"Ryou!" Bakura's outstretched arm kept the door open and his expression was fearful to behold. Crimson eyes flashed like liquid fire in their hold but Ryou didn't cower, simply looked forlorn and broken. "What, what did you-"

"It's over." Ryou's whisper cut Bakura's sentence short, quiet though it was. Ryou looked at his hands, leaning back on his heels, and he stared at them with a sense of wonder. He was shaking and his eyes were suddenly blurred with tears and as he spoke, it held a hint of relief and sudden sorrow.

"It's over…it's finally over." His head fell forward, light hair falling into his face. Small spasms shook him even more, his body racking and he finally let loose, laughing gently with his voice cracking every few moments. "Ha, it's finally, ha, over…hah…after all this time it, heh, it's over." And then laughter gave way to tears and then he was crying silently. "It's finally over."

And it was. His father's abuse and lack of care, the fury at the injustice, all his pent up feelings had finally been released and taken care of. It was over at last. Whatever had haunted his father to be so cruel had passed onto Ryou at his death and now it was finally gone. He was finally free.

"Ryou!" Bakura's tone was suddenly harsh though he still stepped towards Ryou, his hands outstretched. His expression was hardened though, a front once more. "What do you think you're doi-no. Ryou. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" When Bakura spoke, it was like a low roar and Ryou looked up blankly, his eyes filmed over though there was no fear in his eyes, even when Bakura grabbed his shoulders and shook him. "What's wrong with you? After condemning me for being murderous, you do the exact same thing that I would have done? Kill others just like me? How does that make things right?" Ryou just stared up at him, his expression dull but a small smile on his face as he stood, Bakura's hands following him up while his white hair fell into his eyes, covering the top portion of his face.

"It was me. Yeah, it was me that killed them…because they killed parts of other people with their own ambitions." A wet streak suddenly materialized on the side of his face and Ryou's voice was choked as he continued. "They destroyed my life…they killed part of my life…I couldn't let them be." Another streak of liquid down his face.

"Ryou, why?" Serenity stepped forward, her hand outstretched towards the boy, her other hand covering her mouth as large grey eyes quivered in their sockets uncontrollably. "Ryou…" Seto's hand on her shoulder stopped her though and she looked torn before doing neither and merely falling to her knees, her hands covering her face and no one noticing enough to comfort her besides the only other woman. Isis fell down next to her and wrapped her arms around her, holding her so that she could cry like no one else in the room would. She was exhausted, she was frightened, she was confused.

"Ryou. I can't…none of us can let you stay like this." Malik stepped forward shakily and extended his hand as well while Marik stepped forward in front of him, expression grim.

"What will you do?" Ryou asked then, looking out at everyone else from underneath his bangs and his doe eyes didn't look so innocent anymore; instead they looked mocking. "What will you do then? Turn me into the police? Lock me up in a psychiatric ward?" Marik opened his mouth to speak and then suddenly his mouth snapped shut and he didn't speak again, only looking away.

"Yes." Everyone's face snapped towards the source and merely gawked for a moment and Ryou blinked, staring almost shocked. Bakura's expression was stern and hard, his crimson eyes glowing furiously. "Yes. I would, I will do that to you. I would do it…for you."

Ryou's jaw tightened and suddenly his hand reached into his overly large pocket and pulled out a gun. Bakura's eyes narrowed and he stepped back slightly, muscles tightening swiftly. Everyone else backed away as well, or shrunk back and Ryou's expression looked pained.

"Ryou, what on-?" Ryou swung his arm towards Bakura and Bakura stared, expression harsh. A small tic was released in his temple and it started throbbing slightly and he struggled to speak though he couldn't find the words.

"I know you wouldn't be able to do that to me." Ryou's face looked almost sadistic and then his expression completely changed. "I know…you could never do anything to me." He paused for a moment and the barrel of the gun was suddenly pointing at Seto. "Well maybe you could. So maybe I should just kill you no-"

"NO!" Mokuba wrapped his arms around his brother's waist tightly, expression invisible as he buried his face tightly into his brother's waist. One of Seto's hands wrapped around Mokuba, holding him tight and protecting him, although his expression was harsh.

"But…how could I kill you?" He murmured and then turned the gun away from him. "How could I have killed any of you? How could I let you hospitalize me then?" His expression was grim and he turned away.

And turned the gun inwards. "The game's finally over." He whispered and Bakura stepped forwards, his narrowed eyes wide now.

"Ryou, what are you-" Ryou stepped back, pointing his gun out again at everyone.

"Don't…don't come near me." He whispered, voice suddenly choked and his expression was frightened. "Don't. It's over, alright? It's finally over and you should be happy. I loved you." He managed to force out through his suddenly clogged throat. "And now I don't have to wonder why…"

"YOU IDIOT!" Ryou looked startled and then his hand dropped slightly though Bakura came no closer. "Why do you think I stayed? Why do you think I stayed this long with you if I didn't care about you?" Ryou's hand lifted again and the gun was pointed at his head though maybe about a foot off.

"It's nice to pretend sometimes, isn't it? Lying too…" The hammer clicked and fell into place and his expression suddenly looked pained as his finger trembled on the trigger.

"I'M NOT LYING YOU DUMBASS!" Bakura swore and then yelled again as Ryou's finger pushed gently, with his eyes tearing slightly. "RYOU YOU FUCKING IDIOT…How stupid could you be?" His expression was grim and suddenly helpless, reaching out. "Ryou…were you stupid enough not to notice? Didn't you know, didn't I express it? DAMNIT RYOU, I LOVED YOU TOO!"

BANG

Ryou crumpled to the floor, the gun lying in his hand, the barrel warm and his hair flung around haphazardly. He was lying limply on the ground, expression full of shock.

"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Several screams were heard echoing throughout the room and something shattered in the room. Marik and Malik both started forward and the two women held onto each other, not looking up and Seto clutched his brother to him tightly, hiding the view from both their lines of vision.

"RYOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" Bakura ran forwards next to Ryou, expression shocked and furious.

Could it really be over? Really truly? Like this?

Well, there you go. Second to last chapter. The next chapter will be wrapping things up however...is Ryou really dead? Should he be dead? How did everyone get out? What's everyone else giong to do?

I'd actually really love reviews on this even though I know it isn't the greatest. I'm actually not at all sure if I can go through with having a sad ending. I'm not a sad ending kinda person, you know? self turmoil ARGH!

Please review!