Sorry 'bout the wait, folks--I wasn't allowed on the computer for a while. But hopefully I'll be back on my normal schedual now!
Anyway, here's the second-to-last chapter! Enjoy!

Shourai No Seirei

Kaiba felt fear growing in his gut as the figure drew closer. Around him, everything was utterly silent. The mist around him twisted into grotesque shapes, and faint, bodiless voices seemed to cry out in grief.

The figure stopped walking when it was about four feet away. Kaiba shuddered—the hood was so dark that he couldn't see the spirit's face.

Oh, yes, he knew it was the third spirit—there was no doubt about that.

"Who…are you?" he whispered.

No answer. The figure just stood there, silent; watching.

Kaiba laughed nervously. "What are you? Mute?"

Still no answer.

He won't speak, one of the echoing, bodiless voices whispered in Kaiba's ear. He is Shourai, the Spirit of Christmas Future. He's seen so many horrors that, if he were to speak, it'd be a terror to listen to what he had to say.

Kaiba gave his head a little shake. "I fear him," he murmured to the voice.

There was a soft laugh. You should. He's come to show you your future, and it isn't a bright one.

Suddenly, Shourai stirred. He held out one hand, and Kaiba got the feeling of a tiny presence scurrying away. The hooded cloak lifted—and Kaiba saw that it wasn't a cloak at all, but bat-like wings of jet black. They sprang from between Shourai's shoulder blades—and as he furled them, Kaiba could take a good look at the spirit himself.

Shourai had chalky blond hair that reached halfway down his back, and empty, staring violet eyes. His face was gaunt, and had what looked like a permanent expression of horror and disgust. He wore a black shirt and baggy black pants.

He looks like that Ishtar boy, Kaiba thought. But…what was it Touza said? Something about look-alikes in every realm…

He tried to remember the three other realms Touza had told him of. Angel, Earth-spirit, and demon…and I've already met the first two. Shourai… he must be demon.

Shourai nodded in assent. He stretched out his hand, and indicated that Kaiba was to hold it.

Slowly and reluctantly, Kaiba took the spirit's hand. He shivered—Shourai's skin was icy cold.

Shourai nodded, and spread his bat-like wings. With one powerful stroke, they were away, flying through utter darkness. Kaiba felt cold; numb. Something bad was about to happen—he knew it.

Shourai lit down on cold hard pavement, and let go of Kaiba's hand. He wrapped his wings around his body, once more giving the impression of a cloak, and began to walk. Kaiba followed, looking around.

They were in a city. It resembled Domino—but there was no green anywhere. In the Domino he knew, there was the park—and trees that had been grown in special spots on the sidewalks. But this city was totally industrial—all steel and concrete.

This is Domino City in the future, the small, disembodied voice whispered. It was stronger now—closer—and didn't echo.

Kaiba started, and looked around. "You followed me?"

No, it replied sadly. This is where I live. This is my realm. My time.

For some reason, Kaiba found that voice naggingly familiar.

I'm tired now, it whispered, fading. I'm going to rest…goodbye…

And then it was gone.

Shourai stopped, and pointed to a building. Kaiba followed his finger—and gaped. It was the KaibaCorp HQ.

Shourai then pointed to a bench right outside the door. Three men in business suits were sitting there. Kaiba drew closer, trying to hear what they were saying.

"I've never met such an arrogant boy," the first was saying. "He didn't care about anything except his business—and beating ol' Yami Mutou."

"Boy?" the second asked skeptically. "How old was he?"

"Twenty," the third replied. "At his death, anyway. And that was—how long ago? A year, almost."

The second businessman laughed. "It's a good thing he died when he did—now all that money can be put to a more practical use than sitting about in a bank vault, rotting."

"If I knew how to get to it," the first cut in, "I'd have done what he should have a long time ago and donated to charity."

"I'd help furnish the hospitals and mental institutes," the third added. "Have you ever visited one of those places? They're all modern—as in, no comfort whatsoever."

The second businessman shrugged. "Well, what he did in death was the same thing he did in life—hid the money in a safe somewhere, locked it, and hid the key. Figuratively speaking, of course."

Kaiba shut his eyes, edging slowly backwards. He knew they were talking about him—about KaibaCorp.

He backed up right into Shourai. The spirit looked down at him for a moment, and then turned and began to walk away. Kaiba followed, looking around at the concrete-and-steel city.

The future of Domino scared him slightly. Despite the fact that he was usually locked inside his offices all day every day—or, perhaps, because of it—he liked seeing green, growing things. But here, there were no plants—no sign of any life at all, except the cars that zoomed past every now and then.

Shourai stepped through the door of a grey, three-story building. Confused, Kaiba followed. The spirit led him up the stairs to the second floor, and pointed at a door. Taking the hint, Kaiba stepped through it.

What he saw left him speechless.

