Third and final chapter. Finally comes the happiness. I can never manage to do a proper tragedy...they always end up having happy endings. Oh well. Read and enjoy!

Disclaimer Dude: Miriku owns nothing. Also note: Miriku's parents and little brother are still alive. She just added inthe orphaned part to make it fit the storyline better,

Thank you, Disclaimer Dude, I had almost forgotten about that. Now, on with the story! And no one can kill me now!

Two Can Play At Recovery

Time seemed to slow. Yuugi's mind went completely blank. He didn't see the car spin and skitter to a halt, or the driver—who was obviously drunk—slump over the steering wheel, unconscious. He didn't see the teen in the passenger seat struggling to get out of the car.

He was frozen, and all he saw was the crumpled form of the man who had saved his life.

Suddenly, images and memories flooded Yuugi's mind. A single word burst from his lips.

"Yami!"

He rushed over and fell to his knees next to his other, tears building in his eyes. "Yami, I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

No response.

Tears began to stream down the sides of Yuugi's face. This was entirely his fault.

Suddenly, Yami stirred. His eyes fluttered open.

"Y-Yami?" Yuugi asked softly.

Yami smiled faintly. "So…you do remember…aibou."

He shuddered, then lay still.

The teen finally managed to free herself from the stopped car. She stood up, straightening her glasses.

"That's the last time I go with you to one of your parties," Miriku muttered. She then ran over to Yuugi, concern etched across her face.

"Yuugi! Are you—"

She froze upon seeing Yami.

"What…the…"

Yuugi closed his eyes, trembling. "I don't know how he got back, Miri. I don't know…but it's all my fault…"

"Shut up a moment, would ya?"

Startled at the fierce tone, Yuugi glanced at Miriku. She had her ear close to Yami's mouth, and a look of intense concentration on her face.

"He's still breathing," she announced. She dove into her pocket, whipped out her cell phone, and dialed 9-1-1.

Yuugi barely noticed. He was still centered on those three words.

He's still breathing.

There was still hope.

OooO

During the whole trip in the ambulance, Yuugi remained silent. He just sat there, holding the unconscious Yami's hand. Miriku sat next to him, hand on his shoulder, speaking comforting words.

Well, she should know, Yuugi thought. Her whole family died in a car accident…

Ever since he had met Miriku, she had become part of the family. She was like the older sister Yuugi had never had, despite being the same age as him. Even Anzu, the only other female he knew that wouldn't be classified as 'acquaintance', wasn't as close as that. The fact that Miriku had lost both of her parents—and a younger brother on top of that—made them even more able to relate.

"It's my fault," he said quietly. "I forgot him. He risked his life for me millions of times, and I forgot. And now…now he might be gone again…"

Yuugi suddenly burst into tears. Miriku sighed, hugging her friend.

"It's not your fault, Yuugi. None of it's your fault, because none of it's you doing."

"But if I had remembered…"

"No."

Miriku paused. "Look—you know I was never the best with words. For all I know, I might be making this worse. But what you have to understand is that you're only human. And no matter what we want to believe, humans aren't perfect. We each have our own little quirks and flaws. Yours is the defensive flaw—when in pain, shut down. It's nothing to be ashamed of. You have to learn to live on, with and around it."

Yuugi closed his eyes. Miriku was right, of course. But he still felt like he was to blame.

Almost automatically, he writhed backwards so that he was sitting in her lap. He wanted to reverse, to revert, to become a little boy again, to be comforted like a young child just waking up from a nightmare.

And Miriku was more than happy to provide that comfort.

"It'll be all right, Yuugi. You'll see."

"I hope so," he whispered, watching Yami through half-closed eyes. He was almost asleep. "I hope so."

OooO

When Yuugi woke, it was morning. He was on an empty hospital bed, and Miriku was poking his arm.

"Good morning, sleepyhead. Have a nice nap?"

Yuugi rubbed his eyes. "What…How long have I been asleep?"

"Since yesterday afternoon."

"Whoa. I'd better get up, then."

The moment Yuugi was out of bed, he pelted Miriku with questions.

"Where is Yami? How is he? Is he going to be all right? Am I allowed to see him? Miri, when can I see him?"

Miriku laughed. "Slow down there, Speedy! Follow me."

She led him out of the room. Talking and laughter echoed from a room halfway down the hall. Miriku pushed open the door, and Yuugi's jaw nearly hit the floor. Standing there in the middle of the room, talking to the doctor and looking perfectly all right, was—

"Yami!"

Yuugi rushed in and hugged his other. Yami fell back against the wall, completely winded.

"Yuugi!" Miriku scolded. "You're going to strangle him!"

Grinning sheepishly, Yuugi pulled away. Yami straightened, gasping for breath. "Aibou, I know you're excited, but please be careful! I have bandages there!"

Yuugi ducked his head, blushing. Of course, he had only thought Yami was all right—he hadn't bothered to check.

"So when can he come home?" Miriku asked.

"Today," the doctor replied. "If he wants, that is."

Yami nodded. "Of course I want to go home as soon as possible." He smiled down at Yuugi. "There are some people who I'm sure would be glad to see me back in action.

Yuugi beamed right back up at him. Everything was all right now. Yami didn't blame him; Miriku didn't blame him; no one blamed him.

But what was most important was that Yami was back in his life.

Love you, aibou.

Yuugi's smile widened.

Love you too, Yami.

And he knew that eveything between them was forgiven.

The End

Er...yeah. Kinda lame ending. But hey, it's still early. And I am not a morning person. Anyway, please review!