Blackwater Is Dust

by koobre

With the old King dead and Yami now on the throne, the city of Lelania is in more of a tempest than ever; however, it's the demons inside a person that can leave the world scared. Yuugi tries to hide his hallucinations from Yami and his friends, but when his control begins to slip, what can the others do to help him? What if he is already too far gone to save? (Sequal to BW Is Red)

10. Chapter 10

Ch 10 Sick Of Losing Soulmates

It hurt to move the black ink across the page almost as much as it hurt to concentrate on the words he wanted to say. What were supposed to be elegant swoops and crisp lines were instead jagged and edgy, lacking any fluidity that a normal letter should have; however, this was the best that Yuugi could manage.

He couldn't tell if what he was writing actually made sense or if it was nothing but mindless dribble. Any attempt to re-read what he had written made his vision swim and he would lose his place, so he kept writing and hoped for the best. Even if the sentences were basic and uneven, he was determined to get something out. It was the least that they deserved.

Every other sentence or so, the teen had to drop the pen and breath in order to deal with the pain and settle the shivers. He was cold, his hands cramped, and nothing he could do seemed to ease the burn in his legs. Yusei offered him medicine to help ease the pain, but Yuugi turned down every one of them. There was no need to waste his supplies on a dying man anyways.

He had to focus and he had to finish: there was no time to waste. Even if each word was excruciating to write and his energy was so strained he felt like he could pass out, nothing compared to the thought of leaving more of his friends in the dark.

Taking a deep breath, Yuugi picked up the discarded pen and finished the last sentence. The message wasn't long and didn't even take up half of the page, but it was all he could manage. He wanted there to be more words, more stories, more apologies, but his mind couldn't handle any more than that.

The page rattled in his quivering hands as he picked it up, "F-finished."

Yami stood up from the couch and walked over to the vanity where Yuugi sat, taking the paper, "Do you want me to read this one over as well?"

At Yuugi's nod, the king sighed and read the crooked message. As he waited, Yuugi let his eyes wander over to the coffee table in front of the couch were a pile of previous drafts now lay. Each one he wrote, each one Yami proofread, and each one he had to start over. Names were wrong, encounters were wrong, and Yuugi had spent the last couple hours re-writing the same message over and over again; however, with each attempt he made, the more scattered his brain felt. One simply had to look at the drafts to see how tired he had been getting.

His first letter was neatly written with only a few stutters: it even took up the whole page; however, as more drafts were made, the more crooked the sentences became. The letters became sloppy and almost illegible. On top of that, the letters became shorter and shorter in length. Whole paragraphs were dropped and stories were lost, but Yuugi couldn't help it. He was already beginning to forget half the stories that he wrote.

Yami encouraged him to stop and enjoy what little time he had left as opposed to forcing himself to write, but Yuugi wanted to do this. He needed to say goodbye to those that he couldn't say goodbye to in person. He was tempted to write one to his family on Earth, but Yami told him that they would never receive the message, so Yuugi settled with writing to his only friends here: the kids.

Kent? No. Koala? No. Kurry? No. Ka…. Kal… kalahmari? No. Ka and his siblings were some of the few people that he was able to meet in Lelania, and the only people that he made true friends with. They were kooky and energetic and everything he wished he could spend more time with; however, fate had different plans for him. He knew that they deserved more than a letter as a goodbye, but Yuugi couldn't help it. His mind was beginning to fray and his memories were being warped: some of them were even disappearing.

He wasn't expecting the poison to act this fast: he was hoping that he would have a little more time. More time to spend with Kalvin and her sibling. More time to watch Mana dress strangers. More time to talk to Yusei. More time to eat strange food. More time to love Yami.

Yami. Yuugi's eyes began to water as he watched his lover read the words on the page. His elegant eyebrows where furrowed in concentration and his sharp, crimson eyes sped through the lines, interpreting Yuugi's message. While his face was emotionless and his eyes were dry, Yuugi could see the misting of tears in his crimson depths. He didn't deserve this. Yami didn't deserve this kind of loss, not after everything else he had been through.

