Don't forget me, Beloved Chapter 4: Epilogue when the sands shift, a yu-gi-oh fanfic

Title: Don't forget me, beloved.

Epilogue – "When the sands shift…"

Notes: Hey, well…here's the wrap-up. After all, our bishies can't live without each other, ne?

Thanks a million to all my reviewers. You guys have been totally awesome.
ESPECIALLY those of you which commented on all the chapters.
And I'm sorry for making you guys cry, even though that was my intention.

Because it was mentioned a few times, to let you know, I -did- consider a sequel, but I've been so busy...

...It would be more than likely impossible and with the holidays being here and all, I have a lot on my mind.
Perhaps in the distant future, I'll look back on this fic and write a one-shot about what happened after this epilogue.
I cannot make any promises. Sorry.

I hope you enjoy this epilogue and if I feel any need to reply, I'll put review replies at the bottom.

Eternity…

This was all he knew—Icy, cruel chains that bloodied his wrists and crushed his chest. A cold, metal collar that had embedded itself in his neck. Voices that whispered and hissed words of sarcasm and despair in his ears constantly, yet would never answer him—pain unceasing and cold unrelenting…oh, yes…and darkness.

A darkness that was nothing like the darkness man knows. Oh, no…the darkness he knew was evil, cold and cruel. Not void of light, but void of life and hope and salvation.

He didn't know why, really. He didn't remember what he had done to deserve such torture and such pain. He often wondered why he never died, after losing so much blood and never having food or drink.

As the years slowly passed, he began to wonder why they had never killed him either. Death was the only thing to think about. Besides the cold and the pain, the voices and the scars, the chains and the floor…and whatever was at his back.

His tormentors never rested, be they metal or mental and neither did he. Sanity meant nothing to his broken mind, life meant even less…years fell away and time held no sway. His prison was left undisturbed for many years, as he was their bloody marionette.

Oh, they didn't enjoy the confinement any more then he did. He knew it. They were angry with him, but he didn't know why. However, amusing themselves with their fleshy toy was enough to pass the time…

Unknown to him, but certainly known to the others, the silent years had finally passed. There had been great battles and wars, shifts of power and nations had risen and fell…

…But within their sanctuary, there had been naught but utter silence—until now.

Men had begun to come to that land, seeking out their existence, though not knowing it. All had failed thus far, the shadows overcoming them and death claiming them. For a thousand years, the silence was broken. Then all at once it came again. People had learned to fear the darkness too much, it would seem…for a hundred years, fear ruled the shadow's fate. But silence is meant to be broken and boundaries are meant to be breached.

At last, three presences approached the tomb that had represented all of Egypt's forgotten glory. Evil and greed plagued the first two, but the third was a man guided by the hand of destiny itself.

His name was Solomon Mouto.

With the assistance of two guides, Solomon made his way into the ancient building and, being an expert gamer, used his skills to pass the tests. Unfortunately, his guides turned out to be thieves and murderers. He was wounded by a gunshot, but the shadows destroyed the other men and he survived. At last, the ultimate treasure…

When he laid his hands on the golden box and the pieces within, a long forgotten connection was revived…for an instant, both Solomon and the puzzle spirit sensed each other…but neither understood what that moment meant.

For a moment, freedom came within reaching distance, but it quickly flew. This was not the one. Years passed and once again, darkness was left to darkness.

…

Eight years later, chains rattled again as he was jerked from another nightmare by something, something so beautiful. A voice. Oh, but like that of an angel of the heavens…

"Oh, Jii-chan…really? I can have it? Oh, thank you, Jii-chan!" It was the voice of a young boy, apparently deliriously happy with some…present.

He blinked. A boy? Why did that voice sound familiar…? There was just some sense of déjà vu that was creeping up on him, like an incurable itch. Suddenly he felt a jolt as his prison was removed from a shelf.

"Yes, yes, my boy." An older voice, also a bit familiar, assured the boy laughingly. "I don't know why you want this old puzzle so much—but perhaps you'll have a bit better luck then I."

