I'm not weak.

Yes, you are.

Get out of my head!

Who's going to make me, Kura?

Don't call me that!

Why? Because she used to call you that?

. . . how did you know that? I thought -

-that your memories were hidden? That they were safe, that they were protected from me? You can't keep anything from me.

Wait . . . does that mean?

Yes.

You wouldn't, you can't.

You know I would. You know I can. And you already know that I will do whatever I want.

Don't -

You know you can't stop me.

. . .

So, what's it going to be?

Fine. I'll let you have full control without any resistance or struggle. Just don't hurt them. Please.

I won't hurt your little friends, but I can't promise that no harm will be inflicted tonight.

. . . but . . .

Let me make this simple for you. Innocent people will suffer, regardless, that much has already been decided. But here's where you come in. You can choose who will be sacrificed to the Shadows to increase my strength. Will it be one, or maybe all, of your friends? Or will you decide to spare their lives at the cost of others'? Either way, Hikari . . .

You can't honestly expect me to - I mean, how could I - Isn't there some other way for you to -

If you don't choose, then I will. And I think you know who I'll choose.

Fine. You win. Just keep my friends out of this.

I always win. Remember that. It'll save you a great deal of pain and suffering, Kura.

---------------

Please know that I'm sorry,
that I regret all that's happening,
more than words can ever express.

Please know that I'm trying my hardest,
but sometimes I give in;
I have to.

Please know that I hate myself,
more than you, and most people,
could even begin to imagine.

Please know how much pain
I'm experiencing, on a daily basis,
fighting against him,
for my freedom,
for you.

Please know that I will free you,
that I will bring you back from the Shadows.
I will not let him win.

No matter what he might say, think or do.

I promise.

Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed the last chapter, and those who have read this chapter. I am so grateful for your support and kind words :)

I hope this chapter turned out alright. Just in case anyone was confused, this fanfic will be composed of poems and one-shots (instead of only poems, which was my original plan). I hope everyone's okay with that. I love writing poetry, but I also really enjoy writing in one-shot form, it's a lot of fun.

Thanks again for reading! If you can, please review, I always love hearing your thoughts, opinions, or any suggestions.

Until next time, Melody.