Yuugi wanted to be here to help Yami through tough conversations with the council and organize events with the priests. He wanted to eat fancy meals together and pray when the rain blessed the land. He wanted to reminisce about Earth and create new memories. He wanted to stay up in the late hours talking about their day or staring into his beautiful eyes. He wanted to give Yami the wold and all the love he deserved, but now he couldn't.

Yami, this wonderful, elegant, intelligent person deserved someone who was just as unique and who could love him for all the prince was worth. Yuugi, more than anything in the world, wanted to be that person, but now he never will. Even now, in the last few hours of his life, Yuugi wanted nothing more than to love Yami and tell him just how special and important the prince was to him, but Yuugi didn't trust his mind anymore. He was afraid that the words he would say or the memories he remembered would be tarnished and far from the truth.

And Yuugi knew that would only hurt Yami more.

The elder teen sighed as he folded the paper, "This one should work."

Yuugi shivered and wrapped his arms around his chest, "A-are you going to r-re-write it?"

Yami opened his mouth and then closed it. After he looked away, he responded, "Only the names. Some of them are still wrong."

Yuugi knew that it was a lie, "H-hey, Yami," he waited until he had his lover's attention, "Come h-here."

Yami held firm by the couch before relenting and walking back towards Yuugi. He sat down on the opposite side of the bench, never losing eye contact. Yuugi offered a shaky smile, tilting his head as he glanced over Yami. Such a beautiful person who had gone through so much: he hated that he would be the next cause of pain for the young king.

The longer amethyst held crimson the harder it became for Yuugi to hold back his tears. His throat constricted and water blurred his vision while his hands fisted the fabric of his pants. He tried to control his shivering but couldn't. It wasn't long before his body began to spasm and the vanity creaked every time he bumped into it. Yami opened his mouth, his own eyes glimmering with unshed tears, before closing it and gathering Yuugi into his arms.

Yuugi gasped and hiccupped, his tears spilling over. Not wanting any space between him and his lover, Yuugi wrapped his arms around Yami's waist pulling the elder as close as he could. He didn't want this moment to end.

"I'm so sorry."

Yuugi curled closer to Yami, "Non-ne of it-t was your f-fault."

Yami let out a shuddering breath, "I-I could have tried to send you back. I could have made sure that you never followed me through the portal."

Yuugi shook his head. There was a scurry of movement near the bed, but Yuugi shut his eyes to block it out, "N-no, no, Yam-mi. I'm-m glad that-t I followed-d you. I'm ha-ppy to hav-ve known-n this-s place."

"This place killed you," Yami spat as his grip tightened.

Yuugi whimpered at the grip and Yami loosened his hands, "This-s pla-ce led m-me to y-you."

Yami's body dropped as he pulled back to look Yuugi in the eyes, "I don't want to lose you."

Yuugi hiccupped as he felt his tears fall faster, "I d-don't want-t to d-die."

Yami caved under the plea and brought Yuugi close as though he would hide him from the world. Yuugi relished in the little warmth that it provided and let his tears fall, not caring if he soaked Yami's shirt. When he felt drops fall on his head, he knew that the other didn't care either.

A loud splash sounded in the room, drawing Yuugi out of his safe embrace. A quick scan showed nothing out of the ordinary, but his body tensed as he still sensed danger. There was another splash, closer this time and he watched as a red liquid absorbed into the floor like a drop of rain in the ocean. That's when he heard the subtle growling and the heavy breath from above.

Not wanting to ruin the moment, Yuugi kept his face hidden in Yami's shoulder, clinging to his frame like a lifeline.

Yami placed a soft hand on the back of Yuugi's head, "We don't have to do this," he paused as his words caught in his throat, "We can try to find a way out of this. You don't have to die."

Yuugi shook his head and pulled back to look at Yami, "I d-don't want w-what happned-d yes-terday t-to happen ag-ain," he placed a quivering hand on Yami's tear-stained cheek, "At-t leas-t thi-s way y-you know-w that I-I w-will be sa-fe."

