Death and the Swordsman

Chapter 13

By: Leelei

Author's Note: Oh my gosh you guys…this is so exciting! This story is getting so close to one hundred reviews! I've been posting fan fiction on this site for nearly five years in random categories, but none of my stories have ever been read by this many people. It's always kind of been my goal to break three digits, but being this close makes me feel so happy! :D Especially knowing that they're all so positive and nice! Wow…nostalgia is fun.

Anyhow, this is a rather short chapter (but the next one will definitely make up for that). I've waited so long to write this part; I think it's so beautiful. Sad, but lots of emotion. Thought it would be longer, but I guess it didn't need to be. Okay maybe I should shut up before this Author's Note gets to be longer than the damn chapter… On with the fic already, damn it!

Archived at: Ransomed Heart's Fan Fiction Page

Ulrich and Death stood in the cemetery that evening, just as the sun was starting to set. Ulrich stood solemnly, tears straining his eyes as he looked upon his grave and saw the person visiting it.

Yumi knelt to the side of the tombstone, never sitting or standing directly in front of it. She was quiet at first, with tears in her own eyes, but soon spoke up.

"Ulrich, I visited Jeremie today," she said softly as she gazed at the headstone. "He could be doing a little better. I try to stay positive about his situation, but I worry everyday now…Please say hello to Aelita for him…tell her that he really misses her."

Ulrich felt his face twist as the tears started to stream down his cheeks. He choked out softly, "Yumi…if I can get to Heaven, I promise I will."

Yumi seemed to snicker next after a short pause. "I saw Sissi today when I was with Odd…she really looks like a cow," she said. "I wouldn't be surprised if she was having twins!"

Ulrich tried to keep his breathing even as he listened to Yumi speak to him. The young Japanese woman went on, "Oh…my father asked me again last night about marrying Odd… I guess my mother has already contacted a dressmaker she knows in Tokyo who could make me a kimono for the wedding…I know I want to spend the rest of my life with him, but they're really pushing this on me." Her voice wavered, and she sobbed once. After a few moments of trying to keep her composure, she spoke up again through her tears. "I…I miss you so much, Ulrich. I wish you were still here with me."

Ulrich was hurt by her sadness. "Death," he spoke up, glancing at the apparition next to him. "I know that she can't hear or see us," he paused as he was trying to keep his own tears held back. "But…could I please speak to her?"

Death looked to him, then to Yumi. "You understand that none of these people in any image you have seen have been able to see or hear us, right?" she asked as she looked back to him.

"Yeah…" Ulrich replied. "That would be too easy."

Death seemed to sigh dejectedly. "But I feel your pain, Ulrich, and I wish to help you somehow," she said. "Go up to her, and she will know your presence."

A smile formed on Ulrich's troubled features. "Thanks," he said softly in reply. Slowly he walked over to Yumi, looking around as he did. No one else was in the cemetery that late, save a couple groundsmen at the opposite ends of the large lot, both letting the Japanese visitor be, since they saw her so frequently and knew her name and the name of the tombstone she always visited by heart.

Ulrich stopped once he was next to Yumi. He shivered when he looked down to realize that he was standing six feet above his dead body. "Yumi…" he whispered as he looked over the young woman's features, another small smile forming on his own.

Yumi held her hands together in front of her, both falling limp as she slumped further to the ground. Sorrow overwhelmed her as the tears fell down her cheeks. "Ulrich…" she gently called his name.

Without hesitation, Ulrich leaned in and slowly brushed his fingers against her cheek, wiping the tears away and caressing her soft skin. "Hello, Beautiful," he said to her, still smiling.

Yumi's attention quickly jerked to the side and she looked around her, seeing nothing. Just then, a gentle breeze blew by her, lightly passing over her skin. Her eyes grew wide as she dropped her hands to the ground in front of her, ready to get up to her feet. Just as she was about to jump up, she felt the breeze pass and a calm serenity about her. Leaning back on her legs, she looked to the tombstone then instantly up to her left, making direct eye contact with Ulrich.

The brunette boy grinned then as he watched her. Yumi was looking back at him, yet truly saw nothing. Finally, she understood and smiled gently as she felt the soft breeze around her again.

"I love you, Ulrich," she whispered into the wind.

Ulrich couldn't feel an end to his tears. Although he was happy to see that she still loved him, he knew that he couldn't be with her, and the feeling was splitting him inside. He wanted to stay there forever, knowing that she could feel his presence, but soon his thoughts were shaken.

The sound of the bell returned and rang for the third time, then the loudest and longest it had been out of all the tolls.

"Ulrich," Death's voice sounded pained. "It's time for your final judgement now."

Ulrich's features twisted again as he began to tremble, still keeping his eyes on Yumi. "Yumi, I love you…" he whispered to her. The image started to fade around them. His tears fell freely as he saw her starting to disappear. "Yumi," he cried. "I love you!"

Then she was gone. Ulrich felt weak as he tried to find the strength to stand. He turned to Death once they were back in the white nothingness, feeling faint and with his hands shaking, the entire color of his skin draining to a pale shade.

"I'm sorry, Ulrich," Death told him. "This is the end."

Yeah…that isn't the actual end just yet. :D But the second last chapter is written, although it might need some heavy revision. All I can say is that I'll have it posted as soon as it's ready : ) Until then, thanks for reading, and please review! (nine more, damn it, nine more! Lol ;D)