DD: Hey guys! Wow, it's been a long time since this was updated. Sorry about that. Typing up stories that have already been written is hard for me to start into. Anyway, I've entered this into the Yugioh_WattyAwards under Duel Monsters General, so when the time for voting comes, please do give it a vote. Thanks, and enjoy the chapter!

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Feta Tsukino: Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying it!

"What?" Miho's voice shook.

"They-they gave him the injection," Ryou repeated. "So-something happened. They don't know what. He-he seems to be having a really bad flashback." He shifted from foot to foot. "What should we do?"

Miho swallowed. They had to fix this. "Everyone in the car. Now."

No one argued. Ryou ran into his room and pulled Heru from their bed and dragged him out to the car, following Miho and Akefia.

None of them were properly dressed. Heru was in a pair of old Finding Nemo pyjamas, Ryou and Akefia were in a t-shirt and sweatpants, and Miho was in her lilac pyjamas.

They all climbed in; Akefia in the front with Miho and the twins in the back. Within minutes, they were in the hospital.

Mana smiled in relief as they approached the desk. "Thank Ra, you're here. He's in his room now."

"Thanks," Miho called over her shoulder as they hurried down to Bakura's room.

A few doctors were huddled outside. One glanced at them as they approached before looking back at the door. "He won't let anyone in."

Miho glanced at the three brothers. "I'll talk to him," she said softly before knocking on the door.

Upon receiving no response, she opened the door and slipped into the room.

A pillow flew at her, barely missing her head. She quickly closed the door and walked towards where the pillow had come from.

Bakura glared up at her from the floor, his eyes glazed over. "Stay away from me..."

"Bakura; it's okay." She kept her voice soft. "It's just Miho; I won't hurt you."

"Get away."

"It's going to be okay," she said as she slowed her pace but kept walking towards him. "Your parents aren't here to hurt you anymore."

"Don't come any closer."

"I won't hurt you; it's okay. I'm a friend." She slowly took another step.

"I'm warning you; stay away!"

She took two more steps. "Sh, it's okay. I'm here to help."

Bakura grabbed a glass off his bedside table, clenching it tightly. "Leave."

"I'm sorry," Miho tried. "I'm so sorry for everything that happened to you. But I can't leave. Please put the glass down." She took a step forward again.

Bakura raised the glass over his shoulder. "One more step and I'll throw it."

"Give me a good reason to stop and I won't take another step." Miho stopped. "Threatening me isn't going to work."

"You promised." Bakura's voice cracked. "You promised and you broke it."

"I know... I'm sorry." Miho looked down. "I tried my best to keep it and I failed. I'm sorry. I told the doctor not to, but he didn't listen. And I know that's no excuse. I'm sorry."

"Get out or you'll find out how good my aim is," Bakura growled.

"Throw it if you really want to." She took another step forward, meeting his gaze firmly. "I deserve it."

Without hesitation, Bakura threw it. Miho's eyes flashed shut as it neared her, but someone pulled her out of the way.

She lost her balance and fell to the floor on top of her rescuer as the glass shattered against the wall.

"Are you okay?" Akefia. Miho recognised his voice.

She opened her eyes and nodded. "Thanks," she murmured.

"It's fine," he said with a small smile.

Miho returned the smile before getting to her feet again and turning to Bakura. He was still glaring at her. "Get out."

Miho stood her ground. "I'm not leaving."

Akefia glanced at the door as it clicked open to reveal Ryou and Heru standing there, their eyes wide as they stared at Bakura. "Nii-san..."

Bakura looked over at them and his glare faltered.

"See what you're doing?" Miho asked, her voice cold. "Your own brothers are scared of you."

Bakura squeezed his eyes shut and pulled his lets to his chest. "Leave... Go away... Just stop..." His voice cracked.

Heru slowly entered the room. "Wh-what's wrong?"

"Please d-don't..."

A tear ran down Heru's face. "Bakura..."

Bakura was shaking; barely containing his own tears. "I-I c-can't..."

"It'll be o-okay," Heru choked out. "Just..." Ryou gently wrapped his arms around Heru as Bakura shook his head.

Akefia looked at Miho. "You know more about this than we do. Tell me what's going on."

"Don't!" Bakura shook his head. "Please don't..." His voice cracked again. "Please just go..."

"I won't tell them," Miho said. "At least I can keep that part of my promise. But we aren't leaving."

"Maybe we should," Ryou whispered, tears silently slipping down his cheeks as Heru sobbed into his shoulder. "We just seem to be making him worse..."