Yuugi watched as his lover's heart broke and the painful emotion twisted his face. It hurt, it hurt so much to know what Yami had to go through, but Yuugi had nothing else to offer him. At least if he died this way, Yami wouldn't have to worry about him accidentally killing himself. At least this way, Yami would know that he was safe and that it wouldn't be painful; hopefully, Yami would be able to move on and find a new love for himself.

They both jumped at the knock on the door.

"Yami, we're ready," Yusei's somber voice hung heavy in the room.

Crimson eyes flittered from the door then back to Yuugi. Only when the younger gave a soft nod did the king respond, "We'll meet you there."

There was a pause as the silence grew thick between them. No one breathed and no one moved until the sound of retreating footsteps carried away from the room. Yuugi released the breath he had been holding and slumped his shoulders. Pain twisted his heart as his chest constricted with the knowledge of what was going to happen. The gravity of the situation weighed on his shoulders and shackled his body to the seat. He didn't want to move.

Beside him, Yami shifted, preparing to stand up, but he stilled when he noticed Yuugi's frozen form. Crimson eyes dropped to the floor. Yuugi heard him take a shuddering breath before releasing it, any words that he wanted to say dying on his lips. When Yuugi felt a hand rest against his cheek, Yuugi rose his tearful gaze to Yami's painful expression. Unspoken words flashed in their eyes as fervent emotions fought to become known, but speech would never be enough to describe what they were feeling. Nothing they could say would take away this pain.

Yami leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to Yuugi's forehead, "Together," he promised with a bitter smile.

Yuugi nodded and waited as Yami stood from the bench and lifted him into his arms. Pain from his legs shot up his spine like lightning bolts and shook his freezing body. Yuugi gasped as the sensation stung his muscles like pins and needles; luckily, Yami noticed and waited for his lover to calm down before moving to the door.

As they walked, Yuugi was aware of the increasing growls and snarls from above. More drops echoed in the silent room as the beast above watched its meal walk out the door. Even when Yami closed the door, Yuugi could hear its anger as it dropped and paced the vacant space. The click of its nails followed the pair down the hall and only became silent when they turned the corner.

Snuggling closer to Yami's chest, Yuugi let his fingers play with the fabric of the Atemu's scarf. Yuugi wondered if Yami would take it back once he died, but the longer he thought on it the more he didn't think the prince would. Yami knew it meant as much to yuugi as it did to Atemu. It was the only object that gave Yuugi warmth, real warmth. It wasn't brief, nor was it fleeting, but it was enough to make him feel secure. Yami must have felt the same way whenever he wore it. It must have felt like he always had Atemu close by even though he was gone.

Yuugi glided his fingers away from the scarf and onto Yami's chest. Already the little warmth he felt began to retreat. It felt like his warmth was being leeched from the very air around his shaking form, but no matter how close he got to Yami, there was no heat to be given. It was fleeting at most and vacant at least, leaving him desperate and perpetually shivering. His fingers recoiled when he ran into a damp spot on Yami's shirt near the shoulder.

"Yuugi…"

Said teen looked up to Yami. The elder looked so lost as his usually firey crimson dulled into a smoky maroon. Any life that remained was but a candle in the wind as he watched Yuugi quiver in his arms helpless to do anything. Once again, words failed Yami as he fought to keep his emotions under control and his tears hidden from the world.

Yuugi smiled up at his love, "Yami…"

"I…" Yami paused as his throat tightened, "I… I wish," he took a shuddering breath, "I wish that you knew how much you meant to me. I was ready to shut everyone out. I was ready to remain alone. I was ready to never feel this way again, but the moment I saw you," he offered a half-smile, "I-I knew that I wanted to share this feeling with you.

"Even though I told myself that you should never be with me: that you deserved someone who didn't have to hide their life from you, I still couldn't stop myself from caring. I was so frightened when you followed me to Lelania because there was nothing that I could do to save you. Then I was scared when we were captured by Abur and tortured because I wasn't able to protect you. Now," he had to look away in order to stop the tears that threatened to pour over. Crimson eyes slid shut as he continued, "Now, I am terrified because your life is being stolen and there is nothing I can do to heal you."