They were in a small room. There was a big window with chairs in front of it, and a door next to it. In front of the door stood a guard, and in one of the chairs, hands pressed up against the glass and nose inches away from it, sat Yami.

Kaiba had never seen the pharaoh stare at anything with such intensity. He was stiff as a board and completely still.

"What's wrong with him?" Yami asked softly, not taking his eyes off of whatever was on the other side of the glass.

"It's one of those nightmares," the guard replied.

Yami nodded. He closed his eyes, and Kaiba saw a tear run down his cheek.

Shourai gave him a little nudge with his hand. Kaiba sighed, stepping forward and pushing through the glass. He looked around in surprise—and then in shock.

The room was empty and absolutely white. There was no color anywhere. Even the metal parts of the tiny cot in the middle of the room were painted white. The only part of the wall that wasn't stark white was the tinted window. And lying on the sheets, in a white long-sleeved shirt and white sweatpants, was—

Kaiba could hardly believe his eyes. Yuugi was on the cot, eyes closed. He was thrashing and starting—as the guard had said, having a major nightmare. Suddenly, he sat bolt upright.

Kaiba started. When Mokuba would wake up from nightmares, he would have horror or fear on his face. But Yuugi's face was utterly expressionless. Dead, haunted eyes scanned the room—finally coming to rest on Kaiba.

The small voice that had been following him gave a short bark of bitter laughter. I see you, Seto Kaiba.

Kaiba took a step backward, his eyes full of shock. "No. Yuugi?"

It's me. Yuugi's face remained expressionless, but his eyes began to burn. You see what they've done to me? Because I never talked—because I was different, and because I acted different. I couldn't control what happened to me, and look at where they've put me. He glanced over at the glass. I don't know if anyone comes to see me—I can't know. They won't let me know.

"Someone is there," Kaiba said quietly, forgetting that Yuugi was the only one who could hear him. "Mutou is."

Yuugi's eyes burned. His name is Yami! I hate it when you call him that! Mutou, Mutou, that's all you ever call him! His name is Yami!

Kaiba stared. He didn't know Yuugi could get that fierce about such a small thing.

Suddenly, Yuugi's eyes turned sad, and he looked longingly at the glass. Is he really there? Really? I want to see him… my friend…my brother…

Shourai put a hand on Kaiba's shoulder. Kaiba jumped—he hadn't realized that the sprit had followed him.

I suppose you'll have to go now, Yuugi said sadly. I was starting to enjoy the company…even if it is just you.

Kaiba winced. "I know this probably doesn't mean anything to you, but…I'm sorry."

For what? Yuugi asked bitterly. Sorry about the fact that I wound up here? There's not much you can do about that.

"Not that." Kaiba hesitated, looking for the right words. "I'm sorry that I've been such a bastard to you and Mu—Yami. That's just the way I am. I was taught that perfection was the only state a man could attain to be accepted…and with you two constantly defeating me…"

Yuugi's eyes were grave. I understand. For the first time, he smiled slightly. And remember—you said it, not me.

"Very funny," Kaiba muttered.

Shourai tapped his shoulder again, spreading his wings.

Kaiba took Shourai's hand, and looked back at Yuugi. "I'll try and fix this—I promise."

Shourai raised his wings, and they were about to take off, when—

Does he have to go…there? Yuugi asked apprehensively.

Shourai nodded gravely.

But…

Kaiba couldn't hear what was said next. All he knew was that Shourai listened, and then nodded. Yuugi let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief.

Shourai raised his wings again, and flapped them hard. Once more, they flew through darkness—and then, they were in a cemetery.

Kaiba looked around. Fog swam through the cemetery, partially obscuring vision. Tombstones were dotted here and there; some were fancy, some humble.

Shourai pointed to one of the fancier ones. An angel was carved on the left, a demon on the right. They were touching wings. Beneath the curve of the wings was carved a Blue-Eyes White Dragon. And beneath that were the words;

Seto Kaiba
CEO of Kaiba Corporation
Master of the Blue-Eyes
R. I. P.

Kaiba stared at it. It was a beautiful headstone, to tell the truth—what scared him was the fact that it was his headstone.

"Shourai…why are you showing me this?"

Shourai pushed him a bit. He stumbled forward—and gaped in shock. The grave was dug out, and nothing was there.

He turned to Shourai—and saw that the spirit had folded his wings about himself again, and was pointing into the grave.

"No," Kaiba whispered. "Do I…do I have to?"

Shourai didn't reply—he simply continued to point into the grave.

"Why?" Kaiba asked quietly. "I promised to help—and if I die now, I won't be able to."

Shourai shook his head. A deep voice echoed in his ears; 'Tis not death that awaits you, Seto Kaiba. Jump. All will be well.

Kaiba took a deep breath—and sprang into the grave. He fell down…and down…and down…and—

Cliffies! MUAHAHAHAHA!

Happy New Year, everybody! Review please!