"Miho, you wait outside with Heru and Ryou," Akefia whispered, not taking his eyes off Bakura. "I want to try talking to him on my own. If it still doesn't help, we'll leave and see what he's like tomorrow."

Miho reluctantly nodded and glanced at Bakura once more before leaving with Ryou and Heru.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Akefia took a step towards Bakura. Bakura glanced up at him. "Don't..."

"Bakura, please."

"Don't, Akefia..." Bakura hid his face in his knees. "Please..."

Akefia continued walking towards him and Bakura shrank back, taking up as little space as possible. Soon Akefia was right in front of him.

Bakura was shaking even more now.

"Bakura." Akefia placed a hand on his brother's shoulder.

Bakura flinched away from him. "You didn't stop them... Our parents... You promised..."

Akefia drew in a sharp breath. "I... I couldn't."

Bakura's tears finally escaped his eyes. "You promised you'd be there for me... You promised you'd stop them... You fucking lied!"

"I-I-I couldn't..." Akefia looked away. "I was too scared."

Bakura shook his head. "You have no idea what they did to me."

Akefia looked up at him again. "You... you think you're the only one they hurt?"

Bakura squeezed his eyes shut. "I know what they did to you..." He swallowed. "But I had to take their attention of Ryou and Heru too... I couldn't let them get hurt..."

Akefia sighed. "At-at least they're gone," he tried. "They can't hurt anyone anymore."

Bakura shook his head. "They're still here... I still see them every time I try to sleep..." He gripped his head. "Dammit, why can't they just stay away?"

Akefia sat next to Bakura and wrapped his arms around him. "It gets easier with time," he murmured. "Their faces start to fade after a while."

Bakura sobbed softly and shook his head. "It's just getting worse..."

Akefia's arms tightened around him. "You're going to be okay, Bakura."

Bakura feebly tried to push him away, but eventually gave in and leaned into the embrace. Akefia swallowed, trying to hold back his own tears. "It'll get better."

"Everyone always says that," Bakura whispered, "but it never does..."

"You're wrong." Akefia shook his head. "Things will get better. I know they will."

"They haven't gotten any better in ten years... Ten years... They've only gotten worse..."

"I know... But you have to keep fighting."

Bakura slowly shook his head. "I'm so tired of fighting..."

"You have to. You can't give into it now."

"Why not?"

Akefia gently cupped Bakura's cheek and lifted his head. "You have your whole life ahead of you. And we need you; Ryou, Heru and myself. We all need you."

"You don't need me." Bakura tried to pull away. "I've been nothing but a mess since day one."

"Of course we need you." Akefia refused to let him go. "You're our brother. You've done so much for all of us."

Bakura just sighed softly and closed his eyes. "I'm so tired..."

"I know, but you need to hand on. Please," Akefia begged.

"I don't know if I can..."

"Yes you can," Akefia insisted. "You're stronger than you think, and you have me and the others to help you get through this." Bakura didn't respond. "We love you, Bakura. And we always will."

"I love you guys too..." Bakura pulled his face away. "I'm so sorry..."

"There's nothing to be sorry about; it wasn't your fault." Bakura shook his head. "It wasn't," Akefia repeated.

Bakura didn't respond, but he rested his head on Akefia's shoulder. Akefia said nothing more. They just sat there, holding one another.

Slowly, Bakura's breathing began to deepen and he drifted to sleep. Akefia held him until he was sure Bakura wouldn't wake up. Then he picked him up, carried him over to the bed and gently set him under the covers.

He kissed the top of Bakura's head. "I love you, Bakura. I'm sorry." He gently brushed Bakura's bangs away from his face before leaving the room.

The twins had calmed down – whether by choice or by self-force, Akefia wasn't sure – and Miho was leaning against the wall, waiting for him.

"He's asleep now," Akefia said as he closed the door to Bakura's room.

"That's a relief." Ryou smiled shakily, and Akefia returned it.

The doctor cleared his throat. "Thank you for helping, but visiting hours will be ending soon."

Akefia sighed. "Okay, we'll leave. Just... be gentle with him."

The doctor nodded and scribbled something into his pad of notes on Bakura's progress.

"Let's go," Akefia said.

"You guys go to the car," Miho said. "I just want to have a word with the doctor."

Akefia hesitated, meeting her gaze before nodding and leading his brothers away.

As soon as they were gone, Miho turned and glared at the doctor. "This is your fault!"