Yuugi tugged on Yami's shirt to grab his attention. He choked when Yami's puffy, red eyes focused their gaze on him. He took a deep breath, determined to get his message through, "Before I-I met you, I-I thought love was a fleeting thing th-at came and-d went. Never had-d I seen a love that w-was strong, pure, and true. I-It was always weak and fr-agile. When I-I saw you at school, I-I wanted to have that t-true love with you.

"Being with you h-has shown m-me so many beautiful things and I could never love another a-as much as I love you. I wish t-that I could kiss y-you goodnight and listen to you talk-k. I-I wish that I-I could watch you s-smile and cry. I wish t-that I could hold you e-every night and p-proove to you how s-special and loved-d you really are," Yuugi as his nose tingled and tears pooled on his lashes, "I-I wish I had time to show you how much I love you."

Yami came to a stop in order to rest their foreheads together. Both pairs of eyes closed as they relished in their lover's presence, neither wishing for this moment to end, "I love you," Yami whispered.

Yuugi leaned up to press a kiss to Yami's cheek, "I love you too."

The sound of a door opening and closing shattered their serene moment and drew them apart. There, standing in front of a familiar door, was Mana. Her puffy, red-rimmed eyes were already sporting trails of tears and she was holding a damp cloth up to her nose. When her brown eyes saw Yuugi and Yami, a broken hiccup racked her body and she opened the door. Dread clung to her like a heavy blanket.

"Yusei's waiting inside," she offered the statement in order to fill the tense silence, but it only added to the dreadful tension.

Never had Yuugi thought about his death, nor what it would be like once he visited the afterlife; however, he never expected death's door to look so friendly. Mana held the door to Yusei's room open for the pair as they stepped into the unsuspecting room. The familiar circle of colors and fabric, layered by the calming scents of herbs and ingredients spoke nothing of the loss that would soon befall its small company. Yuugi noticed that Yusei pulled the shades over all the windows, letting the only light be from the blue crystals on the walls. Once upon a time, the light used to be calming, but now it only added to the melancholy atmosphere.

Everything in the room was exactly as he remembered it: the sheer fabric hanging on the walls, the hammocks, bird cages, and herbs suspended from the pointed ceiling, the chest and shelves filled to the brim with more supplies and artifacts that Yuugi would never be able to understand, even the three couches and glass table were exactly as he remembered; however, the furniture had been pushed to the side of the room in order to make space for the large, round alter that had been decorated with countless blankets and pelts. Gems, furs, and colors of all kinds decorated the otherwise forboading alter, making it almost inviting to lay upon. Yuugi didn't fight as Yami set him down on the plush black bear pelt.

Yuugi kept his eyes locked on Yami as the elder stayed leaning over him, crimson eyes riddled with worry as he stared at the younger teen. Yuugi offered a small smile as he reached his hands upwards, but he was too weak. His hands stalled in the air, shaking with the effort that he needed to keep them suspended before they began to fall limp at his side. Yami, however, seemed to have caught on and caught one of Yuugi's hands before it hit the fur pelt. Gently, as if a single breath could shatter it, Yami brought Yuugi's hand to his mouth and placed a lingering kiss on the palm.

"Yami, Yuugi," Yami closed his eyes while Yuugi glanced over to Yusei. The Neko had his arms crossed as he stood away from the altar, allowing them some space, "I'm ready when you are," his voice was stoic, but his ocean eyes were conflicted with stormy emotions.

Yuugi took a shuddering breath and nodded, "Y-you don't have t-to be h-ere if y-you don't want-t," he offered the statement to anyone, but his eyes were settled on Yami who had yet to open his.

"I'm not going to leave your side," crimson eyes opened, revealing a fire that lit a life inside Yami that Yuugi hadn't seen in a while, "Ever."

Yuugi's vision blurred as he tried to swallow past the lump that was permanently in his throat. He smiled up at Yami, thankful that he would be here for the end, and caressed Yami's cheek with his thumb. The elder gasped out a shuddering breath when his lover continued the gentle caress, squeezed the smaller hand, and placed another chaste kiss to the soft flesh.

Yuugi didn't want to stop, but it took too much brain power to continue the action as he turned to look at Mana who had yet to calm her constant hiccups, "W-what ab-bout you?"

