Hey Peeps!

The last chapter is finally up! I hope you guys have enjoyed this story, I loved writing it!

The replies to your reviews!

Shadow: Thanks for the review! I'm sorry the chapter took so long to post. I went on vacation for a week and I forgot to mention it in my last chapters. Oops!

joeyluver-dragonofra: Hey! Thanks for the review. I hope you like this chapter and I hope you don't end up throwing radishes at me. Heehee. I would prefer chocolate. Oh! And the answer to the question you posted on my other fic. "Oro" is a comment frequently said by Kenshin from Rurouni Kenshin. It means, "Huh?" or, "What" If you have any other question feel free to ask! But please leave your e-mail. It will be easier to answer questions.

Onto the story! Wahoo!

The Life of a Blonde

Chapter 9: Time to Die

By yllom21

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-GI-Oh (Please, don't sue me)

Toby wasn't having much more luck.

He was heading towards Vine Street. Half of his mind he used to search the empty barren streets while the other half was coming up with a plan.

He was going to stop Joey's abuser.

He knew for certain that he wasn't going to kill the man, because he didn't have the guts. Besides, killing would get him in trouble. All he wanted to do was to knock the dude unconscious and tell the cops. That way the man would be in jail and he would have helped Joey with his problem.

He didn't know how he was going to knock the dude unconscious. He was pretty sure the man was drunk, the police had said as much. However, he could use that against the man. He knew being drunk usually caused anger issues, but it also slowed down the mind and reflexes. He would easily be able to defeat the man. He was pretty sure the man had only managed to beat the shillings out of his friend because of his superior strength. However, Toby didn't fall into that category. He was a football player, one whose job it was to tackle. He was tall and much heavier than Joey. With his strength and his clear mind he was sure there wouldn't be a problem in defeating this man. He was just a little nervous, after all the man had shot Alex. Who said he still didn't have a gun?

But before he could ponder over the gun issue, the teen heard a noise.

"Who's there?" Toby called out clearly, not a bit of him was afraid. He was nearing the spot were the police thought he was he was hiding. He was pretty sure the alcoholic was near by.

If he was he didn't respond.

"Who's there?" Toby repeated as he scanned down the nearest ally way. He was about to continue on his way when he heard a sound, this time more clearly. It sounded like the crashing of broken glass.

Or, perhaps, a beer bottle.

Smiling in an almost inhumane like way, Toby headed down the ally, his fist tight and ready to go. Everybody said he had a killer punch, and he was aiming to give his rival a black eye, or maybe a broken nose.

There was another sound of a breaking bottle before the man finally spoke up, "Ah, Joey. So you finally decided to show up,"

That proved it was Joey's abuser and not some random drunk.

"It's not Joey," Toby said as his eyes scanned the area. It was too dark to see his opponent, but he knew he was there.

"Don't fool me boy," the man's voice was louder and angrier, "I'll kill ya!"

Toby was about to laugh before a large shape came crashing into him, knocking him into the ground.

That was the first time it occurred to Toby about how serious this was. Joey's abuser really wanted to kill him. No wonder the blonde was scared. Toby sympathized, but it was time to take care of the matter at hand.

Pushing the man off of him and ignoring a fierce bruise that was starting to take shape on his arm, Toby leaped towards his opponent's face, aiming for his eyes. He missed, but he managed to get a good hit on the nose, Toby suspected it was broken. The man glared furiously, rubbing his injured nose, his eyes gleaming so fiercely they almost glowed in the dark. The man aimed a punch towards Toby who nimbly dodged it but received a quick jab in the ribs.

They broke apart and began to circle; both of them breathing loudly, the man's breath stank of booze.

The man was the first to get impatient, and he ran towards his opponent, his fist clenched tightly. Unable to attack back; Toby became defensive. He blocked all of the punches and kicks while searching for an opening. One soon appeared, and smiling grimily, Toby kicked into it, causing the man to sink down to his knees. Smiling that he had one, Toby was about press the pressure point on the back of the man's neck when the man in question turned around. Although he was unable to stand he was grinning evilly. Toby was about to wonder why when the man pulled out a gun, a fully loaded gun.

"You shouldn't have told anybody," the man said like he was talking to his son. During the entire fight he didn't see Toby for what he was, a tall muscular boy with light brown skin and shortly cropped hair, but he saw him as a tall yet skinny fair blonde. Because of his booze level and his crazed eyes, he saw only what he wanted to see.

