Disclaimer: As usual, I don't own Yu-gi-oh, nor do I own roses, graveyards, or wind. I also don't own any money, so don't bother suing. I am, however, the proud new owner of a bag of Smartfood popcorn.

Author's Note: Here's the third installment and my first ever attempt at writing the Bakurae. I can't own up to Silvie-chan's renditions, but I can sure try. Slight hinting at Shizuka X Ryou and a tinge of Shizuka X Yami no Bakura, if you squint real hard. Read and review!


Shizuka clutched a rose in her small hand, ignoring the harsh wind pulling at her hair and stinging her face and exposed skin. Her scant attire was not suited for the increasing temperature drop, but she barely noticed the chill. She had wanted to dress pretty for him, and so had chosen her outfit with care, wearing the blouse he had given her for her fourteenth birthday. She gazed down at the soft earth, her eyes rimmed with dark circles, and willed herself not to cry. Her face was gaunt and pale, her lips nearly bloodless; sleepless nights and very little food had taken its toll on her. She gripped a pale hand much larger than her own tight enough to bruise, but the owner gave no complaint.

"I miss you," she whispered, voice wavering unsteadily. "So much has happened since my last visit, I don't even know where to start. Kaiba-san has set off for America with his little brother. He says it is likely a permanent move." She paused and gave a weak laugh. "He said you would probably enjoy the notion of him running away. Even he's been affected by everything that's happened."

Her words trailed into silence as her gaze shifted to the cold gray stone jutting out of the ground. A few dismal tears leaked down her cheeks, and her companion gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. Her skirt flapped against her legs, the wind cutting through the thin material as sharp as a blade of ice. She sniffled and continued.

"Mai-san is still around. She claims it's because of some job she has been chasing after – at a prestigious company, no less – but I believe she wishes to remain close to you for a while. The shock has not yet worn off, and I've caught her crying, though she always has some excuse ready at hand. I think she regrets not telling you how she felt about you, but she denies that as well. You know Mai-san. She…really did love you, you know, but she was too scared to tell you."

Shizuka choked, goosebumps pebbling her skin. The hand left hers and rose to her shoulder. She looked up into the large, soulful brown eyes of the boy who had been by her side more than anyone else after the tragedy, offering his silent support. He was perhaps the only one who truly understood. Her lower lip began to tremble, and he gave her a weary smile. She returned her gaze to the ground.

"Mou hitori no Yuugi-san is…dating that Ayumi girl that showed up near the end of Battle City. I'm sure you remember her. Nobody likes her, or even seems to know just when she appeared or from where, but he doesn't seem to care. He seems all too willing to sacrifice everything for that chit just like he did you," she spat out with uncharacteristic venom. "He never even comes with me to visit you. He no longer seems to care about anything but her."

His arm slipped around her shoulders comfortingly and pulled her close, sharing what little body heat he had to offer, for the poor girl was turning a faint shade of blue. His white hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, making him seem less like a woman and more like a young man. A few tendrils hung around his face, the unconscious playthings of the wretchedly cold wind. His eyes darkened as he watched the trembling girl, knowing all too well what she was going through, and knowing just as well how little he could help her. His free hand reached over and stroked her bare arm soothingly.

Black really did not suit the girl, nor did the haunted look in her eyes.

She composed herself enough to continue, her gaze hardening. "Honda-san refuses to leave his house, despite our attempts to draw him out. He barely talks to anybody anymore, and he is reluctant to see even me. Fancy that.

"However, Anzu-chan has a plan. She promises that she can make it all right again, and avenge you. She promises that if I help her, she will stay with me forever. Doesn't that thought please you, onii-chan? I will be protected and well taken care of, and all I have to do is help her kill Yuugi-san."

The words stunned him, not so much as their content as whom they erupted from. His eyes widened as he took in her resolute gaze, her eyes filled with bitterness. To be willing to kill Yuugi…to take on the King of Games himself…

"…have already gotten Otogi-san to help," she was saying. He shook his head to clear it; he had been too distracted by the voice snickering in the back of his mind. "Soon everything will be set right, onii-chan, and you can rest."

She made to move towards the grave, but the boy's grip was too tight. "Bakura-san?"

He gave a start. "Gomen," he said sheepishly as he released her from his embrace. He seemed to be waging some sort of internal battle.

Shizuka knelt down beside the stone, slender fingers tracing the engraved writing.

Jounouchi Katsuya.

She placed the rose down, tears flowing freely down her cheeks to splash against the uninvitingly dry earth. Her hand trembled as it hesitated over the delicate flower, biting her lower lip in an attempt to keep herself under control for his sake. She rose and hugged herself tightly, staring downwards.

"I'll fix everything," she said, her voice dead. "I will fix everything, I promise, and you will be so p-proud of me…y-your little sister, finally standing on her own two feet…"

The dam burst and she began to sob, her slight form shaking. Strong arms wrapped around her and pulled her against a hard chest, one hand stroking her hair. He murmured soothing, empty words as she cried the remains of her heart and soul into his striped shirt, her wails resounding in the eerie emptiness of the graveyard.

Bakura's eyes had bled to crimson.

So, the little bird wishes to kill ou-sama, does she? He gazed down at her ruddy head with some interest. That vixen plans to use the little bird to take down the viper. How interesting.

He ran his fingers through her cascade of hair, so like the color of freshly-spilt blood. She whimpered and clutched at him desperately, her cries dying down, her body shaking from the cold that she finally felt. He drew her in closer, inhaling her scent.

How very interesting.