Mana chocked as more tears slipped past her dark eyelashes. Her tanned hand was covering his mouth and nose, but her eyes were burdened with the raw display of emotions. Her brown eyes were wide as her mind replayed what Yuugi could only guess were horrific memories, "I don't…" she shook her head and lowered her hand, "I can-"

"Y-you don't-t hav-ve to if it w-will hu-rt too much," Yuugi offered his friend one last escape. Just because he wasn't content to stay here, didn't mean that his friends had to suffer as well.

Mana looked torn as she looked from the door then back to Yuugi. He offered her nothing but support as she worked through the dilemma in her head. After another glance back tot he door, she let out a wail and rushed to Yuugi's side. He could tell that she wanted to scoop him up in a hug and never let him go, but with Yami so close by and his mind so unstable, she didn't want to risk it; instead, she settled with grabbing his free hand and cry into that for a few seconds.

"I'm so sorry, Yuugi! You've been such a good friend to me," she pulled back in order to look him in the eye, "I wish that I could have talked to you more, maybe hung out more often."

Yuugi squeezed her hand, "I-I happy th-at w-we were frie-nds."

Pain and remorse flashed through her brown eyes before she stood up and began to walk backwards. Their hands were still connected and their eyes were still locked: it wasn't until she had to release him that more tears welled in her brown gems and she hurried from the room. A pang of longing shot through Yuugi's heart as he watched her retreating form, but the last thing he wanted to do was have everything become too much for her.

Amethyst eyes turned back to crimson as they took in his every movement. So many thoughts and emotions passed wordlessly between them: neither could think of the right words to say. Not wanting to waste a single second with Yami, Yuugi rose off the altar a little, trying to get close to the other, but Yami pushed him back down and closed the distance himself. Both of their lips were shaking as they pressed, lighter than a whisper, onto the others. They were scared as they lingered together.

Yuugi pressed their lips closer, wanting to feel as much of Yami as he could, and was grateful when Yami pressed back. They parted and glanced at the other before reconnecting their lips together once more. Their was no sensual movements or proding for anything deeper, yet this was the most intimate that Yuugi had ever felt with Yami. Such a simple action and yet the emotions and hidden messages were enough to bring him to tears. When he felt foreign drops splash on his cheeks, he knew Yami felt the same.

The two pulled apart and Yami settled with resting his forehead against Yuugi's. The hand that still held Yuugi's began to rub against the shaking knuckles, but Yuugi got the feeling it was for more than his own comfort. Yami's eyes were closed as he continued to cry above Yuugi, his shoulders slouched, and his torso desperate to stay as close to his lover as possible. Yuugi only wished that he would open his eyes so he could watch them as they both wept together.

"Yami, it's time," Yusei's voice was like a gunshot.

"Wait," Yami's voice was unsteady.

"Yami-"

"I said, wait!" Crimson eyes shot open to glare at his friend who remained unfazed by the resentment thrown at him.

Yuugi drew his attention by caressing Yami's cheek. The elder's body shook as he returned his gaze back down to Yuugi, "I-It's time," Yuugi nodded.

Yami shuddered at the statement, then bowed his head. Shadows fell over his eyes as he reluctantly took a step back, but he refused to release Yuugi's hand from his own. Yuugi watched with pity as Yami's shaking form stood off to the side, the hand that was holding his was a vice grip. He squeezed back just as hard, trying his best to support his heartbroken lover.

Yusei stepped to the head of the altar and looked down at Yuugi, "It's a simple procedure: it won't even hurt," Yuugi nodded his head, "Would you like to know what is going to happen?" Yuugi shook his head. Yusei stared at him for a second.

Thank you.

Yuugi smiled back at the Neko who continued to stare at him with intent emotions. His black ears were pressed back against his head and his tail kept flicking to the side, but his face remained a neutral mask: only his eyes spoke of the inner turmoil. Yuugi knew that there was more that the other wanted to say -he himself had more than a lifetime of words to say to everyone he knew- but time was not on their side, nor was his memory. The longer they stalled, the less Yuugi remembered and the more his mind began to fray. It was a miracle that none of the creatures had come to bother him in his final hour, but he supposed that whatever god or goddess there was above was taking pity on him.