Then, all at once, the boy grasped the box and the one within it gasped. At the child's touch, the shadows around the one within the puzzle had recoiled. He'd never heard such a ghastly noise out of his tormentors before, but it was all drowned out by the beating of his heart…

A healing light surrounded him and he knew. He did not know how, he did not know why, but he knew. 'Yugi…' His angel had found him. Though they were both unaware, Yugi had kept his promise. Tears of utter relief streamed down his cheeks.

Atemu could hardly believe it, but somehow, someway, fate had led him back to his beloved. He tried, desperately, to reach beyond his confines to Yugi…but he could not. He could only feel the glorious presence of his former-lover and wait.

For hours, the puzzle held Yugi's attention as he tried to solve it and Atemu felt hope. Golden pieces slowly clanked together and he could hear the faint muttering of his little love. One, then two…and so it went.

Finally, the endurance of the child wore thin and he left for dinner. Atemu all at once felt the darkness return and the light was gone and he cried. 'No, beloved—don't leave me!'

The next day, though, Yugi returned to his beloved puzzle and Atemu's broken soul sang. Day after day, Yugi returned faithfully. Though Atemu found the cycle of shattering hope and regaining it both exhausting and dreadful, he could bare it—if only because Yugi always came back.

…

But one day, Yugi didn't come back.

Atemu was waiting in the darkness, trying to ignore the pain. It was easier now, because his captors were afraid of the boy who had the strength to dispel their horrors. So, Atemu waited. Yugi would come home and after a bit, he would come up to his room and work on the puzzle.

So, he waited patiently, but Yugi never came. He waited all day and Yugi never even –touched- the puzzle. When night came, Atemu nearly panicked. Surely, Yugi was just tired that day. He'd come back, right?

…But, no. Atemu found himself neglected and the shadows watched the hope fade away with glee. Eventually, Atemu felt the box returned to a shelf yet again and he wept.

…Would Yugi never come?

It had been hell itself to be in the dark, alone and ignorant of his past. Now, it was worse. Not only did he remember, but also he knew that everything he hoped for was just out of reach. Yugi was just beyond his grasp and there was nothing he could do.

Only wait and pray…

----

Eight more years passed and darkness nearly over took Atemu again…

----

With a loud sigh, a door slammed behind the young teen that had entered it. He set down his backpack and stretched. School had been murder and he had to have something to get his mind off the math and science that the teachers had crammed into his brain.

The teenager, Yugi Motou, grandson of Solomon Motou, grinned. Boredom meant a game. Like his grandfather, he'd always adored games. Today, though…he wanted to play something a little different. He grabbed a soda from the fridge and trotted up to his room. 'Maybe I could clean out my closet…Jii-chan's been telling me to and I bet there's something in there.'

Yugi didn't know how right he was. He started cleaning and when it finally shown with the result of his elbow grease and determination, Yugi finally noticed that his smile wasn't the only thing beaming.

In the back the closet, on the furthest shelf, was a golden box with an ornate eye carved on it and several Egyptian symbols all around it. Yugi raised an eyebrow. "Is that…my old puzzle? What's it doing in there?" He chuckled thoughtfully. "I never did finish it, did I?"

Yugi walked up to the box and looked it over, then gently brushed a bit of the dust off. "I guess I –could- give it another shot."

Atemu heard Yugi's voice and his heart leapt into his throat. He felt Yugi's fingers grasp the box again and the light returned. It was different this time and Atemu knew Yugi had grown up a bit since last time. He was perhaps around the age he was when they met. The thought returned the hazy image of Yugi's face and sent a shiver of anticipation down Atemu's spine…

Yugi sat down at his desk and carefully opened the box, lifting out the pieces. It came together a bit easier now that he was older, but it was still difficult. Slowly, a shape started to form.
It last for a good long while, but just like all the other tries, Yugi got stuck. Atemu realized with horror that this was the part Yugi had never been able to get past. Would he give up again? How long would he been alone this time? Or would he simply throw the puzzle away?

Click

Atemu was startled by the sound and in fact, so was Yugi. The teenager grinned. So that's how it was supposed to go. It was a wonder he didn't figure that out before. 'Well, I was only eight then…' He mused, trying to fit in another piece.

To his amazement, it fell into place. Atemu felt the light grow and expand, slowly stretching out to the shadows. 'Don't stop, love. Please.'

