alright. From behind the grave, Malik sobbed, only to be wrapped into soft golden light.

Do not cry little one. . .

"Anuket. . . "

If you want to help, use the dagger Mariku gave you; he did that with a purpose. You know what to do. An invisible kiss was being pressed onto his cheek, near the corner of his mouth, and he walked forward slowly, towards the fighting couple. The sound of metal clashing with metal was sickening, and even if he hadn't heard war before, he had known how it sounded. This was desperation, fear, and hope all in once, in a most sickening blend.

"Blood you seek. . . blood you will get.", Malik whispered as he approached further, the chimaeras shifting and growling all around him, but not being allowed to move yet.

He grazed the blade over the back of Mariku's neck, letting the blood trickle freely from the gash. He could hear Seth laughing in his mind.

As if that would stop him, pathetic child!

Anuket just smirked smugly, right as Mariku stopped moving. And Seth's shock and realization flooded through them –

The spell had been lifted. It was only a brief second, but it was an eternity to Malik, who still was behind Mariku as Bakura's blade plunged through the muscular, tanned body, the tip of the katana pointing at Malik bloodied.

Mariku gave a choking gasp as he fell to his knees, his eyes clearing until he stared up confusedly at Bakura, who stared as confused down.

"I. . . Bakura?"

"Mariku. . . "

Bakura dropped to his knees, catching the other man as he fell forward, blood spilling from his lips. Tears flowed down his cheeks freely. He had won.

But what had been the price?

One second of clearing Mariku's thoughts, breaking the curse that was upon him, the second before death hit him.

Malik sobbed quietly, as a soft light entered the space, making the chimaeras hiss as they transformed into the stone they were made of, and making the fog back away as well. Anuket kneeled down in front of them, so much larger than they were, glowing with a soft golden light as she cried as well.

Fine, you won., Seth huffed, and vanished into thin air to plot somewhere else.

Know this was hard for you. . . but you did well, my child.

Bakura nodded tearfully, clutching Mariku's body to him.

You have to give him to me. Anuket said, reaching out one hand and scooped up Mariku's bleeding body in it, looking down at him before gently covering her palm with her other hand.

My mission here is done; you still will be blessed by me. All of you will. Don't forget me, as I won't forget you.

She vanished, leaving Malik sobbing into Bakura's arms as the albino led him back to the mansion.

Anzu cried openly as well, both her hands over her abdomen. The pain she was feeling slowly transformed into welcoming warmth, spreading from her belly, and she smiled weakly as the goddess blessed her child. This was going to be her only comfort.

Needless to say, that Yuugi recovered quickly and was happily cuddling into Yami's arms, and Ryou was able to see again. He noticed it the minute Mariku was dead, and he frowned sadly, rubbing his long-unused eyes, but nonetheless hopped out of the bed as soon as Bakura came in.

There were no words needed between them as they fell into each other's arms, holding on tightly, and Bakura cried into Ryou's shoulder all night, while Ryou comforted him, so happy to see again.

Isis had been all over Malik since the boy was back, and the poor blonde had to gently dodge her cuddle-attacks, as well as Anzu's and Shizuka's.

Seto came out of his depression and was his stony, cold self again, though. . . he was loosened up a bit, and more friendly all the way.

It seemed as if everything was alright again.

But the greatest surprise came the next morning, when the doorbell rang, and a sleepy Anzu traipsed to open it; a second after, a scream echoed through the house, and when everyone came running downstairs, there were strong tanned arms around her waist, a blonde head buried into her shoulder, whispering to her frantically as she clung to him crying.

Mariku was back, as friendly and psychotic as ever, after Anuket had begged Isis, the Great Mother, to revive him once more and even wanted to give her immortality for it; of course, being the gentle goddess the high deity was, she had left Anuket immortal, and brought Mariku back as well.

"After all, I have to be a father for my child.", Mariku reasoned when Bakura rolled his eyes at his appearance with his arms tightly around Ryou, who was smiling happily.

So, there they had their happy ending. . .

But still, there were things to be done. Seto's and Shizuka's marriage, of course, which was approaching quickly, and the birth of Anzu's and Mariku's child, which they still bickered about being a boy or a girl. . . strangely, Mariku wanted a girl, and Anzu a boy, not vice-versa.

My, what a crappy ending o.o But at least, we got one finally There will be an epilogue, of course, all of us want to see the wedding and the birth, right? Goooood.

But for now, review replies!

Shadadphilaro: Nope, as you see, Malik isn't dead I couldn't let him die. Nope.

GraveRobbers Aman: Hey hey Ne, Rae, you see, Mariku wasn't exactly a soul, Seth made a new body for him so he would be able to do the dirty work! And it's right, Seth is an evil bastard -.- but every story needs one! I hope you liked them. . . uh. . 'going at it': Ahem.

Magicianofblackchaos23: Oh, I do? Cool! Thanks!

BlackLightning: Wow, I loved your review Makes me feel so. . . skilled XD which I'm not. Meh. Anyways, I do write fluffy stuff too! Go look at 'How to love him', my newest one-shot it's so fluffy I had to gag –smiles- Thanks though!

Fluffylittledragon: See, he's not dead Strange how many people worried about Malik though! He's one of my favourite's too though. Erm. . . sorry, I have no idea how to put 'water'. . . really soft maybe?

Guardian Arrow: Wow, that are really cool upgrades! 3

Snowshadowwolf: Nah, you didn't tell God wrong, I didn't understand her ; I was confused that moment I guess. But I updated before I could make it right, I'm sorry! Canada's pretty cool though, much cooler than Germany alright –sighs- Thank you by the way, and yep, as soon as I can think of something for Damn! I will update.

Pork Steak the Grand(e): -smiles- Well, well, what can I say. . . nothing –cries- because I already told you everything! How did you find my ending? Crappy, wasn't it? I ran out of ideas ; Aaaanyways. . . see you tomorrow! Love you too!