Yusei placed one hand on Yuugi's forehead and the other on Yuugi's chest. The teen took deep breathes to calm his racing heartbeat to try and make his friends job easier. There was a fuzzy sensation where Yusei's hands were, like soft volts of electricity were being pulsed inside his body. He flinched as the feeling began to grow. His chest felt like there was something pressing down into him, forcing him into the alter and ejecting the air from his lungs. Not only that, but a numbed jolt jumped through his brain and began to cut away at his thoughts. It was painful for a second, but only a second. Soon everything became soft and dull. Everything became fuzzy and all sensation left his body. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt warm.

His body felt light, lighter than air, and his brain felt as though it were floating in the clouds. His muscles relaxed and any weight of gravity was lifted off of him. He couldn't feel his hands or his legs, or any of the furs around him, but he could feel the pressure on his heart and mind as well as a welcoming warmth that encompassed his whole body. His mind slowed and his thoughts began to disappear.

Everything was so calm.

Everything was so peaceful.

He hadn't even noticed that his eyes were closed until he opened them. He was surrounded by beautiful colors. Everything sparkled like diamonds in the night sky. He was floating in an endless sea of stars. Beautiful. So beautiful.

Not even the two faint red stars obscured such a beautiful sky.

()

Yami never looked away. Not for one second. His eyes remained glued to Yuugi as his body relaxed and his eyes shut. For the first time since before he was crowned, Yuugi looked at peace with the world around him as though nothing had wronged him in any way; however, the serene moment was tainted when Yami noticed the color drain from his skin, the rise and fall of his chest began to slow, and the last tear slip past amethyst eyes which opened one last time.

They looked so peaceful and oblivious. The normally vibrant purple was dulled and hazy as though they were unable to focus on anything. When they landed on him, Yami froze. There was a smile on Yuugi's lips. Then the light finally faded and the hand that he held went limp.

Yami's breath hitched as Yusei rose his hands off of Yuugi's lifeless body. A soft white glow encompassed his fingers and as the Neko brought his hands together, the light drew itself together into a small, floating ball. Yusei faltered for a second before he blew on the ball of light and it disintegrated into the air as though it were dust in the wind.

Yami's heart ached as he watched every single light disappear.

Yusei set his hands down on the altar and leaned his weight against the sturdy table. His limbs were shaky as he held his body above Yuugi's. After a few heavy breaths, Yusei walked to the side of the altar, grabbed one of the blankets and covered the dead body.

Yami didn't release the cold hand until the obtrusive fabric touched his skin, nor did his eyes leave Yuugi's until they were covered by the white sheet. As soon as the blanket settled, Yami took a step back. His heart was pounding. His lungs strained for the air that he was denying them. His eyes stung as he fought back tears. His throat burned and his hands balled into fists.

Three.

They had taken away three.

They wouldn't take anymore.

Not able to take the sight of the lifeless body under the white sheet, Yami turned around and marched towards the door. His movements were robotic and stiff, as though he were forcing himself to move. In a way he was. Yami wanted nothing more than to lie down beside Yuugi, sleeping under that sheet of snow, and never leave. He didn't want to go back to the throne or trying to go back to Earth. Not even that was an escape anymore. There were too many reminders of Yuugi back there.

His family: how would he ever tell them what happened? How could he explain that their son and friend was dead? They didn't deserve such tragic news. No one did, and yet it was the truth. He could only imagine their distraught faces, their desperate wails, their broken hearts as the grim news was delivered. Perhaps it would be better if they never knew. Then again, the imagination could be even crueler than reality.

As Yami shut the door he noticed Mana curled on the floor, tiny hiccups slipping past her hands. She must have spotted him because she stood up and they shared a look. Slowly, she hobbled towards him before dragging him in a hug that Yami didn't return. It felt empty anyway.