The doctor raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"You gave him the injection after I specifically told you not to," Miho hissed. "If you had listened to me, this never would have happened!"

The doctor shrugged. "I did my job, and you'll be able to take him home tomorrow." He turned away. "Now if you don't mind, I have other patients to attend to. Have a nice day."

Akefia slowly opened his eyes as a phone ringing woke him. He scowled and looked at the clock.

03:37.

"Who...?" He shook his head and carefully walked out to the hallway.

He picked up the phone with a yawn. "What is it?"

"Akefia Touzoku?"

"Yes, that's me. Who is this?" He frowned.

"My name is Dr. Mahad Kosey. I'm afraid that there's been an incident at the hospital involving your brother. I'd like to ask you to come as soon as you can."

"What happened?" Fear clenched Akefia's heart. "Is he okay?"

"Just please come to the hospital. I'll explain everything once you arrive."

"I'll be right there." Akefia hung up and ran back into Miho's room, gently shaking her awake.

She groaned, opening her eyes. "What...?"

"It's Bakura," Akefia said. "Something happened and we need to get to the hospital. Now."

Suddenly, Miho didn't seem so groggy anymore. She went to wake the twins as Akefia ran out to get the twins.

"Wh-what is it?" Heru mumbled, rubbing an eye as Miho turned on the light.

"It's Bakura," Miho said, pulling him out of bed. Ryou was already awake and up. "Come on; we need to go."

Heru and Ryou followed wordlessly as she led them to the car and they climbed in. As soon as all the doors were closed, Miho started driving. Within minutes, they were running into the hospital.

Mana quickly pointed them to a dark-haired doctor and they headed towards him.

He looked up as they approached. "Bakura's family?" Akefia nodded. The doctor sighed. "I'm Dr. Mahad. We spoke on the phone. Your brother... He attempted suicide an hour ago. He's still in the emergency room. We're not sure what the result will be."

No. Akefia closed his eyes, his hands balling into fists.

Ryou fell to his knees, shaking. "No... no, no, no, no, no; you're lying! He wouldn't do that!" His voice cracked and he sobbed. "He wouldn't..."

Heru just stood there, staring at the doctor with a blank expression.

Mahad cleared his throat. "We found him soon after he had fallen unconscious, so he didn't lose a definite lethal amount of blood, but if someone has no will to live, there's only so much we can do to save them." Akefia nodded numbly as Mahad handed him a piece of paper. "We found this in his room.

Akefia swallowed and took the paper. A letter.

Ryou, Heru and Akefia – I'm sorry. I wasn't strong enough. Please don't hate me. I tried. I love you guys. – Bakura.

Ryou looked up at him, still sobbing slightly. "C-can I s-see it?" Akefia handed him the letter without looking at him.

Ryou read it and paused. His tears began to slow and he stopped sobbing. He read it again.

Mahad cleared his throat. "I should go. Someone will come to get you when we have news."

Heru caught his sleeve before he could leave. "Please... T-t-take care of him..."

Mahad nodded. "We will." Then he was gone.

Akefia pulled his brothers into a tight hug. Ryou swallowed and looked up at Akefia. "B-Bakura didn't write this..."

"I know." Akefia nodded.

Heru's eyes widened. "W-what? B-but-"

"Bakura didn't write that," Akefia told him. "It's not his handwriting."

"So he didn't... He didn't try to kill himself?"

Akefia shook his head. "But someone wants us to think that he did."

They parted as they heard footsteps nearing them. Ryou looked up and his eyes widened in fear. He took a step back.

The others looked up and Heru gulped, stepping back as well.

A tall, tanned man with dual-coloured eyes was walking towards them, his grey hair and beard gelled neatly into place.

Akefia moved to stand in front of his brothers, glaring at the man with clenched fists. "What are you doing here?" He snarled.

Without replying, the man cast his eyes over them. It was as though he was looking at cuts of meat in a butcher's.

Ryou buried his face in Akefia's back, and Akefia's glare darkened.

The man took another step towards them, but upon seeing Miho, frowned. "Who are you?"

"I-I'm Miho Nosaka." She forced the slight tremor out of her voice. "I'm their friend."

The man narrowed his eyes, scrutinising the situation.

"Stay away from her," Akefia growled, stepping forward.

The man's smirk returned. "It's not her you should be worried about."

Akefia tensed. "Come near my family again and I swear I'll kill you."

The man chuckled. "You couldn't kill me. You're too weak," he spat.

"Try me," he hissed.