More pieces fell through Yugi's fingers and at last: only a few more pieces. Yugi sat back to admire his work for a moment. "It's a…pyramid." He stated, cocking his head to the side. "Hmm. I never noticed before."

"Yugi, dinner is ready!" Solomon called from the edge of their staircase.

Atemu flinched. No, not now! Oh, he'd been so close! If Yugi put the puzzle away now, he might forget again and then…

"Okay, Jii-chan. I'm coming." Yugi called back then looked back at the puzzle. He ran his fingers over the smooth surface. "I'll be back." He wasn't sure why he'd said it, but he did.

Atemu waited for the horrible moment to come when Yugi pulled the puzzle apart…but it didn't come. Yugi had left the puzzle intact. That was new. And he'd promised to return? 'Hurry, Yugi…please.'

----

After dinner, Yugi had a choice between homework and the puzzle. Eh, he could take care of math later. How often did he get to solve a three-thousand-something year old puzzle?
After a few more minutes, another piece was in place. Then two, then three…and he was startled to find that there were only two left. He placed one into a middle slot on the puzzle and the very last one completed an eye on the front.

Atemu's heart beat so hard that it nearly ripped from his chest. 'So close…so close…' was the endless mantra in his mind.

Yugi slid the eye into place and was about to leave to tell Jii-chan about it, but the puzzle glinted as its magic was reawakened. It groaned to life and light burst from it, blinding Yugi for a moment. Suddenly he found himself on the floor, pinned to the ground by a body above him.

He cautiously opened his eyes and frightened amethyst met joyous crimson. Atemu was crying with relief…not only was he finally free, but also, beneath him was— "Yugi…" Atemu breathed the name in a whisper, almost choked by his elation.

Yugi, on the other hand, was in shock. Just above him was a guy who looked frighteningly like him, had red eyes and was dressed only in a torn and slightly bloody white skirt? "Y-you…know my n-name?" Yugi stammered. He couldn't help noticing their suggestive position, what's more.

The one above him smiled. Yes, his little one looked a bit different and no, that certainly wasn't heretic he was speaking, but it was Yugi. Atemu nodded weakly in response to the question, tears still streaming down his face.

"Who are you…?" Yugi asked, all the more frightened that this man knew who he was. And yet, there was something about him that demanded Yugi to remember…something.

Atemu smiled sadly, wishing Yugi didn't have to ask. But it didn't matter. Whatever it took, he'd have Yugi back. "You knew me once, long ago. It's been a very long time, Yugi. But that doesn't matter now."

The teen felt Atemu embrace him and, in shock, tried to pull away at first, but something inside him wouldn't allow it. He relaxed and just let the other to hold him. Somehow, it was okay. Yugi knew that this guy wasn't going to hurt him and, as crazy as it seemed, Yugi trusted him.

There would be time for explanations later…

For now, he had a sexy guy in a skirt holding him like a plushie and he'd just had a really long day, so…words could wait. Sleep soon claimed Yugi and Atemu picked him up, then lovingly set him on the bed and cuddled up to him.

Yeah, words could wait…now that they had eternity to spend together.

-OWARI-

As in…The End.

FINALLY. Geez, that took forever! I sure hope it was interesting or something because, man…I'm tired now. This kicks one more muse off the drawing board and don't worry, I know "Cupid" is overdue. So does everyone else who remembers. I've also got something else overdue called "Enduring Flames" so THAT crowd wants to be taken care of as well.

1 down…and I'm just not even counting what I have left.

Review replies (for those I felt a need to answer):

Darkgold: Thanks. I'm glad it was so emotional, as that was my goal.
Atemu Yugi lover34: Thank you. As bad as this sounds, the fact that you felt like crying was quite a compliment.
Serzie: Ah, no. An "epilogue" is like..."after the end" basically. It's put in the same fic. Sort of a..."wrap-up" chapter, kay? A sequel is unlikely.
Valine: Thanks. I try to express emotions well.
Eon Kitty: Thank you. Affecting reader's emotions is what I live for.
XxXTwilight-SinXxX: Then I consider every tear a compliment. Especially if it's unusual for you.
Darkamberwolf: I'm sorry, but I'm glad you liked it so much.

ONCE AGAIN, I THANK YOU ALL, PLEASE REVIEW ON YOUR WAY OUT!