The need for comfort pulsed off her body in waves as she clung to her friend. Yami wanted to return the gesture and he wanted to share in her tears. He wanted to hold her and help her through the pain -after all, she was just as familiar with this pain as he was- but he couldn't seem to muster up the emotion. Yami could feel it, the sadness, the rage, the loneliness, all pooling in his stomach and festering like a wound, but he couldn't bring it to the surface. Now was not the time. Now was not the place. He couldn't show anything here. They didn't deserve it. There was only one place that he felt safe in this world, and it was the only place that held those that mattered to him.

Mana was still clinging to him and Yami still didn't move. She was his friend after all, and they both had suffered a tragic loss. Luckily, Mana was strong and could bounce back from this. She could take the pain and move on. She had Yusei and her other friends. Yusei had his job and his mental strength. She would be fine. The Neko would be fine. Yami would not. Nothing could fill this black hole in his heart. Nothing could fill their space.

When she finally released him, her brown eyes locked onto his once more before she walked past him and into Yusei's room. Yami was all alone.

He needed to leave. The image of Yuugi's cold body lying under the sheet was still forefront in his mind and wouldn't leave. He couldn't handle it. It was too similar. Too similar to his mom… too similar to Atemu…

Yami began to walk again and while his shoulders were back and his head held high, he felt none of the confidence that the posture suggested; instead, a dark cloud hung around him and dripped with the grim feeling he donned. Anyone else who was in the halls scuttled away. They didn't know what happened, nor did they deserve to know, but they sure as hell weren't going to stop him.

Yami didn't care. He needed to leave the castle and it was better if no one else bothered him. He stopped as he was about to pass the door to his study. Crimson eyes watched the ebony door as though it were going to jump out at him. Should he…. He could just go without…. Yami growled as he stormed into the study.

The blue crystals only amplified the mood he was in. His eyes scanned the desk, but when the object he wasn't looking for wasn't there, he rushed over and shuffled through the drawers. His father never used it, but he always had it here. No matter how much he tried to hide it, it was just too precious: nothing could replace it. His heart leapt into his throat when Yami opened the bottom drawer. There, shoved in the back was a black box with a dragon engraved on top. It circled in on itself while its ruby eyes watched the holder of the box.

Yami paused as he held the box in his hands. It was one of the only things that his mother brought with her from her homeland. It was a beautiful piece of artistry, but the Lelanian councilmembers feared that it was too deadly and advised his father not to use it. Back then, Yami thought it was a dumb thought, but now he didn't give a damn.

Lifting the lid revealed a small, obsidian blade with a silver dragon head as the handle. There were flames stained into the stone, making it appear as though the dragon were spewing the blade from its mouth. It was beautiful and elegant in its rough lines, and yet smooth texture. Yami couldn't understand how the council members ever shunned it. After all, it was just a letter opener.

Tenderly grasping the handle of the blade, Yami stood up and set the box on the table. When he left the room, he didn't try hiding the opener from sight. No one would bother him anyway. They knew better.

The walk out of the castle was quiet, but the walk out of town was deadly. Passing Lelanian's gave him worried or concerned looks while others turned there nose up at him. He didn't care that he was walking around without any of his formal attire, not even the crown adorned his head, but what the hell would they do? Mock him? Like he cared. They never understood and now they never will.

Pity was tossed towards him before pale eyes were averted and he was left alone. How dare they act as though they understood. They never did and they never will. They never cared about what he thought, they only cared about their town and their goddess. Anything that was different was bad. Foreigners were bad. Other religions were bad. Humans were bad. There was only one place in this town where bad things were allowed.

The path was familiar to him and one that he walked down almost every day of his life here. The spare, dull lamps, the abandoned buildings, the withered cobblestone road, any sign of life faded around him as he left the town and out of the reach of the blue lights. All that was here was grey. The grass stretched on forever like a grey ocean and the wind whipping around him was the only sound. No music, no people, no life. All was forgotten here, yet it was the most peaceful place.

Yami slowed his pace as he walked along the grass, closer and closer to the lone pile of rocks. It was so much colder here than the rest of Lelania and the wind kept most of the life away from here. Not even the glorean could overtake this melancholy meadow.