"Be careful, boy. You try anything here and you'll be arrested. Then what's to stop me hurting them?" He gestured to Miho and the twins.

"If I start something, I'll finish it," Akefia growled, "and you won't be able to hurt anyone."

"Brave words from a foolish child."

"Leave us alone!"

"Very well. I'll leave." He turned away. "I just came here to deliver the news. But if you don't want to hear it..."

"What?" Heru blurted out, his eyes wide.

The man glanced at them over his shoulder. "Yes, it's an absolute tragedy."

"No."

"Your brother-"

"No."

"-didn't completely pull through."

"No."

"He's hanging by the skin of his teeth, hooked up to dozens of machines. It doesn't seem like he's going to recover, I'm afraid."

Heru's eyes began to water. "Y-You're lying..."

The man smirked. "Now why would I lie? I was there."

"W-what?" Akefia clenched his teeth.

"Didn't I make it clear? I was one of the surgeons working with him."

"N-No..." Heru choked out.

"Yes." A look of mock sympathy passed over his face. "Don't worry. He's going to a better place now."

"You bastard..." Akefia's clenched fists shook.

The smirk returned and he leaned closer to them and whispered. "It was so delightful. I'll never forget the look of fear in his eyes when he saw me standing over him. It only took one. Deep. Cut."

Akefia pulled his fist back but, surprisingly, he didn't make it to the man first. Ryou did.

Tears streamed from his blazing eyes as he lunged at him. Somehow, his punch made contact. Either because he was moving faster than usual or because the man had been expecting an attack from Akefia instead.

His fist connected with the man's nose, which began gushing blood as he stumbled.

"You little..." The man glared at him and shoved him hard, sending him crashing into a wall. A yelp escaped Ryou.

Akefia instantly launched himself at the man as Miho and Heru ran over to Ryou.

Ryou flinched, gripping his arm. "I-I'm okay..."

"Let's get you somewhere safe," Miho said, helping him up. "Akefia doesn't need you getting caught in the crossfire."

Ryou shook his head. "I need to see Bakura."

Miho sighed but nodded. "Let's ask the receptionist." She rushed the two to the reception desk. Akefia ran after him, leaving the man staggering to his feet.

"You'll be too later!" The man yelled after them.

Akefia didn't bother turning back. He caught up to Miho and his brothers at the reception desk.

"You could have been caught," Miho mumbled to him.

Akefia shook his head. "It's four a.m. Barely anyone's here," he said. "Besides, it was the waiting room and even if I get caught, he had it coming."

Miho sighed but followed Heru and Ryou down to the room Mana directed them to. Emergency ward fifteen. It wasn't hard to find.

There weren't many emergency wards.

They burst into the room. Bakura was unconscious and hooked up to several machines. There was a slow, but reassuring beep from a heart monitor.

They made their way to his bedside and Ryou took Bakura's hand. It was cold. So, so cold.

On the underside of his wrist was a long, deep cut that couldn't have been made with anything Bakura had access to.

He gently squeezed Bakura's hand, hoping to get a reaction, however small. But there was no response, other than the continuous rhythm of his chest rising and falling.

Ryou squeezed his eyes shut and Akefia squeezed Ryou's shoulder.

Heru wrapped his arms around Ryou.

The beeping of the heart rate monitor began to slow down. Their eyes widened. "Bakura, wake up! Please!" Ryou begged, fiercely squeezing Bakura's hand. "You can't leave! Please; we need you!"

Still, the beeps grew slower.

Heru ran out, yelling for a doctor. They could hear his voice growing hoarse.

Tears poured from Ryou's eyes as he watched the last of Bakura's life drain from him.

After a minute, Mahad ran into the room and took in the sight. "Everyone out. I'll handle this."

Reluctantly, they left the room as Mahad ran over to Bakura.

Ryou was still crying and was unsuccessfully trying to stop himself. He clung to Heru like a lifeline as his younger twin hugged him.

Akefia just stared at the door, hardly blinking. Miho took his hand and squeezed it. Akefia returned the squeeze but didn't look at her.

After about an hour or two, Mahad came out and nodded. "He's stable. For now."

"Can we go back in?" Heru whispered as Akefia nodded his thanks.

"Sure," Mahad agreed. "Just call me if anything happens."

"We will," Miho assured him and the group entered the room again.

The pulse monitor was steady again and seemed to be beeping at a faster, healthier rate.

Ryou sat by Bakura's bed and took his hand again. It was warmer than before.

He squeezed it, hoping for a response. Bakura mumbled something.