"I didn't say anything!' Toby protested as he began to walk backwards, his heart pounding. He was trying to think of a way to steal the gun, but anything he could think of would have been a fruitless attempt. He was just about to give up when he tripped over a beer bottle. An idea sparked.

"Then what's with all the police?" the man demanded. Although he was drunk he could tell the difference between a cop car and a bear. Almost as though he wanted the job to be done as soon as possible, he fingered the trigger.

"It's because you hurt Alex!" Toby said as he fingered the beer bottle, waiting for the last possible moment.

"It's your entire fault!" the man screamed before he swirled the gun round, preparing to shoot. Before he could, Toby jumped at him, slamming the beer bottle on top of his head. The bottle broke and in shock the man dropped the gun.He wasn't knocked out, much to the brunette's dismay, but at least his life was not longer in danger. The man, after shaking his head to try and get rid of the broken glass, tried to find the gun, only to see it being pointed at him by the teen he thought was his son.

"Joey, please don't," the man trembled, revealing who he truly was, a bully and a coward.

"You should have thought about that before," Toby said as he walked towards the man. He wasn't planning on using the gun, but this way he couldn't be shot and his opponent was frightened silly by it.

"Don't shoot your father," the man pleaded, still trying to back away before he was cornered by a wall.

Toby smirked and was about to make a pert remark when he remembered what the man said… father. This was Joey's father? Joey's father was the one who abused the blonde. Uncertainty shone through Toby's eyes before anger sparked, Joey's own father? He was about to do something drastic when the man leaped at him. Thinking he was no longer in danger because of the boy's silence, he reached towards the gun. He tryed to pry it out of the boy' hands, but Toby resisted. He knew what the man was planning on doing when he got the gun and it wasn't pleasant.

But the man didn't stop. He needed that gun, he couldn't win without it. Smirking horribly, he stomped on the boy's foot, causing the boy to grimace. Unfortunately for him, the boy didn't let go. So, out of options, the man crashed into the boy, planning on grabbing the gun out of confusion. But the stupid boy wouldn't give up. Cursing he reached forward, trying everything he could think of to get hold of the gun.

Toby was scared, so scared the only thing he could think of was to keep hold of the gun. He was doing well until he crashed into a brick wall, cornered by the man.

"Hand it over!" the man drawled. Toby only shook his head. Furious he leaped forward. In fright, Toby accidentally pressed the trigger; a shot was heard throughout the night.

In total surprise, Toby watched as the man fell to the ground. In relief, the boy sank to the ground. It wasn't until he noticed the blood seeping out of the man and the still chest that Toby realized what he had done.

He had murdered somebody.

Tears rolling down his cheeks, he dropped the gun. What had he done?

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Slowly but surely, Alex began to awaken. It didn't take her long to sit up straight, even though the pain was almost unbearable. At first she couldn't remember were she was. It wasn't at all like her room, which was painted a startling color of green and was covered in posters of her favorite Anime and movies. This room was a startling white, almost blinding. It was like a hospital room… and then she remembered.

She remembered it all: the man in the ladies' room, her getting shot and the man pestering her about his precious son. Here she was, in a bed, in a dressing gown and unable to stand up.

She bit her lip, knowing what the man had said was critical. She had to tell the cops what had happened, as well as the criminal's description, what if he shot somebody else? Panic spread throughout her and she attempted to stand, only to collapse onto her bed. It was three tries later before she gave up. It was then that she noticed the card.

It was a duel monster card, she could tell even though it was faced down. She reached forward and turned it over, a gasp let loose when she realized what card it was.

The Red Eyes Black Dragon! Joey's card!

Since Joey was a celebrity, much of his deck was known and the Red Eyes Black Dragon was his card. Just like the Blue Eyes was Kaiba's, the Dark Magician was Yugi's and the Harpy Lady was Mai's. It was there symbol, something everybody knew. If there was a Blue Eyes, everybody thought of Kaiba, it was just the way it worked.

Joey must have given it to her, but why? It was an extremely rare card, and Joey only had one. Joey Wheeler just wouldn't be Joey Wheeler without his Red Eyes… and then it occurred to her.

Joey was leaving… and she was never going to see him again.

For the first time in ten years, she cried.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Joey smiled grimly as he walked onto the roof, the sky dark and littered with stars.

He could finally end it all.

Heading towards the edge of the roof, he sat down on the edge, watching the few cars roll by. After a moment or two of silence, Joey began to fish through his pockets, trying to find the razor blade which he had stolen from the hospital. It was sharp and unused, perfect for what he was about to do.

It was time to slit his wrist.