When he finally reached the small grave, a wave calm washed over him. The emotions in his stomach began to settle and Yami dropped to his knees, "Hey, mom…" he whispered. He chocked as he stared at the grave, his throat beginning to constrict. For a second his facade broke and he allowed his words to catch in his throat, "Hey, Atemu…"

He let silence stretch between them with only to raging waves to fill in the gaps. Yami had to look away, "I… I'm sorry. For everything, but," crimson eyes glanced back at the grey stones, "I hope you aren't too mad at me," he paused as his voice tightened, "Yuugi will be joining you here. I know the priests and council won't allow him a proper burial," Yami released a shuddering breath, "He's nice, and I know we would have all gotten along," Yami cracked a somber smile, "His body may be here, but I hope his spirit can find his way back to Earth," he shook his head and lowered his eyes to his lap, "No one should be trapped here."

Yami clutched the blade in his hand, "I don't think I'll ever understand how all of you loved this place," he shook his head, "But I can't hate any of you for it," he grit his teeth in anger, "I can only hate them," the fist around the blade tightened its grip on the obsidian until the blade cut his flesh. Pulling his pale hand away, Yami watched as a thin trail of crimson blood traveled down the cracks in his palm and drip onto the grey grass.

Crimson eyes were blank as he stared at the fallen blood, "They will never take me. They can't keep me trapped here," Yami rose his head to look towards the cliff where the waves crashed against the obsidian face, "They won't bury me with you, but they will forget about me. It doesn't matter," his eyes fell back to the grave, "because all those I care about already remember me."

Finally, Yami stood off the ground, "Please don't hate me for this. I just don't want to do this anymore."

He began to walk away from the grave and drew closer and closer to the cliff. The wind was bitter here and carried the freezing mist from the raging sea below. Yami shivered as a cold wind pierced his skin, but he stood tall. He wasn't afraid.

Glancing down at the blade, Yami rose his wrist to the cold metal, "They hated me for my blood, just like they hated all of you for your blood," he didn't flinch when the blade pierced his skin and drew a fresh stream of blood. He switched hands and cut his other wrist, "All our blood is the same, no matter how much they preach," Yami stabbed the blade into the ground and stepped on the edge off the cliff. Small rivers of his blood streamed down his hands and stained the ground at his feet. Slowly, he turned around so he could see the grave. A small smile pulled his lips as he imagined Atemu, Yuugi, and his mother, standing there, together, watching him. He couldn't tell if they were disappointed or not, but his mind was set, "I'll see you soon."

Taking a step backward, Yami never felt any fear. There was no anger or fear or doubt, there was only the wind on his back, the mist on his face and the waves down below. His eyes remained staring up at the sky, up at the blue speckled ceiling and the three faces watching him from the edge.

It was peaceful as the world seemed to stand still, the past and the future were washed away with the waves, leaving only the present. His heart was pounding but his mind wasn't thinking. Yami's eyes stung with tears that he didn't bother holding back. They floated past his face and were swept was with the wind.

He was light as air and free as the wind. Nothing could trap him now.

As he watched his loved ones disappear over the cliff, Yami swore he felt arms embrace him. He smiled.

He never felt when his body hit the water. Only the sweet release of his soul leaving his body and his blood staining the water red.

He was free.

The End

(Koobre: Woo, I didn't want to post this before Christmas because I knew this would be sad, but I wanted to finish this before the new year. I'm sorry if this ending took a darker twist than what you were expecting, but it was what seemed fitting. To be honest, I was still uncertain of how to end this until about a month ago. Plans change you know?

Despite the sad ending, I loved this story. Did I have my ups and downs? Do I believe I could do things a lot better? Fluff yes, but I am happy with what I made considering it was just me, myself and I working on this. Please let me know what you guys thought of this because I would love to hear it.

As for my next story, I am planning to re-write my poor, forgotten Darkened Eyes. This time, however, it will be shorter, revised, better, and under its original title Sober. I think I'm finally happy with what I have brewing for it. That being said, I may post a short, 3 chapter werewolf story.

Also, if you want the song that helped inspire this story, just put the title "Sick of Losing Soulmates" into youtube and you'll find it.

Thank you so much for staying with this story, and I hope it ave you joy, despite how it ended. Let me know what you thought in a review and happy new year!)