Ryou's eyes widened. "B-Bakura?"

Bakura's eyes pinched slightly before fluttering open. He looked around. "W-where... am I?" He mumbled.

"In an emergency ward," Akefia said softly.

The confusion vanished from Bakura's eyes only to be replaced by fear. "I-Is he gone?"

Akefia nodded and rubbed Bakura's arm. "Yeah. Ryou punched him."

Bakura looked relieved. Then surprised. "He did what?" Ryou looked down shyly. A small smile appeared on Bakura's face. "Looks like you're not such a pacifist after all."

Ryou's cheeks flushed. "I am!" He hesitated. "Most of the time..."

"The scumbag deserved it anyway," Heru muttered. Akefia nodded while Miho hummed in agreement.

"So when am I getting out of here?" Bakura asked. "I'm getting sick of this place."

"We're not sure yet," Ryou mumbled.

"Better be soon," Bakura huffed, folding his arms. He winced and looked down at his arm. His eyes clouded over again and he looked up at his brothers. "I swear I didn't do it."

"It's okay." Ryou gently hugged him. "We believe you."

Bakura tightly returned the hug. "Thanks." His voice cracked.

Ryou nodded with a small smile before pulling away. "Oh and I brought you a book." He rummaged around in his bag and pulled out two. I am David and The Rest of us Just Live Here.

Bakura smiled at him. "Thanks; I've been meaning to read these."

Ryou returned the smile, happy that he had done something right. "You're welcome."

There was a knock on the door and Miho opened it. Mahad. "Is everything okay?" She asked.

"That's what I was going to ask you," he said.

Miho nodded, glancing at the four brothers. "Everything's fine for now."

"Good." Mahad smiled. "But it's been quite stressful for Bakura. I think you should leave shortly so he can get some rest. The more rest he gets, the sooner he'll be out."

Miho hesitated. "But something always seems to happen when we leave. Can't even one person stay?"

Mahad sighed. "Not unless someone is willing to sleep in a chair by his bed. And if they are, it can only be one person." He looked at the group. "I recommend the one that looks like him. He's been very calm."

"Okay, thank you," Miho said before closing the door again and walking back to the group.

Akefia looked up and sighed. "We need to go soon, don't we?"

"Yeah," Miho sighed. "But the doctor said one of you can stay the night and sleep in the chair. He recommended Ryou."

Ryou blinked. "Why me?"

"Because he doesn't know about you punching the doctor and you've been relatively calm," Akefia pointed out.

Ryou looked away. "Oh..." He looked at Bakura and nodded. "Okay. I'll stay."

Heru hesitated before nodding. "I guess we'd better say our goodbyes," Miho said, looking at her watch.

Heru wrapped his arms around Bakura. Bakura returned the hug. "See you tomorrow, kid."

"See you then," Heru mumbled, reluctantly releasing him. He moved on to hug Ryou as Akefia hugged Bakura.

"Be careful, okay?" Akefia murmured.

"I will," Bakura mumbled as Akefia pulled away.

Miho smiled at Bakura. "Get some rest, okay? You won't be in here for much longer."

Bakura nodded. "I will. Take care of my brothers for me."

"I will," Miho assured him with a soft smile.

Akefia ruffled his hair. "It'll be okay."

Bakura nodded, biting his cheek. With one final wave, the three left the room.

Akefia sighed as he sat on the edge of Miho's bed. Heru had fallen asleep in the car, and they had carried him in. "It's been a long day," he mumbled as Miho sat beside him. He placed his hand on hers. "I don't know where I'd be if it wasn't for you."

"You would have managed," Miho assured him. "I'm just glad I could help." They were silent for a moment before Miho spoke up again. "I'm... sorry to ask, but... who was that man earlier? The doctor?"

Akefia sighed. "His name's Aknadin. He's the one who killed my parents."

Miho squeezed his hand. "I'm sorry."

Akefia shook his head. "Don't be. They deserved what they got." He closed his eyes. "But he went after my brothers too. I've always been scared that he'd come back for them and I wouldn't be able to save them and now..."

Miho leaned over and kissed him. "Now you can prove that fears aren't reality by protecting them from him," she said softly. "I know you can do it. Life is hard, but it's worth it if the people in your life are worth the pain. And if they are worth it, I know you'll do anything to protect them."

Akefia smiled slightly. "Thanks."

"For you?" Miho returned the smile. "A thousand times over."

DD: Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Anyone who gets the reference at the end is my new favourite person. Please review! See you next time, Killer Queens!