Smiling happily, he pulled the sleeve of his shirt up revealing his skinny wrist, before he laid his knife on top of it. He cut down and the blood began to flow. Instead of pain he felt happiness. He had finally reached the end. He cut down deeper.

Watching the blood flow he began to think of his friends back home, the ones he had left behind. He wished Tea good luck in her dancing, she was marvelous. He knew she would be a star some day. He wished Tristan good luck, knowing without a doubt that wherever the teen went, he would help somebody out. He wished Yugi good luck as well as his counterpart, the Pharaoh. May they be Duel Monster Champions until the day he died. He wished Ryou good luck, and almost hesitantly, his counterpart, The Thief King Bakura. Ryou was the sweetest kid out there. Even though Yami Bakura could be evil and just plain freaky at times, he wasn't all bad. 1

He wished Mai good luck. She had a dream of being a Duel Monster Champion, but she already was. In fact, she was a role model for plenty of girls. She could be feminine at times and yet kick everyone's butt. She could also be dangerous, with her motorcycle skills. He wished the Ishtar family good luck. Malik had changed for the better, now that his Yami was gone forever. Ishuzi was the sweetest lady out there, ready to give anybody who asked a hand. And Odion would protect his family till the end. And finally, last but not least, he wished the Kaibas good luck. Mokuba was a genius of a kid, and he had helped the gang out plenty of times. Even though he hated Seto Kaiba's guts, he had helped them out a few times and he wasn't all bad.

He cut deeper, watching the blood flow even faster. He began to think of his friends in Wadesville.

Toby was a fantastic friend and a great football star. He wished him good luck and hoped he got into a college for it some day. Evan was just a normal kid, sweet and almost like Ryou in a way, although he didn't posses a five thousand year old spirit who was once the Great Thief King Bakura. Paige was smart, although she wasn't as smart as the Kaibas (Who was?). He wished her good luck in college, knowing she wanted to do something important once High School was over. And then there was Alex. He wished her good luck, even though he had no idea what she wanted in life. He wished for her to get well, knowing that it was his fault that she was in the hospital, all bandaged up.

He decided to give his left wrist a break and moved onto his right. He cut in deep, grinning with delight as drops of blood became a small stream.

He was almost there.

Of course, he had no idea that Toby had murdered his father, quite accidentally, and he had nothing to fear. He had no way of knowing that his two friends, Paige and Evan, were combing the streets for him, not going to give up until they found him, even if they were grounded for a year. He had no way of knowing that Alex was awake and well, crying for the first time since she was a child, clenching his card in her hands.

He began to lie down as his body grew weak he began to lost focus, He knew this was the end. He could finally be granted passage way to peace.

Smiling almost childishly, he remembered all of his memories from his childhood, the time before his father was an alcoholic. He remembered the times in which he helped Yugi and the Pharaoh save the world, messing with unbelievable magic. He remembered the day he met Ryou, the day Tea did her first performance. He remembered the day Tristan saved his butt, and the first day he dueled Kaiba. He remembered meeting Mai and he remembered the road he took to be a celebrity. Here he was, dying on a rooftop and he couldn't have been happier.

Memories began to fade, and the light began to grow dim before he was surrounded by bursts of lights. 2. He no longer remembered his father's beatings, only of his friends. He no longer remembered the pain, only the happiness. He forgot the despair inside and he forgot what he truly was. He forgot what his life had been like…

… The Life of a Blonde… and he couldn't have been happier.

Hint 1: I couldn't help myself; I love Yami Bakura as well as Ryou! So, if you believe Yami Bakura is evil, that's ok. But personally, I believe Yami Bakura is partly good. Not all good, that's just unbelievable. But I believe he's a halfway decent dude.

Hint 2: Heehee, please don't hurt me. Joey wanted to die, and so I obliged. I'm sure he's happy off in heaven with his fluffy white wings.

It's what you least expected huh? Well, I at first thought that perhaps he could be saved, but I said nah! You see, when I started this story there were only two things I was certain about. 1: Joey's father was a drunk and an abuser, and 2: Joey was going to commit suicide. I couldn't change the inevitable.

I hope you guys enjoyed this fan fiction! It's my first chapter story, and even though it's not fantastic, I'm proud of it nonetheless. If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail as well as review. Your questions will be answered, I assure you.

I want to thank everybody that has read my story as well as reviewed. You have no idea at all what this means to me! I'm so proud that I finished my first story! Thank you everyone! I love you!

Oh, and please don't yell at me. Joey's father died too! It's what you all wanted!

Heehee!

Bye!